U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
VA Health Care: Recommendations and Observations to Improve Community Care and Support for Caregivers Related to the Dole Act
WASHINGTON, March 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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VA Health Care: Recommendations and Observations to Improve Community Care and Support for Caregivers Related to the Dole Act
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Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) allows eligible veterans to receive health care from community providers through the Veterans Community Care Program. Since 2020, GAO has made several recommendations to improve access to the Veterans Community Care Program in areas also highlighted by the 2025 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century
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WASHINGTON, March 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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VA Health Care: Recommendations and Observations to Improve Community Care and Support for Caregivers Related to the Dole Act
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Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) allows eligible veterans to receive health care from community providers through the Veterans Community Care Program. Since 2020, GAO has made several recommendations to improve access to the Veterans Community Care Program in areas also highlighted by the 2025 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st CenturyVeterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act). As of February 2026, VA has not fully implemented GAO's recommendations. For example:
* Timely appointment scheduling. In 2020, GAO found that most Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities from the region included in its review did not have the recommended number of staff needed to manage community care referrals, creating potential risks to timely scheduling. GAO recommended that VHA assess community care staffing needs to identify and address any risks. VHA agreed with this recommendation and is working to enable its staffing tool to identify and report such risks, according to officials. GAO also recommended that VHA establish a wait time measure for community care appointments and align its performance metrics. VHA disagreed with this recommendation but has defined time frames for some steps. VHA has not fully implemented these recommendations. The Dole Act requires VA to take action on its staffing model and performance metrics to ensure timely care for veterans.
* Referral coordination and communication. In 2025, GAO reported that VHA facilities had mixed results in implementing the Referral Coordination Initiative, which aimed to improve referral coordination and streamline appointment scheduling. VHA had not documented key elements of the initiative in policy, which may contribute to inconsistences in implementation and limit staff and veterans' understanding of community care options. GAO recommended that VHA include this initiative in its national policy. VHA concurred in principle with the recommendation, but has not yet implemented it. GAO also reported in 2025 that the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, which VHA created to improve coordination of community care, did not always clearly communicate information to its facilities. GAO recommended that VHA ensure this information is clearly communicated. VHA concurred with this recommendation but has not yet implemented it. The Dole Act also requires VA to review facilities' processes for making such referrals.
GAO also has ongoing work on VHA's Caregiver Support Program. Preliminary results show that VHA responded to challenges caregivers reported with accessing in-person support by implementing a virtual therapy program. VHA also established goals to assess the effectiveness of its outreach efforts. These include a goal to increase program enrollment by 15 percent each fiscal year, which it met in fiscal year 2025. However, VHA has not set quantitative targets and time frames for its other goals. Doing so would better position VHA to assess its efforts and make any needed adjustments. The Dole Act also includes provisions addressing caregivers' access to and awareness of VHA's Caregiver Support Program.
Why GAO Did This Study
The Dole Act authorized significant expansions of health care programs for veterans and support for their caregivers. These programs are administered by VHA.
An increasing number of veterans receive their care from providers outside of VHA facilities through the Veterans Community Care Program; in 2024, about 3.1 million veterans received such care. VHA also provides services and support to nearly 100,000 caregivers of veterans who suffered serious injuries in the line of duty through its Caregiver Support Program. Concerns have been raised about the mental health of veterans' caregivers who often provide around the clock care that enables veterans to live at home and help with their recovery.
GAO has a large body of work related to aspects of the community care and caregiver programs, both of which were addressed in the Dole Act. This statement summarizes recommendations and related work on the Community Care program. It is based on three GAO reports issued from 2020 through 2025 ( GAO-20-643, GAO-25-106678, and GAO-25-107212 ). This statement also includes preliminary results from GAO's ongoing work examining VA's efforts to provide mental health support to caregivers. To do this work, GAO reviewed VHA documents on its caregiver program and interviewed VHA officials, program staff, and participating caregivers at four selected VHA facilities.
For more information, contact Sharon M. Silas at silass@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108943
Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation Into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Committee Republicans are examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration and
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Committee Republicans are examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the lawmakers request a briefing from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its efforts to track and assess possible connections among organized efforts to obstruct law enforcement with criminal activities and foreign influences.
