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://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2940,Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: The ‘Affordability’ Democrats? You Have to Be Kidding,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This week’s editorial from the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board highlights the hypocrisy of Congressional Democrats “affordability” agenda given their long track record of raising costs on gas, groceries, housing, and health care while in power. “So what are Democrats now proposing to improve affordability? More of the same policies—more spending on welfare and “affordable” housing, more green-energy subsidies, more healthcare regulation and higher minimum wages nationwide,” the Editorial Board wrote. Read the full WSJ Editorial here or below: The ‘Affordability’ Democrats? You Have to Be Kidding From healthcare to housing to energy, their policies have made life more expensive. Wall Street Journal Editorial Board September 29, 2026 Democrats are trying to capitalize on voter frustration with inflation by running on “affordability.” Fair enough, but then let’s look at their record in power on the cost of living and what they propose if they win. Affordable by whom is the question. One basic measure is inflation, which captures the overall price level. The consumer price index increased on average 5% a year during the Biden Presidency, versus 1.9% during the first Trump term and 2.9% so far during the second. Both parties contributed to the initial burst of inflation during the Biden years with their spending splurge in late 2020. But Democrats in March 2021 fueled the fire with their $1.9 trillion spending blitz, largely for transfer payments and for states and localities. The Federal Reserve made the mistake of accommodating the spending binge. Yet as inflation heated up in 2021, Democrats urged the central bank not to raise interest rates. The Biden team also relaxed mortgage underwriting standards, which enabled borrowers to qualify for bigger mortgages and turbocharged the surge in home prices. Housing prices rose 5.3% a year on average during the Biden years, compared to 2.7% during the first Trump term and 3.7% so far in the second. Prices initially shot up more in Sun Belt areas during the pandemic owing to a demand shock from population migration. But as housing supply caught up, prices have stabilized in these markets. By contrast, home prices and rents are now growing fastest in the Northeast, West Coast and areas of the Midwest where local zoning regulations and burdensome permitting make it harder to build. Rent control and “just cause” eviction laws in progressive cities also deter new housing. Over the last year, housing prices have grown significantly faster in metro areas like Boston (4.4%), New York City (4.4%), Minneapolis (3.7%) and Los Angeles (3.4%) than Dallas (1.9%), Atlanta (1.4%), Houston (0.3%) and Tampa (-0.6%). It costs on average about 2.8 times as much to build an apartment in California as in Texas, according to the RAND Corp. Some “affordable” housing projects in the Golden State cost more than $1 million per unit to build. One reason is state and local prevailing wage mandates, which Democrats want to require for all projects that benefit from federal funds. Democrats also want to raise the $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage to $15 or higher. Most Democratic-run states already impose minimum wages of at least $15 an hour, so this would mainly slam states with lower wage mandates, many of which have contested Senate races this year like Texas, Iowa and New Hampshire (all $7.25) and Ohio ($11). Businesses pass on higher wage costs to consumers to the extent they can. Gasoline prices have shot up amid the war in Iran. But the inflation-adjusted average of $3.43 a gallon across the second Trump term is still lower than the $3.89 average in the Biden years. The average was $3.27 in the first Trump term, as the nearby chart shows. Recall how the Biden Administration tried to restrict oil and gas production by cancelling leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, banning new offshore drilling in much of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts, and pausing leases on federal lands. The result: Higher prices. Or consider the climate-policy utopia of California, where gasoline costs $6.37 a gallon and diesel $8.40. The state’s cap-and-tax program, low carbon fuel standard and hefty fuel taxes have driven up fuel prices and spurred refineries to shut down. Democrats now talk less about climate than during the Biden years, but their goal of banishing fossil fuels persists. Democrats blame President Trump and data centers for rising electricity costs, but rates have generally increased with inflation since the pandemic. The exception is Democratic-led states along the coasts, which have forced fossil-fuel and nuclear plants to shut down prematurely and tried to replace them with more expensive renewables like offshore wind and batteries. The average residential retail electricity rates in California (33.6 cents a kilowatt hour), Massachusetts (30.5 cents), New York (29.9), Rhode Island (28.3) and New Jersey (25.2) are about double that of most Republican-led states like Florida (15 cents), Nebraska (13.8), Tennessee (13.7) and Utah (13.1). So what are Democrats now proposing to improve affordability? More of the same policies—more spending on welfare and “affordable” housing, more green-energy subsidies, more healthcare regulation and higher minimum wages nationwide. Democrats claimed the Affordable Care Act would reduce healthcare costs. But that law’s command-and-control regulations drove industry consolidation and pushed up prices instead. Premiums for employer plans have roughly doubled since 2010, rising at about twice the rate of inflation. As for tariffs, Joe Biden vowed in the 2020 campaign to repeal Mr. Trump’s first term border taxes but never did. You can’t believe Democrats will do so now, especially given that labor unions support many of the tariffs. Democrats also want to raise taxes on business, which would flow to consumers in higher prices. Americans may choose to vote for Democrats to send a message to President Trump, but expecting daily life to become more affordable under their policies is indulging hope over expensive experience. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-introduces-taxpayer-funded-compensation-accountability-act/,Cassidy Introduces Taxpayer Funded Compensation Accountability Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to ensure political appointees in the federal government do not earn a salary higher than Members of Congress. The bill would cap the annual salary of appointees at the annual salary of a U.S. Senator or Member of the House of Representatives. “If you’re paid by taxpayers, you shouldn’t make more than those who were elected by taxpayers,” said Dr. Cassidy. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-legislation-to-help-americans-better-plan-for-retirement-advances-senate/,Cassidy Legislation to Help Americans Better Plan for Retirement Advances Senate,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led efforts to pass the Claiming Age Clarity Act, a bill to help Americans better plan for retirement by ensuring they have clear information when deciding to claim Social Security benefits. The bill requires the Social Security Administration to replace current confusing terms used to describe claiming ages with clearer, more straightforward language. “Americans looking to retire are counting on the benefits they have earned. They ought to have the best financial information possible when the time comes,” said Dr. Cassidy. The Claiming Age Clarity Act has been endorsed by a variety of organizations representing elderly Americans, retirees, and individuals planning for retirement, such as the American Association of Mature Citizens Action (AMAC Action), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). “For too long, the terminology used by the Social Security Administration has misled millions of Americans into making suboptimal choices about when to claim their hard-earned benefits. This commonsense legislation is vital to ensuring older Americans make informed decisions that directly impact their financial security in retirement,” said AMAC Action’s Andrew J. Mangione. “Hard-working Americans deserve simple, straightforward information when planning for retirement, especially when it comes to claiming Social Security…We know the age at which one first claims Social Security benefits drastically impacts the total income they receive over time, and this bill will ensure that retirees are better informed in their long-term planning and decisions,” said Bipartisan Policy Center Action President Michele Stockwell. “AARP has long supported efforts to improve the terminology used by the Social Security Administration to describe claiming ages, replacing confusing terms like ‘early’ or ‘normal’ with plain-language alternatives such as ‘minimum,’ ‘standard,’ and ‘maximum’ monthly benefit age. These changes will help people better understand the lasting impact of their claiming choices and make more informed decisions to protect their financial security in retirement,” said AARP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Bill Sweeney. Background Cassidy joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the legislation in 2023. The group sent a letter to the Social Security Administration urging them to develop an action plan to help individuals make more informed claiming decisions. Cassidy has championed efforts to rescue Social Security from insolvency and repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-honors-new-orleans-native-walker-beerys-legacy-during-pediatric-brain-cancer-awareness-month/,LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Honors New Orleans Native Walker Beery’s Legacy During Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, honored the legacy of New Orleans native Walker Beery and his family’s work through Kids Join the Fight during Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Walker’s story is a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can make a lasting difference. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency. Read his full September 2026 Local Spotlight below: This month’s Local Spotlight recognizes September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, in particular, Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Behind every pediatric cancer diagnosis is a child and family whose lives are forever changed. One story I want to share today is that of New Orleans native Walker Beery and his family. At just seven years old, Walker was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain cancer. During one of his days in the hospital, another little girl also receiving treatment gave Walker a teddy bear. She was going through a difficult time herself, but still wanted to do something kind for someone else. This small act inspired Walker to do the same, in an even bigger way. And Kids Join the Fight was born. Walker dreamed of raising a million dollars to help others and cure pediatric brain cancer. Although sadly Walker passed away on September 4, 2021, before he could reach his goal, his family was determined to finish what he started. Before the end of that same year, Kids Join the Fight had raised the million dollars Walker dreamed of. And they kept going. What started as a grassroots effort led by Walker and his friends has grown into an organization helping families, advancing the fight against pediatric cancer, and providing grants to families across the country. And perhaps most importantly, it continues to give children a chance to do what Walker did. Help someone else. Now, Walker’s legacy is taking shape in a very special way right in Louisiana. This November, Walker’s Imaginarium will open at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. It will give patients and their families a bright, happy place to play, laugh, and experience just a bit of normalcy during an incredibly difficult time. Because even when a child is sick, they still deserve to be a child. That is what makes Walker’s story so powerful. He was a seven-year-old boy who received a teddy bear and decided to then help others. And years later, his family has turned that simple act of kindness into a movement. This September, we remember Walker, children like Walker, and the families who fight alongside them. And we celebrate a little boy from New Orleans whose kindness continues to make an impact on many. May we all learn to walk with courage, gratefulness, and generosity during hard times. Just as seven-year-old Walker Beery did. Background In August, Cassidy commemorated the twenty-first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by highlighting the partnership between Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and First Baptist New Orleans, illustrating the deep sense of community that binds Louisianans together. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2938,"Speaker Johnson: Republicans Have Delivered Lower Taxes, Lower Crime, More Affordable Prescription Drugs, and a Secure Border",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Squawk Box on CNBC with Becky Quick, Joe Kernen, and Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss striking the responsible balance between AI innovation and safety, the Democrat Party’s ongoing leftward shift towards socialism, and Republicans setting the conditions for a strong America and thriving economy. “What we would do in the next two years is exactly what we have been doing already, and that is putting the conditions in place for a strong America again,” Speaker Johnson said. “We’ve restored not just American energy dominance and peace through strength, but a vibrant economy. The stock market indexes are high, jobs numbers exceed expectations, and the Atlanta Fed says 5.1% economic growth is expected in the third quarter. That doesn't happen by happenstance. It's because we did what we said we were going to do and put in pro-growth, free market principles in legislation and in federal policy. We will continue to do that.” Watch the full interview here. On striking the responsible balance between AI innovation and safety: I'm for striking the right balance. I've been urging this meeting for quite some time. I think the leading minds need to get together at the White House and have this discussion. President Trump's the only one with the gravitas to be able to pull all these people together… I have resisted the siren song to jump in and do these blanket moratoriums and all of this, you know, hyper-regulation because we cannot lose our edge to China. So, this is about striking the right balance. I think we've got to make sure we do this well. We need to keep America ahead in this transformational technology, but also do it in a safe way. There's corporate responsibility here, of course. These folks have to provide safe products. But I think a little oversight, little transparency, a little external auditing of what's going on would calm the nerves of a lot of people. And I think we got to figure out what that exact balance is. On the contrast between Congressional Republicans and Democrats: We care about the interest of the American people. We're not looking at 2028. I'm looking for the next two years to make sure we keep on pace to grow the economy, to provide more jobs. We had a million private sector jobs created in the economy. We passed landmark legislation in this House against the odds. Remember, the obstructionist Democrats shut down the government this Congress for 120 days, a record long, the two longest shutdowns in US history. They have no objective and no intention of working for commonsense, bipartisan solutions for the American people. They just hate Donald Trump. And they will turn the entire mechanism of the legislative branch of government into an attack mode to go after him. It will not benefit the economy, the American people, business owners, job creators, entrepreneurs, risk takers. You have to keep the grownups in charge. You have to keep common sense, steady hands at the wheel in the House and Senate. And that is what we are offering the American people. So, I think if they look at this objectively, it's an easy contest for us. We're running against people who have said and put in writing as their platform, they want to abolish the border. They want to abolish prisons, defund the police, defund the Department of War expand the Supreme Court, abolish the US Senate, and remove the President. On the Democrat Party’s ongoing leftward shift towards socialism: The DSA has told us what they're all about. By the way, the insurgent left is consuming the Democrat Party. There will be no blue dog Democrats, no free-market Democrats left after this cycle. We will not be having arguments and debates about traditional issues, marginal tax rates and inflation and foreign policy. This will be a battle between whether or not we're going to keep the republic, we're going to break this thing down and go down this dark, dangerous road to Marxism. That is the energy, the excitement, the grassroots on the left is taking over the party. So that's what's at stake. Common sense versus crazy. The Democrat Socialists of America will drive the policy. On Republicans setting the conditions for a thriving economy: We have to do more of that work across the labyrinth of the federal government. But what we would do in the next two years is exactly what we have been doing already, and that is putting the conditions in place for a strong America again. We restored not just American energy dominance and peace through strength, but a vibrant economy. The conditions are there for this to take off. And that's why the stock market indexes are high; that's why job numbers exceed expectations. The Atlanta Fed says 5.1% economic growth expected in the third quarter. That doesn't happen by happenstance. It's because we did what we say we're going to do and put in pro-growth, free market principles in legislation and in federal policy. We have to continue that. We got so much more to do, and we can make things so much better. We have the lowest violent crime rate in 126 years, the biggest decline in prescription drugs in 60 years. You've got the most secure border in a half century – not a single illegal alien released into the country in 16 straight months. In this election cycle in 35 days, do you want to put Democrats back in charge who gave you $5 gasoline, who the Democrats said, Joe Biden himself and all of them, they want to end fossil fuels? Is that going to return to those policies? Is that going to bring gas prices down? Of course not. They want to reopen the borders. We closed the borders. I mean, this is law and order. This is common sense versus crazy. That's what's on the ballot in 35 days. You have to keep the team in charge that is putting the conditions in place for the economy to do better for everybody. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2939,"Speaker Johnson Addresses Press Following Meeting with President Trump, Super Intelligence Industry Leaders",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks to the press at the White House following a meeting with President Trump, members of the President’s Cabinet, and super intelligence industry leaders. Watch the Speaker’s full remarks here. Below are the Speaker’s remarks: I think that the gathering that was held today will go down as one of the most historic that was ever held in this building. It was a very productive meeting. I've urged this meeting for weeks, and I will tell you that it did not disappoint. There was great agreement in the room, a great sense of patriotism, frankly, and an excitement about the future and what will be produced and done for the American people and really for all freedom loving people around the world, for everyone. Congress has been studying and deliberating over the development of this technology since AI was first entering the public consciousness, as you all know. In February of 2024, the House worked in a bipartisan task force that I put together. They worked for almost a year, and they published a set of principles, ideas, a regulatory framework, some legislation that could be produced that came out in December of 2024. The Senate had a bipartisan working group that they worked on, and in May of 2024, they came out with a 31-page statement of principles. The challenge has been that finding consensus on all of this in Congress is very difficult. It's been elusive. The technology changes rapidly. In fact, much of what was produced just those many months ago has now been rendered obsolete because the frontier labs are so far in front. The consensus has been difficult to build in the industry as well. I am so grateful for the extraordinary leaders who are standing behind me. These are some of the greatest technologists and innovators and job creators in the world, in world history, in fact. And to have them all together and assembled to talk about this and to build consensus today was a very, very important first step in what we're all trying to achieve together. What we did today was important because these leading minds came together and had a discussion. Never before had all of these folks been assembled in the same room, and I want to thank President Donald J. Trump, who was the only person on the planet who could have assembled this meeting today and held it here, and it was very timely and appropriate. What was discussed today could be summarized in this way: We have to strike the right balance here. The balance between the interest of the American people and benefiting from the extraordinary advancements that are being made with this new technology, with the necessity of maintaining our edge over China and any other competitors that might emerge around the globe, and that the super intelligence companies ensure the safety of the products that they are producing. They are fiercely dedicated to that, and that was articulated very well today in the meeting. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2937,Speaker Johnson: This Election is a Contrast Between Common Sense and Crazy; and Common Sense is On Our Side,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Mornings with Fox Business with Cheryl Casone in-studio to discuss President Trump convening AI leaders, striking a responsible balance between AI progress and the concerns of everyday Americans, and Republicans defying history in the midterms. “Our candidates are right there every day, and they're talking to their constituents in common sense. This is a contrast election between common sense and crazy. Common sense is on our side…” Speaker Johnson said. Watch the full interview here. On convening AI leaders: Well, let me put it simply. This meeting tomorrow has been a long time coming in my view. I've talked to the president about it several times. He's the only one that has the gravitas to be able to pull them all together. The leaders of all the different AI platforms all have different ideas and prescriptions on what the supposed guardrail should be. Now, your point that you started with here is the right one. They have a corporate responsibility, as every corporation does, to create safe products, right? And there's product liabilities laws that apply and a labyrinth of federal regulations on all this stuff already. We do not need a moratorium. We do not need to jump in and hyperregulate this because we'll lose the race to China. The innovation is important to continue, but we have to strike the right balance. On Republicans working to defy history: I'm telling you that we can win the midterms, and I am very bullish about that. I believe we're going to defy the historic trend. Remember, it's only happened twice in 90 years that a sitting President's picked up seats for his party. But this election is unlike any other. This is not our father's Democratic Party. They're going full Marxist, socialist, communist on the other side, and that helps us in this race. We have better candidates. We have a fundraising advantage for the first time in many, many years. And we're making that case. And so, in the 22 districts that I believe are going to decide this – remember that President Trump won 21 of those 22 districts just two years ago – we have a lot of tailwinds that the media's not given us cover for. Remember, the mainstream media is trying to advance the false narrative of the Democrats, but we're running our race. Our candidates are right there every day, and they're talking to their constituents in common sense. This is a contrast election between common sense and crazy. Common sense is on our side. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-ezell-thompson-introduce-fema-workforce-planning-act-ensure,"Reps. Carter, Ezell, Thompson Introduce the FEMA Workforce Planning Act to Ensure the Federal Government Has Capacity for Disaster Response",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced the Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act. This legislation requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and submit detailed workforce plans to Congress to ensure the agency can effectively respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. It also requires FEMA to improve employee recruitment and retention efforts, develop strategies to train and deploy its workforce efficiently, and use data to address and fix staffing gaps. “Americans rely on FEMA in our most desperate moments,” said Congressman Carter. “As storms grow more intense and last longer, our commitment to preparedness must grow stronger too. I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation that will ensure FEMA has the support they need to maintain an effective and efficient workforce prepared to respond wherever and whenever disaster strikes.” “Communities across South Mississippi know firsthand how important it is to have a prepared and capable FEMA workforce when disaster strikes,” said Congressman Ezell. “I’m proud to help introduce the FEMA Workforce Planning Act to ensure FEMA has the right people, training, and resources in place to respond quickly and effectively when Americans need help most. By improving workforce planning and addressing staffing gaps before the next emergency, we can strengthen FEMA’s readiness and better serve communities recovering from disasters.” “Unfortunately, FEMA’s longstanding workforce problems have only worsened over the last year and a half. In order to respond to worsening disasters, we need FEMA to have the proper analysis, strategies, and plans to ensure its workforce is effective and meeting the needs of the nation. I thank Congressman Carter for introducing this necessary legislation,” said Congressman Thompson. Background The Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act requires the FEMA Administrator to develop a human capital operating plan, in accordance with best practices outlined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Comptroller General of the United States, to shape and improve the Agency's workforce. The plan must be submitted to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure every 3 years. The workforce plans must include: Performance measures to evaluate progress towards the human capital goals of FEMA, including filling staffing gaps, closing skills gaps in mission-critical occupations, and implementing workforce training and, if applicable, progress towards meeting those goals; Details of the types of employees of FEMA, including by hiring authority and cadre; A comprehensive analysis of the projected costs associated with implementing the plan; Strategies and practices designed to increase cost-efficiency within the workforce operations of FEMA, including reducing overhead costs, improving resource utilization, and avoiding unnecessary expenditures; A detailed analysis of how FEMA determined its current overall staffing goals; An analysis of the current workforce of FEMA and possible gaps in the current staffing structure needed to fulfill FEMA’s mission; and, A plan of action with specific recommendations for developing and reshaping the workforce of FEMA to address the gaps in critical and emerging skills. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-introduces-bill-to-strengthen-election-security-give-accountability-to-voters/,"Cassidy Introduces Bill to Strengthen Election Security, Give Accountability to Voters",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to require states to conduct open primaries for federal offices and establish additional guardrails in congressional elections. The legislation includes commonsense provisions including requiring voter photo identification and placing limits on states’ ability to gerrymander congressional districts. Despite broad public support for these provisions, Democrats rejected the proposals, even though they have previously expressed support for measures intended to give voters greater influence in the electoral process. “The political system should serve the people, not be designed so that the people serve politicians. Forty-five percent of the American electorate are Independents. Some Republicans and some Democrats want to vote for the person not for the party. Open primaries address all of this. Power to the people,” said Dr. Cassidy. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-calls-immediate-action-keep-lb-landry-high-school-open,Congressman Carter Calls for Immediate Action to Keep L.B. Landry High School Open,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement after a report came out that L.B. Landry High School could be forced to close. “We must act now to save L. B. Landry High School. “The clock is ticking, and Landry’s students, educators, families, and legacy cannot afford further delay. I am calling on NOLA Public Schools and the Orleans Parish School Board to act immediately to keep Landry open, identify a qualified operator, provide the resources students need, and ensure that the Algiers community has a meaningful voice in every decision. “I grew up in Algiers, and my mother graduated from Landry in the early 1950s. As a member of the New Orleans City Council, I helped rename the street in honor of Dr. Lord Beaconsfield Landry because I understood what his name—and this school—mean to our community. “We understand that Landry faces serious enrollment and financial challenges, but if Algiers Charter does not intend to renew its charter, then NOLA Public Schools must immediately begin a transparent search for a qualified operator, publish a clear transition timeline, and provide the enrollment, financial, and academic support Landry needs to remain open. “I am also calling on the Orleans Parish School Board to work with NOLA Public Schools to identify funding, approve a viable operating plan, and consider every option for preserving Landry as a public high school, including interim management if necessary. Any potential operator must present a concrete plan to maintain strong academics, recruit and retain experienced educators, support current students, and rebuild enrollment through meaningful partnerships with Algiers families and community organizations. “No decision should be made without a public process that gives students, families, educators, alumni, and residents a meaningful opportunity to be heard. The community must have a voice now—not after decisions about Landry’s future have already been made. “Landry stood before my mother as she walked its halls, and generations of Algiers families have helped shape its story. We owe today’s students a quality education, and we owe future students a genuine effort to keep that story alive. Saving Landry will require urgency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the families who depend on it. “Please contact NOLA Public Schools and the Orleans Parish School Board today. Tell them to keep L. B. Landry High School open, pursue every viable operating option, and include the Algiers community in the process. Your voice matters, and we need it now. “I also urge you to attend the town hall I will host to hear from the community and discuss what it will take to keep Landry open. Please watch for details and make plans to attend. This is our opportunity to stand together and demand action before it is too late. “Algiers has never been a community that gives up on its own. But saving Landry will require all of us to act now. Contact NOLA Public Schools, attend the town hall, and help us protect this vital institution for today’s students and generations to come.”",1,2026-09-27T10:23:37Z,2026-09-27T10:25:08Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-joins-erin-talks-money-podcast-to-discuss-future-of-social-security-answer-americans-questions/,"Cassidy Joins Erin Talks Money Podcast to Discuss Future of Social Security, Answer Americans’ Questions",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined Erin Moriarity of Erin Talks Money to answer Americans’ questions about the future of Social Security, what happens if Congress fails to act, and what can be done to strengthen the program for current and future retirees. Cassidy discussed his proposal for a separate investment fund and the bipartisan PROMISE Act, which would set up a process for Congress to consider and act on solutions. “If you could speak directly to someone who is already retired, someone who is 10 years from retirement, someone who is in their 30s, what would you want each of them to understand about the future of Social Security?” asked Moriarity. “I’d want them to understand that we need to act. The idea that if we do nothing means that nothing bad happens is false. If we do nothing and follow the law, there’ll be as much as 28.5% benefits cut on those currently receiving Social, or if we just do the traditional route of raising taxes and cutting benefits to cover 100% of the problem, it’s going to affect the person who’s 10 years out and the person who’s in their 30s,” said Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has been outspoken in the media on the need to rescue Social Security from insolvency. He has outlined his plan to create a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. Most recently, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-joins-bicameral-effort-to-expand-educational-opportunities/,Cassidy Joins Bicameral Effort to Expand Educational Opportunities,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) and a bicameral group of colleagues in introducing the Educational Opportunities Expansion Package, which includes two bills to strengthen the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, a key provision of the Working Families Tax Cuts. The package aims to expand educational opportunities for students nationwide by removing the current state opt-in requirement and ensuring that scholarship donors are not restricted in their giving based on their marital status. The Educational Choice for Children Act was signed into law as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts bill in 2025. “As parents, we know our children better than anyone. When we put parents in charge of their child’s education, we give children the best opportunity to thrive,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Another win for School Choice!” Background As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy led Republican colleagues in introducing the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), bicameral legislation to expand education freedom and opportunity for students. The legislation provides scholarships for an estimated two million students in elementary or secondary education settings for tuition, fees, supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise-LA%20Delegation-The-US-Space-Academy-Can-Thrive-in-Louisiana-the-Worlds-New-Space-Corridor,"Scalise, LA Delegation: The U.S. Space Academy Can Thrive in Louisiana, the World’s New Space Corridor",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"METAIRIE, LA. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) led the Louisiana delegation, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, and Representatives Clay Higgins, Julia Letlow, Troy Carter, and Cleo Fields, in a joint letter of support for the permanent establishment of the United States Space Academy (USSA) in Southeast Louisiana. Leader Scalise released the following statement: “There is no better place for the U.S. Space Academy to develop the next generation of space explorers, engineers, and innovators than Southeast Louisiana, home to America’s Rocket Factory. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Louisiana is in a position to build on its 60-year NASA relationship and help safeguard the nation’s economic and national security. With our manufacturing infrastructure, private sector momentum, and mission-ready educational institutions, we know the U.S. Space Academy can thrive in Louisiana and produce a pipeline of leaders who can advance American space dominance for generations."" What Louisiana Leaders are saying: ""SpaceX is here, Michoud is here, and Louisiana is leading the country in the future of American spaceflight. A Space Academy in New Orleans will prepare our students to be part of that future and build on the incredible space legacy we already have. I’d like to thank the Louisiana delegation for joining together in support of this important investment in our students and our state,"" said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. “Louisiana has built American manned-space flight for over sixty years; we are now building the future of space travel. This, combined with New Orleans’ central location on the Gulf Space Corridor that stretches from SpaceX to Stennis, makes us a natural location for the US Space Academy,"" said GNO, Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht. Read the full letter here or below. Dear Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, We write in strong support of the permanent establishment of the United States Space Academy (USSA) in Southeast Louisiana. We applaud President Trump for his leadership in cultivating the next generation of leaders who will advance America’s dominance in space — safeguarding the nation’s economic and national security. There is no better place for USSA than Southeast Louisiana: America’s Rocket Factory – For more than six decades, NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility has been America's premier aerospace manufacturing center. The 800+ acre complex has built the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and today's Artemis programs - including the massive core stages of NASA's Space Launch System. Every single manned spaceflight from America has been built in Louisiana. The World’s New Space Corridor - New Orleans sits at the intersection of an emerging American space ecosystem: Michoud, New Orleans: Human spaceflight manufacturing and advanced aerospace. Stennis Space Center, MS: World-class rocket propulsion testing and research. Starbase, LA: SpaceX’s newly announced spaceport will be the largest and most active in the world. High Density of Mission-Relevant Universities – The city and region have a large education and workforce network, with premier institutions like Louisiana State University, Tulane, Loyola University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Delgado and Nunez Community Colleges. These institutions offer world-class Engineering, Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Business, Policy and Entrepreneurship, and are currently feeding NASA and other space companies.