Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) held a press conference to sound the alarm about the risk that Elon Musk’s DOGE may close Social Security field offices in Philadelphia. At the event, he was joined by Max Richtman, President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Richard Gennetti, AFGE District 3 National Representative. Congressman Boyle highlighted the threats to Social Security by unelected billionaire Elon Musk and emphasized the urgent need to protect Americans’ hard-earned benefits.
”Our number one constituent service issue by far is always Social Security — the calls and the emails and the walk-ins the last few weeks have been through the roof,” said Congressman Boyle. “If we lose even one Social Security office in Philadelphia, it will have a devastating impact for those retirees who rely on Social Security. I’m gonna call it like it is. Social Security is under attack, and it is under attack by Donald Trump and Elon Musk and the other billionaires in his administration,” continued Congressman Boyle. “Now is the time for we, the American people to fight back.”
The event highlighted the serious impacts of Musk’s actions, including workforce cuts, compromised personal data, and reduced service quality at Social Security offices. Boyle reiterated his longstanding commitment to defending the program and supporting the federal workers who deliver essential services to the community.
“Reducing field offices, cutting staff, as is happening up here – this is a plan to soften the support that Social Security has around the country,” said Max Richtman, President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “What he’s doing is undermining the support of all the people that support the program so that he can cut the program, privatize the program, raise the age for benefits, and reduce the Social Security cost of living,” continued Richtman. “How else can you explain Elon Musk talking about Social Security being a Ponzi scheme?”
“ We stand with Congressman Boyle here and our other friends in Congress,” said Richard Gennetti, AFGE District 3 National Representative. “This is one of the most important programs that the government has ever created. It’s one of the most successful and it has lifted millions of people out of poverty for several generations. To mess with it is completely foolish. The people who are messing with it have no interest in efficiency or getting rid of fraud, waste, and abuse. They simply want to destroy it so they can privatize the trust fund.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) have introduced the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act. A companion bill was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services—working in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs—to conduct a comprehensive interagency review of lung cancer in women. The review will assess current research, evaluate women’s access to preventive services, and support public awareness campaigns. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women and disproportionately affects women who have never smoked.
“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women, yet the decline in incidence and mortality rates for women continues to lag behind those for men,” said Congressman Boyle. “Every eight minutes, a woman in the United States loses her life to this disease. That is unacceptable. This bipartisan legislation takes an important step toward addressing this disparity by strengthening research, improving access to preventive services, and raising public awareness. We must ensure that every American—regardless of gender—benefits equally from the progress we’ve made in combating lung cancer. The time to act is now.”
“Every day, American women valiantly battle for their health against lung cancer — Congress needs to be fully committed to ending the inequities that have left too many women in my community and across the nation vulnerable to this devastating disease,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “This legislation represents a decisive step forward in advancing groundbreaking research, improving prevention, and ensuring access to lifesaving care for women battling lung cancer. I implore my colleagues to recognize the urgency of this fight and stand united to deliver real progress for women’s health across our nation.”
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, and increasingly, even women who don’t smoke develop lung cancer,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is an important step to help us address the root causes of lung cancer in women. More research is necessary to raise public awareness and advance lung cancer screenings, diagnosis, and treatments. I’ll continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make progress in the fight against cancer.”
“As a state, West Virginia is disproportionately impacted by lung cancer. While our numbers have improved in recent years, we must continue to expand both preventive efforts, as well as management. I’m proud to join my colleagues to once again support this legislation that will work to improve treatment and prevention of lung cancer in women,” said Senator Capito.
“This week’s reintroduction of the bi-partisan bi-cameral Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025 builds on the momentum established last Congress with a renewed commitment to accelerate life-saving change for women impacted by lung cancer,” said GO2 for Lung Cancer President & CEO, Laurie Fenton Ambrose. “Thank you, Representatives Boyle (D-PA) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Senators Smith (D-MN) and Capito (R-WVA) for your continued leadership to advance this vital legislation for women and the general public. With your leadership we can gain a better understanding of lung cancer’s unique and devasting impact on women and drive more effective therapies and prevention strategies that will forever change the trajectory of this disease for all.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
WASHINGTON, DC – Philadelphia Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) issued the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s bizarre invitation to the Kansas City Chiefs:
“Donald Trump is inviting the Super Bowl losing team, Kansas City Chiefs, to the White House. It’s pathetic — a full-blown White House participation trophy.
I thought Republicans didn’t believe in participation trophies.
President Trump claims it’s because the Chiefs won the Super Bowl four years ago. But let’s be real: Trump backed the Chiefs this year, they lost badly to the Eagles, and now he’s throwing a fake celebration to cope. The Eagles crushed the Chiefs. No stunt or staged photo op will change that.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
The Paying a Fair Share Act would set a simple 30 percent minimum effective tax rate for the wealthiest Americans
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee and member of the Ways and Means Committee, has introduced bicameral legislation to ensure that millionaires pay a higher tax rate than middle-class Americans. The bill would establish a 30 percent minimum tax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
“Republican tax giveaways to the wealthy have exploded the deficit and failed working families,” said Congressman Boyle. “Now, instead of changing course, they’re pushing another massive handout to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire donors—paid for by raising costs on the middle class. At a time when working Americans are struggling, it’s shameful to ask them to pay more so the ultra-rich can pay less. We have a better idea—our bill instead restores fairness to our tax code and puts working people first.”
“Our tax code is purposefully riddled with loopholes that allow billionaires and big corporations to use their fleets of accountants to avoid paying their fair share in taxes,” said Senator Whitehouse. “As Republicans gear up to deliver even more budget-busting giveaways for their billionaire donors, I’m reintroducing this common-sense bill that ensures the ultra-wealthy can’t get away with paying a lower tax rate than teachers and firefighters. De-corrupting the tax code would lift the economic pressure on working families and stem the billionaire freeloading that is so rampant across this administration.”
In 2022, the top 0.001% of earners—just 1,538 households—each made at least $85.5 million and paid an average federal tax rate of only 23.5%. That’s well below the top marginal rate of 37%, and roughly the same effective rate paid by an iron and steel worker or a high school special education teacher in Pennsylvania.
The Paying a Fair Share Act would ensure that the highest-earning Americans pay at least a 30% effective tax rate. The bill applies only to taxpayers with income over $1 million—including capital gains and dividends—which represents approximately 0.58% of all taxpayers in 2024. To ease the transition, the bill includes a phase-in for those earning between $1 million and $2 million, and it preserves incentives for charitable giving.
This legislation is projected to raise nearly $120 billion over ten years and would serve as a critical backstop to curb tax avoidance by the ultra-wealthy.
The text of thePaying a Fair Share Actis available here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)
WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) are urging the Trump administration to take swift action to address the failures of the Biden administration that have undermined the nation’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. They are joined by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-4) in a letter calling for comprehensive reforms to restore accountability, prevent fraud, and ensure timely support for job seekers.
The letter emphasizes the need for a partnership between Congress and the Trump administration to reverse “the damage caused by the prior administration by encouraging states to build strong UI systems that verify identities, deliver benefits quickly, and return claimants to meaningful work.”
