Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt proudly voted in favor of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” landmark legislation that delivers critical wins for American families, strengthens national security, and ensures responsible government spending.
“I’m voted yes because hardworking families deserve tax relief, a secure border, and a government that lives within its means,” said Congressman Aderholt. “This bill delivers real results while continuing to support our most vulnerable.”
The legislation includes a wide array of reforms and investments aimed at promoting economic stability and restoring public trust in federal governance. It also includes a provision championed by Congressman Aderholt: a new $5,000 adoption tax credit to ease the financial burden for families opening their hearts and homes to children in need.
“I’m especially proud to have helped secure an adoption tax credit in this bill,” Aderholt added. “This provision will provide meaningful relief to adoptive families and reflects our commitment to protecting life and supporting loving homes.”
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) was honored Wednesday night with the prestigious Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington, D.C. The award celebrates national leaders who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
During the ceremony, Congressman Aderholt invited a special guest to join him on stage—Julia Greene, a current intern in his Washington office who has Down syndrome. Julia, accompanied by her father Bill Greene, has been an integral part of the Aderholt team this spring. In his remarks, the Congressman described Julia as “a shining example of what Global AcceptAbility embodies: perseverance, possibility, and promise.”
“I am deeply humbled to receive the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award,” said Aderholt. “To stand alongside my colleague, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, and be recognized by an organization that has done so much to uplift and empower people with Down syndrome is an honor I will treasure.”
Aderholt added, “Every person is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. People with Down syndrome are living reminders of that truth. Their joy, strength, and contributions enrich our communities and remind us of the dignity and worth of every human life.”
About the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award
The Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award is named in honor of the legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who became a passionate advocate for individuals with Down syndrome following the birth of his daughter with the condition. Presented by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the award recognizes leaders in public service, media, and philanthropy who have shown extraordinary dedication to advocating for people with Down syndrome and their families. Past recipients include members of Congress, national media figures, and internationally renowned activists.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation continues to lead efforts in research, medical care, and advocacy, promoting inclusion and equity for individuals with Down syndrome across the nation.
Congressman Aderholt concluded his remarks with a reaffirmed commitment to advocating for policies that empower the Down syndrome community: “From the halls of Congress to the heart of this community, we must act on the belief that every life has value.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)
The AIG program was created by the Infrastructure Law and provides $14.5 billion in funding over five years to be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport transit connections, and roadway projects
ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that Orlando International Airport and Kissimmee Gateway Airport will receive over $33.5 million in FY25 Airport Infrastructure Grants. The AIG program was created by the Infrastructure Law and provides $14.5 billion in funding over five years to be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport transit connections, and roadway projects.
“Thanks to our Infrastructure Law, we’ve helped secure millions in federal investments to modernize our airports—supporting safer, more efficient travel while meeting the demands of one of the fastest-growing regions in the country,” said Rep. Soto. “From upgraded runways to improved terminal access, these projects aren’t just about infrastructure—they’re about future-proofing Central Florida’s economic engine. With tourism as one of our region’s biggest drivers, investing in airport infrastructure means investing in jobs, local businesses, and the millions of visitors who fuel our economy every year.”
Orlando International Airport will receive nearly $15 million to expand the existing Terminal C by over 203k square feet, over $12 million to expand an existing Terminal C apron by over 138k square yards to accommodate more aircraft operations, and $5 million to expand the existing Terminal C by over 203k square feet. This grant funds the Multi-Modal Connector Pedestrian Bridge.
“As an essential economic engine for the region, generating more than $41 billion in economic impact, Orlando International Airport appreciates Congressman Soto’s support to fund projects that will meet our near-term passenger demand,” said Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Sharman. “This and future funding will help the airport to elevate the passenger experience and enhance operations.”
Kissimmee Gateway Airport will receive $1.5 million to reconstruct the existing lighting on Taxiway A that has reached the end of its useful life.
“The Central Florida Airports are vital to our economy and ensuring infrastructure funding is critical to their efficiency and success,” said Kissimmee Gateway Airport Director of Aviation Shaun Germolus. “Congressman Soto recognizes this and has been a champion supporting very important projects at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport.”
Earlier today, Rep. Soto was joined by GOAA Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Sharman, Kissimmee Gateway Airport Director of Aviation Shaun Germolus, Orange County District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, and City of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa at a press conference to highlight this funding.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)
The Protect Patriot Spouses Act would help military families of mixed immigration statuses remain together in the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), and Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) re-introduced H.R. 3524, the Protect Patriot Spouses Act, in support of the Juarez family and military spouses facing deportation. The bill would render military spouses eligible for adjustment to permanent resident status by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to remove the inadmissibility standard because of an unlawful entry into the United States by the migrant spouse. It would also allow eligible veteran spouses who have already been removed or voluntarily departed the United States to apply for an immigrant visa from abroad and then become authorized to return to the country while their application is pending.
In August of 2018, Alejandra Juarez, a Polk County resident of over 20 years, was deported from the United States to Mexico. Alejandra’s husband, Sgt. Temo Juarez, is an Iraq combat veteran who served in the Marines and the Infantry Regiment of the Army National Guard. Together, they raised their two U.S.-born daughters, Pamela and Estela, in Davenport, Florida. Alejandra Juarez was previously granted humanitarian parole by the Biden Administration.
“In 2018, seven years ago, I joined the Juarez family at the airport in Orlando on the day of Alejandra’s deportation. In that moment, I promised Alejandra and her daughters that we would never stop fighting for them to be reunited. Under the Biden Administration, we were thrilled to see Alejandra receive humanitarian parole and return to Central Florida to be with her family,” said Rep. Soto. “However, this was only a temporary fix, and families are under increased risk due to the current Administration. With the Protect Patriot Spouses Act, we will create a permanent solution for families in this situation.’”
“The brave men and women who serve our country deserve our complete support and protection. The spouses and families of those who put their lives on the line to protect us should be honored by a grateful nation, not harmed by our broken immigration system,” said Rep. Salazar. “I am proud to join my colleagues, Representatives Soto and Carbajal, in introducing this critical legislation to protect the families of our veterans.”
“As a veteran and immigrant myself, I find it unconscionable that someone could step up to serve in the military and be willing to sacrifice their life for our country, only to have their family torn apart,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m proud to join Congressman Soto in renewing this push to shape an immigration system that is fair, keeps families together, and recognizes the positive contributions immigrants make to our country.”
During the 117th Congress, the Protect Patriot Spouses Act was included as a provision in H.R. 7946, the Veteran Service Recognition Act, which passed the House of Representatives in December of 2022.
Earlier this week, Congressman Soto participated in a press conference with Reps. Carbajal and Lou Correa (D-CA-46) to discuss the importance of passing legislation that prevents the deportation and separation of military families. Click here to watch the press conference.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05) wrote a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William Pulte, applauding the agency’s referral of New York Attorney General Letitia James for criminal prosecution related to her alleged involvement in mortgage fraud.
The letter also urges that the FHFA provide legislative recommendations to Congress on how to better combat fraud in the housing finance system, strengthen transparency, and restore public trust.
Background
FHFA referred Attorney General Letitia James for criminal prosecution following a broader initiative to root out corruption and fraud in government-backed mortgage lending. Reports indicate that Attorney General James may have repeatedly misrepresented her state of residence to fraudulently qualify for mortgage benefits reserved for owner-occupants under federally backed loan programs. Evidence suggests a pattern of misrepresentation that spans multiple states and applications. Director Pulte has vowed to work with lawmakers to prevent further abuses and ensure the housing system works for honest Americans, not political elites.
Rep. Norman’s letter called for a comprehensive FHFA-led review of the proposed actions:
Stronger identity and occupancy verification for government-backed loans;
Real-time data sharing between FHFA, HUD, federal law enforcement, and state attorneys general;
Stricter penalties and automatic disqualification from public office for government officials found guilty of mortgage fraud;
Strengthening the role of the FHFA Inspector General;
Creation of a public mortgage fraud offender registry; and,
Improved systems to recall fraudulently obtained loans.
