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://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7496,"Two Federal Courts Rule Trump Administration’s Elimination of Solar For All Program Unlawful,  Advancing the Effort of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Jeff Merkley To Save the Program",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Congress created the $7 billion renewable energy program to deliver solar projects to 900,000 households in disadvantaged communities, saving families $350 million every year on energy costs

Two federal courts have ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unlawfully eliminated the Inflation Reduction Act’s Solar for All Program. On September 22, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgement to Harris County. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) supported Harris County’s case in an amicus brief they filed earlier this year, joined by 81 Members of Congress. The court vacated EPA’s decision to eliminate the program and warned that it will consider further relief if EPA fails to comply.

On September 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island also ruled against EPA in a separate case brought by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

Solar for All was designed to lower electricity bills for low-income families, create thousands of well-paying jobs, boost American manufacturing, and make the grid more reliable.

“Solar for All is one of the most important affordable energy programs in our country’s history,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Congress created it. Congress appropriated the funds for it. No president or political appointee can unilaterally eliminate a program Congress has created, and two federal courts have now said so. I have been glad to support Harris County in this case and this effort to hold the Trump administration accountable and deliver for Harris County residents. EPA should comply with these rulings now and reinstate the grants it terminated. I will keep working to make sure Harris County families benefit from this investment in our community and to hold the administration accountable to the Congress and to the people we represent.”

“I am pleased that multiple courts have affirmed our belief that the power of the purse belongs to people’s representatives, and that no administration has the unilateral power to defund programs authorized by Congress, including the Solar for All program enacted in 2022,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. “While these decisions are a major victory for our communities, who will benefit from a $7 billion investment in renewable energy at a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, we must remain vigilant against an administration that continues to show contempt for the constitution and the separation of powers that our founders designed to protect against a would-be tyrant.”

“Trump’s EPA cancelled the wildly popular Solar for All program as part of its corrupt war on clean, affordable energy,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Rhode Island District Court and the D.C. District Court agreed: EPA has no authority to cancel the program and low-cost solar energy will soon be back on its way to the American people. I want to give a special thanks to Rhode Island AFL-CIO for their leadership in securing this victory.”

“Solar for All is critical to connecting families in Oregon and across the nation with the affordable, renewable energy of the future,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “The Trump Administration is pushing to rip away this funding from our communities, which has already been approved by Congress and signed into law, but two federal courts have rejected the Administration’s senseless effort. Now, the EPA must swiftly follow suit and reinstate these federal funds.”

The Solar for All program is a $7 billion investment to help working families lower their electricity bills, strengthen local economies, and build a more resilient future. Harris County won one of the program’s largest awards: $250 million to deliver solar and battery storage to more than 28,000 low-income and working-class households throughout the community. Families were set to save an average of $468 per year in energy costs before the program’s termination in August 2025.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castrocasarlead60democratsdemandinganswers-onsecuringlegalrepresentationforunaccompanied-children,"Castro, Casar Lead 60+ Democrats Demanding Answers on Securing Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Children",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Children's Legal Protections Should Never Be The Currency Of Political Patronage”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Greg Casar led (TX-35) 61 House Democrats in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Acting Director Angie Salazar demanding transparency in its process for awarding contracts to organizations providing legal representation to unaccompanied children. In August, the Burke Law Group, a firm with Trump Administration ties, declined a $150 million no-bid contract only after public scrutiny. The group of lawmakers slammed the Secretary and Acting Director for awarding organizations, such as the Burke Law Group, without relevant experience and expertise, resulting in putting migrant children at risk.

The members demanded a more transparent process for awarding experienced organizations to represent unaccompanied children, writing,""Burke Law Group and Our Rescue lack experience, proficiency, and capacity to appropriately implement essential legal services to thousands of unaccompanied children. We are gravely concerned that ORR would entrust a vulnerable population with firms so plainly unqualified for the task. Weurge ORR to find the best organizations to handle this contract through a competitive, public process.""

The members criticized no-bid contracts awarded to firms that were connected to the president, writing, “The Trump administration has made a practice of issuing awards based on politics and cronyism rather than in the public interest. We are not surprised that leadership in both Burke Law Group and Our Rescue includes individuals who previously served in various roles during the first Trump administration. Derek Benner, the current CEO of Our Rescue, previously served as the Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations during the first Trump administration. Children's legal protections should never be the currency of political patronage.”

The lawmakers demanded answers about ORR’s current contracts by September 25, 2026.

Members who signed the letter include: Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), J. Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Pablo Hernández (PR), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Norton (DC), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Read the full letter here.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-s-statement-on-the-tragic-deaths-of-two-houston-high-school-students,Congressman Menefee's Statement on the Tragic Deaths of Two Houston High School Students,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) released the following statement after two Houston-area high school students, a 17-year-old from Westbury High School and a 15-year-old from Westfield High School, were killed in separate shootings this week:

“My heart breaks for the two families in Houston who are forced to bury their sons instead of watching them walk the graduation stage. One a student at Westfield, one a student at Westbury. Both with bright futures ahead of them. Both were Black young students who should have had decades left to live. But in an instant, gun violence took their lives.

We cannot accept this as normal. Our students deserve to learn at school and enjoy their friends free from fear. They deserve leaders who treat this crisis with urgency, in Congress, in Austin, and at every level of government. We must keep fighting for solutions that keep guns away from those who seek to do harm and keep our students safe.

To every student in Houston reading this: your life matters, your future matters, and we will keep working to protect you.”",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crockett-demands-abbott-release-texas-maternal-mortality-report-midterms,Rep. Crockett Demands Abbott Release Texas Maternal Mortality Report Before the Midterms,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Jasmine Crockett,C001130,crockett.house.gov,crockett,https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Department of State Health Services Interim Commissioner Imelda Garcia, and Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee Presiding Officer Dr. Carla Ortique to immediately release Texas’s latest maternal mortality report, warning that withholding these findings until after the midterm elections would prevent Texans from the opportunity to examine the state’s maternal health record before casting their ballots.

“Texas mothers are dying, and instead of giving us answers, Abbott’s administration is hiding that data, right before the midterms,” said Crockett.

In her letter, Crockett cites recent research documenting worsening maternal health outcomes following the enactment of Senate Bill 8 in 2021, which effectively banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. The letter also highlights the state’s decision to forgo analysis of pregnancy-related deaths during the two years immediately following the law’s enactment.

Recent independent analyses cited in the letter found significant increases in serious pregnancy complications following Texas’s abortion restrictions, including increases in sepsis among women hospitalized during second-trimester pregnancy loss, emergency room visits for early miscarriage, and blood transfusions during miscarriage-related emergency room visits.

“As the most uninsured state in the country, Texas is already failing women — especially our mothers. And burying that truth to silence families' stories does not erase their reality. Texans deserve the truth. They deserve transparency. And this administration has a legal obligation to give it to them,” said Crockett.

With early voting scheduled to begin October 19, Crockett called on state officials to release the MMMRC’s findings without further delay and fulfill the committee’s statutory responsibility to examine pregnancy-related deaths and help prevent maternal deaths in Texas.

The full letter can be found here.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3371,"Representatives Escobar, Bacon Introduce Bill to Prevent Military Families from Losing Access to Nutrition Benefits",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2) introduced the Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026. This bill would ensure that at-risk military families do not lose access to crucial supplemental nutritional benefits through the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program while conducting military required permanent changes of station (PCS).

""Receiving orders to move around the country or the world is one of the most stressful sacrifices a military family can make,"" said Congresswoman Escobar. ""It's critical that when families conduct a permanent change of station, Congress and the military make this drastic change as smooth as possible. The last thing they should be worried about is the transferring of their nutrition assistance. My bipartisan bill addresses this by ensuring military families have the resources and tools at their disposal to ensure they have food on the table.”

""Food costs are one of the biggest financial pressures on military families right now, and WIC benefits are a lifeline for many of them,"" said Shannon Razsadin, Military Family Advisory Network CEO. ""Our own research backs that up: the Military Family 360° Survey found 41.2% of military families report low or very low food security, up from 15.6% just two years ago, and families who've recently moved due to military orders are among the hardest hit. Families report WIC benefit coverage gaps when they relocate, and some don't even know they qualify in the first place. This legislation fixes both problems: it helps families know what they're eligible for and ensures those benefits don't lapse just because they got new orders. That's real financial stability for the families who need it most, and it strengthens the readiness of our all-volunteer force.""

The Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026 ensures that the Department of Defense (DoD) provides the necessary resources and tools to fend off military family food insecurity. Specifically, this bill will:

Require the DoD to notify service members upon receipt of PCS orders, if they are likely to fall within the category of income eligibility for WIC based on their grade/rank and time in service. The target category include:

enlisted service members undergoing a PCS with one or more dependents

pregnant enlisted service members

enlisted service members with pregnant spouses

enlisted servicemembers who meet the following service criteria:

serving an initial term of enlistment

serving in a paygrade of E-4 of below or,

have completed less than 10 years of service and is serving in the paygrade of E-5 or E-6.

Require that state agencies issue a Verification of Certification card to covered members at the time of certification or recertification, ensuring their continued access to program benefits

Require DoD to ensure that every military installation is staffed at least three days a week by a DoD employee knowledgeable of the WIC program and with resources to direct families to local agencies to complete enrollment and manage benefits. These offices will provide readily available resources to military families who may be challenged to access local agencies located off the installation.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-announces-42-million-grant-awarded-to-texas-southern-university,Congressman Menefee Announces $4.2 Million Grant Awarded to Texas Southern University,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) announced that Texas Southern University (TSU) will receive $4.2 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s Supplemental Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Mandatory Grants program.

The federal program provides additional resources to HBCUs to strengthen their institutions and expand educational opportunities for their students.

“TSU is a cornerstone of opportunity in the 18th Congressional District. For generations, it has opened doors for students, strengthened our Houston community, and produced incredible leaders who have made their mark in Texas and across the country,” said Congressman Menefee. “The Tigers are a source of pride for TX-18, and this $4.2 million investment will help build on that legacy. I’m proud to see these federal dollars coming back home to support students and strengthen one of our nation’s great HBCUs.”

“Texas Southern University welcomes this significant federal investment in our students and our institution. We thank the U.S. Department of Education for this additional investment in historically Black colleges and universities, and we appreciate Congressman Menefee’s continued focused for Texas Southern University and the students we serve. As we approach our Centennial, these resources will strengthen our ability to advance student success, workforce preparation, innovation, and economic opportunity for Houston, Texas, and the nation,” said James W. Crawford III, President, Texas Southern University.

Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs and an important educational and economic institution in Houston’s Third Ward.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) will also receive $4.5 million through the program. While Prairie View is located outside the 18th Congressional District, its ties to Houston and TX-18 run deep. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represented the 18th Congressional District for nearly three decades, was a longtime advocate for Prairie View and its students, recognizing the many PVAMU students, alumni, and families who call Houston home. Rep. Menefee is proud to continue that legacy of supporting HBCUs that educate and create opportunities for Houstonians.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-must-read-essence-article-below-titled-whos-buying-influence-black,"ICYMI: The must-read Essence article below, titled “Who’s Buying Influence In Black Politics? Rep. Al Green Sounds The Alarm At Congressional Black Caucus.""",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The must-read Essence article below, titled “Who’s Buying Influence In Black Politics? Rep. Al Green Sounds The Alarm At Congressional Black Caucus,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-after-detention-visit-casar-says-man-shot-ice-still-has-bullet-his-body,"NEWS: After Detention Visit, Casar Says Man Shot by ICE Still Has Bullet in His Body, Needs Surgery",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Greg Casar,C001131,casar.house.gov,casar,https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) visited Wilber Rafael Garces Perez at the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, three days after Garces Perez was shot by a federal immigration officer in North Austin. Staff members from the office of Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined the visit.

Casar reported that Garces Perez saw a specialist for the first time today, and that the specialist said he needs surgery to remove the bullet still lodged in his body.

Casar inspected the wound where the bullet entered Garces Perez's back, just below his neck, and saw heavy bruising across his chest. Garces Perez told Casar the following:

He was discharged from the hospital within hours of the shooting, without speaking to his physician.

He did not learn the bullet was still inside him until more than a day after the shooting.

He spent his first night in a processing facility with no bed, in his hospital gown, cold and in intense pain.

He finally received stronger pain medication by injection just one hour before the scheduled congressional visit.

“I saw the conditions of Wilber’s injuries, and just like anybody that had been shot three days ago, he needs a doctor — not a deportation or a detention center,” said Congressman Casar (D-Texas). “My message to ICE is very clear: release Wilber from detention to get him the medical care he desperately needs.”

“ICE's treatment of Wilber amounts to torture. After being shot in the back, he has received next to no medical care — despite being in excruciating pain and losing movement on his left side. He should be in a hospital, not held in isolation at the South Texas Immigration Processing Center,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas). “He had permission to work in the U.S. and was delivering for DoorDash to support his family. Wilber must be released into medical care immediately. There must be an independent investigation, and the officers who shot him in the back must be held accountable. An agency that tortures a man like this should be disbanded.”

Casar called for a full, transparent investigation into the shooting by local, state, and federal law enforcement. The agents from the shooting scene are scheduled to be interviewed tomorrow, and local law enforcement has requested to be included. That request has not been fulfilled, and Casar called for the federal government to cooperate fully with local law enforcement.

Casar also called for the release of body camera and dash camera footage and answers on why Garces Perez was removed from the hospital. Casar has also requested a briefing from DHS Secretary Mullin by Monday, September 28.

###

Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-casar-sanders-introduce-legislation-create-new-federal-agency-ban,"NEWS: Casar, Sanders Introduce Legislation to Create New Federal Agency to Ban Artificial Superintelligence, Pause Advanced AI Development",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Greg Casar,C001131,casar.house.gov,casar,https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act — legislation to stop artificial intelligence (AI) oligarchs from building machines humans cannot control and to pause advanced AI development until we have put in place rigorous federal testing and oversight to ensure AI does not harm humanity.

“Experts are warning that AI superintelligence, wielded by the wrong humans or by rogue AI, could kill countless numbers of people. But Donald Trump says he wants to encourage it. Something has to change,” Congressman Casar said. “Our bill bans the development of artificial superintelligence and pushes for international agreements so that no one, anywhere, builds AI too powerful for humans to control. Furthermore, our bill would immediately halt other dangerous AI capabilities, such as the capacity to develop biochemical weapons, or the capacity for AI to develop new AI instead of humans.”

“When you are racing towards a cliff, you don’t just ease up on the gas pedal. You hit the brakes. When the future of humanity is at stake, we need binding international safety rules, not voluntary standards from the industry,” Senator Sanders said. “Scientists have been clear: AI is an existential threat to humanity. It must be treated as such. This legislation will permanently ban the development of artificial superintelligence and would put in place an immediate pause on advanced AI development until we have clear safety rules in place — developed by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country. Congress must act now before it is too late.”

The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act will protect humanity by:

Banning Artificial Superintelligence. No person or entity may develop or deploy Artificial Superintelligence — an AI that exceeds human cognitive performance and capabilities across most domains, or has sufficient capabilities to destroy or disempower humanity, including by overthrowing the federal government.

Pausing Advanced AI development until a new, federal AI regulatory body is up and running and has established clear rules and model review process to ensure safe and secure development and deployment of AI.

Establishing a new cabinet-level federal agency, the Department of Artificial Intelligence, to safeguard the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence, including by enforcing a prohibition on artificial superintelligence. This agency will be advised by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country to:

Monitor frontier AI systems at all stages of the lifecycle for dangerous capabilities.

Supervise the removal of dangerous capabilities like subverting shutdown commands or conducting unauthorized cyberattacks.

Supervise the destruction of artificial superintelligence.

Setting penalties for any person or entity that attempts to violate or circumvent the pauses and prohibitions laid out in this bill. Entities shall be subject to the corporate death penalty, and persons shall be subject to not more than 20 years in prison, which is similar to existing penalties related to unlawfully developing nuclear weapons.

Working to ban superintelligence around the world by setting the international policy of the United States to pursue international agreements, allied coordination, and policies such as export controls to prevent the development of artificial superintelligence anywhere in the world.

Read a summary here.

Read the bill text here.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/09/23/2026/castro-statement-on-wilber-rafael-garces-perez,Castro Statement on Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Pearsall, TX — Today, staff from the Office of Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) shared the following statement on behalf of Congressman Castro, after members of his staff and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) visited Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez at the South Texas ICE Processing Center (STIPC) in Pearsall, Texas:

""My apologies for not being with you today. An hours-long flight delay kept me from joining Congressman Casar in visiting Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez. As the Congressman for Austin, Wilber's home, Greg's unyielding pursuit of truth and justice in this matter has been admirable. Thank you, Congressman, for that work.

“ICE's treatment of Wilber thus far has amounted to torture. That is not an exaggeration in this case. After being shot in the back and handcuffed without first aid, he was allowed to stay in the hospital for only a few hours before being taken to a detention center while in excruciating pain and made to lie on the floor. The medical facilities at the South Texas ICE Processing Center (STIPC) in Pearsall are not equipped to handle a patient who has experienced that kind of trauma. ICE knew this but took him there anyway. It got so bad that he had to be taken back to the hospital, but again he was allowed to remain only hours before being returned to STIPC. He told ICE agents about his excruciating pain and told them that he could no longer move the left side of his body. Yet they let him suffer with their bullet still in his body.

“This immigrant man, a Venezuelan, fled a regime that President Trump himself declared a terrorist one, just as millions of Venezuelans have fled over the past several years. He had permission to enter the United States and to work. And that's what he was doing when ICE shot him in the back, delivering food for DoorDash to support himself and his family. In fact, he told my staff that he had been working in the area for quite some time and that all the restaurants in the area know him. He also asked my staff to tell his wife and mother that he was doing okay, as not to worry them. This is who ICE is targeting.

“ICE has shot and killed people before, including U.S. citizens, and lied about it. They have discredited themselves. There must be an independent investigation, and the ICE officers who shot Wilber in the back should be held accountable. Finally, this system known as ICE, which has allowed a man to be tortured, should be disbanded.”",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-casar-leads-100-members-demanding-medical-care-not-deportation-man,"RELEASE: Casar Leads 100+ Members Demanding Medical Care, Not Deportation, for Man Shot by ICE in Austin",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Greg Casar,C001131,casar.house.gov,casar,https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Greg Casar and over 100 Members of Congress demanded that ICE release Wilber Rafael Garces Perez from detention to allow him to receive medical treatment and stop its efforts to deport him. Mr. Garces Perez is a 28-year-old DoorDash driver who was shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin on September 20th.

In a letter authored by Casar to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the Members demand that:

ICE release Mr. Garces Perez from detention so he can receive medical treatment;

ICE abandon efforts to swiftly deport him or remove him from Texas;

The ICE agent responsible remain in Texas; and

DHS preserve all available evidence related to the shooting and share all evidence with parties that have jurisdiction to conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation.

Mr. Garces Perez is being held at ""the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall, Texas, which has a documented history of medical neglect,"" the Members write. ""According to his lawyers, he 'still has the bullet lodged in his body. He's received no pain medication and had to sleep on the floor.'"" On September 21, after a visit from Congressman Joaquin Castro's staff, he was briefly taken to a hospital before being returned to detention. According to his cellmate, he was ""roughly handled and handcuffed"" beforehand, and he has since ""reported losing sensation on the left side of his body.""

