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Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press

url
Link to the original release on the member's official site
text
Extracted body text (may be empty if the page could not be fetched)
has_text
1 if body text was successfully extracted
date_source
How the publication date was determined
bioguide_id
Bioguide ID of the member

543 rows where chamber = "Senate", state = "AZ" and year = 2026 sorted by date descending

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year 1

  • 2026 · 543 ✖

state 1

  • AZ · 543 ✖

party 1

  • Democrat 543

chamber 1

  • Senate · 543 ✖
url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-demand-that-dhs-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts/ Gallego, Colleagues Demand that DHS Halt 2026 Election Interference Efforts 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 29 of their Democratic colleagues demanded Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately halt the Department’s efforts to assert federal control over and undermine public trust in the 2026 midterm elections. The senators demanded information substantiating Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote and called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants, release funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower. “We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote. In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Mullin’s unsupported and disputed claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states. They criticized DHS attempts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information for its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite acknowledging problems with faulty data. The senators also objected to the Department’s new election-related conditions retroactively applied to FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, a program that provides states with funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other serious threats. By withholding this critical funding from states imposing conditions not authorized by Congress, Mullin is pu… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-prevent-chinese-optical-transceiver-usage-in-the-united-states/ Gallego, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Prevent Chinese Optical Transceiver Usage in the United States 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Legislation would restrict adversary-linked technology from sensitive federal networks while strengthening trusted U.S. and allied supply chains WASHINGTON – Last week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Securing National Security Systems from Chinese Optical Transceivers Act, bipartisan legislation to prevent Chinese-made optical transceivers from being used in the federal government’s most sensitive national security systems. Chinese manufacturers have become major suppliers of optical transceivers, creating U.S. reliance on these critical components which move data through high-speed fiber-optic networks, including the networks powering artificial intelligence. Because advanced transceivers can contain reprogrammable firmware, their use in national security networks can create potential supply-chain and security risks. The bill extends an existing federal procurement restriction for semiconductors to covered optical transceivers used in critical systems. It gives suppliers five years to develop compliant sources and provides waivers where necessary to protect supply and national security. “Optical transceivers are a critical part of America’s modern communications infrastructure, and we need to make sure that infrastructure is secure,” said Senator Gallego. “Our reliance on China to produce these transceivers creates a serious national security vulnerability. This legislation protects our most sensitive systems and invests in Arizona manufacturers, who are already helping build a secure supply chain here at home.” “We shouldn’t rely on China for technologies that are essential to our national security,” said Senator McCormick. “This bipartisan bill will help secure our networks and give American manufacturers—including the incredible companies and workers we have right here in Pennsylvania— the opportunity to step up, build more of this technology at home, and compete.” “Critical government communication and information syste… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-senate-democrats-demand-vought-abandon-any-and-all-plans-to-exert-political-control-over-nih-funding/ Gallego, Senate Democrats Demand Vought Abandon Any and All Plans to Exert Political Control Over NIH Funding 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers emphasize need for Republicans to join Democrats and support new guardrails in law to protect the integrity of NIH’s grantmaking process following long line of politically motivated attacks on NIH WASHINGTON – Last week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and 28 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought halt any plan to exert political control over the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) grant-making process. Reports indicate the Trump administration is considering an executive order to establish an external committee of unqualified political appointees which would be able to veto any awards selected by the NIH and panels of scientific experts. In their letter, the lawmakers underscore that the executive order is just the latest way OMB has sought to undermine NIH and the scientific peer review process that is the foundation of biomedical advancements and innovation. Backtracking on a new executive order or not, the Trump administration has shown repeatedly that it wants to use NIH funding to pursue political agendas and vendettas at the expense of life-saving research, treatments, and cures for millions of Americans. “Decisions about which National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants to fund should be guided only by science, and what research is most likely to advance new treatments and cures, or the next breakthrough to save or improve a patient’s life. The Trump administration considering, at the highest level, an Executive Order to exert unprecedented political control over NIH’s grant-making by establishing a commission empowered to veto NIH research awards represents just its latest attack on biomedical research,” the lawmakers wrote. “Injecting political interference into the NIH grantmaking process will irreparably harm America’s biomedical research enterprise, override scientific expertise, and potentially set back lifesaving medical breakthroughs by decades.… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-demand-that-dhs-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts/ Kelly, Colleagues Demand that DHS Halt 2026 Election Interference Efforts 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 29 of their Senate Democratic colleagues demanded Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately halt the Department’s efforts to assert federal control over and undermine public trust in the 2026 midterm elections. The senators demanded information substantiating Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote and called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and release funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower. “We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote. In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Mullin’s unsupported and disputed claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states. They criticized DHS attempts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information for its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite acknowledging problems with faulty data. The senators also objected to the Department’s new election-related conditions retroactively applied to FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, a program that provides states with funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other serious threats. By withhold this critical funding from states imposing conditions not authorized by Congress, Mullin is putting Amer… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/support-rolls-in-from-labor-workforce-leaders-for-kellys-make-ai-work-for-americans-act/ Support Rolls in from Labor, Workforce Leaders for Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Last week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from AI pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, job seekers, and communities as the economy changes. Since its introduction, the bill has received broad support from national and local labor and workforce organizations and leaders. See what supporters of the Make AI Work for Americans Act are saying here: “Innovation and safety are not opposing concepts; they’re two sides of the same coin. That is why law and regulation, not just unbridled markets, are so important. Technology is rapidly transforming our lives—particularly our security, our classrooms, our workplaces, and our entire economy—but for it to be tenable, it must work for working people. Sen. Mark Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act ensures that a Big Tech tax contributes directly to the workers and communities navigating this transition. By creating the AI Horizon Fund and bringing labor and workers to the table, this bill invests in America by preparing people at every stage of their careers with the skills, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers. “The Make AI Work for Americans Act recognizes the critical nature of ensuring that AI protects and creates good jobs while prioritizing putting working people at the table for responsible implementation,” saidSean M. O’Brien, General President,Teamsters. “We commend Senator Kelly for his work in drafting legislation that focuses on the dignity of work and creates pathways to protect workers and support them as their job evolves. That’s the approach we need to earn workers’ trust and grow the American middle class.” “As AI transforms the American workforce, people deserve a voice in what comes next. Senator Kelly’s legislation holds big tech companies accountable for how AI aff… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-justice-applaud-fcc-for-efforts-to-prevent-call-center-jobs-offshoring-improve-customer-service/ Gallego, Justice Applaud FCC for Efforts to Prevent Call Center Jobs Offshoring, Improve Customer Service 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jim Justice (R-WV) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr applauding the commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on call center onshoring. If finalized, the rule would encourage telecommunications providers to move customer service jobs back to the United States, improving customer experience and service. The letter follows last year’s introduction of the senators’ Keep Call Centers in America Act which, among other provisions, would give customers the right to transfer to a U.S.-based human representative for assistance. “As the bipartisan Senate sponsors of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, we are pleased by the FCC’s meaningful efforts to address offshoring in the call center industry. We thank you for attention to this important topic,” the senators wrote. Starting in the mid-1990s, many companies shifted customer service operations overseas to low-wage countries and increasingly automated front-line United States-based agents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a loss of another 150,000 United States-based call center jobs by 2033 at current trends. The letter comments on four specific components of the NPRM, encouraging provisions that mimic those detailed in their Keep Call Centers in America Act: Disclosure of Foreign-Based Call Center Operations and Right to Transfer:The senators urge, as part of the final rule, that the commission add a requirement that call centers disclose the country in which an agent is located. The senators also called for the creation of a standardized, specific text for providers to use in their disclosure and set standards to assist providers with compliance. Use of Machine-Based Systems for Customer Service: The senators urged consideration of a right-to-transfer requirement that would give consumers the right to transfer to a human representative for those centers which utilize artificial intelligence (AI)/machine-based systems. Onshoring C… 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-gallego-resolution-honoring-life-and-legacy-of-senator-jon-kyl/ Senate Passes Gallego Resolution Honoring Life and Legacy of Senator Jon Kyl 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – This week, the Senate passed Senator Ruben Gallego’s (D-AZ)bipartisan resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the late former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl. Gallego introduced the resolution alongside Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), with every member of the Senate co-sponsoring the resolution. The resolution recognizes Kyl’s decades of public service to Arizona and the country, including his work on water policy, crime victims’ rights, national security, defense, and intelligence. Kyl represented Arizona for four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before serving three terms in the U.S. Senate, where he rose to serve in party leadership. Following the death of Senator John McCain in 2018, Kyl returned to the Senate to once again represent Arizona. “Former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl was a great man that put the needs of Arizonans at the center of his career. He never wavered in the fight for Arizona’s water future, including securing one our country’s largest tribal water rights settlements,” said Senator Gallego. “He deserves recognition for his almost 30 years in Congress and his ability to work across the aisle for the good of all Americans.” “Senator Kyl served Arizona with distinction in Congress for nearly three decades. His landmark work securing historic Tribal water settlements shaped our state in ways that will last for generations. He was a true public servant who loved Arizona, and his legacy will endure.” said Senator Kelly. “Senator Kyl was a strong voice on America’s global leadership and a strong leader in our Republican conference. I appreciated his friendship and the opportunity to work alongside him in the Senate, including on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. He had strong Iowa roots, too, growing up in Bloomfield while his father represented Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our bipartisan resolution honors his life of service as we all continue to pray for his family,” said Senator Grassley. “Today we hon… 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-stanton-ansari-grijalva-press-trump-administration-for-answers-on-proposed-data-center-on-public-lands/ Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari, Grijalva Press Trump Administration for Answers on Proposed Data Center on Public Lands 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers seek transparency on four Arizona proposals covering more than 3,000 acres of federal public land Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for answers after reporting revealed that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is weighing data center-related proposals on federal public land. The proposals, not previously made public, show that the Trump administration is considering 12 data centers and data center-related infrastructure projects covering more than 17,600 acres of federal public land across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Four of the proposed data centers and related infrastructure projects are in Arizona, and they would span more than 3,000 acres of federal public land here. In the letter, thelawmakers raisequestions about how these data center proposals were fast-tracked by Trump’s Executive Order 14318; how the projects will be implemented; and what this could mean for environmental reviews, public oversight, and Arizona’s water and energy resources. “Arizonans are entitled to transparency and robust public review as BLM considers such developments on our federal lands,” the lawmakers wrote. The delegation requested a congressional briefing before any of the proposed Arizona projects move forward. By October 2, 2026, they demand that Secretary Burgum provide information on: All data center proposals and candidate parcels under consideration in Arizona. The permitting and environmental review required for each proposal, including whether BLM intends to use categorical exclusions or other expedited procedures. Opportunities for public participation and consultation with Tribal governments, local governments, and elected officials; and the projected water demand, water source and peak electric load associated with each proposed project. 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-kelly-resolution-honoring-life-and-legacy-of-senator-jon-kyl/ Senate Passes Kelly Resolution Honoring Life and Legacy of Senator Jon Kyl 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Every member of the Senate joined Kelly’s bipartisan resolution honoring Kyl’s decades of service to Arizona and the country This week, the Senate passed Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s bipartisan resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the late former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl. Kelly introduced the resolution alongside Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), with every member of the Senate co-sponsoring the resolution. The resolution recognizes Kyl’s decades of public service to Arizona and the country, including his work on water policy, crime victims’ rights, national security, defense, and intelligence. Kyl represented Arizona for four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before serving three terms in the U.S. Senate, where he rose to serve in party leadership. Following the death of Senator John McCain in 2018, Kyl returned to the Senate to once again represent Arizona. “Senator Kyl served Arizona with distinction in Congress for nearly three decades. His landmark work securing historic Tribal water settlements shaped our state in ways that will last for generations. He was a true public servant who loved Arizona, and his legacy will endure,” said Kelly. “Former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl was a great man that put the needs of Arizonans at the center of his career. He never wavered in the fight for Arizona’s water future, including securing one our country’s largest tribal water rights settlements,” said Gallego. “He deserves recognition for his almost 30 years in congress and his ability to work across the aisle for the good of all Americans.” “Senator Kyl was a strong voice on America’s global leadership and a strong leader in our Republican conference. I appreciated his friendship and the opportunity to work alongside him in the Senate, including on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. He had strong Iowa roots, too, growing up in Bloomfield while his father represented Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our bipartisan resolution honors his … 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/support-rolls-in-from-academic-experts-ai-researchers-for-kellys-make-ai-work-for-americans-act/ Support Rolls in from Academic Experts, AI Researchers for Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper This week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from AI pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, job seekers, and communities as the economy changes. Since its introduction, the bill has received broad support from national academic leaders. Here’s what academic leaders are saying about the Make AI Work for Americans Act: “Ensuring that AI brings broad-based benefits is the defining challenge of our era. That task starts in the labor market, where we must make sure AI complements workers rather than simply displacing them, and creates pathways to better, well-paid careers. Senator Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act is a major step in this direction: it encourages the development and deployment of pro-worker AI; improves worker training; and strengthens the safety net so that nobody falls through the cracks,” said Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Daron Acemoglu on X: I am delighted to see lawmakers start tackling the problem of how to make AI’s benefits more broadly shared. This requires both a change in the trajectory of AI in a more pro-worker direction, and more and better investments in worker skills, as Senator Kelly’s bill emphasizes. “The biggest economic question of our era is whether we use AI merely to replace people or to expand their capabilities to do new things, creating more widely shared prosperity. Senator Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act shapes that choice in the right direction: investing in workers, boosting entrepreneurship, modernizing the safety net, and exploring new approaches such as wage insurance. I’m delighted to support this thoughtful legislation,” saidErikBrynjolfsson, Director, Stanford Digital Economy Lab. “At a time when many are urging our policymakers to take AI’s potential disruption seriously, it is good to see in … 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/at-united-nations-general-assembly-gallego-criticizes-president-trumps-foreign-policy-blunders-pushes-for-ai-oversight/ At United Nations General Assembly, Gallego Criticizes President Trump’s Foreign Policy Blunders, Pushes for AI Oversight 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego joined international leaders, met with media, and spoke on issues regarding AI and National Security. NEW YORK — This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) attended the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City, where he shored up America’s diplomatic relationships with key allies in a series of bilateral meetings — including with Foreign Ministers from Mexico, Poland, and Estonia — and called out the Trump administration for their approach to the war in Iran, among other engagements. Senator Gallego began his trip by speaking on AI infrastructure at the Concordia Annual Summit. Senator Gallego joined panelists to speak about the investments, partnerships, and policy decisions required to develop resilient AI infrastructure while balancing sustainability, supply chain security, and global competitiveness. He highlighted the need to require frontier AI companies to report when malign actors access their models, called for stronger export controls to keep advanced chips out of adversaries’ hands, and called for a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on AI. Senator Gallego was joined on the panel by CEO of Datasection Inc. Norihiko Ishihara, and Vice President of Global AI Initiatives at NVIDIA Calista Redmond. Former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Vice Chair for the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Paula Dobriansky moderated the discussion. Senator Gallego along with Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky, Norihiko Ishihara, and Calista Redmond Senator Gallego made the following statements: On Congress striking a balance of regulation and innovation regarding AI: “I think we have to play a very big role in this, and I think we have to have the controlling role. Again, not to the point where we kill innovation, but at the same time, we also have to guard against potential bad breakouts — models that could go bad. “On the benefit side, I think the most important thing is to actually share it across all of society. One of the thing… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-arizona-democrats-press-trump-administration-for-answers-on-proposed-data-center-on-public-lands/ Gallego, Arizona Democrats Press Trump Administration for Answers on Proposed Data Center on Public Lands 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers seek transparency on four Arizona proposals covering more than 3,000 acres of federal public land WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego joined Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) in pressing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for answers after reporting revealed that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is weighing data center-related proposals on federal public land. The proposals, not previously made public, show that the Trump administration is considering 12 data center and data center-related infrastructure projects covering more than 17,600 acres of federal public land across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Four of the proposed data centers and related infrastructure projects are in Arizona, and they would span more than 3,000 acres of federal public land here. In the letter, the lawmakers raise questions about how these data center proposals were fast-tracked by Trump’s Executive Order 14318; how the projects will be implemented; and what this could mean for environmental reviews, public oversight, and Arizona’s water and energy resources. “Arizonans are entitled to transparency and robust public review as BLM considers such developments on our federal lands,” the lawmakers wrote. The delegation requested a congressional briefing before any of the proposed Arizona projects move forward. By October 2, 2026, they demand that Secretary Burgum provide information on: All data center proposals and candidate parcels under consideration in Arizona. The permitting and environmental review required for each proposal, including whether BLM intends to use categorical exclusions or other expedited procedures. Opportunities for public participation and consultation with Tribal governments, local governments and elected officials. The projected water demand, water source and peak electric load associated with each proposed project. 