url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://burchett.house.gov/media/press-releases/historic-artifacts-museum-appalachia-display-burchett-s-washington-office,Historic artifacts from Museum of Appalachia on display in Burchetts Washington office,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TN,Tim Burchett,B001309,burchett.house.gov,,,legacy,"KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 31, 2020)--Today,U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02)announced unique artifacts from the Museum of Appalachia will be on display in his Washington D.C. office, which is located in room 1122 of the Longworth House Office Building. Since 2003, these items have been on loan toU.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)for display in his Washington office. These historic pieces needed a new home asSen. Alexanderretires from office in January 2021, andRep. Burchettis keeping alive a Tennessee Congressional delegation tradition by moving these pieces to his office. Every item on display originated from within Tennessee's Second Congressional District. Ahead of the relocation,Rep. Burchett,Sen. AlexanderandElaine Meyer,President of the Museum of Appalachia, met virtually to discuss the cultural importance of these artifacts. Sen. Alexander and I grew up in East Tennessee, and these pieces belonged to the folks who came before us,Rep. Burchett said during the discussion.This stuff really touches me and it's cool the Museum of Appalachia can show us how people back then overcame obstacles in everyday life. The Museum of Appalachia is such a treasure for East Tennessee and helps us celebrate our Appalachian culture,Sen. Alexander said.These artifacts gave me a chance to show off that culture, and these pieces of history always caught the attention of people walking by my office. I'm grateful to Elaine Meyer, the Irwin family and John Rice for loaning these items to me and I'm glad Rep. Burchett has decided to put a sizable part of this exhibit in his Washington office. These artifacts are something all East Tennesseans can lay claim to, and it's great they were on display in Sen. Alexander's office throughout his tenure in the U.S. Senate,Ms. Meyer said.I'm glad this tradition is continuing, and these pieces will be a unique part of Rep. Burchett's office just as they were with Sen. Alexander. Click hereor on the image below to watch the full conversation betweenRep. Burchett, Sen. Alexander, and Ms. Meyer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://burchett.house.gov/media/press-releases/historic-artifacts-museum-appalachia-display-burchetts-washington-office,Historic artifacts from Museum of Appalachia on display in Burchett’s Washington office,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TN,Tim Burchett,B001309,burchett.house.gov,burchett,https://burchett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Office Locations Request an Appearance Website Problem About Committees and Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Media Opinions Press Releases Tennessee Under the Capitol Dome Services Appropriations Requests Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Flags Grant Applicants Help with a Federal Agency Internships Military Academy Nominations Tours and Tickets Veterans History Project Issues Abortion Border Security Debt & Deficit Education Foreign Affairs Oversight & Accountability Second Amendment Social Security & Medicare Transportation & Infrastructure Veterans Historic artifacts from Museum of Appalachia on display in Burchett’s Washington office Thursday, December 31, 2020 Image KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 31, 2020) -- Today, U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) announced unique artifacts from the Museum of Appalachia will be on display in his Washington D.C. office, which is located in room 1122 of the Longworth House Office Building. Since 2003, these items have been on loan to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) for display in his Washington office. These historic pieces needed a new home as Sen. Alexander retires from office in January 2021, and Rep. Burchett is keeping alive a Tennessee Congressional delegation tradition by moving these pieces to his office. Every item on display originated from within Tennessee's Second Congressional District.  Ahead of the relocation, Rep. Burchett, Sen. Alexander and Elaine Meyer, President of the Museum of Appalachia, met virtually to discuss the cultural importance of these artifacts. ""Sen. Alexander and I grew up in East Tennessee, and these pieces belonged to the folks who came before us,"" Rep. Burchett said during the discussion. ""This stuff really touches me and it's cool the Museum of Appalachia can show us how people back then overcame obstacles in everyday life."" ""The Museum of Appalachia is such a treasure for East Tennessee and helps us celebrate our Appalachian culture,"" Sen. Alexander said. ""These artifacts gave me a chance to show off that culture, and these pieces of history always caught the attention of people walking by my office. I'm grateful to Elaine Meyer, the Irwin family and John Rice for loaning these items to me and I'm glad Rep. Burchett has decided to put a sizable part of this exhibit in his Washington office."" ""These artifacts are something all East Tennesseans can lay claim to, and it's great they were on display in Sen. Alexander's office throughout his tenure in the U.S. Senate,"" Ms. Meyer said. ""I'm glad this tradition is continuing, and these pieces will be a unique part of Rep. Burchett's office just as they were with Sen. Alexander."" Click here or on the image below to watch the full conversation between Rep. Burchett, Sen. Alexander, and Ms. Meyer. 35.96218937574084 -83.91705284439482 35.754871307863255 -83.96938554624516 TN02",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2020/12/31/higgins-will-object-certification-electoral-college-votes/,Higgins Will Object to Certification of Electoral College Votes,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"“I will object to the certification of electoral votes on January 6th. Reports of voter fraud and actions by some states to alter election processes in an unlawful manner have not been properly reviewed. Evidence that a crime has been committed leads to an investigation. That standard is reasonable suspicion. Investigation into an alleged crime produces evidence either exculpatory or condemning. Investigations crossing multiple jurisdictional authorities are particularly complex and require time. Our Constitutional requirement to inaugurate a President on January 20th does not abrogate our Constitutional requirement to investigate reasonable suspicion of election fraud and violation of election laws within several of the sovereign states. I believe those actions of fraud and illegal election processes thwarted the true will of We, the People, and flipped the Presidential election to career politician Joe Biden. America is not a confederacy of states. We are a Union of States. We are a Representative Republic. Therefore, each sovereign state has a deep obligation to follow its own written election laws when that state participates in a federal election. Otherwise, the Union itself is violated, and the federal election is compromised. I warned of this prior to November 3rd, 2020. Six weeks ago, I instructed my Congressional staff to begin preparing for my formal objection to Electoral slates of several sovereign states. While the mainstream media and establishment forces want to ignore election irregularities that began coming to light in the days following the election, We, the People, will not stand idly by. For over a month now, I have been examining and researching the various allegations that have come forth, and I will take every legal and Constitutionally-available action to ensure a righteous outcome. That includes objecting to the electoral slates from disputed states. There is sufficient evidence, at a minimum, to investigate criminal acts, which may have compromised the integrity of our election. This effort and action to safeguard our election systems must continue, even beyond January 20th, 2021.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-urges-additional-flexibility-for-digital-asset-rulemaking,Emmer Urges Additional Flexibility for Digital Asset Rulemaking,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MN,Tom Emmer,E000294,emmer.house.gov,emmer,https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and seven of his colleagues and Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to express concerns regarding a limited comment period to respond to a recently released rule making significant changes to the regulation of digital assets. The rule was announced on December 18, 2020, and comments must be received by January 4, 2021. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) rule would require certain members of the cryptocurrency industry to submit additional reports and keep records relating to customer identities if transactions are made above certain thresholds. The additional data collection also pertains to unhosted wallets, which do not require a financial institution to conduct transactions. Congressman Emmer's letter requests a 60 day comment period for public and stakeholder input on the rule before it is finalized, and a potential delay of implementation to allow stakeholders to become compliant. “The blockchain industry and cryptocurrency innovations are constantly and rapidly evolving. Government frequently struggles to keep up. We owe it to this community to be fair, transparent, and open to stakeholder advice,"" said Emmer. ""Our request is simple: allow additional flexibility for stakeholders to comment and advise our government on this proposal,"" Emmer concluded. Read the letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://emmer.house.gov/press-releases?ID=14FD5053-6EE0-4841-B64E-11D13F004C19,Emmer Urges Additional Flexibility for Digital Asset Rulemaking,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MN,Tom Emmer,E000294,emmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Icon Google Plus Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon Twitter Icon YouTube Icon Vimeo Icon Clients Icon Email icon Map Icon Print Icon Quote Icon icon_share Carousel Arrow - Left Carousel Arrow - Right",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=8184,Congressional Oversight Commission Publishes Eighth Report,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AR,French Hill,H001072,hill.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressional Oversight Commission Publishes Eighth Report f t # e Washington, December 31, 2020 WASHINGTON D.C. The members of the bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission have published their eighth report.It is available for review here. The Commission's seven previous reports are also available for review at theCongressional Oversight Commission's website. The Congressional Oversight Commission is a five-person panel that was established by the CARES Act. The Commission is focused specifically on the economic stabilization efforts of the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve. The members of the commission are Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Congresswoman Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), and Congressman French Hill (R-Ark.) Commissioner Bharat Ramamurti recently announced he would be joining President-Elect Biden's Administration as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and stepped down from his role on the Commission. The Commission's chairperson has not been appointed yet. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://jasonsmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3342,We Will Object,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MO,Jason Smith,S001195,jasonsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Next week, your 117th United States Congress will convene for the first time. After the election of Speaker and the adoption of the Rules of Congress, theaction will quickly move to reading aloud the electoral votessubmitted by each state from this past November'selection - counting them, and declaring the vote tally for President and Vice President. During that process, the question will be put before your elected officials - does anyone object to the certificationof electoral votes of a state. We will object. Our hope is that others will join us. We don't take this decision lightly, but we must protect the integrity of each vote cast by every law-abidingMissourian. For every instance of Georgia failing to follow its own state law in verifying signatures, of Pennsylvania accepting mail ballots after the legal deadline set by its state legislature, or folks from outside Nevada casting a ballotin that state - the value of every Missourians' vote is diminished. That's not right. And we cannot simply look the other way. The right to freely cast yourvote in elections is a sacred privilegeafforded to us as Americans because of the sacrificesof the patriots who fought for that right. When that process is spoiled and abused by officials not following their own state law, it violates that right and jeopardizes the entire integrity and foundation of 'free and fair' elections. In such instances, where voting process changes are made without the consent of the voter, we know it is our duty and our obligation to serve as a backstop to protect the power of one person, one vote - to protect your vote as a Missourian. We must be able to have confidence in not only the agreement and expectation that this election would follow the law, but future ones will as well. We take the responsibilityof upholding the Constitutionseriously, and that is why we feel compelled to object to the electoral count taking place on January 6th. The reported results of this past November's Presidential election don't even pass the most basic eye test. Republicans were projected to lose seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, we gained more than a dozen. Republicans were supposed to lose control of several state legislatures, we picked up multiple. We were projectedto lose control of the United States Senate - we didn't, and we won't. All of this occurred on the same night President Trump lost? It's hard to believe. Combined with the daily reports of voting irregularities where state election laws were discarded and not followed, something doesn't add up. President Trump won over 74 million votes, Obama - 69 million. President Trump won 2586 counties, Obama - 873 counties, Joe Biden - 527 counties. The numbers, the evidence, and the abnormalities all speak for themselves. We have joined lawsuits, called for a Special Counsel and demanded accountability and integrity, now we finally get to cast our vote. We have no illusions about the outcome, at the end of the day, this is still Nancy Pelosi's House. Our only hope is that more will join us - that more will value protecting the vote of every American living in their state as much as we do fighting for yours.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://jeffduncan.house.gov/media/in-the-news/list-gop-lawmakers-object-during-electoral-college-certification-process-grows,List Of GOP Lawmakers To Object During Electoral College Certification Process Grows,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,SC,Jeffrey Duncan,D000615,jeffduncan.house.gov,,,legacy,2229 Rayburn House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-joe-wilson-to-object-to-electoral-college-certification,CONGRESSMAN JOE WILSON TO OBJECT TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE CERTIFICATION,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,SC,Joe Wilson,W000795,joewilson.house.gov,joewilson,https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"On December 31, Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement: ""As a former Lexington County Election Commissioner, not just as a Member of Congress, I am disgusted at the irregularities in the 2020 presidential election. The failure to validate signatures, the omission of witnesses, the interruption of counting before completion, the denial of poll watchers for access to fully observe, the extension of ballots received beyond Election Day, and the registration of illegal aliens, allowing non-citizens to vote, are all an open invitation for fraud. I had counted on courts to fully consider lawsuits by 18 states and 126 members of Congress, but the Courts have declined to act and it is my duty to object to the Electoral count because irregularities were never addressed."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://johnjoyce.house.gov/media/press-releases/john-joyce-will-object-electoral-college-certification-process-january-6,John Joyce Will Object to Electoral College Certification Process on January 6,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,PA,John Joyce,J000302,johnjoyce.house.gov,johnjoyce,https://johnjoyce.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) today announced that he will object to the Electoral College certification process on Wednesday, January 6. ""American democracy is possible only as long as the American people have faith in government ?of, by, and for the people.' We cannot have truly free and fair elections unless American voters have confidence in the results. In Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf's unlawful actions coupled with the hastily passed Act 77 shrouded this year's election and spurred rabid distrust in the system. Despite millions of Americans' efforts to discern the facts, we have not seen a meaningful investigation into the many legitimate accounts of election fraud and irregularities. For the sake of our liberty and our American values, I will stand up for President Trump and our American democracy by objecting to the Electoral College certification on January 6."" Today Dr. Joyce joined fellow members of the Republican Congressional delegation in a joint statement on the certification of the electors, including in part: ""Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislature's clear constitutional authority. ""The unlawful actions include, but are not limited to: Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates Meanwhile, the matching of signatures was required at a polling site Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hour's notice Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia ""These unlawful actions were taken without the authority or consent of the Pennsylvania state legislature. These are facts, and they are indisputable."" Despite sustained efforts to discern the truth, these Members of Congress have not received an adequate response from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Given this failure of the Commonwealth's leadership, they cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. ""This very unfortunate, volatile, and distressing situation is due to the lack of respect and regard for the law and the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Additionally, the failure of Pennsylvania's justice system to seek the truth, rather than stay silent, allowed these irregular, unlawful actions to create a high level of mistrust in the process, as well as a potentially flawed outcome,"" they continued. Background: Since Election Day, Dr. Joyce has been in lockstep with President Trump and his team to ensure that justice is served. ? November 6, 2020: Dr. Joyce and 38 fellow Members of Congress call on U.S. Attorney General Barr to begin a federal investigation and exercise oversight on the November 3 elections in Pennsylvania and around the country. ? November 7, 2020: Dr. Joyce and fellow Republican Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation urge Governor Wolf, PA Attorney General Shapiro, and Secretary Boockvar to uphold the law of Pennsylvania and ensure that every LEGAL vote is counted once. They also call on Governor Wolf to recuse AG Shapiro, a hyper-partisan candidate, from ALL election oversight. ? November-December: Dr. Joyce supports President Trump's legal challenges in Pennsylvania. ? December 1, 2020: Dr. Joyce and 36 fellow Members of Congress urge U.S. Attorney General Barr to take ""bold and courageous action"" in DOJ investigation of widespread allegations of election fraud in Pennsylvania and around the country and to uphold the rule of law and ensure legal justice for President Trump. As they write, ""justice delayed is justice denied."" ? December 7, 2020: Dr. Joyce files an amicus brief in support of Kelly v. Pennsylvania, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Congressman Mike Kelly's case against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ? December 8, 2020: Dr. Joyce co-sponsorsH.R.8830, the You Must Be Alive to Vote Act of 2020, which will require states to obtain information from Social Security Administration on deaths for purposes of voter registration list maintenance and to prevent dead people from voting. ? December 10, 2020: In support of President Trump, Dr. Joyce files an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Texas v. Pennsylvania and give all due consideration to our President. ? December 24, 2020: Dr. Joyce files an amicus brief calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Kelly v. Commonwealthof Pennsylvania and uphold the Constitution of Pennsylvania. ? December 31, 2020: Dr. Joyce and members of the Republican Pennsylvania Congressional delegation release statement announcing that they will object to the Electoral College certification process. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://long.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=476,We Will Object,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MO,Billy Long,L000576,long.house.gov,,,legacy,"Next week, your 117th United States Congress will convene for the first time. After the election of Speaker and the adoption of the Rules of Congress, theaction will quickly move to reading aloud the electoral votessubmitted by each state from this past November'selection - counting them, and declaring the vote tally for President and Vice President. During that process, the question will be put before your elected officials - does anyone object to the certificationof electoral votes of a state. We will object. Our hope is that others will join us. We don't take this decision lightly, but we must protect the integrity of each vote cast by every law-abidingMissourian. For every instance of Georgia failing to follow its own state law in verifying signatures, of Pennsylvania accepting mail ballots after the legal deadline set by its state legislature, or folks from outside Nevada casting a ballotin that state - the value of every Missourians' vote is diminished. That's not right. And we cannot simply look the other way. The right to freely cast yourvote in elections is a sacred privilegeafforded to us as Americans because of the sacrificesof the patriots who fought for that right. When that process is spoiled and abused by officials not following their own state law, it violates that right and jeopardizes the entire integrity and foundation of 'free and fair' elections. In such instances, where voting process changes are made without the consent of the voter, we know it is our duty and our obligation to serve as a backstop to protect the power of one person, one vote - to protect your vote as a Missourian. We must be able to have confidence in not only the agreement and expectation that this election would follow the law, but future ones will as well. We take the responsibilityof upholding the Constitutionseriously, and that is why we feel compelled to object to the electoral count taking place on January 6th. The reported results of this past November's Presidential election don't even pass the most basic eye test. Republicans were projected to lose seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, we gained more than a dozen. Republicans were supposed to lose control of several state legislatures, we picked up multiple. We were projectedto lose control of the United States Senate - we didn't, and we won't. All of this occurred on the same night President Trump lost? It's hard to believe. Combined with the daily reports of voting irregularities where state election laws were discarded and not followed, something doesn't add up. President Trump won over 74 million votes, Obama - 69 million. President Trump won 2586 counties, Obama - 873 counties, Joe Biden - 527 counties. The numbers, the evidence, and the abnormalities all speak for themselves. We have joined lawsuits, called for a Special Counsel and demanded accountability and integrity, now we finally get to cast our vote. We have no illusions about the outcome, at the end of the day, this is still Nancy Pelosi's House. Our only hope is that more will join us - that more will value protecting the vote of every American living in their state as much as we do fighting for yours.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3564,Bill to Help Non-Profit Organizations Goes to President Trumps Desk to be Signed,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after the Senate and House of Representatives passed his bill, the Building Up Independent Lives and Dreams (BUILD) Act: share: f t Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after the Senate and House of Representatives passed his bill, the Building Up Independent Lives and Dreams (BUILD) Act:It's great to see the BUILD Act on its way to the president's desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan support for this bill was overwhelming; and it's clear that many of my colleagues agree we should make it easier for charitable organizations to help those in need. This bill is a major help for non-profits, like Habitat for Humanity, which provide low-cost housing for needy families. The BUILD Act cuts government red-tape by reducing some of the overly burdensome regulations placed on charities through the Dodd-Frank Act. The difficulty and cost of compliance has been too much for some non-profits, causing them to spend more time doing regulatory paperwork and less time fulfilling their missions. The BUILD Act recognizes that these non-profit organizations operate under different business models than traditional financial institutions, and provides a simpler method for providing mortgage disclosures. Summary of the BUILD Act (S. 371): Allows Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and similar organizations, to choose whether to use the TRID loan estimate and closing disclosure form or use the less complex GFE, HUD-1, and TILA forms. You can view the text of this legislation by HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3565,Rep. Loudermilk to Object to Georgia Electors in U.S. House of Representatives,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement regarding the November 3rd election, and the certification of the electors for the Presidential election in the U.S. House on January 6, 2021:""Since the November 3rd election, I have received numerous reports of election irregularities, mismanagement of the election system, and multiple incidents of voter fraud. While contacting voters who needed to cure their absentee ballots just after the election, I and my team heard from several voters who reported that when they went to vote on Election Day, they were told they had already voted absentee, though they had not. Two weeks before the election, I received credible information that a Georgia-based non-profit group was actively calling residents of other states and encouraging them to register as Georgia voters. I reported this information, and the contact for my source, to the Georgia Secretary of State. Two weeks after the election, I found out that the informant had never been contacted by the Secretary of State's office. ""Over the past several weeks, I have been in contact with members of the Georgia General Assembly who have conducted hearings on potential voter fraud in the November general election. I have received hundreds of testimonies, affidavits, and witness accounts of voting irregularities, lack of ballot accountability, and violations of state election law. While I am fully supportive of Governor Brian Kemp and how he is leading Georgia during these trying times, I do not believe the Governor's office, nor the Secretary of State, have adequately answered the most significant claims of voter fraud and election mismanagement made by several individuals and entities. ""After weeks of researching Georgia's handling of the 2020 General Election, I have a reasonable and significant doubt that the electors selected to represent Georgia in the electoral college actually reflect the true will of the people of Georgia. Due to the many unanswered and credible charges of potential fraud, highly respected members of the State House and Senate have called for a special session to address the certification of Georgia's votes. However, no special session has been called. Therefore, on behalf of my colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly, I will be objecting to Georgia's electors when these votes are presented to the U.S. House of Representatives on January 6, 2021.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-statement-on-cash-act-vote/,McMorris Rodgers Statement on CASH Act Vote,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) issued the following statement after voting on the CASH Act. This year, I have supported trillions in emergency relief and assistance for those hurt by the COVID-19 crisis and resulting economic shutdowns. That includes this month's bipartisan agreement with increased unemployment assistance, aid to farmers and ranchers, reimbursements for our health care providers, support for small businesses and their employees, and additional direct payments to Eastern Washington families, said McMorris Rodgers. Unfortunately, the CASH Act would add $464 billion to our national debt. I believe assistance should be more targeted. In addition, this bill failed to include the spending reductions that President Trump called for. As I've repeatedly urged Governor Inslee to do, the best and most effective way to help families and restore our way of life is to reopen our economy and safely get people back to work. That's what I am committed to. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases/pennsylvania-members-congress-release-statement-regarding-certification,PENNSYLVANIA MEMBERS OF CONGRESS RELEASE STATEMENT REGARDING CERTIFICATION OF ELECTORS,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,PA,Daniel Meuser,M001204,meuser.house.gov,meuser,https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Pennsylvania members of the U.S. House of Representatives including Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-9), Congressman Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (PA-15), Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16), Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10), Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), and Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released the following joint statement: ""The United States Constitution is unambiguous in declaring that state legislatures are the entity with authority to set election procedure - ""Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof… ""Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2: Each state shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors… ""Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislature's clear constitutional authority. ""The unlawful actions include, but are not limited to: Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates Meanwhile, the matching of signatures was required at a polling site Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hour's notice Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia ""These unlawful actions were taken without the authority or consent of the Pennsylvania state legislature. These are facts, and they are indisputable. ""Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General did nothing with regard to these unlawful activities. Not one inquiry, no questioning, and certainly no investigations. Not to mention that hundreds, if not thousands, of affidavits outlining election complaints and potential fraud were documented, submitted, and ignored. The Pennsylvania election could be summed up as a free-for-all with no oversight and different standards applied throughout the Commonwealth. It is also very apparent that the unlawful actions described were concentrated in heavily populated, Democrat-led counties. ""By definition, such unlawful, unregulated, and inconsistent activities resulted in a highly questionable and inaccurate vote total. The scope of these inaccuracies cannot be known until the legal ballots are identified and counted, and the illegal ballots are disqualified. This has not been done. ""Therefore, the state's official certification of electors was based upon a flawed system and an inaccurate vote count. Thus, very possibly resulting in an erroneous certification. ""Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. The voters of Pennsylvania deserve integrity in the election process and equal protection under the law. ""This very unfortunate, volatile, and distressing situation is due to the lack of respect and regard for the law and the U.S. Constitution as well as the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Additionally, the failure of Pennsylvania's justice system to seek the truth, rather than stay silent, allowed these irregular, unlawful actions to create a high level of mistrust in the process as well as a potentially flawed outcome. ""If there is an American ideal that all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, can agree upon is that we must have election integrity. Election integrity is the only way to ensure trust in our elections and it is accomplished by adhering to our Constitution and the law.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=732,Statement on Electoral College Certification,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,SC,Ralph Norman,N000190,norman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement on Electoral College Certification U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman issued the following statement on Thursday, December 31, 2020: On January 6th, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate will meet in joint session to accept the results of the Electoral College. My office has received a lot of calls asking about my position on this. My position is clear: Because we don't have a thorough accounting of all the various reports of voting irregularities, as well as transparent evidence that the election in several key states was fair overall and remedied where it wasn't fair I will be joining other colleagues from the House of Representatives to formally challenge the Electoral College results from those states. At the end of the day, I believe Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our federal elections are fair and transparent. Individual states, which are empowered by our Constitution to run their own elections, need to ensure that state and federal laws were followed when making their election policies, that every lawful vote is counted, unlawful votes are discarded, and legitimate reports of irregularities are thoroughly investigated and resolved. Because there remain valid questions as to whether several states have actually met this threshold for certification, Congress has a right and (I would argue) a responsibility to examine and debate the results.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reschenthaler.house.gov/media/press-releases/pennsylvania-members-congress-release-statement-regarding-certification,Pennsylvania Members of Congress Release Statement Regarding Certification of Electors,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,PA,Guy Reschenthaler,R000610,reschenthaler.house.gov,reschenthaler,https://reschenthaler.