{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"AR\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-passage-of-omnibus-spending-package", "Rep. Crawford Responds to Passage of Omnibus Spending Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Responds to Passage of Omnibus Spending Package\n\n12/23/2022\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement after the omnibus spending bill passed the House:\n\n\"This bill is the Washington Beltway at its worst. More than $1.7 trillion in spending rushed through to lock in more inflationary spending, just days before the new GOP House majority will take over with a commitment to bring adult leadership to Washington. The bill contains no real\u200b solutions for the concerns Americans face today like high energy costs, an illegal immigration crisis at the border, and record inflation. This legislation also burdens American families with more wasteful government spending for divisive liberal policies.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-applauds-passage-of-amendment-providing-compensation-to-terrorism-victims", "Cotton Applauds Passage of Amendment Providing Compensation to Terrorism Victims", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 22, 2022\n\nCotton Applauds Passage of Amendment Providing Compensation to Terrorism Victims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 The Senate passed today Senator Tom Cotton\u2019s (R-Arkansas) legislation that will extend financial compensation to American victims of terrorism and their families. Introduced with Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), the legislation will also extend coverage to victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families and increase the available funds to help satisfy their judgments.\n\n\u201cThe passage of this amendment will direct funding to the brave Americans who were the targets of brutal terrorist attacks. The victims of acts of terrorism like 9/11 and the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing cannot be compensated fully for their losses, but this legislation will help repay the debt of gratitude America owes them,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nVideo of Senator Cotton speaking on the amendment can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cotton-boozman-pay-tribute-to-fallen-arkansas-law-enforcement-officers", "Cotton, Boozman Pay Tribute to Fallen Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 21, 2022\n\nCotton, Boozman Pay Tribute to Fallen Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers\n\nClick here to watch the remarks\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013\u2013 Arkansas U.S. Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman paid tribute on the Senate floor to the service and sacrifice of Benton County Sheriff\u2019s Detective Paul Newell, Stuttgart Police Sergeant Donald Scoby, and Jonesboro Police Officer Vincent Parks.\n\n\u201cAll of Arkansas mourns the loss of these brave men in uniform. Their courage and selflessness will not soon be forgotten. I pray that God will bring their families and loved ones the peace that comes from knowing their sacrifice was not in vain,\u201d Cotton said.\n\n\u201cThese individuals selflessly volunteer for this duty while accepting that the dangers of the job also put them in harm\u2019s way. It takes a special person to take on that responsibility, and that fact must never be lost on us,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-announces-support-for-mccarthy-s-speaker-bid", "Rep. Crawford Announces Support for McCarthy\u2019s Speaker Bid", "2022-12-20", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Announces Support for McCarthy's Speaker Bid\n\n12/20/2022\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement of support for Leader McCarthy in the Speaker's race:\n\n\"Our country faces serious challenges. Our southern border is in crisis, Communist China threatens our economic and national security, American families face soaring prices and a slowing economy, and the Biden Administration is relentlessly pushing its woke, extremist social agenda. The new GOP majority must focus on governing, on oversight, and on restoring America, not mindless infighting over a Speaker election. Kevin McCarthy led House Republicans to retake the majority and he will be the next Speaker of the House with my support and my vote. Potential delays imposed by a tiny minority within the GOP would get them headlines, but would also be helping Biden, not advancing conservative principles. I'll be voting for Kevin for as many ballots as it takes to elect him Speaker so we can get back to work on behalf of the American people.\"\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-and-rep-mrvan-to-lead-congressional-steel-caucus-in-118th-congress", "Rep. Crawford and Rep. Mrvan to Lead Congressional Steel Caucus in 118th Congress", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford and Rep. Mrvan to Lead Congressional Steel Caucus in 118th Congress\n\n12/19/2022\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus today announced that Rep. Crawford (AR-01) and Rep. Mrvan (IN-01) will serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman in the 118th Congress.\n\nThe Congressional Steel Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 100 Members of Congress who promote the health and stability of the domestic steel industry. In addition to introducing legislation supporting the domestic steel community, caucus members routinely meet with officials and international organization representatives to communicate the interests of the American industry and its steelworkers.\n\n\"I'm proud of the work we've done in the Steel Caucus and I look forward to building upon that success in the upcoming Congress in my new role as Chairman. A robust U.S. steel industry is critical to our nation's infrastructure, economy, and national security. Supporting the steel industry means durable infrastructure, a strong economy, and no longer needing to outsource for this vital commodity,\" said Rep. Crawford.\n\n\"As we transition to the 118th Congress, I look forward to continuing the necessary and impactful work of the Congressional Steel Caucus with Chairman Crawford, and building on our partnership and initiatives to ensure that all steelworkers and our manufacturing base can compete on a level playing field,\" said Rep. Mrvan.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/16/2022/cotton-statement-on-senate-passage-of-ndaa", "Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 16, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act:\n\n\u201cOur troops pledge their lives to the defense of the United States, and this bill gives them more support and funding to perform that important mission. It invests significantly more than President Biden called for, and it also excludes the worst aspects of the Democrats\u2019 social engineering plans, like forcing women into the draft, gender-based fitness tests for ground-combat jobs, and \u2018extremism\u2019 training. I\u2019m also pleased that this bill includes increased research and development for our nuclear defense, as well as for bolstering the munitions our military needs. While we must remain vigilant, America is now better prepared to ward off her enemies.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-stuttgart-officer-killed-in-line-of-duty", "Cotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 15, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after Stuttgart police officer Sergeant Donald Scoby was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday night:\n\n\u201cSergeant Donald Scoby died serving the community he loved and swore to protect\u2014there is no more noble end to life on this earth. May God grant Sergeant Scoby\u2019s family peace as all of Arkansas mourns his loss. We will not forget his service and bravery.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-van-hollen-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-cut-huawei-and-chinese-5g-companies-off-from-us-banks", "Cotton, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Cut Huawei and Chinese 5G Companies off from U.S. Banks", "2022-12-13", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 13, 2022\n\nCotton, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Cut Huawei and Chinese 5G Companies off from U.S. Banks\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a bill with Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) to severely sanction Chinese technology company Huawei and other untrustworthy Chinese 5G producers who engage in economic espionage against the United States. This bill would add these entities to the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, which would effectively freeze them from accessing the U.S. financial system. Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nIn October, the Department of Justice charged two Chinese intelligence officials for collaborating with Huawei to obstruct the federal government\u2019s investigation of the company. The FBI also recently revealed that Huawei gear was found in cell towers near several U.S. nuclear missile bases and that signals from these towers could interfere with the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve made great strides in recent years at home and abroad in combatting Huawei\u2019s malign attempts to dominate 5G and steal Americans\u2019 data. However, the fight is not finished. Huawei is an arm of Chinese intelligence. We cannot allow Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party to have access to Americans\u2019 personal data and our country\u2019s most sensitive defense systems. We must address the dire threat these Chinese companies pose to our national security,\u201d saidSen. Cotton.\n\n\u201cForeign companies that spy on the U.S. and violate our laws should face severe consequences. Huawei is a repeat offender. This bipartisan bill will bolster our national defenses by further sanctioning Huawei and other similar bad actors seeking to undermine our security,\u201d saidSen. Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the NETWORKS Act which will implement strict sanctions on companies like Huawei that spy on Americans and put our national security at risk. I\u2019ve been very clear about the threat we face from technology companies controlled by Communist China and other enemies that are known for espionage and theft of American technology. For too long, the United States has allowed one of our biggest adversaries into the most sensitive areas of our lives, but that must end. We must pass the NETWORKS Act immediately and hold these companies accountable,\u201d said Sen. Scott.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-stefanik-work-to-protect-us-agriculture-land-from-foreign-adversaries", "Crawford, Stefanik Work to Protect U.S. Agriculture Land from Foreign Adversaries", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rick Crawford and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) today introduced the Agricultural Foreign Investment Transparency Act to address the national security threat of foreign adversaries buying up U.S. agricultural land.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land hasnearly doubled over the last decade, and a number of high profileChinese acquisitions near Department of Defense and other federal installations indicate a need for greater transparency and oversight on these purchases.\n\nIn order to increase reporting and transparency and to combat malign influence of our foreign adversaries, this bill will update the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) of 1978, which was established to develop a nationwide system for collecting information on foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.\n\n\"The recent increase in Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland demonstrates the need for more proactive legislation and government transparency of these purchases. This legislation would shine a light on American agricultural land controlled by entities in communist China and elsewhere so we can evaluate the risk to our national security and implement an effective response. I'm pleased to join Rep. Stefanik in providing solutions to protect our food supply and those who produce it,\" Crawford said.\n\n\"Food security is national security, and we cannot allow our foreign adversaries to assert any control over our land or agriculture industry,\" Stefanik said. \"I am proud to shine a light on the malign influence of the Chinese and our other foreign adversaries who are buying up our land, undermining our farmers, and threatening our nation's security. I will continue to work to prevent our foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of the United States' agriculture industry.\"\n\nSpecifically, the Agricultural Foreign Investment Transparency Act will:\n\nRequire the Secretary of Agriculture to make all new and existing AFIDA reports publicly available on the USDA website,\n\nExpand the material reported to AFIDA to include security interests and land leases of any period, including idle agricultural land, and\n\nIncrease oversight and expand the scope of reporting to ensure there is a report of all idle land acquisitions, companies that issue equity securities that are foreign-traded, and all interest acquired, transferred, or held by a foreign person.\n\nRepresentatives Tom Emmer (R-MN), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Jim Baird (R-IN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Feenstra (R-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Blake Moore (R-UT), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Mary Miller (R-IL) joined Stefanik and Crawford in introducing this bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-reacts-passage-ndaa", "Westerman Reacts to Passage of NDAA", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan James M. Inhofe NDAA for FY 2023. Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:\n\n\"I am proud to vote yes on the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023,\" said Westerman. \"This NDAA is focused on increasing our military readiness and empowering a robust national defense by ensuring our service men and women have the tools they need to properly defend our nation. The bill delivers a slew of Republican wins, including freeing our military from any COVID-19 vaccine mandates, substantially investing in military modernization and shipbuilding to deter and compete with China, and reversing suggested cuts to our missile defense programs by President Joe Biden. What\u2019s more, the NDAA continues strong investments in defense programs in Camden, which is vital for the 4th Congressional District. I am glad to support an NDAA that is good for Arkansas and defends America.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-respect-marriage-act", "Westerman Statement on Respect For Marriage Act", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) reacted to the passage of The Respect for Marriage Act by the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cThe institution of marriage between one man and one woman predates any government, and the true meaning of marriage exists outside of government regulation,\" said Westerman. \"The \u2018Respect for Marriage Act\u2019 not only overreaches into that institution, but it directly threatens Americans\u2019 constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion by opening individuals to litigation in retaliation for their deeply held beliefs and revoking or changing faith-based organizations\u2019 tax-exempt status for their stance on same-sex marriage. Our constitution leaves no room for negotiation when it states Congress may make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. This bill is a clear example of government overreach and presents real dangers to Americans\u2019 First Amendment rights, and for that reason, I cannot support it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-brittney-griner-prisoner-swap", "Cotton Statement on Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the prisoner swap with Russia:\n\n\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s prisoner swap with Vladimir Putin released Viktor Bout, the notorious \u2018Merchant of Death\u2019 who armed America\u2019s worst enemies. And it left behind Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran who\u2019s languishing in a Russian jail cell on trumped-up charges. Americans welcome the release of Brittney Griner, but it shouldn\u2019t have come at the cost of releasing one of the world\u2019s worst arms dealers and creating a dangerous precedent for our enemies: detain Americans and Democrats will agree to set your worst killers free.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-overturn-biden-esg-retirement-savings-rule", "Cotton Introduces Legislation to Overturn Biden ESG Retirement Savings Rule", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 1, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Legislation to Overturn Biden ESG Retirement Savings Rule\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced legislation today that would overturn the Biden administration\u2019s new rule allowing retirement plans to prioritize ESG factors like climate change and racial justice over maximizing shareholder value. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cRetirement plans should prioritize investments with the highest return, not ESG scams,\u201d saidSen. Cotton.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-president-biden-to-block-chinese-data-sharing-platform", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Block Chinese Data-Sharing Platform", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Block Chinese Data-Sharing Platform\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48) today sent a letter to President Biden warning of the danger that a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled maritime data-sharing platform, LOGINK, poses to U.S. military and commercial interests. The letter detailed how the CCP could use the sensitive data LOGINK collects to increase its insight and influence over international maritime trade, port infrastructure, and possibly even U.S. military activities. The letter also asks the president to describe efforts his administration has taken thus far to counter LOGINK.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cThe CCP could exploit their control over LOGINK to identify early trends in the movement of U.S. military supplies and equipment through commercial ports while denying other countries the same data on Chinese military assets. The CCP could gain valuable intelligence regarding U.S. supply chains and use this knowledge to imperil our supply of critical resources. The CCP can also capitalize on LOGINK data to confer commercial advantages to Chinese firms and skew the marketplace away from U.S. firms.\u201d\n\nSenators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), as well as Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), Ben Cline (VA-06), Eric \u201cRick\u201d Crawford (AR-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), (Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Austin Scott (GA-08), Gregory Steube (FL-17), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Randy Weber (TX-14) joined the letter.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to urge you to take action to halt the spread of LOGINK, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled digital platform for maritime data-sharing.\n\nThe LOGINK logistics platform, which first spread outside of China in 2010, is both subsidized and promoted by the Chinese Ministry of Transport. It is now used by over 20 global ports and has the potential to collect massive amounts of sensitive business and foreign government data, such as corporate registries and vessel and cargo data. Most notably, many ports in South Korea and Japan, the hubs of the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific, are already tied to a network linked with LOGINK. LOGINK is also spreading to Europe and now includes ports in Spain and Portugal. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) recently identified this as a threat to the United States and reported that the CCP plans to use LOGINK to strengthen its influence over international maritime trade and port infrastructure.\n\nThe widespread adoption of the LOGINK platform creates a strategic risk for U.S. commercial and military interests. The CCP could exploit their control over LOGINK to identify early trends in the movement of U.S. military supplies and equipment through commercial ports while denying other countries the same data on Chinese military assets. The CCP could gain valuable intelligence regarding U.S. supply chains and use this knowledge to imperil our supply of critical resources. The CCP can also capitalize on LOGINK data to confer commercial advantages to Chinese firms and skew the marketplace away from U.S. firms.\n\nThe expansion of LOGINK, if left unchecked, could give the CCP a roadmap to gain a stranglehold on the arteries of global trade and data flows, a key aim of their Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI). With the data that a global LOGINK system could provide, the CCP could efficiently identify vital transportation nodes necessary to control the physical movement of goods. This would be a disaster for American interests.\n\nFor the reasons highlighted above, we respectfully request answers to the following questions, within all applicable rules and regulations, no later than January 11, 2023:\n\n1.Does your administration agree that the Chinese Communist Party having access to sensitive U.S. government and military shipping data poses a threat to national security?\n\n2.What steps has your administration taken to protect sensitive U.S. government and military shipping data from LOGINK and other logistics management platforms run by or affiliated with potential adversaries?\n\n3.Has your administration identified any U.S. platforms or platforms from ally or partner nations that could serve as secure alternatives to LOGINK? If so, please list them.\n\n4.What actions has your administration taken to counter attempts by China at international standards-setting bodies to spread LOGINK or similar systems globally?\n\n5.What discussions has your administration had with allied and partner governments, particularly Japan and South Korea, on the potential threat that this system may pose to the U.S. military presence in their countries?\n\n6.Has your administration raised the need to halt the spread of LOGINK, or other concerns about LOGINK, as part of the administration\u2019s current bilateral and multilateral economic efforts in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n____________________ ____________________\n\nTom Cotton Michelle Steel\n\nUnited States Senator Member of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-sullivan-introduce-bill-to-support-9/11-beirut-bombing-victims", "Cotton, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Support 9/11, Beirut Bombing Victims", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Support 9/11, Beirut Bombing Victims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today introduced the Fairness for American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Act, which would expand and improve a federal program that helps terrorist attack victims and their families get justice.\n\nSpecifically, the bill repurposes no-longer-needed COVID-19 funding to help American victims of terrorism recover court-awarded payments for acts of terrorism committed by foreign nations. It would expand and improve H.R. 8987, the Fairness for 9/11 Victims Act, by extending coverage to victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families and increasing the available funds to help satisfy their judgments. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cThe pandemic is long over\u2014unnecessary funding should shift to more worthy causes, like helping U.S. victims of terror attacks. This legislation will allocate funding to ensure that the brave Americans who were killed in brutal attacks like 9/11 and the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing are repaid the debt of gratitude America owes,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Senator Cotton and Senator Sullivan for their leadership. I am honored to support this bill. I know 1983 is a long time ago, and the bombing has faded in the public\u2019s memory. But it\u2019s something I live with every day. All these years later, it would rub salt in the wound if the family members of those who were lost are left behind again. I can\u2019t believe that is what Congress intends. We have always had support from leaders on both sides of the aisle and I hope that continues,\u201d said Paul Rivers, a former Marine sergeant who survived the bombing in Beirut after being buried alive for two hours.\n\nSenator Dan Sullivan (R-OH) is cosponsoring the bill. A brief overview of the bill is below.\n\nThe bill would:\n\nRepurpose nearly $3 billion in unspent CARES Act pandemic funds to provide \"catch-up\" funds for 9/11 victims and their families who were previously excluded from the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund;\n\nAmend the law to allow victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families to join the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, just as excluded 9/11 victims and their families were allowed to join the fund in 2019;\n\nRepurpose an additional $3 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan Act pandemic funds to provide \"catch-up\" funds for the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing victims and their families who were previously excluded from the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund;\n\nDirect the nearly $2 billion in estimated leftover funds after the catch-up payments to 9/11 victims and Beirut Marine families back to the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, to be distributed fairly to 9/11 and non-9/11 American victims of terrorism; and\n\nProvide oversight of the catch-up payments through a Government Accountability Office audit to ensure that catch-up payments put American victims of terrorism on equal footing and don't result in anyone receiving more than their court-awarded judgments.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/11/24/2022/cotton-statement-on-thanksgiving", "Cotton Statement on Thanksgiving", "2022-11-24", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 24, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Thanksgiving\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on Thanksgiving:\n\n\u201cMore than four centuries ago, our Pilgrim fathers joined with the Wampanoag tribe for the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims suffered many hardships and trials in the wilderness of the New World, but they bowed their heads and thanked God for giving them a special mission here on Earth. Today, the nation they helped to build stretches thousands of miles from Plymouth Rock to the shimmering shores of the Pacific. We have much to be grateful for as a nation. But most of all, we should be grateful that our special mission continues. From the Cotton family to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a happy Thanksgiving.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-expresses-concern-over-european-commission-jurisdiction-claim", "Cotton Expresses Concern Over European Commission Jurisdiction Claim", "2022-11-21", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 21, 2022\n\nCotton Expresses Concern Over European Commission Jurisdiction Claim\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to the German Ambassador and the Austrian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires detailing potential problems with the European Commission\u2019s decision to invoke Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulations to review a deal between U.S. companies. The Commission\u2019s use of Article 22 last year to review the Illumina/Grail acquisition is an extraordinary expansion of the Commission\u2019s jurisdiction that will needlessly interfere with American business. Senator Cotton asked Germany and Austria to intervene in the case, which is now pending before the European Court of Justice.\n\nIn part, the letter said:\n\n\u201cThe Commission\u2019s decision to use Article 22 to assert jurisdiction over the Illumina/Grail deal last spring is alarming. Neither France, nor Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, or Iceland were entitled to investigate the deal under their own laws because the acquisition did not meet any merger control thresholds. Illumina has some EU operations; Grail, however, has none and generates no revenue in the EU. Both are U.S. companies.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter to the German Ambassador may be found here and the letter to the Austrian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires here.\n\nNovember 21, 2022\n\nDear ________,\n\nI am deeply troubled by the European Commission\u2019s new interpretation of Article 22 of the European Union Merger Regulations, allowing the Commission to interfere in acquisitions where there is no European dimension. Under this new standard, there are no identifiable thresholds that a large \u201cforeign-to-foreign\u201d merger must meet for the Commission to assert jurisdiction. The Commission merely needs a member state to claim that the transaction would affect trade between member states and competition within its own borders and to ask the Commission to review the merger. This new approach is a breathtaking expansion of jurisdictional authority that is already interfering with American business.\n\nThe Commission\u2019s decision to use Article 22 to assert jurisdiction over the Illumina/Grail deal last spring is alarming. Neither France, nor Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, or Iceland were entitled to investigate the deal under their own laws because the acquisition did not meet any merger control thresholds. Illumina has some EU operations; Grail, however, has none and generates no revenue in the EU. Both are U.S. companies. Instead of leaving U.S. business in the hands of U.S. regulators, the Commission sent a letter asking member states to refer the deal to it. France, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland all did. Then, the Commission published new \u201cguidance\u201d in March of 2021 so it could review the transaction despite Illumina and Grail\u2019s not having conducted sufficient business to be investigated by any of the referring members under their own national laws.\n\nThe EU General Court recently upheld the Commission\u2019s actions despite the highly speculative claims the Commission made about the deal\u2019s impact on member states. If the European Commission wishes to assert jurisdiction over such a merger, it should be able to identify a concrete, substantial harm to European consumers. A theory of generic prejudice to innovation doesn\u2019t cut it.\n\nThe consequences of this new approach are indefensible and would permit the EU to continue to interfere in U.S. business without justification based on nebulous standards of harm. The European Commission should not position itself to harm U.S. consumers by depriving them of procompetitive deals. American regulators do not need European assistance to police America\u2019s free market.\n\nI kindly request that you intervene in the upcoming review by the European Court of Justice so this misstep may be corrected. I will continue to monitor developments and will consider further actions as necessary.