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-celebrates-passage-of-resolution-celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month/ Gallego Celebrates Passage of Resolution Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Arizona’s first Latino senator, applauded the passage of a resolution out of the United States Senate that recognizing and celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions that the Hispanic and Latino communities have made to American achievements, culture, and history. “As the son of a Colombian mother and a Mexican father, this month is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and resilience of generations of Latino families who have called this country home. My family, like so many others, worked tirelessly to ensure I had a shot at the American Dream, and I see that same determination in the Latino families I meet across Arizona,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to give our community the recognition it deserves.” The resolution was led by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and was cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-stanton-ansari-grijalva-push-for-federal-funding-to-restore-grand-canyon-after-floods-wildfires/ Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, Ansari, Grijalva Push for Federal Funding to Restore Grand Canyon After Floods, Wildfires 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers call for resources to repair damaged infrastructure, restore visitor access, and support long-term recovery after successive disasters WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), alongside Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), urged House and Senate appropriators to provide additional federal resources to restore the Grand Canyon National Park following the catastrophic August flooding and last summer’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. In a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the lawmakers called for sufficient funding to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure, address ongoing hazards, safely restore visitor access and services, and support the park’s long-term recovery. “Over the past year, Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding landscapes have suffered a devastating series of disasters that have damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted communities across the region,” the lawmakers wrote. “These successive disasters have created recovery needs that cannot be adequately addressed through existing National Park Service resources.” On August 29, 2026, severe flash flooding tore through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, causing extensive damage to trails, bridges, and critical water infrastructure. The flooding damaged the water intake and pipeline that supply the South Rim and forced closures and restrictions across the park. The National Park Service continues recovery and repair work, including efforts to restore a reliable water supply and repair damaged infrastructure. The flooding comes as the Grand Canyon and surrounding communities continue recovering from last summer’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. The Dragon Bravo Fire burned nearly 150,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 buildings and structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, while the White Sage Fire forced evacuations around Jacob Lake and temporarily cut off access to … 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-celebrates-passage-of-celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month-resolution/ Kelly Celebrates Passage of Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Senate colleagues passed a resolution recognizing and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every year from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions that the Hispanic and Latino communities have made to American achievements, culture, and history. “Arizona’s Hispanic community has shaped our state and made it stronger. They’re small business owners, teachers, servicemembers, community leaders, and hardworking families who contribute to Arizona every day,” said Kelly. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate those contributions and recognize the generations of Hispanic Arizonans who have made our state what it is today.” “The Hispanic community in the United States is an integral part of the American story,” said Cortez Masto. “This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by Latinos, celebrate our accomplishments, and continue building a better future. This month and every month, I’m proud of my Latina heritage.” “Florida’s Hispanic communities are a vital part of what makes the Sunshine State the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Hispanic Americans have shaped Florida’s history, boosted our economy, and strengthened our communities – helping fuel the promise of the American Dream for countless Floridians. I’m proud to join Senator Cortez Masto in leading this resolution to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the incredible history, culture, and countless contributions of Hispanic Americans in Florida and across our nation,” said Scott. In addition to Kelly, Cortez Masto, and Scott, the resolution was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA),… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-stanton-ansari-grijalva-push-for-federal-funding-to-restore-grand-canyon-after-floods-wildfires/ Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari, Grijalva Push for Federal Funding to Restore Grand Canyon After Floods, Wildfires 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers call for resources to repair damaged infrastructure, restore visitor access, and support long-term recovery after successive disasters Read in KNAU: Kelly leads push for additional Grand Canyon recovery funds Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), urged House and Senate appropriators to provide additional federal resources to restore the Grand Canyon National Park following the catastrophic August flooding and last summer’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. In a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the lawmakers called for sufficient funding to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure, address ongoing hazards, safely restore visitor access and services, and support the park’s long-term recovery. “Over the past year, Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding landscapes have suffered a devastating series of disasters that have damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted communities across the region,” the lawmakers wrote. “These successive disasters have created recovery needs that cannot be adequately addressed through existing National Park Service resources.” On August 29, 2026, severe flash flooding tore through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, causing extensive damage to trails, bridges, and critical water infrastructure. The flooding damaged the water intake and pipeline that supply the South Rim and forced closures and restrictions across the park. The National Park Service continues recovery and repair work, including efforts to restore a reliable water supply and repair damaged infrastructure. The flooding comes as the Grand Canyon and surrounding communities continue recovering from last summer’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. The Dragon Bravo Fire burned nearly 150,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 buildings and structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, while the White Sage Fire forced e… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-introduces-bill-to-make-sure-big-tech-pays-fair-share-and-invests-in-american-workers/ Kelly Introduces Bill to Make Sure Big Tech Pays Fair Share and Invests in American Workers 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper The Make AI Work for Americans Act would require companies benefiting the most from AI to invest in American workers Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from Artificial Intelligence (AI) pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, jobseekers, and communities as the economy changes. AI is moving fast, creating uncertainty and already changing our economy and the way we work. As the technology reshapes the American workplace, the infrastructure support for workers must evolve too. This bill forces the companies driving the AI boom to invest in workers to make sure they have real options. The Make AI Work for Americans Act builds on Kelly’s AI for America roadmap, which he released last year, and laid out a broader push to ensure AI benefits all Americans, not just large companies and CEOs. “Big Tech stands to make enormous profits, while workers are facing real uncertainty about what AI will mean for their jobs and their futures. The Make AI Work for Americans Act makes these companies contribute to helping workers prepare for what comes next. That means giving Americans real choices, whether that’s learning a new skill through a union training program or community college, finding a good-paying job, serving their community, or starting a business of their own. As AI changes our economy, workers and their families should come first, not the bottom lines of tech CEOs,” said Kelly. The Make AI Work for Americans Act is supported by America’s Service Commissions, American Federation of Teachers, Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (AC4), Arizona State University, Center for American Progress, Chicanos Por La Causa, CWI Labs, Diné College, Gila River Indian Community, Hustle PHX, InnovateEDU, Jobs for the Future (JFF), Local First Arizona, National Employment Law Project (NELP), Navajo Technical Univ… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-banking-colleagues-demand-public-hearing-on-prediction-markets-following-reports-of-a-republican-only-roundtable-with-industry-executives/ Gallego, Banking Colleagues Demand Public Hearing on Prediction Markets Following Reports of a Republican-only Roundtable with Industry Executives 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Following reports of Chairman Scott’s plan to hold a Republican-only private roundtable with prediction market executives, all eleven Banking Democrats call for a transparent, public hearing on the industry’s impacts. WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and his Democratic colleagues on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee wrote to Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) requesting a public hearing on prediction markets following recent reports that he plans to hold a Republican-only roundtable this week on prediction markets with industry, including representatives from Kalshi. “It is important for the Senate Banking Committee to hold a public hearing about how these markets are impacting consumers and our financial system,” wrote the Banking Committee Democrats. “Security-based prediction markets are a growing segment of the financial sector that institutional and retail investors are increasingly exposed to. These markets offer event contracts tied to corporate performance indicators, which could meet the definition of security-based swaps that would be subject to SEC regulation.” “Experts warn that prediction markets are prone to encourage market manipulation and insider trading; and early research indicates that ‘profits are highly concentrated in a small fraction of users, while the majority lose money,’” the senators continued. “In the interest of transparency, we ask you to hold a public committee hearing on this critical topic and allow all members of the Committee to participate,” the senators concluded. In addition to Senator Gallego, the letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). Senator Gallego has consistently urged federal regulators to follow the law and prohibit gaming and sports prediction market contracts. Read the full letter HERE. 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-coons-warren-wyden-introduce-bill-to-impose-sanctions-on-israeli-settlement-construction-in-the-e1-area-of-the-west-bank/ Gallego, Coons, Warren, Wyden Introduce Bill to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlement Construction in the E1 Area of the West Bank 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON — Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced legislation to impose sanctions on companies and other entities that facilitate the development of Israeli settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank. Last year, Israel approved construction of more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. In recent weeks, Israel announced tenders to allow companies to bid for construction of these settlements. If completed, these units could sever the West Bank in two, gravely threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials have publicly acknowledged the impact E1 settlement expansion could have on a two-state solution. Speaking at a ceremony shortly after his approval of the E1 plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated, “We said a Palestinian state will not be established – and indeed, a Palestinian state will not be established.” Following the initial announcement of the E1 settlements in August 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly stated: “The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not by slogans but by deeds. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.” “For decades, Democrats and Republicans alike have pushed for a two-state solution. Proposed Israeli construction of new settlement homes in the E1 area would cut off East Jerusalem from the West Bank and threaten a viable Palestinian state. It’s a step in the wrong direction,” said Senator Gallego. “This legislation sends a clear message to Prime Minister Netanyahu: the United States stands firmly behind a two-state solution as the only path to real peace and security for all.” “For decades, American presidents from both parties have warned successive Israeli governments that construction in E1 threatened the viability of a Palestinian state and was unacceptable to the United States,” said Senator Coons. “As Palestinian civilians face a c… 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-gallego-calls-congressional-republicans-cowards-for-only-now-condemning-the-iran-war/ WATCH: Gallego Calls Congressional Republicans “Cowards” for only now Condemning the Iran War 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper NEW YORK – During his visit to the United Nations General Assembly, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined MS NOW and slammed congressional Republicans for speaking out against the Iran War only after Speaker Mike Johnson sent members home until after the November midterm elections, denounced Trump’s imperialism in Venezuela to enrich American corporations, recapped his meetings with world leaders, and gave his reaction to President Trump saying he will “annihilate” Iran. MS NOW: All in with Chris Hayes On cowardly Republicans only now speaking out against the Iran War: “Courage is found when session is out. All three of those Republicans literally are saying this as soon as Speaker Johnson has said we’re not coming back to vote anyway. There’s even no way to actually test them, right? “Let’s just be honest, they’re just a bunch of cowards. They’ve been literally living in this cowardly way this whole time. The American public have been hurting the whole time. Our families have been hurting, especially those that serve overseas. “And now when it’s convenient, now when they can’t actually be called to the carpet to actually answer for this, they are seeking kind of the last-minute reprieve to be able to say, look at me, I am now independent of this man. On Trump using the United States military in Venezuela enrich American corporations: “As someone who, unfortunately, had to see the outcome of really bad wars, a war that we are chasing just for profit—a war that only benefits a bunch of big oil executives and anyone else whose family ends up using insider trading to actually pump up their own portfolios, it’s disgusting. “When we’re using our military to basically enrich ourselves and enrich our rich, crony oligarchs who are in charge of this country, then we actually don’t have the friends we need when things really go bad. “So, when we’re attacking a country to basically be colonial, to bring back this imperialistic point of view that some of Latin America is very, very used to and pretty aware of, it only m… 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-at-the-atlantic-festival-kelly-discusses-service-leadership-and-his-fight-for-everyday-americans/ ICYMI: At The Atlantic Festival, Kelly Discusses Service, Leadership, and His Fight for Everyday Americans 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly spoke at The Atlantic Festival in New York about how his experiences as a Navy pilot and NASA astronaut have shaped his approach to leadership and public service. In conversation with author Mark Leibovich, he also discussed the war with Iran, the challenges facing servicemembers and military families, and his work in the Senate to address the real problems facing everyday Americans. Sen. Kelly speaks to Mark Leibovich at the Atlantic Festival. Credit: Marc Patrick BFA Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: Onthe state of American democracy… “I am incredibly concerned about the direction of this country. I’m concerned about the damage they’re doing. After all the decades I spent in the military, I care so much about our servicemembers and the armed forces. “Our kind of democracy, I think, is the best approach to this…It’s worked for 250 years. I’d like to see another 250 years at least after this, maybe longer, but we’re in a pretty perilous place right now. Don’t forget, it wasn’t that long ago that the President of the United States sent the Director of National intelligence to Fulton County, Georgia, to grab thousands and thousands of ballots. Why did he do that? Well, we don’t know for sure. But it certainly has something to do with trying to interfere in the mechanism of our democracy, our electoral system… “I’m very concerned about where we are and where we’re going. I think we’ll probably get through this, probably. It’s going to take a lot of us. It’s going to take a lot of hard work.” Onwhyhe’sfighting for a better future for his granddaughtersand all young Americans… “I’ve been a public servant most of my adult life. I care so much about this country. I have two daughters, Now, I have two granddaughters. One is going to be a month-old tomorrow. And I worry about the future for them. I want them to have opportunities like I had. And young people today, they don’t have those same opportunities. This is going to be the first gene… 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kellys-new-ai-bill-puts-american-workers-first/ ICYMI: Kelly’s New AI Bill Puts American Workers First 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “We could have a lot of job disruption, and for that we need a plan. It seems that everybody understands that except possibly the president and the people around him.” In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360º to highlight the urgent need to act on AI to make sure it benefits all Americans, not just big companies. Kelly discussed his Make AI Work for Americans Act, legislation he will introduce Thursday to help ensure working Americans benefit from the changing economy. Sen. Kelly speaks to Anderson Cooper. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On why we need to act on AI now… “Democrats, Republicans, independents all think that this is getting to the point where we need to act and act soon. Even the CEOs of the AI companies, the frontier or the big companies that create these large language models, are asking for regulation. “I think this is a competition with the Chinese, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have guardrails in place… As a former test pilot and astronaut, even the stuff that’s low probability with a catastrophic result, you got to come up with some mitigation for that and try to prevent it from happening. And I think about this the same way, but for some reason, and I don’t quite understand it yet, the president just wants us to go full speed, as fast as we possibly can, and don’t consider the negative side of this. Hey, I want this to work. I think there’s huge benefits for the American people. But at this point, especially on the job loss piece of this, I want to see these Big Tech companies chip in and I want to see the government put in the guardrails in place so we don’t have a catastrophic outcome.” Onhow his AI Horizon fund works… “The centerpiece of this is the AI Horizon Fund, which will collect money from Big Tech in three ways with three different taxes: a usage tax, a digital advertising tax, and what’s essentially an excess profits tax. And then that revenue can be applied so people who lose their jobs will hav… 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-on-senate-floor-kelly-calls-for-urgent-action-on-ai-announces-new-make-ai-work-for-americans-act/ WATCH: On Senate Floor, Kelly Calls for Urgent Action on AI, Announces New Make AI Work for Americans Act 2026-09-22 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “The alarms are sounding. The signals are clear. No one else is coming to the rescue. Mr. President, it has to be us.” Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor to call on Congress to address the growing challenge of AI and to announce the introduction of the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure Big Tech pays their fair share and invests in the American workforce. Sen. Kelly speaks on the Senate floor. Kelly drew on his experience as a Space Shuttle commander to describe the current moment: “I happened to be the last person to sit in the Commander’s seat of Space Shuttle Endeavour. It’s hard to describe how it feels to be strapped to four and a half million pounds of fuel, waiting for three main engines and two solid rocket boosters to ignite beneath you… These last few weeks—as engineers, researchers, and CEOs have all been shouting about AI becoming a threat to humanity’s very survival—I feel like I’m back in that seat, with the Master Alarm blaring and systems failing. And nobody is steering the ship.” Kelly laid out what his bill would do: “I’m introducing The Make AI Work for Americans Act to make sure workers aren’t left behind, and that Big Tech pays their fair share. These companies are getting rich off of a technology trained on the wealth of humanity’s research, knowledge, and work. Our ideas and discoveries. My bill would require them to give some of that wealth back to us by investing in the American worker through an AI Horizon Fund.” Kelly pointed to broad and bipartisan support for AI regulation: “Eighty percent of Americans want us to step in and regulate AI. Eighty percent. I hear it from Arizonans every day. They’re worried. They wake up wondering if today’s the day their job just gets automated away. Wondering if their kids are going to have careers in the future or have a future at all. Americans across the spectrum want us to step in. Republicans. Democrats. Independents. All of them. The tech industry itself. Communities worried abo… 1 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-celebrate-passage-of-wildfire-prevention-bill-from-committee/ Gallego, Colleagues Celebrate Passage of Wildfire Prevention Bill from Committee 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON — Last week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) John Curtis (R-UT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Boozman (R-AR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) in celebrating the unanimous passage of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. This bipartisan legislation would streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner. “Forest management is difficult, but it is much easier and safer to deal with the root of wildfires than trying to suppress them when they are threating our lands and communities. This is a safety issue that the nation needs to address now, especially for places like Northern Arizona,” said Senator Gallego. “Prescribed burns are proven to work, and streamlining this process will only make America safer.” “In Arizona, we know just how catastrophic wildfires can be. One of the best tools we have to reduce wildfire risk and the damage it wreaks is prescribed fires. But right now, federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fire proactively,” said Senator Kelly. “The WEPA gives states greater certainty that they won’t be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce the risk of a much larger and more destructive wildfires. This is a commonsense change that will help us keep our communities safe and our forests healthy.” “Today’s unanimous approval by the Committee brings us one step closer to addressing the glaring irony in our current environmental regulations: They deter prescribed burns due to pollution concerns, practically guaranteeing catastrophic wildfires that emit far more carbon than proactive management ever would,” said Senator Curtis. “I thank my colleagues for their work and support and look forward to the bill’s passage by the full Senate.” “The unanimous passage of the W… 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-rosen-colleagues-urge-doj-to-fully-staff-essential-immigration-program/ Kelly, Rosen, Colleagues Urge DOJ to Fully Staff Essential Immigration Program 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and a group of their Senate colleagues demanded Attorney General Todd Blanche restore full functionality of an essential immigration program that gives access to legal support for migrants who would otherwise not have access to it. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) program authorizes qualified non-attorney individuals who work or volunteer at nonprofit organizations to provide legal support to immigrants. However, due to severe staff cuts by the Trump administration, there are currently only two employees left in the program, neither of whom has authority to approve or deny new applications, limiting the number of qualified non-attorneys who may provide legal assistance to immigrants. “According to the DOJ website, the R&A program ‘aims to increase the availability of competent immigration legal representation for low-income and indigent persons, thereby promoting the effective and efficient administration of justice’,” wrote the senators. “Unfortunately, the DOJ’s own actions have undercut the stated intent of this program, with CBS News reporting earlier this year that the DOJ reassigned lawyers who were responsible for renewing and approving applications, leaving the program with only two employees, neither of whom have the authority to approve or deny new applications.” “By training and accrediting individuals who are not attorneys, the R&A program helps reduce swelling court backlogs and allows immigrants to gain access to quality legal assistance for their asylum,” the senators continued. “We urge you to undo the Department’s harmful staffing cuts and reassignments and either reinstate or train the necessary staff to restore the program’s ability to process both new and renewal applications for individuals and nonprofit organizations in a timely manner.” This letter builds on Kelly’s efforts to fix the broken U.S. immigration system and support the communities it affects. Kelly has previously blasted the administrati… 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-kelly-defends-free-press-calls-out-administration-for-prioritizing-appearances-over-truth/ WATCH: Kelly Defends Free Press, Calls Out Administration for Prioritizing Appearances Over Truth 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “This President and the Secretary of Defense, they clearly do not like accountability. They don’t like criticism. They don’t want the American people to even have the facts. This is how democracies die.” In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined MS NOW’s Deadline: White House to defend the essential role of the press in American democracy after President Trump targeted news organizations for coverage he didn’t like. Kelly urged journalists to keep holding the government accountable no matter the circumstances. Kelly also called out the administration over reports that more servicemembers have died amid the war with Iran than previously disclosed. Sen. Kelly talks to Nicolle Wallace on Deadline: White House. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On theservicememberswho havegiven their livesamid Trump’s war in Iran… “Real leaders, great leaders, are not worried about sharing bad news. Leadership means you want to be transparent with the people you are leading. And this president and the Secretary of Defense, they clearly do not like accountability. They don’t like criticism. They don’t want the American people to even have the facts. This is how democracies die. I feel so awful for the family members who are losing loved ones in this war. Parents, brothers and sisters and children, that it was unnecessary.” “Of course he doesn’t care. He’s called dead marines ‘suckers and losers.’ People who paid the ultimate price, who fought for this country in our time of need. ‘Suckers and losers.’ I care. I care about all of our servicemembers. I served in the United States Navy for 25 years. Every member of our military who are willing to put their lives on the line deserve to have a Commander-in-Chief that cares about them, that has the ability to make good decisions, that knows when it is worth it to put their lives on the line for our national security, and when it just doesn’t make sense. And this time, with this war in Iran, there was no reason he had to do this.” OnHegseth gutt… 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-at-hudson-institute-senators-kelly-and-young-discuss-their-ships-for-america-act/ ICYMI: At Hudson Institute, Senators Kelly and Young Discuss Their SHIPS for America Act 2026-09-18 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Kelly: “When I got here to the Senate in 2020, one of the problems I wanted to try to solve is this national security problem and economic security problem of not having a robust shipbuilding and shipping capacity to get stuff across the oceans.” In case you missed it, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN) participated in a fireside chat to discuss their SHIPS for America Act at the Hudson Institute’s “Fixing Shipping and Shipbuilding: Plotting the Course Ahead” event. Kelly spoke about how the legislation would revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry and create good-paying skilled jobs while addressing a growing national security threat he has been working on since first being sworn into the Senate. Sens. Kelly and Young speak at the Hudson Institute. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On his family’s maritime history and why he introduced the SHIPS for America Act… “For me this goes back over four decades. I graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1986… I also come from a little bit of a maritime background. My grandfather was on a Liberty ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean multiple times and survived during World War Two. My other grandfather, on my dad’s side, was on a destroyer escort in the Pacific and the Atlantic, escorting Liberty ships…This goes back generations in my family. “When I was flying off of the USS midway in Operation Desert Storm, we basically moved a good portion of the U.S. Army, and the Marine Corps, and the Air Force, and we moved all that combat power overseas. At the time, we had about 400 ocean going merchant ships, U.S. flagged, U.S. crude. Now we’re down to 80. So, when I got here to the Senate in 2020, one of the problems I wanted to try to solve is this national security problem and economic security problem of not having a robust ship building and shipping capacity to get stuff across the oceans. It’s a national security problem for our country, and it’s getting worse every single year. “Now we’re working across to get this acr… 1 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-blasts-trump-admin-for-caring-more-about-appearances-than-accountability-as-new-images-emerge-of-iran-war-damage/ ICYMI: Kelly Blasts Trump Admin for Caring More About Appearances Than Accountability as New Images Emerge of Iran War Damage 2026-09-18 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “We have 18 dead Americans. We have 700 injured. For what? For higher gas prices and diesel prices for farmers and gas prices for the American people.” In case you missed it, on MS NOW’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly blasted President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for caring more about how things look than what is actually happening in the Iran war as new images emerged of drone and missile attack damage to U.S. positions. He also criticized Trump’s dismissal of the cost of the war while leaving the American people to foot the bill for a conflict he started with no plan or end in sight. Sen. Kelly talks on The Briefing with Jen Psaki. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: OnTrump dismissing theimpact of the Iran war on servicemembers… “This president calls this ‘small potatoes.’ I mean, here’s a guy, here’s a president who spent most of his adult life sitting on a gold toilet. Of course this is not a big deal to him. This is somebody else’s kid, not his children, going off to fight. He’s a president who avoided service himself. Made up a story about bone spurs. But those bone spurs don’t prevent him from golfing every weekend at the age of 80.” On Hegseth and Trump caring more about appearances than doingwhat’sexpected of them… “What you don’t expect is having the lack of leadership in the Pentagon that would, under normal circumstances, own up to what the situation is and what is happening on the ground, would brief the press, would brief members of Congress who have oversight responsibility, would let us know what is actually happening, would let the American public know. They like nice imagery. They like when things look good. If something doesn’t look good, they’re going to try to convince you that it’s something else. They’re going to suppress it. They certainly didn’t want these images to get out, but it’s dangerous to be there. Servicemembers are at risk.” On thereal costof Trump’s war for the American people… “We have 18 dead America… 1 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-slotkin-colleagues-demand-answers-from-hegseth-on-cost-of-iran-war/ Kelly, Slotkin, Colleagues Demand Answers from Hegseth on Cost of Iran War 2026-09-18 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper This week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and a group of their colleagues demanded Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for a full accounting of the costs of the ongoing war with Iran. In their letter they also criticized the Department of Defense for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase. The United States is now more than six months into a conflict President Trump initially said would last six weeks. Eighteen American servicemembers have been killed and more than 820 wounded, and over 50,000 troops are currently deployed to the Middle East. In the letter, Kelly and his colleagues note that deployments, including for the USS Lincoln and the 82nd Airborne, have been repeatedly extended, and that their offices have heard directly from military families worried about loved ones serving in the conflict. “Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” wrote the senators. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.” The senators highlighted the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime practice, noting that Hegseth has briefed Congress only seven times in six months and held just eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the war began, compared to more than 70 press briefings in the first month of the Iraq War alone. The senators also criticized the administration’s public supplemental funding request as a seven-page document offering only vague line items, in contrast to the detailed, hundred-page supplemental requests provided to Congress during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The senators are requesting that the Department of Defense p… 1 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-celebrates-committee-passage-of-his-bipartisan-bill-to-extend-terrorism-risk-insurance/ Gallego Celebrates Committee Passage of His Bipartisan Bill to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Nearly 60 percent of American businesses that rely on terrorism risk insurance could be left without coverage if Congress fails to act WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), along with Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Dave McCormick (R-PA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC), celebrated the unanimous passage of their Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs — bipartisan legislation that would safeguard the availability of terrorism risk insurance coverage. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, many insurance companies began excluding terrorism risks from commercial insurance policies, leaving businesses and industries without access to coverage. Since insurance is a precondition for commercial lending and real estate transactions, this gap in coverage threatened broad economic damage across real estate, construction, energy, transportation, and related industries. Congress responded by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), creating a federal reinsurance backstop to stabilize the private market and ensure that commercial policyholders could continue to obtain terrorism risk coverage. The private insurance market has relied on the TRIA backstop ever since. When TRIAbriefly lapsed in December 2014, terrorism exclusions that insurers had pre-filed with state regulators took effect automatically, making terrorism coverage effectively unavailable across commercial policies nationwide. As a result, terrorism risk coverage was removed from policyholders immediately and without notice. Given that the current threat landscape remains elevated, allowing a similar lapse in terrorism coverage would expose policy holders to unnecessary financial risk and uncertainty. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 would extend TRIA by seven years. Acting before the program expiration date of December 31, 2027, provides long-term market certainty and would prevent policyholders from facing a gap in co… 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-demand-pentagon-provide-real-cost-of-iran-war/ Gallego, Colleagues Demand Pentagon Provide Real Cost of Iran War 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and 44 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding a full accounting of the costs of the ongoing war with Iran. The letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also criticized the Department of Defense (DOD) for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase. The United States is now more than six months into a conflict President Trump initially said would last six weeks. Eighteen American servicemembers have been killed and more than 820 wounded, and over 50,000 troops are currently deployed to the Middle East. In the letter, Gallego and his colleagues note that deployments — including for the USS Lincoln and the 82nd Airborne — have been repeatedly extended and that their offices have heard directly from military families worried about loved ones serving in the conflict. “Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” the senators wrote. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.” In their letter, the senators highlight the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime practice, noting that Hegseth has briefed Congress only seven times in six months and held just eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the war began, compared to more than 70 press briefings in the first month of the Iraq War alone. The senators also criticized the administration’s public supplemental funding request as a seven-page document offering only vague line items, in contrast to the detailed, hundred-page supplemental requests provided to Congress during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “Despite asking for… 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-issue-statement-on-continued-commitment-to-pass-clarity-act/ Gallego, Colleagues Issue Statement On Continued Commitment To Pass CLARITY Act 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) issued the following statement regarding the CLARITY Act: “Democrats have spent the last two years working to pass crypto legislation that would expand opportunity, protect consumers, punish bad actors, create regulatory certainty, and include strong, commonsense ethics provisions for elected officials. “This week was a setback, but not the end of that important work. We remain committed to working in a bipartisan fashion to get this legislation passed.” 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kellys-office-helps-arizonans-resolve-issues-with-federal-agencies/ Kelly’s Office Helps Arizonans Resolve Issues with Federal Agencies 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Recent casework helped Arizonans recover withheld benefits and military back pay, secure caregiver support, and receive long-awaited World War II medals Every day, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s office helps Arizonans across the state resolve issues with federal agencies and access the benefits they have earned. Recent cases include recovering Social Security benefits and $11,500 in military back pay, securing caregiver support for a disabled veteran, and helping a Flagstaff family receive World War II medals that had never been issued. These are just a few examples of the work Kelly’s office does year-round to help Arizonans navigate federal agencies and get the answers, benefits, and services they deserve: Social Security Lyubov from Phoenix contacted Senator Kelly’s office after the Social Security Administration incorrectly included a Holocaust restitution payment when calculating her income and resources, even though federal law excludes these payments from determining federal benefits. The error resulted in the agency withholding $99.40 from her monthly benefit. After Kelly’s office provided supporting documentation to the agency, Social Security corrected her record and returned the benefits that had been withheld. Veterans Affairs Pam from Buckeye contacted Senator Kelly’s office after spending two years trying to secure respite caregiver services through the Department of Veterans Affairs for her disabled veteran husband. After Kelly’s office contacted the VA, the agency approved the services, allowing Pam to travel with her husband and receive caregiver support while tending to other family responsibilities. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the assistance. The burden that you relieved for us is incalculable. It’s an honor to have you as my senator,” said Pam. Military Records and Pay Staff Sergeant Baltazar from Tucson contacted Senator Kelly’s office after a long-standing error in his military records incorrectly listed his time in service as beginning in 2019, despite serving continuo… 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-kelly-talks-to-abc15-arizona-about-urgent-need-to-act-on-ai/ WATCH: Kelly Talks to ABC15 Arizona About Urgent Need to Act on AI 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper This week, Senator Mark Kelly spoke to ABC15 Arizona’s Nick Ciletti about the urgent need for Congress to protect Americans by putting guardrails on AI. Last year, Kelly released AI for America, a roadmap to make sure AI benefits workers and to protect them from the worst outcomes it could lead to. Since then, he’s introduced the AI DATA Act to track AI’s impact on the workforce, the Aging with AI Act and Senior Chatbot Protection Act to protect seniors, the Advanced AI Security Readiness Act to protect America’s AI systems from theft or sabotage by foreign adversaries, the WARP Act to preserve warfighter skills and readiness, and the Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act to keep humans accountable as AI is integrated into the military. Sen. Kelly talks to Nick Ciletti on ABC15 Arizona. Watch the full interview here. See key excerpts below: On Congress’s responsibility to act on AI before bad outcomes happen… “There are things we can do and that we should do, and we need to act… The other CEOs of the frontier AI companies need to get on board with this. They can put in the guardrails themselves, but we can’t count on them to do that. And it’s the responsibility of the U.S. Senate and the House and the Administration.” On whether we can pursue AI’s benefits while doing it responsibly… “We have to put some restrictions on these companies. The companies are starting to ask for these things. They want regulation. They want guardrails in place. We have to be able to mitigate for bad outcomes before they actually happen.” 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-push-to-stop-proposed-yosemite-land-transfer-to-trump-donor/ Gallego, Colleagues Push to Stop Proposed Yosemite Land Transfer to Trump Donor 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON — This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and a bipartisan group of 152 lawmakers in urging the Department of the Interior (DOI) to abandon a proposed transfer of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park that would facilitate private access to and development of an 83-acre parcel adjacent to the park known as Hazel Green Ranch. In their letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers condemned recent reporting that indicated the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite to facilitate access to private property owned by Kingsbarn, a company whose chief executive officer began making a series of donations to Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee in late 2024 — shortly after Kingsbarn acquired the Hazel Green Ranch property. “At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans,” wrote the lawmakers. “Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.” The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Department’s proposal to use Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate the exchange. The letter noted that the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward with the project due to congressional objections. “Public lands belong in public hands,” concluded the lawmakers. “Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life.” 