The letter highlights the serious consequences of mortgage fraud, particularly when committed by elected officials entrusted with enforcing the law. Misconduct of this nature not only distorts underwriting practices and drives up housing costs but also undermines the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs. Rep. Norman reinforces his support for FHFA’s ongoing efforts and urges the agency to recommend legislative reforms that can be incorporated into upcoming financial oversight and housing reform packages.
Statement
“Letitia James is accused of deliberately falsifying her primary residence on a sworn mortgage application to obtain a preferential loan rate, potentially violating federal and state mortgage fraud statutes,” said Rep. Norman in a statement on Friday. “If true, this isn’t just fraud—it’s a betrayal of the public trust. I applaud Director Pulte and FHFA for taking decisive action.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) reintroduced H.R. 3377 to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Major James Capers, Jr., a retired United States Marine and decorated combat veteran whose record of valor and sacrifice has inspired generations of servicemembers.
Rep. Norman has introduced legislation to award Major James Capers, Jr., the Medal of Honor during the 117th and 118th Congresses.
Background
The Medal of Honoris awarded to a military service member who: “distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
1) While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
2) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
Major James Capers, Jr., born in Lee County, South Carolina, exemplified actions above and beyond the call of duty, more than meeting the requirements for a Medal of Honor when he led his team of nine out of an ambush where they were outnumbered 3:1 during the Vietnam War.
Thanks to the selfless sacrifice by Major Capers, all nine members of the team were brought to safety and survived the attack, though all members of the team, including Major Capers, were injured.
During his career, Major Capers and his team conducted over 50 classified missions in Vietnam, amphibious assaults, covert missions to rescue POWs, and a recovery mission for a downed B-57 bomber, while enduring countless injuries, including a broken leg.
Major Capers was previously nominated for the Medal of Honor, but due to administrative shortcomings and delays, he never received the recognition he earned in combat. Despite receiving the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and many other commendations, the full measure of his heroism remains unjustly overlooked.
Rep. Norman remains committed to ensuring H.R. 3377 is passed to authorize the presentation of the Medal of Honor, correcting a decades-old oversight.
Statement
“Mr. James Capers, Jr. isn’t just a hero, he’s a living legend in every sense of the word,” said Rep. Norman in a statement on Tuesday. “His courage in Vietnam, his humility throughout life, and his unwavering devotion to this country are second to none. It’s an honor to reintroduce this bill, because a man like Major Capers deserves nothing less than the Medal of Honor.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05) joined Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) and 20 other House Republicans in sending a letter to their colleagues urging structural Medicaid reform to be included in the upcoming budget reconciliation package.
Background
Originally designed as a safety-net program for low-income children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, Medicaid has drifted far from its 1965 mission. In recent years, structural flaws, a lack of eligibility enforcement, and continuous financial schemes have led to skyrocketing costs and inefficient spending.
The Congressional Budget Office now projects that from 2025 to 2034, Medicaid spending will be $1.2 trillion higher than forecasted in 2021. Much of this increase is not the result of improved care. Instead, it stems from flawed policies, including the Affordable Care Act’s expansion model, which rewards states with a 90% federal match for able-bodied, working-age adults, compared to just 60% for the truly vulnerable.
Improper payments have exceeded $1.1 trillion over the past decade, with many states exploiting loopholes such as provider taxes and intergovernmental transfers to artificially inflate federal contributions. Meanwhile, Medicaid now serves more individuals above the poverty line than below it. In California, federal funds have been used to expand coverage to illegal immigrants and eliminate asset tests, allowing even wealthy residents to qualify for taxpayer-funded care.
The letter outlines three guiding principles: prioritize the truly vulnerable, end the use of financial gimmicks, and strengthen state accountability. Without action, Medicaid will continue to drain federal resources, increase healthcare costs nationwide, and push the program further from its original intent.
Statement
“Medicaid was never meant to be a bottomless well of taxpayer money,” said Rep. Norman on Thursday. “It was created to help the most vulnerable, not to reward states for gaming the system or to cover able-bodied adults who can and should work. We’ve got to stop enabling waste and start restoring accountability. This reform is about protecting both patients and taxpayers, and I’m proud to support it.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act with a vote of 215-214-1.
Statement:
“The House just secured BIG WINS for taxpayers in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” said Rep. Norman on Thursday. “This bill, while not perfect, secured the following wins for the American people:
A. Tax cuts for all American families are made permanent
B. Border security funding to enable the deportation of illegals
C. No tax on tips & overtime
D. Prohibits funds for transgender treatments
E. Protects life by restricting Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood
Now let me be clear — I didn’t just cast a vote. I worked my tail off during this process to make this bill better for the American taxpayer. I fought tooth and nail to include key changes that were non-negotiable for me:
1. Work requirements for Medicaid recipients were moved up from 2029 to 2026
2. Biden’s Green New Scam tax credits for wind and solar repealed faster
Leadership isn’t about making the perfect the enemy of the good, but it’s about moving the ball forward without selling out your principles. My vote was about securing the wins we’ve fought for and continuing to move forward in the fight to rein in Washington’s cancerous spending.
South Carolinians expect results, and this bill is a step toward restoring trust, accountability, and common sense in government. The American people sent us here to stop reckless spending, and today we delivered.“
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)
Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, today joined Reps. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, in leading Judiciary Committee Democrats to demand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and White House Counsel’s Office provide legal memoranda that reportedly blessed Donald Trump’s efforts to flout the clear text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause in order to justify his accepting a luxury private jet from the State of Qatar without seeking the consent of Congress.
“President Trump is reportedly relying on memos that you authored, at his request, to accept a $400 million airplane from the State of Qatar—described in media reports as a ‘flying palace’ and ‘the most luxurious private jet in the world’—without obtaining, or even seeking, Congress’s consent. Any legal memo purporting to make such a claim would obviously fly in the face of the text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which explicitly prohibits the President from accepting any ‘present [or] Emolument . . . of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State’ unless he has ‘the Consent of Congress.’ Accordingly, we are writing to request that you provide the Committee on the Judiciary with these memos immediately as their analysis and conclusions are apparently the basis for the President’s decision to disregard the plain text of the Constitution,” wrote the members.
On May 11, an ABC News report revealed President Trump’s plans to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari Royal Family to use as Air Force One—a lavish and unconstitutional gift which he intends to transfer to his personal presidential library foundation at the conclusion of his term.
Reports indicate that the DOJ and White House Counsel’s Office are aiding Trump’s efforts to paper over this clear Constitutional violation and reportedly drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arguing that it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to Trump’s presidential library.
The Constitution is clear that Congress—not the Attorney General or the White House Counsel—has the exclusive authority to approve or reject a gift “of any kind whatever” given to the President by a foreign government.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s involvement in this matter is particularly egregious given her clear conflict of interest. Bondi was previously a registered foreign agent of the Qatari government, earning $115,000 per month to lobby on its behalf.
Trump’s acceptance of this unprecedented and unconstitutional gift has sparked bipartisan criticism and outrage, with even Republican Members of Congress and conservative media raising concerns about national security risks and the appearance of corruption. Additionally, this allegedly “free plane” likely will cost taxpayers billions of dollars to overhaul to meet “all the survivability, security and communications requirements of Air Force One.”
Judiciary Democrats requested that Attorney General Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington provide all documents and communications related to or purporting to justify or provide legal analysis regarding the constitutionality of the President’s acceptance of the Qatari plane; all documents and communications related to an agreement between the State of Qatar and the United States regarding the transfer of the plane; and all documents related to whether Attorney General Bondi should recuse herself in matters related to emoluments from Qatar.
The letter comes after Judiciary Democrats filed a Resolution demanding Trump comply with the Constitutional rules on foreign gifts by seeking the consent of Congress before accepting the Qatari plane.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement:
“This weekend was marked by two extraordinary statements from the Trump White House – statements which, in any other presidential administration, would have generated immediate condemnation and dismissals.