The lawmakers specifically call for an end to the ineffective ‘pay and chase’ model, a reevaluation of federal funding formulas that support state UI administration, and greater transparency in the Biden administration’s handling of nearly $1 billion in UI modernization grants. Additionally, they stress the need for urgent congressional action to extend the statute of limitations for recovering fraudulent pandemic UI payments. The theft of taxpayer dollars from these UI programs is estimated by the Government Accountability Office to total between $100 billion and $135 billion.
A copy of the letter is available here. The full text is below:
The Honorable Lori Chavez-DeRemer Secretary
United States Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210
Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer,
We write to address the pressing issues facing our nation’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. Under the leadership of former Acting Secretary Su, waste, fraud, and a consistent lack of transparency defined the unemployment compensation system. The pandemic exposed many weaknesses in our nation’s UI system, and it will take a strong partnership between Congress and the Trump Administration to prepare state UI offices for present and future challenges. Despite increased attention, fraudulent and improper payment rates have continued to persist well above pre-pandemic levels. The UI program had the third highest improper payment rate of all federal programs in fiscal year (FY) 2023 at 32 percent of outlays, totaling $48 billion in improper payments.[1]The improper payment rate for the UI system was 16.5 percent in FY 23 and 35.9 percent for pandemic UI.[2]Together, we must redress the damage caused by the prior administration by encouraging states to build strong UI systems that verify identities, deliver benefits quickly, and return claimants to meaningful work.
First, the “pay and chase” model that has defined benefit delivery in recent years must end. It’s a model well-exemplified by former Acting Secretary Julie Su, who oversaw the pay and chase model in California and permitted states to forgive outstanding fraudulent payments through state finality laws when she became acting secretary.[3]Instead of permitting and forgiving pay and chase models, DOL must provide guidance that helps states identify fraud schemes while removing confusing and overbearing pieces of guidance, such as Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 16-21. As long as states deliver payment when is administratively feasible,[4]they should not be coerced by DOL rules to pay claimants on appeal, particularly when backlogs are high.
Second, DOL should promote the general program integrity and quality of state UI systems. DOL must reexamine the Resource Justification Model,[5]the formula for distributing administrative funding to states. The formula allocates more money to states that take longer to process claims and less to the ones that deliver benefits quickly and stop fraudulent claims immediately. Reforms to this antiquated and overly complicated model should accompany improved data metrics that accurately show improper payment rates, benefit timeliness, the quality of appeals, and cybersecurity strength. For example, DOL says, “Slightly more than 80 percent of the fraud overpayments were not detectable through normal agency procedures” during performance year 2023.[6]The vulnerabilities inherent to the Resource Justification Model jeopardize the UI system’s preparedness for economic downturns and its ability to prevent fraud on the front end. Ensuring states are properly incentivized to process claims will lead directly to more effective administrative outlays.
Third, DOL must provide Congress with relevant information to reform the UI system. The Biden Administration DOL did not release details of the $780 million in UI modernization grants funded by the American Rescue Plan.[7]Congress has not been informed of the details of these grants, such as the recipients, the amounts, the purpose for receiving the grant, or the date the grant was given. It’s unclear how state UI offices have improved or regressed as a result of these grants.
Finally, Congress must also play its part. Absent immediate action, the statute of limitations for recouping improper pandemic UI payments starts to expire on March 27, 2025. Roughly just 0.8% of fraudulent pandemic unemployment payments were recovered.[8]The Senate is considering a bill to extend the statute of limitations to prosecute and recoup fraudulent distribution of all pandemic program funds from 5 to 10 years. The House passed a bill to extend the statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment insurance programs from 5 to 10 years. These bills respond to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that estimated fraud totals from pandemic UI programs to be between $100 billion and $135 billion.[9]Moving forward, we must work in tandem to identify and enact reforms that ensure accurate administration of the UI system so that we can restore integrity to this important program.
The lack of accountability shown by the previous administration inflicted lasting damage on the unemployment compensation system, hurting taxpayers and those who actually needed benefits. The only viable path forward is to reshape the UI system by prioritizing program integrity, fiscal responsibility, and efficient reentry into the workforce. We look forward to opening a dialogue on saving taxpayer dollars and more effectively serving American workers.
Sincerely,
James Lankford Lloyd Smucker
United States Senator Member of Congress
Jodey Arrington Aaron Bean
Member of Congress Member of Congress
[2]Government Accountability Office, “Improper Payments: Key Concepts and Information on Programs with High Rates or Lacking Estimates.” https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107482.pdf.
[3]Department of Labor, “Unemployment Insurance Program Letter No. 05-24.” https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/UIPL/2024/UIPL%2005-24/UIPL%2005-24.pdf.
[4]Department of Labor, “Unemployment Insurance Program Letter No. 04-01, U.S. Department of Labor,” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/unemployment-insurance-program-letter-no-04-01.
[5]U.S. Department of Labor. “ETA Handbook No. 410, 6th Edition,” Pg. A-41. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/handbooks/et-handbook-no-410-6th-edition.
[6]U.S. Department of Labor, “Benefit Accuracy Measurement Payment Integrity Information Act State Data Summary Performance Year 2023,” https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/bam/2023/PIIA_2023_Benefit_Accuracy_Measurement_Annual_Report.pdf.
[7]U.S. Department of Labor. “Insights and Successes: American Rescue Plan Act Investments in Unemployment Insurance Modernization,” https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/arpasuccess.asp#:~:text=In%20the%20two%20and%20half,million%20in%20grants%20to%20states.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)
Legislation Would Expand Workforce Training Opportunities to Eligible In-School Youth
Washington, D.C. – Congressman and Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) reintroduced their Building Youth Workforce Skills Act, legislation to expand workforce training opportunities to eligible in-school youth.
“Expanding students’ access to skills training and workforce development programs will give the next generation of workers the opportunity to live their American Dreams,” said Congressman Smucker. “As students learn about pathways to a successful career, these critical programs will equip them with the skills necessary to excel in in-demand and high-paying jobs.”
“By investing in young people, we can empower the next generation with the tools they need to succeed as productive, thriving members of the future workforce,” said Congressman Moran. “Our legislation will allow local workforce development boards to use their allotment of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to provide Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for eligible in-school youth from ages 16 to 21 to access high-quality skills training programs. Ultimately, this legislation provides vital opportunities for students to access youth-workforce development and training programs in order to advance their careers, bolster their professional skills, and stand prepared to succeed despite the challenges they may face.”
Background: Skills development in WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs are built on the concept of customer choice and are provided through ITA vouchers, which allow an individual to access training services from a provider on a state’s eligible training providers list. Under current law, only out-of-school youth are eligible to use ITAs.
This bill allows local workforce boards the flexibility to use their previously allocated funds to provide in-school-youths with ITAs, creating more opportunities for in-school youth who face barriers to have access to skills development programs. This bill does not increase current spending levels under WIOA. Rather, it provides flexibility for existing WIOA Youth Program resources to be used to upskill the next generation.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)
WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order:
“Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District is home to exceptional public-school districts, private schools, and parochial schools. That is not by accident. Our schools are great because of engaged parents, dedicated educators, and communities who care—not because of any mandates from Washington. I look forward to reviewing the Trump administration’s proposals to return additional oversight and control of education policy to the states and involved parents at the local level.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)
WASHINGTON-Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) are working to make federal workforce development programs more accessible to individuals seeking flexible online training and upskilling opportunities. Smucker, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, and Mackenzie, a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, have introduced theEnsuring Opportunities in Online Training Act.