\n\nSincerely,\n\n___________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/why-is-the-us-capitol-closed-rep-crawford-says-it-s-time-to-re-open-the-people-s-house", "Why is the U.S. Capitol Closed? Rep. Crawford Says it\u2019s Time to Re-Open the People\u2019s House", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nWhy is the U.S. Capitol Closed? Rep. Crawford Says it's Time to Re-Open the People's House\n\n11/17/2022\n\nWashington \u2013 Today in a speech on the House floor, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1) demanded that COVID restrictions for visitors of the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings be lifted.\n\nThe Capitol closed to the public on March 12, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The building has slowly opened in stages with strict restrictions still in place.\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/11/Rick-floor-speech-1024x551.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2085\"/>(Click the photo or here to watch full video)\n\n\"Madame Speaker, today I'm here to talk about re-opening the very building in which we stand \u2013 the U.S. Capitol. It has been two and a half years since Speaker Pelosi closed the people's House and told Americans it was part of our united effort to stop COVID-19. Over the last year we've seen a sharp decline of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. In fact, just two months ago, President Biden even declared the pandemic was over. Yet certain protocols remain from the height of the pandemic.\n\nToday when constituents come to visit my office, they need to be personally escorted around by staff, they have to be a small group, they can't go to the House gallery to watch votes take place, and my staff is only allowed to give a tour once a week. If the Speaker is really trying to prevent the spread of COVID why is she forcing people to gather in large crowds around security checkpoints? This is the people's House, yet we continue denying access to the people, the very people that elected us to serve them, the very people whose taxes fund our operations. Because of these regulations, I've had to turn several of my constituents away.\n\nNot only do these regulations make it difficult to welcome every group into my office, but it also affects the function of all House offices. I have multiple visitors a day, and each time they come in, I have to send one of my staffers to find the visitor in a crowd of people, wait in a long security line, and then escort them through the House office buildings. It is inefficient and takes staff away from the valuable work they should be doing for the people of Arkansas.\n\nTo top it all off, none of this makes any sense. Why do one of my staffers need to escort someone who has already been cleared by security into the building? How does this protect against COVID-19? What's so dangerous about allowing visitors the ability to watch their government function? How can we claim to be a transparent government when we prohibit access to their elected officials?\n\nIt's far past time to truly open up the Capitol to the people and restore its operations to pre-pandemic times. We cannot afford to keep distance between the American people and their elected representatives. These regulations prevent constituents from freely visiting their representatives, hinders productivity in our offices, and none of it makes us any safer. The people are an important part of the legislative process \u2013 in fact, they are the reason for it. Madame Speaker, they should be welcomed here. And with that I yield the balance of my time.\"\n\nDownload in MP4 format here.\n\nDownload in MP3 format here.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-express-scripts-has-come-crawling-back-to-arkansas-independent-pharmacies-after-cutting-contracts-with-them-early", "Rep. Crawford: Express Scripts has Come Crawling Back to Arkansas Independent Pharmacies After Cutting Contracts with them Early", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford: Express Scripts has Come Crawling Back to Arkansas Independent Pharmacies After Cutting Contracts with them Early\n\n11/14/2022\n\nJonesboro \u2013 After announcing in September it would be ending contracts with thousands of community pharmacies, Express Scripts, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Manager (PBM) for TRICARE, has partially reversed course. It delivered a letter Friday to some independent pharmacies in Arkansas asking them to re-join its network. The Express Scripts letter attributes the change to its inability to reach agreement with Kroger to join the Express Scripps network.\n\n\"It shouldn't have taken failure to come to an agreement with Kroger for Express Scripts to work with Arkansas' independent pharmacies to provide choice and excellent care for our military families,\" said Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1). \"Express Scripts' initial decision to thumb its nose at independent pharmacies and its apparent less-than-complete reversal are ominous signs for the ability of Express Scripts to provide our service members and their families with superior healthcare access and support.\"\n\nFor months, Arkansans have voiced frustration with changes the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is making to TRICARE pharmacy benefits, which will significantly limit healthcare access for TRICARE beneficiaries, particularly those in rural areas. Recently, DHA awarded a new $4 billion contract to Express Scripts, after which Express Scripts announced a reduction of up to 15,000 pharmacies from its retail pharmacy network. Express Scripts owns a mail-order and specialty pharmacy and is a direct competitor to independent pharmacies. Express Scripts has also slashed payments to community pharmacies below drug acquisition costs, forcing many independent pharmacies out of the TRICARE system.\n\n\"The Arkansas Pharmacists Association recently surveyed Arkansas based community pharmacies and found that 60% or 450 of 750 Arkansas local pharmacy locations will be out of network with Tricare and Express Scripts for 2023. The current Tricare community pharmacy network remains a disaster for military and families living in rural states like Arkansas. The latest round of communication from Express Scripts is smoke and mirrors and excuses rather than real solutions to save lives and provide needed pharmacy services in Arkansas. The current large chains and Express Scripts owned mail order options usually do not offer extended hours, weekend hours, emergency services, pediatric compounding, nursing home service, or adherence packaging required for long term care residents. The current Tricare network is often nonexistent in many communities in Arkansas where independent pharmacies are the only healthcare access for miles and miles. The Arkansas Pharmacists Association appreciates Congressman Crawford and other members of the Arkansas Congressional delegation for asking tough questions to the United States Department of Defense and to their pharmacy insurance companies, Cigna and Express Scripts,\" said John Vinson, CEO of Arkansas Pharmacists Association.\n\nPharmacy benefit managers (PBM's) are the middlemen between pharmacies and third-party payers, such as insurance companies, that are supposed to negotiate fair drug prices for consumers. PBMs have merged to a point where just three PBM's control roughly 80% of the entire US market. However, in recent years, they have also merged with huge healthcare corporations, such as pharmacy chains and health insurance companies. These massive conglomerates can squeeze independent pharmacies through a number of anti-competitive practices, while using their opaque transactions with insurers and drug companies to pocket the bulk of the savings that were supposed to be shared with Americans by means of lower retail drug prices. Instead, PBM's are driving \"mom and pop\" pharmacies out of business and reducing choice for rural patients in particular.\n\n\"A few PBM's have become too powerful, as reflected by the pressure being put on TRICARE beneficiaries and independent pharmacies in Arkansas and elsewhere, particularly across rural America. All cards must be on the table, including potential antitrust enforcement, as my colleagues and I work in the new Congress to investigate the best ways to rein in these predatory practices,\" concluded Crawford.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-on-foreign-tiktok-employees-in-the-us", "Cotton Demands Answers on Foreign TikTok Employees in the US", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers on Foreign TikTok Employees in the US\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding security concerns that TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance pose to American citizens\u2019 personal data. The letter requested details on TikTok\u2019s use of H-1B guest workers who may have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cIn 2022 alone DHS has approved over 570 new and continuing H-1B visas for foreign individuals to work at ByteDance and TikTok\u2019s offices in California. Given the security concerns with TikTok and the company\u2019s repeated statements about \u201cUS-based\u201d teams and data centers, having hundreds of foreign nationals working in those offices presents another potential threat.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro MayorkasSecretary\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nI write regarding TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and their use of H-1B guest worker visas for employees who might have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TikTok captures vast amounts of private information on users, including American citizens, and has long been suspected of providing the CCP with potential access to that information. This threatens the safety and security of American citizens, and also functions as an avenue for the Chinese government to track the locations of and develop blackmail on Federal employees and contractors.\n\nIn response to security and espionage concerns, TikTok claims that it stores \u201call TikTok US user data in the United States,\u201d and that its \u201cdata centers are located entirely outside of China.\u201d In a Senate hearing, TikTok\u2019s vice president added that TikTok has a \u201cUS-based security team that handles access to user data.\u201d However, recent public reports indicate that sensitive data on American users of TikTok has been accessed from within China, that Beijing-based employees of ByteDance have targeted specific American users for surveillance, and that at least 300 TikTok and ByteDance employees are also current or former employees of Chinese state media.\n\nIn 2022 alone, DHS has approved over 570 new and continuing H-1B visas for foreign individuals to work at ByteDance and TikTok\u2019s offices in California. Given the security concerns with TikTok and the company\u2019s repeated statements about \u201cUS-based\u201d teams and data centers, having hundreds of foreign nationals working in those offices presents another potential threat. For each H-1B application sponsored by ByteDance or TikTok in 2022, please provide a list of the nationalities and job titles of each applicant employee no later than 5:00PM on Tuesday, November 15.\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-president-biden-meeting-with-president-xi", "Cotton Statement on President Biden Meeting with President Xi", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on President Biden Meeting with President Xi\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on President Biden\u2019s meeting this morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping:\n\n\u201cJoe Biden has again failed to address or even acknowledge China\u2019s Cold War against the United States. His naive return to a policy of appeasement will hurt the United States, endanger Taiwan, and further embolden Xi Jinping.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/11/11/2022/cotton-statement-on-veterans-day", "Cotton Statement on Veterans Day", "2022-11-11", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 11, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Veterans Day\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:\n\n\"Today a grateful nation pauses to remember the Americans who put the needs of their country above their own. At home and abroad, the sacrifice of our veterans has made America safer and stronger. These exceptional Americans and their families deserve our lasting gratitude.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-warn-law-firms-about-esg-initiatives", "Cotton, Colleagues Warn Law Firms About ESG Initiatives", "2022-11-04", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 4, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Warn Law Firms About ESG Initiatives\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), sent letters to 51 law firms detailing the possible antitrust violations that their clients may commit if they pursue collusive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. The letter advises the law firms to preserve documents relevant to their clients\u2019 ESG practices in preparation for Congress\u2019s oversight of ESG-related antitrust violations.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cThe ESG movement attempts to weaponize corporations to reshape society in ways that Americans would never endorse at the ballot box. Of particular concern is the collusive effort to restrict the supply of coal, oil, and gas, which is driving up energy costs across the globe and empowering America\u2019s adversaries abroad.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nDear ________,\n\nWe are writing about your firm\u2019s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice. Although businesses would certainly be wise to lawyer up before undertaking ESG initiatives, your firm has a duty to fully inform clients of the risks they incur by participating in climate cartels and other ill-advised ESG schemes.\n\nDuring a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, FTC Commissioner Lina Khan and Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter were asked to share their thoughts about ESG collusion. Commissioner Khan emphasized that there is no ESG exemption to antitrust laws. Regarding ESG group initiatives, she added, \u201cCertainly, those types of cooperation or agreements, in as much as they can affect competition, are always relevant to\u201d the FTC. Assistant AG Kanter emphasized his own agreement with \u201cthe sentiment that collusion is anticompetitive, and I also agree with the underlying sentiment that when firms have substantial power and they use that power to achieve anticompetitive ends, that should be actionable under the antitrust laws.\u201d\n\nThe ESG movement attempts to weaponize corporations to reshape society in ways that Americans would never endorse at the ballot box. Of particular concern is the collusive effort to restrict the supply of coal, oil, and gas, which is driving up energy costs across the globe and empowering America\u2019s adversaries abroad. Over the coming months and years, Congress will increasingly use its oversight powers to scrutinize the institutionalized antitrust violations being committed in the name of ESG, and refer those violations to the FTC and the Department of Justice. To the extent that your firm continues to advise clients regarding participation in ESG initiatives, both you and those clients should take care to preserve relevant documents in anticipation of those investigations.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-applauds-fcc-commissioner-s-call-for-china-based-bytedance-s-tiktok-app-to-be-blocked-in-us", "Rep. Crawford applauds FCC Commissioner\u2019s call for China-based ByteDance\u2019s TikTok app to be blocked in U.S.", "2022-11-02", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford applauds FCC Commissioner's call for China-based ByteDance's TikTok app to be blocked in U.S.\n\n11/2/2022\n\nWashington \u2013 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) expressed support for the call by Brendan Carr, a commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission, for the U.S. government to take action to ban TikTok. The Council on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) is currently negotiating with the company about how to protect U.S. national security interests and Americans' privacy, given the control the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship has over all companies in China.\n\nCrawford has been calling for a TikTok ban since June 2020; and last month reiterated the need for a TikTok ban or its sale to a U.S. company, in an opinion piece at the Daily Signal, the Heritage Foundation's news outlet.\n\n\"There are no conditions our government could put on TikTok that would adequately protect our national security and the privacy of the American people from the prying eyes of the Xi regime in China,\" Crawford said. \"As Alibaba learned after its founder Jack Ma gave a speech implicitly criticizing the Xi regime, companies in China exist at the pleasure of the Chinese Communist Party. The hammer soon came down on Alibaba, and its stock has fallen 79% since Ma's fateful speech.\"\n\nCrawford also called for a TikTok ban in July 2020, and additionally that month joined 24 of his colleagues in supporting Trump Administration efforts to restrict TikTok from accessing the U.S. market. Democrats, who had resisted President Donald Trump's move to combat the Chinese Communist Party's potential use of TikTok to compromise our national security \u2013 either due to their animus for Trump or their conciliatory approach to the Chinese regime \u2013 are now coming around to Trump's, and Crawford's, position.\n\nLast week, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) admitted: \"This is not something you would normally hear me say, but Donald Trump was right on TikTok years ago.\"\n\nCrawford responded, \"Better late than never. I respect Senator Warner's courage is challenging his party's base to stand up to China on this issue.\"\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-asks-biden-to-end-cross-border-vaccination-requirements-for-truck-drivers", "Rep. Crawford Asks Biden to End Cross-Border Vaccination Requirements for Truck Drivers", "2022-10-28", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Asks Biden to End Cross-Border Vaccination Requirements for Truck Drivers\n\n10/28/2022\n\nWashington \u2013 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) lead a letter along with 55 of his colleagues asking President Biden to end vaccination requirements between the U.S. and Canada. Canada's vaccination and testing requirements expired earlier this month, but the U.S. requirements are still in effect with no indication of removal. Several essential commodities are imported into the U.S. from Canada, including fertilizer, oats, propane, and chemicals. These regulations put more strain on our supply chain by hindering the trucking industry's ability to move these essential goods quickly.\n\n\"The trucking industry is already suffering immense labor shortages, especially for drivers, which is raising costs on consumers and limiting the supply of nutrients, food, energy, chemicals, and other major products. Combined with a looming threat of a rail worker strike, we must look to alleviate any outstanding restrictions for our commercial truck drivers to further incentivize not only their return to work, but for onboarding new drivers as well,\" the members wrote.\n\nThe letter also notes that the threat of COVID-19 continues to diminish while our commitment to a strong partnership with Canada remains.\n\n\"Open trade and cross-border supply chain mobility between the highly integrated American and Canadian agricultural sector is critical to our bilateral relationship. At this point in time, there is hardly any legitimate reason for cross-border vaccination requirements to persist for our nation's truckers. We are two and a half years removed from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and one and a half years removed from civilian access to COVID-19 vaccines, not to mention over a year removed from available booster shots. COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have steadily declined for months. It is far past time we join Canada and the rest of the world in fully reopening our economy,\" the members concluded.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\nSignatures include: Representatives Elise Stefanik, G.T. Thompson, Sam Graves, Randy Weber, Troy Nehls, Ralph Norman, Brian Mast, Tracey Mann, Nancy Mace, Jeff Van Drew, Mike Gallagher, Michelle Fischbach, Nicole Malliotakis, Diana Harshberger, Pete Stauber, Doug LaMalfa, John Moolenaar, Doug Lamborn, Jim Baird, Tim Walberg, Claudia Tenney, Greg Murphy, Tom Tiffany, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Brad Wenstrup, Dusty Johnson, Louie Gohmert, Greg Steube, Clay Higgins, Carlos Gimenez, Barry Moore, Jason Smith, William Timmons, Debbie Lesko, Michael Guest, Brad Finstad, Lisa McClain, Andy Biggs, Kat Cammack, Bob Gibbs, Mike Bost, Randy Feenstra, Michael Waltz, Mike Garcia, Mike Kelly, Michael Cloud, John Rose, Dan Newhouse, Brian Babin, Ashley Hinson, Ben Cline, Troy Balderson, Beth Van Duyne, Bill Posey, David Valadao and Ronny Jackson.\n\nIndustry supporters include: American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, Border Trade Alliance, Canadian Trucking Alliance, National Tank Truck Carriers, Agricultural Retailers Association, National Grocers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, North American Millers' Association, Gases and Welding Distributors Association, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Private Truck Council, Reusable Industrial Packaging Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Propane Association, Canadian Propane Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and USA Rice.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-sees-20th-chinese-communist-party-congress-as-wakeup-call-for-the-west", "Rep. Crawford sees 20th\u00a0Chinese Communist Party Congress as wakeup call for the West", "2022-10-24", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford sees 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress as wakeup call for the West\n\n10/24/2022\n\nWashington - Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) responded to the end of the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress, which solidified the control of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Congress included formal acceptance of Xi's third term as President, and the packing of the senior leadership of the Communist Party, and thus Chinese government, with Xi loyalists.\n\n\"The wishful thinkers and China apologists of the West are now forced again to face reality, as they have faced with China's crushing of Hong Kong's independence, its genocide against the Uighurs, and Xi's siding with Vladimir Putin against basic notions of freedom and sovereignty,\" said Rep. Crawford. \"China is not just a dictatorship of one party, it is now a dictatorship of one man, Xi Jinping. We haven't seen this level of dominance by one man in China since Mao Zedong, and that didn't end so well.\"\n\nIncreasing Chinese repression at home and saber-rattling abroad have been hard to miss. Xi has made clear his willingness to try to take democratic Taiwan by force; and has expressed China intends to replace America economically and militarily as the world's foremost power. Crawford has been clear that the United States and its allies must ramp up efforts to counter this threat.\n\n\"With the Year of the Rabbit in China just a few months away, there should be a time of peace ahead,\" Rep. Crawford added. \"But Xi's total consolidation of power instead points to more dangerous times.\"\n\nCrawford recently urged that China-owned ByteDance be forced to sell its TikTok unit to an American company, or to exit America, due to potential national security threats.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-how-tom-cottons-hard-line-on-crime-took-over-the-republican-party", "ICYMI: How Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party", "2022-10-21", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 21, 2022\n\nICYMI: How Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party\n\nHow Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party\n\nSemafor\n\nBy David Weigel\n\nWhen prison reform was in vogue, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. was against it. In 2018, he led the GOP opposition to the First Step Act, a bipartisan effort to reduce some sentences and let some criminals out of prison. Just 11 other Republicans sided with him against the Trump administration, which celebrated the bill\u2019s passage as something Democrats never could have pulled off. Four years later, Cotton said in an interview, plenty of his colleagues wish they could take that vote back.\n\nAMERICANA: You\u2019ve talked about ideas that are popular in \u201cthe faculty lounge,\u201d and you spent some time in the Ivy League yourself. When did you first encounter the idea that it was ipso facto a problem to have too many people in prison?\n\nCOTTON: The first time I remember this being at the forefront, as a political issue, was in my first year in the Senate in 2015. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would substantially decrease prison sentences \u2013 would let thousands, if not tens of thousands, of convicts out of jail.\n\nI did not know that the Republican Party stood for such a thing. On the Columbus Day recess I was on a co-del with Mitch McConnell, and I asked him: What the hell? When did the Republican Party become the party of letting felons \u2013 hardened, serious felons \u2013 out of prison? McConnell said, \u201cWell, I have a lot of Republican members who voted for that bill and are very passionate about it. And I don't have any Republican members at the moment who are outspoken opponents to it.\u201d And I said, \u201cI think I found your man.\u201d\n\nAMERICANA: You\u2019ve said that the reformers, while wrong, are well-intentioned.\n\nCOTTON: There are a handful of politicians in Congress who have libertarian leanings. They don't like state power in most contexts. They have philosophical objections to long prison sentences, especially long prison sentences for drug crimes, because they object to the criminalization of drugs to begin with.\n\nUnfortunately, you see the same dynamic in a lot of states. And at that level, you have the added pressure of the state budget. It's not a major concern for the federal government, because the Bureau of Prisons and our law enforcement budgets are relatively small parts of the federal budget.\n\nAMERICANA: During the pandemic, DOJ let more than 11,000 people out of jail and confined them at home. Seventeen of those people have been charged for crimes they committed after getting out. I\u2019ve seen criminal justice reform advocates point to that and say, look, here\u2019s proof you don\u2019t need all of these people to stay in prison.\n\nCOTTON: The victims of those 17 criminals probably viewed it differently. Look, the 11,000 people sitting at home right now include 6000 drug offenders. Drug trafficking is a classic crime that you can do from the comfort of your own home even while you're wearing an ankle bracelet. And the new director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons said she can\u2019t assure us that felons who would otherwise be sitting in a federal prison are not conducting criminal activities from their house. As I said to her: I assure you that many of them are.\n\nAMERICANA: The Biden administration \u2013 during a campaign, to be fair \u2013 has proposed hiring 100,000 new police officers, which Republicans have supported in a different form. Do you see any possible agreement between the parties on that? Does it come up in the lame duck after the midterms?\n\nCOTTON: I don't think they get that through the House of Representatives. Look how much they struggled just to pass rhetorical messaging bills with no teeth \u2013 they had to beg, borrow and steal votes, pleading with the radicals in the so-called \u201cSquad\u201d just to vote present. I don't know how Biden is going to take the beating that's coming his way in the election, if he's going to react more like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton.\n\nAMERICANA: Is there a federal response to defensive policing? That\u2019s some of the tension, too \u2013 police departments report lower morale after negative attention, make fewer arrests, close fewer cases.\n\nCOTTON: So many officers worry too much about what their city or county's political leadership \u2013 in some cases, even their departmental leadership \u2013 would do if faced with one of those controversial moments where all the facts aren\u2019t clear.\n\nLocal leaders need to make it clear that they will not jump to conclusions, that they will not abandon officers. Simply winning the Congress and putting an end to nonsense like repealing qualified immunity would contribute to greater confidence on the part of our police officers.\n\nDAVID 'S VIEW\n\nCotton was years ahead of what's now the dominant Republican message on crime: That there's no \"mass incarceration\" problem, and that freeing prisoners inevitably leads to more violence. I wasn't surprised by his answers, but interested in where he wants to take this in 2023, with new Republican legislators who want to fire liberal prosecutors and step up penalties for drug trafficking.\n\nTHE VIEW FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMERS\n\nInvestigative journalist Radley Balko has accused Cotton and his allies of misleading voters on crime, especially when they've tried to keep progressive judicial nominees off the bench. \"As with any other institution, we improve the criminal justice system by exposing and correcting its flaws, not by pretending those flaws don\u2019t exist.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-president-biden-to-take-action-against-huawei-aligned-semiconductor-plant", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Take Action Against Huawei-Aligned Semiconductor Plant", "2022-10-14", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 14, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Take Action Against Huawei-Aligned Semiconductor Plant\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on the administration to take immediate action to prevent the Chinese technology company Huawei from building the Pengxinwei IC Manufacturing Company (PXW) semiconductor plant. The letter details how the plant would severely undermine the U.S. strategy to counter Huawei, an arm of Chinese intelligence. The plant would give Huawei a guaranteed supply of advanced chips, a key element of the CCP\u2019s Military-Civil Fusion campaign. The senators also raise concerns that the administration has taken no official steps to delay the project\u2019s progress, despite knowing about the plant\u2019s construction.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cBloomberg recently published evidence that Huawei began construction over seven months ago on a factory where PXW is expected to eventually mass produce chips as advanced as 14 nanometers and 7 nanometers. Almost all of these chips are expected to be sold to Huawei, and PXW reportedly has already ordered the advanced equipment necessary to build these chips. This would represent a dangerous leap in Chinese semiconductor manufacturing, as Chinese chipmakers have thus far only been able to produce 7-nanometer chips in limited quantities. With these new chips for its base stations, Huawei could resume its march towards 5G market dominance, and the CCP will advance its plan to control global telecommunications and extend its economic espionage and repression.