“On Friday, White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller announced that the Trump administration, including the President, was considering suspending habeas corpus – the fundamental constitutional right to have a court determine whether or not someone is being held illegally. The Constitution’s Suspension Clause, the second clause of Section 9 of Article I, specifically states that habeas corpus cannot be suspended, except when an invasion or rebellion endangers public safety. In fact, it has only been invoked four times in the history of our nation, twice during the Civil War, and it is a power that belongs to Congress, not the President.
“As justification for the suspension of habeas corpus, Mr. Miller cited the administration’s string of losses in the courts, threatening that the administration might suspend habeas corpus depending on “whether the courts do the right thing or not.”
“Although this White House has repeatedly cited non-existent national emergencies to justify its illegal and unconstitutional actions, the suspension of habeas corpus would be a direct assault upon one of the founding principles of our Constitution.
“In addition, on Saturday, ICE agents physically accosted three members of Congress who were conducting lawful oversight at a privately-run Newark detention facility. The mayor of Newark was arrested outside the facility, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subsequently announced that it was considering arresting the members of Congress.
“During the first Trump administration, Congress was forced to pass a law requiring ICE to admit members of Congress for unannounced inspection visits after ICE denied such visits. The members present for Saturday’s visit had waited several hours before armed and masked ICE agents provoked the confrontation with the mayor and arrested him.
“Of course, these actions come in the wake of other White House attempts to subvert the rule of law and constitutional boundaries, including deporting individuals with no due process and efforts to intimidate courts by, among other things, threatening to impeach judges with whose decisions they disagree and arresting a Wisconsin state judge who challenged ICE’s authority to arrest someone without a judicial warrant.
“These assaults upon the rule of law – the underpinning of our nation which ensures that all in this country are treated fairly and equally, and that the government is not allowed to act arbitrarily – are part of a growing body of action by the second Trump administration.
“As this administration continues to undertake mass deportations without due process, it is absolutely critical for all Americans to understand that without due process, no one is safe from being falsely accused of being a noncitizen, a criminal, or a threat to national security, and being detained or wrongfully deported to a foreign prison. And in fact, we have seen all three of these scenarios occur already.
“We are at a critical inflection point. Regardless of whether one favors the goals of this administration, the tactics it is using constitute a clear and present danger to the constitutional protections for every American.
“Congress could put an end to these illegal activities immediately through legislation. This would require some Republicans to put their duty to the Constitution and country over their fear of retaliation by the administration.
“While Democrats are clear-eyed about the danger presented by this administration’s actions, until a majority of Congress is willing to act, we must rely upon the courts and the community.
“The courts have, by and large, stayed or rejected the White House’s illegal power grabs as they have been challenged in court.
“Americans must continue to reject clear and present dangers to their freedoms as well – at the ballot box, in their outreach to their elected representatives, and in their refusal to stay silent.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)
Chester, PA – Congresswoman Scanlon (PA-05) today announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition following a reception on Sunday, April 27 to honor PA-05 high school art students.
Photos from this event are available here for media use.
The Congressional Art Competition is an annual art competition open to students in grades 9 to 12 who reside in Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. Participating students are offered the opportunity to showcase their talent by submitting original artwork for a district-wide competition. The winning artwork hangs in the U.S. Capitol complex for a full year.
“Art is a powerful platform for self-expression and can be a moving source of hope and inspiration,” said Rep. Scanlon. “It reflects our personal, cultural and social perspectives as well as its impact on our well-being. This is why each year I look forward to having this opportunity to view our community through the eyes of our student constituents.”
A team of volunteer judges comprised of local artists and art educators scored submissions for originality, craftsmanship, use of elements of art, and use of principles of design in 9 categories: painting, black and white drawings, color drawings, collages, printmaking, mixed media, computer-generated art, black and white photography, and color photography.
This year’s best in show was awarded to Jayasri Prasad from Garnet Valley High School for her black and white drawing titled “Air Dry”.
Additional category winners are as follows:
Painting:
First place: Ziman Zou, Strath Haven High School
Second place (tie): Coco Conner, Radnor High School and Devon Ferkler, Springfield High School
Third place (tie): Eva Kahlert, Upper Darby High School and Ava Emery, Garnet Valley High School
Drawings, Black and White:
First place: Jayasri Prasad, Garnet Valley High School
Second place (tie): Dayton German, Sun Valley High School and Carolin Chen, Springfield High School
Third place: Chloe Lau, Radnor High School
Drawings, Color:
First place: Juliana Dreyer, Garnet Valley High School
Second place: Cindy Yang, Radnor High School
Third place: Abigail Kotch, Garnet Valley High School
Collages:
First place: Aashritha Sama, Garnet Valley High School
Second place: Grant Wessel, Sun Valley High School
Third place: Zakiyah Sanyeneh, Sun Valley High School
Prints:
First place: Theo Tempesta, Garnet Valley High School
Second place: Amvi Vyas, Garnet Valley High School
Third: Ella Barry, Garnet Valley High School
Mixed Media:
First place: Madeson Gilbert, Springfield High School
Second place: Ella DiBonaventura, Strath Haven High School
Third place: MacKenzie Cameron, Springfield High School
Computer Generated Art:
First place: Evan Brooks, Garnet Valley High School
Second place: Sarah Bagonis, Strath Haven High School
Third place: Mira Caplan, Radnor High School
Color Photography:
First place: Laila Roe, Strath Haven High School
Second place (tie): Ming Cerdan, Strath Haven High School and Mikayla Leary, Sun Valley High School
Third Place: Emma Ross, Strath Haven High School
Black and White Photography:
First place: Alyssa Iorio, Springfield High School
Second place: Dalina Thach, Sun Valley High School
Third place (tie): Orli Schoff, Strath Haven High School; Nolan Spivey, Springfield High School; and Isaac “Cheetah” Lothrop, Strath Haven High School
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) today led 43 House colleagues in condemning the diversion of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) resources to assist aggressive deportation efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The USPIS is the federal law enforcement arm of the USPS, tasked with supporting and protecting the USPS, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the United States’ mail system from illegal or dangerous use. The USPIS’ core functions include fighting mail fraud, assaults on postal workers, and the use of the mail system for drug distribution. Reallocation of USPIS’ time and resources to supplement DHS’s operations will severely impact the primary responsibilities of the USPIS.
The USPIS came to the public’s attention during the first Trump administration when it arrested Trump advisor Steve Bannon for mail fraud. A few months later, that administration restricted USPIS’ law enforcement powers.
“In recent years, chronic underfunding and politicization of USPS functions have seriously restricted the activities of the Inspection Service. The USPIS has cut back on staff and jurisdiction, even as crime against mail carriers is on the rise – having the USPIS take on additional tasks at this time drastically limits their ability to protect their own employees,” the members wrote.
“Using the U.S. Postal Service requires people to share address data, credit card numbers, IP addresses, and other critical financial information that could result in real harm if made public. Millions of Americans depend on the reliability and privacy of the USPS to receive personal items such as tax documents, medication, and mail-in ballots. It is deeply concerning that immigration enforcement agencies have access to the USPS’s sensitive data systems, and the use of the USPS to facilitate deportations raises serious constitutional and civil liberties concerns. The U.S. Postal Service should not be operating as a surveillance arm of federal immigration enforcement,” the members continued.
