Featured Stories
House Energy & Commerce Chairman Guthrie, Rep. Griffith Announce Health Subcommittee Markup of 3 Bills to Combat Illicit Drug Threats
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith Announce Health Subcommittee Markup of Three Bills to Combat Illicit Drug Threats
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, announced a subcommittee markup of three bills combatting the threat of existing and emerging drug threats and safeguarding public health.
WHAT:
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith Announce Health Subcommittee Markup of Three Bills to Combat Illicit Drug Threats
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, announced a subcommittee markup of three bills combatting the threat of existing and emerging drug threats and safeguarding public health.
WHAT:Subcommittee on Health markup on legislation to safeguard communities from emerging and existing illicit drug threats.
DATE: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM ET
LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Items to be considered:
H.R. 7184, PRESS Act (Rep. McDowell)
H.R. 8005, Stop Pills That Kill Act (Rep. Evans)
H.R. 5880, Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act (Reps. Hageman and Stansbury)
This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Claire Richey with the Committee staff at Claire.Richey@mail.house.gov. If you have any press-related questions, please contact Katie West at Katie.West@mail.house.gov.
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-griffith-announce-health-subcommittee-markup-of-three-bills-to-combat-illicit-drug-threats
House Education & Workforce Ranking Member Scott Slams Trump Administration Plan to Weaponize Federal Grant Dollars to Undermine Civil Rights
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Ranking Member Scott Slams Trump Administration Plan to Weaponize Federal Grant Dollars to Undermine Civil Rights
Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urging OMB to withdraw the Trump Administration's proposed rule, entitled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, that would
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Ranking Member Scott Slams Trump Administration Plan to Weaponize Federal Grant Dollars to Undermine Civil Rights
Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urging OMB to withdraw the Trump Administration's proposed rule, entitled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, that wouldpoliticize how federal grant dollars are managed and administered.
Ranking Member Scott warned that the sweeping changes in the Proposed Rule would upend the continuity of federal programs, harming individuals' and communities' access to essential services, as well as federally supported research that informs virtually every sector of our lives and policymaking at all levels of government.
In his letter, Ranking Member Scott argues that the new rule is simply another attempt by President Trump to overreach his executive power by granting political appointees authority to review how grant dollars are spent.
"The Proposed Rule attempts to codify multiple executive orders (EO) issued by President Trump--orders that espouse radical interpretations of civil rights and constitutional law that are currently the subject of numerous legal challenges. The Proposed Rule embeds divisive and questionable legal doctrine promoted by the Trump Administration in every federal grant; exceeds the authority of the Executive Branch; and ignores decades of best practices in research and science supposedly in the name of transparency, accountability, and oversight. The Proposed Rule would give more discretionary power to a Chief Executive who has proven willing to use the power he does have to punish political enemies and those who disagree with him ... This Proposed Rule should be abandoned in its entirety. Moreover, any future changes made to the Uniform Guidance should de-emphasize the role of political appointees; embrace the concepts of scientific peer review, integrity, and independence; and not place the political pursuits of the President above the Constitution and laws of our country," wrote Ranking Member Scott.
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INFODOC: https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/imo/media/doc/scott_letter_to_usofficeofmanagementandbudgetregardingproposedrulemakingrevisinguniformguidance.pdf
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Original text here: https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-scott-slams-trump-administration-plan-to-weaponize-federal-grant-dollars-to-undermine-civil-rights
House Natural Resources Committee Sets July 15 Hearing on Markup of 9 Bills
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The House Natural Resources Committee issued the following information for a hearing on markup of nine bills at 10 a.m. on July 15, 2026, at 1324 Longworth House Office Building:
Agenda:
* H.R. 726 (Rep. Downing), "Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2317 (Rep. Amodei), "Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2827 (Rep. Cole), To provide for the equitable settlement
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The House Natural Resources Committee issued the following information for a hearing on markup of nine bills at 10 a.m. on July 15, 2026, at 1324 Longworth House Office Building:
Agenda:
* H.R. 726 (Rep. Downing), "Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2317 (Rep. Amodei), "Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025"
* H.R. 2827 (Rep. Cole), To provide for the equitable settlementof certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.
