Dear friend,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Washington and highlights of my work. 

Last week, I was joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to introduce a joint resolution reaffirming federal support of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, I sent a letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding global food assistance. The letter is co-led by Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. (GA-2), Ranking Member House Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Ranking Member House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa. 

More from the week: The House Committee on Agriculture convened two hearings entitled, Past Breakthroughs and Future Innovations in Crop Production and Examination of the Implications of Proposition 12. The committee also held a markup of the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025.

The Subcommittee on Health, Employment Labor and Pensions convened a hearing entitled, Restoring Trust: Enhancing Transparency and Oversight at the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA); and the full committee held a markup of four pieces of legislation.

For my full recap, please read below.

Federal Support for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Each July, Disability Pride Month is celebrated to honor the history and achievements of people living with disabilities, while promoting awareness and acceptance. This Disability Pride Month, I was joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to introduce a joint resolution reaffirming federal support of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The legislation also instructs that infrastructure projects using public funding be made fully accessible to all. 

The resolution aligns U.S. policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a widely supported international treaty ratified by over 85% of United Nations member states and builds on the work of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes provisions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities and deliver on the promise of equity.

Learn more about the resolution here.

Demanding answers on Global Food Assistance 

Since January, funding and staffing cuts by the Trump Administration have hindered humanitarian and development efforts worldwide, while posing a threat to U.S. national security and economic interests, including negatively impacting American farmers and manufacturers. There has been widespread reporting on State Department staffing cuts and plans to incinerate nearly 500 tons of emergency food.

Last week, I was joined by Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. (GA-2), Ranking Member House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) Ranking Member House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa in sending a letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding recent funding and staffing cuts that have impacted the procurement and delivery of global food and nutrition assistance.

This letter demands information regarding plans to spend Congressionally directed funds, food spoilage, and global food program oversight.

House Committee on Agriculture 

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Agriculture convened for a full committee markup of H.R. 4550, the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025. 

Federal grain inspections are vital for farmers across the country. Reauthorizing the United States Grain Standards Act is an opportunity to enhance our system and prepare the next generation for evolving grain trade technology. Learn more about the markup here. 

The committee also held a full committee hearing on Tuesday entitled Past Breakthroughs and Future Innovations in Crop Production. The hearing focused on the importance of providing farmers with the tools and technologies they need to be successful, while also maintaining critical climate smart agricultural practices. 

On Wednesday, the Examination of the Implications of Proposition 12 hearing explored animal welfare measures within the agricultural industry. Specifically, Proposition 12 is a local law that establishes welfare standards for farm animals such as pigs, hens, and calves. While Proposition 12 regulations may be specific to the state of California, inclusion in the next Farm Bill has implications for pork producers nationwide.

Listen to the full hearing here. 

House Committee on Education and Workforce 

Last week, the House Committee on Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions convened a hearing entitled, Restoring Trust: Enhancing Transparency and Oversight at the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). 

The work of EBSA is critical to protecting the health and retirement security of more than 156 million workers, retirees, and their families. EBSA provides education and oversight of retirement, healthcare, and other employee benefit plans.  In a recent case, benefit advisors assisted a Connecticut retiree in assessing $2 million in retirement benefits from a former employer. 

Despite the positive return on investment EBSA provides, the Trump Administration is proposing to cut the budget of EBSA by $10 million in Fiscal Year 2026. These cuts would place considerable strain on the organization as it works to support retirees and their families. 

To listen to my hearing remarks, click here.

On Wednesday, the committee reconvened for a markup of four pieces of legislation, including the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, the Modern Worker Security Act, the Save Local Business Act, and the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act.

A fifth piece of legislation, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, was pulled from consideration during the markup. The bipartisan Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act would curtail human trafficking and ensure Department of Labor (DOL) personnel have the tools and resources to identify cases of exploitation and coordinate with law enforcement. In the 118th Congress, the bill advanced out of the House by a vote of 407-0. 

Republicans pulled this bill from consideration to prevent committee Members from voting on an amendment that would require the Department of Labor to release a report on the Jeffrey Epstein files, simply stating, “it is the prerogative of the Chair.”

The lack of transparency and explanation by the Chair is increasingly concerning, as House Republican leadership also canceled the remainder of votes for the week, sending Members home after Republicans clashed over an Epstein vote. Speaker Johnson is doing anything he can to avoid anything related to the Epstein files.  As a result, the August district work period began a few days early. I will be spending the next few weeks in my District office but will continue to provide you with updates. 

And that’s a wrap. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me.  

Jahana Hayes 
Member of Congress