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-condemns-nike-converse-sneaker-ad-depicting-lynching,"Congressman Carter Condemns Nike, Converse Sneaker Ad Depicting a Lynching",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement after Converse and Nike released a social media campaign promoting the Chuck 70X sneaker – including pictures with serious racial implications. “Nike and Converse, what the hell were you thinking? “Your campaign shows what looks like a hooded Klansman, framed by what appears to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim. There is nothing creative or artistic about it. It is racist, reckless and deeply offensive. “I am a Black man, a son of the South and a Member of Congress from Louisiana. Where I come from, the image of Black people hanging from trees is not ancient history. That pain still lives in our families and communities. The white hood is not some harmless costume. It is a symbol of terror, murder and generations of racial violence. “Do not insult our intelligence by dismissing this as an unfortunate misunderstanding. An advertising campaign does not just appear. It is conceived, photographed, reviewed, approved and distributed. At every stage, someone had the opportunity—and the responsibility—to say no. “Who created this campaign? Who approved it? How many executives saw it? Were there any Black people in the room? If so, did anyone listen to them? “You do not get to quietly pull the images, issue a polished apology and move on. You do not get a do-over. The public deserves to know how this happened, who was responsible and what you intend to do about it. “Black pain is not a marketing prop. Lynching is not a creative concept. The Ku Klux Klan is not an aesthetic. “This campaign should never have been created, approved or released. Nike and Converse must answer for it. You have caused real harm, and repairing that harm will require more than an apology written by your public relations department.” ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-mciver-menefee-and-ruiz-champion-equity-research-act,"Reps. Carter, McIver, Menefee, and Ruiz Champion the Equity in Research Act",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Christian Menefee (D-TX), and Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), 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. “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 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.” ""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. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-sounds-alarm-of-looming-social-security-deadline-discusses-health-care-affordability-at-semafor-future-of-health-forum/,"Cassidy Sounds Alarm of Looming Social Security Deadline, Discusses Health Care Affordability at Semafor Future of Health Forum",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) discussed a wide range of pressing issues as Congress comes to a close, ranging from health care affordability to Social Security’s looming insolvency, to the future of college athletics, during this week’s Semafor Future of Health Forum. As Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Cassidy highlighted the recently passed bipartisan Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, which gives patients and employers greater transparency into health care costs. Cassidy also warned that the clock is ticking for Congress to address Social Security’s looming insolvency, stressing that delaying action will only make the issue more difficult and expensive to solve. “Health care is one of the few things in which you don’t know how much it’s going to cost when you walk in the door,”said Dr. Cassidy. “Our Patients Deserve Price Tags Act will do that for the patient. And it’ll do it in a way which prevents a lot of the arbitrage to maximize profits for intermediaries, but to maximize savings for the patient, the employer, and the employee.” “The window is closing, closing, closing,” said Dr. Cassidy. “But the longer you wait to fix Social Security, the worse it gets. And it doesn’t just get worse marginally. It gets worse a percentage point, another percentage point, and so on.” ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-votes-ratepayer-protection-act,Letlow Votes for Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Julia Letlow,L000595,letlow.house.gov,letlow,https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, aimed at shielding consumers from any increased electricity costs associated with data centers or other large-load customers. Congresswoman Julia Letlow supported passage of the bill, which will now head to the Senate. The legislation directs state utility commissions to adopt standards requiring large customers to pay the total cost of new power, instead of passing new charges along to consumers. “The Ratepayer Protection Act advances the basic principle that Americans should not pay the cost for increased electricity used by data centers,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. “When developed responsibly, these investments can support our economy by creating new jobs and providing more tax revenue that benefits teachers, law enforcement, and local infrastructure. Louisiana has taken concrete steps to ensure data centers finance their own operations, and this bill will create similar standards to protect ratepayers across the nation.” ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2936,"House Passes 70+ Bills This Week, Including Ratepayer Protection Act, Legislation to Sanction Russia and Iran, Affordability and Anti-Fraud Measures",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Last night, Speaker Johnson held a press conference alongside Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08) following House passage of the Ratepayer Protection Act, the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, and legislation to further Republicans war on fraud and overturn costly, Biden-era EPA mandates. Speaker Johnson highlighted Republicans’ record of success in the 119th Congress as Republicans return to their districts before the midterm election. “This is record over rhetoric. We have better candidates, we have a great story to tell and to remind people that what's best for you and your family and your aging parents and your young children and the future of liberty and opportunity security is the party that has been delivering on all those things,” Speaker Johnson said. “You cannot put the far left in charge of the American government in this very pivotal and historic moment on the 250th anniversary of the greatest nation in the history of the world.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here On House GOP achievements in the 119th Congress: We gave the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in US history. We established Trump Accounts so that every American child has a financial stake in the future of this country. We implemented powerful new incentives to build and hire American; that's the America First Agenda. The biggest boost to American businesses in decades. And we're talking about shipyards and plants and factories all coming back home. They're bringing tens of thousands of good paying jobs with them. We restored safety and order to our cities. Violent crime, the murder rate for example, has plummeted to a 126-year low. We have far fewer Americans dying from the scourge of fentanyl in our communities that had flooded over the border under the Biden-Harris years and onto our college campuses and the streets of so many towns in this country. Last but not least, we closed the border. Illegal crossings are at zero, and they have been for over 15 months. Cartels and criminals are going to jail where they belong after four years of absolute anarchy under Joe Biden's open border policy. That is Republicans’ proven agenda of results, and there's so much more. And by the way, every Democrat voted against everything I just recounted for you. On the 70+ bills House Republicans passed this week: We just finished voting on several bills that are really of critical importance to the American people. One of them was the Ratepayer Protection Act, and that ensures, of course, that Americans will not foot the bill for the build out of data centers or AI infrastructure anywhere in their communities. Notice how quiet Democrats are now that Republicans are taking action on all this. We also passed the Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. This strengthens economic sanctions against Russia to put maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin's war machine. It's the most significant international action taken so far to bring the unjust war to an end over there. The House has passed over 70 bills this week alone. That adds to our large total, over 900 bills passed through the House so far this Congress. About 700 of them are parked in awaiting action in the Senate right now. And so the House has done its job here. We're on a 48-hour notice to return as necessary. So, we're very hopeful that our colleagues in the Senate can send us bills of substance over here so that we can continue to move that along through the process and get bills to the President's desk. We're awaiting that action. So House Republicans are going now back to our districts, and we're going to make the case to the American people on what we have delivered on their behalf. On the radical candidates Democrats are embracing nationwide: Democrats are running the most radical class of candidates in the history of their party. And as RFK Jr., as Bobby Kennedy said at the Republican convention in Dallas just last week, this is not his father and his uncle JFK's Democrat Party anymore. It's a radical group. This is the most radical class of candidates ever. You've got Abdul El-Sayed, you've got Darializa Avila Chevalier, you've got William Lawrence and Milat Kiros, just a small cross section of the cultural arsonists that Democrats have nominated to serve in the US Congress. Again, don't take my word for it, look at what they've published in their platform. They want to abolish the border. They want to abolish prisons. They want to abolish the Senate, destroy the Supreme Court, destroy the nuclear family that they have disdain for, and embrace an ideology that has been responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone. If Democrats are successful in electing all these radicals, I'm going to be administering the oath to people who are actually avowed as communists in January when we begin the new Congress. It will be the first time in US history that we've administered an oath to people who want to shred the U.S. Constitution. It will be a very interesting time for our country and a very scary time. And that should frighten every American who loves this country. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2933,House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which ensures all new vehicles are equipped with AM radio. “When disaster strikes – especially in hurricane and tornado-prone states like Louisiana – local communities rely on AM radio to deliver accurate, up-to-date information and critical safety alerts,” Speaker Johnson said. “Yesterday, the House took a major step toward keeping AM radio in every new vehicle, ensuring our constituents never lose access to essential emergency warnings as well as some of their favorite broadcasting. As a longtime champion of this effort, I am proud to see the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act pass the House.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2934,House Republicans Put Maximum Pressure on Putin’s War Machine,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Tonight, House Republicans passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, legislation to impose sanctions targeting Russia’s war machine and countries who aid Russia’s war against Ukraine. Despite this legislation receiving 86 votes in the Senate – including from 37 Senate Democrats – only 58 House Democrats voted to sanction the Russian war machine, while 152 of their colleagues decided they hate President Trump more than they support Ukraine. “With House passage of the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, House and Senate Republicans are placing maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin and the Russian war machine. This legislation strengthens economic sanctions against the Russian government, its financial institutions, and the foreign governments that aid Russian aggression against Ukraine by purchasing cheap Russian oil and gas and helping the Kremlin evade other sanctions,” Speaker Johnson said. “For too long, Putin has bankrolled this devastating war with money and resources from countries willing to look the other way, and today, that ends. This bill sends a powerful message of American unity and gives the Administration every tool in the toolbox to help bring this war to a just end, and we are proud to send it to the President’s desk.” ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2935,House Republicans Pass the Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson issued the following statement after the House passed Rep. Gabe Evans’ Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation to ensure companies building large data centers – not hardworking American families – are responsible for the electricity and infrastructure needed to power them. “AI companies have a serious responsibility to earn the trust of the communities they invest in and to be good neighbors. The Ratepayer Protection Act guarantees hardworking American families won’t foot the bill for the buildout of AI infrastructure– or see their energy costs rise to pay for it,” Speaker Johnson said. “Winning the AI race against China means winning here at home, but it can’t come at families’ expense, and this legislation strikes the right balance of protecting local communities while keeping America on the cutting edge of AI development.” ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-america-can-embrace-new-technology-the-right-way,Scalise: America Can Embrace New Technology the Right Way,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor about the Ratepayer Protection Act and the importance of local communities, not the federal government, deciding whether to embrace data centers. Leader Scalise highlighted examples in Louisiana and Virginia where AI infrastructure has generated significant economic benefit to the community. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-twice-act-championed-reps-carter-higgins-passes-house,"Bipartisan TWICE Act Championed by Reps. Carter, Higgins Passes in the House",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) announced that the bipartisan TWIC Efficiency (TWICE) Act introduced by himself and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program by assisting those currently in Federal, State, or local prisons through the TWIC card application process to gain this credential needed for specific transportation sector jobs. “I am incredibly proud that my colleagues passed the TWICE Act, a bill which I know will have a lasting impact in Louisiana and across the country,” said Rep. Carter. “So many jobs in the United States require a TWIC card just to work behind a secure facility’s gate, and this bill gives returning citizens a fair shot and ensures that workforce training can improve people’s lives.” “A man’s character shouldn’t be measured by how he falls, it should be measured by how he stands back up. By cutting red tape and streamlining access to the TWIC program, this legislation will address maritime and transportation workforce shortages in the Gulf of America and Louisiana waterways while extending a second chance to formerly incarcerated Americans,” said Rep. Higgins. “I commend Congressman Carter for his leadership on this effort and hope my Senate colleagues will swiftly deliver these reforms to President Trump’s desk.” Background The TWICE Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to: Develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the TWIC program. Develop guidelines to assist individuals in custody to pre-apply for TWIC cards and to assist those requesting an appeal or waiver after issuance of a “Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility.” Provide a briefing to Congress within a year on improvements to access to the TWIC program. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program was created by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 as a response to September 11th and extenuating concern over national security. TWIC remains critical to national security by regulating access to maritime facilities and vessels. Across the country, there are 13,825 vessels and 3,270 facilities under MTSA’s jurisdiction. These facilities are often major employment hubs – ports, terminals, factories, refineries, power plants, and more. TWIC assists in controlling workers’ access, like those involved in the surface transportation of containers in or out of ports or those involved in the construction, maintenance, or operation of adjacent facilities and their associated infrastructure. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages TWIC card applications. In total, 2.3 million Americans have TWIC cards, and about 500,000 Americans enroll per year. TWIC cards are often required for employment in high-demand professions for which labor is in low supply. Facilities within MTSA’s jurisdiction are critical to the supply chain yet are egregiously affected by labor shortages. Nationally, as of October 2023, there is a 2-million-person gap between job openings and unemployed workers, and the labor participation rate has fallen from 67% in 2000 to 62% today. Before issuing a TWIC card, TSA will conduct a security threat assessment to determine a person’s eligibility. Applicants with criminal records, depending on the offense, will be temporarily or permanently disqualified from the TWIC program. According to TSA, individuals in the custody of Federal, State, and local prisons are not eligible until after they are released from custody. After, they will receive a “Preliminary Determination of Illegibility” for one-year post-release, regardless of offense. Applicants may appeal a preliminary determination and go through a redress process, and TSA issues a waiver in most circumstances. Based on a TSA-verified sample, approximately 98% of applicants are issued a TWIC card, including redress cases. However, approximately 62% of applicants do not respond to redress notifications. Only 0.1% of those requesting redress are denied due to TSA standards. The redress process is burdensome and often takes months for TSA to review conviction details, circumstances, and proof of rehabilitation. Assisting applicants with the redress process – and minimizing the number of applicants going through this process – can accelerate hiring, increase the labor pool, and reduce TSA’s administrative burden. Nearly 30% of American adults have a criminal record, yet adult incarceration nationally has declined by 30% in the past decade. Just in Louisiana, about 13,000 formerly incarcerated persons are released back into communities each year. The TWICE Act is endorsed by American Trucking Association, American Waterways Operators, American Association of Port Authorities, World Trade Center of New Orleans, Transportation Institute, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), GNO Inc., Right on Crime, IMTT, The Cooper Group, Cooper Consolidated, Prison Fellowship, Riverview Boat Store - St. Louis barge company, We Work the Waterways, Central Ohio River Business Association (CORBA), Bayaud Enterprises, Bridgeways, Church World Service, Commercial Drivers License of California, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Conservation Corps of Long Beach, First 72+, JOB1 Business & Career Solutions, Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana, JustUS Coordinating Council, Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration, National Skills Coalition (NSC), New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals, REDF, Repowered, The Fortune Society, Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, The Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership, Valeo Vocation, Jobs for the Future, JustLeadershipUSA, and Reentry Working Group. Read the full bill here. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/09/16/higgins-carter-pass-bipartisan-twice-act-to-fill-transportation-workforce-needs/,"Higgins, Carter Pass Bipartisan TWICE Act to Fill Transportation Workforce Needs",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5109, The TWIC Efficiency (TWICE) Act, under suspension of the rules today. Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) introduced the bipartisan legislation in September 2025 after first putting it forward as H.R. 7223 in the 118th Congress. The TWICE Act directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines improving returning citizens’ access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, assist individuals in Federal, State, and local correctional facilities in preparing and submitting applications for TWIC cards, and provide guidance to individuals seeking an appeal or waiver after a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility. The bill does not change the eligibility criteria for a TWIC card or alter any disqualifying offense that bars an applicant from receiving it. Read the bill text here. “A man’s character shouldn’t be measured by how he falls, it should be measured by how he stands back up. By cutting red tape and streamlining access to the TWIC program, this legislation will address maritime and transportation workforce shortages in the Gulf of America and Louisiana waterways while extending a second chance to formerly incarcerated Americans,” said Congressman Higgins. “I commend Congressman Carter for his leadership on this effort and hope my Senate colleagues will swiftly deliver these reforms to President Trump’s desk.”",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2932,"Speaker Johnson: Republicans Have Delivered a Secure Border, Safe Streets, More Affordable Prescription Drugs, and Common Sense",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson highlighted House Republicans’ record of success in the 119th Congress and reminded people of the disastrous Democrat record during the Biden-Harris Administration. Speaker Johnson also condemned Congressional Democrats for their refusal to disavow individuals like Hasan Piker who said America deserved the 9/11 attacks. “This is not a campaign over standard political disagreements. We are entering a new era in American politics. In Congress, beginning January 27, we're not going to be arguing over marginal tax rates or inflation or foreign policy,” Speaker Johnson said. “We're going to be debating whether we're going to keep the greatest nation in the history of the world or break the thing down to the foundation and go down this dark, dangerous, deadly road to communism. That is not campaign rhetoric; it isn't hyperbole. That’s literally what they’re doing.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here. On the House Republican record of success: We have had a steady hand at that wheel, and we are turning the ship of state. And these are some of the results of that. I mean, our agenda is very simple. Get control of the border; check. Let working families keep more of what they earn; absolutely, did it. Increased competition and choice to lower healthcare costs; We are on that path right now. Encourage home building and domestic energy production to make everyday life more affordable, incentivize American companies to build in America, and hire American workers; we've been doing all that. You could summarize it all by just saying that it's common sense. We believe in common sense principles. Listen to what I'm about to tell you and just ask yourself if you agree. Do you think criminals should go to jail and girls' locker rooms should be for girls only? We do. The Democrat Party doesn't. We have had the largest drop in prescription drug prices in 60 years since we took back over the government. The largest middle- and working-class tax cut in American history. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on social security discussed this morning. More than one million new private sector jobs have been created in the last 19 months. More Americans are working than ever before. The jobs numbers are off the charts. Inflation is finally coming down from the Biden-era highs. Remember, it was a 40-year high, and we've been dragging it back down. The homicide rate hit the lowest level in 126 years. We took care of the violent crime problem. Illegal border crossings plummeted to zero for almost 16 straight months. Trillions of dollars in new investment are flowing into American industries because we are reshoring American jobs and American manufacturing, and that's the American way. On the disastrous results of the Biden-Harris Administration: We reminded voters of the disastrous effects of the years under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, what we inherited when we took all this over last January. Remember this because it seems like a long time that's gone by, but this is just less than two years ago. We had a country on the brink of ruin; we had criminals and cartels with free reign over the border. Y'all remember that. Americans of all ages were dying from fentanyl overdoses, a great scourge upon the country. Inflation soared to over 9% under Joe Biden, a 40-year high. Our cities were awash with violent crime. Factories were closing and American jobs were moving overseas. And radical woke politics were invading classrooms from kindergarten to college campuses. The American people were not down with that. In their communities, in their classrooms, in their pocketbooks, families were feeling the devastating effects of Democrat leadership and their false vision for what America is. And in 2024, the people said, ""That's enough."" They wanted a change. On the Democrat agenda: Democrats are offering nothing more than grievance politics. You want to know what their 2027 agenda is? I just described what ours is to keep on pace and keep doing that, but this is what they want to do. Political retribution, they're already telling you about it. Reverse the tax cuts. It means taxes go up for your family, all the hardworking families. They want amnesty for illegal aliens. They want to reopen the borders. They want a restoration of taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. That's quite literally what they're going to do if you give them the reins back. We can't do that. That's their entire agenda. On Democrats embracing radical, anti-American candidates and influencers: The prevailing view of this new Communist/Marxist wing of the Democrat Party has an entirely different perspective on the tragic events of 9/11. Just observe their actions and their words and what they've said. The Senate Democrat nominee in Michigan, Mr. El-Sayed, openly campaigns with the radical who says America deserved 9/11. He won't denounce it. The socialist candidate in Colorado, Kiros, said the September 11th attacks were quite inevitable. It was our fault, they say. Another candidate in New Jersey, Hamway, has publicly acknowledged past ties to Al-Qaeda as their candidate to run for Congress. It's nuts. And in an unforgettable clip that we've all seen, I don't think you can ever unsee it, during the sacred ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 at ground zero. The unofficial leaders of the new Democratic Party, the radical left Democrat Party, AOC, and Zohran Mamdani were seen laughing while the names of the victims were being read, those American heroes names being read aloud. It's just disgusting. And the American people see this, and they don't agree with it. I mean, this is the kind of open disdain for America that today's Democrat Party has. They don't even try to hide it. It's despicable. The American people should have none of it. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-democrats-continue-to-side-with-fraudsters-over-the-american-people,Scalise: Democrats Continue to Side With Fraudsters Over the American People,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) to discuss how House Republicans are continuing their work to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars for hardworking American families. Leader Scalise also highlighted Democrats' record of voting against anti-fraud legislation and emphasized the importance of what's at stake this November. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-kaine-join-newsnation-to-discuss-bipartisan-solution-to-social-securitys-looming-insolvency/,"Cassidy, Kaine Join NewsNation to Discuss Bipartisan Solution to Social Security’s Looming Insolvency",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) on NewsNation to discuss Social Security’s looming insolvency and the need for Congress to act now. The senators warned that if Congress continues to stall, Social Security benefits could be cut by nearly 28.5% in just six years, making the issue even harder to solve as time goes on. Cassidy outlined his plan to create a separate investment fund, modeled after the National Railroad Retirement Investment Fund, to strengthen Social Security’s long-term solvency. Kaine expressed his support for Cassidy’s proposal, which he said could help make Social Security solvent for the next 50 to 75 years. “Set up an investment fund like your 401k, parallel to the Social Security trust fund, put money into it and allow it to grow with the power of the US economy. This money grows and ends up paying 65% of the obligation to our nation’s retirees. We could evergreen Social Security,” said Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has been outspoken in the media on the need to rescue Social Security from insolvency. He has outlined his plan to create a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. Most recently, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-secures-extension-federally-funded-repair-project-new,Congressman Carter Secures Extension of Federally Funded Repair Project for New Orleans Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Municipal Auditorium,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for the $38 million Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Municipal Auditorium renovation project through February 2028. The authorized timeline for this Hurricane Katrina recovery project had expired on December 31, 2025, leaving the project’s future uncertain. This extension follows advocacy by Congressman Carter, the Louisiana federal congressional delegation, and partners in state and local government. “The deterioration of this historic building in the heart of our city has been a symbol of Katrina’s devastation for over 20 years,” said Rep. Carter. “Now, the project has the resources and certainty needed to turn the Municipal Auditorium into a symbol of renewal. FEMA’s partnership and resources have been the backbone of Louisiana’s rebuilding efforts, and these projects represent a federal commitment to the people of Louisiana to build back stronger. This extension honors that commitment as an investment in both New Orleans’ history and its future. I’m proud to have worked with our delegation to secure this extension and will continue to fight for all the funding our community needs.” “This extension protects approximately $38 million in federal investment and, just as importantly, gives us the opportunity to do the work necessary to get the Municipal Auditorium ready for future redevelopment,” said Mayor Moreno. “Without this extension, it would have been extremely difficult to move this building toward a viable future. I want to thank FEMA and GOHSEP for working with us to get this critical extension approved, Congressman Troy Carter for his continued advocacy and partnership, and Steve Nelson, who leads my infrastructure team, for pushing this project forward and helping us reach this important milestone. After more than 20 years, we finally have a clear path and a firm deadline. This extension isn’t permission to wait — it’s our opportunity to get the job done. The clock is running, and so are we.” The Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Municipal Auditorium, a historic 95-year-old venue located within Tremé neighborhood’s Armstrong Park, once served as the city’s premier venue for Mardi Gras balls, graduation parties, and touring concert acts. The venue has sat vacant for over 20 years since Hurricane Katrina damaged it in August 2005. During the storm, the five-story building suffered severe roof damage and took on several feet of water. The basement, which housed the building’s electrical and mechanical systems, was inundated, destroying the systems. The Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Municipal Auditorium project will include removing asbestos, replacing the roof, and repairing the exterior to prevent further water intrusion and mold damage to the 95-year-old building. Earlier this year, Congressman Carter pressed Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a committee hearing to grant time extensions for these projects to ensure they are completed responsibly. Additionally, Congressmen Carter and Steve Scalise sent letters this past December and February to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security supporting the state’s extension requests for active Hurricane Katrina recovery projects in Louisiana. You can read those letters here and here. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2931,Speaker Johnson Commemorates 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Liberty Garden in Bossier City, LA. He then delivered remarks at the Caddo Magnet High School Jonas Kelsall/Rob Reeves mural presentation ceremony. “It's been said throughout history that a crisis reveals the character of a person, and it certainly does a nation as well. For America, the darkness of 9/11 revealed the light of unity, and that's what we remember and memorialize today,” Speaker Johnson said at the remembrance ceremony. “Not just the tremendous, profound, unspeakable losses because of this tragedy, but the light that the darkness could not overcome. We reminded our enemies and the entire free world after that America is filled with people who are kind and generous and resilient.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here At Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks and attended a mural presentation ceremony honoring the lives of Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Rob Reeves and Lt. Cmdr. Jonas Kelsall, two Caddo Magnet graduates, Shreveport natives, and Navy SEALs who died in the August 2011 Extortion 17 helicopter attack in Afghanistan – the deadliest attack on Naval Special Warfare operators in American history. Last week, Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries laid a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial in the U.S. Capitol, which honors the courageous passengers of Flight 93 – the hijacked airplane that was intended to attack our nation’s capital on September 11, 2001. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-statement-secs-expulsion-threat,Letlow Statement on SEC's Expulsion Threat,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Julia Letlow,L000595,letlow.house.gov,letlow,https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who represents Louisiana State University, released the following statement on today’s amended lawsuit from the Southeastern Conference seeking to expel LSU. ""The SEC has long set the gold standard for athletic competition, but now the league has reduced itself to targeting LSU with desperate threats of expulsion. The NCAA started this mess with vague, unclear, and confusing rules. The result is unprecedented chaos in college sports. Now SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is elevating the situation to embarrassing levels, seeking to upend the makeup of the SEC because two players who have never set foot on a professional field dared to seek clarity. The SEC’s blatant targeting of LSU is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the league’s blunders and the NCAA’s failure to enact clear and consistent rules. Just like they won in court last week and dominated in Death Valley on Saturday night, no matter whom LSU competes against, they will win."" ###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-troy-carter-re-introduces-prostate-cancer-awareness-month,Congressman Troy Carter Re-Introduces Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Resolution,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, introduced a bipartisan House Resolution in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. “This issue is important to me because every year, the Black community is disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. Specifically, Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men,” said Rep. Carter. “To address the disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, we must ensure at-risk populations have access to prevention, early detection, and treatment options. This disease does not have to be a death sentence. Together, we can increase awareness through campaigns like ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’ and beat prostate cancer once and for all.” “As a physician and Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I’m proud to support this resolution. Prostate Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for men, affecting 1 in 8 men during their lifetime. As an ER Doctor, I have seen firsthand the devastation Prostate Cancer has on men and their families. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in leading this resolution once again to help break the stigma around seeking help and raise awareness of this horrible disease.” said Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA). “Throughout my career as a physician, I saw firsthand the difference that early detection can make in the fight against prostate cancer,” said Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). “Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting American men, yet too many put off important conversations with their doctors about their risk and screening options. This September, I’m proud to once again join my colleagues in recognizing National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and encouraging men across the country to take charge of their health, know their risk, and talk with their doctor about what is right for them.” “Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men,” said Rep. Lieu (D-CA). “It’s important to talk to a doctor about risk factors and getting screened, especially as you get older and the risk increases. Early detection can save lives. Making September National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder for men to prioritize their health. I’m pleased to join the Men’s Health Caucus on this bipartisan effort.” “Ensuring that our communities are informed about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving lives and protecting families,” said Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ). “As Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to help lead efforts to designate September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and remain committed to making meaningful progress toward improving health outcomes and ending the stigma around men’s health.” The full text of the resolution is below, and you can read it here. “Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.” “Whereas, more than 3,100,000 men have at some point been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are still alive in the United States; “Whereas 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 44 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer; “Whereas the Men’s Health Network advises that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States; “Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2026, 333,830 men will be diagnosed with, and more than 36,320 men will die of, prostate cancer; “Whereas 40 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men under the age of 65; “Whereas the chances of developing prostate cancer rise rapidly after age 50; “Whereas African-American men suffer from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is significantly higher than that of White men and have more than double the prostate cancer mortality rate than that of White men; “Whereas having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of a man developing prostate cancer, with a higher risk for men who have a brother with the disease and the highest risk for men with several affected relatives; “Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease at the earlier, more treatable stages, which could increase the chances of survival for more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent; “Whereas only 32 percent of men survive more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has metastasized; “Whereas there are typically no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, making appropriate screening critical; “Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has established 21 Precision Oncology Centers of Excellence in order to deliver precision oncology services to veterans suffering from prostate cancer; “Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment; and “Whereas educating people in the United States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families: “Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— “(1) expresses support for the designation of ‘National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month;’ (2) declares that steps should be taken—(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer; (B) to encourage research— (i) to improve screening and treatment for prostate cancer; (ii) to discover the causes of prostate cancer; and (iii) to develop a cure for prostate cancer; and (C) to continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer; and (3) calls on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons—(A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer; (B) to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, families, and the economy; and (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Background Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. Congressman Carter is joined by Co-Chair Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), and Vice Chairs Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rob Menendez (D-NJ). The bipartisan Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, encouraging men and boys to take an active role in their personal health, and promoting legislation that will improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families. The Men’s Health Caucus focuses on topics including mental health care, prostate cancer screening, traumatic brain injury, and urological health issues. The Caucus will continue these efforts to educate Congress and the public about important topics in men’s health. ###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/09/04/higgins-leads-week-of-oversight-to-investigate-cartel-trafficking-of-migrant-children-and-dojs-posture-toward-firearm-suppressors/,Higgins Leads Week of Oversight to Investigate Cartel Trafficking of Migrant Children and DOJ’s Posture Toward Firearm Suppressors,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Chairman, led two roundtables this week examining federal government failures on two fronts: enabling the criminal enterprise that freely trafficked unaccompanied alien children into the country, and the Department of Justice’s continued prosecution of Americans over firearm suppressors. “Catch and Release, Lose and Forget: Addressing the Crisis of Unaccompanied Alien Children—Part III” The discussion examined how cartels exploited the Biden Administration’s border policies to traffic unaccompanied alien children (UACs) into the country, the Biden Administration’s failure to monitor these children once here, and the role of Chinese money laundering networks in financing the criminal enterprise. Subcommittee Chairman Higgins opened the roundtable by transitioning from the humanitarian and bureaucratic failures examined in the Subcommittee’s first two hearings to the criminal enterprise profiting from the crisis. “Today we turn to the engine that has powered this crisis from the start: the cartels who built a multi-billion-dollar business around trafficking children, and the financial networks that keep their profits moving,” said Subcommittee Chairman Higgins. Watch the full opening remarks here. During questioning, Congressman Higgins asked witnesses to detail how an innocent child ends up indebted to a cartel and unable to escape. Participants described how traffickers prey on the hope of vulnerable migrants, using the prior administration’s open-border messaging to lure families with promises of shelter, schooling, and social programs. Watch the questioning here. “Suppressing the Second Amendment: Examining DOJ’s Posture Toward Firearm Suppressors” The discussion examined how fiction has shaped what most Americans believe about suppressors, the lack of any data connecting these devices to violent crime, and the Department of Justice’s continued defense of a registration requirement whose tax foundation Congress has already eliminated. Subcommittee Chairman Higgins opened the roundtable by setting aside the myth of the “silencer” and turning to the law that has criminalized a hearing protection device for more than 90 years. “Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement convenes a roundtable to examine the federal government’s posture toward firearms suppressors, and to ask why the Department of Justice is still defending a regulatory scheme that Congress has already dismantled,” said Subcommittee Chairman Higgins. Watch the full opening remarks here. During questioning, Congressman Higgins asked witnesses whether a suppressor is any more dangerous than a hammer when it is not attached to a firearm. Participants described the device as effectively a paperweight and called its criminalization under the National Firearms Act of 1934 a generational mistake.",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-socialists-have-taken-over-the-democrat-party,Scalise: Socialists Have Taken Over the Democrat Party,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NEW ORLEANS, La.—Last night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News Channel’s Hannity to discuss Democrats' full embrace of socialism and the contrast between House Republicans' commonsense policies and Democrats' radical agenda. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview. Highlights from Leader Scalise's interview: On Democrats embracing socialism: ""If you watch those votes you just talked about, Kellyanne, 96% of House Democrats said socialism's okay. And by the way, in that same resolution, they said illegals voting in our federal elections is okay. 96% of Democrats, that's what they would do if they got control of the House. If conservatives stayed at home, that's what happens. 99%, as you mentioned, said let's pack the Supreme Court. And then you look at Hakeem Jeffries. He's lost control of his party. The socialists have taken over and it's happening everywhere. I mean, you've got Mamdani candidates beating Hakeem's candidates in a lot of these primaries. And Hakeem's candidates are far-left liberals, by the way. You literally could find— you could find a spotted owl in D.C., Kellyanne, before you could find a Blue Dog. There are no Blue Dog Democrats left. It's liberals versus socialists and the socialists have taken over the Democrat Party now."" On Republicans' commonsense policies and Democrats' crazy agenda: ""We've cut taxes. We put more money in the pockets of families. We're working to make life more affordable. And we're not done. We're not where we want to be because we had a big mess to mop up. But by the way, all those indicators are coming down. Inflation's coming down. Interest rates are coming down. You know, everybody was talking about egg prices when Joe Biden was in office. They were over $3 a dozen. Today, they're less than $2 a dozen. “But at the end of the day, families want to see us continue working to get those things done. They don't want socialists who have said they will raise your taxes, they will open the borders. They want to defund not just the police, they want to defund prisons. That's not where America wants to go, but that is on the ballot. And if people stay at home, the far-left socialists will get their way on those crazy items. We can't let that happen to this country.”",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-on-fox-business-congress-needs-to-have-the-guts-to-step-up-address-social-security/,"Cassidy on Fox Business: Congress Needs to Have the Guts to Step Up, Address Social Security",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined Fox Business to discuss his plan to protect current and future retirees from a 22-28% cut to Social Security benefits in six short years. Cassidy urged Congress to step up and put a process in place to consider solutions for solvency. “What I am suggesting is we set up an investment fund. You called it a sovereign wealth fund. You could call it the nation’s 401k, and you set it up, separate from the Social Security Trust Fund, you put money in it, and you allow it to grow with the nation’s economy,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We just need Congress to have the guts to step up and take action now and not continue to postpone until it’s too late. And they can’t even pass a bill to even discuss ideas. That’s the big problem,” continued Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has outlined his plan to rescue Social Security from insolvency by creating a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. Most recently, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-on-newsnation-congress-needs-to-get-down-to-work-and-address-social-security-this-year/,Cassidy on NewsNation: “Congress Needs to Get Down to Work and Address Social Security This Year!”,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined NewsNation to discuss the need for Congress to take urgent action to consider solutions to protect current and future retirees from a 22-28% benefit cut when Social Security goes insolvent in just six years. Cassidy urged colleagues to stop blocking the process to merely consider bipartisan solutions and do their job to fix Social Security this year. “People are objecting to doing their job. They can offer their own proposal. That’s what’s frustrating. Congress needs to get down to work. Congress needs to fix Social Security this year,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I’ve got my own plan. Bernie Sanders has his. Bernie Moreno has his. Give us all the chance to put them forward. I have senators objecting to merely agreeing to consider the issue!” continued Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has been outspoken in the media on the need to rescue Social Security from insolvency. He has outlined his plan to create a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. Most recently, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/09/04/higgins-introduces-bills-to-protect-americas-elders-from-financial-exploitation-and-government-error/,Higgins Introduces Bills to Protect America’s Elders from Financial Exploitation and Government Error,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced two bills to protect senior citizens from financial harm: H.R. 10242, the Janie Wynn Protecting Elders From Financial Exploitation Act, and H.R. 10243, the Protecting Elders From Government Error Act. The Janie Wynn Protecting Elders From Financial Exploitation Act directs the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to issue a rule within 180 days requiring fraud alerts on pre-approved credit cards issued to seniors, sent both to the cardholder and to a trusted contact of their choosing. It also requires banks and credit unions to train fraud detection employees to recognize account activity associated with elder exploitation and to notify the accountholder within 24 hours. Read the text here. The Protecting Elders From Government Error Act bars the Social Security Administration from clawing back old-age benefit overpayments that the agency itself caused and failed to catch within six months, and caps monthly withholding at 5 % where recovery is still permitted. The protections do not extend to beneficiaries who have committed fraud. Read the text here.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-foundry-school-will-help-america-out-build-and-out-compete-china,Scalise: Foundry School Will Help America Out-Build and Out-Compete China,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg for the launch of Foundry School at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The Leader highlighted America’s manufacturing comeback under President Trump and the importance of preparing the next generation of industry leaders and staying ahead of China. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2930,"House Democrats’ Midterm Message: Embrace Radical Socialism, Pack the Supreme Court",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This week, after funding the federal government and preventing another Democrat shutdown, House Republicans offered two commonsense measures to condemn socialism and preserve the integrity of the Supreme Court. Predictably, an overwhelming majority of House Democrats voted against both. “House Democrats just confirmed that socialism and the communist playbook are on the ballot this November. 192 House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning socialism, communism, and the 100 million deaths those dangerous ideologies have wrought over time, while an additional 205 Democrats voted to pack the U.S. Supreme Court,” Speaker Johnson said. “For members of Congress who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, condemning socialism and defending the integrity of the Supreme Court shouldn’t be a controversial vote. Sadly, for today’s Democrats, they are.” Background: House Republicans passed H. Res 1490 from Rep. Jeff Crank to condemn socialism in all forms, the Democrat Socialists of America, and their radical, anti-American platform which calls for the abolition of police and prisons, allowing noncitizens to vote, and packing the Supreme Court. 192 House Democrats voted against this resolution. ###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fields-announces-18-million-federal-funding-northwestern-state,CONGRESSMAN FIELDS ANNOUNCES $1.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY EQUIPMENT EXPANSION,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,LA,Cleo Fields,F000110,fields.house.gov,fields,https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NATCHITOCHES, LA — Congressman Cleo Fields (LA-06) today announced that Northwestern State University has been awarded $1.8 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the university's Innovation Park Equipment Expansion (IPEX) Project. The funding request was submitted in collaboration with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy. The award will allow the university to purchase cutting-edge equipment for Innovation Park, including an AI supercomputer, laser cutters, and advanced 3D printers. “Innovation Park is a cornerstone of STEM education in Northwestern Louisiana,” said Congressman Fields. “This funding will expand research and innovation opportunities, empowering students to deepen their STEM expertise and drive groundbreaking discoveries. It will give students the critical skills they need to lead the next wave of scientific and technological innovation, and give Louisiana employers the workforce they need to grow. I was proud to work alongside Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy to bring these resources home to Natchitoches and to ensure Louisiana institutions get their fair share of federal investment in research and workforce development.” The equipment is expected to expand research and innovation opportunities at Innovation Park, provide students with hands-on experience in high-demand fields, strengthen the university's ability to attract and retain top undergraduate and graduate students and faculty, and support Louisiana's broader economic development priorities in advanced technology, industrial engineering, and biomedical research. The award was made under NIST's Congressionally-Identified Projects program (CFDA 11.617). ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2928,"Speaker Johnson: From Alaska to the Rio Grande Valley, the American People Reject Democrats’ Embrace of Socialism",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson highlighted his August travel through 54 cities and towns across 18 states. Speaker Johnson also addressed Democrats’ ongoing embrace of socialism and communism and House Republicans’ efforts to prevent another Democrat-led shutdown ahead of the November midterm elections. “The question that voters across the nation have to answer this fall is whether we're going to turn the greatest nation in the history of the world over to communism and big government socialism, as radical left Democrats insist,” Speaker Johnson said. “Or whether we're going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic, the grand experiment in self-governance that's built on our foundational principles like individual freedom and unlimited opportunity and human dignity and the rule of law. That's what Republicans stand for and that's what we'll always stand for.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here. On Speaker Johnson’s August travel: I spent time back in my beloved home state Louisiana, and I met with business owners and farmers and local leaders in my district, and I have heard the same sentiment from where I come from. And throughout the month I took those conversations on the road, went to every corner and pocket of America. In total, went to over 54 cities, did over 75 campaign events and countless meetings with groups and individuals over the time. I think 71 different members and candidates joined at some point along the way. We were across 18 states overall. So, from Alaska to Albuquerque to the Great Lakes down to the Rio Grande Valley, everywhere in between, literally we were everywhere. And our team of common sense, conservative candidates heard from parents and workers and small business owners and retirees on the issues that matter most. And I'll restate what I told the voters in all those cities. I went to over 50, I think it's 54 cities. Listen to what I'm telling you, and you can write it, I hope you quote me – I've been saying this over and over, but Republicans are going to defy history in 63 days and we're going to hold this House majority. And that's for a simple reason: because the American people recognize the historic stakes of this, and they really do understand that this is a contrast election. We've been saying that for months. It's not a ‘contract with America’ year. We did that in 2024. We kept our promises. This is a ‘contrast for America year’, and as we summarize it – it's a contrast between common sense and crazy, and now common sense and communism. On Democrats’ embrace of socialism and communism: Here's the reality: some of these crazy Democrats, these Marxists, socialists, communists who have won these primaries are going to win in these deep blue districts and they're coming to the people's house and they will be raising their hand to take an oath supposedly to uphold the Constitution, while they're out on the campaign trail trashing it, saying they want to rip it in half. They want to abolish the borders. They want to abolish prisons. They want to defund the police. They want to abolish the US Senate. That's kind of an important Article I convention. They want to remove the president. They want one unicameral body of the House to run everything. Why? Because they have calculated that over two or three cycles, they can elect enough Marxists to take the thing over. And then you know what they want to do? They want to take over the means of production. They don't want private property ownership. This is crazy stuff. They want to defund the Department of War. How's that going to go in a dangerous world? It's madness. So, our job is to defeat them. On the Continuing Resolution to prevent another Democrat government shutdown: The first and most urgent order of business is to take up the Senate-passed CR. Now, we began this work months ago, back in the mid part of the summer. We passed the CR for government funding and now the Senate's done it. We're going to avoid the threat of another Democrat shutdown. We know why this is necessary; these crazy Democrats in Congress don't mind shutting the government down and hurting the American people. They demonstrated that already three times this Congress for a combined 120 days. That's a record, of course. That's roughly one-third of the calendar year of our federal government went without full funding because Democrats tried to play political games. I don't believe they're going to do that anymore. I certainly hope not. On this CR we’ll take up, it simply holds funding steady at current levels through December 11 as Republicans work to complete the full year appropriations process. We've done that work in the House, as you know, and we'll continue to push forward. Republicans have made remarkable progress towards returning to regular order and restoring the appropriations process the way it's supposed to work – to a committee-driven approach, as it should be. And our appropriators have worked very hard to restore that muscle memory, and we are really, really grateful for their work because that is how you act as a good steward of taxpayer dollars and resources, and we're going to continue all that great work. ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2929,House Republicans Prevent Another Democrat Government Shutdown,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks to the media after the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government until December and avoid yet another costly Democrat government shutdown. Speaker Johnson also addressed House Republicans proposed constitutional amendment to ensure the U.S. Supreme Court remains composed of only nine justices. “Thanks to the House Republicans’ leadership and the foresight back in July, we began the necessary processes to ensure that the government would not be shut down,” Speaker Johnson said. “We are not going to have our troops in harm's way without getting paychecks, we're not going to have the Coast Guard, TSA, other essential functions of the government shut down, as the Democrats in Congress engineered already three times in this Congress.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here. Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered: ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-democrats-socialist-agenda-means-higher-costs-for-american-families,Scalise: Democrats' Socialist Agenda Means Higher Costs for American Families,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria to discuss House Republicans’ work to lower costs and protect taxpayers and the Democrats’ continued embrace of a socialist agenda. Leader Scalise also highlighted how communities are benefiting from data center investment and emphasized that decisions about those projects should remain at the local level. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview.",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-highlights-story-of-faith-and-unity-ahead-of-hurricane-katrinas-21st-anniversary/,LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Highlights Story of Faith and Unity Ahead of Hurricane Katrina’s 21st Anniversary,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"(Click here to download.) WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, commemorated the twenty-first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by highlighting a story of two New Orleans churches that came together to serve one another in the aftermath of the storm. The lasting partnership between Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and First Baptist New Orleans illustrates the deep sense of community that binds Louisianans together. Read his full August 2026 Local Spotlight below: This month’s local spotlight commemorates the 21st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which forever changed our state. We know of the destroyed homes, families displaced, how it tested our communities in ways we could not otherwise imagine, had we not lived through it. But in the midst of all that loss and destruction, something remarkable occurred. People showed up for one another. Neighbors became families. Churches became places of refuge, which they always were, but even more so now. And Louisianans from every background put aside differences to help a complete stranger who is now their neighbor. One story from that time captures the true spirit of our state. When Hurricane Katrina flooded the majority of the city of New Orleans, and by the way, that included Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, 10 feet of flood water. So, when Franklin Avenue lost its place of worship, just a few miles away was First Avenue Baptist Church, which was spared from the floodwaters. How? So, years earlier when building a new campus, church leaders went near an old train yard, and they started driving down to build their property, and they ran into something hard. They assumed it was a buried boxcar. They could either excavate the whole property, and pull out the boxcar, which could have cost a lot of money, or they could put more dirt on top and build a higher foundation. They took the least expensive option and it turned out to be the best option. When Katrina floodwaters rose, because they had built up, those floodwaters rose to the church’s steps, but it never entered the building. Whoever buried that boxcar triggered a series of events in which the Baptist church here could host the Baptist church there. Now, Franklin Avenue, Pastor Fred Luter, he was determined to reunite his congregation. So, he calls First Baptist New Orleans Pastor David Crosby to ask if his church would share a facility with Franklin Avenue. And Pastor Crosby said yes, immediately. Beginning the very next Sunday, Franklin Avenue held services at 7:30 every morning, and First Baptist was at 9:30. And the act of generosity, of hospitality, has grown to a long-lasting bond between the two churches, that friendship now two decades old. They continue to worship together, serve communities together, and gather annually for prayer services and exchange pulpits as a reminder that although they may be different backgrounds, there is a unity of faith. Today, church leaders see that partnership as more than a response to a natural disaster. They see it as a lasting testament to faith, unity, and the power of serving one another. First Baptist has long used the story of elevating their church building, ultimately saving it from taking on Katrina floodwaters, as a reminder of another kind of foundation. That building a life rooted in faith, provides the strength to withstand life’s greatest storms. So, 21 years after Hurricane Katrina, the story of First Baptist and Franklin Avenue Baptist reminds us that Louisiana’s greatest strength is not simply perseverance, but the way we come together to lift one another up. Background In July, Cassidy highlighted LSU student William Grand who founded the Giving Greek organization, turning one simple observation into a community effort that has donated more than 10,000 meals to a local Baton Rouge homeless shelter. His leadership and commitment to serving others demonstrate how one person can make a meaningful difference in their community. ###",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/08/27/higgins-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-advanced-air-mobility-pilot-program-at-houma-terrebonne-airport/,Higgins Celebrates Groundbreaking of Advanced Air Mobility Pilot Program at Houma-Terrebonne Airport,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) congratulated state and local leaders on breaking ground on Louisiana’s Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) site at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport. The project, selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will test transportation capabilities and deployment of Advanced Air Mobility for cargo and personnel for flights over the Gulf of America, and to crucial locations for the energy industry in Louisiana. Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of construction of the facilities, and once underway, this program will improve connectivity for offshore and coastal communities. Congressman Higgins was a vocal advocate for Louisiana’s selection in the eVTOL eIPP program, delivering two letters to DOT and FAA leadership in support of this program for the state. Read Congressman Higgins’ letter here and a letter from the Louisiana Delegation here.",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-on-fox-business-voters-must-demand-answers-on-social-security/,Cassidy on Fox Business: Voters Must Demand Answers on Social Security,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today joined Fox Business’ Varney & Co. to discuss his plan to save Social Security and urged voters to demand answers from political candidates about how they will protect the program. “Put $1.5 trillion in [a separate investment fund] over five years and let all the returns flow back to it. In the meantime, you guarantee that whatever the Social Security recipient is scheduled to receive, they continue to receive,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Voters should demand of their senator or the person running for Senate in their state: ‘Do you want to fix it now?’” continued Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has outlined his plan to rescue Social Security from insolvency by creating a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. Most recently, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. ###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cassidy-durbin-release-joint-op-ed-calling-on-congress-to-join-their-bipartisan-effort-to-address-social-security/,"ICYMI: Cassidy, Durbin Release Joint Op-Ed Calling on Congress to Join Their Bipartisan Effort to Address Social Security",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on their colleagues to join their bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. With the program facing an automatic 22 percent reduction in benefits in just six years if Congress fails to act, Cassidy and Durbin argue there is no excuse for further delay. Read the full op-ed here or excerpts below: There will never be a convenient time to address Social Security. Waiting only guarantees that the solutions available tomorrow will be harder than the ones available today. Social Security is an American promise, and Congress seems unmotivated or unwilling to do the hard work required to keep it. … Of course, every member of Congress says Social Security must be protected. They agree that retirees deserve the benefits they have earned. Yet year after year, Congress fails to seriously engage in the bipartisan work necessary to preserve the program, even as the deadline for action grows closer. … The suggestion that Congress should take more time is detached from reality, detached from the concerns of the American people, and detached from the job we were sent to Washington to do: tackle tough issues. Social Security does not have more time. … History is not going to remember whether Congress voted on a bill to merely set up a process by which to consider a solution. It will remember whether Congress acted before retirees faced unnecessary reductions to the benefits on which they depend. Background Cassidy and Durbin recently delivered a joint speech emphasizing the need for congressional action to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. The senators introduced the PROMISE Act which would establish a bipartisan process to address Social Security, merely setting up a process for Congress to consider debating proposals. ###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-leads-bipartisan-flood-resilience-caucus-response-fema,Congressman Carter Leads Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus Response to FEMA Review Council NFIP Reform Recommendations,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) led the Flood Resilience Caucus in sending a letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Administrator Cameron Hamilton, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and members of the FEMA Review Council. The Members provided a response to FEMA Review Council Report Key Recommendation 7 – Reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for Financial Stability and Risk Resilience. The Flood Resilience Caucus is co-chaired by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX). “The federal government needs a federal flood insurance program that keeps coverage affordable, narrows the insurance gap, and rewards mitigation—yet Risk Rating 2.0 has undermined these goals. Since its October 2021 rollout, our offices have fielded steady complaints from policyholders about the new pricing methodology, which has increased affordability pressure and widened the coverage gap. The average NFIP policy now costs $1,808 annually, a 103.6% jump over legacy rates,” the Members wrote. “Clearly, NFIP reform is necessary. The FEMA Review Council’s Final Report provides a platform for this action; however, nuance is needed to achieve desired results in line with FEMA’s mission of ‘helping people before, during and after disasters.’” On May 7, 2026, the FEMA Review Council released its final report of findings and recommendations, proposing a range of policy shifts. The report calls for gradually shifting NFIP toward the private market through continued implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, updated flood mapping, risk-based pricing, and a voluntary program to transfer policies to private insurers, with the ultimate goal of moving the bulk of flood coverage into the private market. This approach will weaken a program already struggling to retain policyholders by pulling the lowest-risk policies out to private insurers, leaving NFIP holding a smaller, more concentrated pool of higher-risk properties, driving up average losses, shrinking premium revenue, and deepening the program's debt to the Treasury. Policyholders already face rising premiums under a “risk-based” model whose actual math they cannot see. FEMA has never released the full underlying Risk Rating 2.0 formula or subjected it to independent, third-party verification, leaving homeowners and local officials unable to check whether their individual rating factors (flood distance, elevation, mitigation credits) are correct and fair. The lawmakers provided the following feedback to the FEMA Review Council: Empower Communities (Better Land-Use Policies) Modernize Risk Assessment (Update Risk Rating 2.0 & Improve Maps) Implement Risk-Based Pricing & Actual Costs Revise ‘Write Your Own’ Compensation Shift to Private Market through Depopulation of Existing NFIP Policies Evaluate Development of Flood Insurance Marketplace Address Repetitive Loss Properties “CSFI appreciates the Flood Resilience Caucus for uplifting common-sense NFIP improvements, from a means-tested affordability program to a third-party review of Risk Rating 2.0. Flood events have occurred in 99% of counties over the past 20 years, and the peril affects essentially all congressional districts, although only 4% of American households have flood coverage. As NFIP participation continues to fall from a peak of 5.7M to under 4.5M now, CSFI encourages Congress to act on this program before more policyholders are priced out, while advancing sustainable solutions that reduce risk across perils.,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and founder of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI). Additional lawmakers signing onto the effort include Reps. Cleo Fields (D-LA) and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ). Background: Members of the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus recognize the importance of acting now to adapt communities and build resilience in the face of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Research shows that proactive investments in adaptive measures, such as elevating homes and retrofitting infrastructure, can save taxpayers an average of six dollars for every one dollar of federal spending. Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-carter-honors-life-jerome-big-duck-smith,Congressmen Carter Honors the Life of Jerome “Big Duck” Smith,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, New Orleans lost a giant, and I lost a friend. Jerome “Big Duck” Smith was a freedom fighter, a mentor and a servant of this community who loved his people deeply. Duck didn’t have much patience for excuses. If our children needed something, he was going to fight until somebody listened. That was Big Duck. It was never about Jerome. It was always about somebody else. His civil rights work did not stop with the movement of the 1960s. He spent the rest of his life carrying that work forward through Tambourine and Fan, teaching generations of young people where they came from, what they were capable of, and why they mattered. I am grateful that I had the chance to know him, work with him, laugh with him and, yes, sometimes be pushed by him. More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to tell him while he was still here what he meant to me and what he meant to this city. New Orleans is better because Big Duck walked these streets. To his family, his loved ones and the entire Tambourine and Fan family, my prayers are with you. Rest well, my brother. Thank you for loving this city and its people enough to spend your life fighting for them. Rest in power, Big Duck.",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-house-republicans-have-put-money-back-in-working-families-pockets,Scalise: House Republicans Have Put Money Back In Working Families' Pockets,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News' Fox & Friends to discuss President Trump’s decisive actions against Iran and its allies and how President Trump’s leadership has decimated Iran’s military, economy, and ability to build a nuclear weapon. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted Republicans' record of making life more affordable for working families and the Democrat Party embracing radical socialists. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview.",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-carter-ezell-carbajal-introduce-storm-fortified-and-wildfire,"Congressmen Carter, Ezell, Carbajal Introduce STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act, or STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act. This legislation would establish funding to help states finance homeowner mitigation projects to reach FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Home, and Wildfire Prepared Home certifications that lower home insurance premiums. “Louisianians know better than anyone that storms are coming stronger and lasting longer,” said Rep. Carter. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan initiative that will make it easier for Americans to fortify their homes before the next storm comes. Making these smart investments now will protect homeowners when the next storm inevitably hits and lower their insurance premiums. It’s a win-win solution.” The American home insurance industry is in crisis. Louisiana has some of the highest home insurance premiums in the country; the average Louisiana homeowner pays over $3,700 per year, roughly 55% more than the national average. Nationally, premiums rose roughly 24% to 47% between 2021 and 2024, while Louisiana premiums rose roughly 74% during that time. Home insurance premiums now take up about 9% of the typical mortgage payment, and up to 15-20% in high-risk states. Higher premiums are driven largely by worsening natural disasters, rising rebuilding costs, and insurers pulling out of risky markets altogether. One proven way to lower rates and stabilize the industry is to harden homes to verified industry standards. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) sets science-based construction standards called “FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Home” to make buildings stronger against severe weather like hurricanes, hail, tornadoes, and wildfires. Homes certified to this standard are measurably more storm-resistant, and insurers in over a dozen states, including Louisiana, now reward those mitigation measures with real discounts — often 25-55% off the wind/hail portion of a premium, as roof damage drives up to 90% of catastrophe claims. For homeowners looking to lower their premiums rather than just absorb premium increases, IBHS-certified upgrades are among the few reliable levers. With over 14,000 FORTIFIED designations across the state, Louisiana is quickly becoming a national example of resilience through fortified roof installations. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, has approved 5,459 $10,000 fortified roof grants. However, more funding is needed to expand access to fortified roof funding. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is heavily oversubscribed. In February 2026, only about 20% of those who registered in lotteries for the Fortify Homes Program received grants. “Families along the Mississippi Gulf Coast know that preparing for the next storm is not optional, but the cost of making a home more resilient can put critical improvements out of reach,” said Rep. Ezell. “The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act gives homeowners another tool to strengthen their homes before disaster strikes, while helping reduce damage and potentially lower insurance costs. This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense investment in stronger homes, safer communities, and greater financial security for families in disaster-prone areas like South Mississippi.” “California is no stranger to wildfires and other natural disasters, which have driven home insurance premiums higher in recent years,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill that gives homeowners the support they need to make their homes more resilient to extreme weather. These upgrades are a commonsense way to help reduce costs and better protect families and their homes."" “Louisiana has emerged as a leader in FORTIFIED roof adoption, and this adaptation has been essential in stabilizing of our state's insurance market. By investing in successful precedents and proven solutions, Congress will strengthen American homes and communities. We applaud this multi-peril approach towards risk mitigation across our nation, and we encourage continued intervention and innovation,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “Louisiana families cannot afford to keep paying more for less protection. Louisiana needs nearly 445,000 FORTIFIED roofs, at an estimated cost of approximately $6.161 billion, to make homes safer, stabilize communities, and begin bringing insurance costs back within reach. The STORM Fortified Act is the kind of bold, practical investment we need—providing up to $100 million each year to strengthen homes before the next storm, not after disaster has already taken everything. This is about more than shingles and nails; it is about protecting generational wealth, keeping seniors, workers, and families in their homes, and making sure Louisiana remains a place where our people can afford to live and recover with dignity,” said Andreanecia M. Morris, President of HousingLOUISIANA. Background: The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act: Authorizes $100 million annually (FY 2027–2036) for FEMA to capitalize and recapitalize revolving loan funds for states. States must use funds solely for homeowner mitigation grants. Provides low-interest loans for homeowner mitigation projects, including fortified roof installations and other upgrades needed for FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home certifications. Loans are eligible to be forgivable for homeowners with incomes below 120% of the area median income (AMI). Allows states to provide mitigation grants to uninsured homeowners so they can enter the insurance market. Directs FEMA to promote insurer recognition of mitigation certifications for premium discounts. The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act is endorsed by Greater New Orleans, Inc., Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, United Policyholders, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Habitat for Humanity International, Environmental Defense Fund, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West, East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA), HousingNOLA, HousingLOUISIANA, and Smart Home America. Read the full bill text here. Read a one-page summary of the bill here. ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cassidy-urges-congress-to-develop-a-china-strategy-built-to-last-in-foreign-affairs-op-ed/,ICYMI: Cassidy Urges Congress to Develop a China Strategy Built to Last in Foreign Affairs Op-Ed,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today published an op-ed in Foreign Affairs outlining a durable strategy for United States trade competition with China. Cassidy argues that the U.S. cannot afford a short-term or partisan approach to its most consequential strategic competitor. Instead, America must strengthen its economic and national security foundations at home and use that strength to compete with China and win. “Long-term challenges require long-term solutions, and Congress is the branch best suited to crafting such solutions. Congress can provide the consistency and predictability needed to align U.S. economic, trade, and national security goals into the future,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. “Congress must take the lead. It can do so by permanently strengthening trade enforcement, modernizing customs authorities, building resilient supply chains throughout the Western Hemisphere, and ensuring that manufacturers in China cannot gain a competitive advantage by simply ignoring environmental standards,” said Dr. Cassidy. Read the full op-ed here or excerpts below: A China Strategy That Lasts: Congress Must Lead to Compete with Beijing For decades, Beijing has used trade not only as a means to generate economic growth but also as a geopolitical tool to attract investment, strengthen its industrial base, expand its economy, and support its military. It has done so by integrating national security, economic security, energy policy, and environmental policy. … Trade enforcement, even if codified in legislation, cannot on its own counter Chinese incursions into the Western Hemisphere. The United States must also provide countries with attractive alternatives to economic dependence on Beijing. … Near-shoring production in the Americas would diversify supply chains away from China, strengthen regional economies, improve U.S. access to critical minerals, and reduce U.S. and global dependence on Chinese manufacturing. … China uses trade as an instrument of geopolitical competition. To respond, the United States should keep its trade policy focused on one goal: curbing China’s ability to undermine the United States’ economy and military infrastructure, along with those of U.S. allies. Background Previously, Cassidy has advanced this approach through policies like the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which would hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices while strengthening American manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign adversaries. ###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/08/18/higgins-urges-president-trump-to-direct-army-corps-action-on-the-vermilion-river-in-conjunction-with-ul-lafayette-renews-call-for-civil-works-reform/,"Higgins Urges President Trump to Direct Army Corps Action on the Vermilion River in Conjunction with UL-Lafayette, Renews Call for Civil Works Reform",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump respectfully urging him to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to execute spot dredging of the Vermilion River, a statutorily authorized project since 1956. In the letter, Congressman Higgins details the continued work his office has done to ensure spot dredging the Vermilion can be executed despite the Corps’ continued inaction. Read the full letter here. Congressman Higgins wrote: “In October 2025, my office delivered a white paper to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought outlining reforms to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works mission to improve the efficiency and execution of federal construction efforts. The history of the Vermilion River in Louisiana’s 3rd District demonstrates why these reforms are necessary.” “After I delivered my white paper… the Corps approached my office with its ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork Initiative.’ This initiative was largely informed from my white paper. I personally met with Assistant Secretary Telle where a shared vision of execution on delayed projects and the necessity of spot dredging the Vermilion River was discussed.” Read the white paper here. The letter details the technical foundation Congressman Higgins built between the Corps and researchers at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette following the historic 2016 flood: “After the historic 2016 flood that impacted more than 7,000 structures across Acadiana, I facilitated the Corps and top researchers at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to develop an objective hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of spot dredging the Vermilion River. In over nine years of official well-documented engagement, my office has worked consistently with the Corps to support the execution of spot dredging the Vermilion River.” Congressman Higgins closes by urging President Trump to address the barriers holding back the dredging of the Vermilion River: “After years of study, congressional direction, and $50 million in taxpayer funding, the Corps has yet to remove a single bucket of sediment from the Vermilion River in over 25 years. I urge your full and fair consideration of all factors to address bureaucratic barriers that have prevented spot dredging the Vermilion River from moving forward.” Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, President of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, also submitted a letter to the President in support of moving the project forward:",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-introduces-state-offices-womens-health-support-and,Congressman Carter Introduces State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act,2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) introduced the State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act. This legislation creates a $55 million dollar grant program at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to support the creation and maintenance of a new or existing state office of women’s health in states across the country. “Every state deserves the tools to prioritize women’s health,” said Rep. Carter. “In Louisiana, our office of women’s health has shown what’s possible when states invest in the specific needs of women throughout every stage of life. This bill takes that model and makes it available nationwide, giving states the resources to build or strengthen offices that address reproductive and maternal health, chronic disease, and the disparities that too many women, especially women of color and those in rural communities, continue to face. Women’s health should never be an afterthought in our health care system. This legislation is a common-sense investment in making sure it isn't.” This bill ensures that states like Louisiana, who currently have a state office of women’s health, will receive funds to support its existing office and expand the programming and services offered. It also provides funds for states who don't have a state office and want to create one. “Every woman deserves access to the resources, information, and care she needs, not just to survive, but to live a healthy, thriving life,” said Nourbese Flint, President of All* Above All and All* In Action Fund. “Strengthening and establishing new Offices of Women’s Health in states across the country is a critical step toward ensuring women’s health is not an afterthought, but a priority in policymaking. These offices can help ensure that the needs of women, particularly those too often overlooked by our health care system, are reflected in the decisions that shape their lives. We are proud to support this important legislation because every community deserves the tools, leadership, and accountability needed to confront persistent health inequities and improve health outcomes for women and families.” “UWSELA applauds Congressman Carter for introducing the State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act! Our advocates know just how important it is to remain focused on ensuring Women’s Health remains a top priority and we are honored to support this legislation!” said Toya Barnes-Teamer, Ph.D., Chairman, United Way of Southeast Louisiana Public Policy Committee. “At a time when women's health is being undermined through dangerous abortion bans, devastating cuts to health care, and attacks on birth control, it is more important than ever that states take meaningful steps to invest in women's health care,” said Dorianne Mason, Senior Director of Health Equity at the National Women's Law Center Action Fund. “We are proud to endorse the State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act, which would help strengthen state efforts to improve health outcomes for women and counter the relentless attacks on women's health. We are grateful to Representative Carter for championing this critical legislation, and we urge the House to pass this commonsense bill without delay.” “Everyone should be able to get the health care they need, when they need it. The health care crisis in this country has denied too many access to preventative care, management for chronic illness, and time-sensitive reproductive health care. As lawmakers continue to try and dismantle our nation’s health care infrastructure, it’s critical to provide states, communities, and providers the resources they need to give patients the care they deserve. We thank Rep. Carter for introducing this bill that will improve access to health care for women, including sexual and reproductive health care,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “At a time when federal investments in public health infrastructure and women’s health research are increasingly uncertain, In Our Own Voice is proud to support the State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act,” said Regina Davis Moss, President and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. “These investments in strengthening state-level efforts around public education, research and community-informed initiatives are especially critical for Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people who continue to face significant inequities across our health care system. By giving states more tools to identify gaps, share medically accurate information and develop solutions grounded in the needs of their communities, this legislation moves us closer to the full vision of Reproductive Justice.” Background: The State Offices of Women’s Health Support and Expansion Act is endorsed by Power to Decide, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Women's Law Center (NWLC), All Above All, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), LIFT Louisiana, REJAC NOLA, Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, Women With a Vision, Birthmark Doula Collective, The Amandla Group, Sauls Light, Nancy Davis Foundation,10,000 Women Louisiana, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, New Orleans Maternal and Child Health Coalition, Mama + Health Policy Collaborative, A'Sani Heartbeat Foundation, and Dad A-Port. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/08/07/higgins-qualifies-for-reelection-to-u-s-house-pledges-to-continue-to-deliver-for-louisiana/,"Higgins Qualifies for Reelection to U.S. House, Pledges to Continue to Deliver for Louisiana",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released the following statement after qualifying for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in Louisiana’s Third Congressional District: “This week, I am honored to announce that I have officially qualified for reelection in Louisiana’s Third Congressional District. As a Member of the Board of Directors for the House Freedom Caucus, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with President Trump to advance the America First agenda, secure our border, and cut wasteful Washington spending, earning a 100% conservative voting record recognized by the Heritage Foundation, Club for Growth, and Americans for Prosperity. Ascending each year in seniority on my committees and within the Republican Conference, I have earned a seat at the America First table, where policy decisions are made for our entire Nation. I have backed the men and women of the Thin Blue Line, fought for Louisiana interests, supported our military and my Veteran Brothers and Sisters, and secured billions of dollars for important Louisiana flood mitigation and disaster relief efforts. I will always fight for Constitutionalist and Conservative principles, and with the support of We the People, I will unwaveringly continue to deliver for Louisiana.”",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2927,ICYMI: Speaker Johnson Visits Manufacturing Facility to Discuss Historic Success of the Working Families Tax Cuts,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Speaker Johnson joined Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Rep. Juan Ciscomani at the PepsiCo-Frito Lay manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona to discuss how the Working Families Tax Cuts have benefitted American workers and manufacturers. Speaker Johnson toured the manufacturing facility, participated in a roundtable alongside local business leaders and PepsiCo-Frito Lay employees, and held a press conference with local Arizona media. Throughout their visit, the three leaders highlighted pro-growth, pro-worker WFTC provisions such as No Tax on Overtime, permanent and immediate expensing for domestic R&D, 100% bonus depreciation, and Trump Accounts. Watch Speaker Johnson’s press conference remarks here. “Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, American manufacturing is roaring back to life. In the one year since that legislation became law, hundreds of billions of dollars in investments have poured into American businesses and manufacturers, jobs are being created, working families are keeping more of what they earn, and we’re seeing long-term growth in all 50 states that’s raising wages for American workers,” Speaker Johnson said after the visit. “It was a pleasure to join Secretary Bessent and Rep. Ciscomani at the PepsiCo facility in Casa Grande today to witness firsthand how American businesses are benefitting from the Working Families Tax Cuts, and to discuss how Republicans’ pro-growth agenda is driving America’s industrial renaissance.” “One year after President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts into law, the promise of the American Dream is extending to every factory floor,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “It was great to join Speaker Johnson and Congressman Ciscomani at the Frito-Lay facility in Casa Grande, Arizona to discuss how the America First pro-growth economic agenda is giving manufacturers the confidence to invest, expand, and hire.” ""I'm incredibly honored to have welcomed Speaker Mike Johnson and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Arizona's Sixth District to see the real, tangible impact of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act,"" Congressman Ciscomani said. ""Manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of rural Arizona's economy, supporting hundreds of local jobs and strengthening communities across our district. Because of the legislation we passed and signed into law last year, hardworking Arizonans are keeping more of what they earn, and manufacturers have greater confidence to invest here in America. This is exactly what we set out to accomplish by putting more money back into the pockets of working families while creating an environment where businesses can grow and create more jobs here in Southeastern Arizona.” ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-calls-congresss-bluff-on-social-security/,Cassidy Calls Congress’s Bluff on Social Security,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), today sought unanimous consent on the U.S. Senate floor to establish a process for Congress to consider solutions to prevent a 22-28% cut to Social Security benefits for 75 million Americans in six short years. An objection prevented the U.S. Senate from even beginning consideration of the resolution. Cassidy then countered the objection. “[The resolution] does not predetermine the outcome. It just says that Congress must consider a solution—anyone’s solution—Democrat or Republican, Left and Right. It just asks us to do our job to consider the solution to then go through regular order on the Senate Finance Committee to be considered by all,” said Dr. Cassidy. Background Cassidy has outlined his plan to rescue Social Security from insolvency by creating a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program. Most recently, he challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators. ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-durbin-deliver-joint-speech-urging-senate-to-take-action-before-social-security-becomes-insolvent/,"CASSIDY, DURBIN DELIVER JOINT SPEECH URGING SENATE TO TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOCIAL SECURITY BECOMES INSOLVENT",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a joint speech on the U.S. Senate floor emphasizing the dire need for congressional action to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. The Social Security trust fund is expected to become insolvent in 2032, resulting in an automatic reduction in benefits for millions of Americans. The Senators have introduced the bipartisan Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone (PROMISE) Act, legislation that would establish a bipartisan process to address Social Security’s looming insolvency. The legislation merely sets up a process for Congress to consider debating proposals. “Mr. President, people won’t even set up a process! We’re not talking about a solution. We’re talking about a process that would come to a solution!…It is important for our country that Congress tackle this issue. And when I say our country, I mean the people who live here, whether they are older or whether they are younger; they’re relying upon Congress to step up to its responsibility,” said Dr. Cassidy. “So, to my colleagues who oppose this approach, who say we need more time to do it, I want to back up Senator Cassidy. It costs money over time. It costs benefits over time. The solution becomes more expensive over time. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to save Social Security. And we absolutely, positively have to save it,” said Senator Durbin. Remarks as delivered below: CASSIDY: Mr. President, We have been trying to set up a process, a process whereby Congress would consider a solution. Not prescribe a solution, consider a solution for Social Security. A process that would have members of the House and members of the Senate come together fully open for input from stakeholders, from citizens, to have something to present. Among all the proposals that are out there, two proposals, three proposals, and whatever we put up would not be the final solution, necessarily. It could be replaced by any other member of the Senate with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. And, Mr. President, people won’t even set up a process! We’re not talking about a solution. We’re talking about a process that would come to a solution, maybe, that still has to get 60 votes in the United States Senate. Folks say, “We need more time.” Dick Durbin just chuckled. He goes, “They’ve had 44 years. They’ve had 44 years, how much more time do they need?” I’ve got a couple cartoons just to make the case. I think that if we don’t set up this process, Congress will be kicking granny off the cliff. That was made famous long ago. There it is. She earned it. She deserves it. She counts on it. And Congress will not set up a process by which to address the issue. 75 million retirees, widows, widowers, others rely on Social. In 6 years, the program, the trust fund goes insolvent. And when that happens, according to the actuaries, there will be either an almost 29% benefit reduction or a 40% increase in payroll taxes on working Americans. If that trust fund goes insolvent, and that benefit is cut 28.5% as the actuaries say it will, the rate of poverty among Americans over age 65 will increase by 50%. By 50%. So here’s another cartoon. Congress made a promise, and some people want to ignore it. She paid in, she earned it, she relies on it. But…if you ask, “Should we do something about Social?” Apparently, for some people, the time to do something on Social is never. Don’t disturb Congress. They don’t want to take a tough vote, even if that vote only sets up a process. Doesn’t even propose a solution. A process whereby Congress is required to fix the issue. By the way, Social has always been important. It’s even more important now that Americans are living longer. And every year we delay to fixing it, fixing Social, the amount of cuts required to balance it increase. The amount of taxes required to fix it increase. The amount of money we have to borrow to fix it increases. There is no good thing about waiting, except that it allows Congress to dodge its responsibility. I want to compliment my colleague from Illinois. He came up to me and goes, “Bill, I’m leaving the Senate. We need to make a run.” But, by the way, we have a solution, but we’re not saying it has to be our solution. All we’re trying to do is set up a process by which solutions can be considered. And running out the clock, it may be politically convenient, but it is the wrong thing to do. Congress’s obligation to the American people, to the people that rely upon Social Security, is to act and is to act now. I have another cartoon here just to make the point. It’s not just older people affected; it is younger people. Sorry, young folks, you’re getting left behind. Because some say it’s not our problem. The Social Security system is going insolvent, and these folks can pay into it, they’ll never receive a benefit. These young Pages here, they don’t recognize it yet, but they’re contributing every month on the wages they’re getting to a system that will not be there for them unless we do something now. So, before I defer to my colleague, I’ll say once more: all we’re doing is setting up a process to propose solutions that may or may not pass, that any Senator can bring their own bill and have it as an amendment in the nature of a substitute. And it’s up to Congress to find a solution. Now, history will decide whether Congress took up the responsibility of addressing the issue or whether because it was politically advantageous, politically expedient, to kick the can down the road once more, even though the road’s about to end in a dead end. Or, in the case of one of our cartoons, with the cliff here, they built a bridge and decided not to finish it. Here, the folks who need to get across the bridge of Social Security will get to it someday. We’ve got to get to it now. That’s the point, Mr. President. Let’s set up a process to be considered. We’re talking about the PROMISE Act, which is a Dick Durbin, lead author, Bill Cassidy bill. Now, there may be another way, but let’s set up the process. With that, I defer to my colleague. DURBIN: Mr. President, What a treat it is to be on the floor of the Senate with a colleague on the Republican side of the aisle, working together, to try to solve a problem. It doesn’t happen much around here. You see these empty desks? They’re empty almost all the days, week in, week out, month in, month out. We do important things like nominations. There’s nothing that’s trivial about that. But we don’t tackle the issues that really affect the people at home with their families. Here’s one: Social Security. 75 million Americans rely on it. Half of them, it’s their only source of income. So, a Social Security check means a lot. So, the experts on Social Security tell Dr. Cassidy and myself that just in a few years, six years, Social Security will be unable to make full promise payments. It’ll be cut by 22% in terms of benefits. Let’s take one example. The average Social Security check now is around $2,400 a month. If you reduce that by 22%, it means that people receiving Social Security will receive about $450 to $500 less a month. If that is your only source of income, imagine for a moment that $2,400 just lopped off from the monthly payment. How does if affect you? Paying your rent, paying your mortgage, paying your utility bills, paying what it might take at a grocery store to get by. It’s going to be a real hardship, as Senator Cassidy said. For the citizens of America, it means that those under the poverty level will increase by 50%. We can’t let that happen. We have to do something about it. And the bill that I’ve introduced with Senator Cassidy basically doesn’t pick a solution, although we can come up with a couple. It doesn’t pick a solution. It just says, don’t waste any time. Start talking about it. Start debating it. Let the American people engage in this conversation with you and vote on some alternatives. Now, vote is a word that used to be part of being a senator. Not so much anymore. Except when it comes to nominations, there aren’t a lot of votes on substantive issues around this chamber. I know a little bit about this. I’ve given more than half of my life to Congress. 14 years in the House, 30 years in the Senate. I know what you’re saying. Sounds like a career politician. Well, maybe I am. And proud of it. And particularly proud of serving in this chamber. I’ve seen some glorious things happen in this chamber on a bipartisan basis. But it takes a couple senators, maybe more, to stand up and say, “We’ve got to do something that’s risky and controversial, but important.” This is not the first time I faced Social Security. When I was a member of the House, elected in ’82, came to serve in ’83, I was told that in a matter of months, Social Security would run out of money. Imagine that. You’re a brand-new member of Congress, scared to death you won’t be reelected, and they tell you you’ve got to make a big change in the biggest social program in America. Scares you to death. But you know what? We did it. Our goal was simple. 50 years of solvency in Social Security. Can we change Social Security and guarantee 50 years of solvency? We made a lot of changes. And you know what we got for it? 2032. 1983 to 2032, we kept our word. 50 years. It’s not too much to ask this Congress to fix Social Security and keep it solvent for 50 years. We can do it. The longer we wait to do it, the more difficult it becomes. I look back on voting for that, and I thought it was the end of my political career, which was only a few months old. But it turned out no member of Congress, Democrat or Republican, in 1983 and ’84 lost an election because they voted for Social Security changes. The American people expect us to make the best choices we can. And they accepted what we did, and we bout 50 years of solvency. That’s an amazing thing when you consider how important this program is. And so, what Senator Cassidy and I have suggested is a process which basically says we won’t go by the Senate rules. I might add, I was going to show it, but I think it violates the Senate rules. The Senate is a chamber of tradition. Down here, a few of you can see it, is a brass spittoon. A brass spittoon. It’s been held onto as part of the tradition of the Senate. Well, we have traditions in the rules that make things almost impossible to pass except after a long period of time. Weeks go by sometimes. Days certainly go by. Trying to get a measure on the floor to an actual vote. The Senate rules are not kindly. They’re tough. So, the bill that I introduced basically cuts through some of this red tape of delay and says we’ll move after several weeks to consider alternative Social Security. The bottom line is it isn’t enough to get a majority in the Senate under the current rules, and it isn’t changed at all under our proposal. You still need 60 votes to ultimately pass any change in Social Security. Well, Democrats don’t have 60 votes. Republicans don’t have 60 votes, but together we think we can reach that goal. Now, I’ve been a little disappointed but not surprised that some of my colleagues that I’ve talked to about this said they thought it was a good idea, but on reflection they’ve decided it’s too risky, that we’re moving things too fast. The Senate’s never been accused successfully of moving too fast on almost anything. We take our time. That’s why we’re here. The Senate is different than the House, and I served in both and respect both. So, to my colleagues who oppose this approach, who say we need more time to do it, I want to back up Senator Cassidy. It costs money over time. It costs benefits over time. The solution becomes more expensive over time. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to save Social Security. And we absolutely, positively have to save it. Too many people are counting on it. I’ll bet you the folks who gather here today have many relatives of their own who count on Social Security, either because they’re disabled or elderly. I understand that in my own family. I think everybody does. So, it is a great day in the Senate when a Democrat and a Republican stand on the floor and don’t criticize one another, but actually talk about working together. It’s been a real pleasure for me, I’d say to Senator Cassidy, to be part of the Cassidy–Durbin Team. We’re both ending our Senate careers on January 3rd of next year. We hoped that this would be one of the things we could achieve before we left. I’m still not giving up completely. Miracles do occur. But I had to step up and make a proposal with Senator Cassidy to get my colleagues in conversation. The conversation about Social Security has increased dramatically since we started this effort. And I think it should. The sooner, the better. The more expensive it becomes the longer we wait. And I yield back to Senator Cassidy. CASSIDY: Thank you, Senator Durbin. And Senator Durbin is referring to what is called the PROMISE Act. Again, it is a bill which sets up a process to come to a solution. It doesn’t dictate what the solution is. We have colleagues who are objecting to coming up with a process. And so, it is important for our country that Congress tackle this issue. And when I say our country, I mean the people who live here, whether they are older or whether they are younger, they’re relying upon Congress to step up to its responsibility. Thank you, Senator Durbin. We’ll continue to push on this. It is important for our Congress, important for our country, important for our people. With that, I yield. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-approves-all-requested-federal-disaster-assistance-louisiana,President Trump Approves All Requested Federal Disaster Assistance for Louisiana Following Tropical Storm Arthur,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Republican,House,LA,Julia Letlow,L000595,letlow.house.gov,letlow,https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Baton Rouge, LA—Today, Governor Jeff Landry and Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced that President Trump has now approved all of Louisiana’s requests for support in parishes impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur. This now includes all assistance requested for Avoyelles, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry Parishes. It also adds St. Charles and Winn Parishes for Public Assistance support. ""We want to thank President Trump for approving every disaster assistance request we submitted for the communities impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur. We also want to thank Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for his leadership and partnership throughout this process. This support will help our local governments recover more quickly, restore critical infrastructure, and continue moving Louisiana forward,” said Governor Landry and Congresswoman Letlow. Background: This approval makes FEMA Public Assistance available for eligible government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, in the five parishes to support response and recovery efforts, including reimbursement for qualifying disaster-related costs. Public Assistance (PA) is FEMA’s largest grant program providing funds to assist communities responding to and recovering from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. The program provides funding for emergency assistance to save lives and protect property and assists with funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-highlights-lsu-students-dedication-to-the-baton-rouge-community/,LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Highlights LSU Student’s Dedication to the Baton Rouge Community,2026-07-31,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, recognized William “Will” Grand for turning a simple observation into a community effort that has helped feed thousands of Louisianians in need. As a junior at LSU, Will founded Giving Greek, a student-run organization that has donated more than 10,000 meals to a local Baton Rouge homeless shelter. Will is a shining example of how one person’s leadership can impact thousands. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency. Read his full July 2026 Local Spotlight below: This month’s local spotlight is William Grand. A few years ago, Will was a junior at LSU and a member of an Interfraternity Council organization. One night after getting out of a late class, he noticed something that just didn’t sit right. Regularly one of the last people at the table for dinner, he watched as trays of perfectly good food were thrown away at the end of every meal. Most people would have noticed this waste and moved on. Will didn’t. He asked a simple question: Could this food help someone else? He reached out to Baton Rouge’s St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter to see if they would accept food donations. They welcomed the idea with open arms. Will still remembers that very first delivery. As he pulled into the parking lot, a man walked up to his car, reached into his pocket, and began counting a handful of coins. Will told him the meal was free. Then, the man asked if he could have another plate for a friend who also hadn’t eaten in days. That moment changed everything. It was a reminder that what seemed like leftovers to one person could be a lifeline to another. That single act of service turned into Giving Greek, an organization that now brings together fraternities and sororities from across LSU’s campus to rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to neighbors in need. Today, Giving Greek has donated more than 10,000 meals to St. Vincent de Paul. But the impact hasn’t stopped there. They’ve organized toy drives for children during Christmas. They’ve handed out blankets during hard freezes. They’ve continued looking for new ways to serve their neighbors. One thing surprised Will in this journey. It wasn’t how many were in need of help. It was how many wanted to help. We often think people don’t care. But maybe they’re just waiting for someone to lead. Even after graduating from LSU, Will still helps organize volunteers each week and has passed the leadership of Giving Greek to younger students. He hopes to see the organization continue to grow at LSU and one day spread to universities across the SEC. Now he’s beginning another chapter in service of others as he pursues a career in dentistry. Something tells me that whether he’s caring for patients, leading his profession, or serving his community, he’ll keep finding ways to make Louisiana a better place– in fact, he sounds like a future Senator to me! Will, our future is in good hands with leaders like you. Thanks for all you’re doing. Background",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-delivers-floor-speech-urging-congress-to-pass-promise-act-to-protect-social-security/,Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress to Pass PROMISE Act to Protect Social Security,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"(Click here to watch and here to download.) WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor discussing his plans to secure the future of Social Security. Cassidy’s agenda includes the bipartisan PROMISE Act, which sets up a process for Congress to work toward a solution for Social Security. This is the first step toward ensuring that millions of Americans continue to receive the Social Security benefits they are owed. In his speech, Cassidy also outlined his “Big Idea” policy, which will include an investment fund modeled after the Federal Railroad Retirement System. “I’m pleased to say that there’s new momentum on both sides, Republicans and Democrats, to find a solution and preserve benefits for those who have spent their lifetime earning them,” said Dr. Cassidy. “My Democratic colleague from Illinois, Dick Durbin, and I just introduced the PROMISE Act along with a group of colleagues, Republican and Democrat. The PROMISE Act sets up a process. It doesn’t dictate a policy. It sets up a process that puts Congress on the clock to save Social Security,” continued Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy’s remarks are below: Mr. President, I’ve been working on Social Security for eight years now. Why? One, it’s a guarantee, an international guarantee, made to Americans when they get to a certain age to retire. It’s an earned benefit which says that after a lifetime of work and contribution, Americans can count on a measure of financial security. Today, more than 75 million Americans rely on Social Security. Most are retired workers. Many are disabled. Others are widows or widowers and children. Now, let’s just set the context. A program that 75 million Americans rely on, 10 million baby boomers a day become eligible for, and in six years, if Congress does nothing, by law, their benefits will be cut almost 29%. So let’s just say that once more. If Congress does nothing in six years by law, benefits going to 75 million Americans and more at that time will be cut by almost 29%. We’ve known this is coming. It’s because there’s been a continued drawdown for the Social Security Trust Fund. By law, Social Security cannot pay out more than it receives. Currently, it is receiving money from payroll taxes, but also from the trust fund. When the trust fund goes belly-up in six years, and the only income is that which current workers are paying, then the amount going out has to fall, and it will fall 28.5% if we wait until then to fix things. I’m pleased to say, though, that there’s now momentum on both sides, Republicans and Democrats, to find a solution to preserve benefits for those who have spent their lifetime earning them. By the way, people ask, how is Social Security going bankrupt? I’ve been paying it my whole life! Everybody I know has been paying into it their whole life. So why is it going bankrupt now? I point out to people that when Social Security came along, there were like five kids per family. And now there’s like two kids per family. And when Social Security was first enacted, you didn’t get benefits until you were 65, but the average age of death was 62. Now, people live until they’re 82, and they’re getting their hips replaced when they’re 75 to go bungee jumping in New Zealand. So the point being is that people are living far longer and they’re living more actively. And as a result of that, we are drawing down that trust fund. So my Democratic colleague from Illinois, Dick Durbin, he and I just introduced the PROMISE Act along with a group of colleagues, Republican and Democrat. And the PROMISE Act sets up a process. It doesn’t dictate a policy. It sets up a process that puts Congress on the clock to save Social Security. What the PROMISE Act does, it says that Congress shall come up with multiple options to present to the Senate Finance Committee, or to the Ways and Means Committee on the House side, in order for them to consider it, have it scored, and be delivered to Congress in order to deliberate. And then it says that the relevant committee, say Senate Finance, has seven working days to consider it, and then it comes to the floor, and then we have a vote on it. That begs the question: Why do it now? Why not wait until the next Congress? Because every year we wait, it gets harder and harder to fix Social Security. The amount of cuts required or the amount of taxes to be raised are more dramatic, more drastic, and more likely to harm an individual’s personal finances. We’re not dictating a policy. We’re just setting up a process. Now, by the way, in full honesty, I have a policy I’ve been working on, but my policy will be one of several that will be considered. My policy, we have something in it which we call the Big Idea. And our Big Idea, we look at a trust fund, we look at pension funds that are doing well, that are not going bankrupt, and are growing in line with the needs of the people whom they cover. This would be the kind of pension fund that Exxon or Google or Deloitte & Touche has. It’s called a pension investment fund, in which dollars are invested at an early stage, allowed to grow, and as those dollars grow over time, they meet the needs of the retirees as they become eligible for pulling those dollars down. We’ve actually done that in the federal government. Under George W. Bush, the federal railroad retirement system was going insolvent. And so Congress voted to allow it to diversify the investments of this pension fund. I think every Democrat voted for it in the Senate. Three Republicans voted no. And the concerns they had have been proven wrong. Because what’s happened now with the Federal Railroad Retirement System, we still have more retirees relative to fewer workers, but that system is in the black because it invests in the strength of the U.S. economy, and the strength of the U.S. economy has been able to pay all future obligations. That’s our Big Idea. What has Congress already done successfully with the Federal Railroad Retirement System? What is being done with major corporations that meet their pension benefit? Kind of what you do with your own 401K. We can set up this investment fund to supplement the payroll taxes that are the primary source of funding for Social Security, we can meet that future obligation. Now, let me go back to the PROMISE Act. I’m not dictating my proposal to be the answer. We’re dictating the process that can be considered so that any proposal can be brought up. The presiding officer has a proposal with Senator Warren. His proposal came up. So it might be his proposal, or more likely it’s going to be some sort of amalgamation. But the only option that should not be an option is to do nothing. Congress is being irresponsible, destructively irresponsible, if we don’t address Social Security. It’s driving our national debt. And if we cut benefits by 28%, that will double poverty among the elderly. The promised benefit will not be delivered. By the way, if all we do is borrow, it’s going to tank our credit rating. So, going back to my particular plan, folks say, well, what if the stock market goes down? Under our plan, all risk is borne by the investment fund. No risk is borne by the individual. That individual gets all the benefits she’s been promised, even if the market goes up and down. They ask me, are they putting the trust fund into the stock market? No way. We have a separate investment fund, separate from the Social Security Trust Fund, and that’s where the investment goes. And one more thing. Folks want to say, well, wait a second. I don’t trust Congress, and I don’t trust the president. You put a pot of money there, it’s like honey to a bear. They’re going to reach in and grab it. We have guardrails all over the place, including an annual audit of how the money is invested and how the money is spent or not spent. And that audit is put online so the American people can keep track of what’s happening with their trust fund. I will finish by saying this, Mr. President. I like my plan. I think it’s a good plan. I think it’s going to make it a lot easier to address the problem. But the PROMISE Act is not about my plan. The PROMISE Act, which Dick Durbin and I introduced, is only setting up a process by which Congress is forced to take action before it gets any worse. My proposal may be the one considered. It may be the presiding officers. It may be somebody else’s. The only option that should not be taken is the option of doing nothing. We need to do something. With that, I yield. Thank you. ###",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-votes-national-defense-authorization-act,Letlow Votes for National Defense Authorization Act,2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Julia Letlow,L000595,letlow.house.gov,letlow,https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Letlow released the following statement after passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes annual operations for the Department of Defense. ""I voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support our men and women in uniform and protect our national security. The House-passed NDAA provides a pay raise for our troops while increasing our military readiness amid continued threats from foreign adversaries. It also strengthens America's shipbuilding capacity, strips harmful DEI policies from our Armed Forces, and increases support for our Louisiana bases at Fort Polk and Barksdale,"" said Congresswoman Letlow. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. ###",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2926,Speaker Johnson Announces Nearly $26 Million for Louisiana Infrastructure Improvements,2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson today announced nearly $26 million in funding for two projects in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District to improve road safety and connectivity. Through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $25 million to Bossier Parish for the Bossier Parish East-West Corridor Project and $640,000 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the I-10/I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study. “The Department of Transportation’s announcement of nearly $26 million in federal infrastructure funding in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District is welcome news. These grants are not only a blessing for residents of the Fourth District and for Louisiana, but also for the many individuals who traverse our roads daily,” Speaker Johnson said. ""It is investments like these that make the continued rapid growth of the state and Bossier Parish possible. I look forward to the completion of these projects, which will ease traffic and improve connectivity in Bossier Parish and enhance safety along the I-10/I-12 Corridor. I thank Secretary Duffy for his leadership and thoughtful stewardship of taxpayer resources at the Department of Transportation.” ""Being awarded a federal BUILD grant is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the strength of the vision among local, state, and federal leaders for improving transportation in our state,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, Jr. said. “These grants are among the most competitive infrastructure funding opportunities in the nation, and Bossier Parish receiving one for their East-West Corridor reflects the merit of the chosen project, and the dedication of everyone who worked to bring that project forward. This investment in Bossier Parish and north Louisiana will strengthen connectivity, and ensure our overall system on all levels is better equipped to meet the needs of the residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come. This is also a reflection of DOTD’s ongoing initiative to vastly improve efficiency and effectiveness, as well as our continued efforts to explore, identify, and secure new funding opportunities.” “On behalf of the Bossier Parish Police Jury and the citizens of Bossier Parish, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the U.S. Department of Transportation for awarding $25 million in BUILD grant funding to support critical infrastructure improvements in our parish. This significant investment represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our transportation network, improve safety, support Barksdale Air Force Base and its mission, and encourage continued economic growth throughout our community. The fact that Bossier Parish was selected as a recipient from among projects funded through the Department’s $1.73 billion nationwide BUILD grant program speaks to the importance of our project and the value it will bring to residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Reliable infrastructure is essential to maintaining our quality of life and ensuring that Bossier Parish remains a competitive place to live, work, and invest. This funding will help us address current transportation needs while positioning our community for future success. We appreciate the partnership of our federal, state, and local stakeholders, and especially Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who helped make this award possible. We look forward to moving this project forward and delivering lasting benefits for the people of Bossier Parish for generations to come,” Bossier Parish Police Jury President Tom Salzer said. Background: Bossier Parish East-West Corridor project: The project will construct a new roadway serving as an east-west connection extending Winfield Road beyond its current terminus at Bellevue Road to connect with Highway 3 (Benton Road). I-10 / I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study: The project will evaluate existing and current truck parking demand along the I-10 and I-12 corridors, assess the feasibility of expanding truck parking capacity at publicly owned locations, and develop an implementation plan. Additionally, Speaker Johnson supported the Central Louisiana Regional Port’s request for BUILD grant funding, which will be used to further study and meet the needs of Fort Polk and the surrounding communities and parishes. The Port requested and was awarded $722,400 as part of the DOT announcement. The DOT announcement included over $50 million in investments throughout Louisiana. ###",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise%27s-Summer-Update%3A-Key-House-Republican-Wins-of-2026,Scalise's Summer Update: Key House Republican Wins of 2026,2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"July 27, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement and accompanying summary of House Republican legislative victories showcasing the Conference's record of delivering results for the American people during the first half of 2026: ""House Republicans entered this year committed to building on the successes of President Trump's first year back in office—and that's exactly what we've done. We've worked to make life more affordable for hardworking families, passed the SAVE America Act to strengthen election integrity, reinforced our border security, advanced reforms to restore trust in government, and passed commonsense legislation that puts the American people first. ""While House Republicans have remained intent on governing, Democrats have repeatedly chosen obstruction over solutions. Rather than working to address the issues Americans care most about, they have spent much of the year locked in a public battle over the future of their own party. “The contrast between the two parties has never been clearer. House Republicans have built a record of results that speaks for itself. As members return home for the district work period, they can point to these results as evidence of what a governing majority can achieve when it stays focused on the priorities of the American people.” Keeping America Safe ✅ Border S. 2 (Sen. Graham) – the Secure America Act: fully funds ICE and CBP through fiscal year 2029, guaranteeing these agencies have the necessary resources to carry out President Trump’s border agenda and ensuring congressional Democrats will no longer be able to stymie funding required to keep Americans safe. PASSED 214 - 212 Republicans: 214 - 0 Democrats: 0 - 211 Independent: 0 - 1 S. Con. Res. 33 (Sen. Graham) – establishes a congressional budget to responsibly fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of President Trump’s term, ensuring these agencies are able to keep the American people safe from threats. PASSED 215 - 211 - 1 Republicans: 215 - 0 Democrats: 0 - 211 Independent: 0 - 0 - 1 H.R. 1958 (Taylor) – the Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026: amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make illegal aliens who commit federal fraud or unlawfully receive public benefits inadmissible and removable from the United States, protecting federal programs from exploitation and defending taxpayer dollars. PASSED 231 - 186 Republicans: 211 - 0 Democrats: 20 – 186 H.R. 4638 (Calvert) – the Federal Working Animal Protection Act: creates a ground of inadmissibility and a ground of deportability explicitly for aliens who harm law enforcement animals to prevent animal abusers from entering the U.S. and streamline their removal from our nation. PASSED 228 - 190 Republicans: 212 - 0 Democrats: 15 - 190 Independent: 1 – 0 H. Res. 1128 (Mackenzie) – acknowledges the importance of fully funding the Department of Homeland Security, reiterates that partial funding of individual DHS agencies would degrade coordination and increase uncertainty in a heightened threat environment, emphasizes that the American people are at increasing risk each day DHS goes unfunded, and expresses our deep gratitude to DHS employees for their unwavering commitment to protect the U.S. from those who seek to cause harm. PASSED 225 - 187 Republicans: 215 - 0 Democrats: 9 - 187 Independent: 1 - 0 National Defense & National Security H.R. 8800 (Rogers) – National Defense Authorization Act, 2027: authorizes appropriations to expand U.S. defense production capacity, modernize our military, and ensure America’s armed forces remain the most lethal, ready, and robust in the world, all while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. PASSED 216 - 212 Republicans: 209 - 7 Democrats: 6 - 205 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 261 (Carter) – Undersea Cable Protection Act: amends NMSA to block the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting or requiring a permit for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have already been authorized by federal and state agencies, getting rid of duplicative permitting laws while protecting national marine sanctuaries. PASSED 218 - 212 Republicans: 215 - 1 Democrats: 3 – 211 H.R. 7084 (Pfluger) – the Defending American Property Abroad Act: imposes retaliatory prohibitions to deter and punish any foreign nation that unlawfully seizes American assets, making sure American businesses are safeguarded from unjust expropriation. PASSED 247 - 164 Republicans: 205 - 0 Democrats: 41 - 164 Independent: 1 - 0 Critical Mineral Security H.J. Res. 140 (Stauber) – Expresses congressional disapproval of the Public Land Order No. 7917 that implemented a mineral withdrawal of approximately 225,504 acres, banning mining and other resource extraction in Northern Minnesota and putting our nation’s mineral security at risk. PASSED 214 - 208 Republicans: 213 - 1 Democrats: 1 - 207 H.R. 4090 (Stauber) – The Critical Mineral Dominance Act: bolsters America’s critical mineral supply chains by codifying key provisions of Trump executive orders to streamline permitting, support domestic extraction, deliver certainty and consistency, and map resources as we work to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries and achieve mineral dominance. PASSED 224 - 195 Republicans: 214 - 1 Democrats: 10 - 194 H.R. 3617 (James) – Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act: unleashes domestic production and bolsters America’s critical mineral supply chain by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess and strengthen critical energy resource supply chains, reducing our reliance on foreign adversaries and enhancing our energy independence. PASSED 223 - 206 Republicans: 214 - 1 Democrats: 9 - 205 Law Enforcement H. Con. Res. 96 (Nunn) – Expresses congressional support for the brave men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives to uphold our rule of law and keep Americans safe, recognizes their extraordinary sacrifice, and acknowledges their many contributions to our communities. PASSED 243 - 173 - 3 Republicans: 213 - 0 Democrats: 29 - 173 - 3 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 2189 (Fitzgerald) – Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act: amends federal firearms law to classify “less-than-lethal” devices like tasers, which are meant to stop high-risk situations without using deadly force. This reform makes it easier for law enforcement to procure these devices and enhance officer and community safety. PASSED 233 - 185 Republicans: 211 - 1 Democrats: 22 - 184 H.R. 6260 (Fitzgerald) – the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act: amends the federal criminal statute dealing with insurance-related crimes to include corporate, for-profit, and non-profit entities that post bail for defendants, subjecting charitable bail funds to federal insurance fraud laws and state licensing requirements, and requiring their employees to pass criminal background checks. This reform will help address the increased frequency of charitable bail funds posting bail for violent offenders, which is associated with higher rates of failing to appear in court. PASSED 243 - 179 Republicans: 210 - 1 Democrats: 32 - 178 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 5625 (Harris-NC) – the Cashless Bail Reporting Act: requires the Attorney General to publish a list of state and local governments that implement reckless bail “reform” policies allowing people who have been accused of certain violent crimes – including murder, rape, sexual assault, carjacking, assault, and robbery – to be released pending trial on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond. PASSED 308 - 116 Republicans: 211 - 2 Democrats: 96 - 114 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R.2853 (Joyce) – the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) of 2025: expands federal law enforcement tools to crack down on organized retail theft and supply chain crime by strengthening criminal penalties, targeting money laundering, authorizing criminal forfeiture, and establishing a Department of Homeland Security coordination center to combat organized theft networks. PASSED 348 - 60 Republicans: 203 - 1 Democrats: 144 - 59 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 8365 (Biggs-AZ) – the Monitor Accountability Act: codifies the Department of Justice's recommendations to establish term limits on monitors, cap fees, allow for public feedback on the selection of monitors, and provide a public accounting of monitors’ activities to ensure court monitors do not abuse their positions. PASSED 219 - 204 Republicans: 213 - 0 Democrats: 5 - 204 Independent: 1 - 0 Restoring Safety in Our Nation's Capital H.R. 5103 (McGuire) – the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act: establishes a commission to reduce crime in D.C. by providing necessary federal resources and strengthening the Metropolitan Police Department, and tasks the Department of the Interior with creating a program to clean and maintain popular sites in the nation’s capital—including monuments and parks—and to restore damaged federal properties. PASSED 218 - 206 Republicans: 212 - 0 Democrats: 5 – 206 Independent: 1 - 0 Growing America’s Economy ✅ Unleashing American Energy H.R. 4690 (Langworthy) – the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act: repeals Section 433 of EISA, which requires the Department of Energy to revise federal energy efficiency performance standards for new buildings and renovations to phase out the use of on-site, fossil fuel-generated electricity for impacted buildings by 2030. PASSED 215 - 202 Republicans: 209 - 1 Democrats: 5 - 201 Independent: 1 – 0 H.R. 5587 (Kim) – the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act: expedites geothermal energy production by exempting geothermal operators from federal drilling permit requirements, including NEPA, for wells on non-federal land where the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate. PASSED 231 - 186 Republicans: 208 - 0 Democrats: 22 - 186 Independent: 1 – 0 H.R. 6398 (Joyce-PA) – the Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act: streamlines the review process for federal projects by eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency’s duplicative review requirement on projects already reviewed by other agencies and covered by the National Environmental Policy Act. PASSED 222 - 205 Republicans: 214 - 1 Democrats: 7 - 204 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 6409 (Pfluger) – the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act: amends the Clean Air Act to ensure that foreign natural or man-made emissions are not considered when determining states’ compliance with federal air quality standards, preventing U.S. states from facing penalties for emissions outside their control and allowing states to account for such emissions earlier in the regulatory process. PASSED 220 - 208 Republicans: 213 - 1 Democrats: 6 - 207 Independent: 1 - 0 Housing Affordability H.R. 5184 (Houchin) – the Affordable HOMES Act: amends EISA to restore sole authority to HUD for setting energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing while allowing DOE to provide recommendations to HUD, streamlining the process for setting energy standards to help lower manufactured housing costs and increase housing affordability for hardworking Americans. PASSED 263 - 147 Republicans: 206 - 0 Democrats: 57 - 147 H.R. 6644 (Hill) – the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act: cuts government red tape to spur housing development and empower families — not institutional investors — to become homeowners. PASSED 358-32 Republicans: 166 - 32 Democrats: 191 - 0 Independent: 1 - 0 Protecting Consumer Choice H.R. 4758 (Goldman-TX) – Homeowner Energy Freedom Act: repeals three provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act designed to subsidize the electrification movement and end the use of gas appliances, restricting consumer choice and raising the cost of home appliances. PASSED 210 - 199 - 1 Republicans: 210 – 1 Democrats: 0 – 198 - 1 H.R. 4626 (Allen) – Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act: reforms and modernizes the EPCA to prevent future administrations from implementing unaffordable conservation standards that take away consumer choice, burden American families, and force Americans to use expensive appliances that do not perform as well. PASSED 217 - 190 Republicans: 210 – 0 Democrats: 7 – 190 H.R. 4593 (Fry) – SHOWER Act: defines “showerhead” using the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standard, clarifies that each nozzle in a multi-head shower system is an individual showerhead that may operate at up to 2.5 GPM, and prevents future reinterpretations of the definition of a showerhead that would limit water flow and take away consumer choice, providing regulatory clarity and improving water flow for Americans by restoring Congress’ original intent. PASSED 226 - 197 Republicans: 215 - 0 Democrats: 11 - 197 Supporting Rural America H.R. 7567 (Thompson-PA) – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026: reauthorizes and reforms Department of Agriculture programs through FY2031 to build on pro-farmer provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts, deliver certainty and regulatory clarity to farmers, and expand on investments in rural and agricultural communities, prioritizing responsible spending on agriculture without adding to the deficit. PASSED 224 - 200 Republicans: 209 - 3 Democrats: 14 - 197 Independent: 1 – 0 H. Res. 1182 (Fuller) – expresses support for rural communities across the United States; acknowledges their work to steward the environment, supply energy, produce food, and stabilize the economy; and recognizes the House’s efforts in the 119th Congress to support these communities. PASSED 220 - 196 Republicans: 212 - 0 Democrats: 7 – 196 Independent: 1 – 0 Cutting Taxes H.J. Res 142 (Gill) – Exercises Congress’ authority to disapprove and prohibit the enactment of the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025, which decouples the D.C. tax code from specific WFTC tax-related provisions and denies local residents and businesses the tax relief they deserve. PASSED 215 - 210 Republicans: 215 - 0 Democrats: 0 - 210 H. Res. 1156 (Kelly-PA) – expresses support for tax policies that support working families and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money, and recognizes the significant tax relief provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts for hardworking Americans. PASSED 219 - 207 Republicans: 215 - 0 Democrats: 3 - 207 Independent: 1 - 0 Commonsense Reforms H.R. 139 (Buchanan) – the Sunshine Protection Act: ends an outdated practice by making daylight savings time permanent. This legislation will lower crime, save Americans time and money, reduce traffic accidents, and encourage the public to get outside. PASSED 308 - 117 Republicans: 193 - 22 Democrats: 114 - 95 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 2988 (Allen) – The Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings, introduced by Rep. Rick Allen, forces financial institutions to focus on maximizing returns in retirement plans instead of woke ESG factors by ensuring financial institutions base investment decisions on economic factors and complete information is provided to retirement investors PASSED 213 - 205 Republicans: 210 - 0 Democrats: 3 - 205 Restoring Trust in Government ✅ Election Integrity S. 1383 (Roy) – SAVE America Act: amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and an eligible photo identification document before voting in federal elections, shoring up our election integrity. PASSED 218 - 213 Republicans: 217 - 0 Democrats: 1 - 213 Cutting Red Tape H.R. 6387 (Evans-CO) – the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act: amends the Clean Air Act to make sure communities and manufacturers are not penalized for emissions from wildfires, prescribed burns, and other exceptional events when determining compliance with national air quality standards. PASSED 220 - 198 Republicans: 211 - 1 Democrats: 8 - 197 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 6955 (Hill) – the Main Street Capital Access Act: eases regulations on community banks and credit unions by tailoring regulatory thresholds, increasing transparency among regulators, making regulation more predictable for small banks, and promoting new bank formation. PASSED 270 - 155 - 1 Republicans: 213 - 1 Democrats: 56 - 154 - 1 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 8884 (Scott) – Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act: allows the SSA to test different program rules to promote work for disabled Americans and improve work outcomes, so that every American can have an equal opportunity to excel in the workforce. PASSED 232 - 188 Republicans: 212-0 Democrats: 19-188 Independent: 1-0 Holding Government Accountable H.R. 7008 (Steil) – Stop Insider Trading Act: prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing securities from publicly traded companies, establish a required window to alert the House Clerk of any intended sale, as well as impose forfeiture of gains and fees for lawmakers’ noncompliance. PASSED 232 - 198 Republicans: 218 - 0 Democrats: 13 - 198 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 8464 (Comer) – the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act: strengthens the federal payment system by building on oversight of state-administered programs, preventing federal agencies from making payments when an agency has deemed a program to be at an elevated risk for fraud or improper payments, and gives the U.S. Treasury new authority to return payment requests to agencies if they appear to be at risk for fraud. PASSED 218 - 200 Republicans: 211 - 0 Democrats: 6 - 200 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 8312 (Sessions) – the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act: expands U.S. Treasury Fiscal Service’s financial and program integrity services and establishes a permanent Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery to provide sustained oversight during future national emergencies and maintain the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee’s (PRAC) anti-fraud data analytics tools. PASSED 240 - 181 Republicans: 211 - 0 Democrats: 28 - 181 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 7892 (Owens) – the No Aid for Ghost Students Act: tackles fraud in student aid by requiring the Secretary of Education to use a detection system to review, identify, and investigate suspicious FAFSA applications before any aid is distributed. The legislation also strengthens accountability by prioritizing audits of schools that recklessly distribute aid to unscreened or suspicious applicants. PASSED 249 - 172 Republicans: 212 - 0 Democrats: 36 - 172 Independent: 1 - 0 H. Res. 1335 (Fallon) – denounces the individuals who abuse and defraud taxpayer dollars and government entities and pledges that reforms which address fraud prevention will meaningfully improve the financial prosperity of the United States, most notably through up-front verification for eligibility before payments are issued. PASSED 235 - 177 Republicans: 211 - 0 Democrats: 23 - 177 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 7726 (Miller-IL) – the Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026: requires HHS to withhold funds from states that repeatedly misuse child care dollars, increases state reporting requirements, codifies fraud standards, and imposes stricter penalties on both states and providers found to have misused funds under the CCDBG program. PASSED 217 - 207 Republicans: 212 - 0 Democrats: 4 - 207 Independent: 1 - 0 Protecting Sportsmen H.R. 556 (Wittman) – the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act: stops the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service from banning lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters for hunting and fishing. PASSED 215 - 202 Republicans: 208 - 1 Democrats: 7 - 201 Protecting American Values ✅ Protecting Constitutional Rights H.R. 1181 (Moore-WV) – the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act: prevents the use of firearm-specific merchant category codes, establishing guardrails to ensure financial institutions and credit card companies are not coerced into surveilling customers during constitutionally protected purchases. PASSED 221 - 201 Republicans: 215 - 1 Democrats: 5 - 200 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 1041 (Bost) – the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act: bars Veterans’ Affairs from giving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) sensitive information without due process to protect veterans with fiduciaries. PASSED 216 - 201 Republicans: 208 - 1 Democrats: 7 - 200 Independent: 1 - 0 Protecting Children H.R. 7757 (Guthrie) – The Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act: protects children online by requiring age verification for adult websites, banning disappearing messages and targeted ads on children’s accounts, creating transparency with AI chatbots, and providing parental controls on kids’ accounts. PASSED 267-117 Republicans: 162-32 Democrats: 104 - 85 Independents: 1-0 H.R. 2616 (Walberg) – the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act: ensures parents remain central in their children’s lives by prohibiting federally funded elementary or middle schools from socially transitioning a child – such as by changing their name, pronouns, or bathroom access – without parental consent, and blocking federal funding from supporting gender ideology teachings in classrooms. PASSED 217 - 198 Republicans: 208 - 0 Democrats: 8 - 198 Independent: 1 - 0 Supporting Life & Families H.R. 6359 (Hinson) – the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act: requires universities and higher education institutions to communicate and distribute information informing pregnant students of their rights, accommodations, and resources available to them. PASSED 217 - 211 Republicans: 216 - 0 Democrats: 1 - 211 H.R. 6945 (Fischbach) – the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act: prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from restricting funding for pregnancy centers that serve new mothers and families that choose life. PASSED 215 - 209 Republicans: 214 - 0 Democrats: 1 - 209 Supporting Veterans H.R. 6047 (Barrett) – the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefit Expansion Act: increases disabled veterans’ monthly compensation by $833.33 – or $10,000 per year. Additionally, compensation for family members of deceased veterans would increase by 1.5% over the next two years. This would provide meaningful relief for over 500,000 veterans and their families for the first time in decades. PASSED 235 - 179 Republicans: 204 - 3 Democrats: 30 - 176 Independent: 1 - 0 Funding the MAGA Agenda ✅ Appropriations H.R. 7006 (Cole) – the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026: makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to bolster our national security, implement the President’s America First foreign policy agenda, boost our economy, protect our financial institutions, and restore fiscal responsibility to Washington spending. PASSED 341 - 79 Republicans: 188 - 22 Democrats: 153 - 57 H.R. 7147 (Cole) – Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026: makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to defend our homeland, bolster border protections, and enhance public safety. PASSED by Voice Vote S. Amdts. To H.R. 7148 (Cole) – The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026: makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to put Americans’ safety first, defend our borders, protect the homeland, support American readiness and competitiveness, implement the President’s America First foreign policy agenda, protect our financial institutions, enhance our transportation system, invest in health and education, and restore fiscal responsibility. PASSED 217 - 214 Republicans: 196 - 21 Democrats: 21 – 193 H.R. 8029 (Ciscomani) – the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act: makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to defend our homeland, bolster border protections, deter and respond to cyber threats, counter terrorism, and enhance public safety. PASSED 218 - 206 Republicans: 213 - 0 Democrats: 4 - 206 H.R. 6938 (Cole) – the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026: makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to strengthen our energy security, secure our communities, reduce bureaucratic environmental red tape, advance critical programs, and implement President Trump’s America-First agenda. PASSED 397-28 Republicans: 191-22 Democrats: 206-6 H.R. 7744 (Cole) – the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, sponsored by Chairman Tom Cole, makes appropriations through FY26 and supports efforts to defend our homeland, bolster border protections, deter and respond to cyber threats, counter terrorism and enhance public