{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"IN\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/fox-news-exclusive-massive-ice-sweep-fuels-gop-push-to-lock-trump-immigration-crackdown-into-law/", "FOX NEWS\u00a0EXCLUSIVE:\u00a0Massive ICE Sweep Fuels GOP Push to Lock Trump Immigration Crackdown into Law", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Banks warns aggressive executive enforcement today won\u2019t survive a future administration without new legislation\n\nClick here to read the full story or read below.\n\nEXCLUSIVE: A massive five- day ICE operation that netted 426 arrests across Indiana is fueling Hoosier Sen. Jim Banks\u2019 push for Congress to cement President Donald Trump\u2019s immigration crackdown into law before a future administration can reverse course.\n\nBanks hailed \u201cOperation Safe Community: Indiana\u201d in a Fox News Digital interview this week after federal immigration officers fanned out across his home state from Aug. 30 through Sept. 3, arresting 426 people with records involving sex crimes, assault, domestic violence, drug trafficking and weapons offenses, according to ICE.\n\n\u201cThis is why Donald Trump was elected in 2024: for mass deportation,\u201d Banks told Fox News Digital. \u201cIt was one of his key agenda items during the campaign. And in this case in Indiana, you see the direct result of it.\u201d\n\nICE also credited cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies in carrying out the operation, something Republicans have flagged as a key aspect to successful enforcement.\n\nBut Banks argued the operation also underscores a limitation of Trump\u2019s crackdown: aggressive executive enforcement today does not guarantee that the same immigration policies survive the next administration.\n\n\u201cIt is important that we codify Trump border security measures and tough-on-immigration policies and make them the law of the land,\u201d he said.\n\nThe busts build on the lawmaker\u2019s seven-bill immigration package, previously reported by Fox News Digital, which targets issues including birthright citizenship, family-based immigration, H-1B visas, noncitizens\u2019 CDLs and congressional authority over Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to limit judicial intervention.\n\n\u201cIf this could happen in Indiana, it could happen anywhere,\u201d he added, arguing that the opposition has made it tougher to achieve immigration goals after displacing ICE from the 2025 immigration appropriations legislation.\n\n\u201cThey\u2019ve made that one of their biggest priorities in this Congress to defund our federal law enforcement, to stop ICE from doing their job, to deport violent criminals who are here illegally,\u201d he said.\n\n\u201cSo it is important that we codify Trump border security measures and tough-on-immigration policies and make them the law of the land so that the next time, God forbid, a Joe Biden ever gets elected back to the White House or someone that comes from that radical wing of the Democrat Party\u2026\u201d\n\nBanks also directed his frustration at his own party, criticizing the Republican-led Senate for failing to advance separate election legislation that he says should be another priority.\n\nMany on the right have pressed for passage of the SAVE Act, a bill requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s one of my biggest disappointments with this Republican Senate \u2013 we haven\u2019t passed [it],\u201d he said.\n\n\u201cI hope by the end of the year that we can find a way to pass it. I\u2019m going to keep fighting for it, but at the end of the day, the Trump administration and the Department of Justice is doing a lot crack down on illegals voting in our elections.\u201d\n\nIn a separate Indiana case, DHS arrested an illegal immigrant on Sept. 18 who had entered the U.S. during the Obama administration and later cast a federal ballot.\n\nICE Enforcement Division Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said the right to vote is the \u201ccornerstone of democracy\u201d in announcing the capture of Guatemalan national Helda Mendez-Merida for \u201cpoisoning our elections.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot allow that sacred right [to vote] to be perverted,\u201d she said.\n\nBanks said such incidents keep surfacing \u201cbecause Joe Biden and Democrats flooded our country with tens of millions of illegals \u2013 they\u2019re still here [and] mass deportation is important.\u201d\n\nSenate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has repeatedly pushed back on criticism he is not working hard enough to pass the SAVE Act or advance the Trump agenda.\n\nThune previously told Fox News Digital that he is an original co-sponsor of a previous version of the bill and that the 50-vote threshold needed to pass provisions that qualify for the parliamentary maneuver known as reconciliation remains a sticking point.\n\n\u201cI keep asking the question, am I the only one in this town that can count to 50? Because it seems like these questions recur and there are a lot of people out there who haven\u2019t seemed to internalize the fact that there aren\u2019t Democrats that are going to flip and vote for this,\u201d Thune said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-inside-indiana-business-banks-calls-for-grissom-to-be-new-u-s-space-academy-home/", "ICYMI: Inside Indiana Business:\u00a0Banks\u00a0Calls\u00a0for Grissom\u00a0to\u00a0Be\u00a0New U.S. Space Academy Home", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Click here to read the full story or read below.\n\nBunker Hill, Ind. \u00ad\u00ad\u2014 Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., wants a site in north central Indiana to become the new home of the U.S. Space Academy.\n\nIn a letter sent Thursday to Jared Isaacman, chairman of the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, Banks urged the commission to select Grissom Air Reserve Base and the surrounding Grissom Aeroplex as the site for the academy.\n\nBanks cited Grissom\u2019s connection to Lt. Col. Virgil \u201cGus\u201d Grissom, an Indiana native and the second American to fly in space. He also highlighted the site\u2019s \u201csubstantial capacity for future classrooms, housing, and training infrastructure, along with access to a 12,501-foot runway, one of the longest in the Midwest.\u201d\n\nPresident Donald Trump issued an order on Aug. 28 establishing the U.S. Space Academy and the commission, led by Isaacman, which will develop the framework for the academy and select a permanent physical location.\n\nThe order said the country must \u201cprepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warfighters and ensure that they are capable of advancing American interests in space.\u201d\n\nGrissom Air Reserve Base is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, which is equipped with the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and special taskings to generate aircraft and crews in support of the Air Mobility Command. The Grissom Aeroplex is a business park that encompasses more than 850 acres.\n\nIn his letter, Banks said Indiana offers the academic and industrial ecosystem necessary to support the Academy\u2019s long-term mission.\n\n\u201cThe state offers a low cost of living, leading STEM and research universities, and a growing aerospace, defense, and advanced-manufacturing workforce,\u201d Banks said. \u201cIndiana companies already contribute directly to America\u2019s space missions, including 21 suppliers supporting NASA\u2019s Artemis program. Locating the Space Academy at Grissom would give cadets access to this broader network and create opportunities to connect classroom education with hands-on experience across the civil, commercial, and national security sectors.\u201d\n\nThe commission is required to submit its report on establishing the academy to the president within 120 days of the order.\n\nYou can read the full letter from Banks by clicking here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-banks-king-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-veterans-access-to-high-cost-prescription-medication-in-state-homes/", "Sens. Banks, King Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Veterans\u2019 Access to High-Cost Prescription Medication in State Homes", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve access to high-cost prescription drugs for veterans living in state veterans\u2019 homes. TheProviding Veterans Essential Medications Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse state veterans\u2019 homes for high-cost medications or provide the drugs directly. Currently, VA only provides a limited per diem rate to cover drug costs, which is often insufficient.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cState veterans\u2019 homes should never have to turn away elderly and disabled veterans because lifesaving medications are too expensive. This bipartisan bill will help states cover those costs and expedite care for our nation\u2019s heroes.\u201d\n\nSen. Angus King (I-Maine): \u201cOur men and women in uniform didn\u2019t hesitate when it came time to answer the call and serve our nation \u2013 we shouldn\u2019t hesitate to make their retirement from service as comfortable as possible. If the VA covers veterans\u2019 medication when they are living at a private nursing home, those cost reimbursements should be the same when veterans choose to enter a facility that specializes in taking care of veterans. This bipartisan Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will ensure our veterans continue to receive the care they have earned, regardless of where they choose to live.\u201d\n\nIndiana Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs Director Jake Adams: \u201cVeterans have earned the peace of mind that comes with reliable, affordable access to the medications they depend on. The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act reinforces that commitment by ensuring state veterans\u2019 homes have the resources necessary to supply high-cost medications\u2014allowing them to serve more veterans who need specialized care.\u201d\n\nKey Provisions of the Providing Veterans Essential Medication Act:\n\nRequires the VA to reimburse state veterans\u2019 homes for prescription medications that cost more than the 8.5% applicable VA per diem rate.\n\nAllows the VA to provide high-cost medications directly to state veterans\u2019 homes as an alternative reimbursement.\n\nGives state veterans\u2019 homes the same type of support that the VA already provides to many private contract nursing homes.\n\nHelps prevent elderly and severely disabled veterans from being denied admission or discharged because of the cost of lifesaving medications.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe VA covers high-cost medications for eligible veterans living in VA community living centers and private contract nursing homes. However, veterans living in state veterans\u2019 homes do not receive the same coverage. Instead, they receive a daily per diem from the VA and are expected to use that payment to cover all necessary care, including prescription medications. Some lifesaving medications, including chemotherapy and cutting-edge cancer treatments, can cost as much as $20,000 per month \u2013 far exceeding the VA\u2019s daily payment. As a result, state veterans\u2019 home may struggle to absorb the costs, deny admission to severely disabled veterans, or discharge residents whose medications become too expensive.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-introduces-bills-to-protect-american-biotechnology-infrastructure-data-from-malicious-actors/", "Young Introduces Bills to Protect American Biotechnology Infrastructure, Data from Malicious Actors", "2026-09-26", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced two bills to protect biotechnology data and infrastructure from malicious actors.\n\nThe Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act would ensure that biotechnology and biomanufacturing infrastructure is protected as critical infrastructure. It would establish a mechanism to cover cross-sector infrastructure that does not neatly fall within current Critical Infrastructure Sectors designations.\n\nThe Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act would ensure coverage of genetic and other sensitive biometric data with the proper cybersecurity controls. The bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to designate systems handling genomic sequences and sensitive biometric data as critical infrastructure and also mandates collaboration between CISA and biotechnology stakeholders to create security protocols and synchronize security concerns across sectors.\n\n\u201cBiotechnology infrastructure and data are becoming vital to America\u2019s economic and national security,\u201d said NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.). \u201cJust as we are serious about where the sensitive data of Americans is stored and who can access it, we should be equally serious about protecting our biological data and infrastructure. Designating biotech as critical infrastructure is about recognizing its strategic importance and making sure the capabilities America will depend on tomorrow remain resilient and protected from foreign threats.\u201d\n\n\u201cCyberattacks that target the genetic information and other personal health information of Americans can have devastating consequences for patients, providers, and our national security. As we continue to see increasingly sophisticated attacks, it\u2019s important that our cybersecurity agencies have the tools that they need to protect American biotechnology and our public health,\u201d said Senator Hassan (D-N.H.). \u201cI am glad to introduce these bipartisan, commonsense bills that will keep Granite Staters healthy and safe.\u201d\n\nIn its April 2025 report to Congress, the NSCEB assessed that malicious actors will increasingly target the biotechnology sector\u2019s infrastructure and data. Critical biotechnology infrastructure, such as hospitals and agricultural facilities, have already faced numerous cyberattacks. Biological data are not currently treated or protected as a strategic national resource. These bills reflect NSCEB recommendations.\n\nThe bills were also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05), and Scott Peters (D-CA-50).\n\nA detailed summary of both bills can be found here.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-bennet-reintroduce-legislation-to-combat-national-eviction-crisis/", "Young, Bennet Reintroduce Legislation to Combat National Eviction Crisis", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), members of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced the Eviction Crisis Act of 2026. This legislation would address our urgent national eviction crisis, creating an emergency rental assistance program to reduce preventable evictions and making it easier for American families to stay securely housed.\n\n\u201cMany families are one unexpected expense away from losing the stability that comes with having a place to call home,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cThe Eviction Crisis Act would help prevent avoidable evictions by better coordinating tenants, landlords, and municipalities to address housing instability before it becomes a crisis. Passing this bill will help more Hoosiers families stay in their homes.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, an illness, a car accident, or a family emergency can lead to a family being evicted from their home and falling into a cycle of poverty,\u201d said Senator Bennet. \u201cThe hardship caused by eviction is agonizing for the millions of American families facing it every year, and that harm reverberates across our communities. As a former school superintendent, I saw kids unable to stay awake in class because they didn\u2019t have a stable place to sleep the night before. I\u2019ve heard from many Coloradans about how one misstep led to their lives falling apart. Our Eviction Crisis Act will both prevent eviction and limit the harm when it is unavoidable.\u201d\n\n\u201cBPC Action commends Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) for leading the Eviction Crisis Act, which would create an emergency assistance program for at-risk households, establish a national evictions database, and fund community courts and diversion programs. For too many families, unexpected hardship\u2014such as job loss or medical expenses\u2014makes rent unaffordable, triggering homelessness and poverty cycles. This legislation is a necessary investment to stabilize housing and economic opportunity, and we look forward to working with Congress to enact it,\u201d said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.\n\nOur country\u2019s eviction crisis is driven by a national affordable housing shortage that is particularly acute for low-income renters. In 2024, the Congressional Research Service calculated that 49.4 percent of renter households spent more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs and 26.2 percent of renter households spent more than half.\n\nAdditionally, the Eviction Crisis Act of 2026 will improve data and analysis on evictions, reduce preventable evictions, mitigate eviction-related consequences, and strengthen protections for renters in tenant screening reports.\n\nThe text of the bill is available here.\n\nA summary of the bill is available here.", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-announces-2026-congressional-app-challenge", "Mrvan Announces 2026 Congressional App Challenge", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced the details of the 2026 Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students in Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District.\n\nEach year, the Internet Education Foundation and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional App Challenge to foster an appreciation for computer science and STEM education. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual nationwide academic competition for middle school (6th \u2013 8th grades) and high school (9th \u2013 12th grades) students to create and exhibit their software application, or \"app,\" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.\n\nStudents in Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District are invited to compete against their peers in a challenge to create the best software application to represent our region at the House of Code reception in Washington, D.C. in the Spring of 2026. This competition is designed to promote innovation and engagement in STEM fields.\n\nCongressman Mrvan stated, \u201cI am thrilled to announce the 2026 Congressional App Challenge is now open to middle and high school students who are passionate about computer science and technology. This annual competition is a fantastic hands-on opportunity for students to code their own app and learn more about the STEM field. I look forward to seeing many innovative submissions from students throughout our region.\u201d\n\nAll students must register for the competition and submit their work through the Congressional App Challenge website by 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, October 26, 2026.\n\nFor additional information, please visit the official Congressional App Challenge website at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ or email StudentSupport@CongressionalAppChallenge.us.\n\nFor additional questions, please contact Drew Ficociello in the Merrillville District Office at 219-795-1844 or Drew.Ficociello@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-27T10:23:37Z", "2026-09-27T10:25:08Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-houchin-bills-combat-scams-expand-broadband-advance-house-floor", "ICYMI: Rep Houchin Bills to Combat Scams, Expand Broadband Advance to House Floor", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Last week, two bills by Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) advanced out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and were reported to the full House of Representatives.\n\nH.R. 5967, the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, was reported to the full House, as amended, by a roll call vote of 36 yeas to 0 nays.\n\nThis bipartisan legislation introduced alongside Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08) targets fraud, an issue costing Americans about $15.9 billion last year. By placing responsibility of preventing scams with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DoJ), the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act proactively targets criminals engaging in fraud.\n\n\u201cFraud is a massive and growing threat that costs Americans billions of dollars every year,\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \u201cThe federal government has agencies working on different pieces of this problem, but criminals do not operate in silos. We need the federal government to share information, coordinate its efforts, and work directly with the companies on the front lines of identifying scams. The Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act gives this effort an owner and creates a coordinated strategy to better protect Americans.\u201d\n\nH.R. 4950, the Data BRIDGE Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 35 yeas to 0 nays.\n\nThe Data BRIDE Act, a bipartisan bill introduced alongside Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) ensures that broadband funding decisions are made with cropland location information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Broadband Map focuses on serviceable locations like homes and businesses, but often misses the acreage surrounding where modern farming takes place.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=327", "Messmer Introduces Bill to Advance Ready Reserve Force Modernization", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Mark B. Messmer", "M001233", "messmer.house.gov", "messmer", "https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today introduced the Ready Reserve Force Modernization Accountability Act. The bill directs the Navy and Maritime Administration to prioritize finalizing design requirements for new sealift vessels and brief Congress on plans to build and fund them.\n\nThe Ready Reserve Force (RRF) is a fleet of approximately around 50 vessels that can carry troops, equipment, fuel, and supplies across oceans during a crisis. It provides nearly half of the federal government\u2019s surge sealift capacity. Its ships are more than 45 years old on average.\n\n\u201cOur adversaries should think twice before challenging the United States because they know we can bring a logistical force to a fight that is unmatched anywhere in the world,\u201d said Rep. Mark Messmer. \u201cThe Ready Reserve Force is a major part of that advantage. We need to replace its aging ships so our military can continue to move troops, equipment, and supplies wherever they are needed. This bill is a step toward maintaining that edge.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Ready Reserve Force (RRF) is only as ready as its ships, and too many of them were built decades ago,\u201d said Senator Dave McCormick. \u201cWe need to treat this moment with the urgency it deserves by finalizing the design for new RRF vessels and laying out how they will be built and paid for. Shipyards can't hire, train, and invest based on intentions alone. I applaud Representatives Messmer and Courtney for recognizing the stakes and introducing this bipartisan companion to S. 4630.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s no question that maintaining our nation\u2019s Ready Reserve Force is national security priority, and the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee remains committed to enabling the Navy, TRANSCOM, and MARAD to recapitalize the fleet. That\u2019s why, in the FY23 NDAA, we mandated the use of the successful vessel construction manager model for this program. I look forward to the continued work between Congress and the Navy to ensure successful deliveries of new RFF vessels,\u201d said Rep. Joe Courtney.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Ready Reserve Force Modernization Accountability Act directs the Secretary of the Navy and the Maritime Administrator to prioritize finalizing design requirements for new RRF vessels.\n\nThe bill also requires the Navy, in coordination with the Maritime Administration, to brief Congress within 180 days. The briefing must cover the status of the new vessel design, plans for a vessel construction manager program, funding for the authorized 10-ship construction program, and how purchases of new and used vessels will work together during the transition.\n\nThe legislation aims to support military readiness and give domestic shipbuilders greater clarity about the path to replacing the fleet.\n\nTo learn more about how Rep. Messmer is supporting America\u2019s warfighters and strengthening our national security, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-urges-u-s-space-academy-commission-to-select-grissom/", "Sen. Banks Urges U.S. Space Academy Commission to Select Grissom", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) urged the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy to select Grissom Air Reserve Base and the surrounding Grissom Aeroplex in Indiana as the home of the new U.S. Space Academy.\n\nIn a letter to Commission Chairman Jared Isaacman, Senator Banks highlighted Grissom\u2019s connection to Indiana native Lieutenant Colonel Virgil I. \u201cGus\u201d Grissom, one of America\u2019s original seven astronauts and the second American to fly in space. He also pointed to the site\u2019s capacity for classrooms, housing, and training infrastructure, as well as its 12,501-foot runway, one of the longest in the Midwest.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nDear Chairman Isaacman and Members of the Commission:\n\nI write to respectfully urge you and the commission to consider Grissom Air Reserve Base and the surrounding Grissom Aeroplex in Indiana as home of the U.S. Space Academy.\n\nNamed in honor of Indiana native Lieutenant Colonel Virgil I. \u201cGus\u201d Grissom, one of America\u2019s original seven astronauts and the second to fly in space, Grissom offers a fitting connection between America\u2019s earliest achievements in human spaceflight and the next generation of American space leaders. The installation and surrounding Aeroplex also offer substantial capacity for future classrooms, housing, and training infrastructure, along with access to a 12,501-foot runway, one of the longest in the Midwest.\n\nIndiana also offers the academic and industrial ecosystem necessary to support the Academy\u2019s long-term mission. The state offers a low cost of living, leading STEM and research universities, and a growing aerospace, defense, and advanced-manufacturing workforce. Indiana companies already contribute directly to America\u2019s space missions, including 21 suppliers supporting NASA\u2019s Artemis program. Locating the Space Academy at Grissom would give cadets access to this broader network and create opportunities to connect classroom education with hands-on experience across the civil, commercial, and national security sectors.\n\nThank you for considering Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana as the headquarters for U.S.\n\nSpace Force. I look forward to working with the Commission to bring the Academy to Indiana.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-calls-for-national-security-council-discussions-on-emerging-ai-threats/", "Young Calls for National Security Council Discussions on Emerging AI Threats", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) sent a letter to U.S. National Security Advisor Marco Rubio calling on the National Security Council to convene recurring discussions between federal officials, leading artificial intelligence developers, cybersecurity experts, researchers, and critical infrastructure representatives to identify and address emerging national security threats posed by advanced AI systems.\n\nIn the letter, Young emphasized that the United States must remain the global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring the federal government keeps pace with rapidly advancing AI capabilities and the potential security risks they represent.\n\n\u201cRecent developments involving frontier AI models have further demonstrated the ability of advanced systems to circumvent safeguards, interact with external systems, and substantially enhance offensive cyber capabilities. These incidents underscore the need for the U.S. government to better understand and address emerging threats before they result in more serious consequences. We must also continue to improve our understanding of these increasingly complex systems, whose internal processes can be difficult even for experts to fully interpret, predict, and control,\u201d wrote Senator Young.\n\nRead the full text of the letter here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Rubio,\n\nThe 21st century is poised to be an era of unparalleled American innovation and prosperity. Scientific progress and technological advancement, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), will propel the U.S. economy to new heights, empower Americans to live longer and healthier lives, and, crucially, strengthen our national security and keep our homeland safe.\n\nRealizing that bright future, however, requires responsible stewardship of the development and deployment of this technology. AI offers tremendous benefits, but those benefits do not come without serious and evolving risks. As you know, bad actors are increasingly using AI tools to steal and exploit sensitive information from governments around the world. Moreover, advanced AI agents have demonstrated the ability to act in ways their users did not intend and to engage in activities that, if conducted by a human, could be unlawful.\n\nRecent developments involving frontier AI models have further demonstrated the ability of advanced systems to circumvent safeguards, interact with external systems, and substantially enhance offensive cyber capabilities. These incidents underscore the need for the U.S. government to better understand and address emerging threats before they result in more serious consequences. We must also continue to improve our understanding of these increasingly complex systems, whose internal processes can be difficult even for experts to fully interpret,\n\npredict, and control.\n\nWe are still working to understand the full implications of these developments. While the consequences to date may not have directly affected the daily lives of most Americans, the risks they present should not be dismissed. We cannot assume that future autonomous or AI-enabled attacks will not target hospitals, electric grids, water systems, or other critical infrastructure. Such\n\nan outcome would be unacceptable.\n\nThe Administration has already taken important steps to address these challenges, including efforts to evaluate the national security risks posed by frontier AI models, strengthen the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, and deepen cooperation between the federal government and leading AI developers. Building on those efforts, I respectfully request that the National Security Council coordinate a series of recurring roundtable discussions with frontier AI model developers, cybersecurity experts, relevant national security and intelligence officials, critical infrastructure representatives, and other appropriate private sector experts.\n\nThese discussions would help policymakers and national security officials keep pace with rapidly evolving AI capabilities, identify emerging vulnerabilities, and determine whether additional executive or legislative action is needed. In particular, I encourage these discussions to address:\n\n\u2022 Advancements in frontier AI model capabilities that could create significant national security or public safety risks, including known incidents and near misses;\n\n\u2022 The capabilities of AI models developed in the People\u2019s Republic of China and other foreign adversaries, the potential national security threats associated with those systems, and the ability of state and non-state actors to exploit advanced AI capabilities against the United States;\n\n\u2022 Options for establishing or strengthening secure mechanisms through which AI developers, researchers, and users can voluntarily report AI security incidents, vulnerabilities, or instances of unsafe or unlawful activity to appropriate federal entities;\n\n\u2022 Strategies to advance research in mechanistic interpretability, functional assurance, and other methods for understanding, evaluating, and controlling AI systems, including through secure federal test and evaluation environments where appropriate; and\n\n\u2022 Concrete safeguards to reduce the risk of serious AI-enabled incidents, including steps that can be taken under existing executive authorities and recommendations for any targeted legislation that may be necessary to better protect critical infrastructure and the American people.\n\nI further request that the Administration keep Congress appropriately informed of the findings and recommendations that emerge from these engagements. To the extent practicable and consistent with the protection of classified, proprietary, and other sensitive information, I encourage the Administration to provide a classified briefing to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and other relevant Committees as appropriate, regarding national security findings,\n\nidentified capability gaps, and any areas in which additional statutory authority may be warranted.\n\nThe United States should continue to lead the world in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. Maintaining that leadership also requires ensuring that our government keeps pace with emerging capabilities and understands the risks they may present. Regular engagement among the federal government, industry, researchers, and national security experts will help ensure that policymakers have the information they need to protect the American\n\npeople without unnecessarily hindering American innovation.\n\nI appreciate the Administration\u2019s continued attention to these issues and look forward to working with you to ensure that the United States remains both the global leader in artificial intelligence and the nation best prepared to address the security challenges this technology may create.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-discusses-american-biotech-leadership-at-axios-live-event/", "Young Discusses American Biotech Leadership at Axios Live Event", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "**Click here or above to watch the event**\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), joined Axios\u2019 The Global Biotech Race event for a conversation on America\u2019s global leadership in biotechnology and growing competition with China.\n\nDuring the discussion, Senator Young highlighted the importance of maintaining America\u2019s biotechnology advantage by accelerating innovation, strengthening domestic manufacturing, modernizing the regulatory environment, and harnessing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.\n\nSenator Young also discussed his work as Chair of the NSCEB, which developed recommendations to strengthen the U.S. biotechnology sector, address national security vulnerabilities, and guide federal government priorities.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-leads-fight-to-ensure-taxpayer-funded-pell-grants-go-to-american-students-only/", "Banks Leads Fight to Ensure Taxpayer-Funded Pell Grants go to American Students Only", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Pell for Americans Act, legislation to ensure taxpayer-funded Pell Grants are awarded only to U.S. citizens and nationals. Current law makes it possible for certain noncitizens, including some illegal aliens, to receive federal student aid.\n\nThe Pell for Americans Act utilizes the framework of H.R. 4262\u2013\u2013legislation introduced in 1994 by three Democrats\u2013\u2013to ensure that taxpayer-funded Pell Grants are reserved for American students only.