Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)
Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, which fully funds the U.S. military, delivers a well-deserved pay raise for our servicemembers, and reinforces America’s military superiority at home and abroad.
“This bill gives our troops the pay raise they deserve and the resources they need to defend this country,”said Miller-Meeks. “It protects jobs at home, advances our refueling capabilities, and preserves our military history. I’ll keep fighting to strengthen our national defense, support Iowa’s workforce, and put America’s security first.”
Miller-Meeks Amendments Included in H.R. 4016:
The legislation includes two amendments authored by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks that protect defense jobs in Iowa and invest in next-generation aerial refueling technology to enhance combat effectiveness and operational safety. The bill also ensures the Rock Island Arsenal Museum remains open to preserve our military history and honor the service of generations of Americans.
Miller-Meeks Amendment 235 – Preserving Military History
Blocks any funding from being used to close the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, one of the oldest military museums in the country, protecting a vital part of America’s military heritage.
Miller-Meeks Amendment 453 – Advancing Next-Generation Aerial Refueling Systems
Transfers funding to support the development of advanced air-to-air refueling technologies that improve pilot safety, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce fuel usage.
Miller-Meeks is also working closely with Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41) to strengthen the workforce protections inAmendment 234and close any potential loopholes that could harm Army arsenals. A revised version of the amendment will be offered during conference negotiations.
More on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026:
Troop Support:
Increases basic pay 3.8% for all military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
Continues historic FY25 pay raises for junior enlisted service members.
Ending Woke and Wasteful Spending:
Codifies President Trump’s orders to end DEI programs.
Prohibits taxpayer funding for sex-change surgeries, abortion-related travel, drag shows, and COVID mandates.
Codifies DoD cooperation with the DOGE Office and streamlines Pentagon management.
Restoring Combat Readiness and Military Superiority:
Boosts funding for 5th and 6th generation aircraft like the F-35, F-47, and F/A-XX.
Modernizes the nuclear triad, including the B-21 Raider, Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel.
Provides $13 billion for missile defense and space programs and over $2.6 billion for hypersonics.
Border Security and Counter-Drug Operations:
Provides $1.15 billion for counterdrug programs, $245 million above the request.
Increases National Guard Counterdrug Program funding.
Moves Mexico from NORTHCOM to SOUTHCOM for better threat coordination.
Countering Adversaries and Supporting Allies:
$500 million for Taiwan Security Cooperation.
$500 million for Israeli Missile Defense.
$7 billion for classified space superiority programs.
A 24-year Army veteran, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has consistentlyfoughtto protect our defense workforce, safeguard key installations like Rock Island Arsenal, and ensure taxpayer funds support mission-critical operations. Her amendments to the FY26 defense appropriations bill reflect that mission.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended version of H.R. 4, the Recissions Act of 2025, which eliminates $9 billion in wasteful spending uncovered by DOGE. This legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
“The American people are tired of footing the bill for unchecked government agencies, watching their hard-earned money shipped overseas, and funding woke nonsense disguised as policy,”said Congresswoman Cammack.“This rescissions package is just the beginning, but it’s a critical step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington and putting American taxpayers back in the driver’s seat. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and my Republican colleagues to ensure our federal budget works for the American people—not against them.”
Background: Congresswoman Cammack has championed the fight to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, by co-authoring the Defund NPR Act alongside Senator Jim Banks to stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to politically biased media outlets. The Rescissions Act of 2025 builds on that effort, clawing back billions in federal funding identified as waste by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including:
$1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), including NPR and PBS
$135 million to the World Health Organization
$18 million to improve gender diversity in Mexican street lighting
$4.4 million for a Melanesian Youth Climate Corps
$3.9 million for LGBTQI+ advocacy in the Western Balkans
$2.5 million to teach children about environmentally friendly “reproductive health” choices
$300,000 for a pride parade in Lesotho
$500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda
$500,000 for a gender equality and empowerment hub
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — This morning, following House passage of landmark crypto legislation and the first spending rescission in 25 years, Speaker Johnson joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss how the House Republican economic agenda is delivering for American families.
Watch the full interview here
On the pocketbook benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill:
The reason we named it the One Big Beautiful Bill is because there’s so much in it for everyone. And I’m delighted to hear the former HUD Secretary sing the praises of the bill. There are a lot of praises to sing, and everyone will be singing that tune, and certainly the voters will when they come to the midterms in 2026. And the reason for that is because we wrote this bill for the lower- and middle-class earners in America. We’re the working-class party, the Republican Party is, and we delivered for them. And it’s important to point out, all the Democrats in Congress voted against all those great provisions.
You’re talking about historic tax cuts, historic savings at the same time. But what it means for the typical family in America, an additional average $13,000 in their pocket at the end of the year in take home pay, you’re talking about the child tax credit. 91% of Americans will benefit from the increase that we did there. Seniors got tax relief, no tax on tips and overtime, things that are really going to mean a lot to people, and it’s going to be jet fuel the US economy. You’re beginning to see just the enthusiasm that the passage of the bill has sparked. This is the beginning of a great run for America. President Trump called me early this morning, we were doing a victory lap together on the phone about the passage of the rescission bill late here last night. And he said, Mike, we’re just winning. We’re going to continue to win. This is a great moment for America. I said, sir, it’s historic and there’s much more to come.
