🏛️ Legislative Branch |
Congressional Record |
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On April 8, 2025, Congress took several important actions. In the Senate, they passed the PRO Veterans Act ( S.423) and the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act ( S.160), which help support veterans and improve wildfire fighting efforts. The Senate also voted on nominations, confirming Elbridge Colby as Under Secretary of Defense and George Glass as Ambassador to Japan, with votes of 54-45 and 66-32, respectively. In the House, they started discussing the No Rogue Rulings Act ( H.R.1526), which aims to limit court powers. These actions are significant because they show Congress is working on issues like veteran support, wildfire safety, and judicial limits, which affect many people’s lives. Read full document →
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Random excerpts from the Senate
Mr. President, I would like to begin by reading a quote from Bill Ackman, the billionaire well known for his support of Donald Trump. He said: “We are headed for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter, and we should start hunkering down.” Preston Caldwell, a senior economist from Morningstar Research, likewise, said: “If they’re maintained, the tariff hikes announced April 2 represents a self-inflicted economic catastrophe for the United States.” Meanwhile, Larry Fink of BlackRock says, most CEOs he has spoken to would say we have already entered a recession. The damage of Donald Trump’s tariff tax has already been done. And regardless of what the markets say from one hour to the next, there are no signs that the chaos is changing at any time soon.
— Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)
Mr. President, I come to the floor today to talk about a different topic, and that topic is coal—and, specifically, Wyoming coal, which is world-class coal, clean coal, low-sulfur coal. This is Wyoming coal. We need more of it—not less of it—to power our Nation. It is available, affordable, and reliable. This has powered our Nation for over a century. And today, to that case, President Trump is going to sign an Executive order making clear his commitment to American energy independence. The President is moving very quickly in terms of boosting the coal industry. It is part of his bold plan that the administration has to restore American energy dominance. We have more coal in this country than any other country in the world. It is one of our most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet. And in America, we can use that coal cleaner than ever before.
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Random excerpts from the House
Mr. Speaker, I rise today less than 1 week after the administration proclaimed April 2 as Liberation Day, a day filled with tariffs that sparked a trade war. What sort of liberation have we seen since then? In my district alone, wineries in Warrenton, Virginia, a rural town just down the road, may have to close. A small perfume business, which can only import materials from the U.K., is bracing for skyrocketing costs. Breweries in my district are being hit. The owner of one small Virginia brewery said that because of tariffs on his aluminum, steel, and other ingredients, they have to raise the price of a six-pack to $19. The President proclaimed Liberation Day as a declaration of economic independence, but this is doing nothing to protect the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The only thing these tariffs will liberate are rent money and mortgage payments from bank accounts, kids’ college savings from investment accounts, and retirement savings from 401k’s. It is not too late to change course and declare Liberation Day as a poorly constructed April Fools’ joke.
— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10)
Mr. Speaker, this is a moment that you don’t wish to ever have to do here, but it is time and it is proper that we recognize a fallen officer from the northern California town of Marysville. Police Officer Osmar Rodarte was a dedicated law enforcement officer. He was a U.S. Army veteran. We lost him in the line of duty in just recent days. He was a loving husband and father. He made the ultimate sacrifice while serving with the Marysville Police Department. Officer Rodarte was taken from us at the tender age of just 27 years old. He was a proud graduate of Rio Linda High School, class of 2016. He answered the call to serve, enlisting in the United States Army before returning home to the law enforcement role that he loved. As an officer, he was known for his dedication and professionalism. On the day he was taken from us, Officer Rodarte was participating in a multiagency operation targeting transnational drug trafficking organizations which has been horrific on the lives of so many Americans. His sacrifice reminds us of the risks law enforcement officers are always up against. Each day when they go out the door, kiss their spouse, and go out on duty, they know that risk, as does their family. The reality is still way too harsh when it happens to one of our own. Of course, Officer Rodarte was much more than a public servant. He was a father, husband, brother, and friend. His fellow officers called him a true hero, and those who knew him best spoke of his deep dedication to his family. In the aftermath of this loss, the people of Marysville, Rio Linda, and the entire north State have come together in mourning, offering prayers and support to his family. He leaves behind a wife and child facing this unimaginable loss. No words can fully ease the grief. We must ensure his sacrifice is not forgotten. His service in uniform and in life is a testament to his character and his sense of duty. We honor Officer Rodarte’s bravery, service, and legacy. To his family, his fellow officers, and all who knew him, our prayers are with them. May he rest in eternal peace. God bless him, his family, his friends, and his fellow officers.
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