U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate as well as the House and Senate leadership and House and Senate committees.
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Senate Armed Services Committee Issues Testimony From DOD Secretary Nominee Hegseth
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee released the following testimony by Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to be secretary of Defense, from a Jan. 14, 2025, confirmation hearing:
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Thank you Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, and all members of this Committee for the opportunity today. I am grateful for, and learned a great deal from, this "advise and consent" process. Should I be confirmed, I look forward to working with this Committee--Senators from both parties--to secure our nation.
I want to thank the former Senator from Minnesota, Norm Coleman, for his
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee released the following testimony by Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to be secretary of Defense, from a Jan. 14, 2025, confirmation hearing:
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Thank you Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, and all members of this Committee for the opportunity today. I am grateful for, and learned a great deal from, this "advise and consent" process. Should I be confirmed, I look forward to working with this Committee--Senators from both parties--to secure our nation.
I want to thank the former Senator from Minnesota, Norm Coleman, for hismentorship and friendship in this process. And the incoming National Security Advisor, Congressman--and more importantly--Colonel Mike Waltz, for his powerful words. I am grateful for you both.
Thank you to my incredible wife Jennifer, who has changed my life and been with me throughout this entire process. I love you sweetheart, and I thank God for you. And as Jenny and I pray together each morning, all glory--regardless of the outcome--belongs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His grace and mercy abound each day. May His will be done.
Thank you to my father Brian and mother Penny, as well as my entire family--including our seven wonderful kids: Gunner, Jackson, Peter Boone, Kenzie, Luke, Rex & Gwendolyn. Their future safety and security is in all our hands.
And to all the troops and veterans watching, and in this room--Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Pilots, Sailors, Marines, Gold Stars and more. Too many friends to name. Officers and Enlisted. Black and White. Young and Old. Men and Women. All Americans. All warriors. This hearing is for you. Thank you for figuratively, and literally, having my back. I pledge to do the same for you. All of you.
It is an honor to come before this Committee as President Donald Trump's nominee for the office of Secretary of Defense. Two months ago, 77 million Americans gave President Trump a powerful mandate for change. To put America First--at home and abroad. I want to thank President Trump for his faith in me, and his selfless leadership of our great Republic. The troops could have no better Commander-in-Chief than Donald Trump.
As I've said to many of you in our private meetings, when President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was--to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense. He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser focused on warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness. That's it. That is my job.
To that end, if confirmed, I'm going to work with President Trump--and this committee--to:
1. Restore the Warrior Ethos to the Pentagon and throughout our fighting force; in doing so, we will reestablish trust in our military--and address the recruiting, retention and readiness crisis in our ranks. The strength of our military is our unity--our shared purpose--not our differences.
2. Rebuild our Military, always matching threats to capabilities; this includes reviving our defense industrial base, reforming the acquisition process (no more "Valley of Death" for new defense companies), modernizing our nuclear triad, ensuring the Pentagon can pass an audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies.
3. Re-establish Deterrence. First and foremost, we will defend our homeland--our borders and our skies. Second, we will work with our partners and allies to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific from the communist Chinese. Finally, we will responsibly end wars to ensure we can prioritize our resources--and reorient to larger threats. We can no longer count on "reputational deterrence"--we need real deterrence.
The Defense Department under Donald Trump will achieve Peace Through Strength. And in pursuing these America First national security goals, we will remain patriotically a-political and stridently Constitutional. Unlike the current administration, politics should play no part in military matters. We are not Republicans or Democrats--we are American warriors. Our standards will be high, and they will be equal (not equitable, that is a very different word).
We need to make sure every warrior is fully qualified on their assigned weapon system, every pilot is fully qualified and current on the aircraft they are flying, and every general or flag officer is selected for leadership based purely on performance, readiness, and merit.
Leaders--at all levels--will be held accountable. And warfighting and lethality--and the readiness of the troops and their families--will be our only focus.
That has been my focus ever since I first put on the uniform as a young Army ROTC cadet at Princeton University in 2001. I joined the military because I love my country and felt an obligation to defend it. I served with incredible Americans in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the streets of Washington, DC--many of which are here today. This includes enlisted soldiers I helped become American citizens, and Muslim allies I helped immigrate from Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I took off the uniform, my mission never stopped.