On Jerome Powell’s job as Fed Chairman:
I’m as anxious to see how that plays out as you are. I will tell you that the sentiment here, my opinion is that we should reduce interest rates. The American economy is hot, and we have so many good things going on. We’re delivering over and over. The Republican majority here for the American people, not just the One Big Beautiful Bill, not just with the rescissions package that we passed last night, clawing back with $9 billion of wasted taxpayer funds…the sectors of the economy right now that are giving us the most concern is, as the president has discussed, home ownership, you know, you’ve got a lot of young people and people of all ages who are having a hard time getting into the real estate market because they can’t afford the interest rates on a home. And it affects purchases of automobiles and all large ticket items. If you reduce that, I don’t say slash interest rates but do something that’s meaningful to get that humming again, because that will last. It’ll have a lasting effect. And if you combine that with the other things that are happening, I think we’ll have the greatest economy in the history of the world.
On House Republicans pushing for maximum transparency regarding the Epstein Files:
I believe in maximum transparency. And so does President Trump, and that’s what he said. He says it many different ways. Many different times. But we want all credible evidence to be put out there for the American people. Reagan used to remind us to trust the American people. They’re smarter than anybody gives them credit for. And I believe people can draw their own conclusions about that, but they have to have the documents. Now, at the same time, I think the interest here and the concern, and frankly the duty, the responsibility is to protect the innocent, right? If you have minors who are victims of sex trafficking, heaven forbid, predatory activity, you can’t have their names out there, right?
So, the courts and law enforcement and government agencies have a custom of protecting the innocent [and] bogus allegations that would be made against people that can’t be authenticated. So that’s the concern. They’re trying to thread that needle because the Department of Justice does have a responsibility to make sure those people’s lives are not destroyed.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)
Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after the House passed The Recissions Act of 2025 (Senate Amendment to H.R. 4):
“House Republicans have passed President Trump’s recissions bill, which makes permanent several of the spending cuts made previously by executive order. President Trump campaigned on cutting wasteful government spending, and Congressional Republicans have delivered, saving American taxpayers $9 billion that was slated to go to programs such as far-left, government-funded programming and unchecked foreign assistance.
“This legislation, coupled with the reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4, are significant steps towards reigning in out-of-control big government spending, improving fiscal responsibility, and delivering on the historic mandate given at the ballot box. While our work will continue, this is a major step toward ensuring future generations of Americans have a nation that is free, safe, and full of opportunity.”
Funds to be rescinded (cut) include:
– $1.2 million for LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda and the Western Balkans – $833K for trans sex workers in Nepal -$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street – $2.5 million to teach kids eco-friendly reproductive health – $500K for electric buses in Rwanda – $6 million for “net zero cities” in Mexico – $1 million to promote voter ID in Haiti – $5.1 million to strengthen the global queer movement – $3 million for condoms and productive procedures in Zambia
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance H.R. 4016, the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. The bill, which appropriates funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for the 2026 fiscal year, affirms President Trump’s commitment to achieving peace through strength while improving quality of life for U.S. service members. Rep. Mann released the following statement after the vote:
“Every hour of every day, service members across the globe put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms,” said Rep. Mann. “As national security threats increase, it is essential that we make adequate investments in our military readiness, defense capabilities, and morale of our service members to ensure the United States can appropriately respond to any substantial threat from our adversaries or other bad actors. I proudly voted to advance the defense appropriations bill, which supports our troops, bolsters our border security, and gives President Trump the tools he needs to advance American peace through strength. God bless America and God bless our troops.”
The Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act:
Includes a 3.8% increase for all military personnel and service members effective January 1, 2026
Improves quality of life, readiness, and continuity for service members by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million
Codifies the DoD’s cooperation with DOGE and streamlines functions and management improvements at the Pentagon
Provides $1.5 billion for counter drug programs and increases funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program
Prohibits funding for abortion-related travel, drag shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates
Provides funding for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs and cooperative development programs
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) voted against the Trump-Republican rescissions package to cut humanitarian aid, infectious disease prevention, and public broadcasting.
“I voted against the disastrous Trump-Republican cuts that would take away food from hungry kids, make it easier for infectious diseases to spread, make America less safe, and cut off rural communities’ access to emergency information and severe weather alerts. It’s a reckless bill that puts billionaires first and working families last,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The cuts do nothing to address the cost-of-living crisis and only continue the efforts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to starve the American people of government resources and weaken the United States’ power on the world stage.”
The Trump-Republican Recissions Package would result in:
$1.1 billion in cuts to PBS funding, hurting families who rely on public TV and radio to support their children’s education and stay informed about the day’s news.
$500 million in cuts to USAID Global Health Programs that prevent the spread of infectious diseases across the world and into the U.S.
$202 million in cuts to UN-affiliated organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors nuclear weapons and chemical weapons in Iran.
142 million in cuts to the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a program that provides humanitarian aid to children in developing nations.
$22 million in cuts to the African Development Foundation, which provides food to starving kids.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) voted against the Trump-Republican rescissions package to cut humanitarian aid, infectious disease prevention, and public broadcasting.
“I voted against the disastrous Trump-Republican cuts that would take away food from hungry kids, make it easier for infectious diseases to spread, make America less safe, and cut off rural communities’ access to emergency information and severe weather alerts. It’s a reckless bill that puts billionaires first and working families last,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The cuts do nothing to address the cost-of-living crisis and only continue the efforts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to starve the American people of government resources and weaken the United States’ power on the world stage.”
The Trump-Republican Recissions Package would result in:
$1.1 billion in cuts to PBS funding, hurting families who rely on public TV and radio to support their children’s education and stay informed about the day’s news.
$500 million in cuts to USAID Global Health Programs that prevent the spread of infectious diseases across the world and into the U.S.
$202 million in cuts to UN-affiliated organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors nuclear weapons and chemical weapons in Iran.
142 million in cuts to the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a program that provides humanitarian aid to children in developing nations.
