Press Releases
The Republican Recap: Week of June 23, 2025
Washington,
June 27, 2025
Here’s a recap of what Republicans achieved on the House Floor this week:
Condemning the Violent L.A. Riots ✅ Over the last few weeks, the American people have witnessed violent, destructive riots in Los Angeles protesting the rightful deportations of dangerous illegal immigrants. So-called “peaceful protesters” set cars on fire, vandalized businesses, and assaulted law enforcement who were trying to keep the city safe, throwing Molotov cocktails and shooting commercial grade fireworks at officers. Under President Trump, ICE is doing what they are supposed to do: enforcing federal immigration law. This is what President Trump and House Republicans campaigned on – and what the American people voted for. How does the radical Left respond? With life-threatening temper-tantrums. This is unacceptable, disgusting behavior. What is happening in L.A. isn’t a protest – it’s a full-blown attack on law enforcement. Our police put themselves in danger every day to keep our communities safe, and do not deserve this kind of treatment from people they fight to protect. House Republicans passed legislation to condemn these shocking riots and make clear that we will not tolerate violence against any law enforcement officials. H. Res. 516, introduced by Rep. Young Kim, condemns the violent riots that have taken place in Los Angeles, California, in June of 2025, calls on local and state officials to work with the federal government to restore peace, and expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers and ICE agents for keeping our communities safe. “Peaceful protests are a constitutional right, but vandalism, looting, violence, and other crimes are not. Protecting public safety shouldn’t be controversial, which is why I am leading the California Republican delegation in a resolution to support law and order as we continue to see unrest. I hope Governor Newsom can come together with President Trump to stop the riots, lower the temperature, and keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Kim. “Let’s be clear: the riots escalated before the National Guard was sent in and were enabled by California’s soft-on-crime policies – peddled for years by Governor Newsom, Sacramento, and local prosecutors – that have allowed for lawlessness and endangered public safety of hardworking Californians.” What Members Said: “Many Democrats in this House have called the L.A. riots peaceful, even while Americans watched with their own eyes as marauding mobs under foreign flags set cars on fire, threw concrete blocks at police, terrorized motorists and vandalized and looted local shops. The Democrat vice mayor of Cudahy has called on criminal street gangs to attack federal law enforcement. The Democrat mayor of Los Angeles said that for the riots to stop, the federal government had to stop enforcing federal immigration law. You just heard the same sentiment expressed on this floor a few minutes ago. The Democrat Newsom administration has paid millions of taxpayer dollars to one of the principal organizers of these riots,” said Rep. Tom McClintock. “This resolution condemns the violence, but there is something far more sinister afoot that strikes at the very foundation of a constitutional republic: the rule of law. As Abraham Lincoln told the Democrats long ago, there is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law, and this generation of Americans is taking note.”
Majority Leader Steve Scalise slammed the 195 Democrats who voted against H. Res. 516, and hence voted to put violent criminals and illegal immigrants over the safety of our law enforcement officers and citizens.  Rep. Vince Fong underlined that the L.A. riots are not peaceful protests, and we must draw a definitive line against such dangerous and destructive actions that have no place in our society.
 Keeping Our Streets Safe from Intoxicated Illegal Immigrant Drivers ✅ Every day in the U.S., around 37 people die due to a drunk driver – that’s one person every 39 minutes. Drunk driving is a dangerous crime that not only puts the driver at risk, but everyone else on the road. On June 13, 2009, Jeremy and Angel Seay, newlyweds from Alabama, were killed when an illegal alien crashed into their motorcycle while driving after having been drinking. In May of 2014, Arizona police officer Brandon Mendoza was killed on his way home after completing his shift when an illegal alien with a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit crashed into him. With the seriousness of the crime, you would think that if an illegal was caught driving under the influence, they would be deported and barred from reentering the country – unfortunately, however, that is not always the case. While aliens are charged and convicted with DUI and DUI-related crimes, our immigration law does not explicitly state that driving while intoxicated is grounds for inadmissibility or removability. It’s common sense: Congress should uphold the rule of law and deport illegal immigrants who threaten the safety of our communities and pose a risk on the roads. American families deserve our protection, and it's our responsibility to deport and bar these migrants to keep our streets safe. H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Barry Moore, makes driving while intoxicated or impaired a deportable offense for illegal immigrants and grounds to bar them from entering the country. “The House just took a major step toward protecting American families by passing my bill, H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025. If you come to our country illegally and choose to drive impaired, you are putting lives at risk, and you should be deported. My commonsense bill sends a clear message: we’re done tolerating reckless, criminal behavior from those who have no legal right to be here. I’m proud to stand with House Republicans and law enforcement to put the safety of American families first,” said Rep. Barry Moore. What Members Said: “This piece of legislation is crucial to restoring common sense to our nation's judicial system. Over the past four years, the Biden Administration has allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to pour into our country. Along with zero oversight and accountability for the crisis, the Biden Administration allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the country even after committing horrible crimes. This piece of legislation would give the courts the ability to deport illegal aliens from America and bar them from reentry if they are convicted of a DUI or a DUI related charge. This issue hits home for me. In my district, a 15 year old girl and her grandmother were killed, killed, by an illegal alien who was driving drunk. This was a terrible, avoidable tragedy, and sadly, true justice was not served. The assailant only received 15 years per death, and will be out to roam free in America by the time he is 67 years old,” said Rep. Buddy Carter. “Though my example is the worst outcome possible, illegal aliens should not be able to stay in America with a minor penalty for driving under the influence in the first place. This legislation would close this loophole.”
