Morning hour: lawmakers highlight marathon winners, nonprofit security and a bill to protect data centers

During the House morning hour on April 27, 2026, several members delivered five-minute statements that mixed constituent recognition with policy pitches.

Rep. Joyce of Pennsylvania opened by congratulating marathon finishers Zach and Tessa Stinson and honoring the centennial milestones for McCartney's of Altoona before urging colleagues to support the Dairy Pride Act, which he said would "restore honesty" in food labeling. He also introduced the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act, arguing it would reduce burdensome prior authorization and ensure seniors receive timely care.

Rep. Subramaniam of Virginia moved from calls for continued support for nonprofit security grants — citing a near-doubling of attacks on houses of worship between 2021 and 2023 — to a critique of an administration decision to relocate USDA food safety staff out of Washington, D.C. "The American people can't afford to have an inexperienced, understaffed and unproductive food safety office," he said, arguing the relocation risks losing experienced inspectors.

Subramaniam also introduced the Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act, saying data centers "are becoming targets during wars" and urging DHS to develop a strategy to protect both facilities and nearby communities. "The government needs to do everything possible to protect these communities," he said.

Other representatives used the morning hour for constituent congratulations and local acknowledgements: Rep. Hill (AR) warned about financial fraud losses and praised local veteran-support programs; Rep. Thompson (PA) celebrated Penn State wrestling achievements; and Rep. Kylie criticized gerrymandering and cited a new report on California economic performance.

The chair then recessed the House until 2 p.m., and when the body reconvened the chaplain offered a prayer remembering Rep. David Scott.