It is true that I don't have a similar biography to Defense Secretaries of the last 30 years. But, as President Trump also told me, we've repeatedly placed people atop the Pentagon with supposedly "the right credentials"--whether they are retired generals, academics, or defense contractor executives--and where has it gotten us? He believes, and I humbly agree, that it's time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent. Someone with no vested interest in certain companies or specific programs or approved narratives.
My only special interest is--the warfighter. Deterring wars, and if called upon, winning wars--by ensuring our warriors never enter a fair fight. We let them win and then bring them home. Like many of my generation, I've been there. I've led troops in combat...been on patrol for days...pulled a trigger downrange...heard bullets whiz by...flex-cuffed insurgents...called in close air support...led medevacs...dodged IEDs...pulled out dead bodies...and knelt before a battlefield cross...this is not academic for me; this is my life. I led then, and I will lead now.
Ask anyone who has ever worked with me--or for me. I know what I don't know. My success as a leader...and I very much look forward to discussing our many successes at my previous organizations, Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. I'm incredibly proud of the work we did. My success as a leader...has always been setting a clear vision, hiring people smarter and more capable than me, empowering them to succeed, holding everyone accountable, and driving toward clear metrics. Build the plan. Work the plan. And then work harder than everyone around you.
The President has given me a clear vision, and I will execute. I've sworn an oath to the Constitution before, and--if confirmed--will proudly do it again. This time, for the most important deployment of my life.
I pledge to be a faithful partner to this committee. Taking input and respecting oversight. We share the same goals: a ready, lethal military; the health and wellbeing of our troops; and a strong and secure America.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your questions.
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Original text here: https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/hegseth_opening_statement.pdf
Rep. McCormick, Sen. Marshal Raise Concerns Over WHO Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Health
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
Congressman Rich McCormick (GA 06) and Senator Roger Marshall (KS), both doctors, lead a bicameral group of 29 lawmakers in expressing serious concerns regarding the World Health Organization's (WHO) proposed Guideline Development Group (GDG) on the health of trans and gender diverse people. In a letter to Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the lawmakers highlighted a range of issues, including a lack of transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and the absence of rigorous evidence-based practices
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
Congressman Rich McCormick (GA 06) and Senator Roger Marshall (KS), both doctors, lead a bicameral group of 29 lawmakers in expressing serious concerns regarding the World Health Organization's (WHO) proposed Guideline Development Group (GDG) on the health of trans and gender diverse people. In a letter to Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the lawmakers highlighted a range of issues, including a lack of transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and the absence of rigorous evidence-based practicesin the GDG's proposed guidelines.
The letter outlines that the GDG process has been marred by irregularities, secretive practices, and allegations of manipulating scientific evidence. It also criticizes the group's decision to bypass essential evidence reviews on the safety and effectiveness of medical interventions, raising alarm about the implications for both medical ethics and global health standards.
In his statement, Congressman McCormick said, "Any guidelines that affect the health and well-being of individuals must be rooted in rigorous scientific evidence and must be free from conflicts of interest. We cannot allow the voices of powerful activists to dictate medical practices that should prioritize patient safety and health outcomes. I urge Dr. Ghebreyesus to disband this Guideline Development Group and ensure that any future guidelines are developed through a transparent, ethical, and evidence-based process."
"The World Health Organization has abandoned its mission to cater to radical globalist activists; it is past time to stop its funding and cut our losses," Senator Marshall said. "The WHO's 'gender identity' cult and its embrace of irreversible mutilation surgeries and psychologically harmful chemical therapies are just one of the many reasons the U.S. needs to walk away from this globalist organization."
The letter calls for an immediate reevaluation of the GDG and its proposed guidelines to protect the credibility of the WHO and the health of vulnerable populations worldwide.
Cosponsors include Representatives Mary Miller (IL), Ralph Norman (SC), Doug LaMalfa (CA), Troy Nehls (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Mark Alford (MO), Dan Crenshaw (TX), Greg Steube (FL), Paul Gosar (AZ), Harriet Hageman (WY), Randy Weber (TX), Claudia Tenney (NY), Keith Self (TX), Barry Moore (AL), Alex Mooney (WV), Dusty Johnson (SD), Glen Grothman (WI), Brad Wenstrup (OH), Brad Finstad (MI), Elijah Crane (AZ), Ronny Jackson (TX), Roger Williams (TX), Andy Biggs (AZ), William Timmons (SC), Scott DeJarlais (TN), Josh Brecheen (OK), Clay Higgins (LA), and Michal Guest (MS).