Rep. Tony Wied called out the 160 Democrats who voted against H.R. 875 and Americans' safety, noting that those who come into this country illegally and put American lives at risk will be removed. 
Supporting Our Veterans, Servicemembers, and National Security ✅ Congress has a duty to responsibly fund the government and provide for important programs that aid and protect the American people – such as supporting our servicemembers, veterans, and national defense – while cutting waste and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. House Republicans passed legislation to bolster our national security, support critical military construction, and deliver for our servicemembers and veterans. The FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill funds military construction, including continued investment in the Indo-Pacific to enhance our posture against China and infrastructure to support America’s advanced weapons systems, strengthening our national defense, as well as in military housing to improve the quality of life of military families. It also reinforces President Trump’s executive orders cutting DEI and gender-affirming care and protecting Hyde-like language at the V.A. The legislation supports our veterans by fully funding veterans’ health care, benefits, and VA programs; investing in the Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program to combat veteran homelessness; and continuing to support research and mental health programs our veterans depend on. Furthermore, our bill preserves veterans’ second amendment rights by blocking the VA from sending veterans’ information to the FBI without due process. Rep. John Carter’s legislation, H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, provides FY26 appropriations for military construction, the VA, and related agencies that honor our commitment to veterans and servicemembers, fund critical military construction, and support a strong national security. “I’m proud that the House has passed the first FY26 appropriations bill—my Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act—which reflects House Republicans’ unwavering commitment to taking care of America’s heroes and their families,” said Rep. Carter. “This legislation invests in critical infrastructure like barracks and child development centers, and fully funds veterans’ healthcare—with a strong focus on mental health services and housing programs our veterans have earned. As Chairman, I’ll continue fighting to make sure those who serve have the resources and support they deserve, both on and off the battlefield. I’m grateful to leadership and Chairman Cole for their commitment in getting strong, conservative bills across the finish line this Congress.” What Members Said: “This bill makes bold strides to improve the quality of life for our service members and their families. It expands child care options, it enhances access to tutoring for children of fallen and disabled veterans, and it supports the daily needs of the men and women who wear the uniform. Access to a VA facility is not a reality for some of our rural veterans. I hear this each and every day out in my district, 24 counties southeast of Kansas City. This bill, though, ensures that they are not forgotten,” said Rep. Mark Alford. “We increased access opportunities by increasing the funds available for Community Care, and in a powerful act of bipartisanship, we are strengthening the Veterans Crisis Line. When a veteran calls, someone must answer – increased staffing and resources will help ensure that support is there each and every time. Mr. Chair, our veterans fought for us, it is time that we fight for them. This bill does that.”
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie underscored that H.R. 3944 delivers resources to support our servicemembers, veterans, and military families, and ensures those who've served receive the care, benefits, and support they've earned.