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 13, 2022\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe call on the administration to take immediate action to halt Huawei\u2019s attempt to build the Pengxinwei IC Manufacturing Company (PXW) semiconductor foundry. This Huawei-aligned foundry is designed to fatally undermine the U.S. strategy to counter the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) bid to dominate global 5G markets and strengthen its intelligence and repression apparatus.\n\nBloomberg recently published evidence that Huawei began construction over seven months ago on a factory where PXW is expected to eventually mass produce chips as advanced as 14 nanometers and 7 nanometers. Almost all of these chips are expected to be sold to Huawei, and PXW reportedly has already ordered the advanced equipment necessary to build these chips. This would represent a dangerous leap in Chinese semiconductor manufacturing, as Chinese chipmakers have thus far only been able to produce 7-nanometer chips in limited quantities. With these new chips for its base stations, Huawei could resume its march towards 5G market dominance, and the CCP will advance its plan to control global telecommunications and extend its economic espionage and repression.\n\nWe are deeply concerned that, despite the obvious threat that PXW poses, your administration has taken no official steps to delay the project\u2019s progress, despite being aware of the project for some time. The Department of Commerce\u2019s apparent inaction is a dereliction of duty. Despite PXW\u2019s clear connection with Huawei, Commerce has not added PXW to its Bureau of Industry and Security\u2019s (BIS) Entity List or its list of Huawei subsidiaries under the Foreign Direct Product Rule. As far as we can tell, Commerce has not sent a single \u201cinformed\u201d letter to any entities potentially working with PXW, ordering them to halt all shipments to and transactions with the factory.\n\nExport controls are among our nation\u2019s foremost tools to win the economic long war with China. It defies logic that, at the same time as your administration worked on a package of export controls on Chinese semiconductors, it has not used all the tools at its disposal to end PXW\u2019s development. Your administration should blacklist PXW immediately, unless you wish to preside over the unravelling of the U.S. campaign against Huawei and the CCP\u2019s bid for global 5G dominance.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_________________________ _________________________\n\nTom Cotton Bill Hagerty\n\nUnited States Senator United States Senator\n\n_________________________ _________________________\n\nMarsha Blackburn Ted Cruz\n\nUnited States Senator United States Senator\n\n_________________________\n\nMarco Rubio\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-september-inflation-report", "Rep. Crawford Statement on September Inflation Report", "2022-10-13", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on September Inflation Report\n\n10/13/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that consumer prices are up 8.2% since a year ago, marking the ninth consecutive month of inflation over 7%. Wages after accounting for inflation are now down 3% in the last year. Mortgage rates have soared past 7%. And the Energy Dept. is warning families to expect massive increases in the cost to heat their homes this winter.\n\nRepresentative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement in response:\n\n\"Bidenflation is continuing to hammer away at families in Arkansas and nationwide. Then the Biden administration insults the American people by dismissing the severity of inflation and denying that our economy is facing a recession. Our nation is in desperate need of leadership that acknowledges the obvious and executes an effective solution.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-requests-information-on-release-of-private-military-records", "Cotton Requests Information on Release of Private Military Records", "2022-10-13", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 13, 2022\n\nCotton Requests Information on Release of Private Military Records\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel Hokanson requesting a full accounting of how Politico obtained the private personnel records of USAF Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer-Ruth Green. Included in Politico\u2019s reporting were Green\u2019s Officer Performance Reports and her own account of being sexually assaulted while serving in Iraq.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cAbsent the written consent of the servicemember, military performance evaluations appear to be protected by the Privacy Act and not releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, based on the statutes themselves, various government FAQs, and the Air Force itself in response to a formal congressional inquiry from my office into whether Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) are releasable under FOIA: An \u2018OPR could only be released if that member agreed, in writing, to release his/her document. Without written consent/release, Air Force has no authority to release these documents.\u2019\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Frank Kendall, III\n\nSecretary of the Air Force\n\n1670 Air Force Pentagon\n\nWashington, DC 20330-1670\n\nGeneral Daniel R. Hokanson\n\nChief of the National Guard Bureau\n\n111 South George Mason Drive\n\nArlington, VA 22204\n\nDear Secretary Kendall and General Hokanson:\n\nOn October 7, 2022, Politico published highly private information from the military records of Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer-Ruth Green, USAF, including both the contents of her Officer Performance Reports and her own detailed account of being sexually assaulted while serving in Iraq\u2014an assault she had chosen to keep private until Politico decided to ignore her objections and publish the details anyway.\n\nThe Politico reporter claims in the article that \u201cthe documents\u2026were obtained by a public records request and provided to [Politico.]\u201d Separately, in a statement to Fox News Digital, a Politico spokesperson contends that \u201c[t]he records in question are publicly available documents that can be obtained by a standard FOIA request.\u201d\n\nBut absent the written consent of the servicemember, military performance evaluations appear to be protected by the Privacy Act and not releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, based on the statutes themselves, various government FAQs, and the Air Force itself in response to a formal congressional inquiry from my office into whether Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) are releasable under FOIA: An \u201cOPR could only be released if that member agreed, in writing, to release his/her document. Without written consent/release, Air Force has no authority to release these documents.\u201d\n\nIf that\u2019s true, the release of Lt Col Green\u2019s personnel records appears to be a grave violation of both Lt Col Green\u2019s privacy and federal law.\n\nOf additional concern is the appearance that the party responsible for releasing these Air Force documents may be exploiting private matters, including a sexual assault, for partisan purposes to interfere in the democratic process just weeks before an election.\n\nI am therefore formally requesting a full accounting of how and on what basis these documents were released or leaked, and who is responsible.\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\n___________________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-questions-mayorkas-about-border-patrol-whipping-claims", "Cotton Questions Mayorkas About Border Patrol \u2018Whipping\u2019 Claims", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nCotton Questions Mayorkas About Border Patrol \u2018Whipping\u2019 Claims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking why the secretary condemned border patrol agents for allegedly whipping illegal immigrants when he had already received assurances that they had not done so.\n\nThe letter cites a recently released email to Secretary Mayorkas that included a statement from the photographer whose pictures sparked the false claims. In the email, the photographer said that he had \u201cnever seen [the agents] whip anyone.\u201d\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cIf this is true, you intentionally misled the public and vilified Border Patrol agents for political gain\u2014a gross abuse of your responsibility to the men and women in your Department and to the country.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nLast year, a misleading photograph circulated online of mounted Border Patrol agents using the reins of their horses to control their movements. News outlets and some Democrats falsely claimed that the photograph showed the agents \u201cwhipping\u201d illegal aliens at the border.\n\nAn email recently made public appears to show that you received a statement from the photographer saying that he had \u201cnever seen [the agents] whip anyone.\u201d Mere hours after you received that statement, you attended a White House press conference where you called the photograph \u201chorrifying\u201d and stood silently as President Biden falsely claimed that illegal aliens were \u201cbeing strapped,\u201d and promised that the agents \u201cwill pay.\u201d If this is true, you intentionally misled the public and vilified Border Patrol agents for political gain\u2014a gross abuse of your responsibility to the men and women in your Department and to the country.\n\nPlease answer the following questions no later than 5:00PM on Wednesday, October 19:\n\n1.Did you receive an email dated September 24, 2021, containing the photographer\u2019s statement that he had \u201cnever seen [the Border Patrol agents] whip anyone\u201d?\n\n2.Did you inform the Biden White House prior to its press conference on September 24, 2021, of the email containing the photographer\u2019s statement?\n\n3.Have you apologized to the Border Patrol agents for unfairly vilifying them and their work?\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-call-for-answers-on-possible-double-dipping-student-loan-refunds-for-federal-employees", "Cotton, Colleagues Call for Answers on Possible Double-Dipping Student Loan \u201cRefunds\u201d for Federal Employees", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 7, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Call for Answers on Possible Double-Dipping Student Loan \u201cRefunds\u201d for Federal Employees\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Steve Daines (R-South Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), today sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The letter seeks answers about federal employees potentially receiving refunds for student loan payments that the federal government made on their behalf.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u2018reimburse\u2019 them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u2018refunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u2019 This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 6, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nYour agency recently released a guidance document stating that federal student loan borrowers who made repayments since March 13, 2020 will receive an automatic refund for their payments because both the requirement to make payments and the accrual of interest were paused since this time period. As you know, the federal government already offers generous repayment programs to its employees, which continued during the pandemic. Reports suggest roughly 2,000 Capitol Hill staffers and 10,400 executive branch employees benefit from these generous repayment plans.\n\nYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u201creimburse\u201d them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u201crefunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u201d This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves. Please respond to the following questions no later than October 14, 2022:\n\n1.Do you plan to give a \u201crefund\u201d to any federal employees who had repayments made on their behalf by the federal government since March 13th, 2020?\n\n2.If a federal employee with a $20,000 federal student loan balance in March of 2020 stopped making payments at that time but continued to receive taxpayer benefits that paid their balance down to zero over the course of the pause on repayment, could that borrower apply to have $20,000 \u201crefunded\u201d to them?\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-crawford-leads-panel-discussion-on-managing-the-cyber-ci-and-emerging-technological-threats-to-agriculture-in-little-rock", "ICYMI:\u00a0Rep. Crawford Leads Panel Discussion on Managing the Cyber, CI and Emerging Technological Threats to Agriculture in Little Rock", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nICYMI: Rep. Crawford Leads Panel Discussion on Managing the Cyber, CI and Emerging Technological Threats to Agriculture in Little Rock\n\n10/6/2022\n\nLittle Rock, AR - Thursday, October 6th, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), continued the House Intelligence Committee's Beyond the SCIF Series with his panel \"Countering Foreign Malign Influence While Protecting Civil Liberties\" at the Forge Institute's 2022 Cyber Summit.\n\nCrawford also has introduced several pieces of legislation to protect our nation's agriculture sector from foreign espionage. Most recently, he introduced the Promoting American Safety and Security (PASS) Act with Rep. Elise Stefanik. The PASS Act would establish the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) and create a black list of countries restricted from carrying out any merger, acquisition, or takeover that could result in foreign control of a U.S. agricultural company.\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/10/IMG-3879-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2036\"/>\n\nWhat was discussed\n\nHow to protect U.S. agriculture from cyberattacks like what was recently seen with the JBS in May of 2021.\n\nThe government's role in safeguarding our food supply from cyberthreats and what a public-private relationship might look like.\n\nHow threats are changing as agriculture production becomes more digital.\n\nChina's growing influence in other nations and the dangers it creates for the U.S.\n\nNotable Quotes\n\n\" [China is] taking our technology and employing it around the world, which is why our influence in other regions is so important. We are limited in our ability to combat threats because China is offering more to other nations.\"\n\n-Matt Bunch, Tyson Foods Sr. Director Information Security & Cyber\n\n\"We have to encourage [agriculture producers] to have better awareness of the products they're using and to read the fine print. We also need to provide options. We need to continue to invest in manufacturing here so they have affordable and safe technology to use.\"\n\n-Matt Bunch, Tyson Foods Sr. Director Information Security & Cyber\n\n\"When we tried to warn some leaders in an African country of the dangers of doing business with China, their response was, \u2018I can't eat democracy.'\"\n\n-Ed You, National Counterintelligence Officer for Emerging & Disruptive Technologies, National Counterintelligence and Security Center at ODNI\n\n\"With new technology comes new vulnerabilities. Practices like precision agriculture and the increased use of satellite imagery for data collection, while good for production, create a new dependency on technology that leaves farmers more vulnerable to threats like cyberattacks.\"\n\n-Rep. Crawford, senior member of the House Intelligence and Agriculture Committees\n\nPanel Speakers:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-bipartisan-resolution-designating-october-national", "Westerman Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Designating October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co- Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-4) introduced a bipartisan resolution with Reps. Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Susan DelBene (WA-01), and Buddy Carter (GA-01) to designate October 2022 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. The members released the following statements:\n\n\"As the husband of a teacher of students with disabilities, I understand the importance of bringing awareness to dyslexia as a prevalent and treatable learning disability,\" said Westerman. \"One in five Americans struggle with the learning disability, and all too often, those with dyslexia are written off as having a low IQ or being lazy. This could not be farther from the truth. By bringing awareness to this disability, children can be diagnosed earlier and given the proper accommodation to develop the critical reading skills necessary for a successful future.\"\n\n\u201cAs a father of a child with dyslexia, I know just how imperative it is to detect and treat dyslexia as early as possible to provide children and families with the tools they need to succeed in school and throughout life. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution to designate October as National Dyslexia Awareness month to raise awareness for this learning disability,\u201d said Dr. Bucshon.\n\n\u201cI am proud to join my colleagues today in introducing this resolution to dedicate October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month,\u201d said Fitzpatrick. \u201cMy home of Pennsylvania has been a pioneer in addressing the literacy crisis and providing our communities with the necessary tools to detect and support early reading deficiencies and dyslexia. As we continue to raise awareness on this issue, I also look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions that will ensure the next generation and beyond receive the resources they need to reach their full potential.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nDyslexia is the most common learning disability in the United States, affecting 1-in-5 Americans, according to research from the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-providing-funding-for-critical-munitions-to-protect-america", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill Providing Funding for Critical Munitions to Protect America", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 4, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill Providing Funding for Critical Munitions to Protect America\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a bill with Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) to restore America\u2019s diminished stockpiles of critical munitions. The legislation will authorize investments in necessary munitions production, ensuring America is prepared to fight a major war while also building a workforce that can produce the weapons we need.\n\nInvesting in our munitions industrial base and developing a skilled workforce would better prepare the Department of Defense to make sure our defense industry can protect American citizens in case of war. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cThe Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that the United States\u2019 stockpile of munitions is dangerously low. We must reinvest not only in the munitions critical for the defense of America, but also in a workforce that can build these weapons to ensure our military\u2019s readiness,\u201d said Sen. Cotton.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, we've underinvested in munitions. This legislation would immediately reverse this trend and improve readiness by increasing our munitions production capacity. It also includes my language to provide Congress with better reporting on our industrial base so we can further refine future investments. It\u2019s our responsibility to ensure our nation has the ability to produce the things we need to defend ourselves, project strength, and better support our allies and partners,\u201d said Sen. Fischer.\n\nBackground:\n\n-Current U.S. munitions supplies are produced over decades, limiting how much the military would have immediate access to in the event of a crisis.\n\n-The current munitions and missile supply would evaporate before wartime surges of money and attention could fill the gap.\n\n-As the current Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown, America needs to direct adequate funding to munitions production and a skilled workforce to protect both ourselves and our allies.\n\nThe bill would:\n\n-Authorize $3.8 billion in appropriations to procure additional munitions and necessary materials for munitions.\n\n-Authorize $479 million in appropriations to expand the capacity of vital munitions and launcher production lines (JAGM, SM-6, LRASM, JASSM, SM-3, HIMARS cabs).\n\n-Authorize $244 million in appropriations to procure and expand production capacity for the Coyote counter-UAS (C-UAS) system.\n\n-Authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter multi-year procurement contracts of up to 5 years for munitions if those munitions are critical to warfighting and deterrence.\n\n-Requires a brief on DoD\u2019s fulfillment of reporting requirements (under Section 222c, 10 U.S.C.) on the level of munitions needed for potential conflicts and planned inventories.\n\n-Requires a report by DoD on the industrial base constraints for munitions needed for potential conflicts and on past efforts and potential efforts to mitigate those constraints.\n\n-Authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into Support or Procurement Partnership Agreements with Ukraine and allies and partners who have provided military aid to Ukraine.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-joins-bipartisan-legislation-support-emergency-medical", "Westerman Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Support Emergency Medical Services", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joined fellow House member Andy Kim (NJ-03), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Cindy Axne (IA-03), Al Lawson (FL-05), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Mike Carey (OH-15) in introducing the bipartisan Supporting Our First Responders Act to assist rural emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in hiring and retaining qualified personnel, providing training reimbursements, financing facility upgrades, and more.\n\n\u201cRural Emergency Medical Services providers are critical in countless communities across the country where local hospitals are not easily accessible to those in need of immediate help,\u201d said Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-4). \u201cRural health care has been neglected for too long. It is essential to ensure that EMS providers are equipped to deliver timely, high-quality care to every area in the United States. I am proud to cosponsor this competitive grant program to ensure those with the most need are provided the means to better serve those in crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cEMS responders are there when we need them, often first on the scene, and willing to put their lives and their families\u2019 well-being on the line to help keep our neighbors and loved ones safe during an emergency,\u201d said Rep. Kim (NJ-03). \u201cDespite the glamor portrayed on TV, the day-to-day reality of responding to calls without the equipment and staff they need is a reality rarely seen by people in our community. With our bill, we\u2019re taking steps to support our first responders by making sure they have the resources, staffing, training, equipment, and most importantly the mental and physical healthcare support they need. I\u2019m proud to introduce this bill in a bipartisan way and hope my colleagues in both parties can agree that we need to strengthen our support for the brave EMS workers on the front lines every single day.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn rural Oklahoma, our EMS providers are often the difference between life and death, and ours are in a crisis,\u201d said Rep. Mullin (OK-02). \u201cOklahomans cannot simply live without these safety net providers. And with no current federal funding stream for EMS, despite these heroes working day-in on the frontlines, our communities are abandoned. I am proud to support this bill to ensure those in Oklahoma continue to have access to high-quality health care.\"\n\n\"Rural EMS teams go above and beyond to ensure that folks can get emergency care no matter where they live, and too often, they don't have the resources necessary to do their jobs,\" said Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03). \"The Supporting Our First Responders Act will invest in these heroes so they're able to continue serving our communities, and I'm grateful to join my colleagues in this effort.\"\n\n\u201cEnsuring our EMT\u2019s have every resource necessary to serve all communities as safely and effectively as possible is a no-brainer and I\u2019m happy to join my colleagues in bringing forth the Supporting Our First Responders Act,\u201d said Rep. Carey (OH-15). \u201cThis legislation will provide our EMS agencies with the ability to improve the lives of EMT\u2019s and the people they help every day.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), especially in rural areas, where access to health care services is minimal. These frontline workers risk their safety to provide a system of strong and coordinated emergency medical services,\u201d said Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05). \u201cThe Supporting our First Responders Act is a bipartisan investment to ensure these organizations have access to adequate funding to hire and train the next generation of first responders and to purchase necessary supplies and equipment to provide health care services to all Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince the start of the pandemic, first responders like Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have been on the front lines fighting against the virus and saving lives. These essential front-line workers went above and beyond to ensure public safety. It is time we invest in them and bolster emergency medical services in America,\u201d said Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33). \u201cThe Supporting Our First Responders Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that will provide federal support to first responders and help ensure they have access to the supplies and staff they need to better serve our communities.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nIn 2021, EMS experienced a turnover rate of 20-30% for full and part-time EMTs and paramedics across the country, which means an organization is forced to replace most staff within four years. These staffing shortages, combined with skyrocketing costs to purchase equipment and fuel, are forcing EMS agencies to make difficult decisions including whether to reduce or even cease operations. As more agencies shut down, remaining agencies are required to cover larger areas, leaving families without immediate assistance in their greatest moment of need, when timing can mean life or death.\n\n37 states do not classify EMS as an essential service. That means local governments are not required to provide these services at all. Unlike fire fighting and police, EMS units do not have wide access to federal and state funding.\n\nThe Supporting Our First Responders Act would:\n\nAuthorize $50 million per year for five years to establish a grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which would allow public, private, and nonprofit EMS agencies that provide medical services to apply for grants to:\n\nHire, recruit, and retain trained medical personnel\n\nSupport the well-being of EMS personnel\n\nProvide reimbursement for required training\n\nModify existing facilities\n\nPurchase new equipment, medication, and vehicles\n\nAuthorize $5 million in technical assistance to assist EMS agencies with navigating grant processes.\n\nRequire the Secretary of HHS to provide Congress a report detailing the challenges, disparities, and inadequacies in providing federal and private reimbursement for EMS and recommend action.\n\nRequire the Secretary of HHS to provide Congress a report detailing the challenges specific to rural EMS departments and to nonaffiliated EMS departments, then develop action plans to address those challenges through grants and other administrative action.\n\nThe Supporting Our First Responders Act is endorsed by the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) and the American Ambulance Association (AAA).\n\n\u201cCommunities across the country are struggling to keep their ambulance services operating because of the crisis level workforce shortage,\u201d said Bruce Evans, President of the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT). \u201cMany services have had to close. We appreciate Congressman Kim and other Members of Congress working to address this crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cEMS organizations across the U.S. are struggling to hire paramedics and EMTs, and cover the increasing cost of equipment and supplies,\u201d said Shawn Baird, President of the American Ambulance Association. \u201cThe Supporting Our First Responders Act by Congressmen Kim, Congressman Mullin, Congresswoman Axne, Congressman Veasey, Congressman Lawson, Congressman Westerman, and Congressman Carey recognizes the vital role that all ground ambulance service organizations play as medical first responders and would provide a critical down payment to grantees to help ensure their communities have access to vital EMS resources\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-warn-amalgamated-bank-for-abusing-financial-system-to-infringe-on-second-amendment", "Cotton, Colleagues Warn Amalgamated Bank for Abusing Financial System to Infringe on Second Amendment", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 3, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Warn Amalgamated Bank forAbusing Financial System to Infringe on Second Amendment\n\nWashington, DC\u2014United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) led 24 colleagues in a letter to Amalgamated Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Sims Brown criticizing the bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases\u2014an attempt to target law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms and to enact far-left political goals.\n\n\u201cYour bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions,\u201d the Senators wrote.\n\n\u201cIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system,\u201d the Senators continued.\n\n\u201cLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable\u2026 You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nAdditional signers include United States Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Boozman (R-AR), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and John Cornyn (R-TX).\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Ms. Brown,\n\nWe write to you about your bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases. Your bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions.\n\nAs you are undoubtedly aware, earlier this month, the International Standards Organization (ISO) based in Switzerland created a merchant category code (MCC) specifically to target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers. Your actions were a major step toward targeting law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms, a right that is protected by the Constitution.\n\nIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.\n\nThere was good reason that the ISO rejected your previous three applications for this policy, as such a move is purely political, not to mention the immense regulatory and compliance burden it will ultimately place on retailers.