$22 million in cuts to the African Development Foundation, which provides food to starving kids.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) led a group of Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee in introducing an amendment demanding answers from leadership at the Department of Defense (DOD) on why they are ending a decades-long partnership to share essential satellite weather data with the National Weather Service (NWS). The Trump Administration announced that DOD would stop sharing key data used in hurricane forecasting after July 31 as the nation enters peak hurricane season.
“I will always be on the side of increasing the National Weather Service’s access to data that will help make our nation’s weather forecasting more reliable and accurate, meaning better warnings ahead of severe weather and more lives saved,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The sudden cut-off of mission-critical satellite weather data risks degrading hurricane forecasting and warnings just as we’re getting into peak hurricane season. As the only meteorologist in Congress, I’m proud to be leading the charge with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to get to the bottom of DOD’s decision to end a decades-long data sharing agreement.”
The amendment is cosponsored by Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), George Whitesides (CA-27), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02). You can read the full amendmentHERE.
As the only meteorologist in Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the NWS from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has beenspeaking out,introducing legislation, andcalling onthe Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts. He recently introduced theWeather Workforce Improvement Actto help the NWS fully staff critical positions at their offices and theRural Weather Monitoring Systems Actto help strengthen weather forecasting in rural America.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026,” which includes three critical amendments led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) to provide funding for cutting-edge military technology and projects.
The measure was approved by a vote of 221 to 209.
These amendments include:
$10 million for the Army’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account, specifically the Advanced Surface Machinery Systems.
$10 million for Defense Wide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account, Specifically the Defense Critical Alloy Production Capacity Expansion program.
$10 million for Defense Wide Research, Development Test and Evaluation account, Robotics and Automation Manufacturing.
“Supporting the great men and women of our military is of utmost importance,” said Rep. Kelly. “This funding invests in the future of our military and critical technology that will keep America competitive with militaries around the world, including China.”
Learn more about the legislation here.
Rep. Kelly has previously highlighted China’s growing naval fleet and the importance of American military readiness in his January 2024 Newsweek op-ed, “Trump is Right About Panama Canal.“
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026,” which includes three critical amendments led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) to provide funding for cutting-edge military technology and projects.
The measure was approved by a vote of 221 to 209.
These amendments include:
$10 million for the Army’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account, specifically the Advanced Surface Machinery Systems.
$10 million for Defense Wide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account, Specifically the Defense Critical Alloy Production Capacity Expansion program.
$10 million for Defense Wide Research, Development Test and Evaluation account, Robotics and Automation Manufacturing.
“Supporting the great men and women of our military is of utmost importance,” said Rep. Kelly. “This funding invests in the future of our military and critical technology that will keep America competitive with militaries around the world, including China.”
Learn more about the legislation here.
Rep. Kelly has previously highlighted China’s growing naval fleet and the importance of American military readiness in his January 2024 Newsweek op-ed, “Trump is Right About Panama Canal.“
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)
Washington, D.C. – Early this morning, the House of Representatives passed an amended version of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025. Representative Riley M. Moore voted “Yes” on the legislation, which eliminates approximately $9 billion in wasteful spending for partisan media organizations and certain foreign aid programs.
Congressman Moore issued the following statement:
“The American people know waste, fraud, and abuse when they see it, and this package represents the worst of the worst. I’m proud to have voted ‘Yes’ on this legislation, which finally eliminates funding for leftist propaganda networks and significantly cuts back on woke and weaponized foreign aid programs.
“As the leader of the Republican Study Committee’s Rescissions Task Force, I’m committed to building support amongst my colleagues to codify more of these DOGE cuts. Doing so will ensure every taxpayer dollar advances America’s strategic interests.”
Congressman Moore leads the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) Rescissions Task Force, which serves as the tip of the spear for codifying President Trump’s DOGE cuts. He recently hosted the RSC’s Right to the Point Podcast to discuss this first rescissions package with Wade Miller, Senior Advisor at the Center for Renewing America.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)
Washington, D.C. – Early this morning, the House of Representatives passed an amended version of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025. Representative Riley M. Moore voted “Yes” on the legislation, which eliminates approximately $9 billion in wasteful spending for partisan media organizations and certain foreign aid programs.
Congressman Moore issued the following statement:
“The American people know waste, fraud, and abuse when they see it, and this package represents the worst of the worst. I’m proud to have voted ‘Yes’ on this legislation, which finally eliminates funding for leftist propaganda networks and significantly cuts back on woke and weaponized foreign aid programs.
“As the leader of the Republican Study Committee’s Rescissions Task Force, I’m committed to building support amongst my colleagues to codify more of these DOGE cuts. Doing so will ensure every taxpayer dollar advances America’s strategic interests.”
Congressman Moore leads the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) Rescissions Task Force, which serves as the tip of the spear for codifying President Trump’s DOGE cuts. He recently hosted the RSC’s Right to the Point Podcast to discuss this first rescissions package with Wade Miller, Senior Advisor at the Center for Renewing America.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter Statement on House Passage of Key Crypto Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) this week voted in support of three key pieces of legislation aimed at providing regulatory certainty to the cryptocurrency industry and cementing the United States’ leadership in the digital economy.
“We are delivering on President Trump’s call to make the United States the cryptocurrency capital of the world. This new digital arms race is not one we can allow our adversaries, such as China, to win. By providing regulatory certainty, promoting innovation, and fully embracing the digital economy, we will strengthen our nation’s crypto industry and unleash a period of growth and dominance,” said Rep. Carter.
Specifically, the bills advanced include:
– The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, creating the first federal standards for payment stablecoins.
– The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, providing clear definitions for when digital assets are considered commodities or securities, potentially shifting oversight from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for many tokens.
– The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, citing privacy concerns and potential government surveillance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter Statement on House Passage of Key Crypto Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) this week voted in support of three key pieces of legislation aimed at providing regulatory certainty to the cryptocurrency industry and cementing the United States’ leadership in the digital economy.