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-reconvene-essential-travel-and-tourism-board/ Gallego, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Reconvene Essential Travel and Tourism Board 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and five more of their Democratic colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Department of Commerce to reconvene an essential travel and tourism board amidst a decline in international tourism to the United States. The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) has provided a valuable forum for leaders across the travel and tourism industry to share their insight into the challenges facing the sector and provide direct input on federal tourism policy. However, this board has not met once since the start of President Trump’s second term, despite stark decreases in domestic and international tourism nationwide due to Trump administration policies. “The travel and tourism industry is a vital part of our economy, supporting millions of jobs for Americans and sustaining many of our nation’s communities, making travel slowdowns all the more devastating,” wrote the senators. “Policymakers need to hear from industry leaders when making decisions that could have broad economic consequences, and without that input, legislators and the Administration risk making decisions without a full understanding of how they could affect the travel and tourism industry.” Senators Gallego, Rosen and Klobuchar were joined by Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-push-to-stop-proposed-yosemite-land-transfer-to-trump-donor/ Kelly, Colleagues Push to Stop Proposed Yosemite Land Transfer to Trump Donor 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper This week, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and a bipartisan group of 154 other lawmakers urged the Department of the Interior (DOI) to abandon a proposed transfer of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park that would facilitate private access to and development of an 83-acre parcel adjacent to the park known as Hazel Green Ranch. In their letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers condemned recent reporting that indicated the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite to facilitate access to private property owned by Kingsbarn, a company whose CEO began making a series of donations to Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee in late 2024, shortly after Kingsbarn acquired the Hazel Green Ranch property. “At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans,” wrote the lawmakers. “Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.” The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Department’s proposal to use Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate the exchange. The letter noted that the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward with the project due to congressional objections. “Public lands belong in public hands,” concluded the lawmakers. “Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life.” In the Senate, in addition to Kelly, Padilla, and Schiff, the letter was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-help-secure-nearly-10-million-in-fema-reimbursements-for-pima-county/ Kelly, Gallego Help Secure Nearly $10 Million in FEMA Reimbursements for Pima County 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper After years of advocacy, senators help secure funding for Pima County’s efforts to provide shelter to legally processed asylum seekers during height of border crisis Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reimbursed Pima County approximately$6.1 million for eligible costs incurred in fiscal year 2023 and an additional $3.5 million for fiscal year 2024—nearly $10 million combined. The reimbursements follow years of advocacy by Kelly and Gallego, who have pressed FEMA to fulfill its commitment to reimburse Pima County and Arizona non-profit organizations for eligible costs under the federal Shelter and Services Program (SSP). In July, the senators demanded that FEMA process and reimburse all outstanding eligible SSP claims. “The federal government made a commitment to reimburse Pima Country when the community stepped up to the plate during a difficult time,” said Kelly. “Senator Gallego and I pushed for this long overdue reimbursement, and we won’t give up until every Arizona organization gets paid.” “Pima County stepped up when the federal government asked them to, and for over two years, they waited for Washington to keep its promise and pay the bill,” said Gallego “I wasn’t going to let Arizona communities that did the right thing get left holding the bag. We kept pushing FEMA to do its job, and now Pima County is getting the nearly $10 million it was owed.” Background: Congress created the SSP with bipartisan support to provide funding to local governments and service providers for short-term emergency services, including food and shelter, for asylum seekers who had been legally processed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at a time when the border was in crisis. Pima County and other Arizona non-profits used the funding to provide temporary shelter, food, transportation, and other basic services, preventing hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers from being released onto the streets of Arizona border communities without su… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kellys-bipartisan-wildfire-prevention-nuclear-fuel-bills-advance-out-of-committee/ Kelly’s Bipartisan Wildfire Prevention & Nuclear Fuel Bills Advance Out of Committee 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Watch Senator Kelly’s remarks during the committee hearing in support of his bills here Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act and MORE American Fuel Act advanced out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, while the MORE American Fuel Act would modernize the federal approval process to safely expand domestic uranium enrichment and reduce reliance on foreign nuclear fuel. Both bills are now eligible to receive a vote on the Senate floor. “In Arizona, we know just how catastrophic wildfires can be. […] One of the best tools we have to reduce wildfire risk and the damage it wreaks is prescribed fires. But right now, federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fire proactively,”said Kelly during his remarks at the committeehearing. “The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act fixes that. It gives states greater certainty that they won’t be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce the risk of a much larger and more destructive wildfire. This is a commonsense change that will help us keep our communities safe and our forests healthy.” Kelly continued, “Energy demand is growing in Arizona and across the country. We need more reliable, affordable, and abundant power on the grid, and nuclear energy should be part of that solution. But building more reactors won’t mean anything if we don’t have the fuel to operate them. Our bill modernizes that process while keeping the safeguards that protect communities firmly in place. It preserves environmental reviews, strengthens public notification, and maintains the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s full regulatory authority. The goal is simple: move projects forward faster without cutting corners.” TheWildfire Emissions Prevention Actwould: Make it easier for states to use prescribed fires as a proactive tool to… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-statement-on-failed-clarity-act-cloture-vote/ Gallego Statement on Failed CLARITY Act Cloture Vote 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement after voting against cloture on the CLARITY Act: “All President Trump wants is for the Senate to give him time to crime, and I won’t support any piece of legislation that enables him. Just as Democrats and Republicans were making progress to address ethics concerns, Republican leadership ended talks and forced a vote. They were never serious about bipartisan negotiations. “This legislation failed squarely because Republicans refuse to say no to the president. It takes 60 votes to pass a bill, and instead of spending their time twisting themselves into knots to appease President Trump, Republicans should have worked more closely with Senate Democrats to craft a bill that could pass with strong ethics provisions.” 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-gallego-calls-for-senate-committee-to-rein-in-ai-celebrates-supreme-courts-mail-in-voting-decision/ WATCH: Gallego Calls for Senate Committee to Rein-in AI, Celebrates Supreme Court’s Mail-in Voting Decision 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Last night, on MSNOW’s “The Weeknight,” Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) echoed his call to establish a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence to rein-in the technology — largely in response to a former Anthropic researcher quitting his role and warning of an industrywide rush to build AI systems that can improve themselves and, in turn, destroy humanity — and applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to prevent the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from implementing President Trump’s executive order restricting vote-by-mail ahead of the midterm elections. WATCH: MS NOW’s The Weeknight On getting all stakeholders together to regulate AI: “We need experts to come in and talk to us—the people who are skeptics, the people who want to regulate, and the people who have a vision for AI. The problem that we have right now is that we don’t know enough… We need to be bringing the best minds around us and figure out how to put up guardrails, and how to do it quickly. “I’m glad that they [the AI companies] are coming out, but can we really trust people that have an interest, a very corporate—corporate interest for them, for whatever outcome, right? They have to respond to corporate shareholders. We have to respond to the American public, right? I have to make sure that whatever outcome that we decide to put together for these guardrails aren’t designed basically to cover their asses for whatever they mess up later, right? On the first steps a Senate Select Committee would take: “The first thing we would fix is: get the people around you, besides those three [Musk, Dario, Altman], to give you the information you need to know how bad this is and where this is going. “Step two is: Are we looking too small? You know, this is going to have to end up being an international agreement, right? Where we have to talk to not just China, the European Union, other friends and allies, to make sure that we all are staying together on this. Because if there’s any type of leakage, if any types of these agents go ro… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-help-secure-nearly-10-million-in-fema-reimbursements-for-pima-county/ Gallego, Kelly Help Secure Nearly $10 Million in FEMA Reimbursements for Pima County 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper After years of advocacy, senators help secure funding for Pima County’s efforts to provide shelter to asylum seekers during height of border crisis WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reimbursed Pima County approximately $6.1 million for eligible costs incurred in fiscal year 2023 and an additional $3.5 million for fiscal year 2024 — nearly $10 million combined. “Pima County stepped up when the federal government asked them to, and for over two years, they waited for Washington to keep its promise and pay the bill,” said Senator Ruben Gallego. “I wasn’t going to let Arizona communities that did the right thing get left holding the bag. We kept pushing FEMA to do its job, and now Pima County is getting the nearly $10 million it was owed.” “The federal government made a commitment to reimburse Pima Country when the community stepped up to the plate during a difficult time,” said Senator Kelly. “Senator Gallego and I pushed for this long overdue reimbursement, and we won’t give up until every Arizona organization gets paid.” The reimbursements follow years of advocacy by Senators Gallego and Kelly, who have pressed FEMA to fulfill its commitment to reimburse Pima County and other Arizona non-profit organizations for eligible costs under the federal Shelter and Services Program (SSP). In July, the senators demanded that FEMA process and reimburse all outstanding eligible SSP claims. Congress created SSP with bipartisan support to provide funding to local governments and service providers for short-term emergency services, including food and shelter, for asylum seekers who had been legally processed by the Department of Homeland Security at a time when the border was in crisis. Pima County and other Arizona non-profits used the funding to provide temporary shelter, food, transportation, and other basic services – preventing hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers from being released onto the streets of Arizona border c… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-stanton-ansari-announce-2-million-federal-investment-to-advance-water-reuse-technology-for-semiconductor-manufacturing-at-asu/ Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, Ansari, Announce $2 Million Federal Investment to Advance Water Reuse Technology for Semiconductor Manufacturing at ASU 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) along with Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) announced $2,062,000 in federal funding for Arizona State University to develop, test, and demonstrate innovative water reuse technologies designed for semiconductor manufacturing. The award, made through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), was secured as congressionally directed spending championed by the Arizona delegation. The project will test emerging water treatment technologies and validate them at ASU’s Macro Technology Works (MTW) facility in Tempe, generating the real-world performance data industry needs to adopt water-saving solutions at scale. The work aims to help fabs improve conservation while strengthening the reliability of domestic semiconductor production. “Making Arizona’s semiconductor manufacturing industry even more water efficient will allow us to continue to create good-paying jobs and protect our state’s water supply,” said Senator Gallego. “Thanks to this project, Arizona will continue to lead the nation in community-beneficial innovation.” “Arizona is a national leader in chip manufacturing, and we know how to manage water responsibly,” said Senator Kelly. “This investment builds on that leadership by developing water reuse technology, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening American manufacturing, and protecting our water supply. It’s a win for Arizona.” “Arizona is proving that you can lead the nation in semiconductor manufacturing and be a responsible steward of every drop of water,” said Rep. Stanton. “This investment puts ASU’s researchers to work on exactly the right challenge: making sure the industry driving our economic future can grow without straining the water resources our communities depend on. That’s how we keep chip production strong and sustainable right here in Arizona.” “In Arizona, water is our most precious and sacred resource. As our state continues to lead the nation in innovation and bui… 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-gallego-calls-for-immediate-congressional-oversight-and-regulation-on-ai/ WATCH: Gallego Calls for Immediate Congressional Oversight and Regulation on AI 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper ‘This is more akin to Dr. Frankenstein telling us the monster is loose. Help me stop the monster.’ WASHINGTON – In response to former Anthropic researcher quitting his role and warning of an industrywide rush to build AI systems that can improve themselves and, in turn, destroy humanity, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has spoken out on the need for immediate congressional oversight. WATCH: State of the Union with Jake Tapper On the imminent danger of artificial intelligence: “This is not previous tech. Previous tech could not make a decision to kill us. When we turned on the internet it did not have autonomy. When we created the nuclear weapon, the nuclear weapon did not have the decision-making power to drop a nuclear weapon. AI has the capability and will have the capability to make decisions like that. This is more akin to Dr. Frankenstein telling us the monster is loose. Help me stop the monster.” On the need of his proposed bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence: “Speaker Johnson is not meeting the moment. Trump’s not meeting the moment. The Senate and Congress are not meeting the moment. We need to get together as fast as possible with the smartest people, with the skeptics, with the people that want to regulate, the people that want to actually deal with this, people that are going to figure out how to actually have the perfect balance. We can’t just use this idea that if we do this, we’re somehow going to lose to China because AI does not care once it becomes fully dangerous whether we are Chinese or American. That’s the danger of this. Everyone’s thinking about this in a way that is based on old tech and not what’s going towards the future. This is why we need to get the people in the room. “The way we are going about this is that we are hoping that some committee in the House or the Senate is just going to come together with some staffers and put together the framework that’s going to go into place maybe three years from now. We don’t have that time. Dr. Frankenstein is telling… 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-senator-gallego-unveils-his-plan-to-strengthen-americas-education-system/ What They Are Saying: Senator Gallego Unveils his Plan to Strengthen America’s Education System 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his new plan to reform and strengthen America’s public education system. The four-pillar plan, “Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America’s Public Education System,” provides a pathway to bolster public education for every American student — especially those in rural, tribal, and high-poverty communities who often face barriers that extend beyond the classroom. Read the full plan HERE. Since its release last week, the plan has received support from AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, National Education Association (NEA), Arizona Education Association (AEA), Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED), The School Superintendents Association (AASA), National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), Somerton School Board President Juan Castillo,and Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael A. Penca. Here’s what they are saying: NEA AZ: “Senator Ruben Gallego is making clear that solving challenges facing public education requires more than talking about the problem—it requires real commitment to investing in students, educators, and the public schools they rely on. From the educator retention crisis and the rising cost of entering the teaching profession to student mental health, academic recovery, and ensuring every student has a pathway to college or a career, this initiative recognizes the interconnected challenges our public schools are facing” said AEA President Marisol Garcia. “Senator Gallego has consistently stood up for public schools and public educators, and we welcome his continued leadership in advancing a national education agenda that invests in people and communities at the heart of our public education system.” Somerton School Board President Juan Castillo: “As a lifelong educator and school board president, I strongly support the priorities outlined in this plan. Investing in our educators, protecting vital programs such as Title I and IDEA, expanding afterschool and summer learning, and preparing students for co… 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-stanton-ansari-announce-2-million-federal-investment-to-advance-water-reuse-technology-for-semiconductor-manufacturing-at-asu/ Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari Announce $2 Million Federal Investment to Advance Water Reuse Technology for Semiconductor Manufacturing at ASU 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), along with Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), announced $2,062,000 in federal funding for Arizona State University (ASU) to develop, test, and demonstrate innovative water reuse technologies designed for semiconductor manufacturing. The award, made through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), was secured as congressionally directed spending championed by the Arizona delegation. The project tests emerging water treatment technologies and validates them at ASU’s Macro Technology Works (MTW) facility in Tempe, generating the real-world performance data industry needs to adopt water-saving solutions at scale. The work aims to help fabs improve conservation while strengthening the reliability of domestic semiconductor production. The legislation builds on Kelly’s work to bring manufacturing back to America. In 2022, Kelly’s CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law, which has significantly boosted domestic semiconductor manufacturing. “Arizona is a national leader in chip manufacturing, and we know how to manage water responsibly,” said Sen. Kelly. “This investment builds on that leadership by developing water reuse technology, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening American manufacturing, and protecting our water supply. It’s a win for Arizona.” “Making Arizona’s semiconductor manufacturing industry even more water efficient will allow us to continue to create good-paying jobs and protect our state’s water supply,” said Sen. Gallego. “Thanks to this project, Arizona will continue to lead the nation in community-beneficial innovation.” “Arizona is proving that you can lead the nation in semiconductor manufacturing and be a responsible steward of every drop of water,” said Rep. Stanton. “This investment puts ASU’s researchers to work on exactly the right challenge: making sure the industry driving our economic future can grow without straining the water resources our communities depend on. That’s … 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/ Kelly Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 2026-09-11 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center: “Twenty-five years ago,nearly 3,000people were killed in an act of terror. Today, we remember those we lost, their families, the first responders who showed extraordinary courage, and the thousands more whose lives were changed forever. “I piloted the first Space Shuttle mission after 9/11, STS-108. Aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, our crew carried three flags representing the places where lives were lost that day: an American flag recovered from Ground Zero, an American flag flown over the Pennsylvania State Capitol, and a U.S. Marine Corps Colors flag recovered from the Pentagon. We also carried thousands of smaller American flags and other tributes honoring those we had lost. “I’llnever forget seeing those flags in orbit with the Earth behind them. Less than three months after the worst attack in history on American soil, carrying those flags was a powerful reminder of what our country had been through and what we stood for. “In the face of unimaginable loss, Americans came together. We looked out for one another, honored those who served, and showed the world that an attack meant to divide and weaken us would not succeed. “Twenty-five years later, that spirit of service, courage, and unity stillrepresentsthe best of America. It is something we should never take for granted. 1 2026-09-12T09:02:30Z 2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-at-jfk-library-kelly-speaks-on-public-service-courage-and-lessons-in-leadership/ ICYMI: At JFK Library, Kelly Speaks on Public Service, Courage, and Lessons in Leadership 2026-09-10 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined author Rye Barcott for a conversation at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston to talk about his upbringing and living a life of service in the Navy, at NASA, and now in the U.S. Senate. Kelly shared the courage and leadership he’s seen in others over the course of his life, from his mom becoming the first female police officer in West Orange to his 39-year-old commanding officer during Operation Desert Storm and the Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6th. He also reflected on the example of courage of his wife, Gabby, who never backed down after she was injured and who continues to live a life of service. Sen. Kelly speaks to Rye Barcott at the JFK Presidential Library. Credit: Jill Person Photography. Watch the full interview here. See key excerpts below: Onwatching his mother break barriers… “A lot of my inspiration comes from my mom…She was five foot nothing. When I was a young kid, she had two jobs at the same time. She was a secretary and a waitress. Neither of them paid well…She decided to become a police officer like my dad, but this was New Jersey in the 1970s. For a woman to become a cop, it was very difficult. She had to pass a test, including a physical fitness test that was clearly designed for men. I’d watch my mom out there for months practice in the backyard. She had to get over the seven foot, two-inch wall. My dad built one in our backyard to help her between two trees. Made it an inch higher. When she finally took this test, she got over in a faster time than all of the men and became the first female police officer in New Jersey. “So, I saw, from my mom, the power of having a goal, a strategic goal, and then having the right plan. And if you execute that plan, you could actually achieve something. So, I learned that from my mother, and it’s something I carried to through my life all the way to today.” Ontrue leadership… “I learned that the most effective teams are ones that will wo… 1 2026-09-11T09:25:29Z 2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-demand-postal-service-halt-implementation-of-unconstitutional-vote-by-mail-restrictions/ Gallego, Colleagues Demand Postal Service Halt Implementation of Unconstitutional Vote-by-Mail Restrictions 2026-09-09 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and John Fetterman (D-PA) in demanding that the United States Postal Service (USPS) immediately halt implementation of President Trump’s unlawful vote-by-mail executive order and rescind its recently finalized rule on federal ballot mail. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner and the USPS Board of Governors, the senators warned that the Postal Service’s efforts to fundamentally change how absentee ballots are processed and delivered just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections risks disenfranchising millions of eligible voters and disrupting the smooth administration of the elections. The lawmakers are also demanding the Postal Service provide overdue answers about what legal authority permits it to regulate federal election mail, its new ballot verification processes, and the operation of its Federal Ballot Mail Portal, as well as its efforts to comply with federal court orders. “Despite repeated warnings from Congress and court orders not to implement the President’s unlawful directives to regulate mail-in voting, the Postal Service continues to carry out these actions, which will undermine peoples’ faith in the upcoming elections,” the senators wrote. “If the Postal Service does not immediately reverse its current course, it will inflict lasting harm to our democracy and permanently damage a storied American institution.” On August 21, USPS finalized a rule to implement President Trump’s vote-by-mail executive order that would require states to provide absentee voter rolls to the federal government and comply with new ballot standards, while giving USPS the authority to verify and refuse to deliver ballots that do not meet its requirements. The senators argue that neither the President nor USPS has the legal authority to regulate absentee voting and noted that despite previous commitments to Congress that it would abide by judicial… 1 2026-09-10T09:25:58Z 2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-urges-senate-leadership-to-establish-bipartisan-senate-select-committee-on-artificial-intelligence/ Gallego Urges Senate Leadership to Establish Bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence 2026-09-09 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging them to support the establishment of a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence beginning at the start of the next Congress. This follows recent reporting from the Wall Street Journal that former Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, quit his role and warned of an industrywide rush to build AI systems that can improve themselves and, in turn, destroy humanity. In response to his departure, Evan Hubinger — a top scientist at Anthropic — wrote that there is a more than ten-percent chance AI destroys humanity in the next decade, with no plan in place at the company to tackle the problem. “AI is likely to be one of the most transformative technologies in human history. It has already accelerated drug discovery, expanded access to expert-level knowledge across numerous different fields, and improved productivity across industries, with one leading estimate suggesting the technology could raise global GDP by as much as 7 percent or nearly $7 trillion over a ten-year period,” Senator Gallego wrote.