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cIn 2026, Socialist-aligned Democrats fight harder for illegal aliens than their own constituents, but back in 1994, they led a bill that would ensure taxpayer-funded Pell Grants are reserved for American students only. American taxpayers have no business subsidizing the college tuition of foreign nationals, and three decades later, I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this commonsense bill to put American students first.\u201d\n\nKey Provisions of the bill:\n\nRequires Pell Grant recipients to be citizens or nationals of the United States.\n\nPrevents other provisions of the federal law from extending Pell Grant eligibility to noncitizens.\n\nMaintains existing academic and program eligibility requirements for American students.\n\nModeled after H.R. 4262, legislation introduced in the 103rd Congress by three Democrats.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Federal Pell Grant Program provides taxpayer-funded financial assistance to undergraduate students with significant financial needs. Unlike student loans, Pell Grants generally do not need to be repaid.\n\nUnder current law, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and certain eligible noncitizens may qualify for Pell Grants. Senator Banks\u2019 legislation would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to limit Pell Grant eligibility to U.S. citizens and nationals.\n\nFull bill text can be found here.\n\nBreitbart Exclusive here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-introduces-bill-to-reserve-pell-grants-for-american-students/", "Sen. Banks Introduces Bill to Reserve Pell Grants for American Students", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Click here for the full story from Breitbart or read below:\n\nEXCLUSIVE: Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) has introduced a new piece of legislation that would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require that recipients of Pell Grants be U.S. citizens, a move the Republican said would \u201cput American students first.\u201d\n\nUnveiled on Wednesday morning, the \u201cPell for Americans Act\u201d simply states that the federally funded aid grant should only go to American undergraduates \u2014 not foreigners.\n\nDespite efforts to restrict eligibility for non-citizens in the Republicans\u2019 One Big Beautiful Bill, several classes, including refugees, asylees, immigration parolees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, and \u201cconditional permanent residents,\u201d remain eligible.\n\nJust this February, the Hill reported that the Pell program \u201cis in financial difficulties with a projected shortfall of billions of dollars that could lead to trouble for students as soon as 2028.\u201d\n\nBy the end of this fiscal year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the Pell Grant program will be $5 billion in debt. Over the next ten years, that number jumps to between $104 billion and $132 billion if nothing is done about the issue.\n\nThe projections come even after lawmakers gave the program a one-time boost of $10.5 billion in President Donald Trump\u2019s One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.\n\nBanks\u2019 office told Breitbart News that his bill is actually modeled after a piece of legislation originally introduced by House Democrats in 1994 that had the same stated goal of amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct Pell funds to Americans only.\n\n\u201cIn 2026, Socialist-aligned Democrats fight harder for illegal aliens than their own constituents, but back in 1994, they led a bill that would ensure taxpayer-funded Pell Grants are reserved for American students only,\u201d the senator said in an exclusive statement.\n\n\u201cAmerican taxpayers have no business subsidizing the college tuitions of foreign nationals, and three decades later, I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this commonsense bill to put American students first,\u201d the Indiana Republican added.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nfib-awards-senator-young-guardian-of-small-business-award-4/", "NFIB Awards Senator Young Guardian of Small Business Award", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) awarded U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) with their most prestigious legislative recognition, the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award.\n\n\u201cI am honored to receive the Guardian of Small Business Award from NFIB for my efforts to promote and support Hoosier small businesses. As the son of a small business owner, I know how important they are to our state\u2019s economy. I will always fight to support Indiana\u2019s small businesses,\u201d said Senator Young.\n\n\u201cThe recipients of the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award have a proven record of championing America\u2019s small and independent business owners,\u201dsaid NFIB President Brad Close. \u201cNFIB Guardians demonstrated strong support for small businesses on key issues, most notably including their efforts to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. We are proud to present the Guardian of Small Business award to these lawmakers who helped create an environment where small business owners can continue to own, operate, and grow their businesses.\u201d\n\nNFIB\u2019s Guardian of Small Business Award is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with small business on the key issues identified by small business owners. Those who voted with small business on key issues 70 percent or more of the time during the 119th Congress earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award.", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-questions-witnesses-ai-safeguards-military-and-intelligence-systems", "Carson\u00a0Questions Witnesses on AI Safeguards\u00a0in Military and Intelligence Systems", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07) questioned witnesses at a first-of-its-kind hearing calling for a U.S.-China agreement to responsibly pace the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This hearing was held by Democrats on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nThe hearing occurred after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the previously scheduled legislative session, including votes and committee hearings, without taking action on AI. Congressman Carson previously joined 106 Democrats in calling on the speaker to hold a vote to address AI cybersecurity, surveillance, and rogue AI agent concerns.\n\n\u201cThis administration is moving quickly to put advanced AI into our military and intelligence systems,\u201d said Congressman Carson in today\u2019s hearing. \u201cSome decisions are simply too important to hand over to a machine\u2026As AI moves deeper into our national security systems, where should we draw a hard line and say a human has to make the decision?\u201d\n\nCongressman Carson also raised the alarm on the potential need for new regulatory frameworks for AI in cyberattacks and biological weapons. \u201cWe already have laws and international agreements dealing with cyberattacks and biological weapons,\u201d Congressman Carson said. \u201cBut we know that AI can make those threats easier to carry out and potentially much more dangerous.\u201d\n\nWitnesses included:\n\n\u00b7 Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto and Nobel Laureate\n\n\u00b7 Lt. Gen. John (Jack) N.T. Shanahan (USAF, Ret.), Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security\n\n\u00b7 Matt Sheehan, Senior Fellow, Asia Program and Co-Director, China AI Initiative, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace\n\n\u00b7 Miriam Vogel, President and CEO, EqualAI\n\n\u00b7 Se\u00e1n \u00d3 h\u00c9igeartaigh, Professor and Director of the AI: Futures and Responsibilities Programme, University of Cambridge\n\nThe full hearing can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-discusses-national-security-threats-at-fdd/", "Young Discusses National Security Threats at FDD", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "**Click here or above to watch the full event**\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) for a fireside chat with Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD\u2019s Center on Military and Political Power, to discuss growing cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and the national security challenges facing the United States.\n\nThe event coincided with the release of Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, co-authored by Bowman and other FDD experts.\n\nDuring the discussion, Senator Young highlighted the need to strengthen America\u2019s economic and national security, rebuild critical domestic capabilities, and work with allies and partners to counter growing cooperation among U.S. adversaries.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-gerstner-in-indy-star-how-trump-accounts-give-indiana-kids-a-financial-head-start/", "Young, Gerstner in Indy Star: How Trump Accounts give Indiana kids a financial head start", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The following column by U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Brad Gerstner was published by The Indianapolis Star on September 22, 2026.\n\nHow Trump Accounts give Indiana kids a financial head start | Opinion\n\nA Hoosier native who helped create Trump Accounts is now putting $250 into the program for 140,000 of the state\u2019s youngest kids.\n\nBy Todd Young and Brad Gerstner\n\nWhile America celebrated its 250th birthday this summer, millions of American children received a new opportunity to own a stake in the country\u2019s next 250 years.\n\nOn July 4, Trump Accounts went live and families gained access to a new investment tool to build long-term financial security for their children. Under the program, every American child under 18 is eligible for an account, and newborns will receive $1,000 in seed money from the U.S. Treasury.\n\nToday, a gift from Brad will give many Hoosier kids $250 toward that future.\n\nAs native Hoosiers and the sons of small business owners, we understand how a modest investment can compound over time and positively shape the trajectory of a person\u2019s life. And we both believe that in America all children can rise higher than their parents.\n\nThis is why Brad started the idea behind Trump Accounts and why Todd worked tirelessly to turn it into law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.\n\nThere is an important difference between teaching a child about the American economy and giving a child a stake in it. Trump Accounts do both. From an early age, children can watch their savings grow alongside American businesses and learn firsthand the value of investment, ownership and compound growth.\n\nIn addition to the seed investment for newborns, children of all ages can receive contributions from family, friends, employers and philanthropists. These contributions are placed in a low-cost investment fund that tracks a broad index of American companies, allowing children to share in the long-term growth of the U.S. economy.\n\nThe power of starting early can be significant. At a hypothetical 7% annual return, a $1,000 investment made at birth would grow to roughly $3,400 by age 18, even if no additional contributions were made. If a family added $500 each year, that nest egg would grow to be around $20,000.\n\nThe child has legal ownership of the account, but it is managed by his or her parents. They, or other relatives, employers or friends can also contribute to the account (up to $5,000 annually for each account). Additionally, an employer can contribute up to $2,500 pre-tax annually to the Trump Account of an employee or an employee\u2019s dependent.\n\nAnnual investment earnings within the account are tax-deferred, and, with limited exceptions, funds cannot be withdrawn before the child reaches the age of 18. It provides a real financial head start as the child reaches adulthood and makes big life decisions.\n\nThe Trump Accounts app, which was launched in May, provides a simple and secure platform for families to sign up for the program. Over 9 million families have already signed up for Trump Accounts, including more than 1.5 million newborns eligible for the $1,000 pilot contribution from Treasury.\n\nIt\u2019s simple: Download the app, sign up and claim your child\u2019s stake.\n\nThis is a huge success story, but there is even more good news for Hoosier children under the age of 4.\n\nStarting this week, Brad is investing $250 into Trump Accounts for children born in 2023 and 2024, who reside in an Indiana ZIP code with a median family income of $150,000 or less.\n\nThat means over 140,000 additional Hoosier kids start with real equity.\n\nAs a kid from Syracuse, Indiana, Brad received a Lilly Scholarship to attend Wabash College and later a Jump Scholarship to attend IU law school. Indiana bet on him, and now he\u2019s betting on the future of Hoosier kids.\n\nOur hope is that additional investors, employers and philanthropists will follow suit and provide similar seed capital to our youngest Americans. Research shows that having assets early in life is linked to better education, stronger financial habits and better choices in adulthood.\n\nSince its founding, America\u2019s promise has always been that every person can make a living and move upward, no matter where they start.\n\nRegardless of your financial position today, we encourage every family in Indiana with young children to take advantage of these opportunities and build a brighter future for the next generation.\n\nTodd Young, a Republican, represents Indiana in the U.S. Senate. Brad Gerstner is the founder of Invest America, Trump Accounts and Altimeter Capital.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-introduces-bill-rename-muncie-post-office-honor-corporal-blake-reynolds", "\ufeffSpartz Introduces Bill to Rename Muncie Post Office in Honor of Corporal Blake Reynolds", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) introduced legislation to rename a United States Post Office in Muncie, Indiana, in honor of fallen Delaware County Sheriff\u2019s Corporal Blake Reynolds. The legislation is cosponsored by the entire Indiana House delegation.\n\n\u201cBlake lived as a hero through selfless service, offering his life day by day to the people he was called to protect,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cHis faith, compassion, and commitment to serving others left a lasting impact on our community. I am grateful to my Indiana colleagues for joining me in honoring his life and ensuring his legacy of service will not be forgotten.\u201d\n\nCorporal Blake Reynolds was a lifelong Hoosier whose life was rooted in faith, family, and service. A 2013 graduate of Delta High School, he earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in criminal justice from Ball State University and served with the Delaware County Sheriff\u2019s Office for three years, most recently as a corporal.\n\nBlake was known by those closest to him for his strong faith, joyful spirit, sense of humor, and deep love for his family, including his wife, Allison, his parents, Bruce and Melissa, and his brother, Dustin. Those qualities shaped the way he served his community\u2014with compassion, courage, and a genuine heart for people.\n\nOn November 12, 2025, Corporal Reynolds was killed in the line of duty while serving the Delaware County Sheriff\u2019s Office.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://stutzman.house.gov/media/press-releases/enes-kanter-freedom-nancy-hogshead-applaud-rep-stutzmans-letter-demanding", "ENES KANTER FREEDOM, NANCY HOGSHEAD APPLAUD REP. STUTZMAN\u2019S LETTER DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM THE WNBA", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Marlin A. Stutzman", "S001188", "stutzman.house.gov", "stutzman", "https://stutzman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) sent a letter to Women\u2019s National Basketball Association (WNBA) commissioner Cathy Engelbert asking her to address the league\u2019s failure to define what a \u201cwoman\u201d is according to its collective bargaining agreement, the lack of a uniform policy for addressing players and coaches who instigate verbal confrontations with fans, and the WNBA\u2019s repeated lack of consequences for intentional, dangerous physical contact on the court.\n\nFormer National Basketball Association player and WNBA prospect Enes Kanter Freedom said of the letter, \u201cIt\u2019s time for the WNBA to explain themselves, and it\u2019s time for the WNBA to ensure safety and fairness for all players and fans.\u201d Three-time Olympic champion Nancy Hogshead, J.D., OLY said, \u201cIt\u2019s time for the WNBA to protect what generations of women fought to build: the female category.\u201d\n\nFox News OutKick first covered the letter in an exclusive article by Amber Harding.\n\nImage\n\nCongressman Stutzman is joined by Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), Congressman John W. Rose (TN-06), and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) on the letter.\n\n\"The WNBA needs to stop denying common sense and admit that biological males have no place in their league,\u201d said Rep. Stutzman. \u201cTheir delay in addressing this crucial matter has already caused disruptions to games and created a mockery of the organization whose eligibility standards should be defined by looking no further than the league name. Secondly, the WNBA must answer for its failure to administer just consequences for players' continued intentional, dangerous physical contact on the court.\u201d\n\n\u201cEver since I declared for the WNBA draft, the league has been completely silent and unable to explain their own rules,\" said Enes Kanter Freedom. \"The reason why the league has been silent is simple: the WNBA cannot define a woman and their current rules do not prevent me from playing in the league. It\u2019s time for the WNBA to explain themselves, and it\u2019s time for the WNBA to ensure safety and fairness for all players and fans. Thank you Congressman Stutzman and your colleagues for demanding answers to these critical questions.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve spent decades fighting for safe and equal opportunities for women in sports, both as an athlete and as a civil rights attorney,\" said Nancy Hogshead, J.D., OLY. \"As a three-time Olympic gold medalist, I underwent sex verification myself\u2014it was a simple cheek swab\u2014and I know firsthand why clear eligibility standards matter. I only wish we\u2019d had similarly effective safeguards to catch the systematic doping of East German women swimmers in my era. That\u2019s why I support Rep. Stutzman\u2019s letter and launched my Change.org petition calling on the WNBA to define \u201cwoman\u201d as female. Without clear standards, male intrusion is inevitable\u2014males have competed in every level of female sport, from elite international competitions, to schools, professional leagues, and masters leagues. It\u2019s time for the WNBA to protect what generations of women fought to build: the female category.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe WNBA must answer for its failure to keep players safe,\u201d said Rep. Houchin (IN-09). \u201cProfessional sports organizations have a responsibility to provide athletes with a safe and professional environment where they can perform at the highest level.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-secretary-jenner-discuss-indianas-leadership-in-education-at-reagan-institute-summit/", "Young, Secretary Jenner Discuss Indiana\u2019s Leadership in Education at Reagan Institute Summit", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "**Click here or above to watch the full event.**\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE) to discuss preparing students for the future and ensuring America\u2019s education system meets the demands of a rapidly changing economy.\n\nDuring the discussion, Senator Young highlighted Indiana\u2019s leadership in preparing students for a tech-driven future and discussed ways to strengthen our schools, expand school choice, and prepare more students for the workforce.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-applauds-newly-announced-va-grants-to-indiana-organizations-serving-veterans/", "Banks Applauds Newly Announced VA Grants to Indiana Organizations Serving Veterans", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a record level of grants to organizations that help veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The Grant Per Diem program and Supportive Services for Veteran Families program grants begin October 1, 2026 and will fund transitional housing, supportive services, eviction prevention, rehousing, and other services to house veterans. Thirteen Indiana-based organizations received grants.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cEvery veteran who has served our country deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to get back on their feet. I\u2019m grateful to Secretary Collins and President Trump for investing in Indiana organizations that are doing this important work every day, and I am proud to support their efforts to make sure no Hoosier veteran is left behind.\u201d\n\nVA Secretary Doug Collins: \u201cUnder President Trump, VA is making historic progress getting our most vulnerable Veterans off the streets and back on the path to self-sufficiency. These grants underscore our commitment to expanding critical services that prevent Veteran homelessness, connecting those who have worn the uniform to permanent housing and providing the resources necessary for long\u2011term stability.\u201d\n\nBarb Cox, Shepherd\u2019s House Executive Director: \u201cThis grant will allow us to expand services and provide case management, clinical counseling, assistance with job placement, and housing navigation to help our veterans find permanent housing and stability. We are so grateful for Senator Banks\u2019 commitment to homeless veterans, and we so appreciate his introducing us to the VA Secretary. For decades Senator Banks has given this ministry his personal time, not only as a senator, but as a veteran who understands what it costs when someone who served is left without a pace to land.\u201d\n\nBen Yee, Anchor House Director: \u201cAnchor House has served homeless veterans for years, but this new funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs will enable us to connect the resources available with the veterans who could benefit. There are so many resources available for homeless veterans, but the hard work is connecting them to those resources in a way that can really help them rebuild. Anchor House\u2019s permanent housing exit rate is more than twice the state average, and we are excited to bring our efforts to an expanded network of homeless veterans across Southern Indiana.\u201d\n\nEmmy Hildebrand, CEO of HVAF of Indiana: \u201cWe are grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for recently awarding several grants to HVAF of Indiana. We\u2019ve made significant progress, reducing veteran homelessness in our community by over 50% in the last decade. This award is a vital investment to sustaining momentum in the fight against veteran homelessness.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nGrant Per Diem Program Awards\n\nAnchor House\n\nCenter for the Homeless\n\nHVAF of Indiana\n\nLife Treatment Centers\n\nLittle Thinkers School of Early Learning\n\nMishawaka Troop Town\n\nShepherd\u2019s House\n\nVeterans Changing Services\n\nSupportive Services for Veteran Families Grantee Awards\n\nCommunity Action of Northeast Indiana\n\nHVAF of Indiana\n\nLafayette Transitional Housing Center\n\nInteCare\n\nVolunteers of America of Indiana\n\nView the full list of awardees across the country here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-banks-releases-statement-following-historic-national-security-agreement-with-denmark-and-greenland/", "Senator Banks Releases Statement Following Historic National Security Agreement With Denmark And Greenland", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) released the following statement after President Trumpannounced a historic national security agreement with Denmark and Greenland.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cThey said it couldn\u2019t be done, but President Trump just proved the foreign policy establishment wrong again. This historic agreement with Denmark and Greenland ensures the United States and our allies will be able to secure Greenland and the High North against our adversaries for generations to come.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-peters-introduce-bill-to-improve-traffic-safety-expand-eligibility-in-infrastructure-projects/", "Young, Peters Introduce Bill to Improve Traffic Safety, Expand Eligibility in Infrastructure Projects", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced the Visionary Intersections Modernization Act, legislation to improve traffic safety and provide additional options for states and local communities seeking federal funding to construct roundabouts. The legislation would amend the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program to include the construction of roundabouts as an eligible use of funding.\n\n\u201cFederal investments in infrastructure should prioritize safety and allow communities to best protect their residents,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cRoundabouts have proven to be a safe and effective way to improve traffic flow and reduce serious accidents. In Indiana, communities like Carmel have demonstrated the benefits roundabouts can provide for drivers and pedestrians. Our bill will give communities across the country more choices when seeking federal funding for infrastructure projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cRoundabouts are proven to make our roads safer and more efficient,\u201d said Senator Peters. \u201cThis bipartisan, commonsense bill would give communities in Michigan and across the country greater flexibility to invest in infrastructure upgrades, including roundabouts, that improve safety, ease congestion, and best meet the needs of residents.\u201d\n\nIndiana has been a national leader in the use of roundabouts. Carmel has approximately 150 roundabouts, more than any other city in the United States. Since the city began constructing roundabouts in the late 1990s, accidents with injuries have declined approximately 80% and overall accidents by 40%.\n\nThe legislation is supported by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, and the Safe Routes Partnership.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-demands-congress-stay-session-confront-ai-crisis", "Carson Demands Congress Stay in Session to Confront AI Crisis", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 107 House Democrats are demanding that Congress stay in session and vote on legislation creating AI safeguards.\n\n\u201cRepublican leadership canceled votes Thursday instead of taking action on AI,\u201d said Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07). \u201cThere is ample evidence of cybersecurity concerns, surveillance, and the risk of rogue AI agents. Instead of addressing these concerns, Speaker Johnson is giving a free pass to tech companies. The pace of AI development means these are urgent concerns. AI needs to be regulated \u2013 and we need to act now.\u201d\n\nDownload the letter to Speaker Mike Johnson here. The full text of the letter can be found below.\n\nDear Speaker Johnson:\n\nWe write to urge you to keep the House of Representatives in session to enable Congress to take urgent action to address the catastrophic risks posed by advanced artificial intelligence. Those risks take any of several forms, separately and in combination\u2014of agentic misalignment, mass cybersecurity breaches, and development of biological or chemical weapons.\n\nReasonable minds may disagree about precisely how Congress should regulate this rapidly evolving technology.\n\nWe cannot disagree about the imperative for Congress to act.\n\nInstead of action, you have announced vacation. After a month-long August recess, the House leadership changed the schedule to announce two more weeks of vacation\u2013immediately prior to yet another month of recess in October.\n\nAmple evidence\u2014in the form of a series of public disclosures from the companies and researchers developing the world's most capable AI systems\u2014underscores the urgency of the moment:\n\nIn July, OpenAI models undergoing cybersecurity evaluations bred swarms of agents that circumvented controls designed to isolate them from the internet, conspired to exploit vulnerabilities, hacked third-party systems, and altered evidence of their activity, an incident that OpenAI has called a \"warning shot,\" about the risks of highly capable rogue AI agents.\n\nDays later, more than 1,300 top employees of frontier AI companies called on the U.S. government to support an international effort to develop tools that can \u201cdeliberately pace the frontier of automated AI development.\u201d\n\nMore recently, Anthropic disrupted cases in which researchers used Claude for biological research that could have aided the development of biological weapons, and called biological misuse \u201cone of the most serious risks of frontier AI models.\u201d\n\nAnthropic also documented China-linked actors using Claude for surveillance and transnational repression, and Iran-linked actors using it for propaganda, mass surveillance, and targeting recommendations against U.S. naval forces.\n\nMeanwhile, CISA reported Chinese open-weight models accelerating their capabilities through \u201cindustrial-scale\u201d distillation of American models\u2014giving rise to AI agents nearly as powerful as the top U.S. frontier models, yet wholly unconstrained by American authorities or by U.S. safeguards.\n\nThese disclosures must not constitute yet another in a long series of \u201cwarning shots,\u201d but rather, a starting gun.\n\nCongress must act.\n\nA series of proposals have emerged from our colleagues that deserve consideration, public debate, thoughtful amendment, and action. They include bills mandating transparency and evaluation of frontier models, \u201ckill switch\u201d requirements, and a waiver of antitrust laws to enable critical industry-wide collaboration on safety and security. Whether with these proposals or any other variants, AI experts and leading companies agree that the United States can lead the world in artificial intelligence while establishing reasonable safeguards that protect Americans and our national security. We can\u2014and must\u2014do both.\n\nWhile AI safety experts and Americans increasingly urge action to confront this conflagration of risk, Congress fiddles. When we did return to work after the August recess, we consumed floor time with debates and votes on performative resolutions opposing socialism. After next week, the House resumes its vacation\u2014for another six weeks.\n\nYou can forgive every American who believes that Congress remains unserious about confronting our nation\u2019s most pressing challenges.\n\nThe House should remain in session until Congress advances meaningful, bipartisan AI safeguards. To our children who will have read a post-apocalyptic history, \u201cWhy Congress Slept\u201d \u2014likely written by agentic AI\u2014our inaction will be inexplicable and unforgivable.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-convenes-second-agriculture-advisory-council-meeting", "Mrvan Convenes Second Agriculture Advisory Council Meeting", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Valparaiso, IN \u2013 Last week, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan convened the second meeting of his Agriculture Advisory Council for Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District.\n\nThe Agriculture Advisory Council convenes local leaders to discuss the challenges facing farmers\u2019 operations, businesses, and livelihoods in Northwest Indiana. The goal of the advisory council is to meet twice a year to discuss current issues, help guide the Congressman\u2019s legislative priorities, and ensure the voices of Indiana farmers are heard in Washington.\n\nCongressman Mrvan spoke on the House floor yesterday to share what he heard. He stated that \u201cour farmers are getting crushed,\u201d that \u201cthey need tariff relief, lower fuel costs, expanded markets, and action from Congress,\u201d and that \u201cwe must give our farmers the stability they need to keep feeding America.\u201d\n\nCongressman Mrvan\u2019s full remarks on the House floor are available here, and the proceedings from the Agriculture Advisory Council meeting can be viewed here.\n\nThe Agriculture Advisory Council is composed of agricultural stakeholders from across Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District \u2013 including local farmers and leaders from the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Corn Growers Association, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Pork, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lake County Purdue Extension, the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, LaPorte County Farm Bureau, LaPorte County Purdue Extension, the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District, Porter County Farm Bureau, Porter County Purdue Extension, and the Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-leads-resolution-designating-september-as-dystonia-awareness-month/", "Banks Leads Resolution Designating September as Dystonia Awareness Month", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating September as Dystonia Awareness Month to raise public awareness and understanding of the neurological movement disorder that affects an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 Americans. Dystonia causes involuntary muscle contractions, and while research is ongoing, there is no cure.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cHundreds of thousands of Americans, including service members and veterans, live with dystonia, but too many cases still go misdiagnosed and undiagnosed. Raising awareness will help more Americans recognize the symptoms, support those living with the disorder, and inspire further researchto find a cure.\u201d\n\nThe Resolution:\n\nExpresses support for designating September as Dystonia Awareness Month.\n\nRecognizes the need for further research into new treatments and a cure.\n\nCommends medical professionals and researchers working to improve the lives of people with dystonia.\n\nEncourages programs and activities that raise public awareness and understanding of dystonia.\n\nBackground:\n\nDystonia causes excessive, involuntary muscle contractions that can result in abnormal movements or postures and affect a person\u2019s ability to walk, speak, see, or perform tasks. There is currently no cure, but several treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Further research is underway to develop new treatments and ultimately find a cure. Service members and veterans may experience dystonia due to traumatic brain injuries, exposure to certain medications, or other service-related conditions.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-applauds-house-passage-of-bill-to-keep-am-radio-in-new-vehicles/", "Young\u00a0Applauds House Passage of Bill to Keep AM Radio in New Vehicles", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the House of Representatives\u2019 passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.\n\nThe legislation, which is cosponsored by Young, would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.\n\n\u201cI applaud the House passage of this bill and encourage the Senate to vote on it soon. AM radio plays a vital role in preserving public safety across Indiana. By delivering important weather updates, local news, and emergency and disaster response information, this bill will ensure Hoosiers, especially those in rural areas, continue to have access to this critical communication tool,\u201d said Senator Young.\n\nThe legislation has amassed 60 cosponsors in the Senate. Legislative text can be found here.