“We are delivering on President Trump’s call to make the United States the cryptocurrency capital of the world. This new digital arms race is not one we can allow our adversaries, such as China, to win. By providing regulatory certainty, promoting innovation, and fully embracing the digital economy, we will strengthen our nation’s crypto industry and unleash a period of growth and dominance,” said Rep. Carter.
Specifically, the bills advanced include:
– The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, creating the first federal standards for payment stablecoins.
– The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, providing clear definitions for when digital assets are considered commodities or securities, potentially shifting oversight from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for many tokens.
– The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, citing privacy concerns and potential government surveillance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
July 18, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) this week introduced a pair of bills codifying two of President Trump’s executive orders. This marks a total of 10 executive orders from the Trump administration that Representative Steube has introduced legislation to codify since the start of the 119th Congress.“There is a reason the American people elected Republican majorities to Congress alongside President Trump last November: they want the America First agenda passed and signed into law,” said Rep. Steube. “That is why I have proposed codifying two more of Trump’s executive orders. Whether it be protecting school choice or honoring America’s history, the Trump administration has taken bold steps to restore greatness to our country. It’s time for Republicans on Capitol Hill to preserve President Trump’s legacy by codifying his executive actions into law.” Background:
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
House Claws Back $9 Billion in Wasteful Spending, Sends Rescissions Package to President Trump’s Desk
Washington, July 18, 2025
WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after House Republicans passed the Senate-amended rescissions request to cut $9 billion in wasteful spending uncovered by DOGE.
“President Trump and House Republicans promised fiscal responsibility and government efficiency. Today, we’re once again delivering on that promise.
“This package eliminates $9 billion in unnecessary and wasteful spending at the State Department, USAID, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The American people will no longer be forced to fund politically biased media and more than $8 billion in outrageous expenses overseas.
“While Republicans continue to deliver real accountability, restore fiscal discipline, and protect taxpayer dollars, Democrats continue to defend waste, fraud, and abuse. This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. We look forward to passing additional rescissions bills throughout the 119th Congress.”
Background:
The Trump Administration’s rescissions package rescinds $9 billion of wasteful spending uncovered by DOGE, including:
$1.1 billion for Corporation for Public Broadcasting
$135 million in contributions to the corrupt and dangerous World Health Organization (WHO)
$18 million to improve gender diversity in Mexican street lighting
$4.4 million for a Melanesian Youth Climate Corps
$3.9 million for LGBTQI+ advocacy programs in the Western Balkans
$2.5 million to teach children how to make environmentally friendly “reproductive health” decisions
$300,000 to fund a pride parade in Lesotho
$500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda
$500,000 for a gender equality and empowerment hub
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)
Tonight, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ rescissions package, a bill that claws back $9 billion in life-saving humanitarian and development funding and trusted public broadcasting.
“I voted no because this bill marks a dangerous turn toward indifference, isolation, and the betrayal of our global responsibilities,” said Ranking Member Frankel. “It guts programs that have saved lives, opened markets, and prevented conflict for decades. Through defunding of public broadcasting, it will leave millions of Americans less informed and less prepared for disasters.”
“Worse yet, this bill signs away Congress’s power of the purse and hands it squarely to Donald Trump.
This won’t lower costs for American families or shrink the deficit. But it will make the world more dangerous—and make our country less safe, less secure, less prosperous and less respected in the world.”
Congresswoman Frankel’s remarks delivered on the House Floor are here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
The ePermit Act would digitize the permitting process across the federal government
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the bipartisan ePermit Act to digitize the United States permitting process, reducing processing time for all federal permits, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.
In April, President Trump published a memorandum to emphasize the importance of modernizing permitting technology. This process began under the Biden Administration in the codification of an e-NEPA study that explored the creation of a digital permitting system. The ePermit Act builds on this momentum and provides legislative clarity and direction on how agencies should implement such an electronic permitting system.
“Our permitting system is old, complicated, and slow — if we want to build the infrastructure, roads, bridges, broadband, and clean energy of the future, we need to modernize and streamline the permit process,” said Peters. “Our bipartisan ePermit Act builds on the efforts of the last two administrations and brings our permitting process into the 21st century. I look forward to working with Representative Johnson to pass this commonsense bill into law.”
“The government, industries, and citizens all agree that it takes too long to build in America,” said Johnson. “Completing the permitting process by paper is an archaic waste of time. Digitizing the system will speed up the process, save federal dollars, and cut down delays. Making this commonsense change will unleash investment in American communities and workers.”
Background:
The current permitting process has failed to ensure project permitting is on-time and on-task. Oftentimes, the root causes of delays in the environmental review process have little to do with questions about environmental protection and a lot to do with failure to embrace modern technology and move on from legacy bureaucratic approaches, like paper forms.
Congress must address the root causes for delays, which include compiling and reviewing lengthy paper documents, a lack of accessibility and transparency – leading to misunderstanding, conflicts, and all too often, protracted litigation – and continued reliance on outdated technologies and processes for interagency review and comment.