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Pennsylvania members of the U.S. House of Representatives including Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-9), Congressman Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (PA-15), Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16), Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10), Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), and Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released the following joint statement: ""The United States Constitution is unambiguous in declaring that state legislatures are the entity with authority to set election procedure - ""Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof… ""Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2: Each state shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors… ""Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislature's clear constitutional authority. ""The unlawful actions include, but are not limited to: Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates Meanwhile, the matching of signatures was required at a polling site Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hour's notice Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia ""These unlawful actions were taken without the authority or consent of the Pennsylvania state legislature. These are facts, and they are indisputable. ""Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General did nothing with regard to these unlawful activities. Not one inquiry, no questioning, and certainly no investigations. Not to mention that hundreds, if not thousands, of affidavits outlining election complaints and potential fraud were documented, submitted, and ignored. The Pennsylvania election could be summed up as a free-for-all with no oversight and different standards applied throughout the Commonwealth. It is also very apparent that the unlawful actions described were concentrated in heavily populated, Democrat-led counties. ""By definition, such unlawful, unregulated, and inconsistent activities resulted in a highly questionable and inaccurate vote total. The scope of these inaccuracies cannot be known until the legal ballots are identified and counted, and the illegal ballots are disqualified. This has not been done. ""Therefore, the state's official certification of electors was based upon a flawed system and an inaccurate vote count. Thus, very possibly resulting in an erroneous certification. ""Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. The voters of Pennsylvania deserve integrity in the election process and equal protection under the law. ""This very unfortunate, volatile, and distressing situation is due to the lack of respect and regard for the law and the U.S. Constitution as well as the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Additionally, the failure of Pennsylvania's justice system to seek the truth, rather than stay silent, allowed these irregular, unlawful actions to create a high level of mistrust in the process as well as a potentially flawed outcome. ""If there is an American ideal that all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, can agree upon is that we must have election integrity. Election integrity is the only way to ensure trust in our elections and it is accomplished by adhering to our Constitution and the law."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.portman.senate.gov/newsroom/portman-difference/portman-delivers-results-ohio-second-year-116th-congress,Portman Delivers Results for Ohio in Second Year of the 116th Congress,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OH,Rob Portman,P000449,www.portman.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Portman Delivers Results for Ohio in Second Year of the 116th Congress December 31, 2020 | Portman Difference During the second year of the 116th Congress, Senator Portman continued to deliver results for Ohio, just as he did in the previous Congress. He worked tirelessly to help Ohioans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; create economic opportunity and retirement security for Ohio families; combat the addiction epidemic; honor our nation's veterans and strengthen our military; promote responsible use of artificial intelligence and technology; stand up against police brutality and the unnecessary violence in our country; protect and preserve our national parks; improve transparency and accountability within the federal government; fight for better and more affordable health care; and help all Ohioans achieve their God-given potential. During the 116th Congress, Portman has authored or co-authored 45legislative priorities in total that have been signed into law. Under President Trump, in total 82of Senator Portman's bills have been signed into law. Under President Obama, 68 of Portman's bill were signed into law. In total, during his 10 years in the Senate, Portman has successfully enacted 175 legislative priorities into law, including 129 bills as well as 46 amendments. Helping Ohioans Impacted By COVID-19 The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of every American in 2020, and Senator Portman played a leadership role in crafting solutions to help families and small businesses leading to the passage of the COVID-19 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Senator Portman has consistently called for bipartisan action to provide the health care and economic relief the American need and deserve. Since March, Portman has delivered 21 speeches on the Senate floor calling for bipartisan action to provide Americans the COVID-19 relief. Portman has urged Congress to provide additional relief to bolster our health care response, help our economy and small businesses recover, provide funding for schools and state and local governments, permanently expand telehealth options for addiction treatment, and provide enhanced federal unemployment benefits to help people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In November, in an effort to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Portman announced his participation in the ENSEMBLE phase 3 trial for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Johnson & Johnson and managed by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services (CTI) at its research center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Portman furthered this work by introducing his COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Support Act to fund a national campaign to raise awareness of the safety and efficacy of FDA-authorized vaccines. In September, Portman introduced legislation to replenish FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to continue the enhanced federal unemployment insurance benefit of $300 per week authorized by President Trump's executive action and provide additional resources to support the federal government's response to historic wildfires in the West and other natural disasters such as Hurricane Sally. Securing Resources for Ohio: At the start of the pandemic, Portman worked closely with the administration and with Ohio companies to secure additional supplies for the strategic national stockpile including testing machines, ventilators, PPE, and food resources. In March, Portman successfully helped UC Health secure vital equipment to increase diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Portman helped UC Health secure a cobas 6800 machine which they will use to conduct nearly one thousand diagnostic tests every day, exponentially increasing COVID-19 testing capacity in southwest Ohio. Earlier this year, Portman worked with the White House and HHS and FDA to successfully facilitate the donation of approximately 2.2 million new gowns from Ohio-based Cardinal Health to theStrategic National Stockpile. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized the distribution and use of these gowns asnon-surgical isolation apparel. When Ohio-based company Gojo, which produces Purell, alerted Portman to the issue of tariffs restricting the access of components used in the distribution of hand sanitizer - specifically pumphouses, and e-collars he reached out to U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer and facilitated a tariff relief. This helps companies like Gojo increase production and distribution to accommodate the increased demand. In July, Portman visited GOJO Industries and met with the company's leadership and team members to discussPortman's work to facilitate tariff relieffor hand hygiene products including hand sanitizer and soap dispensers and components to allow for increaseddistribution during COVID-19 pandemic. In April, Portman sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging swift approval of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services' (ODJFS) request to operate the DisasterHousehold DistributionProgram.The request was approved the next week allowing foodbanks throughout Ohio to distribute more food across the state by removing administrative burdens, making it easier for staff and volunteers at foodbanks to maintain social distancing protocols, keeping themselves and their clients safe. Portman also worked with Ohio company Battelle in April to secure a new federal contract to help fund the rapid deployment of Battelle's decontamination systems to return to use previously worn N95 respirator masks and training to operate these systems to 60 sites across the country. In April, Portman facilitated Cleveland-based SecondBreath's request to produce ventilators for deployment around Ohio and the country. The ventilators were developed by Ohioans and tested in Ohio at a number of northeast Ohio hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children's Hospital, and Akron City Hospital. The administration approved their production and SecondBreath was able to increase production for shipment across Ohio and the country. In August, Portman visited Honda Heritage Center and toured the ventilator compressor parts production facility. While on the tour, Portman, Honda leadership, and employees discussed Honda's efforts to help support the COVID-19 response, including production of face shields and compressor parts for ventilators. Portman also volunteered with the Ohio National Guard and met with leaders at foodbanks in the Mahoning Valley, at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to see firsthand how the CARES Act funding helped with food access and distribution across Ohio. Listening to Ohio Groups Stakeholders: Senator Portman made it a priority tocommunicatewith constituents throughout the pandemic through tele town halls and FacebookLive town halls about the work he has done with the state and federal government. He also spoke with companies andstakeholdersthroughout the statetoensure Ohio has the resources it needs to respond to this unprecedented health crisis and can contribute to the national effort to slow the spread of the virus. Portman hosted multiples calls with Ohio business groups and leaders to discuss the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Congress and the administration could take further action to address their concerns. He spoke with business leaders of sizes in Central Ohio, Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Warren County, and Butler County. In addition to business groups, Portman also hosted a wide-range of conference calls with the Ohio Restaurant Association, Ohio foodbanks, nonprofit organizations, manufacturers, bio science employers, higher education leaders, farmers, veterans, county commissioners, and mayors from all over the state. Portman also hosted conference calls with Ohio hospital leaders and withthe Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 health crisison health services, and mental health and addiction services around Ohio. Finally, Portman participated in a conference call with Ohio Jewish Communities to discuss the efforts the Jewish community made during the pandemic to help Ohio communities. Portman continued his push on the Senate Floor this year for swift bipartisan action to respond to the increasing number of drug overdoses as a result of the pandemic. Providing Resources for Ohioans Suffering with Addiction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines have disrupted traditional addiction treatment services and necessitated the use of telehealth services to help individuals with recovery. To meet this need, the CARES Act took unprecedented steps to expand access to telehealth through the waiving of federal restrictions to pay for telehealth and expanding grants to build out the nation's telehealth infrastructure. That's why Senator Portman has introduced legislation entitled theTelehealth Response for E-Prescribing Addiction Treatment Services (TREATS) Actto make permanent a number of temporary waivers for telehealth services that were authorized under the Public Health Emergency and to bolster telehealth options for addiction treatment services. Specifically, it will allow for a patient to be prescribed lower scheduled drugs like through telehealth on their first visit. Current law requires an in-person visit to receive any controlled substance, but this is a deterrent to patients in crisis and in urgent need of treatments from Schedule III or IV drugs. In July, Portman published a column highlighting the importance of Congress passing the TREATS Act to ensure that addiction health services have the resources they need to adapt to this new reality. He emphasized that doing so will help to preserve the progress made in combating the addiction crisis and ensure that more Americans can reach their God-given potential.He then participated in adrug addiction roundtable discussion with members of theHancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS)to discuss COVID-19's impact on addiction treatment. Securing Grant Funding: The COVID-19 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Actprovided unprecedented economic and health care relief to Americans during the ongoing pandemic. Portman worked closely with the administration to ensure Ohioans received the support they needed. Housing: Portman worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure communities in Ohio received funding to help promote economic development in urban communities, address the needs of homeless people in emergency or transitional shelters, and provide housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons. This includes: o Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Grants for cities in Ohio, o $30 million to Supplemental Public Housing Operating Funds across Ohio, which helps support public housing agencies across the state provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic; o Nearly $90 million in Housing Choice Voucher Program Housing Assistance Payments Supplemental Funding to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance. o $1.85 million in funding to Ohio housing agencies to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities, particularly those who are transitioning out of institutional or other separated settings; at serious risk of institutionalization; currently experiencing homelessness; previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project; or at risk of becoming homeless; o and nearly $185,000 in CARES Act funding to provide project-based rental assistance for low income families. Agriculture: Senator Portman applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for awarding more than $1.4 millionin grants to communities in Ohio for rural development.These grants will help these Ohio communities build and improve critical facilities. According to the USDA, the Ohio grant recipients can use the funding to build or upgrade a wide-range of rural community facilities such as schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. FEMA: In March, Senator Portman senta letter urging President Trump to act swiftly on Governor Mike DeWine's request for approval of a major disaster declaration for the state of Ohio in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.The president approved the disaster declaration the following day. As a result, Ohio received nearly $4.1 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the following funding; o $5.5 million for ProMedica Toledo Hospital to help fund COVID-19 protective measures; o $5.2 million to Ohio Health Care Systems and $2.6 million to University Hospitals Health System to help continue to provide COVID-19 treatment, testing and protective measures; o $12.7 million to help Ohio State University - Columbus Campus and Premier Health in Ohio with costs associated with COVID-19; o and $46 million to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Businesses: Portman worked with the Trump administration to ensure that businesses of all sizes in Ohio had the resources they needed to help retain employees and keep their doors open. o In May, Portman applauded the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for awarding a $3.75 million grant for COVID-19 Emergency Response for Small to Medium Enterprises to Appalachian Community Capital (ACC). ACC will use this funding to help the region's development finance institutions make up for lost revenue as they temporarily defer loan payments. o Thanks to funding available through the CARES Act, which Portman supported, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) CARES Act Emergency Program awarded the Ohio Development Services Agency $2.3 million to help support Ohio-based U.S. small- and medium-sized manufacturers, including rural manufacturers. o In August, Portman applauded U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross's announcement that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $8.8 million and $1 million in CARES Act grants to Ohio cities to be able to provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition, EDA awarded $2 million to five EDA Economic Development District organizations across Ohio to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. o In addition, through the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded $8.5 million in funding for Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) to help address the workforce-related impacts of the pandemic. Education: The historic CARES Act provided a higher education emergency relief fund to assist higher education institutions across the nation. Senator Portman worked with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure Ohio higher education institutions received the resources needed to meet the demands of the pandemic. o In April, Portman announced that the Department of Education distributed $388 million in funding to institutions of higher education in Ohio and in May, the National Science Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in CARES Act-funded RAPID Response Research grants to fund research that addresses the pandemic. In September, Portman announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $5 million, two-yearRapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx)-UPgrant to The Ohio State University. The RADx-UP program supports projects designed to rapidly implement COVID-19 testing strategies in populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. o Portman applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for awarding more than $1.1 million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants to two school districts in Ohio: Gallia County Schools and New London Local School District. The $172,358 Rural Development grant for Gallia County Schools will help provide students and staff with primary and preventative care through the Appalachian Primary Care Telemedicine Program. The $999,524 grant for the New London Local School District will help expand Science Technology Engineering and Math resource access to students in Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade across the four Ohio counties served by the school district. USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program was provided $25 million in the bipartisan CARES Act. Health Care: This year, thousands of Ohioans had to rely on telehealth in order to have access to their primary care providers. Thanks to the bipartisan CARES Act, which Portman strongly supported, Ohio received multiple telehealth grants to assist health care facilities, testing centers, and hospitals serving children and low-income, vulnerable populations across the state. Portman led legislation to provide certainty to hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In normal years, the 340B program provides needed flexible funds to meet the needs of a hospital's community, but during the ongoing pandemic, the 340B program has become a vital lifeline for hospitals as they've see precipitous drop offs in revenue and an inability to pay for the essential COVID services that patients continue to need. Early days of the pandemic forced many hospitals to reduce inpatient hospital admissions of low-income Medicare and Medicaid patients, a critical metric in determining eligibility for the 340B program. Though hospitals have resumed elective procedures, and patients have begun returning to seek care, there is concern that as a result of this year's slowdown and threats to suspend elective care again as hospital beds fill up, some hospitals may not meet the required inpatient admission threshold to remain in the program for the following year. This legislation would ensure that any previously eligible hospital will be deemed eligible for any cost reporting period during which the public health emergency occurred to meet the needs of hospitals now during this crisis and to preserve the vital program for years to come. o In May, Portman announced that Ohio received $238 million to expand COVID-19 diagnostic testing capabilities. o In July, Portman announced that the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureauawardedmore than $415,000in telehealth grants to four health care facilities in Ohio that will use this fundingto provide telehealth services targeted at low-income patients so thattheycan receive medical care in more flexible settings. This grant award followed previous announcements of telehealth grants for Ohio, including oneannouncedin April for the Health Partners of Western Ohio located in Lima, Ohio.In early May, three facilitiesreceivednearly $1 million in funding and four facilitiesreceivednearly $800,000 in funding, and later that month six facilitiesreceived$1.8 million in funding, and an additional six facilitiesreceived$1.1 million. In June, $3.46 million wasdistributedtofacilitiesin Ohio. o Portman made clearthat the Administration must do a better job of quickly distributing funding for safety net hospitals and providers, speaking out in April when other hospitals and health care providers received the first tranche of COVID-19 response funding while safety net provider funding was initially In April, he announced that Ohio received an additional $17 million in CARES Act funding for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to help increase testing and other response tools. In May, theHealth Resources andServices Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,awarded$17.4million in federal grantsto support51health centers throughout Ohio in an effort to expand testing capacities. o Portman repeatedly urgedthe administration to support health care providers thatserve our nation's most vulnerable,including our children's hospitals, nursing homes, and safety net hospitals. In June, Portman and a group of bipartisan colleagues sent aletterto HHS urging them to actquickly and equitably in distributing funding to vulnerable populations and the next dayHHS released $10 billionfor these hospitals. In July, Portman applauded the Trump Administration for distributing $3 billion in additional emergency funding allocated in COVID-19 spending packages to hospitals that overwhelmingly serve Medicaid and low-income patients. Ohio received about $90 million from this $3 billion. In August, Portman announced that Ohio received an additional $165 million in federal funding for children's hospitals. Transportation: The transportation industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, and Senator Portman worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure Ohio companies have the financial resources they need during the pandemic. o Portman worked with DOT's Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that airports across Ohio received the resources they needed. In total, Portman has helped to secure more than $126.2 million for 97 airports across Ohio. These grants helped to provide economic relief for lost revenue due to COVID-19. o In addition, thanks to the CARES Act, Portman announced that DOT's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a $5.8 million grant to the Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and a $1.7 million grant to the City of Springfield in Clark County, Ohio in order to respond to and recover from the public health emergency. o In April, Portman announced that the Federal Transit Administration awarded a $1.7 million grant to Miami County to help fund critical continued public transit operations to keep the region moving during these unprecedented times. o In November, Portman applauded DOT for awarding a $12 million federal grant to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. Helping Businesses Stay Afloat. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Portman has stayed in constant contact with business leaders of all sizes and worked to help deliver the results they need to stay afloat during this economic crisis. He visited business in Tipp City, Cincinnati, Russells Point, Sidney, and Hamilton and heard from company leaders about how, thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program loan that Portman supported, they were able to keep workers on payroll and continue operations. During the second year of the 116th Congress, Senator Portman continued to deliver results for Ohio, just as he did in the previous Congress. He worked tirelessly to help Ohioans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; create economic opportunity and retirement security for Ohio families; combat the addiction epidemic; honor our nation's veterans and strengthen our military; promote responsible use of artificial intelligence and technology; stand up against police brutality and the unnecessary violence in our country; protect and preserve our national parks; improve transparency and accountability within the federal government; fight for better and more affordable health care; and help all Ohioans achieve their God-given potential. During the 116th Congress, Portman has authored or co-authored 42 legislative priorities in total that have been signed into law. Under President Trump, in total 79 of Senator Portman's bills have been signed into law. Under President Obama, 68 of Portman's bill were signed into law. In total, during his 10 years in the Senate, Portman has successfully enacted 172 legislative priorities into law, including 126 bills as well as 46 amendments. Helping Ohioans Impacted By COVID-19 The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of every American in 2020, and Senator Portman played a leadership role in crafting solutions to help families and small businesses leading to the passage of the COVID-19 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Senator Portman has consistently called for bipartisan action to provide the health care and economic relief the American need and deserve. Since March, Portman has delivered 21 speeches on the Senate floor calling for bipartisan action to provide Americans the COVID-19 relief. Portman has urged Congress to provide additional relief to bolster our health care response, help our economy and small businesses recover, provide funding for schools and state and local governments, permanently expand telehealth options for addiction treatment, and provide enhanced federal unemployment benefits to help people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In November, in an effort to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Portman announced his participation in the ENSEMBLE phase 3 trial for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Johnson & Johnson and managed by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services (CTI) at its research center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Portman furthered this work by introducing his COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Support Act to fund a national campaign to raise awareness of the safety and efficacy of FDA-authorized vaccines. In September, Portman introduced legislation to replenish FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to continue the enhanced federal unemployment insurance benefit of $300 per week authorized by President Trump's executive action and provide additional resources to support the federal government's response to historic wildfires in the West and other natural disasters such as Hurricane Sally. Securing Resources for Ohio: At the start of the pandemic, Portman worked closely with the administration and with Ohio companies to secure additional supplies for the strategic national stockpile including testing machines, ventilators, PPE, and food resources. In March, Portman successfully helped UC Health secure vital equipment to increase diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Portman helped UC Health secure a cobas 6800 machine which they will use to conduct nearly one thousand diagnostic tests every day, exponentially increasing COVID-19 testing capacity in southwest Ohio. Earlier this year, Portman worked with the White House and HHS and FDA to successfully facilitate the donation of approximately 2.2 million new gowns from Ohio-based Cardinal Health to theStrategic National Stockpile. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized the distribution and use of these gowns asnon-surgical isolation apparel. When Ohio-based company Gojo, which produces Purell, alerted Portman to the issue of tariffs restricting the access of components used in the distribution of hand sanitizer - specifically pumphouses, and e-collars he reached out to U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer and facilitated a tariff relief. This helps companies like Gojo increase production and distribution to accommodate the increased demand. In July, Portman visited GOJO Industries and met with the company's leadership and team members to discussPortman's work to facilitate tariff relieffor hand hygiene products including hand sanitizer and soap dispensers and components to allow for increaseddistribution during COVID-19 pandemic. In April, Portman sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging swift approval of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services' (ODJFS) request to operate the DisasterHousehold DistributionProgram.The request was approved the next week allowing foodbanks throughout Ohio to distribute more food across the state by removing administrative burdens, making it easier for staff and volunteers at foodbanks to maintain social distancing protocols, keeping themselves and their clients safe. Portman also worked with Ohio company Battelle in April to secure a new federal contract to help fund the rapid deployment of Battelle's decontamination systems to return to use previously worn N95 respirator masks and training to operate these systems to 60 sites across the country. In April, Portman facilitated Cleveland-based SecondBreath's request to produce ventilators for deployment around Ohio and the country. The ventilators were developed by Ohioans and tested in Ohio at a number of northeast Ohio hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children's Hospital, and Akron City Hospital. The administration approved their production and SecondBreath was able to increase production for shipment across Ohio and the country. In August, Portman visited Honda Heritage Center and toured the ventilator compressor parts production facility. While on the tour, Portman, Honda leadership, and employees discussed Honda's efforts to help support the COVID-19 response, including production of face shields and compressor parts for ventilators. Listening to Ohio Groups Stakeholders: Senator Portman made it a priority tocommunicatewith constituents throughout the pandemic through tele town halls and FacebookLive town halls about the work he has done with the state and federal government. He also spoke with companies andstakeholdersthroughout the statetoensure Ohio has the resources it needs to respond to this unprecedented health crisis and can contribute to the national effort to slow the spread of the virus. In addition to business groups, Portman also hosted a wide-range of conference calls with the Ohio Restaurant Association, Ohio foodbanks, nonprofit organizations, manufacturers, bio science employers, higher education leaders, farmers, veterans, county commissioners, and mayors from all over the state. Portman also hosted conference calls with Ohio hospital leaders and withthe Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 health crisison health services, and mental health and addiction services around Ohio. Finally, Portman participated in a conference call with Ohio Jewish Communities to discuss the efforts the Jewish community made during the pandemic to help Ohio communities. Portman continued his push on the Senate Floor this year for swift bipartisan action to respond to the increasing number of drug overdoses as a result of the pandemic. Providing Resources for Ohioans Suffering with Addiction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines have disrupted traditional addiction treatment services and necessitated the use of telehealth services to help individuals with recovery. To meet this need, the CARES Act took unprecedented steps to expand access to telehealth through the waiving of federal restrictions to pay for telehealth and expanding grants to build out the nation's telehealth infrastructure. That's why Senator Portman has introduced legislation entitled theTelehealth Response for E-Prescribing Addiction Treatment Services (TREATS) Actto make permanent a number of temporary waivers for telehealth services that were authorized under the Public Health Emergency and to bolster telehealth options for addiction treatment services. Specifically, it will allow for a patient to be prescribed lower scheduled drugs like through telehealth on their first visit. Current law requires an in-person visit to receive any controlled substance, but this is a deterrent to patients in crisis and in urgent need of treatments from Schedule III or IV drugs. In July, Portman published a column highlighting the importance of Congress passing the TREATS Act to ensure that addiction health services have the resources they need to adapt to this new reality. He emphasized that doing so will help to preserve the progress made in combating the addiction crisis and ensure that more Americans can reach their God-given potential.He then participated in adrug addiction roundtable discussion with members of theHancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS)to discuss COVID-19's impact on addiction treatment. Securing Grant Funding: The COVID-19 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Actprovided unprecedented economic and health care relief to Americans during the ongoing pandemic. Portman worked closely with the administration to ensure Ohioans received the support they needed. Housing: Portman worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure communities in Ohio received funding to help promote economic development in urban communities, address the needs of homeless people in emergency or transitional shelters, and provide housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons. This includes: Agriculture: Senator Portman applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for awarding more than $1.4 millionin grants to communities in Ohio for rural development.These grants will help these Ohio communities build and improve critical facilities. According to the USDA, the Ohio grant recipients can use the funding to build or upgrade a wide-range of rural community facilities such as schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. FEMA: In March, Senator Portman senta letter urging President Trump to act swiftly on Governor Mike DeWine's request for approval of a major disaster declaration for the state of Ohio in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.The president approved the disaster declaration the following day. As a result, Ohio received nearly $4.1 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the following funding; $5.5 million for ProMedica Toledo Hospital to help fund COVID-19 protective measures; $5.2 million to Ohio Health Care Systems and $2.6 million to University Hospitals Health System to help continue to provide COVID-19 treatment, testing and protective measures; $12.7 million to help Ohio State University - Columbus Campus and Premier Health in Ohio with costs associated with COVID-19; and $46 million to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Businesses: Portman worked with the Trump administration to ensure that businesses of all sizes in Ohio had the resources they needed to help retain employees and keep their doors open. In May, Portman applauded the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for awarding a $3.75 million grant for COVID-19 Emergency Response for Small to Medium Enterprises to Appalachian Community Capital (ACC). ACC will use this funding to help the region's development finance institutions make up for lost revenue as they temporarily defer loan payments. Thanks to funding available through the CARES Act, which Portman supported, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) CARES Act Emergency Program awarded the Ohio Development Services Agency $2.3 million to help support Ohio-based U.S. small- and medium-sized manufacturers, including rural manufacturers. In August, Portman applauded U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross's announcement that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $8.8 million and $1 million in CARES Act grants to Ohio cities to be able to provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition, EDA awarded $2 million to five EDA Economic Development District organizations across Ohio to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, through the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded $8.5 million in funding for Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) to help address the workforce-related impacts of the pandemic. Education: The historic CARES Act provided a higher education emergency relief fund to assist higher education institutions across the nation. Senator Portman worked with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure Ohio higher education institutions received the resources needed to meet the demands of the pandemic. In April, Portman announced that the Department of Education distributed $388 million in funding to institutions of higher education in Ohio and in May, the National Science Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in CARES Act-funded RAPID Response Research grants to fund research that addresses the pandemic. In September, Portman announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $5 million, two-yearRapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx)-UPgrant to The Ohio State University. The RADx-UP program supports projects designed to rapidly implement COVID-19 testing strategies in populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Portman applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for awarding more than $1.1 million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants to two school districts in Ohio: Gallia County Schools and New London Local School District. The $172,358 Rural Development grant for Gallia County Schools will help provide students and staff with primary and preventative care through the Appalachian Primary Care Telemedicine Program. The $999,524 grant for the New London Local School District will help expand Science Technology Engineering and Math resource access to students in Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade across the four Ohio counties served by the school district. USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program was provided $25 million in the bipartisan CARES Act. Health Care: This year, thousands of Ohioans had to rely on telehealth in order to have access to their primary care providers. Thanks to the bipartisan CARES Act, which Portman strongly supported, Ohio received multiple telehealth grants to assist health care facilities, testing centers, and hospitals serving children and low-income, vulnerable populations across the state. Portman led legislation to provide certainty to hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In normal years, the 340B program provides needed flexible funds to meet the needs of a hospital's community, but during the ongoing pandemic, the 340B program has become a vital lifeline for hospitals as they've see precipitous drop offs in revenue and an inability to pay for the essential COVID services that patients continue to need. Early days of the pandemic forced many hospitals to reduce inpatient hospital admissions of low-income Medicare and Medicaid patients, a critical metric in determining eligibility for the 340B program. Though hospitals have resumed elective procedures, and patients have begun returning to seek care, there is concern that as a result of this year's slowdown and threats to suspend elective care again as hospital beds fill up, some hospitals may not meet the required inpatient admission threshold to remain in the program for the following year. This legislation would ensure that any previously eligible hospital will be deemed eligible for any cost reporting period during which the public health emergency occurred to meet the needs of hospitals now during this crisis and to preserve the vital program for years to come. In May, Portman announced that Ohio received $238 million to expand COVID-19 diagnostic testing capabilities. In July, Portman announced that the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureauawardedmore than $415,000in telehealth grants to four health care facilities in Ohio that will use this fundingto provide telehealth services targeted at low-income patients so thattheycan receive medical care in more flexible settings. This grant award followed previous announcements of telehealth grants for Ohio, including oneannouncedin April for the Health Partners of Western Ohio located in Lima, Ohio.In early May, three facilitiesreceivednearly $1 million in funding and four facilitiesreceivednearly $800,000 in funding, and later that month six facilitiesreceived$1.8 million in funding, and an additional six facilitiesreceived$1.1 million. In June, $3.46 million wasdistributedtofacilitiesin Ohio. Portman made clearthat the Administration must do a better job of quickly distributing funding for safety net hospitals and providers, speaking out in April when other hospitals and health care providers received the first tranche of COVID-19 response funding while safety net provider funding was initially In April, he announced that Ohio received an additional $17 million in CARES Act funding for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to help increase testing and other response tools. In May, theHealth Resources andServices Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,awarded$17.4million in federal grantsto support51health centers throughout Ohio in an effort to expand testing capacities. Portman repeatedly urgedthe administration to support health care providers thatserve our nation's most vulnerable,including our children's hospitals, nursing homes, and safety net hospitals. In June, Portman and a group of bipartisan colleagues sent aletterto HHS urging them to actquickly and equitably in distributing funding to vulnerable populations and the next dayHHS released $10 billionfor these hospitals. In July, Portman applauded the Trump Administration for distributing $3 billion in additional emergency funding allocated in COVID-19 spending packages to hospitals that overwhelmingly serve Medicaid and low-income patients. Ohio received about $90 million from this $3 billion. In August, Portman announced that Ohio received an additional $165 million in federal funding for children's hospitals. Transportation: The transportation industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, and Senator Portman worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure Ohio companies have the financial resources they need during the pandemic. Portman worked with DOT's Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that airports across Ohio received the resources they needed. In addition, thanks to the CARES Act, Portman announced that DOT's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a $5.8 million grant to the Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and a $1.7 million grant to the City of Springfield in Clark County, Ohio in order to respond to and recover from the public health emergency. In April, Portman announced that the Federal Transit Administration awarded a $1.7 million grant to Miami County to help fund critical continued public transit operations to keep the region moving during these unprecedented times. In November, Portman applauded DOT for awarding a $12 million federal grant to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. Helping Businesses Stay Afloat. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Portman has stayed in constant contact with business leaders of all sizes and worked to help deliver the results they need to stay afloat during this economic crisis. He visited business in Tipp City, Cincinnati, Russells Point, Sidney, and Hamilton and heard from company leaders about how, thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program loan that Portman supported, they were able to keep workers on payroll and continue operations. In July, Portman introduced theHealthy Workplaces Tax Credit Actto help businesses continue to safely reopen while ensuring the safety of employees and consumers through a refundable tax credit against payroll taxes for 50 percent of the costs incurred by a business for increased testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfecting, extra cleaning and reconfiguring work spaces to adhere to social distancing guidelines.He hopes to have it included in any additional COVID-19 relief package that passes from the Senate. In September, in an effort to remove unnecessary regulations that undermined our nation's ability to rapidly respond to the pandemic, Portman introduced the Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Act. The legislation establishes an accountable, expert-led, commission to identify ineffective, unnecessary, or overly burdensome regulations that should be modified, consolidated, harmonized, or repealed to promote jobs and higher wages; reduce household expenses; improve economic performance and competitiveness; reduce compliance costs; encourage growth and innovation; improve competitiveness; and protect public health, safety, and welfare. In July, Portman introduced theHealthy Workplaces Tax Credit Actto help businesses continue to safely reopen while ensuring the safety of employees and consumers through a refundable tax credit against payroll taxes for 50 percent of the costs incurred by a business for increased testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfecting, extra cleaning and reconfiguring work spaces to adhere to social distancing guidelines.He hopes to have it included in any additional COVID-19 relief package that passes from the Senate. In September, in an effort to remove unnecessary regulations that undermined our nation's ability to rapidly respond to the pandemic, Portman introduced the Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Act. The legislation establishes an accountable, expert-led, commission to identify ineffective, unnecessary, or overly burdensome regulations that should be modified, consolidated, harmonized, or repealed to promote jobs and higher wages; reduce household expenses; improve economic performance and competitiveness; reduce compliance costs; encourage growth and innovation; improve competitiveness; and protect public health, safety, and welfare. Assisting Second Chance Business Owners. In June 2020, Portman introduced the bipartisanPaycheck Protection Program Second Chance Act,which would remove barriers to PPP for owners with unrelated felony records while preserving the presumption of innocence and keeping in place the five year timeframe for felony crimes related to financial fraud. This legislation follows Senator Portman'sletterto Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza urging that the SBA allow small business owners with criminal records to apply for the PPP. National and Ohioan reentry and second chance coalition leaders, law enforcement, and local officials havevoiced their supportof the initiative. In August, Portman met with local business leaders in Cincinnati for a discussion led by Innovative Labor and Cleaning Services owner Troy Parker. Parker's company received a $235,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in June thanks to Portman's efforts to expand eligibility to cover Second Chance businesses owned by individuals who have a criminal record in their past but who have turned their lives around. Troyis an example of a Second Chance success story having started Innovative Labor and Cleaning in2015 after re-entering the community. Reshoring PPE: Portman believes that the American people should not have to rely so heavily on foreign countries for personal protective equipment and that we should bring personal protection equipment production back to the United States. In August, he introduced bipartisan legislation that will strengthen efforts to onshore production of PPE in the United States by requiring the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to issue long-term contracts for American-made PPE. In June, Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown sent a letter urging the COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) to prioritize the procurement of American-made PPE, and to consider comprehensive measures to incentivize the reshoring of additional PPE production back to the United States. JATF was created to synchronize and support execution of the Department of Defense's COVID-19 response to interagency requests for medical resources involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies. Meeting with Ohio Hospitals: As a result of the bipartisan CARES Act, which Senator Portman supported and President Trump signed into law, health facilities around Ohio were able to receive much needed resources to care for patients with COVID-19, to expand testing, and to work to address the disproportionate impact the virus had on minority communities. This year, Portman visited the Columbus Public Health Department, the Health Collaborative in Cincinnati, Adena Health System in Chillicothe, and Premier Health's Miami Valley Hospital to see firsthand how the CARES Act was working to help Ohio hospitals. Advocating for Additional Testing at Elkton: In April, Portman sent a letterurging Attorney General William Barr and Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal to increase COVID-19 testing at Federal Correctional Institution Elkton in Lisbon, Ohio. Elkton had the highest number of deaths of any federal prison, with nine fatalities. Creating Economic Opportunity & Retirement Security for Ohio Families Since his election in 2010, Senator Portman has focused on strengthening the economy, reforming our tax code and providing relief to families and small businesses. In the 115th Congress, he delivered on this commitment with the enactment of comprehensive tax cuts and tax reform, and Portman saw firsthand how Ohio companies are responding by creating more jobs, increasing wages, paying bonuses, making additional investments in plants and equipment, and expanding health care and retirement benefits. In addition to tax reform, Portman worked on a number of measures to help create jobs, level the playing field for Ohio workers, and make Ohio businesses more competitive. Strengthening Skills Training & Workforce Development. Portman, who is the co-founder of theSenate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus,continued to help lead efforts in the Senate to expand skills training to close the skills gap and ensure that Ohioans are ready for the jobs available today. As part of his efforts, Portman joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) inintroducingthe bipartisanJOBS Actwhich will make high-quality and rigorous short-term job training programs more affordable by expanding access to Pell Grants for low-income students. Portman has toured Ohio meeting with community colleges, educators, workforce development officials and others to receive input and highlight the importance of this bill, which is supported by the Trump administration and was included in its budget request. As we work to rebuild the economy, and as manufacturers continue to look to hire more workers, this bill is needed now more than ever. In late July, Portman teamed up with Senator Peters (D-MI) to introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen reentry programs that provide workforce training, as well as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities. The Reentry Employment Opportunities Act would codify into law the U.S. Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) Program, which supports national, regional, and local organizations that administer skills training programs. The REO program provides critical opportunities for returning citizens to be able to have a smooth transition back into society and learn skills that will help them secure good jobs. Ensuring a Secure Retirement for Hard Working Americans. Portman is widely regarded as the leading Senate voice for common-sense pension reform. Portman believes that every American should have the opportunity to save for a safe, secure retirement. In February 2019, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) selected Portman to lead the committee's Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy. Portman has leveraged this perch to spearhead passage of the SECURE Act at the end of 2019 and help lead bipartisan efforts to reform multiemployer pension funds and ensure hard working American's receive the benefits they have earned. In June, Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor outlining the multiemployer pension crisis currently threatening the retirements of millions of Americans, and the consequences of ongoing inaction. Portman also underscored the need for any bipartisan multiemployer pension reform legislation to address both the immediate crisis with respect to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC,) and the longer-term structural issues that created the conditions for the persistent underfunding of multiemployer pension plans in the first place. He also emphasized that any solution to address the immediate crisis must involve a shared responsibility approach, with contributions from not just general public funds, but also employers and plan participants within the multiemployer pension system. Portman introduced the Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act, which would end the sequester on the Railroad Retirement Board's (RRB) Unemployment Insurance Account. Due to the Budget Control Act of 2011, and a subsequent sequestration order to implement mandated spending cuts, railroad unemployment benefits have been reduced by a set percentage that is subject to revision at the beginning of each fiscal year. Currently, the sequester, as it relates to the RRB, continues until fiscal year 2030. Without this legislation, it is expected that the sequestration will result in a 5.7 percent reduction in railroad unemployment benefits through fiscal year 2030. In December, Portman's Subcommittee held a hearing on his bipartisan Retirement Security & Savings Act, which was designed to help pave the way for bipartisan action early in the 117th Congress. Portman's legislation with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) is poised for bipartisan action, and Portman was encouraged that new legislation introduced by Congressmen Richard Neal's (D-MA) and Kevin Brady's (R-TX), the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020, included many similar reforms, such as: improving the tax credit so businesses have a larger incentive to create plans, allowing workers to save more for retirement, allowing workers to save longer for retirement, lowering the penalty on errors, and expanding product options so Americans can choose the right investment and annuity option for themselves. Portman and Cardin's bill, along with this new, bipartisan legislation in the House, seek to build on the SECURE Act, which became law in 2019 and included a set of reforms designed to help more Americans save for their retirement. Encouraging Broadband & Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced countless functions of everyday life to go virtual. As such, it is vital that every American have access to reliable, high-speed internet. That is why Portman introduced legislation in July to bolster efforts to expand access to rural broadband nationwide and speed up the distribution of the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The Rural Broadband Acceleration Act also directs the FCC to adhere to the Universal Service requirement in federal law, which is a joint responsibility for the federal and state governments. The Universal Service requirement states that all people in rural areas must have access to telecommunications and information services that are reasonably comparable, in both speed and price, to the services in urban areas. Thus, this legislation will allow rural America to have the same level of broadband service enjoyed by cities and suburbs across the country. Expanding Markets for Ohio Farmers & Small Businesses. As a former U.S. Trade Representative, Portman continues to be a leading voice in the Senate on trade policy, working to ensure a level playing field for American workers and create more jobs for Ohio farmers and small businesses. This year, he worked to advance those priorities in a number of ways, including: Portman emerged as a leading advocate for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement, which was ratified by the U.S. Senate on January 17th, 2020. The modernized trade agreement will create at least 176,000 new jobs, expand opportunities for agricultural trade, encourage new opportunities for auto jobs in America, and add a new section on digital trade to make online sales. Portman touted the trade pact's new and enforceable environmental and labor standards, a new section on digital trade, expanded opportunities for agricultural trade, and new opportunities for auto jobs in America. Portman touted the phase one trade agreement with China signed by President Trump on January 15th, 2020. Portman, who has taken on China's unfair trade practices for more than a decade, highlighted the agreement as a good first step towards rectifying unfair trade imbalances and creating a more balanced and durable economic relationship between the United States and China. In June 2020, Portman penned a letter urging the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to side with American workers and fully and fairly enforce U.S. trade remedy laws. The letter, which was co-led by Senator Brown, pressed the ITC to give full and fair consideration to the United Steelworker's petitions in these cases of unfairly traded imports. In November 2020, Portman testified before the ITC and urged them to support an extension of the current Section 201 safeguard for washing machines. Portman has fought against unfair trade practices that have harmed Whirlpool and sent a letter to the ITC in October urging them to thoughtfully consider Whirlpool's request to extend and strengthen the safeguard to maximize its benefits for the domestic industry and its workers. Portman continued his years long effort to reform international trade and commerce by introducing a bipartisan resolution expressing support for U.S. leadership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) while also calling for reform to parts of the institution. In January 2020, Portman visited Lebanon, Ohio to participate in a workforce roundtable discussion hosted by the United Way of Warren County at Fecon, manufacturer of vegetation management machinery. Other participants included students, employees who have got through their program, and local employers. The discussion highlighted expanding access to workforce skills training and how Portman's bipartisan JOBS Act legislation will help more Ohioans get the skills and training they need to find in-demand jobs as well as the economic benefits of two trade agreements: the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, and the phase one trade agreement with China signed by President Trump. On July 15th, 2020, Portman visited Ford Lima Engine Plant and met leadership and employees to discuss the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement and how it will create new jobs, and encourage new opportunities for American manufacturing. Protecting American Taxpayers. Portman has a long history of working to reform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For instance, on July 1, 2019, President Trump signed the Taxpayer First Act into law - bipartisan legislation that included a number of Portman's legislative priorities. Over the course of this year, Portman built on his past success with two significant efforts: As Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), Portman led a bipartisan investigation into the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Free File Program, which provides free online tax preparation and filing services to U.S. taxpayers. The probe culminated with the release of a bipartisan staff memo detailing the lack of IRS oversight of the Free File program. As a result, the memo noted, American taxpayers may not be aware of the program or taking advantage of it. This could result in eligible taxpayers paying fees to file their taxes. Securing Funding for Key Ohio Economic Priorities. Senator Portman has worked with the Trump administration to ensure that Ohio has access to competitive grant opportunities in order to strengthen efforts to improve the economy and job creation around the state. This year, Portman worked alongside the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to announce several grant awards for Ohio including; $1.9 million to help support Lake County's Laketran Project; $13.8 million in grant funding to six Ohio rail systems for consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvement programs; a $1.9 million University Transportation Centers (UTC) grant to The Ohio State University for their work to advance transportation research and technology; $14.7 million to help reconstruct and repair airports' taxiways and runways in Ohio; $23.6 million in funding as part of the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) competitive grant program for the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Government; $15 million in funding as part of the BUILD competitive grant program for Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority; and $4.4 million to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to help support the Interstate 70 truck automation corridor. Portman worked alongside the U.S. Department of Commerce to ensure cities and towns in Ohio had the resources they needed including; $3.7 million to the Greene County Board of Commissioners to assist the region with recovery efforts from the 2019 Memorial Day Tornadoes; $132,500 to the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments to help with conducting a broadband feasibility study; and $3.6 million for the city of Dayton to help purchase and establish new electric generators needed to upgrade water system infrastructure. In order to ensure Ohio has the adequate resources to ensure a culture of preparedness, Portman worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure grant funding, including; A $10.1 million grant to help Ohio assist state, local, tribal and territorial governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by Congress; and $1.6 million to help fund Ohio's security efforts along Ohio's northern border. Portman worked with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure Ohioans had the resources they need to protect themselves and our schools including; More than $35 million in federal grants from the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs; and more than $320,000 in federal funding for school safety through its School Violence Prevention Program. Earlier this year, Portman announced thatthe U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated nearly $2.5 million in federal funding through its Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to improve the Village of Rio Grande's 84-year-old wastewater treatment facility. In addition, he announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded Vantage Aging in Akron, Ohio a nearly $2.3 million Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) grant to provide career services and training services to low-income older individuals who seek to enter or re-enter the workforce. In an effort to help lower income students, Portman announced that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded seven higher education schools in Ohio nearly $3 million in Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grants. Combating America's Opioid Epidemic No one in the Senate has been more active in the fight against drug addiction than Senator Portman. He continues to lead the national effort to combat the opioid crisis that is devastating communities. As part of his efforts to help Ohio, Portman has worked to help stop the influx of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, expand access to treatment programs that are so critical to an effective recovery, and secure additional funding for evidenced-based Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and first responders. In addition, Portman worked tosecure $1 billionin new funding for state grants to fight opioid abuse in the21st Century CURES Act.He's also fought for more overall opioid funding, and helped secure more than $4 billionin new opioid funding over the last few years between CARA, CURES and other opioid programs. Portman has also been at the forefront of addressing the changes faces of addiction in Ohio and around the country. In response to increasing reports of overdose deaths in Ohio due to psychostimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine both often laced with fentanyl Senator Portman introduced and successfully foug",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/el-senador-rick-scott-aplaude-la-distribucion-de-casi-20-millones-de-dosis-de-vacunas-los-estados,El Senador Rick Scott aplaude la distribución de casi 20 millones de dosis de vacunas a los estados,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. El Senador Rick Scott hizo hoy la siguiente declaracin aplaudiendo el esfuerzo del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de distribuir casi 20 millones de dosis de vacunas a los estados en solo cuatro semanas. A la Florida se le habrn asignado 1.28 millones de dosis de vacunas para la prxima semana. 175,000 floridanos recibieron la primera dosis de la vacuna al 30 de diciembre, segn inform el Departamento de Salud de la Florida. En noviembre, el Senador Scott escribi una carta al secretario del HHS, Alex Azar, solicitando informacin sobre los planes de los estados para asegurar una distribucin de vacunas rpida, confiable y equitativa. Una planificacin y coordinacin detallada en todos los niveles de gobierno es necesaria para asegurar que los estadounidenses reciban la vacuna de manera segura, eficiente y sin demoras. El Senador Rick Scott dijo: Estoy orgulloso del arduo trabajo de tantos en la Administracin para desarrollar y distribuir rpidamente esta vacuna a los estados. El HHS le ha enviado a nuestros estados millones de dosis de vacunas este mes. La prioridad ahora debe ser asegurarnos de que las personas mayores y las poblaciones en riesgo, as como nuestros trabajadores de la salud, tengan acceso a la vacuna primero. Es por eso que mi equipo y yo tomamos la decisin de esperar para recibir la vacuna en el momento apropiado, y he pedido que la asignacin de mi oficina se d a las poblaciones vulnerables que ms necesitan la vacuna. No tendremos xito hasta que todos los que quieran una vacuna puedan recibirla. Todos los estados necesitan un proceso ordenado y transparente para sacar estas vacunas, y deben hacerlo ya. No hay excusas. "" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-urges-ftc-investigation-zooms-relationship-communist-china,Sen. Rick Scott Urges FTC Investigation into Zoom’s Relationship with Communist China,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to further investigate Zoom's relationship to Communist China and the risks it poses to Americans' security. This letter follows the Department of Justice's recent announcement that a former Zoom executive had been charged for coordinating with the Communist Party of China to target U.S.-based dissidents and disrupt video meetings commemorating the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. Read the Senator's letter HERE or below. December 30, 2020 Joseph J. Simons Chairman Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 Dear Chairman Simons: As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, I write today to urgently request a full investigation into Communist China's growing influence and interference in social telecommunications technology, including companies like Zoom, and what more can be done to protect Americans' personal identifying information. Earlier this month, the United States Department of Justice revealed that a former Zoom executive, Xinjiang Jin, had been charged for coordinating with the Communist Party of China (CCP) to target U.S.-based dissidents and disrupt video meetings commemorating the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. This is just the latest example of how Communist China uses personal identifying data collected by tech companies with a significant presence in China against American citizens. Communist China's efforts to silence anyone who dares to oppose the CCP is shameful, and it's even more alarming that it happened right here in the United States. This cannot be tolerated. For years, the CCP has done everything possible to become the dominant world power. Communist China has long been accused of forced technology transfers, data localization, and spying on U.S. citizens using Chinese-based companies like TikTok and WeChat, which are obligated by law to hand over data to the CCP. The American people deserve to know exactly how an employee of Zoom, an American video service our citizens use daily, would have the ability to spy on behalf of the CCP. I commend the action earlier this year by the FTC to hold Zoom accountable for misleading users and failing to secure their platform. But more must be done. Today, I urge you to further investigate Zoom's relationship with Communist China, and the risks it poses to Americans' security. We cannot ignore the threat of Communist China and its latest attempt to surveil American citizens and steal our data. I look forward to hearing from you as we continue to work together on this important issue. Sincerely, Rick Scott United States Senator CC: Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips Commissioner Rohit Chopra Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Commissioner Christine S. Wilson Eric S. Yuan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/senator-rick-scott-applauds-distribution-nearly-20-million-vaccine-doses-states,Senator Rick Scott Applauds the Distribution of Nearly 20 Million Vaccine Doses to States,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Rick Scott,S001217,www.rickscott.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement applauding the effort by Health and Human Services to get nearly 20 million doses of vaccines to states in four weeks. Florida will have been allocated 1.28 million doses of the vaccines by the end of next week. 175,000 Floridians received the first dose of the vaccine as of December 30, as reported by the Florida Department of Health. In November, Senator Scott wrote a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar requesting information on the states' plans for fast, reliable and equitable vaccine distribution. Detailed planning and coordination at every level of government will be required to get the vaccine to Americans safely and efficiently without unnecessary delays. Senator Rick Scottsaid, I'm proud of the hard work by so many in the Administration to develop and quickly distribute this vaccine to the states. HHS has sent our states millions of doses of vaccines this month. The priority now must be to make sure the elderly and at-risk populations, as well as our healthcare workers, have access to thevaccinefirst. That's why my staff and I made the decision to wait to get thevaccineat the appropriate time, and I've asked that my office's allotment be given to vulnerable populations that need thevaccinemost. We aren't successful until everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. Everystate needs an orderly, transparent process for getting these vaccines out, and they need to do it now. There is no excuse. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4240286B-F65D-48FE-AB2A-B75C6559812A,Johnson on Covid Funds: This Isnt Monopoly Money,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator calls for targeted relief to those who need it as debt climbs higher WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) continued to press for more targeted Covid relief in an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box Thursday. Excerpts from the interview are below and video can be found here. I certainly want to help people that are financially struggling through no fault of their own because of Covid. It's one of the reasons I voted for the $2.2 trillion CARES Act. We've now appropriated, we've authorized about $4 trillion in aid, but we did it in a shotgun approach. And we don't have an unlimited checking account. We're $27 trillion in debt. At the end of this fiscal year it will be over $29 trillion. Many, many, many of those individuals [receiving checks] have been working, they've been getting a paycheck, they're not financially struggling. Why would we be giving checks to people that truly don't need it? Again, we should have gone back to the drawing board, we should have targeted this relief. The lack of targeting, the lack of thoughtful consideration given to mortgaging our children's future by another $464 billion. I know it sounds good, it feels good to give away money. Everybody loves benefits. Somebody has got to be thinking about the effect of this on our future generations. We did it fast. We did it massively so the markets wouldn't collapse. We had to do that. I don't think even at that time it had to be $2.2 trillion. But we just had to lard out another $900 billion, and now people are talking about another $464 billion like this is Monopoly money. It's not. This is a mortgaging of our children's future. There is going to be a point in time where we have a debt crisis and it is not going to be pretty. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=66B4E161-F01B-492B-A314-B07DF4823BC4,Rep. Austin Scott Statement on FY21 NDAA,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"TIFTON, GA – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), released the below statement on his vote to override President Trump’s veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA), which authorizes spending for the Department of Defense. “The NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation our body passes each year, as it pays our warfighters and provides them with the resources they need to tackle their missions and return home safely. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and as the grandson of a World War II POW, this is a task I take very seriously,” said Rep. Austin Scott. President Trump ultimately vetoed the measure due the package not addressing concerns over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which created federal immunity for providers and users of social media companies and generally prevents them from being held liable for hosting content that someone else created. “While I believe the President is founded in his concerns over Section 230, it is in our nation’s best interest to pass the NDAA to deliver much-needed resources to our men and women in uniform, including a 3% pay raise and critical resources for installations like Robins and Moody Air Force Bases in Georgia’s Eighth District,” said. Rep. Scott. “Social media companies should be held accountable for their selective censorship and bias that in many cases impedes the First Amendment of American citizens, but this issue can and should be addressed separate from the defense bill. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and President Trump to address this measure.” In November, Rep. Scott was chosen to serve on a conference committee which was charged with working through differences of the House and Senate versions of FY21 NDAA to comprise a final bill for passage. The final bill provided resources for Robins and Moody Air Forces Bases in Georgia’s Eighth District, as well as a 3% pay raise for troops and resources to help the Department of Defense combat COVID-19. Click here to read more. In July, Rep. Scott joined “FOX and Friends First” to discuss the FY21 NDAA and the President’s intention to veto the legislation and the importance of deliver a defense bill for the Department of Defense. You can click here to watch the interview. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://chabot.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401085,Congressional Freedom of the Press Caucus Co-Chairs Schiff and Chabot Denounce Sentencing of Chinese Journalist Reporting on COVID-19 Pandemic,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OH,Steven Chabot,C000266,chabot.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Representatives Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Freedom of the Press Caucus, released a statement following the sentencing of Zhang Zhan, a Chinese citizen journalist who reported from Wuhan during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic:We are deeply concerned by the recent conviction of Zhang Zhan for her reporting on the early handling of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan last winter, the Co-Chairs said. Ms. Zhang's photos and short video clips uploaded to WeChat, Twitter, and YouTube documented the harsh reality of life in Wuhan during lockdown in the early days of the virus, informing the Chinese people and the world about the extent of the crisis at a critical time. We are alarmed at the treatment of Ms. Zhang and call on PRC authorities to immediately release her and all others detained in connection with sharing news about the coronavirus. On December 28, Zhang Zhan was sentenced to four years in jail by the Shanghai Pudong People's Court for picking quarrels and provoking trouble. She is accused of spreading false information and accepting media interviews with foreign outlets. Her lawyer reports that Ms. Zhang has been on a hunger strike since June and was force-fed via a nasal tube while shackled in prison. Other citizen journalists who reported on the situation in Wuhan have gone missing or been under close surveillance for months. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://markgreen.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4CB11E7D-D0C7-49A3-86B8-745E88B80BE4,Rep. Mark Green Supports Objection to Electoral College Certification on Jan. 6,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TN,Mark Green,G000590,markgreen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Icon Google Plus Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon Twitter Icon YouTube Icon Vimeo Icon Clients Icon Email icon Map Icon Print Icon Quote Icon icon_share Carousel Arrow - Left Carousel Arrow - Right Home Media Press Releases Print",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-names-senior-staff-for-energy-and-commerce-committee/,McMorris Rodgers Names Senior Staff for Energy and Commerce Committee,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), incoming Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today announced senior staff for the Committee. Additional staff announcements will be made in the coming days. The Energy and Commerce Committee is at the very center of our mission for America to win the future. I'm excited to announce members of my senior staff who are uniquely qualified to support this mission, said McMorris Rodgers. They are top-notch talents who have invaluable expertise. I'm grateful for their service and commitment to embracing value-based leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee so every member shines and delivers results to restore, rebuild, and renew the American Dream. On the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the following staff will serve under Republican Staff Director Nate Hodson. Sarah Rogers Burke Deputy Staff Director Sarah Rogers Burke is returning to the McMorris Rodgers team after serving as Rep. Jason Smith's Deputy Chief of Staff for two years. She previously served under McMorris Rodgers as the Director of Member Services during her tenure as House Republican Conference Chair. Burke's experience also includes working for multiple Members of Congress, in the private sector, and on the Romney Ryan 2012 Presidential Campaign. Michael Taggart Policy Director Michael Taggart has served as McMorris Rodgers's Legislative Director since 2019. As Policy Director, he will be a senior advisor on policy and strategy, manage the subcommittees, and develop the legislative agenda for Energy and Commerce Republicans. Taggart previously served as Legislative Director to former E&C member Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ). Olivia Hnat Communications Director Olivia Hnat has served as McMorris Rodgers's Deputy Chief of Staff since 2019. Hnat was National Press Secretary for McMorris Rodgers when she chaired the House Republican Conference. She is a former spokesperson for Speaker John Boehner and Communications Director for Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH). Emily King Director of Member Services Emily King will continue serving McMorris Rodgers as Director of Member Services for the Committee. King started her career in the House with McMorris Rodgers five years ago and most recently served as Director of Operations. Peter Kielty General Counsel Peter Kielty is a 20-year veteran of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He has served as Minority General Counsel since 2019 and previously as the Deputy General Counsel. Kielty has advised on parliamentary and jurisdictional matters before the Committee. Bijan (BJ) Koohmaraie Chief Counsel BJ Koohmaraie will serve as Chief Counsel of the Committee, which will include advising McMorris Rodgers on all technology related policy matters across E&C's jurisdiction. He most recently served as the Deputy Chief Counsel to the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee and the Director of Coalitions. Prior to joining the Committee in 2017, Koohmaraie served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.braun.senate.gov/senator-braun-joins-governor-holcombs-covid-19-update-press-conference,Senator Braun joins Governor Holcomb's COVID-19 Update Press Conference,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IN,Mike Braun,B001310,www.braun.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Watch today's COVID-19 Update with Senator Braun WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mike Braun joined Governor Eric Holcomb's COVID-19 Update press conference Wednesday to discuss federal resources available to Hoosiers and Indiana small businesses in the COVID relief package. ""All along my priority has been how to target the most resources to the folks that actually need it,"" Senator Braun said of the COVID relief package, noting that Congress's dysfunction led to a federal spending bill filled with pork and wasteful spending attached to the targeted COVID relief bill. ""Sadly Congress does not manage its budget like we do back in Indiana, and has ended up with trillion dollar deficits because of it."" Senator Braun noted the COVID relief package includes important resources for farmers and schools, as well as $300 weekly additional federal unemployment and changes to the Paycheck Protection Program to help Hoosier small business owners and workers. Senator Braun encouraged Hoosiers to visit his website to read resource guides with information about how the federal funds and loans available to unemployed Hoosiers, small businesses, non-profits, farmers, and other organizations at:https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike/coronavirus-assistance # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/slate-of-energy-job-bills-championed-by-daines-signed-into-law,Slate of Energy Job Bills Championed by Daines Signed into Law,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MT,Steve Daines,D000618,www.daines.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.20 Slate of Energy Job Bills Championed by Daines Signed into Law U.S. SENATELast Sunday, four bipartisan energy bills, as well as a tax extension for carbon capture, championed by Senator Steve Daines were signed into law. The bipartisan bills, the EFFECT Act,American Mineral Security Act, Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, and USE It Act, all help protect Montana energy jobs and support Montana's energy industry. These bipartisan bills will help create and protect Montana energy jobs, promote renewable energy on public lands,and provide reliable, affordable energy to all Montanans, Daines said.I'm glad to have worked across the aisle to accomplish thesemajor wins for Montana's energy industry. Supporting Montana energy jobs has been a top priority forSenatorDaines. He is committed to creating more jobs in this industry and ensuring all Montanans have access to theseresources. Background: EFFECT Act: The bill updates Department of Energy (DOE) authorities that enable carbon capture storage and utilization investment on existing coal and gas facilities, such as the Colstrip Power Plant. American Mineral Security Act: This bill promotes the research and development of critical minerals which serve as an essential function to the manufacturing of energy, defense, currency, agriculture, health care, and electronic products and whose absence of which would have an impact on the economic or national security of the US.It will also direct the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior to jointly operate a program to design more efficient methods to extract, refine, and recycle critical materials. Additionally, it requires the Department of the Interior to designate and publish a list of critical minerals and work with states to conduct resource assessments to identify deposits of critical minerals. Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act: This bill creates and protects jobs in the energy sector. Itwill help increase renewable energy development on federal lands and expand associated economic benefits to local communities by developing a streamlined permitting process that will drive investment and development of renewable sources. Use It Act: This bill supports carbon capture, utilization and sequestration research by creating a program for the research, development and commercialization of direct air carbon capture. A two-year extension of 45Q tax credit for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage: This willmove the expiration of the tax credit from December 2023 to December 2025. This will provide much-needed certainty to producers and developers who are still awaiting needed regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to take advantage of this credit. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/sen-hawley-will-object-during-electoral-college-certification-process-jan-6,Sen. Hawley Will Object During Electoral College Certification Process On Jan 6,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MO,Joshua Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will object during the Electoral College certification process on January 6, 2021. Senator Hawley will object to highlight the failure of some states, including notably Pennsylvania, to follow their own election laws as well as the unprecedented interference of Big Tech monopolies in the election. He will call for Congress to launch a full investigation of potential fraud and election irregularities and enact election integrity measures. Democrats have previously objected during the certification process for the 2004 and 2016 Presidential elections. Senator Hawley said,""Following both the 2004 and 2016 elections, Democrats in Congress objected during the certification of electoral votes in order to raise concerns about election integrity. They were praised by Democratic leadership and the media when they did. And they were entitled to do so. But now those of us concerned about the integrity of this election are entitled to do the same. I cannot vote to certify the electoral college results on January 6 without raising the fact that some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws. And I cannot vote to certify without pointing out the unprecedented effort of mega corporations, including Facebook and Twitter, to interfere in this election, in support of Joe Biden. At the very least, Congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections. But Congress has so far failed to act. For these reasons, I will follow the same practice Democrat members of Congress have in years past and object during the certification process on January 6 to raise these critical issues."" Background On Previous Objections to Electoral College Vote Certification In 2005, Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones Objected to the Electoral College Votes from Ohio. Stephanie Tubs-Jones Said, I Raise This Objection Because I Am Convinced That We As A Body Must Conduct A Formal And Legitimate Debate About Election Irregularities.""(C-SPAN, 1/6/05, 3:10-3:20) Boxer views her 2005 objection as her proudest moment on the Senate floor, according to CNN.(CNN, 12/27/2020) In January 2005, 31 Congressional Democrats Voted To Reject Ohio's Electoral Votes.(CNN, 1/6/05) Nancy Pelosi Praised The 2005 Objections, Saying Democrats Were Speaking Up For Their Aggrieved Constituents During Their Only Opportunity To Have This Debate While The Country Is Listening"" Nancy Pelosi Said We Are Witnessing Democracy At Work And This Debate Is Fundamental To Our Democracy.""""[T]oday we are witnessing democracy at work. This is not, as some of our Republican colleagues have referred to it, sadly, frivolous. This debate is fundamental to our democracy.""(C-SPAN, 1/6/05, 32:49-33:08) Pelosi Said Democrats Were Speaking Up For Their Aggrieved Constituents, Many Of Whom May Have Been Disenfranchised In This Process.""""The Members of Congress who have brought this challenge are speaking up for their aggrieved constituents, many of whom may have been disenfranchised in this process. This is their only opportunity to have this debate while the country is listening, and it is appropriate to do so. If there were other venues of this caliber, we would have taken that opportunity. But this is the opportunity. We have a responsibility to take advantage of it.""(C-SPAN, 1/6/05, 34:14-34:45) Pelosi Said This Is Their Only Opportunity To Have This Debate While The Country Is Listening And We Have A Responsibility To Take Advantage Of It.""(C-SPAN, 1/6/05, 34:14-34:45) Pelosi Said Do Not Talk About This As A Conspiracy Theory.'""""[P]lease do not talk about this as a conspiracy theory.' It is not about that. It is not about conspiracy; it is about the Constitution of the United States.""(C-SPAN, 1/6/05, 39:50-40:03) In 2017, At Least Seven House Democrats Sought To Object To Electoral Votes In Favor Of President Trump: Jim McGovern Said The Electors Were Not Lawfully Certified, Especially Given The Confirmed And Illegal Activities Engaged By The Government Of Russia.""(CNN, 1/6/17) Raul Grijalva Objected After North Carolina's Tally.(CNN, 1/6/17) Pramila Jayapal Objected To Georgia's Vote Certificate.(CNN, 1/6/17) Jamie Raskin Objected To 10 Of Florida's 29 Electoral Votes, Saying They Violated Florida's Prohibition Against Dual Office Holders.""(CNN, 1/6/17) Maxine Waters Objected.(CNN, 1/6/17)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-17-million-to-northland-health-partners-community-health-center,Hoeven Announces $1.7 Million to Northland Health Partners Community Health Center,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.20 Hoeven Announces $1.7 Million to Northland Health Partners Community Health Center BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has awarded $1.7 million to Northland Health Partners Community Health Center in Turtle Lake. This funding was made available through the Health Center Cluster grant program and will be used to support health care services in the Turtle Lake community. This funding will be used to provide essential health services and quality care to residents of Turtle Lake and the surrounding communities, said Hoeven. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-dod-funding-to-und-for-augmented-reality-tech-research-and-development,Hoeven Announces DOD Funding to UND for Augmented Reality Tech Research & Development,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.20 Hoeven Announces DOD Funding to UND for Augmented Reality Tech Research & Development Senator Secured Funding through FY2020 Defense Appropriations Legislation, Advancing Competitive Research Opportunities for North Dakota GRAND FORKS, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a contract for $5 million to the University of North Dakota (UND) and AM General to develop augmented reality (AR) systems for Army vehicles, which would provide soldiers with access to more and better battlefield data as a display on the windshield. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured this funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bill and has included an additional $5 million in the FY2021 funding legislation to further advance this research. The project's goal is to enable soldiers operating or riding in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, also known as Humvees, to view a broad range of battlefield data visually represented as an AR heads up display on the windshield. This involves determining the best methods for collecting available battlefield data, maintaining its security and displaying it in a manner that provides full battlefield situational awareness. UND and AM General have now been awarded a $5 million contract through funding we secured through the Defense Appropriations Committee. This project will help develop new systems for providing important data to our soldiers in their vehicles on the battlefield. This is critical support for our servicemembers, providing them with better awareness to counter threats and succeed in their missions,said Senator Hoeven. At the same time, this is an important opportunity to continue building UND's research expertise and is part of our efforts to secure additional investment in our state's tech industry, ensuring this sector continues serving as the third wave in North Dakota's economic growth. Autonomy is one of UND's Grand Challenges one of the best ways for UND to help diversify North Dakota's economy and enrich the quality of life,said Mark Askelson, Executive Director of UND's Research Institute for Autonomous Systems. We're proud to have pioneered the development of autonomous technology in aircraft, and we're thrilled to now be doing the same in ground vehicles. At the same time, what really excites me about this work is us bringing our skill set to bear on problems are facing the Department of Defense. We can solve these very real problems that are affecting people in the field and help the operators execute their missions with greater safety and more efficiency. UND is grateful to Senator Hoeven for helping to make the opportunity available. It's safe to say that if not for his leadership, UND would not be working on this project right now. This award is part of the senator's broader efforts to provide competitive research opportunities for North Dakota universities and businesses. To this end, Hoeven is advancing the following priorities for FY2021, in addition to the augmented reality research: $20 million for advanced coatings research. $17 million for the DoD Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCOR) program, of which UND and NDSU are a part. $10 million for Navy research into UAS payloads and performance. $7 million for developing advanced power and battery systems for spacecraft. $2.5 million to support a new silicone solar cell research project at NDSU. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-fema-awards-funding-to-nd-department-of-health-nd-department-of-emergency-services,"Hoeven: FEMA Awards Funding to ND Department of Health, ND Department of Emergency Services",2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.20 Hoeven: FEMA Awards Funding to ND Department of Health, ND Department of Emergency Services BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $6.4 million to the North Dakota Department of Health and $2.2 million to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. These grants were made available under the Stafford Act for Emergency Protective Measures and will be used to assist with expenses related to the state's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response efforts including increased staffing needs, materials and equipment and testing efforts. This funding from FEMA will support North Dakota's continued efforts to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency across the state, said Hoeven. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E8047A7C-61B6-4943-8CDB-AA3BA1CAD12F,Johnson Urges Better-Targeted Relief in Fox Interview,2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON During an interview on Fox and Friends' Wednesday, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) spoke about the need to better target financial relief to those who truly need it and the need to have a fair and unbiased federal investigation into Hunter Biden's business dealings. Excerpts of the interview are below and video can be found here. On Covid relief So, first of all, there's the demand to increase the $600 per-person payments up to $2,000 per-person, which would increase the average amount of money going to households, for Covid relief about $2,400 in the original CARES Act to a family of four getting $8,000. So, from my standpoint, I've seen a report that adds another $464 billion to the total cost of that package money we don't have, money that we're borrowing from our kids' future. So, I think we need to target that a little bit more. On Biden investigation In the end, we just might need a special counsel, as much as I dislike what happens with special counsels. In this case, I think, in order to restore the confidence in our justice system so that the American people do have confidence that it'll be equal justice under the law rather than special privileges for those that are [well] connected. Particularly, Democrats, seem to have a little bit easier time of getting that pass when they do something wrong. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://armstrong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-kelly-armstrong-statement-vote-against-cash-act,Congressman Kelly Armstrong Statement on Vote Against the CASH Act,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,ND,Kelly Armstrong,A000377,armstrong.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON- North Dakota's Congressman Kelly Armstrong released the following statement on his vote against the CASH Act, which would increase direct payments authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act from $600 to $2,000. I have long supported commonsense, targeted relief. The bill voted on yesterday that raises direct payments to $2k has serious flaws and does not provide targeted relief to those who need it most. It increases payments to those who have not faced unemployment or income loss. I support programs like the PPP and assisting families and businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic. Even if we had unlimited amounts of money, I would not support giving everyone money regardless of their being impacted by the pandemic or not. We need to provide targeted relief to those in need, said Congressman Armstrong. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=580,BACON VOTES IN FAVOR OF NDAA,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NE,Don Bacon,B001298,bacon.house.gov,bacon,https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington, D.C. -Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) released the following statement after voting in favor of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act: ""Last night I voted in favor of the Defense Bill that gives us the best deterrence capabilities against China and Russia, and invests in cyber, stealth, and a strong Navy. My measure that initiates making UNMC a national hub for pandemic readiness is also in the bill. Peace through strength is a conservative value and this bill delivers it.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=262CBFC7-9779-498F-B9FB-0A9CA56D9657,Congressman Barr Secures Major Investments for Rural Broadband Expansion,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Lexington, KY – U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) secured major federal investments for the expansion of rural broadband connectivity. Over $7 billion for rural broadband initiatives were included as part of the COVID-19 relief bill signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday evening. This includes $300 million for the construction of rural broadband connectivity and $250 million for expanding telehealth services. “I have worked diligently to enhance internet connectivity for rural communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many Kentuckians are working or learning remotely,” said Congressman Barr. “Additionally, by expanding telehealth services we embrace technology as a powerful weapon in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Together, these investments will provide a huge boost to Central and Eastern Kentucky as we fight to defeat the COVID-19 virus and deliver widespread and reliable broadband access for all.” In April, Congressman Barr led the effort to persuade the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services to expand coverage of telehealth services to include same-location services. This helped conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and cut down on exposure for frontline doctors, nurses and healthcare workers to possible COVID-19 positive patients. Furthermore, Congressman Barr introduced H.R. 8368, the Rural Broadband Expansion Act of 2020. The proposal provides local governments the flexibility to use funding from the Coronavirus, Aid, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act to develop rural broadband infrastructure in their communities. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-and-lynch-introduce-bill-to-study-use-of-distributed-ledger-technology-in-post-trade-clearing-and-settlement,Emmer and Lynch Introduce Bill to Study Use of Distributed Ledger Technology in Post-Trade Clearing and Settlement,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MN,Tom Emmer,E000294,emmer.house.gov,emmer,https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) and Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced legislation, H.R. 8989, to require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to study the operational regulatory challenges and opportunities in the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the post-trade clearing and settlement process. The legislation, which would require the SEC to produce two reports over two years to identify best practices, steps toward establishing international standards, and the implications of utilizing DLT systems. In studying these issues, the SEC is directed to work with both domestic and international stakeholders. “I am very hopeful about distributed ledger technology and its use in the clearing and settlement process. These studies will provide the necessary advancement and understanding of this outstanding technology, and will eventually allow for the implementation of these important upgrades. In order to lead in the global financial landscape, we must be exploring and innovating. It has been an honor to work with Chairman Lynch on the Task Force on Financial Technology, and this effort is a great example of the nonpartisan work Congress can advance to support fintech in the United States,” said Emmer. “Distributed ledger technology, like Blockchain, has the potential to make systems more efficient and more secure,” said Lynch. “Post-trade clearing and settlement is ripe for the kind of evolution that DLT offers. These studies will lay the groundwork for upgrades in our financial markets necessary to maintain the preeminence of the American financial system. I’m grateful for the work of Mr. Emmer on this legislation and am looking forward to working with the SEC to ensure confidence in the technology used in capital markets.” Representative Lynch is the Chairman and Representative Emmer is the Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee’s Task Force on Financial Technology. Over the past 18 months, the Task Force has received considerable testimony on the potential benefits of DLT to increase transaction efficiency, transparency, and security. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://emmer.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C87C2E63-5597-401D-BF15-C146F7197F02,Emmer and Lynch Introduce Bill to Study Use of Distributed Ledger Technology in Post-Trade Clearing and Settlement,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MN,Tom Emmer,E000294,emmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Icon Google Plus Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon Twitter Icon YouTube Icon Vimeo Icon Clients Icon Email icon Map Icon Print Icon Quote Icon icon_share Carousel Arrow - Left Carousel Arrow - Right",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2790,Rep. Estes Announces App Challenge Winner,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KS,Ron Estes,E000298,estes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WICHITA Today Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced the Kansas 4th District winner of this year's Congressional App Challenge, Abir Haque. This is his second year winning first place in this competition.""This year has highlighted the advances in technology and how apps have changed the way we work, learn and communicate,"" said Rep. Estes. ""Abir has demonstrated his impressive coding skills for the second year in a row, and I look forward to seeing the work of 4th District students as we continue this competition in years to come."" This was the second year the Fourth District participated in the national Congressional App Challenge. The competition offers middle school and high school students an opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical skill by submitting the app of their choosing that they have created in the last calendar year, either for a class project, extracurricular or specifically for the App Challenge. Students living in or attending school in Kansas' 4th District were eligible to compete as individuals or teams of up to four. The winning app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on House.gov. First place winner Abir Haque's CSVOL is an extensible query language for managing CSV datasets, interacting with online program libraries, and synthesizing speech and music. Haque used Java and other coding languages to develop the app and is a student at Wichita East High School. Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas' 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/kustoff-announces-west-tennessee-app-challenge-winners,Kustoff Announces West Tennessee App Challenge Winners,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TN,David Kustoff,K000392,kustoff.house.gov,kustoff,https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), announced that Abdala Jabase from Houston High School (1st Place), Uthej Katikaneni from West Collierville Middle School (2nd Place), and Connor Jordan from Houston High School (3rd Place), are the overall winners of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for Tennessee's 8th District. The winning app, ""USA Knowledge"", created by Abdala Jabase, is a quiz to test people's knowledge about the geography, birds, and flags of each state in our country. Once the user is done with the quiz, the app chooses one of the states the user got wrong and redirects them to a website where they can learn more about that certain state. ""Congratulations to Abdala, Uthej, and Connor on placing in this year's Congressional App Challenge. Every year, I continue to be impressed by the ingenuity and talent displayed by those West Tennessee students who chose to submit an app,"" said Rep. Kustoff. ""Through your innovation and skill, each of you has the opportunity to positively impact your community. Thank you to everyone who applied to the App Challenge this year, and I hope you continue to showcase your talents in coding."" App Challenge Winners: 1st Place: Abdala Jabase ""USA Knowledge"" Houston High School (12th Grade) 2nd Place: Uthej Katikaneni ""Survival of the Fittest"" West Collierville Middle School (6th Grade) 3rd Place: Connor Jordan ""Drop Shot Rally"" Houston High School (10th Grade) 1st Place Winner, Abdala Jabase from Houston High School Background: The Congressional App Challenge began in 2014 as an effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and to encourage students to learn coding and computer science skills. Students in participating congressional districts compete against their peers by creating original software applications (""apps""). Winning apps are featured on the U.S. House of Representatives' website, the Congressional App Challenge website, and are displayed in a U.S. Capitol Building exhibit.