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Original text here: https://mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rich-mccormick-and-senator-roger-marshal-raise-concerns-over-who
Rep. Mast Highlights Work on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittees
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, issued the following news release:
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) will continue to advocate for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches as he returns to his posts on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, the Aviation Subcommittee, and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
"President Trump has already set the bar with a massive investment in our nation's infrastructure, and I know that our committee is ready to help bring America into its 'Golden Age,'" said Rep. Mast. "We have the chance to improve millions of
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, issued the following news release:
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) will continue to advocate for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches as he returns to his posts on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, the Aviation Subcommittee, and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
"President Trump has already set the bar with a massive investment in our nation's infrastructure, and I know that our committee is ready to help bring America into its 'Golden Age,'" said Rep. Mast. "We have the chance to improve millions oflives, and I look forward to working with Chairmen Graves, Collins, Ezell, and Nehls to deliver real results for Florida's 21st district and the whole nation."
"For our community in particular, there is no issue more critical than the fight for clean water," he continued. "I have every intention of continuing that fight through critical legislation like WRDA. The battle isn't over until there are ZERO DISCHARGES."
As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Mast has worked to address water quality issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee. He has collaborated with local and federal lawmakers, as well as environmental experts and advocates, to introduce and advance legislation that tackles critical environmental challenges and protects the health and well-being of the community.
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Rep. Mast has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since his first term in Congress began in 2017.
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Original text here: https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7563EA5B-0773-4D60-A1C5-789B6664A71D
Rep. Gill Selected to Serve on D.O.G.E. Committee
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26) today was selected to serve on the Oversight Subcommittee for Delivering on Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), led by Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
"I am honored to have been selected for the House Oversight D.O.G.E. Subcommittee," said Rep. Gill. "We're going to drain the swamp and slash woke, weaponized government waste. Thank you to Chairwoman Greene for the opportunity to check the bureaucratic state."
"I'm honored to welcome Congressman Brandon
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26) today was selected to serve on the Oversight Subcommittee for Delivering on Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), led by Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
"I am honored to have been selected for the House Oversight D.O.G.E. Subcommittee," said Rep. Gill. "We're going to drain the swamp and slash woke, weaponized government waste. Thank you to Chairwoman Greene for the opportunity to check the bureaucratic state."
"I'm honored to welcome Congressman BrandonGill to the DOGE committee team! Congressman Gill ran for Congress to shrink government and put it to work for the American people--the people who pay all of our paychecks. I'm greatly looking forward to teaming up and making our federal government efficient, effective, transparent, and accountable to the American people again," said Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
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Original text here: https://gill.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gill-selected-serve-doge-committee
Rep. Aderholt Introduces Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act in House
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release:
Congressman Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04) introduced the Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act in the House of Representatives Wednesday.
This bill would protect federal taxpayers from their tax dollars being used for funding Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.
"Defending the unborn has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to Congress and I will continue to fight for life each and every day," said Congressman Aderholt. "I am proud to introduce this bill in the U.S. House and to
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release:
Congressman Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04) introduced the Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act in the House of Representatives Wednesday.
This bill would protect federal taxpayers from their tax dollars being used for funding Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.
"Defending the unborn has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to Congress and I will continue to fight for life each and every day," said Congressman Aderholt. "I am proud to introduce this bill in the U.S. House and tocontinue standing for life by ensuring that federal tax dollars are never used to fund organizations such as Planned Parenthood and others like it."
"As chair of the House Values Action team, Representative Aderholt is a steadfast leader for Life. The Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act safeguards unborn children and their mothers by preventing federal tax dollars from bankrolling Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion chain -- investing these dollars in true health care and services for women rather than the violence of abortion. Thank you, Rep. Aderholt, for your work to end taxpayer funding of abortion businesses." said the Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, vice president of government affairs, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
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Original text here: https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-introduces-protect-funding-womens-health-care-act-house
House Education & Workforce Committee Ranking Member Scott Issues Statement on President Trump Rescinding EO 11246
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following statement on Jan. 22, 2025:
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Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after President Trump rescinded Executive Order (EO) 11246 of September 24, 1965 (Equal Employment Opportunity).
"The Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) ensures that taxpayer dollars do not fund companies that discriminate against workers and helps provide redress to those who do experience
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following statement on Jan. 22, 2025:
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Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after President Trump rescinded Executive Order (EO) 11246 of September 24, 1965 (Equal Employment Opportunity).
"The Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) ensures that taxpayer dollars do not fund companies that discriminate against workers and helps provide redress to those who do experienceunlawful discrimination. In fact, over the past 10 years, OFCCP has obtained over $260 million for over 250,900 employees and job seekers who were discriminated against by federal contractors.
