{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"KY\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3177953F-1F2D-49F8-BE85-39112AE422EF", "Congressman Rogers Announces Nearly $213 Million Award for Rural Healthcare in Kentucky", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) announced Kentucky has been awarded $212.9 million from the new Rural Health Transformation Fund through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Earlier this year, Congressman Rogers voted for the historic Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a carve out of $50 billion for rural healthcare from 2026 to 2030. Kentucky will receive nearly $213 million in 2026 from the new fund to expand rural healthcare, strengthen the workforce in rural clinics and modernize rural healthcare facilities. Awards from the fund will be made annually to Kentucky over the next five years.\n\n\u201cWhen we passed this funding into law earlier this year, I worked hard to ensure Kentucky would receive necessary support over the next five years from the new Rural Health Transformation Fund to help address the high rates of health disparities in our rural Appalachian region,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cWe have made great strides to improve healthcare in the mountains, and this funding will help us continue to address diabetes, obesity, perinatal care, behavioral health, dental care and other dire medical needs in our rural communities.\u201d\n\nTwo key initiatives will be included in Kentucky:\n\nRural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation will help rural providers coordinate and improve treatment for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions.\n\nPowering Rural Maternal and Infant Health Community-Based Teams will strengthen prenatal care access and support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies in underserved communities.\n\nThe formula for the Rural Health Transformation Program was written into law, including:\n\n$25 billion over five years will be distributed evenly among the states; this means each state will receive $100 million each year for FY 2026-2030 ($500 million total).\n\n$25 billion will be distributed to states based on criteria established by the Secretary that target funding to states with high rural health care needs and that outline long-term programmatic goals that will transform access to care in the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=23E19F2B-B66D-4C93-BA00-907571B2B5F2", "McConnell Helps Secure More Than $212 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Rural Hospitals", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been awarded $212,905,591 in federal funds for investment in rural healthcare.\n\nThe Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services will receive funding from the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program which was authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that Senator McConnell voted in support of. The federal funding distributed this year to Kentucky will be directed toward rural hospitals and will be used in a variety of ways approved by statute.\n\n\u201cThis significant investment in healthcare is a major win for Kentucky\u2019s rural hospitals and providers,\u201d said Senator McConnnell. \u201cI was proud to help secure the Rural Health Transformation fund in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that Congress passed earlier this year. This legislation helped strengthen safety nets for Kentuckians most in need and works toward a more sustainable and innovative healthcare system in rural areas throughout our country and the Commonwealth.\u201d\n\nThis federal program was established to help implement structural reforms to failing rural healthcare systems in place of prior temporary patches. The main goals of the program include sustainable access to care, workforce development, innovative care, and innovation in technology to promote healthy lifestyles for Americans. The federal funding will be allocated to approved states over five years. All 50 states were eligible to apply for funding from the RHT, and half of the funds will be distributed equally to approved states while the other half will be allocated based on state metrics and applications to maximize impact as well as address needs.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=40918BA1-AB26-4732-9DB6-6A059D768023", "Andy Barr Announces the Passing of Tatum Dale, Longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager", "2025-12-25", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Lexington, KY\u2014 It is with an incredibly heavy heart that U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced the passing of Tatum Dale, his longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager for his U.S. Senate campaign. Barr released the following statement:\n\n\u201cWhen I first ran to serve the Sixth District, Tatum Dale was one of the first people who volunteered to help. Born and raised in Murray, Tatum came to the University of Kentucky for college, and I\u2019m forever grateful that she stayed to serve alongside me. For over 15 years, Tatum was the heart and soul of my team. She held almost every job in my office\u2014Scheduler, Field Representative, Deputy District Director, District Director, then Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for my U.S. Senate run.\n\n\u201cWith Tatum\u2019s leadership, my office favorably closed thousands of cases for Kentuckians\u2014helping veterans, seniors, and families throughout our district. She fought to deliver funds to support dozens of community projects across our Commonwealth. She loved helping people and was a servant of others, just as Christ envisioned us all to be. Maybe that\u2019s why her birth in heaven is a shared birthday with our Lord and Savior. While our hearts are broken, our team finds peace and hope knowing that Tatum is now home with Christ, resting comfortably in the arms of her Savior.\n\n\u201cTatum loved her family, her faith, and her Commonwealth. She made me a better Congressman, our staff better public servants, and we will all miss her forever. From Murray to Lexington and everywhere in the Commonwealth that she touched, we hope you will all join us in praying for Tatum\u2019s family and friends\u2014and be forever inspired by her memory to serve others.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=182BD663-CD18-4A42-9C95-7B67265B69C7", "McConnell, Shaheen in The Washington Post: Russia Isn\u2019t Winning Its War On Ukraine.", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Jean Shaheen (D-NH) submitted the following op-ed published by The Washington Post:\n\nIn the early days of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden administration gave Congress its assessment of Ukraine\u2019s ability to hold back Russian forces. The projection was bleak. Kyiv, they said, would fall in weeks, if not sooner.\n\nYet, the Russian tanks that attempted to topple Ukraine\u2019s democratically elected government were either destroyed or forced to retreat. By April, not only had Putin failed to install a friendly government in Kyiv, his military couldn\u2019t secure a foothold anywhere near Ukraine\u2019s capital. Instead, Ukraine successfully confined Russia\u2019s troops to the far east of their country, where Russia has tried to steal territory since 2015.\n\nAfter almost four years of fighting, Russia has lost about a third of its strategic bombers, and it continues to lose equipment at significantly higher rates than Ukraine. It is Russia that has borne more than 1 million casualties, dead and wounded, in grinding battles of its own making. Pundits who predicted a quick Ukrainian defeat were wrong in 2022, and they are wrong today.\n\nAlong the way, Republicans and Democrats alike criticized the Biden administration\u2019s excessive caution in refusing to provide Ukraine the weapons it needed, when they could have made the biggest difference. It is more than plausible that the Ukrainians could have achieved a decisive victory and lasting peace if they were simply granted the fighter jets, air defenses and long-range weapons when they initially requested them from President Joe Biden. But American assistance was often too little, too late.\n\nIn prolonging Putin\u2019s aggression, this hesitation also gave China, Iran, North Korea and other nations working together to undermine American interests new reasons to doubt our credibility and strength.\n\nFortunately, the opportunity for President Donald Trump to end this conflict on favorable terms for Ukraine, America and the West has not passed. But he must not continue to make the same miscalculation that his predecessor made in 2022.\n\nAdministration officials say that the \u201cfall\u201d of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk is a bellwether for what\u2019s to come for Ukraine. Yet, Pokrovsk, whose population was only around 60,000 even before the war, has yet to fall. And in the entire year and a half that the Russians have spent trying to take this relatively small city, their minuscule gains have come at staggering material and human costs.\n\nRussians are paying an extraordinary economic price in pursuit of Putin\u2019s lust for glory and blood. Russian oil and gas revenue have fallen more than 30 percent due to attacks on its energy infrastructure. The Kremlin has been selling gold to stabilize its finances and shield elites from the true cost of Putin\u2019s war. And roughly a quarter of Russian companies are now bankrupt or at risk. Russia cannot afford the war it is fighting, but it can prolong it.\n\nPutin may be playing for time, but he is not dragging out this conflict because it is his preferred tactic. He is dragging it out because he cannot achieve a decisive victory. He\u2019s hoping that slow, grinding attrition will divide the West.\n\nInstead, the United States must stand with European allies investing heavily in their own defense and far exceeding American support to Ukraine. If there are economic fruits of peace, they lie in cooperation with an innovative, Western-oriented Ukraine and a resurgent Europe, not in a bankrupt, backward Russia.\n\nEnvoy Steve Witkoff has been to Moscow six times since the administration took office and worked to get Putin an invitation to the U.S. Yet, just as the Russians have barely moved in their ground offensive against Ukraine, they have not moved an inch in negotiations with the U.S.\n\nIt is fair to ask what the U.S.\u2019s endgame should be. Wars end when leverage changes. If the U.S. and its allies want a negotiated end, the only proven, viable path is to strengthen Ukraine\u2019s position, not to weaken it. Abandoning Ukraine or granting Russia what it cannot win on the battlefield will not bring lasting peace. Putin wants more than Donbas \u2014 he denies Ukrainian sovereignty outright. And his ambitions extend to the Baltic states and other nations once held captive by the Soviet empire.\n\nCongress has an array of bipartisan tools to increase pressure on Putin. In October, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced measures to tighten sanctions enforcement, restrict Chinese support for Russia\u2019s war machine and authorize transferring frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The Trump administration\u2019s recent sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft have had a profound effect, but much more is required.\n\nAdditional investment in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative \u2014 which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the National Defense Authorization Act and the Senate\u2019s defense appropriations, and which is spent here at home to reconstitute America\u2019s defense industrial capacity \u2014 would bolster European contributions and help ensure Ukraine has the air defenses, long-range weapons and industrial support needed to sustain a position of strength.\n\nPutin is betting the U.S. will talk itself into believing Ukraine cannot succeed. The past four years show the opposite. Ukraine has defied every expectation, including our own. Kyiv is not losing, and Moscow is not winning. It is up to Washington to match Ukraine\u2019s resolve with the clarity this moment demands.", 1, "2026-04-03T05:34:17Z", "2026-04-03T05:35:48Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/photo-release-comer-meets-with-usda-secretary-brooke-rollins-at-white-house", "Photo Release: Comer Meets with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins at White House", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) had breakfast at the White House with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins. They discussed a broad range of agricultural policy initiatives and pledged to work together to expand market opportunities and remove barriers for America\u2019s farmers. Secretary Rollins and Congressman Comer also share a unique background in agricultural leadership, having served concurrently as state Future Farmers of America (FFA) Officers, with Secretary Rollins representing Texas and Congressman Comer representing Kentucky.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3808C6A0-3EB2-4601-BFDD-A91958B31FB2", "Barr: FIGHT China Act will Make Trump\u2019s America First Investment Policy Permanent", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, the FIGHT China Act led by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) passed the U.S. Senate and is going to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature. The legislation is the strongest sanctions ever passed by Congress on China. The FIGHT China Act restricts American investment into Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military and surveillance companies and other sensitive technologies of adversarial nations. This legislation will make President Donald J. Trump\u2019s America First Investment Policy permanent and prevent American investors from unknowingly bankrolling military and tech companies that threaten U.S. national security.\n\n\u201cThe bottom line is U.S. investors continue to be the primary source of global investment capital into the technology sectors in China at the heart of the U.S.-China economic competition,\u201d Barr said in a joint appearance on Maria Bartiromo with Senator Cornyn on Wednesday. \u201cAmericans are unknowingly funding the Chinese military industrial complex, and we will end that with the FIGHT China Act. This codifies President Trump\u2019s America First Investment Policy and will stop the flow of capital and know-how into the sensitive technologies that threaten our national security.\u201d\n\nA 2024 report found U.S. index funds steered $6.5 billion of Americans\u2019 retirement money into 63 Chinese companies blacklisted for supporting the CCP military or human-rights abuses. Barr worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), and others in House Republican leadership to fight for this provision to be included in the NDAA.\n\n\u201cThe need to address capital flowing from the U.S. to countries of concern was realized during the first Trump administration, and my legislation presents a generational opportunity to confront the threats China, Iran, North Korea and others pose to our national and economic security,\u201d said Sen. Cornyn after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. \u201cThis landmark legislation would prohibit and require notification of U.S. investments in certain technologies in countries of concern, ensuring American ingenuity, innovation, and investment do not end up in the hands of adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to be weaponized against us. I\u2019m proud this long-awaited effort is approaching the finish line and am grateful to colleagues past and present for their contributions to this effort, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law as part of the annual defense bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FY26 NDAA advances President Trump and Republicans\u2019 Peace Through Strength agenda and delivers historic wins that have taken years of sustained effort across multiple Congresses to achieve. President Trump has made clear the past few decades of investments propping up Communist China\u2019s aggression must come to an end. The inclusion of outbound investment restrictions in this year\u2019s NDAA are an important step to protect our nation\u2019s national security and economic competitiveness,\u201d said Speaker Johnson after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. \u201cThis achievement is the result of persistent work by House and Senate committees and Republican leaders in Congress like Rep. Barr who championed these reforms and made it reality. Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down. President Trump and Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur Committee and our Conference delivered a huge win for American national security \u2013 finally cutting off American investors to feed the Beijing military machine,\u201d said Chairman Mast after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. \u201cI want to thank Rep. Barr for his leadership in helping get this across the finish line and to President Trump\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince day one, Rep. Barr has led the charge to hold Communist China accountable, and the inclusion of his bipartisan FIGHT China Act in the House-passed NDAA bill is another important step toward ending the CCP\u2019s exploitation of America\u2019s financial markets. We urge the Senate to move quickly to end CCP military companies from using the \u2018passive index loophole\u2019 to access American capital,\u201d said Chris Iacovella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Securities Association after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C7C392C2-6ED2-475C-A5E7-BE11566E2085", "Barr Leads Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to Passage, Heads to President Trump\u2019s Desk", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act passed the U.S. Senate and is headed to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by a criminal he had arrested ten years earlier. Although his murder was clearly an act of retaliation for his service, his family was denied Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits (PSOB) program benefits solely because he had retired.\n\nThe Chief Proffitt Act amends the PSOB program to make retired or separated officers and their families eligible for benefits if they suffer permanent disability or death in an event related to their service. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2012, making the Proffitt family eligible for benefits.\n\n\u201cChief Proffitt embodied what it means to be a model Kentuckian \u2014 a military veteran, a devoted public servant, and a law enforcement leader who protected his community with honor,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cHis murder was a clear act of retaliation, and yet his family was denied the benefits they deserved because of a technicality. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act corrects that injustice. I am grateful to the Proffitt family for their strength and perseverance, and proud to lead this bill across the finish line to give them and other families across America who face similar tragedies the benefits they deserve.\u201d\n\n\"I personally knew Herbert \u201cSprocket\u201d Proffitt well. He was a great public servant who spent his entire life making my community a safer place. I\u2019m very happy to support this legislation for his fine family,\u201d said U.S. Congressman James Comer (R-KY), who represents Tompkinsville.\n\n\u201cChief Proffitt dedicated his life to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ultimately sacrificed his life as a result of his service. I am thrilled to see the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act become law to honor his sacrifice and legacy,\u201d said U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) who represents many of the Proffitt family members in Congress.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the entire Proffitt family, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Congressman Andy Barr for leading the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act,\u201d said Jeff Proffitt, son of Chief Proffitt and the former Mayor of Tompkinsville. \u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Barr and his team for their dedication in getting this legislation enacted, and to Supporting Heroes for recognizing the need for this bill and helping start the process several years ago.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, we extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Andy Barr for his tireless efforts in securing the passage of the Chief Herbert Proffitt Act within the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act,\u201d said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police. \u201cChief Proffitt\u2019s legacy embodies service, sacrifice, and devotion to community, and this legislation ensures his memory will continue to inspire future generations. It demonstrates to young men and women entering law enforcement that our legislators stand firmly behind those who serve\u2014even after retirement. Congressman Barr\u2019s commitment to honoring Kentucky\u2019s heroes reflects his unwavering support for law enforcement and the values we uphold. We are proud to recognize his leadership and dedication to preserving the legacy of one of our own. Congressman Barr continues to honor and support the men and women in law enforcement, and the 12,000 members of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police are deeply thankful.\u201d\n\n\u201cFLEOA strongly supports this commonsense legislation to strengthen the Public Safety Officer\u2019s Benefits program and ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers targeted by criminals for violence due to their former service are eligible for PSOB benefits,\u201d said Mat Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). \u201cThe PSOB program is a lifeline for federal, state, and local officers who are killed or permanently injured in the line of duty. We are grateful to Representative Andy Barr and the bill\u2019s supporters for their leadership and steadfast commitment to the law enforcement community.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation closes a long-standing gap in federal law, delivering fairness and dignity to the families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price. It also reinforces our solemn obligation to law enforcement professionals who confront danger every day to keep our communities safe,\u201d said Bert Eyler, President of the Police Officers\u2019 Defense Coalition.\n\n\u201cThe Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act makes an important change that will assist families during a challenging time. Approving this measure is the right thing to do and honors the service and sacrifice of both law enforcement officers and their families,\u201d said the Major Cities Chiefs Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F83CCBEA-17C5-4600-B421-045BB02DFF5B", "Congressman Rogers Supports Republican Plan to Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) voted in support of House Republicans\u2019 Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, H.R. 6703. House Republicans passed their health care plan on Wednesday to make insurance more affordable for everyone, including lower premiums and expanded coverage options.\n\n\u201cWhile Democrats vote to send billions more to insurance companies, our bill provides long-term relief by cutting costs for patients and giving them more options,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cWe\u2019re lowering premiums in the Un-Affordable Care Act (ACA) by 11%, which is more than double the reduction of the Democrats\u2019 plan. Instead of lining the pockets of big insurance companies, we are giving more money to patients through health savings accounts, better insurance plans and lower prescription costs.\u201d\n\nThe Democrat-led plan to extend Obamacare tax subsidies for three more years will only lower costs for roughly 7% of Americans enrolled in the ACA.\n\nRecently, a new investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed widespread fraud in the Obamacare tax subsidy system, including $94 million that paid for health care for deceased individuals.\n\nHighlights of the \"Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act\":\n\nSaves taxpayers $1.9 billion by reducing health care premiums for American workers;\n\nReduces ACA Premiums by 11% vs. 5% in the Democrat-led plan;\n\nIncreased transparency and lower prescription drug costs for all Americans;\n\nExpands Association Health Plans to access better rates for patients, boosts health savings accounts for patients, and protects stop-loss insurance for small business owners.\n\nClick here to read the \"Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.\"\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers\u2019 work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=64EC6C99-2F4C-4127-B7D0-8CC6D4F95C60", "McConnell\u2019s Bill to Support Families of Retired Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Senate approved his measure to ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed or disabled as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, introduced earlier this year by Senators McConnell and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which passed today. The bill now heads to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\nThe bill is named after Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean War veteran and law enforcement officer of 55 years who retired in 2009 as Chief of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. Although his murder was in direct retaliation for his service in uniform, his family was denied benefits under the Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits program because he had retired from his more than half-a-century of service.\n\nThe Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act would amend the Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits Program eligibility criteria for retired law enforcement officers who have died or become permanently disabled due to a targeted attack directly resulting from their service, and retroactively apply the updated eligibility for claims starting on January 1, 2012.\n\n\u201cThe loss of Chief Herbert D. Proffitt is a tragic reminder of the risk that follows our finest every day of their lives. This legislation plugs an important hole, ensuring the Proffitt family\u2014and others like them\u2014are supported and assured that the service and sacrifice of their loved ones are never forgotten,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for our law enforcement officers and their steadfast dedication to keeping us safe, and I applaud my colleagues in the U.S. Senate for honoring their service by passing this bipartisan legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Chief Proffitt\u2019s family and members of the law enforcement community, we appreciate Senator McConnell\u2019s introduction of this important piece of legislation. This bill will include Line of Duty Death (LODD) benefits for retired members of law enforcement that have been murdered because of their prior law enforcement actions. Passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 will give some comfort to Chief Proffitt\u2019s family while providing security to law enforcement families,\u201d said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police.\n\n\u201cThe Tompkinsville Police Department is grateful to Senator McConnell for his work to support and honor our law enforcement families. Thirteen years later, we still mourn the loss of Chief Herbert \u201cSprocket\u201d Proffitt, a devoted father and leader in Tompkinsville who dedicated his life to keeping our community safe. We are proud to see his legacy honored with this important legislation,\u201d said Kerry L. Denton, Deputy Chief of Police, City of Tompkinsville.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers Association, the Kentucky Sheriffs\u2019 Association, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8C0178E7-1BDE-4EAC-9DBB-218A06A36586", "McConnell Praises Passage of National Defense Legislation with Major Kentucky Wins", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding to train and equip America\u2019s 21st-century military to meet evolving security threats. The bill includes authorization of critical investments secured by Senator McConnell for Kentucky\u2019s military installations and other key defense priorities. With this legislation now on its way to President Trump for his signature, the priorities articulated in the NDAA now depend on passage of full-year defense appropriations.\n\n\u201cPassage of this legislation positions our servicemembers stationed in Kentucky to receive the equipment, training, and resources they need to address the threats facing our nation,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cRepresenting the men and women of the Armed Forces serving in Kentucky is one of my greatest privileges. We owe a special obligation to those who volunteer to serve our country in uniform, and I will continue to support them in the United States Senate.\u201d\n\nBlue Grass Army Depot\n\nSenator McConnell, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, secured a key provision that safeguards the future of Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Madison County. This legislation protects BGAD and other military installations from being closed by the Department of Defense without Congressional notification and a full evaluation of local and strategic consequences. It also requires the Secretary of the Army to provide Congress with an annual report on BGAD and other installations \u2013 arsenals, depots and ammunition plants \u2013 referred to as the Army\u2019s Organic Industrial Base (OIB).\n\nSenator McConnell also secured measures that encourage the Department of Defense to bring new missions to BGAD. These measures direct the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of expanding domestic propellant production and support the establishment of an additional artillery munition production line within the Army\u2019s OIB.\n\n\u201cFor years, I\u2019ve worked with local leaders to complete the chemical weapons disposal mission at BGAD,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cNow that the mission is complete, we\u2019re focused on building a new future for the Depot\u2014expanding its world-class facilities and unlocking new economic opportunities for Central Kentucky. With the NDAA\u2019s passage, the Army is now positioned to help shape that future mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenator Mitch McConnell\u2019s leadership has once again delivered real results for Madison County and for our nation\u2019s defense. Throughout the NDAA process, Senator McConnell championed measures that not only protect Blue Grass Army Depot from closure, but actively encourage the Department of Defense to expand propellant manufacturing and artillery munition production right here at BGAD. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking investment we have been advocating for during my tenure\u2014one that strengthens national security while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs for our community. I am grateful to Senator McConnell and our federal delegation for their continued partnership and commitment to protecting and growing this critical Madison County asset,\u201d said Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor.\n\nAdditional Kentucky Priorities in the NDAA\n\nSenator McConnell also secured several provisions throughout the NDAA process that support the Commonwealth\u2019s role as a cornerstone of America\u2019s national defense:\n\nAuthorization for a new $45 million air traffic control tower at Fort Campbell, replacing the aging existing structure.\n\nSupport for the Army\u2019s procurement of advanced Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems.\n\nEncouragement for the potential use of the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System to defend Air Force bases.\n\nSupport to our Nation\u2019s Servicemembers and U.S. National Security NDAA\n\nIn addition to these Kentucky-specific victories, the NDAA also authorizes the following provisions to support our service members and to deter American adversaries:\n\nAuthorization of a well-deserved 3.8% pay raise for service members.\n\nOverhauls the defense acquisition bureaucracy to speed support defense innovation and accelerate the Defense Department\u2019s procurement of critical weapon systems and munitions.\n\nReauthorizes the Ukraine Security Initiative and formally authorizes the Baltic Security Initiative.\n\nProhibits the drawdown of American forces in Europe and South Korea below certain levels and reinforces U.S. defense partnerships with Taiwan, the Philippines, and Israel.", 1, "2026-04-01T05:41:29Z", "2026-04-01T05:42:36Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8B76ECF7-29EF-402C-B2CE-11B8ED8F2F79", "Barr Honored for A+ Rating from NumbersUSA for Strong Border Security Record", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014This week, NumbersUSA honored U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) with an A+ Rating. Barr is one of 23 House Members who received NumbersUSA\u2019s highest grade for championing stronger border security legislation. NumbersUSA is the premier education and research organization that stands for sensible, limited and enforced immigration in the United States.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump in working to secure our border,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cFrom delivering funding for the wall, to leading the defense of Trump\u2019s authority to build the wall in federal court, to backing the largest investment in DHS ever passed, I\u2019ve been there every step of the fight for border security with President Trump. I\u2019ll continue working with President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan to lock down the border once and for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cAndy Barr has earned a 100% A+ rating on NumbersUSA\u2019s congressional grade card,\u201d said Mike Hough, co-President of NumbersUSA. \u201cThat rating reflects Rep. Barr\u2019s leadership in Congress on border security and enforcing our nation\u2019s immigration laws. He is advancing our top priorities: ending birthright citizenship loopholes, cracking down on illegal immigrants obtaining commercial driver\u2019s licenses, and preventing abuse of the asylum system. We are grateful to have strong leaders like Andy Barr working to pass tougher immigration laws in Congress.\u201d\n\nDuring this first session of the 119th Congress, Congressman Barr voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $170B to secure the border. He also introduced a constitutional amendment to prohibit the children of illegal immigrants from obtaining birthright citizenship. Recently, Barr and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced a bill to crack down on liberal states giving illegal immigrants commercial driver\u2019s licenses that have led to the deaths of Americans in recent months.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/comer-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-crack-down-on-soaring-prescription-drug-costs-support-kentucky-pharmacists", "Comer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Soaring Prescription Drug Costs, Support Kentucky Pharmacists", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), introduced the Pharmacists Fight Back Act to lower life-saving prescription drug costs and rein in the predatory practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Since 2021, Congressman Comer has spearheaded a House Oversight Committee investigation that has uncovered how PBMs abuse their position as middlemen, keeping rebates and fees for themselves, undermining community pharmacists, and pushing higher drug costs onto patients at the pharmacy counter.