News Facts at The Ponder News May 23, 2025

On May 21, 2025, during the hearing titled “Unleashing a New Golden Age: Using Federal Lands to Power Technological Innovation,” U.S. Representative Pablo Hernandez (Puerto Rica Resident Commissioner) urged Congress to uphold public policies that support the expansion of data centers and the use of renewable energy, in order to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. “Artificial Intelligence is not a toy. It’s not a trend. It’s a revolution on the scale of the personal computer, the internet, the smartphone—even the printing press. We cannot afford to fall behind,” he stated.

On May 21, 2025, U.S Representative Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly (D-VA, 11th) passed away after a battle with escophageal cancer. U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT, 4th) released the following statement: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague Gerry Connolly. I met Gerry on my very first day in Congress, and have looked to him often for guidance and advice in the decades since. I was lucky to work by his side as Ranking Members, and to lean on his leadership and his unparalleled knowledge of Congressional oversight and foreign policy. In these halls, Gerry was known for a deep commitment to our democratic institution, an incisive sense of humor, and the kindness he showed members, staff, reporters, and constituents alike. Gerry will be missed dearly here in DC, and by the people of Virginia whom he fought for so fiercely. My heart is with his family in this difficult time.”

On May 22, 2025, U.S. Representative Kevin Hern (R-OK, 1st) celebrated the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act in the House of Representatives. He stated: “President Trump and the American people gave us a clear mandate; today we delivered,” said Rep. Hern. “While Democrats have been demagoguing and fearmongering, spreading lies about what this legislation does or doesn’t do, Republicans have been working hard to deliver real relief to working families and small businesses. I am proud of the work we did on this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

U.S. Representative French Hill (R-AR, 2nd) voted to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, and what he called "a major legislative victory that delivers real results for central Arkansas" and includes two of his own bills focused on helping Arkansans save, invest, and build a stronger future. He stated: “This bill is a critical win for families and small businesses in central Arkansas. It prevents the largest tax hike in American history and puts us back on the path to smart, sustainable economic policy. It reflects tried and true conservative, pro-growth principles — spending discipline, tax relief, and restoring the integrity of programs that many Arkansans rely on like Medicaid and SNAP. It also sends a clear signal that House Republicans are serious about governing and delivering results for our constituents and for the American people."

"This bill is promises made, promises kept in action. Iowans overwhelmingly voted for President Trump’s America First agenda—ending illegal immigration and preventing dangerous criminals and drugs from entering our communities, cutting wasteful spending, and unleashing American energy. Throughout this process, I was proud to champion provisions to help working families keep more of their hard-earned dollars, including expanding the child tax credit, making small business tax cuts permanent, and eliminating taxes on tips. This would not have been possible without President Trump’s leadership, and I look forward to working with him to get this transformational legislation signed into law,” stated U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA, 1st).

"Democrats have been misleading the public for months—but we stayed focused and got the job done. Simply put—President Trump and House Republicans are keeping our promises by putting America First and, in doing so, will unlock a new golden age of prosperity for our country from sea to shining sea, stated U.S. Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN, 9th).

Not all of the House Members were happy about the bill, however.

“The way Congressional Republicans conduct business in the dead of night matches the way they approach policy that harms their own constituents – it’s absolutely asinine,” said U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV, 4th). “Nevadans deserve a government that prioritizes public health, food security, community safety, education and a dignified retirement for all who earn it. Instead, Republicans just stiffed the Silver State, and every state, with a bill to pay off their billionaire campaign donors and corporate backers.”

"Today, Republicans have voted to make the most vulnerable Americans even poorer so that the wealthiest among us can get even further ahead. I hope my colleagues in the Senate vote against this abhorrent legislation, just as I did today. This is not 'one big beautiful bill.' This is one big backbreaking burden on working Americans," said U.S. Representative Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD, 5th).

"House Republicans rammed through a bill that gives millionaires and billionaires a multi-trillion-dollar tax break and pays for it by taking food from children, health care from millions and defunding Planned Parenthood. It puts extreme restrictions on abortion coverage on health exchange plans and guts environmental protections, all while exploding the national debt," claimed U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (D-OR, 4th).

On May 23, 2025, A federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from dismantling the Department of Education and ordered the immediate rehiring of "unlawfully terminated staff". The ruling directly cited an amicus brief, which U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT, 5th) signed onto and helped lead along with 192 House Democrats.

On May 23, 2025, Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) cosponsored Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IO) and Ben Ray Luján’s (D-NM) resolution to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. Their resolution passed the Senate.

News Facts at The Ponder News May 19

On May 8, 2025, more than a dozen bipartisan members launched the bipartisan Build America Caucus, a first-of-its-kind effort in Congress to advance pro-growth policies. While momentum for the abundance agenda has grown in cities and states, this caucus marks the first coordinated push to bring that vision to Capitol Hill. The caucus includes nearly 30 members from across the ideological spectrum, many of whom hold key committee assignments, putting the group in a strong position to pass meaningful legislation. Rep. Josh Harder will serve as Chair.