The ePermit Act would address these root causes by establishing a framework for agencies to implement a digital permitting system and unified portal.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement after voting against President Donald Trump’s dangerous rescissions package that will cut $1.1 billion in funding for public television and radio stations, threatening at least 10 local news stations in Massachusetts, undermining emergency alert systems, and jeopardizing valuable educational programming for families and children: “Public broadcasting isn’t just Big Bird and Sesame Street – it’s how families in Massachusetts and across the country get lifesaving emergency alerts, stay connected to their communities, and access trusted educational programming. Slashing support for public radio and television will silence local newsrooms, especially in rural areas, and undermine the emergency broadcast systems we rely on in times of crisis.” “We saw the consequences of weakened alert systems during the catastrophic floods in Texas. Communities were caught flat-footed, in part because they lacked access to timely, reliable emergency broadcasts. Contrast that with what we saw just yesterday in Alaska, where public broadcasters immediately issued alerts after a powerful 7.3 magnitude offshore earthquake, potentially saving lives. These two realities show exactly what’s at stake. If these cuts move forward, the Trump administration will be making a conscious choice to leave communities more vulnerable, more isolated, and less safe.” “I voted no because I will always stand up for public safety, for local journalism, and for the families who depend on these vital services every single day.” ###
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nick Langworthy released the following statement after the House Rules Committee advanced H.Res. 589 and President Donald J. Trump ordered the Attorney General to release all grand jury testimony related to the Epstein files:
“I fully support President Trump’s call for ultimate transparency and applaud his order to release all grand jury testimony connected to the Epstein case. This is a bold and necessary move to deliver long-overdue justice to the victims and expose every criminal involved in this horrific abuse. I salute him for taking decisive action where others have failed.
“I proudly joined my Republican colleagues in advancing H.Res. 589 to demand the full release of all credible Epstein documents—while safeguarding the privacy and dignity of the victims. Every individual who committed crimes—especially against minors—must face the full force of the law.
“Democrats had four years under the Biden Administration to pursue the truth, and they chose to do absolutely nothing. This week, they attempted a cynical political stunt that wouldn’t have released a single file. I voted no because it was a gimmick—not a path to justice. They had another chance to do the right thing last night. Instead, they once again chose obstruction and silence.
“House Republicans are taking real action to uncover the truth, hold the guilty accountable, and ensure the victims finally receive justice. With President Trump’s leadership, the stonewalling ends now. The American people deserve to know the full truth—and we will not stop until they have it.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advanceH.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025. The bill, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 216-213, codifies the Trump Administration’s rescissions request, clawing back $9 billion in federal spending. Rep. Mann released the following statement after the vote:
“President Trump ran on three things—securing the border, lowering taxes, and uprooting wasteful, fraudulent, and abusive spending,” said Rep. Mann. “For years, President Obama and President Biden talked about our bloated national debt and tried to push more taxes on hard-working Americans. President Trump is the first president in two decades to actually do something about our debt and roll back wasteful spending. Sending billions of Americans’ tax dollars overseas for LGBTQ movements, voter ID initiatives, and Green New Deal efforts isn’t just wasteful, it’s highway robbery. I was proud to claw back this wasteful spending to steward Kansans’ hard earned tax dollars well and begin to restore fiscal responsibility in our country.”
President Trump’s rescissions package rescinds $9 billion in federal spending for programs including:
$167,000 for free education and healthcare to Ecuadorian and Venezuelan migrants
$889,000 for electoral reforms and voter education in Kenya
$1 million for voter ID in Haiti
$33,000 for “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean”
$643,000 for LGBTQI+ programs in the Western Balkans
$567,000 for LBGTQI+ programs in Uganda
$8,000 for promoting vegan food in Zambia
$500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda
$1 million for programs to strengthen the resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer global movements
$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
$2.5 million for teaching young children how to make environmentally friendly “reproductive health” decisions
$2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa
$3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia
$833,000 for services for “transgender people, sex workers and their clients and sexual networks” in Nepal
H.R. 4 will now go to White House for the President’s signature.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)
Congressman Allen Votes to Fund U.S. Military Superiority
Washington, July 18, 2025
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026. This legislation serves as the vehicle to provide funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and funds critical programs regarding national security, military operations abroad, and the health and quality of life for those in the Armed Forces and their families. After voting in support of the bill, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
“As I’ve said before, strong national security begins with a strong defense. Not only does this legislation ensure that the Department of Defense is properly funded, but it also sends a clear message to our adversaries that America’s military is fully focused on superiority and lethality. The days of funding DoD programs that distract from our core mission of deterring and destroying the United States’ enemies are long gone. I was proud to support this bill that strengthens our nation on the world stage, provides a pay raise for the men and women in uniform, cuts waste, and keeps American citizens safe. I will urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same,”said Congressman Allen.
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026:
Champions America’s military superiority by:
Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft.
Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.
Supporting our close ally Israel by providing $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, and $122.5 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative development programs.
Cares for our troops and their families by:
Including an increase of 3.8% in basic pay for all military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
Continuing historic pay increases enacted in Fiscal Year 2025 for junior enlisted servicemembers.
Improving quality of life, readiness, and continuity for servicemembers by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million.
Shapes a more efficient and effective Department of Defense by:
Prioritizing fiscal sanity and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse through codifying both the Department’s cooperation with DOGE and streamlined functions and management improvements at the Pentagon.
Requiring detailed reporting on the Department’s proposed allocations and expenditures of reconciliation.
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate from the American people by:
Codifying President Trump’s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.
Amplifying President Trump’s executive action to restore readiness by prohibiting funding for sex-change surgeries.
Advancing prohibitions on funding for abortion-related travel, drag queen shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)
Alford: Our Defense Appropriations Bill is a Commitment to Strength
Washington, July 18, 2025
Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
H.R. 4016 funds the Department of Defense with $831.5 Billion to invest in American military superiority, shape a more efficient and effective Department of Defense, protect from threats at America’s border, and take care of our troops and their families.
Watch Congressman Alford’s remarks on the House floor is support of the defense appropriations bill here or by clicking the images above.
“Our defense appropriations bill, H.R. 4016, isn’t just policy—it’s a commitment to strength,”said Congressman Alford. “House Republicans are ensuring our troops are well-equipped and our military remains dominant. We’re prioritizing readiness, providing military personnel with an across-the-board pay raise, investing in the B-21 Raider, and eliminating DEI overreach. Paired with the One Big, Beautiful Bill, we’re making bold investments to confront modern threats head-on.”