\n\nLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable. The fundamental rights of Americans should be legislated on and debated by the elected officials who are sent to Washington, D.C. on their constituents\u2019 behalf, and not by progressive activist CEOs or un-elected bureaucrats in Geneva.\n\nYou should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-votes-against-latest-spending-spree", "Crawford Votes Against Latest Spending Spree", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nCrawford Votes Against Latest Spending Spree\n\n9/30/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted today against a stopgap funding bill that will keep the federal government funded through December 16th. The bill includes billions of dollars in new spending above current levels.\n\n\"After pushing our economy to the brink of recession with reckless and inflationary spending, House Democrats are now cramming additional new spending onto the backs of taxpayers.\" Rep. Crawford said. \"American families in this Biden economy are struggling with record high inflation, rising violent crime, sharply increased home mortgage rates, and soaring energy costs. Yet none of the provisions in this bill will help address these concerns.\"\n\nH.R. 6833 includes the following:\n\nNearly $2 billion for Refugee and Entrant money to fund more economic migrants illegally crossing Biden's open border, yet provides no additional money for border security or our Customs and Border Protection officers.\n\n$12.3 billion additional funds in economic and military support for Ukraine, without measures to track how the latest billions will be spent.\n\nFunds the government only through December 16th, setting up yet another shutdown showdown.\n\n\"As members of Congress we are expected to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, but this legislation fails unequivocally to meet that promise,\" Rep. Crawford added.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-legislation-protecting-hunting-fishing-access", "Westerman Introduces Legislation Protecting Hunting, Fishing Access for Sportsmen", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and 34 other members introduced the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022.\n\n\"Some of my earliest memories are of hunting and fishing near my home in Arkansas, soit's extremely alarming to see the Biden administration attempting to restrict access for the millions of Americans who use traditional ammo and tackle on federal land,\" Westerman said. \"Sportsmen and women are some of the best conservationists we have, because they know the importance of sustainably utilizing our resources to leave them in even better condition for future generations. A blanket banon lead ammo and tackle will do nothing but impede Americans' ability to responsibly recreate like they have been for years. This legislation will prevent any such bans in the future unless it is supported at the state level and by science and will continue promoting access for all.\"\n\n\"I am happy to introduce the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022 with my colleague Bruce Westerman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee,\" Wittman said. \"As an avid hunter and angler, I find the Biden Administration\u2019s attempt to restrict access for the nation\u2019s sportsmen and women who use traditional lead fishing tackle and ammo on federal lands and waters, to be upsetting. This wholesale prohibition will only serve to incumber our sportsmen\u2019s ability to responsibly hunt and fish. The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act prevents the Administration from banning lead ammo and tackle on federal lands and waters, unless such a regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and continue to promote access to recreation for millions of Americans.\"\n\nBackground", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallagher-cotton-introduce-legislation-to-impose-crippling-sanctions-on-ymtc", "Gallagher, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Impose Crippling Sanctions on YMTC", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 30, 2022\n\nGallagher, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Impose Crippling Sanctions on YMTC\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today introduced legislation that would impose crippling sanctions on Chinese memory chip manufacturer Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC). The bill would place YMTC on the Specially Designated Nationals List and would also direct the President to take similar actions against other advanced Chinese memory chip manufacturers of similar development.\n\nRecent reports suggest that Apple may choose YMTC as a memory chip supplier for the latest iPhone, which would expose iPhone users to a number of security risks, give legitimacy to YMTC despite its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and expand US dependency on Chinese semiconductors. This legislation would wall off YMTC from the U.S. economy and prevent Apple from moving forward with selecting YMTC memory chips.\n\n\"YMTC has well documented ties to the CCP, and their push to serve as Apple's flash memory provider is just the Party's latest attempt to increase our dependence on China and undermine our national security. In light of recent reports, is long past time for us to take decisive action against this threat,\" said Rep. Gallagher. \"This bill will defend the security of our semiconductor supply chains and combat YMTC and other CCP-backed actors from using predatory pricing to crowd more secure options out of the critical flash memory market.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party wants to use YMTC to dominate the global microchip market so the world depends on them for this critical technology. The United States can\u2019t take that risk for security reasons alone\u2014much less the dangers of accompanying Chinese espionage, or YMTC\u2019s human rights record, or their likely violation of U.S. sanctions. Our bill would sanction YMTC and all similar Chinese manufacturers tied to the Chinese state,\" said Sen. Cotton.\n\nSpecifically, this bill would:\n\n\u00b7 Direct the President to impose sanctions on YMTC to the full extent that International Emergency Economic Powers Act allows, thus adding them to the SDN list, and\n\n\u00b7 Require the President to use sanctions on other advanced Chinese memory chip manufacturers.\n\nClick HERE for bill text.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-raises-concerns-about-amtrak-s-non-profitability-in-transportation-hearing", "Rep. Crawford Raises Concerns about Amtrak\u2019s Non-Profitability in Transportation Hearing", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Raises Concerns about Amtrak's Non-Profitability in Transportation Hearing\n\n9/29/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) questioned Stephen Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Amtrak, about the company's continuing failure to achieve profitability, relying instead on U.S. taxpayers, who have been on the hook for the billions of dollars provided to Amtrak over the years. Most recently, the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) allotted $66 billion over the next five years to railroads, with most of the money going directly to Amtrak.\n\n\"Amtrak has lost money every year it's been in business,\" Rep. Crawford said after the hearing. \"It's not asking too much for Amtrak to move to profitability, to give taxpayers a break as they face the highest inflation in decades.\"\n\nThis Congress, Rep. Crawford introduced the RATES Act, which mandates that Amtrak aim to be an \"economically sustainable\" passenger rail system and ensure \"route profitability proportional to the Federal share of investment\" through their listed company goals. This was the stated goal of the company prior to the passage of the IIJA, which nixed Amtrak's obligation to attempt to be profitable.\n\nThe hearing, in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was entitled, \"Investing in our Nation's Transportation Infrastructure and Workers: Why it Matters.\"\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/09/RC-TI-hearing.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1997\"/>Hearing excerpts below. Video of the full Q&A can be found here.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a letter here addressed to you and to the ranking member from the Transportation Alliance would ask unanimous consent to submit that for the record.\n\nChairman DeFazio\n\nNo objection.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gardner, I wanted to visit with you a little bit about Amtrak. As you know, in March of this year, I introduced the RATES Act because of my concern with significant amounts of taxpayer dollars invested in Amtrak. When was the last time Amtrak was profitable?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nWell, Congressman, thanks for the question. The company was never set out to be profitable.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nOkay. So the basically the answer to that question is never.\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nThat's right.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nSo Amtrak is now not measuring profit and loss as a performance metric? Are we just looking at the service that's provided or are we just looking at whether or not people are happy with their experience on Amtrak? What does success look like for Amtrak?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nWell, I think the Congress actually just helped to reformulate that in the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the reauthorization. And really the focus is to operate the company as a business in pursuit of a public mission, to take the funds that we receive from the public and try and drive as much value and operate as efficiently as possible.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nSo no profitability required there. In fact, 2019 was probably the closest year you came to profitability. And according to my records, you approached 90% of August 2019 levels, and that was the closest you'd ever come in the history of Amtrak to actually making a profit. So where does Amtrak expect to end this year in terms of profit and loss?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nOur anticipated year end results, which we're still tabulating but are roughly $910 million operating loss that reflects very significant increases in cost structure since 2019. Still lagging revenue compared to 2019 and lagging ridership. But the overall trends of the year have been very positive and increasing ridership and revenue.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nSo this a $910 million operating loss. This is after $3.7 billion in extra money in COVID money over the last 17 months. And you still have a $910 million operating loss?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nThe dollars that were provided by Congress helped to stabilize the employees and the operation of the network. They provided the dollars that normally come from revenue. But after losing 97% of our business in one month, we did not have that revenue source.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nWhat do you attribute that 97% loss to?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nWell, that occurred between March and April of 2020. So we had a massive shutdown of travel across the entire network. We suspended a huge amount of service and we did provide those important, necessary trips, but very few travelers in that period of time. And since we have been rebuilding ridership month over month, riding with the waves of COVID, of course, and seeing reductions in it as we've seen flare ups.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nSo we've actually observed a trend where more people are working from home. That would mean that probably you're experiencing less ridership. So what's your plan to address that? The new normal is a lot of people are working from home now. And so do you anticipate continuing to see ridership decline?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nNo, Congressman. In fact, Amtrak's business is not really subject to the daily commute back, for instance, on the Northeast Corridor. Most of our trips are people who travel once a year. So we see, in fact, some parts of our network with growing ridership of people, have shifted their locations around the region and need to travel into those central business district once or twice a week. So we are growing ridership over time. We were about 80% of our pre-COVID ridership in August.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nSo the one area where you come the closest to actually turning a profit in the commuter space is the area that you're not focusing on. You're saying that that your ridership is increasing with the one time a year people that are taking long hauls. Is that is that what I'm hearing from you?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nNo, in fact, in the northeast corridor, we have folks who travel once a year. We have folks who travel once a month. The northeast corridor continues to be the real driver of growth in parts of the country. But our short distance quarters, which you make up half of our ridership have been historically our biggest source of ridership growth in the past decade or so. So we see value in many of these services. We see a much greater return for our business than some of our transit colleagues, because people are finding ways to find rail useful in this new arrangement. Certainly it's changing over time. We see this as well in our own workforce, but we think rail is well positioned in the short distance corridors both here in the northeast corridor and around the country to provide value, particularly as folks have moved to different locations and need access to the central business district. And congestion, as we all see, still is back is raging back in many cities and people see trains. We see a huge portion of new riders coming to Amtrak because they're attracted by the offer of passenger rail.\n\nRep. Crawford So yes or no profitability in the future at any point?\n\nMr. Gardner (Amtrak)\n\nWe're working really hard to return the economics back to the train operating business here by driving revenue across our system. We also are returning more seats into the marketplace. We're still below what we had, but we will in response to demand and will be looking to again in the train operation portion of our business, get our recovery back up to the kind of levels we had in 2019. It's going to take several years to do so. The biggest issue for us is the loss of revenue associated with business travel, particularly here in the northeast corridor where business travel has not yet returned. We've been able to find folks to fill those seats, but it's going to take a while to be able to gain the revenue that was associated with business travel. And I think that's something that folks are looking at in systems all over the country. But we're working hard to do that.\n\nRep. Crawford\n\nI yield back.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-bill-reopen-overnight-camping-albert-pike", "Westerman Bill to Reopen Overnight Camping at Albert Pike", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) introduced the \u201cOuachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act\u201d to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest.\n\n\"After the Forest Service's decision to permanently suspend all overnight camping at Albert Pike, I have heard from countless constituents who expressed their disappointment and frustration at the decision,\" said Westerman. \"Albert Pike has been enjoyed by families from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas for generations. We must ensure Albert Pike is safely refitted to ensure the 2010 tragedy never occurs again, but it would be a disservice to the community to permanently ban overnight camping and deprive folks who return to Albert Pike year after year to share the experiences they had as children with their families. I look forward to working with the U.S. Forest Service to allow for safe and responsible usage for years to come.\"\n\nBackground\n\nThe 1.8 million-acre Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma is a recreation destination to hundreds of thousands of people annually. One of the most popular sites within the Ouachita National Forest is the Albert Pike Recreation Area, which features hiking, swimming, and other day uses.\n\nAlbert Pike Recreation Area (APRA) was closed after a major flash flood tragically killed 20 people on June 11, 2010. In November 2020, the Forest Service initiated a planning process to determine which facilities and infrastructure would support the uses of APRA in the future. Under the Forest Service\u2019s final decision, no overnight camping would be permitted in APRA.\n\nThe \u201cOuachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act\u201d will:\n\nRequire the Forest Service to re-open any campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill\u2019s enactment\n\nIdentify areas within APRA that are suitable for overnight camping within six months\n\nDevelop at least 54 campsites, including at least eight with water and electric capabilities, outside of the 100-year flood plain within 2 years of the bill\u2019s enactment", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-graves-introduce-legislation-promoting-access-american-energy", "Westerman, Graves Introduce Legislation Promoting Access to American Energy", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.) introduced the Transparency and Production of (TAP) American Energy Act.\n\n\"American families have been on the front lines of dealing with the Biden administration's failed energy policies,\" Westerman said. \"Skyrocketing gas prices, threats of rolling blackouts, inflated grocery costs, more expensive home heating and cooling bills - these are just a sampling of the energy crises we've faced under Democrat control. It's time to reverse this downward trajectory and become fully energy independent. This is a pivotal part of the Republican commitment to America: that we will maximize American-made energy and reduce reliance on foreign countries. The TAP American Energy Act is a comprehensive solution doing just that by responsibly opening up access to our rich natural resources, reforming and streamlining permitting processes and incentivizing innovation. I'm honored to lead this effort and lower energy costs across the country.\"\n\n\"We need to make America energy independent again. We have all the tools to do it \u2013 the Biden Administration just lacks the willpower to get the job done,\" Graves said. \"The TAP American Energy Act will enact common-sense reforms to streamline critical pipeline and energy infrastructure approvals, jumpstart American energy production, and restore American energy independence \u2013 regardless of who is in the White House. This is a blueprint for how we can lower gas prices, strengthen our energy grid, and fight the rising cost of living in this country.\"\n\nBackground\n\nThe TAP American Energy Act would provide a much-needed jumpstart to American energy production and infrastructure. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, empowering the energy sector to innovate, expanding access to federal lands and waters for responsible energy development, and more, the U.S. can surpass anyone else in the world in reliable energy while incentivizing a true all-of-the-above energy approach.\n\nThe TAP American Energy Act would:\n\nPrevent any president from imposing bans on federal energy leasing and mineral withdrawals without congressional approval.\n\nRequire the Department of the Interior (DOI) to immediately resume quarterly lease sales on federal lands and require a minimum of four leases sales per year in each state with eligible lands.\n\nRequire a minimum of two annual oil and gas lease sales in available federal waters in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and in the Alaska Region of the Outer Continental Shelf.\n\nRequire the publication of the 2023-2028 plan for offshore oil and gas lease sales by Dec. 30, 2022, and that DOI meet certain deadlines for publishing future five-year plans.\n\nRequire Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements for all forms of energy development to be completed within one and two years, respectively.\n\nAmend the Geothermal Steam Act to require a yearly lease sale for geothermal energy.\n\nStreamline the environmental review process to allow pipeline, renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects to move forward efficiently and without compromising environmental protections.\n\nEliminate requirements for duplicative review and analyses, reducing delays for important upgrades and improvements of our energy infrastructure.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-express-concern-over-reduced-reimbursements-for-prescriptions", "Cotton, Colleagues Express Concern Over Reduced Reimbursements for Prescriptions", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Express Concern Over Reduced Reimbursements for Prescriptions\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) sent a letter to Seileen Mullen, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, seeking answers about TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 ability to maintain access to local pharmacies. The letter expressed concern that Express Scripts will reduce prescription reimbursements for 9.6 million TRICARE members in 2023. The letter also notes that 2022 pharmacy contracts will expire on October 24, rather than the end of the year. This will only reduce the pharmacy network for TRICARE patients and their families. They were joined on the letter by 98 of their colleagues.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cPharmacists continue to be one of the most accessible health care providers in the United States. Over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and 76.5 percent of pharmacies in rural areas are independent community pharmacies. As you know, in addition to dispensing medications and vaccines, community pharmacies provide services that lead to better health outcomes, lower overall administrative fees, and valuable in-person consultations with a healthcare provider.\u201d\n\nSenators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) joined the letter.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Seileen Mullen\n\nActing Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs\n\nDefense Health Agency\n\n7700 Arlington Boulevard\n\nSuite 5101\n\nFalls Church, VA 22042-5101\n\nDear Acting Assistant Secretary Mullen,\n\nWe write to request information regarding the Department of Defense Health Agency\u2019s (DHA) monitoring of TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 access to retail and community pharmacies.\n\nIt has been brought to our attention that Express Scripts has reduced reimbursements for prescriptions dispensed at in-network retail pharmacies for 2023. These reductions may leave many retail pharmacies unable to participate in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, thus significantly impacting 9.6 million TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 access to local pharmacies. Most recently, Express Scripts notified pharmacies and beneficiaries that current 2022 pharmacy contracts will expire October 24, 2022, rather than the end of the year. This will only further reduce the pharmacy network for TRICARE patients and their families, and may force beneficiaries to change pharmacies at a time when many receive annual vaccinations.\n\nPharmacists continue to be one of the most accessible health care providers in the United States. Over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and 76.5 percent of pharmacies in rural areas are independent community pharmacies. As you know, in addition to dispensing medications and vaccines, community pharmacies provide services that lead to better health outcomes, lower overall administrative fees, and valuable in-person consultations with a healthcare provider.\n\nTo ensure TRICARE beneficiaries maintain access to local pharmacies, we respectfully request answers to the following questions.\n\n1.How is DHA monitoring current and future retail pharmacy participation in the TRICARE Pharmacy program?\n\n2.If future in-network pharmacy participation decreases, what steps will DHA take to ensure adequate access to in-person pharmacy services for TRICARE beneficiaries?\n\n3.Terminating the 2022 pharmacy contracts two months ahead of schedule will likely lead to a disruption of care for Tricare beneficiaries. What reasons has Express Scripts given DHA for terminating the 2022 contracts early? Please outline what oversight DHA has over Express Scripts, as well as what authority DHA has given Express Scripts to make these contract changes.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. Due to the patient access and safety concerns expressed above, we look forward to receiving your response and working with you to ensure TRICARE beneficiaries continue to receive the utmost care from trusted, local health care professionals.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-probes-potential-meta-cooperation-with-iranian-government", "Cotton Probes Potential Meta Cooperation with Iranian Government", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nCotton Probes Potential Meta Cooperation with Iranian Government\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding the company\u2019s alleged cooperation with Iran in suppressing dissent from the Iranian people. The letter cites news reports that one of Meta\u2019s subsidiaries, Instagram, may have sided with Iran\u2019s leaders and removed documentation of the regime\u2019s violent crushing of peaceful protests. The letter asked Zuckerberg to confirm whether any of Meta\u2019s companies or subsidiaries censored any information of the protests and whether any Meta employees or subsidiaries accepted bribes from anyone affiliated with the Iranian government.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 28, 2022\n\nMark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer\n\nMeta Platforms, Inc.\n\n1 Hacker Way\n\nMenlo Park, CA 94025\n\nDear Mr. Zuckerberg,\n\nNews reports indicate that at least one of your company\u2019s subsidiaries, Instagram, may have removed documentation of the Iranian regime\u2019s vicious attempts to crush recent peaceful protests. This is particularly concerning given prior allegations that Iran attempted to bribe your content moderators to remove accounts that challenged or criticized the Iranian regime. As the CEO, founder, and majority shareholder, you are ultimately responsible for Meta\u2019s actions. Please respond to the following questions no later than October 3, 2022:\n\n1.Did Instagram or any other Meta company (including Whatsapp) remove any images or videos of the protests or restrict accounts sharing information about the protests?\n\na.Was any such censorship conducted at the request of the Iranian government?\n\n2.Have any employees of Meta or its subcontractors received or accepted bribes or other payments from any representative or proxy of the Iranian government?\n\n3.Did anyone in your organization or any third-party content moderator responsible for removing information about the protests receive any bribes or other payments from Iranian intelligence services?\n\n4.Is it the official position of Meta or any of its subsidiaries to support or cooperate with dictatorships and violent extremist regimes?\n\n5.What specific steps are you taking to reestablish the accounts that were deleted or disabled during the ongoing protests?\n\n6.What specific steps are you taking to ensure that protestors in Iran continue to have access to your products as they showcase the truth about the Iranian regime?\n\nI look forward to your prompt and detailed responses.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_____________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-on-partially-chinese-owned-lithium-mine-potentially-receiving-us-funding", "Cotton Demands Answers on Partially Chinese-Owned Lithium Mine Potentially Receiving U.S. Funding", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter today to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm requesting information about the Department of Energy potentially funding a lithium mine by Lithium Americas, a company partially owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The letter addresses the significant risks to national security and our supply chain that would arise if federal funding were to deepen Chinese control over America\u2019s critical minerals and urges Granholm to reject Lithium America\u2019s funding request if it refuses to separate from its Chinese owner.\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cThe U.S. government should apply strict oversight regarding potential federal funding of CCP-owned or -controlled entities. DOE\u2019s loan for the Thacker Pass mine would be substantial and reportedly cover the majority of the project\u2019s capital costs. It is critical that DOE ensure taxpayer funding does not go to corporations with CCP ties and does not increase U.S. mineral dependence on China.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found below.\n\nSeptember 27, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Jennifer Granholm\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Energy\n\n1000 Independence Ave. SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20585\n\nDear Secretary Granholm,\n\nI write to you requesting information and raising concerns regarding reports of the Department of Energy potentially funding a lithium mine controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe Washington Free Beacon recently reported plans by Lithium Americas, an ostensibly Canadian company, to build a mine at Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, Nevada. Worryingly, media reports indicate that Lithium Americas\u2019 largest shareholder is Ganfeng, a Chinese company with direct ties to the CCP. Ganfeng is currently acquiring lithium mines around the world, which, according to former Secretary Mike Pompeo, is part of a \u201cclear intention by the Chinese Communist Party to control the entire supply chain for green energy.\u201d The United States should be reducing its dependence on China for these critical inputs, not opening the door for China to \u201cgain a foothold in America on lithium mining,\u201d as reported.\n\nI am deeply concerned that, despite clear CCP influence over the company, Lithium Americas\u2019 Thacker Pass project is under consideration for a loan through the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technologies Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program. Lithium Americas\u2019 assurances that Thacker Pass is 100%-owned by them rather than Ganfeng are insufficient to resolve national security concerns, given the Party\u2019s considerable stake in the company.\n\nThe U.S. government should apply strict oversight regarding potential federal funding of CCP-owned or -controlled entities. DOE\u2019s loan for the Thacker Pass mine would be substantial and reportedly cover the majority of the project\u2019s capital costs. As the government continues to invest in battery supply chain programs, it is critical that DOE ensure taxpayer funding does not go to corporations with CCP ties and does not increase U.S. mineral dependence on China.