* H.R. 6251 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
* H.R. 6893 (Rep. Scott of VA), "Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act"
* H.R. 7889 (Rep. Wittman), "Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025" or the "AWRC Act of 2025"
* H.R. 8658 (Rep. Kennedy of UT), "Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act"
* H.R. 9436 (Rep. Lawler), To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective.
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Original text here: https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=418908
House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Sets July 15 Hearing on Markup of 3 Bills
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health issued the following information for a hearing on markup of three bills at 10 a.m. on July 15, 2026, at 2123 Rayburn House Office Building:
AGENDA
Items to be considered:
* H.R. 7184, PRESS Act (Rep. McDowell)
* H.R. 8005, Stop Pills That Kill Act (Rep. Evans)
* H.R. 5880, Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act (Reps. Hageman and Stansbury)
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/health-subcommittee-markup-2
GPO: Leading the Next Phase of Modernization
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The U.S. Government Publishing Office issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Leading the Next Phase of Modernization
Ravinder Birdi Steps Into Top Leadership Role at GIPS
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Ravinder Birdi came to GPO to help modernize one of the Agency's most critical operations. Today, he is leading its next chapter.
Birdi has been named Managing Director of Government Integrated Print Services (GIPS), where he now oversees the team responsible for producing and publishing many of GPO's most essential Government documents, including the Congressional Record, Federal
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The U.S. Government Publishing Office issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Leading the Next Phase of Modernization
Ravinder Birdi Steps Into Top Leadership Role at GIPS
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Ravinder Birdi came to GPO to help modernize one of the Agency's most critical operations. Today, he is leading its next chapter.
Birdi has been named Managing Director of Government Integrated Print Services (GIPS), where he now oversees the team responsible for producing and publishing many of GPO's most essential Government documents, including the Congressional Record, FederalRegister, Code of Federal Regulations, the President's Budget, and legislative materials such as bills, hearings, and reports.
"Serving as Managing Director of GIPS is both an honor and a responsibility I don't take lightly," said Birdi. "GPO has been the trusted voice of the Federal Government for more than 160 years, and GIPS is at the heart of that mission every single day. These aren't just print jobs. They are the official record of American democracy, and the standard we hold ourselves to reflects that."
Birdi joined GPO in 2019 as Manager of Press and Bindery and most recently served as Deputy Managing Director of GIPS. Before coming to GPO, he built and managed high-speed digital print operations in the private sector, bringing more than 15 years of large-scale printing and production experience to the Agency.
Since arriving at GPO, Birdi has helped lead the Agency's transition toward faster, more efficient digital production workflows supporting the Congressional Record, Federal Register, and other essential legislative documents. Much of that work has centered on expanding inkjet technology, modernizing finishing operations, and preparing for the rollout of XPub, GPO's next-generation digital publishing and composition system.
One of the Agency's most significant modernization efforts, XPub is designed to replace legacy technologies currently used in prepress operations and support future congressional publishing workflows. Birdi said the long-anticipated platform is nearing key rollout phases following years of development, testing, and collaboration with congressional customers.
"We're getting close to the Bills release and are actively working with our congressional partners to finish final phases of testing," Birdi said. "You're starting to see the product in action now."
As Managing Director, Birdi will lead nearly 400 teammates across Press, Bindery, Prepress, and the XPub development group while guiding GIPS through its next phase of innovation and transformation. That includes continued investments in inkjet technology, automation, Lean process improvement, workforce development, and modernized digital workflows designed to support the future of federal publishing.
"I'm proud to lead a team that shows up every day and gets it done, often under extraordinary deadlines and in service of the Nation," said Birdi. "We're building on a strong legacy while preparing for what comes next, and the best is still ahead of us."