Reporting Border Encounters with Special Interest Aliens ✅ Under the Biden Administration, over 10 million unvetted illegal immigrants entered the U.S. from over 160 countries, including countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Furthermore, over 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List were encountered at the border during the Biden presidency. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a “special interest alien” is a “non-U.S. person who, based on an analysis of travel patterns, potentially poses a national security risk to the United States or its interests.” During Biden’s presidency, DHS encountered an unprecedented surge of SIAs, including migrants from adversarial nations including China, Iran, and Russia. We cannot allow high risk immigrants to freely enter America and threaten the safety of every community and every American. It is vital that our nation be aware of who is coming across our border, where they are crossing, and what their intentions are. House Republicans passed legislation to require the DHS to regularly release information on the number of SIAs encountered at the border to the public, ensuring transparency and accountability in the federal government and promoting safety on our streets. H.R. 275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, requires the Department of Homeland Security to report the number of “special interest aliens,” or illegal immigrants that pose a security risk to the U.S., apprehended at the border. “I’m proud the House has passed my Special Interest Alien Reporting Act. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris turned our sovereign borders into revolving doors for illegal aliens, including terrorists and hostile foreign nationals from countries like Iran, China, and Syria,” said Rep. Greene. “My bill forces DHS to report how many Special Interest Aliens are crossing our border, where they’re from, and where they’re encountered, because the American people deserve the truth. This is a major victory for America First, for national security, and for holding the Biden regime accountable.” What Members Said: “In recent years, over 400 individuals on the Terrorist Watch List have been caught trying to enter our country [...] due to the failed policies of the previous administration, with many of these individuals coming from hostile nations like China and Iran who seek to do us harm. This situation demands a means for positive change. When we don't know who's coming in, where they're headed, or what their intentions are, every single American community is put at risk. That's why House Republicans are stepping up,” said Rep. Ben Cline. “This common sense bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to publicly report the number of high risk individuals encountered at the border, because without transparency, there is no accountability, and without accountability, our national security is on the line. This critical legislation is not just necessary, but vital. It puts the American people first. We will keep fighting to secure our border and protect every American.”
Rep. Laurel Lee emphasized that we need real-time updates and transparency on who is crossing our border, and that H.R. 275 supports our national security.
Denouncing the Violent Attacks on Minnesota Lawmakers ✅ On June 14, Vance Boelter disguised himself as a police officer to gain entry into the home of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, shooting the senator and his wife, Yvette, a combined total of 17 times as she shielded their daughter, Hope, who called 911. Yvette Hoffman was released from the hospital, while John remains in serious but stable condition. Boelter, still disguised as law enforcement, later arrived at the home of Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and assassinated her and her husband Mark Hortman. Law enforcement led a two-day manhunt before capturing Boelter, and finding a list of more lawmakers and potential targets. This is a horrific, despicable act of political violence that goes against everything the United States stands for, and should be universally condemned. America's differences must be resolved through debate and democracy, not through violence. The House passed a resolution denouncing these disturbing and anti-American attacks and mourning the tragic loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Political violence will never have a place in America – lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must unite to reject political violence in all forms across the country. H. Res. 519, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Morrison, condemns the horrific attacks on Minnesota lawmakers and their families in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and calls for the rejection of political violence in Minnesota and throughout the United States. “In the midst of tragedy, we are reminded that there is far more that unites us than divides us. As we continue to mourn the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman and pray for the full recovery of the Hoffman family, Congress stands together to condemn the politically motivated attack perpetrated against them. There is no place in America for political violence—none,” said Majority Whip Tom Emmer. What Members Said: “As someone who has experienced political violence firsthand, this brings back a lot of emotions – the man who shot me on the ballfield that day also had a list of lawmakers. I’m grateful for the actions of the brave law enforcement officers who ran towards the danger and saved lives on the ballfield that day, and saved, no doubt, many lives in Minnesota on that day just a few days ago. This was a methodically planned attack on the people’s right to be governed by their duly elected representatives, and should be universally condemned, Mr. Speaker. America's differences must be resolved through debate and democracy, not through violence,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise. “Melissa Hortman was a dedicated public servant, and we join Minnesota and the nation in honoring her life and the life of her husband, Mark. We also pray for the speedy recovery of John and Yvette Hoffman, and for peace and unity in the face of tragedy and division.”
“In the early morning hours of June 14, many of us woke up to the horrifying news of a targeted political attack that took the lives of former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and which left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. In the hours and the days following, the largest manhunt in our state's history ensued with over 200 officers from local, state and federal jurisdictions working together around the clock to bring the shooter to justice. I want to thank the officers who conducted this successful manhunt and ensured the safety and security of Minnesota lawmakers in the ensuing hours,” said Rep. Brad Finstad. “Words cannot express the emotions all of us across Minnesota have experienced in the wake of this tragic event: devastation, fear, grief, outrage. Whether we disagree on policy issues, politically targeted violence like this must never be tolerated. [...] We have to lead by example and put civility back in today's political discourse. Political disagreement is healthy. It's what our system of government was founded upon, and we have our fair share of that political disagreement in Minnesota, and we even have it here in the House chamber. I was proud to join every member of the Minnesota delegation on both sides of the aisle to call out this act of hatred, and we will continue to do so together.” Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted that House Republicans and Democrats stood united in condemning the horrific, politically motivated shootings in Minnesota in a unanimous vote.
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