Congressman Alford is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and represents two military instillations—Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base—in Missouri’s Fourth District.
Background:
H.R. 4016 champions America’s military superiority by:
Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft including the F-35, F-47, and F/A-XX.
Supporting the modernization of the nuclear triad: the B-21 Raider, the Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel.
Targeting resources for unmanned aerial systems, uncrewed maritime platforms, and land-based counter-unmanned aerial systems to advance capabilities and strengthen our national defense.
Investing in national security space, including proliferated missile warning, missile tracking satellite, and next generation intelligence collection systems to ensure national leaders have real-time global situational awareness.
Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.
Providing over $2.6 billion for hypersonics programs.
Reversing the “divest to invest” trend by preserving F-15s and U-2s while investing in next-generation fighters and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
Continuing to prioritize innovation through over $1.3 billion combined for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT), and Office of Strategic Capital (OSC).
Supporting our close ally Israel by providing $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, and $122.5 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative development programs.
H.R. 4016 cares for our troops and their families by:
Including an increase of 3.8% in basic pay for all military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
Continuing historic pay increases enacted in Fiscal Year 2025 for junior enlisted servicemembers.
Improving quality of life, readiness, and continuity for servicemembers by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million.
H.R. 4016 shapes a more efficient and effective Department of Defense by:
Reducing $6.5 billion and almost 45,000 civilian full-time equivalents to capture Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative efforts.
Prioritizing fiscal sanity and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse through codifying both the Department’s cooperation with DOGE and streamlined functions and management improvements at the Pentagon.
Requiring detailed reporting on the Department’s proposed allocations and expenditures of reconciliation.
H.R. 4016 combats international actors who facilitate drug trafficking and manufacturing by:
Providing $1.15 billion for counter drug programs, which is $245 million above the budget request.
Increasing funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
Transferring Mexico from U.S. Northern Command’s jurisdiction to U.S. Southern Command for better coordination and prioritization.
H.R. 4016 supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
Codifying President Trump’s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.
Backing President Trump’s executive action to restore free speech by prohibiting funding for federal government censorship.
Amplifying President Trump’s executive action to restore readiness by prohibiting funding for sex-change surgeries.
Reinforcing President Trump’s executive action on withdrawing funding from United Nations organizations acting contrary to U.S. interests by prohibiting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
Continuing the prohibition on funding for any discriminatory action against individuals advocating for traditional marriage.
Advancing prohibitions on funding for abortion-related travel, drag queen shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates.
Seeking to expand Florida’s role in federal immigration enforcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2025 submitted the state’s Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan to the Trump administration.
The plan, endorsed by President Donald Trump, says all of Florida’s roughly 47,000 law enforcement officers have received, or soon will receive, training to act as immigration officers. It’s part of an effort to, as the plan notes, “maintain state-led border security operations in the absence of federal support.”
The DeSantis plan includes a proposal to deputize Florida’s nine National Guard Judge Advocate General’s Corps officers to serve as immigration judges. JAG officers are attorneys who serve as legal advisers, prosecutors, defense counsel and military judges in a wide range of matters specific to the armed forces. That includes courts-martial and civil matters involving the military.
In general, a U.S. noncitizen may face removal from the country based on violations to the immigration laws. Those range from unauthorized entry to committing or being convicted of certain crimes.
Congress designated the Executive Office for Immigration Review, an agency within the Department of Justice that houses the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, as the body exclusively responsible for deciding immigration removal cases. The office also details the authority and standards for how immigration judges conduct deportation hearings.
The McCarran-Walter Act also contains several provisions that subject most immigration court decisions such as removal or asylum to judicial review in federal courts. That can happen on direct appeal or as part of habeas corpus petitions that challenge the legality of detention or removal.
The system is far from perfect. But Congress designed it to ensure legal expertise and due process guarantees.
As an immigration scholar, I believe that allowing Florida JAG officers to serve as immigration judges bypasses this framework that is set in law, and violates the constitutionally mandated separation of powers.
JAG officers, including those in Florida’s National Guard, are not governed by the McCarran-Walter Act. They are military lawyers in an entirely separate system, overseen by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which defines the role of military judges. The code retains a unique military character that is substantially different from the judicial appellate system that governs immigration administrative rulings.
Simply put, neither Trump nor DeSantis can create an entirely new system of immigration judges outside of the one already established by Congress.
Federal agencies cannot deputize JAGs
A current immigration provision, known as the 287(g) program, authorizes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collaborate with local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
But this provision only authorizes deputizing local law enforcement to assist “in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention” of immigrants – not the arbitration of deportation cases.
In the nearly three decades since 287(g) was enacted, no state or local officials – let alone military officers – have been permitted to act as immigration judges.
DeSantis’ plan seeks to convert Florida’s JAG officers from state to federal officials to function as immigration judges. Trump’s approval of this plan would also exceed the scope of his statutory authority.
An aerial view of the migrant detention center in Ochopee, Florida on July 4, 2025. Alon Skuy/Getty Images
JAGs cannot engage in domestic law enforcement
Even if Florida’s National Guard were federalized, JAG officers still could not legally serve as immigration judges.
The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, restricts the use of federal military personal in civilian law enforcement. It reflects a longstanding American principle: The military should not police civilians.
Immigration enforcement – including deciding whether someone is deported – is fundamentally a civilian enforcement function.
The only narrow exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act’s restrictions require a clear statutory basis, such as Trump invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, a law that would allow the president to rely on the military for domestic enforcement to quell a rebellion or widespread violence.
Due process concerns
The DeSantis plan also compromises constitutionally guaranteed rights to a fair process for immigrants facing removal.