"Recent Congressional oversight activity has documented extensive fraud in Minnesota involving federal nutrition programs and social services programs, with estimated losses totaling several billions of dollars over multiple years," wrote the lawmakers. "The scale and duration of these schemes have raised concerns regarding whether fraud proceeds are being laundered or otherwise routed through nonprofit or organizational entities in ways that evade oversight. As much of this fraud has disproportionally involved Minnesota's immigrant community, targeted enforcement operations by ICE play a key role in stopping this systemic corruption."
The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the extensive fraud and money laundering in Minnesota's social services and programs in December 2025. The Committee seeks to understand the extent to which DOJ has been made aware of patterns in major fraud cases that suggest coordinated or systemic activity and whether DOJ is evaluating whether large-scale financial crimes involving federal funds may contribute to broader public safety or civil order challenges. This investigation is part of the House Oversight Committee's ongoing commitment to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in state and federal programs and procedures.
"In response to federal response and enforcement actions, Minnesota has experienced repeated episodes of civil unrest, including incidents of property damage, assaults on law enforcement, and disruptions to public institutions. While peaceful protest is a protected feature of American society, recurring unrest places measurable strain on local communities and public safety resources. The Committee believes it is imperative to assess whether foreign-sourced funding and/or proceeds of financial crimes, particularly those involving federal funds, may be contributing to, or otherwise exacerbating unrest and efforts to obstruct law enforcement," concluded the lawmakers.
Members who signed the letter include Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), and John McGuire (R-Va.).
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March 2, 2026
To: The Honorable Pam Bondi, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Bondi:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which are highlighted in a recent Department of State report that links far-left nonprofits to Chinese influence operations.1 In particular, the Committee seeks to understand Department of Justice (DOJ) efforts to track or assess possible connections among organized efforts to obstruct law enforcement with foreign influences and criminal activities, including fraud. Accordingly, the Committee requests a briefing to provide insight into these issues.
Recent Congressional oversight activity has documented extensive fraud in Minnesota involving federal nutrition programs and social services programs, with estimated losses totaling several billions of dollars over multiple years.2 The scale and duration of these schemes have raised concerns regarding whether fraud proceeds are being laundered or otherwise routed through nonprofit or organizational entities in ways that evade oversight. As much of this fraud has disproportionally involved Minnesota's immigrant community, targeted enforcement operations by ICE play a key role in stopping this systemic corruption.
In response to federal response and enforcement actions, Minnesota has experienced repeated episodes of civil unrest, including incidents of property damage, assaults on law enforcement, and disruptions to public institutions. While peaceful protest is a protected feature of American society, recurring unrest places measurable strain on local communities and public safety resources. The Committee believes it is imperative to assess whether foreign-sourced funding and/or proceeds of financial crimes, particularly those involving federal funds, may be contributing to, or otherwise exacerbating unrest and efforts to obstruct law enforcement.
Former Soviet defector Yuri Bezmenov articulated one such framework, describing how systemic corruption and degradation of institutions can precede broader social destabilization.3 The Committee seeks to understand how the Justice Department in monitoring both widespread fraud and social unrest for signs of interference by foreign actors or obstruction of justice by criminals.
Accordingly, the Committee seeks a briefing to be provided by March 9, 2026, addressing the following topics:
1. The extent to which DOJ has identified or been made aware of patterns in major fraud cases suggesting coordinated or systemic activity beyond isolated criminal enterprises;
2. The extent to which DOJ is assessing the routing of fraud schemes through nonprofit, community-based, or organizational entities; and,
3. Whether DOJ is evaluating whether large-scale financial crimes involving federal funds may contribute to broader public safety or civil order challenges in certain jurisdictions.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate "any matter" at "any time" under House Rule X. To schedule the briefing or to ask any related followup questions, please contact the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff at (202) 225-5074. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
James Comer, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Pat Fallon, Member of Congress
Glenn Grothman, Chairman, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services
Clay Higgins, Chairman, Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement
Pete Sessions, Chairman, Subcommittee on Government Operations
Nancy Mace, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
William R. Timmons, IV, Chairman, Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
Tim Burchett, Chairman, Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency
Anna Paulina Luna, Chairwoman, Taskforce on the Declassification of Federal Secrets
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S., Member of Congress
Virginia Foxx, Member of Congress
Michael Cloud, Member of Congress
Andy Biggs, Member of Congress
Byron Donalds, Member of Congress
Scott Perry, Member of Congress
Lauren Boebert, Member of Congress
Nick Langworthy, Member of Congress
Brian Jack, Member of Congress
John McGuire, Member of Congress
cc: The Honorable Robert Garcia, Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
The Honorable Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services
The Honorable Summer Lee, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement
The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Government Operations
The Honorable Shontel Brown, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
The Honorable Suhas Subramanyam, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Melanie Stansbury, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency
The Honorable Jasmine Crockett, Ranking Member, Taskforce on the Declassification of Federal Secrets
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1 Victoria Nava, State Department identifies Code Pink and other far-left groups as vectors of Chinese influence operations, N EW Y ORK P OST (Feb. 10, 2026).