“But the same technology also presents serious and rapidly evolving challenges to our workforce, national security, elections, privacy, critical infrastructure, children, and the safety of the public. Senator Gallego continued: “Congress does not need to resolve every disagreement among experts about timelines or probabilities to recognize that both the upside and the downside of this technology warrant an urgent and comprehensive response.” Senator Gallego detailed how the committee should be explicitly bipartisan in membership and leadership, have subpoena power, and be charged with producing actionable legislative recommendations. He also insisted that it must hold hearings in response to national security concerns; respond to AI’s effect on American workers and the economy; asses the risks to children, consumers, privacy, civil rights, elections, and crit… 1 2026-09-10T09:25:58Z 2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-arizona-gallego-meets-with-workers-manufacturers-first-responders-and-community-leaders/ In Arizona, Gallego Meets with Workers, Manufacturers, First Responders and Community Leaders 2026-09-09 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego also visits AROCC Mesa Gateway ICE Facility, met with firefighters, and attend the Coconino Couty State Fair ARIZONA— This past weekend, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) conducted congressional oversight at the AROCC Mesa Gateway ICE Facility, attended Labor Day celebrations, and met with Valley residents and small businesses before heading to Flagstaff to attend the Coconino County State Fair. Gallego began Thursday morning by meeting with officials and touring the AROCC Mesa Gateway ICE Facility, where he focused on strengthening congressional oversight, increasing transparency into ICE’s operations, and ensuring humane standards and accountability in federal immigration enforcement. Following the tour, Gallego traveled to ISOLA HQ in Chandler, a manufacturer of components essential to printed circuit boards (PCBs). During the visit, the senator highlighted his bipartisan Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, which would help ensure we have the domestic capacity of PCBs to match the output of semiconductors made in America and shore up a critical component of the national security supply chain. Senator Gallego Tours Isola in Chandler, AZ “[The work ISOLA HQ does] is very important because we have this global competition against China,” said Senator Gallego. “There’s only a certain number of manufacturers and suppliers that can meet the demand we need when it comes to high-tech military technology. That’s why supporting these American companies, making sure they stay in American hands, remain innovative, and are able to grow is very important—not just for our economy, but for our national security.” Afterwards, Gallego visited the Intel Ocotillo Campus, in Chandler to tour their semiconductor manufacturing operations. Intel’s investment in Arizona is estimated to support 3,000 manufacturing jobs and 7,000 construction jobs thanks to smart industrial policies like the CHIPS and Science Act. Senator Gallego meets with Intel Ocotillo leadership on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 Gallego also stopp… 1 2026-09-10T09:25:58Z 2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-not-to-axe-protections-for-americas-remaining-wild-public-forests/ Gallego, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests 2026-09-08 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Popular Roadless Rule conservation measure protects 44 million acres of pristine U.S. Forest Service lands from destructive and expensive roadbuilding, logging, and supports outdoor recreation economy WASHINGTON – Last week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 38 of their Senate colleagues and dozens of House members in sending a bicameral letter calling on the Trump Administration to end its efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has shielded approximately 44 million acres of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging. In Arizona, the Rule protects 1,174,000 acres of Inventoried roadless Areas. “Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states,” wrote the Senators. “These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities. Iconic landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and the George Washington National Forest in Virginia exemplify the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these lands.” The letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz goes on to note the habitat protection, wildfire mitigation, and economic benefits of the Roadless Rule. The Roadless Rule enjoys strong public support, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority of 2.5 million comments submitted on the Roadless Forest Protection Rule since it has been enacted — more than 95%— were in support of protecting roadless areas. A March 2019 poll by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that three out of four respondents said they supported keeping roadless forest protections, while only 16% opposed it. That level of support changed little between respondents living in rural or non-rural areas and across party… 1 2026-09-09T09:27:09Z 2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-gallego-unveils-plan-to-reform-strengthen-americas-public-education-system/ Senator Gallego Unveils Plan to Reform, Strengthen America’s Public Education System 2026-09-08 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego’s four-pillar framework details his commitment to improving America’s public schools for every student WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his new plan to address America’s failing public education system. The four-pillar plan, “Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America’s Public Education System,” provides a pathway to bolster public education for every American student — especially those in rural, tribal, and high-poverty communities who often face barriers that extend beyond the classroom. “Even though I grew up poor, I was lucky enough to get a good enough education, make it to Harvard, and eventually become a U.S. Senator. Every kid deserves that same fair shot. Instead, Donald Trump’s gutting of the Department of Education has left our most vulnerable students behind,” said Senator Gallego. “My plan not only reverses these cuts but also provides a path forward for our nation’s public schools, including by eliminating federal funding for vouchers, increasing teacher pay, tackling student absenteeism, and setting up workforce training programs.” Senator Gallego’s plan: Protecting and Investing in Public Education: Protect the federal role in public education by strengthening the Department of Education and ensuring programs such as Title I, IDEA, Impact Aid, the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), Secure Rural Schools (SRS), and E-Rate continue to serve the communities that depend on them Investing in and Strengthening the Teacher Workforce: Work with states and school districts to improve teacher compensation and working conditions, including teacher health and wellness while expanding preparation programs including residencies and locally based preparation programs, financial aid, mentorship, and leadership pathways. Supporting Student Success and Well-Being: Address learning loss, chronic absenteeism, and student mental health by investing in full-service community schools, as well as investing in afterschool learning, tutoring, summer learning, mental healt… 1 2026-09-09T09:27:09Z 2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-condemn-dojs-failure-to-vigorously-defend-fundamental-gun-violence-prevention-law/ Kelly, Colleagues Condemn DOJ’s Failure to Vigorously Defend Fundamental Gun Violence Prevention Law 2026-09-05 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and 10 of their colleagues condemned the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s refusal to seek immediate appellate relief from a recent district court decision striking down key regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). In a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, the senators expressed serious concerns about DOJ’s failure to vigorously defend the NFA, a foundational federal gun violence prevention law that regulates some of the most dangerous concealable weapons in the country. “For months, DOJ has defended the NFA in court against legal challenges brought by the firearms industry, certain state attorneys general, and the gun lobby. But less than one week after you were confirmed as Attorney General, the Department appears to have reversed course,”wrote thesenators. “The Department’s failure to immediately pursue an appeal in support of the NFA calls into question statements you made to the United States Senate during your confirmation process and raises serious doubts about your willingness—and ability—to keep Americans safe.” Last month, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas held the NFA’s regulatory requirements for certain highly dangerous weapons unconstitutional. Although the court temporarily stayed its order to give DOJ time to seek immediate appellate relief, DOJ declined to do so, opting instead to let the court’s injunction take effect. The senators demanded answers about DOJ’s justification for not seeking immediate relief and called on DOJ to appeal the district court’s decision. “As a result of DOJ’s refusal to seek a stay of the District Court’s order, some of the most dangerous concealable weapons in the country—including those that have been used in several mass shootings—can now be (and have been) bought and sold outside the NFA’s heightened regulatory framework for the first time in nearly 100 years,” concluded thesenators. “We urge the Department to resume its vigorous defense… 1 2026-09-06T09:10:48Z 2026-09-06T09:12:29Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-announce-4-25-million-in-emergency-funding-for-lower-cibola-bridge-repairs/ Gallego, Kelly Announce $4.25 Million in Emergency Funding for Lower Cibola Bridge Repairs 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Federal funding will help repair bridge damaged by Island Fire in La Paz County WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $4.25 million in emergency funding to the Bureau of Reclamation to help repair and rebuild the Lower Cibola Bridge in La Paz County after it was damaged by the Island Fire and partially collapsed into the Colorado River. “These federal funds will provide the tools and resources necessary to repair the Lower Cibola Bridge, easing lengthy detours and ensuring safe passage over the Colorado River,” said Senator Gallego. “I applaud La Paz County, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Transportation, and all stakeholders for coming together to provide this critical lifeline.” “The restoration of Lower Cibola Bridge will reconnect the community and make it easier for families to get to work, school, and other essential services,” said Senator Kelly. “Securing this emergency funding improves an important economic route while making it safe and reliable.” The Lower Cibola Bridge serves as a key crossing over the Colorado River for local farmers, residents, federal agencies, and emergency responders. After the Island Fire ignited the bridge’s timber supports, two center spans collapsed into the river, cutting off a primary access route and forcing lengthy detours for people traveling through the area. The funding, provided through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, will support emergency and reconstruction work needed to restore the crossing. The Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program provides funding to repair or reconstruct federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that suffer serious damage from natural disasters or catastrophic events. Funding can be used for immediate repairs to restore essential access and protect damaged infrastructure, as well as permanent repairs needed to restore facilities to their pre-disaster condition. 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-announce-more-than-4-million-in-emergency-funding-for-bridge-repairs-in-la-paz-county/ Kelly, Gallego Announce More Than $4 Million in Emergency Funding for Bridge Repairs in La Paz County 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Federal funding will help repair bridge damaged by Island Fire Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $4.25 million in emergency funding to the Bureau of Reclamation to help repair and rebuild the Lower Cibola Bridge in La Paz County. The structure was damaged by the Island Fire and partially collapsed into the Colorado River. The Lower Cibola Bridge serves as a key crossing over the Colorado River for local farmers, residents, federal workers, and emergency responders. After the Island Fire ignited the bridge’s timber supports, two center spans collapsed into the river, cutting off a primary access route and forcing lengthy detours for people traveling through the area. The funding, provided through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, will support emergency and reconstruction work needed to restore the crossing. “The restoration of this bridge will reconnect the community and make it easier for families to get to work, school, healthcare, and other services they rely on,” said Kelly. “Securing this emergency funding is critical because Lower Cibola Bridge is also an important economic route in La Paz County that will now be safe and reliable.” “These federal funds will provide the tools and resources necessary to repair the Lower Cibola Bridge, easing lengthy detours and ensuring safe passage over the Colorado River,” saidGallego. “I applaud La Paz County, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Transportation, and all stakeholders for coming together to provide this critical lifeline.” The Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program provides funding to repair or reconstruct federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that suffer serious damage from natural disasters or catastrophic events. Funding can be used for immediate repairs to restore essential access and protect damaged infrastructure, as well as permanent repairs needed to restore facilities to their pre-disaster condit… 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-gallego-joins-canadian-tv-to-denounce-trumps-trade-war/ ICYMI: Gallego Joins Canadian TV to Denounce Trump’s Trade War 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper CANADA – This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sat down with Vassy Kapelos of CTV National News to discuss the importance of bilateral trade for Arizona, the most recent trade war’s effects on America and Canada’s alliance, and Pete Hegseth’s recent comments towards Canadian Cadets. He made the below statements: On Arizona’s and Canada’s economic connection: “Everyone thinks Arizona is just a state that’s dependent on trade with Mexico. We have a very integrated economy that relies on a lot of Canadian imports for us to have a full-scale economy. And so, anytime we have these types of problems, it will extend into our economy. “We have a high-tech economy where we have a lot of aerospace that is dependent on goods from Canada that we use to create some fine products. We have, chips and chip manufacturing coming out of Arizona to go to Canada, and vice versa, in terms of finished products coming back to Arizona. So, we don’t want to see this happen.” 1 2026-09-05T08:49:07Z 2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-calls-on-usps-leadership-to-testify-before-congress-in-response-to-whistleblower-mail-in-voting-report/ Gallego Calls On USPS Leadership to Testify Before Congress In Response to Whistleblower Mail In Voting Report 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement in response to reporting of an anonymous whistleblower complaint from the United States Postal Service (USPS): “A whistleblower just confirmed Trump’s mail-ballot verification system is broken enough to lose or reject people’s ballots ahead of the midterms. I am calling for an immediate stop to this rollout, and I am demanding that USPS leadership come before Congress to testify under oath. The American people deserve answers before a single ballot is put at risk.” Last week, Senator Gallego spoke out against President Trump’s mail-in-voting executive order on MS NOW. In April, Gallego introduced the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots and protect the right to vote by mail. 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-tucson-kelly-visits-community-food-bank-to-hear-from-arizonans-impacted-by-snap-cuts/ In Tucson, Kelly Visits Community Food Bank to Hear from Arizonans Impacted by SNAP Cuts 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Kelly also toured the Tucson Fire Department with Mayor Regina Romero and Chief Sharon McDonough, the first woman to lead the department Kelly checked in with Boca Tacos owner and chef Maria Mazon on rising costs Kelly delivered remarks at the University of Arizona’s ceremony to name its Integrated Business and Engineering Program Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly visited the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to pack food boxes and hear directly from staff, volunteers, and families about the surge in demand for food driven by Republican cuts to SNAP and rising costs. Republicans’ SNAP cuts have placed a growing strain on Arizona food banks after the passage of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July. Kelly has been a vocal critic of the legislation, warning from the start that its steep cuts to SNAP and health care would come at the expense of working families in favor of tax cuts for billionaires. This proved to be true as SNAP cuts and rising costs are making it harder for Arizonans to put food on the table. During a roundtable at the food bank, Kelly heard from Terra, a Tucson resident who lost her SNAP benefits after she was unable to meet the work requirement. Terra told Kelly that a disability makes it difficult for her to work even the roughly 60 hours a month she currently does, but she would need to work about 80 hours to qualify for SNAP. After four applications this year and repeated difficulties getting an interview, Terra said she now relies on the Community Food Bank and other food banks to get by. Kelly also heard from Norah, a student parent at Pima Community College who described SNAP as a bridge while she goes to school, raises her son, and works toward greater financial stability. Norah receives about $500 a month in SNAP for herself and her son but told Kelly that even that amount has become tight as grocery prices rise. Food bank staff told Kelly these stories are part of a broader increase in need. They are seeing more people who have not traditionally needed food assistance,… 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-travels-to-canada-amid-trumps-trade-war/ Gallego Travels to Canada Amid Trump’s Trade War 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego Met with Trade Official and Local Candidates, Visited Canada’s National War Memorial OTTAWA — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) traveled to Ottawa, Canada on an official congressional trip to strengthen trade relations in the midst of the Trump Administration’s continued actions to escalate a trade war with Canada. During his trip, Senator Gallego held a press conference with Canadian media. Senator Gallego hosts a press conference with Canadian media He made the below statements to the press: On Hegseth posting photo mocking Canadian Youth Cadet program: “Number one, it’s really deeply disrespectful to the men and women of Canada that have died fighting with us, whether you know we go back to World War I and all the way to the Afghanistan War. It’s deteriorating to future work together. Right now, Canada is on the front lines. You have Canadian men and women in Latvia right now, potentially putting themselves as a tripwire in case of Russian aggression…. And what you’re seeing is a reflection of these sycophants that are just trying to make this president happy, not understanding that they’re potentially putting our security in danger…. But there was nothing that was to be gained from that [Hegseth’s tweet]. How did this help the discourse between us and Canada? How did it actually help repair our relationship with our Canadian partners, which are right now in the Pentagon still to this day, and are helping us man NORAD and all these other areas? I think it’s adolescent, and it doesn’t help any country, but certainly doesn’t help the United States in terms of its security.” On what Democrats should do with Trump’s reckless tariffs on Canada once they regain power: I think the anybody who is running for president should be very clear. It should be the goal of a Democratic president to remove these tariffs, 100% If it’s within your power and within your political power, do it…. Tariff policy is not a replacement for industrial policy, and I think the President just doesn’t understand that, … 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-senator-gallego-brings-fight-for-arizonas-future-to-southern-arizona-hears-directly-from-nogales-constituents/ ICYMI: Senator Gallego Brings Fight for Arizona’s Future to Southern Arizona, Hears Directly from Nogales Constituents 2026-08-31 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego Discusses Arizona’s Water Future at Southern Arizona Water Summit, Opens New Tucson Office ARIZONA — This weekend, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) traveled to Southern Arizona, to hear directly from residents and discuss some of the issues that matter most to Arizona families—from protecting the state’s water supply to expanding access to health care and lowering the cost of living. On Friday, Senator Gallego joined a panel at the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber Arizona Water Summit to take part in a moderated discussion on the future of water in Arizona. The Senator was joined by U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jennifer Allen. Gallego speaks in panel discussion at the Arizona Water Summit in Tucson, AZ “Eighty percent of the country’s fruits and vegetables come from Yuma,” said Senator Gallego. “The tech industry that is leading the future of this country with CHIPS manufacturing is happening in Arizona. It’s not happening in the Upper Basin. So, if the federal government is going to move forward with these cuts, then they also need to release funding for investments in water retention and conservation programs. If you want people to live in the Southwest, then give us the investments we need.” See coverage: Arizona Daily Star: Gallego, Romero call for New Deal-style Colorado River project [Tony Davis] KGUN 9: Arizona Water Summit tackles state’s future as Colorado River cuts loom large [Jacqueline Aguilar] Following the summit, Gallego cut the ribbon on his new Tucson office, bringing Senate staff closer to the people they serve and creating a direct connection between Southern Arizona and Washington. The event was attended by elected officials, veterans, members of local tribal communities, and community leaders including Graham County Chamber of Commerce Board President Taylor Banks. Gallego officially opens his new office in Tucson, AZ Later in the day, S… 1 2026-09-01T09:48:49Z 2026-09-01T09:49:51Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-statement-on-trump-administration-lawsuit-targeting-arizona-dreamers/ Gallego, Kelly Statement on Trump Administration Lawsuit Targeting Arizona Dreamers 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statement after the Trump administration sued Arizona over its policy allowing eligible Dreamers and other immigrant students who attended and graduated from Arizona high schools to qualify for in-state tuition. “Dreamers are Americans in every way. They grew up here, went to our schools, and are contributing to communities across Arizona. They deserve the opportunity to get an education and build a future in the only country many of them have ever called home. “Making college more expensive for young people who are deeply rooted in America does nothing to fix our broken immigration system or make our country safer. Arizona voters decided to allow these students to pursue an affordable education, and we should respect that decision. We’ll keep fighting for them to continue building their lives and futures in Arizona.” 