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Original text here: https://www.gpo.gov/who-we-are/news-media/typeline-articles/leading-the-next-phase-of-modernization
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE: SOLUTIONS IN HIS POCKETS
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The U.S. Government Publishing Office issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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SOLUTIONS IN HIS POCKETS
How Andrew Mourad's 3D Printing Innovations Are Accelerating GPO Production
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Andrew Mourad, who joined the GPO Recent Grad Program in August 2024, has a habit of carrying solutions in his pockets.
Quite literally.
"Half the time my pockets are filled with pieces of plastic that I'm testing," he says with a laugh--a reputation he's earned at GPO's Stennis facility, where his 3D-printed parts have quietly transformed how machines are repaired, maintained,
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The U.S. Government Publishing Office issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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SOLUTIONS IN HIS POCKETS
How Andrew Mourad's 3D Printing Innovations Are Accelerating GPO Production
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Andrew Mourad, who joined the GPO Recent Grad Program in August 2024, has a habit of carrying solutions in his pockets.
Quite literally.
"Half the time my pockets are filled with pieces of plastic that I'm testing," he says with a laugh--a reputation he's earned at GPO's Stennis facility, where his 3D-printed parts have quietly transformed how machines are repaired, maintained,and improved.
A General Engineer in the Government Secure & Intelligent Documents (GSID) department, Mourad is helping reshape GPO's production process by using 3D printing to reduce downtime, cut costs, and empower teams to fix problems faster than ever before.
At its core, Mourad's work addresses a simple but critical problem: waiting for parts slows everything down.
"3D printing helps GPO because it's cheaper than shipping a new part, and we don't have to wait for it to arrive," Mourad says. "Sometimes we need a part just a little shorter or a little wider. It lets us fix problems much faster than ordering replacement parts."
Using 3D software, Mourad models custom components and moves them through a rapid prototyping process--often producing usable parts in just a few hours.
Today, nearly every major piece of equipment involved in producing passports and smart cards--from Die Perf (DP) machines that cut passport books to A-lines that sew passport pages together and attach the covers to Kluges used for foil stamping and embossing to Melzers used to make smart cards.
"There are only three machines here in Stennis that don't have a part I've made with 3D printing," Mourad says.
One of his favorite examples involves the DP machines. Previously, technicians had to remove and reapply heat-shrink metal, a time-consuming process that risked damaging passports. As a solution, Mourad designed a flexible plastic "boot" that simply slips on.
"The boot works better than what was on the machine and improved its function," he says. "It takes about 20 seconds to put that boot on versus two minutes before. I like being able to cut out that downtime for technicians. That time saved really adds up."
The durability of Mourad's designs has surprised even him. A metal part on a smart card machine typically lasts three to four months. A plastic version he designed has now been in use for four months with no visible wear.
"The issue was metal grinding on metal," Mourad explains. "Now it's soft plastic grinding on soft plastic, so it can last just as long, if not longer."
According to Jordan Gunther, a General Engineer and Mourad's supervisor, the speed of these solutions has made a measurable difference.
"If something breaks, realistically, we can be back up and running with a new part in half a shift," Gunther says. "My stance has always been: if a 3D-printed solution makes our teammates' lives easier and production better, let's go for it."
That support has shaped the culture around innovation at Stennis.
"Jordan's stance has had a big impact," Mourad says. "People feel comfortable walking up to me, asking for help, and talking through ideas for improving the production process. People will walk up to me and say, 'I think we can change this up a little bit.' And I want to find a way to make it happen."
He's also benefited from collaboration across GPO office locations, working closely with Management and Program Analysts, GSID Daniel Ashby and Julian Aviles-Pagan in Washington, D.C.
"They had more 3D printing experience than me," Mourad says of his DC teammates. "It was great to be able to talk with people who do this kind of work every day."
Mourad partnered with Aviles-Pagan on a project for the Melzers, designing a threaded sucker head to support smart card production. Mourad modeled the part in Stennis, Aviles-Pagan printed it in D.C., and the team iterated together based on production needs. The parts improved production, helping ink stick much less than it did to the brass part they had been using.