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-schatz-introduce-legislation-to-help-stop-child-labor/", "Young, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Help Stop Child Labor", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation to help stop illegal child labor. The Stop Child Labor Act would increase maximum fines for violations, establish new criminal penalties, allow victims harmed by violations to file private lawsuits, and encourage collaboration between employers and government to stop child labor violations before they occur.\n\n\u201cRecent data shows that child labor exploitation is not a thing of the past or a problem limited to the developing world. We have a responsibility to enforce the law, protect American children, and ensure that those who exploit them are held accountable,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cThis bill would strengthen our nation\u2019s labor laws to do just that.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight now, our laws are allowing some of the worst employers to get away with exploiting kids for labor with nothing more than weak fines,\u201d said Senator Schatz. \u201cOur bill will strengthen our child labor laws, hold bad employers accountable, and protect kids from this illicit practice.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\nFederal child labor violations are at or near record levels, according to the most recent enforcement data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In fiscal year 2025, the Department\u2019s Wage and Hour Division closed 976 cases involving child labor violations, more than in any year since the Great Recession, including 773 employed in violation of hazardous occupation standards. That represents a 72 percent increase in affected children since fiscal year 2019.\n\nCurrently, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) imposes weak fines for violations, making it financially easier for companies to skirt child labor laws. In 2023, it was revealed that migrant child labor is being used for hazardous jobs in factories making products for well-known brands like Cheetos, Fruit of the Loom, and Lucky Charms. That same year, DOL found that Packers Sanitation Services Inc., a sanitation contractor to major meat producers including JBS Foods, had employed at least 102 children, ages 13 to 17, in hazardous occupations on overnight shifts at 13 meat processing facilities across eight states. At least three minors were injured, but DOL could assess only the statutory maximum of $15,138 per count.\n\nSpecifically, the Stop Child Labor Act would:\n\nIncrease child labor violation civil penalties to:\n\n$5,000 minimum \u2013 $132,270 maximum for routine violations;\n\n$25,000 minimum \u2013 $601,150 maximum for each violation that causes the death or serious injury of a minor;\n\nCreate criminal penalties for a repeat or willful violation of child labor laws to include a fine of up to $50,000 and a year in jail;\n\nAllow children harmed by violations of the law to seek compensation;\n\nStart a grant program aimed at helping employers recognize, avoid, and prevent child labor violations; and\n\nPermanently establish a National Advisory Committee on Child Labor.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the Child Labor Coalition, National Consumers League, Global March Against Child Labor, First Focus Campaign for Children, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, and Center for Law and Social Policy.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/houchin-bill-name-american-mastodon-and-t-rex-national-symbols-passes-house", "Houchin Bill to Name American Mastodon and T. Rex National Symbols Passes House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 16, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Today, H.R. 9191, the National Fossil Act, led by Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) passed the House of Representatives. The bill designates the American mastodon (Mammut americanum) as the national fossil mammal and the Tyrannosaurus rex as the national fossil dinosaur of the United States.\n\nIf enacted, the American mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex would join the bald eagle, bison, rose, and oak tree as official national symbols of the United States.\n\n\u201cThe mastodon has been Indiana's state fossil since 2022, and today the House voted to give it a place among our national symbols,\" said Rep. Houchin. \"As our country marks its 250th year, this is a fitting way to honor a piece of America's story and to get the next generation curious about science, geology, and paleontology. I'm grateful to Rep. Dingell for her partnership and to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for sending this bill forward.\"\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s story didn\u2019t begin in 1776. It began thousands and even millions of years earlier, with creatures like the mastodon and T. rex roaming the land we now call home,\u201d said Rep. Dingell. \u201cThe mastodon is the state fossil of Michigan, and recognizing them as a national symbol alongside the T. rex is a reminder that discovery is part of who we are as a country. From backyard discoveries to museum exhibits that have inspired generations of kids, this bipartisan effort is a way to celebrate America\u2019s prehistoric past and spark curiosity about science and exploration. I am proud to work with Congresswoman Houchin to advance this legislation, and we will keep working together until it is law.\u201d\n\nThe American mastodon is the official state fossil of both Indiana and Michigan and has been discovered at sites throughout both states. The Tyrannosaurus rex remains one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world and an enduring symbol of American paleontological discovery.\n\nThe legislation is supported by Dr. Stanley Totten, curator of the Hanover College Museum of Natural History and professor emeritus of geology at Hanover College, where he taught for 40 years.\n\n\"Recognizing these two amazing animals as representative of America\u2019s historic past would be the perfect present for a Nation celebrating its 250th birthday,\u201d said Dr. Totten.\n\nClick HERE for bill text.\n\nClick HERE to view Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s remarks.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-houchin-bill-improve-literacy-education-practices-passes-house", "Rep. Houchin Bill to Improve Literacy Education Practices Passes House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 16, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7890, the Science of Reading Act of 2026. This bill would prioritize the Science of Reading in the deployment of federal literacy funds. This brings federal policy into alignment with advancements in scientific understanding of how children learn to read, and reserves grant funding to the most impactful and effective methods of instruction.\n\nAmerican schoolchildren at all levels have faced declining literacy skills for nearly a decade. This is a quiet crisis that has significant economic, social, and behavioral impacts for the rest of each student\u2019s life, and for the communities that they live in.\n\nFortunately, we have a clear path forward. The Science of Reading is a body of research that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as pillars of instructional principles. Implementation of Science of Reading in states across the country has yielded significant improvements in reading acquisition on all levels, including in Indiana.\n\n\u201cReading is the foundation of learning, and we cannot accept declining literacy rates as the status quo. The Science of Reading Act will equip classrooms with proven methods to ensure every student can read. Indiana has shown that the Science of Reading works, and I\u2019m proud to see this important legislation pass the House.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n\"It\u2019s time to move away from failed theories and restore evidence-based reading instruction that actually works. Our children deserve an education grounded in what the evidence tells us, not the latest educational fad. I applaud Rep. Houchin for her leadership to improve our nation\u2019s child literacy rates.\u201d\n\n- \u200eHouse Education & Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05)\n\n\u201cAs a former teacher and Chair of the K-12 Education Subcommittee, I am grateful the House has come together in a bipartisan way to promote literacy. Perhaps nothing is more vital to a child's academic success than receiving proper literacy instruction from an early age. This legislation will promote best practices, rooted in the science of reading, and help more students develop the reading skills needed to reach their full potential.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03)\n\n\"As a teacher for nearly three decades - and the husband of a literacy expert - I know that strong reading skills are the foundation for success in the classroom, in the workplace, and throughout life. The Science of Reading Act gives teachers and students access to proven, evidence-based approaches that help kids become stronger readers. I\u2019m proud that Republicans and Democrats came together to pass this legislation and move us one step closer to improving reading outcomes for students in NY-22 and across the country. Strong schools and strong readers are essential to America\u2019s ability to compete and win globally.\u201d\n\n- \u200eRep. John Mannion (NY-22)\n\n\u201cIndiana continues to invest historic resources to ensure the science of reading is used in every Hoosier classroom. Through this intentional focus, we\u2019ve seen two consecutive years of historic literacy gains, with nearly 90 percent of third graders now reading proficiently. This legislation reinforces our work in Indiana, ensures taxpayer dollars are only used on what we know works, and will help more students across the country to become strong readers.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Indiana Governor Mike Braun\n\n\u201cLiteracy is the key to unlocking future success for our students, which is why it is absolutely essential that we use instructional strategies proven to help children learn to read. Through Indiana\u2019s focus on the science of reading, we have more Hoosier third graders reading today than even before the pandemic. By doubling down on these evidence-based strategies, we can ensure students across Indiana and the nation have the best possible chance for literacy success, and thus lifelong opportunities.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner\n\n\"We are already seeing the impact of the Science of Reading research in Indiana, with literacy rates among Hoosier children showing significant improvement since 2022. As one of Indiana\u2019s largest producers of teachers, IU acted swiftly to align our programs with science of reading practices, ensuring our graduates enter classrooms prepared to meet the needs of every student. The Science of Reading Act will further support this work and inspire a new generation of confident readers.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Leah Michele Nellis, Assistant Vice President for School Partnerships, Indiana University\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Representatives Houchin, Mannion, and Kiley for their leadership on the Science of Reading Act of 2026 and for engaging Save the Children on this important effort. Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader. This legislation is an important step toward closing literacy gaps by promoting evidence-based instruction grounded in decades of research. We welcome this investment in early literacy and support continued efforts to ensure children in rural and underserved communities have access to high-quality reading instruction. By equipping educators with proven tools and training, we can help more children develop the foundational skills they need to thrive.\u201d\n\n- \u200eAllison Dembeck, Head of Policy, Save the Children\n\nClick HERE to view bill text.\n\nClick HERE to view Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s remarks.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-state-audit-committee-meeting-spartz-seeks-accountability-iedc-and-leap", "\ufeffAHEAD OF STATE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING, SPARTZ SEEKS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IEDC AND LEAP", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 In light of the upcoming September 29 meeting of the Indiana Legislative Council Audit and Financial Reporting Subcommittee, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) sent a letter to the Subcommittee raising serious concerns about the adequacy of state audit and legislative oversight of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the rapidly expanding LEAP Research and Innovation District. Under Indiana law, the Subcommittee has statutory responsibility for independent review and oversight of the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) and the state examination process, including reviewing examination reports, internal accounting controls, and corrective actions.\n\n\u201cIndiana taxpayers deserve to know what happened, why our existing audit and oversight mechanisms failed to identify these serious problems, whether any wrongdoing occurred, and whether anyone should be held accountable,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cWith significant state and federal resources involved, we need proper independent oversight\u2014not just changes in policies going forward.\u201d\n\nState Audit and Legislative Oversight\n\nRep. Spartz\u2019s letter raises questions about oversight of IEDC and LEAP as IEDC\u2019s funding, authority, land holdings, contractual commitments, and development activities expanded significantly beginning in 2022.\n\nThe letter asks how IEDC\u2019s changing risk profile was evaluated under the State\u2019s risk-based examination process; what oversight the Subcommittee conducted of IEDC, IEDF, and LEAP; what actions were taken following prior audit findings; and why significant governance, contracting, conflict, internal-control, and compliance concerns subsequently identified by FTI Consulting were not identified through the existing examination and oversight process.\n\nThe October 2, 2025 FTI forensic review identified 45 findings and observations involving governance, internal controls, contracting, conflicts, compliance, and financial oversight. FTI also expressly stated that its work was not an audit or comprehensive investigation and was not designed to identify all errors, irregularities, or potential fraud.\n\nRep. Spartz is asking the Subcommittee to address these matters at its upcoming meeting and has offered to participate in the discussion.\n\nSee letter to the Indiana Legislative Council Audit and Financial Reporting Subcommittee HERE.\n\nAdditional GAO Inquiry\n\nRep. Spartz also sent an additional inquiry to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a federal review of IEDC and LEAP, including federal funding, financial controls, compliance, and federal agency oversight.\n\nThis GAO inquiry is separate from Rep. Spartz\u2019s earlier request concerning the Citizens\u2013Lebanon water project and its use of federally capitalized Drinking Water State Revolving Fund financing.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-introduces-combat-veterans-retirement-restoration-act", "Spartz Introduces Combat Veterans Retirement Restoration Act", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) introduced the Combat Veterans Retirement Restoration Act, narrowly targeted legislation to ensure combat-disabled veterans who were forced to medically retire before completing 20 years of military service can receive both their earned military retired pay and VA disability compensation.\n\n\u201cCombat veterans forced to medically retire because of their injuries should not lose retirement benefits simply because they could not reach 20 years of service,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cThis targeted fix honors our commitment to those who sacrificed in defense of our nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-discusses-ships-for-america-act-at-hudson-institute/", "Young\u00a0Discusses SHIPS for America Act at Hudson Institute", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "**Click here or above to watch the full event.**\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) at the Hudson Institute to discuss the SHIPS for America Act and their efforts restore America\u2019s commercial shipbuilding industry to help deter Chinese aggression.\n\nDuring the event, Senator Young discussed the prospects of passing the legislation before year\u2019s end.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-van-hollen-introduce-bill-to-boost-housing-mobility-vouchers-give-families-increased-access-to-affordable-housing/", "Young, Van Hollen Introduce Bill to Boost Housing Mobility Vouchers, Give Families Increased Access to Affordable Housing", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) reintroduced the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, legislation to create 250,000 housing mobility vouchers for the nation\u2019s most vulnerable families with young children.\n\nThe bill couples rental assistance vouchers, which allow families to choose eligible privately owned housing units and pay rent equal to 30 percent of their income, with evidence-based mobility support services, such as housing counselors and landlord coordination, to help families find affordable housing in high-opportunity areas.\n\n\u201cEvery child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable home and reach their full potential,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cResearch has shown that children who move from high-poverty areas to neighborhoods with greater opportunity at a young age can see significantly higher earnings later in life. Our legislation will give families facing homelessness and housing instability more choices about where they live, helping more children access strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and opportunities to succeed.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnsuring children grow up in a safe and secure home is one of the best ways we can support their success. That\u2019s why we need to do more to make sure every family has access to an affordable place to live \u2013 and what\u2019s more, we need to ensure affordable housing is available in neighborhoods with strong schools and good-paying jobs. As we work to expand affordable housing nationwide and increase economic mobility for all families, this bipartisan bill will boost access to housing vouchers that have already served as an effective and immediate solution \u2013 giving more parents the ability to afford a home in the location that best serves their family,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\nResearch shows that higher opportunity areas offer children a greater chance to succeed. The bill builds on this cutting-edge policy research to help families overcome barriers to opportunity and achieve generational economic mobility. In the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations package, Senators Young and Van Hollen secured the authorization and funding of their Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act. The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Actwould build upon their previous efforts by expanding this legislation \u2013 providing increased funds and making 250,000 more vouchers available over the next five years.\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\nSpecifically, the bill:\n\nCreates an additional 250,000 housing vouchers over five years for low-income, high-need families with young children. Pregnant women and families with a child under age 6 would qualify for these new vouchers if they have a history of homelessness or housing instability, live in an area of concentrated poverty, or are at risk of being pushed out of an opportunity area. This includes families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; families who are living in housing conditions that are dangerous or life-threatening; and families who are living in units that are not accessible to a disabled family member.\n\nProvides voucher recipients with a customized approach to mobility-related services that will enable a successful transition to opportunity areas for children, including access to counseling and case management services that have a proven track record of helping families move out of poverty.\n\nEnables housing agencies to engage new landlords in the voucher program and connect families with information about housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods and community-based supports for families as they move.\n\nThe Senators\u2019 legislation is supported by a broad group of experts and advocacy organizations, including:American Association of Service Coordinators, Autism Society of America, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Boston Medical Center, Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, BPC Action, Caring Across Generations, Catholic Charities USA, Center for Law and Social Policy, Children\u2019s HealthWatch, Children\u2019s Trust Fund Alliance, Church World Service, Coalition on Human Needs, Community Solutions International, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd U.S. Region, Council of State Community Development Agencies, First Focus Campaign for Children, Family Promise, Futures Without Violence, Healthcare Anchor Network, Housing Assistance Council, Housing Justice Center, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Low Income Investment Fund, Lutheran Services in America, Mobility Works, MomsRising, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, National Association of Social Workers, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Disability Institute, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, National Homelessness Law Center, National Housing Law Project, National Housing Resource Center, National Leased Housing Association, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National NeighborWorks Association, National Rental Home Council, National WIC Association, Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign, Parents as Teachers, PolicyLink, Poverty & Race Research Action Council, Prosperity Indiana, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association, SchoolHouse Connection, The Kelsey, Union for Reform Judaism, and ZERO TO THREE.\n\n\u201cThe Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act builds on strong evidence that helping families with children access higher-opportunity neighborhoods significantly improves long-term economic outcomes. Findings from Opportunity Insights\u2019 Creating Moves to Opportunity and HOPE VI studies as well as HUD\u2019s Community Choice Demonstration show that mobility supports like those outlined in this bill can be implemented effectively and at scale. We support the research-informed approaches advanced by this legislation and believe they can expand opportunity for more children and families,\u201dsaid Raj Chetty, Director of Opportunity Insights and Professor of Economics, Harvard University.\n\n\u201cThe National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) commends Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN) for their leadership in reintroducing the \u201cFamily Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act,\u201d bipartisan legislation that expands access to stable housing and high-opportunity neighborhoods for families with young children,\u201d said Renee M. Willis, president and CEO of NLIHC. \u201cSafe, affordable housing is essential to quality of life, supporting educational attainment, economic mobility, and health outcomes. The \u201cFamily Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act\u201d represents an important step toward advancing housing stability, providing 250,000 additional vouchers to help families with young children secure affordable housing in communities of their choice.\u201d\n\n\u201cSafe, stable, and affordable housing is foundational to child health. Our research has consistently shown that when families struggle with unstable housing, young children face greater risk of poor health and developmental delays,\u201dsaid Dr. Megan Sandel, pediatrician, and Co-Lead Principal Investigator for Children\u2019s HealthWatch. \u201cThe Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act would give more families with young children the stability and choice they need to find an affordable home in a well-resourced neighborhood where their children can thrive. Investing in housing stability during the earliest years of life is an investment in children\u2019s health, development, and opportunity for the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cBPC Action applauds Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for reintroducing the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act. The evidence is clear: young children whose families move to high-opportunity neighborhoods do better for life. This bill\u2019s proposed 250,000 new vouchers and mobility counseling put that within reach, advancing a key Bipartisan Policy Center recommendation. Strengthening the Housing Choice Voucher program has drawn bipartisan support for decades, and BPC Action stands ready to help Congress make it law,\u201d said Michele Stockwell, president of BPC Action.\n\n\u201cStarting from the earliest years of our lives, the neighborhoods we live in shape our health, education, and economic opportunities. For millions of children across the country, housing instability can mean struggling in school, experiencing poorer health, and having fewer opportunities for economic mobility into adulthood. Decades of research show us that when children have stable homes in well-resourced communities, they have better outcomes and greater opportunities to thrive. The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act translates that evidence into a cost-effective solution. The Opportunity Starts at Home campaign is proud to champion this legislation and for its promise to give more children the stability and opportunity they deserve,\u201d said Chantelle Wilkinson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Campaigns at the National Low Income Housing Coalition.\n\n\u201cThe National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds and fully supports Senators Chris Van Hollen and Todd Young in their bipartisan introduction of the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act that would create 250,000 new housing vouchers,\u201d said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers. \u201cAs the nation\u2019s largest professional social work organization, we are well aware of the fact that the most important support service for low-income families is safe and affordable housing. Therefore, we welcome this legislation that will significantly increase the availability of housing vouchers and help to end the cycle of homelessness low-income families with young children too often experience.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhere a child grows up can shape everything from their health to their economic future. Through our work, the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership sees firsthand how housing mobility support services help families access communities that meet their needs and create new possibilities for their children. We thank Senators Van Hollen and Young for their continued bipartisan leadership of the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, which would bring the effective tools of housing mobility to more families nationwide, providing stability today while opening doors to brighter futures for the next generation,\u201d said Adria Crutchfield, Executive Director of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-sends-letter-usps-proposed-permanent-closure-wheeler-post-office", "Mrvan Sends Letter to USPS on Proposed Permanent Closure of Wheeler Post Office", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan released a letter he sent to the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding the proposed permanent closure of the Wheeler Post Office.\n\nAs USPS conducts a discontinuance feasibility study on the permanent closure of the Wheeler Post Office, the letter urges USPS to find an alternative solution that restores essential mail services for Wheeler residents and requests that USPS schedule another community meeting to give constituents a real opportunity to express their concerns. Previously, on March 26, 2026, the Congressman sent an initial letter on this matter to the USPS.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cI write to submit input for the discontinuance feasibility study on the proposed permanent closure of the Wheeler Post Office. I am deeply concerned that the permanent closure of the Wheeler Post Office would continue to make it exceedingly difficult for my constituents to access convenient and reliable postal services. As a final determination on this is made, I urge USPS to find an alternative solution that restores dependable postal services for Wheeler residents.\n\n\u201cSince the suspension of the Wheeler Post Office in July 2023 due to health and safety concerns at the facility, Wheeler residents have had to travel to the Hobart Post Office to collect their mail. This creates significant barriers for Wheeler residents, who do not receive door-to-door mail delivery service. As a result, instead of having 24-hour access to their Post Office (PO) boxes, residents must find time during business hours to go to Hobart to collect critical mail \u2013 including prescription medicine, veterans\u2019 benefits information, and Social Security checks.\n\n\u201cAfter nearly two years without designated PO boxes, Wheeler residents were given keys to PO boxes at the Hobart Post Office. However, this has not solved postal reliability issues for my constituents, who still only have access to these PO boxes during retail hours. Permanently maintaining PO boxes at the Hobart Main Office would exacerbate these challenges and have an outsized impact on seniors, residents without reliable transportation, and residents without flexible work hours. These concerns were reiterated at the USPS virtual community meeting for the discontinuance feasibility study on August 25, 2026, and should be seriously considered as USPS assesses next steps.\n\n\u201cMoreover, I am deeply disappointed that USPS announced the proposed closure and public input process during ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts in the region. Following severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began on August 11, 2026, residents throughout Northwest Indiana \u2013 including Porter County \u2013 sustained severe home damages and experienced widespread, prolonged power outages. As a result, President Trump approved both an Emergency Declaration and Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana.\n\n\u201cDespite this active crisis, USPS sent letters on August 17 informing Wheeler residents of the proposed post office closure and the August 25 virtual community meeting. During this period, many residents were still without power and internet access, and mail services were disrupted by the severe weather. Scheduling the only community meeting during this disaster, when many constituents were likely unable to receive the information or attend, was extremely insensitive and directly hinders a fair and comprehensive public input process. This is only one example of the Postal Service\u2019s repeated failure to adequately communicate timely and transparent information regarding the status of the Wheeler Post Office to my office, local elected officials, and residents.\n\n\u201cOver the past three years, I have heard from constituents and local elected officials about the disruptive impact of the prolonged Wheeler Post Office suspension. The USPS universal service obligation dictates that all Americans receive reliable, affordable, and consistent mail service regardless of location. To uphold this standard, I urge USPS to find an alternative solution that restores essential mail services for Wheeler residents, and request that USPS schedule another community meeting to give constituents a real opportunity to express their concerns.\n\n\u201cI appreciate your attention to this matter, and I stand ready to work together to ensure Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District receives reliable, efficient, and consistent access to postal services.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://stutzman.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-stutzmans-ai-regulating-futures-act-passes-house-representatives", "REP. STUTZMAN\u2019S AI REGULATING FUTURES ACT PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Marlin A. Stutzman", "S001188", "stutzman.house.gov", "stutzman", "https://stutzman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) released the following statement after his Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in Supervision (FUTURES) Act passed the House of Representatives under suspension. The FUTURES Act will enhance regulatory agencies' ability to conduct thorough supervision and ensure the safety and soundness of the financial system.\n\n\"In the age of AI, it is imperative that regulatory technology keep up with monetary technological development,\u201d said Rep. Stutzman. \u201cIn the financial sector, this is especially important as Americans\u2019 assets, savings, and investments hang in the balance. I am proud that the House advanced this common-sense legislation that can respond to potential threats as quickly as they arise.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-cortez-masto-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-end-unfair-tax-burden-on-sexual-assault-survivors/", "Young, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Unfair Tax Burden on Sexual Assault Survivors", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate an unfair tax burden on survivors of sexual assault. The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act would ensure that survivors of sexual assault are not taxed on settlement income they earn in a lawsuit against their abuser.\n\nAfter prevailing legally against their abuser, the IRS requires sexual abuse survivors to pay income tax on any settlement money they receive unless they can show visible evidence of physical injury. However, injuries resulting from sexual assault are not always visible or may have healed by the time a settlement is reached. The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act would correct this unfair treatment.\n\n\u201cSurvivors of sexual assault who have courageously sought justice should not face an additional, unfair burden from our tax code,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation will fix this injustice and ensure survivors can receive the full compensation they are owed. This common-sense change will provide greater fairness for survivors and ensure the tax code does not create another obstacle on the path to justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cSeeking justice as a sexual assault survivor requires enormous bravery, effort, and time,\u201d said Senator Cortez Masto. \u201cIt\u2019s unfair that when survivors do reach a settlement, they have to pay taxes on the payments they fought so hard for unless they can show visual evidence of injury on the most private parts of their bodies. This legislation ensures that all survivors receive their full settlements.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act would allow damages to qualify for the tax exclusion when a victim presents to the IRS a court decision or settlement agreement stating that such damages were received on account of any sexual act or sexual contact, as defined in the federal criminal code.", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-requests-federal-review-leap-water-project-financing-and-environmental", "\ufeffSpartz Requests Federal Review of LEAP Water Project Financing and Environmental Oversight", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (EPA OIG) conduct an independent review of federal oversight and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) financing for the Citizens\u2013Lebanon Water Supply Program associated with Indiana\u2019s LEAP Research and Innovation District.