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.bennet.senate.gov/2025/12/31/bennet-hickenlooper-slam-trumps-veto-of-their-finish-the-avc-act/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper Slam Trump’s Veto of Their Finish the AVC Act",2025-12-31,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper issued the following statement after President Trump vetoed their bipartisan Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act: “Nothing says ‘Make America Great Again’ like denying 50,000 rural Coloradans access to clean, affordable drinking water. President Trump’s first veto of his second term blocks a bipartisan bill that both the House and Senate passed unanimously, costs taxpayers nothing, and delivers safe, reliable water to rural communities that overwhelmingly supported him. Trump’s attacks on Southern Colorado are politics at its worst—putting personal and political grievances ahead of Americans. Southeastern Coloradans were promised the completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit more than 60 years ago. With this veto, President Trump broke that promise and demonstrated exactly why so many Americans are fed up with Washington. We will keep fighting to make sure rural Coloradans get the clean drinking water they were promised.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2025/12/31/bennet-statement-on-federal-intervention-at-northwest-colorado-power-plant/,Bennet Statement on Federal Intervention at Northwest Colorado Power Plant,2025-12-31,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement following the Department of Energy’s 202(c) 90-day order to require Craig Station’s Unit 1, a 427 MW coal-fired power plant in Northwest Colorado, to remain operational past its planned 2025 retirement: “President Trump’s so-called “energy emergency” is being used to justify tying the hands of utilities, forcing them to keep aging, outdated power plants open, often at high cost to the consumers they serve, whether or not it makes sense for energy reliability. It is unacceptable to burden ratepayers with these unnecessary costs. The Department of Energy (DOE) should be focused on doing everything it can to partner with transitioning communities and make energy more affordable. Instead, this administration is overriding business decisions and ignoring the costly consequences for Coloradans. “The DOE order is the latest in a string of attacks against Colorado, because we refuse to bend to the President. President Trump continues to take out his personal and political grievances on Coloradans who are already struggling to make ends meet. Federal intervention like this makes long-term planning impossible – this is not how you operate a business, plan an electric grid, or help a community stay prosperous. I am disappointed but not surprised by this continued revenge tour.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-slam-trumps-veto-of-their-finish-the-avc-act/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet Slam Trump’s Veto of Their Finish the AVC Act",2025-12-31,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"DENVER — U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet issued the following statement after President Trump vetoed their bipartisan Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act: “Nothing says ‘Make America Great Again’ like denying 50,000 rural Coloradans access to clean, affordable drinking water. President Trump’s first veto of his second term blocks a bipartisan bill that both the House and Senate passed unanimously, costs taxpayers nothing, and delivers safe, reliable water to rural communities that overwhelmingly supported him. Trump’s attacks on Southern Colorado are politics at its worst—putting personal and political grievances ahead of Americans. Southeastern Coloradans were promised the completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit more than 60 years ago. With this veto, President Trump broke that promise and demonstrated exactly why so many Americans are fed up with Washington. We will keep fighting to make sure rural Coloradans get the clean drinking water they were promised.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-statement-on-ninth-circuit-court-order-returning-control-of-national-guard-to-california/,Padilla Statement on Ninth Circuit Court Order Returning Control of National Guard to California,2025-12-31,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted its stay on a federal judge’s order barring the Trump Administration from deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, ending the federalization of California’s National Guard and returning authority over them to the state: “Today’s order affirms what we’ve said from the beginning: the Trump Administration’s choice to federalize and deploy National Guard troops in Los Angeles was unlawful. This deployment is reckless, harmful, and an abuse of executive power that has put service members in an impossible position. “The fight is not over but I look forward to the remaining service members returning to their families, their jobs, and their primary critical missions as soon as possible.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=B6BF6C33-92F6-4587-8F5C-F59D674DF378,Klobuchar and Local Duluth Business Owners Advocate to Change Federal Hemp Ban,2025-12-30,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"DULUTH, MN — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was joined by Ryan Kopperud, Vice President of Growth for Birdie at Wild State Cider, and Adam Ruhland, CEO of Wild State Cider, to advocate to change the recently enacted federal ban on hemp. Klobuchar is working across the aisle to change it. “A one-size fits all approach to hemp regulation doesn't work for states like Minnesota that already have strong safety standards in place,” said Klobuchar. “We can protect our kids and support our small businesses — Minnesota’s model proves that’s possible. Under current state rules, small businesses like Wild State Cider are licensed, meet labeling and packaging standards, and ensure their products are available only to adults. I want our state’s small businesses and farmers to know: I’ve got your back.” “What’s at stake here is not just one business. Not just one taproom. It’s manufacturers, distributors, retailers, farmers, labs—the entire system behind these hemp products people already trust. Responsible, compliant, transparent businesses, and the jobs, revenue, and tax base that come with them. This is what happens when policy meets reality. And that reality—for us and for thousands of Minnesota businesses—is frankly terrifying,” said Ryan Kopperud, Vice President of Growth for Birdie at Wild State Cider. Wild State Cider is a well-known cidery based in Duluth that was founded in 2019. The cidery specializes in producing ciders made with natural ingredients. In 2023, Wild State Cider launched a successful line of THC-infused products called “Birdie.” However, a recent bill signed into law includes provisions that could severely impact Minnesota’s hemp industry by banning many products currently manufactured in the state. Senator Klobuchar voted against the bill and voted for an amendment by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to remove the provision impacting Minnesota’s hemp businesses. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-and-expand-mental-health-services-in-michigans-rural-communities,Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen and Expand Mental Health Services in Michigan’s Rural Communities,2025-12-30,2025,2025-12,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. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand mental health services in Michigan’s rural communities. The Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act – which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) – aims to help states grow their behavioral health workforce, particularly in rural areas, to ensure mental health resources are accessible across the state. Specifically, the bill would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to issue guidance for states on ways to increase education, training, recruitment, and retention of mental health and substance-use disorder providers under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. “I’m proud to join my colleague in leading this bipartisan bill to help ensure all Michiganders can access quality mental health care from trained professionals. With the demand for mental health support higher than ever before, this commonsense legislation would help states strengthen this critical workforce to expand the mental health services available in rural and underserved communities,” said Senator Peters. The Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Peters has been a consistent advocate for mental health care, supporting policies that expand access to quality, affordable treatment. Earlier this year, Peters introduced a bipartisan bill that would increase access to care in areas experiencing shortages of mental health care professionals. In 2024, Peters also cosponsored bipartisan legislation to expand access to telemental health care. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/over-the-past-year-schatz-worked-to-protect-federal-funding-for-hawaii-amid-national-cuts-secured-more-than-1-billion-to-support-mauis-recovery-improve-infrastructure-expand-high-speed-internet-across-the-state,"Over The Past Year, Schatz Worked To Protect Federal Funding For Hawai‘i Amid National Cuts; Secured More Than $1 Billion To Support Maui’s Recovery, Improve Infrastructure, Expand High-Speed Internet Across The State",2025-12-30,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – In 2025, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) worked to protect Hawai‘i from significant cuts to federal funding by the Administration across the country and helped secure more than $1 billion for Hawai‘i to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, expand high-speed internet, and improve airports and infrastructure, among other things. “This year, we delivered more than $1 billion to Hawai‘i, including funding to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, help upgrade airports and health centers, and expand high-speed internet. My top priority always is making sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars, and together with the delegation and state and local leaders, we’re going to continue working to lower costs and support families and communities across the state,” said Senator Schatz. Funding highlights include: Nearly $31 million to expand high-speed internet statewide. The federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 will be used to build out and improve broadband infrastructure statewide. Nearly $9.8 million to support the ongoing recovery effort on Maui following the devastating fires. The funding, which Schatz helped secure, will help the community of Lahaina rebuild the Waiola Church, Hale Aloha Museum, the Old Lahaina Courthouse Building, and the Master’s Reading Room. More than $70 million for Kona International Airport. The federal funding for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, the largest airport on Hawai‘i Island and the state’s second international entry point, will be used to help complete KOA’s ongoing runway rehabilitation project. $1 million for the Lana?i Community Health Center. The funding will support the Lana?i Community Health Center, a nonprofit and federally qualified health center serving the island of Lana?i, to purchase equipment. More than $140 million for the Red Hill Water Treatment Plant. The funding will help build a water treatment facility provides a drinking water treatment facility at the Red Hill water supply shaft and ensures that treated water continues to meet all Federal and State drinking water standards. More than $50 million for Lihu?e Airport. The funding will help improve takeoff and taxiway operations at LIH by increasing the Runway Safety Area. Nearly $2 million to protect Hawai‘i-grown coffee. The funding will support the research and programs needed to stop coffee leaf rust, a devasting disease caused by a rust fungus. More than $553 million to replace Dry Dock 3 at Pearl Harbor. The funding will support the construction of the new Dry Dock 5 to replace the existing Dry Dock 3. Dry Dock 5 will be able to accommodate maintenance and sustainment work on Virginia class submarines and the Next Generation Attack Submarine (SSNX), ensuring that Hawai‘i’s public shipyard workforce will be able to support Navy’s submarine fleet for years to come. This year, Senator Schatz secured Senate passage of key legislation, including a bill to help stop illegal ahi from reaching people’s plates, while protecting Hawai‘i fishermen. The bipartisan Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States. Schatz also authored and secured Senate passage of the Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits to U.S. veterans who reside in the Freely Associated States of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-highlights-key-2025-efforts-as-2025-draws-to-a-close,Duckworth Highlights Key 2025 Efforts as 2025 Draws to a Close,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As 2025 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year: “Whether helping nearly 2,900 Illinoisans recover more than $13 million the federal government owed them, passing a law making it easier for new parents to travel with critical breast milk supplies, pushing back against Trump and Republicans as they work to jack up costs for everything from groceries to health care, fighting Donald Trump’s illegal and reckless invasion of our state or getting Veterans’ jobs back after this Administration cruelly fired Veterans Crisis Line workers—I’m proud of everything we’ve been able to do this past year,” Duckworth said. “While this year was far too difficult for far too many in our community, I am as committed as ever to showing up and getting things done for my fellow Illinoisans—and all those who feel targeted by the Trump Administration. I look forward to continuing my work for our state in 2026.” Over the past year, Duckworth and her office responded to over 1,047,000 emails as well as other messages and assisted more than 2,800 Illinoisans who were experiencing difficulties navigating the federal bureaucracy, helping recover more than $13.2 million in Social Security payments, Veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and more for her constituents. A select list of Duckworth’s accomplishments from the past year is below. Duckworth hosted a series of town halls and telephone town halls this year to hear directly from her constituents on how the Trump Administration is negatively impacting their lives and the lives of their families and communities, hearing from Illinoisans in McHenry County, Rockford, Carbondale and throughout Chicagoland. Key Efforts: Duckworth’s Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act Became Law: After passing the House and unanimously passing the Senate, bipartisan legislation authored and championed by Senator Duckworth to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies became one of roughly 30 bills to be signed into law in 2025. Senator Duckworth’s Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. Fighting to Prevent Healthcare Costs from Skyrocketing: As Republicans time and again voted to gut Medicaid with Trump’s Big, Beautiful Betrayal and did nothing to stop health insurance premiums from skyrocketing, Senator Duckworth fought against these efforts at every turn. She voted against the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill and voted against all of Republicans’ extreme partisan funding bills. She met with health care leaders throughout Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and the Chicagoland area to discuss how these cuts will impact health care access for all Illinoisans. Trump and Republicans plunged the nation into the longest government shutdown in history to guarantee that out-of-pocket health care costs will skyrocket, refusing to negotiate an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Duckworth continuously called out Republicans for refusing to help stop health insurance bills from doubling or even tripling for millions of hardworking families, including their own constituents. Then, in December, when Republicans finally had the chance to vote to extend these ACA subsidies, they chose to please Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies rather than serve the tens of millions of Americans who will see their premiums rise—or the four million who will lose coverage entirely. Defending Reproductive Freedom and Expanding Access to IVF: Senator Duckworth has been a strong advocate for reproductive freedom and access to IVF in the face of Republicans’ anti-choice crusade. In June, she introduced the Protect IVF Act to establish a nationwide right to IVF. She has also long pushed to pass her Right to IVF Act—which Senate Republicans blocked not once, but twice last year—that would both establish a right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology (ART), expand access for hopeful parents, Veterans and federal employees, as well as lower the costs of IVF for middle-class families across the country. This year, Duckworth successfully secured a provision in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act requiring TRICARE coverage of fertility services, including IVF, for servicemembers, reflecting her earlier IVF for Military Families Act. However, Speaker Mike Johnson single-handedly blocked her provision, denying troops the same IVF coverage available to Members of Congress despite broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. This is the second time Duckworth secured this provision in an NDAA bill that passed committee, only to have Republicans block her amendment from the final NDAA—despite it being included in the committee-approved version. Protecting Our State from Trump’s Unlawful Domestic Deployment: Senator Duckworth, alongside Governor Pritzker and Senator Durbin, helped lead our state’s effective pushback against the Trump Administration’s unconstitutional and dangerous deployments of National Guard troops into American cities, including Chicago. She singlehandedly secured the first and only Senate hearing on Trump’s domestic deployments, during which top Trump Defense officials admitted to three damning revelations that had never been publicly stated before. In addition to numerous actions, including visiting Naval Station Great Lakes amid threats to deploy the military to Chicago and filing an amicus brief with the Ninth Circuit against Trump for his misuse of the U.S. military, Duckworth successfully advanced her Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act to finally help rein in Trump’s continued misuse of our military and troops. Pushing Back on DHS’ Invasion on Chicago: In light of Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” Senator Duckworth continued her efforts as an outspoken champion for defending Illinoisans and their First Amendment rights. She condemned DHS’s excessive and aggressive force, including unlawful abductions, deploying tear gas near schools and raiding community shelters. Additionally, she demanded an end to forcing law enforcement to abandon criminal investigations in order to assist ICE and called on ICE and CBP to enforce body-camera requirements in compliance with federal orders. Duckworth and Senator Durbin also visited the grounds of the Broadview ICE processing center in their congressional oversight roles. Supporting Servicemembers and Holding Pete Hegseth Accountable for Putting Them at Needless Risk: As a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator Duckworth has condemned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s lack of experience or qualifications to lead our troops, repeatedly calling on him to resign, especially after reports confirmed he sent highly-sensitive war plans in an unclassified group chat with other Trump Administration officials, putting servicemembers at greater risk and undermining mission effectiveness. She denounced the Trump Administration’s unlawful military strikes and supported a resolution to block illegal use of force in or against Venezuela without congressional approval, while raising concerns about violating the laws of war and endangering our servicemembers and national security. Supporting Our Veterans: After Trump fired more Veterans than any other President in history and imposed illegal pauses in federal funding and slashed Veterans’ care, Senator Duckworth continued her life’s mission of advocating for our brave servicemembers and their families affected by Trump’s recklessness. This year, she introduced legislation to protect the lifesaving Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) and restore collective bargaining rights for VA health care professionals. She demanded accountability from Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins for the VCL firings. She also introduced her Protect Veteran Jobs Act to reinstate Veterans who were fired from their jobs as part of Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate purge of federal employees. Duckworth spoke at the “Unite for Veterans” rally on the National Mall, criticizing Trump for using Veterans as political pawns and undermining their care and benefits. She also hosted a Veterans town hall in Crystal Lake to hear directly from Veterans about the impact of the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s cuts to federal programs and mass federal worker firings. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-2025-end-of-year-report,Murphy Releases 2025 End Of Year Report,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,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 Monday released his 2025 End of Year Report. In a year marked by turmoil, Senator Murphy joined with elected leaders, civic organizers, and Connecticut residents to defend Americans’ rights and fight for a better future. This report highlights the measures Sen. Murphy and his office took to stand up to Trump’s corruption and deliver for Connecticut families. As Donald Trump systematically dismantled programs working people rely on, while transforming the government into a tool of personal enrichment, Murphy helped deliver federal dollars to Connecticut while taking action to unrig our economy and democracy from billionaire interests. This year, Murphy and his office: Introduced or co-sponsored 270 pieces of legislation and amendments, including 91 bills, resolutions, or amendments as the lead sponsor; Completed his ninth Walk Across Connecticut: four days, 67 miles, 11 towns, and hundreds of conversations with Connecticut residents along the way; Engaged with over 436,800 calls, emails, and letters; Returned more than $7 million to constituents, including owed Social Security payments, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds, and other savings from federal agencies; Helped over 3,233 constituents work through federal issues and get their owed benefits",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=082A36F7-1B14-44EB-81D7-6852ADCB2B2F,"Klobuchar, Sullivan and Colleagues Introduce VISIT USA Act to Promote U.S. Tourism",2025-12-26,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) —all members of the Senate Commerce Committee – introduced the bipartisan Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA (VISIT USA) Act to fully restore Brand USA’s funding in Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 and 2027. Brand USA is a public-private partnership charged with promoting America as a premier international travel destination and clearly communicating U.S. visa and entry policies abroad. This legislation will fully fund Brand USA to promote the United States as an international travel destination ahead of several significant events hosted in the U.S., including the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic games. President Trump’s FY 2026 budget request also calls for fully funding Brand USA. “Travel and tourism powers economic growth in communities in Minnesota and across our country,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will restore funding for Brand USA, providing the resources it needs to continue to support an additional 1.6 million visitors, $6 billion in spending, and nearly 80,000 jobs every year—all at no cost to taxpayers.” “The United States is the third most visited country in the world. As we prepare to host several once-in-a-generation global events—from America250, to the FIFA World Cup, to the 2028 Olympic Games—there has never been a better moment to showcase all that our country has to offer,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Restoring Brand USA’s full funding will help us welcome more international visitors, strengthen our tourism economy, and support the thousands of small businesses that make America and Alaska such remarkable places to experience.” This legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Travel Association. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) have introduced companion legislation in the House. “This legislation is an important step forward, and we are grateful for Senators Sullivan and Klobuchar for leading this effort,"" said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. ""With the World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the U.S. has a pivotal chance to capture global attention. By restoring Brand USA’s resources, Congress can help drive new visitors, support jobs nationwide and ensure the United States stands out on the world stage.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/ranking-member-shaheen-senators-tillis-rosen-barrasso-coons-king-moran-merkley-van-hollen-statement-on-russias-christmas-bombing-of-ukraine/,"Ranking Member Shaheen, Senators Tillis, Rosen, Barrasso, Coons, King, Moran, Merkley, Van Hollen Statement on Russia’s Christmas Bombing of Ukraine",2025-12-25,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“We condemn Russia’s brutal attacks on Kherson, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, Donetsk and Kryvyi Rih waged on innocent Ukrainians as they convened to mark the birth of the Prince of Peace with their loved ones and in prayer. “It bears repeating that President Zelenskyy agreed to a Christmas truce, but Putin declined, yet he directs soldiers to continue to commit brutal crimes of aggression on one of Christianity’s holiest days. “Even for countries at war, there is a long history of Christmas ceasefires, including notably during World War I. Today’s decision by Putin to launch attacks rather than hold fire is a sobering reminder for us all: Putin is a ruthless murderer who has no interest in peace and cannot be trusted. “We stand with the people of Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Kherson and Donetsk marking the birth of Christ under the most challenging of circumstances. Ukrainians’ faith is a stronger force than the evil unleashed today by the Kremlin.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murkowski-and-merkley-lead-call-for-inspector-general-audit-following-dojs-failure-to-release-the-full-epstein-files-as-demanded-by-survivors-required-by-law,"Blumenthal, Murkowski & Merkley Lead Call for Inspector General Audit Following DOJ’s Failure to Release the Full Epstein Files as Demanded by Survivors, Required by Law",2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of senators in writing Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume requesting the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) perform an audit of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation requiring the release of all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. “Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the senators wrote. “As such, we request that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) perform an audit of the Department’s compliance with the statute.” In addition to Blumenthal, Murkowski, and Merkley, today’s letter was signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI). “Full transparency—as called for bravely and repeatedly by survivors—is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes,” the senators concluded. “Survivors deserve full disclosure. They also deserve the peace of mind that would be afforded by an independent audit of the Department’s compliance.” The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below. Dear Acting Inspector General Berthiaume: We write to you following the December 19 deadline imposed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act for the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or “the Department”) to release all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. By the Department’s own admission, it is in violation of the law—before DOJ had even begun to release the files, Deputy Attorney General Blanche admitted that it would not disclose them all by the December 19 deadline. And DOJ has lived up to that promise, failing to fully disclose the files in violation of the Act. Not only has DOJ withheld files, but those records that were disclosed are largely information that was already public. Even those records are so heavily redacted that there are serious questions as to whether the Department is properly applying the limited exceptions for redaction that are permitted under the Act. Moreover, several records appear to have been removed, without explanation, from the files the Department did release. Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential. As such, we request that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) perform an audit of the Department’s compliance with the statute. In passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act with overwhelming margins in both the House and the Senate, Congress demonstrated a clear, bipartisan mandate for public transparency in the Epstein case. The legislation expressly enumerates the limited circumstances in which withholding or redaction is permitted. Any withholding or redaction beyond those specified circumstances is against the law. But because Congress and the public do not have complete access to the Epstein documents, we are not able to fully assess for ourselves whether records were inappropriately withheld or redacted. DOJ OIG—with access to the full Epstein files and with independence from the larger Department—is ideally positioned to do a complete and independent assessment of the Administration’s compliance with the Act. Despite calls from Epstein survivors for complete release of the documents, this Administration has shown consistent hostility towards transparency and a perceived willingness to weaponize the case for political ends. In February, Attorney General (“A.G.”) Bondi gave binders of supposedly newly declassified Epstein files—not to survivors, but to reported “right-wing influencers.” She also claimed that Epstein’s so-called “client list” was “sitting on [her] desk right now to review.” Yet, in July, DOJ and FBI released an unsigned memo directly contradicting her, and claiming it had found no evidence of Epstein having kept a client list. In August, Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a lower security prison after two days of meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. In November, President Trump expressly and publicly urged A.G. Bondi to investigate prominent Democrats and banks connected to Epstein. Just days later, A.G. Bondi announced she would follow the President’s command. These actions, including inconsistent public statements about the contents of the files, have raised fundamental questions about the Department’s willingness to faithfully and impartially comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. These questions have only grown in volume since the incomplete release of files on December 19. Given DOJ OIG’s ability to access the full set of Epstein files and its independence from the Department, it is ideally placed to perform an audit to ensure the Department’s compliance with the law. Such an audit is essential not only to ensure the Department has acted as the law requires, but also to maintain the public’s trust in the disclosure of the files and in the Department’s handling of the case. Specifically, DOJ OIG should ensure that: (1) redactions were properly applied to protect all survivors; (2) redactions were not used to shield abusers, perpetrators, or enablers; (3) records were not withheld for any reason other than those enumerated in the statute; (4) all withholding of records was appropriate under the statute and narrowly tailored; and (5) the Department did not consider politics in deciding whether or how to release documents. We appreciate your attention to this important request. Full transparency—as called for bravely and repeatedly by survivors—is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes. Survivors deserve full disclosure. They also deserve the peace of mind that would be afforded by an independent audit of the Department’s compliance. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-statement-on-trumps-va-abortion-ban-that-denies-millions-of-veterans-the-care-theyve-earned,Duckworth Statement on Trump’s VA Abortion Ban That Denies Millions of Veterans the Care They’ve Earned,2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration quietly implemented a policy banning the VA from providing abortion care to Veterans and their families—including in cases of rape, incest or to protect the health of the mother—despite widespread opposition from advocates and the Veteran community: “Our Veterans risked their lives to safeguard our freedoms. And yet a man who has never served a day in his life is taking away their own freedom to choose what's best for their health. “In cases of rape, incest or when the health of the mother is at risk, Trump is denying our heroes the care they’ve earned through their service—and it’ll be those living in states with extreme abortion bans who will suffer the most. “Trump implemented this extreme policy during the holiday season, quietly and over the objections of Veterans, thinking we wouldn’t notice. Well, we did. And I will keep fighting to give Veterans and all Americans the health care and reproductive freedom they deserve.” -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/blumenthal-murkowski-merkley-lead-call-for-inspector-general-audit-following-dojs-failure-to-release-the-full-epstein-files-as-demanded-by-survivors-required-by-law/,"BLUMENTHAL, MURKOWSKI & MERKLEY LEAD CALL FOR INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT FOLLOWING DOJ’S FAILURE TO RELEASE THE FULL EPSTEIN FILES AS DEMANDED BY SURVIVORS, REQUIRED BY LAW",2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of senators in writing Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume requesting the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) perform an audit of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation requiring the release of all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. “Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the senators wrote. “As such, we request that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) perform an audit of the Department’s compliance with the statute.” In addition to Blumenthal, Murkowski, and Merkley, today’s letter was signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI). “Full transparency—as called for bravely and repeatedly by survivors—is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes,” the senators concluded. “Survivors deserve full disclosure. They also deserve the peace of mind that would be afforded by an independent audit of the Department’s compliance.” The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below. Dear Acting Inspector General Berthiaume: We write to you following the December 19 deadline imposed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act for the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or “the Department”) to release all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. By the Department’s own admission, it is in violation of the law—before DOJ had even begun to release the files, Deputy Attorney General Blanche admitted that it would not disclose them all by the December 19 deadline. And DOJ has lived up to that promise, failing to fully disclose the files in violation of the Act. Not only has DOJ withheld files, but those records that were disclosed are largely information that was already public. Even those records are so heavily redacted that there are serious questions as to whether the Department is properly applying the limited exceptions for redaction that are permitted under the Act. Moreover, several records appear to have been removed, without explanation, from the files the Department did release. Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential. As such, we request that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) perform an audit of the Department’s compliance with the statute. In passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act with overwhelming margins in both the House and the Senate, Congress demonstrated a clear, bipartisan mandate for public transparency in the Epstein case. The legislation expressly enumerates the limited circumstances in which withholding or redaction is permitted. Any withholding or redaction beyond those specified circumstances is against the law. But because Congress and the public do not have complete access to the Epstein documents, we are not able to fully assess for ourselves whether records were inappropriately withheld or redacted. DOJ OIG—with access to the full Epstein files and with independence from the larger Department—is ideally positioned to do a complete and independent assessment of the Administration’s compliance with the Act. Despite calls from Epstein survivors for complete release of the documents, this Administration has shown consistent hostility towards transparency and a perceived willingness to weaponize the case for political ends. In February, Attorney General (“A.G.”) Bondi gave binders of supposedly newly declassified Epstein files—not to survivors, but to reported “right-wing influencers.” She also claimed that Epstein’s so-called “client list” was “sitting on [her] desk right now to review.” Yet, in July, DOJ and FBI released an unsigned memo directly contradicting her, and claiming it had found no evidence of Epstein having kept a client list. In August, Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a lower security prison after two days of meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. In November, President Trump expressly and publicly urged A.G. Bondi to investigate prominent Democrats and banks connected to Epstein. Just days later, A.G. Bondi announced she would follow the President’s command. These actions, including inconsistent public statements about the contents of the files, have raised fundamental questions about the Department’s willingness to faithfully and impartially comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. These questions have only grown in volume since the incomplete release of files on December 19. Given DOJ OIG’s ability to access the full set of Epstein files and its independence from the Department, it is ideally placed to perform an audit to ensure the Department’s compliance with the law. Such an audit is essential not only to ensure the Department has acted as the law requires, but also to maintain the public’s trust in the disclosure of the files and in the Department’s handling of the case. Specifically, DOJ OIG should ensure that: (1) redactions were properly applied to protect all survivors; (2) redactions were not used to shield abusers, perpetrators, or enablers; (3) records were not withheld for any reason other than those enumerated in the statute; (4) all withholding of records was appropriate under the statute and narrowly tailored; and (5) the Department did not consider politics in deciding whether or how to release documents. We appreciate your attention to this important request. Full transparency—as called for bravely and repeatedly by survivors—is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes. Survivors deserve full disclosure. They also deserve the peace of mind that would be afforded by an independent audit of the Department’s compliance. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-raise-alarm-over-loss-of-mental-health-access-in-eastern-oregon/,"Wyden, Merkley Raise Alarm Over Loss of Mental Health Access in Eastern Oregon",2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators: Trump and congressional Republicans’ budget bill threatens essential mental care for nearly 800 Malheur County residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote health care providers serving Malheur County to ask how they’ll ensure nearly 800 residents keep access to the mental health services they need in the wake of new coordinated care organization (CCO) coverage changes brought on by the devastating cuts by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to Medicaid. “We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill,” the lawmakers wrote to Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. CEO Ann Ford and Eastern Oregon CCO CEO Sean Jessup. “As you manage through this calamity, We ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care.” “In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon’s 36 counties,” the lawmakers continued. “Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves.” The senators asked Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI), which distributes Medicaid dollars for mental health in eastern Oregon, to answer the following questions no later than January 9, 2026: How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers? What determination did GOHBI make to ensure network adequacy and sufficient access for patients? What circumstances led GOHBI to make these changes to its provider network in 2026? “We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task,” Wyden and Merkley wrote. “Republicans’ Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline.” The entire letter is below. Ann Ford Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. 3729 Klindt Dr. The Dalles, OR 97058 Sean Jessup Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization 601 SW Second Ave Portland, OR 97204 Dear Ms. Ford & Mr. Jessup, We write with deep concern about recent reporting that nearly 800 residents of Malheur County enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan will not be able to see the mental health providers they rely on starting next year. We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. As you manage through this calamity, we ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care. We know that Oregon’s families and health care providers are staring down the largest cuts to health care in U.S. history. Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill cuts federal funding for the U.S. health care system by over $1 trillion, raising health care costs for everyone while kicking 15 million Americans off of their health insurance. States, Medicaid managed care organizations, and health care providers will need to make impossibly hard choices. Already, the effects of these catastrophic cuts are harming rural communities like Malheur County. Hospitals are closing. Mental health counselors, nurses, doctors, and other essential health care workers are losing their jobs. Service access, especially care for new mothers and babies, is dwindling. In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon’s 36 counties. Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves. We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task. Republicans’ Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline. As you navigate this challenging landscape, we ask that you limit life-threatening disruptions for patients and their families and ensure the residents of Malheur County have ample access to a sufficient network of health care providers.We are hearing from members of the community who are deeply concerned about their ability to continue to see the doctor of their choice, and ask that you share answers to the following questions: According to reports, the Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOHBI) is offering a transition period, permitting patients to complete a current episode of treatment after January 1, 2026 with an out-of-network provider and allowing extension requests for medically-necessary care. How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers? What is GOHBI’s process for granting medically-necessary extensions? Please describe appeals processes and other patient protections available to patients related to provider access. You represent the best of our nation’s health care system, and we know you seek to do right by the patients with mental health and substance use disorders who you tirelessly serve. Please provide the requested information to Andrew Cutler at Andrew_Cutler@wyden.senate.gov no later than January 9th, 2026. Thank you for providing a prompt response to this inquiry. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-pause-discriminatory-national-park-entry-fees,"Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Pause Discriminatory National Park Entry Fees",2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Senators express concerns over January 1 implementation — without proper notice — of $250 America the Beautiful non-resident annual passes and $100 non-resident fee for highly visited national parks Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said today he has joined colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to pause its expensive new national park entry fees and annual passes for non-residents scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. Wyden and the other senators emphasized these new passes and fees were not properly noticed in accordance with the law, will slow park entry, and will further limit international visitation. In late November, the federal Department of Interior announced a new fee structure for access to public lands. Beginning next year, the annual pass will cost $80 for U.S. citizens and residents and $250 for non-residents, the first time the United States has required proof of residency to have access to public lands. Non-residents age 16 and up who don’t have an annual pass will be forced to pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the country’s most visited national parks. “America’s national parks serve as destinations for visitors both domestically and internationally to experience our country’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and history,” the senators wrote Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “While we understand that entrance and recreation fees are vital to enhancing the visitor experience, we want to ensure all feel welcome to enjoy all national treasures. Since these new fees are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, we strongly believe these fees are being implemented too quickly, without public input, and will be a barrier for both residents and non-residents alike.” “We request that you stop implementation of the new non-resident passes and fees until the public has an opportunity to weigh in, impacts to visitation are studied, and clarity on implementation is provided to Congress, NPS employees, and impacted stakeholders,” the senators wrote. The National Park Service is permitted to collect and retain entrance and recreation fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. These fees play an important role in making sure these parks can provide a positive visitor experience for citizens and non-residents alike. However, the law requires the Secretary of the Interior to allow the public the chance weigh in on the development of or changes to recreation fees, and it mandates advanced notice to affected communities in local publications. The senators criticized the administration for failing to provide this legally required opportunity for public input. In addition to Wyden, the letter led by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was also signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). The senators also warned that this plan would further strain the understaffed Park Service workforce, as the Trump administration has cut 24% of permanent Park Service employees since January, including positions like fee collectors and information technology specialists. These staffing shortages will likely further compound entry delays, especially at the highly visited parks charging an extra $100 for non-residents. With overseas visitation to national parks already down over 3% (and down 25% for visitors from Canada), the senators expressed concerns that these numbers could fall even further with the steep price of non-resident passes, hurting the U.S. economy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-raise-alarm-over-loss-of-mental-health-access-in-eastern-oregon,"Wyden, Merkley Raise Alarm Over Loss of Mental Health Access in Eastern Oregon",2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Senators: Trump and congressional Republicans’ budget bill threatens essential mental care for nearly 800 Malheur County residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote health care providers serving Malheur County to ask how they’ll ensure nearly 800 residents keep access to the mental health services they need in the wake of new coordinated care organization (CCO) coverage changes brought on by the devastating cuts by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to Medicaid. “We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill,” the lawmakers wrote to Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. CEO Ann Ford and Eastern Oregon CCO CEO Sean Jessup. “As you manage through this calamity, We ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care.” “In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon’s 36 counties,” the lawmakers continued. “Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves.” The senators asked Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI), which distributes Medicaid dollars for mental health in eastern Oregon, to answer the following questions no later than January 9, 2026: How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers? What determination did GOHBI make to ensure network adequacy and sufficient access for patients? What circumstances led GOHBI to make these changes to its provider network in 2026? “We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task,” Wyden and Merkley wrote. “Republicans’ Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline.” The entire letter is below. Ann Ford Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. 3729 Klindt Dr. The Dalles, OR 97058 Sean Jessup Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization 601 SW Second Ave Portland, OR 97204 Dear Ms. Ford & Mr. Jessup, We write with deep concern about recent reporting that nearly 800 residents of Malheur County enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan will not be able to see the mental health providers they rely on starting next year. We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. As you manage through this calamity, we ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care. We know that Oregon’s families and health care providers are staring down the largest cuts to health care in U.S. history. Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill cuts federal funding for the U.S. health care system by over $1 trillion, raising health care costs for everyone while kicking 15 million Americans off of their health insurance. States, Medicaid managed care organizations, and health care providers will need to make impossibly hard choices. Already, the effects of these catastrophic cuts are harming rural communities like Malheur County. Hospitals are closing. Mental health counselors, nurses, doctors, and other essential health care workers are losing their jobs. Service access, especially care for new mothers and babies, is dwindling. In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon’s 36 counties. Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves. We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task. Republicans’ Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline. As you navigate this challenging landscape, we ask that you limit life-threatening disruptions for patients and their families and ensure the residents of Malheur County have ample access to a sufficient network of health care providers.We are hearing from members of the community who are deeply concerned about their ability to continue to see the doctor of their choice, and ask that you share answers to the following questions: According to reports, the Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOHBI) is offering a transition period, permitting patients to complete a current episode of treatment after January 1, 2026 with an out-of-network provider and allowing extension requests for medically-necessary care. How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers? What is GOHBI’s process for granting medically-necessary extensions? Please describe appeals processes and other patient protections available to patients related to provider access. Reports suggest GOHBI’s changes to the Malheur County provider network will reduce the number of available mental health and substance use disorder providers from four to just one, representing a dramatic downward shift. What determination did GOHBI make to ensure network adequacy and sufficient access for patients? Does GOHBI have plans to monitor patient access throughout 2026? What circumstances led GOHBI to make these changes to its provider network in 2026? Were anticipated cuts to the Oregon Health Plan a factor? Thank you. You represent the best of our nation’s health care system, and we know you seek to do right by the patients with mental health and substance use disorders who you tirelessly serve. Please provide the requested information to Andrew Cutler at Andrew_Cutler@wyden.senate.gov no later than January 9th, 2026. Thank you for providing a prompt response to this inquiry.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2025/12/23/icymi-bennet-fights-back-against-trumps-targeted-attacks-on-colorado/,ICYMI: Bennet Fights Back Against Trump’s Targeted Attacks on Colorado,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet slammed President Trump for canceling hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants from the Departments of Transportation and Energy, dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and denying Colorado’s request for two emergency declarations following extreme flooding and wildfires. Before the Senate adjourned for the year, Bennet blocked the appropriations package from advancing before the holidays to demand funding to protect NCAR. “After more than a week of targeted actions against Colorado, it’s clear President Trump has turned his sights on our state because we refuse to go along with his corrupt demands,” said Senator Bennet. “This holiday season, hundreds of NCAR employees face uncertainty about their jobs and communities across the state are worried they won’t get the support they need to rebuild their lives after historic flooding and wildfires. Colorado deserves better, and I am doing everything in my power to fight back and protect our state from the President’s vindictive chaos.” Here’s how Senator Bennet is fighting for Colorado: KKCO 11: Colorado Senator Bennet accuses Trump of retaliating against Colorado over Tina Peters Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., is accusing President Donald Trump of taking punitive actions against Colorado that Bennet describes as political retaliation. During a press call, Bennet criticized several recent decisions tied to the federal government’s relationship with the state — including the administration’s reported call to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Bennet also warned of broader consequences beyond Colorado if NCAR were dismantled. “I think that Colorado deserves much better from our federal government. Our entire country deserves better from our federal government. We will not stand by while President Trump attacks Colorado and puts our communities in danger. We’ll use every tool at our disposal to fight back against this reckless political attack,” he said. Colorado Sun: Colorado’s U.S. senators hold up appropriations package over NCAR’s future Colorado’s U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper…put a hold on the so-called mini-bus package over the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. “President Trump is attacking Colorado because we refuse to bend to his corrupt administration. His reckless decision to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research will have lasting, devastating impacts across the country,” Bennet and Hickenlooper said in a joint statement. In a social media post, Bennet, who is also running for governor, said “when Trump comes after Colorado, we don’t back down, we fight back.” The Denver Post: Trump denies disaster declarations for Colorado fires, flooding: ‘We won’t stop fighting’ Sen. Michael Bennet called President Trump’s decision to deny Colorado’s request for federal assistance “unacceptable.” “Trump continues to use Coloradans for political games; it is malicious and obscene,” Bennet said. “A disaster is a disaster, regardless of what state in the country it took place. Together with Governor Polis and the Colorado delegation, I will take every available step to appeal this decision.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-on-stb-doj-to-oppose-railway-merger-threatening-jobs-and-driving-up-costs,"Blumenthal Calls on STB, DOJ to Oppose Railway Merger Threatening Jobs & Driving Up Costs",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs and Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Gail Slater urging them to oppose the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway—two of the four largest railroads in the country. In today’s letter, Blumenthal raised concerns that the merger would significantly reduce competition in the rail industry, driving up costs for shippers and threatening railroad workers’ job security. “Railroads are a critical link in the supply chain for everyday consumer goods, including food, fuel, building materials, and household products. When competition in rail transportation is reduced, higher shipping costs are often passed directly on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the checkout counter. With inflation and affordability already top concerns for American families, approving a merger that could further raise the cost of moving goods across the country would worsen financial strain on households nationwide,” wrote Blumenthal. “The proposed merger also threatens job stability for countless employees at Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern,” continued Blumenthal. “Together, the two companies have more than 50,000 employees. While the companies have said they will protect all union jobs during a merger, precedent shows us such promises are little more than hollow words. Instead of trusting these empty promises, you should protect thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Chairman Fuchs and Assistant Attorney General Slater, I write with serious concerns about the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway. A merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern – two of the four largest railroads in the United States – would further consolidate the nation’s rail network, resulting in potential job insecurity for workers, higher costs and less competition for shippers, and safety and community harms. At a time when families are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, household goods, and other essentials, further consolidation in the rail industry risks driving up consumer prices even more. As the Surface Transportation Board considers the application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, I urge you to oppose this proposed merger. Railroads are a critical link in the supply chain for everyday consumer goods, including food, fuel, building materials, and household products. When competition in rail transportation is reduced, higher shipping costs are often passed directly on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the checkout counter. With inflation and affordability already top concerns for American families, approving a merger that could further raise the cost of moving goods across the country would worsen financial strain on households nationwide. The proposed merger also threatens job stability for countless employees at Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Together, the two companies have more than 50,000 employees.[1] While the companies have said they will protect all union jobs during a merger, precedent shows us such promises are little more than hollow words.[2] For example, after Union Pacific and Southern Pacific merged in 1996, thousands of employees were laid off or relocated despite assurances to protect workers before the merger went through.[3] Instead of trusting these empty promises, you should protect thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans. In addition, the consolidated transcontinental railroad system that would result from the proposed merger would undoubtedly increase prices and decrease service for shippers. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern largely serve different markets, and as a result, shippers are able to negotiate with each of them and their competitors for better prices for various portions of their trip. Under the proposed merger, however, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would control a transcontinental rail line, which they could then use to preferentially price their services to direct shippers. Additionally, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern currently have various intermodal partnerships with each other and their competitors to improve access to shipping containers and underserved areas around the country.[4] The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would jeopardize these partnerships. As shipping costs rise, consumers inevitably pay the price through higher costs for everyday goods, and as prices for consumer goods reach record highs, you should be focused on ensuring that shippers have access to affordable, reliable rail service instead of handicapping competition. Finally, you must consider the impact of the proposed merger on the safety of communities around the country. In recent years, ambulances and emergency service vehicles have been delayed for extended periods of time as long trains roll through highway-rail grade crossings in towns.[5] Similarly, to get to and from school, kids have been forced to climb under trains stopped at such crossings.[6] In addition, residents of East Palestine, Ohio, remain concerned about long-term health impacts of the hazardous materials they were exposed to in the 2023 derailment of Norfolk Southern train cars in East Palestine, Ohio.[7] Historically, cost-cutting efforts implemented by railroads only exacerbate these issues, and you must evaluate the forthcoming Safety Integration Plan and information on addressing blocked highway-rail grade crossings to determine whether this merger would do the same.[8] To protect workers’ jobs, prevent price increases for shippers and consumers, and promote safety for communities surrounding rail lines, I urge you to oppose the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Thank you for your close attention to this matter. Sincerely, -30- [1] Stuart Chirls, “Rail merger: Lifetime job is great “until you are stuck in it,” FreightWaves, September 24, 2025, https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-merger-lifetime-job-is-great-until-youre-stuck-in-it. [2] “Creating America’s First Transcontinental Railroad: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s STB Merger Application Details Enhancements to Competition and Public Benefits,” Union Pacific, December 29, 2025, https://www.up.com/press-releases/growth/stb-merger-application-enhances-competition-251219; Erik Peinert and Ashley Nowicki, “The New Railroad Barons: Why the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Railroad Merger Must Be Blocked,” American Economic Liberties Project, https://www.economicliberties.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-09-30-AELP-Railroad-Brief.pdf, 11. [3] Peinert and Nowicki, 11. [4] “UMAX Domestic Container Program,” Union Pacific, https://www.up.com/shipping/intermodal/umax (last accessed December 15, 2025); “CSX, CPKC Create Faster Freight Solutions with Southeast Mexico Express,” CSX, July 21, 2025, https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/media/press-releases/csx-cpkc-create-faster-freight-solutions-with-southeast-mexico-express/. [5] Mike Hendricks, “‘They just don’t care’: Trains blocking roads can be deadly. It’s only getting worse,” The Kansas City Star, December 13, 2022, https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article268879922.html. [6] Topher Sanders, Dan Schwartz, and Jove Sterman, “As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossing Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School,” ProPublica and Gray Television/Investigate TV, April 26, 2023, https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-crossing-blocked-kids-norfolk-southern. [7] “A year after a train derailment in Ohio spilled hazardous chemicals, health fears persist for East Palestine,” PBS, February 2, 2024, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-year-after-a-train-derailment-in-ohio-spilled-hazardous-chemicals-health-fears-persist-for-east-palestine; Julie Grant, “Two years after train derailment and chemical disaster in East Palestine, some residents worry about liver cancer,” WHYY, January 30, 2025, http://whyy.org/segments/two-years-after-east-palestine-train-derailment-health-risks/. [8] Peinert and Nowicki, 9.