\n\n\u201cCongress is putting Pharmacy Benefit Managers on notice: their era of taking advantage of Americans is ending. PBMs have abused their role as middlemen, keeping rebates and fees for themselves, weakening our community pharmacists, and pushing costs onto patients at the pharmacy counter. We have a responsibility to act and that's why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act. This legislation takes meaningful steps to protect patients and our Kentucky pharmacists, ensuring they can access and provide affordable, life-saving medications to all without PBM interference. I look forward to working with my colleagues and our local pharmacists to get this legislation to the President\u2019s desk,\u201d said Congressman Comer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=04F9405B-0725-4063-81DE-C361D9204CB5", "Barr Votes for America First National Security Bill to Boost Pay for Troops and Eliminate DEI from the Military", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This landmark legislation delivers a 3.8% pay raise for America\u2019s service members, eliminates politically driven mandates in the military, and restores a merit-based culture focused on readiness and national security. The bill also secures continued funding for border protection, institutes critical spending reforms, and strengthens U.S. deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to support this legislation because it advances President Trump\u2019s America First agenda and restores the military\u2019s core mission of putting America\u2019s security first,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cUnder the President\u2019s leadership, we are removing the radical left\u2019s DEI and ESG mandates from the military, delivering well-deserved pay raises for our troops, and strengthening our deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA also permanently codifies $20 billion in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts that Congressman Barr championed as a member of the Congressional DOGE Caucus. It also eliminates DEI programs at the U.S. Department of War (DOW), ends climate-related initiatives at DOW, and advances numerous reforms Congressman Barr has long supported in previous defense authorization bills.\n\nFinally, the NDAA reinforces President Trump\u2019s peace through strength agenda by ensuring a fully equipped, highly capable fighting force and advancing the President\u2019s Golden Dome initiative to deter against adversaries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EBCE61B2-687F-4A04-A578-D1F9D7D4A35E", "Barr, House Republicans Advance Hard-Hitting China Investment Sanctions Closer to President Trump\u2019s Desk", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 The toughest crackdown on military and surveillance capabilities by our adversaries ever passed out of Congress is one step closer to President Trump\u2019s desk. This landmark legislation is a major victory and is the culmination of work across multiple Congresses by members in the House and Senate. The final product will restrict U.S. investment in Chinese military and surveillance companies passed the House and now awaits Senate action as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\nThe FIGHT China measure, spearheaded by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), represents the most comprehensive effort to date in restricting American investment into Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military and surveillance companies and other sensitive technologies of adversarial nations. This legislation will make President Donald J. Trump\u2019s America First Investment Policy permanent and prevent American investors from unknowingly bankrolling military and tech companies that threaten U.S. national security.\n\nA 2024 report found U.S. index funds steered $6.5 billion of Americans\u2019 retirement money into 63 Chinese companies blacklisted for supporting the CCP military or human-rights abuses. Barr worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), and others in House Republican leadership to fight for this provision to be included in the NDAA.\n\n\u201cThis legislation takes President Trump\u2019s America First Investment Policy to the next level and puts Beijing on notice,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cIt establishes the strongest framework in history to protect American investments, strengthen our national security, and enforce real transparency across critical economic and technological sectors. Congress is sending a clear message: no more American money for the CCP to build missiles aimed at our troops, the next spy balloon that will fly over our communities, or any other product that could harm Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe need to address capital flowing from the U.S. to countries of concern was realized during the first Trump administration, and my legislation presents a generational opportunity to confront the threats China, Iran, North Korea and others pose to our national and economic security,\u201d said Sen. Cornyn. \u201cThis landmark legislation would prohibit and require notification of U.S. investments in certain technologies in countries of concern, ensuring American ingenuity, innovation, and investment do not end up in the hands of adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to be weaponized against us. I\u2019m proud this long-awaited effort is approaching the finish line and am grateful to colleagues past and present for their contributions to this effort, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law as part of the annual defense bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FY26 NDAA advances President Trump and Republicans\u2019 Peace Through Strength agenda and delivers historic wins that have taken years of sustained effort across multiple Congresses to achieve. President Trump has made clear the past few decades of investments propping up Communist China\u2019s aggression must come to an end. The inclusion of outbound investment restrictions in this year\u2019s NDAA are an important step to protect our nation\u2019s national security and economic competitiveness,\u201d said Speaker Johnson. \u201cThis achievement is the result of persistent work by House and Senate committees and Republican leaders in Congress like Rep. Barr who championed these reforms and made it reality. Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down. President Trump and Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur Committee and our Conference delivered a huge win for American national security \u2013 finally cutting off American investors to feed the Beijing military machine,\u201d said Chairman Mast. \u201cI want to thank Rep. Barr for his leadership in helping get this across the finish line and to President Trump\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince day one, Rep. Barr has led the charge to hold Communist China accountable, and the inclusion of his bipartisan FIGHT China Act in the House-passed NDAA bill is another important step toward ending the CCP\u2019s exploitation of America\u2019s financial markets. We urge the Senate to move quickly to end CCP military companies from using the \u2018passive index loophole\u2019 to access American capital,\u201d said Chris Iacovella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Securities Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/comer-honors-boyle-county-rebels-on-house-floor-for-class-4a-state-championship-victory", "Comer Honors Boyle County Rebels on House Floor for Class 4A State Championship Victory", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today on the House floor, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) proudly recognized the Boyle County Rebels, a true high school football powerhouse in Kentucky\u2019s 1st Congressional District, for winning the Class 4A State Championship. In his remarks, he praised the team\u2019s dedication, hard work, and remarkable season, noting that this achievement \u2014 their fifth state title in six years \u2014 reflects the players\u2019 discipline, the commitment of the coaching staff, and the unwavering support of the Boyle County community. Congressman Comer concluded his remarks by offering heartfelt congratulations to the players, coaches, faculty, and supporters, noting that their success has sparked a tremendous sense of pride and unity throughout Boyle County and all of Kentucky.\n\nWatch Congressman Comer\u2019s remarks HERE.\n\nBelow are Congressman Comer\u2019s remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\nMister Speaker,\n\nIt gives me great pleasure today to recognize the Boyle County Rebels, a football powerhouse in Kentucky\u2019s 1st Congressional District, upon winning the Class 4A State Championship - marking their fifth state title in the last six years.\n\nThis remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the program\u2019s hard work, discipline, and excellence both on and off the field.\n\nUnder the leadership of Head Coach Justin Haddix, the Class 4A Coach of the Year, and standout player Seneca Driver, the Class 4A Player of the Year, the Rebels overcame an early season setback to finish strong and capture another state title.\n\nTheir perseverance and focus exemplify the spirit of champions.\n\nI congratulate the players, coaches, faculty, and supporters of Boyle County High School on this extraordinary milestone.\n\nThe Rebels have built a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire pride and unity throughout Boyle County and beyond.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F32F40D9-C819-4796-8D28-21836560A31D", "Congressman Rogers Votes for National Defense Authorization Act", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Includes nearly $97 million for Kentucky military projects\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026, providing $900 billion for national defense programs and advancing President Trump\u2019s Peace Through Strength Agenda. It authorizes nearly $97 million for three projects in Kentucky, including aviation support at Fort Knox, a new air traffic control tower at Fort Campbell and a new vehicle maintenance shop at the National Guard Armory in Jackson.\n\nThe NDAA strengthens border security, modernizes our military fleet and weapons with the latest innovation, ends extreme woke policies in our military, and gives American troops a 3.8% raise.\n\n\u201cWhen America stands strong, we eliminate threats from adversaries who prey on weak targets. The NDAA is our blueprint for preserving peace through a stronger national defense, paving the way for the Golden Dome and next-gen weapons, warships and fighter aircraft. It also grows our industrial base with more defense manufacturing jobs and supply chains across America,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cOur brave military servicemembers also receive a much-deserved pay raise in this bill, and merit-based promotions.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA also strengthens nuclear deterrence and provides critical resources to stand firm against adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/house-passes-comer-s-legislation-removing-federal-government-restrictions-on-paducah-kentucky-property", "House Passes Comer\u2019s Legislation Removing Federal Government Restrictions on Paducah, Kentucky Property", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing his legislation that lifts a National Park Service (NPS) restriction on property in Paducah, Kentucky. Introduced by Congressman Comer in February, H.R. 1276 will empower local officials to fully transfer land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, allowing the organization to renovate and improve its facilities for the benefit of the community.\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to serve the people of Paducah and McCracken County in Congress. One of their community\u2019s most impactful institutions, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, has been a cornerstone of support and opportunity for local youth for over sixty years. Unfortunately, a lingering federal interest in the property dating back to the City\u2019s involvement in the Federal Lands to Parks Program decades ago has impeded progress on an exciting renovation project for the local Boys and Girls Club. H.R. 1276 is a straightforward, common-sense bill that would lift this outdated restriction and allow the City to fully transfer the land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. I was proud to collaborate with the City of Paducah, the National Park Service, and local stakeholders to develop this legislative solution. I would also like to thank Senator Paul for introducing the Senate companion bill, S. 601, and Senator McConnell for being an original cosponsor of that legislation. I look forward to working with them to get this bill across the finish line and onto the President\u2019s desk,\u201d said Congressman Comer on the House floor.\n\nWatch Congressman Comer\u2019s prepared remarks here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe City of Paducah approached Congressman Comer\u2019s office requesting assistance with removing the NPS\u2019s role in the property that includes the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. The city currently owns the property after it was conveyed through the Federal Lands to Parks Program, but NPS still holds one restriction on the property. Paducah, Kentucky officials seek to transfer the property to the Boys and Girls Club, allowing the organization to renovate the building, including an updated gym and additional classrooms. Congressman Comer\u2019s office collaborated with the City of Paducah, NPS, U.S. Army, and the House Committee on Natural Resources on the legislation.\n\nRead More:\n\nComer Introduces Legislation to Remove Federal Government Restrictions on Paducah, Kentucky Property\n\nComer Testifies Before Natural Resources Committee, Urges Passage of Legislation Removing Federal Restrictions on Paducah Property", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395782", "Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Remove the United States from NATO", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Thomas Massie", "M001184", "massie.house.gov", "massie", "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nWashington, D.C.- Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 6508, the NATO Act, to remove the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).\n\n\u201cNATO is a Cold War relic. We should withdraw from NATO and use that money to defend our own country, not socialist countries,\u201d said Rep. Thomas Massie. \u201cNATO was created to counter the Soviet Union, which collapsed over thirty years ago. Since then, U.S. participation has cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and continues to risk U.S. involvement in foreign wars. Our Constitution did not authorize permanent foreign entanglements, something our Founding Fathers explicitly warned us against. America should not be the world\u2019s security blanket\u2014especially when wealthy countries refuse to pay for their own defense.\u201d\n\nThe NATO Act:\n\n- Requires the President to formally notify NATO of U.S. withdrawal under Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty.\n\n- Concludes that NATO\u2019s original Cold War purpose no longer aligns with current U.S. national security interests.\n\n- Finds that European NATO members have adequate economic and military capacity to provide for their own defense.\n\n- Prevents use of U.S. taxpayer funds for NATO\u2019s common budgets, including its civil budget, military budget, and the Security Investment Program.\n\nSenator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced companion legislation, S.2174, in the United States Senate.\n\nThe text of the NATO Act is available at this link.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/senator-paul-introduces-the-health-marketplace-and-savings-accounts-for-all-act/", "Senator Paul Introduces the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nDecember 4th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nSenator Paul Introduces the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act\n\nWASHINGTON DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Rand Paul, M.D. (R-Ky.) introduced the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act, legislation to make all Americans eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and expand Association Health Plans to provide maximum leverage to negotiate lower premiums with health insurance companies.\n\n\u201cTwo of the most daunting problems facing Americans are the lack of affordable healthcare options and the fear of exorbitant medical bills,\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cWith my plan, to provide the leverage needed to reduce the cost of premiums, nearly any conceivable membership entity, such as Costco or Amazon, would be empowered to collectively bargain on behalf of their members with health insurers to lower rates. Additionally, this legislation improves the treatment of health savings accounts so all Americans can obtain them, increases the tax-free maximum contribution by thousands of dollars, and expands what HSAs can be used to pay for, such as health insurance premiums and gym memberships. If we want lower premiums and better care, we need more choice and competition.\u201d\n\nEmployer-sponsored insurance can offer strong coverage for those who have it, but many Americans do not work for large corporations and cannot access the same bargaining power and economies of scale. At the same time, Americans collectively owe over $200 billion in medical debt, and families often struggle to pay for expenses that fall outside their insurance plans.\n\nHSAs already give millions of Americans the freedom and flexibility to save and pay for medical costs insurance does not cover. Contributions are tax-free, balances can grow tax-free, and withdrawals remain tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses. HSAs also stay with an individual for life, regardless of employment status.\n\nDr. Paul\u2019s Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act would dramatically expand Americans\u2019 access to HSAs and to more affordable coverage by:\n\nOpening HSAs to all Americans, regardless of income level or current insurance coverage, to take advantage of a tax-free HSA.\n\nRaising the maximum annual HSA contribution to $24,500 for 2026. By contrast, for 2026, the HSA contribution limit is only $4,400 for an individual and $8,750 for a family.\n\nExpanding what HSAs can cover to include health insurance premiums, vitamins and dietary supplements, gym memberships, and wearable fitness trackers, so Americans can use their own money to invest in prevention, wellness, and coverage that works for them.\n\nThe bill also reforms Association Health Plans to unlock new bargaining power for everyday Americans:\n\nAllowing any membership organization to sponsor an ERISA health plan across state lines, regardless of an employment relationship. Nearly any membership-based entity could be empowered to collectively negotiate with insurers for better rates.\n\nCreating new coverage options through groups such as rideshare services, online retailers, wholesale clubs, credit unions, churches, and other associations that bring people together.\n\nProtecting coverage during job changes or unemployment, so Americans no longer have to fear losing their health plan when they lose or change a job.\n\nRead the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6A66402D-901D-4F7E-92AD-0CF9E3DF326C", "McConnell at Hearing on Russian Abduction of Ukrainian Children", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, made the following comments today at a State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee hearing on Russian abduction of Ukrainian children:\n\n\u201cThank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening this hearing. And thank you all for being here today.\n\n\u201cI\u2019d like to offer a particular welcome to you, Madam Ambassador. Getting a town that\u2019s often consumed by its own metaphorical political warfare to pay attention to the harsh realities of your country\u2019s real-life war for survival is a challenge \u2013 and I commend you for your work.\n\n\u201cRussia\u2019s systematic abduction of Ukrainian children is horrifying. And it\u2019s just a small glimpse into the tremendous pain and suffering that Russia\u2019s unprovoked war against Ukraine has caused. Putin has stolen children from innocent families, and his war has stolen youth from a generation of Ukrainians.\n\n\u201cAs I\u2019ve said before, we should know enough history by now not to dismiss this as just \u2018a quarrel in a faraway country, between two people of whom we know nothing.\u2019\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s Neville Chamberlain, by the way. And we know how his dismissive attitude to Hitler\u2019s aggression toward Czechoslovakia turned out.\n\n\u201cLike then, there\u2019s a clear aggressor and a clear victim today. Like then, the moral and strategic dimensions are not in conflict for the West. Like then, we have an interest in the outcome of this war.\n\n\u201cBut the price of peace matters. It must be a just peace, especially for the innocent children and families torn apart by Putin\u2019s war. It must be an enduring peace. And I\u2019m concerned that this sort of peace will remain out of reach until we\u2019re willing to put more concerted pressure on Putin and sustain support for Ukraine.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=B4C7BF5E-3380-4229-A58E-F8FE68D59C33", "Chairman McConnell in The Wall Street Journal: Peace Through Strength Is Worth Paying For", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, wrote the following op-ed on FY26 Defense Appropriations that appears in today\u2019s print edition of The Wall Street Journal.\n\nWhat time is it in America? \u201cThis is a 1939 moment. Or, hopefully, a 1981 moment. A moment of mounting urgency,\u201d Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said. He is right about the gathering threats to America\u2019s national security. But the lesson of 1939 is that fighting war is far costlier than deterring it. Defeating the Axis powers saw U.S. defense spending hit 37% of gross domestic product.\n\nThe defense budget request for fiscal 2026 from the Office of Management and Budget shows America risks forgetting this hard-won lesson. If our goal is to make this a \u201c1981 moment\u201d\u2014as in the first year of the Reagan administration, when under-investment in the U.S. military was turned around\u2014we must deliver more consistent support for defense. President Reagan\u2019s peace-through-strength Cold War budgets allocated about twice as much as we spend now as a percentage of GDP. Today, in the face of many significant adversaries, spending more on defense is simply necessary. It must not be controversial.\n\nI urged President Trump at the beginning of his second term to reject calls to narrow the scope of U.S. strategic interests and to invest in the armed forces and defense industrial base. Mr. Trump rightly disregarded the advice of isolationists and conducted decisive strikes against Iran while sustaining the Aukus partnership with Australia and the U.K. The president wants the best possible military for America and has set ambitious priorities such as a comprehensive missile defense, aka Golden Dome, and a shipbuilding renaissance. I have supported him in these endeavors.\n\nBut with 59 days until interim government funding runs out, it remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump\u2019s administration and Congress will seize the opportunity provided by the Senate\u2019s full-year defense appropriations bill for 2026 and invest accordingly.\n\nSenior Pentagon officials have expressed a commitment to rebuilding American hard power. But others in the administration have balked at the resources required for these overdue efforts. In March, the president\u2019s budget advisers pushed the first-ever full-year continuing resolution for defense, effectively extending President Biden\u2019s anemic defense budget.\n\nIn June, OMB submitted a request for 2026 that would hold annual defense spending stagnant against inflation. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, administration officials then created budgetary chaos by pressing Congress to squeeze multiyear efforts like shipbuilding into a one-time spending measure using a process known as budget reconciliation. This complicated maneuver left critical programs on the cutting-room floor. Pentagon leaders have since acknowledged that total 2025 shortfalls after reconciliation exceed $25 billion.\n\nPresidential priorities like Golden Dome and restoring shipbuilding are necessary to keep America safe, but they will fail without sustained long-term investment.\n\nIn recent weeks, Pentagon officials have acknowledged a $20 billion to $30 billion shortfall in critical munitions. Despite the complaints of senior administration officials about our limited production capacity, the administration\u2019s 2026 budget request failed even to make use of that capacity to begin addressing the issue. Pentagon leaders now seem eager to support multiyear procurement to address the challenges ahead, but these plans are wishful thinking without additional funding.\n\nBy independent estimates, Golden Dome alone could cost upward of $3.5 trillion over the next 20 years, but the program is likely underfunded even this year. The president announced his selection of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft for the Air Force, the F-47, but this program is underfunded in 2026 by $500 million. Pentagon dithering over the Navy\u2019s sixth-generation fighter, the F/A-XX, has delayed its development and led to hundreds of millions in contract-extension costs. If the department made a decision, Mr. Trump could launch a program that ensures the aircraft carrier remains America\u2019s premier power-projection platform for decades.\n\nThe pace of military operations in the Middle East and Western Hemisphere has also exacerbated a shortfall in operations and maintenance, another consequence of the full-year continuing resolution. Combine that with the shortfall for Navy ship operations and the total operations and maintenance shortfall likely exceeds $2 billion.\n\nThese shortfalls aren\u2019t breaking news. They are why the Senate passed, 77-20, a National Defense Authorization Act delivering $32 billion above the OMB request and on top of the money authorizers included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.\n\nThe Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which I chair, worked with Pentagon leaders to build in an extra $7 billion to address urgent munitions requirements. It included nearly $8 billion to address shortfalls from reconciliation. And it addressed billions of dollars in unfunded requirements submitted by the armed services and combatant commands. To do so, we set our top line at $21.7 billion above the administration\u2019s 2026 request.\n\nAs we look ahead to conferencing this bill with the House, Congress ought to ensure that this higher allocation is what the president signs into law. Mr. Trump\u2019s advisers should encourage him to help Congress pass a defense appropriations bill that makes the historic investments needed to restore peace through strength.\n\nA full-year bill capped at the OMB-requested level or another full-year continuing resolution would be devastating to the U.S. military. And it would imperil the president\u2019s military legacy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DEE36959-BEB2-4853-98F9-5F8776D5C0A6", "President Trump Signs Barr-Led Bill to Curb Opioid Deaths", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 This week, President Trump signed legislation boosting funding to an opioid recovery grant program, authored and championed by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY). First enacted in 2018, the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act created a targeted funding stream for treatment recovery centers to help individuals overcome addiction and successfully transition back into the workforce.\n\nThe CAREER Act grant program was included in the comprehensive SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, an extensive package focused on opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery. Under this reauthorization, programs funded through the CAREER Act received a $7 million annual increase, bringing total funding to $210 million. This boost provides critical resources to treatment providers nationwide, empowering individuals struggling with substance use disorder to rebuild their lives and reenter the workforce.\n\n\u201cKentucky\u2019s made significant strides in reducing overdose deaths thanks to the incredible efforts of our providers, but our fight against addiction is not over,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to Chairman Guthrie for his leadership on the SUPPORT Act, which reauthorized and expanded funding for the CAREER Act. This legislation equips providers on the frontlines with the tools they need to help individuals in recovery successfully return to the workforce, reclaiming the dignity, pride, and sense of purpose.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur efforts are making a real difference in combating the nation\u2019s opioid epidemic and saving lives through impactful legislation like the SUPPORT Act and the CAREER Act,\u201d said Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY). \u201cI want to thank Congressman Andy Barr for his work on the CAREER Act and Chairman Brett Guthrie for bringing this whole package across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cCAREER Act funding has helped us target resources for Kentuckians in recovery. We have been able to establish peer-to-peer mentorship programs and enable patients to pursue educational opportunities with this funding. We are grateful for the expansion of these resources and thank Congressman Barr for his leadership,\u201d said Kara Ball, Chief Development and Communications Officer at Isaiah House, who received a $2.4M federal grant through the CAREER Act.\n\nResearch from the Recovery Research Institute shows that helping people in recovery reconnect with the workforce not only strengthens their long-term stability, but also boosts their chances of remaining drug-free in the critical months after treatment. Meaningful employment gives individuals a renewed sense of purpose, helps restore dignity, and allows them to contribute to their families and communities as they rebuild their lives.\n\nWhile overdoses in Kentucky dropped by 30% in 2024 \u2013 which is an extraordinary improvement \u2013 the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still has Kentucky in the top ten for U.S. States and Territories in overdose death rates. In 2024, over 1,400 Kentucky families got the call that their loved one had passed away due to an overdose. This legislation will play a vital role in reducing overdose deaths and keeping families whole.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7687FE8F-E007-4637-B904-B594D914AAFC", "President Trump Signs into Law McConnell\u2019s Bill to Address Substance Abuse Epidemic and its Impact on Workforce", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that President Trump has signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation includes the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act of 2025, which Senator McConnell introduced earlier this year.\n\nThe CAREER Act assists individuals recovering from substance use disorders by funding stable, transitional housing and offering essential support to help them reenter the workforce and sustain employment. This legislation reauthorizes and strengthens two successful programs established under the original CAREER Act: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s Recovery Housing Program.\n\nSince the CAREER Act was first signed into law in 2018, Kentucky has received over $12 million in federal funding. These funds have been distributed to organizations throughout the state to tackle workforce participation challenges linked to substance abuse. For the past six years, Senator McConnell has championed the CAREER Act and secured its funding through the annual appropriations process. His legislation has played a vital role in helping countless Kentuckians rebuild their lives, offering the stability of housing and the opportunity for meaningful employment.\n\n\u201cI thank President Trump for recognizing the value of this program and the dedicated organizations helping individuals, affected by the substance abuse epidemic, to reenter the workforce,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cIn Kentucky, this crisis has taken lives at an alarming rate, impacting not only families and communities, but also our workforce. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to continue leading efforts to combat the epidemic\u2019s devastating impact on American workers and our economy. This crisis demands our ongoing attention, and we will keep working to provide Kentuckians in recovery with the tools they need to rebuild their lives and stay on the path to sobriety.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DA892639-48F2-461A-B0F8-0D88A82BE7A3", "Barr Mourns Murder of Army Hero, Again Backs Trump\u2019s Travel Ban", "2025-11-28", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Lexington, KY\u2014U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) released the following statement after the tragic murder of Army National Guardsman, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom:\n\n\u201cI join all Kentuckians and Americans in mourning the murder of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. Our troops deserve support \u2014 not reckless Democrat claims that they\u2019re following \u201cillegal orders,\u201d putting a target on their backs.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump is right to pause immigration from countries we can\u2019t vet. As I\u2019ve said repeatedly, \u201cIf we can\u2019t vet them, they don\u2019t belong here.\u201d That\u2019s why I voted against Biden\u2019s $6 billion Afghan resettlement package that rushed unvetted arrivals into the country. President Trump is cleaning up Biden\u2019s mess and I fully support him.\u201d\n\nIn September of 2021, Barr voted against H.R. 5305, which Joe Biden later signed into law. This bill provided $6.3B in emergency funding to support resettlement and support services for unvetted Afghan refugees. It also made refugees eligible for certain entitlement programs.\n\nBarr was joined in voting NO on this law by then-Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Mike Waltz, and Congressman Lee Zeldin.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D39228E9-F178-4FDB-AD0A-86B2B59B2903", "McConnell on Taiwan\u2019s Special Budget Request, Defense Investments Across Indo-Pacific", "2025-11-26", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "LOUISVILLE, KY \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding President Lai\u2019s $40 billion special budget request for defense:\n\n\u201cFrom historic new investments in Australia to accelerated defense spending timelines in Japan, America\u2019s allies and partners across Asia are demonstrating that they take threats to our shared security seriously. At the epicenter of the PRC\u2019s aggressive ambitions, President Lai\u2019s request for an historic special budget investment to bolster Taiwan\u2019s defenses with cutting-edge American-made capabilities is welcome news.\n\n\u201cAs Western-aligned nations around the world take the increasingly aligned threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea more seriously, we must not shirk our own responsibilities. From Taiwan and the Philippines to Israel and Ukraine, standing with friends and partners in the crosshairs of authoritarian aggression remains in America\u2019s national interests. Today, more than ever, we must practice what we preach and make sustained annual investments in our own military to meet growing global threats.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5A052D5A-1D8A-47E5-9009-03979EACD542", "Barr Secures Funding for New Firetrucks Across Kentucky\u2019s Sixth District", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Lexington, KY\u2014U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced that he delivered funding for two new fire trucks for Fire Departments in North Middletown and Stamping Ground today. This marks the second time in three months Congressman Barr has delivered new funding to strengthen fire and emergency services across Kentucky\u2019s Sixth District. Barr championed the two grants through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process, and the projects totaling nearly $800,000 were approved in the most recent government funding bill last week.