Amidst ongoing threats to disband the USPS Board of Governors, fire thousands of USPS employees, and fold the USPS into the Department of Commerce, this reportedly placed pressure on the Inspection Service to abandon its primary responsibilities in favor of assisting the administration’s mass deportation agenda. Despite their objections, the Inspection Service is being forced to participate in order to avoid the same fate as other critical agencies, such as the Department of Education or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
“As Members of Congress, we demand that you terminate any general access by the Department of Homeland Security or any immigration enforcement agency to USPS’s broad data systems. We also ask for a commitment from your administration to refrain from any further actions to undermine the Postal Service’s critical role as an independent, depoliticized agency of the federal government. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your swift response,” the members concluded.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today joined Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee, Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, and Lucy McBath (GA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, in releasing the following statement in response to Justice’s (DOJ) unfounded targeting of Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10):
“The targeting of Representative McIver is a blatant attempt to intimidate Members of Congress and to block our oversight of this administration’s actions, which have been enjoined more than 150 times by federal courts. We stand by Representative McIver’s exercise of her constitutional rights and duties. If you come for the legal rights of one of us, you come for the rights of all of us.
“Members of Congress have the right to conduct oversight, full stop — whether that’s holding Cabinet officials accountable or visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Representative McIver was performing her proper oversight role, a role she was elected by the American people to do — and even participated in a one-hour tour after the incident occurred.
“Charging Members of Congress for doing our jobs is a dangerous precedent to set. It reveals the increasingly authoritarian nature of this Administration and its relentless, illegal attempts to suppress any dissent or oversight, including from judges, Members of Congress, and the American people, which check lawless executive power. Representative McIver has our full support, and we will do everything in our power to help fight this outrageous threat to our constitutional system.”
Background:
Section 527 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47) explicitly states that the Department of Homeland Security cannot prevent Members of Congress from “entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens […]. The law goes on to state that “Nothing in this section may be construed to require a Member of Congress to provide prior notice of the intent to enter a facility […] for the purpose of conducting oversight.”
As we head into a new month of streaming, here’s a fresh wave of TV ready to challenge, transport and entertain you.
This month’s picks span genre and geography, from an eerie dystopian Buenos Aires, to a witty, awkward cyborg hero. Reality TV also gets a scandalous twist with the return of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. And Deaf President Now! delivers a powerful documentary on a historical milestone for Deaf rights.
There’s something for every kind of viewer — and every kind of mood.
The Eternaut
Netflix
Argentine sci-fi The Eternaut opens with a group of old friends in Buenos Aires meeting to play the card game truco on a hot summer night – when things suddenly get eerie.
The power goes out and a poisonous snowfall starts to blanket the city, killing thousands of people instantly. The survivors must get answers, quickly, as they start to grasp the true strength of their invisible enemy.
Based on Héctor Germán Oesterheld’s 1950s comic of the same name, The Eternaut portrays apocalypse through a deeply local and political lens – and in doing so has struck a chord in Argentina.
Directed by Bruno Stagnaro and led by Argentine film icon Ricardo Darín, as protagonist Juan Salvo, the series emphasises the power of collective heroism, and subtly critiques the current government’s uncompromising neoliberal approach.
It also pulses with national pride. Buenos Aires is not glamorized; real neighbourhoods are shown as classic Argentine tango, rock and folk plays in the background. Most importantly, Argentine identity is celebrated through themes of community spirit, grassroots resistance, and ingenuity in times of crisis.
The Eternaut feels both timely and timeless. Its slogan, “no one survives alone,” resonates for a country that has been long marked by both trauma and resistance efforts.
Its emotional weight is further deepened by Oesterheld’s legacy, including the tragic disappearance of him and his family members under the military rule of the 1970s.
With a second season on the way, this series is a powerful ode to Argentina.
Murderbot, Apple’s adaptation of Martha Wells’ science-fiction novella, All Systems Red (2017) is a satisfying combination of action, sci-fi and comedy. The show centres on a security unit (SecUnit) – an indentured private security cyborg – who secretly cracks the programming of its governing chip, granting itself autonomy.
Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård), as it dubs itself, is both horrified and fascinated by humans. It’s far more afraid of eye contact, emotions and direct conversation than any physical danger. It’s also obsessed with mainlining media, particularly the ridiculous soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.
Murderbot is hired, reluctantly, by some hippy scientists from a group of “freehold” planets – ones that exist outside the Corporation Rim – to act as protection on a scientific expedition. It goes quickly awry.
Wells’ award-winning novella, the first in an equally good series, limits us to the first-person perspective of the sarcastic cyborg. The series expands this frame beautifully, building on the source material’s dry humour to create a world that is both goofy and grounded.
And while there are serious themes at play, such as the way SecUnits are effectively enslaved, and the violent capitalist dominance of the Corporation Rim, the show is not heavy. Skarsgård offers a pitch-perfect performance of the awkward, anxious robot – its eyes flickering in horror as the scientists try to befriend it.
The opening minutes of the first episode are clumsy and on-the-nose, but ignore them. This otherwise well-designed and well-directed show cracks along with brisk, highly-entertaining 22-minute episodes.
– Erin Harrington
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, season two
Disney+
Season one of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had us hooked at the end of 2024. Now, the women have returned for an explosive 10-episode second season.
The reality series follows a group of Mormon women living in Utah. While the title may have you anticipating stories of faith and motherhood, the show is more focused on the personal lives of Mormon mothers who rose to TikTok fame due to scandal and infamy.
Season one saw the women grapple with balancing traditional Mormon values with their online lives and subsequent businesses (along with the fallout from a “soft-swinging scandal”). Season two further highlights infidelity, jealously and money.
Old characters are brought back, with finger-pointing ex-husbands and former alienated friends adding to the fray. Police are called, insults are thrown and many of the women delve deeper into their pasts.
The show flips flops between difficult moments such as processing the death of loved ones and difficult pregnancies, with parties and poorly executed party games. At one point the women play pregnancy roulette (a game no one should recommend), and take pregnancy tests which are anonymously read out to the group. Chaos ensues.
And after watching, you can search for the TikTok accounts of the stars and watch new drama unfold in real-time – or watch them “correct” and expand on past situations based on their own perspectives – far removed from show’s editors.
– Edith Jennifer Hill
Deaf President Now!
Apple TV+
Deaf President Now! is a stirring documentary about an iconic student uprising at Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, in 1988. The film chronicles how Deaf students – tired of being led by hearing leadership – decided to take things in their own hands come the 1988 Gallaudet presidential election.
With two of the three candidates being Deaf, the appointment of Elisabeth Zinser, a hearing candidate unfamiliar with Deaf culture, sparked outrage. Fuelled by decades of marginalisation, the students barricaded campus gates, burned effigies of Zinser and marched to the Capitol, calling for Deaf leadership in Deaf spaces.
It worked. The protest forced Zinser’s resignation and ushered in Irving King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president.
The film juxtaposes historic footage with present-day interviews with key leaders of the movement, allowing them to tell their stories their own way. These reflections, delivered in American Sign Language (ASL), underscore how storytelling itself can become an act of resistance for Deaf people.
At the same time, the documentary wrestles with a paradox. Co-directed by Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco and hearing filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, the film exemplifies how Deaf storytelling still often has hearing involvement, especially when the story is packaged for a mainstream audience.
Nevertheless, the release of Deaf President Now! couldn’t have been more timely. With disability rights in the United States threatened under Trump, the film is a call to action. It reminds us Deaf culture isn’t just about language: it’s about Pride, self-determination and visibility.
In Lorcan Finnegan’s The Surfer, our unnamed protagonist (Nicolas Cage) is returning to his former Australian home from the United States. He is newly divorced, and trying to buy a beachside property to win back his family.
He takes his teenage son (Finn Little) for a surf near the property, but they are run off by an unfriendly pack of locals.
Returning alone to the beachside car park to make some calls, he is besieged there by the same gang, and this continues over the next several days. The gang is led by a terrifying middle-aged Andrew Tate-esque influencer, Scally (Julian McMahon), who runs the beach like a combination of a frat bro party and wellness retreat.
It is impossible to think of an actor other than Cage who could make a character like this so enjoyable to watch. Cage’s distinctively American confidence has no resistance to the terrifying switches of Australian masculinity from friendly to teasing to violent.
The Surfer is an absolute blast. A lot of the fun is in anticipating each dreadful humiliation – and it somehow turning out worse than you could have expected.