safety. PASSED 221 - 209 Republicans: 217 - 0 Democrats: 4 - 209 H.R. 8469 (Carter-TX) – the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027: provides FY27 appropriations to bolster our national defense and critical infrastructure, deliver on veteran care, and improve quality of life for military families. PASSED 400 - 15 Republicans: 210 - 0 Democrats: 189 - 15 Independent: 1 – 0 H.R. 8646 (Harris-MD) – the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027: protect Americans’ food and drug supply, prioritize Americans’ health, and equip America to compete against our adversaries, while upholding the GOP’s commitment to fiscal responsibility through regular order appropriations. PASSED 213 - 210 Republicans: 208 - 5 Democrats: 4 - 205 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 8595 (Diaz-Balart) – the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027: responsibly funds the America First agenda by safeguarding American national security while exercising fiscal discipline in the handling of taxpayer dollars. PASSED 217 - 209 Republicans: 215 - 1 Democrats: 1 - 208 Independent: 1 - 0 H.R. 9770 (Cole) – Continuing Appropriations, 2027: provides funding to crucial programs, including SNAP, WIC, TANF, and disaster relief through the end of the year. This bill will prevent the September 30, 2026 funding lapse while also allowing Congress to complete the appropriations process in regular order. PASSED 220 - 205 Republicans: 213 - 1 Democrats: 6 - 204 Independent: 1 - 0 H. Con. Res. 113 (Arrington) – will establish budget guidelines for fiscal year 2027. This critical step towards providing a full reconciliation bill sets guidelines for funding to support our farmers, invest in our troops, and secure American election integrity. PASSED 216 - 214 Republicans: 216 - 2 Democrats: 0 - 211 Independent: 0 - 1",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/The-Hill-Scalise-Embraces-House-GOP-Elder-Statesman-Role-Amid-Leadership-Shakeup-Speculation,The Hill: Scalise Embraces House GOP Elder Statesman Role Amid Leadership Shakeup Speculation,2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, The Hill’s Emily Brooks profiled House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) storied and successful leadership of the House Republican conference as we go into the 2026 midterm elections. Read the full article below or click here. The Hill: Scalise embraces House GOP’s elder statesman role amid leadership shake-up speculation July 23, 2026 By Emily Brooks House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has reached his peak elder statesman era in President Trump’s second term. The No. 2 House Republican has harnessed policymaking lessons from Trump’s rocky first-term trifecta, providing institutional memory that is unique among the conference’s other top leaders who rose to their positions later. At the same time, Scalise has grown his relationship with Trump and enjoyed more cohesive working relationships with leadership colleagues. That experience, plus his conservative bona fides and surviving a brush with death in the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, has positioned Scalise to be a top contender for the House GOP’s No. 1 slot should control of the House flip after the midterms. The always-on-message Scalise brushed off that prospect, though, as he expressed optimism about Republicans’ chances of defying history to keep control of the chamber. In an interview with The Hill in his Capitol office last week, Scalise said he has a “unique skill set” with his conservative policy wonk roots and history of building trust with Trump. That has helped him most, he said, in pushing major legislation through a historically slim and complicated Republican majority. “I think that goes back to being chairman of the Republican Study Committee,” Scalise said, referring to the largest policy-minded, traditionally conservative caucus in the House, which he led more than a decade ago before jumping to be GOP whip in 2014. “You’ve got to really take it serious and focus on the details, because the details are what matter.” As House Republicans last year crafted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extended tax cuts and pushed through partisan spending priorities, Scalise was the only member of House Republican leadership who was also in a top leadership position when Republicans crafted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reconciliation bill in Trump’s first term in 2017. “I learned from the first Trump term that he was not in sync with all of leadership. Some were fighting President Trump,” Scalise said of Trump’s first term, noting the president’s rough relationship with then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and saying Trump “didn’t have the closest relationship” with former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). That dynamic, Scalise said, led to delays in advancing the party’s legislative agenda. “We literally wasted the first six months with everybody being on different pages,” Scalise said. Republican leaders didn’t want that to happen again if Trump won the 2024 election and started planning months ahead of time what they would do legislatively if the GOP won trifecta control of government. Scalise said he flew to Mar-a-Lago to talk to Trump about those ideas about six months before the election — and took his suggestions of what kind of policies to add, like the “no tax on tips” provision for qualified tipped workers. “Our relationship has grown through the years to where we not only trust each other, but he also knows that I have a really good understanding of how the House works,” Scalise said of his relationship with Trump. “We’ve been able to bridge some gaps through some of that trust.” Then, Scalise got into the policy weeds — and management of the committee leaders crafting the various aspects of what would eventually get put into the bill, even months ahead of the election. “I had tasked the committees with very aggressive things to do, but I gave them the clear direction along the way,” Scalise said. “I gave everybody deadlines — you know, ‘Get the bills out by these times. These are your target numbers.’” In the end, the House GOP was able to overcome infighting made more complicated by the slim Republican majority and deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which Republicans and the White House have since worked to rebrand as the Working Families Tax Cuts — to Trump’s desk by July 4 last year. The dynamics in the House GOP have shifted dramatically in Scalise’s nearly two decades in Congress. Narrow margins and emboldened hard-liners have led to out-in-the-open rebellions on legislative items big and small on a near-weekly basis. Scalise said the aim of the leadership team now is to bring different factions of the conference together to help them understand each other’s perspective. “They think leadership’s stopping them from getting it, when it’s really other colleagues of theirs that won’t vote for that stuff,” Scalise said. “I said, well, don’t make it be leadership versus everybody else. Have them in the room, sitting across the table from their own colleagues.” “You can hash out a lot of problems in an hour-and-a-half, two-hour meeting of some yelling and screaming,” Scalise said. He doesn’t do that alone. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has also embraced those kinds of meetings, which he dubs “intense fellowship.” “The Speaker’s got incredible patience. He and I have a great relationship. We’ve known each other for 30 years,” Scalise said. “I do think that helps.” It’s no secret on Capitol Hill that Scalise had a complicated relationship with Johnson’s predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), even though they both publicly downplayed the tension. With fellow Louisianan Johnson at the helm, Scalise comes across as more empowered than in the past, though the majority leader declined to characterize it that way. “I’m not going to compare leadership teams. I’m just going to talk about what we’re doing,” Scalise said. “I’ve been in majorities where we had 35-seat majorities where we didn’t get as much done.” Scalise said leaders now try to emphasize to members that they “can do big things,” but to do so, “we’re going to have to come together and work through our differences.” Despite Johnson’s odds-defying performance as Speaker given the slim majority and rebel culture, Republicans widely assume a midterm loss would result in the Speaker exiting from leadership altogether. Johnson recently told The Wall Street Journal he wants to stay in the post if Republicans win but demurred when asked about the possibility of Republicans being relegated to the minority. Scalise, as the current No. 2 Republican, is an obvious contender to take the No. 1 slot if Johnson departs. But members have also speculated about whether House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) would seek the job, and they suspect House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could make an insurgent bid — though none of them have confirmed that interest. All three leaders at various points sought to replace McCarthy as Speaker when he was ousted three years ago. Scalise did not directly answer when asked if he would seek to be minority leader. He said people are always asking him: “Are you going to run against this guy? Are you going to run for that thing?” “As long as I do this job well, I don’t worry about the next job, and I’ve never done that,” Scalise said. “I know some people walk in the building thinking they’re going to be president of the United States. That’s never been the approach I’ve had.” His short-lived bid for Speaker after McCarthy’s ouster was complicated by uncertainty about whether he would be up for the job health-wise. Scalise, 60, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in August 2023. The cancer was described by his office as “very treatable,” but some Republicans were hesitant to hand him the high-stress, travel-intensive job just a few months later. He announced in February 2024 that his cancer was in “complete remission” and has traveled extensively on the campaign trail since. Still, scrutiny of high-powered lawmakers’ health issues has increased in the last few years, with instances like former President Biden being pushed to end his reelection bid after a disastrous debate performance; Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) refusing to explain his health-related absence for months; and McConnell waiting weeks to fully explain the circumstances of his hospital stay. But Scalise’s cancer battle, combined with his emotional and legendary return after surviving the congressional baseball shooting, also displays personal resilience that has endeared him to the rest of the GOP. Through tough votes and turbulent internal politics in the Republican Party, Scalise has been a disciplined messenger for Republicans, seemingly incapable of putting his foot in his mouth. “I know what I need to do,” Scalise said about his message discipline. “We have got a tough conference, a complicated conference, but you know, you got to work with everybody. But you also have to be candid with him and go, ‘OK, it’s time. Now it’s time to get on the train.’” It helps, he said, that Trump is engaged in the process. The president will ask Scalise to give him names of members to call to get on board — and while some might see the attention from Trump as a treat, Scalise insisted: “That’s not a call you want to have.” “He’s our best closer for a reason — because he also knows what he wants to do, and we’re all helping each other achieve the things we ran on,” Scalise said of Trump.",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-delivers-floor-speech-urging-congress-to-reauthorize-the-improve-and-enhance-the-work-opportunity-tax-credit-act/,Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress to Reauthorize the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act,2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"(Click here to watch and here to download.) WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor to urge Congress to reauthorize and expand the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Act. Cassidy emphasized the importance of access to stable employment to help military spouses, those returning to society after incarceration, pregnant mothers, and others struggling to find a job. “Instead of making service a barrier to employment, WOTC rewards it by providing the military spouse the opportunity to build a stable and rewarding career. And in our country, that’s how we should treat those who have served our country in the military,” said Dr. Cassidy. “One of the most meaningful ways to strengthen a person’s future, to support their family, and uplift their community, is by taking the skills that you know you have, and finding a job in which you can meaningfully use those skills,” said Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below: Mr. President, When I go back to Louisiana, I meet with folks around the state. Veterans in Jefferson Parish, some of whom have just gotten out of the service and are struggling to find a job. Local business owners in Houma. Nurses at hospitals in Baton Rouge. What do they have in common? They all can benefit from the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, or WOTC for short. WOTC is a bill that makes it easier to get a job if you are someone who, for one reason or another, has difficulty doing so. As an example, if you are the spouse of someone in the military, companies often won’t hire you because of the likelihood of having to relocate. But WOTC gives employers a federal tax credit when they hire military spouses, benefitting the employee and the employer. Mr. President, when one member of the family is serving our country, the whole family serves. Instead of making service a barrier to employment, WOTC rewards it by providing military spouses the opportunity to build a stable, rewarding career. In the United States of America, that’s exactly how we ought to treat those serving our country. There are others whose circumstances prevent them from getting a good job. Pregnant and working mothers. Lower-income families. WOTC incentivizes companies to hire them all. I believe that one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen your future, support your family, and uplift your community is by applying your skills in a profession that’s right for you. That’s why, in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, if you’re receiving SNAP benefits, and you are able-bodied, and you can work, then you should. WOTC helps those who have been out of work rejoin the workforce and supports businesses along the way. So, when someone gets a good job, they receive more than an income. They find stability. They become independent. They have another tool with which to achieve their American Dream. That’s why we must reauthorize WOTC, which expired last December. People in Louisiana and across the country support this bill and have contacted my office requesting that Congress reinstate it as soon as possible. So that the military spouse or service member newly out, the working mom, the low-income family, all have the opportunity to work hard, contribute to society, and succeed despite the challenges they face. That is what being an American is all about. I wake up every morning, and I think about how to make life better in Louisiana and in the United States of America. The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act creates jobs, expands opportunity, and makes life better. As we approach a new reconciliation bill, work on funding the government, and other legislative vehicles, we should consider including WOTC and extending it to military spouses. Let’s get it done as soon as possible. ###",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2925,"Speaker Johnson: Once Again, House Republicans Deliver",2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks following House passage this week of the budget resolution to unlock Reconciliation 3.0, the Stop Insider Trading Act, the FY27 NDAA, and the clean continuing resolution to fund the government through the midterm elections. “Americans demand a few things that are common sense. They demand secure elections, they want a strong national defense capable of countering our adversaries, and they want a Congress that plays by the same rules that they do. These are not big things to ask,” Speaker Johnson said. “House Republicans delivered on all those promises and those priorities this week and then some.” Nearly every House Democrat voted this week against funding the government, securing American elections, funding the United States military, and a ban on Members of Congress profiting from non-public information. Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here. Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered: This was obviously a consequential week for House Republicans, but it was a very consequential week for the American people. And we've delivered once again. Americans demand a few things that are common sense. They demand secure elections. They want a strong national defense capable of countering our adversaries. They want a Congress that plays by the same rules that they do. These are not big things to ask. House Republicans delivered on all those promises and those priorities this week and then some. By way of reminder, this is what we did this week. The House Republicans passed the clean CR to keep the government funded responsibly, the Stop Insider Trading Act that bans lawmakers from trading and buying individual stocks and from abusing their office for financial gain, the NDAA to provide a much needed pay raise for our troops and to rebuild the arsenal of freedom, and the budget resolution that unlocks our third reconciliation bill, which of course is Republican's best shot to get as much of the SAVE America Act into law as possible, in addition to funding our national defense and our farmers. Republicans support our troops, our farmers and election security. We're the only team in Washington that does. Many of you doubted our success. Many of you standing around me in this gaggle right now said, let me read you a sample of the headlines: ‘House Republicans face final week gauntlet.’ Another said: ‘Johnson's rocky sprint to recess.’ Another said it was ‘Johnson's make or break week.’ Despite nearly every Democrat voting against everything I just read you, House Republicans delivered. Now, when many of you like to say that major legislating can't happen in an election year, we just proved you wrong. This week, we continue to deliver for the people, and we're going to continue that streak all the way through the end of this year and into the next Congress. We're increasingly confident that we will hold and grow this majority in the House. We must because you're seeing a demonstration of the two sides – the divergent views for America. We had been saying that this was an election that was shaping up as a contest between common sense and crazy. And now it is literally in many sectors around the country, common sense versus communism. We have done our job; we'll continue to do it. Tomorrow, House Republicans will return to their districts armed with a proven track record of success and in these new legislative victories. Democrats, on the other hand, have to go home. They have to answer for quite a bit. They have to answer for why they voted against funding our troops, against funding the government, against common sense policies like voter ID and proof of citizenship, and against a popular ban on Members of Congress purchasing individual stocks. We have three and a half months to go until this election. We are going to run through the tape. We're going to continue to demonstrate here every day as we did this week: the Republicans are on the side of the American people, on the side of common sense, on the side of America. The Democrats simply are not. That's a sad reality of where we are and everybody gets to make a choice in the upcoming election. We're very much looking forward to that. ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-dunn-craig-champion-improving-care-youth-act,"Reps. Carter, Dunn, Craig Champion the Improving CARE for Youth Act",2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably (CARE) for Youth Act. This bipartisan legislation increases access to mental health services for children enrolled in Medicaid. “This is a common-sense, no-cost fix that removes a bureaucratic barrier standing between patients and the integrated care model that providers already want to deliver. When a doctor identifies a need for behavioral health support, that patient shouldn't have to wait — they should be able to see a provider down the hall, right then and there,” said Rep. Carter. “The Improving CARE for Youth Act allows Medicaid to reimburse for behavioral health and primary care services delivered on the same day, at the same visit. This is lifesaving care for patients when they need it most.” Under current Medicaid policy, health care providers generally may only bill for one service per patient per day. As a result, when a child visits a primary care physician and is identified as needing behavioral or mental health services, practices with an integrated mental health provider often cannot bill for both the primary care visit and the same-day mental health service. This outdated billing restriction discourages same-day treatment, forcing many children to schedule a separate appointment and delaying access to critical care. “Our nation is facing a growing youth mental health crisis, and we should be removing barriers to care, not creating them,” said Rep. Dunn. “As a physician, I know that early intervention can make a profound difference in a child's long-term health and well-being. Protecting the future of the youth in our country is too important to be hindered by a Medicaid billing restriction. The Improving CARE for Youth Act ensures children can receive the care they need when they need it.” “We are facing a mental health crisis in our country, and we've got to make sure young people have access to the mental health care they need when they need it,” said Rep Craig. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill alongside my colleagues that will remove barriers to mental health care for children on Medicaid and ensure a better future for our kids and grandkids.” Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/23/higgins-outlines-strategy-to-pass-the-save-america-act-through-senate/,Higgins Outlines Strategy to Pass the SAVE America Act through Senate,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement urging the U.S. Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and require photo identification before voting. “Conservatives in the House of Representatives consider the SAVE America Act to be a non-negotiable, nation-saving piece of legislation. When polled, mandatory voter ID is repeatedly supported by over 70 percent of Americans. Yet some Senators seem indifferent to the will of the American people. The House of Representatives’ hard work on this core issue has produced a 3-track legislative opportunity for the Senate to get the job done. I, alongside Members of the House Freedom Caucus, have been in constant communication with House Leadership, a handful of true conservatives in the Senate, and the Trump Administration regarding the SAVE America Act to force performance in the U.S. Senate on this critical piece of legislation. We have passed several versions of this legislation through multiple vehicles, and we call on our colleagues in the upper chamber to push it across the finish line. We demand a fight for the SAVE America Act in the Senate.” Background: Since President Trump took office in January 2025, and the 119th Congress began, the House has sent several versions of the SAVE America Act to the Senate: The House passed the SAVE America Act as a standalone bill on April 10, 2025, and sent it to the Senate. The House passed the SAVE America Act on February 11, 2026, as an amendment to S. 1313 and sent it to the Senate. The House sent the SAVE America Act to the Senate on July 15, 2026, alongside the FY27 State Department Funding bill. The House sent the SAVE America Act to the Senate on July 22, 2026, alongside the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act. The House sent voter ID provisions from the SAVE America Act to the Senate on July 22, 2026, as a section of the Stop Insider Trading Act. The House passed instructions to include the SAVE America Act on July 22, 2026, as part of the Budget Reconciliation Framework.",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/23/higgins-works-with-louisiana-farm-bureau-to-modernize-usda-program/,Higgins Works with Louisiana Farm Bureau to Modernize USDA Program,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced H.R. 9781, the Defend American Agriculture Act, legislation that raises the borrowing authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) from $30 billion to $45 billion through September 2031. Read the bill text here. The CCC is the primary financing arm that USDA uses to fund programs crucial to American farmers. However, the borrowing cap has been frozen at $30 billion since 1987 and is insufficient for modern farm costs. The proposed increase would give USDA more capacity to deliver commodity support, disaster assistance, conservation funding, and export promotion for American farmers and ranchers. “With the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s strong advocacy behind it, the Defend American Agriculture Act will help ensure our farmers can keep food on Americans’ tables,” said Congressman Higgins. “Our farmers and ranchers have faced rising costs over the past four decades, and modernizing this outdated program is necessary to give our producers the support they need.”",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/22/higgins-asks-fbi-to-examine-orleans-parish-grand-jury-indictment-of-la-ag-murrill/,Higgins Asks FBI to Examine Orleans Parish Grand Jury Indictment of LA AG Murrill,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel earlier this month, requesting an investigation into the indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill by an Orleans Parish grand jury. In the letter, he pointed to the suspicious origin of the case and irregularities with the grand jury’s proceedings as necessitating federal review. Read the letter here. Congressman Higgins’ letter was delivered on July 3, 2026, shortly after a Louisiana Supreme Court decision to issue a stay and halt the indictment. The decision cited “disturbing defects in the grand jury proceedings and in the trial court’s handling of those proceedings.”",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/22/higgins-secures-louisiana-wins-in-fy27-national-defense-authorization-act/,Higgins Secures Louisiana Wins in FY27 National Defense Authorization Act,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027. “This year’s NDAA strengthens America’s standing as the most powerful military force the world has ever known. President Trump has brought new meaning to the term ‘Peace Through Strength.’ This legislation provides American warfighters with the tools they need to win in any conflict, anywhere around the world. As I ascend in seniority on the Armed Services Committee, we will continue to perform for the country and fight for Louisiana priorities.” In his role on the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Higgins helped secure many provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act that will directly benefit Louisiana. These include: $259M for Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge craft. $152M for the procurement of US Navy 40-foot Patrol Boats. $5M for Louisiana industry to develop unmanned Arctic-capable vessels. $35M for defense technology innovation programs in partnership with the Louisiana Defense Research Consortium (LDRC) and UL-Lafayette. Language directing the Navy to develop and report on clear performance standards for integrating mission payloads onto unmanned surface vessels (USVs). $125M for the Platform Supply Vessel Program to support offshore maritime logistics. Language directing the Navy to evaluate the industrial base’s maintenance, logistics, and sustainment capacity needed to support large unmanned undersea vehicles. $733M for the Ship to Shore Connector program. The NDAA also authorizes advanced procurement for the Ship to Shore Connector program to maintain its production schedule. Language directing a Navy and U.S. Marine Corps study to inform future requirements for advanced reconnaissance vessels for constituent shipbuilders. $7M for aerial computer sensor manufacturing in Louisiana. Language directing the Navy to develop a strategy to maintain a competitive and resilient unmanned surface vessel (USV) industrial base. Support for design and testing of USVs operating in contested environments. Supporting continuity of mission and readiness during the transition of F-5 to F/A18 fighter aircraft which will directly benefit Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. $53M for M917A3 heavy dump trucks for the Louisiana National Guard. Language directing the Army to assess how autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs) could protect U.S. watercraft in contested environments. Authorization for the Louisiana National Guard and Navy Reserve to procure F-15EX fighter jets. $70M for 48-meter autonomous M3OPVs, supporting the Pentagon rapid prototyping initiative for autonomous vessels in contested logistics environments. $25M to modernize B-52 Agile Pod systems at Barksdale Air Force Base. Language requiring a quality-of-life assessment for the garrison at Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. $916M for funding additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Language directing, when possible, the domestic production and sourcing of critical minerals for defense supply chains. Language prohibiting the procurement of vehicles and vehicle technologies from adversarial nations like China and Russia. $25M for the development of a directed energy satellite missile defense system. $133M and report language for advancing sea-based petroleum distribution systems. $13.5M for maneuverable spacecraft prototyping to support the U.S. Space Force. Language establishing the National Guard Homeland Defense Service Ribbon for personnel engaged in missions to protect federal personnel and property, support law enforcement, secure the border, and restore public order. Language directing the U.S. Census Bureau to coordinate with the Department of War to provide an accurate count of personnel living on U.S. military installations, to prevent undercounting for congressional apportionment. Congressman Higgins also worked with his colleagues to align this year’s NDAA with President Trump’s agenda, securing the following conservative victories:",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2922,House Passes the Stop Insider Trading Act,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson today released the following statement after House Republicans passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act. “For too long, Americans struggling to make ends meet have watched as lawmakers have entered office just to leave as multi-millionaires. This type of behavior is unacceptable and diminishes the American people’s trust in this institution. Today, with passage of the Stop Insider Trading Act, House Republicans took a critically important step to restore that faith and trust in both Congress and American elections. “The Stop Insider Trading Act does exactly what it says. This legislation bans Members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks from publicly traded companies, helps prevent public officials from profiting from inside information, and ensures that voters must show a valid ID when they go to the polls to vote. Despite these commonsense measures enjoying supermajority support among the American people, Democrats overwhelmingly voted against this legislation. While Democrats talk about rooting out corruption, Republicans are taking action and delivering real results.” ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2923,House Republicans Pass Budget Resolution Unlocking Legislation to Secure American Elections and Strengthen Our Homeland,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Whip Emmer, and Chairwoman McClain today released the following statement after House passage of the Budget Resolution for Reconciliation 3.0 — the SAVE and Protect America Act: “Today, House Republicans passed the Budget Resolution for Reconciliation 3.0 — the SAVE and Protect America Act — which puts Congressional Republicans on a path to enacting two fundamentally simple and crucial goals: securing American elections and strengthening our homeland by providing supplemental funding requested by the Administration to support our national defense and protect our nation’s food supply. After the Senate passes this Budget Resolution, our House Committees will begin the process of drafting and passing the SAVE and Protect America Act. This Budget Resolution is our best shot at enacting as much of the SAVE America Act into law as possible. This is a bill that every Republican in Congress can and should get behind.” ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2924,House Republicans Are Rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. “The FY27 National Defense Authorization Act will ensure America maintains the most lethal, most dynamic, most capable fighting force in the world. This year’s NDAA builds on key investments in the Working Families Tax Cuts as Republicans lead the charge to restore America’s military dominance and rebuild the arsenal of freedom. “This legislation provides our brave servicemembers with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defense – including construction of the Golden Dome – cuts $30 billion in wasteful spending, and revitalizes America’s defense industrial base to secure our safety, security, and prosperity. The NDAA also advances President Trump’s peace through strength agenda by codifying over 65 of the Trump Administration’s executive orders and legislative proposals. “In an increasingly dangerous world, we are reminded of President Reagan’s admonition that freedom is not passed along in the bloodstream; it must be fought for and protected so the next generation may enjoy the same level of security and opportunity we have known. And that starts in Congress. Safeguarding our liberties by providing for our common defense is one of our most basic responsibilities as elected representatives, and this year’s NDAA meets the moment.” ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-house-republicans-are-delivering-results-while-democrats-continue-to-obstruct,Scalise: House Republicans Are Delivering Results While Democrats Continue to Obstruct,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today on the House floor, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) contrasted House Republicans' record of lowering costs, strengthening border security, combatting fraud, and advancing election integrity with Democrats' continued opposition to those priorities. Leader Scalise also pointed to recent reports that New Jersey identified more than 6,600 noncitizens on its voter rolls as evidence of the need for stronger election integrity measures. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-delivers-floor-speech-honoring-fallen-u-s-deputy-marshal-michael-andrew-hanson/,Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Honoring Fallen U.S. Deputy Marshal Michael Andrew Hanson,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"(Click here to watch.) WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor honoring Michael Andrew Hanson, a fallen U.S. Deputy Marshal from the Western District of Louisiana. Cassidy honored Deputy Hanson for his service to the state of Louisiana and asked for a moment of silence for Hanson’s family, friends, and community. “Hanson displayed the greatest love: love for his country, love for justice, and love for others,” said Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below: Mr. President, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Hanson was a member of the Western District of Louisiana’s Fugitive Task Force. He was a husband. He was a father. He was shot and killed while arresting a man on sexual battery charges. Mr. President, Deputy Hanson displayed the greatest love: love for his country, love for justice, and love for others. The man who murdered him took his life, yes. But no criminal, no weapon can take a man’s honor, courage, or legacy. Now, a moment of silence for Drew’s family, friends, and community. [pause] ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/21/higgins-legislation-cracking-down-on-toxic-foreign-imports-passes-house/,Higgins’ Legislation Cracking Down on Toxic Foreign Imports Passes House,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act. Congressman Higgins and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) introduced the legislation in April 2025. The bill would authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to destroy imported products that pose significant health risks. Read the bill text here. The legislation comes amid reports of toxic, radioactive seafood entering U.S. ports, as well as health risks posed by illegal foreign-made vapes, both of which would be subject to destruction under this bill. Currently, the FDA can destroy dangerous imported medicine and medical devices, but not food, which allows foreign vessels turned away at one port to unload their cargo at another. While originally crafted to address seafood imports, H.R. 2715 would close this loophole across the board, preventing hazardous products of all kinds from entering U.S. markets. “The House is prioritizing the health and safety of the American people by ensuring that predatory foreign actors are not offloading harmful products at our ports,” said Rep. Clay Higgins. “Our bill empowers the FDA to destroy contaminated products, a necessary step to ensure radioactive seafood and counterfeit goods are not reaching American consumers. We are protecting the American people and domestic industry.” “This legislation will protect Louisiana’s health and support our seafood economy. By granting the FDA the necessary authority to destroy food products that fail to meet our strict health and safety standards, we are closing a dangerous loophole that has allowed contaminated seafood to enter our markets,” said Rep. Troy Carter, Sr. “This bill protects consumers from potential health risks and upholds the integrity of our food supply chain, while supporting Louisiana fishermen and seafood processors.” “No one should be surprised that foreign exporters choose to ship contaminated food to the U.S. market if the worst that can happen is that the product is returned to them by the FDA,” said Blake Price, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “This loophole in the law has unintentionally incentivized the flooding of our market with foreign shrimp containing banned antibiotics, harmful pathogens, and, most recently, radioactive substances that undercut hard-working U.S. shrimpers. The American shrimp industry is incredibly grateful for the leadership of Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter in advancing the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, common sense, bipartisan legislation that closes the loophole and gives the FDA authority to destroy goods that pose a significant threat to public health.”",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fields-statement-upcoming-congressional-election,CONGRESSMAN FIELDS' STATEMENT ON THE UPCOMING CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Cleo Fields,F000110,fields.house.gov,fields,https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Cleo Fields released the following statement regarding his decision about the upcoming congressional election: “After a great deal of prayer and reflection, I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress, in the 6th District or any other district in Louisiana. Instead, I will be running to fill the unexpired term for the State Senate in the 14th District. I feel my calling to serve the people is better put to use back home than here in D.C., and I intend to answer that call.” Congressman Fields will be holding a press conference this Friday at 10 am in Baton Rouge, LA, location to be announced, with more details on his decision. For any questions, comments, or inquiries, please reach out to sydney.broome@mail.house.gov, or (202) 843-2045.",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2919,Speaker Johnson: Reconciliation 3.0 is Essential to Election Integrity and National Security,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson previewed House Republicans’ consequential week ahead and highlighted Republican efforts to secure American elections and provide for our national defense through the SAVE and Protect America Act. Speaker Johnson also discussed House Republicans taking action to responsibly fund the government, avoid yet another Democrat shutdown, and stop the threat of insider trading in Congress. “Number one: secure American elections by passing the SAVE America Act into law, as much of that as possible, that's the objective. Number two: protect and strengthen our homeland. And how do we do that? We'll be providing supplemental funding in line with the Administration's request to support our national defense and our farmers,” Speaker Johnson said. “Why is this necessary? Because Democrats have yet again refused to work with Republicans on basic election integrity and strengthening our nation's defense.