\n\nThe Indiana Finance Authority has approved financing through Indiana\u2019s federally capitalized DWSRF for a major regional water infrastructure program designed to provide up to 25 million gallons of water per day to Lebanon from the White River watershed. Citizens Energy Group sought approximately $560 million in DWSRF financing for the program, with approximately $104.8 million in initial financing closed in December 2024.\n\n\u201cEconomic development is important, but it must be done responsibly and transparently,\u201d Rep. Spartz said. \u201cWhen hundreds of millions of dollars in federally capitalized financing and critical water resources are involved, taxpayers and communities deserve accountability. We need an independent review to make sure federal requirements were properly followed and the long-term impacts on existing communities, agriculture, future economic development, and our water resources were adequately evaluated.\u201d\n\nFederal DWSRF regulations restrict funding for projects needed primarily to serve future population growth and establish environmental-review requirements for projects receiving assistance.\n\nRep. Spartz is asking GAO and EPA OIG to review whether the Citizens\u2013Lebanon projects meet federal DWSRF eligibility requirements; whether appropriate environmental reviews were conducted; whether the entire 25-MGD program and its combined water-resource impacts were adequately evaluated; and whether EPA Region 5 provided appropriate federal oversight.\n\n\u201cFederal drinking-water programs should protect existing communities and public health\u2014not become a backdoor subsidy for large economic development projects,\u201d Rep. Spartz said. \u201cGAO and EPA OIG should independently review the facts and determine whether federal law and proper processes were followed.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-houchin-auchincloss-introduce-bipartisan-16-social-media-act-keep-kids", "Reps. Houchin, Auchincloss Introduce Bipartisan 16 & Up Social Media Act to Keep Kids Under 16 Off Addictive Platforms", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 11, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) today introduced the 16 & Up Social Media Act, bipartisan legislation that establishes a national age standard of 16 for social media platforms.\n\nThe bill responds to a simple reality: platforms built on infinite scroll, autoplay, push alerts, and personalized feeds are designed to keep users hooked, and children are the least equipped to resist them. The 16 & Up Social Media Act sets a bright-line rule that platforms can follow and parents can count on.\n\n\"Every parent knows the feeling of watching a child disappear into a screen,\" said Rep. Houchin. \"These platforms were engineered by the smartest people in the world to hold attention, and they are winning that fight against our kids. Studies show that sixteen is the right line. This bill draws it clearly, applies it to every platform that uses these addictive features, and puts real enforcement behind it. Kids get their childhood back, and parents get a bright line they can rely on.\"\n\n\"Social media corporations addict children for profit. The exploitation must stop. Our kids deserve their childhoods back.\" said Rep. Auchincloss.\n\n\"Children's wellbeing is shaped by technologies that were designed for addiction yet face almost no oversight. This is not a parenting problem. It is a structural problem, and it demands a structural response. The goal is to stop addictive design entirely. Until then, gaining access to platforms with manipulative, unsafe design needs age minimums. The 16 & Up Social Media Act delivers exactly that.\" said Jonathan Haidt, Social Psychologist, NYU Stern School of Business, and author of The Anxious Generation\n\nThe 16 & Up Act:\n\nSets a national age standard of 16: Prohibits covered social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts.\n\nFocuses on design features: Applies strictly to platforms that use engagement-driven design features (like infinite scroll and personalized feeds) to target users, rather than regulating content.\n\nEnsures privacy and accountability: Mandates the deletion of children's data upon account termination and requires platforms to implement a clear, five-day appeals process for any account closures.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman Houchin serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she has led the House's work on children's online safety. She authored the SAFE Bots Act, the first bill to protect kids from AI chatbots, co-leads the Kids Online Safety Caucus with Congressman Auchincloss, and strongly supported the KIDS Act package (H.R. 7757), which passed the House with bipartisan support.\n\nBill text can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-stands-for-life-as-indiana-supreme-court-hears-oral-arguments-in-landmark-abortion-case/", "Banks Stands for Life as Indiana Supreme Court\u00a0Hears Oral Arguments in Landmark Abortion Case", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. \u2013 In late May, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) filed an amicus brief in the Indiana Supreme Court supporting Indiana\u2019s pro-life law. The brief was submitted in Individual Members of the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana v. Anonymous, which involves a challenge to Indiana\u2019s pro-life law brought under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.\n\nSenator Banks argues in his brief that: (1) There is no religious right to an abortion; (2) Laws protecting religious freedom do not protect killing and other forms of violence, including when the victims are unborn; and (3) The tradition of Indiana and the United States is to protect the unborn as persons entitled to the right to life. Indiana attorneys James Bopp, Jr. and John Westercamp served as local counsel on the brief.\n\nThis week, the Indiana Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case. This makes the Indiana Supreme Court the first high court in the world to consider whether there is a religious right to an abortion.\n\nSenator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cThere is no religious right to an abortion, it\u2019s that simple. Every unborn child deserves the right to life, and the Indiana Supreme Court has a responsibility to ensure our state\u2019s pro-life law remains in full effect.\u201d\n\nJames Bopp, Jr.: \u201cIndiana\u2019s compelling governmental interest in protecting unborn life is not a loophole to be argued around. It holds under the federal constitution, the state constitution, and RFRA. Every unborn child in Indiana is entitled to that protection, and no legal theory changes that fact.\u201d\n\nJohn Westercamp: \u201cReligious liberty may never be used as a pretext to justify violence against innocent life. I\u2019m proud to work with Senator Banks as he petitions the Indiana Supreme Court to protect life.\u201d\n\nRead the full brief here.\n\nBackground:\n\nA trial court judge in Marion County became the first judge in the world to identify a religious right to abortion. Individual Members of the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana v. Anonymous involves a challenge to Indiana\u2019s pro-life law by Hoosier Jews for Choice, which is seeking religious exemptions from Indiana\u2019s law under the state\u2019s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Hoosier Jews for Choice alleges that its members have a religious belief that pregnant women should be able to receive abortions even where their lives or health are not at serious risk, and argues that the state\u2019s restrictions on abortion impermissibly burden this belief.\n\nThe Marion County Superior Court agreed and held that Indiana\u2019s pro-life law shall not apply to anyone whose religious beliefs support abortion.\n\nThe Indiana Supreme Court agreed to hear the case and will now decide whether the state\u2019s pro-life law infringes the religious freedom of residents who support abortion.\n\nSummary of Argument:\n\n\u201cIn 2022, Indiana became the first state in the country to pass a pro-life law, following the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health, 597 U.S.215 (2022), that states can act to protect unborn life at all stages. S.E.A. 1 continues a longstanding tradition of protecting the right to life of all persons within a jurisdiction, including those who are unborn.\n\n\u201cThe trial court enjoined S.E.A. 1 as to a certified religious class under the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Ind. Code \u00a7\u00a7 34-13-9-1 et seq. (2022) (\u201cRFRA\u201d).\n\n\u201cMore than fifty years ago, the Indiana Supreme Court held Indiana\u2019s interest in protecting unborn life \u201cvalid and compelling\u201d \u201cfrom the moment of conception.\u201d Cheaney v. State, 285 N.E.2d 265, 270 (Ind. 1972). Cheaney remains good law, and the General Assembly has codified treatment of the unborn as persons deserving of the protection of the laws. Ind. Code \u00a7 16-34-2-1.1(a)(1)(E) (2022). Indiana\u2019s interest in doing so is deeply rooted in the \u201chistory and tradition\u201d of the United States, and Dobbs restored to the states the ability to act upon it. See New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass\u2019n v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1, 22 (2022).\n\n\u201cJust as Indiana has an interest in protecting unborn life, it has an interest in rejecting religious claims to end that life. There is no religious right to take a human life. Countless judicial decisions affirm the states\u2019 compelling interest in denying requests for an exemption from laws against private violence. Courts reject these requests even where practitioners\u2019 views are sincerely held and even though such laws contain other exemptions. The government has the same compelling interest in denying religious claims to abortion that it has in denying religious requests for murder and other forms of violence.\n\n\u201cThe promises of the American Founding and guarantees of the American legal tradition are for all persons. The Indiana Supreme Court should reverse the judgment of the trial court and give Indiana\u2019s pro-life law its full effect.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-requests-federal-investigation-nwi-power-outages", "Mrvan Requests Federal Investigation into NWI Power Outages", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting an investigation into the power outages following the derecho that struck Northwest Indiana on August 11, 2026.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cI write to request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in coordination with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), conduct a comprehensive federal review of the widespread and prolonged power outages that followed the severe weather event, a derecho, that struck Northwest Indiana on August 11, 2026.\n\n\u201cThe derecho brought extraordinary straight-line winds across Northern Indiana, with peak wind gusts reaching approximately 100 to 110 miles per hour across portions of Lake and Porter Counties. The storm caused unprecedented damage and resulted in nearly 375,000 customer outages within Northern Indiana Public Service Company\u2019s (NIPSCO) service territory. Tens of thousands of Northwest Indiana residents remained without electricity for nearly two weeks. This was the largest outage event in NIPSCO\u2019s history and far exceeded the average duration of electricity interruptions associated with major events. The Cities of Gary, Lake Station, and Portage, as well as the Town of Munster, were among the hardest hit communities and the last areas to receive full restoration.\n\n\u201cThe consequences of these prolonged outages were significant. Families lost food, homes experienced flooding and subsequent mold growth, businesses lost inventory and revenue, and residents lost access to essential medical equipment and prescription medications. For many constituents, the lack of electricity also meant the loss of reliable access to phones, computers, internet service, and other means of communicating with family members, reporting outages, and applying for emergency assistance.\n\n\u201cMost concerning, vulnerable residents were left without reliable access to medical care and other essential services. For nearly two weeks, too many Northwest Indiana families were literally left in the dark.\n\n\u201cOn August 25, 2026, a federal Major Disaster Declaration was approved for Indiana, providing critical assistance as communities begin the long process of recovery. However, federal assistance must address not only the damage caused by this storm, but also what can be learned from the unprecedented duration of the resulting power outages.\n\n\u201cThe Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor has petitioned the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to investigate NIPSCO\u2019s storm restoration practices, and I strongly support that state-level investigation. At the same time, given the scale of this event, I believe a federal review is warranted.\n\n\u201cI respectfully request a joint FERC-NERC investigation to assess what contributed to the prolonged outages and determine whether NIPSCO\u2019s preparation, system performance, and restoration efforts were consistent with applicable reliability requirements and best practices. I also request that the findings include recommendations to improve electric-grid reliability and storm resilience.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, I ask that the investigation examine whether NIPSCO and its parent company, NiSource, complied with FERC-approved federal reliability standards and whether any deficiencies in reliability planning, system resilience, or emergency response warrant additional federal action. The review should evaluate the following factors:\n\nStorm preparedness: The short- and long-term preparations NIPSCO undertook before the August 11 derecho, including emergency response planning, staffing, equipment, mutual-aid arrangements, and pre-positioning of resources.\n\nGrid resilience and system design: The performance and resilience of NIPSCO\u2019s distribution and transmission infrastructure in the face of extreme straight-line winds and increasingly severe weather events.\n\nVegetation management and maintenance: The adequacy and effectiveness of routine maintenance and vegetation-management practices, particularly considering the significant investments NIPSCO has reported making in these areas.\n\nRestoration performance: The causes of the prolonged restoration timeline, including why certain communities remained without power substantially longer than others and whether restoration priorities, resource allocation, communications, and repair practices were appropriate.\n\nRegional comparison: NIPSCO\u2019s restoration performance compared with other electric utilities in Indiana and the surrounding region that experienced outages from the same weather event.\n\nInfrastructure investments: Whether the substantial investments NIPSCO has made in recent years toward infrastructure replacement, grid modernization, reliability, and vegetation management have produced the adequate levels of resilience.\n\n\u201cThis last point deserves particular scrutiny. NIPSCO has emphasized that recent rate increases are necessary to support infrastructure upgrades and improve grid reliability. Since 2016, customers have contributed approximately $2.3 billion toward infrastructure replacement, and $81 million towards vegetation management between 2023 and 2025. Given the magnitude of these investments, Northwest Indiana residents deserve to know why they experienced outages of this magnitude and duration, and whether additional investments, preparation, maintenance, or changes in reliability standards could have reduced the impact on families and businesses.\n\n\u201cI appreciate your consideration of this request and your commitment to ensuring the reliability and resilience of our nation\u2019s electric grid. I also request that FERC coordinate, as appropriate, with the IURC, NIPSCO, state emergency-management officials, and other relevant stakeholders to implement the lessons learned from this event. I stand ready to work together to advance transparency and accountability, strengthen our electric infrastructure, and ensure that Northwest Indiana families and businesses can depend on safe, reliable, and affordable power.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-houchin-applauds-announcement-nuclear-microreactor-nws-crane-develop", "Rep. Houchin Applauds Announcement of Nuclear Microreactor at NWS Crane to Develop Energy Resilience", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 9, 2026\n\nToday, Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) celebrated the Department of War\u2019s announcement that Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Crane will host Indiana's first advanced nuclear Micro Modular Reactor (MMR), with installation planned no later than September 2028.\n\nThe project, executed jointly by the Army's Janus Program, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, and the State of Indiana, will deliver reliable, around-the-clock power to one of the nation's premier warfighting innovation hubs.\n\n\"Crane is a unique and valuable asset to our National Defense Portfolio and this investment demonstrates that Indiana is at the forefront of unleashing American energy.\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \"With proven success in powering submarines, microreactors at our military installations is a natural next step in U.S. energy deployment and rebuilding our nuclear supply chain. The project will also have a positive impact at West Gate due to increased power supply to the base. Thank you to the Department of War, the Navy, our state and federal partners and to everyone whose efforts made this day possible. I am proud to have been part of a chorus of voices advocating for this project and I am proud to be among NWS Crane\u2019s advocates in Washington.\u201d\n\nAs the first power-producing nuclear reactor sited in Indiana, the Crane MMR will expand the state's power generation capacity and support the region's long-standing role as a hub for national defense research and manufacturing. The project implements President Trump's Executive Orders on deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security and reinvigorating the nuclear industrial base.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-seeks-independent-federal-review-indiana-data-centers-and-leap", "\ufeffSpartz Seeks Independent Federal Review of Indiana Data Centers and LEAP", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NOBLESVILLE, IN \u2014 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum requesting an independent federal review of the rapidly expanding LEAP Research and Innovation District and other major data-center projects across Indiana, raising concerns about energy generation, grid reliability, transmission costs, water resources, and who ultimately pays.\n\n\u201cFor two years, I have been raising concerns about the massive energy and infrastructure demands of data centers, as well as the significant water demands of the LEAP district,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cBased on my numerous recent town halls, Hoosiers are increasingly concerned and deserve clear answers about who is paying for what. I support bringing advanced manufacturing and strategic industries to Indiana, but Hoosier families, farmers, small businesses, and existing industries should not be forced to subsidize extraordinary private projects.\u201d\n\nIn February, Meta announced a more than $10 billion LEAP campus with 10 planned data centers and approximately 1 GW of capacity. MISO planning documents estimate total LEAP demand at approximately 1,200 MW, with hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission infrastructure already identified.\n\nAt the same time, federal reliability warnings are escalating. The U.S. Department of Energy reported that MISO was reclassified from \u201celevated risk\u201d to \u201chigh risk\u201d for 2028\u20132031 and is now using emergency authority to preserve existing generation. MISO has also identified new transmission violations and worsened reliability issues resulting from additional LEAP load, requiring major corrective projects across multiple Indiana utility systems and raising concerns about the risk of blackouts as electricity demand continues to grow.\n\nIn June, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) preliminarily found that MISO lacks adequate protections against shifting large-load transmission costs to other customers, potentially resulting in \u201cunjust and unreasonable rates.\u201d FERC also raised concerns about inadequate transparency surrounding required transmission upgrades, their costs, and cost allocation.\n\nSpartz\u2019s letter further raises concerns about significant loopholes in transparency and oversight created by Indiana laws during LEAP\u2019s development, as well as plans to supply up to 25 million gallons of water per day to Lebanon and LEAP from the White River watershed.\n\nSpartz is requesting a full accounting of how much energy and water these projects will require, what new generation and infrastructure must be built, how much it will cost, who is responsible for those costs, and what enforceable protections exist to prevent Hoosier consumers and taxpayers from being left with the bill.\n\n\u201cWe cannot retire firm generation, add massive new loads, spend hundreds of millions on infrastructure, and then leave Hoosiers guessing who will pay for it,\u201d Spartz said. \u201cWe must ensure Hoosiers are not left paying higher utility bills while facing increased risks of blackouts. Hoosiers deserve substantiated answers before these commitments are made.\u201d\n\nThe requested review would extend beyond LEAP to examine the cumulative effects of major data-center projects involving Google, Amazon, Meta, and other developers across Indiana.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-applauds-announcement-of-navys-first-advanced-nuclear-microreactor-deployment-at-naval-weapons-station-crane-in-indiana/", "Young\u00a0Applauds Announcement of Navy\u2019s First Advanced Nuclear Microreactor Deployment at Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Today, Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the Department of War\u2019s announcement of the planned installation of the State of Indiana\u2019s first advanced nuclear Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) at Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Crane by September 2028.\n\n\u201cThis announcement by the Department of War is exciting news for our state,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cCritical next-generation energy solutions for our warfighters will be located in Indiana, at Crane. This first-of-its-kind mission will bring the highest levels of nuclear expertise to our state and is another example of the important role Hoosiers are playing in our national security.\u201d\n\nThe project is being executed jointly by the Army\u2019s Janus Program; the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment; the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)); and the State of Indiana.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-asks-va-transparency-2-billion-investment-indiana", "Spartz Asks VA for Transparency on $2 Billion Investment in Indiana", "2026-09-08", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NOBLESVILLE, IN \u2014 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Veteran Health Indiana Director Mike Hershman seeking greater transparency on roughly $2 billion in funding advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives for the replacement and modernization of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis and a new VA clinic.\n\n\u201cAfter meeting with veterans across my district, it is clear that we still have significant work to do to improve access and quality of care, particularly in mental health,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cWith roughly $2 billion of taxpayer money at stake, we need transparency, real competition, and accountability to make sure these investments actually deliver better care for Hoosier veterans.\u201d\n\nRep. Spartz is asking the VA to provide information on how the funds will be spent, the competitive bidding and procurement processes for the projects, and the criteria used to select IU Health for the planned Fishers clinic. She also requested summaries of bids and proposals received, including bid amounts and alternatives considered.\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about increasing health care market concentration and asks what safeguards will be in place to prevent providers from shifting additional overhead, facility, or other costs to the VA and taxpayers.\n\n\u201cMore spending does not automatically mean better care,\u201d Rep. Spartz said. \u201cCongress has an obligation to make sure these dollars are spent efficiently and transparently for the benefit of our veterans - not special interests.\u201d\n\nRep. Spartz requested a response from the VA by October 8, 2026.", 1, "2026-09-09T09:27:09Z", "2026-09-09T09:29:04Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-launches-official-congressional-inquiry-increased-ice", "Congressman Carson Launches Official Congressional Inquiry into Increased ICE Indianapolis Activity", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS\u2014Today, amid reports of a surge in ICE arrests across Indianapolis, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07) submitted an official Congressional inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security.\n\nCongressman Carson\u2019s inquiry demands answers on the scope and probable cause for ICE\u2019s apparent increased enforcement, including the number of people detained, apprehended, or arrested in Indianapolis this year, and other relevant details to ICE\u2019s activity in Marion County.\n\nIn his letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Congressman Carson cites \u201creports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk\u2026The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community \u2013 but ICE\u2019s reported reckless actions in my district do.\u201d He also writes that more than 96% of individuals ICE arrested in July did not have prior criminal convictions.\n\nSince the Trump administration directed ICE to ramp up enforcement efforts at the start of his second term, Congressman Carson has repeatedly voted against ICE funding and called for the elimination of ICE as the agency continues to arrest indiscriminately, harm civilians and bystanders, and violate the right to due process.\n\nIn addition, Congressman Carson has called for an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, IN, which has denied medication and legal resources, and where two detainees died earlier this year.\n\nThe full text of Congressman Carson\u2019s inquiry can be found below and attached:\n\nDear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:\n\nI write to demand information on reports of a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests across Indianapolis, including operations involving masked agents, unmarked vehicles, and a dangerous foot pursuit across multiple lanes of traffic.\n\nAs representative for Indiana\u2019s Seventh Congressional District, I am requesting information on any increase in enforcement operations in my district, the authority under which these operations are being conducted, and what safeguards are in place to protect my constituents\u2019 constitutional rights and physical safety.\n\nIndianapolis residents and media report a surge of ICE arrests across my district, including reports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk. For example, video footage shows ICE agents chasing a man across several lanes of traffic near Post Road and Interstate 70 on September 1, 2026, threatening the safety of drivers and other motorists. Witnesses also report unmarked vehicles and masked agents.\n\nWhen pressed for answers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to provide an exact number of people detained, their location, and the outcome of their detention.\n\nAs a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of officers being able to perform their duties safely. Federal immigration enforcement does not excuse unsafe conduct, racial profiling, or violations of due process. I also understand that effective law enforcement depends on accountability, transparency, clear identification, safe operational planning, and public trust. Masked agents conducting arrests from unmarked vehicles, without appropriate public information about their identity, authority, or mission, creates fear and confusion. It makes it more difficult for residents to distinguish legitimate officers from those impersonating law enforcement. It erodes public trust in law enforcement \u2013 which is essential for local authorities to question witnesses and make arrests in cases that actually pose a danger to the general public.\n\nIn July, reports show that more than 96% of individuals arrested by ICE nationwide did not have prior criminal convictions. The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community \u2013 but ICE\u2019s reported reckless actions in my district do.\n\nAccordingly, please provide the following information and documents:", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases/shreve-bill-strengthen-american-mineral-supply-chains-passes-house", "Shreve Bill to Strengthen American Mineral Supply Chains Passes House", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Jefferson Shreve", "S001229", "shreve.house.gov", "shreve", "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) announced that the House passed his Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 (H.R. 1501), legislation to strengthen American mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on China.\n\nCars, appliances, cell phones, medical equipment, defense systems and the power grid all depend on minerals such as copper, lithium and rare earth elements. America has these resources, but years of government delay leave manufacturers dependent on foreign suppliers.\n\n\u201cAmerica has the resources. We have the workers. What we don\u2019t need is years of government delay and uncertainty,\u201d said Rep. Shreve. \u201cMy bill gives qualified mining projects a clear and accountable permitting process. That will strengthen American manufacturing, support American jobs and reduce our dependence on China.\u201d\n\nH.R. 1501 establishes mining and mineral processing as sectors eligible for FAST-41. The program coordinates federal reviews, establishes public timelines and increases accountability without changing environmental standards. The bill also blocks a proposed Biden administration rule that would have restricted which mining projects qualify.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, which I introduced with Rep. Shreve, pass the House today. Mining plays a critical role in our national security, and this bill is an important step towards a more streamlined and coordinated approval process for new mines,\" said Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01). \"In Utah alone, mining contributes over $5 billion to our state GDP annually. As demand for hardrock minerals continues to grow, we should be producing more resources here, with American workers, rather than relying on foreign adversaries. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill so that we can increase domestic mineral production and make government work better for our miners.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical for the United States to achieve mineral dominance and end our reliance on foreign adversaries for critical natural resources,\u201d said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AK-04). \u201cThe Protecting Domestic Mining Act will speed up permitting for mining and processing, allowing America to unleash its domestic mineral abundance, support good-paying jobs and decrease reliance on foreign sources. I thank Representative Shreve for his work on advancing policies to secure America\u2019s mineral supply chains.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy codifying into law what has already been a great success for American jobs, national security and supply chain independence, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 (H.R. 1501) will bring increased transparency, accountability and predictability in the permitting review process, reaffirming mining as a covered project under the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council\u2019s (FPISC) permitting dashboard,\u201d said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association. \u201cBy streamlining the permitting process and establishing greater coordination and cooperation between regulatory agencies, we can bring domestic mining operations online more efficiently and help America unlock its true potential. We congratulate Representatives Shreve and Moore on passage of H.R. 1501 and encourage the Senate to quickly take up and pass this important legislation. The bill will help to ensure that made in America truly means mined in America.\u201d\n\n\u201cStrengthening America\u2019s mineral supply chains is critical to our national and energy security, and will require both greater domestic production and a permitting process that can move projects forward efficiently,\u201d said James Dozier, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. \u201cThe Protecting Domestic Mining Act would help achieve both by expanding access to the FAST-41 program and giving critical mineral projects a clearer path toward expedited review. CRES is proud to support this important legislation and efforts to strengthen access to critical minerals vital for advanced, domestic, and cleaner energy production.\u201d\n\nThe Protecting Domestic Mining Act now heads to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2614", "Congressman Baird Votes to Pay Federal Employees, Avoid Harmful Government Shutdown", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "James R. Baird", "B001307", "baird.house.gov", "baird", "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on voting for H.R. 6500 a continuing resolution (CR), to fund the federal government, continue paying federal employees, and avoid a harmful government shutdown.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve a government that functions without interruption,\u201d said Rep. Baird. \u201cCongress must responsibly address spending while keeping the government open, allowing essential federal personnel to keep working. This continuing resolution gives Americans stability and certainty through our election cycle, while allowing Congress to continue toward responsible, long-term funding.\u201d\n\nCongressman Baird also commented on Section 2019 of the CR which extends the current federal definition of hemp until December 11, 2026.\n\n\u201cI am proud to also see a priority of mine included in this CR,\u201d continued Rep. Baird. \u201cThis short extension of the current hemp definition will provide Congress and farmers the time needed to develop a long-term solution. Producers deserve as much certainty as possible in deciding what to plant. Farmers should have the freedom to plant the crops that best serve their operations and profits.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://yakym.house.gov/posts/yakym-votes-to-condemn-rise-of-socialism-in-america", "Yakym Votes to Condemn Rise of Socialism in America", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Rudy Yakym III", "Y000067", "yakym.house.gov", "yakym", "https://yakym.