The Surfer beautifully captures the natural surroundings, stunning views and shimmering heat of Australian coastal summer. At the same time, a confined, semi-urban feature like a beachside car park feels bleak and uninviting.
As a film setting, it is both a spectacular wide-open vista and stiflingly claustrophobic – a perfect mechanism for The Surfer’s psychological horror.
The story of serial killers, Fred and Rose West, has been highly narrativised since their shocking crimes were discovered in Gloucester in 1994. The horror of the Wests lies in the juxtaposition of their seemingly ordinary suburban family and what was hidden beneath the foundations of their home.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story takes us back to the moment of that revelation via previously unheard interview tapes and recordings of the property search – and of Rose while she was kept in a safe house. Family home videos add to the disturbing sense of the couple’s duplicity.
Interviews with the family of some of the victims emphasise the ongoing pain caused by the Wests, who preyed on vulnerable young women. Meanwhile, Fred’s interviews reinforce his determination to protect his wife: “I trained Rose to do what I wanted. That is why our marriage worked out so well.”
Many details of the Wests’ true horror, however, are absent: the incredible torture suffered by the victims; Fred and Rose’s own childhoods of abuse and Fred’s earlier assault of young girls, including his own sister; and any reference to the couple’s surviving children and the extraordinary abuse they suffered.
The horror of this new documentary is present in the couple’s habitual lies, their casual attitude to violence and murder, and their refusal to take responsibility for their many crimes. Yet it only scratches the surface of the Wests’ true horror story.
– Jessica Gildersleeve
The Four Seasons
Netflix
The Four Seasons follows three 50-something affluent couples as they holiday together over the course of a year.
Friends since college, the group’s easy camaraderie is upended by Nick’s (Steve Carroll) bombshell decision to leave his seemingly unsuspecting wife, Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), after 25 years of marriage. The announcement sends shockwaves through the other couples, testing their own relationships.
Adapted from Alan Alda’s bittersweet 1981 comedy of the same name, the series preserves the film’s narrative conceit, unfolding over four seasonal mini trips. Episode one opens in full spring at Nick and Anne’s bucolic lake house.
Given the luxury on display, you’d be forgiven for mistaking The Four Seasons as another entry in the “rich-people-behaving-badly” genre. But while there’s plenty of quips and snarky humour, what unfolds is ultimately much kinder – less a scathing indictment of wealth and more a gentle exploration of the banalities of love and middle age.
The show’s creators make the most of the expanded running time to humanise the sextet. The open marriage between gregarious Italian Claude (Marco Calvini) and husband Danny (a marvellous Colman Domingo) updates the source material without sliding into tokenism or homonormativity.
The prickly Type-A Kate (Tina Fey) and peacekeeper Jack (Will Forte) provide the series’ beating heart, in a relationship that feels lived-in and familiar.
Despite its focus on ageing, loss, mortality and grief, The Four Seasons offers comfort viewing at its finest, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a loved one who’s known you for decades.
– Rachel Williamson
Gemma King receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Claudia Sandberg, Edith Jennifer Hill, Erin Harrington, Grace Russell, Jessica Gildersleeve, Rachel Williamson, Samuel Martin, and Sofya Gollan do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman William Timmons (SC-04)
Timmons on S.C. Supreme Court Ruling in Planned Parenthood v. South Carolina
Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) released the following statement in response to the South Carolina Supreme Court’s ruling in Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. South Carolina:
“Today’s decision is a powerful affirmation of our state’s unwavering commitment to defending the most fundamental right of all — the right to life. South Carolina continues to stand on the side of the unborn, and I applaud the Court for upholding our laws that protect innocent life. As a nation, we must remain steadfast in preserving the sanctity of life, and I will always fight to ensure that the voices of the unborn are heard and protected.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman William Timmons (SC-04)
Congressman William Timmons (R-SC) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers today in reintroducing a resolution to establish a new Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. The effort seeks to improve how Congress uses data and evidence to craft effective, accountable legislation.
The lawmakers—members of the Congressional Fix Congress and What Works Caucuses—are working together to ensure that federal policymaking is informed by what works, not by politics. The proposed commission will provide Congress with the tools, expertise, and information it needs to evaluate programs and make data-driven decisions on behalf of the American people.
“Congress has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are invested in programs that actually deliver results,” said Congressman Timmons. “This bipartisan commission will strengthen our ability to use data, evidence, and real-world outcomes to shape policy that works. It is a smart step toward better governance and more effective stewardship of public resources.”
The commission’s charge will be to review and recommend ways to integrate federal data and evidence into the legislative process, helping lawmakers better assess the effectiveness of federal programs and make informed policy choices. The move builds on the legacy of the original 2016 Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission, which led to landmark bipartisan legislation including the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.
“With the Trump Administration and a Republican-led Congress focused on cutting waste and increasing efficiency, it is more important than ever that we ensure federal programs are delivering results,” Timmons added. “This commission will help us do just that—by putting facts and data at the center of policymaking.”
The resolution has received broad support from leading organizations in the evidence-based policy space, including Results for America, the Partnership for Public Service, the Data Foundation, USAFacts, and the American Idea Foundation—all emphasizing the importance of using data to improve public outcomes and ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent.
Congressman Timmons remains committed to delivering results for the American people through smart, accountable, and effective governance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman William Timmons (SC-04)
Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) announced his continued support as an original cosponsor of the Fiscal Commission Act, a bipartisan initiative introduced by Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA). The legislation seeks to establish a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission tasked with developing solutions to improve the nation’s medium- and long-term fiscal health.
“Our national debt has surpassed $36 trillion, posing a significant threat to our economic stability and the well-being of future generations,” said Rep. Timmons. “It’s imperative that Congress confronts this issue head-on. The Fiscal Commission Act represents a critical step toward restoring fiscal responsibility and ensuring the longevity of essential programs like Medicare and Social Security.”
The proposed commission would comprise 16 members, including lawmakers from both chambers and private sector experts. Its mandate is to craft comprehensive recommendations to address the nation’s fiscal challenges. Importantly, the legislation requires Congress to vote on the commission’s proposals without amendment, ensuring timely consideration of its findings.
Rep. Timmons emphasized the urgency of the situation: “If we fail to act now, the consequences will be dire. Interest payments on our debt are already outpacing critical expenditures, and without intervention, we risk undermining the financial security of millions of Americans.”
The Fiscal Commission Act has garnered bipartisan support, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges. Rep. Timmons’s involvement underscores his dedication to collaborative solutions that prioritize the country’s long-term economic health.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman William Timmons (SC-04)
In a new op-ed in The Post and Courier, Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) makes the case against a proposed luxury hotel development on Paris Mountain, which has stirred strong public reaction across the Upstate. Residents and local officials have voiced serious concerns over traffic, safety, environmental impact, and preservation of Paris Mountain. With over 13,000 signatures opposing the project, the debate underscores a critical moment for the future of one of Upstate’s most cherished natural landmarks.
In case you missed it…
Paris Mountain is a jewel of the Upstate. We must protect it. The Post and Courier Rep. William Timmons (SC-04) April 23, 2025
As a conservative congressman representing the Upstate, I feel compelled to address the troubling proposal for a 153-room hotel development on Paris Mountain. My family has proudly resided at the foot of this iconic landmark for over 60 years, and I never imagined that we would be facing a situation where the integrity of Paris Mountain could be compromised. This beautiful mountain has always been regarded as a jewel of our region, and it has historically been protected as such.
The land proposed for this hotel has been designated as an Environmentally Sensitive District by Greenville County Council since the 1980s. This zoning was put in place to safeguard the unique natural resources of the area, and it reflects the community’s longstanding commitment to protecting our environment. Yet now, a developer with minimal experience who has acquired a narrow strip of land adjacent to Furman University is looking to sidestep these essential protections through annexation into the city of Travelers Rest.