The bill would allow online training providers to qualify as eligible training providers under federal workforce development programs funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Although WIOA does not explicitly exclude online providers, many states currently require a physical presence for eligibility—effectively limiting access to online training options.
The new legislation would require online providers to meet the same quality standards as in-person programs and would also remove state-level barriers, allowing qualified online training programs to serve students nationwide.
“Individuals looking to better themselves through federal workforce training programs should have access to high-quality training programs, no matter how they are provided. In the twenty-first century we cannot allow outdated and arbitrary regulations to prevent Americans from developing new skills, seek new opportunities, and live their American Dream. I thank Rep. Mackenzie for joining me in introducing this legislation and urge all our colleagues to support this commonsense measure,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).
“Ensuring access to high-quality workforce development programs is essential for both workers and employers,” said Congressman Mackenzie (PA-07). “That’s why it’s important that workers be able to participate in these programs in a way that is both accessible and convenient. By expanding access to online workforce development training, the Ensuring Opportunities in Online Training Act will better equip American workers to fulfill the needs of our evolving economy.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
April 02, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration ramping up their reckless trade war and imposing sweeping tariffs that will have a direct and enormous impact on Texas.
“Texans do not want a reckless tariff war. President Trump said he “couldn’t care less” about higher prices. But these tariffs will lead to the biggest tax increase on everyday Texans in decades, and Republican leaders are refusing to stand against it,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro. “Texans will feel the adverse effects of this trade war in their jobs, taxes, and inflation on a daily basis. This is especially true for San Antonio.
“San Antonio is a strategic trade hub, and trade and exports underpin countless jobs in Texas. Governor Abbott’s support for these massive tariffs threaten Texas businesses and the many people they employ. Texas desperately needs our Governor to demonstrate independence and a willingness to do what’s best for the people of Texas.”
Background:
On April 2nd, 2025, President Trump announced 10% tariffs on imports from effectively all countries, and even larger tariffs on certain countries. He has done so through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). IEEPA is a broad authority that has previously been used for sanctions. It hasn’t been used for tariffs until this year, when Trump imposed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and Canada and 20% tariffs on imports from China on March 1, 2025. The consumer response to tariffs will be a combination of paying higher costs for imports, buying higher-cost U.S. goods, or simply not consuming the good anymore.
Curiosity Blog: Sols 4491-4492: Classic Field Geology Pose
Dr. Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center, shares the adventure of exploring Mars via NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission in this blog. Dr. Edgar discusses work they are doing on Mars, allowing the public to witness the rover’s journey up close, and by also sharing with our News page, fostering a sense of community and shared ownership in space exploration.
Earth planning date: Monday, March 24, 2025
If you’ve ever seen a geologist in the field, you may have seen a classic stance: one leg propped up on a rock, knee bent, head down looking at the rocks at their feet, and arm pointing to the distant stratigraphy. Today Curiosity decided to give us her best field geologist impression. The weekend drive went well and the rover traversed about 23 meters (about 75 feet), but ended with the right front wheel perched on an angular block. In the Front Hazcam image above, you can see the right front wheel on a small block, and the rover’s shadow with the mast staring out at all the exciting rocks to explore. Great pose, but not what we want for planning contact science! We like to have all six wheels on the ground for stability before deploying the robotic arm. So instead of planning contact science today, the team pivoted to a lot of remote sensing observations and another drive to climb higher in this canyon.
I was on shift as Long Term Planner today, and it was fun to see the team quickly adapt to the change in plans. Today’s two-sol plan includes targeted remote sensing and a drive on the first sol, followed by an untargeted science block on the second sol.
On Sol 4491, ChemCam will acquire a LIBS observation of a well-laminated block in our workspace named “Big Narrows,” followed by long-distance RMI observations coordinated with Mastcam to assess an interesting debris field at “Torote Bowl.” The team planned a large Mastcam mosaic to characterize the stratigraphy at Texoli butte from a different viewing geometry than we have previously captured. Mastcam will also be used to investigate active surface processes in the sandy troughs nearby, and an interesting fracture pattern at “Bronson Cave.” Then Curiosity will drive further to the south and take post-drive imaging to prepare for the next plan. On the second sol the team added an autonomously selected ChemCam AEGIS target, along with Navcam movies to monitor clouds, wind direction, and dust.
Keep on roving Curiosity, and please watch your step!
ADVISORY – WESTMORELAND COUNTY – Department of Aging to Announce Another Level of Promised Transparency to Keep Older Pennsylvanians Safe, Showcase How New Approach is Leading to Drastic Performance Improvements at Local Area Agency on Aging
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich will join Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and county leaders to announce that another level of promised public transparency of AAA performance is now available online and highlight how the Department’s overhauled approach to working with AAAs has led the county agency’s compliance rate for older adult protective services to hit nearly 100%.
This is just one example of how the Department’s new approach of working supportively with AAAs – to ensure they have the tools they need to improve – is generating measurable results across the AAA network.
The Department has been taking action to modernize how it monitors the work of the Commonwealth’s 52 AAAs, which provide a host of services to older adults. Last month, the Department announced a much-needed overhaul of the Department’s monitoring system, CAPE – an innovative tool that is designed to boost transparency and accountability of AAA performance. This month, the Department will begin publicly posting performance results on its website for the first batch of AAAs to be monitored under CAPE, with more AAA performance results regularly added.
WHO: Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich Westmoreland County AAA Executive Director Carrie Nelson Westmoreland County AAA staff Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 1:00 PM
WHERE: Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging, 200 S. Main St, Greensburg, 15601
MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of photographer/reporter to agingcomms@pa.gov.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Following news reports by the Washington Post that members of President Donald Trump’s National Security Council, including White House national security adviser Michael Waltz, used personal Gmail accounts while conducting official government business regarding sensitive or exploitable national security issues, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
“I am very concerned about the Trump Administration’s lack of operational security when it comes to national security matters. There is a clear, troubling pattern and Congress needs to look at it in a serious, bipartisan manner. Mr. Waltz and his team have engaged in questionable data security practices and it could cost our nation dearly. Taxpayers have spent millions, if not billions, to give national security officials 24-7 access to protected networks and technology. There is both the matter of compliance with federal records laws but also a matter of sloppiness that could be exploited by our adversaries. If our allies don’t trust the administration and won’t share sensitive information then that is a real setback for our nation. This administration lacks both discipline and accountability and it shows.”
According to the Washington Post: “A senior Waltz aide used the commercial email service for highly technical conversations with colleagues at other government agencies involving sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict, according to emails reviewed by The Post. While the NSC official used his Gmail account, his interagency colleagues used government-issued accounts, headers from the email correspondence show.
“Waltz has had less sensitive, but potentially exploitable information sent to his Gmail, such as his schedule and other work documents, said officials, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe what they viewed as problematic handling of information. The officials said Waltz would sometimes copy and paste from his schedule into Signal to coordinate meetings and discussions.”