"I've got some in my pocket right now," Mourad says of the part. "Now we're testing different plastics to see if they would work even better."
At GPO, those pocket-sized pieces represent something bigger: faster production, smarter processes, and a future built--layer by layer--through innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.gpo.gov/who-we-are/news-media/typeline-articles/solutions-in-his-pockets
Democratic Members Demand Withdrawal of OMB's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Condemn Attacks on Scientific Community
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, ranking member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, posted the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Democratic Members Demand Withdrawal of OMB's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Condemn Attacks on Scientific Community
Today, Science Democrats submitted a public comment to the docket of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. OMB's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is far-reaching and would have severe consequences on our nation's scientific enterprise.
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, ranking member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, posted the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Democratic Members Demand Withdrawal of OMB's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Condemn Attacks on Scientific Community
Today, Science Democrats submitted a public comment to the docket of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. OMB's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is far-reaching and would have severe consequences on our nation's scientific enterprise.The Members demand that the proposed rule be withdrawn.
A summary of the many issues arising from OMB's proposed rule is as follows:
* The proposed rule sets a double standard for political influence on grantmaking by declaring that agencies must prioritize alignment with Trump's Presidential priorities, while arguing that Biden-era Executive Orders and grant decisions were illegal.
* The proposed rule allows agencies to terminate duly awarded grants if they are not in alignment with Presidential priorities -- a clear waste of taxpayer dollars that have already been spent on projects that will now never see completion.
* The proposed rule insists that all diversity, equity, and inclusion-related activities are illegal, ignoring existing law that explicitly encourages efforts to broaden participation in STEM.
* The proposed rule would supplant existing bipartisan, heavily negotiated, reasonable research security laws, undermining the longstanding principle that fundamental research should remain as open as possible.
* The proposed rule formalizes the creation of blacklists, a strategy this Administration has already used to target politically disfavored institutions.
* The proposed rule limits the ability of agencies, the Government Accountability Office, and Offices of Inspectors General to initiate audits, hobbling independent oversight and shielding political appointees, who would have unprecedented power under this rule, from true accountability.
* The proposed rule would require political appointees to conduct reviews of all grants to ensure that selections are in alignment with Presidential priorities and advance the President's policy interests. This provision undermines merit-based grant selection and would make it extremely difficult to fund high-risk, high-reward, curiosity-driven research.
"Though the proposed rule repeatedly touts itself as a boon for transparency, nowhere is this more obviously false than in the carte blanche it gives agencies to terminate duly awarded grants in section 200.340," the Members wrote in their comment. "This is the opposite of transparency. Allowing any grant to be terminated for 'no longer advancing' agency priorities is absurdly fickle, compelling agencies to act on loose interpretations of poorly written guidance by the White House. This has already been the status quo since January 2025, and the American scientific enterprise is worse off for it."
The Members continued, "This proposed rule is, in many ways, a mere formalization of the variety of uninformed, irresponsible, and illegal steps this Administration has taken to gut American science since President Trump's first day in office. The proposed rule must be withdrawn. It is a deep shame that this Administration is so committed to its anti-DEI agenda that it would gladly burn down our scientific enterprise, so long as its perceived enemies burn along with it."
The comment can be found here (https://democrats-science.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2026-07-13%20SST%20Democrats%20Comment%20on%20OMB%20Rule.pdf).
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Original text here: https://democrats-science.house.gov/news/press-releases/democratic-members-demand-withdrawal-of-ombs-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-condemn-attacks-on-scientific-community
Congresswoman Nikema Williams Applauds 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becoming Law, Secures Key Provisions to Preserve Homeownership and Generational Wealth
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Georgia, issued the following statement on July 13, 2026:
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Congresswoman Nikema Williams Applauds 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becoming Law, Secures Key Provisions to Preserve Homeownership and Generational Wealth
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) released the following statement on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becoming law. The legislation includes two provisions championed by Congresswoman Williams: the Whole Home Repairs Act, which would provide essential home repair assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners and small
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Georgia, issued the following statement on July 13, 2026:
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Congresswoman Nikema Williams Applauds 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becoming Law, Secures Key Provisions to Preserve Homeownership and Generational Wealth
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) released the following statement on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becoming law. The legislation includes two provisions championed by Congresswoman Williams: the Whole Home Repairs Act, which would provide essential home repair assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners and smalllandlords, and a requirement for a federal survey on heirs properties based on the Congresswoman's HEIRS Act.