News Facts at The Ponder News on May 17, 2025

On May 1, 2025, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA, 3rd) welcomed Indivisible’s May Day Hands-Off rally at his Fairfield district office to stand in solidarity with constituents opposing President Trump’s agenda. He stated that he was opposing anything that Trump was for in Congress.

On May 9, 2025, U.S. Representative Craig Goldman (R-TX, 12th) issued this statement when Trump signed H.J. Res 75 into law: “I’m honored to have been in the Oval Office today to witness President Trump sign H.J. Res. 75 into law. This bill will help lower the cost of living for Americans across the nation. H.J. Res. 75, which I authored in the U.S. House, repeals the Biden administration’s costly government regulations that would have raised prices on all American consumers. I appreciate Senator Moody for leading the measure through the Senate. I will continue to work to rein in government overreach and burdensome regulations to keep costs down for the citizens of the United States.”

On May 10, 2025, U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX, 29th) was not happy about the confrontation at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver were carrying out what she said was "their lawful oversight duties". During the incident, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested, and the Trump administration is now reportedly considering arrests for the lawmakers involved.

On May 13, 2025, U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO, 6th) wrote Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr asking for his agencies help in getting to the bottom of the concerning number of cancer cases at Warren Hills Elementary School in Liberty, Missouri. It seems over half a dozen cases of cancer have appeared in staff members in less than a decade.

On May 14, 2025, U.S. Representative Vincente Gonzalez (D-TX, 15th) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers met with President Bukele and Salvadoran leadership to discuss the importance of U.S.-El Salvador relations and the crucial role El Salvador plays in the region. The delegation then toured the Children’s Home of San Vicente De Paul which provides children whose families are incarcerated safety, care, and educational opportunities. This was followed by a visit to La Libertad, El Salvador, to greet local leaders and receive the key to the city. Lastly, the delegation toured CECOT facilities in Tecoluca, El Salvador and saw firsthand the operations behind one of the world’s largest maximum-security prisons.

On May 15, 2025, U.S. Representative Jesus Garcia (D-IL, 4th) stated that he was not happy for about the firing of Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden just one year before her term was set to expire. “Donald Trump’s decision to fire the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, one year before her term was set to expire, is unjustified," he stated.

On May 15, 2025, At a Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Transportation’s budget, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) secured an on-the-record commitment from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that he would not cancel grants for major transit capital investment projects. Gillibrand, ranking member of the subcommittee, explained that this would include two major projects in New York: Phase Two of the Second Avenue Subway Extension project and the Hudson Tunnel Gateway project.

On May 15, 2025, U.S. Representative Daniel Goldman (D-NY, 10th) joined January 6th police officers Aquilino Gonell and Daniel Hodges, as well as other elected officials, to condemn the Republican Party for what he said was "complete abandonment of capitol police officers who defended lawmakers and the Capitol Complex on January 6th, 2021" during national Police Week.

On May 15, 2025, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Antalya, Turkey. He stated: “I was pleased to join Secretary of State Rubio and his team at the side events for an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers. Secretary Rubio and his team did a masterful job expressing President Trump’s foreign policy goals that seek to bring about unity with our NATO allies on several major fronts."

On May 16th, 2025, U.S. Representative Laura Gillen (D-NY, 4th) joined two other congressmen in leading a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy regarding the ongoing instability at the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The letter stated: “We are deeply disturbed by reports that, beginning in April, the WTCHP was functionally paralyzed. The program reportedly halted new member enrollments—including more than 800 eligible 9/11 responders and survivors—and left over 1,200 condition certifications in limbo. This backlog prevented clinics from initiating critical cancer treatments and other essential care. The abrupt removal of Dr. John Howard and 16 key staff members, followed by misleading public statements from HHS denying those very terminations, has seriously undermined public trust in the agency’s stewardship of this lifesaving program… Our 9/11 first responders and survivors deserve honesty, stability, and respect—not chaos and deception.”

On May 16th, 2025, U.S. Representative Al Green (D-TX, 9th) informed his constituents that he has filed articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Take it Down" Act Signed into Law

Washington, D.C. - May, 3, 2025 - (The Ponder News) -- On April 29, The House has passed the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, landmark legislation that strengthens protections for victims of non-consensual, sexually exploitative imagery – including AI-generated deepfakes – by criminalizing the publication of such content and requiring online platforms to remove it within 48 hours of notice.

“I'm pleased that the House and Senate have both passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act in a bipartisan way,” said U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX, 28th). “As a father, husband, and South Texan, I was proud to cosponsor this important bill to protect victims, remove harmful deepfake content, and hold bad actors accountable. I'm grateful to Senator Cruz and Congresswoman Salazar for their leadership and partnership on this effort. I look forward to it being signed into law without delay.”

The TAKE IT DOWN Act ensures faster action for victims, holds perpetrators responsible, and protects lawful speech, making online spaces safer and more accountable.

“This is a strong, bipartisan step forward to defend the dignity and safety of Americans in the digital age,” Dr. Cuellar continued. “By working together across party lines, we’re giving victims real tools to fight back and building safer online communities for everyone."

The bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support and is now headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

President Trump has already expressed support for this bill.