2 Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part 1: Hearing Before H. Comm. on Oversight & Gov't Reform, 119 th Cong. 2.
3 See "Unintended Consequences" available at https://unintendedconsequenc.es/bezmenovs-steps/ (accessed Feb. 4, 2026).
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-and-fallon-lead-investigation-into-efforts-to-obstruct-federal-law-enforcement-in-minnesota/
Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-South Carolina, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
COLUMBIA, SC - Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement via X on U.S. strikes on Iran:
"The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war for a reason: to ensure that such a consequential decision is made only after full consideration by the people's representatives of the case for military action, the plan for success, the potential costs, and any alternative options. The Trump Administration,
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-South Carolina, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
COLUMBIA, SC - Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement via X on U.S. strikes on Iran:
"The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war for a reason: to ensure that such a consequential decision is made only after full consideration by the people's representatives of the case for military action, the plan for success, the potential costs, and any alternative options. The Trump Administration,in disregarding this constitutional requirement in attacking Iran, has put American lives at risk despite the apparent absence of an imminent threat to our country or a coherent strategy to achieve a successful outcome.
"George Santayana famously warned, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In this case, we need only remember the recent past--events in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya--to expect that another major American military campaign in the Middle East will encounter significant challenges. Such challenges are more likely to be avoided, confronted, and overcome if the decision to engage in military action is made in a deliberative, transparent, and democratic manner consistent with the framers' intent.
"I urge the Trump Administration to make the adjustments necessary to align its actions with the Constitution, and I hope all of my colleagues of both political parties will join me in this demand. The lives of our service members and the security of our nation depend on it."
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Original text here: https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-statement-on-u-s-strikes-on-iran/
Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
Police officers, factory line workers, and other hourly wage earners are rewarded for their hard work thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts delivering on President Trump's promise of "No Tax on Overtime." Hourly workers can deduct up to $12,500, or $25,000 for married couples, of overtime premium payments for those earning up to $150,000, or $300,000
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
Police officers, factory line workers, and other hourly wage earners are rewarded for their hard work thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts delivering on President Trump's promise of "No Tax on Overtime." Hourly workers can deduct up to $12,500, or $25,000 for married couples, of overtime premium payments for those earning up to $150,000, or $300,000for married couples. The provision boosts income for the over 80 million hourly workers by up to $1,400.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) said:
"President Trump's promise to help working families resonated with so many Americans exactly because it speaks to the core of our values as a nation. No Tax on Overtime is commonsense policy that rewards Americans who stay late, work hard and keep America running by helping them afford to take care of themselves and their families. Because of this provision, more than $600 billion in new tax relief goes to middle-class households, with the largest proportional tax benefits going to workers and families making less than $50,000. This is on top of the massive tax relief provided by extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts. There's no doubt about it; this is a tax cut for the working class."
During a Ways and Means Committee hearing in Las Vegas, Nevada, held mere days after enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Eric Byington, a Nevada paint foreman, said:
"I wake up at 4 AM to come to this job that I love for this beautiful company. These are the things that make it worthwhile. This is actually a change for the working-class Americans. It's the incentive. That's what this country has been about since day one. The harder you work, the more you're rewarded, and that's what this bill does. You work overtime. You're working hard; you're staying late. Now you're rewarded. You're working weekends. You're rewarded...."
At the same hearing, Austin Robinson, a Nevada manufacturer, noted how the new overtime provision builds on the success of the 2017 tax cuts:
"Looking back to what happened in 2017, 2018 there was probably one of the largest growth of wages in the middle class in probably recent years. During that time, it generated a lot of people changing jobs, looking for more wages or benefits to improve their position financially. Currently with us, with the no tax on overtime, it's going to encourage more people to move into the manufacturing sector for better pay and better wages, but then also the overtime."