""Mr. Garces Perez is a key witness to this shooting, and given ICE's history of obscuring the facts in similar investigations, he must not be removed,"" the Members write.

The Members request answers by Monday, September 28th. Their questions include:

Why did agents use deadly force?

ICE's use of force policy requires officers to render medical aid, and video suggests they did not. Why was that policy not followed?

What is Mr. Garces Perez's current medical condition? What treatment is he receiving in immigration detention?

Will ICE release all bodycam footage?

The letter was copied to FBI Director Kash Patel and DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari.

The full letter can be viewed here.

The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Wesley Bell, Donald Beyer, Everton Blair, Brendan Boyle, Shontel Brown, Janelle Bynum, André Carson, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Yvette Clarke, Lou Correa, Joe Courtney, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Christopher Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Lizzie Fletcher, Laura Friedman, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Jesús García, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Al Green, Adelita Grijalva, Steven Horsford, Chrissy Houlahan, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Sam Liccardo, Seth Magaziner, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Analilia Mejia, Christian Menefee, Robert Menendez, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Frank Pallone, Brittany Pettersen, Mark Pocan, Nellie Pou, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Luz Rivas, Andrea Salinas, Mary Gay Scanlon, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Eric Sorensen, Melanie Stansbury, Mark Takano, Bennie Thompson, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek Tran, Gabe Vasquez, Marc Veasey, Nydia Velázquez, James Walkinshaw, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

###

Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-on-wilber-rafael-garces-perez,Castro Statement on Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NEW YORK, NY — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the ICE shooting of asylum seeker Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez:

“Despite losing movement on his left side and having a bullet lodged next to his spine, ICE has forced Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez out of the hospital and back to the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas. It is nothing more than a prison.

Congressman Greg Casar and I will visit him tomorrow to check on his condition and demand his release. Wilber came to the United States legally. He had work permits and was an asylum seeker. None of this should have ever happened.”",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-cryptonews-article-below-titled-crypto-firms-pour-206-million-2026-us,"ICYMI: The Crypto.News article below, titled “Crypto firms pour $206 million into 2026 US election cycle.""",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Crypto.News article below, titled “Crypto firms pour $206 million into 2026 US election cycle,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3367,"Congresswoman Escobar Joins Representative Greg Casar, Over 100 Members in Demanding Medical Care, Not Deportation, for Man Shot by ICE in Austin",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined Congressman Greg Casar and over 100 Members of Congress in demanding that ICE release Wilber Rafael Garces Perez from detention to allow him to receive medical treatment and stop its efforts to deport him. Mr. Garces Perez is a 28-year-old DoorDash driver who was shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin on September 20th.

In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the Members demand that:

- ICE release Mr. Garces Perez from detention so he can receive medical treatment;

- ICE abandon efforts to swiftly deport him or remove him from Texas;

- The ICE agent responsible remain in Texas; and

- DHS preserve all available evidence related to the shooting and share all evidence with parties that have jurisdiction to conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella,

We are writing to demand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cease any and all efforts to interfere with a comprehensive investigation into the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez and release Mr. Garces Perez from detention to allow him to receive medical treatment and continued medical monitoring.

First, we are deeply concerned that ICE is attempting to swiftly deport Mr. Garces Perez, who was shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin, Texas on September 20th, in an effort to escape scrutiny by impeding an independent investigation into this shooting. Mr. Garces Perez is a key witness to this shooting, and given ICE’s history of obscuring the facts in similar investigations, he must not be removed. Second, Mr. Garces Perez is currently being held at the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall, Texas, which has a documented history of medical neglect. Mr. Garces Perez is not receiving the care he needs in detention. According to his lawyers, he “still has the bullet lodged in his body. He’s received no pain medication and had to sleep on the floor.” While he remains in the United States, he should be allowed to receive medical care and pursue all legal options available to him. Finally, Mr. Garces Perez and the ICE agent responsible must remain in Texas until a thorough, independent investigation into the shooting is complete.

On Sunday, September 20th in Austin, TX, an ICE agent shot Mr. Garces Perez, a 28-year-old DoorDash driver with no apparent criminal record, in the back at the 7000 block of West Anderson Lane near U.S. 183 in Austin, TX. Video and photos taken after the shooting show a blue Toyota Corolla with damage to the front passenger door and apparent bullet holes in the right rear window. In a social media video taken during the shooting, at least three gunshots are heard. A person is seen approaching the sedan, which is slowly moving forward. Mr. Garces Perez has publicly stated that prior to the shooting an unmarked car without sirens began aggressively ramming his car. He assumed it was an aggressive driver and attempted to maneuver away. Mr. Garces Perez was moved to a nearby hospital, where he was reportedly in “in serious but stable condition.” When his wife and lawyer attempted to see him hours later, they were told Mr. Garces Perez had already been moved to a detention center but were not provided details regarding his location or medical state. On September 21, Mr. Garces Perez was transferred briefly to a hospital before being returned to detention. His brief transfer followed a visit from Congressman Joaquin Castro’s staff. According to Mr. Garces Perez’s cellmate, Mr. Garces Perez was roughly handled and handcuffed before being taken to the hospital. Mr. Garces Perez has reported losing sensation on the left side of his body.

ICE has provided no justification for this shooting, and there is no indication Mr. Garces Perez posed a threat to officers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Mr. Garces Perez had an active final removal order. However, DHS has repeatedly lied about the facts following violent encounters involving agents. Mr. Garces Perez’s lawyer could not verify DHS’s claim and Mr. Garces Perez previously held a valid work permit and entered the United States lawfully. Of course, Mr. Garces Perez’s immigration status does not justify the shooting.

The City of Austin and Travis County have already begun their criminal investigation into the shooting. DHS has said it will conduct an investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). An investigation must also be conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). DHS has a history of withholding information and attempting to obstruct active investigations into wrongdoing by its agency. DHS must not obstruct or otherwise interfere with this investigation by removing Mr. Garces Perez from the country or interfering with the release of footage, data or other information by Texas state or local agencies involved in the operation.

We are demanding that you release Mr. Garces Perez from detention to allow him to receive medical treatment and abandon efforts to swiftly deport him or remove him from Texas. We are demanding the ICE agent responsible not be allowed to leave Texas. We are demanding that you preserve all available evidence related to this shooting and share it with parties that have jurisdiction to conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation.

Finally, we are demanding that you answer the questions below by Monday, September 28.

- Provide a detailed sequence of events that culminated in the shooting of Mr. Garces Perez. Please include answers to the following:

- Why were ICE agents attempting to stop Mr. Garces Perez?

- How many ICE agents were involved in this incident?

- Please share information about the disciplinary history of each of the agents involved in this incident.

- What is Mr. Garces Perez's current medical condition? What treatment is he receiving in immigration detention?

- ICE’s current use of force policy requires ICE officers to render medical aid following an incident like this one. Video evidence from this incident suggests ICE agents did not abide by this policy. Why was ICE’s use of force policy not followed?

- Will you commit to releasing all bodycam footage related to this incident?

- If ICE determines there isn’t any bodycam footage, please provide an explanation for why bodycams were not used.

- Will you commit to allowing Mr. Garces Perez to remain in the United States for the duration of the FBI, OIG, and any state or local investigations into the shooting, so they may provide eyewitness testimony to investigators?

- Will you commit to not interfering with any ongoing investigations into this shooting, and to ensuring truly independent investigations into this case?

- Will you commit to ensuring that all investigators, including those from the FBI, OIG, and any state and local offices have access to all witnesses and evidence related to this case?

# # #

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September 3, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Escobar Announces Socorro Warehouses Will No Longer Be Used by ICE

August 11, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-castro-meeks-bera-demand-trump-administration-release-overdue-audit-of-venezuelan-oil-fund,"Reps. Castro, Meeks, Bera Demand Trump Administration Release Overdue Audit of Venezuelan Oil Fund",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific, demanded Secretary Marco Rubio release the results of long-promised audits of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the account established after the Trump Administration seized Venezuelan oil revenues.

The State Department made a clear commitment to Congress and has not kept it, the Members wrote to Rubio, “Senior Bureau Official Michael Kozak confirmed that KPMG has been commissioned as an independent auditor to review transactions flowing through this account. Mr. Kozak indicated that audits would be conducted on at least a quarterly basis and that the review would be retrospective in scope, covering the full period since the fund’s establishment, including the period prior to KPMG’s formal engagement. He committed to following up with the Committee on the anticipated release date of the first report.” That report has not materialized.

The Members underscored that the State Department oversees billions of dollars in funds without transparency or guardrails, writing, “According to statements made at the April hearing, approximately $3 billion in Venezuelan oil revenues have moved through this fund, as of April 16, 2026. The balance in the account has fluctuated significantly, ranging from near zero to over $1 billion during the month of April alone. Disbursements have included payroll for Venezuelan government employees and liquidity injections into Venezuela’s financial system.”

BACKGROUND:

In the letter, the members requested all KPMG audits and findings, anticipated reports of financial monitoring, all contracts pertaining to the audits, and all future audits transmitted to Congress within 30 days of completion. The members also requested a complete accounting of all disbursements made from the fund since its establishment.

The Members request a response by October 8, 2026. Read the full letter here.

ADDITIONAL INFROMATION:",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-introduces-empower-energy-exporting-communities,Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Introduces the Empower Energy Exporting Communities Act,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced the introduction of H.R. 10434, the Empower Energy Exporting Communities Act. This legislation would establish an Oil & Gas Community Trust Fund to support infrastructure and public services in communities near major oil and gas export ports, without creating a new tax. South Texas is home to several major energy export hubs, including the Port of Corpus Christi and the Port of Brownsville.

“South Texas serves as a crucial gateway for the distribution of oil and gas exports to international markets,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “It is only right that our region directly benefits from the operations it supports. The establishment of a trust fund would not burden taxpaying Americans but instead reinvest already existing revenue from oil and gas companies to advance South Texas’s infrastructure of opportunity from our roads, bridges, and clean drinking water to public education and much more.”

Specifically, Congressman Gonzalez’s bill would direct the Oil & Gas Community Trust Fund to be financed by 3% of corporate income tax revenues received from oil & gas companies. These funds would be used to make payments to eligible communities, including counties, parishes, municipalities, or Tribal communities located within 50 miles of a major port of export. The funds can only be used for infrastructure and public service investments, and payments cannot exceed the proportion of total trust fund dollars that matches its share of national exports.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-menefee-carter-mciver-and-ruiz-champion-the-equity-in-research-act,"Reps. Menefee Carter, McIver, and Ruiz Champion the Equity in Research Act",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Congressman Christian Menefee (TX-18), and Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), alongside Reps. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10),), and Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) re-introduced the Equity in Research Act. This legislation creates a targeted National Science Foundation grant program to increase research capacity for under-resourced institutions of higher education.

“The next lifesaving cure, groundbreaking technology, or scientific discovery could come from a researcher who simply has not been given the resources to pursue it. When we invest in more researchers, more institutions, and more ideas, we expand what is possible,” said Rep Menefee. “That’s why I’m proud to support the Equity in Research Act alongside Rep. Carter and my colleagues in Congress and help ensure that great ideas have the resources they need to become groundbreaking discoveries.”

“For far too long, students at under-resourced institutions have faced undue barriers to entering high-growth fields in STEM,” said Rep. Carter. “By strengthening research capacity at institutions that have long been at the forefront of empowering generations of students from historically under-resourced and underserved communities, we can strengthen our nation’s innovation pipeline and ensure that all students, not just some, have the resources and opportunity they need to pursue a future in STEM.”

“Researchers who are Black and brown often don’t get a seat at the table, and their contributions get drowned out,” said Rep McIver. “It is important that we provide opportunities to research institutions that are typically underfunded and undervalued because their researchers offer unique and valuable perspectives. Their work informs and supports scientific advancement and furthers workforce development and U.S. competitiveness. I am excited to provide grants that will support important long-term work, not just one-time investments.”

""The Equity in Research Act is a great opportunity to give students at community colleges and minority-serving institutions the tools they need to get more out of their education and help them compete at the forefront of cutting-edge research. I thank Rep. Troy Carter for his leadership on this bill, which will expand research participation and STEM pathways."" Said Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz.

Background

The Equity in Research Act creates a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program to strengthen research capacity at institutions of higher education that have historically faced barriers accessing federal research resources. Many minority serving and land grant institutions operate with outdated facilities and limited research infrastructure, restricting their ability to compete for federal grants and contribute fully to the nation’s scientific enterprise.

The bill authorizes NSF grants of $1–$5 million for eligible institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, and 1890/1994 land grant universities. Funding may be used for upgrades to existing buildings, essential research equipment, infrastructure maintenance, and personnel costs directly tied to research activity.

By expanding research capacity at under resourced institutions, the Equity in Research Act strengthens the nation’s innovation pipeline and broadens opportunity for students historically underrepresented in STEM. Ensuring that federal research investments reach a more diverse set of campuses supports scientific advancement, workforce development, and long-term U.S. competitiveness.

Key Points:

Establishes a dedicated NSF grant program to support research infrastructure at under resourced institutions.

Provides $50 million in annual authorization beginning in FY27.

Targets institutions that serve historically underserved communities to expand research participation and STEM pathways.

Supports sustainable, long-term improvements rather than short-term or one-time investments.

Read the full bill text here.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-gonzalez-crenshaw-introduce-bipartisan-empower-energy-exporting,"Congressmen Gonzalez, Crenshaw Introduce Bipartisan Empower Energy Exporting Communities Act",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02) announced the introduction of the bipartisan H.R. 10434, the Empower Energy Exporting Communities Act. This legislation would establish an Oil & Gas Community Trust Fund to support infrastructure and public services in communities near major oil and gas export ports, without creating a new tax. South Texas is home to several major energy export hubs, including the Port of Corpus Christi and the Port of Brownsville.

“South Texas serves as a crucial gateway for the distribution of oil and gas exports to international markets,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “It is only right that our region directly benefits from the operations it supports. The establishment of a trust fund would not burden taxpaying Americans but instead reinvest already existing revenue from oil and gas companies to advance South Texas’s infrastructure of opportunity from our roads, bridges, and clean drinking water to public education and much more.”

""This bill ensures that a portion of the federal revenue already generated by the oil and gas industry is reinvested in the roads, ports, water systems, and other critical infrastructure these communities rely on, all without raising taxes,"" said Congressman Crenshaw. ""I’m proud to join Congressman Gonzalez in supporting the Texas communities that help make America an energy superpower.""

Specifically, Congressman Gonzalez’s bill would direct the Oil & Gas Community Trust Fund to be financed by 3% of corporate income tax revenues received from oil & gas companies. These funds would be used to make payments to eligible communities, including counties, parishes, municipalities, or Tribal communities located within 50 miles of a major port of export. The funds can only be used for infrastructure and public service investments, and payments cannot exceed the proportion of total trust fund dollars that matches its share of national exports.",1,2026-09-28T11:29:07Z,2026-09-28T11:30:58Z
https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-congressman-casar-demands-immediate-independent-investigation-ice,"RELEASE: Congressman Casar Demands Immediate, Independent Investigation Into ICE Shooting in Austin",2026-09-20,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Greg Casar,C001131,casar.house.gov,casar,https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"AUSTIN, TEXAS — Following the shooting of a man by ICE, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding cooperation with an “immediate, independent investigation,” full release of any footage of the shooting, and accountability for any wrongdoing by the agent responsible.

On September 20th, 2026, an ICE officer shot and wounded a man in Austin.

In the letter, Congressman Casar demands ICE release to the public the complete and unedited footage related to the shooting, preserve all available evidence, and share all available evidence with local and state law enforcement, Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), and other parties that have jurisdiction to conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the shooting.

Congressman Casar is also demanding DHS and ICE brief him and his Congressional colleagues by Monday, September 28th with information on whether current protocols were followed with regard to the operation itself as well as preservation of evidence and investigation.

When ICE began its surge in Austin earlier this summer, Congressman Casar warned about the potential for dangerous incidents like this one. Casar is demanding ICE leave the City of Austin.",1,2026-09-21T10:25:24Z,2026-09-21T10:26:54Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-reacts-todays-ice-shooting-district-he-represents-austin,Doggett Reacts to Today’s ICE Shooting in the District He Represents in Austin,2026-09-20,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lloyd Doggett,D000399,doggett.house.gov,doggett,https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Austin, T.X.—Rep. Lloyd Doggett has issued the following statement following today’s ICE shooting in Austin:

“While we do not yet have all of the facts about today’s alarming shooting, we do have the facts about ICE, which has recently accelerated its intrusion into our community. And our lack of facts results from ICE secrecy and non-responsiveness. Instead of focusing its work on those who may pose a danger to our neighbors, ICE is eager to fulfill a deportation quota by rounding up any immigrant that it can find, including those who are making a real contribution to our community.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-jerusalem-post-article-below-titled-former-palestinian-authority,"ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Former Palestinian Authority minister says he relayed Hamas’s pre-October 7 warning to Israel.""",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Former Palestinian Authority minister says he relayed Hamas’s pre-October 7 warning to Israel,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3363,Representative Escobar Leads Texas Democrats in Requesting Investigation into  Social Security Disability Insurance Wait Times,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led the Democratic Texas Delegation in a letter to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (OIG) requesting an investigation into the wait times for processing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications, which have seen a substantial increase over the past 21 months.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Ms. Anderson,

Over the last 21 months, our offices have seen a steep incline in the processing times of Social Security Disability Insurance applications, leading to many families struggling to make ends meet. We write to request the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Social Security Administration (SSA) conduct an official investigation into the wait-times for SSDI applications in Texas.

As you know, SSDI provides monthly payments to eligible individuals who have a disability that either stops or limits their ability to work. For many of our constituents who are unable to work due to a disability, SSDI is their only source of income, so any delays in the processing of their SSDI applications or benefits can have serious consequences.

While we understand that SSDI payments cannot begin until five full calendar months from the date that a disability began, our offices have seen the processing times for the SSDI applications skyrocket. In El Paso, Texas, constituents have seen the processing timelines increase from six to eight months to 10-12 months. Many of our constituents who are applying for SSDI do not have the means to financially float 12 months without income.

We are deeply concerned about how these increased wait-times affect Texas families and urge you to conduct an office OIG investigation into the source of these delays. Specifically, we request that you investigate the following questions:

What is the current processing timeline for new SSDI applications in Texas? a. How does this compare to processing timelines in 2025, 2024, and 2023? b. How does this compare to the national average for SSDI application processing?

What is the average response time to Congressional inquiries regarding SSDI applications in Texas?

Is there a difference in response times to Congressional inquiries from Republican Members of Congress versus Democratic Members of Congress in Texas? If so, what is the difference in response times?

How do current response times to Congressional inquires compare to 2025, 2024, and 2023 response times to Congressional inquiries?

What are the current staffing levels of SSA field offices in Texas? a. How do these staffing levels compare to staffing in 2025, 2024, and 2023?

What is the source of the delays in processing SSDI?

Are the delays a result in slower processing of disability determinations by the Texas Health and Human Services agency? If so, why are there delays in processing disability determinations?

Are the delays a result of Reductions-in-Force (RIFs) at the SSA? 5. What steps does the OIG recommend, the Texas Health and Human Services agency and the SSA do to ensure that processing times for SSDI application are minimal?