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:
"Despite Trump's refusal to sign the most significant housing package in decades, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law. This legislation makes meaningful investments in families and communities and takes an important step toward addressing our nation's affordable housing crisis. I'm especially proud that it includes two of my bipartisan bills--the Heirs Property Preservation Act and the Whole-Home Repairs Act--which will help families keep the homes they worked so hard to secure, preserve generational wealth, and continue closing the racial wealth gap.
This legislation is rightly called the ROAD to Housing Act because it is not the destination--it is the beginning. It puts us on a path toward ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at the promise of America and the security and dignity that come with having a place to call home. No one's ZIP code or bank account should determine whether they can build wealth, put down roots, and thrive."
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Original text here: https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/posts/congresswoman-nikema-williams-applauds-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-becoming-law-secures-key-provisions-to-preserve-homeownership-and-generational-wealth
Banks Takes Action on Supreme Court's Birthright Citizenship Ruling: Introduces Citizenship Act of 2026
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Banks Takes Action on Supreme Court's Birthright Citizenship Ruling: Introduces Citizenship Act of 2026
This afternoon, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Citizenship Act of 2026 to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and birth tourists. The legislation codifies President Trump's January 20, 2025 Executive Order declaring that the United States is under invasion by illegal aliens. The bill responds to President Trump's call for Congress to act on birthright
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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Banks Takes Action on Supreme Court's Birthright Citizenship Ruling: Introduces Citizenship Act of 2026
This afternoon, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Citizenship Act of 2026 to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and birth tourists. The legislation codifies President Trump's January 20, 2025 Executive Order declaring that the United States is under invasion by illegal aliens. The bill responds to President Trump's call for Congress to act on birthrightcitizenship following the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara.
The Citizenship Act of 2026 affirms Congress's constitutional authority over naturalization and codifies the longstanding exception to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign invaders. The legislation finds that illegal immigration and birth tourism constitute an ongoing invasion and amends federal law to confirm that children born to illegal aliens and birth tourists are not entitled to automatic citizenship.
Sen Jim Banks (R-Ind.): "The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship decision was an unprecedented assault on American sovereignty, and we must do whatever it takes to save our country. I'm leading the Citizenship Act to reverse the effects of this consequential ruling and ensure the millions of illegal aliens that invaded our country can't continue to exploit our immigration system."
Fox News Digital exclusive here (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-birthright-citizenship-fight-comes-roaring-back-page-from-kavanaugh-playbook).
Full bill text can be found here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pkxmwp4h2v8nhf2qmt9eg/Citizenship-Act-of-2026-FINAL.pdf?rlkey=7otht15l1ji51rnstgeg4zzmw&st=pquor7va&e=2&dl=0).
Key Provisions of the Citizenship Act:
* Codifies President Trump's declaration that the United States is under invasion by illegal aliens.
* Amends federal law to confirm that children born to illegal aliens are not entitled to birthright citizenship, codifying a longstanding common law exception for children of foreign invaders.
* Affirms Congress's constitutional authority to establish a uniform rule of naturalization and the duty of the United States to protect states from invasion.
* Provides a legislative fix consistent with the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara, which recognized that children of invaders are not entitled to birthright citizenship.
* Responds to the ongoing border crisis, with as many as 15 million illegal aliens remaining in the United States, by ensuring federal law confirms that birthright citizenship does not apply to the children of those who entered as part of an invasion.