JAG officers, trained primarily in military law, would face immense challenges interpreting and applying immigration statutes. That’s especially true with only weeks of preparation, as DeSantis proposes.
But due process isn’t only about knowledge of legal technicalities. The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process rights to all persons on U.S. soil, regardless of immigration status.
By circumventing established procedures, DeSantis’ plan risks creating a system where expedited deportations come at the expense of accuracy and constitutional rights.
Raquel Aldana does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
WASHINGTON —Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) released the following statement after he supported the passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4, theRescissions Act of 2025, to codify the Trump Administration’s rescissions request:
“America has been on the wrong track for too long, spending money we don’t have on programs that don’t deliver results for hardworking families. Thankfully, the Trump Administration is taking our national debt crisis seriously and has laid the roadmap for robust, necessary, and commonsense reforms to bring accountability back to Washington. This legislation represents a crucial first step toward fiscal sanity, and I’m proud to stand with President Trump and my Republican colleagues in getting America’s financial house back in order.”
This legislation would rescind $9 billion in unnecessary funding appropriated in FY24 and FY25 from programs in the State Department and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
New York City, NY, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Earlier, Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social: “Happy Cryptocurrency Week! The House of Representatives will soon vote on a major bill that will make the United States the undisputed number one leader in the field of digital assets-no one can match it!”
He also called the “Genius Act” “significant” and said that the bill will make the United States “light years ahead of China, Europe and all other countries” and demanded that “all Republicans should vote in favor!”
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko released a statement following the House vote on President Trump’s Rescissions package, which claws back $9 billion in funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid that was already approved by Congress.
“Instead of addressing the rising cost of living or making life better for working Americans, Trump is using his power to go after Elmo and Big Bird.
“Public, independent broadcasting is essential to any democracy, providing critical access to information, educational programming, and updates and emergency alerts. This bill doesn’t just target national NPR or PBS. By law, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting sends over 70% of its funding to local stations. These cuts directly threaten those stations, their communities, and the trusted local journalism and programming they deliver. And international aid delivered by the U.S. has saved tens of millions of lives, addressing hunger, defending human rights, and addressing global health crisis.
“I’ve heard from thousands of constituents — hardworking American taxpayers — calling to demand these essential programs keep this funding, which was already agreed upon and approved by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
“But President Trump would rather pursue his personal, petty vendettas than do anything to make life better or more affordable for working families. While Republicans once again kowtowed to the President’s demands, I won’t stop working to defend and uphold these programs that serve my constituents, our nation, and our planet.”
LA federal judge on Friday could deal another blow to President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit birthright citizenship, even though a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month made it more difficult for lower courts to block White House directives.
A group of Democratic attorneys general
from 18 states and the District of Columbia will urge U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin at a hearing in Boston at 10 a.m. ET Friday to maintain an injunction he imposed in February that blocked Trump’s executive order nationwide.
The order directs U.S. agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States after February 19 if neither their mother nor father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The states’ case is back in Sorokin’s courtroom so he can assess the impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark June 27th decision. In that 6-3 ruling authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court directed lower court judges like Sorokin that had blocked Trump’s policy to reconsider the scope of their orders.
Rather than address the legality of Trump’s executive order, the justices used the case to discourage nationwide, or “universal,” injunctions — in which a single district court judge can block enforcement of a federal policy across the country.
COMPLETE RELIEF
But the court raised the possibility that universal injunctions are still permissible in certain circumstances, including class actions, in which similarly situated people sue as a group, or if they are the only way to provide “complete relief” to litigants in a particular lawsuit.
Friday’s hearing will shed light on how lower courts plan to address what providing complete relief entails, said George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman.
“One of the questions the Supreme Court left open in its nationwide injunction decision is whether states can assert claims on behalf of their citizens and, if so, whether a large-scale injunction would then be necessary to vindicate the rights of large numbers of citizens from large numbers of states,” Berman said.
Spokespersons for the White House and the attorneys general did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A ruling from Sorokin, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, in favor of the states would be the second blow to Trump’s executive order this month. On July 10 at a hearing in New Hampshire, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, an appointee of Republican president George W. Bush, issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s order after he found that children whose citizenship status would be threatened by it could pursue their lawsuit as a class action.
The Democratic-led states, backed by immigrant rights groups, argue the White House directive violated a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that guarantees that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
They have argued that, if the executive order is allowed to take effect, it would wreak havoc on the administration of federal benefits programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making it difficult to verify eligibility.
They also argue that, because children often move across state lines or are born outside their parents’ state of residence, a “patchwork” of injunctions would be unworkable.
“Families are likely to be confused if federal benefits eligibility — let alone U.S. citizenship — differs by State,” the states wrote in a July 15 court filing.
They have urged Sorokin to double down on his February injunction, saying in the court filing that the Supreme Court decision has no bearing on the case before him.
“This Court correctly remedied the States’ injuries via a nationwide injunction, based on the same complete-relief principle that the Supreme Court recently recognized and endorsed,” the brief argued.
The Justice Department has countered that Sorokin’s injunction from February was “clearly overbroad and inappropriate.”
In a July 8 court filing, the department argued that individuals are best situated to litigate their own citizenship status.
LA federal judge on Friday could deal another blow to President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit birthright citizenship, even though a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month made it more difficult for lower courts to block White House directives.
A group of Democratic attorneys general
from 18 states and the District of Columbia will urge U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin at a hearing in Boston at 10 a.m. ET Friday to maintain an injunction he imposed in February that blocked Trump’s executive order nationwide.
The order directs U.S. agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States after February 19 if neither their mother nor father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The states’ case is back in Sorokin’s courtroom so he can assess the impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark June 27th decision. In that 6-3 ruling authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court directed lower court judges like Sorokin that had blocked Trump’s policy to reconsider the scope of their orders.