\n\nFor North Middletown, the $214,500 grant will enable the purchase of a new fire engine, the city\u2019s first in 24 years. With a reserve truck now 42 years old, city leaders raised concerns regarding equipment reliability and the potential risks to community safety. The new engine will significantly enhance the department\u2019s emergency response capabilities.\n\nOfficials in Stamping Ground sought Congressman Barr\u2019s support for their $300,000 grant request, noting that a new pumper truck would be an economic benefit for the city.\n\n\u201cOur firefighters are the first line of defense for so many emergencies throughout our communities. I\u2019ll always fight to give our departments the next generation of equipment to keep our communities safe,\u201d said Congressman Barr.\n\n\u201cThe North Middletown Volunteer Fire Department, the City of North Middletown and the entire North Middletown community is excited to learn of the approval of our Community Project Funding request. This grant will help us in the purchase of a new fire apparatus, which will increase our abilities for emergency responses. We want to thank Congressman Barr for his help in securing this grant. Without his help this would not have been possible,\u201d said Jeff McFarland, who serves as the Mayor and Chief of the North Middleton Fire Department.\n\n\u201cFor the second time this year, Congressman Barr has brought home crucial federal funding to help our Department. We were approved for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs earlier this year to keep our firefighters safe on calls, and now, this new fire truck will improve our response on calls. We want to thank Congressman Barr and his team for working to get the job done for us in Washington,\u201d said Stamping Ground\u2019s Fire Chief Robert Hendricks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2BD7F33F-0783-451F-8BAE-77612A1455AB", "McConnell Helps Secure More Than $8.7 Million for Upgrades to Lexington and Louisville Bus Systems", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that two Kentucky transit agencies will receive $8,724,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund improvements to their bus maintenance facilities.\n\nThe competitive federal grants awarded to the Transit Authority of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (Lextran) and Louisville\u2019s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) come from the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Federal Transit Administration through the Buses and Bus Facilities Program, which was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Senator McConnell supported. Senator McConnell also wrote letters to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of the transit agencies\u2019 grant applications.\n\n$6,100,000 in federal funding to Lextran to procure new vehicles for their existing fleet. According to Lextran, they would acquire seven new buses and ten paratransit vehicles to replace outdated equipment.\n\n\u201cLextran will use this federal funding to replace several vehicles that are nearing the end of their useful service life,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThese new buses will improve reliability, increase efficiency, and help Lextran carry out its mission to provide dependable transportation services for families and workers across Lexington.\u201d\n\n\u201cReceiving this grant is a proud achievement for our agency that reinforces our commitment to the community we serve. Adding 10 new paratransit vehicles and 7 fixed-route buses to our fleet strengthens our transportation network. These investments will enhance connectivity for riders, improve the reliability of our daily service, and elevate safety across all operations. We are grateful for the ongoing support from the Federal Transit Administration and Senator McConnell for this investment,\u201d said Fred Combs, AICP, Lextran General Manager.\n\n$2,624,000 in federal funding to TARC to create a new dedicated bus brake maintenance shop to consolidate the entire brake maintenance operation into one service facility.\n\n\u201cThis federal funding will allow TARC to expand its operations, and the new brake-maintenance shop will help keep buses running safely, reliably, and on time,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cReliable public transit connects riders across Louisville and its suburbs to jobs, schools, and local businesses. TARC plays an important role in keeping our community moving, and this investment will strengthen the service that so many families rely on every day.\u201d\n\n\u201cTARC is committed to providing great service to the city of Louisville; this award places us in a better position to do just that as we move toward implementing the New TARC Network next August,\u201d said Ozzy Gibson, TARC Executive Director. \u201cWith the expansion of the 10th street maintenance facility, service reliability and performance across the fleet will improve for the Greater Louisville area; TARC is incredibly grateful to Senator McConnell for his support of this grant.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9E5260CE-748D-446F-BC51-1FD52A38690C", "McConnell Statement on Ukraine", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today:\n\n\u201cPutin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America\u2019s interests. And a capitulation like Biden\u2019s abandonment of Afghanistan would be catastrophic to a legacy of peace through strength.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2A07ABE0-6593-4EDC-BFA3-F2DF75F1439B", "Congressman Rogers Votes to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In a nearly unanimous vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) by a vote of 427-1, requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to release all documents and records relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Congressman Rogers voted in support of the bill, as well as the House Resolution that passed in September, directing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to continue its investigation of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.\n\n\u201cWe all want to see justice for the victims of this horrific sex trafficking ring involving minors. I applaud the strong vote today and the effective ongoing work of the Oversight Committee,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cWashington Democrats failed to release the Epstein files under the Biden Administration for four years, but I\u2019m grateful that we are moving forward in a bipartisan manner. I am hopeful that additional protections will be added to the bill for victim privacy, undercover law enforcement and whistleblowers.\u201d\n\nThe Oversight Committee has already released 65,000 pages of documents and the Acosta interview transcript. They have also subpoenaed the Justice Department\u2019s records, the Epstein Estates and Ghislaine Maxwell.\n\nThe bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395780", "Massie-Khanna \"Epstein Files Transparency Act\" Passes House of Representatives", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Thomas Massie", "M001184", "massie.house.gov", "massie", "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nWashington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie announces that his Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) passed the House of Representatives today on a vote of 427-1. EFTA received a vote after Rep. Massie successfully gathered 218 signatures on a discharge petition to force the legislation onto the House floor for consideration. EFTA requires the Attorney General to release all documents and records in possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein.\n\n\"Today's overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives to release the Epstein files is a major victory not only for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, but for victims of sexual abuse throughout the country,\" said Rep. Thomas Massie. \"EFTA's passage brings Epstein's victims one step closer to receiving justice and Americans one step closer to receiving transparency.\"\n\n\"The Epstein Files Transparency Act now moves to the Senate,\" Rep. Massie continued. \"The Senate should not add an amendment to EFTA to avoid disclosing those rich and powerful men who have evaded justice for so many years. Senators should quickly send the House-passed bill to the President for his signature.\"\n\nReps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act. President Trump has said that he will sign the legislation.\n\nBefore today's vote, Reps. Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, and Marjorie Taylor Greene held a press conference at the Capitol with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. The press conference is available in its entirety at this link.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/11/comer-secures-3-million-in-funding-for-campbellsville-university-s-school-of-business-economics-technology-building-project", "Comer Secures $3 Million in Funding for Campbellsville University\u2019s School of Business, Economics & Technology Building Project", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, recently passed by Congress, includes $3 million in federal funding for the construction of a premier academic building on the Campbellsville University (CU) campus in Taylor County, Kentucky. Congressman Comer led efforts in Congress to secure funding for Campbellsville University\u2019s School of Business, Economics, and Technology Building Project, which will create a premier new facility on CU\u2019s main campus to house the CU School of Business, Economics, and Technology.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked alongside local leaders at Campbellsville University and throughout Taylor County to secure federal funding for the Campbellsville University School of Business, Economics, and Technology Building Project. This investment marks a significant step forward for the University, providing modern space and resources to launch new and innovative academic programs. I remain committed to advocating in Congress for our local universities and students, so they have the tools they need to excel,\u201d said Congressman Comer.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for Congressman Comer\u2019s continued support and for the recognition of the vital role higher education plays in supporting our communities. This funding marks an important step in Campbellsville University\u2019s ongoing efforts to strengthen programs that prepare entrepreneurs and business leaders. CU is dedicated to helping Kentuckians pursue the American dream,\u201d said Joseph Hopkins, Campbellsville University President.\n\nBackground:\n\nCampbellsville University, located in Taylor County, is a private university enrolling more than 12,000 students, offering associate, bachelor\u2019s, and master\u2019s degrees. This grant will allow the new academic building to feature collaborative workspaces, an institute for economic development in partnership with local workforce and economic development organizations, a lecture and meeting space for the local community, a virtual learning lab equipped with VR, AR, and robotics tools, as well as a free enterprise and small business incubator.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=92673A11-06D0-4FD9-A774-32C4ED4C582E", "Congressman Rogers Secures More Than $7 Million for First Responders in Eastern Kentucky", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last week, President Donald J. Trump signed legislation passed by Congress to reopen the federal government after a 43-day shutdown. Three federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026 were included in the package to reopen the government, along with two requests for Community Project Funding from U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) that will help first responders in Eastern Kentucky.\n\nCongressman Rogers requested more than $3 million for a new Louisa Fire Department and Emergency Facility and nearly $4 million for the new Pikeville Police Department. The funding was passed and signed into law on Wednesday as well.\n\n\u201cOur rural first responders need federal, state and local support to make ends meet. I was honored to secure additional funding for the Pikeville Police Department and the Louisa Fire Department to help them expand services and upgrade their facilities to better serve the people of Eastern Kentucky,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for our brave first responders and proud to support the competitive projects that these two departments submitted for funding in our region.\u201d\n\nThe new fire and emergency operations facility in Lawrence County is estimated to take up to two years for construction with a projected cost totaling $4.2 million.\n\n\u201cI want to extend my sincere thanks to Congressman Hal Rogers for his strong support and advocacy that helped secure funding for the construction of our new Emergency Communications Response Center. This facility will bring together our Fire Department, Police Department, and Communications Center under one roof \u2014 with room for future EMS operations as well. This is a major step forward in improving public safety, emergency response coordination, and service to our citizens. I want to thank all those who helped make this project possible and for their continued commitment to keeping our community safe,\u201d said Harold Slone, Mayor of Louisa.\n\nThe estimated cost for the new Pikeville Police Department is $5 million with design and construction expected to take two years.\n\n\u201cThe City of Pikeville is extremely excited and thankful to the Congressman for his work in getting funding for the new Police Station. This new station is greatly needed as we have outgrown our current facility that is over 30 years old and originally designed for 12 officers. There are now 25 officers in the same location. This new facility will have the ability to expand and grow with the cities needs and growth and will drastically improve public safety,\u201d said Jimmy Carter, Mayor of Pikeville.\n\nCongressman Rogers submitted the maximum of 15 Community Project Funding requests totaling nearly $150 million for southern and eastern Kentucky. As Congress continues their work to pass the nine remaining federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, Congressman Rogers is hopeful that the remaining earmarks will pass the finish line as well.\n\nClick here a full list of the projects that Congressman Rogers has requested funding for.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/11/comer-secures-3-million-in-funding-for-trigg-county-hospital-emergency-ambulance-building-project", "Comer Secures $3 Million in Funding for Trigg County Hospital Emergency Ambulance Building Project", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, recently passed by Congress, includes $3 million in federal funding for the construction of a new emergency medical services and ambulance facility in Trigg County, Kentucky. Congressman Comer led efforts in Congress to secure funding for the Trigg County Hospital Emergency Building Project, aimed at replacing the county\u2019s outdated and undersized Emergency Ambulance Building and ensuring adequate facilities for its expanding team of first responders.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked alongside local leaders in Trigg County to secure funding in Congress for the Trigg County Hospital Emergency Building Project. For too long, Trigg County\u2019s first responders have operated out of an aging facility that is struggling to meet the needs of our growing community. This investment is a major step forward for our local medical services and will provide the modern space and tools they need to respond quickly and effectively when lives are on the line. I will continue working in Congress to support our local hospitals and first responders, so they have the resources necessary to keep Kentuckians safe and healthy,\u201d said Congressman Comer.\n\n\u201cThank you to Congressman Comer for his efforts in securing a grant for Trigg County Hospital to receive a new ambulance building. This project will be a tremendous benefit to Trigg County, Land Between the Lakes, and the surrounding lake area. We greatly appreciate his continued support and dedication to improving healthcare services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,\u201d said John Sumner, Chief Executive Officer of Trigg County Hospital.\n\n\u201cI would like to express my deepest gratitude to Congressman Comer for helping secure this Ambulance Building grant for Trigg County. This grant opportunity will ensure our technicians and paramedics are well taken care of while serving the citizens of Trigg County and its visitors. This funding will allow us to ensure our facilities are as good as any location across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Stan Humphries, Trigg County Judge Executive.\n\nBackground:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=ABACFADF-AB42-4888-A57D-5A2E2CC71867", "Senator McConnell Secures Over $11 Million for Kentucky Agriculture and Rural Communities", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured more than $11 million in federal funding for several Kentucky-focused priorities included in the final FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.\n\nUniversity of Kentucky College of Agriculture\n\n$10 million for the University of Kentucky and USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) Forage-Animal Production Unit. The federal funding will be used to construct a new state-of-the-art agricultural research laboratory at the University. This builds upon federal funding previously secured by Senator McConnell for the project in FY 2020.\n\n\u201cThis federal investment marks a major step forward for agricultural research and innovation at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cI was proud to secure this funding on behalf of UK, which will support agricultural research vital to our farmers and rural communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to Senator McConnell for his continued leadership and steadfast support of Kentucky agriculture. This investment strengthens a decades-long partnership between the University of Kentucky and the USDA Agricultural Research Service \u2014 one that has yielded innovations vital to our state\u2019s signature industries, from beef and equine production to the emerging hemp economy,\u201d said UK President Eli Capilouto. \u201cWith this funding, we can continue developing science-based solutions that advance the productivity and profitability of Kentucky farms and improve the livelihoods of those who sustain them.\u201d\n\nOhio County Healthcare\n\n$1.35 million for Ohio County Healthcare (OCH) Hospital Infrastructure Improvement Project. This federal funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades at Ohio County Healthcare, including replacing the roof of the main hospital in Hartford, restructuring patient care areas, and other equipment updates.\n\n\u201cOhio County Healthcare is a vital resource for tens of thousands of residents who depend on it for quality medical care, and it provides important jobs and health benefits to many families in our region,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThese much-needed infrastructure improvements will ensure the hospital remains safe, reliable, and capable of delivering prompt emergency care when it\u2019s needed most.\u201d\n\n\"As a rural Critical Access Hospital, we are deeply committed to providing high-quality care to our neighbors\u2014many of whom face economic hardship and limited access to essential health services,\u201d said Shellie Shouse, CEO of Ohio County Healthcare. \u201cSenator McConnell\u2019s continued support of OCH is not just appreciated; it is vital. Without it, our ability to safeguard the health and well-being of our community would be severely compromised.\"\n\nIn addition to the federal funding wins, the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report includes additional language and provisions advanced by Senator McConnell to benefit Kentucky and the broader national interest.\n\nCloses the Intoxicating Hemp Loophole\n\nIncludes language to close a loophole that has allowed the sale of unregulated intoxicating THC products to be manufactured and sold nationwide, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products. The measure locks in the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework. More info HERE.\n\nSupports White Oak Forest Conservation\n\nRecognizes the ecological and economic importance of White Oak forests and encourages the Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand conservation efforts. This provision supports Kentucky\u2019s signature bourbon industry and builds on McConnell-backed legislation like the White Oak Resiliency Act.\n\nEnhances Equine Health Research Funding\n\nEstablishes a dedicated line item in the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) budget for equine health. Previously equine health was grouped with programs for deer, sheep, goats, and other similar animals. This new structure provides greater transparency and a stronger focus on equine-specific research.\n\nEnsures Scientific Integrity in Alcohol Guidelines\n\nDirects the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA to rely solely on findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) when updating alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This provision addresses concerns raised during the Biden administration that the DGA Committee might rely on biased sources. It ensures that any guidance is based on sound science and independent expert review.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F3976C1E-8E32-44C9-B2D3-9D0079005A1F", "Senator McConnell Secures Federal Funding for Kentucky\u2019s Defense Facilities", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $147 million in federal funding for military construction projects at several Kentucky military facilities. The funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.\n\n\"I'm honored to represent multiple key military installations in Kentucky that play a critical role in our national defense,\" said Senator McConnell. \u201cThe legislation we passed\u2014and that the President signed\u2014will support essential construction projects across the state. This bill makes an important investment in Kentucky\u2019s contribution to the American defense industrial base by funding plans for a U.S.-based military shipping container production facility at Blue Grass Army Depot. It also provides substantial funding to modernize our military infrastructure at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, both of which are home to some of our military\u2019s most distinguished Army units, as well as the Kentucky National Guard\u2014further reinforcing Kentucky's deep importance to our national defense.\"\n\nSenator McConnell requested federal funding to support the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), Fort Campbell, Fort Knox and the Kentucky National Guard.\n\nBlue Grass Army Depot\n\n$27 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a military container production facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, Kentucky. The Department of Defense\u2019s global logistics operations rely heavily on 20-foot metal shipping containers for logistics and deployment, yet most of these containers are currently manufactured in China. While BGAD already operates a small facility focused on maintenance and repair of shipping containers, this federal funding will support plans for the construction of a new container production facility\u2014advancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing American dependence on foreign suppliers. This funding represents a step toward an opportunity identified in the Army\u2019s study on the feasibility of reusing the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant and the Blue Grass Army Depot infrastructure, which was authorized by the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. As articulated by the feasibility study, BGAD is a promising potential home for new missions that would help bridge critical supply chain gaps.\n\n\u201cSenator McConnell\u2019s steadfast leadership and vision continue to deliver meaningful results for Madison County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His success in securing funding for the new military container production project at the Blue Grass Army Depot represents a critical step in sustaining economic growth and preserving the skilled workforce that has long supported the Depot\u2019s mission. As operations at the Chemical Demilitarization Site conclude, Senator McConnell has worked alongside us for a continual focus on job replacement and reinvestment which ensures BGAD remains an anchor of opportunity and innovation for Madison County and for the nation,\u201d said Reagan Taylor, Madison County Judge Executive.\n\nFort Campbell\n\n$45 million in federal funding for the construction of a new air traffic control tower at Campbell Army Airfield. The existing tower, built in 1975, is among the oldest still in use in the U.S. Army. It supports the critical operations of the 101st Airborne Division and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell. This new tower will be more capable of supporting Campbell Army Airfield\u2019s high tempo of operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.\n\n$11 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a modernized hangar at Campbell Army Airfield. The 101st Airborne Division currently faces a shortage of hangar space for its CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A new hangar would accommodate the significant increase in Chinooks stationed at Fort Campbell and enhance the Campbell Army Airfield\u2019s readiness and operational effectiveness in support of the 101st\u2019s operations.\n\n\u201cThe Military Affairs Committee is proud to stand beside the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms. Our mission has always been to ensure they are supported, equipped, and prepared for success\u2014both in service and at home. We are deeply grateful for Senator McConnell\u2019s enduring leadership and his tireless advocacy for Fort Campbell. His commitment continues to strengthen not only the installation but the entire community that supports it,\u201d said Shannon Lane, Director, Military Affairs Committee, Christian County Chamber of Commerce; Member, Citizens for Fort Campbell.\n\nFort Knox\n\n$50 million in federal funding for the demolition of legacy aircraft hangars at Ft. Knox. According to base officials, the existing hangars at Ft. Knox are not suitable to support current and future operations at Godman Army Airfield.\n\n$8 million in federal funding for the construction of a vehicle access road at Ft. Knox. The funding will support the construction of a new two-way bypass to connect North Knox Street and Bullion Boulevard, allowing military equipment and large vehicles to easily travel between Fort Knox\u2019s main north-south roads.\n\n$4.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of two dining facilities at Ft. Knox. These new buildings would replace Fort Knox\u2019s dining facilities, which are currently spread across six structures built in the 1960s. The upgraded facilities would better support key missions of Fort Knox, including the Cadet Summer Training, and training support to external units. They would also be equipped to serve significant numbers of troops during a large-scale deployment of forces from Fort Knox in a time of crisis.\n\n\u201cWe are certainly thankful for Senator McConnell\u2019s continued support to Fort Knox. His support directly impacts Fort Knox as a strategic enabler of readiness and lethality and continues to make it a premier installation. Furthermore, the benefits Fort Knox derives from the Senator\u2019s support directly impacts the greater Fort Knox community,\u201d said Lance O\u2019Bryan, President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance.\n\nKentucky National Guard\n\n$1.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of the National Guard Readiness Center in Somerset. This federal funding will support the planning of a new Army National Guard Readiness Center and Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Somerset, Kentucky. Currently, elements of the Kentucky National Guard assigned to the existing Somerset Armory, which was built in 1949, and the London Field Maintenance Shop, which was built in 1958, operate out of dated facilities. This new facility in Somerset would provide consolidated, modern infrastructure to better support the Kentucky Army National Guard\u2019s operational needs in southeastern Kentucky.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=350D6AFF-F825-40DD-9D11-8EEEA5554DF6", "Senate Passes Resolution led by Sen. Cruz, Rep. Barr, Demanding China Release Pastor Ezra Jin and Other Leaders of Zion Church", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) demanding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) stop persecuting Christians and release Pastor Ezra Jin and other leaders of the Zion Church currently imprisoned in China.\n\nOn October 10, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party conducted the largest coordinated, nationwide crackdown against a Christian urban house church in over four decades. At least 22 pastors and church members from Zion Church, one of China\u2019s largest underground congregations, were arrested, including a prominent pastor and the founder of Zion Church, Pastor \u201cEzra\u201d Jin Mingri.\n\n\u201cChina needs to release Pastor Jin and stop persecuting Christians for practicing their faith. Until then, Senator Cruz and I will keep rallying our House and Senate colleagues to condemn this atrocity and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable,\u201d said Congressman Barr, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Select Committee on China.\n\n\u201cChristians are fighting daily for their religious freedom against the Chinese Communist Party,\u201d said Senator Cruz. \u201cLast month, the CCP carried out its largest nationwide crackdown in over four decades against a Christian house church in China. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Coons and my colleagues for standing with me to demand Pastor Jin and his congregation\u2019s release and to make clear that any government that fears faith is tyrannical.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party\u2019s campaign of repression against Christians, including the targeting of churches such as the Zion Church, is a violation of fundamental religious freedom rights,\u201d said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). \u201cI am glad to see the resolution condemning the CCP for abducting leaders of the Christian leaders, which I co-sponsored, has passed the Senate. This sends a clear message: faith is not a crime, and the United States condemns the recent alarming arrests of church leaders by CCP authorities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe abduction of Pastor Ezra Jin and the ongoing religious persecution against Christians in China is a tragedy and a violation to individual rights and freedoms,\u201d said U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). \u201cI strongly condemn the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s continued religious persecution of Christians, as well as believers of other faiths, and will continue to advocate for those being unfairly silenced. I\u2019m pleased the Senate passed our resolution unanimously.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party\u2019s targeting of Pastor Jin and the Zion Church is an attack on the God-given right to live out one\u2019s faith,\u201d said U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). \u201cI\u2019m pleased the Senate passed this bipartisan resolution condemning China\u2019s persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and I call for the immediate release of all those arrested. The United States stands with the persecuted and is committed to defending religious freedom.\u201d\n\n\u201cFaith isn\u2019t a crime. We need to call out China for once more targeting people of faith,\u201d said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to see the Senate\u2019s passage of our resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) brutal persecution of people of faith,\u201d said U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). \u201cThe CCP\u2019s record of religious oppression, including the unjust arrest of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and members of the Zion Church, is evil and unacceptable. With this bipartisan action, America is making clear our commitment to defend religious freedom as a basic human right and to stand up for all who are persecuted for their faith. I\u2019ll continue working with my colleagues to hold the CCP accountable and demand the release of Pastor Jin and all those imprisoned simply for worshipping God.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States has led the world in religious freedom, standing against tyrannical regimes like the People\u2019s Republic of China,\u201d said U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). \u201cWe must speak the truth about the regime\u2019s evil crackdown on Christians and other religious groups. We will not stop advocating for those living under the thumb of Xi Jinping\u2019s oppression.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=38BE2B66-BCBA-427A-8CCA-5DDC10FCEDA8", "Barr Votes Again to Reopen the Government, Blasts Democrats for the Schumer Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Tonight, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) voted for legislation to reopen the government and fund operations through January 30, 2026. Following his vote, Congressman Barr released this statement:\n\n\u201cFor over 40 days, Senate Democrats held our nation hostage\u2014blocking paychecks for air traffic controllers and putting food assistance for millions at risk. In the end, they achieved nothing but creating chaos. I\u2019m proud to stand with President Trump and House Republicans to reopen the government and get back to delivering the America First agenda.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=08F155E8-48CB-4635-AD7E-C40CA660C9D1", "Congressman Rogers Votes to Reopen the Federal Government", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Guarantees SNAP Benefits through September 2026\n\nRestores Pay for Military and Federal Workers\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) voted to end the longest federal government shutdown on record by supporting the Continuing Appropriations Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026.\n\nThe bill extends government operations through January 30, 2026, guarantees SNAP food benefits through September 2026, restores pay for the military and all federal employees, gets air travel back on track before the holidays, and includes three federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, including all veterans\u2019 programs.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a shame that the American people\u2019s paychecks and SNAP benefits were \u2018leveraged\u2019 by Washington Democrats to keep the government shutdown for their own agenda. Thankfully, after more than 40 days, enough Democrats saw the light and decided to vote with Republicans to pass the bill and responsibly reopen the federal government,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cThis bill gives us more time to work on healthcare needs and other funding priorities, while ensuring no more federal paychecks are missed and no more people go hungry \u2013 something that should never be negotiable. As an appropriator, I\u2019m glad we picked up lost time by passing three federal funding bills in this package for next year, including veterans\u2019 health care benefits, funding for our farmers and rural broadband. We have a lot of work left to do and I\u2019m grateful to get the country back on track.