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-urges-governor-evers-provide-transparency-develop-effective-covid-19,"Steil Urges Governor Evers to Provide Transparency, Develop Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy in Wisconsin",2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WI,Bryan Steil,S001213,steil.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) urged Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to provide transparency on Wisconsin's COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. Steil was joined by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin in this request. The coronavirus vaccines play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe and defeating this virus. Across the state, frontline workers, seniors, and our most vulnerable populations are uncertain about when they are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We must ensure the State of Wisconsin has a plan in place to disseminate information to the public and allocate the vaccine. Wisconsin's vaccination campaign must be fair and transparent, and we must ensure anyone who wants to receive a vaccine has the ability to do so, said Rep. Steil. Specifically, Steil and Baldwin ask Governor Evers to provide answers to the following questions on Wisconsin's vaccination strategy: What is your administration doing to distribute and administer the vaccine effectively and rapidly? When do you expect members of the general public to have access to the vaccine? How will the vaccine be distributed geographically across Wisconsin? What partnerships are in place across the state with health departments and providers to help carry out your vaccination plan? How are you working with partners across the state to communicate scientifically accurate information about the importance of getting vaccinated when the vaccine is widely available? We understand that the state has received unclear information from officials with Operation Warp Speed (OWS) regarding vaccine allocations. What additional resources or information do you need to ensure that vaccine distribution in the state will be conducted in an efficient manner? What steps have you taken to ensure that there is a high level of transparency for members of the public during this time? The Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) has worked to convey accurate information about the spread and impact of COVID-19 in the state. Can you describe how vaccine information will be incorporated into this effort and made available to the public?",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-urges-governor-evers-to-provide-transparency-develop-effective-covid-19-vaccine-strategy-in-wisconsin,"Steil Urges Governor Evers to Provide Transparency, Develop Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy in Wisconsin",2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WI,Bryan Steil,S001213,steil.house.gov,steil,https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"December 29, 2020 Steil requests collaboration, transparency, and COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan from State of Wisconsin WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) urged Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to provide transparency on Wisconsin's COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. Steil was joined by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin in this request. ""The coronavirus vaccines play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe and defeating this virus. Across the state, frontline workers, seniors, and our most vulnerable populations are uncertain about when they are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We must ensure the State of Wisconsin has a plan in place to disseminate information to the public and allocate the vaccine. Wisconsin's vaccination campaign must be fair and transparent, and we must ensure anyone who wants to receive a vaccine has the ability to do so,"" said Rep. Steil. Specifically, Steil and Baldwin ask Governor Evers to provide answers to the following questions on Wisconsin's vaccination strategy: What is your administration doing to distribute and administer the vaccine effectively and rapidly? When do you expect members of the general public to have access to the vaccine? How will the vaccine be distributed geographically across Wisconsin? What partnerships are in place across the state with health departments and providers to help carry out your vaccination plan? How are you working with partners across the state to communicate scientifically accurate information about the importance of getting vaccinated when the vaccine is widely available? We understand that the state has received unclear information from officials with Operation Warp Speed (OWS) regarding vaccine allocations. What additional resources or information do you need to ensure that vaccine distribution in the state will be conducted in an efficient manner? What steps have you taken to ensure that there is a high level of transparency for members of the public during this time? The Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) has worked to convey accurate information about the spread and impact of COVID-19 in the state. Can you describe how vaccine information will be incorporated into this effort and made available to the public? Issues:Health",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.blunt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/blunt-highlights-covid-relief-provisions-benefiting-missouri-small-businesses,Blunt Highlights COVID Relief Provisions Benefiting Missouri Small Businesses,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) highlighted some of the small business provisions in the COVID relief package, which was signed into law this week, that he led or cosponsored to help support local Missouri businesses. Small businesses create the majority of new jobs in our country and shape the character of the communities they serve, said Blunt. Small business owners have done their part to keep people safe during the pandemic. We need to do our part to ensure they have the support they need to stay afloat, keep their employees on the payroll, and come back stronger than ever. I was proud to lead legislation reducing the tax and regulatory burden on Missouri's craft beverage industry, which supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions to our state's economy. As home to thousands of world-class live entertainment venues and museums, I was also proud to support dedicated funding for independent venues that have been particularly hard hit and are at risk of permanently closing. The COVID relief package also extends and improves the Paycheck Protection Program, which has saved millions of jobs nationwide. I'm glad another round of relief is on its way to our state, and I will continue talking with small business owners to ensure they are getting the help they need. Paycheck Protection Program: The COVID relief package includes $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and focuses relief on the hardest hit businesses. The package expands the number of allowable and forgivable costs paid with PPP loans to provide businesses with more flexibility. The package also incorporates provisions from the Small Business Expense Protection Act, which Blunt cosponsored, to ensure business expenses paid using forgiven PPP funds are tax deductible, as well as the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act, which Blunt cosponsored, providing for simplified loan forgiveness for PPP loans up to $150,000. The package also includes a Blunt-backed provision to expand PPP eligibility for local newspapers, TV and radio stations, and public broadcasters that produce and distribute local news and emergency information. Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act: The package includes provisions from the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which Blunt introduced, to permanently reduce taxes and modernize regulations for brewers, cider makers, vintners and distillers. Missouri's wine industry supports nearly 30,000 jobs and contributes $3.2 billion each year to the state's economy. Missouri's beer industry is responsible for more than 57,000 direct and indirect jobs and nearly $3 billion in wages and benefits. Missouri's spirit industry is responsible for nearly 30,000 jobs and contributes $1.9 billion to the economy. Save Our Stages Act: The package includes $15 billion for independent venues, including live entertainment venues, movie theaters, museums, and zoos. The National Independent Venue Alliance estimated that 90% of all independent venues would close without additional funding.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.braun.senate.gov/senator-braun-releases-statement-support-president-trump-signing-covid-relief-bill-cutting-wasteful,"Senator Braun releases statement in support of President Trump signing COVID relief bill, cutting wasteful spending",2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IN,Mike Braun,B001310,www.braun.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tuesday, December 29, 2020 ""I want to thank President Trump for signing the COVID relief bill much needed by Main Street small businesses and their employees across the country, and I support his veto of the massive, unaudited NDAA and his call for Congress to address wasteful spending in the Omnibus spending bill. I am also calling on my colleagues in the US Senate to vote immediately to repeal Section 230 to hold Big Tech accountable and cut the pork in the Omnibus spending bill. We should not adjourn the 116th Congress with our final act being an override of President Trump's veto while ignoring these other urgent matters."" - Senator Mike Braun Issues",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bill-providing-permanent-tax-relief-for-montana-breweries-distilleries-signed-into-law,"Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law",2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MT,Steve Daines,D000618,www.daines.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.29.20 Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law Daines' bill will help create jobs in Montana, support Montana farmers U.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines' bipartisan bill supporting Montana breweries and distilleries across the state was recently signed into law. Daines' bill, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, provides permanent tax relief for small craft breweries and distilleries, supporting jobs across Montana. In Montana, we're home to some of the best craft breweries in the country. Now, with my bipartisan bill being signed into law, these small businesses will have permanent tax relief which will create jobs across Montana and support our Montana barley growers,Daines said. Daines' bill makes the excise tax relief enacted by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent for small craft breweries at $3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels, and $16 per barrel thereafter up to 2,000,000 barrels. This bill also expands the wine producer tax credit and establishes reduced excise taxes for craft distilleries. Background: In December, Daines sent a letter urging Senate leadership to pass this legislation. Dainessupporteda similar provision in the 2017Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In February of 2018, Dainescompleteda four-day tour across Montana to see the benefits firsthand of these tax credits on Montana's breweries. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-montana-leaders-praise-montana-water-rights-protection-act-being-signed-into-law,What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MT,Steve Daines,D000618,www.daines.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.29.20 What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law U.S. SENATE On Sunday, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated their bipartisan bill, the Montana Water Rights Protection Act, being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, saves taxpayer dollars, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. Several Montana leaders issued statements in support following the President's signing of this critical legislation. After years of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law. This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects the water rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, createsjobs, modernizes rural infrastructure, protects Montana agriculture and prevents costly litigation. I'm very glad I could play a direct role in getting this done, and I thank President Trump for signing our bill into law. Daines' statement following the signing Today is a historic day for Montana taxpayers, ranchers, farmers, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Water is life, and the Compact honors our trust responsibilities, creates jobs, and prevents decades of costly litigation while investing in infrastructure and providing certainty to water users everywhere. I am proud to have led the effort to get this Compact signed into law, and I will continue working with the Tribes and water users to hold the government accountable and ensure it is implemented quickly and effectively. Tester's statement following the signing This law is a win for all Montanans. Our farmers, ranchers, the Salish and Kootenai tribes, and all water users across the state will now have the certainty they need. Thank you President Trump and my colleaguesin the Senate for getting this across the finish line. Congressman Gianforte's statement following the signing Statements of Support: I cannot express how much we appreciate the hard work that the Montana Congressional Delegation put into this bill and now having it signed into law. From Senator Tester's initial introduction of the bill four years ago, to Senator Daines' introduction, amendments and work with the Trump Administration this year and to both of our Senators urging their respective leaders to include the bill in the omnibus appropriations bill, and to Congressman Gianforte's work with the Minority Leader in the House, all played pivotal roles and the residents of Montana should be thankful for their efforts. We certainly are grateful. We also express our appreciation to the many agriculture and conservation groups across Montana and even across the country who also helped advocate for passage of this truly historic and important bill. Shelly R. Fyant, Chairwoman, CSKT Thank you to Senator Daines and Senator Tester for their leadership and continued perseverance for a permanent water settlement. An additional thanks goes to Representative Gianforte for his stewardship in the House. The success of Montana's agriculture industry is dependent upon water and water rights certainty. It is easily the single most important resource for people across Montana, which is why MSGA has long supported an agreement such as the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. Jim Steinbeisser, President, Montana Stockgrowers Association The passage of the Compact will benefit all of Montana, while providing certainty and protecting senior municipal water rights for many of our members. Tim Burton, Executive Director, Montana League of Cities and Towns The passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act is great news for Montana. The legislation is a product of decades of negotiation and will settle farmers and ranchers water rights as far east as the Milk, Musselshell and Yellowstone rivers. This bipartisan bill and settlement is a good-faith compromise that will bring final resolution to a century-long water dispute, avoiding years of costly litigation. We especially want to thank bill sponsor Senator Steve Daines for all of his hard and also thank Senator Tester for co-sponsoring this legislation. John Youngberg, Executive Vice President, Montana Farm Bureau Federation Passage of the Montana Water Right Protection Act provides for settlement of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes water right claims that are crucial to providing certainty regarding adjudication of Montana water rights. Passage of this important settlement legislation will prevent costly litigation, protect water rights throughout Montana, and very importantly, recognize and protect Montana's primacy over our water resources. We extend our appreciation to Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester, and Congressman Greg Gianforte for their support and efforts to enable passage of this important legislation. Mike Murphy, Executive Director, Montana Water Resources Association We appreciate the work and time that both Senator Daines and Senator Tester have put into the passage of this agreement. Without their steadfast support for Montana water users, Montana's agriculture industry would have taken over a billion dollar hit at a time when they could afford it the least. Our Senators have put in place an agreement that will ensure the future of agriculture in our state and protect our water resources for generations to come, while investing in Montana's economy and saving our taxpayers, farmers, and ranchers millions of dollars. Tom Beck, Co-Chair, Farmers & Ranchers for Montana (FARM) On behalf of the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators (AGAI), I wish to express our enthusiastic appreciation for the passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. Senator Daines' continual work and ""never say never"" attitude will be enjoyed by many of us here at home. Senator Daines understands the value in this equitable solution, but rest assured the irrigators in the Gallatin Valley will be able to tell the story of a Montana solution that kept agriculture alive and focused on daily chores for generations rather than looking back on the dark days of litigation, telling the story of lost opportunities. From our 400+ irrigating members, THANK YOU, for a well-fought, positive outcome from Washington D.C., proving Montana's work ethic value. Walt Sales, President, Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators On behalf of the Montana Agricultural Business Association, I am more than excited to hear of the passing of the CSKT Compact by Congress. This is a logical solution that protects access to farmers' and ranchers' most limiting resource - water. We thank those who put in a tremendous amount of work in a bipartisan way to see this through to fruition and protect Montana's vital agriculture community. Luke Dighans, President, Montana Agricultural Business Association Senator Daines was the only public official that dug down into understanding what the CKST water compact really did to off reservation water users. He asked questions and listened to Montana ranchers and farmers. Senator Daines rewrote the bill doing the very best he could to protect our property rights and respect hundreds of years of water rights in Montana. Thank you Senator Daines for your leadership. We grateful to have you as a public servant to who works for ALL of us. Bill Slaughter, Commissioner, Granite County I am pleased this has been resolved. Montana irrigators can breathe a gigantic sigh of relief now that this is done. Thank you Senator Daines for all your work on accomplishing this compact. This is the seventh and final compact in Montana. It's not a question of having one, it is a question of having what's in it and getting it done. I am very pleased with Senator Daines and so appreciate his leadership on this issue. Fred Thomas, Former State Legislator",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-wont-consent-ndaa-vote-without-vote-2000-direct-assistance,"Hawley Wont Consent to NDAA Vote Without Vote on $2,000 Direct Assistance",2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MO,Joshua Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)announcedhe will not consent to a vote on the NDAA unless the Senate votes on $2,000 in direct assistance for working Americans. I will not consent to a vote on the bad defense bill - which should stay vetoed - unless the Senate votes on $2k #covid relief for working people Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 29, 2020 Issues",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://stivers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403079,Statement from Rep. Stivers,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OH,Steve Stivers,S001187,stivers.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement from Rep. Stivers f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 The following may be attributed to Representative Steve Stivers (R-OH) regarding the override of the veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): For decades, people on both sides of the aisle have put aside their differences for the sake of the men and women who serve our nation, Stivers said. While it's disappointing that the President let a political disagreement stand in the way of the well-being of our troops, I was proud to join my Republican and Democratic colleagues to let our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines know that we have their backs. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-statement-house-bill-increase-eips-2000,"Amodei Statement on House Bill to Increase EIP’s to $2,000",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NV,Mark E. Amodei,A000369,amodei.house.gov,amodei,https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Logan Tucker, 202-225-6155 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) today released the following statement after the House voted on legislation to increase Economic Impact Payment amounts to $2,000: ""Today the House voted on legislation to increase Economic Impact Payments to $2,000 for individuals making less than $75,000. ""The COVID relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on December 27th contained strong assistance for individuals in the form of Economic Impact Payments totaling $600. However, these payments included no targeting requirements other than the general income limitations. Of significant importance to individuals who have pronounced needs are the added federal unemployment resources contained in the bill, the additional Paycheck Protection Program funds for those who value their employment and accompanying benefits, and the additional aid for maintaining access to healthcare operations at all levels. I supported this balanced funding, because it is targeted at continuing the pandemic healthcare battle while working to continue the economic recovery, which are co-equal and mutually important must-achieve goals. ""When considering adding nearly half a trillion dollars to the price tag of that bill by enlarging the Economic Impact Payments mechanism, none of which is sitting in the U.S. Treasury, I fail to find any notion of cost benefit to individuals' economic wellbeing. I am sure there are individual instances that will be the exception to this analysis, but when considering the needs of all of the community, state, and federal spending interests, I am not left with the conclusion that increasing the sum of the total COVID relief bill by 50 percent is wise. Finally, since further federal rescue spending in 2021 is a certainty, I'm hoping that funds-borrowing foregone now will be put to better use in the near future with strong background facts to address future potential needs.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-votes-override-veto-critical-defense-legislation,Amodei Votes to Override Veto of Critical Defense Legislation,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NV,Mark E. Amodei,A000369,amodei.house.gov,amodei,https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Logan Tucker, 202-225-6155 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) today released the following statement after voting to override a presidential veto of the National Defense Authorization Act: ""I have read the President's veto message and I share many of the concerns contained therein. I have also read the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and have compared the President's concerns with the contents of the Conference Report between the House and the Senate. ""First and foremost, if there is not an NDAA bill – which sustaining the President's veto would result in – there will be significant disruptions to military training in Nevada at NAS Fallon and Nevada Test and Training Range, including Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases. ""Further, if the veto is sustained, any new NDAA bill would be crafted in a legislative environment where the White House and both chambers of Congress are potentially in Democratic control. That's not a win in view of some present strong points in the existing NDAA, which includes funding to: Provide a 3% pay raise to our troops, authorize extra pay for troops in combat zones, and support their families with the care and benefits they deserve; Ensure the DOD maintains a 30-day supply of PPE, ensure our troops have the diagnostic equipment and testing they need, and provide health benefits to Guardsmen supporting the COVID-19 response. This includes benefits for the Nevada National Guardsmen, who are playing a significant role in the COVID-19 fight in Nevada; Establish the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to fund emergent technologies, support our allies, and deter China. This authorizes several new provisions to counter Chinese industrial espionage, support Hong Kong and Taiwan, and protect our defense supply chain; Maintain prohibitions on the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay; and Continue to support missile defense cooperation with Israel through the United States-Israel Assistance Act. ""I agree with all of the goals to bring more accountability and less monopoly to social media companies insisted on by the President, however, I respectfully disagree with addressing it in the NDAA. Too often, germaneness rules are ignored, and if those standards are to mean anything, we must be leaders in getting it to that point. ""Further, while the military construction issue is of interest, continued Southern border wall construction funding in the recently signed omnibus spending bill is $1.375 billion. Construction on the wall today has already completed 438.3 miles. At present cost, this $1.375 billion will provide funding for another 56 miles of wall construction. That construction absorption rate should last well into 2021. Meaning, funding to finish the remaining portion of the wall will be an issue for the 117th or 118th Congresses, so let's see what happens in Georgia next week. ""In my analysis, the benefits and the policy wins in the present Conference Report already passed by Congress significantly outweigh the concerns raised in the Administration's veto message."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=28D7AC03-DD9B-4EA2-96B0-163FF42AABE7,"Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Championed by Congressman Barr, Senator McConnell Signed into Law",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) championed by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) in Congress for over a half decade, was signed into law by President Donald Trump. Congressman Barr partnered with U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) to gather over 200 cosponsors and lead HISA through the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the bill to passage in the U.S. Senate. “After six long years of engaging with industry stakeholders, equine advocates and lawmakers, historic reform to strengthen the thoroughbred horseracing industry is finally here,” said Congressman Barr. “This legislation is the most significant reform to Kentucky’s signature industry in over four decades, providing a uniform standard of competition as well as protection for equine athletes to ensure the industry thrives for generations to come. I want to thank Leader McConnell and Congressman Tonko for their partnership on this bill.” “Kentucky’s cherished horseracing traditions deserve to be protected. I’m proud our legislation to preserve our signature racing industry and the 24,000 workers who support it is now law,” said Senator McConnell. “With the leadership of Congressman Andy Barr and the partnership of sport leaders, horse advocates, and fans, we’re one step closer to promoting fairness and safety across Thoroughbred racing. As Majority Leader, I made this Kentucky-focused legislation a top priority in the Senate.” “It’s been a long journey, but Thoroughbred racing will finally have national uniformity in its rules and regulations, and the sport will be safer for its athletes, both equine and human, thanks to the efforts of Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY),” said Stuart S. Janney III, chairman of The Jockey Club. “I’d also like to thank Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for their support of this bipartisan legislation.” “Now that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) is the law of the land, the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) wants to once again sincerely congratulate Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership on this critical issue for horse racing,” said Shawn Smealie, Executive Director of CHRI. “Congressman Barr showed great courage in sponsoring this legislation at a time when the industry was divided on its medication policy. Poll after poll of racing fans and non-fans alike showed that medication policy and track safety were their biggest concerns, and HISA addresses both issues head on. Congressman Barr never wavered in his support for uniform medication reform and independent handling of the sports anti-doping program. For this, CHRI, which includes most of the industry’s top organizations and the leading animal welfare groups, will be forever grateful.” “This is a great day for the future of Kentucky’s signature industry. Congressman Andy Barr’s constituents should be proud of his leadership and hard work over the last six years promoting the reforms so desperately needed in our great sport of horse racing,” said Staci Hancock, Managing Member of the Water Hay Oats Alliance. “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s support was essential in getting the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act across the finish line. The members of the Water Hay Oats Alliance are honored to have worked alongside Congressman Barr, Congressman Paul Tonko and Senator McConnell to reach this wonderful milestone. These three leaders were the champions for our cause.” Congressman Barr has advocated for the development of uniform standards of competition in horseracing since entering Congress in 2013. On August 31, Congressman Barr and Leader McConnell announced a consensus among prominent equine industry stakeholders that builds on the prior version of the Horseracing Integrity Act and was essential in progressing this legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B6B38401-176E-4AFC-803F-12A98D0B8FE1,Statement from Congressman Andy Barr on National Defense Authorization Act Vote,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) submitted the following statement for the record following the U.S. House of Representatives vote to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act: “On December 8, I voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to bolster funding, equipment and resources to our military to ensure the military continues to be a lethal and effective fighting force defending our freedoms. The NDAA also provides military servicemembers a much deserved 3% raise as well as continued hazardous pay for servicemembers serving in combat zones. “The NDAA also includes significant COVID-19 relief for National Guard units, including the Kentucky National Guard—who answered the call of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve their fellow Kentuckians and their country. “Additionally, Congress phases out the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ability to finance through the World Bank and launches a historic $2.2 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative designed to facilitate investments in the Indo-Pacific region and directly combat the rise of the CCP. This policy prescription strengthens America’s position against the threat posed by the CCP, which represents America’s greatest foreign policy challenge since the Cold War.” “Although I was unable to vote tonight on the NDAA, for these reasons and many more, I would have voted again in support of the NDAA passing the U.S. House of Representatives.” The COVID-19 relief included in the NDAA package for the National Guard includes more diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities and personal protective equipment needed to combat the pandemic within military ranks. Furthermore, the NDAA provides that servicemembers in the National Guard who were activated to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will also receive federal health insurance benefits if they got sick during their service. For the Sixth District, the bill allows the United States to fulfill international treaty obligations by destroying chemical weapons and authorizes continued chemical agent and munitions destruction activity that occurs at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County. This NDAA continues to support the partnership between the National Guard and local authorities, authorizing funding for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in Eastern Kentucky. Earlier this month, Congressman Barr successfully led the effort for the Kentucky National Guard to be selected to receive eight C-130J aircraft. The new of aircraft are scheduled to replace the fleet of C-130H aircraft sometime next year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=791,Bergman Supports $2000 Stimulus Bill,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MI,Jack Bergman,B001301,bergman.house.gov,bergman,https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, I supported a measure requested specifically by President Trump to provide $2000 impact payments directly to constituents of the First District. Our neighbors are hurting financially as state rules and mandates have shuttered businesses and shattered the livelihoods of so many. While we know the answer to so many of our problems will be resolved if our state gets out of the way and lets our workers safely get back to work, much of the damage already done is irreparable. This additional support will help our communities through the winter months, which are already a trying time in the First District. One of the biggest failures of last week’s COVID relief bill was providing only $600 per person. President Trump was right to demand Congressional leadership step up and provide much needed relief to the people. This is a good next step and I was proud to stand up for my constituents and support this bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://bucshon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4041,Dr. Bucshon’s Statement on the NDAA Veto Override,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IN,Larry Bucshon,B001275,bucshon.