Background:
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to establish a uniform rule of naturalization, while Article IV guarantees that the federal government will protect the states against invasion. The bill argues that the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration in recent years, combined with the continued exploitation of birth tourism, constitutes an ongoing invasion that Congress has the authority to address.
The legislation follows the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara, which left intact the longstanding constitutional exception that children born to foreign invaders are not entitled to birthright citizenship. This bill codifies President Trump's January 20, 2025 declaration that the mass unlawful movement of persons into the United States constitutes an invasion and applies that principle to illegal aliens and birth tourists.
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Original text here: https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-takes-action-on-supreme-courts-birthright-citizenship-ruling-introduces-citizenship-act-of-2026/
Banks Advances Anti-Illegal Immigration Initiative to Keep America Safe
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release:
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Banks Advances Anti-Illegal Immigration Initiative to Keep America Safe
As the Senate reconvenes, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is continuing his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration by cosponsoring three pieces of legislation to strengthen immigration enforcement, protect American workers, and close the loopholes that fueled the border invasion under President Biden.
These bills would require all employers to verify new hires are legally authorized to work in the United States, ensure illegal aliens
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release:
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Banks Advances Anti-Illegal Immigration Initiative to Keep America Safe
As the Senate reconvenes, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is continuing his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration by cosponsoring three pieces of legislation to strengthen immigration enforcement, protect American workers, and close the loopholes that fueled the border invasion under President Biden.
These bills would require all employers to verify new hires are legally authorized to work in the United States, ensure illegal aliensremain in detention instead of being released into American communities while they await immigration proceedings, and prohibit birth tourism.
Sen. Jim Banks (R- Ind.): "President Trump is restoring law and order back at our border, and Congress needs to back him up. These bills crack-down on the incentives that fueled the Biden border invasion, protect American workers, and work to make communities safer."
Senator Banks cosponsored the following bills:
* The Mandatory E-Verify Act, led by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), requires employers nationwide to use E-Verify to confirm employees are legally authorized to work in the United States. This legislation is supported by the Immigration Accountability Project, Federation for American Immigration Reform, NumbersUSA, Heritage Action and the National Immigration Center for Enforcement.
* The Detention Authority Clarification Act, led by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), clarifies the Department of Homeland Security's authority to detain illegal aliens without releasing them on bond while they await immigration proceedings. This legislation is supported by the Immigration Accountability Project.
* The BACK OFF Act, led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), prohibits foreign nationals from entering the United States for the purpose of birth tourism. This legislation is supported by the Immigration Accountability Project.
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Original text here: https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-advances-anti-illegal-immigration-initiative-to-keep-america-safe/
20+ VSOs and Stakeholders Agree: Take Care of America's Veterans Act Delivers Results for Veterans and American Families
WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, posted the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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20+ VSOs and Stakeholders Agree: The Take Care of America's Veterans Act Delivers Results for Veterans and American Families
Recently, leading veteran service organizations (VSOs) and stakeholders sent a key letter to urge Congress to put partisan politics aside and pass the sweeping benefits and healthcare expansions included in H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, on behalf of the men and women who have raised their right
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WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, posted the following news release on July 13, 2026:
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20+ VSOs and Stakeholders Agree: The Take Care of America's Veterans Act Delivers Results for Veterans and American Families
Recently, leading veteran service organizations (VSOs) and stakeholders sent a key letter to urge Congress to put partisan politics aside and pass the sweeping benefits and healthcare expansions included in H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, on behalf of the men and women who have raised their righthand and served, their families, their caregivers, and their survivors.
To learn more about the historic Take Care of America's Veterans Act as it heads to the House Floor for a vote this week, click here (https://veterans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/one_pager_on_take_care_of_americas_vets_act_approved.pdf).
Full text of the letter the organizations sent on why Congress needs to pass the Take Care of America's Veterans Act now can be found here and below:
Dear Chairmen Moran and Bost, and Ranking Members Blumenthal and Takano:
As leading organizations representing veterans, servicemembers, families, survivors, and caregivers, we express our support for S. 4744 and H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and urge Congress to continue advancing this critical legislation through the legislative process.