"By rescinding EO 11246, President Trump has weakened critical civil rights enforcement protections, which have served to protect, until now, about 20 percent of the American workforce from discrimination in taxpayer funded contracts.
"President Trump's claims that we are 'returning' to a 'merit-based' society, but he has a fundamental misunderstanding of the work of the OFCCP. The OFCCP enforces civil rights law already to ensure that workers are hired because of their merit, and to ensure that an individual's merit is not overlooked because of an employer's discriminatory practices.
"I want to be clear that despite the President's actions, federal contractors are still responsible for complying with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I plan to lead the charge in Congress to ensure that our progress towards equity over the last few decades is not lost because of President Trump's ill-advised and haphazard actions."
Background: The OFCCP within the Department of Labor is charged with enforcing Executive Order 11246. EO 11246 protects federal contract workers and job applicants from unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. While the federal workforce performs a wide range of duties, federal agencies also enter into contracts with outside companies and organizations. These contracts are used to provide products and services ranging from aircraft and software to health care and engineering support. In Fiscal Year 2023, the federal government spent about $759 billion on contracts.
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Original text here: https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/-ranking-member-scott-statement-on-president-trump-rescinding-eo-11246
Gov. Pritzker, Reps. Foster and Sorensen, Sens. Durbin and Duckworth Commend Stellantis for Investment in Belvidere Plant
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Bill Foster, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
Belvidere, IL - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Representatives Bill Foster and Eric Sorensen, and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth commended Stellantis, the United Auto Workers (UAW), and other partners who helped secure an investment for the Stellantis manufacturing facility in Belvidere. The company's announcement includes hiring back 1,500 union jobs to aid in the production of a new mid-size truck at the plant, beginning in 2027.
"We commend Stellantis on its investment in Belvidere
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Bill Foster, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
Belvidere, IL - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Representatives Bill Foster and Eric Sorensen, and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth commended Stellantis, the United Auto Workers (UAW), and other partners who helped secure an investment for the Stellantis manufacturing facility in Belvidere. The company's announcement includes hiring back 1,500 union jobs to aid in the production of a new mid-size truck at the plant, beginning in 2027.
"We commend Stellantis on its investment in Belviderethat will put 1,500 Illinoisans back to work in good-paying union jobs and grow the automotive industry in Illinois. This would not be possible without proactive collaboration and coordination between the State of Illinois, Stellantis, UAW, the Biden-Harris Administration, and our champions in Congress, including Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, Representative Bill Foster, and Representative Eric Sorensen," said Governor JB Pritzker. "My administration has worked tirelessly with our partners to secure this investment and we are excited to see it come to fruition. We know there is more work to be done to see this project through and remain committed to expanding economic opportunities for Illinois workers, businesses, and communities to thrive."
"I'm thrilled that Stellantis is following through on their agreement with the UAW. This victory is a direct result of the solidarity of workers on the picket lines and UAW members nationwide," said Representative Bill Foster. "I'm proud that federal, state, and local officials came together to provide the incentives to make this work for Stellantis and Belvidere, and we will continue doing everything in our power to ensure the factory comes back online as soon as possible."
"Growing up in Rockford, just down the road from the Belvidere Assembly Plant, I've seen firsthand how layoffs impact our communities. That's why this announcement of 1,500 jobs coming back is so personal--and so important," said Representative Eric Sorensen. "I'm proud to have fought alongside UAW workers to hold the big auto companies accountable and make this happen. This isn't just about bringing manufacturing home; It's about giving Rockford-area families the good-paying jobs they deserve to support their families and thrive."
"Proud to see Stellantis follow through and honor the historic deal struck with United Auto Workers, bringing back over 1,500 jobs to the Belvidere facility," said Senator Tammy Duckworth. "This reinforces what we all know: that the future of manufacturing doesn't mean fewer workers, the future of manufacturing depends on the power of our workforce. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois delegation to help ensure our state has the resources and support needed to drive these advancements forward."
"This is welcome news as Illinois leads the electric vehicle revolution," said Senator Dick Durbin. "UAW workers at Belvidere have been put through the wringer, and I'm encouraged that 1,500 jobs will be coming back to the plant to support the building of Stellantis' next mid-size truck."
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Original text here: https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/gov-pritzker-reps-foster-and-sorensen-sens-durbin-and-duckworth-commend