Rather than address the legality of Trump’s executive order, the justices used the case to discourage nationwide, or “universal,” injunctions — in which a single district court judge can block enforcement of a federal policy across the country.
COMPLETE RELIEF
But the court raised the possibility that universal injunctions are still permissible in certain circumstances, including class actions, in which similarly situated people sue as a group, or if they are the only way to provide “complete relief” to litigants in a particular lawsuit.
Friday’s hearing will shed light on how lower courts plan to address what providing complete relief entails, said George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman.
“One of the questions the Supreme Court left open in its nationwide injunction decision is whether states can assert claims on behalf of their citizens and, if so, whether a large-scale injunction would then be necessary to vindicate the rights of large numbers of citizens from large numbers of states,” Berman said.
Spokespersons for the White House and the attorneys general did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A ruling from Sorokin, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, in favor of the states would be the second blow to Trump’s executive order this month. On July 10 at a hearing in New Hampshire, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, an appointee of Republican president George W. Bush, issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s order after he found that children whose citizenship status would be threatened by it could pursue their lawsuit as a class action.
The Democratic-led states, backed by immigrant rights groups, argue the White House directive violated a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that guarantees that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
They have argued that, if the executive order is allowed to take effect, it would wreak havoc on the administration of federal benefits programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making it difficult to verify eligibility.
They also argue that, because children often move across state lines or are born outside their parents’ state of residence, a “patchwork” of injunctions would be unworkable.
“Families are likely to be confused if federal benefits eligibility — let alone U.S. citizenship — differs by State,” the states wrote in a July 15 court filing.
They have urged Sorokin to double down on his February injunction, saying in the court filing that the Supreme Court decision has no bearing on the case before him.
“This Court correctly remedied the States’ injuries via a nationwide injunction, based on the same complete-relief principle that the Supreme Court recently recognized and endorsed,” the brief argued.
The Justice Department has countered that Sorokin’s injunction from February was “clearly overbroad and inappropriate.”
In a July 8 court filing, the department argued that individuals are best situated to litigate their own citizenship status.
These attacks are part of a broader strategy known as affective nationalism. It occurs when leaders use emotions, not just ideas, to build national identity. Feelings such as fear, pride, nostalgia and resentment are deployed to create a story about who belongs, who doesn’t and who’s to blame.
Trump followed Orbán’s playbook. On May 22, 2025, his administration declared that Harvard could no longer enroll foreign students. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security statement claimed that university leaders “created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators.” The statement suggested that many of the so-called agitators were foreign students.
These labels – “elite,” “foreign” or “anti-national” – are not neutral. They fuel fear, resentment and powerful narratives that frame universities as threats. Harvard, Central European University and Jawaharlal Nehru University have become symbols of broader national anxieties around identity and belonging.
British-Australian feminist scholar Sara Ahmed’s work on the sticky nature of emotions helps reveal the two emotions that often appear in attacks on universities: nostalgia and resentment.
Consider Trump’s “Make American Great Again” slogan. It implies the nation was once great, has declined and must reclaim its former glory. That’s a powerful emotional story. Nationalism often works this way – by telling a tale of a lost golden age and a future that must be saved.
For that reason, nostalgia is central to populist attacks on universities and institutional reform. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, for example, evoked Harvard’s symbolic past as part of the American Dream, arguing it has lost its way and “put its reputation in serious jeopardy.”
In India, Modi’s government rejects Western influence, while using nostalgia to revive a Hindu past in higher education. The Modi government promotes national pride on campuses by glorifying military heroes and installing symbolic figures – such as the statue of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk and philosopher, at Jawaharlal Nehru University – to shape student identity and loyalty.
In Hungary, Orbán mobilizes a glorified Christian past to challenge discourses on diversity, inclusion, critical inquiry and academic freedom in higher education. A 2021 bill tasks universities with defending the nation and preserving its intellectual and cultural heritage.
In India, the Modi government has increasingly framed public universities as institutions corrupted by Western ideas. Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images News
Enemies of the nation
Resentment is a powerful emotion often used by states that see themselves as defenders of national unity and values. When Harvard resisted Trump’s reforms, the president framed the university’s stance in a Truth Social post as a betrayal to the nation, denouncing it as “terrorist inspired/supporting ‘sickness.’” Meanwhile, the Department of Education issued a statement that accused the university of a “troubling entitlement mindset.”
Similarly, in India, the Modi government has increasingly framed public universities – especially those with critical voices – as “anti-national” spaces. By casting critical voices as enemies within, the state turns resentment into a political weapon to justify the erosion of academic freedom.
In Hungary, the Orbán government mobilized resentment to portray universities and academics as disloyal elites working against the nation. One example of Hungary’s war on universities is the 2018 ban on gender studies, justified by the Orbán government as rejecting “socially constructed genders” in favor of “biological sexes.” This move reflects how the government uses resentment to assert ideological control over academic institutions.
Universities are under attack for what they represent. Hindustan Times
Emotional battlegrounds?
Universities, especially elite ones such as Harvard and Jawaharlal Nehru University, carry deep symbolic weight. People care because of what the institutions represent.
Harvard, with its elite status, has long been a symbol of academic authority. But more recently, it has been cast as a defender of liberal higher education – making it a Trump administration target.
Jawaharlal Nehru University in India holds similar symbolic weight. It’s historically associated with producing the country’s social elites and is seen, especially in mainstream media, as left-leaning, making it a lightning rod in India’s polarized political landscape.
Universities are under attack not just for what they teach and research, but for what – and who – they represent. These are not just ideological disputes; they are emotional struggles over identity, belonging and public trust.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