This comprehensive package reflects years of bipartisan and bicameral work to improve care, benefits, and services for the veteran community. Republicans and Democrats have authored elements of the bill, and we believe it represents one of the most thorough efforts to deliver non-partisan support and relief to both broad and narrow segments of the communities we serve. It brings together more than 60 provisions affecting veterans' benefits, health care, education, transition assistance, caregiver support, survivor benefits, and other essential services. Taken together, these provisions would do extraordinarily good for millions of veterans, caregivers, families, and survivors today and for generations to come.
We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of the Major Richard Star Act, which would finally end the unfair offset that forces more than 59,000 medically retired, combat-injured veterans to forfeit a portion of their earned military retirement pay to receive the disability compensation they deserve. Correcting this injustice would have a meaningful and lasting impact on some of the most severely wounded, ill, and injured veterans.
The bill also includes important proposals to strengthen mental health support, improve spinal cord injury care and prosthetic services, expand resources for survivors and families, enhance caregiver programs, and advance services for women veterans. These provisions reflect the kind of broad, durable investment that can improve quality of life across the veteran community and deliver long-sought relief to people who have waited far too long.
At the same time, we want to be clear that our support is provided after thoughtful consideration and discussion of our concerns. Legislating changes to the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) is not a standard path, and under ordinary circumstances it is not an approach we would support. Ideally, Congress would advance these long-overdue priorities without requiring offsets from future disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act would be funded through the defense authorizing committees and fully end the unjust wounded veteran tax on combat-injured warriors. Pay-as-you-go rules would be waived for these earned benefits. There would be complete clarity from the Administration and VA about whether long-anticipated VASRD changes will proceed independently of this bill.
Unfortunately, the current environment is far from ideal, and veterans, families, survivors, and caregivers have already waited years across multiple Congresses and administrations for action on provisions that maintain strong bipartisan support.
The Administration must also provide immediate clarity on whether these rating-schedule changes are intended to proceed independently of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act through VA regulation, White House direction, or other administrative action. That clarity is essential because the bill's financing rests on assumptions that remain unresolved. If similar VASRD changes are implemented outside this legislation, the resulting savings could revert to the Treasury rather than be reinvested in veterans, families, survivors, and caregivers.
Given that reality, we believe the practical question before Congress is whether this process should continue so these resources can be reinvested in veterans, caregivers, families, and survivors, or whether the opportunity to enact this package is lost while unresolved funding questions remain. We support advancing the Take Care of America's Veterans Act because the bill represents a net expansion of benefits and support for the veteran community and contains protections intended to prevent reductions for current beneficiaries. The goodness and positive impact of this package should not be lost in the debate over its financing.
As Congress continues its consideration of this legislation, we urge Members to preserve and strengthen key protections: no retroactive harm to veterans currently receiving compensation; prospective application only to future claims or future requests for increased ratings; full transparency from VA, the White House, and the Administration regarding any independent regulatory or policy action; and a final package that ensures expanded benefits are delivered responsibly and effectively. We are committed to working with Congress, VA, the Administration, coalition partners, and the broader veteran community to improve the pay-for, identify any credible alternative path forward, and secure the strongest possible outcome.
This moment presents a clear test of whether Congress can translate long-standing bipartisan agreement into meaningful action. We support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act so the process can continue and so Congress can deliver lasting results for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. We urge swift action to advance this legislation and stand ready to work with lawmakers in both chambers to honor our commitments to all who have served.
Sincerely,
The American Legion
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Wounded Warrior Project
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
American Veterans (AMVETS)
Air Force Sergeants Association
American Optometric Association
Avalon Action Alliance
Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS (COA)
Gold Star Spouses of America
K9s For Warriors
Korean War Veterans Association
Military Chaplains Association
Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)
Mission Roll Call
National Defense Committee
National Military Family Association (NMFA)
USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA)
Vietnam Veterans of America
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Original text here: https://veterans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7946