\u201d\n\nAs Dean of the House, Congressman Rogers led a House bereavement resolution to adjourn in memory of former Vice President Dick Cheney who passed away on November 3, 2025. Rogers and Cheney served in the House together from 1981 to 1989.\n\nSummaries for the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills:\n\nAgriculture (including USDA & FDA)\n\nLegislative Branch\n\nMilitary Construction & Veterans Affairs\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9BC0F429-AEAA-4DF4-B5DA-38FFC1E72CA4", "McConnell Hemp Provision Targets Intoxicating THC Products; Protects Industrial Hemp and CBD", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) secured language in the FY 2026 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill to close a loophole that has allowed the sale of unregulated intoxicating THC products to be manufactured and sold nationwide, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products. The measure locks in the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework.\n\nSenator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, played a key role in crafting the legislation. \u201cThe language I helped secure in the Agriculture Appropriations bill addresses a serious concern regarding the manufacturing and selling of unregulated, intoxicating THC products nationwide,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\nOnce the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill passes in the Senate and the House, it will go to President Trump for his signature.\n\nThe hemp provision would accomplish the following:\n\nIndustrial hemp: Defines \u201cindustrial hemp\u201d to clarify that hemp that is used for industrial applications \u2014 such as seed, stock, fiber, grain oil \u2014 or hemp used in federally authorized research, drug trials, or research at an institution of higher education, including at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.\n\nSynthetic \u201chemp\u201d products: Prohibits synthetic cannabinoids.\n\nTHC Limits in final hemp products: Excludes intoxicating THC products that contain more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per package/container from the definition of hemp.\n\nPreserves Farm Bill definition in hemp plants: Leaves in place the 0.3% limit on total THC for hemp plants growing in the field.\n\nProtects CBD: Does NOT place any limits on the amount of non-intoxicating CBD products that can be in a product or container. Industrial hemp and CBD products that contain traceable or low amounts of THC would continue to be legal.\n\nImplementation and Guidance: To help give our hemp farmers ample time to prepare for their future, the legislation also contains a one-year implementation delay and requires FDA to establish industry guidance within 90 days.\n\n\u201cThe language included in today\u2019s bill preserves the legitimate hemp industry while addressing the rise of intoxicating and synthetic THC products. Industrial hemp and CBD will remain legal for industrial applications \u2014 such as seed, stock, fiber, grain oil \u2014 or used in drug trials, federally authorized research, or research at an institution of higher education, such as the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture\u2019s Industrial Hemp Research Program,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cI am proud to have championed this language that keeps these products out of the hands of children, secures the future of regulated hemp businesses, and keeps our promise to American farmers and law enforcement by clarifying the intention in the 2018 Farm Bill\u201d\n\n\u201cThese psychoactive products are being sold openly in vape shops and convenience stores with little to no regulation, making them readily accessible to middle and high school students. Their intoxicating effects can impair judgment, hinder academic performance, and increase the likelihood of progression to more dangerous substances. The KNOA is far more concerned for the welfare of our youth than for the profits of an industry that converts hemp into such harmful products,\u201d said Tommy Loving, Executive Director of the Kentucky Narcotic Officers\u2019 Association. \u201cThe Kentucky Narcotic Officers\u2019 Association commends Senator Mitch McConnell for his continued leadership in working to close this loophole. Senator McConnell has long been an advocate for protecting children and supporting law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.\u201d\n\n\"Our community works together to keep all of our children safe from many threats. Unfortunately, the proliferation of vaping products that contain delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10, are readily available at retail outlets in all areas of our community. These vapes are being purchased and used by students as young as 10 years old. Students, who many times are trying vaping for the first time, are being exposed to intoxicating hemp products and the results are dangerous. We have created a system that does not provide safeguards to protect our K-12 students from these dangerous products. I commend Senator McConnell for working to close these loopholes in order to protect every child in Kentucky,\u201d said Gary Fields, Bowling Green Independent School District Superintendent.\n\n\"Senator McConnell\u2019s steadfast leadership since 2013 has been instrumental in establishing industrial hemp as a critical new commodity, paving the way for growth in American agriculture and manufacturing. The National Hemp Association looks forward to working with him and his colleagues to secure a promising future for our nation\u2019s hemp farmers and the many benefits hemp provides,\u201d said Geoff Whaling, Chair of the National Hemp Association.\n\nAdditional Support for the Legislation\n\n39 Attorneys General wrote to Congress regarding the legislation on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.\n\nIn the letter, they write, \u201cWe ask that Congress clarify the federal definition of hemp during the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process or through the reauthorization of the Farm Bill to leave no doubt that these harmful products are illegal and that their sale and manufacture are criminal acts\u2026 Many of these products\u2014created by manufacturers by manipulating hemp to produce synthetic THC\u2014are more intoxicating and psychoactive than marijuana a Schedule I controlled substance and are often marketed to minors. Unless Congress acts, this gross distortion of the 2018 Farm Bill\u2019s hemp provision will continue to fuel the rapid growth of an underregulated industry that threatens public health and safety and undermines law enforcement nationwide.\u201d\n\nHealth and safety groups from across the country wrote to Congress regarding the impact this issue is having \u2013 especially on children --- and the need to address it.\n\nIn the letter, they write, \u201cThe 2018 Farm Bill\u2019s definition of hemp has been interpreted by the hemp industry as \u201clegalizing\u201d hemp-derived THC and all other psychoactive substances derived from hemp\u2026that have similar effects as delta-9 THC The current definition of hemp has created serious challenges for regulators and public-health officials, while fueling widespread, largely unmonitored sales of highly intoxicating products. These substances are now sold nationwide \u2013 in gas stations, convenience stores, head shops and online \u2013 in ways that are purposely made both accessible and attractive to youth.3-7 These substances are often sold in the form of gummies, chocolates, chips, candies, and cookies\u2026 There have been thousands of calls to U.S. poison control centers from use of these products, more than 30% for children 5 years and younger.\u201d\n\nOp-ed by Dr. Matt Rossheim, a professor, substance use prevention researcher, and parent in Fort Worth, Texas, where he writes that \u201cCongress must close this loophole, restore hemp to its intended purpose as stated by the sponsors of the original bill, and protect kids before more families are harmed.\u201d\n\nIn the op-ed, Dr. Rossheim writes: \u201cSince 2021, poison control centers have handled more than 10,000 delta-8 THC cases. In Kentucky, pediatric cannabis poisonings have increased sixfold since 2018, and youth presenting with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome \u2013 severe pain with uncontrollable vomiting \u2013 have risen tenfold. No parent should have to wonder whether a pack of gummies at the corner store could send their child to the ER\u2026 Some claim that banning intoxicating THC products would destroy the entire hemp market. But hemp has countless legitimate uses: nutritious foods and animal feed, durable textiles, sustainable building materials, eco-friendly plastics, rope, clothing, biofuels, and cosmetics, to name a few. To suggest these markets can\u2019t survive without marijuana look-alikes is like saying corn farmers can\u2019t thrive without moonshine. It\u2019s simply not true.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-pauls-remarks-defending-the-hemp-industry/", "", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON DC \u2013 Tonight, November 10th, 2025, Dr. Paul delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding his amendment to remove language in the government funding package that targets the hemp industry. The amendment would protect farmers, processors, and small businesses by striking provisions that impose restrictive regulations on hemp farmers and hemp-derived products.\n\nWatch the full remarks here.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5D8EA719-A5C0-4415-AC25-49A2C143B41F", "McConnell Delivers Senate Floor Speech on Louisville UPS Plane Crash", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding yesterday\u2019s UPS cargo plane crash in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky:\n\n\u201cI know that many of our colleagues will have seen the tragic news out of my hometown yesterday. And I\u2019m grateful that their thoughts and prayers this morning are with the people of Louisville. Folks around Jefferson County need those prayers right now, and in the days and weeks to come.\n\n\u201cThe death toll from last evening\u2019s UPS cargo crash has risen throughout the day. For the families of these victims, and for the injured survivors being treated at area hospitals, life will never be the same.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of grief welling up right now in Kentucky. This would be true even in the case of a single life lost. But as local first responders, state officials, and federal investigators continue their work today, I\u2019d like to help our colleagues understand what makes this tragedy such a gut punch in a place like Louisville.\n\n\u201cDuring the day, Louisville International hums with thousands of passengers from across the country. But around the clock, Louisville is also a hub for global shipping and logistics. Business supplies, consumer goods, Christmas gifts\u2026 if it\u2019s going somewhere in short order, there\u2019s a good chance it\u2019s passing through UPS Worldport in Louisville. None of this is possible without teams of devoted professionals.\n\n\u201cLouisville is home to logistics experts, warehouse workers, aircraft crew and maintainers. They take pride in their work, and their community takes pride in them. That\u2019s why this crash cuts so deep. It\u2019s about all of us. Today, Jefferson County schools and many local businesses are closed. Neighbors are mourning neighbors.\n\n\u201cSo today will be a tough day in the Commonwealth. But the people of Louisville are grateful for the swift, life-saving efforts of our first responders from local police, fire, and EMS. They can trust in the prayers of their fellow Americans. And I want them to know that their representatives here in Washington are making sure that every federal resource they need is on the ground or headed that way soon.\n\n\u201cI spoke with Mayor Craig Greenberg this morning, and my team and I will continue to stay in close contact with local, state, and federal officials, including at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in the coming days. But first and foremost, I\u2019m keeping my fellow Kentuckians in my prayers, and I\u2019d ask our colleagues to do the same.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3B648B2E-E3A6-4A61-99E9-F915566AE491", "Reps Barr and Shreve Urge Terrorist-Designation for Radical Palestinian Group", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging the Department to designate the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) a terrorist organization. Documents published in recent news reports show the role that the PCPA working with Hamas to organize a flotilla of illicit resources sent to Gaza that bypassed a blockade of shipments coming into the area. Israel designated the PCPA a terrorist organization in January of 2022.\n\n\u201cWe write to encourage the Treasury Department to designate the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) as an affiliate of Hamas and a Specially Designated Terrorist Group under Executive Order 13224,\u201d their letter read in-part.\n\n\u201cNow, new documents uncovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, and released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, offer new insight into the group\u2019s terrorist ties,\u201d the letter continued. \u201cThese documents include an official letter from Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and a roster of senior PCPA operatives, conclusively establishing the organization\u2019s ties to Hamas.\u201d\n\n\u201cMost recently, the PCPA helped fund a flotilla of propaganda ships to violate Israel\u2019s legal naval blockade of Gaza. While the flotilla claims its effort is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, it has rejected multiple offers by Israeli officials to provide the aid via established channels. We urge you to act swiftly to designate the PCPA and its affiliates, impose targeted sanctions, and hold accountable those who facilitate terrorism under the guise of civil society,\u201d the letter concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=19BCE5B7-33C2-4A63-A5A0-5E55A6E4341B", "Vice President Dick Cheney", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney:\n\n\u201cElaine and I join the Senate and the entire nation in mourning the loss of former Vice President Richard B. Cheney.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s 46th Vice President and President of the Senate will be remembered for decades of deeply patriotic and highly capable service to our republic. From the highest reaches of power in Washington, Dick Cheney served with a profound and humble appreciation for the rules, principles, and institutions that sustain America\u2019s experiment in self-governance.\n\n\u201cRarely in our history have immense organizational competence, far-sighted vision, and sheer force of will coincided as they did in the leader who served as White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States. From his stewardship of the Department of Defense from the end of the Cold War through the Gulf War to his steady counsel to President Bush when terrorists launched a war against America on September 11, 2001, his intellect, experience, and resolve made America safer. As grave threats to our security continue to loom, his commitment to American leadership will remain a lesson.\n\n\u201cToday, we join Vice President Cheney\u2019s wife, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and the entire Cheney family in mourning a monumental life.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=36624A39-889F-4B36-9F0C-78112B640845", "McConnell on the Passing of Former Governor Martha Layne Collins", "2025-11-01", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins:\n\n\u201cAs Kentucky\u2019s first female governor, Martha Layne Collins was known for breaking barriers. Governor Collins was a tireless advocate for all levels of education in Kentucky, and that passion carried her throughout her life. She also promoted growth in the Commonwealth by bringing the Toyota Plant to Georgetown stimulating the regional economy. It is with deep sadness that Elaine and I learned about Governor Collins\u2019 passing, and we send our sincere condolences to her husband, Bill, and her two children.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8BF5E4BA-D796-46C7-BB53-ACD9372385F0", "McConnell: Servicemembers Deserve Open Gov\u2019t, Full-Year Defense Funding", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the consequences of Democrats\u2019 shutdown for the U.S. Armed Forces and the need to pass full-year defense appropriations:\n\n\u201cGovernment shutdowns have real consequences. I\u2019ve said so countless times.\n\n\u201cIncredibly, it seems to have taken Democrats a month to remember that the proverbial stove is, in fact, hot. And yet, they\u2019re not ready to turn it off\u2026 Just turn it down a notch\u2026 Just low enough that they can take the political heat.\n\n\u201cMy friend from Delaware is right: Our military deserves a lot better than a government shutdown that jeopardizes their paychecks and the services military families count on.\n\n\u201cDuring Democrats\u2019 shutdown, the President has had to scrape together unobligated balances within the Defense budget in order to uphold the nation\u2019s promise to servicemembers through another pay period.\n\n\u201cI certainly hope he won\u2019t have to divert resources from urgent modernization again to make payroll in another two weeks. But that ball, of course, is in the Democrats\u2019 court. And I hope they\u2019ll realize soon that the surest way to help servicemembers and civilian DoD employees is to simply turn government funding back on\u2026 and pass full-year appropriations.\n\n\u201cI know my counterpart on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, of all people, understands this. He knows what would really help our armed forces \u2013 because he and I worked closely together on a full-year bill for defense that would pay servicemembers and invest more in the capabilities they need to keep America safe.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful for Senator Coons\u2019 collaboration on the bipartisan bill that earned overwhelming support in committee and would add $22 billion above the President\u2019s defense request. This, by the way, is the bill that almost every Democrat voted against considering two weeks ago. I know the Ranking Member cares about the promises we make to the all-volunteer force and the challenges we expect them to face. I know he\u2019s concerned about the erosion of Congress\u2019 authority to set and fund national security priorities. So am I. And if we cannot appropriate, we will render ourselves irrelevant.\n\n\u201cThe way to provide real certainty and deliver serious, full-year appropriations is to open the government and pass our bill. It\u2019s that simple.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/chairman-comer-blasts-democrats-for-smears-against-president-trump-urges-them-to-reopen-the-government", "Chairman Comer Blasts Democrats for Smears Against President Trump, Urges Them to Reopen the Government", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) to discuss the need for Senate Democrats to reopen the government and provide an update on the Committee\u2019s investigation of the federal government\u2019s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Chairman Comer emphasized that Democrats are attempting to distract from the fact that they shut down the government by pushing a false narrative about President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Chairman Comer made it clear that the evidence gathered does not implicate President Trump in any way. He concluded by calling on Democrats to stop playing political games and reopen the government.\n\nBelow are Chairman Comer\u2019s prepared remarks.\n\nToday marks 21 days of the Schumer Shutdown.\n\nDemocrats\u2019 political games are hurting hardworking Americans.\n\nThis week, essential federal workers won\u2019t receive their paychecks because Democrats voted against paying them.\n\nThat includes Border Patrol and CBP agents, TSA and FAA staff, DOD civilians, FEMA responders, and Capitol Police officers.\n\nThe overwhelming majority of Americans oppose this Democrat shutdown.\n\nDemocrats know it, so they\u2019re trying to distract from the fact that they shut down the government by pushing a false narrative about President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.\n\nLet me be clear: No one is protecting Epstein or his associates.\n\nThe House Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough review of the federal government\u2019s handling of the Epstein investigation\u2014one that goes far beyond the discharge petition the Legacy Media is obsessed with.\n\nTo date, the Oversight Committee has released roughly 43,000 pages of documents and issued 13 subpoenas.\n\nWe\u2019ve conducted a deposition with former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and a transcribed interview with former U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta.\n\nAnd guess what? Those interviews completely debunk the Democrats\u2019 smear against President Trump.\n\nBarr stated there was no evidence that President Trump was involved in Epstein\u2019s criminal activity.\n\nAcosta confirmed there was no contact with President Trump during the Florida case\u2014no link, no conversations, nothing.\n\nDespite these facts, Democrats, especially Ranking Member Garcia, continue to spread lies about President Trump. They\u2019re infected with an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.\n\nOversight Committee Democrats post daily about Epstein. In fact, they\u2019ve posted or reposted about Epstein nearly 60 times on X since the shutdown began.\n\nDo you know how many times they\u2019ve posted about essential federal workers not receiving paychecks because they voted against funding the government? Once.\n\nLet\u2019s be clear: Democrats don\u2019t care about transparency or accountability in this matter. The evidence we\u2019ve gathered does not implicate President Trump in any way.\n\nPublic reporting, survivor testimony, and official documents show that Bill Clinton had far closer ties to Epstein and Maxwell.\n\nWe\u2019re working to bring Bill Clinton in for a deposition, but Democrats aren\u2019t helping to get him here.\n\nWhy is that? That\u2019s a question every reporter should be asking Ranking Member Garcia and every Democrat on the committee.\n\nThe Oversight Committee remains committed to accountability and transparency for the American people and for Epstein\u2019s victims.\n\nOur investigation hasn\u2019t stopped during the shutdown. In fact, we released more documents just this past Friday.\n\nDemocrats need to stop playing games and vote to reopen the government.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/icymi-comer-discusses-bombshell-biden-autopen-report-on-fox-news-ingraham-angle", "ICYMI: Comer Discusses Bombshell Biden Autopen Report on Fox News\u2019 Ingraham Angle", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined \u201cThe Ingraham Angle\u201d on Fox News to discuss his bombshell report titled \u201cThe Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.\u201d The report details how President Joe Biden\u2019s senior advisors, political aides, and personal physician colluded to deliberately hide his cognitive and physical decline from the American people. Chairman Comer emphasized that, as President Biden\u2019s health declined, Biden White House staffers usurped presidential authority by executing decisions without the President\u2019s awareness\u2014including misusing the autopen and bypassing proper documentation of decision-making processes.\n\n\u201cIt is astonishing. We are talking about thousands of pardons and dozens of executive orders. Especially during the last three months of the Biden Administration. That\u2019s what the Oversight Committee focused on. Every key Biden staffer who we deposed had a different story on what the proper process was that they followed in using the autopen to sign a legal document. Their stories were inconsistent. Then we have emails from the Merrick Garland Department of Justice expressing concern to these same staffers about the excessive use of the Biden autopen and asked them point blank questions about what their approval process was,\u201d said Chairman Comer.\n\n\u201cLaura, it is a fact that none of these staffers really saw Joe Biden. No one who authorized the autopen or gave the authorization to use the autopen rarely ever heard directly from Joe Biden. There are no notes. No chain of custody that would show that Joe Biden was involved in any meetings. These staffers confirmed that they would go weeks, months, and even years without communicating with Joe Biden. Some of them even pled the Fifth. This is a massive cover-up and what we determined is that every pardon and executive order should be null and void,\u201d continued Chairman Comer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/oversight-committee-releases-report-on-the-biden-autopen-presidency", "Oversight Committee Releases Report on the Biden Autopen Presidency", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "The report exposes Biden\u2019s decline, the White House cover-up, and invalid executive actions signed by autopen; Chairman Comer sends referrals to the DOJ and D.C. Board of Medicine\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a staff report titled \u201cThe Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.\u201d The report exposes how President Joe Biden\u2019s top advisors, political operatives, and personal physician concealed the President\u2019s mental and physical decline from the American people. The findings reveal that as President Biden\u2019s condition deteriorated, his aides exercised presidential authority and facilitated executive actions without his direct authorization, including misusing the autopen and failing to properly document decision-making processes.\n\nFollowing the findings of its investigation, the Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting the U.S. Department of Justice conduct a comprehensive review of all executive actions taken during the Biden presidency and scrutinize key Biden aides\u2014Dr. Kevin O\u2019Connor, Annie Tomasini, and Anthony Bernal\u2014who pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the investigation. Chairman Comer also sent a letter to the District of Columbia Board of Medicine seeking its review of actions taken by Dr. O\u2019Connor to determine any potential wrongdoing in his medical care of the former president.\n\n\u201cThe Biden Autopen Presidency will go down as one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. As Americans saw President Biden\u2019s decline with their own eyes, Biden\u2019s inner circle sought to deceive the public, cover-up his decline, and took unauthorized executive actions with the autopen that are now invalid,\u201d said Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.). \u201cOur report reveals how key aides colluded to mislead the public and the extraordinary measures they took to sustain the appearance of presidential authority as Biden\u2019s capacity to function independently diminished. Executive actions performed by Biden White House staff and signed by autopen are null and void. We are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of these executive actions and scrutinize key Biden aides who took the Fifth to hide their participation in the cover-up. The D.C. Board of Medicine must also review the actions taken by President Biden\u2019s physician to hide his true condition. We have provided Americans with transparency about the Biden Autopen Presidency, and now there must be accountability.\u201d\n\nThe report is based on 14 depositions and transcribed interviews with key Biden aides. During the investigation, Oversight Committee Democrats did not consider the question of who was running the country for four years to be worth further inquiry. Democrat Members and staff asked only about 3 hours and 30 minutes\u2019 worth of questions over nearly 47 hours of depositions and transcribed interviews. On average, across the 14 interviews and depositions conducted by the Committee, Democrats spent just 15 minutes questioning each witness.\n\nBelow are key findings and recommendations from the report:\n\nBiden\u2019s Decline and Cover-Up: The Oversight Committee found substantial evidence that President Joe Biden experienced significant mental and physical decline during his presidency, while senior White House officials actively sought to conceal his deterioration from the public. President Biden\u2019s inner circle, including top advisors and his physician, undertook coordinated efforts to mislead the public regarding his cognitive state, using scripted messaging, restricted access, and tightly controlled appearances. White House staff meticulously controlled President Biden\u2019s daily activities, public appearances, and workload to mask his declining capabilities. This included restricting media access, avoiding unscripted events, and even seeking input from Hollywood figures on presentation strategy. Key advisors, including senior strategist Mike Donilon, stood to gain financially and politically from maintaining President Biden\u2019s candidacy and suppressing evidence of his decline.\n\nGaslighting the American Public over Concerns about Biden\u2019s Debate Performance and Cognitive Decline: Even a year later, President Biden\u2019s former senior circle denies not only that his cognitive decline was on full display in his 2024 debate with President Trump, but that the public was ever even concerned about cognitive decline. In their view, public concern about Biden\u2019s debate performance was about his \u201cbad cold\u201d and more general feelings about potential limitations due to his advanced age.\n\nPolitical Interference in Medical Decisions and Failure of Medical Oversight: Testimony from senior officials, including Jeff Zients and Anita Dunn, revealed that political advisors interfered with decisions regarding President Biden\u2019s medical evaluations, explicitly rejecting calls for cognitive testing to protect his reelection prospects. Dr. Kevin O\u2019Connor, the President\u2019s physician, did not perform a cognitive assessment of President Biden and invoked his Fifth Amendment right when questioned by the Committee. Testimony suggests that Dr. O\u2019Connor\u2019s medical judgments were influenced by political advisors and that his financial ties to the Biden family presented conflicts of interest.\n\nReferral of Biden\u2019s Physician to D.C. Board of Medicine: Chairman Comer recommends that the District of Columbia Board of Medicine review the actions taken by Dr. O\u2019Connor while serving as the White House physician to President Biden for any potential wrongdoing in the medical care of the former president\u2014including whether Dr. O\u2019Connor produced false or misleading medical reports to the American people.\n\nExercise of Presidential Authority by Biden Aides, Making Executive Actions Signed by Autopen Invalid: Senior Biden staff exercised presidential authority or facilitated executive actions without direct authorization from President Biden himself, including through misuse of the autopen and failures in documenting decision-making processes. The Oversight Committee found alarming deficiencies in the documentation and custody of the President\u2019s decision binder, including instances where executive actions were executed without written authorization or clear record of the President\u2019s approval. The Committee identified irregularities in the issuance of pardons and commutations during the final days of the Biden presidency, including those involving members of the Biden family, where the autopen was used without confirmed presidential authorization or proper documentation.\n\nReferral to DOJ for Review of Executive Actions and Key Aides Involved in the Cover-Up: Chairman Comer is calling on the Department of Justice conduct a comprehensive review of all executive actions taken during the Biden presidency and is referring key Biden aides\u2014Dr. Kevin O\u2019Connor, Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal\u2014for further scrutiny after they took the Fifth Amendment during the investigation.\n\nRead the report and letters here:\n\nStaff Report: \u201cThe Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House\u201d\n\nLetter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Department of Justice\n\nLetter to Board Chair Dr. Andrea Anderson, District of Columbia Board of Medicine\n\nBelow are links to the transcripts and videos from the depositions and transcribed interviews conducted during the investigation:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D1763366-63E6-4404-8FDD-B932A4691CB7", "McConnell on Tariff Votes", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, released the following statement today on the Senate\u2019s consideration of resolutions to terminate national emergency tariff authorities:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m approaching this week\u2019s votes on tariffs the same way I did earlier this year, and the same way I have my entire career.\n\n\u201cProtectionists in Washington insist that the past several months have vindicated the policy of indiscriminate trade war against both close allies and strategic adversaries. But Kentuckians are especially well-equipped to sort the bluster from the truth.\n\n\u201cNew trade barriers imposed this year have made it harder to sustain the supply chains that let thousands of Kentuckians build cars and appliances in the Commonwealth. Retaliatory tariffs on American products have turned agricultural income upside down for many of Kentucky\u2019s nearly 70,000 family farms. Bourbon has been caught in the crossfire from Day One. And consumers are paying higher prices across the board as the true costs of trade barriers fall inevitably on them.\n\n\u201cProtectionists eagerly celebrate the revenue from tariff duties. But they don\u2019t talk nearly as much about how much of that revenue they\u2019ll spend protecting American growers and producers from the avoidable harm of their policies.\n\n\u201cTariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive. The economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule. And no cross-eyed reading of Reagan will reveal otherwise. This week, I will vote in favor of resolutions to end emergency tariff authorities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7E05D80F-F772-4031-A238-001F561A6D74", "Congressman Rogers Calls for an End to the Federal Government Shutdown Ahead of the Holiday Season to Protect SNAP Benefits, Head Start, and Federal Paychecks", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The federal government shutdown will impact key programs ahead of the holiday season on November 1, when funding is set to run out for food assistance, Head Start and federal paychecks. U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) voted to keep those programs running and the federal government open as part of the continuing resolution that was passed by the House on September 19. Senate Democrats have voted down the House plan at least 12 times, refusing to reopen the federal government.\n\n\u201cThe answer to pay for SNAP, Head Start, military and other federal paychecks is simple \u2013 Washington Democrats need to end the government shutdown. The House passed a simple, clean bill to give us time to finalize our work for federal funding through 2026, including more time to work on healthcare for the American people. Instead, food aid for more than 40 million Americans is now at risk \u2013 and that is unacceptable,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cSenate Democrats need to put the American people above politics and reopen the federal government.\u201d\n\nThe Senate needs 60 votes to pass the continuing resolution to reopen the federal government. With only 53 Republicans in the Senate, Democrat support is necessary to end the government shutdown.\n\nAll of Congressman Rogers\u2019 offices remain open during the government shutdown, located in Ashland, Hazard, Prestonsburg, Somerset and Washington. Constituents in the 33 counties in Kentucky\u2019s Fifth Congressional District can learn more about congressional services at halrogers.house.gov, follow him on social media or call 1-800-632-8588.