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-markey-and-warren-demand-amazon-remove-listings-for-used-cars-with-unrepaired-safety-recalls-clearly-display-vehicles-recall-status,"Blumenthal, Markey, & Warren Demand Amazon Remove Listings for Used Cars with Unrepaired Safety Recalls, Clearly Display Vehicle's Recall Status",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on Amazon to remove listings for pre-owned vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls. In a letter to Andrew R. Jassy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, the Senators raised safety concerns about the company’s new Amazon Autos partnership with Hyundai and Ford dealers, which lists pre-owned vehicles that may have unrepaired safety recalls for sale without adequately warning consumers about a vehicle’s recall status. “We are extremely troubled by the fact that Amazon is listing vehicles for sale with unrepaired safety recalls. Selling cars with unrepaired safety recalls is extremely dangerous and poses a potentially fatal threat to vehicle drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Amazon’s suggestion to consumers to check a vehicle’s recall status themselves on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website is simply insufficient. We call on Amazon to remove all vehicle listings with unrepaired safety recalls and to directly display to prospective vehicle buyers a vehicle’s recall status,” the Senators wrote. The Senators continued, “Amazon does not need to wait for the law to change to prioritize vehicle safety. We call on Amazon to immediately stop listing for sale on Amazon Autos any vehicle with an unrepaired safety recall. In addition, Amazon should make it as easy as possible for people to confirm that the vehicle they are looking at does not have unrepaired recalls. Instead of linking to NHTSA’s website and encouraging people to check the recall status themselves, we urge Amazon to prominently display the status of recalls under the key features it lists for vehicles it is selling.” The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below. Dear Mr. Jassy, We are extremely troubled by the fact that Amazon is listing vehicles for sale with unrepaired safety recalls. Selling cars with unrepaired safety recalls is extremely dangerous and poses a potentially fatal threat to vehicle drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Amazon’s suggestion to consumers to check a vehicle’s recall status themselves on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website is simply insufficient. We call on Amazon to remove all vehicle listings with unrepaired safety recalls and to directly display to prospective vehicle buyers a vehicle’s recall status. On August 4, 2025, Amazon announced that dealers would be able to sell used and certified pre-owned vehicles through Amazon Autos, which was at the time limited to Hyundai vehicles. On November 17, 2025, Amazon announced that certified pre-owned vehicles sold by Ford dealers, which are not exclusively Ford vehicles, would also be for sale on Amazon Autos. In its announcement with Ford, Amazon touted its transparency in the vehicle selling process by highlighting it provides viewers with the service history and condition reports for vehicles. However, Amazon fails to disclose to prospective vehicle buyers that a vehicle may have unrepaired recalls. In fact, Amazon lists for sale—and appears to have facilitated the sale of—vehicles with unrepaired recalls, including urgent fire risks and a potential engine stall while driving. We have long raised concerns about the dangers of allowing used vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls to be sold. Our legislation, S.2956, the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, would prevent dealers from selling used cars with unrepaired safety recalls, a prohibition that already applies to new vehicles. Amazon does not need to wait for the law to change to prioritize vehicle safety. We call on Amazon to immediately stop listing for sale on Amazon Autos any vehicle with an unrepaired safety recall. In addition, Amazon should make it as easy as possible for people to confirm that the vehicle they are looking at does not have unrepaired recalls. Instead of linking to NHTSA’s website and encouraging people to check the recall status themselves, we urge Amazon to prominently display the status of recalls under the key features it lists for vehicles it is selling. We look forward to working with Amazon to ensure that the vehicles it lists for sale are safe. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-seeks-data-on-security-grant-program,Blumenthal Seeks Data on Security Grant Program,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem seeking data about previous applications to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to help inform Congress about how the program should be funded for the upcoming fiscal year. “As I travel around Connecticut and hear from community leaders here and around the country, I am struck by the severely heightened anxiety and apprehension about physical threats to places of worship and community centers involving hate-based violence,” Blumenthal wrote. “Recently, I have called for dramatically increasing funding for NSGP to $1 billion and for increasing funding and resources for other programs to keep pace with the violence we are seeing in our communities. I am disappointed that the proposal released Friday night by Senate Republicans for Fiscal Year 2026 includes only $330 million for NSGP, far short of my request and the program’s clear need, with reports indicating recipients requested approximately $1 billion from FEMA in 2024 alone.” Last week, Blumenthal wrote the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairs and Ranking Members of its Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies calling for a dramatic increase in resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention, including by appropriating no less than $1 billion to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), making significant investments to the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act (NO HATE Act), and reestablishing and fully funding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS). On Friday, he joined leaders from the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut at an event in West Hartford, Connecticut, calling on Congress to robustly fund NSGP and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act grant program. The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below. Dear Secretary Noem, In recent years we have, unfortunately, seen a rise in antisemitism, extremist ideology, and hate-based violence. As I travel around Connecticut and hear from community leaders here and around the country, I am struck by the severely heightened anxiety and apprehension about physical threats to places of worship and community centers involving hate-based violence. One of the most important tools at our disposal to combat such hate and protect religious institutions and minority communities is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Recently, I have called for dramatically increasing funding for NSGP to $1 billion and for increasing funding and resources for other programs to keep pace with the violence we are seeing in our communities. I am disappointed that the proposal released Friday night by Senate Republicans for Fiscal Year 2026 includes only $330 million for NSGP, far short of my request and the program’s clear need, with reports indicating recipients requested approximately $1 billion from FEMA in 2024 alone. It is critical for Congress to have fulsome data about past NSGP applications and awards as we work towards completion of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. Please provide me with the following information for Fiscal Years 2023, 2024, and 2025, disaggregated by fiscal year and FEMA region, by no later than January 6, 2026: The number of grant applications submitted to the NSGP; The number of awards made under the NSGP; For each award where the recipient received less money than requested in their application, the requested funding, received funding, and reason for the difference; and Any resources or assistance FEMA provides to unsuccessful applicants to improve their application in future years and to ensure safety and security in the meantime. Thank you for your attention to this letter. I look forward to receiving your response. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-secret-trump-administration-memo-ending-life-saving-abortion-care-for-veterans,Blumenthal Slams Secret Trump Administration Memo Ending Life-Saving Abortion Care for Veterans,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) secret implementation of a new policy to stop providing abortion care and counseling to veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health. “Secretively and sickeningly, Trump’s VA is depriving women veterans of essential health care. A policy just issued by Secretary Collins stops this reproductive care even for women who are victims of rape or incest, or whose health is at risk. He’s done it by internal memo, not by open rule making, avoiding public attention and scrutiny. My Republican colleagues should be as outraged as I am. The result will be chaos and confusion among health care providers, and anxiety and pain for women veterans. This cruel, misguided action is reckless and reprehensible.” In September 2022, VA began to offer abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment of the veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary. This was in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which created urgent risks to the lives and health of pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in states that banned or otherwise severely restricted access to abortion. The Trump Department of Justice issued a memo banning this abortion care and counseling at VA a few days ago, and the Trump VA just issued its own internal memo yesterday implementing this new policy immediately. This follows the Trump VA’s announcement in August of its intent to issue this change in a proposed rule. However, rather than complete the regular rulemaking process, VA Secretary Doug Collins is implementing this policy without issuing a final rule without notifying veterans or the public. More than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care. More than half of these women live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-statement-on-supreme-court-ruling-blocking-deployment-of-national-guard-troops-to-chicago,"Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Blocking Deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court declined to stay a federal judge’s temporary restraining order that blocked President Trump’s plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago: “It’s long past time for the Trump Administration to back off Chicago. The majority of Americans believe they’ve gone too far, and even the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority refused to greenlight this blatantly unlawful overreach. Our government is supposed to help our communities—not go to war with them. “Immigrants make our country better, and we will keep fighting like hell to protect the promise of America.” -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-statement-on-supreme-court-ruling-blocking-deployment-of-national-guard-troops-to-chicago,"Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Supreme Court Ruling Blocking Deployment Of National Guard Troops To Chicago",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Supreme Court declined to stay a federal judge’s temporary restraining order that blocked President Trump’s plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago: “It’s long past time for the Trump Administration to back off Chicago. The majority of Americans believe they’ve gone too far, and even the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority refused to greenlight this blatantly unlawful overreach. Our government is supposed to help our communities—not go to war with them. “Immigrants make our country better, and we will keep fighting like hell to protect the promise of America.” -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/23/2025/senator-hassan-nominates-new-hampshire-students-for-united-states-service-academies,Senator Hassan Nominates New Hampshire Students for United States Service Academies,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,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 students from New Hampshire to attend United States Service Academies – the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “It is a privilege to nominate these outstanding New Hampshire students to our United States Service Academies,” said Senator Hassan. “The choice to serve our country in uniform reflects the highest form of public service, and I am grateful for these young Granite Staters who are answering that call. I have no doubt that they will make New Hampshire and our country proud.” For more information on the nomination process for interested applicants, click here. See below for a list of Senator Hassan’s nominees: United States Military Academy Justin Baldridge – Salem Ryleigh Bannister – Derry William Bellerose – Chichester Caidyn Carter – Northfield Liam Conway – Alton Ryan Cowher – Keene Troy Hayes – Windham Jacob Levesque – Jaffrey Charlotte Lund – New London Leah Lynskey – Durham Liam Mahoney – Hampton Kyle Paolino – Rindge Wade Plaskiewicz – Surry James Sisco – Goffstown Jack Williams – Stratham United States Naval Academy Talia Batherwich – Londonderry Anna Boyer – Ashland Hayden Brunell – Meredith Liam Canty – Exeter Eamon Griffin – Amherst Samuel Kellner – Hollis Ciara Kerley – Wilmot Addison Knoetig – Goffstown Colin Magnuszewski – Brookline Sophia Malloy – Portsmouth Kelly Moriarty – Rye Ruby Neutra – Marlborough Reilly O'Brien – Salem Anita Parmelee – Exeter Christian Salaun – Greenland United States Air Force Academy Brandon Adamson – Londonderry Andrew Allen – East Kingston Kevin Benard – Pembroke Jack Calderwood – Intervale Jacob Daley – Nashua Dominic Fazzio – East Hampstead Nathan Ferreira – Pembroke Kipling Hedquist – Hopkinton Ashlie Klawes – Allenstown Giana Leonardi – Dover Cooper Mack – Holderness Gavin Niemela – Dublin Victor Pham – Tilton Samuel Sanders – Hillsborough Maximilian Williams – Concord United States Merchant Marine Academy Samuel Kellner – Hollis Addison Knoetig – Goffstown ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/2025-in-review-hickenlooper-defends-colorado-against-trump-chaos/,2025 in Review: Hickenlooper Defends Colorado Against Trump Chaos,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – It’s been a hell of a year, Colorado. Here are just a few of the ways Senator Hickenlooper fought this administration’s chaos and stood up for Coloradans in 2025. DEFENDING SCIENCE Last week, Senator Hickenlooper blocked a federal appropriations package in the Senate after President Trump announced his plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder and cancel millions intransportation grants designated for Colorado. Hickenlooper demanded Republicans add an amendment to the package guaranteeing that all funding for NCAR be fully spent. After blocking the bill on the Senate floor, Hickenlooper joined protesters outside of NCAR in Boulder on Saturday to raise public pressure against cuts to critical environmental research. PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS Hickenlooper also led the fight against Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to force the BLM to sell up to 1.2 million acres of public lands in Colorado and 10 other Western states. Hickenlooper first sounded the alarm in April, when he voted against the Republican budget resolution and introduced an amendment to protect public lands from being sold to pay for Republicans’ tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. In May, Hickenlooper held a press conference in Estes Park with Congressman Neguse, public lands advocates, and local elected officials to call out the Trump administration’s threats to Colorado’s national parks and public lands, including Rocky Mountain National Park. The public pressure campaign worked. Following mounting opposition from Western senators and their constituents, Senator Lee stripped the public lands sale provision from the bill in June. PROTECTING HEALTH CARE Since the beginning of the year, Hickenlooper has railed against Republicans’ manufactured health care crisis and worked closely with state leaders to protect Coloradans’ care. In July, congressional Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, cutting more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for huge tax cuts for the richest Americans and largest corporations. 15 million Americans – including 241,000 Coloradans – are expected to lose their health care because of Republicans’ cuts. Hickenlooper helped mount a political pressure campaign to fight for Americans’ health care. He was one of the first senators to announce he’d oppose the Republican government funding bill unless Republicans worked with Democrats to lower health care costs. Hickenlooper voted against Republicans’ funding bill every time it came to the Senate floor. During the 43-day government shutdown, Hickenlooper organized a press conference with Coloradans facing steep premium increases and cuts to their Medicaid in 2026 to pressure Colorado Republicans and the administration to fix skyrocketing health care costs. Recently, in a last-ditch effort to save Americans’ health care, Hickenlooper and Senate Democrats proposed a simple extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits for three years, without any changes, to save more than 24 million Americans from paying double for their health costs or losing their insurance entirely. Republicans rejected the proposal. FIGHTING ICE OBSTRUCTION Throughout the year, Senator Hickenlooper and his office have worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE, and to advocate for those in detention. In August, Hickenlooper visited the ICE detention center in Aurora after ICE repeatedly stonewalled his office’s calls and emails. During the visit, he raised concerns with ICE officials regarding delayed communication with congressional offices, irregular process changes, reports of ICE pressuring detainees to voluntarily depart instead of proceeding through a judicial process, and facility conditions. ICE failed to give satisfactory answers. In August, Senator Hickenlooper’s office led the effort to get a mother and her 7-year-old son from Chaffee County released from the family detention center in Dilley, Texas. The mother had no criminal record and an active asylum claim – she and her son were held for two months before their release. In November, Hickenlooper called for the immediate release of a Durango father and his two young children after ICE arrested them while they were on their way to school. Following ICE’s failure to release the family, Senator Hickenlooper spoke directly with DHS Secretary Noem, demanding ICE release them from custody after they reported being physically abused while in ICE detention. Despite having active asylum claims and no criminal record, DHS refused. In response, Hickenlooper and Senator Jon Ossoff opened an inquiry into ICE’s unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight. Just last week, a federal judge blocked a Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give prior notice before visiting ICE facilities. On Saturday, Hickenlooper performed a congressional oversight visit to ensure ICE was following the law and to push for two young detainees to be released. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-markey-press-sba-administrator-on-audit-targeting-underserved-businesses,"Hirono, Markey Press SBA Administrator on Audit Targeting Underserved Businesses",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Lawmakers: “Rather than using this audit as a pretense to unfairly attack a program with which you have an ideological disagreement, it is our hope that you will refocus on the goals of the 8(a) Program to make sure it continues to support socially and economically disadvantaged businesses—as intended.