Press Releases

Congressman Scott Franklin today issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 8595, the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act: "The best way to protect the American people is to prevent threats from becoming conflicts. That requires more than the strongest military in the world. It also requires a foreign policy that strengthens our alliances, deters our adversaries and advances America's interests. "This bill reflects that approach. It strengthens support for key allies, reinforces our position in the Indo-Pacific, invests in

Washington, D.C. – Today, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced strong support for H.Res.50, a resolution introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) affirming states’ constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border. Attorney General Paxton's endorsement is the latest addition to a growing coalition that includes every Texas Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, constitutional scholars, policy leaders, and law enforcement advocates. House passage of H.Res.50 would be a major accomplishment in safeguarding Pre

WASHINGTON—Today, 25 Members of Congress, including Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) and led by Congressman Jim McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement in advance of voting yes on Amendment #8, which would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel, to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act: “As Members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure that our constituents’ hard-earned money is used in a way that advances America’s interests and values. For this r

Today, U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) announced their reintroduction of the Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act – bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address the alarming rate of medical diagnostic error in our country. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The lawmakers’ legislation aims to prevent and mitigate the devastating impacts these errors can have, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, permanent disa

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement announcing his intent to vote for an amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to H.R. 8595, the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that would cut U.S. assistance to Israel, primarily through reducing Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Israel by $3.3 billion: “It is past time for our nation to fundamentally reevaluate its security relationship with the state of Israel. “A military response to the heinous October 7th attacks was justifiable, but Israel’s ongoing campaigns ac

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 15, 2026…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted in support of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill allocates $47.32 billion in discretionary spending to fund the Department of State and related agencies. Congressman Womack said, “Our national security is strongest when we invest wisely, and thanks to the leadership of my friend, Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart, this bill does exactly that. It strategically supports our allies

Andrés Martínez-Fernández, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation, testifies at the July 15th hearing: “Particularly strong polling conducted through 1,000 face-to-face interviews in of this year showed that 72% of Venezuelans felt the country was moving in a positive direction, 92% of Venezuelans were grateful to President Trump for the removal of Nicolas Maduro and 90% supported the U.S. becoming Venezuela’s primary ally.” The following are excerpts of Co-Chairman Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) opening statement at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s July 15th hearing, entitled “Human

By Katherine Matt Published July 15, 2026 at 9:33 AM ET WASHINGTON — Catholic sisters, survivor advocates, and lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge Congress to quickly pass bipartisan legislation they say would strengthen protections for victims of human trafficking and help prevent future exploitation. Hosted by the Alliance to End Human Trafficking and the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the July 14 congressional briefing focused on the need to reauthorize federal anti‑trafficking programs through fiscal 2029 and pass legislation to impose requirem

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement on the amendment that would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act: “Today, I will vote YES on the Massie amendment that addresses U.S. military aid to Israel. “Existing U.S. law prohibits military aid from being provided to entities found to be implicated in gross human rights violations. I believe the Netanyahu government met this standard with their horrific conduct in Gaza. Since then, Israel has sought to further entangle th

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Massie Amendment “Today, I voted in favor of the Massie Amendment to the FY 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which would impose a one-year moratorium on funding to Israel. This vote represents a continuation of my commitment to the pursuit of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people. It is my belief that a shift in tactics is now necessary because of my growing frustration with the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its conduct throughout the region. Successive U.S. Ad

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) released the following statement regarding House consideration of H.R. 8595: “Today the House voted on H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027. This legislation will weaken diplomatic and development capacities critical to national security and further isolate America on the global stage. Among other devastating cuts, it slashes $1.1 billion from international organizations—a blatant attempt to undermine American diplomacy around the world, as well as efforts

Washington, D.C. - Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) released the following statement. "The FY2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act is legislation that should fund U.S. humanitarian, diplomatic, and democracy programs globally, including peacekeeping missions, cultural exchanges, civil society organizations, and efforts to address the root causes of conflict. Unfortunately, the partisan Republican proposal failed to do that and I voted no. The Massie amendment would have eliminated $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel and ba

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement in response to a joint, 84 page report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on the conditions at Camp East Montana: “The joint report published by Human Rights Watch and the ACLU on conditions at Camp East Montana only further confirms what I have been sounding alarms about since the facility opened in August 2025. “In my nearly ten oversight visits to Camp East Montana, I have witnessed firsthand the dysfunction, neglect and incompetence of very highly paid contractors. Detainee

Last weekend, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) joined U.S. Navy leaders, HII executives, the Neal family, and shipbuilders at Ingalls Shipbuilding on Saturday to celebrate the christening of the future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer to be built at Ingalls. The future USS George M. Neal is named in honor of Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class George M. Neal, a Korean War veteran and recipient of the Navy Cross. Neal displayed extraordinary courage during a 1951 rescue mission after surviving a helicopter crash behind enemy lines,

Washington, D.C. – 7/15/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) applauded the House Natural Resources Committee’s passage of the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to extend critical relief for Northeast fisheries by maintaining the current regulatory framework that governs American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries in the Northeast. This bill provides stability for these fisheries and prevents unnecessary disruptions that could lead to closures, while allowing additional time to create innovative solutions to protect both the North Atlantic right whale and t