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=932CF123-30E5-414E-88B6-34F273B0FFBF", "Barr Receives A+ Grade from NumbersUSA for Championing Border Security Priorities in Congress", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is one of the top seven members in the House pushing for stronger border security legislation. NumbersUSA gave Barr their top, A+ grade, which only seven House members received.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been with President Trump every step of the way to secure our border,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cFrom funding the wall, to leading the defense of his authority to build the wall in court, to voting for the largest surge in resources to DHS in history. I\u2019ll keep working with President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan to make our border more secure than ever.\u201d\n\n\u201cAndy Barr has a 100% A + rating on NumbersUSA\u2019s grade card,\u201d said Mike Hough, co-President of NumbersUSA. \u201cThis grade shows that Rep. Barr is a leader in Congress for border security and enforcing our nation\u2019s laws. He is championing our priorities: limiting birthright citizenship, ending chain migration and the visa lottery, and stopping asylum abuse. We are fortunate to have great leaders like Andy working to enact tougher immigration laws in Congress.\u201d\n\nJust during this session of Congress, Congressman Barr voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $170B to secure the border. He also has introduced a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the children of illegal immigrants from obtaining birthright citizenship. Just last week, he and Senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill to crack down on liberal states giving illegal immigrants commercial driver\u2019s licenses that have led to the deaths of some Americans in recent weeks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395775", "Massie Introduces Patent Reform Legislation Restoring  \"First to Invent\" Protection to Inventors", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Thomas Massie", "M001184", "massie.house.gov", "massie", "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie announces the introduction of patent reform legislation designed to restore to Americans a patent system \"as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it.\" Massie's legislation, HR 5811, the Restoring America's Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 (RALIA), reverses several harmful changes to patent law that arose from Supreme Court rulings and the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Among the significant reforms contained in Massie's legislation is a return to the \"first to invent\" standard to ensure patent protection for America's inventors.\n\n\"RALIA restores a patent system as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it to Americans,\" said Congressman Massie. \"In Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to protect the discoveries of inventors. Specifically, they created a patent system to 'promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.' Regrettably, Congress's 2011 enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act has worked in concert with several Supreme Court decisions to erode this protection's strength and value.\"\n\n\"As the Constitution intends, RALIA restores patent protection to inventors by awarding patents on a 'first to invent' basis rather than the more recently adopted 'first to file' standard,\" Congressman Massie continued. \"A return to a 'first to invent' patent protection system ensures that inventors and the investors who back them can be confident that their innovative work and ideas will be safeguarded. Patents should protect those who innovate, not those who win the race to the patent office.\"\n\nIn addition to restoring patent protections to a \"first to invent\" standard, RALIA contains other important reforms to the patent system. Notably, RALIA affirms that a patent secures private property rights, allows inventors to once again obtain injunctions against intellectual property thieves, restores inventors' rights to defend their inventions in court by abolishing the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and ends the automatic publication of patent applications unless a patent is granted.\n\nAmong the groups supporting Congressman Massie's legislation are: American Association of Senior Citizens, American Business Defense Council, American Policy Center, Conservatives for Property Rights, Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, Less Government, Let Freedom Ring, Market Institute, Prosperity for US Foundation, 60 Plus Association, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, The Committee for Justice, Tradition Family Property Inc., U.S. Business & Industry Council, US Inventor, and Veterans Intellectual Property.\n\nRandy Landreneau, President, US Inventor, offered the following statement of support for the Massie legislation:\n\n\"For two decades, misguided changes\u2014driven by large corporations seeking dominance\u2014have gutted the rights of American inventors and startups. The result: weakened innovation, rising monopolies, and China gaining ground in critical technologies. It\u2019s time to fully restore inventors\u2019 constitutional rights and unleash American innovation once again. RALIA does exactly that.\"\n\nRALIA's original cosponsors include Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).\n\nBill text for the Restoring America's Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 is available at this link.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D7B7D925-E2B6-4B95-AF84-9DBBB2EF4BD2", "McConnell Statement on the Passing of Former Warren County Sheriff Jerry \u201cPeanuts\u201d Gaines", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Warren County Sheriff Jerry \u201cPeanuts\u201d Gaines:\n\n\u201cI am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Warren County Sheriff Jerry 'Peanuts' Gaines. Sheriff Gaines devoted nearly four decades to serving the public\u2014making him the longest serving sheriff in Kentucky history. An accomplished leader, Sheriff Gaines served as President of the National Sheriffs\u2019 Association and President of the Kentucky Sheriffs\u2019 Association. His work in founding the Kentucky Sheriffs\u2019 Boys & Girls Ranch leaves an enduring legacy that should be celebrated. The impact Sheriff Gaines made on his community touched the lives of many, and I am grateful for his lifetime of service and dedication. Elaine and I are thinking of his family during this difficult time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E140D446-FDCB-45B9-AFCA-2E5C87E7584F", "Senate Confirms Chad Meredith of Kentucky for Federal Judgeship", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the Senate\u2019s confirmation of Chad Meredith of Lexington to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky:\n\n\u201cCongratulations to my friend and fellow Kentuckian Chad Meredith on his confirmation to serve as a district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Chad\u2019s impressive legal background in the private sector and devotion to serving the public make him an excellent addition to the federal bench. His thoughtfulness and commitment to our Constitution will serve him well as he carries out his new duties.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=49501F3E-CF6F-4802-9C17-A2A9466E50E4", "Congressman Rogers Invites Middle and High School Students to Participate in the Congressional App Challenge", "2025-10-17", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The Congressional App Challenge is underway for students in middle and high school. U.S. Congressman Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) invites eligible students in southern and eastern Kentucky to participate in the nationwide coding challenge. The deadline to enter is October 30, 2025.\n\nA winning mobile application will be chosen from each Congressional District. The winning student team will be invited to Washington, DC for a national reception during the 2026 #Houseofcode. The winning teams display their work in the U.S. Capitol Building, and the apps will be featured on house.gov and the official challenge website.\n\n\u201cOver the last few years, students from our region have developed innovative mobile apps for things like tourism in their hometowns, mental health resources, robotics, and much more. This challenge is an opportunity for our students to show off their coding skills alongside students from other states,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cOur students always perform with excellence when given new opportunities like this, and I\u2019m excited to see the mobile apps that they have created this year.\u201d\n\nLast year, students from Barbourville Independent High School won the challenge for Kentucky\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, with their tourism app called \u201cDowntown Barbourville.\u201d They had the opportunity to show off their app in the Capitol Visitors Center for Members of Congress and visitors on Capitol Hill to see.\n\nStudents can enter their own individual app creation or enter as a team of up to four students. The app must demonstrate some degree of functionality to be competitive. Students must also submit a short demonstration video to explain the purpose of the app, the tools and coding used to create it, and showcase the functionality.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, encouraging students in middle and high school to learn to code, and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. More than 12,600 students from across the country participated in the challenge last year, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America\u2019s next generation of innovators.\n\nFor more information about participating in the competition visit halrogers.house.gov or click here.\n\nClick here to register for the Congressional App Challenge.\n\nClick here to read the rules for the Congressional App Challenge.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A9AD1689-8F84-4757-9C8E-B20F87270FD0", "Barr, Cotton, Tuberville, and Hagerty Move to Stop Illegals from Getting CDLs, Punish Non-Compliant States", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 This week, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06), U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) will introduce the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025, legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Commercial Driver\u2019s Licenses (CDLs). The legislation also holds states accountable that refuse to follow federal law and prevent these licenses from going to illegal immigrants. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday and will be introduced by Barr in the House of Representatives on Friday.\n\nThis legislation comes on the heels of an illegal immigrant operating an 18-wheeler killing three Americans while he illegally made a U-turn.\n\n\u201cBy issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cOur bill restores accountability by strengthening President Trump\u2019s authority to hold liberal states in check when they defy federal law and recklessly grant CDLs to illegal immigrants.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor everyone\u2019s safety, you must be able to read and understand English road signs when operating a commercial vehicle. Our bill would require commercial drivers to pass the test given in English,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cIf you drive a truck in the United States, you should be able to speak English fluently. This protects our law enforcement officers and the general public. This is not only about safety and efficiency \u2013 it\u2019s just commonsense. Whether taking their kids to school, driving to work, or going to the grocery store, Americans shouldn\u2019t feel in danger every time they get on the road,\u201d said Senator Tuberville.\n\nThe Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act would:\n\nRequire all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver\u2019s license (CDL), including non-domiciled CDLs, to be conducted only in English\n\nEmpower the Secretary of Transportation to suspend or revoke a state\u2019s authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs if found non-compliant with federal standards\n\nRequire individuals to hold a standard driver\u2019s license for one year before obtaining a CDL\n\nText of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E8B09FBE-455E-48D6-9558-F97B7B6E6538", "Democrats Block Bipartisan Defense Priorities", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today following Democrats blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act:\n\n\u201cTwo weeks ago, when Democrats chose to take the federal government hostage for partisan priorities, I warned that there would be nothing to gain from their shutdown. Today, our colleagues\u2019 refusal even to begin considering the overwhelmingly bipartisan defense appropriations bill is a sobering reminder that there is, however, much to lose.\n\n\u201cProviding for the common defense is a solemn Constitutional obligation. It is gravely important every year \u2014 no less so in the face of the bipartisan consensus about the growing threats from increasingly aligned adversaries.\n\n\u201cLast week, the Senate passed a National Defense Authorization Act that raised the defense topline by more than $30 billion to meet these growing threats. However, without appropriated dollars, such an authorization only grows the gap between our rhetoric and our action.\n\n\u201cOur adversaries are not standing still. They are growing their military capacities and preparing for the changing realities of modern warfare. The longer we wait to make sizable investments in our own defense, the more difficult it will be to restore deterrence and achieve peace through strength.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A94ADEF3-10D4-47E4-ADC3-6356FAA78B64", "Barr Praises Trump and Hegseth for Paying Troops, Blasts Democrats for Schumer Shutdown", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) appeared on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network to discuss the ongoing Schumer shutdown and trade negotiations with China. You can see the full interview by clicking here or the image above. Highlights from the interview are below:\n\nOn the government shutdown:\n\nBarr: \u201cMy expectations, Republicans will once again act responsibly, and Democrats will act recklessly. The fact of the matter House Republicans did the job of the American people to fund the government. Every single Democrat except for one voted to shutdown the government two weeks ago. In the Senate, as you mentioned, they will have the eighth vote to keep the government open. Senate Republicans are doing the right thing for the American people for the American people voting to fund the government with no-strings-attached, no partisan riders just a simple Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating. Chuck Schumer will once again will lead his caucus to voting against the American people and against funding the government.\u201d\n\nOn paying the troops:\n\nBarr: \u201cThank goodness for President Trump and Secretary Hegseth that they found a way tomorrow to pay the troops. But it\u2019s clear the Democrats are prioritizing reinstating waste fraud and abuse in Medicaid with taxpayer funding of 1.2 million illegals. This is insanity and the American people can see right through it.\u201d\n\nOn China trade:\n\nBarr: \u201cI want to see supply chain resiliency, I want to see the United States not only continue to put the pressure on China and by the way this historic peace deal is more evidence of the success of the peace through strength strategy, taking out and obliterating Iran\u2019s nuclear program, Beijing pays attention to that, and they are threatened. As a result, they are putting export controls on rare-earth. The fact of the matter is, it is true, China has a stranglehold on the supply chain on rare-earth. They are responsible for the mining over 70% of rare-earth critical minerals, 92% of the processing of the critical minerals. If you saw for example J.P. Morgan\u2019s announcement yesterday of a major, $1.5 trillion investment in critical minerals, rare-earth among other national security sensitive industries, very helpful but ultimately what threatens China is the strength of President Trump who is not tolerating this and he will put one 100% tariffs on China if they continue to engage in this misbehavior.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/icymi-dr-rand-pauls-end-the-feds-big-bank-bailout-act-considered-in-the-senate/", "ICYMI: Dr. Rand Paul\u2019s End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailout Act Considered in the Senate", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 10th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nICYMI: Dr. Rand Paul\u2019s End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailout Act Considered in the Senate\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor ahead of consideration of his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailout Act.\n\nThis legislation targets the Federal Reserve\u2019s twin types of interest payments that act as subsidies for big banks: Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) and the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreement (ONRRP). Together, these two subsidies have cost taxpayers more than half a trillion dollars in just the last five years.\n\nThe amendment failed (14-82).\n\nRemarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cThe Federal Reserve pays both foreign and domestic banks to simply park their money in Fed accounts. In other words, to not loan money at all. Over the past five years, the Fed\u2019s big bank bailout amounts to over half a trillion dollars.\n\nThis bailout causes the Fed to operate at a loss, which means that the Fed cannot remit profits to the taxpayer as it normally does. According to the economist Judy Shelton, if these payments stopped, banks would buy treasury securities and would bring interest rates down.\n\nSome people say that this program is a floor to interest rates. My amendment ends these subsidies. Let\u2019s end the Fed\u2019s big bank bailout. Let\u2019s lower interest rates. Please vote for my amendment.\u201d\n\nWatch the remarks HERE.\n\nRead the bill HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B5376B14-8D63-4706-9300-36EB576190EA", "Barr Calls for Trump to Receive Nobel Peace Prize", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Barr will also introduce legislation directing the State Department to establish the \u201cTrump Peace Prize,\u201d an honor given to peacemakers. The bill would designate President Trump as the first awardee.\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to the Norwegian Nobel Committee urging them to bestow the Nobel Peace Prize on President Donald Trump following the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.\n\n\u201cWhile countless efforts by American and international leaders over decades have failed to achieve lasting progress, this agreement reflects the President\u2019s tireless commitment to restoring stability and safeguarding lives in one of the world\u2019s most volatile regions,\u201d Barr\u2019s letter read in-part. \u201cIn addition to this monumental agreement, President Trump also brokered the Abraham Accords in his first term, another transformational Middle East peace agreement between Israel and multiple Arab countries.\n\n\u201cOver the last nine months of his second term, President Trump has successfully negotiated peace agreements in four different continents. His diplomacy has saved lives, stabilized regions, and rekindled the belief that peace through strength and dialogue is still possible. I therefore urge you to bestow upon President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his tireless pursuit of peace and his transformative impact on the world stage,\u201d Barr\u2019s letter concluded.\n\nBarr\u2019s full letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee is attached.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A6C99506-7147-4EF3-90AA-67A373F4E563", "McConnell Statement on the Passing of Retired Judge Walt Maguire", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of retired judge Walt Maguire:\n\n\u201cI am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, Walt Maguire. Walt and I attended law school together at the University of Kentucky, and his impressive judicial career spanning 29 years is a testament to his public service. His devotion to others was evident by his extensive involvement in the community\u2014teaching classes at UK and Somerset Community College, as well as serving on several state judicial councils. Walt\u2019s friendship meant a lot to me, and I always enjoyed seeing him when I was in Somerset. Elaine and I are thinking of his family and friends during this difficult time.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-offers-amendment-to-2026-ndaa-to-end-the-feds-big-bank-bailouts/", "Dr. Rand Paul Offers Amendment to 2026 NDAA to End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailouts", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 9th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Rand Paul Offers Amendment to 2026 NDAA to End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailouts\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced he is offering his bipartisan bill, the End the Fed\u2019s Big Bank Bailout Act (S.2113), as an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to end the Federal Reserve\u2019s authority to pay banks interest on reserves. This policy has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars while punishing Main Street and rewarding Wall Street.\n\n\u201cOur country is over $37 trillion in debt, yet the Fed has paid hundreds of billions to banks to keep money idle. While it runs losses and no longer sends profits back to taxpayers, it keeps funneling cash to banks for doing nothing\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cWe want to end the Federal Reserve\u2019s twin types of interest payments that act as subsidies for big banks: Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) and the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreement (ONRRP). Together, these two subsidies have cost taxpayers more than half a trillion dollars in just the last five years.\u201d\n\nUntil 2008, the Federal Reserve paid no interest to banks on reserve balances. That changed after the financial crisis, when Congress authorized the payments as a tool to control the money supply.\n\nThe payments averaged $5 billion annually from 2008 to 2016. But with the Fed\u2019s rate now above 4 percent, these payments have ballooned at nearly $200 billion in three years, costing taxpayers tens of billions of dollars each year. Meanwhile, the Fed itself operates at a loss.\n\n\u201cAt a time of persistent and self-imposed worsening losses at the Fed, the manipulators of the American economy continue to pay banks to do nothing but have their funds sit in a safe,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\nThis amendment is up for consideration by the Senate later today.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395769", "Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Federally Funded Propaganda", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Thomas Massie", "M001184", "massie.house.gov", "massie", "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nToday, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 5704, the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, to protect American audiences from the domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda by the State Department, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and their component networks.\n\n\"The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, legislation that ended a prohibition on the federal government exposing American audiences to its propaganda,\" said Rep. Thomas Massie. \"I voted against that NDAA, and I offered an amendment to the 2026 NDAA to reinstate the original prohibition, but Speaker Johnson blocked a vote. The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act needs to be repealed. Taxpayer-funded fake news should not be used by the federal government to wage influence campaigns against the American people.\"\n\nThe Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013:\n\nRepeals the 2013 Smith-Mundt Modernization Act to restore the longstanding firewall prohibiting federal domestic propaganda.\n\nStops the domestic dissemination of propaganda by the State Department, United States Agency for Global Media, and their component networks.\n\nCreates a secure mechanism for oversight by allowing Members of Congress and accredited media to review propaganda materials sent overseas, without enabling those materials to be exploited against the American people.\n\nPrevents clandestine online influence operations by prohibiting the State Department and USAGM from creating covert social media accounts, websites, or podcasts to target Americans.\n\nRequires archiving of propaganda materials at the National Archives with 20 years of delayed public access and added disclaimers identifying both the U.S. government as the source of the materials and also the foreign audience for which the materials were intended.\n\nRep. Scott Perry (R-PA) is an original cosponsor and co-lead of the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013.\n\nThe text of the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 is available at this link.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/chairman-rand-paul-introduces-the-safeguarding-personal-information-act-of-2025/", "Chairman Rand Paul Introduces the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 8th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nChairman Rand Paul Introduces the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has introduced the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025, legislation to repeal the federal mandate requiring every state to share citizens\u2019 personal data and redesign driver\u2019s licenses to meet federal standards.\n\n\u201cREAL ID is effectively creating a national ID card with no limit on the personal information being shared between all 50 states, the District of Columbia, possessions, and territories,\u201d said Chairman Rand Paul. My bill repeals this dangerous mandate and restores the privacy, due process, and First Amendment rights stripped away in 2005. The government should not have a dossier on every American. You should never have to \u2018show your papers\u2019 to travel freely within your own country or enter a building your tax dollars paid for.\u201d\n\nREAL ID forces the states to adopt uniform federal standards for driver\u2019s licenses and IDs, embedding machine-readable technology that makes it easier for the government to track U.S. citizens\u2019. To obtain one, Americans must surrender layers of personal documentation, including proof of identity, a Social Security number, proof of residency, proof of lawful presence, and in some cases, proof of name change. After gathering these documents, citizens often wait weeks for DMV appointments or stand in hours-long lines, paying additional fees in many states simply to upgrade their licenses.\n\nThese documents are then stored and can be shared across state databases.\n\nOnly IDs that comply with these federal rules are accepted for \u201cofficial purposes,\u201d such as boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, or accessing other federally controlled spaces. In practice, the REAL ID Act functions as a domestic passport that conditions basic rights\u2014like travel and petitioning your government\u2014on government approval.\n\nThe Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 repeals the de facto national identification mandate in full, restoring the right of every American to move freely, speak freely, and live without government intrusion.\n\nRead the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-highlights-the-economic-benefits-of-right-to-work-policies-at-help-committee-hearing/", "Dr. Rand Paul Highlights the Economic Benefits of Right-to-Work Policies at HELP Committee Hearing", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 8th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Rand Paul Highlights the Economic Benefits of Right-to-Work Policies at HELP Committee Hearing\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, participated in a hearing titled \u201cLabor Law Reform Part I: Diagnosing the Issues, Exploring Current Proposals.\u201d As the Committee continues its review of proposed federal labor reforms, Dr. Paul underscored the importance of protecting worker freedoms, limiting bureaucratic interference, and preserving the right to liberty of contract.\n\n\u201cIn February 2025, Dr. Paul reintroduced the National Right to Work Act. The bill does not add to existing federal law but deletes existing forced-unionism provisions and restores worker choice.\u201d\n\nDuring today\u2019s hearing, Dr. Paul entered into the record statements from 29 industry associations opposed to the Faster Labor Contracts Act and 45 business organizations opposed to the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, reflecting broad concern that these proposals would weaken flexibility for both workers and employers.\n\nDr. Paul questioned witness Rachel Greszler, a labor economist, on how right-to-work policies affect states\u2019 economic performance, wages, and job creation. Greszler affirmed that right-to-work states have seen roughly twice the employment growth and triple the population growth compared to non\u2013right-to-work states over the past 50 years, citing their ability to attract businesses seeking fair and predictable labor laws.\n\n\u201cOver the past 50 years, right-to-work states have seen double the job growth and triple the population growth,\u201d Greszlersaid. \u201cThat\u2019s because businesses are confident, they can operate without a union taking control over their operations, and workers can choose how they want to participate.\u201d\n\nDr. Paul also noted that the right to liberty of contract is a fundamental principle of a free economy.\n\n\u201cSome have argued, such as Hayek \u2014 The Road to Serfdom came up earlier \u2014 that the right to liberty of contract really is a basic, fundamental right upon which the economy is based,\u201d Dr. Paul said. \u201cThe right to have certainty and to have honesty, and to have the courts uphold contracts without an arbitrary nature. To look at contracts from a dispassionate point of view. Getting involved in the middle of contracts shouldn\u2019t be done lightly, and we need to consider the ramifications of what that does to the economy at large.\u201d\n\nDr. Paul explained that the National Right to Work law simply removes certain aspects of federal law rather than creating new ones.\n\n\u201cThe way the National Labor Relations Act was written says that you can\u2019t discriminate against workers,\u201d Dr. Paul continued. \u201cAnd then they had to put an exemption in there \u2014 except for you can discriminate against non-union workers, basically. And so that exemption is what is removed by national right to work.\u201d\n\nHe then asked Greszler what would happen economically if national right-to-work were enacted.\n\n\u201cI think that it would improve the economy,\u201d Greszler responded. \u201cWe\u2019d see what\u2019s happened in the states that are right to work. But more importantly, it just preserves that fundamental right of every worker to be able to choose whether or not they are forced to pay a private entity as a condition of their employment. And that\u2019s just a fundamental protection that they should have.\u201d\n\nWatch the full hearing here.\n\nWatch Dr. Paul\u2019s full exchange here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2D75C1C8-4D34-4119-80B5-E0B5BFD3B260", "McConnell On 10/7 Anniversary: \u201cIsrael has sacrificed greatly in the pursuit of peace\u201d", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "\u201cIn the two years since terrorists invaded Israel to rape, murder, and kidnap innocents, Hamas has chosen every day to compound needless suffering. Israeli hostages and Gazan civilians, alike, have died as a direct result of the cowardly tactics of Iran\u2019s allies and proxies.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today on the two-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel:\n\n\u201cIn the two years since terrorists invaded Israel to rape, murder, and kidnap innocents, Hamas has chosen every day to compound needless suffering. Israeli hostages and Gazan civilians, alike, have died as a direct result of the cowardly tactics of Iran\u2019s allies and proxies.\n\n\u201cBy contrast, Israel\u2019s military and security services have worked tirelessly to stamp out the ring of fire that had long menaced the Jewish state and destabilized the region. They have worked to destroy Hamas\u2019 military capacity, decapitate Hizballah, degrade Iran\u2019s network for exporting terror, and bring home hostages abducted on the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.\n\n\u201cIsrael has sacrificed greatly in the pursuit of peace, taking great pains to avoid innocent suffering in a battle against an enemy for whom innocent suffering is the goal. Hamas could have ended this war at any time by simply releasing the hostages.\n\n\u201cIsrael\u2019s resolve and bold tactics created the conditions for a potential resolution to this conflict and for restored deterrence against Iran. President Trump has been right to provide Israel the time, space, and support to achieve its war aims, and his decision to authorize U.S. strikes against Iran made good use of this hard-won opportunity.\n\n\u201cIf, indeed, Hamas is prepared to release its remaining hostages, the return of innocent Israelis and Americans to their homes and families would end a two-year vigil of heartache. I will look forward eagerly to their return, and I commend the bravery of the Israel Defense Forces, the resolve of Israel\u2019s leaders, and President Trump\u2019s persistent efforts to make it possible.\n\n\u201cTwo years on from October 7th, the rest of the framework - brokered with U.S. support - would provide an opportunity for Palestinians to turn a page on a dark chapter of terrorism and tyranny and chart a new course without Hamas.\n\nHowever, even with full implementation of the framework, there is cause for vigilance. After all, ceasefire was the nominal state of affairs when Hamas terrorists carried out their savage attacks two years ago. Success will require that Palestinian leaders answer for the corruption, hatred, and incitement that made October 7th possible and engage in true and enduring political and economic reforms.\n\n\u201cFor our part, America and the West must continue to apply meaningful pressure on Iran to change its behavior and prevent it from reconstituting the web of terror that has threatened Israel and U.S. interests in the region. As the past two years have made painfully clear, America\u2019s support for Israel must not be swayed by the creep of terrorist propaganda and base anti-Semitism into public opinion. The enduring strength and prosperity of the Jewish state is in America\u2019s interest, as is peace in its region.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A558D402-5DD9-4AD4-A477-6360CA7F66F1", "McConnell: Fort Campbell and Fort Knox Schools Allowed to Resume Extracurricular Activities", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today following the Department of Defense decision to allow athletics and extracurricular activities to resume at DoDEA schools, including those at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox:\n\n\u201cThis decision provides welcome relief to the Fort Campbell and Fort Knox schools and their students, student-athletes, parents, and everyone who supports their school programs. I want to thank the Secretary of Defense for creating an exception to allow athletics and extracurricular activities at DoDEA schools to continue. Our servicemembers and their children shouldn\u2019t pay the price for Washington\u2019s failure to fund the government. I\u2019m so grateful they\u2019ll now be able to suit up and get back in the game.