In 2013, Furman University annexed into Travelers Rest using a narrow strip of land. As a result, the city now arguably has the authority to annex and develop Paris Mountain. However, this move threatens to undermine our community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. If Travelers Rest annexes the property, the city would rezone it, and the developer has applied for Flexible Review District zoning for the purpose of building a hotel and effectively discarding decades of preservation efforts.
The hotel proposed by the Divine Group features plans for 153 rooms, an event space for over 750 guests, a convention center, office space and dining facilities, with the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 people. This level of development raises several serious concerns.
First and foremost is safety. The proposed entrance on Altamont Road, a narrow and precarious route that crosses Paris Mountain, is already known for accidents involving both vehicles and cyclists. Our first responders are challenged by the difficult terrain when responding to emergencies, the fact that Altamont Road is the only way in and out of Paris Mountain, and an evacuation could quickly become hazardous if Altamont Road were to be blocked. A serious fire could even force the fire department to shut down Poinsett Highway to access water from Furman’s Lake.
Moreover, the Environmentally Sensitive District designation is in place to protect land deemed environmentally sensitive. This area features steep ravines that lead to the headwaters of the Reedy River, making it nearly impossible to avoid significant erosion and damage to the local ecosystems. Allowing commercial development in such an area is simply inappropriate and conflicts with the principles of good governance and responsible development we hold dear.
It is shocking to see the proposed annexation get this far. If the city were to approve this hotel development, we would open the floodgates to further urban encroachment on Paris Mountain, jeopardizing its natural beauty and environmental integrity. We should not allow urban sprawl to tarnish the character of our region — Paris Mountain deserves better.
Public sentiment against this development has also been overwhelmingly clear. The Greenville County Council — representing over 580,000 residents in the Upstate — unanimously passed a resolution opposing both the hotel and the removal of Environmentally Sensitive District protections, marking an exceptional show of solidarity in protecting our natural resources. Furthermore, more than 65% of adjacent property owners have voiced their objections, and over 13,000 signatures have been collected on a petition requesting that the city reject this proposal.
Finally, I must express my concerns regarding the qualifications of the developers. Their budget for this project is 40% less than what was required to construct the Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Greenville, and their experience primarily consists of developing gas stations and laundromats, not complex hotels in challenging environmentally sensitive locations. Entrusting our beloved landscape to developers without significant experience in similar projects is irresponsible.
I urge the Travelers Rest City Council to heed the voices of their constituents and recognize the extensive issues presented by this proposed development. Additionally, I encourage members of the Legislature to enact measures that protect environmentally sensitive lands throughout South Carolina, including Paris Mountain, from urban sprawl. Together, we should fight to ensure that Paris Mountain remains a cherished part of our Upstate identity for future generations.
Congressman William Timmons represents South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman William Timmons (SC-04)
Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
“I proudly voted YES on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, advancing President Trump’s America First Agenda, Congressman Timmons said. “This historic legislation permanently cuts taxes for South Carolina’s hardworking families, strengthens border security, restores fiscal responsibility, enhances earned benefits, bolsters our military for peace through strength, and unleashes American energy dominance.
Congressman Timmons continued, “South Carolinians and Americans nationwide demanded bold change, and this bill delivers. I thank President Trump and my colleagues for their efforts and urge the Senate to swiftly pass this bill to enact the America First Agenda our citizens overwhelmingly support.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) spearheaded a letter joined by 72 of her House colleagues, to the House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee requesting that Congress allocate funding for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The Trump Administration’s sweeping changes to our immigration system, termination of immigration judges, and mass deportation agenda threaten the integrity, operational efficiency, and fairness of our immigration courts. It is critical that EOIR has the resources to hire additional qualified immigration judges and provide them with sufficient case processing capacity—both to address the current backlog of more than 3.6 million pending immigration court cases and to ensure due process in an impartial and timely manner.
“Currently, our immigration courts face a staggering backlog of more than 3.6 million active pending cases, which EOIR has cited as the largest single issue facing the immigration courts today,” the members wrote. “This growing backlog impedes our immigration system, creating significant barriers for people legally seeking asylum, migrants, pregnant women, and people with disabilities that seek to remain in the United States. These complex cases can take up to seven years before receiving a hearing, leaving migrants, families, and communities in legal limbo as they await hearings and decisions. At a time when President Trump is making sweeping changes to our immigration system that threaten the integrity, operational efficiency, and fairness of our immigration courts, adequately funding EOIR is essential to a well-functioning and fair immigration system.
“It is crucial that Congress continues to support and invest in EOIR to ensure a well-functioning immigration system to adjudicate our immigration laws consistent with our values and address the growing backlog of pending cases,” the members continued. “We strongly urge you to allocate the highest possible funding and include report language for EOIR funding to go towards the hiring of additional highly qualified judges, the hiring of additional judge teams, the modernization of case management system, the building and expansion of immigration courtroom spaces, and funding of the Legal Orientation Program.”
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Congresswoman Fletcher led similar letters requesting congressional funding to address the immigration courts’ backlog by hiring more highly qualified immigration judges.
To read the full text of this year’s letter, click here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
Today, during the Energy & Commerce Committee’s consideration of the Republican budget bill, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced an amendment to stop Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. Federal funding helps Planned Parenthood provide annual exams, cancer screenings, pap smears, STI testing, family planning, and other essential health care for women in every state across our country. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that this Republican effort would increase the deficit by $300 million. To watch the amendment introduction, click here or on the video below.
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Congresswoman Fletcher’s amendment strikes Section 44126 of the bill, which, if enacted, would implement a 10-year ban on federal Medicaid payments.
After introducing the amendment, Congresswoman Fletcher questioned Republicans and their counsel about the policy decision to eliminate access to one of the most trusted providers of reproductive health care nationwide. To watch the exchange, click here or on the video below.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against Disastrous Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill
Washington, May 22, 2025
Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against Republicans’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget reconciliation bill – which they call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, H.R. 1, and which is estimated to add trillions to the national debt while cutting essential programs.
“At a time when families across our community and our country are struggling with rising costs, the House Republican budget bill makes devastating cuts to programs that they rely on every day while increasing deficit spending and the national debt,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This bill takes from the poor to give tax cuts to the rich. It is going to make life harder, not better. It is going to make things more expensive, not less. And its deep cuts to programs that Americans rely on for their health and security. Nearly 14 million Americans are estimated to lose their health care coverage and millions of kids, seniors, and people with disabilities to lose food assistance because of the provisions in this bill. The American people deserve better than what is in this bill—and we can do better. For these reasons, I voted no.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) led 35 of their House colleagues in sending a letter to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies requesting that Congress reject President Trump’s attempt to gut the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and instead fund it at a level of at least $656 million in the upcoming appropriations package. This funding would allow OAR to continue its critical mission to prepare our communities for life-threatening natural disasters and to keep the U.S. at the forefront of atmospheric and oceanic research and science.
“Recent reporting on the President’s FY26 budget proposal shows that the Trump Administration plans to effectively eliminate OAR,” the members wrote. “The proposal includes a $485 million cut to OAR’s budget, which is a nearly 75 percent cut, and a directive to transfer any remaining research funding to other divisions of NOAA. The proposed budget would ‘eliminate all funding for climate, weather, and ocean laboratories and cooperative institutes.’ It also does not include funding for Regional Climate Data and Information, Climate Competitive Research, National Sea Grant College Program, or the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. This shortsighted and dangerous proposal would cripple United States (U.S.) leadership in scientific research and leave our communities less prepared to face extreme weather events. As hurricane season quickly approaches, OAR’s advancements in predicting extreme weather events are more important than ever. The research and data resulting from the OAR Hurricane Research Division’s partnership with the U.S. National Hurricane Center have saved countless lives and nearly $5 billion per major U.S. hurricane landfall.”