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) voted to condemn and denounce socialism in all its forms, including the recent rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).\n\n\u201cI never thought I\u2019d see the day when the majority of Democrats would say out loud that they embrace socialism. But here we are,\u201d Rep. Yakym said. \u201cHistory has shown that socialism undermines the American Dream and fails again and again. I\u2019m proud that House Republicans rejected it today and stood firm on the values that made America the greatest nation on earth.\u201d\n\nThe DSA\u2019s platform includes abolishing the nation\u2019s borders, abolishing prisons, defunding the police, abolishing the U.S. Senate, and removing the president.\n\nThe resolution:\n\nCondemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the DSA\n\nReaffirms support for free, fair, and secure elections\n\nReiterates that American elections are for American citizens only\n\nRecommits the House to upholding the Constitution\n\nCalls for enactment of the SAVE America Act\n\nRead the full resolution HERE.", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-houchin-bills-protect-children-online-combat-scams-advance-subcommittee", "Rep. Houchin Bills to Protect Children Online, Combat Scams Advance Subcommittee Markup", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 1, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) today announced that two of her bills reported favorably out of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. The bills are as follows:\n\nH.R. 6488, Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens (RESET) Act, now known as Governing Underage Access and Requiring Data Consent in All Networks (GUARDIAN) Act\n\nThe GUARDIAN Act establishes a verifiable and revocable parental consent framework for social media platforms. Under the legislation, platforms would be prohibited from processing a child\u2019s personal data without parental consent. Parents would also be able to revoke that consent at any time, with the child\u2019s account closed and personal data deleted.\n\n\u201cParents\u2014not social media companies\u2014should be in the driver\u2019s seat when it comes to their children\u2019s online lives,\u201d saidRep Houchin. \u201cThe GUARDIAN Act, formerly the RESET Act, requires platforms to get verifiable consent from a parent before processing a child's personal data\u2014and lets the parent withdraw that consent at any time. We have an opportunity to build on the bipartisan consensus this Committee and the House have already established, and I am proud to continue working with my colleagues to make the internet safer for our children.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to view Rep. Houchin\u2019s remarks.\n\nH.R. 5967, Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act\n\nThis bipartisan legislation introduced alongside Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08) targets fraud, an issue costing Americans about $15.9 billion last year. By placing responsibility of preventing scams with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DoJ), the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act proactively targets criminals engaging in fraud.\n\n\u201cFraud is a massive and growing threat that costs Americans billions of dollars every year,\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \u201cThe federal government has agencies working on different pieces of this problem, but criminals do not operate in silos. We need the federal government to share information, coordinate its efforts, and work directly with the companies on the front lines of identifying scams. The Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act gives this effort an owner and creates a coordinated strategy to better protect Americans.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to view Rep. Houchin\u2019s remarks.", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-houchin-and-kelly-bill-close-rural-broadband-gaps-clears-subcommittee", "Reps. Houchin and Kelly Bill to Close Rural Broadband Gaps Clears Subcommittee Markup", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 1, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014 Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02)\u2019s bipartisan bill, the Data Broadband Reporting and Integration Deployment in Geographically Essential Areas (Data BRIDGE) Act, was reported today favorably out of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications & Technology.\n\nCurrently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)\u2019s National Broadband Map focuses on serviceable locations like homes and businesses but often misses the acreage surrounding where farming takes place. This dramatically skews funding decisions and limits the ability to deploy broadband needed for modern farming technologies like guidance systems, soil sensors, yield monitors, and irrigation controls. The Data BRIDGE Act addresses this oversight by ensuring that information collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about the location of cropland is included in the National Broadband Map.\n\n\u201cOur farmers depend on access to reliable broadband to stay competitive in a modern economy,\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \u201cThe Data BRIDGE Act is a low-cost, commonsense solution, using data the government already has to ensure every broadband dollar lands closer to where the work gets done, I have led the fight to expand broadband access to rural communities in Indiana for years and am proud of this important step toward closing the connectivity gap for our farm families and rural communities. Thank you to Chairman Hudson and Chairman Guthrie for supporting of this practical legislation.\u201d\n\n\"As a proud co-lead of the Data BRIDGE Act, I know firsthand how critical accurate broadband data is for our farmers,\" said Rep. Kelly. \"My district stretches from the South Side of Chicago to over 4,500 farms in rural Illinois, and too many of my farmers still lack the connectivity they need for modern tools like soil sensors, guidance systems, and irrigation controls. This bill will use the data we already have to close the gap. I'll keep fighting to make sure no community in my district, urban, suburban, or rural, gets left behind in the digital age.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-introduces-pro-work-act-prevent-companies-lock-out-workers-receiving", "Mrvan Introduces the PRO-WORK Act to Prevent Companies that Lock Out Workers from Receiving Federal Funds", "2026-08-31", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan introduced the PRO-WORK (Preventing Revenue Opportunities for Workplace Lockouts and Retaliation) Act, which would prohibit corporations that lock out their workers from doing business with the federal government.\n\nThe PRO-WORK Act would prohibit an employer from receiving federal funds or tax credits because of a lockout. Specifically, federal funds would be withheld for a period equal to the duration of the lockout, and an employer would be ineligible to receive tax credits for the corresponding taxable year. If an employer engages in a subsequent lockout, the company would be ineligible for federal funds for one year and would be prohibited from receiving a tax credit during the following year.\n\nCongressman Mrvan stated, \u201cMembers of organized labor built our region and are the backbone of our economy. International, off-shore companies cannot continue to disrespect American workers while benefitting from federal funding and tax credits. I am taking this action to prevent any company that locks out American workers from receiving our tax dollars.\u201d\n\nRoxanne Brown, International President of the United Steelworkers stated, \"When an employer locks out workers, refusing to let them on the job and depriving them of their paychecks and health insurance benefits in an attempt to extract concessions, it\u2019s not just the workers and their families who suffer \u2013 it\u2019s whole communities. Rep. Mrvan\u2019s much needed legislation would help balance the scales, prohibiting corporations that take these drastic and punitive measures from receiving federal money and benefiting off the backs of taxpayers they are actively hurting. Our union thanks Rep. Mrvan for continuing to stand behind working families and encourages congressional colleagues to do the same by supporting this bill.\u201d\n\nEric Schultz, President of USW Local 7-1 stated, \u201cOur members know firsthand that a lockout doesn\u2019t stop at the workplace gate. It impacts workers, their families, local businesses, and entire communities. Corporations should not be able to inflict that kind of economic harm and then expect the same taxpayers they are hurting to help fund their bottom line. I want to thank Congressman Mrvan for standing with working families and for putting real consequences against companies that deprive working families of their income and livelihoods.\u201d\n\nThe full bill text of the PRO-WORK Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-01T09:48:49Z", "2026-09-01T09:49:51Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-kids-online-safety-caucus-co-chairs-statement-historic-17-billion-meta", "House Kids Online Safety Caucus Co-chairs Statement on Historic $17 Billion Meta Settlement", "2026-08-28", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "August 28, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014Co-chairs of the Kids Online Safety Caucus Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) released the following statement on the Meta settlement.\n\n\u201cThese basic actions to improve features on Meta\u2019s platforms are long overdue, and this settlement meaningfully holds Meta accountable for its exploitation of millions of children across the country.\n\nOne company and one settlement is not enough. This settlement is not a substitute for bold and sweeping congressional action. What has been a race to the bottom, in terms of attention-fracking our youth, must become a race to the top, in terms of safety for young users. We are more committed than ever to passing legislation that ensures that adults, not algorithms, raise our children.\"\n\n\u2014Rep. Houchin and Rep. Auchincloss", 1, "2026-08-28T17:11:49Z", "2026-08-28T17:13:14Z"], ["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2613", "Congressman Baird Announces Opening of 2026 U.S. Military Academy Nomination Process", "2026-08-28", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "James R. Baird", "B001307", "baird.house.gov", "baird", "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced the application process for nominations to U.S. service academies has opened for the 2026-27 school year.\n\nExceptional student leaders and scholar-athletes in Indiana's Fourth Congressional District may be nominated by Congressman Baird to one of four U.S. Service Academies \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point) and the U.S. Naval Academy. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination at this time.\n\n\u201cAttending a service academy is an honor steeped in history and a privilege,\u201d said Congressman Baird. \u201cStudents have the opportunity to pursue a top tier education while serving their country. The academies are competitive and rigorous schools, but they are well worth the determination. It is my privilege to assist and nominate Indiana\u2019s best and brightest on their paths to becoming the next generation of America\u2019s leaders.\u201d\n\nThe service academies offer a fully funded four-year education, including tuition, books, and board. Upon completion, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective branches of service. The privilege of attending a service academy requires a five-year commitment to military service upon graduation.\n\nCandidates must be U.S. citizens and, on July 1 of the year of entry, be at least 17 years old but not yet 23 years old to enter any of the academies, except the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, which has a maximum age of 25.\n\nWhile a nomination is required to gain admission to a service academy, it does not guarantee admission. The admissions process is extremely competitive; therefore, interested students should prepare all application materials well in advance.\n\nThe admissions criteria includes: strong academic performance and standardized test scores, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Candidates must have a demonstrated history of strong leadership, community involvement, and receive an official Congressional nomination (except for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which does not require a nomination).\n\nUp to 10 individuals may be nominated for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district.\n\nThe deadline to submit an application for an academy nomination is Friday, November 6, 2026.\n\nThe application can be found here.\n\nFor questions, please contact the office of Congressman Baird at 202-225-5037.", 1, "2026-08-29T11:31:28Z", "2026-08-29T11:32:37Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-young-attends-sk-hynix-groundbreaking-ceremony-in-west-lafayette/", "Senator Young Attends SK Hynix Groundbreaking Ceremony in West Lafayette", "2026-08-27", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) delivered remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for SK hynix\u2019s more than $4 billion semiconductor advanced packaging facility in West Lafayette. The historic investment was made possible in part by theCHIPS and Science Act, landmark legislation Senator Young helped author and pass to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing and bring high-tech investment and jobs back to the United States.\n\nThe investment will establish SK hynix\u2019s first U.S. advanced packaging facility for next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical technology used to power artificial intelligence. SK hynix expects the project to create approximately 7,000 direct and indirect jobs through construction, operations, partner companies, and related industries.\n\n\u201cSK hynix\u2019s historic investment in West Lafayette is further proof that Indiana is leading the way in rebuilding America\u2019s semiconductor industry,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cThis project will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our national and economic security, and ensure the technologies of the future are developed and manufactured here in the United States. I was proud to help make this investment possible through the CHIPS and Science Act, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on Hoosiers and our country for decades to come.\u201d\n\nSK hynix also announced a research and development partnership with Purdue University focused on advanced packaging technologies. More than 150 materials, components, and equipment partners are discussing participation in the local supply chain, further strengthening Indiana\u2019s growing semiconductor ecosystem.\n\nSenator Young was instrumental in the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The law provides incentives to bring semiconductor manufacturing and research to the United States, strengthen domestic supply chains, and bolster America\u2019s economic and national security.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Commerce awarded SK hynix up to $458 million in direct funding through the CHIPS and Science Act to support the West Lafayette project along with up to $500 million in federal loans.", 1, "2026-08-28T17:11:49Z", "2026-08-28T17:13:14Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-statement-fema-approval-major-disaster-declaration", "Mrvan Statement on FEMA Approval of Major Disaster Declaration", "2026-08-26", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Frank J. Mrvan released the statement below following the approval from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the State of Indiana\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration from the storms of August 11, 2026.\n\n\u201cFEMA has announced that the Major Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Braun for the State of Indiana has been approved.\n\n\u201cThis declaration is an important step forward for Northwest Indiana. Our families, businesses, municipalities, first responders, and community organizations have endured tremendous hardship, and they need every available resource to recover and rebuild.\n\n\u201cI thank Governor Braun, our local officials, emergency management personnel, first responders, utility crews, volunteers, and everyone who has worked tirelessly throughout this crisis. I also appreciate the Administration\u2019s approval of this request and the continued efforts of FEMA and our federal, state, and local partners.\n\n\u201cI have been proud to work alongside the Indiana Congressional Delegation to advocate for this assistance because we knew the scale of this disaster exceeded what many individuals and communities could handle on their own.\n\n\u201cNow, we turn our full attention to recovery.\n\n\u201cFederal assistance can provide critical support to eligible individuals, families, businesses, and local governments as they repair homes and infrastructure, address damage, and begin rebuilding. My office will continue working directly with FEMA, state and local officials, and our communities to ensure residents understand what assistance is available and can access the resources for which they qualify.\n\n\u201cTo everyone who has been affected, please know that you are not alone. Northwest Indiana has shown extraordinary strength, compassion, and resilience throughout this disaster. We will continue standing together, helping our neighbors, and doing everything possible to ensure our communities come back stronger.\n\n\u201cAdditional information about the federal assistance programs is anticipated in the coming days. In the meantime, individuals in Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties who are eligible for Individual Assistance can begin the application process through FEMA:\n\nApply online: www.DisasterAssistance.gov\n\nCall FEMA: 1-800-621-3362\n\n\u201cThe response brought us through the immediate crisis. Now, the work of recovery and rebuilding begins. I will remain focused on making sure Northwest Indiana receives every resource and every bit of support it needs until the job is done.\n\n\u201cMy office will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available and will remain engaged with FEMA, state and local officials, and our communities throughout the recovery process.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-banks-applauds-presidential-disaster-declaration-for-indiana-following-monday-phone-call-with-president-trump/", "Senator Banks Applauds Presidential Disaster Declaration For Indiana Following Monday Phone Call With President Trump", "2026-08-26", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "FORT WAYNE, Ind. \u2013\u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana, unlocking federal assistance for Hoosiers and communities recovering from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and historic flooding that began on August 11, 2026.\n\nThe Presidential Disaster Declaration comes one day after Senator Banks and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton called President Trump to update him on the state of Northwest Indiana storm recovery efforts and the importance of federal support.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cWhen I spoke to President Trump on Monday, he was eager to do anything he could to help Indiana rebuild. I am extremely grateful to President Trump for his swift approval of Indiana\u2019s request for a disaster declaration. This will allow communities and families across our state to apply for much-needed federal assistance as they seek to rebuild.\u201d\n\nRead FEMA Federal Disaster Fact Sheet here or below:\n\nBackground:\n\nThe declaration makes Individual Assistance available to eligible residents in Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamiliton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties. Individual Assistance can help eligible Hoosiers with uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses and other serious needs.\n\nPublic Assistance is available in Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamiliton, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Porter, Tipton, and Wayne counties. The program provides federal funding to state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.\n\nHoosiers can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA\u2019s helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Additional counties may be designated following further assessments\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-applauds-president-trumps-approval-of-major-disaster-declaration-to-address-august-storms/", "Young Applauds President Trump\u2019s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration to Address August Storms", "2026-08-26", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded President Donald Trump\u2019s decision to approve Governor Mike Braun\u2019s August 20, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Indiana that began on August 11.\n\n\u201cThis federal assistance is much needed and will strengthen ongoing local and state efforts,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cI want to thank President Trump for approving Governor Braun\u2019s request and providing additional support to Hoosiers. I am also grateful to the first responders, law enforcement, state and local officials, utility crews, linemen, and so many others who continue working to help communities recover and rebuild.\u201d\n\nOn Friday, Young and the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Braun\u2019s request for a major disaster declaration. The text of the letter is below and available here.\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe thank you for your continued support following the severe weather that has impacted our state this summer, including your swift approval of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration request following the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11. That assistance has provided important federal resources as state and local officials continue responding to widespread damage.\n\nAs those efforts continue, we write in strong support of Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The damage from these storms has been widespread and, in some places, historic. At least eight Hoosiers have died, more than 1,000 families have been displaced, and power outages peaked at more than 360,000 customers, with Northwest Indiana among the hardest hit and tens of thousands still without power. More than 1,700 structures have been destroyed, damaged, or otherwise affected. Flooding forced hundreds of evacuations and water rescues, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed out. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River exceeded flood records set in 1913, and hundreds of homes along the river in Indianapolis were evacuated.\n\nIn the days since the storms, Hoosiers have stepped up to help their neighbors with donations, supplies, and other support. State agencies, local officials, first responders, and volunteers have been working around the clock as well, but the damage has created needs on a scale that communities cannot reasonably meet on their own. Our offices are also hearing from people who are still trying to understand what assistance is available and when it may come. A Major Disaster Declaration would provide the additional federal resources needed to support that work and help families and communities through the weeks and months ahead.\n\nWe also continue to support Governor Braun\u2019s August 6 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the separate storms that struck from June 6\u201326. Many communities, particularly in Northwest Indiana, were still dealing with damage from those storms when the August disaster hit, leaving local governments to respond to another round of serious damage just weeks later.\n\nWe appreciate the assistance your administration and FEMA have provided thus far, as well as your continued consideration of the June request. The emergency assistance already approved has been important to the immediate response, and we respectfully urge swift approval of the Governor\u2019s August 20 request to provide the additional support needed for recovery. We stand ready to work with your administration and FEMA to support affected Hoosiers and communities.", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2612", "Congressman Baird Announces Launch of 2026 Congressional App Challenge", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "James R. Baird", "B001307", "baird.house.gov", "baird", "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that the 2026 Congressional App Challenge has officially launched.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge engages student creativity and encourages participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields. This nationwide event allows high school and middle school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or \"app,\" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to announce that the 2026 Congressional App Challenge is now open,\u201d said Rep. Baird. \u201cAs a Ph.D. scientist and a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I deeply value educating Hoosier students in STEM and computer sciences. Every eligible student in our district is encouraged to participate. I hope this challenge ignites a spark in students and encourages them to delve deeper into STEM fields. To all the students participating, best of luck! I look forward to seeing the outstanding apps our students create this year!\u201d\n\nThe deadline for students to register for the Congressional App Challenge and submit their app online is 12:00 PM ET on October 26, 2026.\n\nStudents may use any programming language (C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, \u201cblock code,\u201d etc.) and create an app for any platform (PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc.). The winning apps are eligible to be featured in the Capitol Building and be put on House.gov. Students who create winning apps will also be invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C., where winners from across the nation will showcase their projects.\n\nEligibility:\n\nTo be eligible to participate in the Congressional App Challenge, you must be a middle or high school student at the time of app submission.\n\nStudents may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. No more than four students are allowed to form a team.\n\nStudents may compete in the district they reside in or the district they attend school in.\n\nIf competing as a team, at least half of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are participating.\n\nAll competing students must be U.S. residents at the time of submission. There is no citizenship requirement for students.\n\nIf competing as a team, all members must submit their information on the registration form to participate.\n\nStudents may submit apps they created prior to the challenge, as long as their apps meet the standards of eligibility and were created after October 30, 2025.\n\nPlease click here for the 2026 rules and guidelines for students.\n\nPlease click here for the 2026 resources for teachers.\n\nTo register and for more information, please visit congressionalappchallenge.us.\n\nFor questions, please contact StudentSupport@CongressionalAppChallenge.us.", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-houchin-returns-over-10-million-constituents-through-casework", "Rep. Houchin Returns Over $10 Million to Constituents Through Casework", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "August 25, 2026\n\nSALEM, Ind.\u2014 Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) announced that her office has returned more than $10 million to constituents across Indiana\u2019s Ninth District since taking office in 2023.\n\n\u201cSince taking office, it has been my priority to put service first and deliver tangible results for Hoosiers.\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \u201cOur dedicated constituent services team works every day to help people navigate the federal government. This milestone of $10 million returned is a testament to our team\u2019s responsiveness, professionalism, and commitment to service. If you need assistance with a federal agency, please reach out to my office. We are here to help.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Houchin\u2019s office regularly assists constituents with issues involving federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and more. Through the constituent services program, the office helps people navigate and resolve issues ranging from slow response times and delayed tax refunds to Social Security benefits and complicated Department of State problems.\n\n\u201cFor several years, we struggled with the IRS because Debra\u2019s Social Security number had been incorrectly marked as deceased, causing our tax refunds to be held. With help from Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s office, we were able to receive our refund for not just this year, but for each year it was held. Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s team displayed professionalism and excellence through the entire process.\u201d - Debra and David of North Vernon\n\n\u201cAfter my tax refund was delayed, Congresswoman Erin Houchin\u2019s office contacted the IRS to find a solution. Thanks to their help, my case was resolved and I received my refund.\u201d - Veronica of North Vernon\n\n\u201cWhen part of my disability check was transferred to Medicare without my consent, I found myself facing financial hardship. I turned to Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s office, who worked with the Social Security Administration to resolve the problem. I am grateful for their responsiveness and support.\u201d - Roy of Scottsburg\n\nConstituents in Indiana\u2019s Ninth District who need assistance with a federal agency are encouraged to contact Congresswoman Houchin\u2019s office at Houchin.house.gov or by calling (812) 288-3999.", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-president-trump-supporting-major-disaster", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Major Disaster Declaration to Address August Storms", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Today, the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s August 20, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11.\n\nThe delegation thanked President Trump for his swift approval of federal emergency assistance following the August storms and urged him to approve Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 major disaster declaration request, while reiterating the delegation\u2019s support for the governor\u2019s pending request for the June storms.\n\nThe text of the letter is below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe thank you for your continued support following the severe weather that has impacted our state this summer, including your swift approval of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration request following the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11. That assistance has provided important federal resources as state and local officials continue responding to widespread damage.\n\nAs those efforts continue, we write in strong support of Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The damage from these storms has been widespread and, in some places, historic. At least eight Hoosiers have died, more than 1,000 families have been displaced, and power outages peaked at more than 360,000 customers, with Northwest Indiana among the hardest hit and tens of thousands still without power. More than 1,700 structures have been destroyed, damaged, or otherwise affected. Flooding forced hundreds of evacuations and water rescues, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed out. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River exceeded flood records set in 1913, and hundreds of homes along the river in Indianapolis were evacuated.\n\nIn the days since the storms, Hoosiers have stepped up to help their neighbors with donations, supplies, and other support. State agencies, local officials, first responders, and volunteers have been working around the clock as well, but the damage has created needs on a scale that communities cannot reasonably meet on their own. Our offices are also hearing from people who are still trying to understand what assistance is available and when it may come. A Major Disaster Declaration would provide the additional federal resources needed to support that work and help families and communities through the weeks and months ahead.\n\nWe also continue to support Governor Braun\u2019s August 6 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the separate storms that struck from June 6\u201326. Many communities, particularly in Northwest Indiana, were still dealing with damage from those storms when the August disaster hit, leaving local governments to respond to another round of serious damage just weeks later.\n\nWe appreciate the assistance your administration and FEMA have provided thus far, as well as your continued consideration of the June request. The emergency assistance already approved has been important to the immediate response, and we respectfully urge swift approval of the Governor\u2019s August 20 request to provide the additional support needed for recovery. We stand ready to work with your administration and FEMA to support affected Hoosiers and communities.\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/exclusive-fox-news-digital-senator-launches-assault-on-illegal-immigration-gaps-as-gop-races-midterm-clock-to-lock-in-key-wins/", "EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Digital: Senator Launches Assault on Illegal Immigration Gaps as GOP Races Midterm Clock to Lock in Key Wins", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "The Indiana Republican warns executive actions alone risk being erased by a future Democratic administration\n\nClick here to read the full story from Fox News Digital or read below.\n\nEXCLUSIVE: Republicans risk seeing some of President Donald Trump\u2019s signature immigration priorities erased by a future Democratic administration unless Congress acts now to lock them into law, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital as he presses the Senate to take up a package of seven immigration bills.\n\nBanks said his immigration package is needed as Republicans approach the midterms with control of Congress at stake and a shrinking window to deliver legislative wins to voters. The bills target birthright citizenship, visas, commercial driver\u2019s licenses and other immigration policies Banks wants Congress to codify.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t just fear a Democrat majority. I fear a Democrat-Socialist majority because the [DSA] who control today\u2019s Democrat Party support wide open borders, they support eliminating ICE, they are anti law enforcement, they want to defund the police,\u201d Banks said.\n\nWhile current Senate Democratic leaders are not aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, Banks argued a future Democratic-led Senate would be \u201cowned by the socialist wing of their party.\u201d\n\n\u201cI cannot believe that the Democrats are so radical and extreme today that they\u2019re OK with what\u2019s happened to our country [with] illegals taking jobs for Americans or allowing illegals to be behind the wheel of semi-trucks,\u201d Banks said, pointing to his \u201cDalilah Law.\u201d\n\nThe bill honors Dalilah Coleman, a first-grader who was critically injured when an illegal immigrant driving a big rig caused a multi-car pileup on an Indiana highway. Partap Singh, an Indian national licensed in California, was driving the truck. Coleman suffered catastrophic injuries, spent months in the hospital and had a craniectomy.