How No Tax on Overtime Works:
* This is a brand new deduction for workers who keep America running. Individuals can deduct qualified overtime compensation that is reported on income tax forms W-2, 1099, or another statement provided by the employer.
* The deduction is available for taxpayers whether they itemize or claim the standard deduction - meaning that people can benefit from this deduction in addition to the newly increased standard deduction, which about 90 percent of taxpayers claim.
How the Working Families Tax Cuts Deliver for Working-Class Americans:
* No tax on tips provides an average $1,300 tax cut.
* No tax on overtime delivers an average $1,400 tax cut.
* The standard deduction is increased by $1,500 per family to $31,500.
* Married seniors will get a $12,000 deduction for their Social Security benefits.
* The Child Tax Credit expands to $2,200 and is permanently indexed for inflation, so the credit never loses value.
* Raises annual real wages by $7,200 per worker.
* Increases annual take-home pay for a typical family with two children by $10,900.
* Family of four with two children earning $73,000 has zero federal income tax liability.
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Original text here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2026/03/02/chairman-smith-no-tax-on-overtime-means-hourly-workers-keep-more-of-what-they-earn/
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Ahead of Senate consideration of the most comprehensive, bipartisan housing affordability legislation in decades, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren have released updated bill text and section by section for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Ahead of Senate consideration of the most comprehensive, bipartisan housing affordability legislation in decades, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren have released updated bill text and section by section for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
Thehousing affordability crisis is real and urgent. For too many Americans, homeownership feels out of reach. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act focuses on the root cause of rising costs: not enough supply. The legislation reflects bipartisan, bicameral work that passed the Senate Banking Committee unanimously, 24-0, and incorporates almost all of the House's housing provisions into a unified package.
"2026 is the year of affordability. This week, the Senate is set to vote on housing affordability legislation, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and my colleagues and I stand ready to deliver it to President Trump's desk, fulfilling the promise he made to Americans at the State of the Union. Not only is this bill about cutting regulatory red tape, lowering costs, and expanding housing supply while generating no new spending, but it's about making sure people like the single mom who raised me in North Charleston, South Carolina, have even greater access to economic opportunity and the American dream of homeownership," said Chairman Scott.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will boost housing supply and bring down costs," said Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. "The package includes the vast majority of the Senate's unanimously supported ROAD to Housing Act, incorporates bipartisan ideas from the House, and takes a good first step to rein in corporate landlords that are squeezing families out of homeownership. Congress should pass this package and continue working on further legislation to combat our nation's housing crisis."
To read the bill text, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ans.pdf).
To read the section-by-section, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/section_by_section_final.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/chairman-scott-ranking-member-warren-release-bill-text-ahead-of-senate-consideration-of-the-21st-century-road-to-housing-act
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for Protect Infant Formula From Contamination Act
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act (S. 272).
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S. 272 would require manufacturers of infant formula to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within one business day of discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would direct the FDA to respond to such notifications within one business day and to assess within 90 days whether the manufacturer has taken appropriate corrective action. The bill would require the FDA to report to the Congress
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act (S. 272).
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S. 272 would require manufacturers of infant formula to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within one business day of discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would direct the FDA to respond to such notifications within one business day and to assess within 90 days whether the manufacturer has taken appropriate corrective action. The bill would require the FDA to report to the Congresseach quarter on the supply chain for infant formula and, within 180 days of enactment, on progress toward implementing a national strategy to ensure those products are safe and available.
The bill also would direct the FDA to engage with the Department of Agriculture, manufacturers, and others to develop evidence-based practices to maximize the supply and safety of infant formula and to describe those practices periodically in reports to the Congress.
Using information about the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing S. 272 would increase the FDA's administrative costs by $2 million over the 2026-2031 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 550 (health).
S. 272 would impose private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). The bill would require manufacturers to notify the FDA more quickly and in more detail than under current law upon discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would impose additional responsibilities for responding to contamination involving Cronobacter or Salmonella bacteria. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would not exceed the annual private-sector threshold established in UMRA ($214 million in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation).
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Ryan Greenfield (for federal costs) and Andrew Laughlin (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-03/s272.pdf