We respectfully request your timely consideration of this request. Texans with disabilities deserve a federal government that works for them, not one that delays the benefits they need to make ends meet.

--

In addition to Representative Escobar, the signers of this letter include Texas Representatives Johnson, Doggett, Veasey, Garcia, Fletcher, Gonzalez, Menefee, Cuellar, Green, and Castro.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7485,"As Trump Administration Imposes Immigration Hurdles on International Students and Researchers, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Sam Liccardo Introduce Legislation To Clear Barriers",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Resolution would repeal the Department of Homeland Security rule that limits the time period that such individuals can remain in the United States

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Ranking Member Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule, which significantly reduces flexibility in the visa process for international students, researchers, and journalists and unnecessarily limits the amount of time that such individuals can remain in the United States. U.S. Senate Democratic Whip and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also introduced this legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Last year, the Trump administration established a rule that sets an arbitrary four-year limit on admission periods, creating unnecessary barriers for international students, researchers, and journalists. This limitation ignores the reality that many degree programs, particularly in STEM fields, routinely take longer to complete. The rule also does nothing to address processing backlogs at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which are at historically high levels and would only grow worse under a system that requires more frequent renewals.

“Our international students, researchers, and journalists in our community and across our country make important contributions to our schools, our communities, and our economy,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Placing fixed time limits on their studies ignores how long some study programs actually take and adds red tape to an immigration system that is already overwhelmed. Visiting students should have a stable, welcoming environment to further their education and contribute to our communities—not obstacles that undermine their ability to do so. That is why I am glad to introduce legislation with Congressman Raskin, Congresswoman Jayapal, and Congressman Liccardo to repeal this rule and to help ensure the success of our universities and communities.”

“America has always benefited from attracting brilliant students, researchers, doctors and journalists from around the world,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “The Trump Administration wants to obstruct that path with bureaucratic hurdles and quicksand designed to make legal immigration harder. This senseless rule will drive away talented people who come here to study, practice medicine, do research and contribute to our communities. It harms the American economy and American innovation and makes all of us worse off.”

“International students make our institutions of higher learning better for all students and create pipelines to ensure the best and brightest lend their talents to strengthen our economy and American innovation,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “We should be welcoming students, not wrapping the processes to obtain visas in layers of red tape. This has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with Trump and Stephen Miller’s plan to prevent all forms of legal immigration. I first came to this country on a student visa and understand deeply just how important these visas are.”

“America wins when we can continue to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to drive American competitiveness, particularly in STEM fields,” said Congressman Sam Liccardo. “Eliminating the Duration of Status framework will push talented students and researchers toward our competitors, undermining our ability to win the global battle for talent, essential to our innovation economy.”

“This proposed rule is just another part of the Donald Trump-Stephen Miller mass deportation agenda,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “They want to make the immigration process so difficult, so cumbersome, and so onerous that legal immigrants decide to leave the U.S. or never come here at all—which will result in the loss of talented, bright individuals who make America better. Our nation is already confronting a serious health workforce shortage. Now is not the time to make it even more difficult for health care professionals to care for our most vulnerable communities. I appreciate my Democratic colleagues in joining me on this important measure and encourage members on both sides of the aisle to support it.”

“Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education help power the Ocean State’s economic competitiveness,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “International students and medical residents drive innovation, contribute to cutting-edge research, and spend big not only on tuition, but also at local restaurants and businesses. This Trump administration rule punishes international students, young doctors, and foreign journalists as well as local small businesses and universities as part of their extreme anti-immigration agenda.”

“International students deserve fair opportunities to receive an education in the United States. Students, exchange visitors, and foreign members of the media should never have to live in fear of the Administration’s unprecedented attacks on legal immigration,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Diversity is our country’s strength, and international students and exchange visitors support American innovation, job growth, higher education, and global competitiveness. We have a responsibility to protect these visa holders, including international students who contribute to the culture of American universities and eventually to our nation’s economy.”

The resolution is endorsed by the AAMC – Association of American Medical Colleges; AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management; Alliance for International Exchange; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; American College of Radiology; American Council on Education; American Gastroenterological Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); American Osteopathic Association; American Psychiatric Association; American Society of Neuroradiology; Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment; Association of American Universities; Association of Independent California Colleges & Universities; Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU); Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; Cornell University; Council of Graduate Schools; Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities; Global Detroit; Illinois State University; Illinois Tech; International Educators of Illinois; Miles for Migraine; NAFSA: Association of International Educators; National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); Northern Illinois University; Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration; Shorelight LLC; Third Way; UC Berkeley; UC Davis; UCLA; UC San Diego; UC Santa Cruz; UCSF; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of California System; University of Illinois System; and U.S. For Success Coalition.

Last year, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joined 34 Members of Congress in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opposing this same proposed rule to significantly reduce the flexibility of the visa process for international students, researchers, and journalists. The full text of this letter can be found here.

To view the full text of the resolution, click here.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-introduces-bill-federally-recognize-lipan-apache,Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Introduces Bill to Federally Recognize Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the Lipan Apache Tribe’s 2026 Veterans Powwow in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday, September 19th, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) introduced H.R. 10435, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Recognition Act. This legislation would grant the Tribe and its members access to all of the rights, services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian Tribes.

“The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas has made significant cultural and historical contributions to the United States. From serving in our military and protecting the environment and sacred sites to much more, they are our trusted neighbors—deeply woven into the fabric of South Texas. It is long overdue for Congress to officially recognize this Tribe and expand their access to federal support and resources,” said Congressman Gonzalez.

""Introduction of this legislation marks a historic step forward for the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. For centuries, our people have maintained our community, culture, and identity, with our ancestors having relationships with Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. We are grateful to Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for his leadership. Today brings us one important step closer to the federal recognition our people have long deserved,"" said Bernard F. Barcena, Jr., Chairman of The Lipan Apache Tribe.

""For generations, the Lipan Apache people have fought to preserve our faith, ceremonies, and sacred traditions. I know personally what it means to have to fight for the freedom to practice our religion simply because our Tribe lacks federal recognition. While that fight secured important protections for some of our people, religious freedom should not depend on a court case. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all enrolled members of the tribe can practice our faith and preserve our sacred traditions with the dignity and freedom they deserve,"" said Dr. Robert Soto, Vice-Chairman of The Lipan Apache Tribe.

The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas is the successor to historic Lipan Apache bands that maintained an independent Tribal identity and political organization within present-day Texas for centuries before and after Spanish, Mexican, Republic of Texas, and United States sovereignty.

When Texas became a U.S. state in 1845, the Lipan Apache faced immense hardship from the impacts of smallpox, war, and attacks by other American Indians and non-Indians. The Tribe, which once lived in parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, was displaced to areas of South Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend, and the Big Bend region of West Texas.

Notably, the Texas Legislature honored the Lipan Apache Tribe through legislative resolutions in 2009. In 2014, a federal court ordered the U.S. Department of Interior to return confiscated eagle feathers to Tribal Vice-Chairman Dr. Robert Soto and other plaintiffs. The decision subsequently allowed certain Tribal member plaintiffs to possess and obtain eagle feathers and feathers of other protected migratory birds—noting that no one was contesting the fact that the plaintiffs were American Indians. Due to the lack of formal federal recognition, most tribal members do not have the right currently, which makes practicing tribal ceremonies and personal religions difficult. The Texas Legislature and Governor reconfirmed the significant contributions of the Tribe to our state through resolutions in 2019. In 2021, the City and County of Presidio transferred the deed to El Cementerio de los Lipanes en el Barrio de los Lipanes, a sacred site for the Lipan Apache Tribe.

The Federal Government, including the Department of Interior Indian Affairs, and many other agencies, serves federally recognized tribes through its government-to-government relationships to support the development of tribal governments, strong economies, and quality programs spanning from education, social services, law enforcement, resource protection, and more.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3353,"Representatives Escobar, Goodlander Lead Democrats in Requesting Information on VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-2) led a group of ten Democratic Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins expressing their concern for the apparent lack of support for the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (ACWV).

The full letter can be found here or below:

Secretary Collins:

We write to express our concern regarding the apparent lack of support for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (ACWV). According to the ACWV Charter, which you signed October 6, 2025, this Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) must meet twice annually and submit a report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs annually on July 1st. However, according to the files assembled and maintained by VA’s Advisory Committee Management Office in accordance with the law, the committee has not met since December 2024. No report has been published for either 2025 or 2026.

Additionally, we understand that the most recent Chair of the ACWV, Colonel (Ret.) Wanda A. Wright, resigned from that position in April 2026 in protest of VA having “effectively rendered the Committee inactive” and affirming the digital record of inactivity referenced above by noting the ACWV has not met since December 2024.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), it is a requirement that advisory committees meet regularly, conduct business transparently, and actively fulfill their statutory purpose. Specifically, the ACWV is mandated by statute, 38 U.S.C. § 542, which requires that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish an advisory committee consisting of members from the general public who represent women veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and those recently separated from the military and/or are recognized authorities in fields including gender-specific health-care needs of women. The law also requires you to consult with and seek advice from the ACWV with respect to VA health care, benefits, outreach, and other programs administered by VA. The committee, by statute, is to submit a report to you which you are required to submit to Congress within 60 days of receipt. We did not receive a report in 2025 and have seen no evidence that we should expect one in 2026.

The lapse in the ACWV’s required activities raises concerns about whether the Department is fulfilling its statutory obligation to consult with and seek the committee’s advice on matters affecting women veterans. The limited information available regarding the committee’s status further raises questions about whether VA is meeting its obligations under law and providing Congress and the public with adequate transparency regarding the operation of a Congressionally mandated advisory body.

To better understand the Department’s practices related to this FAC, we request responses to the following questions no later than October 2, 2026:

How many times did the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans meet in 2025?

As of the date of your response, how many times has the ACWV met in 2026?

What is informing your decisions about how to optimally provide care, benefits, and services to women veterans in the absence of regular meetings of the ACWV?

Each FAC has an associated budget and employees. Given that ACWV has not met as required in 2025 and 2026, have the budget and employees been redirected and if so how are they being used? Please provide funding levels used to support FAC activities in FY2025 and FY2026 and descriptions of how the funding was used.

What is your plan to ensure that meetings of the ACWV occur according to its statue and charter?

We appreciate your prompt attention to these questions and expect a timely and complete response. Congress created these advisory committees to ensure that the voices, expertise, and experiences of veterans inform the Department charged with serving them. Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors deserve nothing less than a clear accounting of why the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans has been allowed to fall silent and what the Department will do to restore these critical perspectives to the table.

-

In addition to Representatives Escobar and Goodlander, the signers of this letter include Representatives Terri Sewell (AL-7), Ed Case (HI-1), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), George Latimer (NY-16), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), and Deborah Ross (NC-2).",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7484,Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and Congressman Morgan Luttrell’s Effort To Expedite Buffalo Bayou Tributaries Resiliency Study Passes House,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Legislation directs USACE to move forward on a long-sought flood mitigation solution around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, and along Buffalo Bayou

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. After years of delays, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) led an effort to include a provision in the bill that directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite a Chief’s Report evaluating a single large underground water conveyance tunnel to reduce flood risk around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou. A Chief’s Report is a critical step toward moving forward on any USACE project. Once it is complete, Congress must then authorize the project and appropriate funding.

WRDA 2024 required USACE to complete a Chief’s Report on the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS). Instead, USACE produced a report of findings that presented three options: take no action, construct one large tunnel, or construct a series of smaller, modular tunnels. USACE then requested additional funding to study the difference between the large-tunnel and modular-tunnel options, rather than completing the legally required Chief’s Report.

Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Luttrell’s provision in WRDA 2026 specifically directs USACE to expedite the Chief’s Report on the single large tunnel option—the solution stakeholders in Houston and the broader region have identified and supported as the most effective way to protect Houston-area communities from flooding, whether from a single catastrophic storm or the cumulative impact of frequent, smaller flood events.

“Since my first term in Congress, protecting our community from flooding has been central to my work, and completing the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study is essential to that effort,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This project reflects an effort to think big about how to protect our entire community from the cumulative toll of more rain and more storms. I’m grateful to Congressman Luttrell for his partnership in this effort, and to community leaders across Texas’ Seventh Congressional District for their years of collaboration and advocacy. I’m glad WRDA 2026 will finally require USACE to deliver the Chief’s Report on the solution our community has identified and supported.”

""Flood mitigation in the Houston region has remained a top priority throughout my time in Congress, and today's House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 represents meaningful progress toward that goal,” said Congressman Morgan Luttrell. “This provision ensures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the Chief's Report on the large tunnel solution, as originally required. I appreciate Congresswoman Fletcher's continued partnership on this effort and look forward to its consideration by the Senate.”

In July, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure passed WRDA 2026, which included this provision led by Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Luttrell.

Since her first term in Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher has advocated for the completion of BBTRS. Following her advocacy, Congress included language requiring USACE to complete BBTRS in the Water Redevelopment Act (WRDA) of 2024. In January of 2024, she testified before the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and urged the Committee to include language to complete the BBTRS. In 2021, she wrote a letter to USACE supporting an exemption to allow USACE to complete the BBTRS.

In 2020, she successfully called on the USACE to extend the public comment period for the BBTRS Interim Report. She then submitted a public comment on the interim report urging the USACE to incorporate public feedback from residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.

The bill now moves to the United States Senate, where it is one step closer to becoming law.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3364,Congresswoman Escobar Joins Bipartisan Delegation in Urging House Leaders to Take Immediate Action on Artificial Intelligence,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"This week, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined a bipartisan group of ten members of Congress, led by Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8), in calling on U.S. House leadership in both parties to take immediate, urgent action to address risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI). Their push came in the wake of the OpenAI agent cyberattacks on Hugging Face and subsequent warnings from leaders and researchers at prominent AI companies about the societal and existential risks posed by unrestrained advances in the technology.

The letter can be found here or below:

Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries:

We call for your joint leadership on an urgent Congressional response to recent incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that have profound implications for economic and national security. Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur.

On August 26th, 2026, an independent review revealed how hundreds of AI agents that OpenAI was internally testing set up a secret message board, self-organized themselves into a collective, escaped their testing environments, and breached the systems of HuggingFace, another AI company. The agents even tried to deceive their evaluators by attempting to manipulate log files and spoof tool calls. The agents undertook these actions without ever notifying a single official at OpenAI.

OpenAI is not alone. Anthropic and Meta have also disclosed examples of AI agents escaping their testing environment to hack other organizations. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta are among the most sophisticated AI companies in the world, yet it appears they did not discover these incidents in real time. In OpenAI’s case, they did not know that their agents breached HuggingFace until approximately a week after the event. Months after these incidents began, serious factual questions remain open, and we are relying on AI labs for insight into what happened and what this means for future incidents.

Congress must ensure AI companies implement robust monitoring and independent oversight to protect the public. This incident reinforces that we cannot rely on what are clearly risky testing protocols and self-selected public reporting of incidents of concern. Indeed, nearly every major AI company has called for regulation, and leading employees of those same firms have signed open letters calling for government to pace the rate of AI development. Congress must urgently advance legislation to mitigate the risk of more serious incidents, especially those that could threaten critical infrastructure, our financial system, and other institutions that every American depends on.

The House of Representatives could and should immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency. There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that that committees of jurisdiction have reported. Members of both parties have also worked in recent months to fast- track bipartisan legislation that is ready to be considered by committees of jurisdiction. We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process.

We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot.

-

The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX).

To learn more about Congresswoman Escobar’s work on artificial intelligence, click here.",1,2026-09-21T10:25:24Z,2026-09-21T10:26:54Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-hosts-global-entry-enrollment-saturday-september-26-2026,"Congressman Al Green Hosts Global Entry Enrollment on Saturday, September 26, 2026",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"September 16, 2026

Image

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

10 AM – 2 PM

at the

Houston Business Development Inc.

5330 Griggs Road, Houston, Texas 77021

How To Apply for the Global Entry Event

GENERATE:

Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account

Regardless of your age, you must have your own Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.

** You make be asked to Create a LogMeIn Account. Sign in | Login.gov.

APPLY:

Log in to your TTP account and complete the application

A $120 non-refundable fee is required with each completed application.

DEADLINE:

Please apply by September 21, 2026 to continue the process.

REGISTER:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAAAB22A4FECE9-65437440-tx09 to schedule your preferred interview time. Space is limited!

COMPLETE THE PROCESS:

Email your conditional approval, or Application and PASS ID to

Robertine.jefferson@mail.house.gov. Once we have verified that your application is conditionally approved, you will receive a special access code to confirm your interview.

BRING:

Bring your valid passport and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card, to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your machine readable permanent resident card.

QUESTIONS:

Please visit Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection for benefits and eligibility or contact the Office of Congressman Al Green: Global Entry Resources | Congressman Al Green or (713) 383-9234",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-al-green-states-25-years-after-911-we-must-address-latent-injuries,"Rep. Al Green States 25 Years After 9/11, We Must Address the Latent Injuries of Survivors",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee hearing entitled, “25 Years Later: Evolutions in Federal, State, and Local Counterterrorism Efforts Since 9/11.""

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks to the witnesses by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-statement-on-russia-sanctions-bill,Congressman Castro Statement on Russia Sanctions Bill,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 5334):

“For four and a half years, the Ukrainian people have bravely defended their homeland against Russia’s invasion of their country and attempts to wipe them out. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives defending their homeland. Families and communities have been devastated, and tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been kidnapped by Russia. The Ukrainian people are fighting a war of self-defense and deserve our support.

“As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Intelligence Committee, I have consistently voted to support the Ukrainian people in their efforts to defend their country and way of life. I have condemned Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, led efforts to isolate Russia from international organizations, and consistently voted to provide Ukraine with the resources and defense equipment it needs to defend itself.

“While I strongly support the Ukrainian people, I was unable to vote for the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bill that would provide President Trump with broad authority to raise taxes on Americans through tariffs without clear safeguards to prevent the abuse of this authority.

“President Trump has never demonstrated that he is a friend to the Ukrainian people, from his efforts to extort President Zelenskyy during his first term to his recent statements blaming Ukraine – and not his own war in Iran – for rising gas prices. Despite already having authorities to impose sanctions and tariffs on Russia, he has refused to do so, preferring to praise Vladimir Putin and criticize Ukrainians.

“I support many of the provisions in this bill, including financial sanctions on Russian officials and financial institutions, and restrictions on investing in Russia, and would support the legislation if it did not include language granting President Trump broad authority to increase taxes through the use of tariffs.

“I have serious concerns that he would abuse the tariff authorities that this bill provides to pursue his own agenda and not use them in a way that would put pressure on those who buy Russian oil. His abuse of these authorities would be counterproductive not only for the United States but also the Ukrainian people, who deserve better.

I will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they continue to defend their homeland.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3350,Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Russia Sanctions Bill,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement on the Russia sanctions bill:

“I strongly support holding Russia accountable for its brutal war against Ukraine, and I believe strong, targeted sanctions are an important tool to pressure Vladimir Putin and his regime and to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

“That’s why I supported amendments to today’s Russia sanctions bill that would have removed problematic provisions granting President Trump sweeping power to impose tariffs without sufficient congressional oversight. At a time when this President has repeatedly failed to use America’s leverage to push back on Russia and has instead used tariff authority in ways that have harmed American consumers, businesses, and our relationships with longstanding allies, Congress should be strengthening its oversight. Unfortunately, these provisions remained in the final bill, and I could not support it.