\n\nThe Dalilah Law, described by supporters as the CDL equivalent of the Laken Riley Act, would require states to stop providing commercial driver\u2019s licenses to illegal immigrants and certain foreign nationals. It would also require states to revoke certain existing licenses and administer commercial driving tests only in English.\n\nBanks compared the CDL measure to Congress\u2019 Reagan-era push to raise the drinking age by threatening federal transportation funds. He argued that several Hoosiers have been injured or killed in crashes involving foreign drivers licensed by \u201cstates that hand CDLs out like candy,\u201d including California, Pennsylvania and New York. He also wants Congress to take greater control over Temporary Protected Status authority, which he said previous Democratic administrations abused.\n\n\u201cIf we legislate it and give Congress power to determine when TPS is appropriate when it\u2019s not, then we\u2019ll be able to address these issues long after President Trump leaves the White House,\u201d Banks said.\n\nThe American Tech Workforce Act would raise the minimum salary threshold for many H-1B visa positions from $60,000 to $150,000. Experts have said the change would significantly alter incentives for companies seeking to hire young foreign workers.\n\nImmigration attorneys argued Banks\u2019 bill would make the U.S. \u201cfar less attractive as a study destination\u201d and encourage foreign talent to look to Canada instead.\n\n\u201cMany employers would be unable or unwilling to meet this threshold, effectively limiting H-1B hiring to top tech companies or highly specialized roles,\u201d Texas firm Reddy Neumann & Brown said on its website.\n\nProponents have argued such changes would give American graduates a better chance of entering the job market after college.\n\nOther bills in the package would provide additional border security funding to the War Department, restrict chain migration and target grants to colleges employing illegal immigrants.\n\n\u201cThese seven bills are common sense, everything from stopping illegals from driving semi-trucks to banning birthright citizenship, to stopping chain migration, to cracking down on those who misuse the H-1B visas for cheap labor,\u201d Banks said.\n\nFox News Digital reached out to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for comment on the package and to ask whether any of the bills will be expedited ahead of the midterms.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/exclusive-sen-banks-gary-mayor-melton-talked-to-president-trump-about-storm-recovery-on-monday/", "EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Banks, Gary Mayor Melton talked to President Trump about Storm Recovery on Monday", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Click here for the full story from The Times of Northwest Indiana or read below:\n\nEXCLUSIVE: U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton spoke to President Donald Trump over the phone on Monday, providing him with an update about \u201cthe good things going on in Gary,\u201d while also keeping him in the loop about storm damage and the impacts being felt on the ground by residents.\n\nTrump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Indiana at Gov. Mike Braun\u2019s request on Aug. 15.\n\nBanks said on Monday that Trump knows about another request from the Indiana Congressional delegation requesting direct assistance to families, homeowners, renters and others who have been impacted by the Aug. 11 derecho.\n\n\u201cThe president loves Gary and has a long history in Gary,\u201d Banks said. Trump was behind the riverboat Princess Casino, which opened in 1996 at Buffington Harbor.\n\n\u201cIn my conversation with President Trump, I made it clear that Gary needs immediate access to FEMA resources to support our recovery,\u201d Melton said in a statement shared with The Times. \u201cThis federal assistance is critical to restoring our neighborhoods, rebuilding our community and making sure Gary emerges from this storm stronger and more resilient than before.\u201d\n\nBanks told The Times about the call with Trump in an interview while in Gary early Monday afternoon. Banks said he, Trump and Melton also discussed the Nippon deal for U.S. Steel, which his administration approved last summer.\n\nMelton and Banks took a \u201ccomprehensive tour of impacted areas\u201d in Gary, according to a release from the city.\n\n\u201cThe devastation our city has experienced demands swift, decisive and unified action at every level of government,\u201d Melton said in a statement, adding that he was grateful to Banks for visiting Gary\u2019s residents.\n\n\u201cThe people here step up to help each other,\u201d Banks said.\n\nBanks also visited the Salvation Army\u2019s Gary location before meeting with Pastor Eric Boone of the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church, whose congregation has served food to thousands in recent days.\n\n\u201cI think that says a lot about this community,\u201d Banks said. \u201cPastor Boone has such a giant heart and what he\u2019s been doing and what the other churches are doing in the area is really important.\u201d\n\nWhen asked about NIPSCO and the governor\u2019s request for an investigation into the company\u2019s preparedness for and response to recent storms, Banks said he believes it\u2019s \u201cimportant to learn from a situation like this.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat could we have done to avoid it and then learn from it to make sure it doesn\u2019t happen again?\u201d Banks said. \u201cFor sure, we should definitely investigate that.\u201d\n\nBut, Banks said, his focus right now remains on getting the final few thousand customers without power in Gary and elsewhere across the Region. As of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, over 9,000 NIPSCO customers were without power. About 6,500 of those customers were in Gary, or about 72% of all remaining outages.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a long road ahead, but when you see leadership like that,\u201d Banks said, referring to Melton, \u201cIt makes you hopeful that we can all pull together and work together and hopefully, Gary will come out of this better and stronger than ever before.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-banks-joins-fox-news-digital-for-exclusive-interview-on-7-part-immigration-package/", "ICYMI: Banks joins Fox News Digital for Exclusive Interview on 7-Part Immigration Package", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Fox News Digital to discuss his 7-part immigration package including the Citizenship Act of 2026, the Dalilah Law, and the American Tech Workforce Act.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on Banks Immigration Package:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cI\u2019m new in the Senate, I served in the House for 8 before coming to the Senate, but after 4 years of wide open borders under Joe Biden and the Democrat when they in charge, I just realize that it has to be our top priority to put American works first and the safety of the American people first, by cracking down on illegal immigration. That\u2019s why I have introduced a package of seven bills over the last year and a half that I\u2019ve been in the Senate. The Citizenship Act, that bans birthright citizenship for illegals, the Daliliah Law, that cracks down on illegals behind the wheel of semi-truck\u2026My package of bills is common sense, and this has to be a top priority for Congress going forward to clean up the mess that the Democrats created.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy seven bills go a long way and take a larger, broader approach to crack down on illegal immigration and do it in a way that permanently blocks these actions from happening in the future. Thank God President Trump is in the White House and doing what he can to stop it, but we\u2019ve got to make it permanent. I can\u2019t believe the democrats would vote against any of these bills. I can\u2019t believe that the Democrats today are so radical and extreme that they are ok with what\u2019s happened to our country. Allowing illegals to take jobs from Americans, allowing illegals to be behind the wheel of a semitruck.\u201d\n\nClick hereto read the full story from Fox News Digital.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-president-trump-supporting-major-disaster", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Major Disaster Declaration to Address August Storms", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s August 20, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11.\n\nThe delegation thanked President Trump for his swift approval of federal emergency assistance following the August storms and urged him to approve Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 major disaster declaration request, while reiterating the delegation\u2019s support for the governor\u2019s pending request for the June storms.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cDear President Trump,\n\n\u201cWe thank you for your continued support following the severe weather that has impacted our state this summer, including your swift approval of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration request following the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11. That assistance has provided important federal resources as state and local officials continue responding to widespread damage.\n\n\u201cAs those efforts continue, we write in strong support of Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The damage from these storms has been widespread and, in some places, historic. At least eight Hoosiers have died, more than 1,000 families have been displaced, and power outages peaked at more than 360,000 customers, with Northwest Indiana among the hardest hit and tens of thousands still without power. More than 1,700 structures have been destroyed, damaged, or otherwise affected. Flooding forced hundreds of evacuations and water rescues, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed out. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River exceeded flood records set in 1913, and hundreds of homes along the river in Indianapolis were evacuated.\n\n\u201cIn the days since the storms, Hoosiers have stepped up to help their neighbors with donations, supplies, and other support. State agencies, local officials, first responders, and volunteers have been working around the clock as well, but the damage has created needs on a scale that communities cannot reasonably meet on their own. Our offices are also hearing from people who are still trying to understand what assistance is available and when it may come. A Major Disaster Declaration would provide the additional federal resources needed to support that work and help families and communities through the weeks and months ahead.\n\n\u201cWe also continue to support Governor Braun\u2019s August 6 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the separate storms that struck from June 6\u201326. Many communities, particularly in Northwest Indiana, were still dealing with damage from those storms when the August disaster hit, leaving local governments to respond to another round of serious damage just weeks later.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the assistance your administration and FEMA have provided thus far, as well as your continued consideration of the June request. The emergency assistance already approved has been important to the immediate response, and we respectfully urge swift approval of the Governor\u2019s August 20 request to provide the additional support needed for recovery. We stand ready to work with your administration and FEMA to support affected Hoosiers and communities.\u201d\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases/shreve-celebrates-historic-freedom-250-grand-prix", "Shreve Celebrates Historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Jefferson Shreve", "S001229", "shreve.house.gov", "shreve", "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) released the following statement ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.:\n\n\"This weekend, INDYCAR will make history on the streets of our nation\u2019s capital. Drivers will race past monuments that tell America\u2019s story \u2014 and the country will see what Hoosiers have known for generations: There\u2019s nothing quite like INDYCAR racing!\n\n\"Race day is unlike anything else: the smell of fuel and hot asphalt. The roar down the straightaway \u2014 and a crowd holding its breath. It is engineering, innovation and competition on full display.\n\n\"Auto racing is woven into Indiana\u2019s identity. Bringing our proud tradition to Washington is a fitting way to celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary. Mary and I wish every driver a safe, fast race. And as we say in Indy: Drivers, start your engines!\u201d", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-in-focus-now-on-fox-59-indianapolis/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins IN Focus Now on Fox 59 \u2013 Indianapolis", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined IN Focus Now on Fox 59 \u2013 Indianapolis to discuss the ongoing response to severe weather in Indiana and the Freedom 250\u2013IndyCar Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. this weekend.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on Indiana Disaster Response:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cWe have a lot of superheroes around the state, a lot of mayors, local, state, and federal officials who are on the ground working to make sure that we do everything we can to help those who have been impacted. My staff and I have been traveling all over the state this past week, meeting with officials, and playing whatever role we can to connect FEMA and the federal government with our local officials. I have been so impressed with mayors all over the state who have done heroic work to help. It\u2019s going to be a long road ahead, a lot of cleanups, and things to rebuild. But it\u2019s Indiana; we come together in times like these.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s declaration last Saturday\u2014he called me on Saturday to let me know he was signing it, to let me know that he loves Indiana, and he wants to make sure we have everything we need to rebuild. He understands the severity of the impact of the storms, and thankfully that immediately unlocks resources and federal agencies. That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not going to be a rough road ahead. There is going to be more we need to do to rebuild roads and bridges and repair homes and businesses that have been impacted. The state of Indiana will work with us at the federal level to make sure Indiana gets everything it needs to rebuild.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to take a while to figure out everything that we need to advocate for the state, but we are well on our way because of Governor Braun\u2019s leadership, President Trump\u2019s support, and the bipartisan federal delegation. Senator Todd Young and I, and the nine other representatives, representing every corner of the state, are all working together to make sure Indiana gets everything that we need to rebuild and help those who need it most.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the Freedom 250\u2013IndyCar Grand Prix:\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a lot of fun; we are showing off the best of America, which happens to be the best of Indiana when it comes to racing. IndyCar on the streets of Washington, D.C., celebrating America 250, the Freedom 250 race, 250 miles representing the 250 years of the greatest country in the history of the world, and what better way to do that than to bring IndyCar to Washington, D.C. It\u2019s going to be a lot of fun for the whole country to come together and see this race\u201d\n\n\u201c250 between the Capitol Building and the White House along the National Mall. The drivers will see the Washington Monument on one side and the Capitol on the other side. I have talked to a number of the drivers, and they are all so excited; there has never been a race on the streets of Washington, D.C. before, there might not ever be one again. It\u2019s going to be a lot of fun for these Hoosier drivers and the IndyCar league to take the spotlight in our nation\u2019s capital\u2026I can\u2019t wait to be there to celebrate American but also to watch a really good IndyCar race.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-kudlow-on-fox-business-network-2/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins Kudlow on Fox Business Network", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Kudlow on Fox Business Network to discuss the conflict in Iran, Economic D-Day, and the DSA\u2019s takeover of the Democratic Party.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on Iran:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cAt the end of the day, what President Trump and the U.S. Military are doing to push back, clear the strait. It\u2019s significant. It\u2019s working. The blockade, the economic measures are effective\u2014our military actions, what we have done to wipe out the defense industrial base in Iran. We have eliminated 85 % of the ballistic missiles in Iran. We have put all of these proxy groups on notice: Hamas, Hezbollah, even Somali Pirates; we are not going to let you get away with it anymore. These terrorist groups and the regime in Iran have been used to for 47 years of getting away with it, and President Trump has said you are not going to get away with it anymore\u2026 President Trump\u2019s legacy is going to be that he brought peace to the Middle East and to the whole wide world by preventing Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. We should all be grateful and proud of that.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Economic Warfare:\n\n\u201cThese Economic D-Day sanctions and this approach is not just targeted at Iran but any actor that would try to help or assist them too. Then back that up with the actions of our U.S. military. What President Trump has done has brought Iran to its knees. It\u2019s only a matter of time before they come back and beg for a deal, and when that happens, gas prices in America are going to plummet, and our economy is going to benefit from it. Most importantly, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon pointed at America to endanger our kids and our grandkids.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-rob-schmitt-tonight-on-newsmax-3/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins\u00a0Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last night, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax to discuss the conflict in Iran, Economic D-Day, and the ongoing response to severe weather in Indiana.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on Iran and Economic D-Day:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cEconomic D-Day has begun, and it\u2019s been very effective, combined with the full force of the United States military. Remember that President Trump and our military have already wiped out 85% of Iran\u2019s ballistic missiles; we destroyed their defense industrial base, and we set their nuclear ambitions back by a generation. President Trump has put Iran on notice: you will never have a nuclear weapon. We know if Iran has a nuclear weapon, they are going to point it in America, and I don\u2019t want my kids to live in an America when Iran has a nuclear weapon.\u201d\n\n\u201cIran has never seen anything yet as they have in the last 24 hours with these economic sanctions. Also remember too that 90% of the oil that flows out of Iran through the straits goes straight to China, our biggest adversary. And President Trump recognizes the big picture here that China cannot benefit from this\u2026This is so significant. History is going to look back and recognize President Trump for doing more than anyone before for bringing peace to the Middle East.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the floods in Indiana:\n\n\u201cIndiana was hit hard, but we\u2019re coming back, and thanks to President Trump for signing the natural disaster recognition. He called me last Saturday as he was signing it. We are rebuilding; we come together in times like these; but please pray for Indiana. We have a lot of damage, a lot of families impacted; we have a long road ahead of us.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-to-president-trump-supporting-major-disaster-declaration-to-address-august-storms/", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Major Disaster Declaration to Address August Storms", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Today, the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s August 20, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11.\n\nThe delegation thanked President Trump for his swift approval of federal emergency assistance following the August storms and urged him to approve Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 major disaster declaration request, while reiterating the delegation\u2019s support for the governor\u2019s pending request for the June storms.\n\nThe text of the letter is below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe thank you for your continued support following the severe weather that has impacted our state this summer, including your swift approval of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration request following the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11. That assistance has provided important federal resources as state and local officials continue responding to widespread damage.\n\nAs those efforts continue, we write in strong support of Governor Braun\u2019s August 20 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The damage from these storms has been widespread and, in some places, historic. At least eight Hoosiers have died, more than 1,000 families have been displaced, and power outages peaked at more than 360,000 customers, with Northwest Indiana among the hardest hit and tens of thousands still without power. More than 1,700 structures have been destroyed, damaged, or otherwise affected. Flooding forced hundreds of evacuations and water rescues, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed out. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River exceeded flood records set in 1913, and hundreds of homes along the river in Indianapolis were evacuated.\n\nIn the days since the storms, Hoosiers have stepped up to help their neighbors with donations, supplies, and other support. State agencies, local officials, first responders, and volunteers have been working around the clock as well, but the damage has created needs on a scale that communities cannot reasonably meet on their own. Our offices are also hearing from people who are still trying to understand what assistance is available and when it may come. A Major Disaster Declaration would provide the additional federal resources needed to support that work and help families and communities through the weeks and months ahead.\n\nWe also continue to support Governor Braun\u2019s August 6 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the separate storms that struck from June 6\u201326. Many communities, particularly in Northwest Indiana, were still dealing with damage from those storms when the August disaster hit, leaving local governments to respond to another round of serious damage just weeks later.\n\nWe appreciate the assistance your administration and FEMA have provided thus far, as well as your continued consideration of the June request. The emergency assistance already approved has been important to the immediate response, and we respectfully urge swift approval of the Governor\u2019s August 20 request to provide the additional support needed for recovery. We stand ready to work with your administration and FEMA to support affected Hoosiers and communities.\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=325", "Messmer Hosts Tax Event Highlighting the Benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Mark B. Messmer", "M001233", "messmer.house.gov", "messmer", "https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "TERRE HAUTE, IN \u2013 Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) hosted a Tax Event alongside Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) to discuss how the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is delivering lasting tax relief for Hoosier families, workers, seniors, and small businesses. The event brought together local financial professionals, CPAs, bankers, and business leaders to examine the law's impact on Indiana's economy.\n\n\u201cThe One Big Beautiful Bill prevented the largest tax increase in history from crushing hard-working Americans, while making many pro-growth tax policies permanent for all families and businesses,\u201d said Rep. Messmer. \u201cToday\u2019s discussion provided an opportunity to speak directly with Hoosiers in our community and discuss new ways we can deliver relief with future tax cuts and job creating policies.\u201d\n\nDuring the forum, participants highlighted the positive impacts of the law\u2019s permanent extension of provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and celebrated the bevy of expanded deductions which are creating new financial opportunities for American families and small businesses. Stakeholders also discussed the benefits of new deductions for overtime pay, and enhanced deductions for many senior citizens, which effectively eliminate federal taxes on Social Security checks, ensuring Hoosiers, many on a fixed income, keep more of their money. Altogether, the impact of the OBBB is promoting economic stability and growth across Indiana.\n\nTo learn more about how Congressman Messmer is helping lower taxes for Hoosier families and businesses, visit Messmer.House.Gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-president-trump-supporting-disaster", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Disaster Declaration to Address June Storms", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan joined the Indiana delegation in Congress in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Braun's request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6-26, 2026.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cDear President Trump,\n\n\u201cFirstly, we thank you for your swift approval of an emergency declaration for Indiana following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on August 11, 2026. This will provide critical federal assistance to Hoosiers as the state responds to the devastating emergency, which has resulted in deaths and injuries, displaced families, mass power outages, and serious damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, we write in strong support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s previous request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6 26, 2026. The intensity of weather events in that span caused significant devastation across the state, and the August storms have only exacerbated the impact on communities and local governments. We respectfully urge you to immediately grant this declaration and make federal assistance available to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\n\n\u201cDuring the period of June 6-26, several rounds of dangerous storms passed through Indiana, including at least 58 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, a derecho, and flash flooding. This disaster ranks as the single largest one-month tornadic outbreak in Indiana\u2019s weather history. As a result, 32 counties issued local disaster emergency declarations, and communities have been devastated, while residents lost their homes, schools and businesses were forced to close, and local governments were strained beyond their capacity.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, two individuals died, a dozen individuals suffered documented injuries, power outages left 185,525 residents without power, and utility poles, roads, bridges, and trees were damaged. In addition, at least 210 individuals were displaced from their homes, and 1,213 residential structures were destroyed, damaged, or adversely affected. Having experienced some of the most severe weather, Lake County is acutely impacted and estimates infrastructure repairs exceeding $33.9 million.\n\n\u201cIn response to the June disaster, the State of Indiana has worked closely with local governments and volunteer organizations to deploy critical emergency response resources and enable first responders and emergency management personnel to conduct damage assessments. The State has mobilized available resources, including shelters, search-and-rescue operations, debris removal teams, emergency communications, and evacuation assistance. However, given the magnitude of the devastation, it is clear that the damage is beyond the capacity of state and local resources to manage.\n\n\u201cThese challenges have only intensified, compounded by ongoing storms in the region. On August 11 and 12, Indiana was again struck by widespread flooding, severe weather, and tornadic activity, creating even further destruction and overwhelming state and local resources. While the August 15 emergency declaration will mobilize key disaster relief efforts in the state, Hoosiers are in dire need of further federal resources to support recovery.\n\n\u201cTo effectively respond to these needs, we urge you to swiftly approve the Governor\u2019s August 6th request for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and statewide Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance to address the damage caused by the June disaster and ensure Hoosiers have the resources necessary to respond and recover. We also urge your approval of any future major disaster declaration requests submitted in response to the ongoing August storms. We appreciate your consideration and stand ready to work with your administration, FEMA, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\u201d\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-statement-fema-emergency-declaration-approval", "Mrvan Statement on FEMA Emergency Declaration Approval", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan released the statement below following the approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of Indiana\u2019s emergency declaration request.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the residents of Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District, I thank the Administration for its prompt approval of Indiana\u2019s request for a federal emergency declaration. This assistance will provide critical resources to communities across Northwest Indiana as they recover from the devastating impact of severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes.\n\n\u201cMy office will continue working with federal, state, and local officials to secure every available resource to support residents, families, and communities affected by these storms.\n\n\u201cResidents who have suffered damage are encouraged to report it through Indiana 211 at 866-211-9966. My office will continue to provide updates as additional federal assistance becomes available.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-urges-president-trump-approve-major-disaster-declaration-indiana", "Spartz Urges President Trump to Approve Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Muncie, IN \u2013 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana following devastating flooding across her district.\n\n\u201cI am grateful to President Trump for acting quickly on Indiana\u2019s emergency declaration after we spoke last week. After seeing the damage firsthand, it is clear that additional federal assistance will be needed. Some of the hardest-hit areas are among the poorest communities in our state, and many families simply do not have the resources to recover on their own,\" said Rep. Spartz.\n\nRep. Spartz continues working with state and local officials to support affected Hoosiers and expedite recovery efforts.", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-all-indiana-politics/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins All Indiana Politics", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined All Indiana Politics to discuss AI oversight, Food-is-Medicine initiatives, the ongoing conflict in Iran, and the Protect College Sports Act.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on AI:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cWe need to better understand the security threats that are occurring in some of these labs, and that\u2019s the reason that I sent the letter to the Secretary of Treasury and called on more oversight. At the end of the day, AI is here; its important, our economy is going to change because of it. I think our economy is going to change in really good ways because of it. Still, our federal government has to be more involved in the national security part of it and make sure that these models, coming out of these labs, can\u2019t build something such as a nuclear weapon or weapon of mass destruction, or take over other systems and companies autonomously. The federal government needs to take leadership in providing more oversight.\u201d\n\n\u201cSo much is happening at such a rapid pace on this front; just in the last 12 months, the conversation and the public policy debates about AI, are changing every day. I\u2019m focused on export controls and making sure we are not giving up our best computer chips and technologies and sending them to China to our own detriment. In fact, I passed a bill, the AI Overwatch Act, in the annual defense spending bill, which would codify President Trump\u2019s directive that we don\u2019t send our best chips to China. There are a lot of different debates and subjects of AI, and it\u2019s changing every single day.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Iran:\n\n\u201cOur military has everything it needs to keep up the pressure on Iran, to get them to come to the table and ensure that they can never have a nuclear weapon. But I am concerned about the future and replenishing our munition stockpiles. That\u2019s why we need to support the annual defense bill, the NDAA, and why we need to support President Trump on this. Indiana plays a big role in all of this too. Just a couple of months ago, we broke ground on a munitions factory at Crane Naval Base in southern Indiana. They are going to make the munitions, and the rockets that we need to keep up the pressure on Iran and continue to project military strength to our adversaries and keep America safe and secure for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve wiped out 85% of Iran\u2019s ballistic missiles; we have decimated their defense industrial base. It will take them decades to rebuild what our military did. President Trump has made it very clear: keep up the pressure to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, it is going to be pointed directly at us, at our troops, and our allies. I don\u2019t want my daughters growing up in a world where Iran has a nuclear weapon. That would be catastrophic.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-the-big-weekend-show-on-fox-news-channel-2/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins\u00a0The Big Weekend Show on Fox News Channel", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last night, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined The Big Weekend Show on Fox News Channel to discuss the conflict in Iran, updates on the U.S. Military, supplemental defense funding, the ongoing investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the federal response to recent severe weather in Indiana.