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement: "I will not support sending $3.3 billion to a Netanyahu government that has ignored our laws, interests, and values under both the Biden and Trump administrations. Israel's operations in Gaza and Lebanon have resulted in staggering civilian casualties, widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and other essential infrastructure, and an unbearable humanitarian cost, and the surge in state-backed settler violence in the West Bank becomes more alarming by the day. "The Israeli and Palestinian people deserve to liv

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now the law of the land. It is the most significant piece of housing legislation to pass Congress since 1990 — and it includes six bills I wrote. If you live in the Hudson Valley, you don't need me to tell you why it was necessary. You see it every single day. In early 2019, the median single-family home in Westchester sold for $605,000. Last year, it topped $1.1 million. In Rockland, the median went from $445,000 to $780,000 over the same stretch. In six years, the price of a home in the two largest counties in my district rose by hundreds of thousands

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) introduced the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act, which would amend the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)'s federal charter to add a membership eligibility requirement that limits membership to an individual who is a woman and otherwise satisfies the genealogical and membership qualifications established by the corporation. This bill has garnered support from the Concerned Women for America, American Principles Project, Heritage Action, and Independent Women, and has been cosponsored by Reps. Pfluger (R-

Washington, D.C. – 7/15/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) introduced the Replace UNRWA with Real Humanitarian Assistance Act, bipartisan legislation requiring the State Department to develop a comprehensive strategy to work alongside our international partners to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) while ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian assistance for civilians in need. Specifically, thi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027. If enacted, this legislation would allocate $47.32 billion in funding to strengthen America’s standing on the world stage and keep Americans safe. “I’m proud to support this legislation, which puts America’s national security interests first, supports our allies, takes action to counter our adversaries, and stops the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl from coming into our country,

Washington – Today, Reps. Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain, and John Moolenaar are demanding immediate action from the Canadian government as another wildfire season brings dangerous smoke across the border and into Michigan communities. After repeated conversations sharing concerns, and a lack of meaningful progress, the members are making it clear that continued inaction from Canada is unacceptable. The members say Canadian leaders have had years to address the underlying causes of worsening wildfires, yet American families continue to bear the consequences. In a joint letter to Canadi

Washington, D.C. – 7/15/26… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Seth Moulton (MA-06) stood alongside leaders from the Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a bipartisan press conference calling for the swift restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ youth crisis services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and welcoming the Administration’s commitment to restore them. WATCH: LAWLER CONTINUES TO CALL ON ADMINISTRATION TO RESTORE LGBTQ+ 988 YOUTH CRISIS SERVICES “When the decision was made to eliminate the ‘Press

The push to build a massive underground tunnel system to protect Houston from the kinds of floodwaters Hurricane Harvey brought nearly nine years ago is far from over. After years of delays in getting the project moving, U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, and Morgan Luttrell, R-Magnolia, are trying a new approach. The lawmakers have teamed up to include a provision in a big water resources spending bill that would force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite a report needed to green light the multibillion-dollar project. That bill, the Water Resources Development Act, passed a key co

Today, Reps. Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain, and John Moolenaar are demanding immediate action from the Canadian government as another wildfire season brings dangerous smoke across the border and into Michigan communities. After repeated conversations sharing concerns, and a lack of meaningful progress, the Members are making clear that continued inaction from Canada is unacceptable. The Members say Canadian leaders have had years to address the underlying causes of worsening wildfires, yet American families continue to bear the consequences. In a joint letter to Canadian Prime Ministe

Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Security, State Department, and Related Programs (NSRP) funding bill for fiscal year 2027. “This FY2027 National Security, State Department, and Related Programs bill advances President Trump’s America First agenda,” said Congressman Alford. “We’re cutting spending $2.69 billion below last year’s level while delivering robust support for key allies like Israel and Taiwan and holding adversaries like Communist China and Iran accountable. This legislation p

WASHINGTON—Today, 27 Members of Congress, led by Congressman Jim McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement in advance of voting yes on Amendment #8, which would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel, to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act: “As Members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure that our constituents’ hard-earned money is used in a way that advances America’s interests and values. For this reason, we do not support providing an additional $

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I voted “no” on a Republican amendment that would have prohibited any diplomatic, humanitarian, development or security funding related to Israel. I support Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself. The amendment would have stopped critical U.S. efforts in the region to distribute humanitarian aid, resettle refugees, support security collaboration with Palestinians and promote peace. “I continue to support humanitarian aid to Palestinians, a ceasefire, reconstruction in Gaza and a two-state solution where Israel a

WASHINGTON — Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Jason Crow (D-CO), Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Joe Neguse (D-CO) released the following statement after voting in favor of Congressman Massie’s amendment to the Republican budget: “Today we voted against additional taxpayer-funded military aid being given to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. “We support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. We believe that both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to safety, security, and self-determination. “We should not be giving military aid to any country that does not comply with our own