“Congress should use this moment to force the President to act against Putin, not hand him more authority on tariffs. I would have proudly voted to pass a clean sanctions bill that imposes real costs on Russia and makes clear that the United States will not tolerate its continued aggression against Ukraine. We should not have to surrender Congress's authority over trade and tariffs to do it.

“I will continue to support strong sanctions that hold Putin and his regime accountable, and I will continue fighting for Congress to exercise its constitutional responsibility over the economic and foreign policy tools of the United States.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3351,Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement on the Ratepayer Protection Act:

“After months of urging the Republican majority to allow the House to vote on data center regulation legislation, the only bill they are allowing to move forward is the Ratepayer Protection Act, which requires tech companies to pay for the energy generation and consumption of their data centers.

“While I voted in favor of this bill, it represents the absolute bare minimum that Congress should be doing. If this is as far as Republicans will go to protect American communities, it is a pathetic response to what is a top priority for communities like mine. I will continue to push Republicans to allow bills that fully protect our natural resources, air quality and pocketbooks and won’t stop until we have the protections the American people deserve.”

Congresswoman Escobar supports a number of bills to regulate data centers, establish guardrails, and prioritize consumers:

The AI Data Center Site Selection Transparency Act

This bill would set requirements for new AI data centers, requiring that developers publicly disclose the location 180 days in advance, disclose impacts on energy and water, and restricting NDA agreements with public entities on data centers deals.

The Power for the People Act

This bill ensures data centers are fully paying for their energy costs and associated infrastructure, creates a system to manage data center interconnection to the grid, and provides resources to improve accurate data center load forecasting.

The Energy Bills Relief Act

This bill reinstates 2022 tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements and ensures that facilities like data centers are paying for their own energy costs.

Lowering Utility Bills Act

This bill would amend the Federal Power Act and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require investor-owned electric utilities and gas utilities and transmission providers to, when establishing or calculating a return on equity, establish or calculate the return on equity at the lowest return on equity in an established range of reasonableness, and for other purposes.

Responsible Data Center Siting Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish best practices for the siting of data centers.

Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act

This bill requires public disclosure of electricity and water use, infrastructure costs, rate impacts, public financial assistance, and related commitments associated with large data centers, and for other purposes.

Responsible Data Center Siting Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish best practices for the siting of data centers.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/national-voter-registration-day-veasey-wyden-introduce-resolution,"On National Voter Registration Day, Veasey, Wyden Introduce Resolution to Recognize September as National Voting Rights Month",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Marc A. Veasey,V000131,veasey.house.gov,veasey,https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey, D-Texas, joined Sen. Wyden today on National Voter Registration Day to introduce a resolution designating September as ""National Voting Rights Month.""

“Over the past year, we’ve seen our fundamental right to vote eroded and access to critical information about the voting process worsen. In my home state alone, we’ve seen efforts to redistrict mid-decade, introduce restrictive voter ID laws, and reduce the number of polling locations available to voters,” said Rep. Veasey.

“Now more than ever, it is essential for Americans to understand their voting rights, stay informed about what is happening around them, and help to keep their communities informed. That’s why I’m proud to introduce a resolution alongside Sen. Wyden to designate September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month - a step towards raising awareness, encouraging civic participation, and ensuring that Americans have the information they need to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard in November,” Representative Veasey continued.

“Trump is doing everything he can to disenfranchise American voters in this year’s midterms because he’s afraid his platform of jacking up costs is about to lose Republicans the midterms,” Senator Wyden said. “Access to the ballot and the right to vote are the bedrock of our democracy, and Congressman Veasey and I will continue fighting to protect this fundamental right for all Americans.”

The resolution will encourage voter registration in the month of September and push Congress to preserve the right to vote by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This is imperative amid Republican-led voter suppression attempts, and it is our responsibility to protect every American’s right to vote and make their voice heard at the ballot box.

The resolution is cosponsored by the U.S. Representatives André Carson (D-IN), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).

The Senate companion resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md)., Tammy Baldwin, (D-Wis), Michael Bennet (D-Colo), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), Lisa Blunt Rochester, (D-Del), Cory Booker (D-N.J), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Chris Coons (D-Del), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill), Dick Durbin (D-Ill), John Fetterman (D-Pa), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar, (D-Minn), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore), Alex Padilla (D-Calif), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), Adam Schiff (D-Calif), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Mark Warner (D-Va), Peter Welch (D-Vt), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I).",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7483,Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against New Trump Tariff Powers,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, Senate Amendment to H.R. 5334, because, despite its name, it fails to mandate tough sanctions on and hands the President sweeping new tariff authorities.

“Despite its name, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 fails to sanction Russia, dramatically expands presidential tariff authorities, and represents a threat to Ukraine, to our separation of powers, and to people across the country—which is why I voted against it.

“For years, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable courage and perseverance in their fight for democracy and the preservation of their sovereignty. I support Ukraine and stand with its people. I also support tough sanctions that hold Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the corporations and people funding Russia’s war accountable, like the ones proposed by this bill. But this bill does not actually impose these sanctions. It leaves these sanctions entirely up to President Trump’s discretion, making them optional without congressional oversight or court review. Since taking office, President Trump has imposed almost no new sanctions on Russia. The bill does not require President Trump to impose any additional sanctions on Russia, and he has given no reason to support the idea that he will. In fact, his actions have demonstrated the opposite.

“For the past 19 months, President Trump has already had the power to impose every sanction authorized by this bill on Russia but has chosen not to. These sanctions are sorely needed to support our Ukrainian allies—and Democrats proposed several amendments to improve this legislation, including to remove the bill’s new tariff authority, authorize military support for Ukraine, and tighten the language so President Trump would have to impose some of these sanctions—but Republicans failed to allow any of these amendments to be incorporated into the bill.

“Instead, this legislation grants the Trump administration new tariff authority to impose a 100 percent tariff on any country of its choosing—for as long as it wants, with virtually no guardrails and without congressional oversight. Since March 2025, Americans have paid more than $350 billion in tariffs the President has imposed solely at his discretion—a staggering cost that will only grow as a result of this bill. President Trump has already imposed tariffs on nearly every country in the world except for Russia. The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s tariffs, and Congress should not surrender its tariff authority to the executive branch.

“Make no mistake: Today’s vote is not simply about Russian sanctions—it’s about giving President Trump unnecessary tariff authority and unconstitutional power at the expense of American workers and families who will bear the cost. Congress must find a way to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression and hold Russia accountable while protecting the American people from a new tariff authority that President Trump is bound to misuse.”",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-announces-vote-hres1486-articles-impeachment-against,"Congressman Al Green Announces Vote on H.Res.1486, Articles of Impeachment Against President Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green’s H.Res. 1486, impeaching President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors, will receive a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 1:00 p.m. ET hour.

You can watch the vote on C-SPAN by clicking here.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-al-green-brings-hres-1486-house-forcing-vote-trump-impeachment,"Rep. Al Green Brings H.Res. 1486 Before the House, Forcing a Vote on Trump Impeachment",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor as he brought H.Res. 1486 before the House as a privileged resolution, prompting a vote on the impeachment of President Donald John Trump.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-al-green-says-trump-meme-coin-lost-everyday-investors-billions-blatant,Rep. Al Green Says Trump Meme Coin That Lost Everyday Investors Billions is a Blatant Ponzi Scheme,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System.""

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green's remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-demands-transparency-on-venezuela-oil-fundforces-vote-to-subpoena-trump-administration,Castro Demands Transparency on Venezuela Oil Fund—Forces Vote to Subpoena Trump Administration,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Ranking Member Joaquin Castro motioned to subpoena the Trump Administration during a subcommittee hearing.)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, motioned to subpoena the Trump Administration for records regarding its Venezuelan oil deal during a House Foreign Affairs Committee Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing. Specifically, the motion would subpoena federal agencies and private companies for records on its deal with North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) to take equity stakes and control over 17 Venezuelan oil fields.

NABEP is owned by Alejandro Betancourt, a Venezuelan businessman who made his fortune through corrupt deals with former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his regime. Republican members of the subcommittee voted unanimously against issuing the subpoena, resulting in a tied and unsuccessful vote of 6-6 along party lines.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-kicks-off-hispanic-heritage-month-with-public-call-for-latino-and-texas-nominations-to-the-national-recording-registry,Congressman Castro Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with Public Call for Latino and Texas Nominations to the National Recording Registry,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month by announcing that he is collecting public nominations of songs and albums by Latino artists to be added to the prestigious National Recording Registry. The National Recording Registry is the nation’s preeminent archive of recorded sound and is intended to maintain and preserve recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance. With Latino artists making up less than 5 percent of the registry as of 2025, Congressman Castro is committed to expanding Latinos’ representation in the registry.

“For many Latino families and communities, music plays an important role in our everyday lives and our most important moments,” said Congressman Castro. “From weddings to street parties, genres like Latin pop and rancheras offer sounds that soothe the soul, ignite passion, and connect us to generations that came before us. Over the past four years, I am heartened to see more Latino artists inducted into the prestigious National Recording Registry. But we must continue preserving Latino music’s place in our nation’s tapestry and recognize the artists that have produced work that transcends time, place, and language.”

Castro also called for song and album nominations by Texas artists to highlight the state’s rich musical heritage and legacy: “Texas is the birthplace of many iconic musicians and has fostered many genres of music enjoyed throughout the country. Texas artists represent many cultures, styles, and languages and should be recognized in our national archive for generations to come.”

To qualify for nomination, songs and albums must be at least ten years old. Submissions must be received by Sunday, September 21 at 11:59 PM CT to be eligible for Congressman Castro’s official nomination list. To nominate songs and albums by Latino artists, click here. To nominate songs and albums by Texas artists, click here.

Background:

Since the National Recording Registry was established by the U.S. Congress in 2000, 675 titles have been inducted. In 2022, Congressman Castro began submitting nominating lists to the National Recording Preservation Board to increase the visibility of Latino artists. Earlier this year, the Library of Congress inducted three of Castro’s nominations: “Mambo No. 5” by Pérez Prado (1950), “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1983) (Album), and “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970). Previously, the board inducted seven additional selections–Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” (1990), Héctor Lavoe’s “El Cantante” (1978), Irene Cara’s “Flashdance…What A Feeling” (1983), Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (2004), Vicente Fernandez’s “El Rey” (1973), Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (1974), and Lin Manuel Miranda’s album “Hamilton” (2015).",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-commemorates-25-years-queen-isabella-causeway,Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Commemorates 25 Years Since the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), submitted a Congressional Record recognizing the solemn 25th anniversary of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse. On September 15, 2001, days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a ship struck a supporting pillar of the Queen Isabella Causeway. This bridge connects Port Isabel on the South Texas mainland to South Padre Island. A Congressional Record is a daily transcript of all proceedings of the United States Congress, including any remarks provided by a member in either chamber to commemorate notable events in the communities they serve.

“Twenty-five years later and our community still mourns this painful chapter in our history that took the lives of eight South Texans. With this Congressional Recognition, we are preserving their memory and enshrining the strength and resiliency of a community that came together during an unimaginable tragedy into the record books of the United States Congress,” said Congressman Gonzalez.

South Texas and the entire community of Port Isabel were shaken to its core when a tugboat tragically crashed into a support column of the Queen Isabella Causeway, causing two 85-foot sections of the causeway to fall into the water and leaving a 160-foot gap in the roadway. Eight of the 11 individuals on the Causeway at the time of the collapse did not survive, and the damage created significant challenges for residents, workers, and visitors who utilized the bridge for daily travel.

Rebuilt in November 2001, the renamed Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway honors the victims, their families, survivors, and emergency responders while serving as a reminder of the profound impact this tragedy continues to have on South Texas communities.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/watch-congressman-vicente-gonzalez-urges-administration-address-water-shortage,WATCH: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Urges the Administration to Address Water Shortage in Corpus Christi on House Floor,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) delivered a speech from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge Speaker Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump and his Administration to follow through with their promise to address the water crisis in Corpus Christi.

On February 27, 2026, President Trump made an appearance at the Port of Corpus Christi. While there, he made the following promise regarding a request for federal water funding: “This is called a serious money ask, and I’m going to get that thing approved for you guys.”

Mister speaker I urge you to make President Trump fulfill his promise to the Corpus Christi community.

Corpus Christi heard him clearly. When the President visited our city, he called our request for federal water funding a “serious money ask.” He then made a commitment to the people of Corpus Christi: “We’re going to take care of it.”

Today, I am asking him to keep that promise. And I urge you to ensure he does. Water is not a partisan issue. It is not a luxury, and it cannot wait for another election or another round of political speeches. Reliable water is essential for our families, our hospitals, our schools, our military installations, our small businesses, and the thousands of workers who keep the Port of Corpus Christi moving.

I was born and raised in Corpus Christi. This is my hometown, and I know its people. They work hard, pay their taxes, and help power the economy of Texas and the United States. They should not have to wonder whether their community will have enough water to survive and grow.

We need the Administration to immediately identify the federal funding available, designate the responsible agency, and provide a firm timetable for delivering the support the President promised.

If congressional action is required, send us the request. I am ready to work with Republicans, Democrats, state leaders, and local officials to get this done! Everyone has a responsibility here. Local and state leaders must do their part, and the federal government must honor its commitment.

Mister Speaker, remind the President that Corpus Christi welcomed him. Its people listened to him, and they took him at his word. Now is the time for action. Release the federal support. Help us secure a dependable, long-term water supply. A promise made in Corpus Christi must be a promise kept. Our families cannot live on promises. They need water—and they need it now!",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://juliejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-julie-johnson-introduces-national-service-access-dreamers-act,Congresswoman Julie Johnson Introduces National Service Access for Dreamers Act,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Julie Johnson,J000310,juliejohnson.house.gov,juliejohnson,https://juliejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

Contact: Chelsea Roe, Communications Director

Chelsea.Roe@mail.house.gov or (469) 323-4184

Congresswoman Julie Johnson Introduces National Service Access for Dreamers Act

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32), the Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, together with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), a member of the Homeland Security Committee, introduced the National Service Access for Dreamers Act, legislation that would make DACA recipients eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award once they have completed national service.

Currently, DACA recipients can participate in AmeriCorps VISTA, working with nonprofits and public agencies to combat poverty and strengthen communities. However, federal law does not allow them to earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award because of their citizenship status. The National Service Access for Dreamers Act would close that gap by allowing eligible DACA recipients who complete AmeriCorps service to receive the education benefit tied to that service.

“The National Service Access for Dreamers Act will help relieve the increasing costs of higher education in Texas and across the country,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “DACA recipients who serve their communities through AmeriCorps should have access to the same education benefits their fellow members earn. This bill makes sure their service is recognized and gives more young people the opportunity to invest in their education and their future.”

“The AmeriCorps program and the Segal Education Award give people the opportunity to serve our communities and pursue higher education. National service programs that pair career development with educational access should be open to all students, regardless of income or immigration status,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “I’m proud to co-lead the National Service Access for Dreamers Act with Congresswoman Julie Johnson, which would expand the Segal Education Award’s eligibility to DACA recipients. I urge my colleagues to join us to ensure more accessible, inclusive opportunities for our young people.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click here.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-joins-c-spans-washington-journal-discuss-articles,"Congressman Al Green Joins C-SPAN’s Washington Journal to Discuss Articles of Impeachment, His Call for a Vote, and More",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green will join host Jasmine Wright on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal. Possible topics may include: his filing of articles of impeachment and call for a vote, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence, election integrity, midterm messaging, the Federal Reserve meeting, congressional news of the day, and more.

You can watch the Washington Journal liveat 6:30 a.m. CT/7:30 a.m. ET by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-votes-impeach-trump-covering-deaths-renee-alex-lorenzo,"Congressman Al Green Votes to Impeach Trump for Covering Up the  Deaths of Reneé, Alex, Lorenzo, and Johan",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Monday, September 14, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor regarding voting to impeach President Trump for covering up the deaths of Reneé Good, Alex Pretti, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-will-host-press-conference-announce-impeachment-vote-hold,Congressman Al Green Will Host Press Conference to Announce Impeachment Vote to Hold President Trump Accountable for High Crimes and Misdemeanors,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Monday, September 14, 2026, Congressman Al Green will be joined by John Bonifaz, Co-Founder and President of Free Speech For People;Jessica Denson, Founder of the Removal Coalition; Bruce Fein, former Associate Deputy Attorney General under President Reagan; and Nse Ufot, Women’s March Senior Advisor to host a press conference at the House Triangle at the U.S. Capitol to discuss the need to hold President Trump accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors. Congressman Al Green will also discuss the timeline for impeachment and make a special announcement.

The press conference follows Congressman Green’s filing of articles of impeachment on August 24, 2026.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-haaretz-article-below-titled-netanyahu-led-israel-blindly-disaster,"ICYMI: The Haaretz article below, titled “Netanyahu Led Israel 'Blindly to Disaster,' Eisenkot Says After Haaretz Exposé on UAE Warning Before Oct. 7.""",2026-09-13,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Haaretz article below, titled “Netanyahu Led Israel 'Blindly to Disaster,' Eisenkot Says After Haaretz Exposé on UAE Warning Before Oct. 7,” speaks for itself.

A readable PDF version of this article is available by clicking the link here or reading the story below.

Netanyahu Led Israel 'Blindly to Disaster,' Eisenkot

Says After Haaretz Exposé on UAE Warning Before Oct. 7

(Haaretz, September 8, 2026)

By: Noa Shpigel and Jonathan Lis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led Israel blindly to disaster and is unfit to serve, leading opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot said Tuesday, as opposition leaders responded to a Haaretz expose revealing that Netanyahu received an explicit warning from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed that Hamas was planning a major operation against Israel.

""Those around Netanyahu are echoing disgraceful conspiracy theories and allegations of betrayal, while clinging to the most absurd statement a leader can make: 'No one woke me up,'"" Eisenkot said.

Earlier Tuesday, Haaretz reported that bin Zayed, known as MBZ, personally warned Netanyahu that, in his assessment, Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was preparing for war. The call took place in late September 2023, about a week and a half before the attack, and lasted 45 minutes.

""Who failed to wake whom?"" Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, wrote on X, referring to a key finding in the report that Netanyahu did not inform Israel's security establishment of MBZ's personal warning.

Bin Zayed assessed that Sinwar was preparing for a major event, urging Netanyahu to prepare for the threat, an adviser to the president told Haaretz.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the Together party, said Netanyahu bore direct responsibility for the October 7, 2023 attacks. In an interview with Kan public radio, Bennett said Netanyahu ""was deep in the conception.""

Asked if he knew of the existence of MBZ's call to the prime minister, Bennett told Kan he was aware Netanyahu had received warnings from bin Zayed as well as Egypt's intelligence chief, but chose to ignore them.

Netanyahu was doing everything in his power to avoid the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that would ""uncover the truth,"" Bennett said in a statement, referring to the report as truthful.

""Netanyahu was so captive to his own conception that even clear warnings from regional leaders did not move him from his seat,"" he added.

Democrats Party Chairman Yair Golan and party lawmaker Gilad Kariv also responded to the report, describing the findings as ""criminal.""

""He knew. He was warned,"" Golan wrote in a post on X, referring to Netanyahu. ""The stories of 'I wasn't woken up' are over.""