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here. On Republican efforts to secure American elections and provide for national defense: On reconciliation this week, of course, we're going to move the ball forward on Reconciliation 3.0. We’ll pass our budget resolution, send it to the Senate. As a reminder, this legislative vehicle is our best shot at accomplishing two key objectives of the people of this country. These are very popular and important and necessary objectives. Number one: secure American elections by passing the SAVE America Act into law, as much of that as possible, that's the objective. Number two: protect and strengthen our homeland. And how do we do that? We'll be providing supplemental funding in line with the Administration's request to support our national defense and our farmers. Why is this necessary? Because Democrats have yet again refused to work with Republicans on basic election integrity and strengthening our nation's defense. As always, Republicans support our troops, our farmers and election integrity and we will demonstrate that again this week. On Republicans preventing yet another Democrat government shutdown: Later today, House Republicans are going to move closer to responsibly funding the government as well. We're going to pass a totally clean, very simple continuing resolution that will fund the government through November. The CR is as clean as they come. There are no poison pills. There's no maneuvers, there's nothing other than a simple extension of current funding levels. Now this is going to be one to watch. Unfortunately, given the Democrats have already forced the two longest government shutdowns in American history in this Congress – one of them for 78 days – they've already demonstrated they don't care what kind of pain they inflict on the American people. They do this to try to score political points. I think they're making the wrong calculation here. Republicans are under no illusions about Democrats' intentions ahead of a very consequential midterm election. Today's Democrat Party, I think they have a very false impression. They think that they can score political points by trying to inflict pain. It's not going to work. They’ve shown there's nothing they love more than a government shutdown as tens of millions of Americans head to the polls in November. But this clean CR is an opportunity for both sides. They have an opportunity to demonstrate they're committed to responsibly funding the government through November. And again, I bet you, they don't help us on it. If the Democrats can't support that, this basic principle, then they alone are going to own the chaos that ensues if the government shuts down after September 30th. On the Stop Insider Trading Act plus Voter ID: This week, House Republicans are going to take an important step to restore Americans' faith and trust in Congress and in American elections with the Stop Insider Trading Act. As Leader Scalise noted, this is something the American people have been very interested in for a long, long time. We have finally cobbled together what we believe is the vote coalition to make that happen. I want to commend the good work of the House Administration Committee and Chairman Bryan Steil for their quarterbacking of this collaborative effort. And they've drafted a bill that I think is really, really well done. Too often, Americans struggling to make ends meet have watched as lawmakers have entered office to leave as multimillionaires. There's a handful of glaring examples. A couple of those people are still serving, notably on the Democrat side. The Stop Insider Trading Act does exactly what it says. It bans Members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks from publicly traded companies, and it helps prevent public officials from profiting from inside information. It's a very logical thing to do. The bill also includes a very common sense and popular provision to ensure that voters must show a valid ID when they go to the polls to vote. Virtually all Republicans support that commonsense measure, and over 70% of Democrats do, as acknowledged most recently by Chuck Schumer himself. And yet, watch, I bet you, not a single Democrat in the House or Senate will support these measures. Democrats only talk about corruption. Republicans are actually delivering real solutions to restore the public's faith in our institutions because we believe in this country. We believe in our matchless Constitution that is the envy of everybody around the world. And we believe on the 250th anniversary, now is it a very important time to stand on that. ###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2920,"Speaker Johnson Welcomes The Right Honorable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, to U.S. Capitol",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson hosted The Right Honorable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, for a bilateral meeting at the U.S. Capitol. Their meeting follows Speaker Johnson’s visit to the House of Commons in January, when he became the first U.S. Speaker to address the British Parliament. Both Speaker Johnson and Speaker Hoyle delivered brief remarks following their meeting. “Today, here in our nation's Capitol, we are certainly proud to celebrate America's unique bond and the enduring friendship that we have with the British people,” Speaker Johnson said. “The United States and the United Kingdom are two of the most exceptional nations the world has ever known, and together, we form the single greatest force for advancing human freedom and preserving the values of western civilization.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here. Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered: Good afternoon, everyone. It's a tremendous privilege of mine personally and officially to welcome the Speaker of the U.K. Parliament, The Right Honorable, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. We've become friends over these last couple of years and have done many events together. And I'm just delighted to welcome him and his wife, Lady Hoyle, to the United States Capitol. It's his first visit here, which I'm surprised by, but we're certainly delighted to have him. In January, as part of America's Semiquincentennial celebration, I had the profound honor of visiting and addressing the Parliament in the U.K. I was the first U.S. Speaker of the House ever allowed to do so. And we so enjoyed that. Speaker Hoyle graciously hosted my wife, Kelly, and me and our team. Today here in our nation's Capitol, we are certainly proud to celebrate America's unique bond and the enduring friendship that we have with the British people. The United States and the United Kingdom are two of the most exceptional nations the world has ever known, and together, we form the single greatest force for advancing human freedom and preserving the values of Western civilization. Speaker Hoyle and I believe wholeheartedly in that special relationship as it is called. We'll continue to be a beacon for liberty and freedom. That's the resolve that both nations have just as it has throughout our history. And this visit reaffirms that shared hope and commitment that we have. Finally, I'd like to address my well wishes to the newly appointed British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, who just took office yesterday. I'm hopeful this new government can work together with the United States to advance the shared interest and the priorities of our people. We thank you for being here and I will yield the podium to the other Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. ###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-house-republicans-advance-agenda-to-strengthen-affordability-security-and-trust,"Scalise: House Republicans Advance Agenda to Strengthen Affordability, Security, and Trust",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to preview a busy week in the House, outlining House Republicans' agenda to keep the government open, strengthen election integrity, reform congressional stock trading, support America's military, and lower costs for American families. Leader Scalise also contrasted Republicans' focus on delivering commonsense solutions with Democrats' embrace of radical collectivist policies that would raise costs and undermine America's security. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview.",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-house-republicans-offer-a-clear-contrast-on-freedom-security-and-affordability,"Scalise: House Republicans Offer a Clear Contrast on Freedom, Security, and Affordability",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) to highlight the growing divide within the Democrat Party as far-left candidates gain momentum while House Republicans continue advancing legislation to strengthen election integrity, support national security, lower costs, and keep the government open. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/17/higgins-legislation-naming-lafayette-va-clinic-after-veteran-rodney-c-hamilton-sr-passes-house/,Higgins’ Legislation Naming Lafayette VA Clinic after Veteran Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. Passes House,2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6963, legislation designating the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the “Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic.” “Rodney Hamilton dedicated his life and career in service to the United States of America and our Veterans. His lifelong advocacy made it possible to establish Lafayette’s state-of-the-art VA clinic, and it is fitting that every Veteran assisted by this clinic will know his name,” said Rep. Higgins. “I am proud to have led this Louisiana delegation effort, and look forward to its swift passage in the Senate.” Louisiana delegation members Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA), Congressman Cleo Fields (D-LA), and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Supporting organizations include the American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans state chapters. Read the full text here. Congressman Higgins led debate in favor of the legislation on the House floor before it passed unanimously by voice vote. Watch his full remarks here. Rodney Hamilton was born in 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1948, where he would reside until his death in 2020. At the age of 17, Hamilton joined the Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. He was wounded in combat in September 1951 and was awarded the Purple Heart. After his tenure in the Marine Corps, Hamilton became a Lafayette community leader. He served in Lafayette’s city government from 1968-1972 and later founded the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition. As a longtime Veterans advocate, Hamilton played a crucial role in establishing the VA clinic in Lafayette, which opened in 2016. The road leading to the Lafayette VA Clinic was named in Hamilton’s honor in 2017.",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/16/higginsreintroduces-legislation-to-combat-computer-generated-comment-abuse-in-federal-rulemaking/,Higgins Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Computer-Generated Comment Abuse in Federal Rulemaking,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) reintroduced H.R. 9643, the Comment Integrity and Management Act, legislation to protect the federal rulemaking process by requiring agencies to verify that public comments are submitted by humans. Read the bill text here. This legislation responds to the growing usage of artificial intelligence and automated tools to flood agencies with large volumes of computer-generated comments. These tactics dilute the views of legitimate individuals and can lead to a false sense of public opinion. The bill was previously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2024.",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-introduces-legislation-to-provide-employment-assistance-to-spouses-of-veterans-who-died-by-suicide/,Cassidy Introduces Legislation to Provide Employment Assistance to Spouses of Veterans who Died by Suicide,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the Veteran Suicide Spousal Career Services Act to ensure spouses of veterans who died by suicide because of a service-connected disability have access to career counseling and employment services. “When a veteran dies by suicide, the surviving spouse is left to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. A steady job provides purpose, stability, and a path forward. This bill creates that opportunity,” said Dr. Cassidy. Background",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2918,Speaker Johnson on Reconciliation 3.0: Safeguarding American Elections is Important to the American People and it’s Important for the Future,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks following House Republicans’ conference meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance regarding the budget resolution for Congressional Republicans third reconciliation bill — the SAVE and Protect America Act. “It's our best shot at enacting our party's top priority legislation, the SAVE America Act. It is important to the American people and it's important to the future. And there is nothing in this bill that every Republican in Congress cannot proudly get behind,” Speaker Johnson said. “Republicans support election integrity, our troops, and of course our farmers, and this vehicle will demonstrate all of that.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here. Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered: We just had a great meeting with the House Republican Conference. We’re delighted to have been joined by the Vice President, J.D Vance. You'll hear from him in just a moment. What we were here to address today, what you're all here to hear about is we're moving forward with Reconciliation 3.0 this morning. After many months of deliberation and discussion and contemplation, the House Budget Committee is moving forward with the budget resolution that will get us to Reconciliation 3.0. Let me tell you a few of the details about it. Given the Democrats’ absolute refusal to work with us on the nation's top priorities – and that includes election integrity and strengthening our nation's defense – we’re moving forward with a narrow, streamlined package to deliver on some of America's top priorities. It is a sad situation. This is where we are; Republicans have to do this on our own. The budget resolution instructs four House committees to write Reconciliation 3.0. Those committees are the House Administration Committee, House Armed Services Committee, House Agriculture, and House Intelligence Committee. Each of them will have an important component part of it. The forthcoming reconciliation legislation sets out to accomplish two very important goals: one, to secure America's elections. We're going to pass the SAVE America Act into law as much of that as possible. The SAVE America Act ensures, as you know, that voters have proof of citizenship to register to vote, and they show a valid ID when they turn up to vote at the ballot box. These commonsense policies are reported by 83% of the American people. It's almost a 9 out of 10 public opinion poll in most of the polls that you look at. The second objective is to protect and strengthen our homeland. How will we do that? We will provide supplemental funding for our troops with the Administration's request to support national defense and our farmers. That's very important stuff. The Budget Committee is scheduled to vote this budget resolution out of committee tomorrow, and we will pass it through the House next week. We'll send it to the Senate, and then they will pass it before the August district work period. After the Senate passes the budget resolution, our four instructed House committees can go to work to write the reconciliation bill itself. We're looking forward to this process. We intend for this to be a law-making exercise, which means the House and the Senate both have to pass the bill, and of course, the President signs it into law. This budget resolution, which kickstarts Reconciliation 3.0 is a process. It's our best shot at enacting our party's top priority legislation, the SAVE America Act. It is important to the American people and it's important to the future. There is nothing in this bill that every Republican in Congress cannot proudly get behind. Republicans support election integrity, our troops, and of course our farmers, and this vehicle will demonstrate all of that. Once again, we're delighted again to have been joined by our Vice President who had a lot to say to the Republicans. They're very encouraged – he got multiple standing ovations. It's a good day to be a Republican. ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-statement-massie-amendment-limiting-funding-israel,Congressman Carter Statement on Massie Amendment Limiting Funding for Israel,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) issued the following statement: “I have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and other terrorist organizations that threaten its people. Israel has the right to live in peace and security, and nothing in my position should be interpreted otherwise. “But our support for an ally does not mean we should remain silent when innocent lives are being lost on such a devastating scale. The deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, especially women and children, the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and vital infrastructure, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis demand that we speak with both honesty and compassion. “In my view, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has impeded efforts toward peace and protecting innocent civilians, including from violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. America has both the right and the responsibility to ensure that our assistance reflects our values and our commitment to human rights. “For that reason, I am supporting Representative Thomas Massie’s amendment. It is a vote for accountability. It is a vote to say that American support should encourage peace, protect innocent lives, and advance the values we stand for as a nation. “I continue to support the immediate release of every hostage, a permanent ceasefire, the full delivery of humanitarian aid, and renewed negotiations that lead to two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, security, and mutual respect. “The people of Israel and Palestine deserve to live with dignity and hope. We cannot allow another generation of children to grow up surrounded by violence and loss. “I believe in the long-term partnership that the American people have with the people of Israel and in America’s enduring commitment to a more peaceful, stable, and secure Middle East. That future must include dignity, security, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. I firmly state that the policies of the Netanyahu government cannot continue. “Peace is never easy. But it is always worth pursuing. That is the future I will continue to work toward.” ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-budzinski-lead-125-lawmakers-opposing-trump-administrations,"Reps. Carter, Budzinski Lead 125 Lawmakers in Opposing Trump Administration’s Extreme Federal Grantmaking Proposed Rule",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) recently sent a letter to Director Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in strong opposition to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule to overhaul how federal grants are awarded and administered, impacting over $1 trillion in annual Federal awards. “This proposal would represent the most sweeping and destructive transformation of the federal financial assistance system in modern history and would subordinate nonpartisan, merit-based grantmaking to political control, exposing the entire framework to serious constitutional challenge,” the Members wrote. “With more than $1 trillion in annual Federal awards at stake, the consequences would be felt by every state, federally recognized tribe, city, county, research university, hospital, and countless nonprofits, community organizations, and private firms that deliver critical scientific studies and essential public services.” The lawmakers oppose the proposed rule and urge OMB to withdraw this rulemaking in full. This sweeping, partisan, and ideologically driven rewrite of federal grants guidance would, if finalized, overhaul and politicize the entire federal funding regime in America. As outlined in the letter, this proposal would: Concentrate political control over federal spending, reducing objective peer review of research funding to a non-binding suggestion; Undermine constitutionally protected rights by requiring compliance with vague, sweeping prohibitions on projects that may include references to “unlawful DEI,” “gender ideology,"" and “religious discrimination;” Disrupt billions of dollars in existing awards and programs; and Increase the compliance burden on the organizations and governments that serve the public. “This proposal would hand political appointees unprecedented power to decide which communities deserve access to federal funding that Congress has already approved. Federal grants should be awarded based on law, peer-reviewed science, and community need—not political fealty,” said Jillian Blanchard, Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice at Lawyers for Good Government. “If finalized, this rule would put critical investments in public health, disaster resilience, clean energy, and infrastructure at risk while significantly increasing administrative burdens to the entire federal funding regime. We stand with Congressman Carter in opposing this dangerous proposal and defending a grants system that serves the American people and provides critical funding where it’s needed most.” “Instead of working to better the lives of the American people, protect public health, and ensure clean air and water for all, the Trump administration is pursuing yet another reckless, short-sighted, and ideologically motivated power-grab,” said Earthjustice Action Senior Legislative Representative Liz Ruben. “We thank Representatives Troy Carter, Nikki Budzinski, and the over 120 members of Congress who joined them on this letter for standing up for our communities and opposing this dangerous effort.” “Representatives Carter and Budzinski are right to sound the alarm about this sweeping effort to politicize federal grants. OMB’s proposal would allow political appointees to override expert review, disrupt existing awards, and make it harder for communities to secure the funding they need to protect public health and serve the public. We are grateful to every member of Congress standing with them to defend a fair, evidence-based grant system,” said Michelle Roos, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Network. “Giving political appointees the ability to bury real science and funnel federal research money toward disinformation won't make the problems we face go away, but instead, leave us dangerously unprepared to face very real threats,” said Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign. “Trump's Polluters First Agenda relies on ignoring the fact that the same fossil fuels causing the climate crisis are also making Trump's industry allies billions in profits. We are grateful to the more than 120 Members for standing up for scientific integrity, and for our lives.” Additional lawmakers signing onto the effort include Reps. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Ami Bera (D-CA), Donald Beyer (D-VA) Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Ed Case (D-HI), Sean Casten (D-IL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Bill Foster (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Greg Landsman (D-OH), John Larson (D-CT), George Latimer (D-NY), Summer Lee (D-PA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), John Mannion (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ), Christian Menefee (D-TX), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Grace Meng (D-NY), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Dave Min (D-CA), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Josh Riley (D-NY), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), George Whitesides (D-CA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL). This letter is endorsed by Lawyers for Good Government, Environmental Protection Network, Climate Action Campaign, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, United Auto Workers (UAW), Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health (OUCH) – International, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Committee to Protect Public Mental Health, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Texas, Physicians for Social Responsibility/San Francisco, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Medical Students for a Sustainable Future. Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2917,Speaker Johnson on the Rise of Radical Communists in the Democrat Party: “The Barbarians are Inside the Gate”,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — This morning, at the House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson joined Leader Scalise, Chairwoman McClain, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez – whose family fled communism in Cuba – in highlighting the horrors of socialism and communism. Speaker Johnson also addressed the rise of anti-American, communist candidates currently taking over the Democrat Party. “This philosophy has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone. It is a nightmare and is a trail to certain death. And that's why we're speaking in such stark terms, because we need America to wake up,” Speaker Johnson said. “35 years ago, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the Reagan years, they were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it's here.” Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here. On the rise of socialist, communist Democrat candidates: We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we're going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we're going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism. That is the question on the ballot this fall. Now, the DSA published their platform – I hope you're all covering it. I hope you're writing in depth about their platform. I read it out loud at event a few weeks ago, and they've made an ad mocking me reading their platform. Now, they didn't put the clips with the worst parts of it. Well, of course they want to pack the Supreme Court, and they want a unicameral legislature. They want the House to run everything; abolish the Senate, because they believe the House would be run by Marxists communists. They want to remove the President. What they also want to do is abolish all borders. They don't want any borders. They want mass amnesty granted to anyone who can come onto our shores without exception, even for terrorists and hardened, dangerous criminals. They don't want prisons. It's in their platform. They want to remove the carceral state. They said no prisons. They don't want to fund the police. This is not a game. Everybody needs to understand. These crazy little mini-Mamdani’s who are popping up all around the country; they are a danger to you and your family. This is not a game. If they promise you free stuff, there is far more beneath those promises that even some of these people do not understand themselves. On the failures of communism historically: Our rights come from our Creator, God; they do not come from the government. The communist believes the opposite. They believe that the government of the state is God and that the state is the one that gives you all your rights. And you know what? The state can also take those rights away. And that's exactly what happens. It's inevitable in communism. And this philosophy has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone. It is a nightmare. It is a trail to certain death and that's why we're speaking in such stark terms, because we need America to wake up. 35 years ago, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the Reagan years, they were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it's here. But in Congress, they all agreed on that. They obviously knew that we had to fight communism. And so, what they were doing here for domestic policy, that was foreign policy, domestic policy, they were arguing over marginal tax rates and the shades of regulation and how large the government should be. There wasn't a huge difference. The chasm between the two parties, those days are gone right now. Domestically, we are arguing, we are debating, we are fighting. The election will be over whether we're going to maintain our freedom in a constitutional republic, the greatest experiment in self-governance in the history of the world, the longest surviving constitution on the planet, the nation that everybody wants to emulate and everybody wants to come here. We have to seal our borders, so they won't flood over them. We're the only nation in the world that has that distinction. We're the last great superpower. We are the greatest nation in the history of the world. On the high stakes of the midterm elections: There has been a small number of times in the history of America where the actual experiment in self-governance was on the ballot. The idea that we would preserve a constitutional republic, one nation under God, a government of, by, and for the people. All that is in question right now. For the first time, really in my lifetime, this is a real question. The American people have to decide in November, in a midterm election for Congress and Senate. It’s not something that we would've projected. I hoped and prayed it would never come to this, but here we are. The barbarians are in the gate. ###",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-we-will-not-let-communism-prevail,Scalise: We Will Not Let Communism Prevail,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) to warn about the growing embrace of communist ideology among a new generation of Democratic candidates, highlight the real-world consequences of communism, and reaffirm House Republicans' commitment to defending American freedom. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-durbin-tillis-kaine-cornyn-king-introduce-bipartisan-proposal-to-initiate-congressional-action-on-social-security/,"CASSIDY, DURBIN, TILLIS, KAINE, CORNYN, KING, ARMSTRONG INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL TO INITIATE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON SOCIAL SECURITY",2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), and Alan Armstrong (R-OK) today introduced a proposal to initiate Congressional action on Social Security. The Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone (PROMISE) Act follows the release of the Social Security Board of Trustees’ annual report, which found that the Social Security Trust Fund will only be able to cover 78 percent of benefits in 2032—meaning that Americans who rely on the program will have their benefits reduced by 22 percent if Congress does not act. “Millions of Americans rely on Social Security to live. In 6 years, those families will see a 22% cut to their benefits if Congress doesn’t act. Our plan starts the process of preserving promised benefits for current retirees and the next generation of Americans,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Here is our chance to agree on a bipartisan process to rescue Social Security this year,” said Senator Durbin. “Our bipartisan proposal opens Congress to debate this issue in a transparent, fair, and bipartisan way. We were elected to solve problems—and there’s no greater problem than the solvency and future of Social Security.” “Social Security is on an unsustainable path that will lead to dramatic benefit cuts for retirees and growing skepticism among workers paying into a program on the brink of insolvency. With each passing year, the menu of options that preserve benefits and limit tax hikes narrows. The modest reforms Congress contemplated in 2010 would have put Social Security on solid footing for 75 years; today, those same reforms would add less than two years to our current runway,” said Senator Tillis. “I won’t pretend there’s consensus on how we solve this, but the math is unforgiving: the longer Congress waits to act, the fewer good options remain, which is why I am proud to support this legislation.” “For nearly a century, Social Security has been a lifeline that allows Americans to retire with dignity. Congress should not wait around until the last minute to shore up this critical program and prevent broad-based benefit cuts upon Trust Fund depletion,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing legislation that will encourage Congress to roll up its sleeves and find a path forward to ensure current and future generations of retirees and their families are able to receive the benefits they have earned and which they are owed.” “For years, we’ve known that Social Security faces serious long-term financial challenges, yet Congress has repeatedly chosen to look the other way,” said Senator King. “This legislation creates a bipartisan process to ensure Congress finally does its job. Social Security is a promise millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of work – household budgets rely on the timely arrival of these earnings to pay for mortgages, heat, and medications. We have a responsibility to preserve that promise for today’s retirees and for generations to come.” “Americans have paid into Social Security with the expectation that the benefits they earned would provide the foundation for their retirement, and Congress has a responsibility to keep that promise,” said Senator Cornyn. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan plan of action to address Social Security’s rapidly approaching insolvency before it becomes a bigger crisis so Congress is not caught flat-footed and Texans are not left holding the bag.” More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits. Social Security is a bedrock promise that hard-working Americans paying into the program will earn their retirement and not have to worry about putting food on their table, a roof over their heads, or medicine in their cabinets. However, last month’s Trustees report means that seniors and people with disabilities would have their benefits reduced by $450 per month (based on the average Social Security benefit of $2,071 per month). If Congress does not act, this automatic across-the-board benefit cut could push more than three million additional seniors and people with disabilities into poverty. Members of Congress have introduced several pieces of legislation that would ensure that the Social Security Trust Funds are funded for the next 75 years. Some of these bills have nearly 200 cosponsors, and others are bipartisan and have broad, popular support. However, almost none of them have ever received a vote. Congress should not wait until the Social Security Trust Fund is empty to address this issue when it can act now to protect and strengthen the Social Security Trust Fund for current and future generations. The PROMISE Act would create a procedure to initiate Congressional action on Social Security. Specifically, under the Senators’ proposal: The Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB), an independent, bipartisan advisory committee established to make recommendations to Congress, would transmit a base bill (which must ensure that the Social Security Trust Funds are funded for at least the next 50 years) to Congress. The Majority Leaders of the Senate and House would introduce the base bill. If they do not, any Member of Congress could do so. The base bill would be referred to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee. Both committees would have the chance to hold hearings and amend the base bill. The Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee would report the base bill (as potentially amended). If the Committees do not report the base bill, it automatically would be discharged and placed on the Senate and House calendars. The Majority Leaders of the Senate and House would move to proceed to the base bill (as potentially amended). If the Majority Leaders do not, any Member of Congress could do so. Members of Congress could offer substitute amendments (which must ensure that the Social Security Trust Funds are funded for at least the next 50 years) to the base bill (as potentially amended) after the motion to proceed. The Senate and House would vote on passage of the base bill (as potentially amended) after 100 hours of consideration. Final passage would require a three-fifths vote in the Senate and a majority vote in the House. According to polling from the Bipartisan Policy Center, 67 percent of those polled want Congress to take near-term action to solve Social Security’s impending challenges. The following organizations support the PROMISE Act: Peterson Solutions Fund, Bipartisan Policy Center, Third Way, and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. “Peterson Solutions Fund applauds the introduction of the PROMISE Act. Senators Cassidy and Durbin deserve tremendous credit for putting forward bipartisan legislation to secure the long-term solvency of the trust funds. Social Security is critical to the economic and retirement security of millions of Americans. An independent proposal from the experts of the Social Security Advisory Board combined with expedited procedures for its consideration in Congress will provide a once in a generation opportunity to address its looming crisis,” said Brett Loper, Executive Director of Peterson Solutions Fund. “America’s current and future retirees deserve a Social Security system that is financially strong and able to meet its financial commitments to seniors. With the trust funds nearing insolvency, Congress cannot remain in entrenched partisan positions. BPC Action endorses the PROMISE Act and commends Senators Cassidy (R-LA), Durbin (D-IL), Tillis (R-NC), Kaine (D-VA), and King (I-ME) for creating a serious bipartisan process to break the status quo of inaction. Their leadership should spur other members—and advocates committed to Social Security’s future—to come to the table, confront difficult choices, and help secure Americans’ earned benefits for generations to come,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. The legislation is supported by Romina Boccia of Cato, Jessica Riedl of Brookings, and Chuck Blahous of Mercatus Center. “For too long, Congress has treated Social Security’s rising shortfall as a future problem for someone else to solve. The program is already paying more in benefits than it collects in dedicated taxes, requiring the Treasury to borrow from the public to finance the gap. Over the long-term, the program’s financing gap compares to the size of the entire publicly held debt, in present value terms. And with automatic benefit cuts only about six years away under current law, further delay guarantees fewer choices, more uncertainty, and greater disruption for American workers and retirees when reform eventually comes. A process that requires Congress to debate and vote on a comprehensive solvency plan is a critical step toward dealing with the shortfall head on. As Cato polling demonstrates, the American people support a Congress willing to put politics aside to confront fiscal reality before a preventable crisis forces far more painful choices,” said Romina Baccia of Cato. “The longer Congress waits to address Social Security’s looming insolvency, the more expensive and narrow the eventual reforms become. This legislation will help Republicans and Democrats debate and craft a credible, bipartisan solution that keeps Social Security sustainable for decades,” said Jessica Riedl of Brookings. “Every year that Congress delays action on Social Security, the choices become more difficult and the consequences more severe. Social Security’s trustees have long warned that the program’s payment and revenue schedules need to be brought back into alignment. This bill does not dictate policy outcomes—it creates a mechanism for forward progress, and that’s what is needed more than anything else. The sooner you treat a dangerous condition, the better the patient’s chances for a healthy future. Once lawmakers are engaged in the process, they can bring their different value judgments to the table and hammer out a bipartisan compromise solution. But first, the process needs to start,” said Chuck Blahous, Mercatus Center. Background",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fields-statement-fatal-ice-shooting-biddeford-maine,"CONGRESSMAN FIELDS’ STATEMENT ON FATAL ICE SHOOTING IN BIDDEFORD, MAINE",2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Cleo Fields,F000110,fields.house.gov,fields,https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Cleo Fields released the following statement after a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Biddeford, Maine, the second fatal shooting involving ICE officers in less than a week: ""This morning, ICE agents shot and killed a 26-year-old man in Biddeford, Maine. He was authorized to work in this country. He had a Social Security number. He was somebody's son, somebody's neighbor. And now he's gone. Just last week, it was Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, shot and killed on his way to work. He wasn't even the man those agents were looking for. Two shootings in one week. Two lives taken, and neither man was the target of an immigration enforcement operation. I'll say it plainly: although neither victim was in this country illegally, an immigration violation is not a death sentence. It never has been, and it never should be. But when federal agents can shoot people in our streets with no body cameras, no accountability, and no answers, that's not law enforcement. That's lawlessness. The families of these men deserve answers. The American people deserve a full, independent investigation into both killings. And Congress needs to demand that this administration get control of an agency that clearly has none. I'm praying for these families, and for every community that now looks at their own government and feels afraid.""",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-statement-meta-expansion-northeast-louisiana,Letlow Statement on Meta Expansion in Northeast Louisiana,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Julia Letlow,L000595,letlow.house.gov,letlow,https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Letlow released the following statement on Meta's announced expansion in Richland Parish, creating jobs while promising to pay for costs related to energy, water, and related infrastructure. ""Meta’s transformative, $50 billion expansion in Richland Parish will cement the company’s promises and effectively position Northeast Louisiana in the modern economy,"" said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. ""I’m thrilled that Meta is committing to cover the full cost, protecting ratepayers while supporting our local businesses, education, and infrastructure. After years of our children moving away, responsible growth is on the horizon and there is tremendous hope for a brighter future in the Delta region.""",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2916,One Year Later: Democrats Tout Tax Cuts They Voted Against,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"House and Senate Democrats are regretting their votes in support of a $5 trillion tax hike on working families WASHINGTON — One year after President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts into law, hardworking American families across the nation are paying lower taxes and keeping more of what they earn – outcomes the legislation was written to achieve. Democrats unanimously opposed these transformational tax provisions for working families, instead voting for a $5 trillion tax hike – the largest in history. However, despite Congressional Democrats’ vehement and unanimous opposition and state-level Democrat attempts to actually block implementation of these tax provisions, many Democrats are now claiming to see the wisdom of providing tax relief to working families. Many House and Senate Democrats are lying to their voters, taking credit for legislation they actively opposed. “With their unanimous opposition to the Working Families Tax Cuts, Congressional Democrats in unison voted against no tax on tips and overtime, the doubled child tax credit, $50 billion for rural healthcare, and investment accounts for every newborn in America,” Speaker Johnson said. “Now, as tens of millions of citizens are benefitting from this historic tax relief, Democrats are attempting to mislead the American people and claim credit for something they opposed vehemently. Republicans will not let the American people forget that if Democrats had it their way, every taxpayer would have faced the largest tax increase in American history.” A few examples of how Democrats support the Working Families Tax Cuts: Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet ran two television ads in her district funded using taxpayer dollars to say she “passed Working Families Tax Credit” and that she is “helping Michiganders claim the Working Families Tax Credit.” Spoiler alert: like every other Democrat in Congress, she opposed the Working Families Tax Cuts. Now she’s trying to take the credit. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a bill that would make Trump Accounts permanent and automatically enroll newborns into the program, which he renames “American Dream Accounts,” and a bill to make No Tax on Tips permanent, saying “we must ensure that [...] as many workers as possible can benefit as much as possible.” Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and Susie Lee (D-NV), along with Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent “to ensure the successful implementation of this [No Tax on Tips] provision for our constituents and tipped workers across the country.” They all voted no, despite knowing they are “lawmakers representing our nation’s most hospitality and service industry dependent economy.” Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) admitted, “There are certain things that I liked in the big, ugly bill.” He and Emilia Sykes (D-OH) helped introduce a bill to expand eligibility for No Tax on Overtime. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) sent a joint press release, and Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) also took credit, for securing hundreds of millions of dollars in security funding for the World Cup – despite trashing the Working Families Tax Cuts, voting against the legislation which included the funding, and taking repeated voted to keep the Department of Homeland Security –the agency tasked with World Cup security – closed. Why are Democrats taking credit for this monumental legislation? Because the policies – and the successful results that followed – speak for themselves: KEEPING MORE OF YOUR MONEY 97% of filers received a tax cut this past filing season, who would have otherwise owed taxes absent the extension of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. $82 billion has been returned to the American people from the individual tax cuts in the WFTC. 96% of filers receiving a tax cut earned less than $200,000. Filers earning between $100,000 to $200,000, who claimed one of President Trump’s signature tax cuts, received an average tax cut of over $1,250. Nearly 70% of filers receiving a tax cut earned less than $100,000. Filers earning between $50,000 to $100,000, who claimed one of President Trump’s signature tax cuts, received an average tax cut over $815. No Tax on Tips: Over 7.5 million filers have claimed No Tax on Tips, with an average deduction of over $7,000. 90% of filers claiming the No Tax on Tips deduction had income under $100,000. 99% of filers claiming the No Tax on Tips deduction had income under $200,000. No Tax on Overtime: Over 29 million filers have claimed No Tax on Overtime, with an average deduction of over $3,100. 75% of filers claiming the No Tax on Overtime deduction had income under $100,000. 96% of filers claiming the No Tax on Overtime deduction had income under $200,000. Enhanced Senior Deduction: Over 35 million seniors have claimed the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors, with an average deduction of over $7,500. 68% of filers claiming the Enhanced Senior Deduction had income under $100,000. 94% of filers claiming the Enhanced Senior Deduction had income under $200,000. No Tax on Car Loan Interest: Over 1.4 million filers have claimed No Tax on Car Loan Interest on their new American vehicles, with an average deduction of over $1,800. 62% of filers claiming the No Tax on Car Loan Interest deduction had income under $100,000. 98% of filers claiming the No Tax on Car Loan Interest deduction had income under $200,000. Enhanced Child Tax Credit: Nearly 40 million families have claimed the enhanced Child Tax Credit, which is permanently doubled and expanded by the Working Families Tax Cuts. 65% of all families claiming the credit had income under $100,000. 89% of all families claiming the credit had income under $200,000. Doubled Standard Deduction: Over 127 million filers, or 90% of all tax filers, have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction, simplifying tax filing for millions across America. Boosts take home pay for a typical hardworking family by over $10,000 a year. More than 6 million Trump Accounts have been opened for American children, and 1.4 million are eligible to receive the initial $1,000 seed contribution from the Working Families Tax Cuts. 86% of Trump Accounts opened are linked to families earning less than $200,000 annually. 500,000 children received the $1,000 seed fund on July 4, 2026 from the Trump administration. THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUTS Puts American Farmers First: Prevents foreign countries from flooding our markets with biofuel feedstocks that compete with American grown agriculture. Invests in Rural America: Created the Rural Health Transformation Program and invested $50 billion over five years to transparently and efficiently transform rural health access. Supports Family Farms: Protects two million family farms from excessive taxation by raising the death tax exemption, helping generational farms stay in the family by increasing the amount family farms can inherit tax free. Expands Access to Disaster Aid: Expands access to standing disaster programs and conservation programs. Invests in American Agriculture: Expands affordable crop insurance and improves risk management tools for livestock, aquaculture, honeybees, and specialty crops. Ensures Tax Dollars Benefit Americans, Not Illegals: Ensures American taxpayers are no longer funding benefits for illegals on Medicaid and SNAP. Provides Small Business Relief: Provides immediate tax relief to farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans by increasing the small business expensing threshold and permanently extending the Small Business Deduction. Delivers Historic Tax Relief: This landmark legislation puts more money back into Americans’ pockets with American families and workers claiming $82 billion in individual relief directly from the Working Families Tax Cuts. Makes Permanent the Child Tax Credit: Permanently increased and enhanced $2,200 child tax credit for tens of millions of families. Supports School Choice and Parental Rights: Creates the first-ever federal tax credit to provide scholarships to children to attend a K-12 school of their choice. Creates Trump Accounts: Gives eligible children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, a $1,000 contribution from the Treasury Department. Expands the Adoption Tax Credit: Improvements to the Adoption Tax Credit make adoption more affordable Expands Skills-Based Training: Allows students to pay for short-term vocational and technical training programs that align with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage jobs. Expands Education Savings: Doubles the allowed annual distribution amount for K-12 expenses and expands qualified K-12 expenses to include materials, books, testing fees, online programs, tutoring. Expands qualified distributions for post-secondary career paths to include trade schools, technical certifications, and other workforce development credentialing. ###",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-cleo-fields-releases-statement-passing-state-senator-larry-selders,CONGRESSMAN CLEO FIELDS RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF STATE SENATOR LARRY SELDERS:,2026-07-08,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Cleo Fields,F000110,fields.house.gov,fields,https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BATON ROUGE, L.A. – Congressman Cleo Fields released the following statement mourning the passing of Louisiana State Senator Larry Selders, who passed away Tuesday evening. Senator Selders represented Louisiana's 14th Senate District and served in the Louisiana Legislature since 2021: ""Larry Selders was my friend, and Louisiana was better for every day he served it. I knew Larry a long time. I watched him come up, and I watched him become one of the most genuine leaders our state has produced. He was a Southern University man, like me, and he carried everything that institution stands for into every room he walked into. He never forgot where he came from, and he never stopped working for the people who sent him to the Legislature. When I was elected to Congress, I left behind the state Senate seat I had held for much of my career, a seat that means a great deal to me and to the people of Baton Rouge. There was never a question in my mind about who should carry it forward. I supported Larry because I knew his heart. He didn't see public office as a title; he saw it as a responsibility. And he proved me right every single day he held it. Larry was a social worker at heart, in his profession and in his politics. He spent his life caring for people struggling with mental health and addiction, and then he went to the State Capitol and wrote that care into law. He expanded mental health services, protected survivors of domestic violence, fought for working families, and opened doors for young people all across our state. He never asked for credit, because credit was never the point, people were. But if you asked Larry what he was proudest of, he wouldn't have said any of that. He would have told you about Kendra, LJ, and Luke. Anyone who knew him knew that his family came first, always. Kendra, the boys, and everyone who loved Larry remain in my prayers. Baton Rouge lost a champion, and I lost a brother in service. Rest well, my friend."" ###",1,2026-07-09T08:24:13Z,2026-07-09T08:26:05Z https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-voters-face-a-clear-choice-as-the-democrat-party-moves-further-left,Scalise: Voters Face a Clear Choice as the Democrat Party Moves Further Left,2026-07-08,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Steve Scalise,S001176,scalise.house.gov,scalise,https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NEW ORLEANS, La.—Last night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News's Hannity to discuss how the Democrat Party is increasingly nominating far-left candidates with out-of-touch policies. Leader Scalise also highlighted how Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts are expanding opportunity for hardworking families through lower taxes, Trump accounts, and the first-ever nationwide school choice tax credit. Image Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.",1,2026-07-09T08:24:13Z,2026-07-09T08:26:05Z https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2026/07/06/higgins-announces-lafayette-student-as-winner-of-the-2026-congressional-art-competition/,Higgins Announces Lafayette Student as Winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition,2026-07-06,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Clay Higgins,H001077,clayhiggins.house.gov,clayhiggins,https://clayhiggins.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that Kristian Richard, a Lafayette homeschool student, is the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Louisiana’s 3rd District. Download the full image here. Kristian’s piece, titled “With God All Things Are Possible”, captures the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Congressman Higgins hosted Kristian and her family at the U.S. Capitol last week, where her artwork will remain on display for a year.",1,2026-07-07T08:20:12Z,2026-07-07T08:22:09Z https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fields-introduces-nfip-premium-transparency-act-alongside,CONGRESSMAN FIELDS INTRODUCES NFIP PREMIUM TRANSPARENCY ACT ALONGSIDE COSPONSORS,2026-07-01,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Cleo Fields,F000110,fields.house.gov,fields,https://fields.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Cleo Fields, along with Representatives Troy Carter, Mike Ezell, and Rob Bresnahan, introduced H.R. 9511, the NFIP Premium Transparency Act, legislation that would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to give the more than 400,000 Louisiana policy holders enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program a full, clear picture of what is driving their premiums and what they can do to bring those costs down: ""Louisiana families pay more flood insurance premiums than almost anyone in the United States, and for too long they've been handed a bill with no explanation. They deserve to know why their rates went up, when they'll go up again, and what they can do about it. This bill does exactly that,” said Representative Fields. Louisiana has the most NFIP policies per capita of any other state in the country. Despite that, members of communities throughout the state routinely receive renewal notices with little to no explanation of what factors are driving their costs or how long they can expect their premiums to reach their full risk-based potential. For working families in flood-prone areas, many of whom are already living on tight margins, that lack of information can mean the difference between staying in their home and being priced out of it. “Since FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 program went into effect, Louisiana families have opened their flood insurance bills with more questions than answers: why their premium jumped and what discounts they're missing,” said Representative Carter. “Louisiana has more riding on this than almost any state in the country. This legislation gives homeowners the information they've always deserved: a clear breakdown of their rates, real savings from mitigation, and a roadmap to full-risk pricing. This isn't a partisan issue. It's about giving working families the tools to protect their homes, their budgets, and their futures.” The NFIP Premium Transparency Act addresses this issue directly. Within 12 months of enactment, every NFIP policy declaration page must clearly show the policyholder's current premium, all applicable discounts, the full set of rating factors behind their rate, their claim history, available mitigation options and the savings associated with each, and an estimate of how many years remain before their premium reaches its full risk-based level. If any of that information cannot be provided, FEMA must explain why in writing, on the policy itself, eliminating blank walls and guesswork. “Too many families in Northeastern Pennsylvania struggle with the impact flooding can have on their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Flood insurance continues to go up, making it harder for families to sell and first-time homeowners to buy,” said Representative Bresnahan. “For many homeowners in our region, the NFIP is the only realistic option for protecting their property, but rising premiums are making that coverage increasingly difficult to afford. This legislation ensures that our families, small businesses, and non-profits are not priced out of the peace of mind that flood insurance brings.” Within 36 months, FEMA must build a publicly accessible online tool that allows homeowners, prospective buyers, and community leaders to look up any NFIP-covered property and model how improvements like elevating a home would reduce both flood risk and insurance costs. That interactive capability matters. Right now, many constituents know their premiums are high but have no way of knowing whether investing in mitigation would actually move the needle. This tool gives them that answer before they spend a dollar. The tool must also account for factors critical to Louisiana specifically, including coastal land loss, coastal restoration projects, and levee reliability. With the state's coastline constantly changing, the families living through that reality deserve a flood insurance system that reflects it. “Families deserve to know exactly how their flood insurance premiums are determined and what steps they can take to lower their costs,” said Representative Ezell. “The NFIP Premium Transparency Act gives homeowners greater access to the information they need to make informed decisions, invest in mitigation, and better protect their property. For coastal communities like those in South Mississippi, improving transparency within the National Flood Insurance Program is a common-sense step that will help strengthen resilience while making the program more accountable to the people it serves.” The legislation also directs FEMA to publish aggregate flood insurance data by state, county, and ZIP code annually, bringing long-overdue transparency to a program that affects millions of Americans. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to study whether the tool can be expanded to give prospective homebuyers access to a property's full flood history before they close, so families are never blindsided after the fact. This bill costs taxpayers nothing beyond what FEMA already does, it simply requires the government to share information it already has. Louisiana families have carried the weight of living in a flood-prone state for generations, and the least Congress can do is make sure they have the information they need to protect their homes, plan their finances, and make informed decisions about their future.",1,2026-07-02T06:20:02Z,2026-07-02T06:21:32Z https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2915,Speaker Johnson Submits Letter for Bossier Semiquincentennial Time Capsule,2026-07-01,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,LA,Mike Johnson,J000299,mikejohnson.house.gov,mikejohnson,https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — On the eve of America’s 250th Anniversary, Speaker Johnson contributed a letter to the 2026 Bossier Community Time Capsule, which will remain sealed until America’s tricentennial in 2076. In the letter, Speaker Johnson outlined his journey to Congress and the Speakership, the genius of America’s constitutional republic, and emphasized the importance of maintaining our Republic by recommitting to the timeless principles our nation was founded upon. The time capsule was sponsored by Keep Bossier Beautiful in conjunction with the Bossier Parish Police Jury and Keep America Beautiful. “As our nation marks this momentous anniversary, we face questions about the very nature of our Republic. How to preserve our God-given rights against government intrusion? How best to champion individual liberty? And, how to restore our moral and religious foundations, which our Founders saw as essential to maintaining this Republic? These are age-old questions that every generation has tackled since the dawn of our country,” Speaker Johnson wrote. “But today, it is our duty and our responsibility as freedom-loving Americans to answer them anew, and while honoring the timeless truths of Scripture upon which our nation was founded.” Read the full letter here or below: To my future fellow Americans: Greetings from 2026! My name is Mike Johnson, U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives and proud representative of Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District, which spans from Shreveport to Monroe and down to Lake Charles. As America marks its Semiquincentennial, we look back to acknowledge the miracle of our founding and the countless miracles that have followed, as much as we look ahead to you, our future countrymen. It is in that spirit that I write this letter, to share what America looks like today and what we hope the future holds for this great country, which we are blessed to call home. As the 56th Speaker of the House, I am fortunate to lead Congress at a time of profound change. My colleagues first elected me to this position during a time of great tumult in the history of the institution, and after serving less than 6.8 years in Congress, the second fastest tenure before receiving this honor. This is the first time someone from Louisiana has held this historic position, something deeply meaningful to me as the son of a Shreveport firefighter and the first person in my family to graduate from college. None of this incredible journey would have been possible without the steadfast support of my beautiful wife, Kelly, and our four children, Hannah, Abby, Jack, and Will, and God’s faithful hand upon our lives. Since my first election to Speaker, I have led the Republican Party through a polarized era of politics and under one of the smallest majorities in American history. I am also proud to be the first U.S. Speaker to ever address the British Parliament, and only the third to be invited to address the Israeli Knesset. It is not lost on me the critical role the U.S. plays in shaping the policies and actions of countries around the globe. Being in this position comes with the enormous weight of preserving the God-honoring, timeless truths that undergird America’s founding – which contain the necessary ingredients for human flourishing – and of stewarding these principles beyond our borders. We began this fateful year with an auspicious victory abroad. America’s greatest athletes competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, capturing a record 12 gold medals. Both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams triumphed over Canada in dramatic overtime thrillers to secure dual gold medals. For the men, it was their first gold in 46 years since the famous 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” In April, NASA achieved a major space exploration milestone with the Artemis II lunar flyby, setting a record for the farthest journey from Earth in human history. King Charles III made his first visit to the United States as monarch, which culminated in a historic address to a Joint Session of Congress. And at this very moment, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway in communities across our country. In a matter of days and under the leadership of President Donald Trump, America will celebrate its 250th anniversary in historic fashion, from the Great American State Fair to one of the grandest displays of fireworks here in our nation’s capital. Recently, I was proud to lead tens of thousands of Americans in prayer on our National Mall to rededicate this great country as one nation under God in celebration of 250 years of American Independence. As our nation marks this momentous anniversary, we face questions about the very nature of our Republic. How to preserve our God-given rights against government intrusion? How best to champion individual liberty? And, how to restore our moral and religious foundations, which our Founders saw as essential to maintaining this Republic? These are age-old questions that every generation has tackled since the dawn of our country. But today, it is our duty and our responsibility as freedom-loving Americans to answer them anew, and while honoring the timeless truths of Scripture upon which our nation was founded. We embrace the challenge of this generation with you, our future fellow Americans, in our hearts and prayers. And while we acknowledge that our work to preserve this grand experiment in self-liberty remains unfinished, we take solace knowing that God’s hand rests firmly upon our country, just as it has since the very beginning of our Founders’ fight for freedom. As John Quincy Adams, our nation’s 6th president and a relentless fighter against the scourge of slavery, once said, “Duty is ours. Results are God’s.” It’s your duty now to recommit to the timeless, foundational principles enshrined in our nation’s birth certificate. As you take the baton of freedom on this 300th anniversary, do not do so lightly. Take it boldly and courageously, as the signers of the Declaration did, and with the full weight of history and destiny on your shoulders. ###",1,2026-07-02T06:20:02Z,2026-07-02T06:21:32Z https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-fields-ezell-bresnahan-introduce-nfip-premium-transparency-act,"Reps. Carter, Fields, Ezell, Bresnahan Introduce the NFIP Premium Transparency Act",2026-07-01,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,LA,Troy A. Carter,C001125,troycarter.house.gov,troycarter,https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. Cleo Fields (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced the NFIP Premium Transparency Act. This bill will require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide comprehensive, transparent flood insurance information to property owners and the public through enhanced policy documents and a new online tool. “Since FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 program went into effect, Louisiana families have opened their flood insurance bills with more questions than answers: why their premium jumped and what discounts they're missing,” said Rep. Carter. “Louisiana has more riding on this than almost any state in the country. This legislation gives homeowners the information they've always deserved: a clear breakdown of their rates, real savings from mitigation, and a roadmap to full-risk pricing. This isn't a partisan issue. It's about giving working families the tools to protect their homes, their budgets, and their futures.” The NFIP Premium Transparency Act requires FEMA to overhaul how flood insurance information is shared with property owners, a change with outsized stakes for Louisiana, which holds more than 470,000 National Flood Insurance Program policies. Within 12 months, the bill mandates enhanced information on the declaration pages of each flood insurance policy issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to clearly show current premiums, available discounts, claim history, rating factors, mitigation savings, and the timeline to full-risk pricing, giving coastal homeowners facing rising premiums clarity on why and when increases are coming. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to launch a public online tool that allows property owners to access detailed flood risk data, including premium calculations, replacement costs, and flood history, along with an interactive feature showing how mitigation efforts, such as elevation, could lower both risk and cost. “Louisiana families pay more flood insurance premiums than almost anyone in the United States, and for too long they've been handed a bill with no explanation. They] deserve to know why their rates went up, when they'll go up again, and what they can do about it. This bill does exactly that,” said Rep. Fields. “Families deserve to know exactly how their flood insurance premiums are determined and what steps they can take to lower their costs,” said Rep. Ezell. “The NFIP Premium Transparency Act gives homeowners greater access to the information they need to make informed decisions, invest in mitigation, and better protect their property. For coastal communities like those in South Mississippi, improving transparency within the National Flood Insurance Program is a common-sense step that will help strengthen resilience while making the program more accountable to the people it serves.” “Too many families in Northeastern Pennsylvania struggle with the impact flooding can have on their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Flood insurance continues to go up, making it harder for families to sell and first-time homeowners to buy,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “For many homeowners in our region, the NFIP is the only realistic option for protecting their property, but rising premiums are making that coverage increasingly difficult to afford. This legislation ensures that our families, small businesses, and non-profits are not priced out of the peace of mind that flood insurance brings.” The NFIP Premium Transparency Act is endorsed by the Americans for Financial Reform, National Association of Counties (NACo), Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, United Policyholders, American Policyholders Association, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO), Northshore Business Council, Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM), Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA), and HousingNOLA. “In Southeast Louisiana, flood insurance isn’t optional - it’s a reality that directly impacts housing affordability and community resilience. By requiring clear, detailed information on how premiums are calculated, the NFIP Premium Transparency Act empowers consumers and strengthens the market by bringing much-needed transparency to a complex system,” said Dan Mills, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans. “With climate change driving greater flood risk across the country, it's critical that homeowners, renters, and prospective buyers and residents understand a property's flood history, the long-term trajectory of the flood risk they face, and what they can do to protect their homes and lower their insurance costs. The NFIP Premium Transparency Act would give people the information they need to better protect themselves physically and financially from floods,” said Alex Martin, climate finance policy director at Americans for Financial Reform. “As President of FIRM, I am writing to express our strong support for the NFIP Premium Transparency Act introduced by Congressman Fields. This legislation takes a meaningful step forward by requiring clear, detailed information on declaration pages and creating an interactive Flood Insurance Information Tool. These changes will help policyholders better understand their premiums, discounts, and mitigation options, which we believe will improve trust in the program,” said Mel E. Montagne, President, Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM). “It's no secret that in Louisiana we desperately need comprehensive reform of the National Flood Insurance Program. We know that won’t happen quickly, and in the interim, the NFIP Premium Transparency Act gives homeowners the opportunity to arm themselves with information about costs and risks, and what can be done to address both. While we wait on reform, knowledge is power, and that gives families the opportunity to make the best choices possible. We are grateful that the Louisiana congressional delegation continues to take the lead on critical matters such as this legislation—helping Louisiana families take meaningful steps to #PutHousingFirst,” said Andreanecia M. Morris, President, Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA). “The bill is a common-sense measure that brings visibility to property owners' risk factors. At long last, it empowers NFIP policyholders to better understand how NFIP sets premiums, and how to mitigate risk and cost simultaneously. With an NFIP deadline of September 30 nearing, and with a pressing need to reconsider the federal role in insurance through a congressional commission, this bill is an important step forward in bringing light to the insurance crisis,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and founder of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI). Background: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program administered by FEMA that provides flood insurance to homeowners and businesses, aiming to reduce the financial impact of flooding. The program is vital for Louisiana, a state with extensive low-lying areas and frequent exposure to hurricanes and heavy rainfall. The NFIP helps protect residents from devastating financial losses due to flood damage, encourages responsible development in flood-prone areas, and supports rebuilding efforts after disasters—making it a critical safety net for Louisiana’s communities. Since 2021, Risk Rating 2.0 has been FEMA's flood insurance pricing methodology, replacing the older system that largely based premiums on flood zone and elevation with a more granular model that factors in distance to water, elevation, construction type, and individual property flood risk. Many policyholders saw rates rise sharply without an intuitive explanation tied to flood zone maps they were used to, and FEMA's reluctance to release the full underlying methodology made it hard for homeowners and agents to understand or verify why their specific premium changed In December, Rep. Carter authored the National Flood Insurance Program Automatic Extension Act of 2025. The bill ensures that the NFIP automatically continues its core operations even if Congress misses a scheduled reauthorization deadline. Rep. Carter and Ezell also introduced H.R. 2822, the National Flood Insurance Program Authorization Extension Act in April to avoid a lapse in program authorization resulting from a government shutdown. This bill would have extended the program through December 31, 2026. They also introduced H.R. 5848,theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act in November, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until December 31, 2026. This bill ensures that policyholders who plan to renew are not penalized for the lapse in NFIP reauthorization caused by the Republican government shutdown. Rep. Carter serves as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Flood Resilience Caucus and the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Caucus. He continues to advocate for common-sense, bipartisan reforms to strengthen and sustain the NFIP for Louisiana and other flood-prone communities. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-07-02T06:20:02Z,2026-07-02T06:21:32Z