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, sent a letter to U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, expressing their deep concerns regarding the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) December 5th announcement of a sweeping, program-wide audit of the 8(a) Business Development Program. SBA’s announcement has left many businesses scrambling to meet the agency’s extensive document request under a short deadline with unclear guidance, while raising concerns about how businesses’ information will be used and secured. The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by Congress to provide training, assistance, and federal contracting opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses in the U.S. and plays an important role in helping to ensure these businesses have the opportunity to work with federal agencies. Recently, however, the 8(a) program has come under attack as Republicans have unfairly targeted many of these small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, which often rely on government contracts to stay in business and keep their staff employed. “While we wholeheartedly support meaningful oversight of all programs that fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, we disagree with your characterization of the program,” the senators wrote. “We also emphasize that formal audits should be conducted by the appropriate authorities, such as Inspectors General, who are a part of a comprehensive system that has decades of proven success in preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse.” The ambiguous language in the SBA’s audit has led to mass confusion among 8(a) businesses, who have been seeking clarity and guidance regarding the documentation they must provide to remain eligible to participate in the 8(a) program. “Furthermore, we are concerned about the nature in which you requested the information from businesses in the program—an indiscriminate data call asking 4,300 businesses to complete additional paperwork, with limited guidance to clarify the manner in which they should comply—which raises questions,” the senators continued. “So too does the short turnaround, initially giving businesses only 31 days to comply with a deadline of January 5, 2026—shortly after the holiday season—before extending the deadline to January 19, 2026.” To that end, the lawmakers demand answers to a number of specific questions about the audit by January 2, 2025, including: How should a business doing classified and/or sensitive work for the federal government provide the agency with the requested information in a timely and appropriate manner before the requested deadline? Will extensions be granted for businesses that make a good faith effort to comply with the deadline, especially if there is no feasible way to provide the information before the deadline? What assurances do businesses have that proprietary information shared with the agency will be protected? Who within the agency will conduct the audit of the program? Will the agency follow government-approved standards to conduct investigations or audits, such as the Government Accountability Office’s “Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS)?” “SBA’s fundamental mission is to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States,” the lawmakers concluded. “Rather than using this audit as a pretense to unfairly attack a program with which you have an ideological disagreement, it is our hope that you will refocus on the goals of the 8(a) Program to make sure it continues to support socially and economically disadvantaged businesses—as intended.” In addition to Senators Hirono and Markey, the letter was also signed by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Administrator Loeffler: We write today to express our strong concerns about your recent decision to request detailed information from every participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program by January 19, 2026. Specifically, we are concerned about whether and how small businesses will be able to fully comply with the request given the limited guidance and short timeline that was provided. We are also concerned about your agency’s ability to meaningfully review these materials in a timely manner given the deep staff reductions you have directed at the SBA. Congress created the 8(a) Business Development Program to provide training, technical assistance, and federal contracting opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses in the United States. Today, the program plays an important role in making sure these companies have the opportunity to do business with federal agencies, which not only supports those businesses and the communities in which they are located—creating jobs, for example— but also pays dividends for the agencies. Within the Department of Defense, for example, there is evidence to show that these businesses play a role in strengthening the industrial base by diversifying the supply chain. The same can be said for other agencies. On December 5, 2025, you announced that every participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program would be receiving a letter asking for detailed information about their companies, citing “widespread misconduct” in the program and referring to the program as a “vehicle for institutionalized abuse at taxpayer expense.” While we wholeheartedly support meaningful oversight of all programs that fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, we disagree with your characterization of the program. We also emphasize that formal audits should be conducted by the appropriate authorities, such as Inspectors General, who are a part of a comprehensive system that has decades of proven success in preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse. Furthermore, we are concerned about the nature in which you requested the information from businesses in the program—an indiscriminate data call asking 4,300 businesses to complete additional paperwork, with limited guidance to clarify the manner in which they should comply—which raises questions. So too does the short turnaround, initially giving businesses only 31 days to comply with a deadline of January 5, 2026—shortly after the holiday season—before extending the deadline to January 19, 2026. There are several outstanding questions that are left unanswered by your notices to companies. We respectfully request answers to the following questions by January 2, 2026. How should a business doing classified and/or sensitive work for the federal government provide the agency with the requested information in a timely and appropriate manner before the requested deadline? Will extensions be granted for businesses that make a good faith effort to comply with the deadline, especially if there is no feasible way to provide the information before the deadline? What assurances do businesses have that proprietary information shared with the agency will be protected? Who within the agency will conduct the audit of the program? Will the agency follow government-approved standards to conduct investigations or audits, such as the Government Accountability Office’s “Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS)?” SBA’s fundamental mission is to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States. Rather than using this audit as a pretense to unfairly attack a program with which you have an ideological disagreement, it is our hope that you will refocus on the goals of the 8(a) Program to make sure it continues to support socially and economically disadvantaged businesses—as intended. We look forward to your timely response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-cornyn-bill-to-enhance-u-s-mexico-counternarcotics-efforts-signed-into-law/,"Kelly, Cornyn Bill to Enhance U.S.-Mexico Counternarcotics Efforts Signed into Law",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statements after their Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, which will require elements of the Intelligence Community to review any direct relationships with elements of the Government of Mexico, develop a strategy to enhance counternarcotics efforts, and make recommendations or request resources required to implement the strategy in furtherance of the national interest of the United States, was signed into law as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026: “To win the fight against drug trafficking, the U.S. and Mexico have to work together against the cartels,” said Sen. Kelly. “This effort will make our country safer by keeping drugs off our streets through Intelligence Community engagement with the government of Mexico.” “One innocent life lost because of illicit narcotics smuggled into the U.S. by way of Mexico is one too many,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will ensure our Intelligence Community leverages the U.S.-Mexico relationship to most effectively root out these silent killers and keep Americans safe.” Background: The Counternarcotics Enhancement Act will require elements of the Intelligence Community to submit to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) the following information: A description and assessment of their relationship, if any, with any element of the government of Mexico; A strategy to enhance counternarcotics cooperation and appropriate coordination with each element of the government of Mexico they have a direct relationship with; And recommendations and a description of the resources required to efficiently and effectively implement this strategy to further the national interest of the U.S.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2CE5D131-E44C-43C6-9E0D-612C6495AFBC,Klobuchar Announces Federal Funding for Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Minnesota’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal. Minnesota received $652 million in funding to implement its BEAD proposal. “I’m thrilled to announce that Minnesota’s broadband funding proposal has been approved, which will bring fast, affordable, reliable internet to families in every corner of our state,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This funding is available thanks to my bipartisan legislation that I fought to pass so that Minnesota families—regardless of their ZIP code—have access to high-speed internet.” “This BEAD milestone represents a major step forward in our commitment to ensuring every Minnesotan — regardless of geography — has access to reliable, high quality broadband,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Minnesota extends its sincere appreciation to the many Internet service providers and partners across the state who worked alongside us to shape this proposal. Their dedication, expertise and willingness to engage deeply in this effort have been essential to reaching this point. With this BEAD approval, Minnesota is one step closer to closing the digital divide and building a more connected future for all.” This development advances Minnesota’s affordable broadband rollout to unserved and underserved areas of the state. Klobuchar has long led efforts to expand broadband access, support rural broadband, and bridge the digital divide. Klobuchar’s Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act was incorporated into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and has delivered significant federal funding to Minnesota for expanding high-speed internet access statewide. In June 2023, Klobuchar announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce had awarded major federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access to every household in Minnesota. The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, Klobuchar’s legislation with then-House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to expand high-speed internet nationwide, served as the basis for the program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In March 2023, Klobuchar and Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband access to rural communities. The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would strengthen funding mechanisms for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services. Currently, the USF is primarily funded through landline fees, disproportionately impacting seniors, who are more likely to use landlines than other Americans. In February 2023, Klobuchar introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to strengthen broadband access for rural communities. The Rural Broadband Protection Act would ensure that providers applying for federal funding can reliably deliver broadband to underserved, rural communities. In July 2021, Klobuchar introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to expand rural broadband access by streamlining the funding process and removing barriers for broadband connectivity in hard-to-serve rural areas. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-statement-on-trump-administration-quietly-banning-abortion-care-for-veterans-families/,Senator Murray Statement on Trump Administration Quietly Banning Abortion Care for Veterans & Families,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Approximately 300,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care, 155,000 live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions Senator Murray, longtime leader on reproductive rights and veterans issues, grilled Secretary Collins on preserving access to abortion care at VA during his nomination hearing in January ICYMI FROM AUGUST: Senator Murray Statement on Trump Ripping Away Access to Abortion Care for Women Veterans Who Were Raped or Whose Health is in Danger Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement on the news that the Trump administration has quietly implemented a near-total abortion ban at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), banning abortion care for veterans and their dependents—even when a woman’s health is in danger, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A Department of Justice (DOJ) memo issued last week, which regional VA leaders were told to comply with in an internal directive Monday, (screenshots here and here) shows the Trump administration is making this shift before VA even finished finalizing a proposed rule regarding this policy change and without allowing any public comment or consultation. Senator Murray forcefully condemned the Trump administration’s initial move to ban abortion at VA facilities in August—the new DOJ memo is a workaround by the Trump administration to implement their VA abortion ban even sooner, and as of this week, the policy is now fully in effect at VA facilities across the country. The policy is a near-total ban on abortion care at VA, with only an exception for care when “a physician certifies that the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term”—and no exceptions for the health of the veteran or for rape or incest. The policy also bans VA providers from even discussing abortion with their veteran patients—even in life-threatening situations. There are approximately 300,000 women veterans of reproductive age who are enrolled in VA health care, and VA estimates that over 155,000 of them live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions. Senator Murray pressed VA Secretary Doug Collins at his nomination hearing in January on whether he would eliminate access to abortion care at VA for veterans who are victims of rape, and he refused to give a straight answer. “This backdoor move by the Trump administration to impose a near-total abortion ban at VA is an outrageous assault on veterans’ health care and a profound betrayal of veterans who have put their lives on the line for our country,” Senator Murray said. “VA already prohibits abortion care except in incredibly limited circumstances—this change goes even further, blocking women veterans whose health is in danger, or who are survivors of rape or incest, from getting the basic care they need. It’s shameful and indefensible.” “Over the past year, Trump and Republicans have shown they will do everything in their power to restrict abortion access so they can ultimately ban abortion nationwide. President Trump can pretend all he wants that he supports exceptions for rape and incest, but the reality is that his administration is right now banning abortion care in exactly those circumstances,” Murray continued. “The Trump administration may think they can quietly rip away women veterans’ health care and avoid accountability—they are wrong. I will never stop speaking out against Republican attacks on reproductive freedom or fighting back to protect veterans’ health care.” Senator Murray was the first woman to join the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the first woman to chair the Committee—and advocating for women veterans and their access to reproductive health care has been a longtime focus for Senator Murray. Senator Murray called on VA to provide abortion care to veterans early in the Biden administration, and she applauded the Biden administration’s announcement later in the year that would begin to provide abortion care for veterans and their eligible dependents to protect the health and life of the individual and in cases of rape or incest. Murray has helped lead the charge in calling out Republicans for their attacks on, and attempts to undo, this limited and commonsense policy. Senator Murray also leads the Veteran Families Health Services Act, comprehensive legislation that would expand fertility treatments—including IVF—and family-building services for servicemembers and veterans who are unable to conceive without assistance, and she has sought unanimous consent to pass the legislation on multiple occasions. She introduced new legislation this summer with Senator Duckworth to help cover IVF costs for servicemembers and military families—and slammed Speaker Johnson from working behind the scenes to strip an amendment mirroring that legislation from the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Senator Murray voted against the NDAA earlier this month, citing—among other things—the failure to include her provision to expand IVF care for servicemembers and veterans. Senator Murray is also a longtime leader in the fight to protect and expand access to reproductive health care and abortion rights, and she has led Congressional efforts to fight back after the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Murray has introduced more than a dozen pieces of legislation to protect reproductive rights from further attacks, protect providers, and help ensure women get the care they need; Murray has led efforts to push for passage of these bills on the floor multiple times. Last January, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Murray led her colleagues in hosting a “State of Abortion Rights” briefing with women who have suffered firsthand from Republican abortion bans, and last June, she chaired a HELP Committee hearing titled “The Assault on Women’s Freedoms: How Abortion Bans Have Created a Health Care Nightmare Across America.” Murray helped lead efforts to force Republicans on the record on votes to protect access to contraception and access to IVF (twice), and she led her colleagues in raising the alarm about the threat a second Trump administration would pose to reproductive rights and abortion access in every state, as outlined in Project 2025. At a forum Senator Murray held at the beginning of this year on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Senator Murray spoke about Republicans’ plan to institute a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, including by defunding Planned Parenthood. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-126-lawmakers-urge-dhs-to-withdraw-public-charge-proposal-that-would-harm-immigrants-citizen-children-and-public-health/,"Padilla, 126 Lawmakers Urge DHS to Withdraw Public Charge Proposal That Would Harm Immigrants, Citizen Children, and Public Health",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, co-led 126 lawmakers, including 16 other Senators and 110 Representatives, in urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw its proposed public charge rule, warning it would harm U.S. citizen children, immigrant communities, and public health systems nationwide. The letter was co-led by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), as well as Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.-03), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), and CHC Vice Chair of Policy Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08) in the House. “Public charge” is a ground of inadmissibility to the United States, under which an immigration officer determines whether an immigrant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for future assistance. The Trump Administration’s proposal would rescind the clear 2022 public charge regulations and replace them with vague, undefined standards, leading to arbitrary decision-making, fear, and widespread confusion. Past public charge expansions have driven families, including those with U.S. citizen children, away from lawful access to health care, nutrition, and early childhood programs. “The proposed public charge rule will lead to mass uncertainty, disparate and arbitrary outcomes for individuals applying for permanent status or admission into our country, and undue harm to U.S. citizens,” wrote the lawmakers. “The chilling effects triggered by expansions of public charge interpretation are well-documented and severe. Research following [past public charge restrictions] showed that confusion about eligibility led large numbers of eligible immigrant families — including U.S. citizen children — to forego health insurance, nutrition supports, and early childhood programs vital to healthy development,” continued the lawmakers. The lawmakers argued that the proposal contradicts Congressional intent, undermines the rule of law, and risks triggering a massive chilling effect that would worsen child health outcomes, increase food insecurity, and shift costs to states and local governments. The members urged DHS to withdraw the proposal in full and maintain the 2022 regulations, which provide clarity, fairness, and consistency for families and adjudicators alike. Padilla also joined Senate and House immigration leaders in a separate formal regulatory comment to DHS opposing the public charge rule, warning that the proposal unlawfully rewrites longstanding immigration law and would deter immigrant families from accessing basic health, nutrition, and housing assistance they are legally entitled to receive. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Noem and Director Edlow, As Members of the United States Congress, we write in strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding “public charge,” published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2025. We urge the Department to completely withdraw the proposed rule, which would rescind the 2022 public charge regulations without establishing a clear or lawful replacement. The proposed public charge rule will lead to mass uncertainty, disparate and arbitrary outcomes for individuals applying for permanent status or admission into our country, and undue harm to U.S. citizens. The NPRM also defies Congressional intent, seeks to rely on illegal data-sharing from other government agencies, and erodes trust in our legal immigration system. Our immigration laws function only when families, adjudicators, and service providers can rely on transparent standards grounded in statute. By discarding the existing regulations and signaling that future, undefined “policy and interpretive tools” will guide public charge decisions, DHS creates immediate and widespread uncertainty for immigrants who have followed every requirement of the law. Families seeking adjustment of status — including refugees, survivors of domestic violence or trafficking, children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned, and others whom Congress has long exempted from punitive public charge treatment — cannot navigate a system where the rules shift without warning and where past, lawful conduct that the federal government had stated was permissible could be reinterpreted as a negative factor. To be very clear, the proposed rule will trigger a massive chilling effect, driving eligible families away from essential assistance in health care, nutrition, childcare, and education, with the heaviest harm falling on U.S. citizen children. Congress has repeatedly affirmed that public charge must be administered with clarity, fairness, and fidelity to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) not through shifting sub-regulatory tools that create fear and confusion. If DHS believes further policy changes are necessary, those changes must be forward-looking, transparent, and subject to full public notice and comment. Families should never be penalized for accessing programs that the federal government has long stated would carry no immigration consequences. For these reasons, we urge DHS to withdraw this NPRM and maintain the 2022 public charge regulations, which reflect longstanding law, congressional intent, and the stable framework that immigrant families and communities need in order to thrive. I. By withdrawing the 2022 regulations and leaving no clear replacement, the proposed rule seeks to circumvent public and congressional input, creates mass uncertainty, and will lead to discriminatory and uneven application of our laws. The proposed rule would rescind the 2022 public charge regulations currently codified in 8 CFR 212.20–212.23 and related provisions in 8 CFR Parts 103, 213, and 245, without replacing them with a binding regulatory standard. Instead, DHS indicates that it will rely on the future issuance of “policy and interpretive tools” to guide public charge determinations. Deferring critical substantive policymaking to later sub-regulatory guidance — outside of notice-and-comment procedures — violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s (APA) requirement that agencies provide the public with meaningful opportunity to evaluate and comment on the agency’s actual policy. Regulations of this significance cannot lawfully be implemented through internal guidance that bypasses both public scrutiny and congressional oversight. The INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(4), requires public charge assessments to be made based on a totality of the circumstances, considering specific statutory factors including age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills. The 2022 rule provided a clear and administrable framework consistent with congressional intent and more than a century of agency practice, including the codification of definitions for “likely to become a public charge” and “receipt of public benefits.” Removing these definitions invites arbitrary decision-making and creates significant risk that adjudicators will rely on factors that Congress has not authorized, contrary to both INA § 212(a)(4) and long-established precedent. DHS’s stated interest in removing “limitations” on the types of public resources considered underscores the agency’s intent to expand adjudicator discretion well beyond statutory bounds. Recent reporting on new guidance issued by the Department of State (DOS) demonstrates the harms already resulting from unbounded discretion in public charge adjudications. Without transparent regulations, DOS has reportedly issued internal guidance directing consular officers to speculate about future health care costs, employability, English proficiency, financial sufficiency, and even the health and perceived economic burden of family members without making this guidance public or seeking input from Congress. Officers are instructed to assess access to employer-sponsored insurance decades into the future and may disregard otherwise valid affidavits of support. These instructions contradict statutory requirements and introduce subjective and inconsistent decision-making into visa adjudications. The NPRM implies DHS will replicate this discretionary approach across USCIS adjudications, creating a patchwork of unpredictable outcomes for similarly situated applicants based solely on assigned adjudicator or processing location. Finally, the proposed rule’s lack of clear standards will create profound uncertainty for immigrants, state and local governments, legal service providers, and Members of Congress constituent services. Families will be confused about how DHS intends to apply public charge law, community organizations will lack reliable information to provide lawful advice, and congressional offices will face new barriers in assisting vulnerable constituents with federal agencies. Because the proposed rule eliminates all certainty and predictability for those who anticipate applying for a green card and are not exempt from a public charge determination, it damages the ability of Members of Congress to provide actionable information when approached by constituents. Instead, the proposed rule would lead to a chaotic and inconsistent immigration system that congressional offices and their constituents will be unable to predictably navigate. This is particularly concerning because Congress—not the Executive Branch—retains the authority to make key decisions about the conditions under which noncitizens may access federal safety-net programs. Without clear regulatory direction, DHS and DOS would effectively assume policymaking authority that resides with Congress. For these reasons, rescinding the 2022 rule without simultaneously proposing a fully developed and transparent replacement is unreasonable, violates core APA requirements, and guarantees discriminatory and uneven application of immigration law across agencies and jurisdictions. II. The proposed rule contradicts long-standing practice and law, congressional intent, and seeks to rely on illegal data-sharing from other government agencies. For more than a century, the meaning of “public charge” under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has been consistently interpreted to refer to a person likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, demonstrated through reliance on cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutionalization at government expense. This understanding is reflected in longstanding agency practice, judicial precedent, and the 1999 Interim Field Guidance, which Congress has repeatedly left undisturbed. See 64 Fed. Reg. 28689 (May 26, 1999). The 2022 DHS regulations formally adopted this longstanding interpretation in 8 CFR 212.21–212.23, creating clear and consistent rules that aligned with congressional intent under INA § 212(a)(4). The NPRM departs sharply from this settled framework and disregards Congress’s deliberate decisions in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). When Congress amended the public charge inadmissibility ground in IIRIRA, it enumerated the five statutory factors—age, health, family status, assets/resources/financial status, and education/skills—yet significantly chose not to list or incorporate any specific public benefit programs into the statute. At the same time, in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Congress imposed detailed restrictions on eligibility for federal benefits but did not tie eligibility for or use of those benefits to public charge. Congress clearly understood how to specify benefit programs when it wished to do so. The omission in INA § 212(a)(4) reflects a deliberate legislative choice not to equate temporary use of safety-net programs with future dependency. Courts addressing the 2019 final rule implemented by the first Trump administration recognized this; as the Second Circuit explained, “Had Congress thought that any benefits use was incompatible with self-sufficiency, it could have said so… but it did not.” New York v. DHS, 969 F.3d 42, 77 (2d Cir. 2020). The proposal’s removal of the definitions in 8 CFR 212.21—including what constitutes “public charge,” “public cash assistance for income maintenance,” and “receipt of public benefits”—signals DHS’s intent to authorize officers to consider benefits well beyond those Congress has ever permitted. This contradicts 140 years of consistent interpretation and decades of administrative practice aimed at providing clarity, limiting confusion, and preventing unnecessary public health harms. In 1999, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) explained that confusion about public charge and benefits eligibility was producing “significant, negative public health consequences,” and issued systemwide guidance precisely to prevent the chilling effects that DHS now proposes to recreate. Eliminating the 2022 rule’s clear standards revives those same risks without any statutory basis. The proposed rule contains no assurance that adjudicators will refrain from considering benefits received during periods when the federal government expressly stated that such benefits had no immigration consequences. This omission breaks sharply from the approach taken even in the 2019 rulemaking, where DHS stated explicitly that benefits used before the effective date “would not be considered… because SNAP was not considered in public charge inadmissibility determinations under the 1999 Interim Field Guidance.” 84 Fed. Reg. 41292, 41573 (Aug. 14, 2019). Removing decades-old expectations without transition guidance or prospective limitations is an arbitrary and capricious decision, given that families have built their health, nutrition, and economic decisions around clear federal assurances that these programs are safe to use while they work toward self-sufficiency. In fact, DHS acknowledges in the NPRM that “the regulated public may be relying on aspects of the regulatory scheme in the 2022 Final Rule,” which substantively aligns with the 1999 guidance. Finally, the proposed rule also raises serious concerns that DHS may rely on inter-agency data-sharing, including with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to obtain information about public benefit use or household financial circumstances. Congress has been unequivocal: IRS data is protected by strict confidentiality rules under 26 U.S.C. § 6103, and executive agencies cannot repurpose tax information for immigration enforcement or adjudications. Many of the undersigned Members of the Congress have a documented history of challenging such illegal data-sharing schemes. If DHS intends to base public charge determinations on tax data, state benefit records, or other protected sources, such a system would directly violate federal privacy law, exceed statutory authority, and contradict repeated congressional directives. The NPRM’s ambiguity on this issue is unacceptable. Agencies cannot expand their statutory reach through backdoor data-sharing arrangements that Congress has expressly forbidden. Any implication that DHS will access IRS or other sensitive data to determine eligibility for immigration benefits must be explicitly rejected, and the Department must clearly affirm that it will not use protected data sources—directly or indirectly—in any public charge determination. III. The proposed rule will create a massive chilling effect with undue harm to American communities, U.S. citizens, and especially children; and it will erode faith in our legal immigration system. The chilling effects triggered by expansions of public charge interpretation are well-documented and severe. Research following the 1996 PRWORA and IIRIRA laws showed that confusion about eligibility led large numbers of eligible immigrant families — including U.S. citizen children — to forego health insurance, nutrition supports, and early childhood programs vital to healthy development. Federal and academic studies following welfare reform found that confusion and fear led to significant declines in Medicaid participation among otherwise eligible immigrant families and their U.S.-citizen children, with researchers warning that rising uninsurance among these children would worsen health outcomes and increase uncompensated care burdens on safety-net providers. Under the 2019 Trump public charge rule, similar harm reemerged rapidly. Even though many programs were not included in the rule, nearly half (46%) of immigrants in low-income families reported that they or a family member avoided applying for or disenrolled from public benefits due to immigration concerns. That chilling effect extended far beyond the rule’s legal scope, including participation in Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and school meal programs. The consequences were borne disproportionately by U.S. citizen children, who lost access to preventive medical care, early childhood education, and essential nutrition — evidence that fear-driven policy harms American families and public health systems. The proposed rule will predictably magnify these harms. DHS itself acknowledges that the rule would reduce government spending on benefits by more than $9 billion per year — a drastic impact that cannot be explained by changes in eligibility since very few immigrants who lack permanent status qualify for the programs implicated. As experts have pointed out, those cost reductions will instead come from reduced use by eligible U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including children. The rule’s elimination of key standards — such as the express exclusion of family members’ benefit use and clear definitions of “receipt of public benefits” — will create widespread fear that parents’ lawful use of critical support for their children will threaten their ability to obtain permanent residence. That chilling effect will be the most acute among children. Nearly one in four children in the United States lives in a family with an immigrant parent. Many of these children are U.S. citizens who rely on Medicaid or CHIP for healthcare, WIC and school meals for nutrition, and Head Start and childcare subsidies for early learning and economic stability. When parents are forced to choose between enrolling their child in life-saving healthcare or preserving their own chance to stay with their family, the result is poorer child health, delayed development, reduced educational attainment, and heightened food insecurity — all harms Congress has repeatedly acted to prevent. Uncertainty about how DHS will treat past or current benefit use will also impair state and local governments’ ability to meet public health and safety goals. Officials have relied on the clarity provided by the 2022 rule to design outreach campaigns, create eligibility worker training, and expand coverage initiatives for low-income families. If immigrants become afraid to use medical care or food assistance, the resulting rise in communicable disease risk, emergency care usage, and poverty will burden local budgets and undermine federal investments in preventive services. Finally, the chilling effect of this rule must be understood in the context of the broader campaign of threats against legal immigration being carried out by the current Administration. Immigrants already face pervasive uncertainty regarding visa issuance, humanitarian pathways, family reunification, and agency backlogs. The proposed rule would dramatically expand that uncertainty to include basic life decisions about children’s health, nutrition, and early education. When federal agencies send the message — explicitly or implicitly — that families must avoid lawful programs or face immigration penalties, the result is a collapse in trust in the legal immigration system itself. For these reasons, DHS’s proposal would deter eligible families from accessing essential services, directly harm U.S. citizen children, shift costs to state and local governments, and erode confidence in lawful immigration pathways. Congress cannot tolerate a regulatory change that so clearly and predictably undermines public health, child well-being, and the credibility of federal law. IV. Conclusion For the reasons detailed above, we urge the Department to withdraw this proposed rule in its entirety and maintain the 2022 public charge regulations currently in effect. The existing framework reflects longstanding congressional intent, ensures consistent and lawful adjudications, and provides immigrant families with the clarity required to make informed decisions about their health, stability, and future in the United States. If DHS determines that further regulatory changes are necessary, those changes must be prospective only, must undergo full public notice-and-comment review, and must include explicit instructions that adjudicators may not penalize individuals for the lawful use of benefits during a period when federal policy assured them it was safe to do so. The Department must also ensure that any sub-regulatory guidance with practical adjudicatory effect is made public and subject to meaningful oversight. Congress will continue to uphold its responsibility to ensure that our immigration system operates with fairness, transparency, and fidelity to the rule of law. We stand ready to work with the Department to protect immigrant families, strengthen pathways to lawful status, and maintain the integrity of the public charge ground as Congress intended. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-pause-discriminatory-national-park-entry-fees/,"Padilla, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Pause Discriminatory National Park Entry Fees",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators express concerns over January 1 implementation — without proper notice — of $250 America the Beautiful non-resident annual passes and $100 non-resident fee for highly visited national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) led four Senators in calling on Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to pause the implementation of the Administration’s expensive new national park entry fees and annual passes for non-residents, which are slated to take effect on January 1, 2026. The Senators emphasized that these new passes and fees were not properly noticed in accordance with the law, will slow park entry, and will further limit international visitation. In late November, Interior announced a new fee structure for access to public lands. Beginning next year, the annual pass will cost $80 for U.S. citizens and residents and $250 for non-residents, the first time the United States has required proof of residency to access public lands. Non-residents age 16 and up who don’t have an annual pass will be forced to pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the country’s most visited national parks — including Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks — in addition to the standard entrance fee. “America’s national parks serve as destinations for visitors both domestically and internationally to experience our country’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and history,” wrote the Senators. “While we understand that entrance and recreation fees are vital to enhancing the visitor experience, we want to ensure all feel welcome to enjoy all national treasures. Since these new fees are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, we strongly believe these fees are being implemented too quickly, without public input, and will be a barrier for both residents and non-residents alike.” “We request that you stop implementation of the new non-resident passes and fees until the public has an opportunity to weigh in, impacts to visitation are studied, and clarity on implementation is provided to Congress, NPS employees, and impacted stakeholders,” continued the Senators. The National Park Service (NPS) is permitted to collect and retain entrance and recreation fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. These fees play an important role in making sure these parks can provide a positive visitor experience for citizens and non-residents alike. However, the law requires the Secretary of the Interior to allow the public the chance weigh in on the development of or changes to recreation fees, and it mandates advanced notice to impacted communities in local publications. The Senators criticized the Administration for failing to provide this legally required opportunity for public input. In addition to Padilla, the letter was also signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Padilla and his colleagues also warned that this plan would further strain the understaffed NPS workforce, as the Trump Administration has cut 24% of permanent NPS employees since January, including positions like fee collectors and information technology specialists. These staffing shortages will likely further compound entry delays, especially at the highly visited parks charging an extra $100 for non-residents. With overseas visitation to national parks already down over 3% (and down 25% for visitors from Canada), the Senators expressed concerns that these numbers could fall even further with the steep price of non-resident passes, hurting the American economy. The Senators also pushed for answers regarding how Park Service staff would implement this fee structure — including how the Park Service would identify who is subject to these new fees and how non-resident information would be collected or potentially stored — why public notice was not provided, and what analyses were done to understand impacts to visitation, to gateway communities, and to the recreation industry. Earlier this year, Senator Padilla and his colleagues urged Secretary Burgum to immediately resolve looming staffing shortages at the NPS following President Trump’s hiring freeze, cancellation of thousands of job offers for seasonal NPS employees, and buyout offers made without clear legal authority. He also pushed Secretary Burgum to allow Yosemite to implement its preferred reservation system, while underscoring the threat that the Trump Administration’s reckless NPS staff cuts posed to a successful summer season. In May, Padilla introduced the RESERVE Federal Land Act to expand access to public lands, improve the visitor reservation process, and enhance transparency in how fees are collected for federal lands and national parks. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Burgum, We write to express our concern about the new $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Passes and the additional $100 non-resident fee for 11 highly visited parks. America’s national parks serve as destinations for visitors both domestically and internationally to experience our country’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and history. While we understand that entrance and recreation fees are vital to enhancing the visitor experience, we want to ensure all feel welcome to enjoy all national treasures. Since these new fees are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, we strongly believe these fees are being implemented too quickly, without public input, and will be a barrier for both residents and non-residents alike. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows most of the federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS), to collect and retain entrance and recreation fees. The law states the “Secretary shall provide the public with opportunities to participate in the development of or changing of a recreation fee.” It also requires advanced notice to impacted communities, specifically requiring the Secretary to “publish notice of a new recreation fee or a change to an existing recreation fee established under this chapter in local newspapers and publications located near the site at which the recreation fee would be established or changed.” To our knowledge, there was no opportunity for the public to participate in the development of these new fees. We are also concerned about the impact this plan would have on the already understaffed NPS workforce. The NPS permanent workforce has been reduced by 24% since January, with lost positions that would be important in helping implement these new fees, including fee collectors and IT specialists. Further, the additional requirements to check each visitors’ residency will very likely slow entry into the parks, particularly the highly visited parks identified to charge $100 per person in addition to regular entry fees. Finally, we are concerned about what these fees will mean for international visitation. According to the International Inbound Travel Association, overseas visitation is down more than 3% and Canadian visitation is down 25%. International visitors spent $254 billion in the United States in 2024 and national parks are often part of their itinerary. Therefore, we request that you stop implementation of the new non-resident passes and fees until the public has an opportunity to weigh in, impacts to visitation are studied, and clarity on implementation is provided to Congress, NPS employees, and impacted stakeholders. We also request answers to the following questions: The Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act requires public participation in the development of new national park fees. Can you explain why the public was not involved? Did the Department publish notice of the new recreation fees in local newspapers or publications located near the 11 highly visited parks, as is required by the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act? If no, why not? How does the Department plan to implement the new fees, particularly the additional $100 in 11 highly visited parks, with severely reduced permanent staff levels? What guidance has been provided to NPS staff required to collect these fees? Please provide any guidance or training materials associated with this fee change. How is NPS defining the terms “resident,” “residency,” and “non-resident”? How do individuals prove citizenship or residency when purchasing a pass online, and will any personal information be stored in any way for the Department or any other agencies to access? How do individuals prove residency when purchasing a pass in-person, and which documents will be accepted? Will any personal information be stored through this process? What is the process for checking a carload of visitors to a national park for their residency? Will the driver be the only one required to show proof of residency, or will every visitor be required to provide identification? What if an individual fails to bring an acceptable form of identification? Several popular national park sites already have issues with long entrance lines. What measures are being put in place by the Department to ensure the process is seamless and efficient for both residents and non-residents? What analyses were conducted by the Department to understand the impacts to visitation at our parks, as well as the economic impacts to gateway communities and the recreation industry, by implementing these new fees? Thank you in advance for addressing these important questions and stopping the implementation of these new fees until we get clarity on these issues. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-year-in-review-senator-peters-continues-working-across-the-aisle-to-deliver-for-michigan,2025 YEAR IN REVIEW: Senator Peters Continues Working Across the Aisle to Deliver for Michigan,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In 2025, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) continued fighting to deliver bipartisan, commonsense solutions to strengthen communities across Michigan. Despite being in the minority party, Peters successfully advanced and passed numerous bipartisan bills, and secured wins that will have a positive impact for Michiganders for years to come. This includes the major announcement that Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive an F-15EX fighter jet mission, as well as the enactment of numerous Peters-led bills to expand opioid addiction treatment for young adults, protect burial benefits for military families, and continue to invest in safeguarding the Great Lakes ecosystem. In addition to these legislative accomplishments, Peters remained committed to holding the Administration accountable and fighting back against Republican efforts to cut health care benefits that Michigan families depend on. “Fighting for Michiganders will always be my top priority in Congress, and I’m proud of the progress we made on issues important to our state,” said Senator Peters. “Throughout my entire career, I’ve always found the best way to get things done is by reaching across the aisle and finding common ground. As we look to next year, I’m going to continue honoring that commitment by partnering with anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and help improve the lives of Michiganders, whether that’s protecting health care benefits, supporting American manufacturing, or lowering prices for working families.” Peters has been repeatedly named one of the most effective and bipartisan senators. In the 118th Congress, Peters earned the highest effectiveness score for a U.S. Senator ever recorded in the fifty years the Center for Effective Lawmaking has tracked this data. He also becomes the first Senator in more than four decades to be named most effective three times in a row. Peters also authored more bills signed into law during the 117th Congress (2021-2022) than any Senator in more than 40 years, according to the Congressional Research Service and the Senate Historical Office. Below is a recap of Senator Peters’ key accomplishments and efforts in 2025: SECURING MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN MICHIGAN’S MILITARY FACILITIES & DEFENSE SECTOR After Years of Advocacy, Peters Secured 21 F-15EX Fighters at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: In April, Peters welcomed the announcement that Selfridge Air National Guard Base would receive a squadron of 21 F-15EXs – a next-generation fighter aircraft. This announcement followed years of advocacy and efforts by Peters to secure a new fighter mission for Selfridge and protect the future of the base. This announcement came after Peters announced last year that Selfridge will receive a squadron of KC-46A aircraft tankers. Following the announcement of the new fighter mission, Peters advocated for continued investment at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to support basing of the F-15EX fighters, as well as the KC-46A tankers. Helped Craft and Pass Annual National Defense Bill: In December, Peters secured several provisions and major funding wins in the annual national defense bill. This bill includes numerous provisions secured and authored by Peters to strengthen our national security and support Michigan’s military assets, including: Funding to support Selfridge as it prepares for its new missions. This includes $9 million for runway improvements, $5.2 million for two new taxiways, and a provision prohibiting the early retirement of the Selfridge A-10 mission. To further support long-term success at Selfridge, Peters fought for and secured language protecting the 107th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge and their A-10 Warthog fighters from potential early retirement before Selfridge accepts a new squadron of F-15EX fighters. The bill also includes provisions to support the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC) and the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the country’s largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Peters also worked to secure language directing the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Throughout his time in the Senate, Peters has led the charge to address PFAS contamination across Michigan, including at military bases. Peters helped include a provision in this bill that requires DOD to develop a PFAS remediation acceleration strategy and submit a report to Congress that details the criteria that the Department uses to prioritize response actions, timelines for completing each phase of the cleanup process, a plan for deploying additional resources to reduce delays in remediation efforts, and standards for evaluating performance. The provision also requires DOD to publish – on a public online dashboard – up-to-date PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact for each and every military installation and National Guard facility where efforts are planned or underway. FIGHTING TO PROTECT QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR MICHIGANDERS Fighting Back Against Republican Efforts to Cut Medicaid: Peters has consistently led the charge to fight back against Republican efforts to cut funding to Medicaid. In February, Peters led 46 of his colleagues in urging Republican leadership not to make cuts to Medicaid in order to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Despite push back from voters and Congressional Democrats, Republicans pushed through with a bill that cuts funding Medicaid and adds more than $3 trillion to the deficit, in order to cut taxes for billionaires. Peters fought back against this and also helped introduce and advocate for the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, which would repeal Republicans’ devastating health care cuts. Fighting to Protect the Affordable Care Act and Keeping Health Care Affordable: In January, Peters again cosponsored and helped reintroduce the Healthcare Affordability Act, legislation that would make permanent the Premium Tax Credits (PTCs) that were created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Throughout the year, Peters has been one of the most outspoken advocates in the Senate fighting to extend these tax cuts and keep health care affordable for all Americans. During the government shutdown, Peters introduced a commonsense proposal to end the shutdown and pass a one-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits in any deal to reopen the government. In December, Peters also fiercely advocated for a proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits before Republicans voted down this proposal. Legislation to Improve Opioid Addition Treatment for Adolescents Signed into Law: In December, Peters’ Youth Prevention and Recovery Reauthorization Act was signed into law as a provision of the bipartisan Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. Specifically, Peters’ provision reauthorizes funding to make existing substance use treatment programs available for young adults, ensuring this critical resource remains available to adolescents, families, care providers, and communities. This bill builds off previous legislation that Peters authored into law in 2018. STRENGTHENING HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY Through his role as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters: Expanded Protections Against Unmanned Aircraft Threats: Peters secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that enables state and local law enforcement to disable drones that threaten public safety and extends these authorities at the federal level. The bill would extend these authorities through 2031, ensuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) can respond to drone threats near airports, stadiums, and other sensitive locations. The legislation also for the first time enables state and local law enforcement to counter dangerous drones at a number of critical events. These authorities are especially important as the U.S. prepares to host major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Investigating DOGE’s Unchecked Access to American’s Personal Data: Peters released the first in-depth congressional oversight report of DOGE activities at federal agencies. The report included observations from oversight visits to the Social Security Administration (SSA), General Services Administration (GSA), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as well as deeply concerning whistleblower disclosures about DOGE personnel uploading the personal information – including Social Security numbers – of all Americans to a cloud environment without required security controls. The report showed that an internal SSA risk assessment found that there is up to a 65% risk of a catastrophic data breach as a result of this DOGE project. Peters continues to demand answers from the Trump Administration on the security of Americans’ data. Simplifying Access to Federal Disaster Aid for Survivors: Peters authored a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate that would make it easier for disaster survivors to access federal help. The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors seeking federal assistance from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters. This legislation would significantly help streamline this process and reduce the burden placed on disaster survivors in need of immediate assistance. Delivering Fair Retirement Benefits for Customs and Border Protection Officers: The Senate passed Peters’ bipartisan legislation that seeks to ensure Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers receive the retirement benefits they were promised. The CBPO Retirement Corrections Act addresses a longstanding error in which Customs and Border Protection (CBP) incorrectly informed newly hired officers that they would qualify for proportional annuity benefit – meaning they would not be required to retire at a certain age or complete 20 years of service to access enhanced retirement coverage. More than a decade later, CBP rescinded those benefits, leaving at least 1,352 officers – including 67 in Michigan – facing additional requirements to secure the retirement protections they were originally promised. Peters’ bill delivered long-overdue financial security to CBP officers who have dedicated their careers to protecting our borders. Improving Federal Emergency Response Capabilities: The Senate passed Peters’ bipartisan Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt (HELP) Response and Recovery Act, which would help strengthen DHS’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. The bill repeals outdated DHS-specific contracting rules and helps align the department with government-wide standards under government-wide . By ensuring greater consistency and timeliness in emergency contracting, Peters’ bill boosts the federal government’s capacity to deliver needed products and services during crises. Protecting Mail Processing Operations in the Upper Peninsula: In February, following consistent advocacy from Peters, the U.S. Postal Service announced the Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center would continue its local mail processing operations. Peters repeatedly pushed back on proposed consolidation of the USPS delivery network, including for the Iron Mountain facility, that would have significantly impacted mail service for Upper Peninsula residents. Prior to the announcement, Peters secured a pause on proposed changes at the Iron Mountain Mail Processing and Distribution Center until USPS leadership could ensure the changes would not impact local mail service. Peters has long led oversight efforts to protect mail delivery for the Upper Peninsula, including convening a hearing with USPS officials to examine proposed changes to its delivery network and sending a letter to Postmaster General DeJoy in February 2024 requesting further details into changes at the Iron Mountain Processing Center. Advancing Efforts to Ban Member Stock Trading: Peters advanced bipartisan legislation through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for the second Congress in a row to bar stock trading by elected officials. . The legislation would immediately ban Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President from buying stocks and other covered investments, and prohibit them from selling stocks 90 days after enactment. The bill would also require elected officials, their spouses, and any dependent children to divest covered assets at the start of the elected official’s next term. Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People: The Senate unanimously passed Peters’ bipartisan legislation that would prevent taxpayer dollars from being spent in error on payments to deceased Americans. Specifically, the bill provides the Department of Treasury with permanent access to Social Security Administration databases of individuals who have died, which has proven successful for identifying erroneous payments. Preventing Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy: The Senate passed two bipartisan Peters bills to help prevent foreign governments from attempting to influence U.S. policy. The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement would require registered lobbyists working for foreign persons or organizations to disclose when they utilize an exemption under the Foreign Agent Registration Act that allows them to avoid more stringent transparency requirements. The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act would close a commonly used loophole that allows foreign adversaries – including the Chinese government – to conceal their roles in efforts to lobby the U.S. government by using closely connected organizations and businesses. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort. Protecting Americans’ Genetic Data from Foreign Adversaries: Peters secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that helps prevent foreign adversaries from stealing Americans’ sensitive genetic data and personal health information. This provision, which is based on Peters’ bipartisan Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act, bans all biotechnology companies that are owned or controlled by a foreign adversary such as the Chinese Communist Party, and whose business practices threaten national security, from receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars through federal contracts, grants, and loans. PROTECTING THE GREAT LAKES Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Great Lakes Fisheries Headed to President’s Desk: The Senate and House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Peters to bolster support for Great Lakes Fishery research and management efforts. The Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Act would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center for another five years, helping to ensure that they are able to continue conducting critical research that supports Great Lakes fisheries. Led Effort to Extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Peters again led the effort to extend federal funding and protections for the Great Lakes. Peters introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through 2031 and increase the program’s annual funding levels from $475 million $500 million. Peters also helped secure funding for the GLRI through the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The GLRI is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes. SUPPORTING OUR NATION’S VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES Legislation Protecting Burial Benefits for Military Families Signed into Law: In January, bipartisan legislation Peters introduced was signed into law to ensure our military families can continue to be laid to rest together in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries. This law grants the VA the authority to bury the spouse or child of a servicemember in a VA cemetery in the tragic case that their death precedes that of the servicemember. Bill Inspired by Late Michigan Veteran Signed into Law: Bipartisan legislation led by Peters was signed into law to expand the eligibility of VA burial benefits to terminally ill veterans who pass away at a non-VA facility while receiving hospice care. The legislation, called Gerald’s Law Act, was named after late Michigan veteran Gerald “Jerry” Elliott of Kingsford who did not receive full VA burial benefits after he made the decision to spend his final days at home instead of a VA facility. SUPPORTING MICHIGAN MANUFACTURING & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing Strategy: In July, the Senate unanimously passed Peters’ bipartisan National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act to establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council at the Department of Commerce. This council would play a key role in developing federal manufacturing policy to help strengthen U.S. leadership in global manufacturing. Supporting American Workers and Bolstering American Manufacturing: Peters’ Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act was passed by the Senate this year. The bill would strengthen federal efforts to boost domestic manufacturing by authorizing a study by the independent National Academy of Public Administration on how to maximize effectiveness across the U.S. Department of Commerce’s various manufacturing programs. Bolstering American Semiconductor Manufacturing: In May, the Senate passed Peters’ bipartisan Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act, legislation that would strengthen federal efforts to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains. The legislation aims to build on the CHIPS and Science Act, which Peters helped craft and pass into law to expand U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, bring home good-paying jobs, and strengthen U.S. national security. Leading Fight to Prevent Illegal Trump Administration Cuts to Manufacturing Programs: In July, Senator Peters authored language in a Senate spending bill to prevent the Department of Commerce from unilaterally defunding or withdrawing contracts from Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Programs – like the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. For every dollar of federal investment, MEP generates $24.60 in new sales growth for manufacturers and $27.50 in new investment. In 2024, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center estimated they helped 584 businesses produce over $150 million in sales growth and over $100 million in investments. ASSISTING MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES DURING NATURAL DISASTERS, IMPROVING FEDERAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE Helping Michigan Recover from Historic Ice Storm: In March, an historic ice storm hit communities across Northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula. The National Weather Service ranked it one of the most significant ice storms ever recorded in Northern Michigan, causing an estimated $137 million in immediate response costs. In the immediate aftermath, Peters led the effort in coordination with the state and federal government to get aid to the region. The lawmakers worked in a bipartisan way to get President Trump and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler to approve a Major Disaster