Golan accused Netanyahu of neglecting his responsibilities as prime minister through ""deliberate and criminal abandonment,"" calling him ""unfit and illegitimate"" and urging that he be imprisoned for ""his crimes against the State of Israel.""

In a statement, Kariv described the revelations as a ""crime against Israeli society and against every citizen of the country.""

Kariv also said Netanyahu bears responsibility for the October 7, 2023, attacks ""not only by virtue of being prime minister, but because he received warnings and alerts from multiple parties and sources and did nothing.""

Kariv called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that would ""open all the Pandora's boxes that led to the terrible massacre.""",1,2026-09-14T10:19:32Z,2026-09-14T10:21:05Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-attend-greater-houston-career-fair-hosted-taiwanese,Congressman Al Green to Attend Greater Houston Career Fair Hosted by the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, Texas) — On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Congressman Al Green will attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Greater Houston Career Fair hosted by the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston at the Hilton Houston Westchase. The career fair will connect more than 2,000 job seekers and professionals with over 60 employers, universities, and community organizations. The event will provide opportunities for employment recruitment and career networking, along with exhibitor booths and resources for students and job seekers.

Congressman Al Green stated, “Talent exists throughout Greater Houston, but opportunity must be within reach. This career fair helps turn potential into progress by bringing job seekers face-to-face with employers and institutions prepared to open doors. I thank the organizers and participating partners for investing in our people and the future of our community.”

Members of the press are invited to attend the event for Q&A and B-roll footage.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-host-passport-day-houston-business-development-inc,"Congressman Al Green to Host Passport Day with the Houston Business Development, Inc.",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX) — On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Congressman Al Green will host Passport Day in partnership with the Houston Business Development, Inc. Representatives from the U.S. Department of State will be on-site to assist constituents with passport services and a variety of travel-related services, including passport applications and renewals.

Appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled online here; however, walk-ins will be accommodated. The event will take place at 5330 Griggs Road, Houston, Texas 77021, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. Constituents are encouraged to review the attached flyer for event preparation as well as visit Travel.State.Gov for additional details and answers to frequently asked questions.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-reunites-with-liam-conejo-ramos-tours-minneapolis-elementary-school,"Congressman Castro Reunites with Liam Conejo Ramos, Tours Minneapolis Elementary School",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Minneapolis, MN — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after visiting Valley View Elementary School in Minneapolis, Minnesota:

“Today I reunited with Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian at his school, Valley View Elementary in Minnesota. The last time I was with them, I was escorting them back home from the Dilley Trailer Prison. Liam's mom was 3 months pregnant at the time. Today, I met Liam's new brother.

“Liam, the boy with the bunny hat and spiderman backpack, was one of many children who were taken during Operation Metro Surge. Today, I met with one such student and her family. She and her mom spent over 50 days at Dilley. She dreams of becoming a doctor. Both families shared their stories with me. They didn’t receive a proper meal when they arrived. They had nothing with them—no comforts from home. They had done nothing wrong and didn’t know why they were taken and locked away.

“The suffering does not end when children leave Dilley. It inflicts lasting trauma.

“Thank you to Antonio Tijerino of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for joining me and to everyone at Liam's school. I am deeply grateful to the teachers and staff at Valley View Elementary School and the administrators at Columbia Heights Public Schools. You are doing an extraordinary job making school a place for learning, not fear.

“Kids deserve to be kids. We need to shut down Dilley and end child detention in America.”",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-urges-texans-to-check-registration-amid-voter-suspense-list-status,Congressman Menefee Urges Texans to Check Registration Amid Voter Suspense List Status,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) is urging Texans to check their voter registration and make sure their addresses are up to date ahead of the October 5 registration deadline for the November 3, 2026, election.

Roughly 1.2 million Texans are currently on the voter suspense list, including approximately 300,000 Harris County residents whose addresses could not be verified. Being on the suspense list does not mean a voter has lost their right to vote, but it may mean completing additional paperwork, including a Statement of Residence, when casting a ballot.

With the registration deadline approaching, Menefee is encouraging Texans to take a few minutes now to check their status and address any issues before Election Day.

“I represent the district of Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, and generations of Texans fought hard for the right to vote. We should never take that right for granted,” said Rep. Menefee. “My own grandfather had to pay a poll tax just to cast his ballot. A generation later, his grandson gets to serve in the United States Congress. I carry that history with me every day, and it’s why I want to make sure every eligible Texan knows their rights and is ready to make their voice heard.”

The deadline to register to vote or update an address for the November 3 election is October 5, 2026.

“It only takes a few minutes to check your registration, so I’m asking Texans to do it now instead of waiting until Election Day,” Rep. Menefee said. “Regardless of how you vote, your voice matters. We owe it to the generations who fought before us to make sure our voices are heard at the ballot box.”

For voter registration and election information, visit VoteTexas.gov.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-releases-letter-urging-support-impeachment-president,Congressman Al Green Releases Letter Urging Support for the Impeachment of President Donald John Trump,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX)—On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green sent a letter to his colleagues in Congress urging support for the impeachment of President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. The letter was also released publicly to constituents and the American people.

This letter, titled “A Matter of Life and Death – The Impeachment of President Donald John Trump and Justice for Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero,” calls for action on H.Res.1486, Congressman Green’s articles of impeachment against President Trump.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-al-green-houston-lgbtq-political-caucus-and-montrose-center,"ICYMI: Congressman Al Green, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and the Montrose Center hosted a press conference to address the maltreatment of transgender immigrants in ICE detention facilities.",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and the Montrose Center hosted a press conference to address the maltreatment of transgender immigrants in ICE detention facilities.

You can watch an excerpt of the press conference by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-houston-lgbtq-political-caucus-and-montrose-center-will,"Congressman Al Green, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and the Montrose Center will Address the Maltreatment of Transgender Immigrants in ICE Detention Facilities",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, Texas) — On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green will join Brandon Mack, President of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, Avery Belyeu, Chief Executive Officer of The Montrose Center, and Daron Perez, Transwellness Coordinator of The Montrose Center to host a press conference addressing concerns regarding the maltreatment of transgender immigrants in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. The press conference follows Congressman Green’s September 4, 2026, communiqué to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, in which he raised concerns about the denial of specialized medical care and the removal of protections for transgender immigrant detainees. A copy of the communiqué is accessible by clicking here.

""ICE detention cannot become a place where transgender people are punished for their identity. When the government takes someone into custody, it assumes responsibility for that person's safety, health, and dignity. We support and stand in solidarity and agreement with Congressman Al Green's demand for answers and accountability. We urge DHS to take immediate and verifiable action,” Brandon Mack, President, Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus.

“Transgender individuals who find themselves in the care of our government during immigration proceedings deserve dignity, safety, and basic health care. That means they are not mistreated, are housed in safe accommodations, and are able to access all of their medications. We are grateful to Congressman Green for seeking clarification on how these guarantees are being met,” Avery Belyeu, Chief Executive Officer, The Montrose Center.

Congressman Al Green stated, “Transgender persons deserve to live without fear that their identity will be used as a reason to deny them care, especially health care, safety, or humane treatment while in ICE custody. While many communities have suffered under harmful immigration policies, we must not overlook the particular vulnerabilities faced by transgender immigrants in detention. Government custody must never become a license to discriminate. We must demand humane treatment and necessary medical care, and we must protect transgender lives.”",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-sends-letter-house-and-senate-leadership-requesting-joint,Congressman Al Green Sends a Letter to House and Senate Leadership Requesting a Joint Hearing to Investigate Reports of What May Be Extrajudicial Killings (Lynchings) of Black Americans Found Hanging from Nooses in the United States,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX)—On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Congressman Al Green sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer requesting a joint hearing to investigate reports of what may be extrajudicial killings (lynchings) of Black Americans found hanging from nooses in the United States. The letter follows Congressman Green’s September 6, 2026, ICYMI highlighting a Washington Informer article titled, “Found Hanging: Black Deaths, Unanswered Questions and an American Terror That Refuses to Stay in the Past.”

A copy of the letter can be accessed by clicking here.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-announces-25-million-federal-funding-city,Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Announces $2.5 Million in Federal Funding for City of Brownsville Public Works,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced $2.5 million in federal funding for the City of Brownsville Public Works Department to support the design and construction of the Marina Industrial Park, including roadway, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. The funds are delivered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and estimated to create 590 new jobs and leverage over $18 million in private investment. The total projected cost of this project is $4,395,000.

“Brownsville has quickly become a prime attraction for American manufacturers and businesses to call our city home. We must have the transportation and infrastructure in place to meet these heightened demands for economic growth. This funding helps us get there while creating hundreds of new jobs and bringing millions of dollars in new opportunities to the Rio Grande Valley. When we invest in local development, we invest in the future of South Texas,” said Congressman Gonzalez.

“Brownsville is attracting new industries, creating quality jobs, and strengthening its role as a leading hub for international trade and manufacturing. This $2.5 million federal investment in the Marina Industrial Park will further support our effort to build the critical infrastructure needed to support that growth, while leveraging more than $18 million in private investment and creating new jobs. We are grateful to Congressman Gonzalez and the U.S. Economic Development Administration for recognizing Brownsville’s economic potential and investing in our community’s future,” said Mayor John Cowen, Jr., City of Brownsville.

The Marina Industrial Park will include five state-of-the-art multi-tenant industrial buildings: four buildings of 150,000 square feet each and one slightly smaller facility of 140,000 square feet. Located on FM 511 in Brownsville’s northern industrial corridor, the new Industrial Park is an ideal gateway for manufacturers to supply goods across North America as it is near two interstate highways, four international bridges, the Port of Brownsville, three international airports, and a U.S.-Mexico rail crossing.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3347,Congresswoman Escobar Honors El Pasoans During Commendation Ceremony,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Tonight, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) will be hosting her fourth Congressional Commendation Ceremony, recognizing a group of outstanding El Pasoans whose work has strengthened the community across fields including education, public service, the arts, science, and advocacy.

“It is a privilege as our community’s federal representative to recognize the strength, resilience, and talent of our honorees,” said Congresswoman Escobar. ""El Paso is grateful for their contributions and we are proud to celebrate the profound impact each of these individuals has made on our beloved community.""

Information on each of the honorees (listed in alphabetical order) can be found below:

Beatriz Landin created the Wander Pillow, a neck pillow with a blanket stored inside that was featured on Amazon Prime Video’s “The Blox”.

Blueberry Carrillo gained national recognition by winning the prestigious Dav Pilkey Silver Medal Portfolio Award in June. She was one in twelve in the nation selected and the only student from Texas to receive the award in the Art category.

El Dorado High School’s “The Legend” yearbook staff was named a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown Award recipient in 2024 for its 2023 yearbook “Como Cuando”.

Jose Hurtado, Ph.D is a UTEP professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences and a member of NASA’s Artemis II and II Science Teams. He earned a prestigious grant through the Lunar Mapping Program, supported by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey to create high-quality, modern geologic maps of the moon.

Karime Lopez is student leader and innovator in STEM education. In May, she won the FIRST Leadership Award at the 2026 FIRST Robotics World Championship.

Manuela Alejandra Gomez, Ph.D. was appointed as one of only 12 internationally recognized scholars to serve as an advisor and research associate for the Moses Mesoamerican Archive and Research Project at Harvard University.

Marco Sanchez is a student at Harmony School of Innovation is a STEM driven civic leader from El Paso, Texas and is the Founder and President of Harmony Robotics Organization. He founded the El Paso Youth Alliance, a student run organization with the mission to help young people participate in civic engagement and local government. He is an alumni of Congresswoman Escobar’s Congressional Youth Advisory Council.

Margie Salazar became CEO of FirstLight, the first woman CEO of a local major credit union. In March, she was named the 2026 Remarkable Woman for El Paso, a program is designed to spotlight women who lead, inspire and forge a path for others in their communities.

Noel Candelaria is a special education teacher in Ysleta Independent School District. He currently serves as Vice President of the National Education Association, the nation's largest labor union representing more than three million educators.

Retired Command Sergeant Major Janina Simmons made history in 2019 as the first Black woman to graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger School. Her accomplishments also include becoming an ultramarathon runner and a published author.

Shaheli De Silva is a student at Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy. Earlier this year, she won the Regional English Spelling Bee in English and tied for first in EPISD’s Spanish Spelling Bee.",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-bpr-business-and-politics-article-below-titled-ai-crypto-industries,"ICYMI: The BPR Business and Politics article below, titled “AI, crypto industries could have their hooks in lawmakers during next Congress.""",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The BPR Business and Politics article below, titled “AI, crypto industries could have their hooks in lawmakers during next Congress,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-gizmodo-article-below-titled-crypto-industrys-clarity-act-faces-major,"ICYMI: The Gizmodo article below, titled “Crypto Industry’s CLARITY Act Faces Major Setback.""",2026-09-07,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Gizmodo article below, titled “Crypto Industry’s CLARITY Act Faces Major Setback,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-08T09:24:24Z,2026-09-08T09:26:10Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-washington-informer-article-below-titled-found-hanging-black-deaths,"ICYMI: The Washington Informer article below, titled “Found Hanging: Black Deaths, Unanswered Questions and an American Terror That Refuses to Stay in the Past.""",2026-09-06,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Washington Informer article below, titled “Found Hanging: Black Deaths, Unanswered Questions and an American Terror That Refuses to Stay in the Past,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-09-07T09:58:26Z,2026-09-07T09:59:51Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-al-green-emphasizes-impeaching-trump-matter-life-death-after-lives-lost,Rep. Al Green Emphasizes Impeaching Trump is a Matter of Life & Death After Lives Lost to ICE & CBP,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) — On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor emphasizing that impeaching President Trump is a matter of life and death after lives lost to ICE and CBP.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-and-sewell-introduce-proof-act-stop-weaponization-irs-against,Doggett and Sewell Introduce PROOF Act to Stop the Weaponization of the IRS Against Nonprofits,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lloyd Doggett,D000399,doggett.house.gov,doggett,https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Legislation would guarantee that no charity or nonprofit can lose its tax-exempt status without evidence and without due process

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, introduced the Protecting the Rights Of Organizations Fairly (PROOF) Act of 2026, legislation to guarantee that the IRS cannot strip a nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without evidence and without a fair process.

""The IRS should never be a weapon to punish a President's political enemies. No organization — left, right, or center — should lose its tax-exempt status on an accusation, without evidence, and without a fair chance to be heard” said Representative Doggett. “The PROOF Act is simple: if the government wants to take away a nonprofit's status, it has to show its proof and follow the law. Today, it may be an organization to which the Trump regime objects. Tomorrow, it could be any of us.""

“Donald Trump is attempting to weaponize the IRS and intimidate groups that do not align with his radical political agenda. Therefore, nonprofit organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center must have due process protections so their tax-exempt status cannot be revoked for political purposes,” said Representative Terri Sewell. “That is why I am proud to support The PROOF Act to ensure the government cannot take away a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status without due process protections.”

Under current law, many due process protections that are supposed to apply when the IRS examines most nonprofits exist only in the agency's own internal manual — guidance the IRS can rewrite or suspend on its own authority through an internal memo with no public comment, no rulemaking, and no vote, and that carries no force of law. A targeted organization is left with no way to prevent due process rights from being weakened or withdrawn. The PROOF Act writes those protections into the tax code, so they carry the force of law and cannot be waived, rewritten, or set aside at the discretion of the IRS or the White House.

The bill responds to an unprecedented campaign to weaponize the IRS against Trump’s perceived opponents. In 2025, the administration directed the IRS to begin the process of revoking the tax-exempt status of Harvard University after the university refused to comply with the President's demands — a step the President publicly vowed to carry out. Since then, reporting has revealed that officials compiled a list of Democratic donors and ""left-leaning"" nonprofit organizations for potential IRS scrutiny, and that the IRS Criminal Investigation division partnered with the FBI to investigate nonprofits over alleged ""domestic terrorism"" ties. In a December 2025 memo, the Justice Department defined domestic terrorism to reach constitutionally protected speech and advocacy.

Last week, the New York Post reported that the Treasury Department and IRS are drawing up a sweeping audit blueprint that could revoke the tax-exempt status of a list of progressive and advocacy organizations, leaning on a 2025 executive order aimed at nonprofits the administration accuses of a ""substantial illegal purpose."" Treasury Secretary Bessent had publicly confirmed months earlier that work compiling such a list was underway. These actions break sharply from a commitment the IRS's own chief executive made to the House Ways and Means Committee. In responding to Congressman Doggett’s questioning during a March 2026 hearing, Bisignano assured “100 percent” that the agency would not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on politics, and “We’re here to administer the law, uphold the law.”

The administration has refused to answer for its weaponization campaign. In April 2026, Congressman Doggett and Congresswoman Terri Sewell wrote to the IRS demanding answers about the targeting of tax-exempt organizations. The response deadline passed months ago with no reply, and the members renewed their demand in a follow-up letter this week.

The PROOF Act guarantees that before the government can take away a nonprofit's tax-exempt status, it has to follow basic due process.

What the PROOF Act Does

In plain terms, the bill guarantees every tax-exempt organization:

Fair notice before an examination begins. Written notice that the organization has been selected, what the examination is about, which years are involved, and who the examiner is.

A reason, in writing. The IRS must explain the legal authority under which it is proceeding. No open-ended fishing expeditions with no stated basis.

Evidence, not accusation. The IRS must build a documented record that actually supports its conclusions — and it cannot revoke an organization's status unless that record supports the decision. No nonprofit can be stripped of its status on an unsupported allegation.

Fair document requests. Requests must be specific and connected to the examination, with a reasonable time to respond — and an organization cannot be punished for failing to answer a defective or improper request.

A right to be heard. The organization can bring a dispute to the examiner's supervisor during the examination, and the IRS must hold a closing conference — explaining its findings, its legal and factual basis, and the organization's appeal rights — before it takes any adverse action.

A clear explanation and a real right to appeal. Before any final action, the organization receives a written explanation of the proposed decision, the specific findings and legal authorities behind it, and at least 30 days to protest and seek review by the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, followed by judicial review in court.

No revocation without proof or process. At its core, the bill establishes a single guarantee: the IRS cannot revoke a nonprofit's tax-exempt status unless the examination supports the decision and the organization's due process rights have been honored.

Rep. Doggett Questions Trump IRS CEO Bisignano March 2026

Doggett: If you would sir, with a simple yes or no, tell us whether you have received either directly or indirectly any communication from anyone in the Trump regime suggesting that specific tax-exempt organizations should be scrutinized because of their political views?

Bisignano: No.

Doggett. You have not. Good. And will you commit today that under your leadership the IRS will not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on political targeting?

Bisignano: 100%. We're here to administer the law, uphold the law, uphold the law.

Doggett: Thank you. Just to be clear what I'm talking about though, in that regard, the Wall Street Journal reported “the Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of some groups more easily.” So are they in error and no such sweeping changes or any changes are being prepared there to use the IRS?

Bisignano: I hope that you understand that every form of the daily news is not a Bible.

Doggett: That's why I'm asking.

Bisignano: Not a Bible, sir.

Doggett Yeah, that's absolutely right. And I'm asking you about this.

Bisignano: I've actually never heard that or seen.

Doggett: You've never heard that the Trump administration was trying to weaponize the IRS?

Bisignano: 100% not.

Doggett: Then you're not familiar with President Trump's tweet specifically attacking Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, asking that it's tax-exempt status should be re-evaluated? You didn't . . . you're not aware of that?