\n\nYour department has an opportunity to leverage this ATVM loan application to incentivize Lithium Americas to part ways with Ganfeng. Ganfeng and any other Chinese entities with CCP ties should divest their stakes in Lithium Americas before the company is offered this loan. If Lithium Americas refuses to part ways with Ganfeng, then I strongly urge you to reject their application for the ATVM loan. The United States urgently needs domestic critical mineral production to supply its technology sector and reduce its dependence on China; the United States does not need and should not fund possible attempts by the CCP to deepen its control over the U.S. critical mineral supply chain.\n\nFor the reasons highlighted above, I respectfully request answers to the following questions:\n\n1.Is DOE aware of Lithium Americas\u2019 application for the Advanced Technologies Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program and the company\u2019s partial ownership by entities closely tied the CCP?\n\n2.What safeguards or requirements are in place to ensure the ATVM program is not funding other companies owned or controlled by the CCP or other adversaries?\n\n3.Does DOE agree that the United States must reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals like lithium and should invest in domestic production of such minerals? If so, does DOE believe that funding deeper CCP control of the U.S. critical mineral supply chain is counterproductive to this goal? If not, why not?\n\n4.Has DOE raised with Lithium Americas the possibility that its loan application for the Thacker Pass project may be harmed by the company\u2019s partial ownership by Ganfeng or that its application may be improved if Ganfeng divested in the company?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-republicans-commitment-america", "Westerman Statement on Republicans' \"Commitment to America\"", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Leader Kevin McCarthy and the House Republican Conference introduced their \"Commitment to America,\" a policy platform to create An Economy That's Strong, A Nation That's Safe, A Future That's Built on Freedom, and A Government That's Accountable.\n\nMr. Westerman released the following statement:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-air-force-academy-regarding-reports-of-mandatory-diversity-training-exercises", "Cotton Demands Answers from Air Force Academy Regarding Reports of Mandatory Diversity Training Exercises", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 23, 2022\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter yesterday to Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Senator Cotton wrote to express his deep concern with reports that the Lieutenant General has commanded cadets to attend \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d training sessions. The training reportedly instructed cadets to not use gender-specific terms like \u201cmom\u201d or \u201cdad.\u201d The letter asked the Lieutenant General to confirm the details of the training and the official positions of the USAFA towards gendered and race-related language.\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cThese divisive and un-American training exercises have no place in our military and demonstrate an alarming lack of focus at the Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy ought to teach future airmen to revere our nation\u2019s traditions and values, not to have contempt for them. The USAFA\u2019s increasing politicization is damaging the institution\u2019s reputation, along with the reputation of the U.S. Air Force as a whole.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found below.\n\nSeptember 22, 2022\n\nLieutenant General Richard M. Clark\n\nSuperintendent, United States Air Force Academy\n\n2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 3100\n\nUSAF Academy, CO 80840-5002\n\nDear Lieutenant General Clark,\n\nI write to express my deep concern with reports that the Air Force Academy recently forced cadets under your command to attend \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d training sessions. Cadets were reportedly instructed to refrain from using terms such as, \u201cboyfriend\u201d and \u201cgirlfriend\u201d or \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad,\u201d and instead use terms that \u201cinclude all gender.\u201d The training also condemns the use of the term \u201ccolorblind\u201d or the claim that a someone does not \u201csee color.\u201d Even the term \u201cterrorist\u201d was deemed inappropriate.\n\n\u201cThese divisive and un-American training exercises have no place in our military and demonstrate an alarming lack of focus at the Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy ought to teach future airmen to revere our nation\u2019s traditions and values, not to have contempt for them. The USAFA\u2019s increasing politicization is damaging the institution\u2019s reputation, along with the reputation of the U.S. Air Force as a whole.\u201d\n\nGiven these concerns, please respond to the following questions by October 3, 2022.\n\n1.Can you confirm that the aforementioned training took place?\n\n2.How many cadets were subjected to this training?\n\n3.How much money does USAFA spend on similar \u201cdiversity\u201d training?\n\n4.Is it the official position of the USAFA that gendered language, such as \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad,\u201d is offensive or should be avoided by cadets?\n\n5.Is it the official position of the USAFA that terms advocating for equal treatment on the basis of race, such as \u201ccolorblind,\u201d are offensive and should be avoided by cadets?\n\n6.Is it the official position of the USAFA that the term \u201cterrorist\u201d is offensive and should be avoided by cadets?\n\nSincerely,\n\nSenator Tom Cotton", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-latest-bad-news-about-the-biden-economy", "Rep. Crawford Responds to Latest Bad News about the Biden Economy", "2022-09-21", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Responds to Latest Bad News about the Biden Economy\n\n9/21/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 The Federal Reserve today hiked interest rates by three-quarters of a point in its quest to reduce inflation, currently running at 40-year highs. This is the third rate increase of that size this year.\n\nThe Fed also announced they expect the economy in 2022 to grow only 0.2% for the year, cratering from its 1.7% estimate just three months ago. Finally, the Fed said it expects the unemployment rate to rise 1.9% from where it is today, another recessionary sign.\n\n\"Everywhere you turn, the Biden economy is hammering American families. Food and energy prices, and now home mortgage rates are among the items that have soared under his economic mismanagement,\" said Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01).\n\nThe rate of a standard 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has doubled in the last year, to the highest rate in 14 years. The National Association of Home Builders reports that the U.S. real estate market is now in recession.\n\nThe Fed rate increases, which will continue in 2023, will also cause bleed-through rate increases for home equity loans, credit card debt, and auto financing.\n\n\"Just days ago, the President boasted to 60 Minutes that while inflation in the Biden economy is out of control, at least it is not getting worse. That indifference to the damage he is doing to middle class families speaks volumes,\" Rep. Crawford added. \"His dangerous embrace of socialism isn't just making Americans poorer, it is pushing us into a recession.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-unveils-bill-to-lower-college-tuition-cost-reform-student-loans", "Cotton Unveils Bill to Lower College Tuition Cost, Reform Student Loans", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 20, 2022\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Student Loan Reform Act of 2022, a bill that will reduce the cost of tuition by holding colleges financially responsible for the loans they encourage students to take.\n\nSpecifically, the bill requires that colleges become guarantors of up to 50 percent of future federal student loans and fines colleges 25 percent of the value of future defaulted loans. This will force colleges to have a financial stake in their student\u2019s success, strongly incentivizing them to offer reasonably priced and useful degree programs.\n\nThe bill will also force any university charging over $20,000 a year for undergraduate tuition to gradually eliminate 50 percent of their administrative staff to qualify for future student loans. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cAmerica does have a student loan problem. But it\u2019s not the problem Joe Biden wants you to believe it is. The real issue with student debt today is that the cost of college tuition has skyrocketed, yet the value of a college diploma has plummeted. What\u2019s worse is the federal government created this problem by writing blank checks to colleges, with little effort to control the cost or quality of higher education. My Student Loan Reform Act of 2022 would end this academic Gilded Age, reduce the cost of tuition, and give colleges a much-needed reality check,\u201d wrote Cotton.\n\nA brief overview of the bill is below.\n\nBackground:\n\n\u00b7 The Federal student loan program has incentivized colleges to raise tuition and students to take on unsustainable amounts of debt.\n\n\u00b7 The higher education bureaucracy has increased 616% from 1976 to 2018, compared to only a 78% increase in student enrollment.\n\n\u00b7 Student loan debt has grown to a staggering $1.7 trillion\u2014putting an enormous risk on taxpayers \u2013 while colleges have faced no consequences if their graduates fail to pay their loans.\n\nThe bill would:\n\n\u00b7 Require any university with undergraduate tuition fees above $20,000 to gradually eliminate up to 50% of their administrative staff to be eligible for future student loans, excluding religious colleges and medical colleges\n\n\u00b7 Require the richest private colleges to distribute at least five percent of their endowment to support their educational mission per year, or else face a penalty\n\n\u00b7 Penalize universities up to 25% of a borrower\u2019s loan for every one of their students who defaults on student loans\n\n\u00b7 Require universities to act as loan guarantor for up to 50% of any future federal student loans\n\n\u00b7 Place a luxury tax of 20% on annual undergraduate tuition fees above $40,000 with the funds raised being used for workforce training, excluding religious colleges and medical colleges\n\n\u00b7 Eliminate Plus loans, except for medical and dental students and parents of undergraduates, who would have loans capped at a $10,000 loan per year\n\n\u00b7 Require universities to implement admission and hiring policies that protect political and ideological diversity on campus\n\n\u00b7 Ban universities from soliciting FASFA paperwork from families who choose not to use financial aid\n\n\u00b7 Levy a one-percent tax on the fair market value of endowments held by the richest private colleges. The tax would apply to private colleges that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-agreement-between-rail-industry-and-unions", "Rep. Crawford Statement on Agreement Between Rail Industry and Unions", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on Agreement Between Rail Industry and Unions\n\n9/15/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement following reports that the looming union rail strike has been averted:\n\n\"I'm relieved that an agreement has been tentatively reached to prevent a union rail strike. A strike would have crippled our supply chain and caused further harm for American families, already suffering from rampant inflation and signs of a recession.\n\n\"President Biden should have stood up to his friends in the union months ago, rather than letting this brinksmanship continue for so long. Rail companies had been forced to begin making changes to shipping priorities to prepare for this threatened union action. Republicans introduced legislation to reach an agreement, while far left democrats were willing to block such legislation and encourage a strike.\"\n\nRep. Crawford is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-warns-apple-not-to-do-business-with-dangerous-chinese-chipmaker", "Cotton Warns Apple Not To Do Business With Dangerous Chinese Chipmaker", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 15, 2022\n\nCotton Warns Apple Not To Do Business With Dangerous Chinese Chipmaker\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter today to Apple CEO Tim Cook warning him of the dangers that using chips from Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC) in Apple products poses to U.S. national security, consumer data security, and to Apple\u2019s reputation and shareholders. The letter requested answers on why Apple made this reckless decision and what steps Apple planned to take to protect the United States and American consumers from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cI urge you to rethink Apple\u2019s decision to do business with YMTC. If Apple continues to court untrustworthy Chinese companies like YMTC, it will do grave harm to its shareholders, its customers, and our country. As there is bipartisan support to address the threat posed by YMTC, I must stress for you and your shareholders the risks of this partnership with an entity that may soon be the target of U.S. government action.\u201d\n\nFull letter of the text may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 15, 2022\n\nMr. Tim Cook\n\nChief Executive Officer\n\nApple Inc.\n\nOne Apple Park Way\n\nCupertino, CA 95014\n\nDear Mr. Cook,\n\nI write regarding Apple\u2019s ill-advised plans to do business with a dangerous Chinese chipmaker, Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC).\n\nYMTC is a key player in the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) campaign to dominate the semiconductor industry. YMTC has seized market share thanks to an estimated $24 billion in government subsidies. These subsidies have allowed YMTC to poach engineers and sell its flash-memory products below cost, to the detriment of firms in the United States and allied countries. YMTC also collaborates with Chinese companies sanctioned by the U.S. government for human rights abuses and collaboration with the People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA) on military-modernization projects. As a result, members of Congress from both parties have called on the Biden administration to add YMTC to the Entity List, and the Commerce Department may blacklist the company.\n\nChina has made great strides in strategic sectors like semiconductors due to subsidies and outright theft, but so far, its national champions lack legitimacy\u2014and rightfully so. Your company\u2019s decision may change that.\n\nI urge you to rethink Apple\u2019s decision to do business with YMTC. Apple and far too many other American companies already rely on China for manufacturing and supplies. Adding another Chinese company to Apple\u2019s supply chain, particularly one with close ties to the CCP and PLA, compounds these risks. If Apple continues to court untrustworthy Chinese companies like YMTC, it will do grave harm to its shareholders, its customers, and our country. As there is bipartisan support to address the threat posed by YMTC, I must stress for you and your shareholders the risks of this partnership with an entity that may soon be the target of U.S. government action.\n\nWith these concerns in mind, I request that you answer the following questions:\n\n1.Can Apple confirm that their products using YMTC chips will not be available for purchase in the U.S. market or through any e-commerce platform available in the United States? If not, what safeguards does Apple have in place to protect U.S. national security and consumer data security from the CCP?\n\n2.Did Chinese authorities require Apple to use YMTC\u2019s chips as part of its new iPhone 14? If not, on what basis did Apple make its decision to use YMTC chips, despite the threat posed by YMTC?\n\n3.How did YMTC\u2019s ties to companies sanctioned for human rights abuses factor into Apple\u2019s decision?\n\n4.Have members of Apple senior leadership considered the risk resulting from Apple making itself reliant on an entity that is likely the target of future U.S. government action?\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-announces-annual-congressional-app-challenge", "Rep. Crawford Announces Annual Congressional App Challenge", "2022-09-14", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Announces Annual Congressional App Challenge\n\n9/14/2022\n\nJonesboro \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) is proud to announce that he will be hosting a Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a smart device app competition for students in 9th -12th grades in the First District of Arkansas.\n\nThe CAC was created in 2013 with the goal of fostering STEM and computer-based skills which are essential for economic growth and innovation.\n\n\"Supporting STEM education and encouraging students to solve real world problems with technology is of vital importance to the future of the First Congressional District.\" said Rep. Crawford. \"As a result of this realization, we have seen an increase in STEM emphasized programs within our schools as well as educators who motivate more students to explore this field.\"\n\n\"I am always impressed with the quality of coding and creativity found in apps that are submitted to the CAC and I'm looking forward to seeing what students come up with this year.\"\n\nWinners will be selected by panels of judges drawn from the local community and honored by their Member of Congress. Their apps are eligible to be featured on display in the U.S. Capitol building, on www.house.gov and on the Congressional App Challenge website.\n\nThe submission deadline is November 1, 2022 and the competition guidelines can be found at Crawford.House.Gov under the Congressional App Challenge tab. There you can also view the videos of previous winners of this competition. For further information you can call the Jonesboro office at (870) 203-0540 or email AR01.App@mail.house.gov.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-august-inflation-report", "Rep. Crawford Statement on August Inflation Report", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on August Inflation Report\n\n9/13/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that inflation is at 8.3%, marking the eighth consecutive month of inflation over 7%. Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement.\n\n\"Bidenflation continues to roar, with prices rising at rates not seen in 40 years, since a show called Fantasy Island ruled the TV ratings. But now the White House grounds are Fantasy Island, a place where trillions of taxpayer dollars are spent without a moment's thought, and their latest inflationary idea was to make fire fighters and nurses pay off the college loans of doctors and lawyers.\n\nAmericans continue to grow poorer under Biden, as prices increase faster than wages, and average weekly hours worked inch lower, putting economic security out of reach for even more families.\n\nThe new Congress that will take office in January must make Job One shutting down the Biden inflation machine, and ending Bidenomics for the rest of his presidency.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-anniversary-of-september-11th-terrorist-attacks", "Rep. Crawford Statement on Anniversary of September 11th Terrorist Attacks", "2022-09-11", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on Anniversary of September 11th Terrorist Attacks\n\n9/11/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement for the anniversary of 9/11:\n\n\"It's been 21 years since America was attacked by terrorists who hated our freedoms and our values. Thousands of our fellow Americans lost their lives, including first responders who ran towards danger to help innocent victims. The best way to honor those who lost their lives or were injured on 9/11 and their families is by remembering their sacrifice and doing everything we can to prevent such atrocities in the future. That means maintaining a strong defense, superior intelligence agencies, and living up to our ideals to defeat toxic ideologies.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-the-21st-anniversary-of-9/11", "Cotton Statement on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11", "2022-09-11", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 11, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the 21st anniversary of the September 11th attacks:\n\n\u201cOn this anniversary of 9/11 we again remember the 3,000 Americans murdered on that infamous day, the first responders who gave all to save them, and the brave veterans who fought to avenge their deaths over the years. We have rebuilt what those terrorists destroyed, and we have killed or captured the leaders they served. Al Qaeda sought to break America, but it failed; America endures and al Qaeda retreats. We will never forget those we lost, and we will remain vigilant that it never happens again.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-bill-overhauls-workforce-education", "Cotton Bill Overhauls Workforce Education", "2022-09-08", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Bill Overhauls Workforce Education\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced the American Workforce Act, a bill that overhauls workforce education. The legislation provides high school graduates with a 9,000-dollar workforce training voucher, used to participate in education programs designed by employers for jobs in their industry.\n\nVouchers would be paid for in part by taxing wealthy private college endowments. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cFor decades, the federal government has spent billions propping up bloated colleges that serve\u2014often poorly\u2014a minority of our citizens. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans, who don\u2019t go to college, are left behind. In fact, the federal government spends eight times more on college for the few than it does on job training for the many. My bill will right that wrong by investing heavily in a new workforce education strategy to help working Americans get ahead,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cThe often well-meaning but also self-serving embrace by elites of College-for-All has done untold damage to American workers and families. The American Workforce Act is a landmark proposal on the path to a better education system that offers many tickets besides college to the middle class,\u201d said Oren Cass, executive director of American Compass.\n\nClick here to view a bill summary\u2014a brief overview is below.\n\nBackground:\n\nFor decades, policymakers have largely ignored non-college workforce education. Meanwhile, college completion rates have stagnated while average college costs have grown to a staggering $35,331 per student with the collective student debt burden nearing $2 trillion.\n\nThe mounting cost of tuition has been matched by an ever more bloated higher education bureaucracy, which has increased 616% from 1976 to 2018, compared to only a 78% increase in student enrollment.\n\nThere are alternatives to college education, but the federal government\u2019s approach to non-collegiate workforce education is outdated and government-led.\n\nA new model for vocational education must not only focus on funding, but also put the employer at the center of workforce training, keep requirements flexible and simple, and ensure that spending follows the workers to maximize their choices.\n\nThe bill would:\n\nCreate a $9,000 federal voucher available to prospective \u201ctrainees,\u201d defined as any citizen with a high school degree/GED, but without a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher.\n\nOffer an additional $1,000 bonus to employers for each trainee that is hired after completion of the workforce training program.\n\nRequire participating employers to provide training for positions paid at least 80% of the local median household income.\n\nAllow the voucher to subsidize employer-led workforce training that offers a full time, paid position combining on-the-job experience and skilled workforce training.\n\nGive employers wide flexibility to build their own training programs or delegate the training to a valid third-party entity, such as a trade association, community college, high school, non-profit, or union.\n\nRequire e-verify at participating employers.\n\nLevy a one-percent tax on the fair market value of endowments held by private colleges that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-death-of-queen-elizabeth-ii", "Cotton Statement on Death of Queen Elizabeth II", "2022-09-08", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Death of Queen Elizabeth II\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the death of Queen Elizabeth II:\n\n\u201cAnna and I join all Arkansans in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and expressing our deepest condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and the Royal Family.\n\nThe Queen embodied the highest standards of duty, service, and sacrifice for the nation throughout her life. As a young teenage girl in World War II, she inspired the British people during her nation\u2019s darkest hour and she ultimately joined the British Army. During her remarkable seventy-year reign, she advised fifteen different prime ministers, beginning with Winston Churchill. Her reign coincided with fourteen different presidents and ushered in a golden age in the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, an unparalleled alliance for freedom in the annals of history. At every turn, Her Majesty always put her people and her nation above herself, setting an example for the ages of graceful and selfless service.\n\nMay Her Majesty rest in peace and may her legacy always guide the living.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-president-biden-s-shameful-speech", "Rep. Crawford Responds to President Biden\u2019s Shameful Speech", "2022-09-02", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Responds to President Biden's Shameful Speech\n\n9/2/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Last night, President Biden decided to distract from his countless failures as president by proclaiming that the biggest threat to our nation is the half or more of Americans who disagree with him.\n\n\"It is shameful that instead of addressing a plan to tackle the inflation he unleashed, reduce the violent crime raging in Democrat cities, and end his open border policies, our President decided instead to broadcast his hatred for millions of American families who work hard and play by the rules. Just a week ago, he unilaterally announced he will force firefighters, construction workers, and truck drivers to pay off the college loans of wealthy lawyers and doctors, a gift to his affluent political base and a thumb in the eyes of Americans who paid off their loans, or did not attend college. Now, with an election approaching, and early voting just weeks away, he has launched a vicious rhetorical campaign like the one that inspired a liberal extremist to cross the country with weapons and plans to assassinate several Supreme Court Justices,\" said Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01).\n\nHere is a brief list of President Biden's catastrophes:\n\nFood prices up 13% this year \u2013 the highest increase ever.\n\nThe highest inflation in 40 years.\n\nSupporter of dangerous \u2018defund the police' and \u2018catch and release' criminal policies that have created the deadliest year in America in 20 years.\n\nSoaring energy prices that have caused 1 in 6 families to fall behind on utility bills.\n\nThe highest gas prices ever recorded in U.S. history.\n\nThe labelling of concerned parents at school board meetings as \u2018terrorists'.\n\nAn unlawful refusal to enforce our immigration laws \u2013 leading to record fentanyl deaths and millions pouring through our southern border.\n\nA botched departure from Afghanistan that cost 13 Americans their lives and left the radical Taliban with a massive stock of abandoned U.S. military hardware.\n\nHiring of an additional 87,000 IRS agents to investigate middle class Americans \u2013 making the IRS larger than the FBI, State Department, Pentagon and Border Control combined.\n\n\"Biden's extremist policies and dangerous rhetoric are designed to tear Americans apart and are making families poorer,\" Crawford concluded.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-against-return-to-biased-wto-dispute-settlement-body", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge Against Return to Biased WTO Dispute Settlement Body", "2022-08-30", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge Against Return to Biased WTO Dispute Settlement Body\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) today sent a letter to USTR Representative Katherine Tai urging her to keep the resurrection of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body out of any dispute settlement reform negotiations at the WTO.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cWe are writing to express our deep concern with your comments indicating American cooperation in reassembling the WTO\u2019s appellate body. As you may know, the United States has blocked new members to the appellate body since 2011, when the Obama Administration blocked an appointment, citing the WTO\u2019s failure to protect American interests. The Trump Administration followed in this tradition. This rare bipartisan agreement was the result of a clear and consistent pattern of the WTO intentionally undermining American sovereignty, while enriching the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe trade laws of the United States have been subject to more challenges than any other WTO Member and roughly a quarter of all disputes involve U.S. trade policy. The variety of ways in which the Appellate Body has failed to live up to its intended purpose was cataloged in a 2020 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)\u2026\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nAugust 29, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Katherine Tai\n\nUnited States Trade Representative\n\n600 17th Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20508\n\nDear Ambassador Tai:\n\nWe are writing to express our deep concern with your comments indicating American cooperation in reassembling the WTO\u2019s appellate body. As you may know, the United States has blocked new members to the appellate body since 2011, when the Obama Administration blocked an appointment, citing the WTO\u2019s failure to protect American interests. The Trump Administration followed in this tradition. This rare bipartisan agreement was the result of a clear and consistent pattern of the WTO intentionally undermining American sovereignty, while enriching the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe trade laws of the United States have been subject to more challenges than any other WTO Member and roughly a quarter of all disputes involve U.S. trade policy. The variety of ways in which the Appellate Body has failed to live up to its intended purpose was cataloged in a 2020 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which demonstrated that the Appellate Body has:\n\n\u00b7Repeatedly ignored the mandatory deadline for deciding appeals,\n\n\u00b7Allowed Appellate Body members whose term has expired to continue deciding appeals,\n\n\u00b7Made findings on issues of fact, including issues relating to the domestic law of WTO Members, although Members authorized it to only address legal issues,\n\n\u00b7Insisted that dispute settlement panels treat prior Appellate Body interpretations effectively as binding precedent,\n\n\u00b7Failed to apply WTO agreements in a manner that adheres to their text (as negotiated and agreed to by WTO Members), while filling in perceived \"gaps\" in agreements to impose new requirements on the United States to which we never agreed.