\n\n\u201cWhile this is good news, it doesn\u2019t address the real issue. Democrats need to end the shutdown. As I have warned every time Congress faced this threat: no one wins in a shutdown. Shutting down the government is harmful to the country, and it never produces positive outcomes \u2013 on policy or politics. And what happened at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox is just one example of the impact it\u2019s having on our constituents.\u201d\n\nNOTE: Senator McConnell sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last Friday regarding the issue.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=FF873583-A664-4B8A-976A-304A7A7B1A37", "McConnell: Delivering \u201cTrump Buildup\u201d Will Require Serious, Full-Year Defense Appropriations", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following floor remarks today regarding the path forward for Pentagon appropriations once Democrats end their gov\u2019t shutdown, the National Defense Strategy, and Republican support for U.S. military aid to Ukraine:\n\n\u201cMr. President, my position on government shutdowns is well-known. There\u2019s absolutely nothing to gain in taking basic government functions hostage for eleventh-hour partisan demands. And I hope our Democratic colleagues will re-learn that lesson in short order\u2026 Because the American people have plenty to lose from freezing important functions of the federal government.\n\n\u201cHere in the Senate, Democrats\u2019 shutdown is taking time we ought to be spending on important outstanding business, beginning with our obligation to provide for the common defense. In particular, our work to deliver full-year defense appropriations is not finished. So I\u2019d like to talk briefly about what must come next after interim government funding is extended. And what\u2019s at stake for our national security.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. military is not immune from the disruptive short-term consequences of a government shutdown. But the long-term consequences of going without robust, full-year defense appropriations are far graver. I offered this warning in the spring, when \u2013 for the first time \u2013 Washington told America\u2019s men and women in uniform to conduct today\u2019s operations and prepare for tomorrow\u2019s threats using yesterday\u2019s dollars. We put the national defense on a full-year continuing resolution and forced the military services to function for another year on the anemic defense budget signed into law by President Biden for FY 2024.\n\n\u201cA full-year CR is the enemy of readiness, modernization, and efficiency. The armed services want to make their budgets simpler, more efficient, and more flexible by consolidating budget lines. But they can\u2019t do it under a full-year CR. Punting new appropriations directly contradicts the Pentagon\u2019s stated goal of building a resilient, surge-ready munitions enterprise. The prohibitions on new program starts under a CR effectively put high-priority Service modernization efforts on ice.\n\n\u201cThe Administration says it wants \u201cflexible and efficient\u201d investments. Well, Mr. President, there is nothing flexible, efficient, resilient, or lethal about running the national defense enterprise on a full-year CR. Nor will a CR send the consistent signal industry and investors need to pour private capital into the long overdue expansion of our defense industrial base. If you want to increase our nation\u2019s capacity to produce munitions more quickly and in larger volumes, full-year CRs might just be the worst way to go about it.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t mean to sound overly alarmed. God willing, the House-passed short-term funding extension will give Congress enough time to deliver full-year appropriations and release our military from the constraints of the Biden FY24 budget. But I want our colleagues to understand what\u2019s at stake this fall. The President has set some ambitious, important, and overdue priorities for America\u2019s national security\u2026 and none of them come cheap:\n\n\u201cGolden Dome for America\u2026 An American shipbuilding renaissance\u2026 Sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft\u2026 The long-overdue modernization of our nuclear force\u2026 Reconciliation isn\u2019t enough to support these major efforts. And neither is a perpetual freeze at the Biden FY24 level.\n\n\u201cReviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and re-establishing deterrence \u2013 these are priorities we hear about all the time from the President\u2019s advisors. I certainly have no problem with rowing in that direction. I\u2019m all for high standards of physical fitness. But pushups alone aren\u2019t going to stop Chinese hypersonic missiles. The next major conflict will likely be a test of lethality at very long distances.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve spent years urging successive administrations to rebuild our global power projection and long-range fires. It\u2019s why I criticized the Biden Administration for talking about China as \u201cthe pacing threat\u201d but turning in defense budget requests that didn\u2019t even keep pace with inflation.\n\n\u201cThis Administration cannot afford to make the same mistake.\n\n\u201cSo, this week, I was encouraged to hear Secretary Hegseth proclaim a \u201cTrump buildup\u201d in the mold of the Reagan buildup that helped end the Cold War. For the record, my fellow defense appropriators and I have been ready to deliver such a build-up since Day One. And our bipartisan bill speaks for itself, putting money where our mouth is.\n\n\u201cBut here\u2019s the rub: we can only make it happen if the Administration moves from words to action. And an important step in that process is the National Defense Strategy. Historically, the NDS is what Administrations use to define threats, identify objectives, and propose coherent plans for aligning resources to meet them.\n\n\u201cBut this time around, the stakes are higher. A short-sighted NDS that doesn\u2019t align with the President\u2019s vision of American greatness and peace through strength could wind up as the pretext to extend Biden-era constraints on our military indefinitely. Unfortunately, early reports suggest that this risk may be real\u2026 and that the NDS may turn out eerily similar to the rhetoric of Obama-era officials who viewed their remit as managing America\u2019s decline amid a transition to a multipolar world.\n\n\u201cIf the NDS ignores the importance of maintaining American primacy, fails to account for the global nature of competition with China, or discounts the value of supporting and integrating allies and partners, it would risk further sabotaging the President\u2019s efforts to restore peace through strength.\n\n\u201cSo I\u2019ll be interested to read how the Department is applying the lessons and dividends of security cooperation with allies and partners to looming challenges\u2026 How it plans to address critical munitions shortages even as its FY26 request and reconciliation investment fails to maximize existing production capacity\u2026 And how it accounts for the increasing likelihood of simultaneous conflict in multiple theaters.\n\n\u201cIf the Administration means what it says about restoring deterrence, it would recognize how plans to reduce security cooperation with frontline NATO allies invite more brazen Russian incursions into the alliance\u2019s territory and airspace. It would recognize how China is watching closely for signs of weakening American commitments to European allies, to Ukraine, or to AUKUS partners.\n\n\u201cOf course, responsible senior officials who understood the dividends of security cooperation would not have tried an end-run around the President to freeze assistance to Ukraine. They certainly would have appreciated that cutting off intelligence sharing to the world\u2019s foremost experts in drone warfare might make it harder for the U.S. military to achieve \u201cdrone dominance\u201d. On that count, I was encouraged earlier this week that the President himself green-lit an expansion of the intelligence cooperation that members of his Administration had wanted to end.\n\n\u201cMr. President, as our colleagues will recall, the President observed last month that Ukraine can win. And unlike some of his advisors, the American people are indicating in clear majorities that they think we ought to help! By one recent poll, more than six in ten Americans support sending more arms and military supplies to help Ukraine win. That includes a clear majority of Republicans!\n\n\u201cAnd the recent voting history of the House of Representatives indicates that this poll isn\u2019t a fluke: Last month, House Republicans voted overwhelmingly to reject an amendment to the NDAA that would\u2019ve barred further assistance to Ukraine. No less than 72% of House Republicans \u2013 including leadership \u2013 said continuing to arm Ukraine\u2019s defense was a good idea.\n\n\u201cUltimately, the President knows that money talks. He understands that valuable things are also expensive. What\u2019s true in property development is also true in military procurement. There\u2019s no way around it:\n\n\u201cTake Golden Dome for example. Building anything close to a continental missile defense shield will, by reasonable estimates, cost several times more than was allocated this year in one-off reconciliation spending\u2026 every year\u2026 for decades to come. If the Pentagon isn\u2019t even planning to max out its budget request for procuring critical munitions in the short term, why on earth should our adversaries take any talk of long-term missile defense seriously?\n\n\u201cLikewise, why should they take American air power seriously if we\u2019re only willing to develop sixth-generation stealth fighters for the Air Force but not for the Navy? What good are multi-billion-dollar aircraft carriers if we\u2019re not prepared to equip them with aircraft that can survive modern warfare?\n\n\u201cAt home and abroad, I\u2019m concerned that too many of the President\u2019s advisors are unwilling to acknowledge the gap between his stated priorities and what they\u2019re prepared to invest to achieve them. If you ask me, the name on the front door at the Pentagon matters a great deal less than whether the services inside are equipped and prepared to deter and win wars. And we\u2019re facing real, glaring gaps in critical capabilities.\n\n\u201cThe ink was barely dry on the One Big Beautiful Bill when senior Pentagon leaders began to report to my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee that they still faced significant funding shortfalls. Given the high pace of operations in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere, it\u2019s safe to assume these costs are continuing to rise.\n\n\u201cMr. President, there\u2019s a lot going on around this building. But soon, I hope our colleagues will have an opportunity to go on the record in favor of investing in peace through strength. We\u2019ll have a chance to put our money where our mouth is on re-establishing deterrence and rebuilding the force required to back it up. Our investments in the common defense are a signal of our national resolve.\n\n\u201cWhen the American people spoke last November, I don\u2019t think they meant for their leaders to mail in a third year of anemic Biden-era toplines. I don\u2019t think the President assembled his policy and budget advisors with a mind to punt in the face of looming threats.\n\n\u201cWhen he hired civilian Pentagon leaders to restore deterrence, I think he meant more than just threatening adversaries with a catchy line on camera\u2026 I think he meant building the force that threatens them with its very existence!\n\n\u201cSo if the Administration wants a Trump buildup, then let\u2019s build one. And, once Democrats\u2019 shutdown is over, let\u2019s start with serious, increased, full-year investments in the national defense.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A64AB9FA-B2B9-413B-A754-25CD5F5ED64F", "Barr Announces over $20M Federal Grant to Kentucky Education Development Corporation", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Lexington, Kentucky\u2014 Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced a major, $3,230,400 federal grant (this amount will be per year for 7 years) to the Kentucky Education Development Corporation (KEDC). This grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s GEAR UP Elevate grant, a seven-year federal initiative designed to expand postsecondary access and success for underserved students in rural, high-poverty communities.\n\nThrough the Elevate project, KEDC and its partners will serve students across 27 schools in 12 districts, providing critical support to strengthen academic performance, high school graduation, and college-going outcomes.\n\n\u201cFor 60 years, KEDC has helped shape future generations of Kentuckians,\u201d said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), who wrote a letter of support for the grant application. \u201cThis federal award will strengthen their work by expanding mentorship, guidance, and resources for students in need across our Commonwealth. I especially want to thank CEO Nancy Hutchinson and her entire team for their dedication to putting the GEAR UP grant to work for Kentucky students, including those in Bourbon and Nicholas Counties right here in the Sixth District.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thrilled to receive the GEAR UP Elevate Grant, which will empower students across 12 districts and 22 schools over the next seven years \u2014 providing academic support, fostering college readiness and awareness, engaging families, intervening early, and bolstering professional development. This initiative will transform lives and strengthen our educational communities,\u201d said Nancy Hutchinson, CEO of KEDC.\n\nMore about the project goals, ELEVATE services, and participating counties in Kentucky is below:\n\nProject Goals:\n\nIncrease academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education\n\nBoost high school graduation and college enrollment rates\n\nExpand student and family knowledge of college options, preparation, and financial aid\n\nELEVATE Services:\n\nAcademic support and college readiness programs\n\nCollege awareness and preparation experiences\n\nFinancial literacy education\n\nParent and family engagement opportunities\n\nEarly intervention and student support services\n\nProfessional development for educators", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2C482D0C-59B1-4DC6-A03C-D8DD3819653E", "Rep. Andy Barr: Why I\u2019m Introducing Legislation to End Government Shutdowns", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Every year, hardworking American families sit around their kitchen tables and make sure their bills are paid. They don\u2019t get to \u201cshut down\u201d their household if they miss a deadline. They make adjustments, tighten their belts, and do what\u2019s necessary to keep the lights on and food on the table. Congress should be held to the same standard.\n\nUnfortunately, Washington has developed a dangerous habit of letting partisanship produce government shutdown after government shutdown. In this recent episode of the government shutdown saga, House Republicans did our job; we passed a plan endorsed by President Trump to keep the government open and funded. But because of Senate Democrats and Chuck Schumer, we are staring down the possibility of another disastrous government shutdown later this month.\n\nThese shutdowns delay paychecks for more than 800,000 Americans, including military members. Government shutdowns keep our TSA employees and air traffic controllers working without certainty and create chaos for families who rely on basic government services. Goldman Sachs estimates that each week of a shutdown can reduce the quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by approximately 0.2 percentage points. A 2019 report in the U.S. Senate showed that shutdowns in 2013, 2018, and 2019 cost taxpayers $4B. Government shutdowns undermine confidence in our institutions, rattle our economy, and send the wrong message to our adversaries abroad.\n\nIt's time to put an end to this once and for all. That is why I\u2019ve introduced the End Government Shutdowns Act. Under my bill, if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations on time, an automatic continuing resolution takes effect. This means federal agencies remain funded at 99 percent of the prior year\u2019s funding level for 30 days. If Congress still cannot agree on a new budget, funding is reduced by an additional 1 percent every 30 days until a budget is passed.\n\nSo not only will we ensure that we keep paychecks flowing to the families of hardworking military and law enforcement families, but we also will put pressure on Congress to strike a new deal.\n\nCritics of shutdowns often point to the staggering costs they impose. During the 2018\u20132019 shutdown caused by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats\u2014the longest in our nation\u2019s history\u2014federal employees missed paychecks, small businesses waiting on federal permits were left in limbo, and there were billions of dollars in estimated lost economic output. Beyond the numbers, the damage to morale and trust was immeasurable. It is unconscionable to ever again ask a young soldier deployed overseas or a Border Patrol agent on duty to secure finances for their families through costly short-term loans or borrowing money to cover expenses because politicians can\u2019t do their jobs.\n\nSome will say Congress shouldn\u2019t need an automatic mechanism to do its job. I agree. In a perfect world, the threat to American families\u2019 livelihoods alone would lead to timely budgets. But history has shown otherwise. My legislation is not about giving one side an advantage, it is about protecting Americans from harm and restoring accountability to the process.\n\nThe stakes are too high to continue lurching from crisis to crisis. Our men and women in uniform should never be pawns in political fights. Our families shouldn\u2019t wonder whether they will receive their next paycheck to keep the lights on and food on the table. Americans shouldn\u2019t wonder if the airport security line will be staffed. Our veterans, seniors, and taxpayers deserve predictability, not uncertainty.\n\nThe End Government Shutdowns Act is about responsibility\u2014responsibility to the people we serve, to the men and women who defend us, and to the principles of good governance. It keeps the lights on in Washington, but more importantly, it keeps faith with the American people.\n\nIt\u2019s time we put an end to government shutdowns for good.\n\nU.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) represents Kentucky\u2019s Sixth Congressional District in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D8AFB43C-F9FE-42E8-92E3-361263ECDFAE", "Congressman Andy Barr Announces $130,000 FEMA Grant for Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Stamping Ground, KY\u2014 Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced a major, $130,000 federal grant for the Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department (SGVFD). Secured through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the funding will enable SGVFD to replace outdated gear with new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). Congressman Barr wrote a letter of support for this grant application.\n\nThis equipment will significantly enhance the department\u2019s ability to respond effectively to emergencies in Stamping Ground and throughout Scott County. The new equipment will allow SGVFD to meet critical public safety needs, improve response times, and better protect both residents and volunteer personnel during fires and other emergencies.\n\n\u201cOur firefighters put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cSecuring this grant ensures that the Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department has the modern tools and equipment they need to respond quickly and safely when emergencies strike. I\u2019m proud to support their lifesaving mission and will continue working with local applicants to ensure our first responders have the resources they deserve. I also want to thank Chief Bob Hendricks of SGVFD for his leadership and dedication in advocating for his department and the community.\u201d\n\n\u201cFirefighters know that Congressman Andy Barr has our back,\u201d said Chief Hendricks. \u201cWe greatly appreciate his support and leadership helping bring this grant to our department. We will use this grant to keep our community safe.\u201d\n\nCongressman Barr remains committed to ensuring small and rural fire departments receive vital AFG funding, recognizing that local volunteer departments form the backbone of public safety, especially within Kentucky\u2019s Sixth Congressional District.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6F4FA2FD-FE12-4ED0-B2E9-43F0BFF350D1", "Congressman Rogers Calls on Washington Democrats to Put the American People First", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution on September 19, 2025 to keep the federal government open with a simple seven-week extension, giving Congress more time to finalize federal funding for fiscal year 2026. Senate Democrats voted down the bill, demanding nearly $1.5 trillion in reckless spending and free healthcare for illegal immigrants. Without a stopgap funding bill, the federal government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.\n\n\u201cThe House did its part to keep the government open. I voted for the extension, first and foremost, on behalf of our military servicemembers who will not be paid until the shutdown ends. Political games have no place when it comes to taking care of our American heroes,\u201d said Congressman Rogers. \u201cWashington Democrats voted for the same short-term extension 13 times during the Biden Administration, but now they want to trade it for free healthcare for illegal aliens and nearly $1.5 trillion in reckless spending. Their vote to shut down the government is absurd. The American people deserve better.\u201d\n\nCongressman Rogers added a Government Shutdown Guide on his website to help constituents understand the facts about what will be impacted by the shutdown, and mandatory benefits that will continue despite the gap in discretionary funding. Click here to see Congressman Rogers\u2019 Government Shutdown Guide.\n\nWashington Democrats\u2019 counterproposal includes:\n\n$1.5 trillion spending increase\n\nFree healthcare for illegal immigrants\n\n$50 billion cut in rural healthcare investments\n\nBillions in funding for DEI and climate projects in foreign countries\n\nClick here to read the Continuing Resolution passed by the House on September 19, 2025.\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers\u2019 work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/chairman-paul-brings-to-light-bidens-quiet-skies-weaponization-releases-damning-documents-into-the-record/", "Chairman Paul Brings to Light Biden\u2019s Quiet Skies Weaponization, Releases Damning Documents into the Record", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 30, 2025\n\nContact: HSGACPress_Paul@hsgac.senate.gov, (202) 224-4163\n\nChairman Paul Brings to Light Biden\u2019s Quiet Skies Weaponization, Releases Damning Documents into the Record\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing to examine the Biden administration\u2019s abuse of the TSA\u2019s Quiet Skies Program and entered newly obtained documents into the record.\n\nThe hearing followed an investigation Chairman Paul launched in 2024 and a report released yesterday detailing his findings, which revealed how the Quiet Skies Program and related watch lists were weaponized into political surveillance tools used against veterans, sitting lawmakers, political opponents, and even the family of a Federal Air Marshal.\n\nThe Committee heard testimony from Mark Crowder, a Senior Federal Air Marshal with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and whistleblower whose wife was placed on a watch list in a case of mistaken identity; the Honorable Tristan Leavitt, President of Empower Oversight; Matt Taibbi, Editor of Racket News; Jim Harper, Senior Nonresident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.\n\n\u201cI commend Secretary Noem for ending Quiet Skies, but our work is not done. We must make sure that this program does not come back under another name. Every official who directed or approved surveillance of Americans for protected speech must be removed from office. Full transparency must become the rule rather than requiring a year of investigation,\u201d said Chairman Paul. \u201cThe result will be a process that respects the Constitution, ends real life shadow bans against Americans and gives all of us the assurance that our government is focused on protecting us, not on chasing political ghosts.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Quiet Skies Program has been used for nearly two decades to target and surveil everyday Americans, violating our constitutional rights and civil liberties, targeting political opponents, and costing taxpayers approximately $200 million per year, all while failing to stop a single terrorist,\u201d said DNI Gabbard. \u201cODNI has worked closely with DHS and Sen. Paul to expose the truth behind this program, putting an end to weaponization against Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is clear that the Quiet Skies program was used as a political rolodex of the Biden Administration\u2014weaponized against its political foes and exploited to benefit their well-heeled friends. I am calling for a Congressional investigation to unearth further corruption at the expense of the American people and the undermining of US national security,\u201d said Secretary Kristi Noem. \u201cTSA\u2019s critical aviation and security vetting functions will be maintained, and the Trump Administration will return TSA to its true mission of being laser-focused on the safety and security of the traveling public. This includes restoring the integrity, privacy, and equal application of the law for all Americans.\u201d\n\nView the Chairman\u2019s opening statement here.\n\nOpening remarks as delivered below:\n\nIn mid-2024, as she grew increasingly critical of the Biden administration and increasingly involved with the Trump campaign, Tulsi Gabbard noticed changes as she went to the airport, she had more screening federal agents with dogs showing up for her flights. Other federal agents followed her on the plane and reported back on her activity.\n\nWhen I learned of this, I launched an investigation into the TSA\u2019s Quiet Skies Program and the Biden administration\u2019s weaponization of watch list against everyday Americans\n\nUnder public scrutiny, the Biden administration removed now Director of National Intelligence Gabbard from the program, but they spent the remainder of their time in office stonewalling any investigation.\n\nThankfully, that era is over. President Trump, himself a victim of government weaponization, set out to reverse the previous administration\u2019s targeting of the very citizens it has sworn to protect.\n\nSecretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has taken decisive action to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles resisting transparency. We are finally getting answers, and now we know exactly why the previous administration fought so hard to keep us in the dark.\n\nDirector Gabbard was surveilled on at least five domestic flights by Federal Air Marshals under Quiet Skies. Internal records for her targeting show her congressional portrait and that she was a former congresswoman from Hawaii.\n\nSo, there was no doubt they knew who they were monitoring.\n\nMultiple concerns were raised internally, and one air marshal asked a colleague, why the heck is she a Quiet Skies suspect? If this can happen to a combat veteran, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, and now Director of National Intelligence, it can happen to anyone. And it did.\n\nToday, for the first time, you will hear directly from a Federal Air Marshal whose wife was labeled a domestic terrorist simply for engaging in protected First Amendment activity. Records show the FBI labeled her as a domestic terrorist for unlawful entry into the Capitol on January 6th.\n\nBut she didn\u2019t enter the Capitol. She came for a public, support of the President, and they knew it. Her phone location data did not put her inside the Capitol. Facial recognition did not identify her inside. She had no criminal record and no history of extremist views.\n\nWhat they did know is that this Catholic schoolteacher from Texas supported President Trump and went to Washington to attend his rally at the Ellipse. That was not enough for the government. That was not enough to label her a suspected domestic terrorist for two years.\n\nHer family was surveilled when they flew. This was not an isolated case. It happened to hundreds of Americans. It happened because the TSA used First Amendment protected activity as a predicate for watch listing Americans. That\u2019s unconstitutional, of course. First Amendment activity cannot be the sole basis for watch listing someone, but sole basis is an important caveat and it\u2019s an opening the TSA exploited.\n\nToday we will release internal TSA records that reveal how the agency authorized First Amendment activity to be used to justify the surveillance of Americans with no evidence and no recourse.\n\nUsing broad and vague authorities, TSA deemed hundreds of Americans as threats to national security simply for holding opposing political views. The federal government used its investigative authorities, anonymous tips and university research institutions to build a flimsy case to put them on the watch list.\n\nThey didn\u2019t just coincidentally watch list hundreds of people who attended the same Trump rally. They did it intentionally and obscured the process to create plausible deniability. For example, documents obtained in my investigation reveal that TSA relied on data collected by the George Washington University Project on Extremism.\n\nConsider this first, DHS funds the Project on Extremism. An external partner not bound by the same laws and regulations as federal agencies. Then, the Project on Extremism identifies supposed domestic threats by meticulously tracking January 6th defendants. DHS then uses the Project on Extremism reporting as evidence, sometimes the only evidence for putting someone on a watch list.\n\nBut the abuses weren\u2019t limited to January 6th. The TSA also viewed skeptics of COVID mandates as threats.\n\nSimply removing a mask on an aircraft got 12 Americans watch listed. Records also show three current members of Congress, all Republicans, were included in the companion Silent Partner Program either as a sitting member or while seeking elected office.\n\nA cursory review would have revealed them to be either a member of Congress or decorated active or former US Military members. And in fact, they were surveilled, likely for activities that were official duties during their time in the military or in Congress.\n\nAll of this was wrong, and I\u2019m glad that these abuses are beginning to be exposed.\n\nI commend Secretary Noem for ending Quiet Skies, but our work is not done. We must make sure that this program does not come back under another name.\n\nEvery official who directed or approved surveillance of Americans for protected speech must be removed from office.\n\nFull transparency must become the rule rather than requiring a year of investigation. The result will be a process that respects the Constitution, ends real life shadow bans against Americans, and gives all of us the assurance that our government is focused on protecting us, not on chasing political ghosts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/flash-report-bidens-tsa-targeted-veterans-lawmakers-and-air-marshals-wife/", "Flash Report: Biden\u2019s TSA Targeted Veterans, Lawmakers, and Air Marshal\u2019s Wife", "2025-09-29", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 29th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee opened an investigation into TSA\u2019s Quiet Skies program in 2024 after reports it was weaponized against Americans. Today, Dr. Paul released a flash report of his findings, exposing how TSA\u2019s Quiet Skies program, and related watch lists, were twisted into political surveillance tools under the Biden administration.\n\nThe release comes ahead of tomorrow\u2019s hearing, Examining the Weaponization of the Quiet Skies Program, scheduled for 10:00 AM. A Whistleblower, a Federal Air Marshal first mentioned in Senator Paul\u2019s recent op-ed in The American Conservative, will testify before the Committee.\n\nThe report reveals Tulsi Gabbard, a combat veteran and former congresswoman, now serving as Director of National Intelligence, was surveilled on at least five flights in 2024.This surveillance began only one day after she publicly criticized Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.\n\nThree Republican lawmakers were matched to TSA\u2019s Silent Partner and/or Quiet Skies Rules right after engaging in some kind of political activity, including opposing the Biden administration. At least two dozen Americans were placed on watch lists for protesting mask mandates or removing a mask on an aircraft. Following January 6, 2021, TSA issued a directive authorizing the watch listing of individuals based solely on suspected travel to Washington, D.C., without any specific evidence of unlawful conduct.\n\nThe most shocking revelation is that the wife of a Federal Air Marshal was branded a domestic terrorist and subjected to invasive monitoring, even though no evidence ever linked her to unlawful activity on January 6, 2021. She was placed in the FBI\u2019s Terrorist Screening Database and, for two years, followed on domestic flights by Federal Air Marshals, who reported her movements and interactions, sometimes on a minute-by-minute basis. Her name was finally cleared only after the FBI closed its case due to mistaken identity.\n\n\u201cQuiet Skies was an unconstitutional dystopian nightmare masquerading as a security tool costing the American taxpayers $200 million a year. And what did we get for it? According to DHS, the Quiet Skies program failed to stop a single terrorist attack since it was created. Instead, taxpayers are footing the bill for a surveillance program that turned its watchful eye inward\u2014targeting Americans who had committed no crimes, violated no laws, and in many cases were government officials themselves,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/9/comer-leads-bipartisan-effort-urging-speaker-johnson-to-strike-anti-hemp-provisions-from-fy26-ag-appropriations-bill", "Comer Leads Bipartisan Effort Urging Speaker Johnson to Strike Anti-Hemp Provisions from FY26 Ag Appropriations Bill", "2025-09-26", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) led a bipartisan effort opposing the inclusion of anti-hemp language in Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256\u2014bills comprising the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Congressman Comer and 27 of his fellow lawmakers warn that adopting this harmful language\u2014including a sweeping redefinition of legal hemp\u2014would jeopardize the long-term future of the U.S. hemp industry, and they urge House leadership to stand up for American hemp farmers by removing the language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations package.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our strong opposition to Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill). Under the 2018 Farm Bill language, the hemp industry supports 320,000 American jobs, generates $28.4 billion in regulated market activity, and produces some $1.5 billion in state tax revenue.1 If the language contained in the FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to American farmers supplying the regulated hemp industry and small businesses, and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country. Additionally, there are serious procedural concerns with how the language ended up in these bills. This language has not been considered in a markup or hearing by any relevant authorizing committee and there was no public forum for members to express concerns with this language and preferred alternative legislation more appropriate for the relevant authorizing committees,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nInstead of pursuing this damaging appropriations language, the lawmakers detail a bipartisan path forward for Congress and outline a responsible and workable legislative regulatory framework. The American hemp industry stands united behind a framework that restricts hemp product sales to adults 21 and older, standardizes packaging and labeling to protect consumers and eliminate \u201clook-alike\u201d products, and mandates independent third-party lab testing for consumable hemp products.