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-leads-colleagues-in-opposing-israeli-governments-e1-settlement-tenders/ Gallego Leads Colleagues in Opposing Israeli Government’s E1 Settlement Tenders 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), led Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) in a joint statement opposing the Israeli government’s decision to issue tenders for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 settlement project, following a joint effort with 45 Senators urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately crack down on settler violence and settler expansion in the West Bank. “Construction in the E1 area would sever East Jerusalem from major Palestinian population centers and make a viable contiguous Palestinian state under a two-state solution far harder to achieve. For decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized that development in E1 would seriously jeopardize the prospects for a Palestinian state. That concern remains just as urgent today. “At a time when settler violence — including violence against Palestinian Americans — is reaching unprecedented levels in the West Bank and severe restrictions continue to constrain Palestinian movement and the Palestinian economy, moving forward with construction in E1 risks further destabilizing the West Bank and making a negotiated resolution even more difficult. “We urge the Israeli government to immediately rescind these tenders, halt settlement expansion in the West Bank, and take urgent action to rein in settler violence. Without a change in course, Israel risks weakening its international standing and underm… 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-oppose-israeli-governments-e1-settlement-tenders/ Kelly, Colleagues Oppose Israeli Government’s E1 Settlement Tenders 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Read in The Hill: Democratic senators demand Israeli government halt West Bank settlement expansion plans Today, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) issued a joint statement opposing the Israeli government’s decision to issue tenders for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 settlement project, following a joint effort with 45 Senators urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately crack down on settler violence and settler expansion in the West Bank. “Construction in the E1 area would sever East Jerusalem from major Palestinian population centers and makea viablecontiguous Palestinian state under a two-state solution far harder to achieve. For decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized that development in E1 would seriously jeopardize the prospects for a Palestinian state. That concernremainsjust as urgent today. “At a time when settler violence — including violence against Palestinian Americans — is reaching unprecedented levels in the West Bank and severe restrictions continue to constrain Palestinian movement and the Palestinian economy, moving forward with construction in E1 risks further destabilizing the West Bank and making a negotiated resolution even more difficult. 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-statement-on-trump-administration-lawsuit-targeting-arizona-dreamers/ Kelly, Gallego Statement on Trump Administration Lawsuit Targeting Arizona Dreamers 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego released the following statement after the Trump administration sued Arizona over its policy allowing eligible Dreamers and other immigrant students who attended and graduated from Arizona high schools to qualify for in-state tuition: “Dreamers are Americans in every way. They grew up here, went to our schools, and are contributing to communities across Arizona. They deserve the opportunity to get an education and build a future in the only country many of them have ever called home. 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-blasts-trump-for-enriching-himself-while-americans-cant-afford-their-lives/ ICYMI: Kelly Blasts Trump for Enriching Himself While Americans Can’t Afford Their Lives 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “How does changing the name of a lake help the American people? They can’t afford their lives right now.” “He [Trump] doesn’t care about the American people. He doesn’t care about our country. He cares about himself and his family and his friends.” In case you missed it, last night on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly ripped President Trump for focusing on the wrong priorities and enriching himself while Americans struggle, calling out the president’s unprecedent corruption. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On Trump’s misplaced priorities… “The number one job of a leader is to improve people’s lives. He said there, in the Oval Office, he has spent a lot of time thinking about this. How does changing the name of a lake help the American people? They can’t afford their lives right now. Because of his actions, the price of energy, specifically gas and diesel, has been jacked up substantially. People can’t afford to put gas in their car. They can’t afford rent. They can’t afford food. And it’s all because of this guy refuses to even try to do the job.” On the damage Trump is doing to America’s alliances… “He seems to always be tougher on our allies than he does on our adversaries. He sucks up to dictators around the world, especially Putin in Russia. He needs to read a book. He really does. He needs to understand history and the historical significance of how having these alliances have protected us and made us stronger and help us build the biggest economy in the world. “We’ve got the strongest military, and he’s dismantling that right in front of everybody, because I don’t think he understands the role that the United States has on the world stage, or he doesn’t care. He spends a lot of time on stupid things like the naming of lakes and gulfs. He spends a lot of time on trying to make himself richer, his family. The corruption that this administration is participating is unprecedented, and he seems to spend little time on improving people’s lives. Hey, we’ve go… 1 2026-08-29T11:31:28Z 2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-gallego-statement-on-disgraceful-dhs-deployment-on-tohono-oodham-land/ Senator Gallego Statement on Disgraceful DHS Deployment on Tohono O’odham Land 2026-08-26 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Gallego says the entire ‘consultation’ process has been a sham ARIZONA – Today, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement after the Trump Administration deployed Department of Homeland Security agents and border wall contractors onto Tohono O’odham Nation land without the Nation’s consent. “I warned DHS Secretary Mullin in March – DHS must respect tribal sovereignty and meaningfully consult with tribes before building any border infrastructure on their land. “Instead, the entire ‘consultation’ process has been a sham. DHS told the Tohono O’odham Nation that the agency would build a wall on their land whether they liked it or not. “Now, rather than try to engage in good faith and defuse the situation, Trump has needlessly escalated by sending dozens of armed agents on the Nation’s land without so much as a heads up or warning. “As I’ve said before, we can have both border security and tribal sovereignty. This is not that.“ In March, Senator Gallego pressed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin about DHS’s failures to consult tribal nations before building border security infrastructure on their land. During his nomination hearing, Mullin agreed to cooperate with tribes. 1 2026-08-27T16:10:01Z 2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-on-ms-now-morning-joe-gallego-slams-hegseth-for-stars-and-stripes-firings/ WATCH: On MS NOW Morning Joe, Gallego Slams Hegseth for Stars and Stripes Firings 2026-08-26 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Gallego Also Joins ABC News Live and All In With Chris Hayes on Canada Tariffs and Supreme Court Mail-In Voting Decision WASHINGTON – This morning, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined MS NOW’s Morning Joe national news to discuss the Defense Secretary Hegseth’s recent high-level firings at Stars and Stripes. MS NOW’s Morning Joe “For many of us, Stars and Stripes was really our only world that we could read. We had no access to the internet. We had no access to cell phones. Frontline troops like mine were basically thrown out there. And once in a while, whenever we’d get some kind of delivery, the Stars and Stripes would be there. Especially for some of us Iraq War veterans, it was Stars and Stripes that was very essential in kind of breaking what was happening among the Army and the Marine Corps when it came to armaments, when it came to the fact that IEDs were killing us, and then also was very key to informing us about what was happening when it came to PTSD. “And now what’s happening—because this is an independent reporting arm of the DOD on its own, its own publication, with expertise dealing with the military—it is one of the few places that is actually keeping in check the Department of Defense. And that is what scares them, and that is what has consistently scared them.” During the first Trump Administration when Trump tried to defund Stars and Stripes, Gallego joined a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Defense to reverse its decision. For that year’s NDAA, successfully helped secure $15.5 million in funding to ensure its continued operations, and later said it’s one of the things he’s done in Congress that he’s most proud of. ABC News Live On Monday, Senator Gallego joined ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis to discuss Trump restarting his Trade war on Canada. “This president wrote a book called The Art of the Deal. He really should write a book called The Art of Being Stupid. This is going to be a very dumb result for the American consumer, and it’s going to be up and down. Yo… 1 2026-08-27T16:10:01Z 2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-sounds-alarm-on-fed-chair-warshs-plan-to-scale-back-interest-rate-meeting-schedule/ Gallego Sounds Alarm on Fed Chair Warsh’s Plan to Scale Back Interest Rate Meeting Schedule 2026-08-25 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led six Senate Democrats in calling on Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to maintain the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) longstanding schedule of at least eight meetings per year. The letter was sent in response to the New York Times’ recent reporting that Warsh is considering reducing the frequency of the meetings. “Since 1981, the FOMC has held a minimum of eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. At these meetings, the Committee reviews economic and financial conditions, determines the appropriate stance of monetary policy, and assesses risks to its statutory goals of price stability and maximum employment,” wrote the senators. “This cadence has provided a predictable framework for the conduct of monetary policy for 45 years. Fewer rate-setting meetings would represent the largest scheduled cutback in the modern history of the Federal Reserve.” “The Federal Reserve’s job is to stay engaged with the economy in real time, not to check in less and hope for the best,” concluded the senators. “If the Federal Reserve continues down this increasingly opaque path, you will be putting the broader economy at risk.” In addition to Gallego, Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) signed onto the letter. Last year, Senator Gallego introduced the bipartisan Fed Forward Act to codify the eight-meeting-per-year schedule and other longstanding transparency and accountability practices at the Federal Reserve. Senator Gallego also pressed Fed Chair Warsh at his confirmation hearing on his commitment to holding FOMC meetings and press conferences. Click here to read the letter. 1 2026-08-26T05:33:32Z 2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-gallego-joins-the-daily-beast-podcast-slams-trumps-handling-of-the-iran-war-discusses-his-social-media-ban/ ICYMI: Gallego Joins the Daily Beast Podcast; Slams Trump’s handling of the Iran War, Discusses his Social Media Ban 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Last Friday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined the Daily Beast Podcast with host Joanna Coles to discuss the Iran War and parallels he sees with his service in Iraq and the Trump Administration’s latest blunders. They also discussed his recent bill to require parental approval for kids under the age of 16 to use social media. See coverage below: On his proposed legislation to put parents back in control of their kid’s social media: “Some of the most important developmental time in a kid’s life, especially teenagers’ lives, are below the age of 16. So, let’s give these kids a fighting chance and let’s give that power to the parent who doesn’t necessarily want to be the bad guy but now has a real reason to be that break. “I am sure that you also saw I have this cell phone ban planned where public schools that receive federal dollars need to come up with a cellphone ban within a year in order for them to continue to have support. What does that cellphone ban look like? It could be very different for every parent, every school. The fact is we’ve seen studies that show the schools that have cellphone bans have better outcomes, less violence, higher self-esteem, and better grades.” On politicians making the same mistakes as they did in the Iraq War: “I am seeing a lot of other Ruben Gallegos that are going to be put through a stupid, dumb, illegal war. We are going to live with another generation of American boys and girls that are going to have carry this burden of bad leadership. That’s what got me to Iraq, it was bad leadership that chose to go to war in Iraq. It was bad decision making on the conduct of the war and the leadership to get us out of there wasn’t there. Does that sound familiar to everyone here?” On the calls to put American boots on the ground in Iran: “I care about United States interests first and I am not going to sacrifice US soldiers, sailors, marines, young men and women for Iranian freedom and sovereignty. I would gladly help them out through diplomatic efforts and anything … 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-phoenix-gallego-meets-with-local-leaders-pushes-back-on-trumps-health-care-head-start-cuts/ In Phoenix, Gallego Meets with Local Leaders, Pushes Back on Trump’s Health Care & Head Start Cuts 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator Also Sits Down With Latino Men As Part of “Más Que Macho” Initiative PHOENIX — Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spent the weekend meeting with more than 1,700 state and local elected officials, healthcare advocates, banking leaders, Head Start educators and parents, and Hispanic men to hear directly about the challenges facing Arizona families and communities. On Thursday, Senator Gallego attended the 2026 Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference, where he met with mayors, council members and local officials from across Arizona to discuss the challenges facing their communities and how he can advocate for them at the federal level. Gallego emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local leaders and ensuring Arizona communities have a voice in Washington. Gallego speaks with Joseph Yuhas, Infrastructure Partner at Sustainability Partners at the 2026 Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference On Friday, Senator Gallego participated in Protect Our Care’s “Sick of It Fix Health Care Now” Press Conference. The Senator discussed the impact of the Trump Administration and Republicans’ recent Medicaid cuts, which are expected to push thousands of Arizonans out of coverage and put additional strain on hospitals, clinics and rural healthcare providers across the state. “This was a choice,” said Senator Gallego. “Republicans made a deliberate choice to cut Medicaid and let Affordable Care Act tax credits expire. They could have protected millions of Americans, but instead they chose to prioritize tax breaks for the wealthiest and please Donald Trump. “And we haven’t even seen the worst of it yet. Rural clinics are going to feel the pain. Hospitals are going to feel the pain. Families across Arizona are going to feel the pain,” Senator Gallego added. “Kicking people off their health insurance is one of the worst choices you can make — and Republicans are going to have to answer for it when millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Arizonans, are left struggling to af… 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-on-ktar-kelly-calls-out-trump-for-targeting-military-families-business-owners-for-deportation-instead-of-criminals/ ICYMI: On KTAR, Kelly Calls Out Trump for Targeting Military Families, Business Owners for Deportation Instead of Criminals 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined KTAR’s Heidi Hommel to call out the Trump administration’s reckless immigration enforcement, which is targeting military families, law-abiding business owners, and community members instead of the criminals Trump promised to go after. Kelly has helped secure the release of Arizonans wrongfully detained, including Annie Ramos, the newlywed wife of a U.S. soldier who was detained on base; Maria Pelaez, the mother of an active U.S. Marine Kelly met with while she was held in ICE detention in Arizona; and Kelly Yu, a Phoenix restaurant owner with three businesses and seventy employees whom he also met in detention. Most recently, Kelly assisted in the release of Maisa Lopes Eliaser, the wife of an Army soldier. Sen. Kelly speaks to KTAR’s Heidi Hommel. Watch to the full interview here. See key excerpts below: On Trump going aftermilitary families and business owners instead of criminals… “The President said he was going to track down criminals, gang members, drug dealers who are undocumented and deport them. The person you mentioned, spouse of a servicemember deported to Colombia. Not in that category. Same thing with Kelly Yu. Same thing with Maria, the mom of a Marine. They’re just going after people just to jack up numbers because he wants the deportation number to be higher. “That doesn’t make us a better country. Tearing communities apart, taking a grandmother away from the grandchildren of a Marine. A woman here in Phoenix who has three businesses and seventy employees. Does it make us a better country to deport her? No.” On ICE terrorizing communities and violating constitutional rights… “We need to get this right. And ICE has to stop terrorizing communities. We have people that have been killed in the streets because of how aggressive they’ve been on immigration enforcement, and it’s not right, and they’re violating people’s constitutional rights. We’ve seen this over and over and over again.” 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-sasc-democrats-call-on-chairman-wicker-to-hold-a-hearing-on-the-trump-administrations-worsening-strain-on-troops-from-extended-war-in-iran/ Kelly, SASC Democrats Call on Chairman Wicker to Hold a Hearing on the Trump Administration’s Worsening Strain on Troops from Extended War in Iran 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper The senators’ letter comes after a series of reports detailing servicemembers on ships like USS Lincoln and bases abroad enduring dwindling supplies and deteriorating conditions on extended deployments with no end in sight Today, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and his Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Democratic colleagues urged Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) to hold a hearing to investigate the Trump Administration’s failures to support our servicemembers who are carrying out indefinite extended deployments in the unauthorized, disastrous Iran war that President Trump cannot seem to end. The senators highlighted how this Administration’s failure to end the war in Iran has taken a physical, emotional, and mental toll on deployed troops, even beyond the disturbing conditions aboard the USS Lincoln—with dwindling supplies and deteriorating conditions aboard numerous ships and across bases in the region. The American people and military families deserve answers on how the Trump administration intends to break a cycle crushing morale, stranding our troops in grim conditions, and leaving families unsure how to make ends meet while their loved ones in uniform serve longer extended deployments with no end in sight. “The toll this unauthorized, disastrous war is taking on our troops is unconscionable,” said the senators. “Troops are suffering because of this Administration’s inability to end this war or make the environment safe enough for our servicemembers to be delivered the food, medication or supplies they need.” The SASC Democrats also raised serious concerns that these ongoing incidents could have direct consequences on our nation’s ability to recruit and retain members of our military: “Military families and the American people deserve answers about when our heroes will come home and how DoD plans to restore military readiness that has been drained by this war. Supply shortages and unjustified extended deployments also have a real impact on our ability to recruit and retain our servicemembers – w… 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-joint-statement-on-2027-2028-colorado-river-operating-guidelines/ Gallego, Kelly Joint Statement on 2027–2028 Colorado River Operating Guidelines 2026-08-21 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statement after the Department of the Interior finalized new operating guidelines for the Colorado River for 2027 and 2028: “This decision provides much-needed certainty for Arizona and the Colorado River over the next two years. The 2027 and 2028 guidelines protect Arizona from even deeper near-term cuts while giving the seven Basin states more time to reach a long-term agreement. Arizona and our Lower Basin partners have stepped up with significant conservation commitments, and now every Basin state needs to do its part. “We’ll keep working with Arizona’s water leaders, Lower Basin states, and the Department of the Interior to put this plan into action and reach a fair, lasting agreement that protects the state’s water future.” 1 2026-08-22T05:24:59Z 2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-joint-statement-on-2027-2028-colorado-river-operating-guidelines/ Kelly, Gallego Joint Statement on 2027–2028 Colorado River Operating Guidelines 2026-08-21 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego released the following statement after the Department of the Interior finalized new operating guidelines for the Colorado River for 2027 and 2028: “This decision provides much-needed certainty for Arizona and the Colorado River over the next two years. The 2027 and 2028 guidelines protect Arizona from even deeper near-term cuts while giving the seven Basin states more time to reach a long-term agreement. Arizona and our Lower Basin partners have stepped up with significant conservation commitments, and now every Basin state needs to do its part. “We’ll keep working with Arizona’s water leaders, Lower Basin states, and the Department of the Interior to put this plan into action and reach a fair, lasting agreement that protects the state’s water future.” 1 2026-08-22T05:24:59Z 2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/week-in-review-at-league-of-arizona-cities-towns-conference-kelly-meets-with-arizona-mayors-on-community-priorities/ Week in Review: At League of Arizona Cities & Towns Conference, Kelly Meets with Arizona Mayors on Community Priorities 2026-08-21 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Kelly stopped by the Greater Arizona Mayors Association’s annual meeting to hear from mayors across Northern Arizona on housing, water, and wildfire recovery Kelly also hosted a meet and greet with rural mayors from Central and Southern Arizona to hear directly about the challenges facing their communities This week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly met with dozens of Arizona mayors, city and town managers, and county representatives in Phoenix during the 2026 League of Arizona Cities & Towns Conference, hearing directly about the issues and opportunities facing communities across the state. Kelly and the mayors discussed housing supply and federal housing policy, the impact of the war in Iran on energy costs, Colorado River water negotiations, wildfire recovery and forest restoration, FEMA disaster assistance, and the Winslow levee project. Kelly took questions from the group and emphasized his commitment to being a resource for Arizona’s cities and towns. Sen. Kelly meets with Arizona mayors at the 2026 League of Arizona of Cities & Towns Conference. Kelly also hosted a meet and greet for rural mayors from Central and Southern Arizona. He sat down with mayors from communities including Eloy, Florence, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Superior, Globe, Kearny, Yuma, Nogales, and Sahuarita. Sen. Kelly meets with Mayor Keith Eaton, Town of Florence. 