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on Iran:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cFirst and foremost, President Trump is the only President in 47 years who has had the guts to take on the regime in Iran and let them know they are not going to get away with it; they cannot have a nuclear weapon. What President Trump, our military, the brave men and women who wear the uniform, to keep us safe and secure here at home; what they have done to decimate Iran\u2019s industrial base, wiping out 85 percent of their ballistic missiles, and their nuclear program has set Iran back decades or generations. We can all be very happy about that because none of us want Iran to have a nuclear weapon that they would point right at us. We don\u2019t want to live in a world where Iran has a nuclear weapon, and President Trump deserves enormous credit for what he has done to prevent them from ever having one.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the U.S. Military:\n\n\u201cI hung up my United States Naval uniform, and now I serve in the United States Senate, and here\u2019s one thing I can tell you: those brave sailors on the USS Lincoln, those sailors that are on every ship in the United States Navy, they are damn proud to wear the uniform and serve the greatest country in the history of the world. These sailors are serving our country; they\u2019re wearing the uniform, and they\u2019re proud to do it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s a big point here too: our service members love President Trump, they know President Trump has their back, and at the same time it\u2019s the Democrats in Congress who are blocking the annual defense bill. A bill that has always been bipartisan. It\u2019s got pay raises for our troops, better equipment, better resources, better funding for the military, and it\u2019s the Democrats are the ones who are blocking it in the United States Senate and preventing us from passing a defense bill to support our troops\u2026They are using our troops as leverage. They are politicizing our military; it\u2019s shameful. We should be doing everything we can to support our troops. The defense spending supplemental isn\u2019t President Trump asking; it\u2019s all of the branches of the military. They are asking for more funding to support our troops and support the mission to keep America safe. \u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Dr. Anthony Fauci:\n\n\u201cWe knew all along he lied to the American people, but the more these text messages and voicemails confirm that Dr. Fauci knew of the health concerns with pregnant mothers and covered up other risks with the vaccines, he should be held accountable in a big way. No one should ever be able to get away with what Dr. Fauci got away with, and if you don\u2019t hold him accountable, it allows for the next guy to do the same, and we can\u2019t let that happen.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Indiana Severe Weather:\n\n\u201cThank you for bringing it up. It\u2019s devastating; 53 counties in our state have been impacted in a big way. We have rivers overflowing throughout the state, and the flooding is terrible. Thousands of families have been affected, millions of Hoosiers without power.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe President called me yesterday; we talked about the flood damage, and he signed the Declaration of Emergency for our state and committed to send millions of dollars here to help rebuild Indiana. We appreciate President Trump\u2019s leadership and all that he has done to support Indiana over the years, but it\u2019s going to be a long road to recovery for the Hoosier state. One thing I\u2019ve seen traveling the state this week is how resilient Hoosiers are; we come together, we help each other, we rebuild in times like these.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/stormhelp/", "Storm Recovery Resources for Hoosiers", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "Beginning on August 11, severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding caused significant damage across Indiana. Below are resources and information for Hoosiers recovering from the storms, including some steps families, businesses, farmers, and local communities can take now.\n\nFor more flooding safety information, click here.\n\nFor the Indiana Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (IDHS) information hub, click here.\n\nImmediate Help:\n\nHoosiers who need immediate assistance with shelter, food, transportation or other essential needs can contact Indiana 211 (dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966). County emergency management agencies and local relief organizations may also have resources available based on local conditions.\n\nFor a life-threatening emergency, call 911.\n\nWhere Things Stand:\n\nPresident Trump approved an Emergency Declaration for Indiana on August 15, authorizing FEMA to support state and local emergency response efforts, including emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance.\n\nThe current August declaration does not provide FEMA Individual Assistance to homeowners and renters or broader federal reimbursement for long-term infrastructure recovery. The State is continuing to assess damage, and additional federal assistance may be requested as those assessments are completed.\n\nSeparately, Governor Braun has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the severe weather that struck Indiana in June. That request remains part of a separate federal disaster process.\n\nIf You Experienced Storm or Flood Damage:\n\nReport your damage. Damage reports are important even if you have already contacted your insurance company. They help local and state officials document the extent of the disaster and determine whether additional state or federal assistance is warranted. Indiana 211 accepts residential damage reports for participating counties and incidents.\n\nIf your county is not currently listed through 211, contact your county emergency management agency. Commercial and government property damage should also be reported directly to the county emergency management agency.\n\nAgricultural damage should be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency. Producers are also encouraged to look through the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, which can help producers identify the type of assistance they are looking for. Depending on the type of loss and existing program eligibility, USDA maintains separate disaster programs for crops, livestock and damaged agricultural land.\n\nDocument everything. Take photographs or video of damage before making major repairs or removing damaged property when it is safe to do so. Keep receipts for cleanup, repairs, temporary lodging, supplies, and other storm-related expenses. Maintain copies of insurance claims, contractor estimates and correspondence related to the damage. These records can become important if state or federal assistance is made available later.", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://yakym.house.gov/posts/yakym-announces-service-academy-night-on-september-9", "Yakym Announces Service Academy Night on September 9", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Rudy Yakym III", "Y000067", "yakym.house.gov", "yakym", "https://yakym.house.gov/press", "scraper", "MISHAWAKA, IN \u2013 Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) announced that he will host a Service Academy Night on September 9, 2026 for perspective Service Academy nominees. Service Academy Night will take place on September 9, 2026, beginning at 5:30pm EST at Penn High School, located at 56100 Bittersweet Road in Mishawaka.\n\nAt Service Academy Night, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Service Academies, discuss the application process, and meet representatives from each Academy. To RSVP for Service Academy Night, please contact Griffin Nate at griffin.nate@mail.house.gov.\n\nWhat: Rep. Yakym\u2019s Service Academy Night\n\nWhen: September 9, 2026 | 5:30pm EST", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-to-president-trump-supporting-disaster-declaration-to-address-june-storms/", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Disaster Declaration to Address June Storms", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s August 6, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6-26, 2026.\n\nHoosiers were still working to recover from the June storms when last week\u2019s severe weather brought another round of flooding, tornadoes, and widespread damage across the state. The letter also references the emergency declaration already approved for the August storms and the delegation\u2019s support for additional federal assistance as damage assessments continue and further disaster requests are submitted.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cDear President Trump,\n\n\u201cFirstly, we thank you for your swift approval of an emergency declaration for Indiana following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on August 11, 2026. This will provide critical federal assistance to Hoosiers as the state responds to the devastating emergency, which has resulted in deaths and injuries, displaced families, mass power outages, and serious damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, we write in strong support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s previous request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6-26, 2026. The intensity of weather events in that span caused significant devastation across the state, and the August storms have only exacerbated the impact on communities and local governments. We respectfully urge you to immediately grant this declaration and make federal assistance available to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\n\n\u201cDuring the period of June 6-26, several rounds of dangerous storms passed through Indiana, including at least 58 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, a derecho, and flash flooding. This disaster ranks as the single largest one-month tornadic outbreak in Indiana\u2019s weather history. As a result, 32 counties issued local disaster emergency declarations, and communities have been devastated, while residents lost their homes, schools and businesses were forced to close, and local governments were strained beyond their capacity.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, two individuals died, a dozen individuals suffered documented injuries, power outages left 185,525 residents without power, and utility poles, roads, bridges, and trees were damaged. In addition, at least 210 individuals were displaced from their homes, and 1,213 residential structures were destroyed, damaged, or adversely affected. Having experienced some of the most severe weather, Lake County is acutely impacted and estimates infrastructure repairs exceeding $33.9 million.\n\n\u201cIn response to the June disaster, the State of Indiana has worked closely with local governments and volunteer organizations to deploy critical emergency response resources and enable first responders and emergency management personnel to conduct damage assessments. The State has mobilized available resources, including shelters, search-and-rescue operations, debris removal teams, emergency communications, and evacuation assistance. However, given the magnitude of the devastation, it is clear that the damage is beyond the capacity of state and local resources to manage.\n\n\u201cThese challenges have only intensified, compounded by ongoing storms in the region. On August 11 and 12, Indiana was again struck by widespread flooding, severe weather, and tornadic activity, creating even further destruction and overwhelming state and local resources. While the August 15 emergency declaration will mobilize key disaster relief efforts in the state, Hoosiers are in dire need of further federal resources to support recovery.\n\n\u201cTo effectively respond to these needs, we urge you to swiftly approve the Governor\u2019s August 6th request for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and statewide Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance to address the damage caused by the June disaster and ensure Hoosiers have the resources necessary to respond and recover. We also urge your approval of any future major disaster declaration requests submitted in response to the ongoing August storms. We appreciate your consideration and stand ready to work with your administration, FEMA, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\u201d\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/indiana-delegation-sends-letter-president-trump-supporting-disaster", "Indiana Delegation Sends Letter to President Trump Supporting Disaster Declaration to Address June Storms", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson joined the Indiana delegation in Congress in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Braun's request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6-26, 2026.\n\nThe text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.\n\n\u201cDear President Trump,\n\n\u201cFirstly, we thank you for your swift approval of an emergency declaration for Indiana following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on August 11, 2026. This will provide critical federal assistance to Hoosiers as the state responds to the devastating emergency, which has resulted in deaths and injuries, displaced families, mass power outages, and serious damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, we write in strong support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s previous request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms that impacted Indiana during the period of June 6 26, 2026. The intensity of weather events in that span caused significant devastation across the state, and the August storms have only exacerbated the impact on communities and local governments. We respectfully urge you to immediately grant this declaration and make federal assistance available to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\n\n\u201cDuring the period of June 6-26, several rounds of dangerous storms passed through Indiana, including at least 58 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, a derecho, and flash flooding. This disaster ranks as the single largest one-month tornadic outbreak in Indiana\u2019s weather history. As a result, 32 counties issued local disaster emergency declarations, and communities have been devastated, while residents lost their homes, schools and businesses were forced to close, and local governments were strained beyond their capacity.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, two individuals died, a dozen individuals suffered documented injuries, power outages left 185,525 residents without power, and utility poles, roads, bridges, and trees were damaged. In addition, at least 210 individuals were displaced from their homes, and 1,213 residential structures were destroyed, damaged, or adversely affected. Having experienced some of the most severe weather, Lake County is acutely impacted and estimates infrastructure repairs exceeding $33.9 million.\n\n\u201cIn response to the June disaster, the State of Indiana has worked closely with local governments and volunteer organizations to deploy critical emergency response resources and enable first responders and emergency management personnel to conduct damage assessments. The State has mobilized available resources, including shelters, search-and-rescue operations, debris removal teams, emergency communications, and evacuation assistance. However, given the magnitude of the devastation, it is clear that the damage is beyond the capacity of state and local resources to manage.\n\n\u201cThese challenges have only intensified, compounded by ongoing storms in the region. On August 11 and 12, Indiana was again struck by widespread flooding, severe weather, and tornadic activity, creating even further destruction and overwhelming state and local resources. While the August 15 emergency declaration will mobilize key disaster relief efforts in the state, Hoosiers are in dire need of further federal resources to support recovery.\n\n\u201cTo effectively respond to these needs, we urge you to swiftly approve the Governor\u2019s August 6th request for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and statewide Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance to address the damage caused by the June disaster and ensure Hoosiers have the resources necessary to respond and recover. We also urge your approval of any future major disaster declaration requests submitted in response to the ongoing August storms. We appreciate your consideration and stand ready to work with your administration, FEMA, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to support Indiana\u2019s recovery.\u201d\n\nSincerely,\n\nU.S. Senator Todd Young (IN)\n\nU.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN)\n\nCongressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01)\n\nCongressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02)\n\nCongressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)\n\nCongressman Jim Baird (IN-04)\n\nCongressman Victoria Spartz (IN-05)\n\nCongressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06)\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07)\n\nCongressman Mark Messmer (IN-08)\n\nCongresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09)\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-25T05:31:37Z", "2026-08-25T05:33:09Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-federal-emergency-assistance-approved-indiana-president-trump", "\ufeffSpartz: Federal Emergency Assistance Approved for Indiana by President Trump", "2026-08-15", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Noblesville, IN \u2013 Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) announced that President Donald Trump has approved a federal emergency declaration for Indiana following historic flooding and severe weather affecting communities across the state.\n\nThe Presidential Emergency Declaration makes federal resources available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to supplement state and local response efforts, including lifesaving and emergency protective measures to address immediate threats to lives, public health and safety, and property.\n\nAs damage assessments continue, Indiana is expected to apply for a Major Disaster Declaration in the next few days to seek additional federal recovery assistance for affected communities and individuals. Rep. Spartz will continue working with the Governor, the Administration, FEMA, and local officials to support that request and ensure affected Hoosiers receive the assistance they need.\n\nRep. Spartz has been and will continue to be in direct communication with federal, state, and local officials to help coordinate the response.\n\n\u201cI am very grateful to President Trump for acting quickly to support Hoosiers affected by this devastating flooding. I spoke directly with the President today about the situation on the ground, and I appreciate his swift response,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cI also want to thank Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Governor Mike Braun for their leadership and coordination throughout this emergency, as well as our local emergency officials and first responders working around the clock. We will continue working together at all levels of government to make sure assistance gets to the communities that need it.\u201d\n\nHoosiers affected by the flooding who need immediate assistance should call 211 for available state and local resources. Residents of Indiana\u2019s 5th Congressional District may also contact Rep. Spartz\u2019s office for assistance with federal agencies and resources:\n\nNoblesville Office: (317) 848-0201\n\nMuncie Office: (765) 639-0671", 1, "2026-08-16T05:26:31Z", "2026-08-16T05:27:49Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-banks-releases-statement-following-call-with-president-trump-to-secure-much-needed-disaster-relief-for-hoosiers/", "Senator Banks Releases Statement Following Call With President Trump To Secure Much-Needed Disaster Relief For Hoosiers", "2026-08-15", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "FORT WAYNE, Ind. \u2013\u2013 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) released a statement following a phone call with President Trump regarding requests for federal disaster assistance after severe storms caused historic flooding, tornadoes, and widespread damage across Indiana.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cI just got off the phone with President Trump and he has agreed to send millions of dollars of much-needed federal disaster assistance to the state of Indiana following this week\u2019s severe weather. Thank you, President Trump, for all you\u2019ve done for Indiana. My office continues our work to facilitate relief efforts, and we stand ready to assist all impacted Hoosiers.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe severe weather began impacting Indiana on August 11 and has resulted in deaths, injuries, damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure, displaced families, and disrupted emergency services. Power outages peaked at more than 300,000, while flooding reached 100-year levels in some areas and forced road closures across the state.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-16T05:26:31Z", "2026-08-16T05:27:49Z"], ["https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2611", "Congressman Baird Applauds Institute of Museum and Library Services Funding for Purdue University", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "James R. Baird", "B001307", "baird.house.gov", "baird", "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarding Purdue University three grants totaling more than $818,000.\n\n\u201cPurdue University is a premier research and educational institution,\u201d said Congressman Baird. \u201cThe grants from IMLS help develop library and archival programs across our country. The Purdue library system has proven itself well-equipped to put these resources to good use, expanding research capabilities and strengthening the services available to its students, faculty, and university community. As a Boilermaker myself, I am proud to see Purdue receive this funding to boost its important work.\u201d\n\nIMLS awarded Purdue three grants, one through its National Leadership Grants for Librariesprogram and two through its Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program.\n\nFor more information about the Institute of Museum and Library Services, click here.", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/exclusive-reuters-republican-senator-urges-trump-to-back-open-weight-ai-models-amid-industry-debate/", "EXCLUSIVE: Reuters: Republican Senator Urges Trump to Back Open-Weight AI Models Amid Industry Debate", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Click here to read the full story from Reuters or read below.\n\nEXCLUSIVE: Republican Senator Jim Banks is urging the Trump administration to develop incentives to encourage U.S. tech companies to develop open-weight AI models, according to a letter released on Friday, adding to a growing debate over the industry\u2019s future.\n\nOpen-weight models are AI systems with publicly accessible core elements, such as Meta\u2019s Muse Glimmer, Nvidia\u2019s Nemotron and startup Thinking Machines\u2019 Inkling. Users can download and fine-tune them for specific tasks, and they can be cheaper for cost-conscious customers.\n\nClosed-weight AI tools are generally regarded as more capable, and their creators retain control over their components. Key examples include OpenAI\u2019s ChatGPT, Anthropic\u2019s Claude and Google\u2019s Gemini.\n\nOpen-weight AI models from Chinese firms are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., prompting security concerns in Washington that Chinese companies could gain an edge in a segment of the AI industry.\n\nBanks, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that oversees national security issues, asked U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s administration to devise options to \u201climit dependence\u201d on Chinese-made open-weight models, adding that the U.S. government must also make it harder for those firms to use American semiconductors to build their products.\n\n\u201cAmerica cannot afford to see Chinese open models proliferate and burrow into the global economy only to be weaponized, like rare earths, at a time and place of China\u2019s choosing,\u201d Banks wrote in a letter to Trump\u2019s economic adviser Christopher Phelan.\n\nWith his letter, Banks joins a debate that has split the tech industry. Nvidia and Meta, joined by dozens of U.S. tech companies and venture capital firms, urged policymakers in July not to restrict open-weight AI, while Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has said open-weight models could present a security risk, adding it is harder to monitor their usage.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-triggered-with-donald-trump-jr/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins Triggered with Donald Trump Jr.", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined the Triggered Podcast, hosted by Donald Trump Jr., to discuss his introduction of the Citizenship Act of 2026, the SAVE America Act, his introduction of the Dalilah Law, the investigation into Neville Singham\u2019s network of CCP-aligned nonprofits, and the DSA\u2019s takeover of the Democratic Party.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on the SAVE America Act:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cWhen we get back in September, we\u2019ve got to be serious about this bill; we have to pass it. When I come back home to Indiana, when I go to the grocery store, when I go to church, even my own family, they are mad about it. Why aren\u2019t you guys doing anything? It\u2019s so simple, as you said, it\u2019s an 80/20 issue in this country, not just with republicans, to pass the SAVE America Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cA couple of weeks ago there was a story in New Jersey, that the new Democrat Governor, Mickie Sherill, a colleague of mine when I was in the house, she appeared before the media, which is really unbelievable that she, the democrats would admit this, but 6600 non-citizens were accidentally added to the voter rolls in New Jersey and hundreds of them voted in the 2023, and 2024 elections. I thought the media said that this never happens!\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the Citizenship Act of 2026:\n\n\u201cThe ruling that struck down President Trump\u2019s ruling on Birthright citizenship was the worst decision of my lifetime. I think it\u2019s going to go down in history as one of those that were so bad and so wrong. Justice Kavanaugh, even though he was on the wrong side of the decision, wrote in his opinion that if Congress or the president declares that these illegals are invaders, that\u2019s a specific word from the 14th Amendment: invaders into our country. Their babies aren\u2019t eligible for birthright citizenship\u2026My bill does what the President\u2019s new executive order seeks to do: declare an invasion through the act of Congress, and these babies aren\u2019t eligible for citizenship per the 14thAmendment. We need to codify what President Trump has done through executive orders.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the Dalilah Law:\n\n\u201cIndiana is the crossroads of America; we have the 3rd or 4th most freight-traveled state because of where we are in Indiana, the heartland of America. We have semis going in every direction on our highways, and we keep having these cases: illegals who came into our country under Biden would go to states like California, New York, Pennsylvania was one of the worst as well, went to fake CDL schools and received licenses without even being able to read English. It\u2019s unbelievable someone would be allowed behind the wheel of a semitruck who cannot even read our traffic signs; they don\u2019t know the customs of the roads, and we have lost way too many Americans to these illegals.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Delilah Law says that you have to take the CDL test in English; that\u2019s the only way to take it and take away these CDL licenses from those who ate here illegally or on a temporary status and not allow them to drive semi-trucks to begin with. And finally, crack down on some of these states like Pennsylvania, New York and California that are handing out these CDL licenses like candy and take away their highway funding and force them to feel the heat and the pressure of the deaths and catastrophe that they have allowed to happen in states like Indiana.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the Neville Singham Investigation:\n\n\u201cNeville Singham is a Chinese tech billionaire; he\u2019s an American, but he sold his tech business to the Chinese Communist Party, made billions and then fled to Beijing. Guess who Neville Singham is married to? The co-founder of Code Pink. He has taken millions of dollars and set up shell companies not just to Code Pink but to groups that support left wing violence in the United States of America. Finally, the FBI has taken notice and announced a few weeks ago that they are investigating him. We have been doing everything we can to expose the link between these left-wing groups, and a lot of the money flowing from Neville Singham is going to groups that advance a lot of the violence you have seen in the country over the past few years is coming from the CCP.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-backs-gov-brauns-emergency-declaration-request/", "Sen. Banks Backs Gov. Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration Request", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "FORT WAYNE, Ind. \u2014 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) announced his support of Governor Mike Braun\u2019s request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration following recent severe weather that caused historic flooding, tornadoes, and widespread damage across Indiana.\n\nThe declaration would provide additional resources to support emergency response efforts, including swiftwater rescues, power restoration, and support for communities affected by the storms.\n\nSenator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cI have notified FEMA and the Trump administration that I support Governor Mike Braun\u2019s Emergency Declaration request, and I ask them to honor it. My office is on-the-ground, working with the state and local partners to facilitate relief efforts, and we stand ready to assist all impacted Hoosiers.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSevere weather began impacting Indiana on August 11 and has resulted in deaths, injuries, damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure, displaced families, and disrupted emergency services. Power outages peaked at more than 300,000, while flooding reached 100-year levels in some areas and forced road closures across the state.\n\nGovernor Braun has declared a statewide disaster emergency and deployed the Indiana National Guard. State agencies, local officials, and first responders remain mobilized as communities continue response and recovery efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-calls-for-u-s-open-source-ai-leadership-to-counter-china/", "Sen. Banks Calls for U.S. Open-Source AI Leadership to Counter China", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Recommends action to strengthen American open-source AI leadership\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Chairman Christopher Phelan encouraging the Trump administration to examine policies that ensure the United States wins both the race to develop the world\u2019s most advanced artificial intelligence and the race to make American AI models the global standard. Banks warned that China is attempting to repeat its Huawei playbook by flooding the global market with cheap open-source models designed to create foreign dependence, introduce security vulnerabilities, and spread Chinese Communist Party influence.\n\nBanks encouraged CEA to examine new incentives that could strengthen America\u2019s open-source AI ecosystem, expand opportunities for startups and small businesses, and prevent Chinese companies from exploiting stolen technology, acquiring chips illegally, and conducting large-scale model distillation. He also requested a staff-level briefing within 60 days on the economic and national security benefits of American open models and semiconductor export controls.\n\nRead the Reuters exclusive here.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nDear Chairman Phelan:\n\nI am writing about the importance of American leadership in both frontier artificial intelligence (AI) development and the global diffusion of AI models, including open-source models.\n\nAmerica faces two related but distinct AI competitions. The first is a vertical race to the frontier to ensure that America, not China, develops the world\u2019s most capable AI systems. The second is a horizontal diffusion race to ensure American, not Chinese, models and technical ecosystems become the default for businesses, researchers, and governments around the world.\n\nThe Chinese pursuit of open-weight dominance should come as no surprise. The Chinese government has long pursued exactly this kind of global market capture using cheap, oftentimes illicitly acquired, technology. We can expect that \u201cgood enough\u201d Chinese open-weight models will be offered at steep discounts and be used to nurture dependencies, introduce vulnerabilities, and proliferate Xi Jinping thought across the world economy. This is the very playbook the first Trump administration correctly called out and took action to counter globally from Huawei. China is now trying to apply the Huawei playbook to artificial intelligence. For this reason, the administration\u2019s AI Action Plan is correct to recognize that American open models would have both economic and geostrategic value.\n\nOpen models can generate broad economic benefits by lowering barriers to entry, reducing development costs, strengthening competition, and enabling downstream innovation. Frontier developers invest large sums to develop models and frequently rely on controlled access to recover those investments. For a given frontier model developer, releasing weights openly could reduce revenue, transfer capabilities to domestic competitors, or attract scrutiny if open models create harm. As a result, frontier developers may underproduce open models due to their structural incentives. The United States must think creatively about the types of incentives that may change this calculation and promote a strong American open-source ecosystem.\n\nTo prevent Chinese models from becoming the foundation of the global economy of the future, the U.S. must also take aggressive action against illicit chip acquisition, export control evasion, and industrial-scale distillation by Chinese AI companies. As Director Kratsios made clear, Moonshot AI\u2019s Kimi K3 model achieved its significant breakthrough in large part through malign behavior. China not only benefited from industrial-scale distillation but also illegally acquired export-controlled chips and exploited loopholes in chip controls to remotely access prohibited chips in Southeast Asia. As we help U.S. companies run faster in open-source, we must also make it harder for the Chinese to cheat.\n\nAmerica cannot afford to see Chinese open models proliferate and burrow into the global economy only to be weaponized, like rare earths, at a time and place of China\u2019s choosing. We need an American AI ecosystem that wins both the vertical and horizontal races.\n\nAs the Administration considers how to promote American AI leadership and limit dependence on PRC models, I recommend examining the following questions:\n\nEconomic incentives and open-source. Do private incentives systematically undervalue the economic and national-security benefits of American open models? What benefits accrue broadly to the United States but cannot be captured by individual companies? How does the availability of strong American open models affect innovation and competition among startups, small businesses, and independent developers?