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after voting to override President Trump's veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act: As nations like China and Russia continue working to try toimpose their might on the worldandundermine thenational security of theU.S. and our allies,it is paramount that we remain steadfast and ready for all threats. This National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA)is an important bill that is focused on ensuring that our men and women on the front lines have all the resources they needto carry out their mission and that our military can meet the threats our nation faces.Additionally, thisNDAAincludesimportant provisions to support our troops includingthe Military Family Readiness Act that authorizes a 3% pay raise for our troopsand provides much needed support for our military families, continued hazard pay for our troops in combat zones, and an ample supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect our service members from COVID-19.It also includes support for national security programs and priorities that support Hoosier jobs at Crane and companies across Indiana. This is not the time to veto important legislation that was passed with broad bipartisan support in the House (338 yeas to 78 nays) and Senate (84 yeas to 13 nays), legislation that protects our nationand our troops including those currently serving on the frontlines in harm's way. That said, I do agree with President Trump that it is unacceptable for big tech to censor voicesthey disagree with, be it conservative or liberalvoices, under the protection of the federal government due to the immunity granted by Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. The current structure ofSection 230is simply outdated in today's marketplace. In fact, the law was enacted before social media outlets even existed. It is time to revisit and modernize big tech's Section 230 protections to meet the demands of the 21stcentury. The NDAA is not the appropriate place to address Section 230 and the legislation should not have been vetoed because Section 230 reform wasn't included in the bill.Background COVID-19 Protections: The NDAA ensures service members have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities and PPE they need, along with providing medical surge capacity in certain healthcare facilities Hazardous Duty Pay: The NDAA includes the annual re-authorization of the extra pay owed to troops deployed in combat zones. Safe and Reliable Nuclear Deterrent: The NDAA authorizes DoD nuclear weapons modernization programs and National Nuclear Security Administration infrastructure and weapons programs absolutely required to replace aging systems with diminishing reliability and survivability concerns that undermine the safety, security and effectiveness of the nation's most important Defense capability the Nuclear Deterrent. Deterring Russia: The NDAA prohibits future administrations from implementing any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of Russia over Crimea and extends the limitation on military cooperation between the United States and Russia. Cybersecurity: The NDAA adopts 17 Cyber Solarium Commission recommendations that strengthen the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and empowers the government to better protect against cyber-attack. Solidarity with Israel: The NDAA includes the United States-Israel Assistance Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-vote-increase-emergency-relief-checks-without-offsetting,Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Increase Emergency Relief Checks Without Offsetting Cuts to Wasteful Spending,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,VA,Ben Cline,C001118,cline.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the below statement following House passage of H.R. 9051 the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act. Virginians across the Commonwealth are hurting, and that is why I fully supported President Trump's call to raise the dollar amount of Emergency Relief Checks from $600 to $2000 by offsetting it with cuts to wasteful spending included in the bill. Sadly, Democrats voted down our attempt to make these changes last week. Therefore, because the bill only included half of President Trump's proposal, I could not support the bill as written, Cline said. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1063,Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Increase Emergency Relief Checks Without Offsetting Cuts to Wasteful Spending,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,VA,Ben Cline,C001118,cline.house.gov,cline,https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the below statement following House passage of H.R. 9051 – the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act. ""Virginians across the Commonwealth are hurting, and that is why I fully supported President Trump's call to raise the dollar amount of Emergency Relief Checks from $600 to $2000 by offsetting it with cuts to wasteful spending included in the bill. Sadly, Democrats voted down our attempt to make these changes last week. Therefore, because the bill only included half of President Trump's proposal, I could not support the bill as written,"" Cline said. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-supports-presidents-request-increase-stimulus-checks,Cole Supports President’s Request to Increase Stimulus Checks,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OK,Tom Cole,C001053,cole.house.gov,cole,https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he supported the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020, which would increase the amount on the coming stimulus checks to be received by most Americans to $2,000 per adult along with $600 per child. ""The wrath of the coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented hardships for many Americans, and I applaud President Trump for urging Congress to deliver more targeted relief to individuals and families in the form of stimulus checks. I am proud to support the president's request to increase the amount on checks soon to reach most Americans, providing additional help as we continue to grapple with the uncertainties and challenges facing our communities.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-override-veto-ndaa,Cole Votes to Override Veto of NDAA,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OK,Tom Cole,C001053,cole.house.gov,cole,https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override the recent presidential veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021. With Cole's support, the House voted 322-87 to override the veto. ""I am disappointed by the president's decision to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, which is vitally important to supporting and strengthening our common defense and ensuring our service members have the resources they need to keep us safe. As the representative for the Fourth Congressional District of Oklahoma, which includes Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and Fort Sill in Lawton, I could not vote to sustain the president's veto. If Congress does not enact the NDAA for fiscal year 2021, it will cost military families their extra combat and flight pay, effectively giving them an undeserved pay cut for Christmas and shamefully disregarding the selfless sacrifices they daily make to ensure our shared safety and security. ""While I understand the president's concerns with certain provisions, I believe that this NDAA, in its entirety, makes essential progress in meeting our national security objectives. To be clear, we can and should address the president's valid concerns in other legislation, but I will certainly not jeopardize the important missions at Tinker and Fort Sill or the brave men and women who carry them out.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crenshaw.house.gov/2020/12/crenshaw-carbon-capture-bills-signed-into-law,Crenshaw Carbon Capture Bills Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,crenshaw,https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC - Two bills introduced by Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) to boost research and development for carbon capture technology were signed into law as part of a year-end spending bill. The LEADING Act and the New Energy Frontier aim to advance carbon capture, a proven technology that helps reduce emissions while protecting American energy independence. ""Americans are tired of being offered a false choice of inaction or economy-crushing regulations when it comes to climate change,"" said Crenshaw. “Texas is already leading the way in carbon capture and these bills allow this innovation to take off across the country, so we can market this technology to the world. These bills are grounded in the fundamental principle that innovation is our best tool to combat climate change while protecting American energy jobs and our economy."" Background Carbon capture uses technology to capture carbon from power plants, allowing cleaner energy production without increasing electricity costs for consumers. Texas companies have already put this technology to productive use.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://crenshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=388,Crenshaw Carbon Capture Bills Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Two bills introduced by Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) to boost research and development for carbon capture technology were signed into law as part of a year-end spending bill. The LEADING Act and the New Energy Frontieraim to advance carbon capture, a proven technology that helps reduce emissions while protecting American energy independence. ""Americans are tired of being offered a false choice of inaction or economy-crushing regulations when it comes to climate change,"" said Crenshaw. Texas is already leading the way in carbon capture and these bills allow this innovation to take off across the country, so we can market this technology to the world. These bills are grounded in the fundamental principle that innovation is our best tool to combat climate change while protecting American energy jobs and our economy."" Background Carbon capture uses technology to capture carbon from power plants, allowing cleaner energy production without increasing electricity costs for consumers. Texas companies have already put this technology to productive use. TheLEADING Actdirects the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to award competitive grants to certain entities for the capture of carbon dioxide produced during the generation of natural gas-generated power. Under Crenshaw's bill, the DOE must accelerate the development of commercially viable carbon capture technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, enter into cooperative agreements with certain entities to construct and operate carbon capture facilities for natural gas plants, and identify any barriers to the commercial development of carbon capture technologies. The New Energy Frontiertakes this a step further by creating a first of its kind Carbon Innovation Center that will examine solutions to carbon utilization.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases?ID=96D17022-B9FB-49BF-9563-AAE3AB6690CA,Crenshaw Carbon Capture Bills Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Icon Google Plus Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon Twitter Icon YouTube Icon Vimeo Icon Clients Icon Email icon Map Icon Print Icon Quote Icon icon_share Carousel Arrow - Left Carousel Arrow - Right Home Media Press Releases Print",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2788,Rep. Estes Votes Against the CASH Act,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KS,Ron Estes,E000298,estes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Estes Votes Against the CASH Act f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 WASHINGTON Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after voting against the CASH Act.""Last week's bipartisan COVID-19 relief package provided targeted assistance to hurting families and small businesses through extended unemployment, the Paycheck Protection Program and eliminating surprise medical billing, but it was coupled with Speaker Pelosi's bloated omnibus spending bill,"" said Rep. Estes. ""Now, Speaker Pelosi is ready to send more checks to millions of Americans who have not lost a paycheck while completely ignoring the rightful outrage from Kansans regarding the billions in unnecessary spending. I'm grateful that President Trump is utilizing his authority to delay some of the egregious funds in the omnibus spending bill, allowing Congress to revisit and rescind these misguided allocations."" Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas' 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2789,Rep. Estes Votes Against NDAA Veto Override,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KS,Ron Estes,E000298,estes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Estes Votes Against NDAA Veto Override f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 WASHINGTON Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after voting against overriding President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021.""Our men and women in uniform bravely defend the rights and freedoms of Americans every day. While the NDAA has many positive aspects that support our troops, our freedom of speech is also under attack here at home from big tech companies. This has been especially evident in acknowledging voter fraud on social media that is then flagged or censored. It's time for big tech to do the right thing by living up to and exporting American values, not importing censorship-tactics from China."" Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas' 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hagedorn.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-hagedorn-undergoes-successful-kidney-resection-surgery-mayo-clinic,Congressman Hagedorn Undergoes Successful Kidney Resection Surgery at the Mayo Clinic,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MN,Jim Hagedorn,H001088,hagedorn.house.gov,,,legacy,"ROCHESTER, Minn. This morning, Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) underwent an elective procedure to remove his kidney and surrounding cancerous tissues at Rochester's Mayo Clinic. According to the Congressman's wife, Jennifer Carnahan, the performing surgeon said the procedure was a success and Jim is resting comfortably. The following statement was written by Congressman Hagedorn just prior to his surgery: Jennifer and I are at the Mayo Clinic this morningfor my elective kidney resection surgery. For those wondering if this is good news, it is! A little over 23 months ago, I was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer. Ever since, I've been receiving immunotherapy at Mayo. My body's response to the innovative treatments has been fantastic. The cancer has been beaten back, degraded, and is localized on the kidney. Because my condition improved so dramatically these past months and my other kidney functions just fine, doctors decided it was time to go in and remove the kidney, and by doing so, extract an estimated 99 percent of the cancer in my body. This doesn't mean I can quit fighting or am cured, but to make it to this point and be able to work hard and live a full life along the way is a mini-miracle. I am extremely fortunate. Patients don't fight cancer by themselves. They need lots of help. I appreciate my loving wife, Jennifer, being by my side every step of the way. I'm also grateful for my family, friends, staff,and so many others for their support, prayers, and encouragement. Ultimately, it's the healing hands of God, the Mayo Clinic, and the innovative immunotherapy that are pulling me through. Special thanks to my doctors, nurses, technicians, and other professionals at Mayo for all their concern and world class quality care. For those dealing with serious illness, keep fighting, don't give up! New cures are available virtually every day. And to those enjoying good health, please see your doctor regularly and get those annual cancer screenings. For most, early detection makes a huge difference. Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family's grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim's father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota's way of life. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CCAB3A64-E964-47BF-AA1F-9DED90B6D266,Congressman Rogers Stands with President Trump on COVID Relief Bill,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold ""Hal"" Rogers applauds President Trump for signing the bipartisan COVID relief and federal funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, ensuring Americans receive critical resources as we enter a new year. President Trump signed the COVID relief package into law on Sunday evening, while also requesting an amendment to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 per person. Congressman Rogers voted in support of President Trump's amendment and released the following statement: ""Americans will be provided with much more than a second stimulus check as a result of this comprehensive bipartisan legislation. It is the first step to reopening our schools and businesses, reuniting families and protecting the health of our nation. It provides $900 billion in COVID relief funding for Americans, including $20 billion dedicated to vaccine distribution, an extension of the Payroll Protection Program, additional support for our veterans, and much more to protect the American people and bring an end to this pandemic,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""We need to get America back on her feet and I applaud President Trump for signing this legislation into law to ensure we begin 2021 with great strides for our families and businesses. This massive legislation is far from perfect, but it protects vital programs at home in outhern and eastern Kentucky and paves the way for a better year ahead."" The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump's amendment to the COVID relief package, increasing economic impact checks from $600 to $2,000. The measure now moves on to the Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=8182,Hill Votes to Support Military Families and Stand Up to the Communist Chinese Party,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AR,French Hill,H001072,hill.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hill Votes to Support Military Families and Stand Up to the Communist Chinese Party f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 WASHINGTON D.C. Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting to override President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. This year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) supports our brave men and women in uniform and their families and sends a strong message to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that we will go to great lengths to protect America and our allies. China poses the greatest threat to America today and the greatest threat to democracy and freedom worldwide since World War II. While I share the president's and many in Congress's concern about social media companies being protected from legal scrutiny by way of the Communications Decency Act in Section 230 and its exploitation by Big Tech, I believe Congress must assess exactly what the corrective step is and how it best fits with the other ongoing investigations of ""Big Tech"" and the social media platforms on and off the Hill. Despite the president's criticism of this measure, I voted to override his veto because we need to fund the military and this legislation, contrary to some views, is tough on China. This year's NDAA includes 43 policy recommendations from the China Task Force report, including a new Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which aims to establish a regionwide approach to countering China. It also beefs up the U.S. Government's oversight tools to address the CCP's human rights abuses and support for Taiwan. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our nation is secure and has the resources it needs to keep the American people safe. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=8183,"Hill: “We must focus our resources to assist families, individuals, small businesses, and working Arkansans”",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AR,French Hill,H001072,hill.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hill: We must focus our resources to assist families, individuals, small businesses, and working Arkansans f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 WASHINGTON D.C. Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting against amending the Consolidated Appropriations Act to increase Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to $2,000 per individual: We must focus our resources to assist families, individuals, small businesses, and working Arkansans and Americans in the most effective way possible. Increasing EIPs to $2,000 per individual will not serve to benefit our economy in the long-run. It is not the most optimal form of relief for the American people, who need immediate support. Without this amendment, the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act includes much-needed rental assistance. It extends the Paycheck Protection Program, which will keep more small business employees earning wages. It increases unemployment benefits for those struggling to find work as a result of the pandemic. It provides $2,400 of EIPs to a family of four. Finally, it will give our governors the flexibility to spend unused CARES Act funds. Although I voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act in order to provide relief to the people of Arkansas in a timely manner, the $600 EIPs should have been better targeted to Americans who are truly suffering from the negative impact of the pandemic. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/press-releases/hudson-maintains-commitment-to-troops-families-and-veterans-through-annual-defense,"Hudson Maintains Commitment to Troops, Families and Veterans Through Annual Defense Bill",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,hudson,https://hudson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg's Congressman and a voice for veterans, released the following statement after voting today to approve the FY 21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report in the U.S. House of Representatives: ""As Fort Bragg's Congressman, it is my responsibility to ensure our troops, their families and our veterans have the support they deserve. That is why I voted to approve the NDAA, which contains provisions I fought for including pay raises and PPE for troops, overdue improvements for military housing and education, mental health care reforms, and expanded VA access for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. This bill also contains measures to counter China and defend our country against cyber attacks like those launched this year by Russia,"" said Rep. Hudson. ""Furthermore, without this bill, troops would lose hazard duty pay over the holidays. As was the case last New Year's Eve when soldiers of the 82nd Airborne got a call to deploy to the Middle East within 24 hours, we expect our troops to be ready at any moment to defend our country. This bill fulfills our commitment to support them in that mission and protect our overall national security."" ""I believe President Donald Trump is right that it is critical we reign in social media companies who hide behind Section 230,"" Rep. Hudson continued. ""I have focused on this shared goal in the Energy and Commerce Committee and will continue working to make sure we enact needed reforms to Section 230."" In July, Rep. Hudson secured six provisions in the FY 21 NDAA. They include: 10% pay increase in hazard duty pay. Expanded access for Special Operations' POTFF program and improvements to retain employees for the program. Report to strengthen Impact Aid education funding. Improved access to Exceptional Family Member Program for special needs military families. Expanded access to the VA for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. These provisions are detailed here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://kaygranger.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D4EB0681-02ED-4A64-8390-A453EFB8796D,Granger Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Kay Granger,G000377,kaygranger.house.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Icon Google Plus Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon Twitter Icon YouTube Icon Vimeo Icon Clients Icon Email icon Map Icon Print Icon Quote Icon icon_share Carousel Arrow - Left Carousel Arrow - Right Home Media Press Releases Print",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404981,Brady: President Trump puts Americans first with relief and reforms,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Kevin Brady,B000755,kevinbrady.house.gov,,,legacy,"Brady: President Trump puts Americans first with relief and reforms f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 Ways and Means Republican Leader Kevin Brady (R-TX-08) released the following statement on the President's signing of thecoronavirus relief package along with the annual spending bill: ""After months of Speaker Pelosi stalling Covid relief ahead of the election, I applaud President Trump's decision to sign this long-overdue relief. This bipartisan bill will succeed in protecting both lives and livelihoods, with more money for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts for families, and reforms to our unemployment system. ""I am proud that he is also protecting patients by banning surprise medical bills which the Ways & Means Committee has led on, and making permanent the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act medical expense deduction that makes it easier to write off high medical bills. ""With his signature, President Trump is delivering on his promise to put Americans first."" f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lamborn-supports-fy21-ndaa,Congressman Lamborn Supports the FY21 NDAA,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today the United States House of Representatives voted to overturn the veto on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). President Trump vetoed the NDAA over concerns with the lack of a repeal of Section 230. The NDAA includes nearly $1 billion for defense programs in Colorado's Fifth District. Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement: One of the only enumerated roles of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. The most important vote I take every year as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee is on the National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation is critical to ensuring that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to execute the dangerous missions they are assigned. I simply could not oppose this bill when it provides nearly a billion dollars of defense spending in our district, bolsters our cybersecurity defense, modernizes our military to deter Russia and China, and provides a much-needed pay raise for our troops. I understand President Trump's concerns about Section 230 and I share those concerns. This is why I am a cosponsor of legislation from my colleague Rep. Gosar which would revise Section 230 and prevent Big Tech from censoring and silencing conservatives. However, we cannot allow our near-peer adversaries to take advantage of any disruptions in funding for our troops or in research and development. I must support our troops and protect our national defense. This legislation also provides a three percent pay raise to our troops, codifies important national security space launch language, enhances our defense cooperation with allies and partners such as Israel, fully funds nuclear modernization, provides funds to counter China, and bolsters our cybersecurity defense. You can read more about the FY21 National Defense Authorization ActHERE. Contact:Cassandra Sebastian (719) 520-0055",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamborn.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-reopen-small-businesses-backbone-society,"ICYMI: Reopen small businesses, the backbone of society",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,CO,Doug Lamborn,L000564,lamborn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Colorado Springs, CO-Congressman Lamborn recently authored an Op-Ed published in the Colorado Springs Gazette about the harmful effects of COVID-19 shutdowns and the need for Governor Polis to allow Colorado small businesses and schools to reopen. Read the Op-Ed below: Reopen small businesses, the backbone of society The approval of two COVID-19 vaccines is an outstanding achievement of modern science, innovation, and research. President Donald Trump and his administration have worked diligently and effectively through Operation Warp Speed to develop multiple vaccines in record time. In fact, Colorado has received shipments of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Millions more doses are on the way. The vaccine must first go to the most vulnerable in our society and to front-line health care workers. The Great Barrington Declaration, which has been signed by nearly 13,000 medical and public health scientists, is an example of the balance we can reach to simultaneously protect the most vulnerable, maintain case counts below hospital capacity, and allow young and healthy individuals to go about their daily lives. Our small businesses and our community cannot endure further closing, even if partial. The adverse effects of prior lockdowns have caused many businesses to shut doors permanently. The restaurant industry is critical to Colorado's economy, providing 10% of the jobs in the state and generating $14.5 billion in annual sales. Restaurants and bars are prepared and trained to handle public health risks and must pass extensive health and safety protocols. For example, restaurants and bars must pass air-exchange tests, which in many circumstances leads to better air circulation than in crowded homes. Small businesses take the risks to their employees seriously, and it is in their best interest to protect them and their customers. The continued closure of schools and the use of remote learning is leading to harmful effects in the community. Students transmit the virus at a lower rate than adults, and students perform and learn better in the classroom than at home. We cannot allow our children to continue to learn remotely. Continued remote learning in schools will lead to greater learning disparity, reduced literacy rates, and extreme education shortfalls. With increased vaccination rates among adults and the vulnerable, students must now return to the classroom. Additionally, sending children to schools allows parents to safely go back to work without the added costs of child care or babysitting. This will strengthen the Colorado economy. Our hospitals have been on the forefront fighting this pandemic. They deserve our high praise and should receive priority vaccination for their healthcare workers. Colorado hospitals are seeing around 76% inpatient bed use, with only about 16% of inpatients having COVID-19. These numbers are promising for hospital capacity, and we have the ability to combat any surge in cases. Furthermore, it is not unusual for hospitals to be running near capacity in the winter months as we fight the flu and other respiratory viruses. With the speedy vaccination of front line health care workers, we can eliminate one of the major problems facing hospitals, which is being short-staffed. Public health policy should revolve around these facts. It is unreasonable to require near-universal vaccination before removing remaining lockdowns. For healthy young and middle-aged adults, the effects of lockdowns mental health disparity, deaths of despair, increasing substance use, and physical abuse are more harmful than the virus. Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, millions of Americans will be vaccinated by the end of January. With a 90% efficacy rate, and by vaccinating the elderly and the vulnerable first, the remaining healthy population can return to normality and be vaccinated soon thereafter. Congress just passed legislation giving one-time checks to most Americans plus continued unemployment support until March. We sincerely want hurting families and businesses to get through this difficult time. However, Colorado cannot put its hope in the federal government for another round of assistance next year. With a ballooning federal deficit and increased spending, it is fiscally impossible to continue to endlessly spend. Predicting what Congress will do in any case is highly uncertain. In addition, Joe Biden has not proposed meaningful ideas on how to deal with the virus other than what President Trump has been doing. Businesses including restaurants and bars, and schools, must open now. Continued delay is extremely harmful. The underlying economy of Colorado will come back strong if we do this. This is due in great part to our community's small businesses, which are the backbone of our society. We can follow the science while also restoring the economy. Enough is enough. It is time to completely reopen Colorado, and allow our small businesses and schools to thrive and grow once again. Read Congressman Lamborn's Op-Ed as published in the Gazette,here. Contact:Cassandra Sebastian (719) 520-0055",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3563,Rep. Loudermilk Votes Against Veto Override of NDAA; Stands with the President,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Loudermilk Votes Against Veto Override of NDAA; Stands with the President f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after he voted against the veto override of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021:I had some reservations with certain provisions in the NDAA; but, as a veteran, I felt responsible to ensure our national defense and military were properly funded, which is why I voted for the NDAA earlier this month. However, no one has a better pulse on the security of this nation and our military than the President of the United States, and I believe his objections to the bill are reasonable and intended to protect all Americans. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2958,"McKinley, Schrader Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Spur Innovation, Reduce Power Sector Emissions",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Reps. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) today introduced theClean Energy Future through Innovation Act of 2020,a bipartisan proposal to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies and establish clear and durable standards for their use in the electric power sector.The legislation would make significant investments in energy innovation and infrastructure, including carbon capture, advanced nuclear, renewables, efficiency, and storage. After a decade of innovation, it establishes a technology-neutral clean energy standard that would reduce CO2 emissions 80% by 2050. America needs energy policy that can endure, rather than one that changes after each election and judicial decision,said Rep. McKinley.No policy can succeed without certainty, and certainty requires bipartisan consensus. Our approach will reduce carbon emissions while ensuring affordable and resilient power generated from all sources. Furthermore, by positioning America as a leader in innovation it will allow us to export technology to the rest of the world and provide a global solution to this problem. Climate change puts us all at risk, including the rural, coastal, and agricultural communities in my district,said Rep. Schrader.Americans are tired of the partisan fighting; they want and deserve a government that solves problems. We need a climate bill that can pass the Senate, be signed into law, and make a real differenceand the legislation that Rep. McKinley and I have introduced is it. We can keep fighting each other, but I'd rather tackle some problems. This bill will cut carbon emissions quickly, it will invest in a better energy system, and it will empower entrepreneurs and industry to create new technologies and new jobs. The bill introduction comes after Reps. McKinley and Schrader released a discussion draft in September and solicited input from a broad array of stakeholders. They are continuing to receive feedback and will be refining the bill further, before reintroducing next year. Background: Earlier this year, Reps. McKinley and Schrader outlined their approach inan opinion piece in the USA Today's Hidden Common Ground Sectionurging a new, more pragmatic legislative approach. The plan calls for a decade of public and private investments in clean energy innovation and infrastructure development, followed by new regulatory standards to ensure environmental and energy goals are met. Innovation alone isn't enough. We must clarify what federal law will (and will not) require, to provide a stable and predictable policy framework for investors and electric utilities in the decades ahead. Executive orders and administrative actions that prolong the political and legal battles won't solve this problem but bipartisan legislation can. Click to see the bill text here. Click to see a section by section here. What They're Saying about the McKinley-Schrader Bill: Representatives McKinley and Schrader should be applauded for recognizing that durable climate policy must come from Congress, and the approach must be bipartisan from the start. The business community is investing heavily in technologies that will reduce emissions and improve the environment, and we welcome good faith proposals like this to further these goals. U.S. Chamber of Commerce I am very appreciative of Congressmen McKinley and Schrader for developing this legislation, because it fills a critical need at a critical time for our nation and the world. The rapid development and deployment of CCS technology on a worldwide scale is a must if we are going to do something that actually addresses global climate emissions, while preserving as many traditional energy jobs as possible. This bill will give our scientists and researchers the means to step on the accelerator in their efforts to get this technology to a point where it can be widely available. The UMWA is in full support, and we urge others in Congress who are developing legislation associated with addressing climate change to consider this bill a beacon for what can and must be done. Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America The McKinley-Schrader bill marks an important milestone along the road to enacting climate legislation.It is a bipartisan effort that wisely addresses roles for both forward-looking energy innovation policy and for regulatory authority as needed. EnergyForward is committed to clean-energy transition and the technological breakthroughs needed to make it a reality.We look forward to working with Mr. McKinley and Mr. Schrader as they advance the bill. Scott Segal, director, EnergyForward and partner at Bracewell LLP.EnergyForwardis a coalition of utilities that includes Ameren, Duke, DTE Energy, Southern, Salt River Project and Vistra. Representatives McKinley and Shrader are to be congratulated for following through on their concept unveiled this past summer and now introducing legislation. As this Congress comes to an end we are seeing bipartisan success on a much needed Energy bill, and now the introduction of the McKinley/Schrader bipartisan approach to tackling our climate challenge. Their legislation focuses on investments for innovative technologies for clean energy, but for the first time that is coupled with the certainty of a clean energy standard stand to move the power sector toward net zero emissions. Significant investments would help rebuild and grow the U.S. economy as we emerge from the pandemic, while its clean energy standard would help put us on pathway to carbon neutrality. Representatives McKinley and Shrader are demonstrating leadership building a bipartisan bridge that is essential for durable climate policies. Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions American Electric Power (AEP) commends Representatives David McKinley and Kurt Schrader for proposing legislation that focuses on clean energy technology development, including an all-encompassing program for the demonstration and deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), combined with a new federal regulatory framework that requires low- and zero-emitting generation. AEP is committed to a low- to no-carbon energy future and is focused on diversifying our resource portfolio, deploying technologies to reduce emissions, and modernizing the grid to help us get there. Preserving and enhancing our transmission and distribution system, in addition to technological advances, including energy storage and CCUS, will determine how quickly AEP can achieve zero emissions while continuing to provide reliable, affordable power for customers. American Electric Power The scientific evidence is overwhelming that we must rapidly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. Effectively combatting the climate crisis will require significant deployment of both clean energy technologies and natural climate solutions, as well as a solid regulatory structure to provide a predictable framework for power producers to achieve emission reductions. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. McKinley and Schrader to develop this bipartisan, innovative approach to cutting energy sector climate pollution, and we look forward to working with them and other climate and energy leaders to create durable, equitable policy solutions that meet the urgency of the climate crisis. Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation As one of our nation's largest energy providers, Duke Energy is committed to taking a leadership role in addressing the serious issue of climate change. Building on our significant progress of reducing CO2 emissions by 39% below 2005, we continue to work toward our ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Doing so while maintaining affordability and reliability for our customers is critical, particularly as we work with our customers and communities through this challenging time. Bipartisan efforts like this are critical in helping our industry deliver a clean energy future for all Americans. While Duke Energy understands and respects that there are different perspectives on how to achieve this future, we applaud Rep. McKinley and Rep. Schrader for their leadership on such a critical issue, and we remain committed to engaging in efforts that help develop a path forward. Tom Craig, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs, Duke Energy ACEEE is supportive of the McKinley-Schrader effort as it seeks to advance innovation while providing a backstop that ensures that substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions take place. We appreciate how this bill includes a number of energy efficiency provisions and look forward to working with the sponsors to build upon these provisions going forward. Steve Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) The surest path to an affordable, reliable, decarbonized electricity system must include nuclear energy alongside wind, solar, and energy storage.TheClean Energy Future Through Innovation Actdemonstrates bipartisan support fortechnology-neutral policies and investments in the next generation of low-carbon technologies. We are thankful forRepresentatives McKinley and Schrader's legislative support that would both support the nuclear reactors we operate today and accelerate the deployment of potentially game-changing new nuclear technologies to power a cleaner energy future.We expect to see continued growth of strong, bipartisan support for nuclear energy as a key element of an increasingly decarbonized energy system. Maria Korsnick, president and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute Reps. McKinley and Schrader's legislation is an encouraging step forward for federal energy and climate policy. Notably, the proposal combines immediate clean energy innovation programs with long-term national decarbonization targets for the power sector. We look forward to working with Congress to advance this important bipartisan effort. Sasha Mackler, Bipartisan Policy Center Energy Project For more than a century, Southern Company has been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advancedcarbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. We continue our industry-leading research and development, focusing on technologies that benefit customers and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives McKinley and Schrader have come together with a pragmatic approach for investment in clean energy innovation and infrastructure development. We appreciate the opportunity to engage in stakeholder outreach and agree technology innovation is the solution to continued decarbonization for the economy. Southern Company ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-miller-s-statement-vote-not-overturn-president-trumps-ndaa-veto,Congresswoman Millers Statement on Vote to Not Overturn President Trump's NDAA Veto,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WV,Carol Miller,M001205,miller.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) today released the following statement regarding her vote on theConsideration of the Veto Message to Accompany the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6395 William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. Tonight, I voted not to overturn President Trump's veto of the national defense spending bill, said Congresswoman Miller. We need to pass the NDAA with additional reforms to protect our nation's digital infrastructure, including disinformation. I look forward to supporting the critical policies already in the NDAA along with these additional protections. The bill passed overturning President Trump's veto. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://murphy.house.gov/media/press-releases/murphy-saddened-passing-state-senator-marc-basnight,Murphy Saddened by the Passing of State Senator Marc Basnight,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NC,Gregory F. Murphy,M001210,murphy.house.gov,murphy,https://murphy.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Greenville, N.C. – Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement after the passing of North Carolina State Senator Marc Basnight. ""North Carolina lost a consequential and dedicated public servant to our state tonight in Senator Marc Basnight,"" said Murphy. ""An eastern North Carolina native, Senator Basnight cared deeply about the welfare of this great state and his impression on our politics will be felt for years to come. I am terribly saddened by his passing, and my condolences go out to his family and loved ones. He will be mourned as a dedicated public servant.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/column-looking-forward-safe-and-joyous-new-year,COLUMN: Looking Forward to a Safe and Joyous New Year,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"Throughout the past year, I have written a lot about how I have witnessed Central Washington come together in times of crisis. The challenges of a global pandemic are certainly unprecedented, but individuals, families, healthcare providers, and local businesses have stepped up to the plate to provide support for our communities. The resiliency of our district is inspiring, and while we still have challenges to overcome, I am confident that our nation will defeat this virus. But I hear you: Our government must be responsive to the needs of the people, and I am doing my part. Assisting Central Washingtonians who need help navigating our federal agencies is one of the most important parts of my job as a U.S. Representative. The gravity of this duty is not lost on me, especially during difficult times. This year alone, my staff and I have worked diligently to return nearly $4 million to individuals and families throughout our district and assist hundreds more with small business grants, Social Security claims, and veterans' benefits. In a normal year, I look forward to hosting events to help seniors and veterans identify resources and benefits or to connect job seekers with employers. My staff looks forward to hosting Mobile Office Hours across Central Washington to meet one-on-one and face-to-face with constituents throughout our district. Not surprisingly, the circumstances of the pandemic required us to adjust our way of doing things. While I maintain that nothing can replace in-person interactions, I am grateful for the expansion of technology that allowed us to stay connected. Telephone town halls, conference calls, and virtual meetings provided an opportunity for me to keep in touch and continue learning how I can best represent you in Congress. Stay-at-home orders and economic lockdowns have changed the way we live, work, learn, and even communicate with one another. Local businesses are hanging on by a thread, and individuals are struggling. My office received tens of thousands of letters, phone calls, and emails looking for help and urging Congress to act. Unprecedented challenges warrant an unprecedented response, which is why Congress came together to pass one of the largest economic relief bills in history. The federal government enacted historic programs to deliver aid to American families, small businesses, and workers yet we all agree that there is more to be done. With the COVID-19 vaccine being delivered to front line workers and our most vulnerable populations, we are on our way to restoring our way of life. This is great news for Central Washington, but we are not out of the woods yet. I am truly grateful, proud, and inspired by the resilience of our communities, and I am more motivated than ever to ensure that our region has the tools and resources we need to emerge from this public health and economic crisis even stronger than before. Going into 2021, I am hopeful Central Washington can maintain this momentum to rebuild our economy and reopen our society with each of us doing our part to protect our family, friends, and loved ones. I wish you all a safe and joyous New Year, and I look forward to working together to tackle this virus once and for all to restore our way of life.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401899,Palazzo Vote on NDAA Backs Military Men and Women,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statementtoday after votingto override a presidential veto of the recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included his legislation,the Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act. From day one, as your member of Congress, my number one constitutional responsibilityhas been toprovide for the common defense of this nation, and I do believe this year's NDAA accomplishes that. While I understand and share the President's concern related to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, I do not believe the annual defense bill is the right place to address this issue.But I do believe this issue needs to be addressed by Congress,""Palazzo said. ""As bothan active National Guard memberandMarineveteranwith three decades of service, I know our men and womeninuniform must remainlethal andready to respond, which is why I believe it is critical togive them the tools and resources they need to accomplish their mission and return home safely to their loved ones. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401900,Palazzo Issues Statement on Stimulus Payment Vote,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Issues Statement on Stimulus Payment Vote f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today issued the following statement after votingagainst a$1,400increase fordirecteconomic stimulus payments that were included in the recentcoronavirus relief package that was passed by Congress andsigned by President Trump. There is no doubt that many Americans are suffering. For months,Ihave said that the passage of COVID relief should be the top priority of this Congress. Still, time and time again, Nancy Pelosi has come up with partisan proposals that do little to nothing to address our economy and jobs.The relief package signed by PresidentTrump is the result of a great deal of work between the White House and congressional leadership,""Palazzo said. ""While the idea of additional stimulus money sounds good, giving away cash without adequate barriers to ensure only those who need help get it is dangerous. This vote is the result of Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushing their socialist agenda when given the opportunity.Our country is deeper in debt than we have everbeen, and the time for hard decisions is now.People across Mississippi would love to have $2,000 checks instead of $600 checks, but when it comes down to it, our country can't afford the nearly half trillion-dollarprice tag that comes along with that.### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-statement-voting-against-cash-act,Rep. Roy statement on voting against the CASH Act,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 9051 (the CASH Act) on Monday evening: Today, I voted against the CASH Act because it will saddle our children and grandchildren with an additional $463 billion in debt with payments that are not targeted to those in need nor offset with cuts in unnecessary spending. This does nothing to help small businesses, which have been shutdown by the tyrannical lockdowns of local governments, keep their doors open or their workers employed. Giving checks to those whose income has not been affected is an affront to those whose livelihoods have been been destroyed by government, and it will not change the need to safely reopen America's economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-statement-voting-sustain-president-trumps-ndaa-veto,Rep. Roy statement on voting to sustain President Trump's NDAA veto,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement after voting to sustain President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act Monday evening: As I said when I first voted against this bill, it is a blueprint for a military that serves the swamp first and America and her troops last. This bill perpetuates the war in Afghanistan, hamstrings the president's reduction of American troops elsewhere, maintains the status quo of undeclared wars all over the globe, prohibits the reduction of wasteful military spending overseas. It pushes radical leftist social engineering on our warfighters by the creation of a ""Chief Diversity Officer"" at the Pentagon. Our military should be focused on defending the American people and defeating our enemies, not catering to the diversity mob. To make matters even worse, this bill contains potentially ruinous regulatory burdens and mandates for small businesses at a time when they're already being put through the wringer by lockdown orders across the country. Small business owners are already being destroyed by tyrannical lockdowns, adding more destructive regulations from Washington will only make the problem worse. Troop pay raises and bonuses are a good thing, as are helping military families, supporting critical research and vital projects.That's exactly why we owe to our men and women in uniform to pass legislation that gives them what they've earned. Our service members deserve a clear mission focused on destroying America's enemies. Instead, this NDAA perpetuates a status quo that gives them a raw deal. We could debate and vote on all these things like we're supposed to, but the last time we had an open amendment vote on the House floor was 2016. That's unacceptable. President Trump was absolutely right to veto this legislation and I was happy to vote against overriding his veto. Congress should go back to the drawing board and fix this. America's troops and America's taxpayers deserve better than this.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://steube.house.gov/media/press-releases/steube-opposes-unnecessary-redistribution-wealth-covid-relief-legislation,Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,Greg Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today voted against H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020. We understand the economic hardship inflicted by COVID-19, but Americans don't need inadequate stimulus checks and forced government dependency to get them back on their feet, Steube said. Rather than prolonging economic suffering with failing, irresponsible legislation, our country needs to follow the lead of states like Florida and give Americans incentives and the opportunity to return to their jobs and normal lives. This legislation would raise the direct stimulus payments previously passed in COVID-19 relief legislation from $600 to $2,000. However, throughout the pandemic, Congress has already authorized $4.1 trillion in aid to offset the costly and non-scientific lockdown measures. This is coupled with the new debt all Americans have incurred due to historic fiscal irresponsibility. At current spending levels, Congress has already created $2.2 trillion in new debt, which means $18,000 in government debt per household. Stimulus checks have wastefully spent hard earned taxpayer dollars on nearly 150 million Americans who have been employed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are unemployed or have been forced to shut down their businesses, recent stimulus checks have been insufficient for living wages. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/steube-opposes-unnecessary-redistribution-of-wealth-in-covid-relief-legislation/,Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,FL,W. Gregory Steube,S001214,steube.house.gov,steube,https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Steube Opposes Unnecessary Redistribution of Wealth in COVID Relief Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today voted against H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020. “We understand the economic hardship inflicted by COVID-19, but Americans don’t need inadequate stimulus checks and forced government dependency to get them back on their feet,” Steube said. “Rather than prolonging economic suffering with failing, irresponsible legislation, our country needs to follow the lead of states like Florida and give Americans incentives and the opportunity to return to their jobs and normal lives.” This legislation would raise the direct stimulus payments previously passed in COVID-19 relief legislation from $600 to $2,000. However, throughout the pandemic, Congress has already authorized $4.1 trillion in aid to offset the costly and non-scientific lockdown measures. This is coupled with the new debt all Americans have incurred due to historic fiscal irresponsibility. At current spending levels, Congress has already created $2.2 trillion in new debt, which means $18,000 in government debt per household. Stimulus checks have wastefully spent hard earned taxpayer dollars on nearly 150 million Americans who have been employed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are unemployed or have been forced to shut down their businesses, recent stimulus checks have been insufficient for living wages.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://walorski.house.gov/hoosier-wins-covid-relief/,Walorski Applauds Wins for Hoosier Workers and Families After President Trump Signs Relief Bill,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IN,Jackie Walorski,W000813,walorski.house.gov,,,legacy,"Monday, December 28, 2020 Walorski Applauds Wins for Hoosier Workers and Families After President Trump Signs Relief Bill Bipartisan Legislation Renews PPP, Boosts Resources for Vulnerable Families, Supports Vaccine Distribution, Bans Surprise Medical Bills MISHAWAKA, Ind. U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after President Trump signed bipartisan legislation that includes COVID-19 relief and other key reforms for workers, families, and small businesses: Help is on the way for Hoosier workers, families, and small businesses to get through the coronavirus crisis and emerge stronger than ever. I'm relieved Congress and the president came together to renew PPP to save small businesses and jobs, ending months of partisan obstruction by Speaker Pelosi. Direct financial relief for workers and families, much-needed support for foster youth and at-risk parents and grandparents, and additional resources to distribute safe and effective vaccines and defeat COVID-19 will also make a real difference in people's lives. The bipartisan legislation includes additional key reforms like banning surprise medical bills and improving access to hospice care in rural communities. And it represents a major setback for Speaker Pelosi's radical agenda, blocking efforts to defund the police and bail out fiscally irresponsible cities and states. In signing this bill into law, President Trump is delivering on his promise to put the American people first. BACKGROUND The House and Senate last week passed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and President Trump signed the bill into law on Sunday evening. COVID-19 Relief for Workers, Families, and Small Businesses: Renews successful Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Gives small businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions the opportunity to apply for a second forgivable loan, with $284 billion in funding. Simplifies the forgiveness process for loans under $150,000, and allows small businesses to deduct PPP loans. Increases loan amount for restaurants and hotels, and makes chambers of commerce and newspapers eligible. Walorski co-sponsored the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act (H.R. 8265) and signed a discharge petition to bring it to the House floor after Speaker Pelosi repeatedly blocked a vote to renew PPP. Provides resources to defeat COVID-19. $20 billion to purchase vaccines, ensuring they are available to Americans at no cost. $8 billion to support distribution of safe and effective vaccines authorized by the FDA. $20 billion to assist states with testing and other measures to combat COVID-19. Supports foster youth and vulnerable families. Provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kinship caregivers such as grandparents raising grandchildren, at-risk pregnant women and new parents, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services. Allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic. Walorski introduced the bipartisan Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) with Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support Chairman Danny Davis (D-Ill.). Provides second round of direct payments to Americans. Builds on economic relief provided in the CARES Act, sending direct payments of $2,400 to a typical family of four up to $600 per individual ($1,200 per married couple) and $600 for each child under the age of 17. Full amount is available for individuals with income $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household) and couples with income below $150,000. Rebate amount will be reduced by $5 for each $100 the income level exceeds these thresholds. Assists child care providers and schools in safely reopening. $10 billion in grants to child care centers to help care providers safely reopen. $82 billion to assist schools and universities with reopening for in-person learning. Temporarily extends enhanced unemployment benefits. Provides additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021. Extends and phases out federal unemployment benefits when state unemployment runs out and temporary benefits for self-employed and gig workers. Provides tax relief to teachers who purchase pandemic-related supplies. Clarifies that personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are eligible for the educator expense deduction. Walorski introduced the bipartisan Supporting Educators During COVID-19 Act (H.R.8520) with Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.). Other Key Provisions in Year-End Legislation: Bans surprise medical bills. Protects patients from unexpected medical bills from out-of-network providers. Establishes a fair process to resolve payment disputes between insurers and health care providers. Empowers consumers by providing a true and honest cost estimate that describes which providers will treat them, the cost of the services, and provider network status. Prevents Medicare coverage gaps. Improves access to hospice care in rural communities. Allows patients entering hospice care to keep their doctor from a federally qualified health center or rural health center. Walorski introduced the bipartisan Rural Access to Hospice Act (H.R. 2594) with Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.). Addresses nationwide affordable housing crisis. Funds Community Health Centers. Extends funding for public health programs including Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers, and Special Diabetes Programs for three years. Strengthens national defense and supports troops. Provides the military with the resources needed to defend our nation, including a 3 percent pay raise for servicemembers. Blocks radical left-wing wish list items. Prevents taxpayer-funded bailout of fiscally irresponsible city and state governments. Preserves pro-life protections, including prohibitions on taxpayer-funded abortion. Rejects efforts to defund the police. Prevents elimination of long-standing 2nd Amendment protections. Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://wenstrup.house.gov/updates/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404579,Wenstrup Statement on Non-Offset Relief Payments,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OH,Brad Wenstrup,W000815,wenstrup.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) issued the following statement after voting on the CASH Act of 2020: The recently-passed bipartisan, bicameral COVID relief legislation provided targeted assistance to the American people in the form of direct cash payments, enhanced unemployment insurance, and an expanded earned income tax credit. There may be room for additional assistance in the coming months, and it should come in the form of more precisely targeted relief to those most in need as well as efforts to get individuals back to work, rather than blanket benefits for many who may not need them but qualify based off outdated data. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the CASH Act would cost $463.8 billion in taxpayer funding. With that sum, we could increase assistance to our small businesses that are struggling through the Paycheck Protection Program, increase direct food assistance to needy families, and increase resources to distributePPE to frontline healthcare workers and the vaccine to all Americans who want it. Should the Speaker wish to pass this legislation, she should offset it with the President's request to rescind certain foreign aid funding. However, without such an offset, I could not support this additional deficit spending.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://wenstrup.house.gov/updates/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404580,Wenstrup Votes to Enact Defense Authorization Bill,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,OH,Brad Wenstrup,W000815,wenstrup.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) issued the following statement after voting to advance into law the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): Our nation's servicemembers make countless sacrifices to protect the American people. We must provide our warfighters with the tools and resources necessary to carry out their missions and keep them safe. This legislation also addresses growing global challenges, from countering China's increasing aggression to strengthening our nation's cybersecurity capabilities. At the same time, I share President Trump's interest in reviewing the Communications Decency Act of 1996, and specifically Section 230. The Internet economy has grown beyond anything imagined in the 1990s, and it is the responsibility of legislators to ensure that our laws are keeping up with society and the tech companies that have come to dominate our economy and public discourse. Congressman Wenstrup was named a conferee to the FY 2021 NDAA Conference Committee andhad two amendments included in the final text. He also serves as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served a tour in Iraq from 2005-2006 as a combat surgeon and was awarded a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge for his service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3450,Wittman statement on voting to override FY21NDAA veto,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after voting to override the presidential veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA), the legislation to fundourUnitedStates military and vital defense-related programs into the next year: Let me be very clear:the FY21 NDAA does right by our men and women in uniform and provides sound, strong defense policy for the coming year and the coming challenges. It will give our armed forces the tools and resources they need to deter our adversaries, support our allies, and project power around the globe. The Commonwealth of Virginiais home to one of the largest populationsof military members and their families in the country and many more hardworking Americanswho develop and support the platforms, systems, and programs that our warfighters use to execute their critical missions around the globe.FY21 NDAAgoes a long way to support our region's path to economic recovery. While I understand the concerns of President Trump, simply put,this is a defense bill and thePresident's concerns are notdefense-related.Lawmakers have been ableto pass this bill for 59 years on a bipartisan and bicameral basis by taking painstaking measures to keepthe NDAA focused on our national security and setting aside non-related policyitems.There are better ways to address the issues brought up by the President that do not jeopardize our nation's security interests or punish our military members. I agree that we must address President Trump's concerns regarding Section 230.That is why I support Rep. Paul Gosar's(AZ-04)Stop the Censorship Act. Section 230 currently provides online platforms with immunity for the removal of anything they perceive to be otherwise objectionable.' This legislation revokes immunity for the removal of competition and lawful political speech, extends free speech online, empowers users to protect themselves from objectionable material. This provision also incentivizes platforms to be more transparent and abide by their own terms of service.Most importantly, separating this bill from FY21 NDAA gives us the opportunity to pass the requisitedefense legislation to ensure our men and women in uniform are given the resources they need to keep our Country safe. Our servicemembers andour national security professionals need this legislation and the authorizations and policies it provides. I refuse to put them at riskthis legislation is too important not to pass. Through his work as the Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and as a core conferee in the Conference Committee process for the FY21 NDAA, Congressman Wittman was able to work with his colleagues to secure the restoration of a second Virginia-class submarine and the required advanced procurement to maintain the necessary two-per-year build rate to keep pace with shipbuilding goals. These submarines are critical to both national defense strategy and the Commonwealth's economy. Additionally, the FY21 NDAA saw the inclusion of Congressman Wittman's bill, H.R. 7195, which will allow for the multi-year procurement of three smaller amphibious ships and one large deck amphibious ship that will save the taxpayers roughly a billion dollars. Ultimately, the shipbuilding account procures nine battle force ships including one Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarine; two Virginia-class submarines; two DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyers; one guided missile Frigate (FFG); two T-ATS towing, salvage, and rescue ships; and one expeditionary fast transport ship (EPF). Outside the Seapower portfolio, the FY21 NDAA included another bill written by Congressman Wittman, H.R.8263, which ensures opportunities for Department of Defense participation in wildlife conservation banking programs. This measure will establish accountable objective, measurable criteria for conservation results, giving the Department of Defense additional tools to advance military readiness. This is a win for the Department of Defense, our environment, and our wildlife. The FY21 NDAA also fully funds the critical B-21 Raider bomber program, as well as the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program and provides additional P-8 aircraft to combat the undersea threat. Finally, it includes the creation and authorization of the Tanker Fleet Security Program, a program that will continue to address our inability to appropriately transport fuel by creating a stipend for ten U.S.-flagged fuel transport ships to be chartered for this purpose. The FY21 NDAA includes several other provisions Congressman Wittman is proud to support such as a 3.0% pay raise for servicemembers, funding for future warfare projects done in Virginia's First District (such as the railgun and directed energy projects), and making sure the Armed Forces have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities, and the personal protective equipment necessary to protect servicemembers from the threat of infectious diseases. Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-the-passing-of-nc-state-senator-marc-basnight,Senator Burr Statement on the Passing of N.C. State Senator Marc Basnight,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.28.20 Senator Burr Statement on the Passing of N.C. State Senator Marc Basnight Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today released the following statement on the passing of former North Carolina State Senator Marc Basnight, who led the Senate for nearly two decades: Marc Basnight was one of the most effective and influential political leaders in North Carolina's history. Marc was a powerful man, but everything he did was driven by a deep and genuine love of people that was evident to all. I always considered him to be one of my best friends. He will be missed. Print Email Tweet Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn%E2%80%99s-20-texas-priorities-water-infrastructure-bill-signed-law,Cornyn’s 20 Texas Priorities in Water Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn released the following statement after twenty Texas priorities he advocated for in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 were signed into law by the President as a part of the omnibus funding bill: We can't prevent natural disasters, but we can prepare for them, said Sen. Cornyn. With the President's signature, twenty different Texas projects will move forward, further protecting Texans from severe flooding and catastrophic storms. Sen. Cornyn's priorities that were included in theWater Resources Development Act of 2020 and are now law are as follows: Authorizes the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Improvement Project. Authorizes the Jefferson County ecosystem restoration project. Authorizes the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Brazos River Floodgates, and Colorado River Locks navigation project. Authorizes the Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project in Port Lavaca. Authorizes the Chacon Creek flood risk management project. Authorizes a new feasibility study for the Port Arthur and Orange County flood risk management project, including construction of improvements to interior drainage. Authorizes a feasibility study for the Chocolate Bayou flood risk management project. Authorizes project modifications for the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels project. Authorizes a feasibility study for thePort of Victoriaflood risk management project. Expedites the completion of the Buffalo Bayou feasibility study for flood risk management. Requires the Secretary of the Army to provide a written status update on efforts to address flooding at Wilson Creek and Sloan Creek in Fairview, Texas. Authorizes project modifications for the Port of Corpus Christi Channel Improvement project. Expedites completion of the Lake Whitney Reallocation Study for the reallocation of water supply storage. Expedites completion of the Aquilla Lake Reallocation Study for the reallocation of water supply storage. Expedites the completion of the Lower Rio Grande River feasibility study for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and water supply. Authorizes the USACE to participate in the repair and restoration of the eroding embankment at Lake Waco. Directs the USACE to assist El Paso County with a proposal to modify the authorized funding level for a water related infrastructure project. Assists Harris County Flood Control District in streamlining benefit-cost analyses for projects. Directs the USACE to identify specific engineering and maintenance deficiencies for levees across Texas and the nation, and to describe recommended remedies to correct each deficiency to ensure that critical levee performance is being achieved. Reauthorizes of theRio Grande Environmental Management Programin Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado through 2029.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn%E2%80%99s-energy-innovation-bill-now-law,Cornyn’s Energy Innovation Bill Now Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after his Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act was signed into law as a part of the omnibus funding bill: Rather than regulate energy providers into the ground, this law will encourage industry innovation, said Sen. Cornyn. The LEADING Act will lower energy bills for Texans and protect them from the massive costs of alternative energy plans like the Green New Deal, all while protecting our environment long-term. Background on the LEADING Act: The LEADING Act would incentivize research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas to ensure a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy supply. The LEADING Act will promote the continued use of natural gas so we can keep energy bills low, maintain U.S. energy security, and protect the environment all at the same time. By increasing the use of natural gas and other innovative resources, the United States is leading the world in emissions reduction. Natural gas is now the main source of energy in the United States, generating 35.1% of our electricity in 2018. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects this number to continue to rise for the foreseeable future as more natural gas power plants come online. Natural gas emits 50 to 60 percent less carbon dioxide when combusted in a natural gas power plant compared with other sources. Natural gas supports the deployment of renewable energy, and natural gas power plants can quickly and safely ramp up and down to combat the volatility of renewables. Developing cost-effective carbon capture technology for natural gas power plants will help the United States continue to lower emissions while creating jobs and supporting domestic energy production and security. The Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas Act would require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program for the research, development, and demonstration of commercially viable technologies for the capture of carbon dioxide produced during the generation of natural gas-generated power. Specifically, the bill would: Require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to develop cost-effective carbon capture technologies for use by natural gas-generating power facilities. By incentivizing research and innovation, the goal is to accelerate development and commercial application of natural gas carbon capture technologies and create a partnership with the private sector for demonstration projects. Encourage DOE to include the participation of National Laboratories, universities, and research facilities, including the National Carbon Capture Center. Require DOE to solicit applications for demonstration projects and submit a report to Congress detailing legislative recommendations, applicant evaluation method, expected goals for technology development, estimations of project costs, and timelines for project construction.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn%E2%80%99s-latino-smithsonian-become-reality,Cornyn’s Latino Smithsonian to Become a Reality,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after his legislation he's worked on for years to authorize the Smithsonian Institution to create a museum honoring American Latinos, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, was signed into law. For decades, Texans have advocated for greater representation of American Latino stories in our nation's capital, and I'm proud to announce that together, we have ensured the National Museum of the American Latino will become a reality, said Sen. Cornyn. Because the President has signed my bill into law, future generations that travel to Washington will be able to learn about the incredible American Latinos who helped build this nation. The National Museum of the American Latino Act builds on nearly 26 years' worth of work in laying the foundation for the establishment of a future museum. Following a 1994 report entitled Willful Neglect' showing the Smithsonian Institution's failure to include the story of the American Latino, the first Congressional bill was introduced in 2003 to study the creation of a museum. In 2008, with Presidential and Congressional leadership, a 23-member Commission was established to study the viability of a museum. In 2011, the Commission's work culminated in a final report that detailed that the creation of a museum on the National Mall was indeed feasible. In 2020, this legislation will act on the Commission's report and put into motion the process of establishing a Latino Museum, similar to those that established other Smithsonian museums.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn-bill-blocking-e-cigarette-sales-children-signed-law,Cornyn Bill Blocking E-Cigarette Sales to Children Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, which would block online sales of electronic cigarettes to children, was signed into law: Children's use of electronic cigarettes has been linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, and this legislation would help curb their access to these products, said Sen. Cornyn. Now that this is signed into law, we can help keep young Americans from developing unhealthy addictions while stopping the spread of the coronavirus. The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act will require e-cigarette online retailers to: Verify the age of customers for all purchases. Require an adult with ID to be present for delivery. Label shipping packages to show they contain tobacco products. Comply with all state and local tobacco tax requirements. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3 million high schools students used electronic cigarettes in 2018, a 78 percent increase over the previous year. Today, one in five U.S. high school students report using e-cigarettes, which have become the most commonly used tobacco product by youth in the United States. A recent survey published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that 32 percent of underage e-cigarette users reported purchasing products online, making online sales the single largest source of purchases for underage users. In addition to Senators Cornyn and Feinstein, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), David Perdue (R-GA), John Boozman (R-AR), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Pat Roberts (R-KS). The bill is supported by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, California Physicians Alliance, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Children's Health Fund, Go2Foundation for Lung Cancer, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, National Association of Convenience Stores and Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn-klobuchar-relief-bill-independent-live-music-venues-signed-law,"Cornyn, Klobuchar Relief Bill for Independent Live Music Venues Signed Into Law",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statements after the Save Our Stages Act, legislation they authored to provide Small Business Administration grants for independent live music venues, live performance arts organizations, or motion picture theatres affected by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, was signed into law. These grants would provide financial support necessary to keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector for communities across America. Texas' entertainment venues have endured nearly ten months of lost revenue and empty seats, and they have passionately led the fight to save live music from becoming a thing of the past, said Sen. Cornyn. I'm grateful to my colleagues for helping these cultural landmarks be able to reopen their doors once again, and I'm looking forward to seeing future generations of Texans learn our history through music at the world-class venues and dance halls that call the Lone Star State home. Independent venues were some of the first establishments to close down and will likely be some of the last to open. I refuse to sit by and let the music die, which is why I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Save our Stages Act, Sen. Klobuchar said. This funding will get small entertainment venues the help they need to make ends meet and serve our communities for generations to come. Background: Small live music and entertainment venues have been hard-hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with 90 percent of venue owners, promoters, and bookers reporting they are at risk of closing without additional financial assistance and an estimated $9 billion in losses should ticket sales not resume until 2021. The Save Our Stages Act would: Narrowly define eligibility to ensure only small shuttered and at-risk venues qualify for federal grant funding Direct the SBA to make grants to eligible venues equal to the lesser of either 45 percent of operation costs from calendar year 2019 or $10 million Permit recipients to use grants for essential expenses incurred during the COVID pandemic Require recipients to return remaining funding after one year from the date of disbursement Permit recipients to use grants for rent, utilities, mortgage obligations, PPE procurement, payments to contractors, regular maintenance, administrative costs, state and local taxes, operating leases, and capital expenditures related to meeting state, local, or federal social distancing guidelines Authorize the appropriation of $15 billion for the grant program",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/es/es/content/news/cornyn-el-museo-smithsonian-para-latinos-se-convertir%C3%A1-en-una-realidad,Cornyn: El Museo Smithsonian Para Latinos se Convertirá en una Realidad,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Hoy el senador John Cornyn (R-TX) emiti la siguiente declaracin despus de su proyecto de ley en la que ha trabajado durante aos para autorizar a la Institucin Smithsonian a crear un museo para honrar a los latinoamericanos, La Ley del Museo Nacional del Latinoamericano, se convirti en ley. Durante dcadas, los Texans han abogado por una mayor representacin de las historias de los latinoamericanos en la capital de nuestra nacin, y me enorgullece anunciar que juntos, nos hemos asegurado de que el Museo Nacional del Latinoamericano se convierta en una realidad, dijo el sen. Cornyn. Debido a que el Presidente ha firmado mi proyecto de ley, las generaciones futuras que viajen a Washington podrn aprender sobre los increbles latinoamericanos que ayudaron a construir esta nacin. La Ley del Museo Nacional del Latinoamericano se basa en casi 26 aos de trabajo para sentar las bases para el establecimiento de un futuro museo. A raz de un informe de 1994 titulado Willful Neglect que mostraba el fracaso de la Institucin Smithsonian para incluir la historia del latinoamericano, se introdujo el primer proyecto de ley del Congreso en 2003 para estudiar la creacin de un museo. En 2008, con el liderazgo presidencial y congresal, se establece una comisin de 23 miembros para estudiar la viabilidad de un museo. En 2011, el trabajo de la comisin culmin en un informe final que detallaba que la creacin de un museo en el National Mall era realmente viable. En 2020, este proyecto de ley actuar sobre el informe de la comisin y pondr en marcha el proceso de establecer un museo latinoamericano, como los que establecieron otros museos de la Institucin Smithsonian.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-the-death-of-former-nd-representative-lyle-hanson,Hoeven Statement on the Death of Former ND Representative Lyle Hanson,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.28.20 Hoeven Statement on the Death of Former ND Representative Lyle Hanson BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement on the passing of former North Dakota State Representative Lyle Hanson. Representative Hanson was an active member of his community and a devoted public servant for our state. He will be remembered for his long service as a state legislator, his work as an educator, his contributions to local athletics and his broad volunteerism. Notably, I appreciate his advocacy for North Dakota's beautiful outdoors and his passion as a sportsman, priorities we shared. Mikey and I offer our condolences to the Hanson family, as well as all of his friends and loved ones. They will be in our prayers. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/year-end-omnibus-appropriations-package-signed-into-law,Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Package Signed Into Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.28.20 Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Package Signed Into Law U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded a year-end omnibus bill being signed into law, which includes a 12-bill appropriations package to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2021, including Senator Murkowski's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This historic funding package also provides nearly $900 billion for COVID-19 relief; Senator Murkowski's bipartisan, bicameral Energy Act of 2020; a bipartisan compromise to address the issue of Surprise Medical Billing; a major tax extenders package, and more. I am glad that Congress was able to put our differences aside and work together in a bipartisan manner to do what's right for our nation. Together, we've crafted an omnibus bill which directs critical federal funding to where it is needed most, said Senator Murkowski. The 12-bill appropriations package invests in every sector of America. It will create economic opportunities for Alaskans, strengthen our national defense and military infrastructure, support Alaska's fisheries, and invest in transportation. It includes funding for a number of Native and rural programs, as well as provisions to protect Alaska's land and people. Building on my efforts to address Alaska's public safety crisis, including the crisis of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women, additional funding is included for the BIA to continue to address those issues. We secured a number of funding initiatives that will build on my work to increase America's presence in the Arctic, as well as funding is included to improve healthcare for Alaskans. Full funding is also included for the PILT program which supports vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Reaching this agreement took significant bipartisan compromise from members across the board, and I'm proud to have been a part of that good work. The President's decision to sign this legislation without further delay, which includes critical COVID-19 relief, is welcomed news. ALASKA HIGHLIGHTS: (Note: Numbers are nationwide program funding levels.) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Bill Highlights USGS Earthquake, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards: Provides funding for Alaska to develop and enhance earthquake monitoring capabilities, as well as operational funding to upgrade volcano monitoring equipment. Additionally, the bill provides funding for a site-specific landslide hazard assessment and a long-term monitoring strategy in Prince William Sound. Missing, Trafficked, & Murdered Indigenous Women: In order to improve the federal response to the epidemic of missing, trafficked, and murdered indigenous women, an additional $6.7 million is included for the BIA to continue to address these issues. Specifically, the bill includes $2 million for cold case work, $1 million for equipment needs, $3 million to support the goals of Operation Lady Justice, and $750,000 for victim witness specialists. The bill also continues language of the need to boost both coordination and data collection among Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement by directing BIA to designate an official within the agency to work with Tribes to develop a set of guidelines on how to best collect statistics. Native American women face high rates of violence and the lack of data on the number of women and girls who go missing or murdered further complicates the Nation's ability to address this crisis. Payment in Lieu of Taxes: Provides full funding at $515 million for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. The PILT program provides monetary compensation to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. The revenue helps local governments provide vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Timber Industry in Alaska: Dedicates resources critical to programs that support jobs and opportunities in the timber industry in Southeast Alaska. Also notes the harm the retaliatory Chinese tariffs are having on the Alaska timber industry and encourages the Department of Agriculture to consider including domestic timber products on the list of agriculture commodities covered for tariff relief. Denali National Park Road: Requires National Park Service to provide a long-term plan for addressing road improvements at Polychrome Pass. For a fill list of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Bill Highlights Micro-Grants for Food Security Program: Includes $5 million for the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program, which was created by Senator Murkowski in the 2018 Farm Bill, to help support Alaskans' ability to grow their own food. Genetically Engineered (GE) Salmon: Building on her previous efforts to inform consumers they are purchasing genetically engineered salmon, Senator Murkowski again secured bill language requiring the term genetically engineered in the market name of any GE animal approved for human consumption by the FDA prior to February 2019. Organic Certification for Wild Seafood: The bill includes report language urging USDA to reestablish the Wild Caught Working Group under the National Organic Standards Board to consider developing organic certification standards for wild seafood. Rural Broadband and telephone infrastructure: The bill includes $35.5 million for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans and $97 million for Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband grants. Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program: $68 million was included for this program, which includes funding Alaska Natives. The Senator secured report language that encourages the Secretary to distribute these funds in line with the fiscal year 2014 distribution to the degree practicable, which provided a higher amount for the portion dedicated to Alaska. For a full list of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill Highlights, click here. Commerce, Justice, Science Bill Highlights Tsunami Preparedness: The bill provides a $500,000 increase to NOAA's Tsunami Warning Program and directs NOAA to work with other federal and state agencies to monitor the tsunami risk at Barry Glacier and inform emergency planning efforts for nearby communities like Whittier. National Weather Service (NWS): Provides $1.1 billion for the NWS, alongside report language highlighting continued concerns about staffing in Alaska. Human Trafficking and the FBI: Includes report language Senator Murkowski championed, directing the FBI to continue to designate a lead agent in each field office as a Human Trafficking Program Coordinator. In addition, the FBI is urged to allocate additional resources to those field offices in States with the highest rates of modern slavery and human trafficking. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the FBI shall submit a report on those field offices' capacity to investigate all crimes of slavery and human trafficking in their jurisdiction. The report should further detail any additional resources that have been provided to those field offices for these efforts. STOP School Violence Act (Byrne-JAG and COPS): $132,000,000 is included in support of this program. This program supports both student education and teacher/school-official training, to better identify and respond to signs of mental distress that might precipitate violent attacks on schools. This program also supports evidence-based efforts to improve school security and overall safety. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF): Funding is maintained at $65 million for the PCSRF, a program established in 2000 the help reverse declining steelhead and Pacific Salmon stocks in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. For a full list off Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Defense, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Bill Highlights Military Pay Raise: The bill takes care of our troops by providing funding for a 3% pay raise our servicemembers as authorized by the NDAA. Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies: Provides $10 million to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to establish the sixth and newest DoD Regional Center with a focus on Arctic Security. F-35A Aircraft Procurement: Provides an increase of $2 billion to fund an additional 17 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and associated spare parts, including 12 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant and 5 F-35C takeoff and landing variant for a total of 96 F-35s in FY2021. Innovative Readiness Training (IRT): In an effort to increase real world training opportunities and deployment readiness, $30 million is provided for the Innovative Readiness Training program. The program can bring military reservists from across the country to Alaska for advanced training by providing public and civil-society programs that are rarely practices outside of typical training iterations. These programs typically include building critical infrastructure or providing mobile health and/or dental clinics to support the local communities that they are embedded with. Fort Greely Communications Center: Includes $48 million for the construction of a Communications Center at Fort Greely. For a full list of Defense, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill highlights, click here. Energy and Water Development Bill Highlights Arctic Energy: Includes report language directs the Department of Energy to support a renewed focus on the Arctic region and to reestablish the Arctic Energy Office. Once reconstituted, the office will serve as a centralized area to support the integration of research and development and innovative activities of the Department, including microgrids and integrated energy systems. Provides over $5 million for program direction. Nuclear Energy: Provides $250 million in continued funding for the advanced nuclear reactor demonstration program. This funding closely tracks the provisions within the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which is included in Division Z of the same bill. Office of Indian Energy (OIE):Includes $22 million, for a key program that assists tribes with energy needs and projects on their lands. Also includes report language tasking DOE to prioritize state entities in Alaska for technical assistance and directing OIE to design funding opportunity announcements that do not exclude tribes based on land ownership structures. This program recently awarded grants for projects in Iguigig, Kwethluk, and Togiak. Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response: Provides $156 million for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) at the Department of Energy, which addresses emerging threats to our nation's energy supply by improving energy infrastructure security. For a fill list of Energy and Water Appropriations bill Highlights, click here. Homeland Security and State, Foreign Operations Bill Highlights Polar Security Cutter (PSC) and Polar Sustainment: Provides $555 million towards acquisition of the second polar security cutter as well as $15 million for a service-life extension to rehabilitate and restore the critical systems onboard the icebreaker POLAR STAR. Transboundary Watershed Management: Provides up to $500,000 to support State Department engagement with other Federal agencies to identify remaining gaps in the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between British Columbia and Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, relating to mining activity in transboundary watersheds. PFAS: Includes $5 million for environmental remediation projects related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances evaluation and response. Fishing Safety: Provides $6 million to help the Coast Guard implement the Fishing Safety Training and Fishing Safety Research Grant Programs. For a full list of Homeland Security and State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill Highlights, click here. Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Highlights: Alaska Native Education Equity Program (ANEP): An increase of $500,000 for a total of $36.453 million for a program designed to meet the unique educational needs of Alaska Native students. Native Language Immersion Grants: An increase to an estimated $2.5 million to support Native American and Alaska Native Language Immersion Schools and Programs grants, crafted by Senator Murkowski in the Every Student Succeeds Act. It has been determined that schools where indigenous language is the primary language of instruction have a strong, positive effect on Alaska Native students. Opioid Response Grants: Includes $1.5 billion for Opioid Response Grants for education, treatment, behavioral health services, and recovery support, $50 million of which shall be made available to Indian tribes or tribal organizations and for State with the highest mortality rate related to opioid use disorder. Area Health Education Centers: Includes $43.2 million, a $2 million increase, for Area Health Education Centers, which support efforts to recruit, retain, and train healthcare personnel in rural and underserved areas, Alaska's AHEC program supports workforce development across Alaska. For a full list of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Highlights, click here. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill Highlights Essential Air Service: Includes $165 million for Essential Air Service to help increase access for rural communities that are otherwise isolated from the National Air Transportation System. Essential Air Service is a lifeline securing consistent passenger, mail and bypass mail service delivering medicine, foodstuffs and other necessities to these otherwise isolated communities. Ferry System: Includes funding to support the FAST Act, including $38 million for a competitive grant program which could help support maintenance and improvements of Alaska's ferry system through the construction of ferry boats, acquiring right-of-way, and constructing ferry terminal facilities. Tribal Housing: Makes significant steps towards addressing the immense housing and urban development needs in rural Alaska by allocating $747 million for Native American Housing Block Grants, vital funding to designated housing entities to address the housing needs of tribal communities. $100 million is included for Competitive Grant funding again. $70 million is included for the Indian Community Development Block Grant fund to support tribal economies and community development efforts. In addition, the bill includes $1.5 million for the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund, which provides lenders with a 100-percent guarantee for mortgages to American Indian and Alaska Native borrowers to address the unique nature of tribal trust land used as collateral. For a full list of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill Highlights, click here. Related Issues: Education, Energy, Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska, COVID-19 Resource Page, Alaska's Fisheries, Arctic, Health, Veterans",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2020/12/tillis-warren-question-private-military-housing-providers-on-reports-of-failure-to-provide-appropriate-on-base-housing-to-military-families-with-disabilities,"Tillis, Warren Question Private Military Housing Providers on Reports of Failure to Provide Appropriate On-Base Housing to Military Families With Disabilities",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,,,legacy,"These letters follow troubling reports revealing that private military housing providers at multiple installations may not be complying with federal laws that protect Americans with disabilities. WASHINGTON, D.C. Recently, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Subcommittee on Personnel, sent letters to top executives at six major private military housing companies requesting information about the on-base housing units they developed and manage to determine whether military families are being denied access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant housing. Military families across the nation are all too familiar with private military housing providers falling short of their obligations to ensure safe and livable housing conditions,said Senator Tillis.These companies must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide accommodations to military families who need and deserve them. While I'm proud of the bipartisan action we've taken to address the issues facing military housing over the past few years, it's clear more work needs to be done. Congress needs to hold providers accountable when they fail to secure safe housing for our servicemembers and their families. In July 2020, the Military Housing Advocacy Network (MHAN), a nonprofit organization that advocates for military families to make sure that they have access to safe and appropriate conditions in on-base, privatized housing, released findings from a survey of military families with disabilities revealing that private military housing companies that have partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) do not appear to be following federal laws that protect persons with disabilities. The DoD's Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides 137,000 military families with special needs with necessary services and support throughout the United States and at DoD installations worldwide, including access to ADA housing and/or reasonable accommodations to the home for disabled persons. A survey of these families by MHAN revealed that they faced significant barriers to acquiring their housing; some never received these homes or accommodations, and many waited exceptionally long periods of time before their needs were approved or met. Some said their requests for accommodations were challenged by housing management. Read full letterhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3357,"BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP 908 COALITION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: SIGN RELIEF PACKAGE OR VETO IT IMMEDIATELY",2020-12-27,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NY,Tom Reed,R000585,reed.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) again urged President Trump to sign the COVID-19 emergency relief package. Mr. President, we are asking you to please sign the emergency relief bill. This act will show your support for the American people who are in need of emergency lifelines like food, shelter, unemployment benefits and small business relief during these challenging times. However, if your objection to the COVID-19 relief bill will prevent you from signing, please veto it immediately. You've made your position clear and rejecting it quickly will allow those in favor to act before it is too late. Never before in your personal, professional, or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction. Now is not the time to sit idly by - please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3358,STATEMENT FROM PSC CO-CHAIRS REED & GOTTHEIMER ON PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE,2020-12-27,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NY,Tom Reed,R000585,reed.house.gov,,,legacy,"STATEMENT FROM PSC CO-CHAIRS REED & GOTTHEIMER ON PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE f t # e Corning, December 27, 2020 CORNING, NY- Today, Sunday, December 27, 2020, Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Tom Reed (NY-23) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the followingstatement in response to President Trump signing the bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief package into law: -- ""It's an understatement to say that, after a long journey, we are relieved for the American people that the bipartisan emergency COVID-19 relief package has been signed into law. Help will finally get to millions of struggling American families, small businesses, and communities. We are proud of the critical role that the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus played, working alongside our Senate partners, to help make this possible."" f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3359,REP. REED VOICES SUPPORT FOR INCREASED STIMULUS CHECKS AS PART OF COVID RELIEF,2020-12-27,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,NY,Tom Reed,R000585,reed.house.gov,,,legacy,"REP. REED VOICES SUPPORT FOR INCREASED STIMULUS CHECKS AS PART OF COVID RELIEF f t # e Washington, December 27, 2020 CORNING, NY-Today, Rep. Tom Reed voiced his support for increased stimulus checks as highlighted by President Trump to provide the American people with direct financial relief. ""The American people are hurting. Economic stagnation and lockdowns have left many in difficult financial situations, said Reed. I've communicated to the President my support for his directive to increase the total size of stimulus checks to $2,000 per individual and will be voting in favor of theCASH Acttomorrow to do so. It is only fair that we act decisively now to deliver the comprehensive relief individuals desperately need. Working with partners in the Senate, Reed and the Problem Solvers Caucus developed bipartisan, bicameral legislation that helped to break the gridlock and shape the final COVID-19 emergency relief package.Earlier today, the bicameral group again urged the President to sign the underlying relief package into law without delay. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z