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Senate Republicans released their new budget resolution to serve as a framework to their reconciliation bill – a wide-ranging proposal that would make massive cuts to Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other vital programs while using accounting gimmicks and procedural tricks to circumvent Senate norms and avoid fiscal responsibility.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed stated:
“The phrase “gimmick-fest” is not in the dictionary, but it describes what President Trump and congressional Republicans are doing with this new budget. The reason Republicans want to obscure the truth here is because it’s a raw deal for the American people. Republicans are going all out so they can give billionaires tax cuts. At the same time, they keep talking about cutting people’s Medicaid, Social Security, raise costs, and increase hardships by denying people things like nutrition assistance and other government services. The American people are the ones who are eventually going to have to pay the cost of this Republican budget blueprint and once they get the tab they won’t like it.”
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, President Trump announced he is imposing new tariff taxes on all countries that could raise prices significantly on every item Americans buy.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed says Trump’s tariffs are a costly and inefficient ‘national sales tax’ that is directly paid for by U.S. consumers while also reducing profits for many American small businesses. Today, Reed stated:
“President Trump’s blanket tariffs will smother economic growth and make goods more expensive for Rhode Islanders.
“From groceries and clothes to cars and homes, President Trump’s tariffs are contributing to higher prices for everyday Americans. He is stoking uncertainty, inflation, and the cost of living. And it’s not just families, Rhode Island manufacturers are sure to see a tariff hit on raw materials and parts they need for their operations. Similar impacts could hit operations at the Port of Davisville.
“Hardworking families will be left paying the price for Trump’s tariffs when what they really need the White House to do is help lower prices. President Trump’s policies will force Americans to pay more for the same goods and they will have less money to save or spend elsewhere.
“The U.S. economy is not as strong as it should be because of President Trump’s chaotic, myopic approach to tariffs that punish both U.S. consumers and some of our strongest and most reliable allies.
“The President needs to step back from the tariff brink and start acting in a more strategic and straightforward manner that will stabilize our economy instead of destabilizing it.”
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is following up on his oversight of the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s vetting and hiring practices. The organization previously hired an investigator, Jason Krasley, who was later charged with theft, harassment and sex crimes.
“Congress established SafeSport to protect young athletes from abuse and act as a good steward of taxpayer dollars. The arrest of a former investigator and my subsequent oversight has called into question the quality of SafeSport’s hiring process, the Board’s ability to supervise SafeSport officers and directors, and SafeSport’s management of funds,” Grassley said. “American athletes and taxpayers deserve better.”
In letters to SafeSport’s CEO, Ju’Riese Colón, and Board of Directors, Grassley notes:
SafeSport was aware of a previous internal investigation into Krasley prior to hiring him and kept him on payroll for two months after learning of the criminal allegations against him.
SafeSport intentionally withheld pertinent evidence from law enforcement.
Florida court found SafeSport “perpetrated a fraud” against a Florida State Court and “filtered” and withheld evidence from law enforcement regarding a sexual abuse claim.
SafeSport in 2023 spent $2.4 million on legal contractors, including over $1.2 million on a single Denver-based tort law firm. It’s unclear what type of work these firms handled on behalf of SafeSport.
SafeSport in 2023 spent $390,000 on travel, paid 11 executives between $111,000 and $350,000 each, and spent nearly $408,000 on the CEO’s salary – $100,000 more than the highest end of average nonprofit CEO salaries.
Read Grassley’s letter to the SafeSport CEO HERE and his letter to the SafeSport Board of Directors HERE.
Background:
Grassley’s bipartisan legislation established SafeSport in 2017 to investigate cases of athlete sex abuse and harassment in Olympic governing bodies.
Grassley was the first in history to convene a congressional hearing on athlete protections as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2017. He also spearheaded oversight of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the FBI’s failed response to the Larry Nassar abuse scandal and the failures of SafeSport and USA Gymnastics to effectively safeguard athletes.
“I want to be clear about what I support and what I don’t: I support using tariffs as a tool against bad actors and trade cheats—like Communist China. I support using tariffs strategically alongside muscular industrial and pro-worker policies to protect American jobs and consumers. And I support renegotiating—aggressively—trade deals like the USMCA to get the best possible deal for hardworking Americans like us in Western Pennsylvania.
“I do not support the decades-long Washington consensus on free trade that has crushed American industry and jobs and given us far-flung supply chains that too often fail. It has been a bad deal for us in the Rust Belt and beyond. And I do not support allowing foreign trade cheats to exploit their workers to undercut American jobs.
“The Trump Administration’s trade approach has been chaotic, inconsistent, and incomplete: you need more than just tariffs to rebalance trade and kickstart American manufacturing. And we should not treat close economic allies like Canada the same as mercantilist trade cheats like China. Moreover, American workers and consumers should not be the ones paying for the necessary transition away from a broken trade system; the businesses that profiteered from that old regime should bear the cost. The President has the power to stop corporations from using the cover of tariffs to price gouge people—why won’t he use it?
The US administration claims these tariffs on imports will reduce the US trade deficit and address what it views as unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices. Trump said this would
forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed.
The “reciprocal” tariffs are designed to impose charges on other countries equivalent to half the costs they supposedly inflict on US exporters through tariffs, currency manipulation and non-tariff barriers levied on US goods.
Each nation received a tariff number that will apply to most goods. Notable sectors exempt include steel, aluminium and motor vehicles, which are already subject to new tariffs.
The minimum baseline tariff for each country is 10%. But many countries received higher numbers, including Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), China (34%), Indonesia (32%), Taiwan (32%) and Switzerland (31%).
The tariff number for China is in addition to an existing 20% tariff, so the total tariff applied to Chinese imports is 54%. Countries assigned 10% tariffs include Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Canada and Mexico are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, for now, but goods from those nations are subject to a 25% tariff under a separate executive order.
Although some countries do charge higher tariffs on US goods than the US imposes on their exports, and the “Liberation Day” tariffs are allegedly only half the full reciprocal rate, the calculations behind them are open to challenge.
For example, non-tariff measures are notoriously difficult to estimate and “subject to much uncertainty”, according to one recent study.
GDP impacts with retaliation
Other countries are now likely to respond with retaliatory tariffs on US imports. Canada (the largest destination for US exports), the EU and China have all said they will respond in kind.
To estimate the impacts of this tit-for-tat trade standoff, I use a global model of the production, trade and consumption of goods and services. Similar simulation tools – known as “computable general equilibrium models” – are widely used by governments, academics and consultancies to evaluate policy changes.
The first model simulates a scenario in which the US imposes reciprocal and other new tariffs, and other countries respond with equivalent tariffs on US goods. Estimated changes in GDP due to US reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory tariffs by other nations are shown in the table below.
The tariffs decrease US GDP by US$438.4 billion (1.45%). Divided among the nation’s 126 million households, GDP per household decreases by $3,487 per year. That is larger than the corresponding decreases in any other country. (All figures are in US dollars.)
Proportional GDP decreases are largest in Mexico (2.24%) and Canada (1.65%) as these nations ship more than 75% of their exports to the US. Mexican households are worse off by $1,192 per year and Canadian households by $2,467.