\n\nIn so doing, the Appellate Body has infringed on our sovereign laws and strayed far from the limited role that WTO members assigned to it.\n\nThe Appellate Body is not only harmful, it is also corrupted by CCP influence. WTO rules require Appellate Body members to be \u201cunaffiliated with any government,\u201d yet Chinese nationals are allowed to become members. The Chinese Communist Party\u2019s complete control of power in the PRC means it can coerce and intimidate any PRC national into following its will.\n\nMoreover, a recent Appellate Body member from the PRC appears to have had \u2013 and concealed \u2013 an improper continued role working for the PRC government. PRC nationals will be forced to do the bidding of the CCP if they want to, or not. The CCP shouldn\u2019t get a vote on the WTO Appellate Body when it is the primary threat to free and fair trade around the world.\n\nEven without the Appellate Body, the WTO\u2019s dispute settlement process can remain a useful resource for U.S. policymakers.\n\nWTO panel decisions can still be issued and may have persuasive effect through their force of reasoning. To the extent such decisions can be effectively blocked by appealing to an Appellate Body that no longer exists, this fact has allowed WTO members to regain a measure of sovereignty. And, of course, to the extent Members want to agree to truly binding dispute settlement, they have numerous options to do so \u2013 including, for example, an agreement not to appeal the results of a panel decision.\n\nRestoring the Appellate Body would only do harm to the United States and give international bureaucrats and members of the CCP more influence over U.S. trade policy. We ask you to continue blocking the appointment of new Appellate Body members.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-courts-blocking-of-arkansas-transgender-youth-law", "Cotton Statement on Court\u2019s Blocking of Arkansas Transgender Youth Law", "2022-08-25", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 25, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Court\u2019s Blocking of Arkansas Transgender Youth Law\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a hold on Arkansas\u2019s law to ban transgender medical interventions for children:\n\n\u201cOur legislature voted to protect kids from experimental drugs and surgeries that could permanently damage their health and well-being. By blocking this law again, the court has kept the fate of Arkansas\u2019s children in the hands of liberal activists who support \u2018sex-changes\u2019 for children.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-biden-s-student-loan-debt-transfer", "Rep. Crawford Statement on Biden\u2019s Student Loan Debt Transfer", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on Biden's Student Loan Debt Transfer\n\n8/24/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement after President Biden signed an executive order to cancel $10,000 in student loan debt per recipient:\n\n\"Just as Biden's open borders policy makes suckers out of the law-abiding scientists and engineers waiting patiently for years to come to America legally, Biden's amnesty on student loan debt makes suckers out of the millions of working and middle class Americans who paid their student loans debts as they pledged to do. This election season give-away is also a stick in the eye to the two-thirds of American adults without a bachelor's degree. Fast food workers, truck drivers, and firefighters struggling to make ends meet will be subsidizing affluent white collar professionals while the government refuses to hold universities accountable for their skyrocketing tuition rates.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-will-offer-alternative-to-student-loan-bailout-plan", "Cotton Will Offer Alternative to Student Loan Bailout Plan", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 24, 2022\n\nCotton Will Offer Alternative to Student Loan Bailout Plan\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after President Biden announced his plan to \u201cforgive\u201d student loan debt.\n\n\u201cThere is no such thing as student loan forgiveness\u2014this is a bailout, paid for by the large majority of Americans who never went to college or who responsibly paid off their debts. Even worse, President Biden\u2019s plan ignores the true culprit: bloated, self-serving colleges. I\u2019ll be introducing a bill to hold these colleges accountable for debt, lower tuition, support non-college career paths, and save the taxpayers billions.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/ti-republicans-ask-amtrak-for-plans-to-use-taxpayer-funds-to-transport-illegal-migrants", "T&I Republicans Ask Amtrak for Plans to Use Taxpayer Funds to Transport Illegal Migrants", "2022-08-17", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Ranking Member Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Committee Republicans have requested that Amtrak address their concerns that its taxpayer-funded services will be used to alleviate a surge in border crossings expected by the proposed end to Title 42 and have asked whether Amtrak plans to use its resources to transport illegal migrants at the expense of American taxpayers and freight railroads delivering goods.\n\nCrawford and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), along with 17 other Committee Republicans, wrote to Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gardner.\n\nJoining Crawford and Graves on the letter were Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Brian Babin (R-TX), Garret Graves (R-LA), Mike Bost (R-IL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Brian Mast (R-FL), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), Michael Guest (R-MS), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL).\n\nIn their letter, they say, \"We are concerned about the impact that a border surge could cause to your services and the potential use of Amtrak in the Administration's response to its self-inflicted border crisis. The Administration-created border crisis deeply alarms Americans, including leaders from both parties, as weapons and record amounts of drugs are smuggled daily into American communities\u2026. Despite these concerns, the Administration has continued to erode border protections, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), and seeks to go even farther by pressing ahead with efforts to end Title 42.\"\n\nIn their letter, the Members pointed out the significant losses experienced on Amtrak's Sunset Limited route along the United States' southwest border, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They noted the importance of Amtrak using its taxpayer-provided funding, including funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to focus on maintaining and rebuilding its existing network and ridership, including the Sunset Limited line, and strive towards profitability.\n\n\"If Title 42 were to end and cause another migrant surge at the southern border, we are deeply concerned that Amtrak's resources \u2013 especially those supporting the Sunset Limited route \u2013 will be used to transport illegal migrants. Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic on the Union Pacific-owned track that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis. Such actions would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the movement of illegal migrants.\"\n\nThe Committee Members asked for information about any discussions or planning about the potential use of Amtrak's trains, infrastructure, and resources to transport migrants crossing from the Southern Border, including any discussions or plans with other government agencies or non-governmental organizations.\n\nClick here to read the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-against-latest-democrat-inflation-fueling-bill", "Rep. Crawford Votes Against Latest Democrat Inflation-Fueling Bill:", "2022-08-12", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Votes Against Latest Democrat Inflation-Fueling Bill:\n\n\"It's an unserious bill at a serious time.\"\n\n8/12/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 There was more bad news for middle class families today as the House passed legislation that will increase inflation and our national debt. The bill's name \u2013 textbook misinformation \u2013 is the \"Inflation Reduction Act.\"\n\nThis Democrat bill will spend hundreds of billions of dollars first, with promises to cut spending later. Among the more egregious provisions:\n\nSpending a third of a trillion dollars for the \"climate,\" which will increase energy prices via punishing regulations on the fossil fuels that power our nation. (Wind and solar together account for just 5% of US energy consumption.)\n\nAn extra $80 billion for the IRS to hire a shocking 87,000 new IRS agents to audit US taxpayers. Democrats boast this army of new IRS recruits will increase government tax receipts by $124 billion.\n\n\"I was proud to vote against this Democrat bill today that will raise prices on nearly everything people buy, particularly raising costs for the energy that drives our economy,\" said Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01). \"I also opposed the Democrats' plan to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to squeeze another $120 billion from taxpayers. It's an unserious bill at a serious time for our nation.\"\n\nChina and India are in the midst of rapidly increasing their use of coal and other fossil fuels (with even some liberal European countries cranking up closed coal facilities). The results of their actions will keep fossil fuels abundant and low-cost for their citizens and businesses, while swamping the promised carbon reductions from Biden's radical Green Raw Deal. In short, this costly bill will deliver no discernible impact on global temperatures.\n\n\"Democrats are focused on hiring IRS agents, and giving big tax breaks to well-off Americans who purchase Teslas,\" Crawford added. \"But my constituents are focused on making ends meet, as they battle a one-third increase in energy prices over just the last year, along with the largest increase in food prices since Jimmy Carter was president. Given that choice, I voted for my constituents.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-reacts-passage-inflation-reduction-act", "Westerman Reacts to Passage of Inflation Reduction Act", "2022-08-12", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act under the budget reconciliation process. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statement in response:\n\n\u201cI am dismayed that Democrats continue to repackage the same poor policies that caused sky-high inflation, stick a buzzword in the name, and expect the American people to thank them while the economy inevitably continues to suffer,\" said Westerman. \"When a party cannot simply admit that we are in a recession, it cannot be trusted to bring us out of one. I wholeheartedly voted no on the misleadingly named \u2018Inflation Reduction Act.\u2019 This tax and spend bill is a lie designed to bring down the force of higher taxes, 87,000 additional IRS agents, economy-killing climate programs, and hundreds of billions of dollars in deficit spending onto the backs and into the wallets of every American family. I will never support legislation that will spend us, our children, and our children\u2019s children into the ground.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-fbi-raid-of-former-president-trump-s-home", "Rep. Crawford Statement on FBI Raid of Former President Trump\u2019s Home", "2022-08-09", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on FBI Raid of Former President Trump's Home\n\n8/9/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement on news that the FBI conducted a raid on the home of former president Donald Trump:\n\n\"The unprecedented FBI raid on a former president's home, by a Justice Department now under the control of a president of the other party, less than two months before the first states begin early voting in this year's Congressional elections, puts our nation on dangerous ground.\n\n\"The Russia Collusion Hoax, and the slow-walking of the investigation into shady Biden family business deals involving China and Ukraine, have already eroded Americans' former rock-solid faith in the Justice Department and our nation's core principle of equal justice before the law. This latest apparent abuse of power seems likely to compound that crisis.\n\n\"The Biden White House, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and FBI leadership have a lot of questions to answer for what looks like an egregious and dangerous politicization of our nation's law enforcement apparatus. The new Congress will begin seeking answers to those questions in January.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-joins-arkansas-delegation-letter-va-regarding-ongoing", "Westerman Joins Arkansas Delegation Letter to VA Regarding Ongoing Staffing Shortages", "2022-08-07", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joined Reps. French Hill (AR-02), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Steve Womack (AR-03), Senator John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton in sending a letter to Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough regarding the staffing shortages at VA facilities in Arkansas.\n\nThe members released the following statement:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-amendment-targets-fentanyl-variants", "Cotton Amendment Targets Fentanyl Variants", "2022-08-06", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 6, 2022\n\nCotton Amendment Targets Fentanyl Variants\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced an amendment to the upcoming budget reconciliation spending bill that would eliminate the expiration date on the Drug Enforcement Agency\u2019s (DEA) emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues to allow for permanent control of these deadly substances.\n\nAmendment text may be found here.\n\n\u201cThe DEA\u2019s emergency scheduling of all new fentanyl variants helps stop the flow of the fentanyl analogues drug cartels are using to skirt our laws. But to stop the drug crisis from getting worse and provide law enforcement the real tools they need to get these drugs off our streets, we must make their fentanyl scheduling permanent,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Cotton has previously introduced bills to permanently schedule fentanyl in 2021 and 2022, but Democrats have blocked their passage.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-amendment-trades-dhs-green-funding-for-ice-detention", "Cotton Amendment Trades DHS \u201cGreen\u201d Funding for ICE Detention", "2022-08-06", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 6, 2022\n\nCotton Amendment Trades DHS \u201cGreen\u201d Funding for ICE Detention\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced an amendment to the upcoming budget reconciliation bill that would cut $500 million currently allocated by the bill to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for \u201csustainability and environmental programs.\u201d The amendment then directs $400 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detaining single, adult criminal aliens.\n\nAmendment text may be found here.\n\n\u201cThis bill funnels $500 million to DHS for something completely unrelated to its mission: doing the bidding of environmental activists. My amendment would take the Democrats\u2019 green bucks and give it instead to our officers at ICE so they can get the illegal-immigration crisis under control,\u201d said Cotton.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-hosts-school-safety-and-bomb-threat-response-training-events", "Rep. Crawford Hosts School Safety and Bomb Threat Response Training Events", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Hosts School Safety and Bomb Threat Response Training Events\n\n8/4/2022\n\nJonesboro \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) hosted a series of safety training events this week at Arkansas State University. Public school educators and administrators received threat management and active shooter preparedness, while private and public sector security professionals attended a course in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) search procedures. Crawford advocates in Congress for \u2018hardening' schools to block threats, and expanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training.\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/08/RC-school-safety.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1908\"/> sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/08/image003-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1907\"/>\n\n\"As a former Army EOD officer, I know full well the capabilities our front-line military bomb squads possess and the extensive training they receive. But I am also keenly aware of the threats of improvised explosive devices and other dangers on the home front, especially in our schools. One of the many lessons decision-makers must learn from the horrendous recent events in Uvalde Texas is that training must be ongoing and anticipate threats, rather than relying on the ad hoc response we see when law enforcement has not been prepared adequately,\" said Rep. Crawford.\n\nThe event on Wednesday, August 3rd for educators was presented by the Department of Homeland Security - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS/CISA), in coordination with Rep. Crawford and Arkansas State University. The purpose of this event was to provide school officials and employees the opportunity to receive firsthand expertise, situational awareness, and additional information that DHS/CISA provides for school safety preparedness efforts.\n\nMore than 100 people representing 23 school districts and three two-year colleges attended Wednesday's event. The School Safety and Security Workshop included three presentations from intelligence agency officials and concluded with a Q & A panel.\n\n\"Today we are here because we must discuss and continue to advocate for the priority that all of us, as parents, share: the safety of our children at school. Our children should not have to live in a country where they may one day confront an active shooter or discover an IED, and it is our goal as policymakers, to work with federal officials, law enforcement, and school administrators to mitigate any future violence and loss of life,\" Crawford concluded.\n\nCISA also hosted an IED Search Procedures Courses on Tuesday, August 2nd and will be hosting an additional session on Thursday, August 4th. These courses are for public safety officers, emergency managers, security officers, law enforcement officers, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private sector security professionals.\n\nIn Washington, DC, Crawford co-chairs the House EOD Caucus and advocates for bombing prevention and resource allocation for our troops, our law enforcement, and our homeland officials.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-about-delayed-missile-test-launch", "Cotton Demands Answers About Delayed Missile Test Launch", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 4, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers About Delayed Missile Test Launch\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding answers about reports that a routine missile test launch was delayed or canceled.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cI\u2019ve heard reliable reports that this week\u2019s routine test launch of a Minuteman III missile was delayed or canceled. If accurate, this would be the second termination since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine.\u201d\n\n\u201cAre these reports accurate? If so, how long does the administration intend to allow Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to dictate our missile-test schedule?\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Lloyd. J. Austin\n\nSecretary of Defense\n\n1000 Defense Pentagon\n\nWashington, DC 20301-1000\n\nSecretary Austin,\n\nI\u2019ve heard reliable reports that this week\u2019s routine test launch of a Minuteman III missile was delayed or canceled. If accurate, this would be the second termination since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine.\n\nAre these reports accurate? If so, how long does the administration intend to allow Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to dictate our missile-test schedule?\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-death-of-rep-walorski", "Rep. Crawford Statement on Death of Rep. Walorski", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on Death of Rep. Walorski\n\n8/3/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Jackie Walorski (IN-02):\n\n\"I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my colleague Jackie Walorski and her two staffers. I had the opportunity to work with Jackie on the House Agriculture Committee as we worked to address the challenges rural communities face and tackled writing a farm bill. It was clear that she loved her community and was proud to represent them in Congress. Stacy and I will be praying for Jackie, her staffers Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, and their families.\"\n\n#######", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-cotton-rep-kustoff-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-stop-contraband-cellphone-use-in-prisons", "Senator Cotton, Rep. Kustoff, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Contraband Cellphone Use in Prisons", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 3, 2022\n\nSenator Cotton, Rep. Kustoff, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Contraband Cellphone Use in Prisons\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, legislation to prevent contraband cellphone use in federal and state prison facilities by allowing state and federal prisons to use cell phone jamming systems. Senators James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) are original co-sponsors of the bill. Representative David Kustoff (R-Tennessee) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House Of Representatives. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act gives state and federal prisons the authority to implement a jamming system to protect inmates, guards, and the public at large.\n\n\"Prisoners have used contraband cell phones to direct illegal activities outside prison walls, including hits on rivals, sex trafficking, drug operations, and business deals. Cellphone jamming devices can stop this but the Federal Communications Act doesn't allow facilities to use this technology. My bill would fix this problem so that criminals serve their time without posing a threat to the general public,\" said Cotton.\n\n\u201cCell phones are being slipped into jails and prisons, but federal policy prevents local law enforcement from jamming the cell signal. That needs to stop,\u201d said Lankford. \u201cAfter years of work and conversations with law enforcement, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Justice, and Oklahoma prison leadership, we finally have a bill to allow states to jam illegal cell phones in their prisons to prevent prisoners from contacting their victims or coordinating even more crime while they are incarcerated. This bill simply allows state and federal prisons to use cell phone jammers to ensure they have the tools they need to combat illegal activity in a prison.\u201d\n\n\"In correctional facilities across our country, inmates are using contraband cell phones to conduct illegal activities, including running drug operations, facilitating sex trafficking, and organizing escapes,\u201d said Kustoff.\u201cThese contraband cell phones are a major problem and Congress must take action to protect the public from dangerous criminals who continue their illegal activities behind bars. I am pleased to join Senators Cotton and Graham in reintroducing this important bill that will keep our communities in West Tennessee and the United States safe.\"\n\nThis legislation is supported by the Correctional Leaders Association, the Council of Prison Locals, the American Correctional Association, the National Sheriff\u2019s Association, and the Major County Sheriffs of America.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe use of contraband cellphones is widespread in both federal and state prison facilities. Inmates have used contraband cellphones to conduct illegal activities, including ordering hits on individuals outside of the prison walls, running illegal drug operations, conducting illegal business deals, facilitating sex trafficking, and organizing escapes which endanger correctional employees, other inmates, and members of the public.\n\nIn 2018, a gang fight over territory using cellphones to trade contraband sparked a brawl inside the Lee Correctional Institution near Bishopville, South Carolina, and left seven inmates dead and 20 injured.\n\nBureau of Prisons Correctional officer Lt. Osvaldo Albarati was murdered in 2013 for interrupting an illicit contraband cellphone business. His actual assassination was initiated by an inmate using a contraband cellphone to contact the gunman as outlined in the indictment.\n\nA 2018 report showed an FCI Fort Dix inmate arranged murder and assault from a smuggled phone in a Jersey prison.\n\nContraband cell phones aren't only allowing violent criminals to continue their nefarious activities. In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that Martin Shkreli, the disgraced pharmaceutical executive sentenced to seven years for securities fraud, was still making decisions at Phoenixus AG through the use of a contraband cellphone.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-biden-deny-iranian-president-raisi-visa-to-new-york", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Biden Deny Iranian President Raisi Visa to New York", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Biden Deny Iranian President Raisi Visa to New York\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that he deny visas for Iranian President Raisi and his delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cRaisi\u2019s involvement in mass murder and the Iranian regime\u2019s campaign to assassinate U.S. officials on American soil make allowing Raisi and his henchmen to enter our country an inexcusable threat to national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf recent reports are true that Raisi plans to attend the UN General Assembly, the White House must deny Raisi and other Iranian officials visas to attend. Allowing Raisi to travel to the United States\u2014while his agents actively work to assassinate senior American officials on U.S. soil\u2014would gravely endanger our national security, given the likely presence of IRGC agents in the Iranian delegation,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe urge you to deny visas for Iranian President Raisi and his delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September. Raisi\u2019s involvement in mass murder and the Iranian regime\u2019s campaign to assassinate U.S. officials on American soil make allowing Raisi and his henchmen to enter our country an inexcusable threat to national security.\n\nRaisi\u2019s record as a violator of human rights is long-standing and clear. In 1988, while deputy prosecutor of Tehran, Raisi served on a Death Commission which sentenced approximately 5,000 prisoners to death, including women and children, without the right to appeal or a fair trial. Raisi is proud of his record; in 2018, he defended the commission, calling it \u201cdivine punishment\u201d and \u201cone of the proud achievements of the system.\u201d In the decades since, Raisi continued to subject the Iranian people to extrajudicial prosecution, torture, and execution, such as during the 2009 Green Revolution or in his more recent tenure as the head of Iran\u2019s judiciary. Raisi\u2019s role in these gross human rights abuses led the Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to sanction him in 2019, pursuant to Executive Order 13876.\n\nWhile Raisi continues the regime\u2019s wave of repression at home, agents of Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, plot to assassinate current and former senior U.S. officials in the United States. In March, the Washington Examiner reported that the Department of Justice had indictable evidence that IRGC Quds Force operatives were planning to assassinate former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton. The IRGC has reportedly been plotting similar efforts against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie, and other former officials. According to news reports earlier this month, the IRGC is also targeting current U.S. officials as part of its assassination campaign.\n\nIf recent reports are true that Raisi plans to attend the UN General Assembly, the White House must deny Raisi and other Iranian officials visas to attend. Allowing Raisi to travel to the United States\u2014while his agents actively work to assassinate senior American officials on U.S. soil\u2014would gravely endanger our national security, given the likely presence of IRGC agents in the Iranian delegation. Furthermore, granting a mass murderer like Raisi a visa to enter our country would also legitimize his repression. It is a risk we cannot and should not take.\n\nThere is strong precedent for denying an entry visa to foreign leaders. In 1988, the United States barred PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat from entering the United States to attend a meeting of the United Nations. In 2014, President Obama denied an entry visa to Iranian UN Ambassador Hamid Aboutalebi, who was involved in taking American diplomats hostage in 1979. In 2020, the United States declined to issue a visa for Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s role in the regime\u2019s human rights abuses and Iran\u2019s continuing efforts to murder American officials should more than disqualify him from receiving a visa to the United States.\n\nThank you for considering this important matter of national security.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-tuberville-introduce-bill-to-prohibit-the-chinese-communist-party-from-purchasing-american-land", "Cotton, Tuberville Introduce Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2022\n\nCotton, Tuberville Introduce Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) today introduced the Securing America\u2019s Land from Foreign Interference Act to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing any land in the United States. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cChinese investments in American farmland put our food security at risk and provide opportunities for Chinese espionage against our military bases and critical infrastructure. Instead of allowing these purchases, the U.S. government must bar the Communist Party from purchasing our land,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cWe cannot continue giving our top adversary a foot in the door to purchase land in the United States and undermine our national security,\u201d said Tuberville. \u201cI hope my colleagues will recognize the importance of our bill and join the effort to prohibit Chinese Communist Party involvement in America\u2019s agriculture industry.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\n\u2022 China\u2019s agricultural investments in countries around the globe grew more than tenfold from 2009 to 2016. China\u2019s Ministry of Agriculture claims the country had over 1,300 agricultural, forestry, and fisheries enterprises with registered overseas investments of $26 billion, at the end of 2016.