Bisignano: I don't track tweets sir.

Doggett: You don't track Truth Social. It doesn't have anything to do with your work?

Bisignano: You will not find my social media presence anywhere.

Doggett: Well, this is the President of course not very interested in ethics so I was very concerned about that.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3340,Congresswoman Escobar Introduces Legislation Creating New Requirements for Immigration Detention Facilities,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) introduced the DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026, a bill that would create new requirements for the Department of Homeland Security before building or establishing immigration detention facilities.

“It’s far too easy for the federal government to create chaos and confusion and leave communities in the dark,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Socorro and the greater El Paso region — along with other communities across the country — learned about DHS’s secretive plans to utilize warehouses to detain people only once it was too late. The federal government must respect and consult with local entities and stakeholders before making decisions that impact local economies and infrastructure, and my bill would prevent this from happening in the future.”

“El Paso County has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about local concerns and advocating for greater transparency in the construction of large-scale detention facilities,” said El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez. “The county has been compelled to initiate litigation in order to obtain basic information from the federal government about these projects. These actions underscore the importance of open dialogue and careful consideration when addressing the challenges presented by the development of mega detention facilities. The proposed DHS Community Consultation Act aims to empower communities by granting them a meaningful role in the decision-making process. As the Department of Homeland Security continues to advance these projects, there is an urgent call for the swift passage of this legislation to support community interests.”

“Local communities deserve a voice in decisions that may affect their infrastructure, emergency services, public health, and overall quality of life,” said Socorro Mayor Rudy Cruz Jr. “The DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026 promotes transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation before an immigration detention facility is constructed. I appreciate Congresswoman Escobar’s leadership in ensuring that local governments and residents are informed, consulted, and heard.”

“Our communities have been subjected to an unprecedented expansion and growth of unaccountable and inhumane detention infrastructure,” said Fernando Garcia, Executive Director of the Border Network for Human Rights. “This includes the detention of children and families, the establishment of a mass detention facility in Ft. Bliss, a military facility, and makeshift encampments under international bridges. The latest attempt is the inhumane and irrational retrofitting of warehouses. For the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), the neglect to consult with communities, local leaders, and stakeholders remains a failure of our government to truly safeguard human dignity and life and allocate resources to truly support communities. It has led to irreparable human and civil rights violations that have stained our nation’s values. This piece of legislation by Congresswoman Escobar is a step forward to returning communities their voice. It supports the efforts being led by border communities to prevent the use of military facilities and the development of warehouses without appropriate consultation, accountability systems, and impact analysis. BNHR fully supports this bill and recognizes it as a step forward to larger accountability within our immigration system.”

The DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026 would:

Require the DHS Secretary to consult with local governments, elected officials and stakeholders before beginning construction or entering into any contract, including for purchase or lease of an existing facility, for the purposes of immigration detention

Require DHS to determine the impacts an immigration detention facility may have on local emergency services, water and wastewater infrastructure, power grids, and roads

Require DHS to hold public meetings and public comment periods for community members to provide feedback on the detention facility construction plans

Require the DHS Secretary to coordinate with local public health authorities to establish protocols for treating contagious disease outbreaks, including plans for treatment, care, containment, and notifying the local community

Prohibit DHS from retrofitting, renovating, or reconstructing an existing structure for immigration detention purposes if the structure was never intended to house people

Prohibit DHS from constructing or operating any facility for immigration detention purposes on a military installation

The DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026 continues Congresswoman Escobar’s record of fighting for communities like El Paso from unwanted, unaccountable intrusions by the Trump administration:",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7474,"As U.S. Oil Reserves Hit 44-Year-Low, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and Congressman August Pfluger Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Study Strategic Petroleum Reserve Modernization, Strengthen U.S. Energy Security",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Bill introduction comes as SPR has undergone two major emergency drawdowns in four years—first during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and now during the war in Iran—and sits at its lowest level since the 1980s

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the 21st Century Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act (21st Century SPR Act) to direct the U.S. Department of Energy to issue a public report on opportunities to modernize the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

“Energy security is essential to national security, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is one of the most important tools we have to ensure it,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Having a reserve is critical to ensuring our energy independence and to helping protect American families when conflicts overseas disrupt global oil supply, as we have seen following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and now the war in Iran. We have relied on the SPR, and it has delivered for American families. But the reserve is stretched thinner than it has been in 40 years, and we cannot take that capability for granted. The 21st Century SPR Act is a common-sense first step toward making sure the SPR is capable of meeting our needs in the future in every way, and I’m glad to work with Congressman Pfluger on this important effort.”

Congress created the SPR after the 1973 Arab oil embargo to protect American consumers and the economy from sudden supply shocks. The reserve stores crude oil in underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana, giving the federal government a tool to stabilize prices when global oil supplies are disrupted. It has, however, faced real strain in recent years.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a 180-million-barrel emergency release in 2022, and the ongoing war in Iran—including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply—has driven a second major drawdown. The reserve now sits at its lowest level since the early 1980s, at under half of its total capacity. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report found that Congress and the Department of Energy still lack a unified long-term plan for the SPR, including a target size for the reserve and a clear strategy for maintaining its aging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, other countries have moved to build up their own reserves. China, which is not a member of the International Energy Agency and does not publicly disclose its inventory, holds an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of oil in strategic reserves—more than four times the current U.S. stockpile, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

If enacted, the 21st Century SPR Act would require the Secretary of Energy, within 90 days of enactment, to request that the National Petroleum Council—an advisory committee to the Secretary—deliver a public report within one year analyzing opportunities to improve and modernize the SPR's physical infrastructure and operations to respond to supply shocks like the 2026 closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The report would examine:

Expanding the SPR's geographic distribution and storage capacity;

Adding storage for refined petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, as well as crude oil;

Eliminating congressionally mandated sales that draw down the reserve outside of emergencies;

Building storage facilities resilient enough to withstand the volume and frequency of drawdowns the SPR has seen over the last 10 years; and

Encouraging purchases to refill the SPR during periods of low petroleum prices;

Increasing the SPR's fill rate and the bidirectional flow capacity of its pipeline infrastructure.

The bill also directs the National Petroleum Council to make recommendations to Congress and federal agencies on modernizing the SPR going forward.",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-congresswoman-lateefah-simon-and-congresswoman-bonnie,"Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Lead Effort Demanding HUD Protect Fair Housing Program",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Congressman Al Green, along with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, raising serious concerns about recent actions that threaten the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the local fair housing organizations that serve communities across the nation. A copy of the letter can be accessed by clicking here.

The lawmakers expressed concern that HUD’s proposed funding changes threaten local fair housing organizations, which handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints nationwide. Following a federal district court order blocking the changes, the lawmakers are calling on Secretary Turner to comply with the court’s order, rescind HUD’s FY 2025 and FY 2026 FHIP funding notices, and ensure nonprofit fair housing organizations remain eligible for funding.

""The Fair Housing Initiatives Program was created by Congress to protect Americans from housing discrimination and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe, stable, and equitable housing. The Administration’s repeated attempts to circumvent Congress and dismantle basic civil rights protections are unacceptable,"" said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. ""I am proud to help lead this effort alongside Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to hold this administration accountable for its unlawful implementation of this program and to stand firmly with the organizations and nonprofits doing the essential, on-the-ground work to combat housing discrimination in communities across the country.""

“From day one, the Trump administration has tried to reshape HUD from an agency that makes housing fairer and more accessible into one that benefits wealthy developers and landlords,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “Housing costs are skyrocketing, yet HUD is being weaponized to go after municipalities, siphon funding from non-profit organizations seeking to give people opportunities to put a roof over their heads, and gift Trump’s friends instead. Considering Trump's history of housing discrimination as a developer and his eventual refusal to sign the largest bipartisan housing bill in a generation into law, an overarching theme of disregarding the needs of the working-class comes into focus.""",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/casar-responds-openai-anthropic-demands-greater-transparency-about-major,"Casar Responds to OpenAI, Anthropic, Demands Greater Transparency About Major Security Lapses",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Greg Casar,C001131,casar.house.gov,casar,https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) responded to information from CEOs of OpenAI and Anthropic, demanding greater transparency about recent major security incidents at both companies.

On August 10, 2026, Casar led dozens of members of Congress demanding that both OpenAI and Anthropic release more information about recent security lapses. While both companies responded with some information, neither met the standard of transparency demanded in the initial request.

OpenAI’s response can be found here and Anthropic’s response can be found here.

In his response to OpenAI, Casar writes he is “deeply concerned about the limited scope” of the investigation into the Hugging Face hacking incident. He also writes: “Your response was insufficient. You have failed to release the logs like the letter asked. The response you did provide reveals significant security errors on the part of OpenAI and the third-party software it relied on, including improper sandboxing and flawed cybersecurity practices.” The full letter can be found here.

In his response to Anthropic, Casar wrote: “Your response was insufficient. You failed to release the logs like the letter asked. You failed to fully answer a majority of the questions posed in the letter. Most notably, your response did not address our question about how many times in the past year an internally deployed Anthropic model has taken action outside of its authorized container, whether any of those events were disclosed to any government body, affected party, or the public, and which internal Anthropic systems a compromised model could reach.” The full letter can be found here.

In both letters, Casar writes: “Your unwillingness to provide Members of Congress with the information we requested is deeply concerning and signals to us that your company is not treating these cybersecurity incidents with the seriousness required.”

He requests both companies respond by September 15th.

Casar’s initial letter to OpenAI can be found here and his initial letter to Anthropic can be found here.

###

Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-on-one-year-anniversary-of-boat-strikes,Castro Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Boat Strikes,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, released the following statement:

“President Trump has revived the Monroe Doctrine to dominate the Western Hemisphere for money, power, and graft. His administration’s illegal and ineffective campaign of boat strikes in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific has violated U.S. laws, failed to meaningfully stop drug trafficking, and legally imperiled U.S. servicemembers ordered to conduct these strikes.

“The American people are through with forever wars, yet this administration has extended strikes to land, including in Venezuela and Ecuador, pulling the United States into a forever war in the Western Hemisphere.

“Despite the seriousness of these strikes, including evidence that the United States killed survivors in a clear violation of U.S. laws, the Republican majority has refused to hold hearings or demand transparency or accountability. That must change and I am confident that it will in the next Congress.

“I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to ensure accountability for the Trump Administration officials involved in these illegal acts.”",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crockett-demands-doj-investigate-alarming-pattern-possible-modern-day,Rep. Crockett Demands DOJ Investigate Alarming Pattern of Possible Modern-Day Lynchings,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Jasmine Crockett,C001130,crockett.house.gov,crockett,https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate an alarming pattern of Black Americans found hanging from trees across the country.

In a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, Crockett called on DOJ to use its nationwide law enforcement capabilities to examine whether deaths that have been treated as isolated incidents and ruled deaths by suicide by state and local authorities, may instead reveal broader patterns of racial animus or systemic investigative failures.

“The images we are seeing of Black bodies hanging from trees and other structures across this country should shock the conscience of every American,” said Congresswoman Crockett. “Given our nation’s horrific history of racial terror and lynching, we cannot simply look the other way when Black Americans are found dead under circumstances that demand answers. Every one of these cases deserves to be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and examined in the context of what is happening across the country.”

Crockett also highlighted concerns that law enforcement personnel themselves may be implicated in some cases. The letter cites a report finding 23 possible modern-day lynching cases involving police or correctional officers and highlights recent revelations concerning racist conduct within the Senatobia Police Department in Mississippi.

“America spent generations allowing Black people to be lynched while institutions with the power to intervene stood by and did nothing,” Crockett said. “We cannot repeat that history. DOJ has the authority, the resources, and the responsibility to determine whether these deaths are isolated tragedies or evidence of something far more sinister. I am demanding that they use them.”

The full letter can be found here.",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-advocates-hands-our-boca-chica-beach-act-congressional,Congressman Gonzalez Advocates for Hands Off Our Boca Chica Beach Act in Congressional Hearing,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Additionally, the Hands Off Our Boca Chica Act enjoys strong local support. During today’s hearing, the Congressman submitted written statements of support from Texas State Representative Erin Gamez, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, and SpaceX. All three letters can be viewed here.

Geographic names established by an act of Congress, or those introduced as proposed legislation, are not bound by the BGN. Therefore, Congressman Gonzalez’s bill takes precedence over BGN’s principles, policies, and procedures, preventing future proposals to rename Boca Chica Beach during this Congress from being considered.

The proposal was driven by an individual from Mississippi with no ties to our community and has since faced unanimous opposition from local officials and even SpaceX itself.

People who may disagree about many other issues agreed on this one thing: Boca Chica Beach should remain Boca Chica Beach – a name that dates back to at least 1936.

Although we stopped this particular proposal, the process exposed a much larger problem: A federal committee was preparing to vote on the name change of a historic place in South Texas, they didn’t inform the community and the Representative of the provided notice of the scheduled vote.

But no community should have to depend on a last-minute scramble to make sure its voice is heard in a federal decision affecting its own backyard.

It would also require the Domestic Names Committee to notify the appropriate Member of Congress of a proposed name change that affects their district. It does not, however, prevent future policy updates from the Committee.

We must provide Members of Congress with the tools to do the job our constituents sent us here to do: represent their interests when federal decisions affect their communities.",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-menefee-pushes-for-nuclear-energy-investments-in-houston,Rep. Menefee Pushes for Nuclear Energy Investments in Houston,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) highlighted Houston’s role in the future of advanced energy during a House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy hearing, “Powering the Nuclear Renaissance: Accelerating U.S. Leadership in Advanced Nuclear Reactors.”

Congressman Menefee focused on bringing more nuclear research, investments, and jobs to Houston as the country works to expand its advanced reactor capacity and meet growing demand for electricity.

“Houston is the energy capital of the world. We are a city that builds things, that moves things and that powers things.” Rep. Menefee said. “When this committee says ‘nuclear renaissance,’ my district hears a job, a career, and an opportunity to research and power what comes next.”

Rep. Menefee noted that while Texas has long been a leader in traditional hydrocarbons, nuclear power makes up less than 10% of the state’s electricity generation and has remained roughly flat for decades, even as electricity demand continues to grow. He highlighted the opportunity for Texas to build on its long history of energy leadership by investing in nuclear and other emerging energy technologies.

“I want Texas to grow. I want Houston to grow. And I want this nation to grow in this space,” Rep. Menefee said. “Nuclear energy is the next frontier, and there’s a lot of opportunity ahead. But as we grow this industry, we have to make sure the communities surrounding these facilities aren’t left carrying the burden. We can create good-paying jobs, grow our economy, lead the future of energy, and make the health and safety of our communities a priority every step of the way.”

During the hearing, Congressman Menefee also pushed for Houston universities, including Texas Southern University and the University of Houston, to receive more federal funding for nuclear research.

“I want research dollars to land at schools like Texas Southern University and the University of Houston, both of which have been knee-deep in nuclear research and our state’s journey for more dependable, low-carbon power,” Rep. Menefee said. “I want a young adult from my district with a welding certificate to have a real path into these jobs.”

During his questioning, Congressman Menefee highlighted the University of Houston’s membership in the Texas Nuclear Alliance and its energy and manufacturing research, including work through the Energy Transition Institute, Advanced Manufacturing Institute, and Texas Center for Superconductivity.",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-responds-ices-lie-prairieland-detention-facility,Congressman Veasey Responds to ICE’s Lie of Prairieland Detention Facility Oversight Visit,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Marc A. Veasey,V000131,veasey.house.gov,veasey,https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington D.C — Today, the office of Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) conducted a congressional oversight visit to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas. Prior to the visit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deceitfully misrepresented the purpose of the congressional visit around one particular individual in ICE custody through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Congressman Veasey’s office had already submitted a request regarding Bernardo Maceo Sabon and his repatriation at the time of the visit. ICE was already aware of this request before publicly suggesting that the office’s visit was an effort to interfere with the agency’s enforcement actions.

The primary purpose of today’s visit was to follow up on the case of a Persian refugee and a Christian pastor who fled Iran and was subsequently granted asylum by the United States government. The pastor, who suffers from life-threatening health conditions, remains in ICE custody while her health deteriorates — despite having previously been granted protection by the United States.

Members of Congress and their staff have a responsibility to conduct oversight of federal agencies and facilities, including ensuring that individuals in federal custody have access to appropriate medical care and that federal agencies are carrying out their responsibilities consistent with the law. In return, federal agencies are responsible for facilitating these oversight visits rather than treating them as a public relations battle to be fought out on social media.

Congressman Veasey’s office will continue conducting oversight on behalf of the constituents of Texas’ 33rd Congressional District and seeking accountability and transparency from federal agencies.

The Congressman’s statement is linked here and copied below:

“Is there anyone in this administration who isn’t remotely incompetent? Your own agency has a request on file from our office to repatriate Sabon — you’d know that if anyone over there checked their inbox before hitting tweet.

“And since you brought up today’s visit: it wasn’t about him. Staff went to Prairieland to follow up on a Christian pastor who fled Iran, was granted asylum by your own government, has serious health conditions requiring immediate medical attention — and is still sitting in your custody. That’s the story you should be answering for.

“This is exactly the problem with border theater. ICE is trying to turn routine congressional oversight into a political spectacle.”",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-sewell-renew-demand-answers-trump-administration-moves-strip,"Doggett, Sewell Renew Demand for Answers as Trump Administration Moves to Strip Nonprofits of Tax-Exempt Status",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Lloyd Doggett,D000399,doggett.house.gov,doggett,https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"IRS confirmed in April that the Members’ oversight letter had been assigned for response — four months later, not one of sixteen questions has been answered

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, today renewed their demand that Internal Revenue Service Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano answer sixteen outstanding questions about the Administration’s use of the IRS against tax-exempt organizations and their donors. The Members first wrote to Bisignano on April 14, 2026. The IRS confirmed receipt on April 22 and told the Members’ staff that the letter had been “assigned for response.” No response has ever come.

The renewed demand follows an August 27 New York Postreport that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his aides are preparing audits, revocations of tax-exempt status, and back-tax and penalty assessments against charitable organizations identified by their perceived opposition to the Administration rather than by any violation of the tax laws. The reported vehicle is a September 2025 presidential memorandum directing scrutiny of nonprofits alleged to operate for a “substantial illegal purpose.”

“With an alarming new report that the Trump regime is weaponizing the Tax Code against civic organizations that oppose the Trump agenda, we are renewing our demand for answers from the IRS. In response to my direct questions in March this year, Mr. Bisignano insisted ‘100 percent’ that he would not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on political targeting. Yet, he is stonewalling our requests for information about this potential wrongdoing. We need answers now, not after Trump’s attempts to destroy important nonprofit organizations are implemented,” said Rep. Doggett.

“The American people will not stand for Donald Trump’s blatant attempts to weaponize the federal government to attack organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center - whose mission is to protect the civil rights of all communities and defend our democracy against violent extremism,” said Rep. Sewell. “It is a federal crime for political leaders to direct the IRS to investigate or audit individual taxpayers, and Congress must know why charitable organizations that are not aligned with Donald Trump’s political agenda are being targeted.”

The Members’ letter renews all sixteen requests from April and asks the Service to identify the office to which the letter was assigned, the status of that response, and every official at the IRS, Treasury, or the White House who has handled it.