1 2026-08-22T05:24:59Z 2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/support-rolls-in-for-kellys-bipartisan-effort-to-make-sure-ai-works-for-seniors/ Support Rolls in for Kelly’s Bipartisan Effort to Make Sure AI Works for Seniors 2026-08-19 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Last month, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly introduced the bipartisan Senior Chatbot Protection Act to establish basic protections for AI chatbot and voice assistants. The bill would keep older Americans safe by requiring AI chatbot and voice assistant companies to provide clear disclosures, safeguard sensitive conversations, and end deceptive design practices in their products. The legislation expands on Kelly’s ongoing efforts to ensure AI works for all Americans, including seniors, following up on his Aging with AI Act, which seeks to provide a better understanding of how AI companions are used by older adults and their potential risks and benefits. Since its introduction, the Senior Chatbot Protection Act has earned support from a broad coalition of organizations representing older Americans, medical and mental health professionals, consumer safety advocates, families, and technology policy experts, including the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), American Medical Association (AMA), American Psychological Association Services (APA Services), National Council on Aging (NCOA), the Alliance for Secure AI, Digital Progress Institute, Institute for Family Studies (IFS), and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). Here’swhat supporters of theSenior Chatbot ProtectionActare saying: Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans(ARA): “As AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants become more common in the lives of older adults, the corporations developing these products must be held to clear standards for transparency, accountability, privacy, and consumer protection. We applaud Senator Kelly and Senator Justice’s leadership in advancing legislation that recognizes the unique risks AI chatbots can pose for older Americans because it puts meaningful protections in place.” Click here to read the ARA’s full letter of support. Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, President, American Medical Association(AMA): “AI chatbots can help older adults access information and support, but they must be transp… 1 2026-08-20T05:28:41Z 2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-celebrate-32-million-grant-for-tucson-international-airports-new-runway/ Gallego, Kelly Celebrate $32 Million Grant for Tucson International Airport’s New Runway 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper TUSCON – Today, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly applauded a $32 million grant awarded to Tucson International Airport by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to continue construction of the airport’s Airfield Safety Enhancement Program, which will add a second full-length runway to the airport. This phase will shift the existing runway to bring the airport into compliance with current safety standards. The project will also repave the runway, add airfield lighting, upgrade drainage infrastructure, and improve guidance signage. “This federal investment will go a long way toward helping Tucson International Airport complete critical safety improvements and bring its airfield into compliance with current FAA standards. I’m proud to support investments that keep Arizona’s airports safe, modern, and ready to serve our growing communities,” said Gallego. “Today is a big win for Tucson. This federal investment will make Tucson International safer and more efficient, expand capacity, and strengthen Southern Arizona’s economy and military operations,” said Kelly. “I toured this project in 2023, and this funding brings us closer to the finish line. I look forward to seeing the new runway open and more flights coming through Tucson.” This grant was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds runway, taxiway, and infrastructure projects at airports nationwide. 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-highlights-how-trumps-reckless-foreign-policy-decisions-are-making-americans-less-safe/ ICYMI: Kelly Highlights How Trump’s Reckless Foreign Policy Decisions are Making Americans Less Safe 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “The American people are paying the price of his mistakes. And so are servicemembers that are in the region.” In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined CNN’s Anderson Cooper to warn about what he described as President Trump’s cascading foreign policy failures—from his reckless war in Iran and the deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Lincoln, to threats of a military action against Oman and an order to significantly reduce U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. Kelly made clear that each of these ill-advised decisions shows Trump is a president who doesn’t know what he’s doing and is putting Americans at home and abroad at risk. Sen. Kelly talks to Anderson Cooper. Watch to the full interview here. See key excerpts below: On TrumpthreateningOman… “Oman has been a security partner of ours and are critical in any kind of negotiation we’re going to have with the Iranians. So, if Donald Trump thinks he’s going to find a way out of this—and I certainly hope that he does—I think Oman is a critical negotiator with Iran, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense. It looks like he’s trying to just make more enemies. And that’s not a strategy.” On Trump’s fundamental misunderstanding of military strategy… “The problem is that, because he thinks he’s great at military strategy, he said at the beginning that this was going to take two or three days. ‘We’re going to bomb for two or three days, and then there’s going to be a regime change.’ “It’s always guys like Donald Trump that think air power and dropping bombs on things is the solution to a problem. I fought in the first Gulf War. Air power is part of a bigger strategy in any military effort. It’s not the whole strategy. And he failed to see that. And he’s made a lot of mistakes along the way.” Onthe consequences of unqualified leadership… “The American people are paying the price of his mistakes. And so are servicemembers that are in the region. Whether you’re on the USS Abraham Lincoln or any other ships in in either the Persian Gulf or the Gulf… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-on-civic-cipher-kelly-talks-about-why-america-needs-more-male-teachers-and-mentors-and-what-hes-doing-about-it/ ICYMI: On Civic Cipher, Kelly Talks About Why America Needs More Male Teachers and Mentors, and What He’s Doing About It 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “I think all successful men should be looking for opportunities to help young men.” “My goal is to get this legislation passed. This will have a positive impact on people’s lives.” In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined the Civic Cipher podcast with Ramses Ja and Q. Ward to talk about the positive impact of getting more men into teaching and mentorship roles. Kelly discussed his recently introduced two-bill package—the Educators for America Act and the Building Community in America Act—which will help young men step up and serve their communities. Listen to the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On the dramatic decline in male teachers and mentorsin the US… “The numbers have gone down dramatically. Decades ago, it was about thirty-five percent of teachers were men. Today, that number is twenty-three percent. In some places, it’s even lower than that. And it’s the same for mentors. Programs like AmeriCorps and the Boys and Girls Club do not have enough men mentoring men. The list is really low for young men and boys that are looking for mentors. “So, we’re trying to solve those two problems. So, in one case, what we’re doing is paid training for teachers who are men, and in the other, it prioritizes searching for male mentors to get them into programs like AmeriCorps.” On why young men are struggling today… “Young men are really struggling. They spend much more time on their phone. They often don’t think they have opportunity. They don’t have opportunities for relationships like they used to because of social media. Social media has changed that landscape. “We’ve seen it over decades, and it took a while to see what the impact was. And the impact isn’t great. Young men need to have men in their lives.” Onsuccessful mensetting the example and helpingyoung men… “I think all successful men should be looking for opportunities to help young men. This didn’t happen overnight and won’t be fixed overnight. My goal is to get this legislation passed. This will have a positive impact… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-celebrate-32-million-grant-for-tucson-international-airports-new-runway/ Kelly, Gallego Celebrate $32 Million Grant for Tucson International Airport’s New Runway 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego applauded a $32 million grant awarded to Tucson International Airport by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to continue construction of the airport’s Airfield Safety Enhancement Program, which will add a second full-length runway to the airport. This phase of the project will shift the existing runway 800 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current safety standards, along with new pavement, airfield lighting, drainage infrastructure, and guidance signage. In 2023, Kelly toured and announced the initial funding for the Tucson International Airport Airfield Safety Improvement Program. “Today is a big win for Tucson. This federal investment will make Tucson International safer and more efficient, expand capacity, and strengthen Southern Arizona’s economy and military operations,” said Kelly. “I toured this project in 2023, and this funding brings us closer to the finish line. I look forward to seeing the new runway open and more flights coming through Tucson.” “This federal investment will go a long way toward helping Tucson International Airport complete critical safety improvements and bring its airfield into compliance with current FAA standards. I’m proud to support investments that keep Arizona’s airports safe, modern, and ready to serve our growing communities,” said Gallego. This grant builds on years of Kelly’s work securing federal investment in Tucson’s airport infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Kelly helped shape, provided an additional $25 billion in investments in airport infrastructure, including the funding announced today, and gave additional funding to AIP. This grant was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds runway, taxiway, and infrastructure projects at airports nationwide. 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-tillis-press-trump-administration-to-reverse-cuts-to-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea/ Kelly, Tillis Press Trump Administration to Reverse Cuts to Joint Military Exercises with South Korea 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Bipartisan senators warn that scaling back exercises will degrade military readiness at a time when North Korea is deepening ties with Russia and China Today, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) pressed the Trump administration to reverse its decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea and urged the administration to maintain the training necessary to preserve the readiness of the alliance. “For more than 70 years, the alliance between the United States and South Korea has been a cornerstone of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific,” the senators wrote in a letter to President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “South Korea is a capable military ally, and the ability of our forces to operate together is not guaranteed. It is built and sustained through rigorous, realistic, and recurring joint training.” The senators noted that North Korea and South Korea remain technically at war, and that North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and military capabilities while gaining combat experience through its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. They warned that North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia and China make this the wrong moment to scale back joint readiness. “This is not the time to reduce the readiness of U.S. and allied forces in the region,” the senators continued. “Joint exercises such as Ulchi Freedom Shield provide U.S. and ROK forces critical opportunities to practice command and control, combined operations, logistics, and responses to evolving threats. Reducing these exercises risks degrading interoperability and readiness while sending the wrong signal to North Korea and our adversaries.” Kelly and Tillis also raised concerns that the reductions appear tied to South Korea’s decision not to support U.S. military action inIran: “Our allies should not be punished for declining to support unilateral U.S. military actions in the Middle East, particularly when such shortsight… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-pushes-for-path-forward-on-i-11s-northern-segment/ Kelly Pushes for Path Forward on I-11’s Northern Segment 2026-08-17 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly requested guidance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on next steps to advance the northern portion of the Interstate 11 (I-11) project, which is focused on the project’s proposed southern route through Pima County. In Arizona, I-11 would connect Phoenix and Las Vegas via an interstate highway for the first time and make long-needed improvements to the state’s interstate system. In 2015, the route was designated as a future interstate by Congress. In 2021, the Arizona Department of Transportation completed a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which broadly studied the entire I-11 corridor south of Wickenburg. Now, ADOT must complete a more detailed Tier 2 EIS for each segment of the corridor. In 2022, the Arizona Legislature funded the first Tier 2 segment, Wickenburg-to-Buckeye. But following a January 2025 court order, FHWA and ADOT agreed not to publish a Notice of Intent for a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while FHWA completes a required Tier 1 re-evaluation. This has delayed ADOT’s ability to initiate Tier 2 work, including on the funded Buckeye-to-Wickenberg segment, which was not the focus of the litigation. “While it is important for the legal process to be completed and any deficiencies with the Tier 1 EIS rectified, it is also important for Arizona to understand what actions may lawfully occur as the litigation proceeds so that ADOT and FHWA initiate formal work on a Tier 2 EIS for the portions of I-11 north of Casa Grande as quickly as legally possible,”Kelly wrote in a letter to FHWAAdministrator Sean McMaster. The letter requests a detailed, coordinated written response from FHWA within 60 days on what preparatory, technical, and environmental work can lawfully proceed on the northern segments while the litigation is pending, what procedural options exist to advance the northern and southern segments separately, and, if no clear path exists, what actions could resolve the gap. “The northern geographies also warrant a defined f… 1 2026-08-18T05:27:41Z 2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-senate-defense-democrats-demand-accountability-from-hegseth-after-reports-of-crisis-aboard-uss-abraham-lincoln/ Kelly, Senate Defense Democrats Demand Accountability from Hegseth After Reports of Crisis Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln 2026-08-17 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senators: “Our sailors and Marines signed up to serve and to be treated with respect. They did not sign up to be kept at sea indefinitely with no announced return date and, by multiple accounts, without reliable food, hot water, or working plumbing.” Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Navy combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), alongside all SASC Democrats and the Democratic leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, demanded answers from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports that the aircraft carrier’s crew has endured food and water shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises severe enough that multiple sailors reportedly attempted to go overboard during its record-setting deployment. The Lincoln has been at sea for more than 250 days, including over 200 consecutive days without a port call, the longest continuous deployment at sea for a U.S. aircraft carrier in the modern era. The senators pressed Secretary Hegseth on his Department’s failure to provide a clear timeline for the crew’s return and condemned his public dismissal of the reports as “completely misrepresented,” as well as President Trump’s remarks suggesting the Lincoln had not been deployed “nearly long enough.” “This situation was preventable, and the conditions aboard the Lincoln are nearly identical to the issues faced by the USS Ford when it conducted an extended deployment that ended earlier this year,” the senators wrote. The senators demanded detailed answers on mental health and medical resources aboard the ship, the state of good order and discipline, hygiene and food conditions, the full extent of the reported man-overboard incident, and support being provided to military families, along with a formal request for a bipartisan congressional delegation to visit the ship. “Denial and defensiveness are not acceptable responses. Congress and these families need accountability,”the senators conti… 1 2026-08-18T05:27:41Z 2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-set-to-introduce-legislation-following-approval-of-trump-crypto-company-bank-application/ Gallego, Colleagues Set to Introduce Legislation Following Approval of Trump Crypto Company Bank Application 2026-08-17 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and eight senators will introduce the Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act following the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) approval of the Trump crypto company bank charter. The bill would ensure that no President, Vice President, their immediate families, or other senior government officials can exploit their positions to own or control a bank, which could serve as a major vehicle for corrupt dealings. On January 5, 2026, the Trump Family crypto company World Liberty Financial (WLF) applied to the OCC for a national bank charter. President Trump, through EO 14215, had previously asserted control of the OCC. Along with Gallego and Warren, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) signed the bill. “Trump has proven time and time again his desire to enrich himself while serving as President of the United States. At a time when costs continue to rise and families must make tough financial decisions, this president looks out for himself, not working Americans. This bill makes clear no public officials, including the president, nor their families, should be able to enrich themselves by owning and controlling banks,” said Senator Gallego. “President Trump is now the first President in history to approve, operate, and supervise his own bank,” said Senator Warren. “This is the most brazen act of self-dealing our financial system has ever seen — and Congress cannot allow it to stand. The Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act will close the door on this kind of unprecedented corruption.” The Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act would: Prohibit the Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from approving a range of ba… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-blasts-hegseths-dismissiveness-on-mental-health-crisis-aboard-uss-lincoln-calls-for-sailors-to-get-immediate-help/ ICYMI: Kelly Blasts Hegseth’s Dismissiveness on Mental Health Crisis Aboard USS Lincoln, Calls for Sailors to Get Immediate Help 2026-08-14 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “I’d like to see from this administration just once, just one time, someone taking some responsibility for something that isn’t going right.” Last night, on MS NOW’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his dismissal of the mental health crisis unfolding aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln—where sailors have tried to jump overboard due to deteriorating conditions—and to call out the Trump administration’s failure to keep military families informed. Kelly also encouraged servicemembers who are struggling with their mental health to learn and use the resources available through the Brandon Act, legislation he passed that guarantees servicemembers the right to seek mental health treatment without fear of retaliation. The legislation is named in honor of United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta of Peoria, Arizona, who died by suicide after seeking mental health care and being denied. Sen. Kelly talks to Jen Psaki on The Briefing with Jen Psaki. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: OnSecretaryHegseth’s dismissive response to the mental health crisisunfoldingaboard the USS Lincoln… “I got to say, as bad as that and the conditions that these sailors have been put in, what I think is as bad, if not worse, is the Secretary of Defense’s response. Dismissing it like it’s no concern at all. I think a fundamental part of leadership is trying to improve the lives of the people you’re leading. And he doesn’t want there to be any accountability. He doesn’t want to get blamed. That’s pretty obvious. He doesn’t want this president to get blamed. I’d like to see from this administration just once, just one time, someone taking some responsibility for something that isn’t going right. And in this case, they seem to have a mental health crisis aboard that ship. It needs to be addressed, and the conditions need to be improved.” Onspeaking to an Arizona grandmother whose grandson is aboard the ship… “He’s depressed about the situat… 1 2026-08-15T05:23:20Z 2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-gallego-continues-to-push-for-oversight-of-uss-lincoln-crew-conditions/ ICYMI: Gallego Continues to Push for Oversight of USS Lincoln Crew Conditions 2026-08-14 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper “We Need to Visit the USS Lincoln to Make Sure Hegseth is Not Lying to Us” WASHINGTON—In case you missed it, yesterday U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) continued to raise the alarm about the dismal reported conditions on the USS Lincoln. During interviews and on social media, he discussed the official oversight visit he is seeking and the military spouse he is in communication with whose husband is on board the carrier. Excerpts from Senator Gallego’s media interviews: CNN State of the Union with Jake Tapper “These guys [in the Trump Administration] do not care about these men and women. They only want to use them as much as they can and abuse them as much as they can, not really thinking about the best outcome for them. I know it’s hard being in combat zones, but even when I was in some of the hardest days of combat in some of the most dangerous parts of Iraq, I still was able to receive meals and mail and keep morale up. The fact that this administration does not care for these men enough to plan for a proper deployment tells you that they didn’t really care to plan at all for a full war, and don’t care about these men or women.” “Look, it’s not possible that we have so many family members and sailors reaching out to members of Congress and to the media, and that what we’re seeing with pictures, videos, and text messages is an absolute lie. We know for a fact they’ve only done one port call in their whole deployment. This deployment has already gone 270 days longer than they anticipated. So we know they’re lying.” “Deal with the problem. Fix the problem. That’s what true leadership is, right? When I was in the hardest of situations and my officers saw that we weren’t doing well, they went and fixed the problem—whether that was trying to get us better meals, better communication, or any type of respite. That’s what you do when you’re a good leader. Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump—all they care about really are the big, flashy things. They’re not really being honest with how this war is going, and because th… 1 2026-08-18T05:27:41Z 2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-kelly-backed-bipartisan-bill-supporting-u-s-merchant-marine-academy-athletic-programs/ Senate Passes Kelly-Backed Bipartisan Bill Supporting U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Athletic Programs 2026-08-13 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senator and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) alumnus Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) applauded the Senate passage of the USMMA Athletics Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to support the Academy’s athletic programs. Specifically, the legislation would allow the USMMA to establish a nonprofit organization to handle fundraising, licensing, ticketing, and other matters related to athletics. This would bring it into parity with athletics programs at the other four U.S. service academies. Kelly graduated from the USMMA in 1986 and has served on their Board of Visitors since 2023. As Arizona’s senator, Kelly also nominates students to the USMMA, one of the five U.S. service academies for which he makes nominations. This bill builds on Kelly’s broader push to strengthen the USMMA and the U.S. Merchant Marine. Kelly’s SHIPS for America Act is set to invest in long-overdue infrastructure needs at the USMMA campus and expands recruitment, training, and retention programs to grow the maritime workforce. “Nothing prepared me better for my career—in the Navy, at NASA, and even in the Senate—than the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy,” saidKelly. “This bill will strengthen and elevate USMMA’s ability to invest in midshipmen both in and beyond the classroom.” “By supporting service academy athletics, we boost recruitment and retention at America’s service academies,” said Wicker. “It is time to give the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy the same tools that other academies have to make the most of athletics programs.” Background: The USMMA trains midshipmen to serve as licensed officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine or as commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. The academy fields 19 teams and conducts 55 percent of its overall recruiting through those athletic programs. Other service academies use a 501(c)(3) entity to generate revenue that supports athletics. The USMMA Athletics Act of 2026 would empower the USMMA to create such an organization and to collect funds it accrues. By boosting athletic progra… 1 2026-08-14T06:13:05Z 2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-makes-first-official-visit-to-graham-greenlee-counties/ Gallego Makes First Official Visit to Graham, Greenlee Counties 2026-08-13 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper GRAHAM COUNTY, Ariz. — This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) made his first official visit to Graham and Greenlee counties, meeting with the people who keep these rural communities moving and hearing firsthand what they need to continue building a strong future. “Rural Arizona is not an afterthought,” said Senator Gallego. “These communities are the backbone of our state. The people here are working hard, raising families and building the future of Arizona. Our job is to make sure they have the infrastructure, education, health care and economic opportunities they need to succeed right here at home.” Supporting Arizona’s ranchers and farmers Gallego began his visit with the Graham County Farm Bureau, where he met with local ranchers and agricultural leaders about the challenges facing the region’s farming and ranching communities. They discussed rising costs driven by tariffs and fuel prices, water shortages and the growing population of the Mexican gray wolf—all issues that can have a direct impact on families whose livelihoods depend on the land. “Western states are surrounded largely by federal land,” said Senator Gallego.“What we need to do as elected officials is make sure we’re advocating for our local communities and making sure our federal lands aren’t a hindrance to them. We need to find ways to responsibly reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens so ranchers, farmers and businesses that rely on agriculture in Southern Arizona can thrive.” Creating opportunities close to home At Eastern Arizona College, Gallego met with students and faculty as the new semester began and highlighted the college’s career and technical education programs. Gallego emphasized the importance of giving young people a reason to stay, return and raise their families in rural Arizona. “We’re focused on making sure that people can live, grow and really live their American dream where they want to,” said Senator Gallego. “They shouldn’t have to travel to Maricopa County, Pima County or New Mexico to find opportunity. They sh… 1 2026-08-18T05:27:41Z 2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-padilla-colleagues-demand-state-department-process-student-visas-without-delays/ Kelly, Padilla, Colleagues Demand State Department Process Student Visas Without Delays 2026-08-12 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper This week, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and 28 of their Senate colleagues expressed concern about the unavailability of appointments for student and exchange visitor visas to meet the start of the academic year and demanded answers regarding delays in processing of these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates. “We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competitiveness,” wrote the senatorsin a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates. This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students’ visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies.” The senators highlighted the vital contributions international students make to universities and communities nationwide, including expanding opportunities for American students, generating economic activity, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and building international partnerships. “International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year. Even though international students make up only six percent of the total higher education population, their enrollment creates opportunities for American students,” continued thesenators. “International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.” The senators urged the State Department to ensure the timely review and processing of student and exchange visitor visas, ext… 1 2026-08-13T06:17:16Z 2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-gallego-on-reporting-of-abysmal-uss-lincoln-conditions-i-am-seeking-an-official-oversight-visit/ Senator Gallego on Reporting of Abysmal USS Lincoln Conditions: ‘I am Seeking an Official Oversight Visit’ 2026-08-12 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper ARIZONA – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq, released the following statement amid alarming reporting of the physical and mental conditions of U.S. sailors aboard the USS Lincoln. “I am seeking an official oversight visit with a bipartisan Senate Delegation to the USS Lincoln to investigate the reported alarming conditions. Unlike Donald Trump, I’ve seen active duty. I didn’t avoid it, and the way he’s treating our service members as he carries out this illegal war is not just disgusting; it’s dangerous. These sailors not only deserve better, but they are owed a sense of when they will go home. “The pictures of the food being provided to exhausted crew members are outrageous. The stories of crew members threatening to jump off the ship are a frightening alarm bell as to how bad the situation has become. Our servicemen and women on the carrier have moldy showers with sporadic hot water, rationed meals and soap, and broken toilets. They are working grueling, 12- to 16-hour shifts with no days off, and with barely any stops at ports. Meanwhile, military officials have downplayed the reporters and given no concrete solutions, while our sailors continue to suffer. Congress must do its duty to provide oversight and hold the administration accountable for these actions.” 1 2026-08-15T05:23:20Z 2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-warner-introduce-bill-to-ban-social-media-companies-from-selling-advanced-access-to-government-employees-account-in-response-to-truth-api-going-live/ Gallego Backs Bill to Ban Social Media Companies from Selling Advanced Access to Government Employees’ Account in Response to Truth API Going Live 2026-08-11 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), member of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, cosponsored the No Preferential Release of Federal Information for Transactions (NO PROFIT) Act, legislation that would make it illegal for social media companies to sell prioritized access to government employees’ accounts that communicate material information. This legislation would make it illegal for a person to knowingly trade in securities, commodities, swaps, or prediction market contracts if the person is doing so on the basis of material information obtained through access to a prioritized account. This bill is a direct result of Truth API, Truth Social’s subscription service for advance access to the president’s posts, going live this month. “While American families struggle to afford groceries, healthcare, and gas, Donald Trump is selling early access to his social media posts for a profit. That’s not a subscription service, it’s corruption in broad day light,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill will stomp out this form of corruption now and forever.” “The president’s company selling prioritized access to the president’s market-moving posts is corrupt and erodes public confidence,” said Senator Warner. “Americans should have free and equal access to public statements made by U.S. government officials. My bill would make sure social media companies can’t sell prioritized access to government employees’ accounts and that someone can’t knowingly trade with information obtained through access to those accounts. Early access to government information should not be sold to whoever will pay the price.” Click here to read the bill. 1 2026-08-12T06:18:38Z 2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-demand-answers-on-trump-aligned-law-firm-hired-to-represent-unaccompanied-children/ Kelly, Colleagues Demand Answers on Trump-Aligned Law Firm Hired to Represent Unaccompanied Children 2026-08-11 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and other Senate colleagues demanded answers from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after the Trump administration awarded a no-bid contract to a Trump-aligned law firm with no apparent immigration law experience, allowing them to provide legal services to unaccompanied children in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). “Given the political connections between the firm’s senior leadership and the Trump administration, we have concerns about why you sidestepped the competitive bidding process to select this firm to provide legal services for children who are in ORR care and custody, and demand transparency into whether all federal procurement processes were followed,” the senators wrote. “Children deserve competent representation by attorneys who practice at the intersection of child welfare and federal immigration law, but Americans also deserve to know why their federal dollars are being doled out to Trump’s friends and allies.” The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through ORR, has an obligation to ensure that unaccompanied children are provided competent legal aid as they navigate the immigration process. Despite this, Secretary Kennedy has cut funding for nonprofit legal services for 26,000 unaccompanied children, shifting funding to the Trump-aligned Burke Law Group, despite the firm’s lack of experience protecting the rights of immigrant children. In the letter, the senators demanded that Secretary Kennedy provide transparency as to why the Burke Law Group received this contract and details about the firm’s plans to provide legal assistance to unaccompanied children. In addition to Kelly and Murphy, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van … 1 2026-08-12T06:18:38Z 2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-highlights-growing-strain-on-arizona-food-banks-as-snap-cuts-leave-families-without-assistance/ Kelly Highlights Growing Strain on Arizona Food Banks as SNAP Cuts Leave Families Without Assistance 2026-08-11 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Nearly 438,000 fewer Arizonans are receiving SNAP benefits than a year ago as food banks across Arizona step up to help families in need As families across the state lose access to food assistance as a direct result of Republican-passed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), organizations like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) are helping people by providing meals, emergency food boxes, and other assistance. According to the latest data from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), 471,871 Arizonans received SNAP benefits in June—nearly 438,000 fewer than during the same month last year. Today, Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement: “Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans are struggling to put food on the table, leaving food banks and organizations like St. Vincent de Paul filling the gap,” said Kelly. “They’re stepping up for Arizona families, but they shouldn’t have to. Republicans voted for this, but I’m going to keep fighting to lower costs and bring relief.” Background: In 2025, Republicans passed legislation that included nearly $187 billion in cuts to nutrition assistance programs. Throughout the negotiations, Kelly warned that the legislation would slash food assistance and shift significant new costs onto Arizona. He traveled across Arizona to host townhalls in Sierra Vista, Tucson, Phoenix and Clarkdale to hear directly from families about the impact of the cuts and took their stories to the Senate floor. After the cuts became law, Kelly joined Arizona families and food assistance organizations in Phoenix to highlight the growing strain on families and food banks. 1 2026-08-12T06:18:38Z 2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-support-construction-worker-mental-health/ Kelly, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Construction Worker Mental Health 2026-08-10 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced legislation to prevent suicide among construction workers. The Constructing the Path to Suicide Prevention Act would authorize a national study through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect data on the unique suicide risk factors facing construction workers to inform future suicide prevention programming. The construction industry has the second-highest risk of suicide across all industries. In 2023, almost a fifth of deaths by suicide with a reported industry code were tied to construction, despite construction workers making up only seven percent of the American workforce. “Construction workers build America—our homes, our roads, and our communities. With an alarming suicide rate in this industry, they should have the resources to take care of their mental health,” said Kelly. “This bill will help us understand what’s driving those numbers to prevent more deaths.” “From our homes to our offices, our roads to our favorite coffee shops, construction workers are responsible for building America,” said Cortez Masto. “But work in this industry presents distinct mental health risks, and we owe it to construction workers to find solutions. This legislation will give us the tools we need to combat the tragically high rate of suicide among construction workers and work to end the stigma around mental health on the jobsite.” “There is an unacceptably high rate of suicide among construction workers,” said Warner. “This legislation will give us the resources to understand how we can combat it and better inform suicide prevention programs.” “The high rate of suicide among construction workers should be alarming to us all,” said Shaheen. “I’m proud to help introduce legislation alongside a group of my colleagues who understand the importance of figuring out what’s fueling this crisis and the urgent need to make sure we’re getting men… 1 2026-08-11T05:54:29Z 2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-speaks-with-arizona-community-health-centers-about-protecting-affordable-accessible-health-care/ ICYMI: Kelly Speaks with Arizona Community Health Centers about Protecting Affordable, Accessible Health Care 2026-08-07 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) for a conversation in celebration of National Health Center Week. He discussed the essential role community health centers play in keeping Arizonans healthy in the face of harmful cuts to Medicaid and SNAP included in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Sen. Kelly speaks to members of the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers. Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: On why community health centers are more critical than ever after Republicanpassed cuts to Medicaid… “In the richest country in the world, and at the richest time for this country, hardworking people should be able to take their kids to a doctor, they should be able to get a prescription medication and get preventive care before a manageable health problem becomes a crisis. That’s what community health centers do every day. “Over the past year and a half, as we work to fight against cuts to Medicaid and SNAP that were included in Donald Trump’s bill—I don’t like calling it the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill—I asked Arizonans to share with me what those cuts would mean to them and their families. I traveled all over the state, and I heard from kids, I heard from parents, and seniors who told me some heartbreaking stories about the impact that these cuts had on them and had on their lives. And I took these stories back to Washington and shared them on the Senate floor and I talked with my Republican and Democratic colleagues about the people I met because I wanted them to understand that this wasn’t about a budget line, it was about real people. “We put up a pretty good fight, but as everyone knows, my Republican colleagues, they passed these cuts in the biggest tax break for billionaires I’ve ever seen, and this tax break for billionaires were on the backs of hardworking Americans.” On the impact of Republican cuts on rural hospitals and maternity care… “I worry about the impact these Medicaid cuts are going to have—not o… 1 2026-08-08T05:41:38Z 2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-colleagues-push-to-stop-trump-from-hiding-the-true-cost-of-the-iran-war-and-dishonoring-the-sacrifices-of-our-heroes/ Kelly, Colleagues Push to Stop Trump from Hiding the True Cost of the Iran War and Dishonoring the Sacrifices of Our Heroes 2026-08-07 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and 16 of their Senate Democratic colleagues introduced the Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act, legislation that would stop Donald Trump’s attempt to hide how long his illegal war against Iran has lasted, dishonor the sacrifice of our troops injured and killed in combat, and hide the true cost of his war from the American people. The bill introduction comes after the Pentagon unprecedentedly recategorized recent casualties suffered in Trump’s Iran war—including four killed and over 200 wounded servicemembers—under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury in a shameless attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people. Kelly has been outspoken about the war since it began, criticizing the administration for launching it without a clearly defined strategy or exit plan. In July, Kelly demanded from Pete Hegseth a full and accurate accounting of all servicemembers who were killed, wounded, and injured in support or in connection with Operation Epic Fury. “Every American who puts on the uniform and serves our country deserves to have their sacrifice recognized and their family deserves every benefit they’ve earned. No administration should be able to hide the true human cost of war by reclassifying casualties or manipulating the record,” said Kelly. “Those killed, wounded, or injured must be counted and honored, and their families and the American people deserve an honest accounting of what happened.” “I refuse to let Donald Trump dishonor the service of our heroes just because it benefits him politically to lie about the length of this illegal campaign and hide the true cost of his war from the American people,” said Duckworth. “Trump knows his war of choice is unpopular, which is why he’s manipulating casualty records to try and fool the public into believing it’s been less of a disaster. It’s an insult to our fallen heroes, and it could jeopardize the benefits of troops and civilians he continues to put i… 1 2026-08-08T05:41:38Z 2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-statement-on-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-russia-sanctions-legislation/ Kelly Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Russia Sanctions Legislation 2026-08-07 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Mark Kelly K000377 www.kelly.senate.gov markkelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Today, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly released a statement following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen sanctions on Russia and hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The vote was 86-11. Kelly and more than 60 of his Senate colleagues introduced the legislation last month. “The fastest way to end Russia’s illegal war is to cut off the money Putin is using to fuel it. Today, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass tougher sanctions that put pressure on Putin and those helping finance his war. This is a critical step securing a lasting peace that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and strengthens U.S. national security. “I’ve been to Ukraine four times since this war began and have seen firsthand what’s at stake. This vote demonstrated that the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine and hold Russia accountable. I urge the House of Representatives to pass this bipartisan legislation quickly so we can keep up the pressure and bring this war to an end.” Background: 1 2026-08-08T05:41:38Z 2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-veterans-disability-pay/ Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Veterans’ Disability Pay 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper WASHINGTON — Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act, legislation that protects veterans who receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from having their separation pay unfairly recouped. “It is ridiculous to claw back money from a veteran who has put life and limb on the line, just because later in life they qualify for disability benefits,” said Senator Gallego. “Separation pay and disability compensation serve two entirely different purposes—one honors time served, while the other addresses workplace injuries sustained. My bill ensures we stop unfairly penalizing our heroes and guarantees that Arizona veterans keep every dollar of the benefits they have rightfully earned.” Separation pay can be given to service members when they depart the military for several reasons. For example, when members of the Armed Forces with more than six years of service meet reenlistment requirements but are not allowed to reenlist, they are eligible for separation pay. Separation pay is also used to incentivize service members to depart the military when the Pentagon is working to downsize the force. Currently, outdated policies prohibit veterans from receiving concurrent receipt of unrelated benefit payments. Therefore, veterans who receive separation pay who later qualify for VA disability benefits have their separation pay recouped. Read more on the issue from Military.com: Senator introduces bill to stop VA from recouping military separation pay from disabled vets. The Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act would fix this unwarranted policy through several key provisions. Specifically, the bill would: No longer allow for the recoupment of separation pay from veterans who later become eligible for VA disability benefits because the two compensate for different things—workplace injuries (disability benefits) versus time served (separation pay); Ensure veterans who later qualify for military retirement pay only have to repay the net amount of separation pay … 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-press-faa-on-flawed-phoenix-flight-path-plan/ Gallego, Kelly Press FAA on Flawed Phoenix Flight Path Plan 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 www.gallego.senate.gov gallego https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ scraper Senators warn proposed changes would expose tens of thousands of additional Phoenix-area residents to additional noise pollution, break past commitments to communities, and repeat mistakes of a decade-long legal battle with the City of Phoenix WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) raised serious concerns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s proposed Phoenix Area Modernization Project and Draft Environmental Assessment. In a letter to Administrator Bryan Bedford, the senators urged the FAA to publish a revised assessment that addresses issues identified by impacted communities. The proposed project would update flight procedures for ten Valley airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway. If implemented, the proposed flight-path changes would expose more than 86,000 additional people in the Phoenix area to reportable noise increases, with over 65,000 residents facing increases of 5 decibels or more, despite less disruptive alternatives being available. The City of Phoenix, the City of Mesa, the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, and countless community stakeholders have reached out directly to share concerns directly with the FAA. “While we share the goals of ensuring a safe and efficient airspace in the Phoenix area, we are concerned that the FAA’s proposed flight procedure changes will have significant adverse effects for neighborhoods, communities, and airports across the Phoenix area,” the senators wrote. 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z

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