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.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-on-state-of-the-union-political-leaders-need-to-start-talking-about-the-emotional-state-of-america,Murphy on State of the Union: Political Leaders Need to Start Talking About the Emotional State of America,2023-12-31,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined CNN’s State of the Union to discuss how government can help tackle the loneliness epidemic and why it’s important for Americans to have a national conversation about rebuilding community and connection. “Last year, we had more suicides in the United States than in any year in our lifetime. Rising rates of violence. More people taking withdrawal drugs and overdosing. It feels like people are having a harder time finding purpose and meaning than ever before. And part of the reason for that – a lot of people are lonely and feeling alone. 20 years ago, only 3% of Americans reported having no friends. Today, 12% of Americans say they have not a single friend. We report spending half as much time as we used to on a daily basis with family and friends. We’re withdrawing into ourselves, and with that comes a real sickness, emotionally, spiritually, physically. And it's something that I think political leaders need to start talking about because it impacts everybody in this country on the right and the left. And it's actually a wonderful unifying conversation because everyone in this country is feeling alone,” said Murphy. On bipartisan support for regulating social media, Murphy said: “The social media companies absolutely are determined to protect their addictive technology. Their entire business model is centered around trying to get us to look at our phones six to eight hours a day. They make less money if we're talking to each other rather than looking at our phones. But the good news is this conversation about social media regulation is one that actually brings Republicans and Democrats, the right and the left together. You talk to parents out there – it really has nothing to do with their ideology as to whether or not they want more help in trying to keep their kids off of TikTok, off of Instagram, especially when they see those sites really taking their children into a dark rabbit hole.” Murphy discussed how the political discourse is disconnected from what Americans are really feeling: “I think when you don't have leaders that are sticking up for you and plugging into the things that matter most to you, that makes you feel alone, right? You want a champion. You want somebody that understands what you're going through and is fighting for you. That's why I think we have to talk about the emotional state of America because that's a way for political leaders to directly plug into the actual things that people are feeling. And so when we just sort of talk about the price of health care or the unemployment rate – that isn't directly connected to the spiritual, emotional state of the country in a way a conversation about loneliness or purpose or meaning would be. I know that those are topics that feel very unfamiliar and distant to political leadership, but it actually, I think, would scratch the American public where they itch and make them feel less alone if they thought political leaders were actually talking about the way that they feel.” Murphy added: “You can’t just have a conversation simply about how people are feeling. You’ve got to say ‘how are you feeling,’ and then what can government do to make it better. If you talk about loneliness, part of the policy is social media regulation, but it's also free time and leisure time, right? Giving people the space where they can go join a church or a social club. It's about connection. I want a four-day work week. I want more functional third places. I want more community pools. And I want more vibrant churches. I want places where people can meet. You have to start the conversation around purpose and meaning and connection, but then I think you need to move pretty quickly to policy, but make sure that that's one conversation.” Earlier this month, Murphy authored an op-ed for the New Republic to make the case for a political realignment oriented around a set of solutions that would address America’s spiritual unspooling and enable Americans to have more economic control over their lives, more social connection, and more moral markets. Murphy and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults (SILO) Act, legislation to establish a grant and training program for community-based organizations working to address social isolation among older adults and adults with disabilities – two populations at greater risk for loneliness. Earlier this year, Murphy introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act, which would create an Office of Social Connection Policy within the White House to work across federal agencies to develop effective strategies for improved social infrastructure and issue national guidelines for social connection similar to existing guidelines on sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. It would also provide funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better understand the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-need-for-congressional-oversight-of-weapons-transfers,Kaine Statement on Need for Congressional Oversight of Weapons Transfers,2023-12-30,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to transfer weapons to Israel without congressional oversight: “Just as Congress has a crucial role to play in all matters of war and peace, Congress should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation. Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark. We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision—the second such decision this month.” Kaine has long been a leading voice for the need to make decisions related to war and peace through a deliberate congressional process. This month, Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval was signed into law. Earlier this year, the Senate voted to pass Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars. Kaine strongly condemned Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and has been vocal about the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He’s taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including directly engaging the Qatari and Egyptian governments, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and counter Hamas’ terrorist threats. Kaine led his colleagues in calling for a short-term cessation of violence in order to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians in Gaza. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-administrations-decision-to-bypass-congressional-arms-sale-approval,Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s Decision to Bypass Congressional Arms Sale Approval,2023-12-30,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"News Alert: Share how President Trump’s Executive Orders are impacting you or your family News Alert: Share how President Trump’s Executive Orders are impacting y...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-brauns-bipartisan-slow-down-move-over-resolution-passed-by-the-senate,"Blumenthal & Braun's Bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over Resolution Passed by the Senate",2023-12-29,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – The Senate passed the bipartisan “Slow Down, Move Over” resolution led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN). The resolution raises awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities and to recognize the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety. “I’m proud the Senate has unanimously passed our bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over resolution,” said Blumenthal. “Tragic collisions that injure and kill first responders and roadside assistance workers like Corey Iodice continue to happen. This resolution amplifies the simple yet effective way to keep workers safe on the roads: Slow Down and Move Over.” “Too many first responders and roadside assistance workers are killed in accidents on our highways,” said Braun. “This resolution is inspired by Corey Iodice, who was killed in such an accident, and is a reminder to all of us of the simple thing we can do to prevent these accidents: slow down, and move over.” All 50 states have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Despite these laws, many motorists are unaware of them and roadside fatalities and injuries continue. On average, an emergency first responder is struck and killed every 4.65 days working on America's roadways, with 51 deaths occurring in 2022. The Slow Down, Move Over resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jon Tester (D-MT). It is inspired by Corey Iodice, a tow truck operator for his family’s business, who was tragically struck and killed on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut in 2020 while assisting a driver. Following his death, his sister Cindy Iodice launched Flagman, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and educating drivers about the roadside dangers faced by first responders and highway workers. “Emergency responders are the unsung heroes of our nation’s roads,” said Iodice, “so it’s important to keep the message of Slow Down Move Over in the motoring public’s eye. This resolution does just that. It serves as a clear reminder that emergency responders and highway workers operate in dangerous situations to keep the roads open and safe for the traveling public. Prioritizing their safety is essential.” The resolution is supported by a number of organizations, including Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), American Automobile Association (AAA), American Association of State Troopers, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Eastern Transportation Coalition, Governors Highway Safety Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Association of Police Organizations, National Association of State EMS Officials, National District Attorneys Association, National Safety Council, National Sheriff’s Association, and National Volunteer Fire Council. The text of the resolution is available here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-2023-end-of-year-report,Murphy Releases 2023 End of Year Report,2023-12-29,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"HARTFORD–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Friday released his End of Year Report outlining the work he’s done for the people of Connecticut during 2023. The report details Murphy’s legislative priorities this year, including implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, tackling the fentanyl crisis, rebuilding community and connection, protecting kids and holding social media companies accountable, supporting workers, making housing more affordable, and more. Murphy also helped deliver billions of federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act to create good-paying jobs in Connecticut. This year, Murphy and his office: Introduced or co-sponsored more than 200 pieces of legislation, including 24 bills or resolutions as the lead sponsor. Completed his seventh Walk Across Connecticut: four days, 67 miles, 17 towns, and hundreds of people along the way. Traveled across the state, hosting 139 town halls, roundtables, listening sessions and more with Connecticut residents. Responded and reached out to Connecticut residents through over 529,883 calls, emails, and letters. Returned $3,189,384 to constituents, including owed Social Security payments, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds, and other savings from federal agencies. Helped over 8,100 constituents work through federal issues and get their owed benefits. Click here to download Senator Murphy’s 2023 End of Year Report. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-merkley-announce-federal-investment-of-more-than-1-million-in-habitat-for-humanity-in-tillamook-county,Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Investment of More Than $1 Million in Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook County,2023-12-28,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Federal loan will help Habitat open ReStore retail operations in Tillamook County Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of more than $1.1 million for Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook to secure space for its retail operations and administrative offices. “In my town halls in Tillamook County and throughout the state, I hear from Oregon families and businesses that housing poses a huge challenge,” Wyden said. “Housing is a human right, and Habitat for Humanity has been on the frontline providing much-needed homes for Oregonians struggling to afford a roof over their heads. This investment will allow Habitat for Humanity to continue serving the citizens of Tillamook County for years to come.” “Everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home. This federal investment heading to Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook County will help more rural Oregonians access quality housing,” said Sen. Merkley, who formerly led one of Habitat for Humanity's Oregon chapters. “I have seen firsthand the difference that accessible homeownership makes for families and the inspiring dedication of Habitat's staff and volunteers, who are working to realize a world where everyone has a decent home in a decent community.” The $1.13 million Rural Development loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be used to buy an 8,625-square-foot commercial facility for Habitat for Humanity of Tillamook County's ReStore's retail operations and the organization's administrative offices. Habitat for Humanity works with families, local communities, volunteers and partners to enable more people to live in affordable and safe homes. Its advocacy focuses on policy reform to remove systemic barriers preventing low-income and historically underserved families from having access to adequate, affordable shelter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-statement-on-passing-of-senator-herb-kohl,Senator Baldwin Statement on Passing of Senator Herb Kohl,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on the passing of former Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl. “Herb was my role model. Herb was a true public servant, leading with compassion and humility, and uncompromising in putting Wisconsin first. It didn’t matter how powerful the opposing forces were or how long the fight was, Herb was willing to take on any challenge if it meant a brighter future for Wisconsin. Herb was as generous as they come – with his resources, his knowledge, his time, and his heart. Wisconsin is lucky to have had Herb Kohl in our corner and we are undoubtedly a better, more just place because of his service. He truly was nobody’s senator but ours. My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and the entire Badger State as we mourn the loss of a Wisconsin giant.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-markey-call-on-tesla-to-recall-all-vehicle-components-that-pose-known-safety-risks,Blumenthal & Markey Call on Tesla to Recall All Vehicle Components that Pose Known Safety Risks,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After alarming reporting on Tesla safety flaws, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) called on the company to immediately recall all vehicle components that pose a risk to consumers. A recent Reuters investigation revealed that Tesla knows about existing flaws in its cars, including serious issues with steering control and suspension caused by component failures, but conceals the causes of the flaws from U.S. regulators while blaming its customers for them. “We write with extreme concern following recent reporting about Tesla’s knowledge of safety flaws in its vehicles and concealment of the causes of these flaws from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),” wrote Blumenthal and Markey to Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk. “This reporting puts your statement from January that ‘Teslas are the safest car on the road’ at stark contrast with reality. We call on you to swiftly recall all Tesla components that pose a safety risk and correct the record with NHTSA to ensure it can properly do its job.” NHTSA is currently conducting investigations into one suspension connection point, the fore link, and power steering after failures experienced by Tesla drivers. In 2020, Tesla recalled the front suspension aft link and rear suspension upper link in China, suggesting the company is aware of these flaws in its vehicles, but no recall has yet taken place in the U.S. or other countries. “[W]e are disturbed that you would blame your customers for these failures. Reporting notes that Tesla repeatedly attributed the suspension failures to ‘vehicle misuse’ or ‘driver abuse,’ including when justifying to NHTSA why it was not pursuing the aforementioned suspension recall in the United States,” continued the senators. “It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift the responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles to the people purchasing them, but also make that same flawed argument to NHTSA.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Blumenthal and Markey have long pushed for autonomous vehicle (AV) technology safety. In August 2021, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), calling for the agency to launch an investigation into Tesla’s advertising of driving automation systems. The full text of the letter can be found here. In February 2022, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to Tesla Co-founder and CEO Elon Musk following numerous reports of dangerous braking flaws in Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems and amid several federal safety investigations, voicing serious concerns with the implementation of the company’s technology. The full text of the letter to Musk can be found here. In June 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement applauding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for upgrading its investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis after identifying additional crashes at first responder sites. In October 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement on a reported DOJ investigation into Tesla’s misleading advertising of driving automation systems. In February 2023, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement on Tesla’s recall of its vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta software due to crash risk, and in December 2023, the senators issued a joint statement on Tesla’s recall of 2 million vehicles with Autosteer, an Autopilot feature. December 27, 2023 Mr. Elon Musk Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Tesla 3500 Deer Creek Road Palo Alto, California 94304 Dear Mr. Musk, We write with extreme concern following recent reporting about Tesla’s knowledge of safety flaws in its vehicles and concealment of the causes of these flaws from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This reporting puts your statement from January that “Teslas are the safest car on the road” at stark contrast with reality.[1] We call on you to swiftly recall all Tesla components that pose a safety risk and correct the record with NHTSA to ensure it can properly do its job. An alarming Reuters report last week outlined repeated failures in steering control and suspension parts on Tesla vehicles shortly after purchase. The report detailed complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft links, and sudden losses of power steering – often while a vehicle was in motion.[2] We are encouraged that NHTSA is conducting investigations into the fore link and power steering.[3] However, it appears that Tesla knew about the flaws in its components and failed to take action: in 2020, Tesla recalled the front suspension aft link and rear suspension upper link in China after pressure from regulators, but no such recall occurred in the United States or elsewhere in the world, putting countless Americans and others on the road at undue risk.[4] We urge you to swiftly issue a recall for any component – power steering, suspension, or otherwise – that poses a threat to the safe functioning of a vehicle. Moreover, we are disturbed that you would blame your customers for these failures. Reporting notes that Tesla repeatedly attributed the suspension failures to “vehicle misuse” or “driver abuse,” including when justifying to NHTSA why it was not pursuing the aforementioned suspension recall in the United States.[5] It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift the responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles to the people purchasing them, but also make that same flawed argument to NHTSA. NHTSA exists to ensure roadway safety, but it cannot do its job with incomplete or incorrect information. In light of these apparent false and misleading representations, we demand that you correct the record in every respect and that you commit to providing accurate and truthful statements in the future. The credibility and reputation of your company is at stake – and even more importantly, the safety of motorists and others on the roads. As you are well aware, no company is above the law. We appreciate your urgent attention to this important matter, and we await your written response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-highlights-2023-accomplishments-in-year-end-round-up,Duckworth Highlights 2023 Accomplishments in Year-End Round Up,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As 2023 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year: “From helping almost 4,000 Illinoisans recover more than $2 million the Federal Government owed them to bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars to get the lead out of children’s drinking water, and from protecting hundreds of jobs in Peoria to helping bring home Illinois hostages held abroad, I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished this year,” Duckworth said. “It’s a true honor to continue serving Illinoisans in the United States Senate and as I look forward to the year ahead, I know there’s still much work to do to help save working families money, protect and defend women’s rights, end preventable gun violence, invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, advocate for Illinois on a global stage, support our troops and make sure we keep the promises we’ve made to our Veterans. I’m eager to get back to work for Illinois in 2024.” Over the past year, Duckworth and her office responded to nearly 600,000 emails and other messages as well as assisted more than 3,500 Illinoisans who were experiencing difficulties navigating the federal bureaucracy, helping recover more than $2 million in Social Security payments, Veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and more. A select list of Duckworth’s accomplishments from the past year is below, and a comprehensive review of her first full term in the U.S. Senate, which ended on January 2, 2023, is available on the Senator’s website using the link here. Key Accomplishments: Helping get the lead out of our children’s water: Thanks in part to Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, this year Illinois received significant federal support for water infrastructure upgrades. Duckworth helped announce $332 million for Illinois’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund while in Rockford, and another $336 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans for Chicago. Safeguarding hundreds of jobs in Peoria: After years of sustained effort from Duckworth to establish a minimum inventory of C-130 aircraft, Duckworth this year celebrated the Air National Guard’s decision in selecting Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing as one of four preferred locations for new C-130J aircraft to replace the aging C-130H models. This announcement ensures the mission of the 182nd Airlift Wing is safeguarded, protecting the jobs of 1,200 Airmen and approximately 370 full-time employees. Pushing for Illinois’s leadership in future technology: Duckworth advocated for and championed Illinois in its selection for Tech Hub and hydrogen production and distribution hub initiatives. The Chicago Quantum Exchange’s The Bloch: End-to-end Quantum Solutions at Scale and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Central Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub were selected and are now eligible to apply for between $40-$75 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding to help Chicagoland remain at the cutting edge of technological innovation. The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub was awarded $1 billion in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Honoring our state and nation’s history: After introducing her Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, and Roberts Temple National Historic Site Act in 2021 and 2023, this year the Biden Administration designated the church that held Emmett Till’s pivotal open-casket wake in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood as a national monument. Duckworth also continues to push her Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act closer to becoming law and establishing the site as a national monument. This year the bill was reported favorably out of committee and sent to the full Senate after the National Park Service declared strong support for passing the legislation. Protecting reproductive rights: Duckworth has made protecting and expanding access to essential reproductive healthcare a top priority. With the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to consider a case that could determine the future of widespread access to Mifepristone, Duckworth introduced a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Earlier this year Duckworth joined more than 250 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and also helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, which would guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country. On the one-year anniversary of the disastrous Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, Duckworth visited Southern Illinois’s CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about the clinic’s work as one of the closest clinics for Americans in states across the South. And Duckworth hosted Dr. Erin King of the Metro East’s Hope Clinic as her guest at this year’s State of the Union address. Helping bring Illinois hostages home and pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza: Following negotiations, Duckworth aided in the release of Illinoisans Judith and Natalie Raanan who were taken by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks on Israel. Duckworth continued underscoring the need for all parties to remain laser-focused on the safe return of all hostages being held by Hamas and to take all possible measures to protect and deliver humanitarian aid to innocent civilians suffering in Gaza. Duckworth has consistently called for bringing sustained and greater humanitarian relief into Gaza to minimize the suffering of innocent civilians. Her efforts include urging for the inclusions of full humanitarian assistance in any national security funding packages, calling for humanitarian cessations of hostilities, pushing for fuel to be allowed into Gaza for hospitals and water treatment and more. Supporting union workers: When United Auto Workers authorized a strike against General Motors, Stellantis and Ford earlier this year, Duckworth joined striking workers in Naperville to show her solidarity as workers pushed for better wages. Duckworth commended President Biden’s visit to Stellantis in Belvidere to celebrate the agreement reached between UAW and Stellantis for a new contract that included re-opening the shuttered plant in that city as an electric vehicle battery plant. Helping families keep in touch with loved ones: Just days into the new year, Duckworth’s Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act was signed into law after years of Duckworth pushing for the law, which is already helping ensure consumers trying to keep in touch with their incarcerated loved ones are charged just and reasonable rates for all inter- and intra-state calls, regardless of the technology used. Supporting servicemembers and bolstering military readiness: As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth secured several important provisions in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Her key provisions will help support a strong and ready total force, lead in the Indo-Pacific region, build the logistics enterprise for a combat-credible deterrent, tackle climate change and defend the environment and restore American competitiveness. This year’s NDAA also will help Illinois by supporting school districts near military bases and charting a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft. Condemning reckless Republican efforts harming our military: Throughout Senator Tommy Tuberville’s ultimately futile, damaging and failed blockade on more than 450 critical military promotions, Duckworth repeatedly called for Tuberville to end his nearly year-long hold that hurt our military readiness and national security, as well as forcing unnecessary harm on our military families. In September, Duckworth joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues and military leaders in calling out Tuberville’s hold where she urged her Republican colleagues to stop simply disagreeing with Senator Tuberville in secret and to come forward and publicly condemn Tuberville’s dangerous military hold lest they be complicit in his efforts, too. In July, Duckworth also joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to condemn Tuberville’s reckless, partisan hold. She also joined other SASC members in calling on U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to help end Tuberville’s hold. In a hearing, Duckworth called Tuberville out, arguing that his actions have left our Marines without a Commandant for the first time in more than a century, hold our servicemembers and military families hostage over an individual senator’s political agenda and threaten our military readiness and national security. Advocating for Illinois on an international stage: During her first year as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth led a series of official visits abroad to champion Illinois and strengthen economic ties for our state. Throughout the year Duckworth led a series of trips to Japan, Indonesia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Romania and the United Kingdom to highlight the benefits of Illinois’s major exports as well as its position as a prime location for business expansion and investment in the U.S.—touting the state’s strong workforce, educational and research institutions, and energy and transportation infrastructure. Following her trip to Japan, Japan announced a regulatory change that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois’s economy. Duckworth highlighted her efforts this year at fireside chats at City Club Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Enhancing Medicare for the disability community: After years of sustained and determined efforts led by Duckworth, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—for the first time in history—expanded Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems embedded in power wheelchairs, which are vital durable medical equipment that enable wheelchair users to independently perform activities of daily living, such as getting into and out of a power wheelchair, dressing and preparing meals. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-federal-highway-administration-has-heeded-his-calls-and-approved-plan-for-long-sought-crash-gate-for-emergency-vehicles-to-improve-safety-on-i-84,SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION HAS HEEDED HIS CALLS AND APPROVED PLAN FOR LONG-SOUGHT CRASH GATE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON I-84,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"After launching his push earlier this year following the bus crash on I-84 in Orange County that tragically killed two adults and injured dozens of Farmingdale High School students, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has heeded his calls to assist New York State and local officials with the creation of an emergency vehicles-only access road, also known as a “crash gate” on I-84. “The tragic bus crash in Orange County this past September was just one of many a horrific tragedies that have taken place on Interstate 84 and plagued communities across New York with fear about the ability of first responders to quickly respond to these dangerous and sometimes deadly accidents,” said Senator Schumer. “First responders in Orange County have long called for the installation of a life-saving crash gate, and finally, after I called on the FHWA to support our local officials and help keep New Yorkers safe by working with them to greenlight this long desired safety project, I am proud to announce the federal agency has heeded our calls and has officially approved construction on an emergency crash gate for I-84. In an emergency every minute and second counts, and I will continue to fight to deliver the federal resources needed so our first responders can continue to save lives in Orange County and beyond.” A copy of Schumer’s original join letter to the Federal Highway Administration demanding further action to approve plans for the crash gate can be found here. Schumer said the construction of a crash gate for I-84 was first proposed over a decade ago, but the original proposal was never finalized. He explained that following his continued advocacy, the FHWA has officially approved the long-stalled state plan to install an emergency access point between the Goshen and Mountain Road exits — the more than a 10-mile stretch of the interstate that prevents timely emergency responses and currently sees about c per year. Currently, the Slate Hill Fire District’s trucks can only access the highway in a roundabout way, which makes response times longer. Schumer said that September’s bus crash and other recent accidents demonstrated the troubling lack of access to I-84 that exists for first responders in the area. The Slate Hill Fire District’s closest entrance to I-84 is four miles from the firehouse, requiring its trucks to travel into another neighboring fire district just to enter the interstate. By constructing a first responders-only access road built between the eastbound and westbound highways, a crash gate will allow first responders to access I-84 faster and potentially save lives. According to the Slate Hill Fire District Chief, had such a crash gate been available in September, they would have been able to respond 5 to 10 minutes sooner. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/ndaa-signed-into-law-with-key-wins-for-rhode-island,NDAA Signed into Law with Key Wins for Rhode Island,2023-12-24,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual defense authorization bill into law yesterday, confirming the largest raise in military basic pay in decades for servicemembers and the Department of Defense civilian workforce. The NDAA bolsters the defense industrial base and military readiness, providing the U.S. military with strong and versatile capabilities. Passage of the NDAA – which was approved by Congress earlier this month -- was led by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who worked on a bipartisan basis to pass a comprehensive NDAA that focuses on delivering the resources and equipment our troops need. “This bipartisan NDAA makes America safer and stronger. It enhances our alliances, improves national security, and supports our servicemembers, their families, and the U.S. economy,” said Senator Reed. Totaling $883.7 billion in national security investments, the NDAA establishes the policies and funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. This year’s NDAA addresses significant national security priorities, including: strategic competition with China and Russia; disruptive technologies like hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing; modernizing America’s ships, aircraft, and combat vehicles; and improving the lives of our servicemembers and their families. Notably, the FY 24 NDAA supports the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) by facilitating the transfer of significant Australian funding to support the U.S. submarine industrial base and the future sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia. “The defense bill is essential for supporting the brave servicemen and women who volunteer to safeguard America’s freedom, security, and interests at home and across the globe. Now that the NDAA has passed the Senate on a strong, bipartisan basis, I urge the House to follow suit,” said Reed. Reed noted the NDAA is good news for Rhode Island and a major win for America’s national security. “This forward-looking defense bill will go a long way toward keeping the American people safe, deterring conflict, and confronting the national security threats we face,” said Senator Reed. “This bipartisan NDAA provides a historic level of support for our troops and their families, including the largest military pay raise in decades. It authorizes record-level investments in the people, platforms, and programs that our forces need to safeguard the nation and advance U.S. interests worldwide. This NDAA accelerates U.S. military research, development, and technology investments to provide our forces with advantages on the battlefield, while also ensuring the U.S. is better equipped to counter disinformation, cyberattacks, and other hybrid threats.” The NDAA bolsters U.S. alliances and partnerships to operate successfully in competition with rival powers, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Notably, the bill makes key progress toward deterring and countering America’s adversaries, including by reducing dependence on China for raw materials used in defense technologies. The bill also takes steps to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Reed highlighted several key provisions of the bill that will benefit Rhode Island’s defense workers and industry, including: More than $10 billion to fully support construction of 2 Virginia-class submarines; More than $240 million for workforce and training initiatives to support the production of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and the continued construction of Virginia-class submarines; $74 million for Navy applied research on undersea warfare technologies, led by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC); $20 million for the Defense Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), which ensures Rhode Island universities may compete to perform cutting-edge basic research and partner with defense labs; $50 million in supplemental Impact Aid and $20 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities; and $32 million in military construction funding for the RI Army National Guard. Additionally, the bill includes several provisions to support small businesses, including language that improves the functioning of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), now known as the APEX Accelerators program; language to improve the timeliness of payments made to all small businesses; and updates to the Defense Rapid Innovation Program to support the transition of technologies from small businesses into fielding and use. Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, are contributing to a booming defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island’s economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation. A recent report by SENEDIA shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island’s defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion. Reed noted that Congress must still enact a full fiscal 2024 appropriations bill when it returns to session in January, as well as a national security supplemental appropriations package that includes additional funds for submarine production. The Department of Defense is currently funded under a short-term continuing resolution that will expire after February 2, 2024.