\n\n\u201cLegislation to this effect has already been introduced in the Senate and the House Energy and Commerce Committee is actively discussing draft language along these same lines. By arbitrarily changing the definition of legal hemp rather than responsibly regulating the market, Congress is effectively turning out the lights on America\u2019s legal hemp farmers and undermining the work being done by our colleagues in the authorizing committees and in states that have created regulatory frameworks for hemp products. For these reasons, we strongly urge leadership to remove this language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations bill. We will continue to stand up for American hemp farmers and small businesses and oppose efforts to include this language in any bill,\u201d concluded the lawmakers.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongressman Comer has been a steadfast advocate and champion of the hemp industry since his tenure as Kentucky\u2019s Commissioner of Agriculture began in 2011. Since joining Congress, he has consistently worked to support and grow the industry\u2019s opportunities, including his key role on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which expanded the definition of hemp, has enabled the industry to flourish and created vital opportunities for farmers\u2014especially in Kentucky. Congressman Comer remains committed to advancing bipartisan solutions alongside fellow lawmakers and industry partners to oppose any efforts that would hinder the hemp industry or create further uncertainty and economic hardship for farmers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=58E90BEC-C1C3-450F-B38A-679AB8628764", "McConnell Helps Secure Federal Grant to Support Substance Abuse Recovery and Job Training in Appalachian Kentucky", "2025-09-26", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "LOUISVILLE, KY \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the Fletcher Group will receive more than $9.2 million in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for its Connect Appalachia project.\n\nThe competitive federal grant is part of the ARC\u2019s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) program. The Fletcher Group, and partners including the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, will use the funding to implement a comprehensive economic development, workforce development, and substance abuse recovery program across six Appalachian states\u2014including all Kentucky counties served by the ARC.\n\n\u201cI appreciate the Fletcher Group\u2019s hard work in helping Appalachian counties, including those in Kentucky, and I was pleased to contact the Trump Administration on their behalf to help secure this federal funding,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThe Fletcher Group is doing great work to address the impacts of the substance abuse and opioid epidemic. This federal funding will allow them to build workforce pipelines between employers and treatment and recovery providers, helping individuals in recovery find and maintain meaningful employment.\u201d\n\n\"I want to thank Senator McConnell for his continued support of projects like this that help Kentuckians maintain recovery and obtain meaningful employment, and we look forward to partnering with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation to achieve these goals in communities throughout Appalachia Kentucky. While progress has been made to reduce the number of overdose deaths in Kentucky and across the nation, there is still more work to do to reverse the tragic impact of substance use. That is why this project is so important as we will work to help transform lives,\u201d said Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Fletcher Group, Ernie Fletcher.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FFF79C88-AD0D-418D-A319-C1780AF9ED99", "Reps. Barr and Peters Introduce Bill to Slash Permitting Times, Lower Energy Costs, and Prevent Blackouts", "2025-09-25", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Scott Peters (D-CA) will reintroduce the Streamlining Powerlines Essential to Electric Demand (SPEED) and Reliability Act, a bill to significantly hasten the siting and permitting of critically needed electric transmission lines. Faster approvals will let us build the electrical lines that carry energy from where it is generated to where it is needed sooner. This will lead to lower costs for consumers and prevent blackouts.\n\n\u201cAI data centers and advanced manufacturing are at the core of America\u2019s economic future, but they can\u2019t run without reliable, affordable power. The SPEED and Reliability Act cuts red tape and builds the transmission lines we need to lower costs and ensures we stay ahead of China in the race for AI,\u201d said Rep. Barr.\n\n\u201cWe cannot wait a decade plus for individual transmission lines to be approved if we don\u2019t want to fall behind China and our adversaries,\u201d said Rep. Peters. \u201cThis bill will lower costs for consumers, improve reliability, and help secure America\u2019s energy independence.\u201d\n\nUnder the current National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) program, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are supposed to work together to designate broad corridors for transmission development, with the goal of streamlining siting and permitting for high-impact transmission lines in the national interest.\n\nHowever, the process has yet to result in a single transmission project due to widespread opposition to this corridor-based approach. The SPEED and Reliability Act reforms this program by removing the ability of the Secretary of Energy to designate corridors, centralizes environmental reviews at the bipartisan and independent FERC, and includes additional guardrails to protect customers, benefit local communities, and respect state authority.\n\nThe SPEED and Reliability Act reforms the existing backstop siting authority for interstate electric transmission lines by removing the redundant, top-down role of the DOE. In particular, the SPEED and Reliability Act:\n\nRemoves the Secretary of Energy\u2019s authority to designate broad NIETCs;\n\nAllows FERC to issue a construction permit for individual national interest transmission lines that reduce grid congestion, improve reliability, and provide a clear set of economic and reliability benefits to customers;\n\nIncludes guardrails that protects consumers, benefit local communities, and respects state authorities by:\n\nAllocating costs only to customers that benefit, using a minimum specified list of electric reliability criteria, along with specified economic benefits\n\nPreserves current law by ensuring that states have at least one year to respond to applications before applicants can seek approval from FERC\n\nPrioritizes use of existing rights-of-way and advanced conductors to lower impacts and costs;\n\nMandates that FERC engage with states, tribes, and private property owners throughout the process\n\nBenefits: The bill would improve grid reliability, reduce costs for Americans, and boost economic development and national security.\n\nImproved Reliability: Increasing power flows between regions can help keep the lights on during extreme weather events.\n\nIn 2023, transmission congestion \u2013 the U.S. energy grid\u2019s inability to send power from where it\u2019s abundant to where it\u2019s needed \u2013 cost U.S. ratepayers $11.5 billion.\n\nDuring Winter Storm Uri, customers in the Great Plains and the Gulf Coast each could have saved in excess of $100 million with each additional gigawatt of transmission interconnection.\n\nReduced Costs: Just as an interstate highway can displace the need for disproportionate spending on local roads, high-impact transmission lines can save ratepayers billions of dollars every year by replacing less efficient, smaller projects and connecting customers to the cheapest power sources.\n\nNearly 60 utility companies are set to increase electricity rates this year by more than $38 billion, affecting more than 57 million Americans.\n\nOn average, electricity costs are 5.5% higher today than they were a year ago. Residential rates are also projected for a huge increase: up to 18% in the next few years.\n\nEconomic Development: Power demand is growing as manufacturing returns to the U.S. and key, strategic industries like artificial intelligence and microchip manufacturing continue to boom. More high-impact transmission lines will help support this economic development across the country, especially in rural communities.\n\nSmarter investments in transmission can save residential consumers up to $14 billion per year after accounting for the costs. For every $1 invested in transmission lines, consumers receive between $3.80 to $4.70 in benefits.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EADAB41B-2E05-4633-97EA-9CD3401C19A9", "Congressman Rogers Honors Bill Estep with Congressional Tribute", "2025-09-24", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold \"Hal\" Rogers (KY-05) recently presented longtime Kentucky journalist Bill Estep with a tribute in the Congressional Record to commemorate his retirement this summer from the Lexington Herald-Leader.\n\nCongressman Rogers credited Estep with writing a key investigative journalism series called \"Prescription for Pain,\" exposing the deadly opioid epidemic in Eastern Kentucky that led him to launch Operation UNITE to help curb the region's crisis and save lives. He also applauded Estep's work in covering news related to the coal industry and the important grassroots efforts led by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), a bipartisan initiative cofounded by Rogers, to help revitalize the economy in historic coal-producing counties.\n\nThe Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the University of Kentucky\u2019s Institute for Rural Journalism also announced Estep as the recipient of the 2025 Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism, which will be presented to him during an event on November 13.\n\nCongressman Rogers entered the following extension of remarks into the Congressional Record in honor of Bill Estep:\n\n\"Mister Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Kentucky journalist Bill Estep, who is retiring from the Lexington Herald Leader after 40 years of dedicated news and investigative reporting in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.\n\n\"As a resident of Somerset, Kentucky, Bill is one of my constituents, giving him personal insight into the generational challenges that we have faced in Kentucky\u2019s Appalachian region. He has written about our coal mines, our education system, historic flooding and tornado disasters, while also holding elected leaders accountable in the courtroom of public opinion, and never failing to keep facts at the core of his journalistic integrity. With the uprising of 'yellow journalism' in the form of social media\u2019s sensational opinions and unchecked rumors, 24-hours a day, Bill has remained consistent in his news coverage, keeping his pen steady, balanced, fair and accurate.\n\n\"Over the last four decades, Bill and I have sat down together to talk about every issue that impacts the people of southern and eastern Kentucky. We built a trusted relationship with the understanding that we both had an important job to do, requiring tough questions and, at times, tough answers. In 2003, Bill embarked on an investigative series called \u201cPrescription for Pain\u201d that would prove to have a monumental impact on my public service. The series exposed a rapidly growing opioid epidemic more than 20 years ago that was spreading like wildfire throughout our small communities, taking the lives of high school beauty queens and local leaders alike, while revealing local corruption and criminal drug trafficking in the depths of our mountain communities. His collective work inspired me to not only respond, but to take action. In the following weeks, I called together a group of leaders from across our region to launch a non-profit organization called Operation UNITE \u2013 Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education \u2013 the nation\u2019s first multi-pronged approach to help save lives and curb the drug crisis. In 2012, Operation UNITE took its mission to the national stage by establishing the National Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, which has grown into the largest convention of its kind with more than 3,000 annual attendees and highlighted by keynote speakers from federal agencies across the country, including four U.S. Presidents. Bill\u2019s reporting inspired a life-saving movement in Eastern Kentucky that is now impacting collaborative efforts nationwide \u2013 a feat worthy of a Pulitzer Prize and more.\n\n\"In 2013, when the downturn of the coal industry was exacerbated by the Obama Administration\u2019s war on coal, we lost more than 12,000 coal mining jobs in Eastern Kentucky alone. Once again, turning to action rather than words, former Governor Steve Beshear and I co-founded a bipartisan initiative called SOAR \u2013 Shaping Our Appalachian Region \u2013 to reimagine the future of southern and eastern Kentucky. Since inception, SOAR has focused on expanding access to high performance broadband, more diversified industrial development, workforce training, innovative tourism projects, expanded health care opportunities and much more. With the formation of SOAR, Bill Estep showed up once again with his iconic yellow notepad and a recorder to get the story right. From day one, he made sure there was an entire section in the Herald Leader featuring the work of SOAR, and he has remained committed to following our progress, our goals and our challenges.\n\n\"Throughout his career, it has been clear when Bill used his opinion in an effective way, advocating for a larger spread in the urban Lexington-based statewide newspaper to help feature stories in Eastern Kentucky that the rest of the state should care about. I imagine that he didn\u2019t win every battle with his editors over the years, but I know that Bill believed in the value of southern and eastern Kentucky for the rest of the Commonwealth. He was bold to ask tough questions, patient enough to listen to the response, and determined to conduct necessary research before writing a story. Upcoming and current reporters should take notes from Bill, and proceed with unbiased questions, an open mind, and a relentless dedication to facts over opinions and click-bait.\n\n\"Our rural Appalachian region has largely remained in the shadows of Kentucky\u2019s bigger cities, playing the national media\u2019s role of the impoverished, forgotten people who need a savior. Thanks to courageous journalists like Bill, we have had the opportunity to fight the stereotypes and tell the real story taking place in Eastern Kentucky, where resilient and innovative people are stepping up to shape a brighter future for the next generation through aerospace, medical science, engineering and much more. As Bill begins a new chapter of retirement to focus on his family\u2019s story and new traveling adventures, I hope it is filled with great pride in the work he has accomplished and the light of hope that he has helped shine on Eastern Kentucky.\"\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.\n\nCongressman Rogers Presented Bill Estep with a Congressional Record\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=99B1AA96-9C0B-46BF-A69B-121F9E1BD644", "McConnell on Support For Ukraine: Administration Must Turn Words Into Action", "2025-09-24", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "LOUISVILLE, KY \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI welcome President Trump\u2019s acknowledgement that Ukraine can defeat Russia\u2019s brutal aggression. For years, President Biden\u2019s dithering and hesitant efforts to help Ukraine defend itself only prolonged this conflict. This year, senior members of President Trump\u2019s Administration have consistently recommended he take the same disastrous approach to this awful war. Meanwhile, reality has been unmistakable: passivity in the face of aggression will not stop Putin. Self-imposed constraints will only delay the peace the President rightly seeks.\n\n\u201cThe President has identified Russia as the aggressor, and clear majorities of Americans, including Republicans, support continued military assistance to Ukraine; his Administration should act accordingly. If senior Department of Defense officials continue to blame NATO allies for provoking Russia, freeze or limit security assistance to Ukraine, or oppose further investments in security cooperation with Ukraine and vulnerable NATO allies, in defiance of the support expressed overwhelmingly by House Republicans last week, they are undermining President Trump\u2019s efforts to end the war. The Commander-in-Chief should not tolerate such freelance policymaking that weakens his leverage and undercuts investments in peace through strength.\n\n\u201cThe world is watching to see if President Trump\u2019s Administration translates his rhetoric into action.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=FDC6D0C8-40DF-41D5-8E60-F13CE2912057", "McConnell Statement on Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey", "2025-09-24", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "LOUISVILLE, KY \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding the passing of Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey:\n\n\u201cI am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my longtime friend and Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey. John was a dedicated public servant who made an indelible impact on our community and for 27 years as Sheriff he worked tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe. His recognition as the 2025 Sheriff of the Year was a testament to his unwavering commitment to law enforcement and the respect he earned from all who knew him. Elaine and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Jefferson County Sheriff's Department during this time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A8C2B569-8771-46C9-B7D8-0AC47E45FF89", "Barr Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Supporting State Bans on Biological Men Participating in Girls\u2019 Sports", "2025-09-22", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is again leading the charge to ban biological men from invading girls\u2019 sports. Barr joined a slew of members of Congress and U.S. Senators who wrote an Amicus Brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold state bans on biological men participating in girls\u2019 sports in the upcoming State of West Virginia v. B.P.J and Little v. Hecox case.\n\nThe brief argues that when Congress enacted Title IX in 1972, it defined \u201csex\u201d in biological terms\u2014not as \u201cgender identity\u201d\u2014and that only Congress, not the courts, has the authority to change that definition. You can read the full brief here.\n\n\u201cThe text of Title IX uses \u2018sex\u2019 to mean biology\u2014not gender identity,\u201d the Amicus Brief reads in part. \u201cBecause Title IX was enacted under the Spending Clause, its requirements must be clear and unambiguous, and those provisions say nothing about gender identity. Congress should be given the option and ability to consider the policy implications of importing gender identity into the text of Title IX.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must fight in Court, in Congress, and in every community to ensure President Trump\u2019s Executive Order protecting our girls is preserved,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cMen do not belong in women\u2019s sports and I will continue to work alongside President Trump, my colleagues in Congress, and activists like Riley Gaines to protect female athletes and their private spaces.\u201d\n\n\u201cWest Virginia passed a law making it clear that men shouldn\u2019t play in women\u2019s sports. This is just common sense \u2013 men and women are biologically different. Men cannot become women and they certainly shouldn\u2019t be forced to compete together. We have a duty to protect our children and ensure that no more girls are injured by transgender athletes pretending to be women. I\u2019m proud to lead this bicameral amicus brief with Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in defense of protecting women\u2019s sports at the Supreme Court,\u201d said Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02), who led the Amicus Brief.\n\nBarr also authored and introduced the Defend Girls\u2019 Athletics Act, legislation that is endorsed by women\u2019s sports and conservative activist Riley Gaines, to cut off federal funds to any school that refuses to implement President Donald Trump\u2019s national ban on biological men participating in girls\u2019 sports.\n\nBiological males are depriving female athletes of their athletic achievements. According to the United Nation\u2019s 2024 study titled \u201cViolence against women and girls in sports,\u201d biological males have won 890 medals in 29 different women\u2019s sports. The study also estimated that over 600 female athletes have lost accolades because of male athletes participating in their sport.\n\nEven worse than stealing glory from our female athletes, some girls have suffered permanent injury because of competing against biological males in sports. One of these athletes is Payton McNabb, who suffered partial paralysis during a high school volleyball match in 2022 due to an injury caused by a biological boy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9604B75B-7BA5-4A6A-AFA5-0DC943F629C5", "Congressman Rogers Votes for House Resolution to Honor Charlie Kirk", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives stood firmly against political violence by passing a House Resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charles \u201cCharlie\u201d James Kirk. U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers voted in support of the resolution on Friday and attended a vigil in Kirk\u2019s honor earlier this week on Capitol Hill.\n\n\u201cCharlie Kirk launched widespread thought-provoking peaceful debate, inspiring the next generation to be educated about civics and engaged in their right to vote, and their freedom of religion. His incredible life was shamefully cut short, but it is my hope that his voice will continue to live through those he inspired to speak boldly about their beliefs,\u201d said Congressman Rogers. \u201cI applaud my House colleagues for passing this resolution to condemn all forms of political violence; however, it should have been unanimous.\u201d\n\nThe measure passed, with 58 House Democrats voting against the resolution.\n\nThe House Resolution states the following:\n\nWhereas Charles \u2018\u2018Charlie\u2019\u2019 James Kirk, born October 14, 1993, was a courageous American patriot, whose life was tragically and unjustly cut short in an act of political violence on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk was a devoted Christian, who boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife, Erika Kirk, and a loving father to their daughter and son, exemplifying the virtues of faith, fidelity, and fatherhood;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk was a fierce defender of the American founding and its timeless principles of life, liberty, limited government, and individual responsibility;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk, at 18 years old, founded Turning Point USA in 2012, a student movement with the mission to \u2018\u2018identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government\u2019\u2019;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk became one of the most prominent voices in America, engaging in respectful, civil discourse across college campuses, media platforms, and national forums, always seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak freely, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans;\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk\u2019s commitment to civil discussion and debate stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum, and he worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction;\n\nWhereas the assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only a heinous act of violence, but a sobering reminder of the growing threat posed by political extremism and hatred in our society;\n\nWhereas such acts of politically motivated violence are antithetical to the principles of a free republic, in which differences of opinion are to be debated\u2014not silenced\u2014with civility, reason, and mutual respect;\n\nWhereas the rise in targeted violence against individuals for their political beliefs undermines the very fabric of our constitutional democracy and chills the free exchange of ideas essential to a healthy civic society;\n\nWhereas leaders at every level\u2014government, education, media, and beyond\u2014must stand united in unequivocal condemnation of political violence, regardless of their ideology;\n\nWhereas the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk must not be allowed to deepen the divides in our Nation, but instead serve as a turning point to recommit ourselves to better angels, and to the timeless American principles of liberty governed by truth and the virtues of peaceful dialogue; and\n\nWhereas Charlie Kirk would not have us respond to his death with despair, but rather with renewed purpose\u2014to speak truth with courage, to stand firm in faith, to seek unity while standing firm in principle, and to serve as living reminders of the values he championed: faith, family, and freedom:\n\nNow, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n\n(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Charles \u2018\u2018Charlie\u2019\u2019 James Kirk, and all forms of political violence;\n\n(2) commends and honors the dedicated law enforcement and emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urges the administration of swift justice to the suspect;\n\n(3) extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Charlie Kirk\u2019s family, including his wife, Erika, and their two young children, and prays for comfort, peace, and healing in this time of unspeakable loss;\n\n(4) honors the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty; and\n\n(5) calls upon all Americans\u2014regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed\u2014to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A6795042-BA47-4E38-8964-8DA57F178996", "Congressman Rogers Votes to Extend Federal Funding to Avoid Government Shutdown", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 19, 2025) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, voted for the Continuing Resolution and Extensions Act of 2026 on Friday to keep the federal government running past the end of the fiscal year on September 30, with a clean, short-term funding bill through November 21, 2025.\n\nThe House Appropriations Committee finalized and passed all 12 federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, including three which have already been passed in the House. The House is now working with the Senate through a bipartisan conference committee to advance federal funding for 2026 over the next seven weeks.\n\n\u201cDespite Democrats\u2019 efforts to pile on deal-breakers, like an additional $1.4 trillion in spending and reinstituting free health care for illegal immigrants, this extension is clean and simple,\u201d said Congressman Rogers. \u201cWe have worked diligently to sort through every single funding bill, hosting dozens of hearings, and addressing hundreds of amendments and requests for every sector of government spending through our work on the House Appropriations Committee. As we finalize our work with the Senate, this continuing resolution keeps the government running for the American people.\u201d\n\nThe continuing resolution keeps all federal funding in place at current levels to ensure no critical federal programs are cut short on September 30.\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers\u2019 work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/paul-kaine-schumer-shaheen-wyden-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-reassert-congressional-authority-over-tariffs/", "Paul, Kaine, Schumer, Shaheen & Wyden\u00a0Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tariffs", "2025-09-18", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 18th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nPaul, Kaine, Schumer, Shaheen, & Wyden Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tariffs\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/9/congressman-comer-recognizes-the-2025-angels-in-adoption-honoree", "Congressman Comer Recognizes the 2025 Angels in Adoption Honoree", "2025-09-17", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON-On September 10, 2025, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) recognized and congratulated Taryn Jacobus of Danville, Kentucky, for recently receiving the Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). Each year, CCAI selects individuals across the nation who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of loving homes.\n\n\u201cTaryn Jacobus, opened her heart and home, enriching the life of her daughter, Piper. For more than a decade, Taryn has selflessly given her time and talents to serving children and families in her community. Whether volunteering with her church youth group, counseling campers in her own home, or comforting grieving children through hospice programs, her compassion has made a lasting impact on countless lives. Taryn\u2019s journey to adopting Piper is an awe-inspiring testimony of determination and faith. I want to congratulate the Jacobus Family on their well-deserved recognition. Boyle County and all of the First Congressional District should be proud of this loving family\u201d, said Congressman Comer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/paul-kaine-klobuchar-warner-and-schumer-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-reassert-congressional-authority-over-tariffs/", "Paul, Kaine, Klobuchar, Warner, and Schumer Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tariffs", "2025-09-17", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 17th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nPaul, Kaine, Klobuchar, Warner, and Schumer Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tariffs\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA), as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), announced that their legislation to undo President Donald Trump\u2019s International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on Canada has been refiled. Since Trump launched his trade war with Canada, exports of U.S. distilled spirits declined by about 62 percent, and tourism from Canada to the U.S. fell by 33.9 percent. The legislation passed the Senate in a 51-48 vote in April but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives. It is privileged, so the Senate will be required to vote on it.\n\n\u201cNo president should be able to abuse emergency powers to bypass Congress and unilaterally impose import tariffs\u2014taxes\u2014on the American people,\u201d said Paul. \u201cThese tariffs hit families, farmers, and small businesses the hardest, and in Kentucky they devastate cornerstone industries like car manufacturing, bourbon, homebuilding, and shipping. Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority and stop this economic overreach before more jobs and industries are destroyed.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is time to end President Trump\u2019s senseless trade war with Canada, one of our closest allies and top trading partners. The American people overwhelmingly oppose it, and it has already done lasting damage to the bilateral relationship, which can be seen in declines in Canadian tourism to the United States, and declining sales of American products in Canada,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cIt is our responsibility as Congress to step in when the President abuses their authority. If the Senate once again passes a resolution to terminate this misguided trade war, the House should join us and say enough is enough.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe president cannot abuse his power to continue an unjustified trade war with one of our strongest allies. Canada is Minnesota\u2019s top trading partner, but the President\u2019s tariffs are jeopardizing that relationship\u2014and adding costs for Minnesota families,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cWe should not raise costs, hurt businesses, and eliminate jobs by attacking our neighbor and ally.\u201d\n\n\u201cCanada is a vital trading partner for Virginia, and the misguided tariffs that President Trump has placed on the country have already led to increased costs for families and businesses across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Warner. \u201cI urge my colleagues to join me in sending a clear message: it\u2019s time to end the reckless trade policies that are hurting American consumers, small businesses, and our allies.\u201d\n\n\u201cUpstate New Yorkers \u2013 and Americans across the country \u2013 are already paying the price for Trump\u2019s reckless and nonsensical trade war,\u201d said Leader Schumer. \u201cHis tariff tax has been felt on everything from groceries to new clothes. The tariffs and threats of economic instability have driven up prices, collapsed tourism, and stunted small businesses. It is beyond time for Senate Republicans to stand with us and stand up to Trump\u2019s economic devastation. Congress must side with American families, small businesses, and the global economy and say no to the false \u201cnational emergency\u201d Trump announced to impose tariffs on Canada.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would terminate the February 1 emergency declaration that President Trump used to launch his trade war with Canada, and would eliminate the tariffs on Canadian imports implemented as a result. President Trump\u2019s order cited the IEEPA, an unprecedented use of IEEPA\u2019s emergency provisions in the law\u2019s nearly half-century history. The IEEPA tariffs are the largest tax increase on American families in recent history. Public opinion surveys have overwhelmingly demonstrated that the American people do not support Trump\u2019s trade wars. According to a recentsurvey by Public First, 43 percent of American adults opposed applying tariffs to Canada. An Economist/YouGov surveyfound a majority of U.S. adults, 52 percent, were opposed to Trump\u2019s Canada tariffs.\n\nIn 2024, Canada was Virginia\u2019s largest export market, accounting for 15 percent of Virginia\u2019s exports. In 2022, top goods exports from Virginia to Canada included motor vehicles and transportation equipment, such as medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 56.1 percent of Southwest Virginia\u2019s economic output is dependent on trade.\n\nIn addition to Paul, Kaine, Klobuchar, Warner, and Schumer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-introduces-six-penny-plan-to-balance-the-federal-budget-in-five-years-2/", "Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years", "2025-09-16", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 16th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Rand Paul Introduces Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced the Six Penny Plan, a federal budget resolution that will balance on-budget outlays and revenues within five years by cutting six cents off every dollar projected to be spent over the next five fiscal years.\n\nDuring the current fiscal year, the federal government overspent and added $2.1 trillion to the gross national debt; an increase of $16,117 for every U.S. household. The federal government\u2019s overspending for FY2025 is projected to result in the third-highest deficit in U.S. history.