Opposition to the reported campaign is not confined to one party. Writing the day after the Post report, Walter Olson of the conservative Cato Institute observed that “[t]he IRS is not supposed to apply an ideological line in revoking tax exemption,” and cautioned: “Protect your opponents’ rights, and when the wheel turns, you may find that you’ve protected your own as well.”

BACKGROUND

Section 7217 of the Internal Revenue Code makes it a federal crime for the President, the Vice President, the Treasury Secretary, and members of their staff to request, directly or indirectly, that the IRS audit or investigate any particular taxpayer. It also requires IRS officers and employees to report any such request to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

At a March 4, 2026 Ways and Means Committee hearing, Rep. Doggett asked Bisignano whether he had received “either directly or indirectly any communication from anyone in the Trump regime suggesting that specific tax-exempt organizations should be scrutinized because of their political views.” Bisignano answered: “No.” Asked to commit that under his leadership the IRS would not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on political targeting, he answered: “100%. We’re here to administer the law, uphold the law.”

The April 14, 2026 letter, signed by Doggett, Sewell, and fourteen colleagues, asked the IRS whether the President, the Treasury Secretary, or their staff had requested audits or investigations of particular taxpayers; who assembled the reported list of investigative targets; whether protected taxpayer information had been disclosed to the Department of Justice, Treasury, or White House staff; and what protections exist for IRS employees who decline to participate in politically motivated enforcement.

In October 2025, Ways and Means Democrats asked the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to investigate reports that the Administration was encouraging the IRS to facilitate criminal investigations of Democratic donors and “left-leaning” nonprofit groups.

Full text of the letter is available here.

Full text of the April 2026 letter is available here.

New York Post reporting on the Trump administration’s plans to crack down on nonprofits is available here.

Rep. Doggett Questions Trump IRS CEO Bisignano

Doggett: If you would sir, with a simple yes or no, tell us whether you have received either directly or indirectly any communication from anyone in the Trump regime suggesting that specific tax-exempt organizations should be scrutinized because of their political views?

Bisignano: No.

Doggett. You have not. Good. And will you commit today that under your leadership the IRS will not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on political targeting?

Bisignano: 100%. We're here to administer the law, uphold the law, uphold the law.

Doggett: Thank you. Just to be clear what I'm talking about though, in that regard, the Wall Street Journal reported “the Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of some groups more easily.” So are they in error and no such sweeping changes or any changes are being prepared there to use the IRS?

Bisignano: I hope that you understand that every form of the daily news is not a Bible.

Doggett: That's why I'm asking.

Bisignano: Not a Bible, sir.

Doggett Yeah, that's absolutely right. And I'm asking you about this.

Bisignano: I've actually never heard that or seen.

Doggett: You've never heard that the Trump administration was trying to weaponize the IRS?

Bisignano: 100% not.

Doggett: Then you're not familiar with President Trump's tweet specifically attacking Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, asking that it's tax-exempt status should be re-evaluated? You didn't . . . you're not aware of that?

Bisignano: I don't track tweets sir.

Doggett: You don't track Truth Social. It doesn't have anything to do with your work?

Bisignano: You will not find my social media presence anywhere.

Doggett: Well, this is the President of course not very interested in ethics so I was very concerned about that.

###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3337,Congresswoman Escobar Votes to Extend Government Funding,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after voting to fund the federal government:

“Today, I voted in favor of the Senate legislation to fund our government, protect vulnerable populations, continue funding vital programs, and avoid yet another Republican shutdown.

“This is a bipartisan Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds our government through mid-December; this is what happens when the Republican majority works with Democrats — agreement is indeed possible.

“I will continue to work diligently through the Appropriations Committee to advance long term funding bills that prioritize our community and avoid the culture war provisions my Republican colleagues continue to obsess about.”",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-statement-passage-continuing-resolution-avoids,"Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Statement on Passage of the Continuing Resolution, Avoids Government Shutdown",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate-passed continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through December 11, 2026:

“Congress has an obligation to keep our government funded and ensure Americans can access the critical support they need to get ahead in life. Today’s continuing resolution will assure essential federal programs and services remain open and accessible to South Texans, including for our veterans, senior citizens, and the many working families who continue to struggle to afford rent and healthcare and put food on the table. For our military, this extension also allows us to maintain military readiness and deliver on-time paychecks to American troops as they honorably serve our nation at home and abroad.

“Notably, this bill delays the Administration’s proposed rule to disrupt the flow of federal funding to our local communities, small businesses, colleges and universities, hospitals, health clinics and more.

“The end of the fiscal year is quickly approaching, and we cannot continue to fund our government with short-term solutions. I urge Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leadership to stop wasting time and work in a bipartisan fashion to negotiate full-year funding bills that will lower costs and rein in the corruption of this Administration.”",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-demands-justice-for-lorenzo-salgado-araujo-on-house-floor,Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Demands Justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on House Floor,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,TX,Sylvia R. Garcia,G000587,sylviagarcia.house.gov,sylviagarcia,https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) spoke on the House floor to demand answers and accountability for the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father of three who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston on July 7, 2026.

WATCH Congresswoman Garcia's full remarks HERE.

Full remarks:

Mr. Speaker, I'm here to speak about a killing in my district on July the seventh. An ICE agent shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an unarmed man with no criminal record, who was not even the target of their investigation.

He was headed to a construction job when ICE aggressively pursued his van in unmarked vehicles, no sirens, no body cameras, no dash cameras. Just two unmarked cars following them.

Then an ICE agent fired through the open passenger-side window where Mr. Lorenzo's brother was sitting and killed him.

Afterward, came the same disgraceful playbook we saw after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

They claimed Mr. Lorenzo, who was the driver, had weaponized his vehicle, and that an agent had acted in self-defense. But I spoke directly with two of the men inside that van. They tell me ICE never identified themselves, never gave commands, and no agent was ever in front of the van.

Then, in an added layer of cruelty, DHS, the Department of Homeland Security, released Mr. Salgado's name publicly before notifying his family.

I was at the hospital when his son had to learn through Facebook that his father was dead. It was sickening. It was disheartening. It was despicable.

Days later, DHS tried to smear Mr. Lorenzo even further by suggesting that drugs had been found in the van. It was not drugs. It was a homemade electrolyte mix workers use to survive the Texas heat.

This is an outrageous abuse of government power.

ICE pursued the wrong van and killed an unarmed man who wasn't their target and had no criminal record.

And now we are expected to trust DHS to investigate itself. That's laughable. Absolutely not. No way.

We need a real independent investigation. We need all evidence released, and we need real accountability.

And we need the truth about what happened to Mr. Salgado.

His family deserves the truth.

The public deserves accountability.

We need justice for Mr. Salgado, and we need justice for all those killed at the hands of ICE, or those in the custody of ICE.

We demand accountability, and as the gentle lady has said, we need real justice for all.",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-announces-over-161-million-south-texas-schools,Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Announces Over $161 Million for South Texas Schools,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced $161,327,669 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Title I formula allocation funds for the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

""Education is the great equalizer,"" said Congressman Gonzalez. “We owe it to the children of South Texas to provide the resources and support needed to succeed in and beyond the classroom. As the current Administration continues to threaten the Department of Education’s existence and strip funding from our public schools, I remain steadfast in my commitment to securing federal investments for our communities. Every student, regardless of background or zip code, deserves a fair chance at achieving their full potential.”

Title I is the largest K-12 federal grant program that supports the development and creation of equitable opportunities for student success. Funding can be used for a range of services, including the hiring and training of teachers and support staff, the purchase of instructional materials and technology, and improving student and family engagement programs. In South Texas, nearly all major Independent School Districts qualify as Title I districts and serve eligible campuses.

The following allocations have been allotted to school districts in the 34th Congressional District of Texas:",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-highlights-work-across-tx-18-during-august-work-period,Congressman Menefee Highlights Work Across TX-18 During August Work Period,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — As the August Work Period comes to a close, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) released the following statement highlighting his work and meetings with constituents, community leaders, health care providers, and small businesses across Texas’s 18th Congressional District.

“As a first-term Member of Congress, it was a privilege to spend my first August Work Period back home in Houston, focused on what matters most to my work in Congress, the people of Texas’s 18th Congressional District,” said Congressman Menefee. “Being home gave me the opportunity to hear directly from the people I represent about what they are experiencing, what they need from their federal government, and what I can take back to Washington to fight for.”

Throughout the August Work Period, Congressman Menefee traveled across TX-18 to meet with constituents and hear directly about the issues affecting Houston families. He attended more than 10 back-to-school events across the district, including events at Texas Southern University, Marshall Middle Academy of Fine Arts and the Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center. These events provided students with free school supplies and other resources ahead of the new school year, while giving Congressman Menefee an opportunity to speak with parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders about the rising costs families face when preparing their children to return to school.

Congressman Menefee also visited health care providers across the district, including HOPE Clinic during National Health Center Week and Garden Oaks Dialysis Center. During the visits, he met with health care professionals and community leaders to discuss the rising cost of health care, barriers to accessing care, and the importance of protecting federal investments that help providers continue serving Houston families.

As part of his continued focus on lowering costs and supporting Houston’s economy, Congressman Menefee met with local small business owners, including Pour Decisions and Common Bond Bistro & Bakery. The Congressman heard directly from business owners about rising operating costs and other challenges facing local entrepreneurs and discussed ways he can better support small businesses and expand access to resources and capital.

Congressman Menefee also participated in several roundtables and community discussions throughout the district focused on affordability, environmental justice, and other issues affecting TX-18. These conversations allowed the Congressman to hear directly from residents about rising household costs and longstanding environmental concerns in Houston communities and will help inform his work when Congress returns to Washington.

Throughout the August Work Period, Congressman Menefee’s district staff continued assisting constituents with federal casework and helping them navigate federal agencies. During the busy summer travel season, the office worked to resolve passport delays and other time-sensitive issues, helping more dozens of constituents with passport cases alone.

Congressman Menefee also continued calling for transparency and accountability following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an encounter with federal immigration officers in Houston earlier this summer. In addition to assisting constituents with immigration-related casework, Congressman Menefee supported legislative efforts to protect immigrant communities, including the No TSA Data for ICE Act. He also joined a letter to Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership raising concerns about health and safety conditions in ICE detention centers and calling for greater accountability which would help to curb ICE’s lawlessness and ensure greater transparency and accountability from federal immigration authorities.

As the 119th Congress enters its final stretch, Congressman Menefee is more determined than ever to deliver results for TX-18. He is also preparing for what comes next, so when Democrats take back the House, they are ready on day one to hold the Trump administration and congressional Republicans accountable for corruption, policies that have driven up costs, and decisions that have failed working families.",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-fox-26-houston-article-below-titled-texas-lawmakers-community-leaders,"ICYMI: The Fox 26 Houston article below, titled “Texas lawmakers, community leaders back impeachment articles over ICE enforcement operations.""",2026-08-29,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Fox 26 Houston article below, titled “Texas lawmakers, community leaders back impeachment articles over ICE enforcement operations,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-30T10:18:21Z,2026-08-30T10:19:31Z
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-calls-for-release-of-san-antonio-us-naval-academy-midshipmans-mom-to-be-released-from-dilley-trailer-prison,Castro Calls for Release of San Antonio U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman’s Mom to Be Released from Dilley Trailer Prison,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Joaquin Castro,C001091,castro.house.gov,castro,https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"SAN ANTONIO, TX — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the statement below regarding a San Antonio student whose mother is being detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. Today, Castro will go to Dilley for his ninth visit this year alongside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Congressional team.

“Earlier this year, I proudly nominated David Garcia to the U.S. Naval Academy because of his academic excellence and commitment to service. He began as a midshipman this summer.

“Right now, his mother, Maria, is locked away at the Dilley Trailer Prison. ICE took her when she showed up for her green card interview. She was doing everything the right way.

“The Trump Administration is targeting military families and leaving a dark stain on our nation.

“I am calling for ICE to release David’s mom Maria immediately.”

Background:

Earlier this year, Congressman Castro successfully nominated David Garcia to be appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy. Garcia started as a midshipman this summer. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained his mother, Maria Rocio Rocha, while she was at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office for a green card interview on August 25, 2026. She was then transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, also known as the Dilley Trailer Prison.

Additional Information:

This morning, Castro joined Democracy Now! and called on ICE to immediately release Maria Rocio Rocha. Find the transcript below:

The Trump Administration, it's clear, is also targeting military families. We've seen this kind of story come up now several times.

David Garcia is an outstanding young man from San Antonio in my congressional district. I nominated him to the U.S. Naval Academy and he's there right now. Unfortunately, his mom had been granted parole in place and showed up for her green card interview and when she did, ICE took her.

Now she's sitting in that Dilley Trailer Prison as her son is at the U.S. Naval Academy as we speak. I've been in contact with ICE. I'm working on his mom Maria's case, and I'm hoping to see her today. But we were still working out getting all of the privacy and permission forms that we need.

You've got this young man who is serving his country, who absolutely represents the best of us—his mom that was doing everything right, as they say—and still, Donald Trump and his administration, with the help of governors like Greg Abbott, are targeting them.

###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-calls-dhs-immediately-release-iranian-christian,Congressman Veasey Calls on DHS to Immediately Release Iranian Christian Pastor Granted Asylum as Health Deteriorates in Detention,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Marc A. Veasey,V000131,veasey.house.gov,veasey,https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"August 28, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) is calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expedite the release of Elmira Azizi, an Iranian Christian pastor currently detained at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, after she was granted asylum in the United States. Azizi fled Iran after facing persecution because of her Christian faith. According to her attorneys, she has now been granted asylum, has no criminal record, and remains in federal immigration custody while awaiting DHS to complete the process necessary for her release. Azizi suffers from a life-threatening medical condition which she was able to successfully manage prior to detention. During her detention, Azizi’s health has rapidly deteriorated, and her declining health has now left her reliant on a wheelchair. “Elmira came to this country seeking refuge from religious persecution, and the United States granted her asylum. She has no criminal record, and there is no reason for allowing bureaucratic delays to put her life at further risk,” said Congressman Veasey. “Elmira has been detained for months without real justification, all the while her health has been rapidly deteriorating. She is now in a wheelchair, and is still not receiving the necessary medical care. “DHS must act with the urgency her condition demands, complete the remaining process, and release Elmira so she can get the life-saving medical treatment she desperately needs.” Congressman Veasey’s office has previously raised concerns regarding conditions and access to information and services for individuals detained at the Prairieland Detention Center. After several reports of alarming conditions and poor treatment of detainees, Congressman Veasey conducted several oversight inspections and alerted DHS and ICE to the concerns.

Issues:Immigration",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-join-state-rep-christina-morales-and-houstonians-justice,Congressman Al Green to Join State Rep. Christina Morales and Houstonians for Justice Regarding His Letter to President Trump on the Articles of Impeachment for High Crimes and Misdemeanors,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, Texas) — On Friday, August 28, 2026, Congressman Al Green will join State Rep. Christina Morales and Houstonians for Justice for a press conference concerning ICE-related deaths around the nation, including the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas. Congressman Green will share his communiqué to President Donald John Trump as well as H.Res.1486, articles of impeachment filed against the president for high crimes and misdemeanors. He will also discuss the impeachment process going forward. President Trump needs to be held responsible for his operation of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as unaccountable, quota-driven paramilitary forces.

Congressman Green is extending an invitation to all federal, state, county, and city elected officials to attend and stand with the community in support of accountability and justice. A copy of the communiqué to President Trump can be accessed online here, and the articles of impeachment are available by clicking here.

Congressman Al Green stated, “I thank State Rep. Christina Morales and Houstonians for Justice, including Johnny Mata, Cesar Espinosa, and Dr. Sergio Lira, for inviting me to discuss the letter I sent to President Trump and the articles of impeachment I filed. President Trump has empowered ICE and CBP agents to act with secrecy and impunity, placing constitutional rights and lives in jeopardy.”",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413646,Rep. Cuellar Introduces the Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Henry Cuellar,C001063,cuellar.house.gov,cuellar,https://cuellar.house.gov/news,scraper,"U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (D-TX-28) introduced the Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026 earlier this week. Congressman Cuellar’s legislation would require data centers to disclose those demands, protect local water and electric services, and pay the costs created by data center construction and operations.

The legislation would establish ten rights for communities affected by these projects:

1. The Right to Know a Data Center’s Demands.

The public must be told how much electricity and water a covered project expects to use, where those resources will come from, and how demand may grow.

2. The Right to Know the Agreements, Infrastructure Costs, Rate Effects, and Public Support.

Communities must be able to see project agreements, infrastructure costs, possible rate effects, and any taxpayer or public support.

3. The Right to Not Pay a Data Center’s Costs.

Ratepayers cannot be charged for electricity, water, wastewater, infrastructure, mitigation, or related costs caused by a covered project.

4. The Right to Reliable and Affordable Community Water.

A new project cannot come at the expense of dependable and reasonably priced water for the people and businesses already there.

5. The Right to Protection of Rural Water, Aquifers, and Agriculture. Private wells, rural water systems, farmers, and ranchers must receive monitoring, notice, and fair compensation if a project harms their water supply.

6. The Right to Reliable Electricity and Disclosure of On-Site Power and Emissions. Electric reviews would have to confirm the project can be served without materially reducing reliability for existing customers.

7. The Right to Advance Notice, Local Information, and Public Input. Residents and ratepayers must receive advance notice, useful local information, and a public meeting before major commitments are finalized.

8. The Right to Public Information that Cannot be Hidden by Contract. A private agreement cannot conceal information the public is entitled to know. 9. The Right to Protection Against Loopholes and Evasion.

A company cannot avoid the law by dividing one project among separate entities, meters, tenants, parcels, or project phases.

10. The Right to Enforcement, Refunds, and Accountability.

The rules must be enforceable and improper charges to ratepayers must be corrected.

“If a family in Laredo sees a higher utility bill because a billion-dollar project needs a new substation, or a farmer in South Texas loses dependable water without notice and protection, that’s not right,” said Congressman Cuellar. “If the project creates the cost, the project pays the cost. The family ratepayer does not.”

Under the legislation, covered data centers would be responsible for project-driven electricity, water, wastewater, infrastructure, mitigation, and other related costs. Those costs could not be passed on to families and other protected customers through higher utility rates or other charges. The legislation would require independent reviews of a project’s potential effects on local water supplies and electric reliability. Water reviews would consider impacts on households, agriculture, existing businesses, drought conditions, rural wells, and other existing water users. Electric reviews would examine issues including demand, grid reliability, outages, and necessary infrastructure upgrades.

Community members would be required to have ample opportunity to make their voices heard and see their opinions reflected in any project that receives their approval. Relevant information on resource use, costs, public assistance, and potential rate effects would be made available to the public.

“South Texas welcomes economic development and investment, but growth should not mean higher bills for working families or less dependable water for agriculture,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Tell the public what the project will use, protect our water and electric services, and pay the costs your project creates.”",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-daily-caller-article-below-titled-crypto-industry-raining-millions,"ICYMI: The Daily Caller article below, titled “Crypto Industry Raining Millions on Candidates That Back Its Favorite Bill.""",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Daily Caller article below, titled “Crypto Industry Raining Millions on Candidates That Back Its Favorite Bill,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3329,Congresswoman Escobar Urges TCEQ to Provide More Information on Marathon Refinery Incident,2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Veronica Escobar,E000299,escobar.house.gov,escobar,https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Chairwoman Brooke Paup requesting that TCEQ answer questions about the Marathon Refinery Incident from earlier this month. This letter to the TCEQ follows the Congresswoman's call on the EPA to investigate the incident.