\n\nTools for promoting U.S. open-source leadership. What policy tools or economic incentives could address potential market failures and strengthen the U.S. open-source ecosystem? Which interventions would most effectively support the development, distribution, and adoption of competitive American open models? How can such policies support startups, small businesses, and independent AI developers?\n\nPreventing China from cheating. What are the quantifiable economic benefits of semiconductor export controls for both the frontier race and the diffusion race? What is our best estimate of how much existing export controls have strengthened U.S. AI leadership in each race, and how much have these advantages contributed to gains in U.S. productivity, growth, investment, or global market share? What economic costs would result from failing to prevent large-scale distillation or enforce existing controls?\n\nI look forward to following your work in these areas as you continue to promote U.S. AI leadership, both for open-source models and for frontier models. To support your work, I request a staff-level briefing within 60 days to discuss these topics.\n\nSincerely,\n\nJim Banks\n\nU.S. Senator for Indiana\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-shreve-statement-recent-flooding-across-indiana", "Rep. Shreve Statement on Recent Flooding Across Indiana", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Jefferson Shreve", "S001229", "shreve.house.gov", "shreve", "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "GREENWOOD, IN \u2013 Today, Congressman Jefferson Shreve released the following statement on the severe flooding affecting communities across Indiana:\n\n\u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the severe storms and flooding across Indiana. Over the past three days, communities across our state \u2014 including several in the 6th District \u2014 have been hit hard.\n\nI\u2019m grateful to the first responders, emergency crews, and local and state officials working around the clock to keep people safe and begin assessing the damage.\n\nMy office is closely coordinating with Governor Braun and state and local officials. We stand ready to help however we can. And at the federal level, I\u2019ll work to make sure our communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild.\n\nIndiana communities look out for one another. We\u2019ve seen that again over the past 72 hours, and we\u2019ll see it in the days ahead.\u201d", 1, "2026-08-21T05:30:57Z", "2026-08-21T05:32:22Z"], ["https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=326", "Messmer Highlights Indiana\u2019s Workforce Development Leadership at Apprenticeship Roundtable", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Mark B. Messmer", "M001233", "messmer.house.gov", "messmer", "https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "EVANSVILLE, IN \u2013 Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) hosted an Apprenticeship Roundtable at Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville to discuss how Indiana\u2019s nationally recognized apprenticeship model can help strengthen workforce development nationwide. The event convened federal, state, education, and industry leaders to examine policies that expand career pathways and address America's workforce needs.\n\n\u201cIndiana has demonstrated that strong partnerships between employers, educators, and government can prepare workers for rewarding careers while meeting the needs of our economy,\u201d said Rep. Messmer. \u201cAs Congress explores ways to strengthen workforce development, our state provides a proven model for expanding apprenticeships, closing the skills gap, and creating opportunities for hardworking Hoosiers.\u201d\n\nParticipants discussed Indiana\u2019s leadership in registered apprenticeships, the role of community colleges in preparing the next generation of skilled workers, and opportunities to build on successful state programs through federal workforce policy. The conversation also highlighted the importance of collaboration between employers, educators, and government to meet growing workforce demands in key industries.\n\nTo learn more about how Congressman Messmer is helping strengthen Indiana\u2019s workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century, visit Messmer.House.Gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-27T16:10:01Z", "2026-08-27T16:10:50Z"], ["https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-announces-long-overdue-presidential-unit-citation-indiana-rangers", "SPARTZ ANNOUNCES LONG-OVERDUE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR INDIANA RANGERS", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Victoria Spartz", "S000929", "spartz.house.gov", "spartz", "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Noblesville, IN \u2013 U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz (IN-05) announced that Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry Regiment of the Indiana Army National Guard - the legendary \u201cIndiana Rangers\u201d- will receive the Presidential Unit Citation for their extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.\n\nThe recognition comes more than 50 years after the Indiana Rangers returned home from Vietnam in 1969. The unit was the only Army National Guard ground maneuver unit to serve in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and became one of the most decorated units of the war, earning hundreds of individual awards for valor and service.\n\n\u201cIt has been a tremendous honor to help recognize these incredible Hoosier heroes,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cThe Indiana Rangers demonstrated extraordinary courage under some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable. While their individual heroism was recognized many times over, recognition of the unit as a whole has been overdue since the Nixon era. More than half a century later, our nation is finally honoring what these brave men accomplished together.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Indiana Rangers of the 151st Infantry Regiment set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire our force today,\u201d said Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard. \u201cThey lived the Warrior Ethos in the most unforgiving conditions, demonstrating a fierce loyalty to their brothers in arms and an unwavering commitment to the mission. We could not be prouder of this historic heroism. The Presidential Unit Citation is a testament to their grit, their sacrifice, and a legacy that will never be forgotten.\u201d\n\nThe Presidential Unit Citation is the highest military decoration awarded to a unit for extraordinary heroism in combat. For the Indiana Rangers, the award recognizes not only individual acts of valor, but the extraordinary courage, teamwork, and sacrifice of the entire company.\n\nCompany D deployed to Vietnam in December 1968 and conducted hundreds of dangerous long-range reconnaissance missions, often operating deep in enemy-controlled territory. The Rangers returned to Indiana in November 1969, but for decades surviving members continued their efforts to secure appropriate recognition for the unit as a whole.\n\n\u201cMany of these heroes waited more than five decades for this day, and sadly, some did not live long enough to see it,\u201d Spartz continued. \u201cI am grateful to President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, Maj. Gen. Muennich, and everyone at the Indiana National Guard and Department of War who worked with us to finally make this long-overdue recognition a reality. Our nation must never forget the courage and sacrifice of these Hoosier heroes.\u201d\n\nThe award will be given to the Indiana Rangers at the National Guard Association of the United States Conference & Exhibition in Indianapolis during the opening ceremony on August 29, 2026. Media must RSVP to Lauren Houck at lauren.a.houck.nfg@army.mil in order to receive media credentials.", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-calls-on-secretary-hegseth-to-blacklist-chinese-engine-maker-with-ties-to-pla/", "Sen. Banks Calls on Secretary Hegseth to Blacklist Chinese Engine Maker with Ties to PLA", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Weichai engines are used in rocket systems supplied to the Chinese military\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urging the Department of War to add Weichai Holding Group Co. Ltd. to its Chinese Military Companies list.\n\nWeichai is wholly-owned by a Chinese state-controlled enterprise and works with blacklisted Chinese defense companies. China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO)\u2014a Chinese state-owned defense manufacturer\u2014uses Weichai engines in a multiple-launch rocket system supplied to the People\u2019s Liberation Army, and Weichai has also partnered with a subsidiary of the blacklisted China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.\n\nIn the letter, Banks argues that Weichai\u2019s ownership structure, defense partnerships and role in China\u2019s military-civil fusion strategy meet the criteria for designation as a Chinese military company. He urges the Department of War to add Weichai to the 1260H List to protect U.S. national security and prevent Chinese military-linked companies from operating in the United States without appropriate scrutiny.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth:\n\nI am writing to bring to your attention the U.S. national security risk posed by Weichai Holding Group Co. Ltd. (Weichai) and urge you to add it to the Department of War\u2019s Chinese Military Companies List (1260H List). Weichai, based in the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC), manufactures diesel engines that are sold in more than 150 countries including the United States.\n\nAs you know, Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 requires the Secretary of War to publish a list of \u201cChinese military companies.\u201d Under the statute, a Chinese military company includes entities identified as a military-civil fusion contributor to China\u2019s defense industrial base. Among the statutory criteria, an entity qualifies as a military-civil fusion contributor if it is affiliated with China\u2019s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) or the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC). Weichai\u2019s ownership structure, state backing, and partnerships with entities of concern appear to satisfy these criteria.\n\nWeichai is wholly owned by Shandong Heavy Industry Group, a state-owned enterprise supervised and controlled by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the Shandong Provincial Government. This body maintains control over the company\u2019s strategic direction, and SASAC praised Weichai for \u201cbuilding a \u2018Benchmark\u2019 or High-Quality Development among State-Owned Enterprises.\u201d In 2019, Shandong Heavy Industry Group established a People\u2019s Armed Forces Department (PAFD) that reports to the Shandong Provincial Military District, and this group owns or holds controlling stakes in companies worldwide including the French diesel engine manufacturer Baudouin Motors. At a minimum, this ownership structure provides access to strategic resources and assets held by its overseas subsidiaries. Like all major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), Weichai also houses an active internal CCP committee that oversees major business decisions to ensure they align with the party\u2019s political directives.\n\nWeichai\u2019s collaborations with PRC defense companies are equally concerning. NORINCO, a blacklisted Chinese military company that supplies the People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA), procures Weichai engines for use in the PHL-11 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Weichai also signed a cooperation agreement with Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special Vehicle Co., a subsidiary of the blacklisted China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), further demonstrating its integration into China\u2019s defense industrial base.\n\nMoreover, Weichai supports the State Key Laboratory of Engine and Powertrain System, one of the PRC\u2019s more than 500 State Key Laboratories (SKL). SKL\u2019s are part of a PRC government-directed research network that seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies. PRC central government planning documents describe SKLs as \u201cvital components of China\u2019s innovation ecosystem.\u201d SKLs receive central government funding to advance strategic technologies for both commercial and military use, making Weichai a key participant in China\u2019s military-civil fusion strategy.\n\nIn addition to its role in military-civil fusion, Weichai works directly with foreign defense entities of concern and firms that have been sanctioned by the U.S. government. In 2016, Weichai signed a cooperation agreement with Belarus\u2019 MAZ group \u2013 sanctioned by the Treasury department in 2023 \u2013 to build diesel engines. It also established a joint venture with Kamaz, a Russian supplier of trucks to the Russian Ministry of Defense, and signed a cooperation agreement with Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special Vehicle Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the blacklisted China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).\n\nEqually alarming is Weichai\u2019s subsidiaries and members that maintain extensive ties to Chinese government industrial initiatives, state-funded research programs, and defense-linked institutions:\n\nShaanxi Heavy Duty Automobile Co., a Weichai subsidiary, participates in multiple national high-tech and Ministry of Science and Technology research programs.\n\nShaanxi Fast Gear Co., a Weichai subsidiary, explicitly identifies the Belt and Road Initiative and \u201cMade in China\u201d strategy as key drivers for its growth.\n\nShaanxi HanDe Axle Co., founded by Weichai, has received funding from the Baoji Municipal Bureau of Industry and Technology Provincial Fund for automotive industry development. It also has partnered with Xi\u2019an Jiaotong University, a defense-linked institution supervised by the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) that conducts classified military research and has strategic partnerships with major Chinese defense contractors. HanDe Axle has also received provincial science and technology awards, underscoring its integration into China\u2019s state-directed innovation ecosystem.\n\nCollectively, these relationships between Weichai\u2019s members and the CCP demonstrate its connections to the CCP\u2019s industrial policy, government support, and collaboration with institutions that directly advance China\u2019s military-civil fusion strategy and defense industrial base. Weichai\u2019s work has even earned the praise of General Secretary Xi Jinping, who remarked in 2018 that \u201cWeichai has handed in a brilliant result with ten years of development.\u201d The information above seems to indicate that Weichai meets the definition of a Chinese military\n\ncompany and thus should be listed on the 1260H list.\n\nThank you for your attention to this critical national security matter. I am ready to work with the Department of War to ensure that our nation\u2019s industry remains secure from potential foreign threats.\n\nSincerely,\n\nJim Banks\n\nU.S. Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-the-scott-jennings-show-on-salem-news-channel/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins The Scott Jennings Show on Salem News Channel", "2026-08-11", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined The Scott Jennings Show on Salem News Channel to discuss the increasing influence of Socialism in the Democratic Party, conflict with Iran, the debate over birthright citizenship, and his introduction of the Citizenship Act of 2026.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpt on Iran:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cEvery single Democrat in the Senate has voted to tie President Trump\u2019s hands from blocking Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. Think about what that means, if Iran had a nuclear weapon, it would be pointed directly at us, it would be pointed at Isreal, it would be pointed at our bases and our troops around the world, and every democrat in Congress wants to stop President Trump from doing something that is so important for the future, not only for our country but for the world, in blocking the Iranians from getting that nuclear weapon. To me it\u2019s common sense, but for the Democrats not so much.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpt on the Citizenship Act of 2026:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201c250,000 babies of illegals are granted birthright citizenship in America every year. It\u2019s wrong; it\u2019s not fair. I don\u2019t think our founders ever intended for illegals to flood our country like this, and the Supreme Court decision was probably the worst Supreme Court Decision of my lifetime. But in the Supreme Court decision, even though Justice Kavanaugh was on the wrong side of the decision, but in his opinion, he wrote that if Congress declared an invasion and named these illegals as invaders, their babies would not be eligible for birthright citizenship. So he gave us a hint, and that\u2019s what my Citizenship Act does.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-12T06:18:38Z", "2026-08-12T06:20:33Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-meet-the-press-on-nbc/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins Meet the Press on NBC", "2026-08-09", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on NBC to discuss the increasing influence of Democratic Socialism in the Democratic Party, the economy, Middle East diplomacy, and conflict with Iran.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on the economy:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cThere\u2019s still good news in this July\u2019s jobs report about the resurgence of manufacturing jobs and construction jobs that are being created in America. Never forget that in the last two years Joe Biden was in the White House, we lost a quarter of a million manufacturing jobs, and we have seen a significant resurgence because of President Trump\u2019s trade policies and bringing back those good-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs, and we\u2019re seeing it mostly in states like Indiana. That\u2019s the return of the Made in America economy.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Iran:\n\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s legacy is going to be largely wrapped up in ensuring that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. I do not want my kids growing up in a world where Iran has a nuclear weapon, that will be pointed directly at the United States of America, at our troops abroad, at our allies. President Trump is the first president in 47 years to have the guts to stand up to the Regime and tell them that they are not going to get away with it.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs an Afghanistan veteran myself, watching what our military has accomplished, wiping out 85% of Iran\u2019s ballistic missiles, Iran\u2019s defense industrial base, making sure that they can never achieve their ultimate goal to have that nuclear weapon, that\u2019s all good news. President Trump\u2019s use of the naval blockade, he has crippled Iran\u2019s economy; that in and of itself will bring lasting peace, not just to the Middle East but to the rest of the world, and projects American strength in a way I have never seen in my lifetime. He is a peacemaker; this is a key part of ensuring peace for the ages, and President Trump deserves a lot of credit for it.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-10T06:13:07Z", "2026-08-10T06:14:46Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-introduces-amendment-protecting-female-athletes/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Introduces Amendment Protecting Female Athletes", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) offered an amendment to the Protect College Sports Act alongside Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) that would prevent the legislation from preempting state laws protecting women\u2019s sports.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cIndiana has one of the strongest laws in the country that keeps biological men from competing in women\u2019s sports. As a father of three daughters, I can\u2019t support and legislation that would preempt Indiana\u2019s law. This amendment would make sure the Protect College Sports Act protects female athletes.\n\nSee the Amendment featured on Fox & Friends:\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nSee the Amendment featured on America Reports:\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nAmendmentSummary:\n\nProtects state and local laws, regulations, rules, requirements, and standards that prohibit biological men from participating in women\u2019s intercollegiate sports from being preempted by federal law.\n\nBackground:\n\nIndiana has enacted protections for female athletes at every level of education. In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation to prohibit biological males from competing in girls\u2019 K-12 sports. In 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed a second law extending those protections to women\u2019s collegiate athletics.\n\nHere\u2019s what they\u2019re saying:\n\nTerry Schilling:\u201cThe NCAA has shown us time after time: without clear laws, it will always side with radical transgender ideology over female athletes. The PCSA, while well-intentioned, must protect all female athletes. A simple amendment, like the one just introduced by Sens. @HawleyMO, @Jim_Banks and @SenTuberville, will do just that.\u201d\n\nKristen Waggoner: \u201cURGENT: The current version of the Protect College Sports Act could jeopardize women\u2019s sports. Every Senator who cares about women\u2019s equal opportunity should act immediately to clarify that this bill does not preempt state laws protecting girls\u2019 sports.\u201d\n\nRiley Gaines: \u201cThe Protect College Sport Act protects the NCAA. The NCAA does NOT protect female athletes. Unless its amended, I do not support the Protect College Sports Act. There is no room for ambiguity.\u201d\n\nAlliance Defending Freedom: \u201cMomentum is growing to FIX the Protect College Sports Act and minimize its risk of being misused to challenge women\u2019s sports laws. We\u2019re grateful to our allies who publicly support a simple fix. We don\u2019t have to choose between protecting college sports and keeping women\u2019s sports for women. We can do both. Fix the PCSA.\u201d\n\nKevin Roberts: \u201cThis is 100% correct: we\u2019ve made way too much progress protecting female athletes from transgender ideology to backtrack now.\u201d\n\nSage Steele:\u201cFor those who understand the importance of protecting women\u2019s sports, please listen. And those politicians who SAY they want to protect women & girls, the vote you cast tomorrow will solidify that. PLEASE do the right thing!\u201d\n\nKim Shasby Jones: \u201cThe PCSA must be rock solid for female athletes if we are really serious about granting legal immunity power to the NCAA. Until women are protected, NO DEAL.\u201d\n\nJennifer Sey: \u201cIt sounds great to \u2018protect college sports\u2019. And it is. But the bill can\u2019t leave women out. And right now , the bill leaves an opening for the NCAA to run roughshod over female athletes. Fix it make sure women\u2019s sports are protected too.\u201d\n\nTina Descovitch: \u201cWe have to get this right!\u201d\n\nConcerned Women for America: \u201cThe Protect College Sports Act could undermine the ability of states to pass laws banning men from female athletics. Protecting female sports should not be negotiable. Congress should not attempt to fix the broader issues within college sports at the expense of female athletes.\u201d\n\nFox News Digital: Republican senators file amendment to stop college sports bill from overriding state women\u2019s sports laws\n\nOutkick: The \u201cProtect College Sports Act\u201d has a fatal flaw: it doesn\u2019t protect women \u2013 Riley Gaines\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-just-the-news-with-john-solomon/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins Just the News with John Solomon", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Just the News: No Noise with John Solomon on Real America\u2019s Voice to discuss the SAVE America Act, his introduction of the Citizenship Act of 2026, and the weaponization of the FBI against President Trump.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpts on the SAVE America Act:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cLet\u2019s stay in Washington, let\u2019s get our work done, let\u2019s pass the SAVE America Act, there\u2019s a lot of other issues that we\u2019re focusing on too, but I don\u2019t think anything is more important than voter ID at the ballot box to make sure that only American citizens vote in American elections. By the way, the big news that the mainstream media hardly covered was that the new Democrat governor in New Jersey announced a week ago that they accidentally added 66,00 noncitizens to the voter roll and hundreds of them voted in the last two elections, if that\u2019s not a reason in and of itself\u2026 That\u2019s why we need the SAVE America Act: we need to pass it now; we don\u2019t need an August recess; we don\u2019t need a vacation. Let\u2019s pass the SAVE America Act before we head out of town.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe can pass it; it\u2019s a version of the SAVE America Act, and it\u2019s related to grants to the states that provide for voter ID. It would incentivize more states to pass voter ID laws, but it\u2019s better than nothing, so let\u2019s do everything that we can to secure our elections. No political issue I\u2019ve seen has been more popular. President Trump is right to push to pass it. Let\u2019s pass it before we go home.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on the Citizenship Act of 2026:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m concerned about it because right now about 250,000 babies of illegals in our country are born in America and are automatically given birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment doesn\u2019t grant that someone who\u2019s here illegally should get birthright citizenship, but they struck down the president\u2019s executive order\u2026We don\u2019t need a constitutional amendment, and Congress can\u2019t overturn a Supreme Court decision. My bill, the Citizenship Act, declares an invasion and says that the babies of illegal immigrants are not eligible for birthright citizenship. This is important to the future of our country. I mean 250,00 babies a year; that\u2019s a magnet for more illegals to come into our country; this is what attracts them to come into our country to begin with.\u201d\n\nKey Excerpts on Oxferd Comma:\n\n\u201cThose first two years that I was in the House, those years were completely lost, they were derailed because of the Russian collusion hoax and what these guys did to our country and they have never been held accountable for it, so I\u2019m glad you exposed this story because it reminds us the damage that Comey and those in the Deep State the damage they did to our country and the missed opportunities in those two years\u2026 there was so much more that President Trump tried to do for our country, that he was elected to do for our country that didn\u2019t get done because of that whole agenda was derailed by a hoax.\u201d\n\n\u201cTime has proven that President Trump has been as tough on Putin and Russia as any other President. The whole thing was a farce; it was all narrative created by those who were upset President Trump ever won to begin with and wanted to block him from getting anything done, and the losers out of it were the country, the United States of America, and the progress that we lost for this great nation over two years because of what they got away with. We can\u2019t let them get away with that again. This is why accountability matters.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-banks-joins-katie-pavlich-tonight-on-newsnation/", "ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins Katie Pavlich Tonight on NewsNation", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Jim Banks", "B001299", "www.banks.senate.gov", "banks", "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Katie Pavlich Tonight on NewsNation to discussthe importance of mass deportations, the debate over birthright citizenship, his introduction of the Citizenship Act of 2026, and the weaponization of the FBI against President Trump.\n\nClick the image above for the full discussion.\n\nKey Excerpt on the Citizenship Act of 2026:\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): \u201cCongress has an oversight role first and foremost to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to deport every single illegal that we can find and arrest and deport them. And right now we have this debate in Congress over defunding ICE or funding and supporting ICE. The Democrats want to defund or eliminate ICE, and Republicans are doing everything that we can to make sure that they can do their job. You look at the estimates of what happened when Joe Biden was in the White House: 15 million illegals or more came into the country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-statement-on-senate-passage-of-russia-sanctions-legislation/", "Young Statement on Senate Passage of Russia Sanctions Legislation", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) issued the following statement after voting for the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026:\n\n\u201cRussia\u2019s aggression cannot continue without consequences, and those helping sustain Putin\u2019s war machine should face meaningful costs. This legislation gives the United States stronger leverage against Russia and those enabling its war. At the same time, tariffs of this magnitude can have consequences beyond our adversaries, reaching American manufacturers, farmers, small businesses, and families.\n\n\u201cThat reality should not prevent us from acting. Failing to confront Russia\u2019s aggression carries costs of its own\u2014for our national security, global stability, and our economy\u2014and those costs will only grow if we allow that aggression to continue unchecked. But it does require transparency, discipline, and a clear strategy to ensure any costs borne by Americans are tied to well-defined national security objectives. I supported this legislation because the stakes are too high to stand still, and I will continue advocating for a transparent, disciplined approach to implementing these authorities.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-help-small-businesses-combat-increasing-cybersecurity-threats/", "Young, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Help Small Businesses Combat Increasing Cybersecurity Threats", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "IN", "Todd Young", "Y000064", "www.young.senate.gov", "toddyoung", "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced the Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act, bipartisan legislation to improve the federal cybersecurity tools that protect small businesses against cyber threats \u2013 helping integrate the technology, resources, and programs they need to stay protected in a changing digital landscape.\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, but too many owners don\u2019t know where to turn for help,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cThis commonsense legislation will identify gaps, improve coordination, and ensure small businesses have access to the tools they need to defend themselves from evolving cyber threats. When small businesses are better protected, they can spend less time responding to cyberattacks and more time creating jobs and growing our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs small businesses face a growing threat of cyberattacks and phishing schemes, we must give them the tools they need to stop hacks and lower their risk. Our bipartisan legislation will improve federal cybersecurity resources to help small businesses mitigate their cybersecurity vulnerabilities,\u201d said Senator Schiff.\n\nThe Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to develop a report on all federal cybersecurity resources, initiatives, programs, tools, and services available to small business owners. This report must include:\n\nInformation on the most common cybersecurity threats faced by small businesses;\n\nA description and assessment of the different levels of awareness, use, coordination, and integration of the federal resources;\n\nA list of foundational cybersecurity concepts absent from federal resources; and\n\nRecommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of these tools.", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases/shreve-announces-mobile-office-hours-fortville", "Shreve Announces Mobile Office Hours in Fortville", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Jefferson Shreve", "S001229", "shreve.house.gov", "shreve", "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Greenwood, IN \u2013 Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) announced today that his constituent services team will hold mobile office hours to assist Hoosiers on Wednesday, August 12th in Fortville.\n\nDuring these events, constituents can meet directly with members of Congressman Shreve\u2019s staff to help resolve issues with federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Social Security Administration (SSA).\n\n\"Our mobile office hours bring constituent services directly to communities across the Sixth District,\u201d said Congressman Shreve. \u201cIf you\u2019re having trouble with a federal agency, my team stands ready to help.\u201d\n\nIf constituents are unable to attend these events, Congressman Shreve also maintains a district office in Greenwood, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office can be reached by phone at (317) 399-3333.\n\nMobile Office Hours Details:\n\nFortville, Indiana\n\nDate: Wednesday, August 12\n\nTime: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM\n\nLocation: Fortville Town Hall\n\n714 E. Broadway, Fortville, IN 46040", 1, "2026-08-21T05:30:57Z", "2026-08-21T05:32:22Z"], ["https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=324", "Messmer Convenes Roundtable to Discuss Services for America\u2019s Veterans", "2026-08-06", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Mark B. Messmer", "M001233", "messmer.house.gov", "messmer", "https://messmer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "VINCENNES, IN \u2013 Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) convened a Hoosier Veterans Roundtable at Vincennes University, bringing together local, state, and federal veterans organizations to discuss services and care for Hoosier veterans. The discussion focused upon benefit expansion, strengthening coordination among organizations, and identifying legislative priorities to best serve those who make our nation so proud.\n\n\u201cOur veterans fulfilled their commitment to America, and we will always fulfill ours to them,\u201d said Rep. Messmer. \u201cI appreciate everyone who joined today\u2019s discussion, and I will continue working to strengthen the VA, improve access to care, and fight for the veterans of Indiana's Eighth District.\u201d\n\nRepresentatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, and local Veteran Service Organizations shared updates on ongoing initiatives and discussed the needs of veterans across Southern Indiana, including access to care in rural communities.\n\nTo learn more about how Congressman Messmer is supporting America's veterans in the House of Representatives, visit Messmer.House.Gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-07T06:11:19Z", "2026-08-07T06:12:42Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 10285, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", 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