“Stronger science for forecasting severe weather and communicating impacts will protect communities and save lives,” the members continued. “Robust funding will enable NOAA and its research institution partners to continue their long and proud history of partnering with industries and other government agencies to provide that cutting-edge research.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Hosts Town Hall Meeting with Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy
Houston, May 30, 2025
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a town hall with Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy, where they provided an update and answered questions.
“With so much happening in Washington, it is critical that our community stay engaged and informed,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “From cutting Medicaid and health care access, to implementing barriers to Social Security, to cutting funding for medical research, the House Republicans’ and the Trump administration’s recent actions and inaction are undermining the rule of law, separation of power, and the progress we have made as a society. I was glad to join Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy to hear from residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District about their priorities and concerns at a time when it is more important than ever to work together for our community and country.”
Since her election to office, Congresswoman Fletcher has held dozens of events in the community to hear directly from residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District. For information about past and future events, click here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
On Medicaid Expansion:
“The President United States, President Trump, and his Secretary of Treasury, Treasury Bessent, are doing a fantastic job, and the Secretary has laid out a objective of obviously, getting our deficits down to 3% of GDP through strong economic growth, through the tax policy that we want to extend, that the President put forward. I believe that’s one piece of the puzzle that we must go do. But right now, we are not going to address the key drivers of spending that will make it impossible for the President and the Secretary to achieve that objective. Bond markets are on a knife’s edge. You know that, and I know that, and that is necessary for the free flow of capital to have that economic growth. If we continue to allow Medicaid to consume our budget and allow us to continue to drive that budget up so deficits go up, then we’re not going to be able to achieve those objectives.”
“Medicaid right now is now a trillion dollar higher baseline than when we came in under Biden. We are spending $620 billion a year on Medicaid, compared to $400 billion in 2019 and if we allow this to continue where we’re, as you said, continue to fund the able body in massive expansion states, heavily in blue states. If we were doing that at a seven times dollar value, imagine that, if you’re listening to this, we the federal government are funding Medicaid seven times higher for the able bodied than for those who need it, the vulnerable, the sick, the people who truly Medicaid was designed for. What kind of a country does that? It’s ridiculous.”
“And by the way, if we do this, we’re going to cement Obamacare, and the 10 non expansion states like Texas will have incredible pressure to expand, and that will eat up all of the so called savings in this bill, which, by the way, are back loaded. You know that, and I know that. And if you have back loaded savings, they never materialize. That means deficits go up, and under our bill, debt will be $56 trillion in a decade. That’s not winning. We’ve got to change it. Republicans should do better.”
On Flaws in Current Medicaid Reforms:
“I couldn’t believe it when I read those were the provisions that the work requirements were supposed to be the core engine of Medicaid reform, which isn’t good enough. You have to deal with Medicaid. You have to deal with the expansion population. You have to do with the you have to deal with the money laundering. But the work requirements were basic. They don’t kick into 2029 they have waivers even once they kick in.”
On Fiscal Responsibility and Medicaid Reform:
“We should do the right thing. Let’s do the fiscally responsible thing. But here’s what’s really important. Let’s make sure that people who are vulnerable and are sick they’re the ones that the program is focused on. Let’s preserve capital and free up our health care system so we can drive down health care prices and free it up for the average hard working American. We have plans to do that, strong, robust health savings accounts, getting the competition back into the system. We can do that, and you can do that by drawing down all these subsidies on Medicaid, which are subsidizing blue states and massive expansion states at the expense of the non expansion states and the vulnerable at the expense the expense of the vulnerable for the able body, I think that’s a mistake.”
“We should not be giving Medicaid to anyone who is ineligible, including those who are illegal, and we should kill all the scams the blue states are using to launder federal money to all of their ridiculous programs. Republicans should lead to support the president. They’re not right now. I can’t support the bill as it is.”
On Gaining Republican Support:
“There’s a good chunk of my colleagues that are with me on the fiscal conservative side, but they’re also struggling because they’re deferential to the president, which I understand.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
Washington, D.C. — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement tonight after the House Budget Committee voted to advance the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”.
Congressman Roy said:“Tonight, after a great deal of work and engagement over the weekend, the Budget Committee advanced a reconciliation bill that lays the foundation for much needed tax relief, border security, and important spending reductions and reforms. Importantly the bill now will move Medicaid work requirements forward and reduces the availability of future subsidies under the green new scam.
But, the bill does not yet meet the moment – leaving almost half of the green new scam subsidies continuing. More, it fails to end the Medicaid money laundering scam and perverse funding structure that provides seven times more federal dollars for each dollar of state spending for the able-bodied relative to the vulnerable. This all ultimately increases the likelihood of continuing deficits and non-Obamacare-expansion states like Texas expanding in the future. We can and must do better before we pass the final product.
As such, I joined with 3 of my colleagues to vote “present” out of respect for the Republican Conference and the President to move the bill forward. It gives us the opportunity to work together this week to get the job done in light of the fact our bond rating was dropped yet again due to historic fiscal mismanagement by both parties. This bill is a strong step forward – and I am proud of Chairman Arrington, the Speaker, and my colleagues for the work we did to make progress with the White House. But we have to do more to deliver for the American people.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) spoke in the House Budget Committee hearing this morning on the current state of reconciliation.
Rep. Roy said in Budget Committee:
“I appreciate my friend from Texas, the chairman, and you know, my Democratic colleagues keep telling things that are not true. The vast majority of Americans will get tax benefits under this bill. It’s just simply false to say that that’s not true. Hardworking Americans who will benefit from the standard deduction increase, hardworking Americans who will benefit from child tax credits and lower tax rates—stop saying things that aren’t true. Those things are true. The fact is, we have money in here for the border to undo the damage of Joe Biden. We have more money in here for defense to undo the damage of Joe Biden, but we also address Medicaid and Medicaid spending goes up. Stop lying. Medicaid spending goes up. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are profoundly unserious when it comes to being real about what’s happening with the numbers. I applaud Chairman Arrington. I applaud my colleagues on this side of the aisle for taking a step forward in dealing with the spending problem in this town.
But I have to now admonish my colleagues on this side of the aisle: this bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits. The fact of the matter is, on the spending, what we’re dealing with here is tax cuts and spending a massive front-loaded deficit increase. That’s the truth. That’s the truth. Deficits will go up in the first half of the 10-year budget window. And we all know it’s true, and we shouldn’t do that. We shouldn’t say that we’re doing something we’re not doing.
The fact of the matter is, this bill has back-loaded savings and front-loaded spending, nowhere near the Senate Budget top line, by the way. The Senate Budget top line of six and a half trillion dollars, which, by the way, is what we were pre-COVID, inflation-adjusted, on interest, on Medicare and Social Security. And if we would reform Medicaid, we could actually get to the core of the problem, but we refuse to do it. And I’m not going to sit here and say that everything is hunky-dory when this is the Budget Committee. This is the Budget Committee. We are supposed to do something to actually result in balanced budgets, but we’re not doing it. Look at what happens under deficits… Only in Washington are we expected to bet on the come that in five years, everything will work, then we will solve the problem.
We have got to change the direction of this town, and to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: yes, that means touching Medicaid. It went from $400 billion in 2019 to $600 billion this year. It’ll be over a trillion in the 2030s. We are making promises that we cannot keep. We do need to reform it. We need to stop giving seven times as much money to the able-bodied over the vulnerable. Why are we sticking it to the vulnerable population, the disabled and the sick, to give money to single able-bodied male adults? We shouldn’t do that. We should reform it. But guess what? That message needs to be delivered to my colleagues on this side of the aisle too.
We are writing checks we cannot cash, and our children are going to pay the price. So I am a no on this bill unless serious reforms are made today, tomorrow, Sunday. We’re having conversations as we speak, but something needs to change, or you’re not going to get my support.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
Hays County, Texas — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) offered his congratulations today to thirty-six stellar high school students across Texas’ 21st congressional district who achieved the Exceptional Senior Award (ESA). This award is in its sixth year of existence.