Other nations that experience relatively large decreases in GDP include Vietnam (0.99%) and Switzerland (0.32%).
Some nations gain from the trade war. Typically, these face relatively low US tariffs (and consequently also impose relatively low tariffs on US goods). New Zealand (0.29%) and Brazil (0.28%) experience the largest increases in GDP. New Zealand households are better off by $397 per year.
Aggregate GDP for the rest of the world (all nations except the US) decreases by $62 billion.
At the global level, GDP decreases by $500 billion (0.43%). This result confirms the well-known rule that trade wars shrink the global economy.
GDP impacts without retaliation
In the second scenario, the modelling depicts what happens if other nations do not react to the US tariffs. The changes in the GDP of selected countries are presented in the table below.
Countries that face relatively high US tariffs and ship a large proportion of their exports to the US experience the largest proportional decreases in GDP. These include Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Switzerland, South Korea and China.
Countries that face relatively low new tariffs gain, with the UK experiencing the largest GDP increase.
The tariffs decrease US GDP by $149 billion (0.49%) because the tariffs increase production costs and consumer prices in the US.
Aggregate GDP for the rest of the world decreases by $155 billion, more than twice the corresponding decrease when there was retaliation. This indicates that the rest of the world can reduce losses by retaliating. At the same time, retaliation leads to a worse outcome for the US.
Previous tariff announcements by the Trump administration dropped sand into the cogs of international trade. The reciprocal tariffs throw a spanner into the works. Ultimately, the US may face the largest damages.
Niven Winchester has previously received funding from the Productivity Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to estimate the impacts of potential trade policies. He is affiliated with Motu Economic & Public Policy Research.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) introduced the Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025. The bipartisan bill would provide grants to law enforcement departments at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to obtain vital behavioral health crisis response training to resolve behavioral health crisis situations more safely and effectively. Funding for this training would be authorized under the Byrne JAG program funding.
“Our nation owes a deep debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of law enforcement and corrections officers who are often the first to respond to volatile and often dangerous situations involving people at their most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to help those who protect and serve our communities alongside Congresswoman Bice. Our officers deserve all of the training and resources we can provide to help them effectively and safely handle behavioral health crises to protect themselves, those experiencing crisis, and the public they serve.”
“Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect us. With increasing rates of mental health conditions, our officers need to know how to react in difficult situations,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05). “The Mental Health Crisis Response Act will help our police officers learn effective ways to resolve behavioral health crisis situations and ultimately increase their safety, and the safety of our communities.”
This legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police. Additional House original cosponsors include Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03), and Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01).
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, supplies grants to local law enforcement entities for public safety initiatives. Grants created under this bill will be managed through Byrne JAG Prevention and Education programming. Byrne JAG grants are always distributed to supplement available State and local grants and never to supplant them. Law enforcement officers are often the first responders to behavioral health crises. One in every 10 calls for police response involve a person living with a mental illness; 1 in every 4 people killed by police experience mental health issues; 1 in 3 people transported to a hospital emergency room for psychiatric reasons are taken by the police. When responding to calls, law enforcement officers need to be prepared to respond to all possible scenarios and, with increasing frequency, we’re seeing that involve behavioral health crises. By improving training for these types of responses, we can better keep our officers safe, ensure individuals in crisis are treated with dignity, and improve trust amongst the communities affected.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC—Today, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus— Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Joe Wilson and (SC-02) introduced sweeping sanctions targeting Russia and any nation or actor complicit in sustaining its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), and a group of 48 bipartisan Senators.
As a consequence of Putin’s continued, unbridled aggression against Ukraine, this legislation implements expansive sanctions on the Russian Federation’s government officials, as well as individuals, financial institutions, and other entities affiliated with or owned by the Putin regime. These sanctions shall be put in place if the Russian Federation continues to refuse to engage in good-faith negotiations for a just and lasting peace, or if it launches any further military operations that compromise Ukrainian sovereignty. Additionally, it enacts a bold 500 percent tariff on all imports to the United States from the Russian Federation, as well as from any countries that continue to fund Putin’s war machine by purchasing Russian-origin oil, uranium, or petroleum products.
The sanctions package is designed to apply maximum pressure on the Kremlin and any enablers of its imperialist ambitions — underscoring that peace cannot be achieved while the Russian Federation continues to bomb Ukraine’s civilian population or while consenting countries continue to bankroll Putin’s regime.
In a joint statement, the Co-Chairs said:
“Democracy is strongest when we stand together to defend it. This legislation reflects a unified commitment — Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate — aligned in purpose to defend democracy, uphold national sovereignty, and confront the forces of tyranny that seek to destroy both.
“Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine is not just a threat to one country’s borders — it is a direct challenge to the values we hold dear: freedom, self-determination, and the rule of law over the rule of force. Should Russia reject diplomacy and pursue further violence, the consequences will be swift and severe. And to those nations still financing Putin’s war by importing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other commodities — this legislation makes clear: complicity comes at a cost.
“These sanctions are not symbolic — they are a demonstration of principles in action. They send a clear message that when democracies are under siege, the United States will respond — not with hesitation, but with purpose.
“We support not a pause, but an end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and a path toward a lasting, just peace. A peace rooted in Ukraine’s sovereignty, that honors the sacrifices of its people and affirms their right to shape their own future.
“We have been here before. In 1994, Ukraine gave up the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world in exchange for security guarantees that were ultimately broken. In 2014 and 2015, peace accords were signed — and shattered. Each time, the price was paid by the innocent.
“We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The world is watching how we respond — and this time, our response must be unmistakable.
“Peace through strength is not just a guiding principle — it is a responsibility. And we stand ready to uphold it.”
You can find the full text of the legislation by clicking here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
WASHINGTON, DC [03/03/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Arielle Kane, a maternal health policy analyst who was fired from her job at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will be her guest for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress.
Kane grew up in Oregon. As a federal employee she focused on how Medicaid can help improve maternal health outcomes and reduce the country’s high maternal mortality rate. Recently Donald Trump and Elon Musk fired her from her position as part of the purge of dedicated federal workers. She has been outspokenabout how the cuts will jeopardize efforts to provide mothers with better care at lower costs.
“Arielle Kane has dedicated her career to improving the health of mothers and babies,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “It’s appalling that Elon Musk’s team of DOGE bros fired her, halting work designed to save lives. Firing federal workers like Arielle will not make our government more efficient; instead it is blocking work that would save lives of mothers and babies in Oregon and across the country.”
“I’m not here to say everything is perfect in the U.S. health care system, but when you fire the people working on making it better, you aren’t going to fix anything,” said Arielle Kane. “Maternal health outcomes in the U.S. are the worst among high-income countries and gutting the team that’s working to improve outcomes at lower costs won’t make them any better.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
WASHINGTON, DC [3/20/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Ranking Member of the Early Childhood and Secondary Education Subcommittee, released the following statement on President Trump’s expected Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education.
“Trying to dismantle the Department of Education is a direct attack on students, families, and educators across the country who are seeking a brighter future through education,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Public schools open doors to opportunity for millions of students and they should be supported, not undermined.
“The President does not have the authority to dismantle the Department of Education. Congress created the Department and only Congress, not the President, has authority to dismantle it. This Executive Order will be challenged in Congress and in the courts.