\n\nAccording to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the United States is on track to record the third-largest deficit in American history this year. Interest payments on the debt now surpass the America\u2019s military spending, underscoring how runaway borrowing is crowding out core national priorities. With the national debt exceeding $37 trillion, it now stands at nearly twice the value of all bank deposits in the country. Put another way, even if all American bank accounts were emptied to pay down the debt, the amount would cover only about half of what Washington owes.\n\nWhen Dr. Paul first introduced a penny plan in 2017, a simple spending freeze was enough to balance the budget within five years. Today, because of years of reckless spending, achieving balance requires reducing projected spending by six percent annually. Under the Six Penny Plan, the first year would result in spending at 94 percent of current levels, with annual reductions of six percent continuing until balance is achieved in year five. After the fifth year, spending would be allowed to rise at the same pace as revenues over the next five years.\n\n\u201cI introduced my first Penny Plan in 2018, prior to that, a spending freeze was all it took to balance the budget in five years,\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cToday, runaway deficits and skyrocketing interest costs mean it will take a six percent reduction annually just to get us back on track. The math doesn\u2019t lie. Either we take responsibility now, or we condemn our children and grandchildren to economic ruin.\u201d\n\nRead the Six Penny Plan HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/chairman-rand-paul-uncovers-new-evidence-of-fauci-deleting-official-records-calls-him-to-testify-before-hsgac/", "Chairman Rand Paul Uncovers New Evidence of Fauci Deleting Official Records, Calls Him to Testify Before HSGAC", "2025-09-12", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 12th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nChairman Rand Paul Uncovers New Evidence of Fauci Deleting Official Records, Calls Him to Testify Before HSGAC\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), has formally called for Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify before the Committee. Recently uncovered emails directly contradict Dr. Fauci\u2019s repeated denials before the House Oversight Committee in 2024, when he testified under oath that he had never deleted federal records or sought to obstruct the release of public documents.\n\nThe Committee\u2019s letter to Dr. Fauci, sent September 9, 2025, requests the full production of all emails, messages, and call records from 2018\u20132023 related to the origins of COVID-19, gain-of-function research, EcoHealth Alliance, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and other key actors. The letter also formally requests that Dr. Fauci testify before HSGAC this fall to clarify his previous testimony and address the growing body of evidence suggesting that he sought to conceal records from congressional investigators.\n\nDr. Rand Paul said in the letter, \u201cDuring the course of its investigation, the Committee has obtained records revealing that you directed employees of the National Institutes for Health (NIH) to destroy federal records. These documents suggest your direct involvement in efforts to conceal information related to the Committee\u2019s investigation and appear to contradict your previous testimony before Congress. Accordingly, I request that you provide additional information and formally invite you to appear before the Committee to clarify your previous testimony.\u201d\n\nIn one February 2, 2020, email\u2014just one day after the now-infamous \u201cProximal Origins\u201d call\u2014 a conversation between Jeremy Farrar, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Francis Collins shows their intent to \u201cget ahead of the science and narrative of\u201d the origins of COVID-19. Later, Dr. Fauci instructed then-NIH Director Francis Collins: \u201cPlease delete this e-mail after you read it.\u201d\n\nIn another email, dated July 20, 2020, Dr. Fauci displayed a blatant disregard for congressional oversight, remarking \u201cAs usual [Rand Paul]\u2019s full of s..t\u201d and wrote to his Chief of Staff: \u201cplease delete this e-mail after you read it.\u201d\n\n\u201cDr. Fauci misled Congress and the American people. The evidence is clear: while publicly posturing as a champion of science, he was privately directing his staff to destroy federal records,\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cThis is a blatant violation, a betrayal of the public trust, and further proof that Fauci engaged in a coverup from the very beginning of the pandemic.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8F63D917-408D-4CB6-B8E5-F29A73BDEB21", "Barr, Cotton Unveil Bill to Stop CCP and Foreign Adversaries from Exploiting U.S. Universities", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs and China Committees is teaming up with U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to combat the Chinese Communist Party and foreign adversaries. The Protecting American Research and Talent Act prohibits federal funding from going to universities or colleges for the purposes of conducting fundamental research in collaboration with foreign entities tied to adversarial governments or their militaries. U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is cosponsoring the legislation.\n\nHigher education has been a target of foreign espionage schemes in recent years, especially by the Chinese Communist Party. In August, a Chinese doctor was charged with stealing research for the CCP while at the University of Texas\u2019 MD Anderson Cancer Center. That arrest comes on the heels of a Stanford University investigation revealing that the CCP was engaged in widespread attempts to recruit spies at the University.\n\n\u201cThe CCP and other foreign adversaries repeatedly use sophisticated schemes to steal American research and advance their interests in the expense of American national security and innovation\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cThis legislation seeks to stop that effort by increasing transparency and limiting federal flexibility to approve exemptions.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor far too long, our adversaries have exploited American colleges and universities to advance their interests, while risking our national security and innovation. This bill seeks to protect American research and talent and ensure our adversaries are not benefiting from American institutions,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nCongressman Barr has been extensively involved in crafting legislation designed to thwart CCP aggression. Earlier this month, the House passed Barr\u2019s Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act, which holds the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliates accountable for fueling America\u2019s fentanyl crisis.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5351A9A8-9345-430B-B6E2-764FD91FC52F", "Congressman Rogers Votes to Advance Peace Through Strength", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Harold \u201cHal\u201d Rogers (KY-05) voted for the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (SPEED Act and FY26 NDAA), which passed the House on Wednesday.\n\nThe bill fast-tracks equipment for our military, removing burdensome red tape to speed technology and resources for America\u2019s defense.\n\n\u201cWe are securing President Trump\u2019s mission to secure peace through strength, starting with improvements to our military supply system. The process to purchase equipment for our military is broken, holding back resources that our warfighters need to keep the American people safe. We\u2019re cutting the timeline in half,\u201d said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. \u201cThis bill also speeds the delivery of military weapons and critical technology, paving the way for the Golden Dome, and creating a pilot program that will move innovation forward with AI, cyber training and the latest technologies.\u201d\n\nThe legislation also provides a 3.8% pay raise for our service members and supports military construction for family housing.\n\nThe bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration.\n\nClick here to read the FY26 SPEED Act & NDAA.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395756", "Rep. Thomas Massie Introduces Pro-Life \"No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act\"", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Thomas Massie", "M001184", "massie.house.gov", "massie", "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nWashington, D.C.- Today Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 5302, the \"No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act.\" Rep. Massie's legislation prohibits U.S. financial aid from going to any foreign government, nongovernmental organization, international organization, or multilateral entity that funds, promotes, or facilitates abortions.\n\n\"The message of the 'No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act' is clear: foreign countries that spend money to kill unborn children will not receive aid from the United States of America,\" said Rep. Thomas Massie. \"All American foreign aid programs should be ended, and that money should remain in the United States. Stopping the flow of Americans' tax dollars to foreign countries that fund abortions is a good first step to achieving this goal.\"\n\nThe \"No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act\" will apply globally to any and all foreign countries and entities that promote or perform abortions. HR 5302 codifies and strengthens the pro-life Mexico City policy first proposed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The Mexico City policy bars federal funding from going to international non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortions. Unfortunately, because the Mexico City policy has not been enshrined into law, its enforcement has varied or lapsed during subsequent presidential administrations.\n\nOriginal cosponsors of the \"No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act\" include Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).\n\nThe text of the \"No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act\" is available at this link.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1EB690BA-5B7E-47CD-8345-094E90751992", "McConnell in CJ: We Must Reject The Political Violence That Took Charlie Kirk's Life", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) penned an op-ed for The Courier-Journal today regarding political violence threatening the fabric of American society:\n\nCharlie Kirk was a husband, a father of young children and a man of faith. His death yesterday is gut-wrenching on those grounds, above all else. I\u2019m keeping Charlie\u2019s family in my prayers as they try to make sense of the senseless, as are so many Kentuckians who were drawn to his work in the public eye.\n\nOf course, Charlie\u2019s death will be remembered not just as a personal tragedy but an assassination \u2014 an escalation of the political violence that increasingly threatens the fabric of our society. If you\u2019re worried and angry about that trend, you\u2019re absolutely right to be.\n\nIn Congress, it is tempting to declare a particularly tense or emotionally charged debate as unprecedented or corrosive. As something of an elder statesman, I often find myself reminding colleagues that we\u2019ve been through worse than today\u2019s recurring gridlock.\n\nIn fact, our Constitution anticipated and encouraged lively debate. Our system of government was built for it. Passionate disagreement is a sign of the health of our democracy. And guardrails exist to protect it.\n\nThroughout my career in the Senate, I\u2019ve tried to reaffirm these guardrails:\n\nI\u2019ve been a staunch opponent of restrictions on free speech. I\u2019ve fought repeatedly to preserve the right to political speech in elections (even for deep-pocketed Democratic opponents) and in the public square (even for flag-burners).\n\nIn the Senate, I\u2019ve fought just as hard to protect the rights of the minority party to unlimited debate (even when my side wasn\u2019t the one that stood to gain).\n\nGuardrails matter. They keep the American experiment rolling. But if passionate disagreement is a sign of health, political violence like yesterday\u2019s sickening display is a sign of decay. To excuse or encourage it is to place a cynical bet against America.\n\nWhatever an assassin\u2019s deluded justification, there is nothing less American than to override the guardrails of public discourse.\n\nYesterday\u2019s assassination comes with an especially bitter irony. Charlie Kirk\u2019s success as an activist and communicator came from his appetite for passionate disagreement. His willingness to peacefully debate all comers was an example of exactly what the founders had in mind.\n\nBut the founders also knew that combatting the sort of cowardice behind political assassination was too big a job for government, alone. They knew that the responsibility to reject political violence would rest on the shoulders of every American.\n\nEvery one of us must resist the temptation to treat those with different politics as enemies. We must treat the clash of ideas in the public square as a celebration of our democracy, not a pretext for war. If you\u2019re ever tempted to believe in recourse to violence among neighbors, patriots and fellow citizens, think again. Think of Charlie. And keep his family in your prayers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-paul-reintroduces-the-duplication-scoring-act/", "Dr. Paul Reintroduces the Duplication Scoring Act", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 11th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Paul Reintroduces the Duplication Scoring Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the Duplication Scoring Act, which seeks to reduce the size of government by eliminating duplicative programs and prevent further duplication within the federal government.\n\n\u201cAs we fight to rein in current wasteful spending, this reform would better enable Congress to make more fully informed decisions by adding a layer of oversight that will help stop waste in government before it ever happens,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\nBackground:\n\nFor over 10 years, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has documented more than 1,800 cases of duplicative programs. In its most recent report, GAO found the U.S. government has saved about $600 billion by adopting GAO\u2019s recommendations. However, these savings only account for just over 66 percent of GAO\u2019s identified programs, suggesting billions of taxpayer dollars are still being wasted on duplicative programs. While it will take time to eradicate all of the identified duplicative programs, this bill would work to prevent Congress from standing up these programs in the first place.\n\nThe Duplication Scoring Act seeks to prevent the passage of fragmented, overlapping, and duplicative government programs by:\n\nRequiring GAO to review each committee-reported bill or joint resolution and determine if it at risk of duplicating or overlapping with an existing program, office, or initiative previously identified in a GAO duplication, fragmentation, and overlap report.\n\nRequiring GAO to submit this assessment to the director of CBO and the corresponding Committee.\n\nThe Duplication Scoring Act was last introduced in 2023 in the 118th Congress on a bipartisan basis. The bill was reported favorably out of Committee by voice vote on March 29, 2023.\n\nYou can read the bill in its entirety HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-reintroduces-the-bonuses-for-cost-cutters-act/", "Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nSeptember 11th, 2025\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Rand Paul Reintroduces the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), continues his efforts to rein in wasteful spending and reform government by reintroducing the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act.\n\nCurrently, federal law allows an agency\u2019s Inspector General to pay bonuses of up to $10,000 of savings realized when a federal employee identifies waste, fraud, or mismanagement of funds. Dr. Paul\u2019s legislation would expand these categories to include identifying surplus or unneeded funds.\n\n\u201cSuccessfully tackling our debt crisis requires vigilance at all levels of government, from lawmakers in Congress to the employees on the front lines that carry out the day-to-day spending. The pressure in Washington to spend all you can before the end of the fiscal year so you can get even more in the future is enormous. Bonuses for Cost-Cutters pushes back against this status quo, providing additional incentive to save taxpayer resources,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\nBonuses for Cost-Cutters would also ensure 90 percent of the savings are automatically directed toward deficit reduction, with agencies free to apply any remainder toward other agency priorities, subject to current law.\n\nYou can read the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=55480A93-A2A6-4F59-8F12-DFC97102E8D3", "Barr Condemns Charlie Kirk Assassination as a \u201cNational Disgrace and a National Tragedy\u201d", "2025-09-10", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Lexington, KY\u2014After President Donald Trump confirmed that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe assassination of Charlie Kirk is a national disgrace, a national tragedy, and a wake up call for America. Enough is enough. I continue to pray for Charlie\u2019s family during this unspeakable tragedy.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=651671AB-6E07-4888-A3A8-4C21B5A716BF", "Barr Votes to Strengthen Military, Secure Border, and Counter China", "2025-09-10", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included a 3.8% pay raise for our military members, eliminated woke politics from the military, and protected Kentucky\u2019s defense initiatives like the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). The NDAA delivers key national security priorities by advancing President Trump\u2019s Peace Through Strength agenda. It also solidifies border security, implements critical spending reforms, and strengthens deterrence against threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\n\u201cThe Department of War has never been stronger because this year\u2019s NDAA delivers on President Trump\u2019s vision of building a feared and focused military. Under President Trump, we are getting DEI and ESG out of the military and getting back to the core mission of putting American national security first. It\u2019s no wonder why military recruitment is surging under this President\u2019s leadership. I\u2019m proud to support our military and secure major wins for Kentucky, including for the Blue Grass Army Depot in this NDAA,\u201d said Congressman Barr.\n\nThe NDAA makes permanent $20B of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts that Congressman Barr supported as a member of the Congressional DOGE Caucus. The package also prohibits funding for the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the military, eliminates DEI programs at the U.S. Department of War (DOW), and cancels climate change programs at DOW, all provisions Barr previously supported in past NDAAs.\n\nAdditionally, Barr secured provisions in the NDAA that protect Kentuckians working at BGAD. The first prohibits the reduction of employed civilian personnel at BGAD. The second requires the Department of War to assess the national security implications of the reliance on China and other foreign adversaries for the production of shipping containers and to establish a requirement to establish a domestic production facility at BGAD.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CF6D2175-9F47-42C9-93F9-CE0B10A2A211", "COMMITTEE APPROVES FY26 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT", "2025-09-10", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Harold Rogers", "R000395", "halrogers.house.gov", "halrogers", "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 34 to 28.\n\nCommerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, \"America has been revitalized over the last eight months. Working alongside President Trump, we are charting a course of recovery, growth, and reinforcing our standing on the world stage. Thanks to historic security improvements at the border, driving down illegal immigration and drug trafficking, we can focus on addressing the crime that has been infiltrating our neighborhoods and cities for far too long. While many of our states are now witnessing record reductions in overdose death rates, we must remain vigilant in our work to shut down the Transnational Criminal Organizations that remain a serious threat to the United States and strengthen our law enforcement agencies. This bill also puts American innovation first again through key investments in space science and exploration, maintaining our competitive edge over China. Finally, the deadly natural disasters in Kentucky, Texas and other states this year, have gravely reminded us that we must equip the National Weather Service with better emergency warning systems to keep the American people safe.\n\n\"I applaud Chairman Tom Cole for paving the way for regular order through the complex work of each subcommittee, aiming to right-size the federal government for future generations.\"\n\nChairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, \"The FY26 CJS bill is about protecting the nation on every front\u2014safeguarding our streets, restoring fiscal discipline, defending constitutional freedoms, and renewing public trust in government. It invests in law enforcement to combat crime and fentanyl, while standing firm against Communist China\u2019s theft of American technology and innovation. It also advances U.S. leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. At its core, this bill reflects the enduring promise of our nation: safety at home, economic strength and competitiveness, and liberty for every American. The expert leadership of Chairman Rogers has delivered a strong and focused measure that puts security, accountability, and national strength first.\"\n\nSubcommittee Chairman Rogers' opening remarks are available here.\n\nChairman Cole's opening remarks are available here.\n\nFiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act\n\nThe Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $76.824 billion, which represents a 2.8 percent decrease compared to the total effective spending of the fiscal year 2025 enacted level. The defense portion of the allocation is $6.234 billion, and the non-defense portion of the allocation is $70.590 billion.\n\nThe bill appropriately right-sizes federal Executive Branch agencies while refocusing agency programs and operations on their core missions. Importantly, the bill directs funding to support the fight against fentanyl, boosts funding for state and local law enforcement, and invests in efforts to counter the Communist Republic of China, all while safeguarding the constitutional rights of Americans.\n\nKey Takeaways\n\nSupports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:\n\nPreserving Second Amendment rights by maintaining all legacy firearms riders and adding new provisions that strengthen Second Amendment protections.\n\nContinuing the long-standing Hyde-like prohibition that prevents the use of Department of Justice funds to pay for abortion.\n\nCodifying President Trump\u2019s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.\n\nSupporting President Trump\u2019s executive action to restore free speech by prohibiting the federal government from labeling constitutionally protected speech by a United States person as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation.\n\nContinuing the prohibition on funding for any discriminatory action against individuals advocating for traditional marriage.\n\nUpholding prohibitions on funding for COVID vaccine and mask mandates.\n\nEnding the Biden Administration\u2019s targeting of everyday Americans by scaling back federal regulation efforts.\n\nBolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:\n\nMandating that the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) reinstate case completion performance metrics to increase immigration adjudications and hold immigration judges accountable.\n\nCountering the flow of fentanyl and other opioids by providing funding above the FY25 enacted level for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and appropriately funding the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces to enhance multi-agency efforts to combat transnational organized crime and reduce the availability of illicit drugs.\n\nMaintaining strong support for law enforcement by preserving robust funding for Byrne JAG formula grants and COPS Hiring grants that assist state and local law enforcement agencies.\n\nFocusing DOJ grant funding on programs that assist law enforcement in addressing the opioid crisis, combating child exploitation, eliminating the rape kit backlog, and preventing school violence.\n\nCounters China and maintains America\u2019s competitive edge by:\n\nDirecting the re-establishment of the DOJ China Initiative.\n\nInvesting in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.\n\nSupporting the critical Artemis program to advance American leadership in space and countering China\u2019s malign ambitions to steal American research.\n\nProviding funding for DEA above the FY25 enacted level to curb the flow of China\u2019s illicit export of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors into America.\n\nSafeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:\n\nSupporting the Trump Administration\u2019s efforts to right size the bureaucracy of the federal government by reducing salaries and expenses where appropriate.\n\nCanceling progressive grant programs while maintaining strong support for state and local law enforcement.\n\nDefunding Biden-era executive orders, rules, and memoranda, including ending wasteful DEI initiatives and defunding DEI offices at federal agencies.\n\nReducing spending on reckless climate change efforts.\n\nSupporting OMB\u2019s request to eliminate the DOJ\u2019s Community Relations Service.\n\nChampions State and Local Law Enforcement by:\n\nSupporting the men and women that serve and protect communities across the nation through significant investments in programs to bolster state and local law enforcement efforts.\n\nIncreasing funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring program.\n\nFunding State and Local Law Enforcement Activities at $4,159,898,000, which is $460,896,000 above the FY25 enacted level.\n\nChampions Conservative Priorities by:\n\nSupporting and reinforcing Second Amendment rights by prohibiting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives\u2019 (ATF\u2019s) rules on pistol braces and privately made firearms.\n\nMaintaining longstanding pro-life protections.\n\nCombating human trafficking and child exploitation by supporting strong funding for state and local law enforcement who combat these crimes.\n\nEliminating progressive grant programs that support criminal leniency.\n\nIncreasing transparency by mandating that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interviews be recorded.\n\nProhibiting the censorship of lawful speech or classifying speech as misinformation.\n\nA summary of the bill is available here.\n\nDuring the markup, Committee Republicans also stood with the America First agenda and rejected Democrat amendments that would have:\n\nExpanded taxpayer spending without offsets.\n\nEncroached on Second Amendment rights.\n\nMoved to address issues outside of committee jurisdiction.\n\nHampered efforts to streamline government and reduce bureaucracy.\n\nReinstituted Biden-era policies.\n\nPromoted Biden-era policies that support abortion.\n\nSought to limit immigration enforcement efforts.\n\nRestricted the implementation of the America First agenda.\n\nAdopted Amendments\n\nRogers #1 (Manager\u2019s Amendment) \u2013 Makes technical, bipartisan changes to the bill and report.\n\nThe amendment was adopted by voice vote.\n\nRogers #2 (Republican En Bloc) \u2013 Makes technical changes, safeguards Second Amendment rights, blocks federal rate-setting in broadband deployment, protects U.S. fishermen, supports mass spectrometry technology to combat fentanyl, targets CCP-affiliated forced labor, strengthens enforcement against illicit Chinese vape products, enhances DOJ efforts against transnational crime, disrupts gang activity in prisons, reinforces immigration enforcement, addresses prison repair backlog, backs U.S. medical innovation, and defends U.S. tech firms against discriminatory foreign laws.\n\nThe amendment was adopted by voice vote.\n\nClyde #1 \u2013 Ensures campus safety grants protect all women.\n\nThe amendment was adopted by a vote of 31 to 26.\n\nWasserman Schultz #2 \u2013 Supports NOAA weather work.\n\nThe amendment was adopted by voice vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=C307F226-FA6E-4952-B1C3-A86B608466D8", "McConnell Statement on the Passing of Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw", "2025-09-10", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw:\n\n\u201cFor nearly 30 years, Bobbie\u2019s effective leadership made local government accessible, reliable, and responsible for all Jefferson County residents. Bobbie\u2019s drive for excellence touched everything she did, and we all greatly benefited from her nationally-recognized service. Time and again, Bobbie earned the trust of her constituents, and she upheld the integrity and dignity of her office each and every day. The qualities that made her an exceptional public servant also made her a remarkable friend. As Elaine and I cherish the warm memories of Bobbie, we extend our condolences to her family and all of her colleagues and friends.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=C5ABCC77-3F51-47F2-8EEC-8C86E31748A4", "McConnell Secures Federal Funding to Fight Opioid Addiction in Kentucky", "2025-09-10", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will distribute $706,113 in federal funding to the Commonwealth of Kentucky through the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant Program.\n\nThe funding will be used to expand the Recovery Housing Program, which was created by Senator McConnell\u2019s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act in 2018. The Recovery Housing Program is a transitional housing pilot program to help states increase access to safe transitional housing for individuals in addiction recovery while they rehabilitate and reenter the workforce. Today\u2019s funding will be used to develop and expand the recovering housing program to assist young adults with their recovery and their reentry into the workforce.\n\nIn February, Senator McConnell introduced the CAREER Act of 2025 to enhance the workforce reentry and recovery housing programs created in the 2018 law. Since becoming law, the CAREER Act has directed nearly $12.5 million to the Commonwealth, helping hundreds of Kentuckians recovering from substance use disorder.\n\n\u201cKentucky\u2019s workforce continues to feel the effects of the opioid epidemic that plagues our nation. I\u2019m proud to have championed the CAREER Act in the Senate which helps combat this crisis by providing funding for resources helping those in recovery get back into the workforce,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThis announcement is yet another step in the right direction giving our communities much needed assistance in transitional housing and continuing to help our youth get their lives back on track.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s federal funding will be allocated to the Commonwealth of Kentucky which the state then distributes to programs across the Commonwealth that help prevent, reduce, and treat opioid abuse.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://comer.house.gov/2025/9/comer-hosts-dot-secretary-duffy-in-henderson-kentucky-for-tour-of-i-69-ohio-river-crossing-bridge-project", "Comer Hosts DOT Secretary Duffy in Henderson, Kentucky for Tour of I-69 Ohio River Crossing Bridge Project", "2025-09-08", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014 Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) hosted U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy in Henderson, Kentucky for an aerial tour of active construction and progress on the I-69 Ohio River Crossing bridge project. Congressman Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Congressman Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Indiana Secretary of Transportation Matthew Ubelhor, Kentucky Secretary of Transportation Jim Gray, and other local officials also attended to discuss the ongoing efforts to modernize a critical portion of the Interstate 69 corridor.\n\nCongressman Comer delivered the following remarks after the aerial tour of the project site: \u201cI have the privilege of representing the Henderson, Kentucky, side of the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing project. I am glad to see so many local and state officials and community partners from Henderson here today. I want to thank you all for your dedication to seeing this project through and for the investment of your time over the years. Your efforts have grown and developed Henderson\u2019s downtown area and made your community the prime example of how communities should foster entrepreneurship in young business owners. Today, we showed Secretary Duffy a bird\u2019s eye view of what interstate cooperation and regional growth looks like. I am proud of the progress made by county and local governments, as well as both state legislatures and departments of transportation to advance this project. As you can see from those gathered today, it is clear all levels of government are working together to make significant strides and investment toward the completion of the approach work in Kentucky and Indiana.\"\n\n\"Although many of us have a very local connection to this project, in the national landscape, it is a key component to completing the Interstate 69 corridor, which, when complete, will stretch the length of the United States. In his first several months on the job, Secretary Duffy has already shown his dedication to tackling large mega projects, like the I-69 Ohio River Crossing.\"\n\n\"Earlier this year he invited us into his office in D.C. to discuss ways the federal government can lend support to this project. He is committed to working with President Trump to secure over two billion dollars for the competitive INFRA grant program and the Bridge Investment Program in the upcoming year, which are the main federal funding sources for projects like this one.\"\n\n\"I thank Secretary Duffy for the opportunity to share highlights of each state\u2019s progress thus far and for his insight on the ways he and President Trump can utilize federal programs and opportunities to complete this critical connection.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 385, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "KY", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 385, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=KY&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 205, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}, {"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 180, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "KY", "label": "KY", "count": 385, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 385, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-08,https~3A~2F~2Fcomer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2F2025~2F9~2Fcomer-hosts-dot-secretary-duffy-in-henderson-kentucky-for-tour-of-i-69-ohio-river-crossing-bridge-project", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KY&year=2025&_next=2025-09-08%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fcomer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2F2025~2F9~2Fcomer-hosts-dot-secretary-duffy-in-henderson-kentucky-for-tour-of-i-69-ohio-river-crossing-bridge-project&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 185.67888112738729, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}