\n\n\u2022 Chinese investments in U.S. agricultural may provide the CCP with undue leverage over U.S. supply chains and access to sensitive information critical to U.S. national security.\n\n\u2022 While Chinese entities held slightly less than one percent of all foreign-held acres in the U.S. in 2020, the volume of their holdings increased dramatically over the last decade. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports, Chinese investors\u2019 holdings of U.S. agricultural land surged from 13,720 acres in 2010 to 352,140 acres in 2020.\n\n\u2022 The USDA\u2019s most recent report on foreign landholding through December 31, 2020 shows foreign investors now hold an interest in nearly 37.6 million acres of agricultural land in the U.S.\u2014an area larger than the state of Iowa.\n\n\u2022 Approximately 14 states have some level of foreign ownership restriction yet there are no federal restrictions on the amount of private U.S. agricultural land that can be foreign owned.\n\n\u2022 Land grabbing by foreign actors will become a greater threat in the coming years. With an aging population of American farmers (one-third over the age of 65), millions of acres in U.S. farmland are expected to change hands in the next decade.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-accepting-service-academy-nominations", "Cotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations", "2022-08-01", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 1, 2022\n\nCotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. In order to be considered for a nomination, materials must be submitted by Monday, November 1, 2022.\n\n\"Students who attend U.S. service academies and go on to serve their country in uniform are the pride of Arkansas, and I encourage each young Arkansan with a sincere interest to apply,\" Cotton said.\n\nInterested students can find the application, along with information on eligibility and other requirements, here. Please contact Nicole Millar (501) 223-9081 for any additional questions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-s-statement-on-semi-automatic-firearm-ban", "Rep. Crawford\u2019s Statement on Semi-automatic Firearm Ban", "2022-07-29", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford's Statement on Semi-automatic Firearm Ban\n\n7/29/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 1808, a bill that re-defines \"assault weapons\" to include commonly used semi-automatic firearms:\n\n\"Despite a recession and high inflation eating away at family budgets, House Democrats are focused instead on symbolic votes that would undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. Banning Arkansans' firearms would neither make us safer nor reverse the devastation of the Biden economy.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-supports-legislation-to-address-supply-chain-woes", "Rep. Crawford Supports Legislation to Address Supply Chain Woes", "2022-07-29", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Supports Legislation to Address Supply Chain Woes\n\n7/29/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) introduced three bills and co-sponsored legislation all designed to combat gaps in the supply chain which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"American families should never have to face empty grocery or pharmacy store shelves. Fixing our supply chain starts with investments in vital infrastructure projects and boosting our transportation workforce. That's why I'm pleased to support these common-sense measures which will have a lasting impact,\" said Crawford.\n\nRep. Crawford introduced:\n\nThe Supply Chain Improvement Act\n\nWould direct the Secretary of Transportation to give priority consideration to projects that improve or build resiliency in the supply chain.\n\nThe Rolling Stock Resiliency Act\n\nWould protect U.S. jobs by prohibiting public transportation agencies from procuring rolling stock from foreign State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) with federal funds.\n\nThe Retirees to Rail Act\n\nWould permit experienced and trained retired railroad workers to temporarily return to their previous employment without a suspension of their retirement annuity.\n\nRep. Crawford is also a co-sponsor of Representative Troy Balderson's (OH-12) bill, The Rail Employee Training Modernization Act, which would permit rail companies to offer the classroom portion of their training through virtual instruction.\n\n\"Soviet-style empty store shelves are unacceptable in America. We must address gaps in our supply chain to return to the days when Americans could be confident they would find what they need at their local markets and other retail outlets,\" Crawford concluded.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-assault-weapon-ban", "Westerman Statement on Assault Weapon Ban", "2022-07-29", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - In reaction to the U.S. House of Representative's passage of the Assault Weapons Ban, Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement:\n\n\"This bill has an irresponsibly broad definition of \u2018semiautomatic assault weapon\u2019 that would instantly outlaw the further sale of guns currently held by nearly 25 million Americans, while doing nothing to address the root causes of violence,\" said Congressman Westerman. \"The previous attempt to ban assault weapons in 1994 had virtually no effect on violent crime. Sadly, people intent on evil will perform evil with whatever weapons are available to them; legal or illegal. This ban infringes on law-abiding Americans\u2019 Second Amendment rights. I look forward to the day Democrats want to work together to address the true causes of violent crime instead of scoring empty political points with leftist lobbyists.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-on-gdp-report-biden-s-runaway-inflation-and-shrinking-economy-spell-disaster-for-rural-america", "Rep. Crawford on GDP Report:\u00a0\"Biden\u2019s runaway inflation and shrinking economy spell disaster for rural America\u201d", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford on GDP Report: \"Biden's runaway inflation and shrinking economy spell disaster for rural America\"\n\n7/28/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the economy contracted 0.9% in the second quarter of 2022, after shrinking 1.6% in the first quarter. This marks the second quarter in a row that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen \u2013 confirming that America is in a recession.\n\n\"Families in rural America, already being hammered by President Biden's runaway inflation, must now contend with the Biden recession. He stacked his Administration with Leftist ideologues, but few have an understanding of rural America, let alone an affinity for it. My constituents are paying the price for this disconnect,\" Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) responded.\n\nOhio State researchers report that inflation is slamming rural families far worse than urban families. Meanwhile, the same White House that told us inflation was merely \"transitory\" is now telling us the recession is not a recession.\n\n\"President Biden and the Congressional Democrats who do his bidding clearly have no solutions for the U.S. economy. In fact, they seem completely divorced from the concerns of middle class families,\" Crawford added.\n\n\"The hype about Joe Biden was that he would bring quiet competence to the White House. Instead, we have indifference and incompetence. I will continue to work to defeat his economic policies and press for a complete overhaul of his failed economic team,\" Crawford concluded.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-comprehensive-health-care-reform", "Westerman Introduces Comprehensive Health Care Reform", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) introduced the Fair Care Act of 2022, a comprehensive health care reform plan that combines over 75 bipartisan proposals to lower costs, decrease the number of uninsured individuals, protect those with preexisting conditions, and expand coverage options. The members released the following statement:\n\n\"Republicans and Democrats alike can agree that our health care system is broken and in desperate need of reform. Health care doesn't have to be an issue that divides us,\" said Rep. Westerman. \"It is possible to loosen the grip of Big Government on our health care system, while lowering costs, and reducing the number of uninsured Americans. The Fair Care Act is all about putting families' hard earned tax dollars back into their pockets so they can make their own choices about what health care coverage is best for them. I am confident that through the Fair Care Act, affordable health care is possible for every American.\"\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve a health care system that puts families first and provides them peace of mind when they get sick or injured,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cDespite significant efforts to control costs and increase access to care, far too many Americans and businesses are struggling to find health insurance that is both affordable and will meet their needs. The Fair Care Act is a serious effort to finally put market forces to the test to promote efficiency, improve the quality of services, develop more choices for consumers, and ensure patients are receiving valued care for their money. This legislation charts a path forward that will provide certainty to families without breaking the fiscal bank. Perhaps most importantly, I believe it\u2019s a proposal that can draw support across the political spectrum. It\u2019s a step in the right direction, and I\u2019m proud to support it.\u201d\n\nStakeholder support:\n\n\u201cWe applaud Rep. Westerman for introducing the Fair Care Act, a set of policies aimed at giving Americans a personal option in health care,\" said Dean Clancy, Sr Health Policy Fellow, Americans for Prosperity. \"By putting patients \u2013 not bureaucrats \u2013 in the driver\u2019s seat, these reforms will lead to lower prices, better quality, and no more surprises when it comes to the cost of care. If enacted, the policies in the Fair Care Act will increase access to personalized, affordable health care solutions that every American can rely on. We hope lawmakers will support this and similar proposals.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe Fair Care Act of 2022 is the third version of the Fair Care Act of 2019, crafted with more than 75 bipartisan provisions.\n\nSome of the Fair Care Act of 2022 improvements include:\n\nCodifying the Affordable Care Act preexisting condition protections in HIPAA.\n\nOffering greater protections for patients with preexisting conditions through an \"Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Risk Pool\" and guaranteed coverage Medigap plans.\n\nEliminating the employer health insurance mandate and allowing those with Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offers to receive premium assistance.\n\nStrengthening and increasing enrollment in the commercial marketplace through expanded assistance to 600 percent FPL and state innovation waivers.\n\nExpanding the use of pretax dollars to cover more medical expenses, including insurance premiums and direct primary care arrangements.\n\nPromoting transparency by publishing provider networks and prices for common services.\n\nRequiring medical providers to send timely, transparent bills to patients.\n\nDiscouraging hospital consolidation and anti-competitive behavior while protecting rural hospitals from closures.\n\nModernizing the prescription drug approval process to bring safe, effective medicine to patients faster.\n\nReforming Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices, including eliminating Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fees.\n\nExpanding the number of health professionals that can provide telehealth services.\n\nModernizing Medicare enrollment through a competitive bidding process, which promotes Medicare Advantage plans.\n\nEstablishing a flexible Medicaid funding option for states and closing the gap between Medicaid eligibility and premium assistance in the individual market.\n\nPromoting fiscal accountability and solvency for Medicare and Medicaid.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-answers-about-bidens-proposed-title-ix-gender-identity-rule-in-schools", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About Biden\u2019s Proposed Title IX \u201cGender Identity\u201d Rule in Schools", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 28, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About Biden\u2019s Proposed Title IX \u201cGender Identity\u201d Rule in Schools\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona demanding answers about the Department of Education\u2019s intention to include \u201cgender identity\u201d as a protected category under Title IX.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cThe Biden administration claims that Title IX, which was written to provide equal opportunities to women, protects men claiming to be women on the basis of their \u201cgender identity.\u201d Consequently, your department has suggested that schools which prohibit males from using women\u2019s bathrooms or playing women\u2019s sports could be guilty of unlawful \u201cdiscrimination.\u201d Your interpretation of Title IX will undermine that law\u2019s very purpose by making schools and sports unsafe and unfair for women and girls.\u201d\n\n\u201cEqually disturbing is the likelihood that your department will weaponize Title IX to force a radical gender ideology in K-12 classrooms. A number of troubling incidents suggest how your interpretation of Title IX could erode women\u2019s rights, free-speech rights, parental rights, and children\u2019s safety and innocence,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nAttn: Title IX Rulemaking\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nWe write regarding the Department of Education\u2019s intention to unlawfully include \u201cgender identity\u201d as a protected category under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. \u00a7 1681). The Biden administration claims that Title IX, which was written to provide equal opportunities to women, protects men claiming to be women on the basis of their \u201cgender identity.\u201d Consequently, your department has suggested that schools which prohibit males from using women\u2019s bathrooms or playing women\u2019s sports could be guilty of unlawful \u201cdiscrimination.\u201d Your interpretation of Title IX will undermine that law\u2019s very purpose by making schools and sports unsafe and unfair for women and girls.\n\nEqually disturbing is the likelihood that your department will weaponize Title IX to force a radical gender ideology in K-12 classrooms. A number of troubling incidents suggest how your interpretation of Title IX could erode women\u2019s rights, free-speech rights, parental rights, and children\u2019s safety and innocence. Given these concerns, please respond to the following questions by Monday, August 15, 2022.\n\n1.A middle school in Wisconsin recently filed a complaint under Title IX against three students for choosing not to refer to another student by her preferred pronouns. Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for a student to refuse to call someone by pronouns that do not correspond to their biological sex?\n\n2.A school in Virginia suspended a teacher, Tanner Cross, for refusing to use a child\u2019s \u201cpreferred\u201d pronouns and cited Title IX as one justification. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school employee to refuse to refer to a student or colleague by their preferred name or pronouns? If yes, would teachers with religious or conscientious objections be given an exemption?\n\n3.When Florida passed a law to protect K-3 students from inappropriate classroom instruction, you implied it might run afoul of Title IX. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school, district, or state to limit a school employee\u2019s ability to discuss \u201cgender identity\u201d with young children? Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for any school, district, or state to discipline a teacher\u2019s or school employee\u2019s discussion of the aforementioned topic with young children?\n\n4.Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for any school, district, or state to refuse to provide puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to \u201caffirm\u201d a students\u2019 \u201cgender identity\u201d at a school health clinic?\n\n5.In order to comply with the Obama administration\u2019s \u201cDear Colleague letter\u201d on Title IX, a Chicago public school chose to treat a girl as a boy and override the parents\u2019 expressed wish to treat their daughter according to her biological sex. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX to treat a child according to their biological sex if the parents requested this, but the child preferred a different \u201cgender identity\u201d?\n\n6.An alarming number of schools deceive parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender transition\u201d by withholding information about their child\u2019s \u201cgender identity.\u201d Your proposed rules favorably cite policies from California and Washoe County, Nevada, which forbid school staff from notifying parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender identity.\u201d Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school employee or student to notify or inform parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender transition\u201d or alleged \u201cgender identity\u201d?\n\n7.The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guarantees parents\u2019 \u201cright to inspect and review the education records their children.\u201d Under your proposed rule, would a school be allowed to deny parents access to a child\u2019s educational records, including sensitive information about their purported \u201cgender identity,\u201d for any reason? Under what circumstances could a school deny parents their right to inspect and review their children\u2019s records?\n\n8.In Loudon County, Virginia, a girl was raped in the girl\u2019s bathroom by a boy who \u201cidentifies\u201d as \u201cgender fluid.\u201d Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX to deny a boy who claimed a different \u201cgender identity\u201d access to the girl\u2019s bathroom?\n\n9.A male student at the University of Pennsylvania who claims to be a woman, Lia Thomas, has caused discomfort through his presence and behavior in the women\u2019s locker room. Would it be discriminatory or a violation of Title IX to deny a boy who claimed a \u201cgender identity\u201d that did not correspond with his biological sex to use a girl\u2019s locker room?\n\n10.You have claimed that your proposed rule will not address women\u2019s sports, yet your agency appears to be enforcing Title IX to effectively end women\u2019s sports teams. Last June, your department signed onto a statement of interest, led by the Department of Justice, arguing that West Virginia\u2019s law to prevent biological males from participating in female athletics is a violation of Title IX. Would it be a violation of Title IX to deny a biological male who claimed a \u201cgender identity\u201d that did not correspond with his biological sex to join a women\u2019s sports team?\n\nThank you for your attention to this important manner.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-asks-blackrock-to-explain-its-inadequate-response-to-antitrust-concerns-from-esg-scam", "Cotton Asks BlackRock to Explain its Inadequate Response to Antitrust Concerns from ESG Scam", "2022-07-27", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 27, 2022\n\nCotton Asks BlackRock to Explain its Inadequate Response to Antitrust Concerns from ESG Scam\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) last night sent a second letter to Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc., reiterating his demand for answers about the firm\u2019s involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas that may violate antitrust law.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cBlackRock\u2019s intimation that it set boundaries when joining CA100+ is unconvincing, as the statement mirrors CA100+\u2019s own language on its website. And if this was a response to my letter, it did not answer my questions.\u201d\n\n\u201cBlackRock\u2019s statement raises additional questions about its commitments to the CA100+ initiative. Many of the commitments investor participants make when joining CA100+ raise potential antitrust issues,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nMr. Larry Fink\n\nChairman and Chief Executive Officer\n\nBlackRock Inc.\n\n55 East 52nd Street\n\nNew York, NY 10055\n\nDear Mr. Fink,\n\nOn July 13, I sent you a letter inquiring about BlackRock\u2019s involvement with Climate Action 100+ (\u201cCA100+\u201d).\n\nThough BlackRock failed to provide my office with a response, it did respond to a request for a statement by \u201cresponsible-investor.com.\u201d BlackRock\u2019s statement to the website was:\n\nBlackRock joined Climate Action 100+ to participate in dialogue with companies and financial institutions on matters important to our clients. As we made clear to CA100+ when we joined, BlackRock acts independently in its investment decisions. We do not co-ordinate investment decisions with any members of Climate Action 100+, and we do not buy, sell, hold or vote our shares together with any Climate Action 100+ signatory. As fiduciaries to our clients, we consistently prioritise the long-term economic interests of our clients above any commitments or pledges not required by law.\n\nBlackRock\u2019s intimation that it set boundaries when joining CA100+ is unconvincing, as the statement mirrors CA100+\u2019s own language on its website. And if this was a response to my letter, it did not answer my questions.\n\nBlackRock\u2019s statement raises additional questions about its commitments to the CA100+ initiative. Many of the commitments investor participants make when joining CA100+ raise potential antitrust issues. For example, based on CA100+\u2019s website:\n\n\u2022\u201cinvestors commit to engaging with at least one of 166 focus companies . . . and to seek commitments on the initiative\u2019s key asks\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are required to \u201cwork cooperatively with a number of collaborating investors\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are \u201crequired to share information with the engagement working group and the coordinating investor network\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are \u201crequired to liaise with relevant network staff and/or lead investors to ensure engagement priorities and ambition are aligned with the goals of the initiative, as well as with the overall collaborative approach\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are required to \u201cdisclose through a bi-annual survey their engagement plans and priorities over the coming 12 months to ensure strong and concerted action\u201d; and\n\n\u2022investors are required to warn focus companies that \u201cinaction by companies following engagement may result in investors taking further action.\u201d\n\nIn light of these commitments that BlackRock made when becoming a CA100+ \u201cinvestor participant,\u201d please provide answers to the following questions by August 2, 2022:\n\n1.Has BlackRock followed through on its intention to \u201cparticipate in dialogue with companies and financial institutions\u201d as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each company and financial institution BlackRock engaged in \u201cdialogue\u201d with, and explain what was discussed during such \u201cdialogue.\u201d\n\n2.In light of BlackRock\u2019s insistence that it \u201cacts independently\u201d and \u201cdo[es] not co-ordinate\u201d with other CA100+ members, does BlackRock count itself among the CA100+ \u201cinvestors [that] recognise that unprecedented cross-sector collaboration is required to achieve net zero across the global economy\u201d?\n\n3.Has Blackrock fulfilled the CA100+ commitments listed above? If so, please identify:\n\na.the companies BlackRock has engaged with;\n\nb.the investors BlackRock has collaborated with;\n\nc.the investors BlackRock has shared information with;\n\nd.the investors and network staff BlackRock has liaised with; and\n\ne.the companies BlackRock has threatened with \u201cfurther action.\u201d\n\nIn addition, please provide a copy of all bi-annual surveys BlackRock has prepared for CA100+.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-visits-southern-border-with-house-intelligence-committee-members", "Rep. Crawford Visits Southern Border with House Intelligence Committee Members", "2022-07-25", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Visits Southern Border with House Intelligence Committee Members\n\n\"No wonder Biden refuses to visit the border\"\n\n7/25/2022\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/07/IMG-2368-2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1869\"/>\n\nWashington \u2014 On July 21st and 22nd, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) and colleagues visited El Paso, TX to tour the southern border and meet with border patrol (CBP) and other officials who have been closely monitoring the crisis there.\n\nLast week, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas spoke at a forum in which he once again absurdly claimed that the southern border is secure. However, CBP officials have reported more than two million border encounters over the last 12 months, including a startling number of transnational gang members and known or suspected terrorists. As members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), Crawford, along with Reps. Michael Turner and Brad Wenstrup, wanted to review firsthand the national security threats that could cross over the border and into the United States.\n\n\"What border agents reported to us in our meetings confirms that President Biden's open border policies are a disaster. He has put our national security at risk by refusing to enforce our laws, and Americans are less safe as a result. Violent criminals, gang members, sex traffickers, and others who wish to do us harm have been among the millions who have sought illegal entry into our nation in the last year. No wonder Biden refuses to visit the border,\" said Rep. Crawford.\n\nThis was Crawford's second trip to the southern border since President Biden took office.\n\nBiden has never visited the border in his 79 years of life to date, including 36 years as a U.S. Senator, four as Vice President and a year and a half as President. It's an appalling record of disinterest in our national sovereignty and a failure to protect public safety.\n\n\"My advice for President Biden, once he has defeated his Covid infection, is to get off the beaches of Delaware and out of his fake White House set and finally visit the border to engage with our border agents. They have been put in an unenviable position, with minimal resources to do their job effectively and unrelenting hostility from his Administration. I have to believe that if he set foot on ground zero of his border failures, the President would stand up to his \u2018no borders' extremist base, and finally take steps to secure our nation,\" Crawford said.\n\n######", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-amendment-to-prohibit-companies-from-expanding-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-china", "Cotton Introduces Amendment to Prohibit Companies from Expanding Semiconductor Manufacturing in China", "2022-07-25", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 25, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Amendment to Prohibit Companies from Expanding Semiconductor Manufacturing in China\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced an amendment to the CHIPS+ package to prohibit companies that receive federal grants and tax credits from expanding semiconductor production in China. Text of the amendment may be found here.\n\n\u201cWe should be bolstering manufacturing at home\u2014not expanding abroad. My amendment will ensure companies that receive taxpayer funds can\u2019t turn around and build more factories in China,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nThis amendment would:\n\nEliminate loopholes that would allow semiconductor companies to take taxpayer money while expanding production of so-called \u201clegacy semiconductors\u201d in China.\n\nEliminate a \u201cMitigation\u201d process that would allow semiconductor companies to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing in China and keep CHIPS grant money while keeping taxpayer funds.\n\nProvide a more comprehensive definition of \u201csemiconductor manufacturing\u201d so that companies cannot take taxpayer money and move other parts of their manufacturing supply chains like testing, packaging, and R&D to China.\n\nEliminate other loopholes that companies could use to argue with the Department of Commerce about whether their activities in China disqualify them from receiving taxpayer funds.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-participates-in-state-of-steel-industry-hearing", "Rep. Crawford Participates in State of Steel Industry Hearing", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "7/21/2022\n\nWashington \u2013 Yesterday, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01), Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, joined the Caucus in hosting a hearing on the state of the steel industry.\n\nRep. Crawford voiced concern over China's continued adversarial actions toward the U.S. steel industry. Steel industry officials voiced support for Section 232 tariffs, but implored Congress and the Administration to enforce and strengthen current trade laws.\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/07/image002-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1860\"/>\n\n\"A robust U.S. steel industry is critical to our nation's infrastructure, economy, and national security. Unfortunately, steel producers are forced to contend with bad actors who engage in unfair trade practices. I'm glad to once again join my colleagues on the Congressional Steel Caucus to hear from leaders within the steel industry to determine how we as lawmakers can work together to protect good-paying, highly-skilled American jobs,\" said Rep. Crawford.\n\nA video of the hearing is available here.\n\n\"Northeast Arkansas has a booming steel industry,\" Crawford added. \"It has the workforce, the infrastructure, and the strategic location to continue to create jobs around steel and related industries. Companies producing steel in Arkansas can compete and win against China and other nations, but we need to give them a level playing field.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-president-bidens-remarks-about-taiwan", "Cotton Statement on President Biden\u2019s Remarks About Taiwan", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 21, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on President Biden\u2019s Remarks About Taiwan\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after President Biden\u2019s comment discouraging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) from visiting Taiwan:\n\n\u201cThis pathetic self-deterrence is a mistake, and it will invite more aggression.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-wagner-bills", "House Passes Westerman, Wagner Bills", "2022-07-20", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed several Republican bills, including H.R. 7693, the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).