“The federal investment in public education is vital to help level the playing field so all students in every corner of every state have the opportunity to get a quality education. About 90 percent of all students and 95 percent of students with disabilities attend public schools. Eliminating programs that are essential to their success is abhorrent, especially when the administration plans to take important programs away from students to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
“Most Americans oppose eliminating the Department of Education because they, unlike Donald Trump and Elon Musk, understand the value of the programs it supports. Title I provides the additional support needed for schools with a high population of low-income students. Funding from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is critical for schools to provide the education required by law to students with disabilities. Federal support for Career and Technical Education programs helps to engage students with hands-on learning. Pell Grants, work study, and student loans open the doors of opportunity for students who seek a higher education but don’t have the resources to pay for tuition and expenses. And the Department of Education enforces the civil rights of every student in public school to be free from discrimination.
“Eliminating these programs and other important federal support will result in massive gaps of opportunity for millions of students across the country, and shifting the burden to state and local governments will result in increased taxes, larger class sizes, loss of programming, worse outcomes, and doors of opportunity closing for millions of Americans.
“Additionally, the administration has said that there is a need to return authority over education to the States and local communities. Wrong again. States and local communities already have authority over education; in fact, federal law expressly prohibits Congress from dictating curriculum. State legislatures and school boards have that power and authority now so there is nothing to ‘return.’
“This Executive Order has its roots in Project 2025 and would have devastating consequences for students with disabilities, students from low-income or rural communities, those who experience discrimination and harassment, and public education in general. It would also jeopardize the wellbeing of student loan borrowers and individuals who are pursuing or plan to pursue a higher education and overall send a message to the world that the United States does not value education. I will do all I can to oppose this extreme abuse of power and will continue to advocate for students, families, educators, and the economic benefits that come from an educated country.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
WASHINGTON, DC [4/1/25] –Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) introduced bipartisan legislation to help more students benefit from arts education.
Research shows that students who have access to arts education gain critical thinking skills, empathy, creativity, and better learning outcomes. The Arts Education for All Act would improve access to quality arts education and programming for early learners, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system.
“A quality arts education provides students with lifelong skills that benefit them no matter what path they take,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The arts also have a unique ability to heal, which is greatly needed at a time when many students are struggling with their mental health. Unfortunately, arts programming is often the first to be cut when schools face budget shortfalls and a lack of access to arts education disproportionately affects students from marginalized communities. The Arts Education for All Act will help give every student the opportunity to learn from the arts.”
“As one of the first states to mandate arts education in its public schools, Mainers understand and believe in the value and transformative power of the arts, especially for our young people,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Co-Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus. “Research shows that a strong arts education leads to better educational outcomes, including when it comes to standardized tests. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the Arts Education for All Act, which would give millions of kids across the country a real opportunity to not only learn about the arts, but to be inspired by them—and become stronger lifelong learners because of it.”
“The arts are the heartbeat of our communities, preserving our rich cultural heritage and inspiring the next generation of creators and storytellers,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “Every child—no matter their background—deserves access to arts education that nurtures their creativity, strengthens their academic success, and empowers them to dream big. I am proud to co-lead the Arts Education for All Act because investing in the arts means investing in our children, our culture, and the future of New Mexico.”
The Arts Education for All Act has been endorsed by 132 national, state, and local organizations and individuals, including Americans for the Arts, the American Art Therapy Association, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Grantmakers in the Arts, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). The full list of endorsements can be found here.
It is cosponsored by Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Emily Randall (D-WA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Andrea Salinas (D-OR).
The Arts Education for All Act will promote arts education and programming for youth and adults in early learning centers, K-12 schools, and juvenile justice facilities by:
Improving arts programming in caregiving and early education
Providing support for arts access in K-12 schools
Making professional development for arts educators a priority
Increasing the usability and accessibility of data on access to arts education
Integrating the arts in afterschool and summer learning programs
Facilitating arts education in the justice system
Allowing arts education to be used in reentry and recidivism reduction efforts
A summary of the Arts Education for All Act can be found here, and the full text can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
WASHINGTON DC [3/27/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman introduced bipartisan legislation to continue work designed to prevent sexual harassment and assault at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Many NOAA employees work in remote locations and aboard research and survey vessels to study, understand, and predict changes in climate, weather, ocean, and coastal conditions. The isolated nature of NOAA workplaces increases the risk of sexual assault and harassment, and in recent years the agency has updated its policies to better protect staff. The NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act strengthens existing protections against sexual assault and harassment and creates additional measures of accountability.
“Scientists and researchers at NOAA should be able to conduct their critical work without the fear of sexual harassment or assault,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Thanks to the bravery of survivors who have spoken out, we’ve made progress to prevent harassment and abuse at NOAA. But recent reports show that there is more work to be done. I’m grateful to join my colleague Ranking Member Huffman in this effort to create safe workplaces where researchers can focus on making the next scientific breakthrough in a safe workplace.”
“NOAA employees perform essential work for our communities and our planet — often in extreme and isolated environments where support systems are limited, and people may be more at risk,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “This bipartisan legislation strengthens accountability, expands protections, and builds a system that prioritizes safety and respect for everyone who serves this crucial mission. We have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the scientists, observers, and staff doing this critical work is never up for debate.”
Specifically, the legislation will:
Expand coverage of NOAA’s sexual harassment prevention and response policy. The new policy will include personnel who were not otherwise covered, including commercial fisheries contractors, protected species researchers, platform removal observers, and staff of regional fishery management councils.
Direct NOAA to provide a clear mechanism for anonymous reports of sexual harassment. NOAA’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Program Manager or the NOAA Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights will be designated as the recipients of reports so the agency can track incidents of harassment or assault and protect a victim’s privacy.
Provide a secure reporting structure for victims. The bill directs NOAA to develop a mechanism to provide restricted reporting that would allow victims of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment to receive services without triggering an investigative process, if requested by the victim. Current policy requires an investigation of any report, which may discourage some victims from seeking services.
Expand reports to Congress about sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal opportunity employment. The bill adds additional requirements to NOAA’s annual report to Congress, including a synopsis of cases of sexual harassment, change of station or work location requests initiated to reduce the possibility of retaliation or further sexual assault of employees, the number of employees or contractors referred to the U.S. Coast Guard for further review of their credentials, and cases of sexual assault and harassment of fisheries observers.
Improve the ability of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement to enforce a prohibition on assault, intimidation, and interference with fisheries observers. The bill would remove the stipulation in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that these acts be “forcible” in nature and occur “on a vessel” for NOAA to investigate.
A summary of the legislation can be found here. A copy of the bill text can be found here.
As a senior member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Bonamici has led efforts over the years to address sexual harassment and abuse at NOAA. She has been a strong advocate for survivorsand has worked with NOAA to improve its policies.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici and Dina Titus led 127 members of the House of Representatives in urging President Trump to reconsider his executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“Libraries and museums are critical to local communities, providing educational and other services to people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services is unacceptable. I’ve heard from many Oregonians and local institutions with grave concerns about losing this necessary stream of funding. Closing IMLS will hurt the American people for years to come, and we will fight every step of the way to save it.”