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/a-year-in-review-senator-baldwin-crisscrossed-wisconsin,A Year in Review: Senator Baldwin Crisscrossed Wisconsin,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – In 2023, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) attended or hosted nearly 150 community events and meetings with constituents spanning 44 counties across Wisconsin. While crisscrossing the state, Senator Baldwin heard from constituents and celebrated her work to lower costs for families, support veterans, grow the Made in Wisconsin economy, rebuild crumbling infrastructure, and more. “Traveling across the state and listening to Wisconsinites is what informs my work in Washington, and I’m so grateful to the families, businesses, local leaders, and all the Wisconsinites who take the time to share their experiences with me and are working to solve our state’s toughest challenges,” said Senator Baldwin. “Traveling the state is also a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made. I was proud to deliver real results for Wisconsin families – lowering costs, curbing the opioid and fentanyl crisis, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, and growing our Made in Wisconsin economy. I know we have more work to do, but I am so proud that we are following our state’s motto and moving Forward.” Below are some highlights from Senator Baldwin’s year crisscrossing Wisconsin: Addressing Public Safety and Opioid Epidemic Ladysmith: At a roundtable, Senator Baldwin was joined by public health experts, law enforcement, and local officials to discuss her FEND Off Fentanyl Act and how to better protect our communities against the devastating impacts of opioids and fentanyl. Wausau: While touring the Wausau Fire Station, Senator Baldwin heard about the impact the $3 million SAFER Grant she helped secure will allow for the hiring of nine new firefighters, helping them meet increasing demand and responsibilities. Prairie du Chien: Joining first responders, Senator Baldwin celebrated the nearly $5 million of federal funding she helped deliver for the new Prairie du Chien Public Safety Center that will help first responders meet challenges, keep communities safe, and attract and retain talent. Keshena: Senator Baldwin visited the Menominee Tribal Clinic in Keshena to see how a $1.3 million federal investment is helping the Menominee Tribe build a new tribal clinic to expand access to affordable health care, including mental health services and substance use disorder treatment. Building a Made in America Economy Milwaukee: At Rockwell Automation, Senator Baldwin touted her work to bring home a Tech Hub and discussed with consortium partners their work to spur personal medicine innovation, grow our economy, and create jobs in this cutting-edge industry. Superior: Senator Baldwin met with AFL-CIO Wisconsin leaders at their Annual Meeting in Superior to discuss her efforts to support organized labor and good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and ensure American families have the economic security they need to sleep well at night. Pleasant Prairie: Senator Baldwin visited Sanmina to celebrate Nokia bringing up to 200 manufacturing jobs to Wisconsin to produce key components for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Eau Claire: While hosting a roundtable at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Senator Baldwin heard about Chippewa Valley Tech College’s program for health career job training. Senator Baldwin helped secure nearly $5 million for this program that will train the healthcare workforce we need in our small towns and rural areas and help ensure traditionally underserved communities are not left behind in today’s economy. Cambridge: While visiting Cobrahead, a small family business that makes gardening, horticulture, and agriculture equipment, Senator Baldwin highlighted her COOL Online Act, legislation that ensures all goods sold online list their country-of-origin and promotes American-made goods for online shoppers. Cutting Prescription Drug Prices and Expanding Access to Mental Health Care Waukesha: Senator Baldwin toured the Waukesha Free Clinic and joined local seniors and stakeholders to discuss the impact of cutting prescription drug prices. Senator Baldwin has long advocated for lowering prescription drug prices and helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, caps the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month, and caps Medicare beneficiaries out of pocket costs at $2,000 per year. Green Bay: Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers toured the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center and hosted a roundtable with local leaders and metal health providers. Senator Baldwin successfully secured $3 million in this year’s budget to support implementation of the hotline. Onalaska: Senator Baldwin visited Gunderson Pharmacy with seniors and health officials to learn about the impact of her Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to cap the cost of insulin and cut prescription drug costs. Delivering for Wisconsin Infrastructure Superior: Senator Baldwin, Governor Evers, and local officials visited the Blatnik Bridge to continue to urge the Biden Administration to replace the aging bridge. Casco: Senator Baldwin stopped in Casco to highlight the broadband expansion the Village of Casco has undertaken to connect 291 distinct addresses to high-speed internet through a grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin using state and federal funds. Milwaukee: Senator Baldwin saw firsthand the block-by-block lead service line replacement work being done and highlighted investments from the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead pipes in Milwaukee. Wausau: Senator Baldwin joined officials from Wausau and Rib Mountain to tour the new Wausau Water Treatment Plant and highlight the over $3.3 million in federal funding Senator Baldwin secured for PFAS remediation for the city of Wausau and the Rib Mountain Sanitary District. Standing Up for Wisconsin Veterans and Servicemembers New Richmond, Wausau, Green Bay, Racine: In May, Senator Baldwin hosted a series of roundtable discussions on her efforts to increase health care and disability benefits for Wisconsin veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure while serving in the military. Veterans are now eligible for these benefits because of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 that Senator Baldwin helped pass into law. Prairie du Sac: Senator Baldwin presented a Purple Heart Award to Rebecca Litscher, to provide long overdue recognition for her service and sacrifice. Fort McCoy: Senator Baldwin toured the existing barracks at Fort McCoy that serve the thousands of reservists who come from across the country to train each year. Senator Baldwin secured the funds for Fort McCoy in the 2022 and 2023 government funding bills, to help construct permanent barracks that can house nearly 1,000 enlisted soldiers and officers during annual training and mobilization. Supporting Our Farmers and Rural Communities Greenleaf: Senator Baldwin toured Brickstead Farms, a fifth-generation family-run dairy farm, to discuss her work securing investments to help Wisconsin’s farmers, producers, and growers mitigate the impact of climate change and build sustainable agriculture operations. Columbus: Senator Baldwin toured Gurn-Z Meadow Farm in Columbus and met with Dairy Business Innovation Initiative recipients to hear how they are using the funding to diversify their business products and launch new processing ventures. Stratford: Senator Baldwin visited Marshfield Agricultural Research Center for a tour and to hear how the $6 million in federal funding she secured will better support researchers and the Wisconsin agricultural community. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/the-voices-behind-the-kids-online-safety-act-lori-schott-from-colorado,The Voices Behind the Kids Online Safety Act: Lori Schott from Colorado,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), is strongly supported by a broad coalition of parents who have tragically lost their children or whose kids have been severely harmed by Big Tech, young people who want to regain control over their online lives, and experts and advocates who study and see the negative effects of social media firsthand in their communities. The “Voices Behind the Kids Online Safety Act” series will amplify their stories as they call on Congress to pass the legislation to help protect themselves online and to hold Big Tech accountable. The bill has the support of nearly half of the U.S. Senate. Lori Schott Lori Schott’s interview with Denver7 The full interview & story can be found HERE The Schott Family’s Story: The Schotts lost Annalee on November 15, 2020. She was just 18 years old when she died by suicide. Her mom, dad and brothers were left brokenhearted, and at a complete loss as to what led her to such a dark place.” But as Lori came to learn, Annalee left behind clues. … Scrolling through the videos, Lori said she found video after video of young people sharing — and at times glamorizing — self-harm and self-hate. Many had tens of thousands of likes or more. Lori Schott’s Mission: “At that moment is when I decided that pain has to be purpose, that I don’t want to see what happened to our daughter impact any other children,"" Lori said. Stories like Annalee Schott’s have inspired a rare bipartisan mission in Washington, D.C. to hold social media companies accountable for the content their algorithms serve to our young people. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is before Congress and has cosponsors from both parties, including Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. … But in Lori Schott’s eyes, KOSA is a vital first step to making the internet safer for our kids and building her daughter’s legacy. Annalee left her journal entries, Lori said, so we all could “see the impact and to dig down deep to do something about it.” “Our kids deserve better,” Lori said. The full Denver7 story and Lori Schott’s interview with Denver7 can be found here Blumenthal and Blackburn are the lead sponsors of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would provide kids and parents with better tools to protect themselves online, hold Big Tech accountable for harms to kids, and provide transparency into black box algorithms. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-budzinski-demand-answers-from-nippon-steel-on-commitments-to-granite-city,"Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Demand Answers from Nippon Steel on Commitments to Granite City",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[SPRINGFIELD, IL] — This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) in sending a letter to Nippon Steel pushing the company for commitments to Granite City steelworkers during its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. In their letter, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski demanded answers from Nippon Steel on their intentions with existing operations and facilities in Illinois, details on worker retention and any proposed layoffs and their plans for Granite City Works. “We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future,” wrote the lawmakers. The full text of the letter can be found here and below: December 21, 2023 Mr. Eiji Hashimoto President Nippon Steel Corporation 6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future. The surprise announcement of the sale of U.S. Steel on the morning of December 18 was another chapter in a long story of the company undercutting both workers and their community in recent years. Workers at the Granite City Works facility have built their lives and livelihoods around the facility for 128 years, and, in return, the company abruptly announced in September that they were “temporarily” laying off 400 workers and idling a blast furnace—a move now being investigated by the Illinois Department of Labor to ensure compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. In November, the company announced plans to temporarily idle the last remaining blast furnace at the facility, resulting in an additional 600 layoffs. We are also troubled by reported remarks by a Nippon Steel executive in which the executive noted that Nippon is “supportive of the U.S. Steel plan for production in the future.” The executive went on to say that “U.S. Steel is planning to shift some quantity from the other mills to Big River Steel 2” in Arkansas and that Nippon is “thinking or planning to follow that plan.” A shift in jobs and operations from Granite City Works to Big River Steel would undermine the union labor force at the Granite City facility, and have devastating impacts on the surrounding community. It is crucial that any company that wishes to acquire U.S. Steel, including the Granite City Works facility, honors their commitments to steelworkers and ensures that our industrial base – the driver of our regional economies – remains strong. We request further information on Nippon Steel’s proposal to acquire U.S. Steel and its assets in the event of a successful acquisition, and how that potential acquisition would impact steelworkers in Illinois. To that end, we have the following questions: How does Nippon Steel plan to move forward with U.S. Steel’s existing operations and facilities in Illinois? How many U.S. Steel workers does Nippon plan to retain, both in the short- and long-term? How many workers, if any, does Nippon plan to lay off in the event of a successful acquisition? What commitments can Nippon Steel make about its future operations in Illinois, particularly as it relates to the Granite City Works facility? What outreach did Nippon Steel conduct to stakeholders across sectors, including the United Steelworkers and state and community leaders, prior to going public with the planned acquisition? Thank you in advance for your timely response to these questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions as they arise. Respectfully, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/22/2023/signed-into-law-annual-defense-bill-with-key-hassan-backed-provisions,SIGNED INTO LAW: Annual Defense Bill with Key Hassan-Backed Provisions,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – President Biden signed into law the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes key national security provisions that Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) secured and supported. The bill includes a 5.2 percent pay raise for U.S. service members and specifically includes bipartisan measures that Senator Hassan authored to provide parental leave parity for Reserve and National Guard members and prepare for emerging national security threats posed by quantum technology. “We must do everything that we can to support our service members and their mission to protect our national security,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad to see this bipartisan bill signed into law, which includes measures to get our service members the pay and benefits they deserve, invests in New Hampshire’s military institutions, and will help keep our country safe, secure, and free.” “I am also pleased that as part of the annual defense bill, we passed into law my bipartisan bill to provide paid leave parity for those in the National Guard and Reserves, as well as my bipartisan bill to better prepare for threats posed by our adversaries’ development of quantum technology,” said Senator Hassan. “Parental leave should be available to all new parents, and service members in the Reserves and the National Guard should have the same access to parental leave as those serving on active duty – this bill will ensure that is the case. Additionally, quantum technology has major national security implications, including the potential for our adversaries to use it to decrypt encrypted messages and data, and my bipartisan bill will expand our country’s efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries and respond to these threats while taking advantage of the opportunities presented by quantum technology.” Key measures that Senator Hassan supported that are included in the NDAA and have now passed into law: Senator Hassan’s bipartisan bill introduced with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to expand parental leave eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members to cover all new parents. The legislation included in the NDAA ensures that beginning October 2024, drilling members of the National Guard and Reserves can take the equivalent of up to 12 weeks of parental leave when adopting or fostering children, or when their spouse has a child, just as birth mothers and those serving on active duty are able to. Senator Hassan and Senator John Thune (R-SD)’s bipartisan measures to prepare for national security threats posed by emerging quantum technology. The provisions will: Expand existing public-private talent exchange programs in the Defense Department to include private sector entities working on quantum technology research & applications Authorize a fellowship program in the Defense Department for students focusing on quantum information science and technology research Support for military spouses by allowing executive agencies to appoint spouses of service members to remote work positions, legislation that Senator Hassan cosponsored Strengthening of our nation’s security posture by working more closely with allies and partners, including in the Indo-Pacific region, a priority of Senator Hassan’s Improvements of addiction care resources for those serving in the military, including efforts to help expand access to naloxone and expanding research into alternatives to opioids for pain management Prohibitions on military contracts with entities who have fossil fuel operations in Russia Increased overtime pay rates for members of the U.S. Border Patrol Support for NH priorities that are included in the NDAA: Authorizing the procurement of additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which the Granite State plays a key role in building Authorizing multiyear procurement for the next block of Virginia-class submarines, which are maintained at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Support for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock Expansion at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Multiple provisions to address PFAS contamination in military communities and continue studies into the health effects of PFAS Support for the New Hampshire National Guard’s wellness center in Concord and a vehicle maintenance addition in Littleton ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-fiscal-year-2024-national-defense-act-becoming-law,Kaine Applauds Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Act Becoming Law,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) becoming law. The bipartisan legislation includes several provisions secured by Kaine to support our national security and Virginia’s defense community. As a member of SASC, Kaine played a key role in shaping the legislation and served as a member of the conference committee working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill. “I’m glad the president signed this defense bill, which will support our national security, servicemembers, and Virginia’s defense community. I help write this bill every year, and this year, I’m particularly proud to have included bipartisan legislation I led to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO and to direct more federal attention to combat the fentanyl crisis. I also ensured the incorporation of my provisions to implement the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, which will support the security of our allies and boost Virginia’s economy.” Kaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation: NATO: Includes Kaine’s bipartisan legislation with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval. Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act: Includes provisions from Kaine’s bipartisan bill with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to direct increased federal attention to fentanyl trafficking by utilizing Pentagon tools like counter-drug intelligence and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat the crisis and disrupt cartel activity in Mexico. Specifically, the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 will work to strengthen these efforts by: Highlighting the need to address the threat to national security posed by fentanyl trafficking. Directing the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with Mexican defense officials. Requiring the Secretary of Defense to enhance security cooperation with the Mexican military. Addressing coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies. Australia and U.K. Partnership: Strengthens the United States’ partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies’ long-term security. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, the AUKUS agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in Hampton Roads. Shipbuilding: Authorizes investments to help meet the congressionally mandated requirement to have 31 operational amphibious warfare ships for the Navy and Marine Corps, by restoring funding for LPD-33 and strengthening oversight of the Navy’s shipbuilding plan. Improves acquisition processes, expands defense industrial base capacity, and supports workforce development initiatives. Pay Raises: Authorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce. Requires a review of military pay rates to determine if the current basic pay table adequately compensates junior enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4. Recruitment: Establishes an Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program for the purpose of introducing community and junior college students to the military and preparing selected students for enlisted service in the Armed Forces. This follows conversations Kaine has had in Hampton Roads about tackling the recruitment and retention challenges in the military. U.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific: Expands cooperation and engagement to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, through Fiscal Year 2024 and authorizes the full budget request for Fiscal Year 2024. Establishes the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA) to improve maritime security and boost information-sharing among partners in the region. Includes bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Kaine to increase coordination and boost cooperation with Pacific Island nations on emergency humanitarian response, law enforcement and maritime security activities, and counterintelligence. Taiwan: Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for military forces of Taiwan. Improves U.S.-Taiwan cooperation related to military cybersecurity activities. Support for Ukraine: Extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through Fiscal Year 2027 and authorizes the full budget request in Fiscal Year 2024. Extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts. Servicemember Health Care: Includes various provisions to strengthen and expand access to quality health care for servicemembers and dependents with a focus on improving mental health services. Requires a study in military treatment facilities on the efficacy of opioid alternatives for pain management, department assessment on the rates of opioid prescriptions to servicemembers. Allows licensed Military and Family Life Counselors to provide non-medical counseling services outside of the state in which they are licensed. Provides career flexibility for the services’ mental health workforce to increase retention. Military Construction: Includes over $561 million for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia. $157M for Child Development Center, MQ-25 Aircraft Facilities, and a submarine pier at Naval Station Norfolk $81M for Drydock Saltwater System at Norfolk Naval Shipyard $61M for Special Operations Forces Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 2 Operations Support Facility at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story $57M for Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story $46M for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown $37M for Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico $30M for pedestrian access at the Pentagon $25M for Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters annex at Fort Belvoir $23M for Maritime Surveillance System Facility at Dam Neck Annex $20M for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston $12M for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar support facilities at Dam Neck $4M for an Equine Training Facility at Fort Belvoir $4M to complete maintenance and readiness centers at Virginia Army National Guard’s Roanoke Regional Readiness Center in Troutville $4M for the Army Reserve Center in Richmond Military Families: Expands servicemember eligibility to receive reimbursement for qualified spouse relicensing or business costs when the servicemember relocates as the result of reassignment or a transfer from active duty to the reserves—making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers. Makes mental health care more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries in the active duty family members category and TRICARE Young Adult program, by waiving cost sharing requirements for the first three outpatient mental health visits each year. Directs a review and report on access to resources and services related to mental health for students of Department of Defense Education Activity Schools. Military Housing: Improves military housing for servicemembers E-6 and below without dependents whose ships are undergoing maintenance by providing the authority to allow these junior enlisted servicemembers to collect a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and not live aboard the ship. This follows conversations that Kaine had with servicemembers in Hampton Roads about mental health challenges while living aboard ships during long maintenance periods. Authorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks. Requires that unaccompanied housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing. Improves the calculation of BAH rates with respect to junior enlisted members, by delinking that calculation from specific housing types and provides additional flexibility to ensure equitable housing rates can be calculated in markets with limited housing inventory. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-tillis-urge-cms-to-clarify-guidance-protect-medicare-advantage-beneficiaries-access-to-long-term-care-facilities,"Murphy, Tillis Urge CMS to Clarify Guidance, Protect Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries' Access to Long Term Care Facilities",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure urging public clarification that critically and chronically ill Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries will have the same access to Long-Term Care Hospital services as traditional Medicare beneficiaries, as required by law. Murphy and Tillis detail how MA plans’ prior authorization practices are used to deny coverage of medically necessary care at Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs). “Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) are hospitals that provide specialized care for high-acuity patients who require an extended hospital stay. These facilities are designed to care for severely ill patients who require complex medical treatment, such as mechanical ventilation and wound care. To be recognized as an LTCH, CMS requires hospitals to satisfy the conditions of participation of a short-term acute care hospital (STACH) but have an average Medicare length of stay greater than 25 days. In contrast, the average Medicare length of stay in a STACH is about 5 days,” the senators wrote. “Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are less than half as likely to receive LTCH care compared to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Recent research suggests that these practices may be worsening the outcomes of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; a 2021 peer-reviewed study found that delays in the transfer of mechanically ventilated patients to an LTCH decreased a patient’s likelihood of being successfully weaned from the ventilator and breathing on his or her own."" “We have heard concerns from LTCHs in our states, as well as patients, that LTCHs regularly receive denial letters from Medicare Advantage plans stating that an LTCH transfer was not required because the patient could receive all necessary services in the short-term acute care hospital, even though the provider referred the patient to an LTCH and the patient met all of the medical necessity requirements for LTCH care,” the senators added. The senators concluded: “We write to ask CMS to confirm this interpretation is correct and to request such information be publicly clarified to eliminate confusion for Medicare Advantage plans and ensure that LTCHs are treated the same as any other post-acute care provider under the Medicare Advantage regulations. We appreciate CMS’s commitment to improving Medicare Advantage enrollees’ access to Medicare-covered benefits and we look forward to working with you to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have access to the services they are entitled to by law.” Full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: We thank the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for taking steps to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive the same services they would under traditional Medicare, as required by law. With the Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs Final Rule (CMS-4201-F) (the Final Rule) taking effect January 1, 2024, we are writing to ensure that critically and chronically ill Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will have the same access to Long-Term Care Hospital services as traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) are hospitals that provide specialized care for high-acuity patients who require an extended hospital stay. These facilities are designed to care for severely ill patients who require complex medical treatment, such as mechanical ventilation and wound care. To be recognized as an LTCH, CMS requires hospitals to satisfy the conditions of participation of a short-term acute care hospital (STACH) but have an average Medicare length of stay greater than 25 days. In contrast, the average Medicare length of stay in a STACH is about 5 days. Unfortunately, Medicare Advantage plan prior authorization practices are creating significant barriers to LTCH care for critically and chronically ill patients. A 2022 report by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General concluded that Medicare Advantage Organizations “sometimes delayed or denied Medicare Advantage beneficiaries' access to services, even though the requests met Medicare coverage rules” and that these denials sometimes delayed beneficiaries from receiving medically necessary care or prevented them from receiving the care altogether. Sadly, LTCHs are also subject to this trend. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are less than half as likely to receive LTCH care compared to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Recent research suggests that these practices may be worsening the outcomes of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; a 2021 peer-reviewed study found that delays in the transfer of mechanically ventilated patients to an LTCH decreased a patient’s likelihood of being successfully weaned from the ventilator and breathing on his or her own. We were pleased to see CMS respond to these practices by including language in the April 2023 Final Rule that specifies that Medicare Advantage plans must comply with general coverage and benefit conditions included in traditional Medicare coverage policies. The Final Rule also codifies previously released CMS guidance that Medicare Advantage plans must: (1) make medical necessity determinations based on traditional Medicare coverage criteria; 2) consider if a service is reasonable and necessary; 3) consider the patient’s medical history when making medical necessity determinations; and 4) where appropriate, plans’ medical directors must be involved in ensuring the clinical accuracy of medical necessity determinations. The statute allows Medicare Advantage plans to create contracted networks, but the Final Rule specifies that Medicare Advantage plans must align with traditional Medicare in terms of covering different provider types and settings. This means that if care can be delivered in more than one way or in more than one setting, and a practitioner has ordered a covered item or service for a Medicare Advantage enrollee, then the Medicare Advantage plan cannot deny coverage. CMS provides the following example in the Final Rule: “[I]f an MA patient is being discharged from an acute care hospital and the attending physician orders post-acute care at a SNF because the patient requires skilled nursing care on a daily basis in an institutional setting, the MA organization cannot deny coverage for the SNF care and redirect the patient to home health care services unless the patient does not meet the coverage criteria required for SNF care….” See 88 Fed. Reg. at 22190 (April 12, 2023). We have heard concerns from LTCHs in our states, as well as patients, that LTCHs regularly receive denial letters from Medicare Advantage plans stating that an LTCH transfer was not required because the patient could receive all necessary services in the short-term acute care hospital, even though the provider referred the patient to an LTCH, and the patient met all the medical necessity requirements for LTCH care. Based on the specifications included in the Final Rule and given that 42 CFR §412.3 covers admissions to an LTCH, we write to ensure that the Final Rule requires Medicare Advantage plans to apply traditional Medicare standards and requirements in assessing prior authorization requests for LTCH admissions. That is, a Medicare Advantage plan – like a traditional Medicare plan – cannot deny admission to an LTCH if the patient is being discharged from an acute care hospital, the patient’s attending physician orders post-acute care in an LTCH, and the patient meets the coverage criteria for inpatient admissions under 42 CFR §412.3. We write to ask CMS to confirm this interpretation is correct and to request such information be publicly clarified to eliminate confusion for Medicare Advantage plans and ensure that LTCHs are treated the same as any other post-acute care provider under the Medicare Advantage regulations. We appreciate CMS’s commitment to improving Medicare Advantage enrollees’ access to Medicare-covered benefits and we look forward to working with you to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have access to the services they are entitled to by law. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-applauds-more-than-46-million-in-funds-heading-to-greensource-fabrication-in-charlestown-to-boost-defense-industrial-base,Shaheen Applauds More Than $46 Million in Funds Heading to GreenSource Fabrication in Charlestown to Boost Defense Industrial Base,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, applauded $46.2 million in federal funds awarded to GreenSource Fabrication, LLC., through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program. These funds will enhance existing production capabilities for GreenSource Fabrication and promote supply chain security for semiconductors, which are used by all major U.S. defense systems. Ensuring the United States has domestic capabilities in microelectronics will enable America to stay on the cutting-edge of manufacturing defense articles and provide a technical advantage ahead of its adversaries. “New Hampshire plays a critical role in our nation’s defense industrial base and these federal funds will help enhance production and manufacturing capabilities at GreenSource Fabrication,” said Senator Shaheen. “These funds will broaden access to advanced hardware that – until recently – could only be procured from foreign sources, helping strengthen our supply chain and military readiness and solidifying New Hampshire’s role as a leader in domestic defense manufacturing.” GreenSource Fabrication operates a state-of-the-art facility in Charlestown, New Hampshire that manufactures High-Density Interconnect Printed Circuit Boards and High Density Build-up organic substrates, used in nearly all electronic products. The award will enable GreenSource to scale up engineering, tooling and manufacturing operations to establish a dedicated building for integrated circuit substrate fabrication, crucial parts in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. These domestic production capabilities for semiconductors are critical enabling technologies for sixth-generation defense systems and applications, including for radar, electronic warfare, information processing and communications. Senator Shaheen is a leader in the U.S. Senate to bolster the domestic defense industrial base to ensure U.S. troops have the cutting-edge equipment they need to defend the nation and deter adversaries. In August, Shaheen toured GreenSource Fabrication, where she met with engineers and employees and discussed the impact of the CHIPS Act on New Hampshire’s manufacturing sector. Shaheen also sent a letter in support of GreenSource’s funding proposal for the DoD’s DPA Title III Program. In early June, Shaheen toured three New Hampshire defense manufacturing facilities and met with the companies’ leadership ahead of a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Paris Air Show. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-announce-over-240-million-for-clean-water-infrastructure-across-maryland,Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $240 Million for Clean Water Infrastructure Across Maryland,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $240,451,000 to modernize clean water infrastructure across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, will support the Maryland Department of the Environment’s efforts to provide low- or no-interest loans for critical water infrastructure projects, helping communities across the state maintain access to clean water. Most of the funding – $211,862,000 – comes from the once-in-a-generation Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the lawmakers and the Biden-Harris Administration fought to enact to deliver historic federal investments in the country’s water infrastructure. This funding will supplement the $28,589,000 in federal funding appropriated to Maryland's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) that the lawmakers secured through annual appropriations for fiscal year 2023. “Modernizing our water infrastructure is a critical public health priority. That’s one of the reasons why we fought to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – to advance our progress in communities across our state and improve their access to clean and safe drinking water. With these funds, we’re delivering on that objective for Marylanders,” said the lawmakers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-statement-on-the-ongoing-israel-hamas-war,Senator Baldwin Statement on the Ongoing Israel-Hamas War,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war: “Hamas’s October 7th terrorist massacre has led to unbearable suffering in Israel, Gaza, and around the world. As I have said before, I support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organization’s threat – but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims. “Unfortunately, the Netanyahu government’s indiscriminate bombing and military approach has led to unacceptable bloodshed in Gaza and does not appear to be moving us closer to our ultimate goals of removing Hamas from power and achieving a lasting peace in the region through a two-state solution. Preservation of innocent lives and civilian infrastructure is not just morally right, but also necessary to accomplish security, stability, and peace in the region moving forward. “I support the resumption of a humanitarian ceasefire, in order to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid, protect innocent civilians and civilian sites, and negotiate the release of the hostages taken on October 7th. This is only possible if both Hamas and the Israeli government cooperate. As we look ahead, the United States needs to continue to do more to urge Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, facilitate humanitarian efforts, and play a more active role in helping create a two-state solution – something I have long supported – to ensure that both the Palestinian and Israeli people have the right to self-determination, safety, and security.” In response to ongoing war and the growing humanitarian crisis, Senator Baldwin supports the following actions: An immediate humanitarian ceasefire that ensures the unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access to Gaza, agreed to by both Israel and Hamas. Adherence to International Humanitarian Law by all parties and the protection of all civilians and civilian sites. Increased humanitarian aid access to prevent starvation and an even more severe public health crisis, including maintaining the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, and any other steps needed to allow the sustained delivery of the basic essentials in quantities sufficient to meet the current need. The United States to provide immediate humanitarian aid to help those in Gaza. Access to prompt medical attention for sick and wounded civilians, both within Gaza as well as the option to evacuate to a neighboring country for medical care. Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to the hostages while the United States and Israel work to secure their release. Ensure no Palestinians are forcibly removed from Gaza. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-klobuchar-lead-call-for-increased-funding-to-help-ensure-our-childrens-food-is-safe-and-free-of-toxins,"Duckworth, Klobuchar Lead Call for Increased Funding to Help Ensure Our Childrens’ Food is Safe and Free of Toxins",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Following recent reports of heavy metals being found in baby food and food pouches for young children, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with several of their Senate colleagues, are leading the call for Senate Appropriators to prioritize additional resources that would help the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health Nutrition programs, including the Closer to Zero program, better ensure the food our nation’s children consume is nutritious, safe and free of toxins. “Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods,” wrote the Senators. “Additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation…This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls.” Along with Duckworth and Klobuchar, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Full text of the letter can be found using the link here and below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to thank you for your strong support of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health programs, including the Closer to Zero program, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. We urge you to increase funds to those programs as you refine the FY 2024 appropriations package. Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods. While we acknowledge that Senate report language regarding heavy metals in baby foods has been included, we urge you to appropriate $20 million to support FDA’s Maternal and Infant Health and Nutrition programs to enable the agency to improve its oversight and enforcement capacity. In 2021, the FDA announced its Closer to Zero initiative, which sought to “identify actions the agency will take to reduce exposure to toxic elements from foods eaten by babies and young children—to as low as possible” and included timelines to set standards for four toxic heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) found in baby foods. After months of delays, FDA recently issued proposed draft action levels of lead in foods intended for consumption by babies and young children. This draft guidance is the latest to remain unfinalized, after FDA released draft guidance on levels of lead in juices in 2022. Interim reference levels of arsenic, cadmium and mercury also remain incomplete, despite the negative effects these toxic heavy metals can have on the development of infants and children under the age of two. Their presence poses a continuous threat to the Nation’s public health and food supply. It is essential that standards for industry be expeditiously set and that the FDA works to enforce compliance of these standards. In addition, infant formula is a vital source of nutrition for infants in one of the most vulnerable stages of a child’s life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents continue breastfeeding or incorporating infant formula into their child’s diet for the first year of their life. Families rely on formula—both powdered and liquid—to supplement their children’s nutritional intake. Parents deserve to be confident that the infant formula products they feed their babies are nutritionally adequate, safe from contaminants and readily accessible at retail stores. Unfortunately, as many families have discovered during the recent infant formula shortage, these goals have fallen short. Additional oversight into the manufacturing practices, safety concerns and the sourcing of raw materials for infant formula is needed to ensure the utmost safety of this sole source of nutrition. We appreciate the agency’s actions to reform its oversight of human foods that will ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of the foods consumed by infants and young children. Even though internal organizational changes remain ongoing, additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation. FDA must be empowered to do its share of the work. This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls. The health and livelihood of future generations is of utmost importance, and we must do everything we can to ensure we set them up for success. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/28/2023/senator-hassan-nominates-new-hampshire-students-for-united-states-service-academies,Senator Hassan Nominates New Hampshire Students for United States Service Academies,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan announced that she has nominated 42 New Hampshire students to attend United States Service Academies - the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “I am grateful for the young Granite Staters who are stepping forward to serve our country in uniform and keep us safe, secure, and free,” said Senator Hassan. “It is an honor to nominate these New Hampshire students to attend our United States Service Academies, and I look forward to seeing all that these students accomplish in the years to come. For more information on the nomination process for interested applicants, click here. See below for the full list of Senator Hassan’s nominees: NAVAL ACADEMY Rathank Chea, Hampton Stephen Cleveland, Lincoln Caitlyn Koutalidis, Hampton Max Durkin, Greenland Aaron Jee, Bedford Patrick Gandini, Gilford Nolan Matuszak, Hampstead Anderson Seals, Exeter Mackenzie Poplawski, Hampton Kyle Ashley, Newport AIR FORCE ACADEMY Sky Willer, Epsom Dalton Cox, Hollis Naomi Nunez, Littleton Aislyn Reed, Bow Peter Evans, Barrington Martina Pike, Loudon Michael Nemeth, Hudson Colin Atkinson, Amherst Trey Baker, Hampstead Justin Blanchard, Portsmouth Taylor Anderton, Hampton Falls Adam Connelly, Hollis Thomas Johnson, Nashua Wyatt Lake, Etna Talia Parmalee, Exeter Charlotte Smith, Center Barnstead Rayna Thompson, Brentwood Alec Simoneau, Amherst Brandon Adamson, Londonderry Nicholas Engert, Grantham MILITARY ACADEMY Jackson Bairstow, Dover Annie Christina, Brentwood Thomas Lacroix, Auburn Thaddeus Maughan, Hopkinton Regan McIntire, Gilford Thanida Thomas, Thornton Tatiana Stockbower, Dover Harley Twofoot, Merrimack Declan MacDougall, Somersworth Victoria Kelly, Northfield MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY Derek Leedberg, Stratham Meghan Shippos, Bow Trey Baker, Hampstead Victoria Kelly, Northfield Nolan Matuszak, Hampstead ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-calls-from-nh-delegation-pay-boosted-for-granite-staters-working-at-the-va-white-mountain-national-forest-and-other-federal-offices-in-nh,"Following Calls from NH Delegation, Pay Boosted for Granite Staters Working at the VA, White Mountain National Forest, and Other Federal Offices in NH",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following a push from the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is increasing pay for federal employees in New Hampshire and Vermont, who support Granite Staters through their work at places like the White River Junction VA Medical Center, White Mountain National Forest, and the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. It applies to workers in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, and Sullivan Counties in New Hampshire, as well as in Vermont, who will now receive the same locality pay as those in most counties in New Hampshire and in the Greater Boston area. The classification changes in New Hampshire and Vermont will mean that more than 1,000 federal employees will now receive more competitive pay rates. The announcement comes after the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations urged OPM to take this action, and will help increase efforts to hire and retain federal employees for critical efforts, including implementation of the PACT Act, which Senator Hassan and colleagues developed and passed into law last year to help get veterans exposed to toxic substances the VA health care and benefits that they need. “Granite Staters deserve a fully staffed, well-qualified federal workforce in order to best serve them,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This important pay increase will help recruit and retain the talented public servants who help Granite Staters – including our veterans – get the support that they need.” “This long-overdue pay raise for the hard-working federal employees in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton and Sullivan Counties is a great way to end the year,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m proud to have worked with the New Hampshire delegation to get this done so folks are paid what they deserve for the work they do.” “Hardworking New Hampshire families deserve to be fairly compensated for their work,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I’m pleased to see this change that the New Hampshire Delegation advocated for take effect – I will always fight for our New Hampshire workforce.” “Ensuring our federal workers’ pay keeps pace with our changing economy is common sense,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “This change will give our dedicated federal workers the raise they deserve and ensure our federal agencies can continue to attract qualified employees.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-devastating-floods-shaheen-leads-nh-congressional-delegation-letter-to-fema-requesting-the-agency-standby-to-provide-disaster-assistance-funds,"Following Devastating Floods, Shaheen Leads NH Congressional Delegation Letter to FEMA Requesting the Agency Standby to Provide Disaster Assistance Funds",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell in support of New Hampshire communities following severe flooding and wind damage. The letter urges FEMA, in the event the state asks, to work with affected counties and the state government to respond to severe flooding and wind damage and if the state asks for a disaster declaration, to make assistance available quickly. “The effect of the heavy rainfall and flooding were felt throughout the state with numerous road closures due to rising water and full roadway washouts. In addition to transportation infrastructure being damaged, there are reports of homes being destroyed in northern New Hampshire and some residents having to be rescued by National Guard helicopter. The full extent of the damages throughout the state won’t be known until the waters recede,” the Delegation wrote. On December 18, 2023, a massive storm system swept across New England, bringing rain and winds with speeds approaching Category 1 hurricane force. Many places in New Hampshire recorded rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches, with at least one community experiencing much as six inches. This heavy rainfall was exacerbated by unseasonably warm temperatures that melted snow, which increased the water level in streams and rivers. Flash flood warnings were in effect over broad swaths of the state. “State officials have said that much of the current damage is to infrastructure, and there is a concern that snow could soon fall and cover the damage, making a true accounting of the damage more difficult. Given the extensive flooding and wind damage, we call on FEMA to stand ready to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it,” the Delegation continued. Full text of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-colleagues-sound-the-alarm-about-economic-deterioration-in-the-west-bank,"Warner, Kaine & Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict. This letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues – meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement – are critical for the PA’s civil administration and security purposes. “A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,” wrote the senators. “A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.” “In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,” they continued. “We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.” A copy of the letter is available here and below: Dear President Biden, We write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group’s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers’ violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security. Members of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration’s recent actions – including visa bans – targeting those carrying out these attacks. We are also concerned about the conflict’s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank. A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank. In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security. We acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security. In recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is “vastly under resourced,” and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-scott-announce-3-million-in-federal-funding-for-regional-flood-risk-management-feasibility-study-in-hampton-va,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study in Hampton, VA",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today’s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately. “Rising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,” the members said. “We’re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.” The Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region. Since 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/ri-delegation-urges-federal-assistance-to-help-recover-from-storm-related-flooding,RI Delegation Urges Federal Assistance to Help Recover from Storm-Related Flooding,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – As Rhode Island assesses flood damage and begins to recover from a severe storm system that moved through the state earlier this week, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo are urging President Biden to promptly approve any request for federal assistance made by the State of Rhode Island to support emergency operations and accelerate recovery from significant local flooding. The National Weather Service reported that northern Rhode Island into the Providence area saw the region’s highest rainfall totals, where at least 4.5 inches of rainfall were observed. Local utility providers also reported more than 70,000 power outages as a result of damaging winds. Governor McKee has declared a state of emergency as a result of the damaging storm. This step is an essential prerequisite for seeking federal disaster assistance. The state will now need to assess the cost of the emergency response and damages associated with the storm in order to determine if it meets the minimum thresholds required for a federal emergency or major disaster declaration. “This severe storm system wreaked havoc on certain parts of the state, and a number of neighborhoods were hit hard by flooding. We are committed to doing everything we can to help in the recovery effort. With the storm behind us, it is now important for the State to work with local leaders, FEMA, and other federal partners to quickly assess the damage and determine what assistance can be provided to help communities, businesses, and homeowners get back on their feet,” said Reed, Whitehouse, Magaziner, and Amo in a joint statement. In an effort to help Rhode Island communities and the state respond to storm-related damage and flooding, the state’s Congressional delegation sent a letter urging President Biden to support Rhode Island and expediate any and all emergency assistance. The full text of the letter follows: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20006 Dear President Biden: Over the last two days, Rhode Island has experienced a strong storm with significant rainfall, winds over 60 miles per hour, and localized and coastal flooding. The storm, with heavy rains and damaging winds, caused about 72,000 power outages, necessitated the closure of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, overwhelmed storm water systems, closed schools and local businesses, and caused damage and debris to both homes and businesses. As our local communities work to clean up and assess damage, we urge you to expeditiously approve any request from the State of Rhode Island for federal assistance, including under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Thank you for your assistance and leadership. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-new-ftc-proposal-to-protect-childrens-privacy-online,Schatz Statement On New FTC Proposal To Protect Children’s Privacy Online,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission unveiled a proposal aimed at expanding protections for children’s privacy online. Specifically, the proposal would limit the ability of social media platforms to send push notifications to young users and further limit data retention for youth, among other things. “Tech platforms have knowingly harvested and profited off of children’s data for years, using targeted advertising and other tools to keep kids scrolling at the expense of their mental health and development,” said Senator Schatz. “The FTC’s proposal is an encouraging step toward implementing safeguards to protect the youngest users of social media against constant surveillance and manipulation. But rulemaking is no substitute for law – Congress needs to act. We urgently need to pass legislation that will protect kids online by setting minimum age requirements for social media use and banning algorithmic targeting for children and teens.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/following-devastating-floods-shaheen-leads-nh-congressional-delegation-letter-to-fema-requesting-the-agency-standby-to-provide-disaster-assistance-funds,"Following Devastating Floods, Shaheen Leads NH Congressional Delegation Letter to FEMA Requesting the Agency Standby to Provide Disaster Assistance Funds",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell in support of New Hampshire communities following severe flooding and wind damage. The letter urges FEMA, in the event the state asks, to work with affected counties and the state government to respond to severe flooding and wind damage and if the state asks for a disaster declaration, to make assistance available quickly. “The effect of the heavy rainfall and flooding were felt throughout the state with numerous road closures due to rising water and full roadway washouts. In addition to transportation infrastructure being damaged, there are reports of homes being destroyed in northern New Hampshire and some residents having to be rescued by National Guard helicopter. The full extent of the damages throughout the state won’t be known until the waters recede,” the Delegation wrote. On December 18, 2023, a massive storm system swept across New England, bringing rain and winds with speeds approaching Category 1 hurricane force. Many places in New Hampshire recorded rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches, with at least one community experiencing much as six inches. This heavy rainfall was exacerbated by unseasonably warm temperatures that melted snow, which increased the water level in streams and rivers. Flash flood warnings were in effect over broad swaths of the state. “State officials have said that much of the current damage is to infrastructure, and there is a concern that snow could soon fall and cover the damage, making a true accounting of the damage more difficult. Given the extensive flooding and wind damage, we call on FEMA to stand ready to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it,” the Delegation continued. Full text of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-announce-more-than-25-million-to-improve-road-safety-across-maryland,Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $25 Million to Improve Road Safety Across Maryland,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $28,505,333 to improve road safety in communities across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, will help local departments of transportation across the state develop and implement safety action plans and structural improvements to better accommodate and ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on roadways. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help to save lives on roadways across the country, supporting many local governments’ existing “Vision Zero” plans, which aim to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on roadways. The SS4A program was established and funded at $5 billion over five years by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation the lawmakers worked to pass to support infrastructure initiatives across the country. “Too often, aging infrastructure contributes to accidents that cause serious injuries and even death for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which we fought to pass, will upgrade our roads, make them safer for our communities, and shorten commute times for the millions of hardworking Marylanders who depend on public infrastructure every day. They will enable our local partners to improve safety and accessibility on roadways across our state,” said the lawmakers. The federal funds were awarded as follows: Greater Baltimore Region $9,920,000 to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to pilot a Complete Streets project, which will reduce dangerous accidents by making city roadways more accessible through temporary lane and street closure events for cyclists and pedestrians as well as sensors that will help plan improvements at the city’s most high-volume intersections; $3,648,000 to Baltimore County to conduct planning activities, including road safety audits for corridors throughout the county; Prince George’s County $9,764,000 to Mount Rainer to implement its Vision Zero plan. $768,000 to the Towns of Riverdale Park and Edmonston to develop a Complete Streets plan; $160,000 to the Town of Brentwood to create a Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements; Montgomery County $360,000 to the City of Gaithersburg to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; $320,000 to the City of Rockville to create a Vision Zero plan and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements and conduct safety audits; $160,000 to Montgomery County to conduct supplemental planning efforts to review Vision Zero activities and evaluate progress; $120,000 to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) to conduct planning activities throughout Montgomery County; Anne Arundel and Howard Counties $683,200 to the City of Annapolis in Anne Arundel County to update its existing Vision Zero Plan; $488,133 to Howard County to test safety approaches on the US 1 corridor, a 12-mile stretch of roadway with safety challenges; Eastern Shore $320,000 to the City of Cambridge in Dorchester County to create a Vision Zero plan and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements; $280,000 to Queen Anne's County to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; $64,000 to the Town of Rising Sun in Cecil County to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; Western Maryland $1,050,000 to Frederick County to plan road improvements to eliminate traffic fatalities and improve bicycle accessibility; $240,000 to Brunswick to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; and $160,000 to the Town of Sykesville to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. The Safer Streets and Roads for All program was established to support regional and local efforts to prevent roadway deaths through planning and demonstration projects that help local governments better understand the safety challenges in their communities and implement solutions to make their streets, roads, and highways safer for all. In fiscal year 2022, the SS4A program delivered over $1.5 million to safety action plan projects in Maryland.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=74152009-A568-4072-95E6-F3399A6F8809,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management in Hampton, VA",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today’s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately. “Rising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,” the members said. “We’re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.” The Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region. Since 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F477A381-91DE-48A6-8275-990FED884AE8,Warner and Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict. This letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues – meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement – are critical for the PA’s civil administration and security purposes. “A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,” wrote the Senators. “A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.” “In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,” they continued. “We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.” A copy of the letter is available here and below: Dear President Biden, We write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group’s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers’ violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security. Members of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration’s recent actions – including visa bans – targeting those carrying out these attacks. We are also concerned about the conflict’s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank. A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank. In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security. We acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security. In recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is “vastly under resourced,” and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-announce-22-million-for-rural-school-hybrid-program,"Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million for Rural School Hybrid Program",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a $2.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program for Chemeketa Community College. “Students of all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at a solid education,” Wyden said. “This funding is the perfect example of how to expand opportunitiesfor folks in rural Oregon and across the nation, and I applaud Chemeketa Community College for receiving this grant.” “Higher education helps connect students with resources, opportunities, and tools to thrive, building stronger communities, economies, and futures in Oregon,” said Merkley. “As the first in my family to graduate from college, I know how challenging it can be to access higher education—especially for those coming from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. This incredibly important funding for Chemeketa Community College will help provide crucial support and opportunities, opening doors for Oregon’s rural students” “We are thrilled to receive this grant for the 'Chemeketa College-going Access and Regional Equity for Students (CARES)' project. This funding will empower us to expand educational opportunities for rural high school students, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure a brighter future for our region,"" said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. The $2.2 million federal grant will support the Chemeketa College-going Access and Regional Equity for Students (CARES) program. The program expands career and technical education dual credit courses, develops hybrid CTE and combined school enrollment models, and provides teachers with effective technology and professional development opportunities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-announces-milwaukee-selected-as-finalist-in-new-economic-development-program-opens-door-to-up-to-50-million-investment,Baldwin Announces Milwaukee Selected as Finalist in New Economic Development Program; Opens Door to Up to $50 Million Investment,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Grow Milwaukee Recompete Plan has been selected as a finalist for a new economic development initiative, the Recompete Pilot Program. The Recompete Pilot Program was created under the Baldwin-supported CHIPS and Science Act to do targeted economic development in distressed communities and create and connect people to good jobs. Out of 560 applicants nationwide, Grow Milwaukee was one of only 22 organizations selected to move forward in the process, allowing them to compete for up to a $50 million economic development investment. Grow Milwaukee will also receive a $500,000 Strategy Development Grant to further develop their plan. Grow Milwaukee's focus will be centered on the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, an area with a history of segregation and business exodus that has stunted economic prosperity in the surrounding area. “I voted for the CHIPS and Science Act to bring home manufacturing jobs and open the door to economic opportunity for Wisconsin families,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am thrilled that Milwaukee has been selected for this program, putting us on the path to connect more people with good-paying jobs, grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, and ensure that no community is left behind.” Grow Milwaukee is a consortium of Milwaukee organizations including Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, the Milwaukee Bucks, Rockwell Automation, Jonco Industries, WRTP Big Step, City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County that is aiming to support business growth, revitalize vacant and underutilized sites, expand small businesses, and create workforce pathways to quality jobs, including union, trades, and advanced manufacturing positions. Senator Baldwin advocated to the Biden administration for Grow Milwaukee’s application earlier this year. The Strategy Development Grant for $500,000 can be used to hire experts, build and strengthen partnerships, conduct studies, pilot strategies, and more. This Recompete Pilot Program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments. More information on the Recompete Pilot Program can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-brings-home-over-15-million-for-rhinelander-oneida-county-airport-upgrades,Baldwin Brings Home Over $1.5 Million for Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Upgrades,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is receiving over $1.5 million through the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make necessary upgrades to improve safety and increase efficiency for travelers. “Wisconsin relies on our regional airports to connect travelers, commuters, and businesses to destinations around the world,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud that my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making this investment to help keep our Made in Wisconsin economy moving forward and travelers in Northern Wisconsin safe for years to come.” The investment comes through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, which is making a $15 billion investment over five years nationwide to upgrade runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects. In just the first three years of the program, Wisconsin airports have received over $117 million in AIG grants. The $1.5 million grant for the County of Oneida and City of Rhinelander will be used to improve 15,000 square feet of the airport's existing runway to address drainage issues, install new lighting on runways, and upgrade existing signage and navigation aids that provide pilots with critical airfield information, including an airport beacon that has reached the end of its useful life. “On behalf of the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Commission and its regional sponsors, we extend our gratitude to Senator Baldwin for her continued support of our facility. Funding for this comprehensive project will go toward supplanting much of our airport’s 45-year-old physical infrastructure,” said Matthew J. Leitner, Airport Director at Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport. “This will enhance our airport’s operational capabilities and further increase the economic contribution it makes to our region, which is already over $40,000,000 annually.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-for-justice-thomass-recusal-in-trump-january-6th-case,Blumenthal Calls for Justice Thomas's Recusal in Trump January 6th Case,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to ensure Justice Clarence Thomas recuses himself in proceedings in United States v. Trump given his wife Ginni Thomas’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Blumenthal’s letter comes as the Supreme Court considers special counsel’s request to rule on former President Trump’s immunity in the January 6th case and as Trump has been requested to respond to the Court on an expedited basis. “I urge you to ensure that Justice Thomas abides by federal statute and the Court’s own Code of Conduct and recuses himself from participating in United States v. Trump,” wrote Blumenthal, citing Eastman v. Thompson as an example of a previous instance in which Justice Thomas had rightly recused himself and calling on Thomas to provide an explanation if he does not recuse himself in this case. “No proceeding could be graver than the prosecution of an attempt to undermine our sacred electoral process,” Blumenthal stressed. “Justice will be done only if such a case is heard by judges whose impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. December 20, 2023 The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. Chief Justice Supreme Court of the United States 1 First Street NE Washington, DC 20543 Dear Chief Justice Roberts: The Supreme Court is currently weighing whether to decide a critical question in United States v. Trump, a criminal case arising from former President Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection. Last week, the United States urged the Court to fast-track its consideration of “a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy”: whether former President Trump is immune from charges of conspiring to obstruct the certification of the 2020 electoral vote and overturn the results of the election.[1] The Court has asked former President Trump to respond on an expedited basis—by today at 4:00 PM. I write to urge you to take appropriate steps to ensure that Justice Clarence Thomas recuses himself from consideration of the petition for certiorari and any future proceedings in United States v. Trump, or otherwise provides the public an “explanation of [his] recusal decision”[2] showing how his participation comports with judicial ethics and federal law. The federal recusal statute requires that any “justice, judge, or magistrate judge … shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”[3] In addition, recusal is required when a Justice “or his spouse … is known by the judge to have an interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding; [or i]s to the judge’s knowledge likely to be a material witness in the proceeding.”[4] In October, Justice Thomas followed this statute in recusing himself from participating in Eastman v. Thompson.[5] That case concerned whether attorney-client privilege shielded emails by defendant John Eastman regarding strategies to overturn the 2020 election results.[6] Eastman was a personal lawyer to former President Trump who received correspondence from Justice Thomas’s wife, Virginia (“Ginni”) Thomas, about efforts to overturn the election.[7] In fact, Mrs. Thomas has been deeply involved in former President Trump’s attempt to overturn the most recent presidential election, including by attending the January 6th rally whose other attendees later stormed the Capitol,[8] sitting on the board of an organization that led the “Stop the Steal” movement,[9] and sending dozens of text messages urging White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to prevent certification of the election results.[10] Given Mrs. Thomas’s involvement in challenging the 2020 election results, Justice Thomas’s impartiality in a related case “might reasonably be questioned,” giving rise, at a minimum, to an appearance of a conflict of interest.[11] Justice Thomas’s recusal in Eastman v. Thompson was therefore proper. The same is true in United States v. Trump. Mrs. Thomas’s close interactions with senior Trump administration officials about overturning the 2020 election results—the very subject of the litigation—certainly creates circumstances where Justice Thomas’s “impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” The Supreme Court’s recent adoption of a Code of Conduct only underscores the importance of recusal.[12] Although the Code very unfortunately does not provide any enforcement mechanism, it mirrors the statutory standard for recusal. In lieu of an enforcement mechanism, the Code states that Justices themselves “must bear the primary responsibility for requiring [appropriate] judicial behavior.”[13] With trust in the Supreme Court near historic lows,[14] the need for this judicial responsibility has never been higher. As the Chief Justice, it is incumbent upon you to assure that the Code is followed to “dispel the misunderstanding” that “Justices … regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules.”[15] I urge you to ensure that Justice Thomas abides by federal statute and the Court’s own Code of Conduct and recuses himself from participating in United States v. Trump. No proceeding could be graver than the prosecution of an attempt to undermine our sacred electoral process. Justice will be done only if such a case is heard by judges whose impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned. Sincerely, [1] Petition for Writ of Certiorari at 2, United States v. Trump (No. 23-3228). [2] See Letter from Supreme Court Justices to Richard J. Durbin at 2 (Apr. 25, 2023), https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter%20to%20Chairman%20Durbin%2004.25.2023.pdf. [3] 28 U.S.C. § 455(a). [4] 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(5). [5] Eastman v. Thompson, No. 22-1138, 2023 WL 6379015 (U.S. Oct. 2, 2023). [6] Jacqueline Alemany et al., Trump Lawyers Saw Clarence Thomas as Key to Stop Biden Electoral Count, Emails Show, Wash. Post (Nov. 2, 2022), https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/02/trump-clarence-thomas-emails. [7] Id. [8] Danny Hakim & Jo Becker, Ginni Thomas Says She Attended Jan. 6 Rally, N.Y. Times (Mar. 14, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/14/us/politics/ginni-thomas-jan-6-rally.html. [9] Id. [10] Bob Woodward & Robert Costa, Virginia Thomas Urged White House Chief to Pursue Unrelenting Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election, Texts Show, Wash. Post (Mar. 24, 2022), https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/virginia-thomas-mark-meadows-texts. [11] 28 U.S.C. § 455(a). [12] U.S. Sup. Ct, Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States (hereinafter Code of Conduct) (2023), https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/Code-of-Conduct-for-Justices_November_13_2023.pdf [13] Id. at cmt. [14] Megan Brenan, Views of Supreme Court Remain Near Record Lows, Gallup (Sept. 29, 2023), https://news.gallup.com/poll/511820/views-supreme-court-remain-near-record-lows.aspx.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-resolution-commemorating-50-years-of-the-endangered-species-act,Booker Introduces Resolution Commemorating 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reaffirming the role this legislation has played in safeguarding global biodiversity. The resolution not only commemorates the invaluable achievements of the ESA over the last five decades, but also underscores the unprecedented threat of the current global extinction crisis and therefore the continued importance of protecting the ESA. Enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been a cornerstone of environmental protection efforts, responsible for rescuing 99 percent of wildlife under its shield from the brink of extinction. Now, 50 years later, our world’s wildlife is again at a critical juncture. As a result of human impacts on the environment, we are facing a global mass extinction crisis on par with the events that drove dinosaurs to extinction 65 million years ago. Species today are going extinct thousands of times faster than natural extinction rates, with scientists estimating more than one in six species are at risk of extinction within our lifetime. “From the iconic humpback whale to the majestic grizzly bear and the emblematic bald eagle, the ESA has been instrumental in preserving diverse ecosystems and ensuring the survival of numerous species,” said Senator Booker. “As our planet confronts a biodiversity crisis of monumental proportions, we must reinforce legislative efforts to preserve wildlife and counter partisan attacks that threaten the safety of our country’s rich ecosystem.” The resolution notes the Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful conservation laws ever enacted by any country, with four out of five U.S. citizens in favor of it. With nearly half of all ecosystems in the United States at risk of total collapse, expanding protections for endangered species is crucial to saving our nation’s treasures. Last month, Co-Chairs of the Endangered Species Act Caucus, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), introduced the resolution in the House. Senator Booker has been a champion of endangered species and of the Endangered Species Act, and recently received an award at the ESA@50 celebration at the Library of Congress.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-recognizes-paige-youschak-thompson-of-laconia-as-decembers-granite-stater-of-the-month,Senator Hassan Recognizes Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Paige is known around the Lakes Region for her dedication to volunteer work and bettering the community. She began regularly volunteering while her daughter was in school and now that her daughter is an adult, Paige volunteers five days a week, putting in more than 40 hours a week. Being able to help the community brings Paige great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. Paige showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year. Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below. I am honored to recognize Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Paige is known throughout the Lakes Region for her service to different organizations. Although she has always volunteered, she became more active when her daughter was in school, and now, with her daughter an adult, volunteering has become the equivalent of a full-time job. Paige volunteers five days a week for more than 40 hours a week. Paige will never say no when someone asks for her help. Although she does not have a favorite cause or organization, The Saint Vincent de Paul Society, a local thrift shop, has a special place in her heart since it is where she first started to consistently volunteer. In addition, Paige is especially fond of helping kids in the community, and believes in giving all children a chance, regardless of their income level. She worked with a local boutique to help provide free prom dresses to girls who may otherwise not be able to have one. Paige is also the chair of the community engagement committee for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, which helps local children and families in need – it has distributed more than $8 million over the last 40 years to the community. Paige’s strong pull towards volunteer work stems from her deep and lifelong desire to be a person who helps out and holds space for others. Paige makes other people happy in any way that she can. Being able to help the community brings her great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. Paige showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year, and I am honored to name her Granite Stater of the Month. Especially as we enter the holiday season, I hope that we can all aspire to give our time and support to our community as freely as Paige does. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/shaheen-hassan-join-warren-group-of-democratic-senators-to-introduce-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgment-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Shaheen, Hassan Join Warren, Group of Democratic Senators to Introduce Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgment That Medication Abortion Is Safe and Effective",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a group of Democratic U.S. Senators led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade and follows last week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access. “Limiting access to mifepristone would deal yet another blow to women’s reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. The opinions of GOP lawmakers and extreme jurists have no place in dictating women’s ability to access the reproductive care they need,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to join this resolution that emphasizes the importance of maintaining and protecting women’s fundamental right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.” “Across the country, women are grappling with the very personal impacts of the attacks on a woman’s fundamental freedom by anti-choice extremists,” said Senator Hassan. “Science has shown that mifepristone is safe and effective, and I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up for a woman’s fundamental freedom and making clear that access to this often life-saving medication must remain available.” Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions. “I am fed up with extremists trying to turn back the clock and deny women reproductive health care – especially after decades of science that show that medication abortion is safe and effective. Any threat to the accessibility of this drug would be devastating to both health care providers and patients across the country, and Senate Democrats are demonstrating with this resolution that we're determined to fight back,” said Senator Warren. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected and that law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed. Full text of the resolution is available here. The resolution was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-WY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,"Hirono, Colleagues Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and 16 other colleagues in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications. Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.” “Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first,” the lawmakers wrote. In the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. In addition to Senators Hirono, Kaine, and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ). The full text of the letter is available below and here. Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen: We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients. In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs. As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs. As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.” We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-marshall-lead-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,Kaine & Marshall Lead Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications. Virginia is one of 19 states that have banned copay accumulator programs, and this push would expand Virginia’s progress nationwide. Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.” The lawmakers wrote, “Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.” In the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. In addition to Kaine and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ). “We are hearing from more and more people with bleeding disorders in Virginia that they cannot access the treatments they need because they are facing copay accumulator adjustor programs. We are so grateful to Senators Kaine, Marshall and their colleagues who are working to lower patient costs and improve access to care. I join them in urging the Biden Administration to release new rulemaking to end this harmful practice; our community – and many others – simply can’t wait,” said Kelly Waters, Executive Director, Virginia Hemophilia Foundation. “More patients than ever are reaching out to us because they’ve been negatively impacted by these programs,” said Anna Hyde, Vice President of Advocacy and Access for the Arthritis Foundation. “They are being caught in a financial bind because they can’t pay the full cost of their medications. Biologic medicines are expensive and there are no generic alternatives, so copay assistance is often a vital life line for them.” ""Far too many of the 1 million Americans living with multiple sclerosis are unable to afford life-changing medications to reduce the number of relapses, delay the progression of disability, and limit new disease activity. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is disappointed with the Biden Administration’s decision to appeal the court’s September 29th ruling and continue the use of copay accumulators that will negatively impact access to care. We urge the withdrawal of their recently filed appeal,” said Bari Talente, EVP, Advocacy & Healthcare Access, National MS Society. “Too many rare-disease patients struggle to afford the therapies they need. Copay accumulator programs hurt the most vulnerable rare disease patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance to afford their medications by dramatically increasing their cost-sharing liability. NORD supports the District Court’s decision to vacate portions of the 2021 NBPP Final Rule that permitted the use of copay accumulator programs, and we are grateful for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support for the HELP Copays Act which would cement this decision legislatively. NORD is grateful to Senator Marshall and Senator Kaine for spearheading this letter to HHS on this important issue and for their continued leadership in protecting rare disease patients,” said Peter Saltonstall, President and COE, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). “The NPF Patient Navigation Center is constantly fielding calls from people who can’t afford the medicine they have been prescribed because of copay accumulator practices, so we are clearly disappointed in the Administration’s move to appeal the decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that would limit their use,” said Leah M. Howard, J.D., President and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “We join Senators Doc Marshall (R-KS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), in urging the Administration to renew policies ensuring copay assistance is counted towards deductibles and out of pocket maximums.” “The Biden Administration has made it a priority to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Americans. HHS can do just that – make necessary and lifesaving treatments more accessible and affordable for the most vulnerable Americans, those with rare and serious, chronic illnesses. Senators Marshall and Kaine, have led the way in Congress by centering patients in the discussion on healthcare access. We encourage HHS to follow suit, align with the Administration’s priorities, and enforce the 2020 NBPP. Now is the time to do right by patients!” said the AIDS Institute. “While serving a million people impacted by cancer each year, we at the Cancer Support Community have witnessed the adverse effects of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) on patients’ ability to access life-saving medications. CSC strongly opposes the use of AAPs and supports the adoption of the 2020 NBPP policy, protecting affordability and access to care for under-resourced patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance programs. We are grateful to have leaders that share our commitment to breaking down barriers and improving healthcare for all,” said the Cancer Support Community. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen: We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients. In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs. As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs. As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.” We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/video-kaine-highlights-2023-accomplishments-work-ahead-in-2024,"VIDEO: Kaine Highlights 2023 Accomplishments, Work Ahead in 2024",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following video celebrating this year’s accomplishments and looking ahead to 2024. In the video, Kaine discussed his travel across the Commonwealth to see how legislation he helped pass, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, is benefiting Virginians. He also highlighted that there’s more to do and that he’ll continue working to support communities across Virginia in the Senate in the new year. “As I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress,” said Kaine. “The combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia.” Kaine concluded, “Our strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward.” During the video, Kaine discussed some of this year’s accomplishments, including: On the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: So far, Virginia has received $8.4 billion in infrastructure law funding, including for over 247 projects. Kaine specifically mentioned a recent $729 million grant he secured for Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects, which will help alleviate current bottlenecks, promote economic growth, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight. On the Inflation Reduction Act: The Inflation Reduction Act took historic steps to lower health care and energy costs, including a $35 cap per month on insulin for Americans with Medicare, including 36,461 Virginians. Kaine talked about how this cap is saving seniors money. The cap took effect on January 1, 2023. On the Repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs): The Senate voted to pass Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars. Kaine has been a leading voice in Congress on the need to repeal outdated AUMFs to help ensure that decisions about whether servicemembers are sent into harm’s way are made through a deliberate congressional process. On the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: Kaine discussed the passage of the recent defense bill, which included his legislation to prevent any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without the consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress. He also mentioned provisions he secured in the bill to support the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies’ long-term security. In addition to bolstering our alliances, the agreement creates opportunities for further job creation and economic growth in Virginia, since a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines, which will be transferred through the agreement, are built in Hampton Roads. A full transcript of the video is below: Hey, everybody. Senator Tim Kaine here. I want to wish you a happy holiday season as we come to the end of 2023. As I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress. The combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia. Just recently, we announced a $730 million rail investment in Virginia that will improve passenger and freight rail service all over the Commonwealth. In the Inflation Reduction Act, we took steps to cap insulin costs for seniors at $35 a month under the Medicare program, and that has had tremendous benefit in saving our seniors money. We have a record low unemployment rate, and the number of jobs that have been created since 2021 has been historic. But there's so much more to do. In particular, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I work very hard to both help fund our military with a significant military pay increase we just passed, avoid unnecessary wars and not allow presidents to wage war without votes of Congress, but also strengthen alliances. In the last couple of weeks, I've passed a historic bill that would block any president from getting out of the NATO alliance without a vote of Congress and also advance alliances in the Indo-Pacific with Australia and the U.K. Our strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward. Have a great holiday. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-braun-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-conduct-a-new-review-of-currently-approved-opioids,"Murphy, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Conduct a New Review of Currently Approved Opioids",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a plan to review all currently approved opioid medications. The Opioid Review Act would require the FDA to consider information that was not available when the drugs were first approved, such as addiction and overdose rates, and to publish a public report detailing next steps. “The United States is five percent of the world’s population, and yet we account for between 70 and 80 percent of the world’s opioid prescriptions. In the years since these drugs were first approved by the FDA, we’ve learned just how addictive they are and far too many families have paid the price. Taking a hard look at whether the current guidance needs updating is one way we can begin to tackle this crisis. I’m glad our bipartisan bill was included in this year’s SUPPORT Act reauthorization, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure it lands on President Biden’s desk,” said Murphy. “Drug overdose deaths continue to rise in the United States and we urgently need to take action to stop these devastating and preventable deaths. The bipartisan Opioid Review Act would direct the FDA to review approved opioids while considering important public health implications, like addiction and overdose rates,” said Braun. Specifically, FDA’s report must be published online and must include: Public comment on the FDA’s regulation of opioid drugs An explanation of the actions the FDA has already taken to review the effectiveness, safety, benefit-risk profile, and use of approved opioid analgesic drugs A timeline for an assessment of the potential need for changes in an opioid drugs’ labeling, revised or additional post marketing requirements, enforcement actions, or withdrawals from market An overview of the steps that the FDA has taken to support the development and approval of non-addictive medical products intended to treat pain or addiction, and actions planned to further support the development and approval of such products An overview of the consideration by the FDA of clinical trial methodologies for analgesic drugs, including the enriched enrollment randomized withdrawal methodology, and the benefits and drawbacks associated with different trial methodologies for such drugs, incorporating any public input received The Opioid Review Act was included in committee passage of the SUPPORT Act Reauthorization last week. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/michigan-delegation-members-urge-air-force-to-select-selfridge-air-national-guard-base-for-kc-46-tankers,Michigan Delegation Members Urge Air Force to Select Selfridge Air National Guard Base for KC-46 Tankers,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), and U.S. Representatives John James (R-MI-10), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lisa McClain (R-MI-09), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4), and Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) are urging U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to select Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to host a new squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers. The letter to Secretary Kendall highlights Selfridge’s unique capability to host these tankers while reiterating the Michigan congressional delegation’s commitment to ensuring Selfridge is also selected to host a new, long-term fighter jet mission. This comes after the Air Force identified Selfridge as “an indispensable source of tanker capacity for our national security” in a letter to Peters and Stabenow in 2021. “The Michigan Congressional Delegation expresses our strong belief that Selfridge is the ideal location for a squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers and a recapitalization of the A-10 squadron into an advanced fighter,” the letter stated. “With this in mind, we urge the Air Force to base a squadron of twelve KC-46s at Selfridge in addition to a future replacement fighter mission due to its strong operational track record, exceptional personnel, and strategic location.” “We know Selfridge’s advantages, its exceptional operational track record, and the 127th Wing’s outstanding personnel make Selfridge an ideal candidate for a squadron of KC-46s and a future fighter mission,” the letter continued. “Our delegation and state are totally dedicated to fighting for Selfridge with Governor Whitmer’s proposed $100 million investment in base and runway improvements a tangible example of this commitment. We look forward to working closely with you and your office to ensure Michigan continues to be a value add to the Total Force.” The 127th Wing at Selfridge currently operates the KC-135 Stratotanker in support of the global mobility mission, offering unparalleled synergy of training, efficiency, and mobility opportunities and operations. Placement of the KC-46 tankers, a next-generation air refueler that will be crucial to the future of U.S. defense strategy and operations, will help cement Selfridge’s position as a critical component to our national security. This comes after Peters, Stabenow, and James recently urged leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include funding in the 2024 defense appropriation bills for additional fighter aircraft such as the F-15EX at Selfridge. In their letter, the Senators also advocated for continued funding for Exercise Northern Strike and the modernization of Army National Guard facilities to ensure equitable access for female servicemembers. Peters, Stabenow, and James additionally previously led a bipartisan, bicameral effort with the Michigan congressional delegation calling for a new fighter mission at Selfridge and introduced companion resolutions to highlight the contributions of Selfridge. Peters and Stabenow have also secured significant commitments from the Department of Defense, including a pledge that Selfridge will continue to play a “critical and ongoing role for our national security.” Earlier this year, the lawmakers and other leaders in Michigan’s congressional delegation participated in the groundbreaking for a new $28 million aircraft hangar made by possible by federal funding that Senator Peters secured through his work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The new 41,900 square-foot facility will transform two hangars into a new hangar equipped for fighter maintenance and help to better position the base to be selected for a new, long-term fighter mission. Selfridge supports approximately 5,000 military and civilian jobs and generates an estimated $850 million in economic impact statewide. The full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Kendall, We write to follow up on the Air Force’s letter from July 16, 2021 identifying Selfridge Air National Guard Base as an indispensable source of Air Force refueling capacity and as the location for a future tanker aircraft. The Michigan Congressional Delegation expresses our strong belief that Selfridge is the ideal location for a squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers and a recapitalization of the A-10 squadron into an advanced fighter. With this in mind, we urge the Air Force to base a squadron of twelve KC-46s at Selfridge in addition to a future replacement fighter mission due to its strong operational track record, exceptional personnel, and strategic location. At the heart Selfridge is the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, comprised of the 171st Air Refueling Squadron and the 107th Fighter Squadron. The 171st Air Refueling Squadron has expertly operated eight KC-135T Stratotankers for the past 15 years including worldwide deployments to support operations in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The 107th Fighter Squadron currently operates A-10 fighters and is home to many of the Air Force’s most experienced pilots including five Air Force Weapons School graduates. The 171st and 107th Squadron’s valuable experiences provide a value add for Air Mobility and Air Combat Commands at a fraction of the cost of active-duty forces. Losing the 107th Squadron’s talented pilots and maintainers, geographic advantages, and fighter experience is unacceptable for the Michigan delegation and would be a loss to the Total Force. With this in mind, we remain committed to fighting for a future replacement fighter mission at Selfridge. Unfortunately, Michigan has already lost two F-16 squadrons in 1992 and in 2009. After losing its F-16s, in 2009 Selfridge transitioned to A-10s which were relocated from Battle Creek. The A-10s scheduled retirement in Fiscal Year 2027 means it will lose its last fighter mission. We urge the Air Force to continue working with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to find a future fighter mission to ensure Selfridge can build upon its 100 years of fighter experience and more than 18 successful combat deployments. In your recent visit, you witnessed firsthand this valuable skillset and the 127th Wing’s talented and experienced pilots, crews, and maintainers. The base’s proximity to a major airline hub at Detroit Metro/Wayne County Airport has allowed the 127th Wing to recruit and retain the highest quality pilots and maintenance personnel for their tanker and fighter missions. This location provides unique opportunities for citizen airmen and a strong work-life balance leading to a 95% retention rate and continued end-strength gains. Selfridge has unmatched access to airspace and training ranges and is home to robust and operationally relevant readiness exercises. The Michigan National Guard annually hosts Operation Northern Strike, the largest joint all-domain, live-fire, reserve component readiness exercise in the continental United States. The Michigan Guard also hosts the highly successful “Winter Strike” exercise to test units' operational readiness in arctic conditions. Finally, Michigan is home to National All-Domain Warfighting Center, the largest contiguous joint service range/airspace complex east of the Mississippi River, providing tremendous training and operational readiness opportunities. We are encouraged by the Air Force’s letter on July 16, 2021, outlining the Air Force’s intent to replace Selfridge’s current KC135 tankers with KC-46 tankers. We understand that as part of the KC-46 beddown, the Air Force must undergo a rigorous Strategic Basing Process. As the Air Force makes basing decisions including Selfridge, we respectfully request a robust and detailed timeline of all KC-46 basing decisions including current planned beddowns, known future KC-46 basing actions, and the number of KC-46s on contract without basing decisions. In addition to providing these timelines, we respectfully request responses to the following questions: What are the decision timelines associated with KC-46 basing plans? What is the expected basing decision timeline for the KC-46s at Selfridge? How is the Air Force preparing for this potential KC-46 transition for Selfridge? What Air Force budgetary actions must be made to facilitate this KC-46 transition for Selfridge? What personnel and economic impacts will the replacement KC-46s have on the 171st Squadron and on Selfridge? The Air Force is procuring F-35As and F-15EXs to distribute across the Total Force. Would you please state which obstacles remain that prevent Selfridge from being included in the Air Force recapitalization plan for the A-10 with advice for how these shortcomings may be remedied? We know Selfridge’s advantages, its exceptional operational track record, and the 127th Wing’s outstanding personnel make Selfridge an ideal candidate for a squadron of KC-46s and a future fighter mission. Our delegation and state are totally dedicated to fighting for Selfridge with Governor Whitmer’s proposed $100 million investment in base and runway improvements a tangible example of this commitment. We look forward to working closely with you and your office to ensure Michigan continues to be a value add to the Total Force. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-senator-peters-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-combat-human-rights-abuses,Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Help Combat Human Rights Abuses,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) bipartisan legislation to help American businesses combat human rights abuses. Senator Peters’ Combating Human Rights Abuses Act – which he reintroduced with U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) – would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to help educate American exporters that are, or are considering, exporting goods in partnership with businesses in the People’s Republic of China where forced labor and significant human rights abuses have occurred. The bill would also direct the Commerce Department to offer guidance to exporters to help them avoid doing business with Chinese entities that may be implicated in forced labor or human rights violations. “Human rights abuses like those committed in China must be condemned,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud the Senate has unanimously passed this bipartisan legislation to provide American businesses with the information and transparency they need to avoid business dealings with entities in China that may be involved in forced labor or other atrocities.” The legislation has earned the support of the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). “There is no room for half-measures to stop corporate complicity in the atrocity crimes against Uyghurs,” said Omer Kanat, Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. “UHRP strongly endorses this Congressional action. It’s past time to end profits tied to entities that are using Uyghur forced labor, and tech companies that provide the 24-7 surveillance state enforcing the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people.” The government of the People’s Republic of China has perpetrated egregious human rights abuses—including in Tibet and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region—against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups. The Chinese government’s actions have encompassed mass detention in internment camps, the use of forced labor, cultural cleansing, and other atrocities. This has led the U.S. State Department to determine that the People’s Republic of China, “under the direction and control” of the Chinese Communist Party, “has committed genocide against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang” as well as use “coercive policies” to seek to “eliminate Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among younger generations of Tibetans.” The U.S. Department of Commerce provides valuable assistance to help U.S. businesses and exporters increase sales and tap into new markets, such as through export counseling provided by the U.S. Commercial Service. Peters’ bipartisan bill would build on existing human rights training for Commerce Department staff by ensuring its workforce is specifically informed about emerging trends and issues with respect to human rights abuses in China such as in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/after-reed-delivers-federal-funding-east-providence-families-in-flood-prone-properties-begin-to-get-their-voluntary-home-buyouts,"After Reed Delivers Federal Funding, East Providence Families in Flood Prone Properties Begin to Get Their Voluntary Home Buyouts",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts (RIACD), and East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva and his staff for teaming up to help residents relocate out of flood prone areas. Last year, Senator Reed helped deliver critical federal funds to buyout flood prone properties and deliver relief for homeowners who suffered from repetitive flooding. Now, owners of chronically flooded properties are closing on real estate deals with the federal government, meaning fewer homes will be flooded during future storms. Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured up to $9.65 million in federal funding for voluntary property buyouts for eligible homeowners along Marsh Street and around the State Street neighborhood, which includes Abbott Street, Luther Avenue, Julien Avenue, and Humphrey Street. The federal funding comes from USDA’s NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection-Floodplain Easements (EWP-FPE) program. NRCS, RIACD, and East Providence officials have worked for months to assist homeowners with the buyout process. In November of this year, eleven houses and one vacant lot were purchased for a total of $4,297,460. Two more houses and four vacant lots are scheduled to close in early February of 2024. The costs for these closings will be approximately $1 million. This includes the purchase price for the properties, plus legal fees and relocation funds for homeowners and renters. As the lead agency, NRCS must complete a thorough technical review for each eligible property. Once approved, NRCS purchases easements (the rights to the properties) to restore floodplain functions. The City of East Providence will hold the property titles (remaining interest in the property). “These closings are welcome news for vulnerable property owners and will help the community enhance natural storm protection. These closings mean that families who wanted to relocate were able to take this voluntary buyout and get fair value for their homes. It also means less flood damage going forward. I appreciate NRCS, RIACD, and East Providence for working together, listening to community input, and taking action to assist families in need by helping prevent future flood damage,” said Senator Reed. “This project brings much relief to residents who have been dealing with ongoing flooding issues due to the high water table,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “These properties will now be restored to their natural environment providing watershed capacity and new, public space for the community to enjoy.” Reed expects nearly $8 million in federal funding will be used for the project. In addition to the home buyouts, some funds were paid to RIACD to manage the project and the remaining funds will be used to hire an engineering firm to design and implement the final floodplain restoration plan, which could include overseeing the demolition of the properties, restoration of the floodplain, and installation of stormwater mitigation works.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-helps-pass-short-term-faa-reauthorization,Reed Helps Pass Short-term FAA Reauthorization,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to bolster air safety and prevent travel disruptions during the busy holiday season, the U.S. Senate approved a short-term reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) financing and fee-collection authorities late last night. The temporary extension was needed or these FAA authorized would have expired on December 31. U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees FAA funding, supported the three-month extension, which extends the FAA’s authority out to March 8, 2024. “This is a needed short-term fix. I am committed to working on a comprehensive, multi-year FAA reauthorization that enhances aviation safety, improves airline service, and provides better consumer protections for passengers,” said Senator Reed. “U.S. airports and airlines have seen substantial growth, and we must ensure we continue to invest in the technology, facilities, and infrastructure to handle it.” The U.S. House of Representatives approved the short-term FAA reauthorization bill earlier this month, so it now goes to President Biden to be signed into law. The FAA's current authorization dates back to 2018, when the most recent long-term reauthorization bill was passed.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-to-receive-nearly-4-million-in-additional-federal-disaster-aid-to-support-mauis-recovery-from-fires,Schatz: Hawai‘i To Receive Nearly $4 Million In Additional Federal Disaster Aid To Support Maui’s Recovery From Fires,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive $3.9 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the ongoing recovery effort on Maui following the fires in August. The funding, which comes from the Disaster Relief Fund which Congress replenished in September following calls from Schatz and others, will support staff who have been working on the emergency response effort. “The federal government continues to support Maui in every step of the recovery process,” said Senator Schatz. “We’ll keep doing everything we can to make sure the people of Lahaina have what they need to get back on their feet.” Working closely with the Biden Administration and congressional leaders, Schatz has led efforts to bring federal resources to Maui. To date, Hawai‘i has received more than $412 million in federal funding for the response to the fires, including more than $300 million in direct assistance to survivors from FEMA and the Small Business Administration. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-senators-shaheen-collins-discuss-bipartisan-efforts-to-lower-the-cost-of-insulin,"ICYMI: Senators Shaheen, Collins Discuss Bipartisan Efforts to Lower the Cost of Insulin",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) spoke with the Washington Post’s Health 202 Newsletter to discuss their bipartisan INSULIN Act as part of their recent efforts to lower the cost of insulin. As co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Recently, the Senators penned a joint op-ed about the importance of lowering the cost of insulin. The Senators have worked to increase awareness of the threats posed by diabetes, invest in research and improve access to treatment options. They have consistently held insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Collins commended drug manufacturers Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi’s actions to lower their list prices for their insulin products. Full text of the story can be found here and below: Sens. Shaheen and Collins explain their work on insulin affordability A growing share of the more than 7 million Americans with diabetes is enjoying lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin as states, Medicare and drug companies have moved to cap prices. But some senators are pushing to address sky-high insulin costs for patients who continue to fall through the cracks. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced legislation earlier this year alongside Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who plans to tout it at today’s Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the diabetes epidemic. Among other provisions, their bill would extend Medicare’s $35-per-month cap on insulin prices to individuals with private insurance, rein in the business practices of prescription drug middlemen and make it easier for new generic and biosimilar drugs to enter the market. I caught up with the longtime co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus over the phone yesterday about their approach. This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. H202: There have been several steps in the public and private sector to lower insulin costs in recent years. Why is federal reform necessary at this point in time? Collins: First of all, there’s no guarantee that the manufacturers keep their prices low, and we still have real problems in the marketplace. What we have done, in my view, is a much more comprehensive approach. We’ve looked at why prices have gone up so much and we’ve looked at the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Our whole intent is to reduce the perverse incentives in the insulin market that encouraged these high list prices. That includes mandating that the PBMs pass 100 percent of the insulin rebates that they negotiate to the plan sponsors. Shaheen: As for why now, we’ve seen a PBM reform bill pass the House overwhelmingly. There’s also PBM reform that I think is very likely to get to the floor of the Senate. But we can’t address the high cost of health care unless we address the cost of insulin, and getting at that underlying list price is about the PBMs. It’s also about allowing biosimilar insulin to get to the market. Collins: That’s a really important point. What we found is, a couple of years ago when a biosimilar was launched on the market at a very low, affordable price, PBMs would not choose it to be on the formularies for insurance plans because they didn’t get a big enough cut of the price because it was so low. So what did the company do? It relaunched the biosimilar at a higher price, and then it was chosen for the formulary. I can’t think of a better example of a broken marketplace than that. H202: Republicans jettisoned a proposed $35 insulin cap on private insurance from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Sen. Collins, do you think enough members of your party would support the Insulin Act of 2023 to pass? Collins: I think that there is support for a $35 cap, but a lot of people realize that there’s something wrong with the underlying insulin market and that we need to fix that. Shaheen: We have seven Republican co-sponsors on the bill, and we’re talking to a number of other people who have expressed an interest, so we’re hoping to get more than that. And if you combine that with those people who voted to address insulin costs [previously], I think if this bill comes to the floor we will have a majority of senators supporting it. H202: Other lawmakers have introduced legislation on this issue, including Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), who proposed a $35-per-month cost-sharing limit for insured and uninsured people. Can you comment on that effort? Shaheen: We’ve met with Kennedy and Warnock to see if we could make sure we include all the provisions in both bills, and those discussions are still ongoing. It’s been something that the HELP Committee has also expressed an interest in. So I’m hopeful that we’re going to have something that everybody will support taking to the floor. H202: We’re in a divided Congress, and for many Americans, Democrats and Republicans have never seemed so far apart. Why is bipartisanship important for lawmaking? Collins: I’ve probably worked with Sen. Shaheen on more issues, and a wider range of issues, than any other senator, and frankly, I think that’s why we’ve been so effective in being able to get things done. Shaheen: Two heads are better than one. Working together allows us to both pick up on any kinds of oversights that one person might have, but also to bring different perspectives to the issue. Here in Congress that’s important because very little really gets done without having bipartisan support. A piece of that is being able to trust the people you’re negotiating with, and I think that is a really important aspect of my relationship with Sen. Collins. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-hassan-join-warren-group-of-democratic-senators-to-introduce-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgment-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Shaheen, Hassan Join Warren, Group of Democratic Senators to Introduce Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgment That Medication Abortion Is Safe and Effective",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a group of Democratic U.S. Senators led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade and follows last week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access. “Limiting access to mifepristone would deal yet another blow to women’s reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. The opinions of GOP lawmakers and extreme jurists have no place in dictating women’s ability to access the reproductive care they need,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to join this resolution that emphasizes the importance of maintaining and protecting women’s fundamental right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.” “Across the country, women are grappling with the very personal impacts of the attacks on a woman’s fundamental freedom by anti-choice extremists,” said Senator Hassan. “Science has shown that mifepristone is safe and effective, and I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up for a woman’s fundamental freedom and making clear that access to this often life-saving medication must remain available.” Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions. “I am fed up with extremists trying to turn back the clock and deny women reproductive health care – especially after decades of science that show that medication abortion is safe and effective. Any threat to the accessibility of this drug would be devastating to both health care providers and patients across the country, and Senate Democrats are demonstrating with this resolution that we're determined to fight back,” said Senator Warren. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected and that law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed. Full text of the resolution is available here. The resolution was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-WY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-urges-department-of-agriculture-and-us-trade-representative-to-address-sugar-shortages-trade-and-supply-chain-issues-to-lower-costs-for-americans,"Shaheen Urges Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to Address Sugar Shortages, Trade and Supply Chain Issues to Lower Costs for Americans",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to urge the agency to swiftly implement recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its recent report, Sugar Program: Alternative Methods for Implementing Import Restrictions Could Increase Effectiveness. In part, Senator Shaheen wrote: “According to GAO, the U.S. sugar program is creating sugar supply shortages for domestic food production and contributing to higher costs for manufacturers, workers and American families, disproportionately affecting low-income households. […] It’s clear that the U.S. sugar program administration and the lack of any modernization—despite decades of change and growth in the America economy—is leading to sugar supply chain bottlenecks for food manufacturers and contributing to high food costs incurred by all Americans.” In its report, GAO found research suggesting the U.S. sugar program costs American consumers, on estimate, $2.5 billion to $3.5 billion each year. GAO further found significant opportunities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to reduce inefficiencies in administration of the U.S. sugar program and to make the program more effective. Shaheen concluded: “Swift implementation of these practical reforms to trade policy present a powerful opportunity to provide relief to families at the grocery store, increase domestic manufacturing, strengthen critical supply chains and continue to safeguard domestic sugar production. These are worthy and achievable goals, and I appreciate that GAO acknowledges that there are commonsense ways to move forward on this issue with broadly shared benefits for the American economy.” The letter can be read in its entirety here. Shaheen leads action in the U.S. Senate to make overdue sugar policy reform. Sugar was the only commodity whose federal support program was not reformed in five-year reauthorizations of agricultural programs, neither in the 2014 nor the 2018 Farm Bills. Senator Shaheen has a history of working across the aisle to fight for reform to the sugar program, both through previous amendments to the Farm Bill and through bipartisan legislation with former U.S. Senator Toomey (R-PA) to roll back these unnecessary provisions that unfairly benefit a small group of sugar producers and processors at the expense of consumers and other businesses. Additionally, she has for years pushed the Administration to increase domestic access to imported sugar. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-mfume-announce-50-million-inflation-reduction-act-investment-for-baltimores-green-and-healthy-homes-initiative-to-fund-environmental-justice-projects-across-the-mid-atlantic,"Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Announce $50 Million Inflation Reduction Act Investment for Baltimore’s Green & Healthy Homes Initiative to Fund Environmental Justice Projects Across the Mid-Atlantic",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) joined the Biden-Harris Administration in announcing Baltimore-based Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) has been selected to serve as one of 11 regional grantmakers and will receive $50 million under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program that was created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. These funds come from the $3 billion that the EPA received through the Inflation Reduction Act to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities. This new grant program, which will make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of this historic funding. Communities will be able to apply to GHHI for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping. “Through the Inflation Reduction Act, we took historic action to ensure that all communities can participate in the clean energy revolution, lower energy costs, and improve health outcomes. Green & Healthy Homes has already been a vital partner in advancing that work in Baltimore, and with this major investment, we know GHHI will make an even greater impact on our path to progress for environmental justice, energy savings, and economic opportunity,” said Senator Van Hollen. “In Maryland, we are working at every level of government to take decisive action to address climate change and protect Black, Brown, Indigenous and other vulnerable communities that are disproportionately burdened by the impacts of climate change. These federal funds will provide targeted resources to communities that are most impacted by climate change but less equipped to adapt to it,” said Senator Cardin. “The new program acknowledges that smaller, resource-strained community-based organizations have historically faced barriers in accessing federal environmental justice funding. This is a historic investment in community-based projects working towards environmental justice and supports a healthier, more equitable Maryland.” “The COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright light on many of the structural disparities we face in America. The Biden-Harris Administration and Maryland Congressional Delegation acknowledged these disparities and committed to addressing them as we led the country through the pandemic with congressional action. The $50 million environmental justice grant announced today is an example of our work to make every American community healthier and better,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “I’ve worked with the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative and its predecessor for decades, so I know this money will be used fairly to help our neighbors with the most need,” he added. “For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.” “This program will invest tens of millions of dollars into underserved communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region, helping people that have typically been on the outside looking in. The projects that come out of this program will clean up communities, revitalize neighborhoods, and create a strong and vibrant workforce,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We are honored to be selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lead Region 3’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. GHHI brings to this Program our deeply rooted commitment to and understanding of the value of building community-based capacity to address and reverse the effects of historic disinvestment in environmental justice communities,” said Ruth Ann Norton, President and CEO of GHHI. “We applaud the EPA for its thoughtful commitment to understanding the need for deep capacity building support. The work to address environmental justice issues reflects our own understanding as a nation that every American deserves the opportunity to live in healthy and climate resilient communities.” As a grantmaker, GHHI plans to use a strong participatory governance framework to build capacity in underserved areas. GHHI recognizes the need to reach diverse audiences using wide-ranging delivery methods and partners to leverage best practices in outreach and implementation. Moreover, GHHI will engage the community through a stakeholder advisory board, partnerships, and mechanisms for providing direct feedback to adapt frequently to the needs of communities, particularly those from disadvantaged or underserved areas. The organization will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process during Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-kaine-marshall-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,"Van Hollen Joins Kaine, Marshall, Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications. Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.” The lawmakers wrote, “Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.” In the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. In addition Senator Van Hollen, the letter led by Senators Kaine and Marshall, is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen: We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients. In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs. As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs. As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.” We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-crapo-applaud-senate-passage-of-legislation-honoring-medal-of-honor-recipients,"Wyden, Crapo Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"The bipartisan bill would designate the longest U.S. highway as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho today applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Ore. and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.” ""It's an honor to have worked closely with veterans in Oregon and nationwide in the grassroots movement to designate our country's longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway,’” Wyden said. “I’m proud that my bill to officially recognize U.S. Highway 20 as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway’ has passed the Senate. This bill is more than a symbolic gesture—it's a timeless tribute to the heroes of America. I am steadfast in my commitment to relentlessly champion this cause alongside our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to get this bill signed into law.” “The Medal of Honor represents the determination and courage of those who acted far beyond the call of duty. I look forward to the enactment of law cementing this national designation to honor each of them across these 400 miles,” Crapo said. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal. Redesignating U.S. Highway 20— the longest continuous highway in the United States— as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” would honor each state’s current and future Medal of Honor recipients and recipients from any state who travel on it. Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway'' would ensure all 3,516 recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Mike Braun, R-Ind., James Risch, R-Idaho, Chuck Schumer, D- N.Y., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Todd Young, R-Ind., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., cosponsored the Senate version of the bill. U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Brian Higgins, D-N.Y. led similar legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation is supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Dick Tobiason, LTC US Army Retired, Chairman, Bend Heroes Foundation: “As the Bend Heroes Foundation’s project manager of the Medal of Honor Highway Across America on US Hwy 20, I thank Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo for their outstanding leadership resulting in today’s Senate passage of the National Medal of Honor Highway designation. I’m proud the project was launched in Oregon. And I also thank the national veterans groups who supported the Bend Heroes Foundation’s request – American Legion, Legion of Valor, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States and Vietnam Veterans of America.” The text of the bill is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-colleagues-call-for-expanded-funding-for-community-health-centers,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Colleagues call for Expanded Funding for Community Health Centers",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas, joined bipartisan colleagues today to urge the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide more access to federal resources for community healthcare centers. Currently, there are 136 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alikes in Oregon and across the nation that provide services to over 1 million patients, but still don’t receive federal resources they should be eligible for. FQHC Look-Alikes are organizations that meet all of the eligibility requirements of an FQHC that receives a Public Health Service Section 330 grant, but do not receive grant funding. “These community-based health care providers are already serving populations that may not otherwise be able to access care, and hope to expand the reach of their services to more people,” the legislators said. “HRSA should be leveraging the network of existing FQHC Look-Alikes. By prioritizing Look-Alikes that already comply with Health Center Program requirements over brand new sites, HRSA will ensure that federal dollars are being allocated to health centers with a proven track record of success that hope to expand the universe of patients they can serve and expand the care they are able to offer.” The letter was led by Senator Wyden and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.). Along with Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici and Salinas, the letter also was co-signed in the Senate by the U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and in the House by Representatives Ken Calvert (R-Calif), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Katie Porter (D-Calif).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-delivers-27-million-to-help-grow-wisconsins-agricultural-businesses,Baldwin Delivers $27 Million to Help Grow Wisconsin’s Agricultural Businesses,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced a new partnership between Wisconsin and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen the Badger State’s food supply through the Baldwin-backed American Rescue Plan. Through this agreement, USDA and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will offer $27 million in grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the food supply chain. “Our farmers and producers feed the world and are the economic engines that drive many of our rural economies – but many face roadblocks to increasing capacity and getting their products to consumers. Whether it's lowering processing costs or improving access to local grocery stores, this partnership will help our farmers tackle these problems, strengthen our food supply chains, and create economic opportunity for our farmers,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to bring home this investment for Wisconsin to ensure our farmers have the tools they need to grow their businesses and reach new markets.” “Wisconsin’s agricultural industry is core to our culture, heritage, and economy, and thanks to Senator Baldwin’s advocacy at the federal level, we’ve been able to direct more than $100 million in federal funds to support farmers across the state and invest in bolstering our food processors so they can increase capacity and get more of their product to market,” said Governor Evers. “The announcement of this new cooperative agreement between USDA and DATCP will only build upon those efforts, strengthening our local food supply chains, supporting our rural communities, and keeping food on our grocery store shelves and our tables.” The partnership will fund projects that expand processing capacities, increase food storage space, reduce energy use, increase commercial kitchen space, improve aggregation and distribution, improve marketing and branding, and increase access to value-added markets for small farms. This will ultimately create more diverse local and regional market options and create additional economic opportunities for communities, allowing them to retain more of the value chain dollar. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs. In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program grants to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, the Agricultural Marketing Service has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories. Wisconsin is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through March 6, 2024, and applicants should apply through DATCP. AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwins-law-to-support-made-in-america-freight-railcars-on-track-to-implementation,Senator Baldwin’s Law to Support Made in America Freight Railcars on Track to Implementation,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that her bipartisan legislation to support Made in America freight railcars is going into effect, safeguarding our national security against state-owned companies in countries like China. Senator Baldwin introduced Stopping America’s Foreign Enemies Through Rail and Infrastructure National Security Act (SAFE TRAINS Act) with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and successfully added it as an amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. “Investing in American manufacturing has always been a win-win for American taxpayers, businesses, and workers, but when it comes to freight rail, ensuring our railcars are not manufactured in China is also a national security imperative. Our economy depends on freight rail to transport goods and get products to market, and it’s critical the U.S. does not rely on China for this crucial mode of transportation,” said Senator Baldwin. ""I’m proud my bipartisan legislation to safeguard our rail supply chains is going into effect, supporting American manufacturing, and helping ensure Made in Wisconsin businesses have safe, reliable rail service for years to come.” The SAFE TRAINS Act of 2021 prohibits railroad freight cars from operating on the U.S. freight railroad interchange system if the cars are manufactured in or use sensitive technologies from a country of concern or an affiliated state-owned enterprise. Countries of concern include nonmarket economies, those that inadequately protect intellectual property rights, and violators of certain foreign trade practices and agreements. Last week, the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) took the first steps to implement Senator Baldwin’s legislation, proposing a rule to place restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service in the United States. ""The Railway Supply Institute strongly supports protecting the freight rolling stock supply chain from bad actors and unfair competition. We applaud the FRA for its work to ensure our freight rail network is secure and are encouraged by our initial review of the proposed rule. We are hopeful that the final rule will mirror congressional intent of the SAFE TRAINS provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Patty Long, President, Railway Supply Institute. “Protecting our nation’s freight rail rolling stock from foreign adversaries like China is not optional. We are grateful for the leadership of Sens. Baldwin and Cornyn for prioritizing the SAFE TRAINS Act as part of the 2021 infrastructure law and thank the Federal Railroad Administration for their work. The national and economic security of the U.S. rail interchange system depends on being free from unfair competition and the incursion of state-owned enterprises from adversarial countries,” said Erik Olson, Executive Director, Rail Security Alliance. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/permanent-subcommittee-on-investigations-demands-swift-response-to-inquiry-into-sexual-assault-and-sexual-harassment-at-the-coast-guard-academy,Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Demands Swift Response to Inquiry Into Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment at the Coast Guard Academy,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-WI) demanded that the Coast Guard immediately provide all records responsive to PSI’s probe into sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy. This letter follows PSI’s hearing last week with current and former Coast Guard Academy cadets, who experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or retaliation at the Academy and in the Coast Guard. “It is clear from this testimony, and the Subcommittee’s inquiry to date, that the Coast Guard’s culture of cover-up has allowed sexual assault and sexual harassment to persist for decades, both at the Academy and in the Coast Guard,” wrote Blumenthal and Johnson in a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan. “It is equally apparent that accountability and systematic change at both the Coast Guard and the Academy are necessary to address past failures and to ensure that future cadets are protected. Full compliance with the Subcommittee’s inquiry is a necessary component of these actions.” “You have expressed a commitment to investigate reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, hold perpetrators accountable, support victims, and be fully transparent with Congress and the American people. It is imperative that you live up to that commitment and ensure that the Coast Guard provides all requested documents and information to the Subcommittee without further delay,” continued the senators. “Should the Coast Guard continue to withhold or redact requested records, PSI will have no choice but to utilize other means to ensure compliance with congressional oversight.” In September 2023, PSI opened a bipartisan inquiry into the Coast Guard Academy’s mishandling of sexual assault investigations and its failure to reveal Operation Fouled Anchor, and its associated report, to Congress or the public. The full text of the senators’ initial letter to the Coast Guard is available here. The full text of today’s letter can be found here and below. December 19, 2023 The Honorable Admiral Linda Fagan Commandant U.S. Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20593 Dear Admiral Fagan, On September 12, 2023, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (“PSI” or the “Subcommittee”) sent you a letter as part of an inquiry into the mishandling of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases at the United States Coast Guard Academy (the “Academy”), as well as the United States Coast Guard’s (the “Coast Guard”) failure to reveal Operation Fouled Anchor, and its associated report, to Congress and the public.[1] In the three months since the Subcommittee’s initial letter was sent, the Coast Guard has failed to provide critical records responsive to our request. Since launching its inquiry, PSI has received outreach from numerous survivors who have recounted their harrowing experiences of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation at the Academy and in the Coast Guard. On December 12, 2023, the Subcommittee heard from four of these individuals, who testified that the failures of Coast Guard and Academy leadership amplified the trauma of these events, in some cases leading to mental health struggles, suicide attempts, tarnished or lost relationships, or the decision to leave the Academy.[2] It is clear from this testimony, and the Subcommittee’s inquiry to date, that the Coast Guard’s culture of cover-up has allowed sexual assault and sexual harassment to persist for decades, both at the Academy and in the Coast Guard. It is equally apparent that accountability and systematic change at both the Coast Guard and the Academy are necessary to address past failures and to ensure that future cadets are protected. Full compliance with the Subcommittee’s inquiry is a necessary component of these actions. You have expressed a commitment to investigate reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, hold perpetrators accountable, support victims, and be fully transparent with Congress and the American people.[3] It is imperative that you live up to that commitment and ensure that the Coast Guard provides all requested documents and information to the Subcommittee without further delay. Should the Coast Guard continue to withhold or redact requested records, PSI will have no choice but to utilize other means to ensure compliance with congressional oversight. Please provide all records, without redactions, that are responsive to our requests, including but not limited to unredacted email records related to the decision of whether to disclose Operation Fouled Anchor to Congress and all other items identified in Enclosure A. To ensure that the Subcommittee’s inquiry can continue without further delay, all requested information should be produced by no later than January 19, 2024. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-lynch-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-help-students-earn-their-ged,"Booker, Lynch Introduce Bicameral Bill to Help Students Earn their GED",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08) introduced the Reengage the Workforce Act, bicameral legislation which would provide federal grants to organizations that work with students who did not complete high school to help them earn their GED and offer additional workforce training and career support programs. The grants would be created within the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, to help facilitate the advancement of education through in-person or virtual programs alongside any necessary support services. “For the tens of millions of Americans across the country without a high school diploma, the American dream is becoming increasingly out of reach,” said Senator Booker. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed, which is why I am introducing legislation to help people reconnect with educational opportunities and meaningful career paths. By providing more opportunities for those who are not in school or in the workforce to get back in, we can ensure more people have the tools to build brighter, more promising tomorrows for themselves, their families, and their communities.” “It is important we are proactive in reengaging students who have not been able to complete high school and help them obtain the qualifications that will make it easier to join the workforce and support themselves in future,” said Representative Lynch. “While the number of students who did not complete high school has fallen in the past decade, the percent of those students that are not in the labor force has increased. This bill will help enable organizations, like the Boston Public Schools Re-engagement Center, better assist those students by allowing them to reenter secondary school with support services, such as transportation or childcare, or enroll in flexible courses to earn their GED.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who did not finish high school make up the highest percentage of unemployed people in the country and earn $162 less weekly than those who earned their diploma. Establishing this grant program will help organizations dedicated to reengaging students and allow them to offer more critical programs such as life planning workshops, career training, resume reviews and interview assistance. The Reengage the Workforce Act is endorsed by Jobs for the Future, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, National Skills Coalition, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, National",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-eve-of-elections-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo,Booker Statement on Eve of Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, issued the following statement: “As the Congolese people head to the polls, it’s imperative that officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) respect the democratic process, ensure unimpeded access for election observers, provide a timely and transparent tabulation of votes, publish comprehensive data on election results, and refrain from promoting destabilizing rhetoric or actions that could incite violence or undermine the credibility of the electoral process. “I recognize efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to overcome significant logistical and technical challenges in organizing these elections and have been monitoring ongoing concerns related to voter cards and registration. During this next stage of the electoral process, I urge the CENI to commit to maximum transparency so the Congolese people can have full faith in the election results. “Furthermore, I support the Biden Administration’s stated intent to use all available tools to ensure accountability for anyone who seeks to undermine the democratic process in the DRC. “It’s critical that the Congolese people are able to exercise one of their most fundamental rights—the right to vote—and the Congolese authorities, including CENI, must work to ensure all Congolese are able to exercise this right, through a fair and transparent process.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-join-merkley-in-push-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Duckworth, Durbin Join Merkley in Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 42 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders,” the Senators wrote. “Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills.” These extreme, poison pill provisions riddled throughout the House appropriations bills threaten Congress’ ability to pass bipartisan funding bills that are needed to keep the government open and working for the American people. Hyper-partisan agenda items have no place in critical spending bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass and keep the government open. Joining Duckworth, Durbin, Merkley, Baldwin and Booker on this letter are U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), 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 Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) and Whitman-Walker Institute. Full text of the letter can be found using the link here and below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills. Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes. Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care. At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare. Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-murkowski-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-military-and-foreign-services-spouses-and-families-create-job-flexibility,"Duckworth, Murkowski, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Military and Foreign Services Spouses and Families, Create Job Flexibility",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today introduced bipartisan legislation to support military and foreign service spouses and their families by creating more job flexibility when a servicemember is deployed or transferred. The READINESS Act, which was developed by current and former federally employed military spouses, aims to encourage the retainment of military spouses across the federal government and lower high employee turnover. U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) introduced the House version of the bill in November. “When the brave members of our military and Foreign Service are relocated or transferred to a new duty station, we should be doing everything we can to support their families who sacrifice so much to go with them—including sometimes having to leave their jobs,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to join Senator Murkowski to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure we provide our military and Foreign Service spouses with the flexibility and job support they need as their families make these transitions, reducing unemployment and strengthening military readiness.” “Military spouses are critical support systems in their families—and I’m proud to lead the bipartisan READINESS Act to provide job and career support to them when their spouse faces deployment or transfer,” said Murkowski. “This legislation creates flexibilities that already exist in the federal government, and can help to retain quality workers while also ensuring that the spouses of servicemembers can support their families. Our military spouses do so much for our country—and we should do what we can to make their service better.” Currently, military spouse unemployment has held over 20 percent for over 30 years and is 6 times the national unemployment rate. More than one-third of military families cite spouse employment challenges as a reason for leaving active duty. Military and foreign service moves are involuntary, a consideration unique to this small group of federal employees. The lack of agency flexibility often results in spouses being forced to resign under threat of termination. The dearth of available jobs around many military bases then results in career breaks or voluntary demotions, negatively impacting the military family’s financial health. The READINESS Act would incentivize military service members to accept hardship orders or orders to locations with a negative availability of civilian jobs. Additionally, it would create a decision tree when an employee presents their supervisor with military or foreign service orders including whether the employee’s position can be performed remotely; if they can transfer to an agency position within the commuting area of the new location; or if they can transfer to an agency position that can be performed remotely. If not, it would place them in a non-pay status (i.e., Leave Without Pay) for the greater of their spouse’s orders or 36 months – with the employing agency able to backfill the position, unencumbered. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-reacts-to-short-term-faa-extension,Duckworth Reacts to Short-Term FAA Extension,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authorization. “As Chair of the Aviation Safety subcommittee, I’m encouraged that Senate negotiators are close to finalizing a strong, full FAA Reauthorization bill that builds on the existing post-Colgan safety system—including leaving the 1,500 hour rule as-is—supercharges air traffic controller hiring, improves on the technology and equipment needed to prevent near-misses and ensures the FAA has the tools it needs to strengthen pilot training and safety margins. Today’s vote will give us the time we need to do just that.” -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-baldwin-booker-push-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Merkley, Baldwin, Booker Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—along with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—led 45 Senators in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills,” write the Senators. These poison pill policy riders aim to make changes to laws that would fail to withstand scrutiny of congressional debate by attaching them to “must-pass” measures like appropriation bills. “Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” the Senators write. “House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care,” their letter continues. Not only are there anti-abortion poison pills included in the House bills, there are attacks on the LGBTQ+ community as well. “House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community,” the letter states. “Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare,” the Senators note. These extreme, poison pill provisions riddled throughout the House appropriations bills threaten Congress’ ability to pass bipartisan funding bills that are needed to keep the government open and working for the American people. Hyper-partisan agenda items have no place in critical spending bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass and keep the government open. Joining Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker on this letter are Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The Senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Whitman-Walker Institute. Full text of the letter can be found here and follows below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills. Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes. Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care. At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare. Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-push-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Hirono, Colleagues Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 44 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders,” wrote the Senators. “Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills.” These “poison pill policy riders” aim to make changes to laws that would fail to withstand scrutiny of congressional debate by attaching them to “must-pass” measures such as appropriation bills. “Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” the Senators continued. “House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care.” Not only are there anti-abortion poison pills included in the House bills, there are attacks on the LGBTQ+ community as well. “House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community,” the Senators wrote. “Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare.” The Senators concluded, “Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people.” The letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Whitman-Walker Institute. In addition to Senators Hirono, Baldwin, Merkley, and Booker on this letter are Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills. Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes. Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care. At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare. Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-highlights-biden-harris-administrations-progress-for-working-people-commends-acting-secretary-of-labor-julie-su,"VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Highlights Biden-Harris Administration’s Progress for Working People, Commends Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), delivered remarks on the Senate floor highlighting the historic progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration to create over 14 million jobs and keep unemployment rates low. In her remarks, Senator Hirono also commended Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su for her work in achieving these milestones and called out unfair criticisms of the Acting Secretary. “After decades of declining union membership, working people are coming together to demand their fair share of the economic success our country is experiencing—success they make possible,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “Since assuming the top role at the Labor Department earlier this year, Acting Secretary Su has played a critical role supporting workers and finding consensus to move our economy forward.” Senator Hirono highlighted the crucial role Acting Secretary Su played in mediating several contentious labor disputes, including the potentially-disastrous strike at ports along the west coast, the largest health care strike in our nation’s history carried out by Kaiser Permanente employees, and the historic deal between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three auto companies. “In addition to these and many other settled labor disputes, Acting Secretary Su is leading major initiatives to make life better for working people in our country and grow the middle class—from expanding overtime protections, to strengthening apprenticeship and work training programs and much more,” continued Senator Hirono. “Julie Su’s work speaks for itself. She listens, she finds consensus, and she helps those around her stay the course for as long as it takes. What more could we ask of a Secretary of Labor?” In her remarks, Senator Hirono also called out the double-standards often applied to women of color in leadership positions. “To be blunt, Mr. President, sexism, racism, and double standards applied to women of color are all too common, in spite of their denials all around,” Senator Hirono continued. “Julie Su has been doing the job of Secretary of Labor for months, and she’s been doing the job well. But still, some of our colleagues cling to baseless criticisms, insisting she’s unfit to serve. It’s unfair to Acting Secretary Su, and to the millions of workers whose lives she’s helped to improve.” Senator Hirono has remained a strong advocate on behalf of Julie Su’s nomination to become Secretary of Labor. If confirmed, Su would be the first Asian-American in the Biden administration to serve in the Cabinet at the secretary level. Senator Hirono’s full remarks are below and video is available for download here. M. President, as 2023 comes to a close, I rise to mark a year of historic progress for working people in our country. Since President Biden took office, we’ve created more than 14 million jobs, including 1.5 million jobs created in manufacturing, construction and engineering. Meanwhile, unemployment has been under 4% for 22 months in a row—the longest stretch in over 50 years. And across the country, we’re seeing the labor movement reclaim its strength. After decades of declining union membership, working people are coming together to demand their fair share of the economic success our country is experiencing—success they make possible. None of this is happening by accident, M. President. These victories are thanks, in large part, to the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and, to give credit where credit is due, the work of Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Since assuming the top role at the Labor Department earlier this year, Acting Secretary Su has played a critical role supporting workers and finding consensus to move our economy forward. In June, just months after taking over the Department, she helped avert a potentially-disastrous strike at ports all along the west coast. Had major ports come to a screeching halt, our country would have experienced massive supply chain disruptions, costing our economy billions of dollars. Such a shutdown would have been particularly chaotic for Hawaii, where the vast majority of our goods are shipped to the state. Gene Seroka, the Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the country, said Julie was “a constant and reassuring voice of reason that helped to keep both sides at the bargaining table and focused on resolution.” In October, Acting Secretary Su helped settle a labor dispute between Kaiser Permanente and nearly 75,000 of its union employees who staged the largest health care strike in our nation’s history. After weeks of bargaining, Kaiser and its employees had failed to reach an agreement, endangering the care they provided to millions of Americans across our country. At the invitation of both parties, Acting Secretary Su flew to California to sit at the bargaining table and encourage both sides to continue talking in good faith. To help bridge the gap between labor and management, and keep the lines of communication open, Acting Secretary Su was regularly moving from room to room, serving as a critical liaison in the negotiations. With her help, Kaiser workers reached a historic deal that included a record 21% wage increase over four years. Both sides agree she was critical to reaching a deal, with the union calling her support “instrumental” and Kaiser’s Senior Vice President of Labor Relations saying that Julie was “able to get us to articulate where we have commonalities, not about a particular package, but about our interests in the employees, and in health care.” That’s what Julie does—she helps people find common ground, setting workers, businesses, and our economy up for success. But even after that historic success, many continued to doubt Acting Secretary Su’s acumen—with one labor economist going so far as to question her skills as a mediator. Let’s face it, it is not unusual for so-called experts to question the leadership qualities of women with little evidence to substantiate their criticisms. In spite of her detractors, just weeks later, Julie Su helped mediate a truly historic deal between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three auto companies, resolving the most significant auto strike in modern American history. Like Kaiser workers, with Acting Secretary Su’s support, autoworkers secured a transformational contract—a contract that will see UAW salaries rise more in the next four years than they have in the previous 20. Shawn Fain, the newly-elected UAW President, showed his mettle in these negotiations as the country watched. Significantly, he too praised Julie Su’s leadership, citing her work to build trust between labor and management and encouraging them to focus on their shared goals. In addition to these and many other settled labor disputes, Acting Secretary Su is leading major initiatives to make life better for working people in our country and grow the middle class—from expanding overtime protections, to strengthening apprenticeship and work training programs, and much more. M. President, Julie Su’s work speaks for itself. She listens, she finds consensus, and she helps those around her stay the course for as long as it takes. What more could we ask of a Secretary of Labor? But still, there are those who question Julie’s ability to do the job, either ignoring or willfully dismissing her track record of successes. To be blunt, M. President, sexism, racism, and double standards applied to women of color are all too common, in spite of their denials all around. Julie Su has been doing the job of Secretary of Labor for months, and she’s been doing the job well. But still, some of our colleagues cling to baseless criticisms, insisting she’s unfit to serve. It’s unfair to Acting Secretary Su, and to the millions of workers whose lives she’s helped to improve. Like the committed public servant she is, Julie perseveres, focusing on the important work of her Department. Along with millions of working people all across our country, I’m grateful for all she and the Biden-Harris Administration have done for workers, businesses, and our economy. This Administration and Acting Secretary Su understand that workers are the force that keeps our country moving forward. With their continued leadership, I look forward to more wins for workers and our economy in the years ahead. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/following-warner-and-kaine-push-administration-negotiates-pause-on-retaliatory-tariffs-on-whiskey-and-spirits,"Following Warner & Kaine Push, Administration Negotiates Pause on Retaliatory Tariffs on Whiskey and Spirits",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded the Biden administration for heeding their call to protect the millions of U.S. jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits producers. Earlier this month, Warner and Kaine joined a bipartisan group of senators urging the administration to negotiate with the European Union (EU) to remove retaliatory tariffs that hurt these businesses in Virginia and across the country. Without urgent action from the Biden administration, the EU would have implemented a 50% tariff on American whiskey imports on January 1, 2024. Today, the EU announced they would pause these retaliatory tariffs for 15 months in response to U.S. pressure. “The spirits industry plays a vital role in Virginia’s economy, and we’re glad to see the Biden administration acted quickly to protect the thousands of Virginia jobs that rely on it,” said the senators. “We’ll keep working to reach a permanent solution that will protect the industry from harmful retaliatory tariffs.” Retaliatory tariffs by the EU have cost domestic sprits distillers and winemakers billions of dollars since 2018, and the U.S. needs a permanent solution to safeguard over 1.7 million production, distribution, and hospitality jobs that rely on the industry. The EU originally set the whiskey tariff at 25%, and following Warner and Kaine’s push, the Biden Administration negotiated an agreement to suspend the tariff until 2024. The senators’ bipartisan letter urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate a deal to permanently remove retaliatory tariffs on all American-made sprits and wines. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-urge-administration-to-appoint-special-envoy-for-sudan,Warner & Kaine Urge Administration to Appoint Special Envoy for Sudan,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged the Administration to avoid further delays in the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan. Nearly 4.8 million people have been internally displaced since the war in Sudan began in April 2023—resulting in one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. It’s estimated that there have been 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators emphasize the crucial role a Special Envoy would play in coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address this crisis and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. “At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and regional partners,” wrote the senators. “Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.” They continued, “We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis.” “To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a special envoy for Sudan,” the senators concluded. “We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet.” Warner and Kaine have been longtime advocates for the Sudanese community in Virginia. Last week, Warner and Kaine applauded the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Sudan, which they urged in May. Earlier this year, Warner spoke out about the violence in Sudan and hosted a virtual town hall for Sudanese Americans. Kaine has pushed the Administration to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Sudan and urged both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire. He held an event in Richmond with members of Virginia’s Sudanese American community to hear their perspectives on the conflict and discuss ways he can be helpful. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Blinken, The destructive conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been raging for eight months. It has resulted in 4.8 million people internally displaced, 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions, 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Sudan’s health systems have reached their breaking point, and the country is plagued with widespread sexual violence, looting, and killing. At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the RSF, SAF, and regional partners. Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis. We are grateful for the efforts from you, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, Ambassador John Godfrey, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer have put into facilitating negotiations between the RSF, SAF, and global partners in Jeddah. We also welcome your December 6 atrocities determination for the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing conducted by the SAF and RSF. However, much more needs to be done to end this brutal conflict, and the need is urgent. We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis. We are pleased that the negotiation talks between the SAF and RSF in Jeddah have resumed, but a stronger and more cohesive U.S. diplomatic effort is long overdue. The tally of Sudanese lives taken by this conflict is mounting by the day. As global stability is threatened by multiple destructive conflicts, we cannot forget about the people of Sudan. To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a Special Envoy for Sudan. We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet. Thank you for your time and attention to this request. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-colleagues-push-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 48 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills,” write the Senators. These poison pill policy riders aim to make changes to laws that would fail to withstand scrutiny of congressional debate by attaching them to “must-pass” measures like appropriation bills. “Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” the Senators write. “House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care,” their letter continues. “House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community,” the letter states. “Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare,” the Senators note. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter. The letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Whitman-Walker Institute. Full text of the letter can be found here and follows below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills. Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes. Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care. At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare. Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-peters-and-lankford-bipartisan-bill-to-save-taxpayer-dollars-by-reusing-excess-federal-property,Senate Passes Peters and Lankford Bipartisan Bill to Save Taxpayer Dollars by Reusing Excess Federal Property,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK) to hold agencies more accountable to the public on how they reuse excess personal property. Federally-owned personal property includes physical items such as office supplies, furniture, automobiles, and heavy machinery. The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, and this bill would ensure agencies are looking to excess property– available at no cost apart from any necessary transportation – before buying new products to save taxpayer dollars. “Federal agencies have a responsibility to taxpayers use dollars responsibly. When it comes to purchasing goods like office supplies, equipment, and vehicles, agencies should consider reusing excess goods rather than buying them new,” said Senator Peters. “My bipartisan legislation would hold the federal government more accountable by ensuring agencies consider goods that have already been purchased when looking for new personal property.” “This is not that hard. Use the stuff you already have before you buy more stuff. When federal agencies just buy more, before they use what we already have, it shows a lack of commitment to saving taxpayer dollars. The federal government is already the largest single buyer of goods and services in the world, so we need to prioritize good stewardship and effective use of property the government has already purchased,” said Senator Lankford. “From paper clips to automobiles, Oklahoma families and businesses make decisions every day about how to use what they have before spending more money. We should always look for ways for the federal government to save more money and waste less time.” The Reuse Excess Property Act would update existing requirements for agencies to report their excess personal property to the General Services Administration (GSA) by making those reports available to the public as well. This would help agency officials and taxpayers better understand the extent to which agencies are working to cut wasteful spending through the use of excess property. The bill would also require agencies to publicly report on their guidance on the use of excess personal property and designate an employee to be responsible for searching through available excess personal property for items that meet agency needs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-completes-tour-of-all-62-new-york-counties-for-landmark-25th-year-now-with-4500-visits-to-upstate-ny-and-long-island-in-his-career-senator-says-his-silver-anniversary-with-the-empire-state-was-one-of-most-meaningful-tours_including-delivering-billions-for-infrastructure-creating-thousands-of-good-paying-jobs--and-says-he-will-continue-tradition-again-next-year,"SCHUMER COMPLETES TOUR OF ALL 62 NEW YORK COUNTIES FOR LANDMARK 25th YEAR; NOW WITH 4,500+ VISITS TO UPSTATE NY AND LONG ISLAND IN HIS CAREER, SENATOR SAYS HIS SILVER ANNIVERSARY WITH THE EMPIRE STATE...",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"During Schumer’s 1998 Senate Election Campaign, He Vowed To Visit Every Single New York County Each Year — Now, After 25 Years Of Keeping His Promise, He Is Marking Historic 25th Year Of The Tradition That Has Accumulated 4,500+ Visits To Communities In Every Corner Of New York Schumer: After 25 Years Of Traveling The State, I Am Not Slowing Down – And Promise To Continue Traveling, Listening, Learning and Delivering For New York In Bigger And Bolder Ways! Marking the silver anniversary of his beloved tradition, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced he completed his landmark 25th year of his annual 62 county tour, with his final stop yesterday in Columbia County. Over the past 25 years, Schumer visited Upstate New York and Long Island a whopping 4,500+ times with 112 non-NYC county visits this year alone. Schumer was the first New York public official to start a tour of every single county in New York, a tradition he has continued each year he has been in office. “25 years ago, I made the promise to visit every county, but little did I know that this tradition would bring me across our great state over 4,500 times. From Buffalo to Brooklyn, meeting with New Yorkers from every walk of life on my tour is what inspires me, it is how I learn, and it is what motivates me every day in Washington,” said Senator Schumer. “This was a landmark year, and one of my most meaningful tours, as we got to see firsthand many of the historic investments we made from my CHIPS & Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and more really start to bloom. We have delivered billions for long overdue infrastructure projects from roads to broadband, new cutting-edge industry and thousands of good paying jobs coming back from overseas to Upstate NY. All of that would not be possible without the knowledge and motivation I gain from the people I meet on the 62 county tour.” “Whether it was standing outside the long abandoned Jamestown furniture factory that sat as an eyesore in the community and getting the feds to help clean it up, expanding broadband in the North Country, lowering healthcare costs for our seniors, or helping solidify Upstate NY from Buffalo to Albany as a growing hub for semiconductor manufacturing in research…This year was about helping communities big and small in every corner of the state lay the foundation for a brighter future,” said Senator Schumer. Schumer added, “God gave me a lot of energy. Many people said that when I became majority leader, I wouldn’t have time for the 62 county tour, but even though I carry a bigger title in Washington and I now have to lead international trips on diplomacy, my favorite two titles will always be New York’s senator and a New Yorker. After 25 incredible years of traveling the state, I have no plans of slowing down anytime soon, and I look forward to continuing this tradition again next year.” In his continued quest to deliver resources to every corner of Upstate New York, Schumer highlighted various accomplishments achieved over the past year by region below: NEW YORK STATE Secured a massive nearly $1 billion every single year with new Medicare Wage Index rule change to bring increased payments to rural and urban hospitals in every corner of Upstate NY: Following years of relentless advocacy, Schumer announced in August that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officially finalized a rule that will have an estimated nearly $1 billion impact for increased payments to Upstate New York hospitals every single year from the federal government. With this fixed rule, hospitals across the state will begin to receive the fair and full reimbursements they have been denied for far too long, meaning better healthcare for communities and families across Upstate. Delivered the largest federal investments in broadband in New York State’s history – bringing high-quality internet to a record number of homes and businesses across the Empire State: Schumer announced that New York state would receive a historic nearly $670 million in federal funding from his Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. This is the largest single investment for broadband in New York State’s history and will be used for providing affordable high-speed internet to locations in New York that currently have no broadband service. In addition, Schumer also announced another $100 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan this year to expand high-speed internet across New York State. Sparked millions in investments for Upstate NY’s manufacturing sector and brought critical manufacturing in industries like semiconductors back from overseas to America – all spurred by historic CHIPS & Science Law: Exactly one year after his CHIPS & Science Act was signed into law, Schumer highlighted billions in investments the semiconductor industry has already proposed and thousands of good paying jobs thanks to the historic legislation he championed for Upstate NY.Schumer crafted the CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY in mind to bring critical manufacturing in industries like semiconductors back from overseas to America, and over the past year, new investment sparked by the federal legislation he authored has breathed new life into Upstate’s manufacturing sector, including: Micron has proposed an historic up to $100 billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab in Central New York, which is expected to create up to 50,000 good-paying jobs. Wolfspeed near Utica recently opened the first, largest, and only 200mm silicon carbide fabrication facility in the world with over $1 billion invested in the Mohawk Valley. Edwards Vacuum will invest $300+ million to build a 600 job U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility in Western New York’s Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) to supply the semiconductor industry. IBM will invest $20+ billion in the Hudson Valley to increase its research and development (R&D) of technologies in the semiconductor, quantum computing, and other high-tech industries. GlobalFoundries is considering building a second fab in the Capital Region, driven by the major demand for their chips, that will be a key supplier to the auto and defense industries. Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants, is considering expansion because of the support for suppliers in the CHIPS federal incentives that Schumer included in the CHIPS & Science law. Menlo Micro announced an over $50 million investment to build their first domestic microelectronics fab facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. Albany Nanotech recently landed a $10 billion public-private partnership with New York State and semiconductor industry leaders boosting a major new expansion with investment in the world’s most cutting-edge semiconductor machinery to the Capital Region, expected to create at least 700 direct jobs, hundreds of union construction jobs, and bolstering workforce training for this vital industry in NY. WESTERN NEW YORK Landed prestigious Federal Tech Hub Designation for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse as region primed to grow America’s semiconductor industry: After years of advocacy, Schumer announced that the Upstate cities of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse won the federal Tech Hub designation he created in the CHIPS and Science Act, putting Upstate NY further on the road to becoming America’s semiconductor superhighway. The tri-city region was one of only 31 proposals selected across the country to compete for potentially billions in federal funding to boost Upstate NY’s workforce training, innovation, and manufacturing of semiconductor technology. Delivered millions in critical pension relief for Western New York union workers and their families thanks to American Rescue Plan: After years of relentless advocacy, Schumer announced that International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237 would receive $32.2 million pension-fix payout from the American Rescue Plan – ensuring the 430 members and their families receive the hard earned benefits and the financial security they deserve. Schumer also announced the UFCW would receive about $400 million of the $764 million pension fund payout from the American Rescue plan, benefitting roughly 8,000 to 10,000 workers and retirees from Western New York at employers such as Tops, Sahlen’s and Wardynski’s. Successfully pushed EPA to demolish and clean up Jamestown’s old contaminated Crawford Furniture Factory, a site with known hazardous contamination, following massive fire: After standing in Jamestown to launch push to get feds to help clean up the old Crawford Furniture Factory, Schumer announced the EPA heeded his calls and is officially beginning clean up on the hazardous site. After a dangerous fire late last year, that potentially put public health at risk for the community, Schumer came to Jamestown to launch his push for feds to help take financial burden off local taxpayers and help remove hazardous materials at the site and demolish the eyesore so it could potentially become a site for new opportunity. The EPA is now beginning demolition of the former manufacturing facility at the Allen Street Development Site – knocking down, cleaning up damaged buildings and disposing of toxic asbestos from the deteriorating facility. Secured Major Disaster Declaration for Winter Storm Elliott, the deadly December blizzard that devastated Western NY: After his relentless advocacy, Schumer announced that President Biden had approved New York’s Disaster declaration for Winter Storm Elliott, officially providing the state and local municipalities with federal funding needed to boost recovery efforts. The declaration made over $2.6 million available to cover the costs of storm-related damages and emergency response for both New York State and in impacted communities in Erie, Genesee, Niagara, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk Counties, including Snow Assistance for Erie and Niagara Counties to reimburse for snow removal. The declaration also included Individual Assistance to cover funeral expenses for residents of Erie and Niagara Counties. HUDSON VALLEY Announced Sullivan County received critical NY-NJ HIDTA designation following years of advocacy – securing major boost in fed crime fighting resources for Hudson Valley: Following years of non-stop advocacy, Schumer announced the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) had heeded his calls and granted Sullivan County’s request to be designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Schumer personally brought the Director of ONDCP, Dr. Rahul Gupta, to Sullivan County to announce the critical designation, which will finally provide access to the federal resources to help local law enforcement combat the opioid crisis in the Hudson Valley and stop dangerous drug traffickers. Delivered $21 million to reconnect Kingston’s neighborhoods to the waterfront, create good-paying jobs, and revitalize downtown: Following Schumer’s March 2022 visit to Kingston, where he vowed to secure $20 million for the city, the Department of Transportation announced a $21.7 million RAISE grant to boost transportation and transform Kingston’s Waterfront. Schumer wrote to and personally called Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to secure this award. Schumer said this long awaited funding will reconnect Kingston’s neighborhoods to its historic Rondout waterfront area to restore and revitalize downtown, create good paying jobs, and bolster economic opportunity for all. Secured $1.8 Million for the West Point Fire Department after they had faced years of budget cuts: After standing shoulder to shoulder with West Point firefighters at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, Schumer announced that the Army heeded his call and reversed course to fully fund the West Point Fire Department (WPFD) after it faced years of staggering budget cuts that hampered operations. Schumer said that the Army committed $1.8 million – 150% of WPFD’s original request this year - to replace outdated emergency response equipment and give West Point firefighters the peace of mind and financial security they have desperately needed and deserved. Landed Breeze Airways at Stewart International Airport: After working to secure flights out of Plattsburgh, Schumer continued his push for affordable airline access and landed Breeze Airways at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, making it the fifth New York State airport to provide services from Breeze Airways – all part of Schumer’s multi-year, multi-faceted plan to provide air services for all. CAPITAL REGION Helped launch CDTA’s new BusPlus Purple Line, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line with limited stop service along the busiest corridors in the Capital Region – boosting fast, accessible, and affordable transportation: Following ten years of relentless advocacy, Schumer helped CDTA announce the launch of its new BusPlus Purple Line, which will provide affordable, dependable, express transit service for Capital Region residents and students along the Washington and Western Avenue corridors to Crossgates Mall. The Purple Line will connect riders to employment and entertainment centers across the route, connecting riders with downtown Albany, the city’s bus terminal, the Harriman State Office Campus, the University at Albany, the Albany Nanotech campus and Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. Unveiled a new $1.7B investment into Watervliet Arsenal – the largest investment in the history of the facility – to modernize arsenal, upgrade equipment, and secure Watervliet as heart of Army cannon manufacturing: Schumer announced that Congress and the U.S. Army would invest over $1.7 billion in the Watervliet Arsenal over the next 20 years—the largest investment in the history of the Arsenal—to modernize the facility, upgrade equipment, and bolster workforce to secure Watervliet as heart of Army cannon manufacturing for generations to come. This historic investment builds on the $230 million already flowed to the facility in 2023 in order to jumpstart modernization efforts in the factory. The last major modernization effort was done during the 1980s. Announced historic new partnership between GlobalFoundries and Lockheed Martin – spurred by Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Act: This past June, Schumer stood alongside GlobalFoundries’ and Lockheed Martin executives to announce their new major strategic partnership to advance U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and increase the security, reliability and resiliency of domestic supply chains for national security systems. This new partnership, a direct result of expected expansion of domestic chip manufacturing spurred by Schumer’s CHIPS and Science Act, means that chips Lockheed Martin uses in some of the nation’s most sensitive defense and aerospace technologies will now be made at GlobalFoundries by Capital Region workers. Schumer said this new collaboration between two of Upstate New York’s largest employers will strengthen our national security, all while supporting the 2500 employees GlobalFoundries currently has working in Malta as well as potential future expansion. Announced $40 million awarded to New York-based consortium from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Microelectronic Commons Program: This funding is one of the first major CHIPS awards from Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Act and will establish the infrastructure of the hub, allowing partners to bolster workforce training programs for the semiconductor industry and add new state-of-the-art microelectronics equipment. The consortium, known as the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTech), led by NY CREATES, the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM, will bring together academia, industry, and government organizations to help supercharge New York’s booming chips industry to spur innovation, attract new companies, strengthen the workforce, and bolster this industry, which is vital to America’s national security. Helped unveil Plug Power’s new Vista facility: Back in 2016, Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh and Senator Schumer made a deal—If Schumer could reinstate the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Plug would grow its workforce in New York. A promise made was a promise kept— Schumer secured the ITC in 2017, and in January this year, Plug Power opened its brand new Vista facility in Slingerlands which manufactures green hydrogen fuel cells; creating 1,600 good paying jobs in the Capital Region. Plug’s growth in New York was even more supercharged with new incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES Secured a major investment of $68 million from General Motors for Rochester – fueling revival of Finger Lakes auto industry and creating 100 new jobs: After fighting to save the Rochester plant from closure years ago, Schumer announced that General Motors will invest $68 million at their Rochester manufacturing plant for the production of electric vehicle battery components that will position the plant at the forefront of the rapidly growing electric vehicles market as well as for production of components for GM’s next-generation Gen6 V8 light duty truck engine. The represents the culmination of years of efforts by Schumer to bring new work to the Rochester GM facility, personally lobbying GM, and creating new federal incentives to spur electric vehicle production. Sen. Schumer said Rochester’s production facility will now be at the heart of GM’s transformation to electric and that this work will help sustain their nearly 750 workers for years to come. Saved over 200 union jobs after urging Tom James Company to buy former Hickey Freeman Factory: After years of working to protect Hickey Freeman’s highly skilled, mostly unionized workers, Schumer announced that the Tom James Company, the largest U.S maker of custom clothing, would purchase the Rochester factory, maintaining nearly 200 union employees and promising to add up to an additional 45 jobs over the next five years. With the company struggling, Schumer directly called the Tom James Company and convinced them to purchase the historic, 112-year old facility, protecting the existing workforce and securing their commitment to grow the workforce of the newly dubbed “Rochester Tailored Clothing.” Delivered $3 million to greenlight Rochester’s urban tree program and plant over 6,000 new trees across the city: After visiting Rochester in May to launch his support for the city’s application to the USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry grants program, Schumer wrote to USDA Secretary Vilsack and successfully secured funding for the program to plant thousands of new trees across areas of need throughout the city. Rochester’s poorer neighborhoods and communities of color currently have 30% fewer trees than more affluent areas, leading to urban heat islands and worsening health disparities. Successfully resolved Baxter International’s chip shortage, protecting the jobs of the company’s 300-person workforce: After standing with workers of Baxter International in Orleans County promising to fight to help solve their microchip supply chain issues, Schumer announced that his relentless advocacy was successful and that the previous shortages that hindered production have been resolved. In August of 2022, the senator personally visited Orleans County to launch a two-pronged plan to address the microchip shortage. Schumer said that Baxter’s infusion pumps are classified as in “critical need” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the nation’s pandemic response, so it was crucial their manufacturing supply chain be preserved. Schumer began working with Texas Instruments, one of Baxter’s primary chip suppliers, to help prioritize components for their lifesaving medical devices. After months of work, Baxter confirmed that Schumer’s support was successful and they have the necessary chips to produce their infusion pump technology and preserve the company’s 300-person workforce. CENTRAL NEW YORK Persuaded TTM Technologies to select DeWitt for $130M investment in state-of-the-art printed circuit board manufacturing facility expected to create 400 good paying Central New York jobs: Following a yearlong site assessment process involving 27 markets in 16 states, Schumer and Governor Hochul successfully persuaded TTM Technologies to locate it’s new, state-of-the-art $130M printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing expansion facility in the Town of Dewitt. The expansion facility will be co-located on 24 acres adjacent to TTM’s existing production facility in DeWitt and is expected to create 400 good-paying manufacturing and engineering jobs, as well as an equal number of construction jobs during the design and build. This trailblazing investment furthers Schumer’s plan to transform Central New York into a global epicenter of semiconductor manufacturing by adding one of the nation’s first, specialized PCB manufacturing and advanced packaging facilities to the region’s semiconductor ecosystem. The 160,000+ sqft facility will manufacture ultra-high-density PCB’s for defense and commercial semiconductor applications. TTM will also invest in research and development that will further integrated-circuit substrate and HDI PCB technologies across the United States. The project will support around 400 construction jobs during development and construction of the facility. Ensured Verizon can hear us now, successfully pressuring Verizon to get to work on fixing the infamous Oneida Street wireless dead zone plaguing Utica: Standing side-by-side with Utica residents, small business owners, and public safety officials in April, Schumer sounded the alarm on a dangerous wireless dead zone that stretches along one of Utica’s busiest streets and impedes calls, mobile payments and even presents a public safety risk. After years of complaints from small businesses and public officials went unheard, Schumer turned up the volume by calling on Verizon to investigate the problem, meet with local officials, and come up with a plan to fix the dead zone. Verizon heeded Schumer’s call before the end of summer, engaging with the City of Utica, the Village of New Hartford, and Schumer staff to formulate a plan to fix the dead zone. Verizon identified the New Hartford Recreation Center site for a new tower, had engineers visit and evaluate the site, and worked with the Village of New Hartford to fast track approvals. More progress has been made in the few months since Schumer’s call to action than over the many years of effort preceding it. Secured nearly $15 million for workforce development and training across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley: After writing to Defense Secretary Austin, Schumer secured $5 million for CenterState CEO, the Griffiss Institute, Syracuse University and partners to build out the region’s defense manufacturing workforce. Schumer advocated for Syracuse University, successfully securing $2.5 million in NSF funding to attract, retain, and increase diversity and access for underserved populations in the region’s STEM workforce and $900,000 in BIL-powered DOE funding to become an Industrial Assessment Center. Schumer supported Mohawk Valley Community College by securing $2 million for a new, state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing training center at Mohawk Valley Community College and $440,000 in BIL-powered DOE funding to become an Industrial Advancement Center. Schumer secured $2 million for Onondaga Community College to create a state-of-the-art hospital simulation education and training center to address the critical shortage of health care workers and train the next generation of health care practitioners. Schumer secured nearly $2 million for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Counties to design, develop and grow a training program that prepares local job seekers for high-demand, high-quality career pathways. Delivered over $13 million to revitalize urban tree canopies from Utica to Auburn and plant thousands of trees across Central New York: After personally calling and writing USDA Secretary Vilsack to advocate for funding, Schumer secured over $13M to rejuvenate urban greenspaces in the City of Syracuse, the City of Auburn, the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board, the City of Utica, and Olmsted City of Greater Utica. With urban tree canopies across the region in need of a green thumb, this federal funding will help breathe new life into neighborhoods and greenspaces from Utica to Syracuse to Auburn by planting thousands of new trees, reducing extreme temperatures from urban heat islands, and connecting youth to good paying jobs that foster a cleaner, greener environment. The funding is made possible thanks to the historic increases secured by Schumer in the Inflation Reduction Act, which included over $1 billion for the UDSA to increase equitable access to trees. Funding for the City of Syracuse builds on the city’s 2018 urban forestry master plan, to which the city has already committed $2 million in federal dollars from Schumer’s American Rescue Plan. Landed $46 million in National Defense Authorization Act for cutting-edge Quantum Computing and Unmanned Aerial Systems R&D in Rome: Schumer reinforced his reputation as a champion of Rome’s Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) by securing $46 million in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to supercharge quantum computing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology. Schumer’s efforts will advance AFRL’s pioneering R&D by supporting major projects, such as a quantum networking testbed and quantum cloud computing environment, a next-generation ion-trap quantum computer, a joint all-domain command and control testbed, and a multi-domain radio frequency spectrum test environment. NORTH COUNTRY Landed prestigious Multi Domain Task Force at Fort Drum to reinforce the north country’s pillar of national defense: After years of advocacy, Schumer successfully completed his mission to deliver a prestigious Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) for Fort Drum. When the Army first announced that Fort Drum was being considered for a MDTF, Schumer sent a letter to the Army supporting Fort Drum’s candidacy. As part of an all-out push, Schumer personally calling Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth multiple times to highlight Fort Drum. The MDTF combines land, air, sea, cyber, and space capabilities into one unit that supports joint forces and is essential to building joint readiness while strengthening interoperability with key allies and partners. Announced largest-ever NBRC investment into economic development projects throughout North Country communities: After he delivered major federal funding for Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, Schumer in August announced that New York State projects had received the largest amount of funding in the history of the program, to the tune of nearly $11 million for twelve projects across the North Country that address aging infrastructure, expanding childcare, training workers for good-paying jobs, increasing access to high-speed internet, and accelerating the economic growth of Main Streets across the North Country and Upstate New York. Secured Critical Access Hospital Status for Alice Hyde Medical Center to Boost essential care for Franklin County communities: Following his advocacy, Schumer announced in November that Alice Hyde Medical Center has been designated as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Alice Hyde’s new status will reduce the community hospital’s financial vulnerability amid financial and operational challenges for rural health care organizations in New York and across the country. Schumer has been a champion of the CAH program for years and successfully saved several Upstate New York hospitals at risk of losing their CAH status last year. Delivered $17+ million for 400+ miles of high-speed fiber to bridge the North Country’s digital divide: With far too many unserved and underserved North Country communities struggling to access the high-speed internet they deserve, Schumer led the charge to bridge the digital divide by securing millions in federal funding for the Development Association of the North Country to lay over 400 miles of new broadband fiber, bringing high-speed internet to thousands of homes, businesses, and community anchors across the North Country. Schumer secured $14,547,750 in through the NTIA’s Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, which is powered by the IIJA’s record $65 billion for the expansion of high-speed internet, to expand nearly 350 miles of broadband fibers across the North Country for 2,500 unserved residences and over 280 community anchor institutions. Schumer also secured 2.5M from the Northern Border Regional Commission to complete a telecommunications project that will bring an additional 63.3 miles of new fiber, bringing affordable high-speed broadband to approximately 488 households in rural communities in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Secured over $5 million to complete the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority’s Terminal expansion project: After years of advocacy and millions in funding delivered, Schumer secured the final wave of funding for the Ogdensburg Bride and Port Authority’s (OBPA) long-awaited terminal expansion project. Currently, the Port of Ogdensburg can only accommodate one ship coming into port and unloading at a time. With this over $5 million in Port Infrastructure Development Program funding, the OBPA will be able to complete the Ogdensburg Harbor deepening that Schumer secured funding to kick start in 2021, add 500 feet to the west side dock wall for a second vessel berth at seaway depth, and expand storage facilities for increased cargo capacity. These upgrades will allow the Port of Ogdensburg to accommodate two or more ships coming into port and unloading simultaneously, equip the port to transport larger cargo more efficiently, and improve supply chain resilience. To make this award possible, Schumer secured $662,203,512 in FY’23 PIDP funding, including over $450 million in the IIJA and $212 million in the FY’23 budget. Landed Breeze Airways at Plattsburgh Airport: Following Schumer’s long history of fighting for affordable air service to Upstate New York, and after his letter to the Breeze CEO, Schumer announced that Breeze Airways will begin to offer flights out of Plattsburgh International Airport—connecting North Country families to affordable air service. SOUTHERN TIER Secured $50+ million investment from Menlo Microsystems to retrofit a Microelectronics Manufacturing Fab and create 100+ new good-paying jobs in Tompkins County: After personally calling the CEO of Menlo Micro, Schumer announced the company heeded his call and will invest over $50 million to build their first domestic microelectronics fabrication (“fab”) facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro’s next-generation switch technology are a vital component of the microelectronics industry, supporting the growth of the domestic semiconductor industry across Upstate NY that is being driven by Schumer’s CHIPS and Science Act. Secured Federal Tech Hub Designation for Binghamton to become the nation’s next hub for battery innovation, research, and manufacturing: After delivering historic federal investment to jumpstart Binghamton’s growing battery hub last year, Schumer announced that Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) project won a highly-competitive federal Tech Hub designation, which he created in the CHIPS and Science Act, officially recognizing the region to lead the nation in battery innovation and manufacturing. Binghamton is now part of an exclusive group of only 31 regions in America eligible to compete for significant federal funding. Secured $1.2 million for regional workforce development effort to help 135+ workers access jobs in advanced manufacturing and construction trades: After personally writing to the Department of Labor Secretary, Schumer announced nearly $1.2 million for Ithaca Area Economic Development through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative to expand existing and establish new career readiness programs that are expected to connect at least 135 workers for entry-level, good-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing and the construction trades. Delivered $400,000 for Delaware County Line-Worker Training Program to power hundreds of good-paying jobs and upgrade critical infrastructure: After visiting Delaware County earlier this year to launch an all-out push, Schumer delivered $400,000 through the Appalachian Regional Commission for Delaware County Electric Cooperative in partnership with SUNY Delhi to develop an advanced line-worker training program, which is projected to train hundreds of workers for good-paying jobs improving electricity service, expanding access to affordable clean energy, and upgrading telecommunications infrastructure in rural communities across Upstate NY. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-ricketts-respond-to-reports-that-recent-elections-in-serbia-were-not-free-nor-fair,"Shaheen, Ricketts Respond to Reports that Recent Elections in Serbia Were Not Free nor Fair",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, today released a joint statement in response to reports that the recent elections in Serbia were not fair nor free: “The national elections in Serbia over the weekend were an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its continued commitment to democracy and free and fair elections. However, we are disappointed to learn that, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the elections were technically well administered but there were numerous irregularities which indicate that the elections were neither free nor fair. “In particular, we were concerned by reports that voters were bused into Serbia to support the ruling party, in addition to reports of vote buying and ballot box stuffing. The Serbian people deserve a true democracy and an electoral process that fully represents the will of the people. “Right now, Serbia is at a crossroads and in order to advance its European Union membership aspirations, it must align itself with all competences outlined by the EU, which includes free and fair elections. We strongly urge all relevant institutions to take immediate action to consider whether these recent elections should be repeated in specific regions of the country to ensure that the results accurately reflect the wishes of its citizens. The Serbian government must also address the deficiencies and address all irregularities outlined in the OSCE’s preliminary report and in the final report when it becomes available,” the Senators concluded. Since her election into the Senate in 2009, Senator Shaheen has prioritized her leadership on the Western Balkans and has led numerous congressional delegations to the region. In April 2022, Shaheen led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Serbia as part of a broader trip to the Western Balkans with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). In February 2022, Senator Shaheen chaired a subcommittee hearing in the Western Balkans with Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Representative to the Western Balkans. In February, at the urging of Shaheen, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the Western Balkans. In May, she also re-introduced her bipartisan legislation with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), The Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, which would codify executive orders to address corrupt and anti-Dayton behavior in the Western Balkans and authorize various measures to promote greater economic ties to the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-urges-faa-administrator-whitaker-to-conduct-a-thorough-assessment-of-safety-measures-to-better-protect-air-traffic-controllers,Shaheen Urges FAA Administrator Whitaker to Conduct a Thorough Assessment of Safety Measures to Better Protect Air Traffic Controllers,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker urging the FAA to conduct a thorough assessment of potential measures to mitigate stressful work conditions for air traffic controllers. A New York Times investigation, as well as a report issued by the National Airspace Safety Review Team (SRT) last month, found that long hours and irregular work schedules contribute to fatigue, deteriorated mental health and increased substance misuse among these vital workers. In part, Senator Shaheen wrote: “In particular, it is critical that the FAA implement recommendations included in the report to address understaffing of certified professional controllers. As the SRT reports, current staffing levels have led to historic overtime rates – leading to increased fatigue and mental health concerns that have resulted in preventable human errors.” Shaheen continued: “In addition to the assessment conducted by the SRT, I urge the FAA to thoroughly review measures in place to address controller fatigue, burnout and general physical and mental wellbeing. The personal accounts reported by the New York Times reflect a dire level of occupational stress that imperils the health of every controller employed by the FAA and jeopardizes the safety of America’s traveling public. These accounts must be treated seriously and met with a focused effort to address unsustainable controller workload and increase mental health resources and support.” The letter can be read in its entirety here. Earlier this year, Shaheen wrote former FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen about the issue of workforce shortages as airports across the country faced multiple runway incursion incidents. In June, Shaheen introduced legislation to address air traffic controller staffing and increase transparency in their hiring process. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-merkley-baldwin-booker-colleagues-in-pushing-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Van Hollen Joins Merkley, Baldwin, Booker, Colleagues in Pushing to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills. “The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills,” write the Senators. These poison pill policy riders aim to make changes to laws that would fail to withstand scrutiny of congressional debate by attaching them to “must-pass” measures like appropriation bills. “Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” the Senators write. “House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care,” their letter continues. Not only are there anti-abortion poison pills included in the House bills, there are attacks on the LGBTQ+ community as well. “House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community,” the letter states. “Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare,” the Senators note. These extreme, poison pill provisions riddled throughout the House appropriations bills threaten Congress’ ability to pass bipartisan funding bills that are needed to keep the government open and working for the American people. Hyper-partisan agenda items have no place in critical spending bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass and keep the government open. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter led by Senators Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker was signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The Senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Whitman-Walker Institute. Full text of the letter can be found here and follows below: Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins: We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills. Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes. Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care. At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare. Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=3A0078CF-829C-43B2-A98A-08BFA23B65EC,Sens. Warner and Kaine Urge Administration to Appoint Special Envoy for Sudan,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged the Administration to avoid further delays in the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan. Nearly 4.8 million people have been internally displaced since the war in Sudan began in April 2023—resulting in one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. It’s estimated that there have been 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators emphasize the crucial role a Special Envoy would play in coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address this crisis and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. “At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and regional partners,” wrote the senators. “Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.” They continued, “We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis.” “To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a special envoy for Sudan,” the senators concluded. “We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet.” Warner and Kaine have been longtime advocates for the Sudanese community in Virginia. Last week, Warner and Kaine applauded the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Sudan, which they urged in May. Earlier this year, Warner spoke out about the violence in Sudan and hosted a virtual town hall for Sudanese Americans. Kaine has pushed the Administration to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Sudan and urged both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire. He held an event in Richmond with members of Virginia’s Sudanese American community to hear their perspectives on the conflict and discuss ways he can be helpful. Full text of the letter is available below: Dear Secretary Blinken, The destructive conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been raging for eight months. It has resulted in 4.8 million people internally displaced, 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions, 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Sudan’s health systems have reached their breaking point, and the country is plagued with widespread sexual violence, looting, and killing. At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the RSF, SAF, and regional partners. Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis. We are grateful for the efforts from you, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, Ambassador John Godfrey, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer have put into facilitating negotiations between the RSF, SAF, and global partners in Jeddah. We also welcome your December 6 atrocities determination for the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing conducted by the SAF and RSF. However, much more needs to be done to end this brutal conflict, and the need is urgent. We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis. We are pleased that the negotiation talks between the SAF and RSF in Jeddah have resumed, but a stronger and more cohesive U.S. diplomatic effort is long overdue. The tally of Sudanese lives taken by this conflict is mounting by the day. As global stability is threatened by multiple destructive conflicts, we cannot forget about the people of Sudan. To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a Special Envoy for Sudan. We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet. Thank you for your time and attention to this request. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D5D7EA33-1B34-473B-9D28-16EFBF64C7C0,"Warner, Kennedy Introduce Legislation to Require Financial Regulators to Respond to AI Market Threats",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Kennedy (R-LA), both members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced the Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act, bipartisan legislation to require financial regulators to address uses of AI-generated content that could disrupt financial markets. “AI has tremendous potential but also enormous disruptive power across a variety of fields and industries – perhaps none more so than our financial markets,” said Sen. Warner, a former business executive and venture capitalist. “The time to address those vulnerabilities is now.” “AI is moving quickly, and our laws should do the same to prevent AI manipulation from rattling our financial markets. Our bill would help ensure that AI threats do not put Americans’ investments and retirement dreams at risk,” Sen. Kennedy said. The legislation requires the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) to coordinate financial regulators’ response to threats to the stability of the markets posed by AI, including the use of “deepfakes” by malign actors and other practices associated with the use of AI tools that could undermine the financial system, such as trading algorithms. The legislation also requires FSOC to identify gaps in existing regulations, guidance, and exam standards that could hinder effective responses to AI threats, and implement specific recommendations to address those gaps. In response to the potential magnitude of the threat, the Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act would also provide for treble penalties when AI is used in violations of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, including acts of market manipulation and fraud. The legislation also makes clear that anyone who uses an AI model is responsible for making sure that everything that model does complies with all securities laws. The legislation also provides the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) with the authority necessary to oversee AI service providers, similar to the authority the other financial regulators have had for decades. A copy of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-urges-federal-trade-commission-to-block-kroger-albertsons-merger,Wyden Urges Federal Trade Commission to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block the proposed Kroger and Albertsons merger due to potential negative effects on consumers in Oregon and nationwide. “Specifically, I am concerned that the proposed merger, if approved, will result in fewer pharmacy options for Oregonians, fewer economic opportunities for Oregon’s small farmers, and harm to Oregon’s workers and consumers,” Wyden wrote in the letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan. “The Oregon Health Authority undertook a preliminary review of the impact of the proposed merger on health care and found that the proposed merger would result in a harmful concentration of retail pharmacies in the state.” In the letter, Wyden also emphasized this merger would put Oregonians' privacy at risk due to Kroger’s policies for sharing patient information with law enforcement without warrants. “As part of a recent inquiry I conducted into major pharmacy chains’ privacy practices, I learned that Kroger provides pharmacy records to law enforcement officials without a warrant or any internal review by a legal professional. This finding places Kroger behind the majority of its peer chain pharmacies in terms of its commitment to safeguarding patient privacy.” “Less than a decade ago, Albertsons-Safeway proposed a similar divestiture only to buy back many of the divested stores two years later and watch the rest go out of business. I urge the FTC to use the Albertsons-Safeway outcome as a guide to the Commission as it considers possible outcomes of this proposed merger,” Wyden continued. The Kroger-Albertsons merger threatens to make the consolidation crisis in the retail food market worse, following on large deals like the Albertsons-Safeway merger in 2015, as well as the expansion of mega-retailers across the country that have driven independent grocers out of business.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-continues-to-push-for-federal-funding-to-rebuild-the-blatnik-bridge,Baldwin Continues to Push for Federal Funding to Rebuild the Blatnik Bridge,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) are urging Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to support Wisconsin and Minnesota’s application for federal funding to rebuild the Blatnik Bridge. “We write to reiterate our strong support of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Transportations’ application for federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” wrote the lawmakers. “By replacing the Blatnik Bridge, the project would exemplify the type of critical infrastructure project that was envisioned by Congress.” “As noted in our previous letter to President Biden in September 2023, the Blatnik Bridge, located over St. Louis Bay on Lake Superior, is one of two bridges that connects the cities of Duluth, Minnesota with Superior, Wisconsin,” the lawmakers continued. “It is an essential economic engine in the region and a key link in the global supply chain.” Earlier this month, Senator Baldwin called on the Biden Administration to support the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)’s application for federal funding to rebuild the critical bridge. In September, Senator Baldwin and a bipartisan group of eight Minnesota and Wisconsin legislators sent a letter to President Biden urging him to fund this project. The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Secretary Buttigieg: We write to reiterate our strong support of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation’s application for federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This federal funding will improve the condition of major bridges across the country. By replacing the Blatnik Bridge, the project would exemplify the type of critical infrastructure project that was envisioned by Congress. As noted in our letter to President Biden in September 2023, the Blatnik Bridge, located over St. Louis Bay on Lake Superior, is one of two bridges that connects the cities of Duluth, Minnesota with Superior, Wisconsin. The Bridge carries Interstate Highway 535 and over 33,000 vehicles per day. It is an essential economic engine in the region and a key link in the global supply chain. Each year, 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods pass over the bridge. Many businesses and industries in the region also rely on the bridge to reach the Port of Duluth-Superior, the largest U.S. port on the Great Lakes and North America’s farthest-inland freshwater seaport. However, the bridge is over sixty years old and has reached the end of its useful service life. It is in poor condition with significant structural deterioration, creating serious capacity, mobility, and safety concerns. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would be used to replace the Blatnik Bridge. Specifically, the project would replace all structural elements of the bridge, address safety concerns at bridge interchanges, and restore the bridge to its original operational condition. These improvements to the bridge would significantly enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of this key regional connection. Completing this project would support the needs of Minnesotans and Wisconsinites by improving and modernizing the regional transportation network in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Thank you again for your attention to the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation’s application for funding. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senators-blumenthal-and-markey-applaud-dot-settlement-with-southwest-airlines,Senators Blumenthal & Markey Applaud DOT Settlement with Southwest Airlines,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $140 million settlement with Southwest Airlines over its mass flight cancellations during the 2022 holiday season. As part of the settlement, Southwest will provide $90 million in vouchers to future passengers whose flights are delayed at least three hours due to a problem within Southwest’s control. “Southwest made critical mistakes in its response to last year’s holiday meltdown, and this settlement is a clear reminder that passengers must come first when airlines cancel or delay a flight. Although Southwest’s new program to compensate passengers for airline-caused delays is an important step forward, Southwest should provide cash, instead of vouchers, to passengers, and we urge the Transportation Department to require all airlines to adopt similar programs. Consumers should not be forced to cover the costs of airlines’ mistakes.” In December 2022, as Southwest canceled thousands of flights, Senators Blumenthal and Markey called on the airline to provide monetary compensation to passengers for the cancellations, in addition to the ticket refunds and reimbursement for hotels, meals, and alternative transportation that Southwest already agreed to provide to impacted customers. In January 2023, they led 13 of their colleagues in a letter to Southwest Airlines CEO Robert E. Jordan seeking answers for its mass flight cancellations. Also in January 2023, Senators Blumenthal and Markey led the introduction of the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights and the Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous (FAIR) Fees Act, bills to expand protections for air travelers. In March 2023, Senator Markey, along with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), introduced the Airline Operational Resiliency Act, which would require the U.S. Comptroller General to investigate airlines on their capacity to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters. In November 2022, Senators Blumenthal and Markey along with Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) submitted a comment to DOT urging the agency to strengthen its proposed rule on ticket refunds, including requiring airlines to cover secondary costs — such as hotel rooms, food and drink, and transportation to-and-from the airport — when an airline causes a flight cancellation or significant delay. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-blackburn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-beauty-professionals-recognize-and-respond-to-domestic-violence,"Duckworth, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Beauty Professionals Recognize and Respond to Domestic Violence",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize states to provide domestic violence awareness training for beauty professionals and cosmetologists, which would help these individuals better recognize signs of abuse in their clients, appropriately intervene and keep them safe. The Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act would increase already-established grants to states that require beauty professionals and cosmetologists to undergo free and easily accessible domestic violence awareness training in order to help ensure more of these individuals are trained to successfully navigate conversations with clients who could be in danger. “Victims of domestic violence often don’t know where to turn or who to talk to, but they do often continue going to their salons—which puts beauty professionals in a unique position of potentially being among the first people who can recognize signs of abuse,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn on our bipartisan SALONS Stories Act, which builds on Illinois’s 2017 law, to help more beauty professionals access free domestic violence awareness training that can give them the tools and knowledge they need to help victims effectively. How they handle these critical moments could be life-saving.” “One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime, and in the United States, three women are killed each day by an intimate partner,” said Blackburn. “There is no better community to recognize this abuse and help victims than beauty professionals. Some women, even at their most vulnerable and isolated, will continue going to the salon and building relationships with their cosmetologists. This is a common-sense bipartisan bill to help equip cosmetologists with resources necessary to identify and support victims of domestic violence.” Illinois and Tennessee have joined several states in passing landmark legislation to give beauty professionals these necessary skills, serving as models for states around the nation. The bipartisan SALONS Stories Act is supported by YWCA USA, the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A copy of the bill text can be found using the link here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-announce-more-than-18-million-in-federal-funding-for-road-improvements-throughout-illinois,"Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funding for Road Improvements Throughout Illinois",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,835,880 in new federal funding for a total of five projects throughout Illinois to help improve traffic safety. These federal investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help support planning, infrastructure, behavioral and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users. “Improving street safety and increasing multimodal transportation infrastructure makes for safer, more active and more vibrant communities,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to announce this important funding to help communities throughout Illinois make the much-needed improvements to catalyze economic development, enhance community connectivity and improve quality of life for residents.” “Safer roads mean safer communities, and by dedicating resources to improve traffic safety, we’re laying the foundation for a better Illinois,” said Durbin. “By investing in our infrastructure, we’re fostering connectivity, ensuring that every Illinoisan has equitable access to opportunities across our state.” The following units of local government have been awarded funding: City of Freeport: $400,000 for the City of Freeport Safe Streets for All Action Plan City of Mattoon: $80,000 for the City of Mattoon to develop a comprehensive safety action plan Champaign County: $945,000 for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission to conduct supplemental planning to better consider equity in transportation safety plans and update safety data used in transportation plans City of East St. Louis: $218,880 for the City of East St Louis to develop a comprehensive safety action plan Boone County: $192,000 for the Boone County Radar Speed Sign and Attenuator for Spring Creek and Poplar Grove roads corridors -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-blasts-u-s-steel-sale-vows-to-take-all-possible-actions-to-block-acquisition/,"Fetterman Blasts U.S. Steel Sale, Vows to Take All Possible Actions to Block Acquisition",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,John Fetterman,F000479,www.fetterman.senate.gov,fetterman,https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/,scraper,"BRADDOCK, PA – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman on Monday released the following statement blasting the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, a Japanese company. “I live across the street from U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thompson plant in Braddock. It’s absolutely outrageous that U.S. Steel has agreed to sell themselves to a foreign company. Steel is always about security – both our national security and the economic security of our steel communities. I am committed to doing anything I can do, using my platform and my position, to block this foreign sale.” “This is yet another example of hard-working Americans being blindsided by greedy corporations willing to sell out their communities to serve their shareholders. I stand with the men and women of the Steelworkers and their union way of life. We cannot allow them to be screwed over or left behind. I promise to them and to all forgotten communities across Pennsylvania that I will work with Senator Casey and the rest of the delegation to fight like hell to make this right.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-bill-to-provide-construction-funding-to-federally-impacted-school-districts,Hirono Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Provide Construction Funding to Federally-Impacted School Districts,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 10 of her colleagues in introducing the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, legislation that would provide a total of $1 billion over four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants to address the significant backlog of facility needs at federally impacted school districts. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA). “All students deserve access to a quality education in a safe environment where they can learn and grow, and as a Co-Chair of the Senate Impact Aid Coalition, I am proud to have introduced this bill to fund long-overdue repairs for schools in Hawaii and across the country,” said Senator Hirono. “Federal Impact Aid provides critical funding for federally-impacted schools. But too often, that funding is not enough to meet maintenance needs. By providing $1 billion for needed upgrades, this legislation will enable schools to address the significant backlog of school construction, repair, and maintenance needs to help our students learn in a suitable learning environment.” The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act would ensure that federally impacted school districts have the resources needed to provide every student with a quality education and safe learning environment by authorizing $250,000,000 annually for four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants. Of this funding, 25% would be made available via formula funding to all eligible school districts. The Department of Education would disseminate the remaining 75% as competitive grants with priority for those school districts with acute emergencies in their facilities. “I am grateful to Senator Hirono for introducing this legislation in the Senate and for fighting for safe environments for teachers and students,” said Garamendi. “This bill addresses long-overdue repair needs to ensure equitable access to quality education and safe learning environments for students across the country. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and excel in a safe environment. This legislation brings us closer to realizing that goal.” Administered by the Department of Education, Impact Aid offers federal support for public school districts where federal activity has reduced the available tax base. As federal lands are tax exempt, including military installations, Indian treaty, trust, or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and federal properties and facilities, federally impacted school districts have significantly less tax revenue and bonding capacity to meet their needs. Currently, Impact Aid supports over 1,100 school districts, totaling more than 10 million students. “The importance of safe, modern educational facilities in maximizing student outcomes, both academically and in other important ways, is well documented,” said National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) Executive Director Nicole Russell. “There has been an Impact Aid Construction program since 1950, but it has been woefully underfunded for decades. School districts that benefit from this program educate some of our nation’s most vulnerable students, including large numbers of military children, Native American children and students residing in low-income housing. This legislation is an important step towards ensuring that these students have access to the resources and opportunities needed to meet their full potential.” “The ‘Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act’ is an effort to address the documented backlog of need for school construction/renovation and teacher housing in federally impacted school districts. Indian lands, military and federal property districts have limited to no bonding capacity to generate funding for school construction in contrast to the majority of America’s public school districts. The Act would begin to level the playing field by providing construction funding for school facilities and teacher housing to districts with limited to no bonding capacity. It is our belief that all children deserve a high quality education in a modern safe school environment; IAIPA will take us one step closer to realizing our dream. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is an investment that will yield long-term benefits to generations to come,” said Executive Director of the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA) Brent Gish. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is endorsed by the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools and the National Indian Impacted Schools Association. This legislation was cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Tina Smith (D-MN). The full text of the bill available here. Senator Hirono serves as the Co-Chair of the Senate Impact Aid Coalition and has been a long-time advocate for boosting Impact Aid funding and other federal funding to support school infrastructure projects. Senator Hirono first introduced this bill in 2020 and reintroduced it again in 2021. In July 2023, Senator Hirono introduced the Rebuild America’s School’s Act, bicameral legislation that would target new federal infrastructure funding to help local school districts address school building and modernization needs. This bill would improve public school infrastructure and environments to ensure that school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable, and offer positive learning environments for all students. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-cosponsors-bill-to-expand-maternal-health-care-options,Kaine Cosponsors Bill to Expand Maternal Health Care Options,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, cosponsored the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act, legislation led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would expand health care options for expectant mothers. Certain life events, including marriage, divorce, giving birth or adopting a baby, and changing jobs, trigger a special enrollment period to enroll in health insurance outside of an insurer’s annual open enrollment period. Currently, becoming pregnant is not considered a qualifying event, meaning expectant mothers must wait until the birth of their child or an annual enrollment period to sign up for or change their coverage. The Healthy MOM Act would establish a special enrollment period for expectant mothers that are eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other private individual or group health plan coverage, ensuring that they can access affordable health care throughout their pregnancies. “Access to high-quality health care before, during, and after pregnancy is crucial to prevent devastating outcomes for Virginia families,” said Kaine. “Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The Healthy MOM Act would improve maternal health outcomes, lower costs, and help expectant mothers and their babies get the care they need, so they can start happy, healthy lives.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,205 women in the United States died from pregnancy-related complications in 2021, up from 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are about three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Prenatal care leads to healthier mothers and babies. Data demonstrates expanding access to prenatal care could help prevent more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. Without access to health insurance, expecting moms also face high out-of-pocket costs. The Healthy MOM Act would improve maternal health outcomes and lower costs by expanding access to high-quality care. Specifically, the Healthy MOM Act would: Create a special enrollment period in the ACA marketplaces and private insurance plans for individuals when they become pregnant, allowing them to enroll in or change their health care plan; Enable the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish a special enrollment period for pregnancy for those eligible to receive coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. This enrollment period would still be available for families during a lapse in appropriation or government shutdown; Guarantee 12-months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women. Kaine worked to pass legislation to make permanent the state option to provide 12 months of postpartum care for low-income women under Medicaid. This was a major expansion of maternal health care, as Medicaid previously provided postpartum coverage for only 60 days. Virginia was the first state to implement this expansion, and since then, most states have opted into this expansion of maternal care. The Healthy MOM Act would make the expansion a permanent fixture of Medicaid, so that women in every state have access to 12 months of postpartum care; Ensure comprehensive coverage of maternity care – including labor and delivery – for dependent children covered by group health plans and other forms of employer-sponsored coverage; and Protect existing income eligibility levels for pregnant women and infants covered by Medicaid, maintaining the highest standard of care for low-income pregnant individuals and infants. Kaine has long supported efforts to address the maternal health crisis. Kaine introduced bipartisan legislation to promote maternal health and reduce racial inequities in maternal and infant mortality by strengthening support for women during and after pregnancy, expanding maternal health research and data collection, and ensuring women are better matched with birthing facilities that meet their specific needs. In May, Kaine introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which includes 13 bills that would combat the maternal health crisis, address racial inequities, and save moms’ lives. That legislation includes Kaine’s Maternal Vaccinations Act to increase maternal vaccination rates, particularly in communities with historically low rates of vaccination. Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives is led by Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-colleagues-push-to-fund-wmata-national-security-needs,"Warner, Kaine, & Colleagues Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine, Ben Cardin, and Chris Van Hollen wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency’s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and services starting next summer. In their letter, the senators stress that WMATA, more than other transit authorities, shoulders a heavy security burden because of its role in federal government operations and national security activities. The agency estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million annually on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. “Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system,” the senators wrote. They continued, “Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.” Sens. Warner, Kaine, Cardin, and Van Hollen have long been active supporters of WMATA, working to secure critical funding, expand service, and improve safety. A copy of the letter is available here and below: Dear President Biden: We write today to respectfully request that the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 include at least $30 million for transfer to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the agency’s operational costs associated with national security activities and countering terrorism on the system. WMATA’s operations are critical to the functioning of the federal government in the National Capital Region. A majority of WMATA’s 19.6 million riders are federal workers. Over one-third of all Metrorail stations are located on federal property, serving federal facilities. Two stations on Capitol Hill serve Members of Congress and their staffs. Federal facilities served by WMATA include our most sensitive national security installations, like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Pentagon Station, for example, provides convenient rail access to the global headquarters of our Nation’s Department of Defense and uniformed services. Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system. Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021. WMATA estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. Similar to the Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs for the District of Columbia, these costs are directly attributable to the unique role WMATA plays in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our Nation’s federal government. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the federal government provide funding to WMATA for these expenses. Therefore, we respectfully request that the President’s budget for FY25 include at least $30 million to support WMATA’s national security operational expenses necessary to keep the system and the National Capital Region safe. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-38-democratic-senators-introduce-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgment-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Murphy, Blumenthal, 38 Democratic Senators Introduce Resolution Affirming Support for FDA's Scientific Judgment that Medication Abortion is Safe and Effective",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 38 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected, and that law and policy governing access to life-saving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed. This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and follows this week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access. “Mifepristone is a safe, effective drug approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago that millions of women rely on, so it should come as no surprise it’s been chosen as the right wing’s next target. Cutting off access to medication abortion would bring us one step closer to a national abortion ban. I will keep fighting to keep government out of women’s health care,” said Murphy. “Our resolution resoundingly reaffirms the need for abortion medication to remain accessible. This medication has been used safely and effectively for twenty years, and is the most common form of abortion care. With Republicans imposing draconian restrictions on reproductive care across the country, we must ensure abortion medication remains available to all who need it,” said Blumenthal. “I am fed up with extremists trying to turn back the clock and deny women reproductive health care – especially after decades of science that show that medication abortion is safe and effective. Any threat to the accessibility of this drug would be devastating to both health care providers and patients across the country, and Senate Democrats are demonstrating with this resolution that we're determined to fight back,” said Warren. “In Wisconsin and across the country, the right to comprehensive health care is under attack. We need to fight on all fronts to restore and protect the freedom of every American to make their own health care decisions, and that includes protecting access to medication abortion. Mifepristone is a safe, effective, and sometimes lifesaving medication, and it’s high time politicians and judges leave women alone and allow Americans to make their own decisions about their health, families, and future,” said Baldwin. “MAGA Republicans have been clear they’ll stop at nothing to enact a national abortion plan – even questioning the scientific expertise of FDA. Make no mistake, Mifepristone is safe and effective. And Congress gave FDA the authority to evaluate and ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs. Democrats will never stop fighting for women’s health,” said Schumer. ""The district court's decision earlier this year to invalidate longstanding approval for mifepristone contradicts scientific evidence and threatens Americans' access to essential health care. Medication abortion remains safe and legal in Colorado, and I'll keep fighting to keep it that way,” said Bennet. “In a post-Roe world, we must follow the science and maintain access to lifesaving abortion medication,” said Butler. “Generations of women are watching their rights get stripped away in real-time, and this resolution underscores the need to protect their reproductive freedom. The Supreme Court must preserve access to essential reproductive health care and the right to bodily autonomy.” “Health care decisions should be made between women and their doctors, and we must protect women’s access to all FDA-approved treatments, including Mifepristone,” said Carper. “This resolution reaffirms that access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication should be equitable and based on science.” “More than two decades ago, the FDA determined mifepristone to be safe and effective. Since then, this medication has been widely and safely used by women to end early stage pregnancies and help manage miscarriages,” said Durbin. “If the Supreme Court upholds the Fifth Circuit’s decision, which ignored science and the law in turning back the clock on mifepristone regulations, it would upend the FDA review process, jeopardize access to a host of critically important medications, and impose new restrictions on abortions even in states where the procedure remains legal. This Resolution restates the obvious: that the FDA, not politically-motivated organizations, should be trusted to make determinations about what drugs are safe and effective. And that, ultimately, reproductive health care decisions ought to be made between women and their doctors, not politicians or judges.” “It’s plain and simple: abortion is health care, and health care is a human right,” said Markey. “Pregnant people and their health care providers are facing escalating attacks on their care including the criminalization of abortions. Our government has a moral obligation to protect not only the right but also the ability to access abortion medication — safe and effective medication that is backed by science. Let’s keep medical decisions between patients and doctors—not between patients and the GOP.” “Reproductive freedom is a fundamental right, and we must stand resolute in affirming access to lifesaving abortion care,” said Padilla. “With the Supreme Court and MAGA Republicans constantly threatening longstanding, essential reproductive freedoms, it’s imperative that safe, science-based drugs like mifepristone are equitably accessible and protected to the fullest extent under the rule of law.” “Mifepristone is a safe, effective, and FDA-approved drug. I helped introduce this resolution because it is dangerous to restrict access to this critical medication,” said Stabenow. “Individuals’ health care decisions should be grounded in science and made along with their doctors – not left to the whims of far-right judges and politicians. As Trump-appointed judges and Republican lawmakers continue their ruthless attacks on reproductive freedoms – and the health care providers and resources that support them – we will keep fighting to ensure scientifically tested, safe, and effective options remain accessible to everyone who needs them,” said Van Hollen. The resolution was also co-sponored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ron Wyden (D-Wyo.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.M.