ESA winners have consistently displayed high levels of character, leadership, integrity, and diligence. These virtues are evident through their philanthropic activities, academic success, and reputations among peers and teachers.
Congressman Roy said:“I am proud of all that the incredible young men and women of Texas’ 21st Congressional District have achieved. Texans have reason to be optimistic about our great state’s destiny with them as our future leaders.”
Rep. Roy is deeply grateful to the families of these exceptional seniors for their love and support throughout their educational journeys. He would also like to thank the faculty of schools across his district who recommended these individuals for the ESA.
The Exceptional Senior Award winners, Class of 2025:
Ms. Victoria Allen,Geneva School of Boerne
Ms. Sophia Arreguin,Memorial Early College High School (New Braunfels)
Ms. Anneliese Bacon,Harper High School
Mr. Keegan Ballard,Dripping Springs High School
Ms. Kaitlyn Best,New Braunfels High School
Ms. Taylor Bloom,Our Lady of the Hills Catholic School (Kerrville)
Ms. Sienna Carter,Medina Secondary School
Mr. Stephen “Finn” Cone,Kerrville Christian Homeschoolers
Mr. Corey Cook,Boerne Champion High School
Mr. Jonathon Davenport,Wimberley High School
Ms. Perry Faught,Blanco High School
Ms. Evelyn Garrett,Tivy High School (Kerrville)
Ms. Jalyn Lamb,Bandera High School
Ms. Jillian Land,Bracken Christian School (Bulverde)
Mr. Cole Leidy,New Braunfels Christian Academy
Ms. Casey Loewer,LBJ High School (Johnson City)
Ms. Madeline McAdams,Regents School of Austin
Ms. Audrey McFarlane,Heritage School of Fredericksburg
Ms. Schreiner Meredith,Nueces Canyon High School
Mr. Aidan Nolen,San Marcos Academy
Ms. Kaylin O’Rourke,Boerne Area Christian Homeschoolers
Ms. Aven Ottmers,Fredericksburg High School
Ms. Katelynn Salazar,Leakey School
Ms. Kinsley Sawyer,Boerne High School
Ms. Abbigail Shultz,Hill Country Preparatory High School (New Braunfels)
Ms. Athena Sorenson,Davenport High School (Garden Ridge)
Ms. Hailey Turner,Hill Country Christian Homeschool Association (Kerrville)
Mr. Brody Vanacker,Ingram Tom Moore High School
Ms. Hope Van Geffen,Comfort High School
Ms. Donna Verkamp,St. Anthony Catholic High School (San Antonio)
Mr. Aidan Williams,Gloria Deo Academy (Bulverde)
Ms. Peyton Wilson,Canyon High School (New Braunfels)
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
Washington, D.C. — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement after the House passed The One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“After much deliberation, I voted yes on H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Months ago, I worked to ensure that any tax cuts or extensions would be connected to an equal or greater amount of spending cuts to force fiscal discipline. The good news is that the bill technically held true to that framework by yielding modest deficit reduction over a 10-year budget window. Importantly, it does this by cutting spending $1.5 trillion over 10 years, reforming programs like Medicaid and SNAP with work requirements, and improving healthcare freedom by expanding health savings accounts to allow use with Direct Primary Care. But the good things didn’t just happen by accident. My fellow budget hawk colleagues and I, including many in the House Freedom Caucus, forced reforms that were critical to making the bill more responsible. We:
Accelerated Medicaid work requirements 3 years from 2029 to 2026.
Helped stave off further Obamacare expansion by aligning State Directed Payments (SDPs) in Medicaid to the rates of Medicare in Medicaid expansion states while allowing states that have not expanded Medicaid (ex., TX) to have SDPs at 110% of Medicare.
Froze the state provider taxes to ensure states don’t grow their money laundering schemes.
Paid Texas and other states back for their border efforts under the Biden administration.
Began to claw back the “Green New Scam” put on steroids by the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) corrupt subsidies – namely by putting in place a required construction start within 60 days of enactment and a much earlier “in service” requirement of 12/31/28 – all designed to limit the reach of subsidies.
To be clear, I didn’t vote for the bill without significant reservations. For example, in classic Washington fashion, the bill produces sizable deficits in the first 5 years while achieving “savings” in the future, which means we’ve got to bring forward more savings than I already fought for. And as with most major bills in Washington, this bill was rushed, mashed together, and crammed through the House without sufficient time to review every item carefully. We should do better. The Medicaid money laundering scam was not reformed sufficiently, and far too many of the new green scam subsidies continue to operate. And inexplicably, we funded high-tax state jurisdictions with a $350 billion tax deduction for their “SALT” tax deductions – something I strongly oppose. But even though I supported this bill out of the House, this bill needs massive improvements if we are to make a dent in our deficit or to change the trajectory of this country. We must reduce deficits much further, even as we continue to work to FULLY repeal the IRA’s unreliable energy subsidies and reduce the damage done by Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. We can do this most efficiently with state block grants – but we can also reduce the 90% FMAP for able bodied people – ensuring states are not getting seven times more money for able bodied adults with no children over the most vulnerable in traditional Medicaid – and reducing provider taxes to end the unnecessary inflation of costs in healthcare. I stand ready to work with my colleagues in the Senate to continue to get this bill right before sending it to the President’s desk.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Guzman 202-355-8084 joseph.guzman@mail.house.gov
HOUSTON, T.X. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement in response to the confrontation at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver were carrying out their lawful oversight duties. During the incident, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested, and the Trump administration is nowreportedly considering arrests for the lawmakers involved:
“America, this must be our clarion call. We are at risk of backsliding into a dictatorship as Trump continues trying to enact his authoritarian playbook. Republicans and Democrats must stand together against this absurdity. Today it’s Representatives Watson Coleman, Menendez, and McIver. Tomorrow, it’s you.
“Members of Congress are tasked with conducting oversight of the federal government, and these Members were doing just that. I stand with my colleagues who were doing their job and will always stand with those who do the same, regardless of political affiliation.
“We must come together and stand up against Trump and his administration’s all-out assault against a co-equal branch of government, the rule of law, and our Constitution. We must all do our part to protect our great American experiment from those who seek to perverse it. We must all make our voices heard against the Trump-Vance administration to ensure we leave a stronger and more resilient democracy for the next generation.”
HOUSTON, T.X. – Hoy, la Congresista Sylvia R. García (D-TX-29) emitió la siguiente declaración en respuesta al enfrentamiento en el centro de detención de ICE Delaney Hall en Newark, Nueva Jersey, donde los congresistas demócratas Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr. y LaMonica McIver estaban cumpliendo con sus deberes legales de supervisión. Durante el incidente, el alcalde de Newark, Ras Baraka, fue arrestado, y ahora se informa que la administración de Trump está considerando arrestar a los legisladores involucrados:
“America, esto debe de ser nuestro llamado para actuar decisivamente. Estamos en riesgo de retroceder hacia una dictadura mientras Trump sigue intentando de actualizar sus aspiraciones autoritarias. Tanto los republicanos como los demócratas debemos unirnos en contra de las acciones ilegales de esta administración. Hoy quieren perseguir a los congresistas Watson Coleman, Menéndez y McIver. Mañana podrías ser tú.
“Los miembros del Congreso tienen la responsabilidad y autoridad de supervisar al gobierno federal, y estos legisladores estaban cumpliendo con ese deber. Yo apoyo a mis colegas que estaban haciendo su trabajo y siempre apoyaré a quienes hagan lo mismo, sin importar su afiliación política.
“Debemos unirnos y alzar la voz para rechazar rotundamente el asalto total de la administración Trump-Vance contra una rama del gobierno co-igualitaria, el imperio de la ley y nuestra Constitución. Todos debemos hacer nuestra parte para proteger este gran experimento conocido como los Estados Unidos de todos que buscan corromperlo. Todos debemos hacernos escuchar y oponernos a la administración Trump-Vance para asegurar que dejemos una democracia mas fuerte y resiliente para la próxima generación”.