For Immediate Release Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov Contact #: 202-225-3465 Washington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie announces the introduction of H.R. 9694, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. This bill gives standing to state attorneys general, the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators, and members of Congress to challenge the Department of Justice (DOJ) in court for the DOJ's failure to comply with the disclosure of materials required by Public Law 119-38, the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Chair of the Dem

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act, legislation requiring the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model under which blood transfusions furnished to an individual receiving hospice care are paid separately from the hospice all-inclusive per diem payment under Medicare. “Patients at the end of life should never have to choose between the comfort of hospice care and the treatments that help them live with dignity. This bill removes financial barriers so more patients can access t

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Summer Lee (PA-12) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the public disclosure of the White House’s prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers. “Floridians and Americans deserve lower drug costs,” said Rep. Castor. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their

I voted YES on Rep. Massie's amendment to block U.S. military aid to Israel. This was a difficult vote, and there are no perfect options. The amendment as written is ill-defined and not likely to become law. But after years of devastating civilian suffering across the region and with no credible path to peace, I believe the status quo with Prime Minister Netanyahu is no longer tenable. The United States should not provide military assistance as a blank check. Our security partnerships are strongest when they are grounded in accountability, American interests, and our shared values. This vote i

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee, joined congressional colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the June 16th death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel. Airman McDaniel died during the influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas following the Department of Defense’s April 2026 decision to make the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for servicemembers. Congresswoman Houlahan was joined by Reps. Hillary Scholten

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are leading a congressional effort demanding answers from President Trump over the implementation of Schedule Policy/Career (Schedule P/C), a sweeping policy that strips civil service protections from thousands of career federal employees and could reshape the federal workforce around political loyalty instead of merit. In a letter to President Trump, Walkinshaw, Kaine, and their colleagues call on the Administration to disclose the full scope of Schedule P/C, explain how employees were selected for reclassif

Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), released the following statement after voting against House Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill. "This bill should have been our moment to strengthen America and show the world that American leadership still matters. Done right, it would have made our nation safer, stronger, and more secure—at home and abroad. Instead, it falls painfully short," said R

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) requested the Trump Administration release delayed funding that supports critical efforts to stop the spread of invasive species across the Great Lakes. “These funds, which were supposed to be obligated by July 1, 2026, have not been released. These dollars are critical for the State of Michigan and the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) in their fight to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species,” said Congresswoman Dingell. In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Congresswoman Dingell asked for the immediate release of delayed Great La

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement after securing key South Jersey priorities in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. "As one of the most coastal districts in America, South Jersey knows firsthand the importance of protecting our beaches, bays, and waterways and investing in our infrastructure," said Congressman Van Drew. "I am proud to have secured eleven different priorities in this bill that will move cr

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following his “yes” vote on the Massie Amendment to H.R. 8595. “Today, I voted yes on Representative Massie’s amendment to not give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration funding for more offensive weapons. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, including its potential impacts to humanitarian funding, I cast a yes vote in recognition that we cannot continue to provide Netanyahu a blank check. I remain deeply opposed to how Netanyahu has conducted this war. His administration's strategy has f

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Mike Kelly (PA-16) released a joint statement after the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, their legislation to reform and modernize prior authorization for seniors on Medicare Advantage, unanimously passed the Ways & Means Committee. The bill, which has a bipartisan supermajority of nearly 300 House co-sponsors, now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. “We are incredibly pleased to see the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act advance out of our committee and move to the full U.S. House of Repr

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) voted in support of H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, in the House of Representatives, to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and end the twice-yearly practice Americans endure of changing the clocks backwards and forwards. “Hoosiers are tired of this needless activity,” said Rep. Messmer. “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is long overdue and a needed relief from an outdated practice that no longer serves the needs of our modern economy. I have heard from the citizens of Indiana’s 8th District, and I am proud to support the Sunshine

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), along with Reps. James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) requesting a 30-day extension to the public comment period for BOEM’s Request for Information and Interest (RFI) on potential leasing offshore Virginia for mineral extraction. In a letter sent to BOEM Supervisory Oceanographer Geoffrey Wikel, the lawmakers wrote, “We write regarding the Bureau of

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement: “The American relationship with Israel must change for the good of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. We must find a path towards peace, and that requires thoughtful discussions and vetted policy. This poorly drafted and overly broad amendment does not just cut military aid to Israel. It also eliminates vital humanitarian assistance, halts funding that supports refugee resettlement, prevents the rebuilding of Gaza, disrupts U.S. diplomatic efforts, and weakens our ability to fight terrorist groups like Hamas and

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) applauded the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for rolling back harmful Biden-era midnight regulations that prevented Wyoming and other states from independently managing grizzly bear populations. The post Barrasso Applauds DOI for Returning Management of Grizzly Bears to the West appeared first on John Barrasso.

Federal lawmakers: Oregon team of nearly 100 partners awarded NSF Regional Innovation Engine Award that sets up receiving up to $160 million to grow Oregon semiconductor industry Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senate and House members welcomed today’s announcement that Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), an Oregon consortium including nearly 100 partners from across […] The post Oregon Delegation Welcomes Major Federal Investment in State’s Semiconductor Industry appeared first on Merkley.