“Eliminating the IMLS would deprive millions of Americans of the educational resources they need to succeed in today’s society,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Libraries and museums are part of the cultural bedrock of this nation, driving learning, innovation, and community engagement. We should be enhancing museum and library services — not decimating them.”
The full text of the letter to President Trump is as follows:
We write to express our deep concern over the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the devastating impact such cuts would have on communities throughout the country.
The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting America’s museums and libraries. Operating in all 50 states and U.S. territories, it plays a vital role in strengthening these institutions which serve as essential educational, cultural, and economic pillars in our communities. From early literacy programs and STEM education initiatives to high-speed internet access and job training resources, funding for the IMLS enables libraries and museums to provide critical services to millions of Americans. The loss of this funding would be particularly devastating for rural, tribal, and other underserved communities that rely heavily on these institutions for access to learning resources, workforce development, and technological infrastructure.
Beyond their valuable contributions to education and social development, museums and libraries also serve as significant economic drivers. The American Alliance of Museums reports that museums alone contribute more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year and support over 726,000 jobs. Museums have immense power to draw tourism and foot traffic to other local businesses and revitalize communities. For every $1 that museums and other nonprofit cultural organizations receive in government funding, they return more than $5 in tax revenue. They also have broad public support, with 96% of Americans wanting to maintain or increase federal funding for museums. Libraries similarly generate economic returns through workforce training programs, small business support, and research services. Nearly all of the approximately 17,000 public libraries across the nation offer Wi-Fi access at no charge, and in 2019, Americans accessed the Internet using library computers close to 224 million times. This includes millions of students who lack adequate broadband access at home and rely on libraries to complete their homework. Despite this, IMLS funding accounts for a mere 0.0046% of the federal budget, an incredibly modest investment relative to the immense benefits these institutions provide.
Eliminating the IMLS would not only jeopardize these essential services but also dismiss the everyday needs of millions of Americans who rely on libraries and museums for learning, job opportunities, and community engagement. We urge the Administration to reconsider this decision and recognize the far-reaching impact of IMLS funding. Maintaining and strengthening federal support for museums and libraries is not just an investment in cultural preservation, it is an investment in education, innovation, and economic growth.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to working with you to ensure that America’s libraries and museums continue to thrive and serve the public.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, joined President Donald J. Trump and other lawmakers at the White House where the President unveiled new tariffs and economic policies to level the playing field and make American businesses more competitive on the global stage.
The event, titled “Make America Wealthy Again,” was held in the Rose Garden to commemorate what President Trump has designated as “Liberation Day.”
“President Trump has made it clear: the America First agenda is focused on creating American jobs and strengthening national security. This is critically important to ensure not only free trade with other nations, but fair trade in this global economy,” said Rep. Kelly.
On Tuesday, Rep. Kelly, a co-chair of the House Automotive Caucus, joined NewsNation to discuss the importance of auto tariffs, the President’s goal to make more automobiles in the United States, and to rejuvenate the American auto industry.
BACKGROUND
The success of tariffs
A 2024 study on the effects of President Trump’s tariffs in his first term found that they “strengthened the U.S. economy” and “led to significant reshoring” in industries like manufacturing and steel production.
A 2023 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission — which analyzed the effects of President Trump’s Section 232 and 301 tariffs on more than $300 billion of U.S. imports — found the tariffs reduced imports from China, effectively stimulated more U.S. production of the affected goods, and had very minor effects on downstream prices.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the tariffs implemented by President Trump during his first term “clearly show[ed] no correlation with inflation” and had only a fleeting effect on overall prices. — Economic Policy Institute: “Following implementation of Sec. 232 measures in 2018—and prior to the global downturn in 2020—U.S. steel output, employment, capital investment, and financial performance all improved. In particular, U.S. steel producers announced plans to invest more than $15.7 billion in new or upgraded steel facilities, creating at least 3,200 direct new jobs, many of which are now poised to come online.”
Prior to President Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, Israel and Vietnam are among the countries that have dropped their tariffs on the United States.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act. This bipartisan legislation would encourage physical activity and incentivize healthier living by allowing Americans to use a portion of the money saved in their pre-tax health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) toward qualified sports and fitness purchases, such as gym memberships, fitness equipment, and youth sports league fees.
“As a former college football player and youth football coach myself, I’ve seen young Americans greatly improve their lives because they were able to join a team and play sports,” said Rep. Kelly. “This bill gives kids, especially those in underserved or low-income communities, a real chance to play the sport of their choice. This isn’t just about athletics: it’s about gaining critical team-building and character-building traits that stay with kids for the rest of their lives.”
“Too many working families are forced to cut back on healthy activities and lifestyles due to the rising costs of sports leagues, gym memberships, local swimming pools, and more,” said Rep. Panetta. “The PHIT Act provides a practical solution by allowing families to use pre-tax dollars from their HSA and FSA accounts to help pay for fitness expenses. By breaking down financial barriers, we can encourage healthier habits, strengthen our communities, and invest in preventive care that lasts a lifetime.”
“Preventive health care doesn’t start in the doctor’s office — it starts with daily movement, access to fitness, and the ability to stay active,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The PHIT Act is about making those opportunities more affordable for families by allowing pre-tax health savings to cover fitness expenses like youth sports, gym memberships, and exercise equipment. We’re working to remove cost as a barrier to healthier living and shift our health care system toward one that values prevention, wellness, and long-term results.”
“For some Americans, certain gym or athletic league membership costs can be prohibitive, keeping them from pursuing healthy habits like exercising or participating in other physical activities,” said Sen. Thune. “The PHIT Act would reduce some of the cost barriers that Americans face when pursuing healthy lifestyles and make it easier and more affordable for folks to stay active throughout their lives. By giving Americans greater flexibility with their HSAs and FSAs, we can empower people to make healthy choices, get active, and hopefully prevent the onset of costly chronic conditions as we work to make America healthy again.”
“The National Football League (NFL) is pleased to support the PHIT Act, which is sensible, bipartisan legislation that makes participation in youth sports and physical activity more accessible and affordable,” said Brendon Plack, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at the NFL. “Encouraging America’s youth to adopt active lifestyles and healthy habits has been a cornerstone of the league’s commitment to community, and the PHIT Act helps to further advance that important goal.”
“Sports, exercise, and recreation are essential to the physical and mental well-being of Americans of all ages,” said Todd Smith, President and CEO of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). “The PHIT Act is a forward-thinking, bipartisan solution that will make these activities more affordable and accessible, helping to build healthier communities and a stronger future for sports and fitness participation. SFIA thanks and supports Senators Thune and Murphy, and Congressmen Kelly and Panetta, for reintroducing this act. As we head into this next decade of once-in-a-generation sporting events taking place in the U.S., we especially look forward to working together to pass the PHIT Act and expand opportunities for all.”
“Preventative health solutions are more important than ever, and physical activity is a proven, cost-effective way to make Americans healthier,” said Liz Clark, President and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association. “The PHIT Act is a commonsense solution that will make it easier for individuals and families to invest in their health by making fitness more affordable. We applaud Majority Leader Thune and Sen. Murphy, and Congressmen Kelly and Panetta, for their leadership in reintroducing PHIT in the 119th Congress and recognizing the critical role prevention plays in improving public health.”