\n\n\"I'm so pleased to see these bipartisan efforts passing the House and making their way to the Senate,\" Westerman said. \"By reauthorizing the National Park Foundation, we will reduce deferred maintenance at our national parks, advance public-private partnerships, and address pressing issues like park overcrowding by incentivizing innovative private-sector solutions. We've already seen this work in action at iconic sites like Yellowstone, making everyone's experience at our national parks more enjoyable. This legislation and others that moved forward today will advance our shared goals of scientific conservation and shared stewardship of our resources. I'm honored to stand for these priorities and look forward to seeing them signed into law.\"\n\nBackground\n\nIn total, the House passed nine Natural Resources Committee bills, including:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-raises-inflation-challenges-to-sec-buttigieg-in-transportation-and-infrastructure-hearing", "Rep. Crawford Raises Inflation Challenges to Sec. Buttigieg in Transportation and Infrastructure Hearing", "2022-07-19", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Raises Inflation Challenges to Sec. Buttigieg in Transportation and Infrastructure Hearing\n\n7/19/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) participated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled, \"Implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\" Rep. Crawford raised the challenges inflation poses to contractors, deterring them from bidding on infrastructure projects due to the risk that raw materials costs could rise substantially from the date of bid submission to the date they are able to purchase materials and begin construction. Cost escalation is also making it harder for U.S. companies to compete against government-subsidized companies from adversarial nations such as China, subsidies that allow foreign competitors to undercut the bids of American contractors.\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/07/image001.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1849\"/>Hearing excerpts follow. Rep. Crawford's full remarks from the hearing can be found here.\n\nRep. Crawford:\n\n\"[Inflation is] wreaking havoc on our economy, it's destroying transportation businesses, which includes the small suppliers and disadvantaged businesses that work in that space. Companies just can't afford this inflation and shoulder that risk. But what's worse is that it's creating a vacuum in the marketplace that allows for foreign companies to come in and further decimate U.S. industries and the U.S. economy. So my question is can D.O.T. provide guidance to states and other recipients that inflation adjustments are required in transportation contracts?\"\n\nSec. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation:\n\n\"Cost containment is a major focus for us right now in implementing the law because we are hearing this from both project sponsors and the business community. The impact of cost escalation and inflation is unquestionably going to affect our ability to deliver. I'm less sure that this is something that is going to put U.S companies at a disadvantage to international companies for the simple reason that inflation is international. I was just in Germany a few months ago and inflation there is somewhere around 8 to 9%, so a German company I would imagine would face the same kind of cost escalation.\"\n\nRep. Crawford:\n\n\"With respect, I'm less concerned about a German company and more concerned with a Chinese company which subsidize at a much higher rate than anybody else. They do that obviously for reasons to disrupt our economy and to jeopardize our national security so that's my focus, to make sure we're not creating an opportunity for Chinese state-owned enterprises to come in and occupy space that should be occupied by U.S. businesses and particularly these Disadvantaged Business Enterprises that we're trying to ensure have an opportunity to perform in that marketplace but let me move on for the sake of time. Has D.O.T. performed a legal analysis to see what is possible to address inflation in the contracting process? Are contracts firm, fixed, or are there any provisions in place for them to address this inflation?\"\n\nSec. Pete Buttigieg:\n\n\"I have not addressed imposing additional requirements on the states for this purpose but we can look into that. Often contracts will have a contingency factor that can affect any unanticipated pressure on prices. It would depend on the certain program involved and what those contracts look like. I would certainly welcome a chance to work with your office to see if you'd agree that's adequately contemplated in contract framework.\" [End of excerpt.]\n\nRunaway inflation harms not just families shopping for food or filling their gas tank. It also causes state and local governments to pick up the tab for project shortfalls as federal funds run dry, or pushes the costs onto private contractors who must pay out of pocket to complete a project that costs significantly more than when they submitted their bid. Rep. Crawford met with road and transportation builders last week to discuss the rising costs of materials that have made project expense predictions unreliable. He remains focused on ways to reduce inflation, improve contract provisions to protect contractors from the \"inflation tax\" disrupting their businesses, and enhance the efficiency of the processes used to deliver federal funding to local communities to expedite the commencement of infrastructure projects.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-reacts-to-itc-vote-on-fertilizer-imports", "Crawford Reacts to ITC Vote on Fertilizer Imports", "2022-07-18", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nCrawford Reacts to ITC Vote on Fertilizer Imports\n\n7/18/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) issued a decision that will help increase the supply of an important fertilizer, and lower its price for U.S. farmers, a step that will reduce some of the upward pressure on food prices. The decision reflects a position Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) has been advocating as fertilizer prices have soared.\n\nUSITC determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of urea ammonium nitrate solutions from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.\n\nAs a result of the Commission's negative determinations, Commerce will not issue countervailing duty orders and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago.\n\nCrawford released the following statement in response to the vote:\n\n\"Record high inflation has greatly hindered farmers' ability to keep their businesses profitable and ensure food at the grocery store remains affordable. This is a step in the right direction to lower farmers' input costs so they can continue to grow the safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply in the world.\"\n\nCrawford has participated in several Congressional letters urging action to reduce fertilizer costs by facilitating increased imports:\n\n\u00b7 July 2022 letter to President Biden\n\n\u00b7 June 2022 letter to Department of Commerce\n\n\u00b7 March 2022 letter to U.S. International Trade Commission\n\n\"Food security is national security, and we have an obligation to safeguard our ability to clothe and feed ourselves,\" Rep. Crawford added.\n\nThe Commission's public report Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-668-669 and 731-TA-1565-1566 (Final), USITC Publication 5338, August 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.\n\nThe report will be available by August 22, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-votes-in-support-of-defense-funding", "Crawford votes in Support of Defense Funding", "2022-07-15", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nCrawford votes in Support of Defense Funding\n\n7/14/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted today in support of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would authorize spending for the Department of Defense (DOD) for the 2023 fiscal year.\n\n\"To keep our military the strongest in the world we must ensure they have the proper resources,\" Rep. Crawford said. \"This legislation invests in programs vital to our national defense, while pushing against woke policies that distract from the mission of our military \u2013 to keep us safe.\"\n\nIn addition to the military funding, the bill also authorizes a series of policy priorities and reforms within the DOD.\n\nThe FY 23 NDAA includes the following:\n\nRequires the DOD Inspector General to regularly carry out comprehensive reviews and audits of all assistance provided to Ukraine.\n\nA 4.6% pay increase for all service members and a 2.4% pay bonus for all enlisted personnel.\n\nFully funds the National Guard's operation and maintenance account that would support a border deployment.\n\nEnsures those discharged from the military for refusing the COVID vaccine receive an honorable discharge and full veteran benefits.\n\nReverses dangerous cuts to our defense operations and weaponry.\n\n\"Providing for our veterans and keeping Americans safe should never be a partisan issue and that starts with passing this critical piece of legislation in a timely manner,\" Rep. Crawford added.\n\n#######", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-investigation-into-us-attorneys-apparent-violation-of-hatch-act", "Cotton Demands Investigation into U.S. Attorney\u2019s Apparent Violation of Hatch Act", "2022-07-15", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 15, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Investigation into U.S. Attorney\u2019s Apparent Violation of Hatch Act\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding an investigation into an apparent violation of the Hatch Act by Rachael Rollins, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cIt has been publicly reported that Ms. Rollins attended a high-dollar political fundraiser at a private home in Andover, Massachusetts yesterday. The fundraiser, which featured First Lady Jill Biden and began during typical business hours, was one that Ms. Rollins attended in her official capacity as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She reportedly even used a vehicle with government license plates to travel to and from the event.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hatch Act expressly prohibits covered federal employees, such as Ms. Rollins, from using their official positions for partisan political purposes, including attending partisan political events in their official capacities. The Hatch Act is intended to prevent the use of official resources for partisan political purposes, but it is also intended to maintain a politically neutral workplace. This is especially true in the context of a United States Attorney, who is supposed to act as a nonpartisan law enforcement official rather than as a partisan politician. Given the apparent blatant violation in this case, I urge you to conduct an investigation into Ms. Rollins\u2019s conduct,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Michael Horowitz, Inspector General\n\nUnited States Department of Justice\n\nOffice of the Inspector General\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Inspector General Horowitz:\n\nI write regarding a potential Hatch Act violation by Rachael Rollins, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.\n\nIt has been publicly reported that Ms. Rollins attended a high-dollar political fundraiser at a private home in Andover, Massachusetts yesterday. The fundraiser, which featured First Lady Jill Biden and began during typical business hours, was one that Ms. Rollins attended in her official capacity as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She reportedly even used a vehicle with government license plates to travel to and from the event.\n\nThe Hatch Act expressly prohibits covered federal employees, such as Ms. Rollins, from using their official positions for partisan political purposes, including attending partisan political events in their official capacities. The Hatch Act is intended to prevent the use of official resources for partisan political purposes, but it is also intended to maintain a politically neutral workplace. This is especially true in the context of a United States Attorney, who is supposed to act as a nonpartisan law enforcement official rather than as a partisan politician. Given the apparent blatant violation in this case, I urge you to conduct an investigation into Ms. Rollins\u2019s conduct.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-discusses-infrastructure-and-inflation-with-road-and-transportation-builders", "Rep. Crawford Discusses Infrastructure and Inflation with Road and Transportation Builders", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Discusses Infrastructure and Inflation with Road and Transportation Builders\n\n7/14/2022\n\nWashington \u2014 Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) participated on a panel with industry officials regarding public-private partnerships in infrastructure. The event was hosted by American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).\n\nsites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/07/image002.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1830\"/> sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2022/07/image003.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1831\"/>\n\nChallenges regarding the cost of infrastructure projects as inflation has soared to a 41-year-high were at the center of the discussion. One attendee noted that project bids submitted just a few months ago are already underpriced as input costs keep rising.\n\n\"The federal government doesn't build roads, it gives funding to help build roads,\" said Rep. Crawford. \"The efficiency with which that money is delivered needs to be significantly improved. Your costs are rising every week and month that the U.S. Department of Transportation delays in getting that capital to you.\"\n\nAnother member of the ARTBA brought up President Biden's proposed gas tax holiday, which is a concern for the highway industry.\n\n\"A gas tax holiday would hurt one of the main revenue streams we have for infrastructure investment,\" Crawford noted, \"compounding the challenges the current gas tax structure increasingly will pose in the years ahead.\"\n\nCrawford also addressed the difficult terrain facing the transportation industry as the costs of fuel, labor, and supplies continue to rise.\n\n\"For the first time in a generation, our nation faces significant inflation. The House Transportation and Infrastructure committee must, and will, respond to this crisis in ways that will allow us to continue to invest in critical infrastructure. This, in turn, will help grow our economy and relax the added inflationary pressures caused by supply chain bottlenecks.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-blackrock-about-involvement-with-climate-action-100-potential-antitrust-violations", "Cotton Demands Answers from BlackRock About Involvement with Climate Action 100+, Potential Antitrust Violations", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 14, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from BlackRock About Involvement with Climate Action 100+, Potential Antitrust Violations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) last night sent a letter to Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc., demanding answers about the firm\u2019s involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas that may violate antitrust law.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cBlackRock is an \u2018investor participant\u2019 in Climate Action 100+ (\u2018CA100+\u2019), \u2018an investor-led initiative\u2019 to pressure \u2018the world\u2019s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters [to] take necessary action on climate change\u2019 like, for example, pressuring oil companies to drill for less oil. According to CA100+, \u2018investor participants\u2019 are \u2018signatories to the initiative and are responsible for direct engagements with focus companies\u2019 that directly compete with one another.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour anti-drilling coercion threatens our national security, hurts Americans struggling to buy a tank of gas, and appears to violate antitrust laws. Specifically, by engaging with competing \u2018focus companies,\u2019 CA100+ investor participants appear to be running a spoke-and-hub conspiracy to restrict the supply of fossil fuels and impose various other unlawful restraints on trade. By \u2018collaborating\u2019 with other investors, you and your fellow CA100+ investor participants appear to be acting like a climate cartel,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nMr. Larry Fink\n\nChairman and Chief Executive Officer\n\nBlackRock Inc.\n\n55 East 52nd Street\n\nNew York, NY 10055\n\nDear Mr. Fink,\n\nI'm writing about your involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas.\n\nBlackRock is an \"investor participant\" in Climate Action 100+ (\"CA100+\"), \"an investor-led initiative\" to pressure \"the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters [to] take necessary action on climate change\" like, for example, pressuring oil companies to drill for less oil. According to CA100+, \"investor participants\" are \"signatories to the initiative and are responsible for direct engagements with focus companies\" that directly compete with one another.\n\nYour anti-drilling coercion threatens our national security, hurts Americans struggling to buy a tank of gas, and appears to violate antitrust laws. Specifically, by engaging with competing \"focus companies,\" CA100+ investor participants appear to be running a spoke-and-hub conspiracy to restrict the supply of fossil fuels and impose various other unlawful restraints on trade. By \"collaborating\" with other investors, you and your fellow CA100+ investor participants appear to be acting like a climate cartel.\n\nIn light of the growing concerns about anti-competitive ESG activities, many law firms have begun offering antitrust counsel to clients participating in initiatives like CA100+.\n\nPlease provide answers to the following questions by July 20, 2022:\n\nHas BlackRock engaged with any focus companies as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each focus company.\n\nHas BlackRock collaborated with any other investor participants as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each investor participant.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-latest-abysmal-inflation-report", "Rep. Crawford Responds to Latest Abysmal Inflation Report", "2022-07-13", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nWashington \u2014 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that inflation over the last 12 months reached 9.1% in June, further eroding the buying power of the American people. It's the highest rate in more than 40 years.\n\n\"The recklessness of the Biden Democrats knows no bounds,astoday's dreadful inflation reportdemonstrates,\" Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) responded.\n\nUndeterred, Beltway Democrats are still working to pass another reconciliation bill that will further flood the economy with inflationary spending now, while allegedly offsetting that spending down the road.\n\n\"Thiseconomic malpracticeis whatresults when you hand over your party to economically illiterate Leftist ideologues,\" Crawford added.\n\nPresident Biden, meanwhile, is currently in Saudi Arabia, imploring that nation to increase its oil production.\n\n\"After waging war against U.S. energy production since the day he took office, the president is now hat-in-hand, begging the Saudis to let us import more of their fossil fuels. The American people will get their chance to weigh in on this incompetence in a few short months,\" Crawford concluded.\n\nUnder the Biden Administration\n\nGas is up 59.9%\n\nElectricity is up 13.7%\n\nFood at home is up 12.2%\n\nTransportation is up 8.8%\n\nNew Cars are up 11.4%\n\nFood away from home is up 7.7%\n\nUsed cars are up 7.1%\n\nShelter is up 5.6%\n\nApparel is up 5.2%\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-applauds-progress-in-addressing-india-s-wto-violations", "Rep. Crawford Applauds Progress in Addressing India\u2019s WTO Violations", "2022-07-06", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nWashington \u2013 Last week, the United States and several other World Trade Organization (WTO) Members announced during WTO meetings here that they are taking an unprecedented path of action by initiating consultations with India on their trade-distorting rice subsidies.\n\nCurrent WTO rules allow governments to subsidize up to 10% of the value of commodity production; however, the Indian government continues to subsidize more than half of the value of production for several commodities, including rice and wheat. India's lack of rule-following, and the Biden Administration's lack of enforcement, have reshaped global agricultural production and trade channels by flooding the market with India-subsidized rice, unfairly penalizing American rice producers in export markets.\n\nCongressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued to the following statement following news of this progress:\n\n\"I appreciate the efforts by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and their colleagues at the USDA for starting to address these egregious WTO violations. This announcement is a long overdue step in the right direction in combatting bad actors like India and its rice subsidies to give our nation's agriculture producers a level playing field. The fight is far from over and I will continue to work to draw attention to these major concerns our rice producers are facing.\"\n\nRepresentatives Crawford and Mann led their colleagues on a letter earlier this month to President Biden, and in January to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to bring their attention to this important issue.\n\nClick here to read the July letter.\n\nClick here to read the January Letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-colleagues-introduce-house-companion-senator-grassleys-stop", "Westerman, Colleagues Introduce House Companion to Senator Grassley\u2019s Stop Pills That Kill Act", "2022-07-06", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joins Representatives Ken Buck (CO-04), David Joyce (OH-14), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), and Lou Correa (CA-46) in cosponsoring the House companion to Senator Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-IA) Stop Pills That Kill Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeks to deter narcotics traffickers and strengthen the nationwide fight against fentanyl by implementing new penalties for counterfeit pill production.\n\n\"In 2021, fentanyl overdose was the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45,\" said Congressman Westerman. \"This bipartisan legislation is another vital tool in our fight against these counterfeit narcotics that are destroying lives. We have seen too many tragedies in Arkansas and across the nation as a result of this deadly drug. We must protect our communities and ensure those who are peddling this poison are met with the strongest deterrents possible.\"\n\n\u201cIn Eastern Colorado and across the nation, families, businesses, and communities continue to face hardships due to the opioid epidemic,\u201d said Congressman Buck. \u201cAs this public health crisis continues to fester, this legislation\u2014supported by Republicans and Democrats in both Houses of Congress\u2014 will take an important step in a multifaceted approach to crack down on dangerous counterfeit pills that are killing Americans in droves.\u201d\n\n\u201cDrug traffickers are mass-producing fake pills, often with fentanyl, without any care as to who their poisons kill,\u201d said Congressman Joyce. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Rep. Buck in leading the effort to ramp up criminal penalties to deter this illegal activity, which has increasingly targeted minors and young adults. We cannot allow these criminals to continue to break apart families and threaten the safety of our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cArizona is in the midst of a tragic overdose crisis, and counterfeit pills from China and Mexico are driving so much of it. Drug traffickers are manufacturing counterfeit pills with deadly substances like methamphetamine and fentanyl, often selling the lookalikes over social media to teens and young adults,\u201d said Congressman Stanton. \u201cOur bipartisan bill will crack down on these drug traffickers and help save lives.\u201d\n\nThe Stop Pills That Kill Act applies the existing penalties for possessing paraphernalia for manufacturing methamphetamine to the paraphernalia for making counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and methamphetamine.\n\nThe bill instructs the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to create an in-depth plan for stopping the rapid spread of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine in communities across America. It also requires the Attorney General, in conjunction with the DEA and Office of National Drug Control, to submit an annual report to Congress on the risks of pills laced with illicit drugs, along with information on efforts to raise public awareness and actions from law enforcement to combat this scourge.\n\nIt is supported by the National District Attorneys Association, National Rural Health Association, National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Community Anti-Drug Coalition, National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Song for Charlie, and Victims of Illicit Drugs.\n\nFull bill text can be found by clicking HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-mann-lead-letter-urging-biden-admin-to-hold-india-accountable-for-world-trade-organization-violations", "Crawford & Mann lead letter urging Biden Admin to hold India accountable for World Trade Organization violations", "2022-07-05", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nCrawford & Mann lead letter urging Biden Admin to hold India accountable for World Trade Organization violations\n\n7/1/2022\n\nWashington - Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Tracey Mann (KS-01) led 12 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to hold India accountable for violating their World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments.\n\nCurrent WTO rules allow governments to subsidize up to 10% of the value of commodity production; however, the Indian government continues to subsidize more than half of the value of production for several commodities, including rice and wheat. India's lack of rule-following, and the Biden Administration's lack of enforcement, have reshaped the global agricultural production and trade channels by driving down prices, depressing production of rice and wheat commodities, and putting American producers at a disproportionate disadvantage.\n\n\"India's practices are dangerously trade-distorting on a global scale and impact U.S. farmers and ranchers,\" wrote the Members. \" We urge the Administration to fil[e] a formal request for consultations with India at the WTO and to continue monitoring other WTO member's domestic support programs that undermine fair trade practices. America must not yield for the sake of reaching consensus. Instead, America must work to promote solutions that will alleviate the global supply chain and food shortages, and America must take actions that will address those consumers most impacted by inflation and rising food prices.\"\n\nRepresentatives Crawford and Mann also led their colleagues on a letter in January to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging them to hold India accountable under the WTO rules, particularly regarding wheat and rice production.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-crawford-stefanik-introduce-agriculture-security-legislation-to-protect-us-agriculture-from-foreign-adversaries", "Reps Crawford & Stefanik Introduce Agriculture Security Legislation to Protect U.S. Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries", "2022-07-01", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nReps Crawford & Stefanik Introduce Agriculture Security Legislation to Protect U.S. Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries\n\n7/1/2022\n\nWashington \u2013 Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) are introducing the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act which will protect our national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of the United States' agriculture industry.\n\nAs a response to reports of China threatening America's food supply by acquiring U.S. farmland and agriculture companies, this bill will ensure the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is fully involved in reviewing our foreign adversaries' acquisition of American companies that may affect our agriculture sector.\n\n\"Adversarial nations, like China, continue to threaten our homeland, using tactics like buying American agriculture companies and stealing agriculture research to undermine our economy,\" said Rep. Crawford. \"Washington must realize that agriculture security in national security, and we have a duty to protect our food supply and those who produce it. I'm proud to work with Rep. Stefanik to draw attention to this critical threat and seek to defend American agriculture.\"\n\n\"Food security is national security, and I am proud to stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to exploit any potential vulnerability and assert control over our agriculture industry,\" said Rep. Stefanik. \"The United States cannot allow malign ownership bids of American assets by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the efforts of our farmers, whose hard work feeds and fuels our communities. Especially as we witness the devastating impact of a supply chain crisis, the United States cannot cede any ownership of our food supply to those who do not share our security interests.\"\n\nThe Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act:\n\nBlacklists China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing U.S. agriculture companies,\n\nIncludes agriculture and biotechnology related to agriculture as critical infrastructure,\n\nAdds the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security, and\n\nRequires reporting from the Secretary of Agriculture on the risk of foreign purchases of agriculture companies to the American agriculture sector.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 225, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "AR", "p1": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 225, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 127, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 98, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "AR", "label": "AR", "count": 225, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 225, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2022-07-01,https~3A~2F~2Fcrawford~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Freps-crawford-stefanik-introduce-agriculture-security-legislation-to-protect-us-agriculture-from-foreign-adversaries", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022&_next=2022-07-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fcrawford~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Freps-crawford-stefanik-introduce-agriculture-security-legislation-to-protect-us-agriculture-from-foreign-adversaries&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 161.0201708972454, "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"}