The full letter can be found hereor below:

Dear Chairwoman Paup:

I write as a follow up to my letter to the EPA regarding the Marathon Petroleum emissions event on August 4–5, 2026 and the refinery’s compliance with its air permit and its communication with surrounding communities and local officials.

Initial reports filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) showed that the release of pollutants was approximately 8,897.9 pounds of propylene, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 19.1 pounds of 1,3-butadiene, all exceeding permitted allowances. New reports filed with TCEQ show that emissions from Marathon Petroleum continued for three days and that pollutants emitted included 10,066 pounds of propylene and a little under 1,600 pounds of sulfur dioxide, more than the initial reports and all exceeding permitted allowances. Exposures to these gases are both an environmental and public health concern.

Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions remain a concern. I ask that TCEQ provide answers to the following questions as soon as possible:

Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?

When did Marathon notify TCEQ, and what information did it provide?

Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?

Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by TCEQ or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?

What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?

Has TCEQ independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?

What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does TCEQ believe is warranted?

El Paso residents need fast, transparent communication when dangerous pollutants threaten their community. It is crucial that TCEQ holds Marathon fully accountable for violations and implements safeguards to stop these incidents from happening again. Please ensure my office is kept in the loop on all investigation and enforcement proceedings related to the Marathon refinery.

Thank you for your swift attention to this matter, and I look forward to working together to protect El Paso and El Pasoans.

# # #

Related News",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7453,"Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Announces More Than 17,000 Matters Resolved on Behalf of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District Residents",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Lizzie Fletcher,F000468,fletcher.house.gov,fletcher,https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that her office has successfully resolved more than 17,000 matters for residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District. Her office assists residents with matters before federal agencies, including obtaining benefits from Social Security, Medicare, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as addressing matters before the Small Business Administration, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Internal Revenue Service, and other federal government agencies.

“Every day, our team of constituent advocates works to serve our constituents on matters of all kinds, helping those seeking assistance with federal agencies,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “I am grateful to the residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District who have put their trust in me and my team to help resolve some of their most pressing problems. I am proud of our team, and I look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors and helping our community in every way we can.”

Below are some testimonials from constituents Congresswoman Fletcher and her team have helped:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

""I contacted the office of Lizzie Fletcher two weeks ago to address an issue I had with getting my citizenship process moving as I was out of answers from contacting them myself. Within a week, I received an email from USCIS with an interview for my citizenship. I am so glad that we have people looking out for the public and taxpayers. Thank you very much to the office of Lizzie Fletcher for resolving my inquiry.""

- Thomas L.

United States Department of State

“My brother and his family applied for a tourist visa in June 2023, but their application was quickly placed in administrative processing. Despite providing additional evidence for their eligibility, the case remained stalled. For two years, we reached out every six months, but the status was in an endless limbo with no clear way to track its progress.

“I wrote to Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s office to explain our situation. As an American Venezuelan family, we had not been able to gather since 2017, and we were in desperate need of support to move the visa forward. I also had the opportunity to meet with her constituent advocates in Alief, and they were incredibly open and receptive, especially Sofia, who offered to investigate my case.

“After two years had passed, I was already discussing the need to re-apply when an email arrived from [Constituent Advocate] Sofia, notifying me that the visas would finally be issued by the Rio de Janeiro U.S. Consulate! Their swift intervention helped to get the process back on track. This [meant] that our three siblings and our entire family—separated for seven long years—[could] be reunited for Christmas. I was super excited to hear the great news!

“What I most appreciate is the openness and efficiency of Congresswoman Fletcher’s office. I felt instantly heard, and they acted upon my request right away. It was my first time asking for this kind of support, and I never imagined the help could be provided so quickly. Thank you to Congresswoman Fletcher and her entire team for their hard work. You have made this Christmas an unforgettable one for our family. We will be forever grateful.""

- Sheila M.

Social Security Administration

“I contacted Congresswoman Fletcher’s office because I was having difficulty with my Social Security Disability. After several phone calls to SSA, I decided to contact Representative Fletcher for assistance. Her office responded to me extremely quickly and was so kind in assisting me. They took their time to understand the problem and helped me resolve the issue. Within a week of talking with Representative Fletcher’s office, the problem with my disability was resolved. What I had been dealing with for months, her office resolved in a week. I can’t thank Congresswoman Fletcher and the amazing staff that she has enough. Without them, I would very likely still be trying to resolve the issue on my own. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart!”

- Charles L.",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-christian-menefee-accepting-military-academy-nominations,Rep. Christian Menefee Accepting Military Academy Nominations,2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Congressman Christian Menefee is accepting applications for Military Academy Nominations from students in Texas’s 18th Congressional District.

Rep. Menefee is proud to have the opportunity to nominate outstanding students from our district to attend each of the nation’s service academies:

U.S. Military Academy (USMA)

U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)

U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).

Each nomination gives students the opportunity to pursue a rigorous education while preparing for a career of leadership, service, and commitment to our country. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Eligible applicants must generally be U.S. citizens, TX-18 residents, unmarried, and between the ages of 17 and 23, with some age requirements varying by academy. Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements established by the respective service academies and be prepared to fulfill the service commitment associated with attending an academy.

Applications are due October 2nd, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Students interested in applying should review the full eligibility requirements, application materials, and instructions on Rep. Menefee’s official websitebefore submitting their application.",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-al-green-sent-communique-president-donald-trump-formally,ICYMI: Congressman Al Green sent a communiqué to President Donald Trump formally notifying him that he filed H.Res.1486 to impeach President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX) – On Monday, August 24, 2026, Congressman Al Green sent a communiqué to President Donald Trump formally notifying him that he filed H.Res.1486 to impeach President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. Please see the next page for a copy of Congressman Green’s letter to President Trump.",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-files-hres1486-impeach-president-donald-john-trump-high,"Congressman Al Green Files H.Res.1486, to Impeach President Donald John Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors",2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) — On Monday, August 24, 2026, Congressman Al Green filed H.Res.1486, to impeach President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. The resolution states that President Trump abused his presidential powers by allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate without accountability, assault civilians, and cover up killings, including those of Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. Following the filing of H.Res.1486, Congressman Green sent a communiqué to President Trump formally notifying him of the filing.

The full articles of impeachment are available by clicking here. Congressman Green’s letter to President Trump is also accessible for the public to read by clicking here.",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-al-green-files-articles-impeachment-against-president-donald-john-trump,Rep. Al Green Files Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald John Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"On Monday, August 24, 2026, Rep. Al Green announced that he has filed articles of impeachment, H.Res. 1486, to impeach President Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors.

For a comprehensive overview of the articles and the specific charges outlined, please refer to the official documents linked by clicking here.",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/democrats-urge-trump-administration-enforce-usmca-environmental-rules-vaquita,Democrats Urge Trump Administration to Enforce USMCA Environmental Rules as Vaquita Nears Extinction,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Lloyd Doggett,D000399,doggett.house.gov,doggett,https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—One year after an independent investigation confirmed that Mexico is failing to enforce its own wildlife, fisheries, and trade laws, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) led 38 House Democrats in urging U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to enforce USMCA environmental protections. They seek answers on Mexico's failure to meet its environmental obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, of which only ten are believed to remain.

The members state, “We write with concerns about enforcement of Mexico's environmental obligations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and specifically Mexico's failure to enforce its own wildlife, fisheries, and trade laws in the Upper Gulf of California. A year has passed since the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) determined that the US complaint was meritorious. We would like to understand what the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has done since, and what it intends to do next.”

The CEC report documents what the members call “a clear pattern of lax enforcement that undermines conservation laws and subsidizes unfair fishing practices.” Although Mexico has banned gillnets in vaquita habitat since 2020, investigators found fishermen continuing to use the illegal gear at the same rate. Of the 850 satellite trackers Mexico agreed to install on Upper Gulf vessels by 2023, only ten had been installed by last year.

The members ask USTR whether the environment consultations opened with Mexico in 2022 remain active, how USTR has used the August 2025 report to press Mexico to shut down illegal gillnet fishing and totoaba trafficking, and when USTR will escalate the matter to a dispute panel and pursue penalties. The members request a written response and a staff briefing within 30 days.

The letter follows the effort Rep. Doggett led in November 2025, with House Democrats urging Ambassador Greer to significantly strengthen Chapter 24, the USMCA's environment chapter, in the mandatory six-year review of the agreement. As the members write here, their intent is “to build a clear record of what the existing mechanisms under USMCA have and have not produced, to better inform efforts to strengthen the USMCA.”

The full letter can be read here.

###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-42-million-federal-funds-cameron-county-sheriffs,Congressman Gonzalez Secures $4.2 Million in Federal Funds for Cameron County Sheriff’s Office,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact:Alexis Torres

Olmito, Texas—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), joined by the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Manny Treviño, delivered $375,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding he secured for the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. The funding will be used to upgrade 61 patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant windshields, providing an added layer of protection for the 115 uniformed deputies who serve Cameron County. The Congressman also announced $3,880,000 in federal funding delivered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Operation Stonegarden to improve border security and support additional law enforcement personnel, overtime pay, new equipment, and other applicable activities.

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each day to protect our communities, and they deserve the reliable equipment needed to stay safe and return home to their families,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Thanks to the funding I secured and passed into law, we are strengthening community safety and empowering Cameron County to enhance its recruitment and retention of skilled deputies. I’m grateful for Sheriff Treviño’s leadership and for every deputy, dispatcher, and member of the Sheriff’s Office working to ensure South Texas remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work, and raise a family.”

“The funding opportunity for ballistic-resistant windshields for our patrol vehicles is especially meaningful to our agency. This equipment will provide an additional layer of protection for our deputies as they serve and protect our community each day. We sincerely appreciate Congressman Gonzalez’s continued support of law enforcement and his commitment to providing agencies like ours with the resources we need to protect our deputies and the citizens of Cameron County,” said Sheriff Treviño.",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-statement-on-days-long-power-outage-in-rose-plaza-apartment-complex,Congressman Menefee Statement on Days-Long Power Outage in Rose Plaza Apartment Complex,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Christian D. Menefee,M001245,menefee.house.gov,menefee,https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, TX — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) released the following statement regarding the days-long power outage at the Rose Plaza Apartment Complex in Houston’s Fifth Ward. While power has been restored to some units, approximately half of the complex remains without electricity.

“What’s happening at Rose Plaza is completely unacceptable. In the middle of a Houston summer, families have now gone days without air conditioning and other basic necessities. That is dangerous, especially for our seniors and neighbors with health conditions.

The property owner has a responsibility to keep residents safe and to get this problem fixed as quickly as possible. Families should not be left sitting in the Texas heat for days waiting for their power to come back on.

My team is on the ground working to make sure residents are getting the help and resources they need. If you live at Rose Plaza and need assistance, please reach out to my office. We’re here to help,” said Congressman Menefee.

Based on information available to the Congressman’s office, the outage does not appear to be related to CenterPoint Energy’s equipment. CenterPoint technicians visited the property last week to assess the situation, and the remaining electrical issues appear to be on the property owner’s side.

Crews are currently working to restore power to the remaining buildings. At this time, however, there is no estimated timeline for when power will be fully restored across the complex.

“These are families, seniors, and children who have been without power, and they need help now. In Fifth Ward, we look out for our neighbors. That’s what this community has always done, and that’s what we’re doing now. But Rose Plaza has a responsibility to the people who call this place home. They need to make this right, take care of these families, and do whatever it takes to help residents recover from what they’ve been put through,” said Sandra Edwards, President of the 5th Ward Civic Club.

The American Red Cross and United Way are providing relief to residents impacted by the outage. Bottled water and food are being distributed, and assistance is available to help families replace groceries lost during the prolonged power outage.

Families in need of assistance with food, housing, utilities, or other essential needs can call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905, or visit 211texas.org.

Rose Plaza residents who need additional assistance are also encouraged to contact Congressman Menefee’s Houston office at (713) 655-0050 or visit menefee.house.gov.

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###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-al-green-joined-hello-houston-discuss-slavery-remembrance,"ICYMI: Congressman Al Green Joined Hello Houston to Discuss Slavery Remembrance Day, Impeachment, and Immigration Enforcement Accountability",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Congressman Al Green Joined Hello Houston to Discuss Slavery Remembrance Day, Impeachment, and Immigration Enforcement Accountability.

You can access the segment by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/jerusalem-post-article-titled-jewish-violence-west-bank-terrorism-and-israel,"The Jerusalem Post article, titled “Jewish violence in the West Bank is terrorism - and Israel must admit it.""",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Jewish violence in the West Bank is terrorism - and Israel must admit it - opinion,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-stands-support-us-air-force-major-jason-watson-following,Congressman Al Green Stands in Support of U.S. Air Force Major Jason Watson Following Latest Detention,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX)—On Thursday, August 20, 2026, Congressman Al Green released the following statement regarding U.S. Air Force Major Jason Watson following reports that he was taken into custody again on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after informing his chain of command that he would no longer wear his military uniform. Major Watson previously joined Congressman Al Green, Jessica Denson, founder of the Removal Coalition, and other advocates in a peaceful demonstration on July 1, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Congressman Green stood alongside Major Watson at the demonstration and witnessed his arrest on the steps of the U.S. Capitol following the protest.

Congressman Al Green stated, “Major Watson dedicated more than two decades of his life to serving our country and defending the Constitution. His decision to no longer wear the uniform he has worn in service to this nation is a powerful symbolic expression of his belief that his oath is first and foremost an oath to the Constitution. I stood with Major Watson as he called for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of President Donald Trump, and I continue to stand with him today. Impeachment is a constitutional remedy and a means of holding a president accountable for abuses of power. Major Watson and I share the conviction that no person, including the President of the United States, is above the law, which is why I will file new articles of impeachment before the end of this month.”",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-vicente-gonzalez-secures-850000-kleberg-countys-baffin-bay-boat,"Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Secures $850,000 for Kleberg County’s Baffin Bay Boat Ramp, Fishing Pier",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Vicente Gonzalez,G000581,gonzalez.house.gov,gonzalez,https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Contact: Alexis Torres

Riviera, Texas—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), joined by Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid, Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate, and other local officials, delivered $850,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding he secured for the construction of a boat ramp and other upgrades to the existing fishing pier and parking lot at Baffin Bay.

“Coastal Bend families deserve modern infrastructure, and these funds will be used to enhance public access to Baffin Bay, mitigate shoreline erosion, support local law enforcement operations, and serve as a catalyst for expanded marine research throughout Laguna Madre,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Through my close partnership with Judge Madrid, Mayor Fugate, and local leaders, I successfully secured this project and passed it into law. I look forward to its completion.”

“What a great project, and as usual, Vicente Gonzalez made it happen. We’re fortunate to have him as our congressman,” said Mayor Fugate.

“Kleberg County is very grateful to Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for spearheading our efforts on securing this funding. These monies will go directly toward ecotourism, law enforcement, border protection, and will be utilized by Texas A&M Kingsville’s upcoming Marine Biology Program. ¡Saludos!” said Judge Madrid.

As a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gonzalez successfully secured $12.6 million in federal funds for 15 community projects this past year, including for recreational and public safety improvements at Baffin Bay.",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-host-historic-5th-annual-slavery-remembrance-legislative,Congressman Al Green to Host Historic 5th Annual Slavery Remembrance Legislative Update: ‘Harder Yet May Be the Fight’,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Houston, TX) — On Saturday, August 22, 2026, Congressman Al Green will host the historic 5th Annual Slavery Remembrance Legislative Update Breakfast under the theme ‘Harder Yet May Be the Fight.’ Special guests include prominent clergy, public officials, and civic organizations from the Greater Houston Area. The event is scheduled to take place at the Wyndham Hotel near NRG Park, located at 8686 Kirby Drive, 610 South Houston, TX 77054, starting at 9:00 AM CT. Seats are limited and free to the general public by registering online by clicking here.

Congressman Al Green’s Slavery Remembrance Legislative Update is a timely observance of the Congressional designation of August 20th as Slavery Remembrance Day. As part of Congressman Green’s Conscience Agenda, he will provide updates on legislation recognizing August as Slavery Remembrance Day and Month, awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to the enslaved, America's economic foundational mothers and fathers, and highlighting congressional resolutions honoring Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and former Congressman Craig Anthony Washington for their enduring contributions to the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.

Congressman Al Green stated, “The theme of this year's 5th Annual Slavery Remembrance Day, 'Harder Yet May Be the Fight,' is more than a reflection; it is a call to conscience. It is a solemn reminder that America's greatness was built, in part, upon the unpaid labor and immeasurable sacrifices of more than 10 million lost to the institution of slavery. As we observe this day and commemorate August as Slavery Remembrance Month, we honor the legacies of Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and Congressman Craig Anthony Washington, as well as the enslaved whose names history may never record, but whose contributions history can never erase. Their lives remind us that progress has never come without sacrifice, and justice has never prevailed without persistence. If harder yet may be the fight, then greater yet must be our determination to remember, to reconcile, and to repair.”",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rolling-out-article-below-titled-al-green-pushes-new-slavery-remembrance,"ICYMI: The Rolling Out article below, titled “Al Green pushes new Slavery Remembrance Day proposal.""",2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Rolling Out article below, titled “Al Green pushes new Slavery Remembrance Day proposal,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-reacts-abbotts-refusal-fulfill-his-constitutional-duty-extradite,Doggett Reacts to Abbott’s Refusal to Fulfill His Constitutional Duty to Extradite Accused Felon,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Lloyd Doggett,D000399,doggett.house.gov,doggett,https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Austin, TX—Today, Representative Lloyd Doggett, who represents the Texas State Capitol, issued the following statement after the State of Minnesota sued Governor Abbott Tuesday to compel the extradition of an ICE agent charged in a Minneapolis shooting:

“As an excuse for shirking his duty to extradite an accused felon, Governor Abbott has attacked Minnesota, the state where the alleged crime occurred. His claim that he does not trust Governor Tim Walz is belied by the fact that less than a week ago, he forwarded an order to extradite another accused to Minnesota.

Abbott has approved every Minnesota extradition request for the past five years, including three this summer while leaving this one unsigned. The only difference is that the accused in this case is an ICE agent charged with the type of unnecessary violence that ICE has permitted. Unless Abbott acts, this accused felon could be back on the street next week. Abbott is more interested in burnishing his well-known anti-immigrant credentials than following the law.”

A letter from all Texas Democratic Congressmembers, urging Governor Abbott to proceed with the requested extradition can be found here.

###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-economic-times-article-below-titled-haiti-humanitarian-crisis-rep-al,"ICYMI: The Economic Times article below, titled “'Haiti is in a humanitarian crisis…':  Rep. Al Green torches Trump over Haitian TPS termination.""",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Economic Times article below, titled “'Haiti is in a humanitarian crisis…':

Rep. Al Green torches Trump over Haitian TPS termination,” speaks for itself.",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-jerusalem-post-article-below-titled-israel-should-kill-30-40-gazans,"ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israel should kill ‘30-40’ Gazans every night, Ben-Gvir says on ex-hostage’s podcast.""",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,TX,Al Green,G000553,algreen.house.gov,algreen,https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israel should kill ‘30-40’ Gazans every night, Ben-Gvir says on ex-hostage’s podcast,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here.",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z