“On behalf of the more than 2600 YMCAs who every day help build healthy spirit, minds and bodies for all and strengthen community by connecting people to their potential, purpose and each other, I applaud Representatives Kelly and Panetta and Senators Thune and Murphy for reintroducing the bi-partisan PHIT Act. This legislation recognizes the chronic disease crisis our nation confronts and prioritizes prevention by providing new financial incentives for individuals and families to better access physical activity, exercise programs and sports in community facilities like the YMCA,” said Jeff Britt, SVP, Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA.
The US administration claims these tariffs on imports will reduce the US trade deficit and address what it views as unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices. Trump said this would
forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed.
The “reciprocal” tariffs are designed to impose charges on other countries equivalent to half the costs they supposedly inflict on US exporters through tariffs, currency manipulation and non-tariff barriers levied on US goods.
Each nation received a tariff number that will apply to most goods. Notable sectors exempt include steel, aluminium and motor vehicles, which are already subject to new tariffs.
The minimum baseline tariff for each country is 10%. But many countries received higher numbers, including Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), China (34%), Indonesia (32%), Taiwan (32%) and Switzerland (31%).
The tariff number for China is in addition to an existing 20% tariff, so the total tariff applied to Chinese imports is 54%. Countries assigned 10% tariffs include Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Canada and Mexico are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, for now, but goods from those nations are subject to a 25% tariff under a separate executive order.
Although some countries do charge higher tariffs on US goods than the US imposes on their exports, and the “Liberation Day” tariffs are allegedly only half the full reciprocal rate, the calculations behind them are open to challenge.
For example, non-tariff measures are notoriously difficult to estimate and “subject to much uncertainty”, according to one recent study.
GDP impacts with retaliation
Other countries are now likely to respond with retaliatory tariffs on US imports. Canada (the largest destination for US exports), the EU and China have all said they will respond in kind.
To estimate the impacts of this tit-for-tat trade standoff, I use a global model of the production, trade and consumption of goods and services. Similar simulation tools – known as “computable general equilibrium models” – are widely used by governments, academics and consultancies to evaluate policy changes.
The first model simulates a scenario in which the US imposes reciprocal and other new tariffs, and other countries respond with equivalent tariffs on US goods. Estimated changes in GDP due to US reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory tariffs by other nations are shown in the table below.
The tariffs decrease US GDP by US$438.4 billion (1.45%). Divided among the nation’s 126 million households, GDP per household decreases by $3,487 per year. That is larger than the corresponding decreases in any other country. (All figures are in US dollars.)
Proportional GDP decreases are largest in Mexico (2.24%) and Canada (1.65%) as these nations ship more than 75% of their exports to the US. Mexican households are worse off by $1,192 per year and Canadian households by $2,467.
Other nations that experience relatively large decreases in GDP include Vietnam (0.99%) and Switzerland (0.32%).
Some nations gain from the trade war. Typically, these face relatively low US tariffs (and consequently also impose relatively low tariffs on US goods). New Zealand (0.29%) and Brazil (0.28%) experience the largest increases in GDP. New Zealand households are better off by $397 per year.
Aggregate GDP for the rest of the world (all nations except the US) decreases by $62 billion.
At the global level, GDP decreases by $500 billion (0.43%). This result confirms the well-known rule that trade wars shrink the global economy.
GDP impacts without retaliation
In the second scenario, the modelling depicts what happens if other nations do not react to the US tariffs. The changes in the GDP of selected countries are presented in the table below.
Countries that face relatively high US tariffs and ship a large proportion of their exports to the US experience the largest proportional decreases in GDP. These include Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Switzerland, South Korea and China.
Countries that face relatively low new tariffs gain, with the UK experiencing the largest GDP increase.
The tariffs decrease US GDP by $149 billion (0.49%) because the tariffs increase production costs and consumer prices in the US.
Aggregate GDP for the rest of the world decreases by $155 billion, more than twice the corresponding decrease when there was retaliation. This indicates that the rest of the world can reduce losses by retaliating. At the same time, retaliation leads to a worse outcome for the US.
Previous tariff announcements by the Trump administration dropped sand into the cogs of international trade. The reciprocal tariffs throw a spanner into the works. Ultimately, the US may face the largest damages.
Niven Winchester has previously received funding from the Productivity Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to estimate the impacts of potential trade policies. He is affiliated with Motu Economic & Public Policy Research.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)
Foxx Supports Legislation to Help Western North Carolina Businesses
Washington, March 28, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement after signing on as an official cosponsor to the Helene Small Business Recovery Act, legislation authored by Representative Chuck Edwards that provides a technical fix to loan duplications of benefits issued for survivors of Hurricane Helene:
“Following a disaster, the federal government should be a support system for states and not run interference. The Helene Small Business Recovery Act addresses a crucial need for businessowners to get the support they need from the federal government without facing bureaucratic delays or roadblocks. I’m proud to serve as an Original Cosponsor of Representative Edwards’ legislation and to continue our efforts in helping western North Carolina get back on its feet.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) announced that his Southern Pines and Fayetteville offices are accepting submissions from North Carolina’s Ninth District for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity for our District’s high school students to showcase their artistic ability, and I look forward to seeing this year’s submissions,” said Rep. Hudson.
The 2025 Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students from North Carolina’s 9th District. The overall winner of the District’s competition will have their artwork framed and displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. In addition, the second and third place winners will have their artwork displayed in Rep. Hudson’s offices.
Art entered in the contest must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Work cannot be copied from an existing photo or image that was created by someone other than the student. Work must be in its original medium and cannot be a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing. AI generated art will not be accepted.
Art does not need to be framed upon submission. Our office will frame the winning piece before it is sent to Washington, D.C.
Artwork that is potentially inappropriate for display in the Capitol will not be considered. This determination will be made by a panel.
Additional guidelines can be found hereor by visiting https://hudson.house.gov/services/art-competition.
Artwork must be submitted to Rep. Hudson’s Southern Pines or Fayetteville District Offices by 12pm on Friday, April 25, 2025 with a completed 2025 Student Release Form.
To request more information about the annual Congressional Art Competition, contact Rep. Hudson’s Southern Pines District Office at (910) 910-1924.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), who serves as the Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led over 50 of his colleagues in a bipartisan letterto Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr on the need for major reforms to outdated ownership rules that hurt broadcasters across the country.
The lawmakers wrote,“While the FCC has made incremental adjustments over the decades, the fundamental ownership restrictions have remained largely unchanged since the 1990s, imposing undue constraints on broadcasters’ ability to innovate and invest in local content.”
“Today, any one of the largest Big Tech platforms dwarfs the entire broadcast industry – yet they are held to no similar limitations on their reach,”the lawmakers continued.“This imbalance places broadcasters at a severe disadvantage in competing for advertising dollars and audience engagement.”
“Reforming outdated ownership rules is essential to ensuring that broadcasters remain viable, competitive, and capable of fulfilling their essential role in American democracy. By modernizing these regulations, the FCC can empower broadcasters to better serve their communities, promote local journalism, and compete in the modern media marketplace,”the lawmakers concluded.
Read the full letter hereand an exclusive story in Politicohere.