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-senators-peters-and-stabenows-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-settle-longstanding-land-claims-of-the-keweenaw-bay-indian-community-clear-title-of-current-landowners,"Senate Unanimously Passes Senators Peters and Stabenow’s Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Settle Longstanding Land Claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Clear Title of Current Landowners",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) to settle the longstanding land claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and clear the title of current landowners in the community. The KBIC was guaranteed occupancy over a large area of land established as the L’Anse Reservation through Treaties signed in 1842 and 1854. Despite those Treaties, thousands of acres of the reservation were taken by the federal government without compensation and awarded to the State of Michigan. Peters and Stabenow introduced the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2023 in coordination with the KBIC and state and local governments to address this longstanding issue. Representative Bergman (R-MI-01) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “This bipartisan bill rightly settles the claims brought by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and provides legal clearance for local residents who currently own the property at issue,” said Senator Peters. “It’s time to right this wrong.” “Passage of this legislation resolving longstanding land claims is an important step forward. This bill is a long overdue solution,” said Senator Stabenow. “The Tribal Council and the whole Keweenaw Bay Indian Community are beyond overjoyed by the Senate’ unanimous passage yesterday of S. 195, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claims Act. We have sought relief and compensation for generations for the unlawful taking of our lands. Thanks to Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow we finally feel heard,” said Keweenaw Bay Indian Community President Doreen Blaker. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s land claims involve the dispossession of between approximately 1,333 and 2,720 acres of land transferred by the United States government to the State of Michigan as compensation for the construction of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, as well as approximately 2,743 acres of swamplands. The KBIC asserts that as a result of the 1842 and 1854 Treaties, these lands were not available for transfer and therefore transferred illegally. The KBIC contends that the inappropriate transfer of these lands has created substantial economic and other harm, through the loss of valuable land in prime locations along Lake Superior that could have been used for a variety of revenue-generating activities over the past 150 years. Meanwhile, non-Indian individuals, entities, and local governments have since acquired the land at issue – in good faith – and now seek to ensure they possess clear title to the land. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2023 rights this wrong by authorizing federal funds through the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) that may be used by the KBIC for governmental services, economic development, natural resource protection, and land acquisition. The legislation is supported by a variety of community partners and government leaders, including KBIC President Doreen Blaker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Baraga County Board of Commissioners and other key stakeholders throughout Michigan. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-introduces-legislation-to-help-rural-communities-benefit-from-investments-in-clean-energy-and-energy-efficiency,Shaheen Introduces Legislation to Help Rural Communities Benefit from Investments in Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced The Energy Circuit Riders Act, legislation to help ensure communities in rural America can take advantage of historic investments in energy efficiency and clean energy. Shaheen’s bill would establish a new grant program within USDA Rural Development to help eligible entities hire local, on-the-ground experts that travel to rural communities and provide assistance on projects that can help save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’ve made historic investments in energy efficiency and clean energy and it’s critical that rural communities take advantage of these resources to the fullest extent,” said Senator Shaheen. “We’ve seen what these programs can do in the Granite State to lower costs for families and protect our environment—it's time we make sure all of our communities benefit.” These Energy Circuit Riders would work with multiple local governments in rural areas to provide assistance, such as energy planning, energy audits, grant writing, identifying federal, state, local and utility-based energy incentives and more. The legislation is modeled after a successful Energy Circuit Rider program in New Hampshire run by Clean Energy NH, a nonprofit based in Concord, New Hampshire. “The IIJA and IRA are transformative investments in America's transition to zero carbon technologies, but if we want communities with fewer resources to receive these funds, they need help. Energy Circuit Riders can provide unbiased advice to communities, assist them in accessing federal grants and rebates, and deploy clean energy in local communities.” said Sam Evans Brown, Executive Director of Clean Energy New Hampshire. Shaheen’s legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators, Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The legislation is also endorsed by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Shaheen leads legislative action in the U.S. Senate to support energy efficiency projects and initiatives. Recently, Shaheen visited Exeter's Town Office to highlight a federal energy efficiency grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, coming to Exeter and how it is leveraging efficiency and weatherization funding from NHSaves. In addition, Shaheen successfully included critical provisions of her energy efficiency bill – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC) – with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) in the IIJA. Shaheen was also a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions for clean energy and climate investments in New Hampshire. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-murkowski-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-girls-access-to-education-around-the-world,"Shaheen, Murkowski Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Girls’ Access to Education Around the World",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"**Today, 120 million girls around the world are not regularly enrolled in school** **Girls in crisis and conflict settings are nearly 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than those living in countries not in crisis** (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reintroduced her legislation with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to address the unique barriers young girls in developing countries face in accessing a complete education. “Keeping girls in school is fundamental to ensuring they have the opportunity to grow and thrive—and when girls are empowered with access to quality education, their communities and countries are better able to achieve gender equality and economic development,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to once again join with Senator Murkowski to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to address the systemic and persistent barriers impeding girls’ education worldwide and reiterate our nation’s moral obligation and foreign policy priority to act now to protect and educate girls around the world.” “Access to education is critical to a nation’s development and health—and yet we still see that around the world too many girls and women are denied the opportunity to go to school,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “I’m proud to join Senator Shaheen on this effort to reduce the many barriers girls face in accessing quality education—including forced marriages, unsafe or violent environments, and more. Our bill works to empower millions of young girls across the world who will go on to play a crucial role in driving economic development in their communities. Everyone deserves access to an education—and I am proud to fight for this opportunity for young girls around the world.” According to data from the Malala Fund, 120 million girls around the world are not in school. The Keeping Girls in School Act would direct the U.S. government to leverage its resources and partnerships with private institutions, NGOs and federal agencies to create solutions that address the obstacles facing adolescent girls. The bill would also require the development of a U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls to ensure that the United States remains committed to adolescent girls as a critical demographic in the growth of every country, especially in developing countries. Specifically, the Keeping Girls in School Act would: Authorize USAID to enter into innovative, results-based and traditional grant programs designed to reduce the barriers that adolescent girls face to receiving an education. Outline and bring attention to 15 barriers that girls face in their pursuit of secondary education. Require the review and update of the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls in consultation with other departments and agencies in the federal government and civil society, to be reviewed and updated every 5 years. Senator Shaheen is a fierce advocate for women and girls in the United States and around the globe. Shaheen has prioritized issues to empower women and pursue gender equality, such as opposing efforts to roll back women’s reproductive rights, fighting for the rights of sexual assault survivors, advocating on behalf of family planning and women’s global health, spearheading efforts to end violence against women and securing women leadership roles in conflict resolution and peace negotiations. Shaheen is also an outspoken advocate for Afghan women and girls. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-announces-nearly-13-million-for-coastal-restoration-and-resilience-projects,Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $13 Million for Coastal Restoration and Resilience Projects,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $12,901,800 in National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for restoration and resiliency projects to improve coastal communities and their fish and wildlife habitats. The funding was made available through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The federal funds will bolster climate resiliency and reduce the risks and devastating impacts of rising seas, coastal flooding and intense storms in coastal areas and habitats. “Climate change is an existential threat that affects every community, but coastal communities are particularly vulnerable,” said the lawmakers. “This funding will help Maryland communities implement comprehensive solutions to address issues like flooding and coastal erosion. Across the state, we’re investing in projects to restore and protect our shorelines and habitats and create more sustainable, resilient communities.” The federal grants have been awarded to the following: Backyard Basecamp, $202,600, for Design and Permitting for Stream Daylighting and Restoration of Biddison Run in Baltimore City Chesapeake Bay Foundation, $843,500, for Restoring Oyster Reefs and Improving Resilience in the Severn River through Community Engagement Delmarva Resource Conservation and Development Council, $2,253,400, for Advancing Coastal Resilience through Salt Marsh Restoration in Coastal Bays Dorchester County Council, $700,000, for Utilizing Living Shoreline Techniques to Reduce Erosion in the Hoopersville Village District GreenTrust Alliance, $1,519,900, for the Final Design and Permitting for the Blossom Point Shoreline Stabilization Project The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, $819,300, for Establishing a Nature-Based Resilience Pilot with the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Restoration, $1,340,400, for the Restoration of an Urban Stream to Create a Holistic Stream, Wetland, and Shoreline Complex South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, $1,294,500, for Designing the Smith Cove Environmental Justice Project South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, $1,500,000, for Restoring Medstar Harbor Hospital Wetland and Shoreline Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board, $2,428,200, for the Living Shoreline and Terrapin Habitat Restoration Near Naval Air Station Patuxent River Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF is a 501(c )(3) nonprofit that supports the conservation of plants, animals and ecosystems alongside federal partners like NOAA. The National Coastal Resilience Fund is a partnership between the NFWF, NOAA, U.S. Department of Defense, Shell USA, TransRe, SalesForce and Oxy. This program supports on-the-ground projects to engage communities and reduce their vulnerability to growing risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, flooding and other coastal hazards by strengthening coastal ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-announce-availability-of-over-130000-h-2b-visas-for-fiscal-year-2024-and-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-seafood-industrys-long-term-workforce-needs,"Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Availability of Over 130,000 H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024 and Bipartisan Legislation to Support Seafood Industry’s Long-Term Workforce Needs",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) release in November of 130,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2024 as they announced that they have joined U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to improve the H-2B program to help ensure Maryland seafood companies can hire the seasonal workforce they need to operate at full capacity. The fiscal year 2024 visa allocation total is comprised of the 66,000 H-2B visas that DHS can release annually under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as 64,716 supplemental visas authorized by the fiscal year 2023 government funding legislation and short-term continuing resolution (CR) that the Senators worked to pass. This visa program is essential for the operations of Maryland’s crab and seafood small businesses, which have historically employed foreign workers through it when domestic workers cannot be found to fill these positions. However, in recent years, the H-2B visa program has become an increasingly uncertain source of labor as economy-wide demand for the program has surged, ultimately squeezing out the seafood industry. The Senators’ legislation – the Save Our Seafood Act – addresses this issue by exempting seafood processors from the current annual 66,000-visa cap on the H-2B program. “Maryland’s seafood businesses – most of which are small and family-owned – not only process the iconic blue crabs that our state is known for, they also power an industry that contributes millions of dollars to our economy annually. That’s why we pressed the Administration to provide the maximum number of H-2B visas available in order to ensure these businesses have the workforce they need to operate. This is a key step to support our local businesses for the upcoming season, but it’s just as critical that we secure a long-term solution to provide certainty in the seasons to come. Our legislation offers a tailored approach to better position Maryland businesses to meet their labor demands while supporting American jobs. Providing a reliable supply of H-2B visas – along with our ongoing fight to protect the workers in this industry – is essential to the success of our treasured seafood industry for years to come,” said Senator Van Hollen. “For years, the struggle to hire seasonal workers has put an incredible strain on America’s seafood industry. The chronic worker shortage has put seafood and crab businesses, particularly those on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, at risk of permanent damage. Expanding the H-2B visa program will allow businesses to hire more seasonal workers and help fill a critical void in the upcoming season. Further, by eliminating the 66,000-visa cap for seafood processors, we can ensure that Maryland’s seafood industry will fully rebound,” said Senator Cardin. Since Fiscal Year 2017, Congress has authorized the Department of Homeland Security in year-end omnibus appropriations laws to issue additional H-2B visas beyond the statutory cap, subject to specified conditions. While Senators Van Hollen and Cardin have worked each year to maximize the number of H-2B visas available for Maryland businesses, the program’s current structure fundamentally disadvantages crab processing and purchasing companies. This $355 million Maryland industry relies on these visas to employ approximately 500 workers for the crab season, which runs from April to November. Maryland’s seafood companies do not have flexibility in their visa timing needs. If workers are not available to process crabs when harvest occurs, businesses face closure – either for the season or for good. By exempting crab processing and purchasing companies from the 66,000 annual cap on H-2B visa allocation, this legislation will give Maryland seafood businesses the certainty they need to remain in operation and preserve the viability of this iconic industry. This legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). Bill text can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-lead-bipartisan-vote-to-confirm-omalley-for-social-security-commissioner,"Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Bipartisan Vote to Confirm O’Malley for Social Security Commissioner",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised the confirmation of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as the next Social Security Commissioner. The bipartisan vote Monday was 50-11. “Martin O’Malley understands the importance of Social Security to millions of Americans – including our seniors and those with disabilities. That’s why I was proud to support his confirmation today to lead the Social Security Administration. As the former chief executive of our state, I know he is committed to serving the American people and that he will be a great team leader for the public servants who power this Maryland-based agency. I’m confident in his commitment to protecting this vital earned benefit and delivering critical service for those who count on it,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Martin O’Malley’s extensive career in public service – including as Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland — has been underscored by transparency, accountability and progress. He will bring these same values to the Social Security Administration,” said Senator Cardin. “Social Security is a critical insurance policy that tens of millions of working Americans pay into every year so that benefits can be there when they are older, disabled or leave young children after death. Martin is a dedicated public servant who understands what Social Security means to our seniors, disability and survivor beneficiaries, and I am proud to support his confirmation as Social Security Commissioner.” The Social Security Administration (SSA), headquartered in Woodlawn, Md., near Baltimore, administers the Social Security programs (retirement and disability) and the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI, income support for low-income individuals who have not worked enough to qualify for Social Security). The agency has roughly 60,000 employees in Maryland and nationwide across the headquarters and 10 regional offices, six processing centers, 164 hearing offices and approximately 1,230 field offices. The SSA also, E-Verify, Medicaid, and Federal Benefits for Veterans, as well as programs associated with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act, and Help America Vote Act. Altogether, SSA pays benefits to roughly 70 million people annually. FORMER MARYLAND GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY Martin O’Malley is a lifelong public servant, who served as Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015, following two terms as Mayor of the City of Baltimore. Prior to being elected Mayor, O’Malley served as a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991-1999 and previously served as an Assistant States Attorney for the City of Baltimore. A pioneer of using performance-management and customer service technologies in government, O’Malley has written extensively about how to govern for better results in the Information Age by measuring the outputs of government on a real-time basis. Martin O’Malley earned a B.A. from Catholic University and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. Since 2016, he has lectured on public administration at numerous universities and institutions, including the University of Maryland, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Boston College School of Law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-warner-kaine-push-to-fund-wmata-national-security-needs,"Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, Kaine Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency’s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and services starting next summer. In their letter, the senators stress that WMATA, more than other transit authorities, shoulders a heavy security burden because of its role in federal government operations and national security activities. The agency estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million annually on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. “Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system,” the senators wrote. They continued, “Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.” Senators Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, and Kaine have long been active supporters of WMATA, working to secure critical funding, expand service, and improve safety. A copy of the letter is available here and below: Dear President Biden: We write today to respectfully request that the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 include at least $30 million for transfer to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the agency’s operational costs associated with national security activities and countering terrorism on the system. WMATA’s operations are critical to the functioning of the federal government in the National Capital Region. A majority of WMATA’s 19.6 million riders are federal workers. Over one-third of all Metrorail stations are located on federal property, serving federal facilities. Two stations on Capitol Hill serve Members of Congress and their staffs. Federal facilities served by WMATA include our most sensitive national security installations, like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Pentagon Station, for example, provides convenient rail access to the global headquarters of our Nation’s Department of Defense and uniformed services. Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system. Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021. WMATA estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. Similar to the Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs for the District of Columbia, these costs are directly attributable to the unique role WMATA plays in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our Nation’s federal government. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the federal government provide funding to WMATA for these expenses. Therefore, we respectfully request that the President’s budget for FY25 include at least $30 million to support WMATA’s national security operational expenses necessary to keep the system and the National Capital Region safe.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BC99C4D2-3B9B-414D-BA5D-907F385ABC1F,Warner Leads Virginia and Maryland Senate Delegation in Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin, and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency’s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and services starting next summer. In their letter, the senators stress that WMATA, more than other transit authorities, shoulders a heavy security burden because of its role in federal government operations and national security activities. The agency estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million annually on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. “Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system,” the senators wrote. They continued, “Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.” Sens. Warner, Kaine, Cardin, and Van Hollen have long been active supporters of WMATA, working to secure critical funding, expand service, and improve safety. A copy of the letter is available here and below: Dear President Biden: We write today to respectfully request that the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 include at least $30 million for transfer to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the agency’s operational costs associated with national security activities and countering terrorism on the system. WMATA’s operations are critical to the functioning of the federal government in the National Capital Region. A majority of WMATA’s 19.6 million riders are federal workers. Over one-third of all Metrorail stations are located on federal property, serving federal facilities. Two stations on Capitol Hill serve Members of Congress and their staffs. Federal facilities served by WMATA include our most sensitive national security installations, like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Pentagon Station, for example, provides convenient rail access to the global headquarters of our Nation’s Department of Defense and uniformed services. Given this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA’s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation’s capital—a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system. Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021. WMATA estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. Similar to the Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs for the District of Columbia, these costs are directly attributable to the unique role WMATA plays in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our Nation’s federal government. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the federal government provide funding to WMATA for these expenses. Therefore, we respectfully request that the President’s budget for FY25 include at least $30 million to support WMATA’s national security operational expenses necessary to keep the system and the National Capital Region safe. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-begins-2024-with-seven-town-halls-in-central-and-eastern-oregon,Wyden Begins 2024 With Seven Town Halls in Central & Eastern Oregon,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Portland – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will begin his 2024 town hall schedule with seven in-person town halls the first week of January in Jefferson, Sherman, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Baker and Malheur counties. Heading into these initial town halls of the new year, Wyden has held a total of 1,065 town halls throughout Oregon in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. “I’m very much looking forward to starting 2024 with these open-to-all town halls in the ongoing spirit of the ‘Oregon Way’ where anybody can ask questions, share opinions and suggest ideas,” Wyden said. “Heading into a new congressional year, these open-to-all town halls are especially timely because Oregonians in these counties can help shape legislative priorities for the next 12 months and beyond.” The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-and-colleagues-demand-va-step-up-and-protect-veterans-from-prescription-drug-abuse,Baldwin and Colleagues Demand VA Step Up and Protect Veterans from Prescription Drug Abuse,2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined five of her colleagues in pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take swift action to protect veterans seeking opioid prescriptions following concerning reports that found some providers of veterans’ health care are not meeting VA prescription opioids safety standards. “We write today to discuss our concerns with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight of non-VA providers who prescribe opioids to veterans,” the Senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “In Fiscal Year 2022, the Department spent more than $27 billion in the community for health care services for veterans. VA must ensure the dollars it spends result in high-quality, safe care for veterans.” In 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services declared opioid deaths a public health emergency. At the time, studies indicated veterans were twice as likely to die from accidental opioid overdoses. To combat this, Congress included a provision in the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to ensure non-VA providers were informed of VA best practices and evidence-based guidelines when prescribing opioids under VA’s Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI). Congress also required third-party administrators responsible for contracting with VA community care providers to check their states prescription drug monitoring program to mitigate prescription drug abuse and overdose by veterans using VA community care. However, a recent report from the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) found the third-party administrators failed to provide adequate oversight of whether Veterans Community Care Network health care providers were completing and certifying VA’s OSI training module. The OIG also found that approximately 14,700 of 18,200 non-VA providers in the Community Care Network who prescribed opioids to veterans in fiscal year 2021 had not completed VA’s OSI training module and did not certify their mandated review of VA’s guidelines. An additional VA OIG report found a similar lapse in oversight resulted in patients being overprescribed opioids from both VA and Community Care Network providers—increasing veterans’ risk of sedation and overdose. The Senators continued, “It is clear VA and its contracted third-party administrators failed to do their due diligence in ensuring the health and safety of the veterans in their care…As stated many times before, we feel if there is an issue at one location, it will likely occur elsewhere. The Department must work not only to address the shortcomings outlined in these OIG reports but also to ensure lessons learned are implemented system-wide.” Continuing their efforts to protect veterans and ensure they are being provided high-quality care, the Senators urged VA to provide an update on their implementation of recommendations from the OIG reports. These recommendations include issuing formal guidance to VA pharmacy staff regarding best practices related to prescription drug monitoring programs after receiving controlled substance prescriptions from community providers, and strengthening its own monitoring controls over third-party administrators. The lawmakers concluded their letter by urging VA to move swiftly to address their concerns and protect veterans. “It is the responsibility of VA to ensure the veterans in its care, or that of its community partners, are being provided high-quality care,” concluded the Senators. “We urge VA to act to ensure our nation’s veterans are not put at risk when seeking care in the community…VA can outsource the work – but it cannot outsource the responsibility for taking care of our veterans.” The letter was led by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), and co-signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-MA), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). A full version of this letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-warren-lead-group-of-38-senators-in-introducing-resolution-affirming-support-for-medication-abortion,"Baldwin, Warren Lead Group of 38 Senators in Introducing Resolution Affirming Support for Medication Abortion",2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led 38 other Senators in introducing a resolution in support of access to the widely used, safe medication abortion. This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and follows this week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access. “In Wisconsin and across the country, the right to comprehensive health care is under attack,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to fight on all fronts to restore and protect the freedom of every American to make their own health care decisions, and that includes protecting access to medication abortion. Mifepristone is a safe, effective, and sometimes lifesaving medication, and it’s high time politicians and judges leave women alone and allow Americans to make their own decisions about their health, families, and future.” The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected, and that law and policy governing access to life-saving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed. Senator Baldwin is a steadfast advocate for women’s reproductive freedom, and is the lead sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, federal legislation to guarantee access to abortion, everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. The resolution was also co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-WY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project. Resolution text can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-schumer-lujan-and-tonko-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-stop-cyber-grinches-from-ruining-kids-holidays,"Blumenthal, Schumer, Luján & Tonko Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Stop Cyber Grinches from Ruining Kids' Holidays",2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – With holiday shopping underway, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Stopping Grinch Bots Act. The bicameral bill would prevent use of “bot” technology to quickly buy up entire inventories of popular toys and re-sell them at marked up prices. Third-party sellers use bots to manipulate online sales to buy toys, making inventory shortages worse and price gouging families shopping for the holidays. “Our measure aims to stop cyber Grinches from stealing the holidays,” said Blumenthal. “New tools are necessary to block these online grifters from buying up popular toys to resell them to parents at exorbitant prices. We must have zero tolerance for Grinch bots price gouging hot holiday toys.” “We cannot allow grinch bots to steal Christmas joy or money from hardworking Americans,” said Schumer. “These cyber scrooges systematically snatch up popular toys and gifts and then gouge parents who are desperate to get their loved ones the gifts they most want. No American should have to fork over hundreds – or even thousands – of excess charges to buy holiday gifts for loved ones, and this critical legislation makes sure that regulators have the tools to go after these bad actors.” “As the holiday season hits full swing, too many Americans are left vulnerable to the malicious practices of Grinch bots that manipulate the market and inflate prices,” said Luján. “The holidays are a time meant to be spent with family and loved ones. Americans should not be stressed financially by online algorithms that hoard high-demand toys and goods and resell them at huge margins. This critical legislation will protect New Mexico families during the holidays and year-round.” “Too many Americans have felt the disappointment and frustration of losing a popular toy to Grinch Bots — of spending hours scouring online stores in the hopes of finding an affordable gift or paying exorbitant prices for a single toy,” said Tonko. “These bots don’t just squeeze consumers, they pose a problem for small businesses, local retailers, and other entrepreneurs trying to ensure they have the best items in stock for their customers. Our Grinch Bots Act works to level the playing field and prevent scalpers from sucking hardworking parents dry this holiday season. Let’s pass this bill at once and ensure that Americans can spend their time this holiday season with their loved ones, not competing with Grinches.” The legislation is supported by Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, and the National Consumers League. “Consumers shouldn’t have to fight armies of bots to buy the products they want from the online retailers they want to do business with,” said Erin Witte, Director of Consumer Protection for Consumer Federation of America. “We support outlawing sneaky tactics that shady operators use to corner the market on popular items and then charge consumers excessive prices for them.” “Shoppers shouldn't have to compete with unscrupulous cyber Grinches who use automated bots to snatch up hundreds of products in a matter of seconds and re-sell them at outrageous prices,” said Chuck Bell, Advocacy Program Director at Consumer Reports. “This bill will help stop this predatory practice and create a more level playing field so everyone has a fair chance of buying popular products at reasonable prices when shopping online.” “Competing with other shoppers for in-demand gifts is frustrating enough for hard-working families,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud for the National Consumers League. “Resellers employing bot software can make it almost impossible to check off all the items on consumers’ shopping lists. The Stopping Grinch Bots Act is common-sense consumer protection legislation that gives consumers who just want to buy a present a fair chance against the professional resellers.” Bots are software programs that can automatically spot and snap up inventory on sale online. In seconds, third-party vendors can purchase hundreds of items, squeezing out parents and children. In 2016, Blumenthal, Schumer, and Tonko’s Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) was signed into law to ban “ticket bots” that intentionally bypass security measures on online ticketing websites to unfairly outprice individual fans. This new legislation would apply the mechanism of the BOTS Act to e-commerce sites to ban bots bypassing security measures on online retail sites. The text of the Senate bill is available here, and the House introduced a similar version of the bill. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-colleagues-call-on-the-epa-to-protect-children-and-endangered-species-from-rodenticide-poisonings,Booker and Colleagues Call on the EPA to Protect Children and Endangered Species From Rodenticide Poisonings,2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-C.A.), Peter Welch (D-V.T.),Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to adopt measures to protect children and endangered species from rodenticide poisoning. “We thank the EPA for issuing a proposal to strengthen protections for children and non-target species from rodenticides, and urge the EPA to approve strong mitigation measures,” the lawmakers wrote. “The current allowable use of rodenticides poses a threat to human health and endangered species. Rodenticides are powerful poisons that don’t just kill the target pests, but also kill non-target animals, including pets and predators of rodents. Further, rodenticides that are not properly secured threaten the safety of humans, particularly children, who may be poisoned when exposed to them.” The lawmakers detailed the risks of unsecured rodenticides, writing “rodenticides pose a risk of poisoning in households where the rodenticides are accessible to children and pets. From 2017-2021, the Centers for Disease Control reported 40,808 poisonings of humans from rodenticides. The majority of these exposures occurred in children under 5 years old.” “Further, rodenticides pose a persistent threat to non-target wildlife, especially threatened and endangered species. These poisonings impact predators, such as red-tailed hawks, barn owls, mountain lions, and the critically endangered California Condors, who consume the rodenticides through eating poisoned rodents. Other species, such as squirrels, opossum, raccoons, and the endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken, die by consuming the poison directly.” The Senators concluded by calling for a “careful, scientific review of the broader harms of the current uses of rodenticides, and ways these can be mitigated.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/bookers-schatz-van-hollen-welch-kaine-call-on-biden-to-urge-israeli-egyptian-governments-to-allow-journalists-into-gaza-protect-free-press,"Booker, Schatz, Van Hollen, Welch, Kaine Call on Biden to Urge Israeli, Egyptian Governments to Allow Journalists into Gaza, Protect Free Press",2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today called on President Joe Biden to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to allow journalists into Gaza to cover the war and protect press freedom. They also condemned Hamas’s use of propaganda and harassment, obstruction, and use of physical violence against journalists in Gaza. In their letter to the president, the senators underscored the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone. “As Israel addresses legitimate and ongoing threats from Hamas, we ask you to further urge the Israeli government, as well as the Egyptian government, to respect press freedom by allowing all interested journalists to report without restriction from Gaza, with the exception of operational security requirements for embedded journalists, and provide journalists with the appropriate protections to carry out their essential work,” the senators wrote. “Without protections for journalists in Gaza and access for international journalists, the world is unable to get a complete and accurate understanding of events. Journalists play a vital role in a free society by holding individuals, organizations, and governments accountable for their actions. The lack of transparency caused by limited journalistic access is at odds with the obligation all governments have to allow citizens to access factual information. Especially in a time of rampant mis- and disinformation, journalists both provide the international community with up-to-date news about the war and equip the local population with potentially life-saving information about fast-changing developments.” The senators further noted concern that “the scale of the killings of journalists and media workers is unprecedented in recent times.” The senators continued, “American democracy rests on a bedrock commitment to a free press and we must insist on the same from others, including our closest allies and partners. The principles for which the United States advocates send strong messages to foreign governments and help establish essential international norms.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z