Declaration and SBA assistance for the region and bring much needed aid into the region. Although the President approved some disaster aid in July, the lawmakers again came together in August to further push the Administration to provide aid for public utilities, individual residents, and hazard mitigation. Strengthening Michigan’s Power Grid: In response to widespread power outages caused by the ice storm, Peters introduced the bipartisan Preventing Power Outages Act, which would strengthen the resiliency of power grids in Michigan and across the country. The bill would reauthorize two U.S. Department of Energy grant programs that help states and utilities invest in modernizing their grid infrastructure to help ensure that the power stays on even during extreme weather and natural disasters. The bill would ensure that sufficient funding goes to states whose grids are least reliable and require the most investment, like Michigan. SUPPORTING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN MICHIGAN Resolving Longstanding Land Claims for Upper Peninsula Tribe: In December, the Senate passed Peters’ bipartisan, bicameral Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025 to settle the longstanding land claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). The bill would provide compensation to the KBIC through the U.S. Department of Interior and clear the title of current landowners in the community who have acquired the land at issue in good faith over the past 150 years. HONORING TRAILBLAZING MICHIGANDERS Peters led several efforts to honor Michiganders, including: Attending a ceremony to rededicate the Mt. Clemens Post Office as the “Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office.” In 2024, Peters led legislation signed into law dedicating the post office in Lt. Col. Jefferson’s name to recognize his service as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen of the U.S. Army Air Forces with the 332ndFighter Group during World War II, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, and an educator with Detroit Public Schools. Leading a bipartisan resolution honoring the 108th anniversary of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and commending the thousands of men and women who have worked and trained at Selfridge since its inception. The resolution recognizes the base’s significant contributions to U.S. national security, such as leading security operations to protect the Northern Border after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The resolution also reinforces the commitment of our Armed Forces to ensure Selfridge remains a key component to U.S. national defense. Leading a bipartisan resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, an iron ore freighter that sank in Lake Superior approximately 17 miles off the coast of Whitefish Point, Michigan. The resolution honors the 29 crewmembers who died during the shipwreck, which occurred during one of the worst storms ever recorded on the Great Lakes. Introducing the bipartisan Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act that seeks to honor members of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team and their historic victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. The bill includes honors for two Michiganders: Ken Morrow of Flint and Mark Wells of St. Clair Shores. HELPING MICHIGANDERS OBTAIN BENEFITS & RESOLVE ISSUES WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES Peters’ office continued to help constituents navigate complex federal agencies and get the support they need. This includes assisting Michigan families and small businesses in their effort to receive benefits from and resolve issues involving the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Medicare and Medicaid, and others. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/signed-into-law-national-defense-bill-with-provisions-secured-by-peters-to-strengthen-michigans-defense-footprint,SIGNED INTO LAW: National Defense Bill with Provisions Secured by Peters to Strengthen Michigan’s Defense Footprint,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The annual national defense bill was signed into law with numerous provisions authored and secured by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee, to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and defense sector, clean up PFAS contamination, and give servicemembers a pay raise. “This bill makes investments that will ensure Michigan is positioned to continue leading the way in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to have secured provisions in this bill that will support transformational upgrades at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to prepare for its new missions, make progress to clean up PFAS contamination at our military bases, and support Michigan’s defense sector, which is working to develop innovative technologies that protect American servicemembers around the globe.” The national defense bill sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has become law for more than 60 consecutive years. Below are provisions in the bill successfully led or supported by Peters: Investing in Michigan’s Military Facilities $9 million for Runway Improvement at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: The bill authorizes funding to allow for runway improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to prepare for basing of future missions, including the KC-46 Tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters. $5.2 million to Construct Two New Taxiways at Selfridge: The bill authorizes funding to support the construction of two new taxiways at Selfridge to prepare for basing of future missions including Selfridge’s two new missions. This includes $2.8 million for the construction of Taxiway Alpha and $2.4 million for the construction of Taxiway Bravo. $4.4 million for Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex: The bill authorizes funding to kickstart the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC). The ADWTC provides a state-of-the-art facility where servicemembers can plan, lead, and execute realistic training. The ADWTC is critical to ensuring Northern Strike remains the premier training exercise in the country. Permanent Funding for Northern Strike: Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations. Prohibits Early Retirement of Selfridge’s A-10s: Peters fought for and secured language protecting the 107th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge and their A-10 Warthog fighters from potential early retirement before Selfridge accepts a new squadron of F-15EX fighters. This provision prevents the Air Force from reducing the number of A-10s in their aircraft inventory and requires a briefing to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the divestment plans for the A-10 aircraft. The briefing continues strict oversight of the Air Force’s A-10 retirement efforts including by mandating reporting on the Air Force’s proposals to replace the A-10s with new or existing aircraft, efforts to minimize negative impacts on personnel training and retention and a specific divestment timeline for each aircraft in their inventory. Bolstering Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production: Peters secured language in the bill that directs the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Peters has pushed for and secured language to support the development and integration of CCAs, including during a hearing with the former Secretary of Defense and a recent hearing with the current U.S. Air Force Secretary. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Peters has also secured language to help position Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a potential location for CCA fielding. He led a provision included in recent government funding legislation requiring a report regarding basing criteria of CCAs. This report will include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard bases with legacy fighter missions, such as Selfridge, may be appropriate locations for the basing of CCAs. Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center at Selfridge: Peters led a provision in the bill underscoring the growing threat of cyberattacks on both manned and unmanned military vehicles and platforms, as well as critical infrastructure that interacts with advanced vehicles. The provision recognizes the work of the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan to identify cyber vulnerabilities to secure joint ground vehicle platforms and prevent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The bill encourages vehicle cybersecurity at places like GVSC who is working to establish its Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center, which will also be located in Michigan at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition to supporting our Armed Forces and servicemembers, the Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center will support Michigan’s auto industry and help establish Southeast Michigan as a hub for all auto-cyber activity in the country. Peters has continuously used his role on the Armed Services Committee to support the GVSC, and recently warned DOD officials about the consequences of potential cuts at the GVSC. Emergency Response Authority Act: Peters successfully secured an amendment to give states more flexibility in deploying Army Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel with specialized skills for emergency response. This will allow AGR forces to respond to state declared emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, for a total of 14 days per person. This provision empowers states to respond to major disasters more quickly and effectively. Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families Pay Raise for Servicemembers: This bill includes pay raises of 3.8 percent for military servicemembers. Addressing PFAS Contamination Improving the Speed and Transparency of DOD PFAS Cleanup Efforts: Peters successfully included a provision that requires DOD to develop a PFAS remediation acceleration strategy and submit a report to Congress that details the criteria that the Department uses to prioritize response actions, timelines for completing each phase of the cleanup process, a plan for deploying additional resources to reduce delays in remediation efforts, and standards for evaluating performance. The provision also requires DOD to publish – on a public online dashboard – up-to-date PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact for each and every military installation and National Guard facility where efforts are planned or underway. Peters has worked with communities across Michigan for years on PFAS remediation efforts. Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and convened a field summit in Grand Rapids in November 2018 to shine a light on how local, state, and federal governments are coordinating responses to address PFAS contamination. He has also passed numerous bills into law to help address PFAS contamination and protect Michiganders. Michigan is home to a number of military installations where PFAS contamination has been detected, including Camp Grayling and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Households with PFAS-Contaminated Drinking Water Wells: The bill contains a Peters-led initiative that establishes new requirements for DOD to provide alternative drinking water – such as bottled water – to households with private drinking water wells that have been contaminated by PFAS as a result of DOD activities. Supporting Michigan’s Defense Sector Supporting Munition Production in Grayling: The bill authorizes $31.9 million to support production of the Army’s Individual Assault Munitions (IAM), which will soon be made at a new production facility being constructed in Grayling, Michigan. This new facility is expected to employ 70 people in 2025 and expand to an estimated 100 employees by 2027. Boosting Made in Michigan Ground Vehicle Production: The bill authorizes robust funding for the Army to produce new, modernized Strykers as well as Abrams tanks. This funding will help ensure that Made in Michigan testing and development of ground vehicles like the Strykers are operating with cutting edge technology designed to keep our servicemembers safe. Bolstering Military Aircraft Engine Industrial Base: Peters secured a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a roadmap for bolstering our military aircraft engine industrial base to support existing and planned platforms. Strengthening U.S. Cybersecurity Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: The bill includes report language Peters secured to require DOD to issue a strategy on implementing the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication across the Department. There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting officials at DOD to retrieve personal information that allows hackers and foreign adversaries to gain access to sensitive national security information. This provision will ensure that DOD takes steps to protect sensitive national security information and protect American lives. Preventing Manipulation of DOD-Generated Media: Peters secured report language in the bill which will require DOD to implement digital content provenance across the Department. Digital content creation, editing, and distribution tools are increasingly more accessible, and can be easily weaponized against the U.S. by our foreign adversaries who seek to threaten our national security, spread anti-American propaganda, and weaken our institutions. The amendment will help prevent DOD media content from being manipulated and used maliciously against our country by creating a pilot program to implement authenticity information on DOD-generated media. This builds on Peters’ bipartisan Digital Defense Content Provenance Act, which he secured in a previous national defense bill and requires DOD to create a course at the Defense Information School to teach personnel about the threats posed by synthetic media such as deepfakes, as well as emerging technologies and key concepts of digital content provenance. The bill also created a pilot program at DOD to assess the feasibility of establishing content standard technologies on DOD-produced and owned media content. Strengthening U.S. Cyber Workforce: Peters secured language that will require a report on the implementation of the DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy. DOD has struggled to attract and retain a skilled cyber workforce despite efforts such as bonus pay for skilled cyber professionals and expedited hiring pathways. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy was designed to identify difficulties and provide specific activities to increase the recruitment and retainment of the cyber workforce, both military and civilian. A skilled DOD cyber workforce benefits all Americans. Enhancing DOD Weapons Systems to Protect Against Real-Time Cybersecurity Threats: The bill includes specific directives for the DOD to enhance its weapons systems with technology to track cybersecurity threats. This will allow for weapons systems at military bases in Michigan and across the country to track cyber threats in real time and constantly update the health and security of their cybersecurity operations. Bolstering Advanced Technology Capabilities & Critical Industries Strengthening Counter-UAS Authorities for Law Enforcement: This bill includes a provision which allows state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies to protect large mass gatherings, critical infrastructure, and airports from potential unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats. This provision, which includes core tenants of Peters’ bipartisan Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, will allow SLTT law enforcement officials to protect large mass gatherings, such as college football games, concerts, festivals, and sensitive sites such as critical infrastructure facilities and airports from potential UAS threats. The provision requires the FBI to train state and local law enforcement officers on the proper use of counter-UAS technology before it is deployed, and it makes DOJ grant funding available to allow state and local law enforcement to purchase approved counter-UAS equipment. Additionally, the provision increases the scope DHS and DOJ’s C-UAS authority to allow federal law enforcement officers to protect additional facilities and assets from UAS threats, including major airports, such as Detroit Metro Airport, seeing an influx of UAS incursions. Finally, the provision would impose criminal penalties for certain offenses committed using a UAS. This provision is particularly critical as the U.S. prepares to host major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Developing U.S. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Capabilities: The bill will provide increased funding for the development of new and innovative design and production of low-cost, uncrewed systems. The bill will also require a strategy to develop a secure domestic supply chain of critical components for small UAS systems. Supporting U.S. Security Interests Around the World Planning for Enhanced Operations in Arctic Region: The bill includes a provision authored by Peters that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities presented by the Arctic region, and supports efforts to better understand the emerging need to enhance operations in the region. Specifically, the bill encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with interagency organizations, including the Center for Arctic Security and Resiliency and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations. Protecting Americans’ Genetic Data from Foreign Adversaries: The bill includes an amendment secured by Peters that helps prevent foreign adversaries from stealing Americans’ sensitive genetic data and personal health information. This provision, which is based on Peters’ bipartisan Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act, bans all biotechnology companies that are owned or controlled by a foreign adversary such as the Chinese Communist Party, and whose business practices threaten national security, from receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars through federal contracts, grants, and loans. Support Israel’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: Peters authorized funding in the bill to help increase U.S. collaboration with Israel to develop emerging defense technologies to meet the warfare challenges of the future. Peters also secured a provision that will establish a cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel for advancing C-UAS technologies and joint research. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to bolster collaboration between the United States and Israel on emerging technologies. Strengthen Efforts to Combat Anti-Tunneling Activity: The bill authorizes additional funding to strengthen current collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to combat Hamas and strengthen anti-tunneling activity in the Gaza Strip. As part of the DOD’s collaboration with the IDF, Israel shares its counter-tunnel technology with the DOD and Department of Homeland Security to combat growing threats at our borders, as well as similar threats faced on the Korean Peninsula and in multiple locations in the Middle East. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-his-advocacy-schumer-announces-112-million-in-americorps-funding-for-senior-volunteers-across-new-york,"FOLLOWING HIS ADVOCACY, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $11.2+ MILLION IN AMERICORPS FUNDING FOR SENIOR VOLUNTEERS ACROSS NEW YORK",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Earlier This Year, Trump Fired Thousands Of AmeriCorps Staff And Ripped Away Community Grants For Seniors Schumer Revealed Impact Of The Cuts And Cancelled Grants And Demanded Trump Restore Funding For AmeriCorps Programs; Senator Now Announces Trump Backed Down And Fed Funding Is Flowing To Support 1,000+ Older NY AmeriCorps Members Schumer: Despite Trump’s Threats To Dismantle AmeriCorps, Older AmeriCorps Volunteers Continued Their Excellent Work & Now Get The Support They Deserve U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced $11,274,471 in federal funding has flowed this year to programs across New York through AmeriCorps’ Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program, supporting more than 1,000 volunteers. Earlier this year, President Trump took steps to dismantle AmeriCorps, firing staff and freezing federal grants. Schumer demanded that Trump and Republicans protect this vital public service agency, and now, thanks to his advocacy, organizations across New York have continued to receive the funding they needed for volunteers to serve their communities, especially through the popular Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program. “AmeriCorps is one of the world’s greatest service programs, and more than one thousand New York seniors rely on AmeriCorps funding to volunteer in their communities every year. That’s why when I heard the Trump administration was threatening to dismantle AmeriCorps, including the popular and effective the popular Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program, I demanded answers and called on him to reverse these counterproductive and cruel cuts,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to announce that, despite Trump’s threats, New York has received $11.2+ million this year for older AmeriCorps members to continue the excellent work they do to support kids and other seniors in their communities through the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs. I will continue to fight any cuts to the excellent AmeriCorps program and support organizations that help our seniors stay active in their communities.” Earlier this year, Trump and ‘DOGE’ placed a majority of AmeriCorps employees on leave and terminated nearly $400 million in AmeriCorps grants nationally. Schumer revealed the impact that slashing over $26 million in federal funding for local community projects had on over 3,600 community service members across New York State and demanded that Trump and Republicans protect this vital public service and immediately reverse these cuts. Schumer continued to demand answers about the funding freezes and called for the money to be released. Thanks to Schumer pushing to resolve delays with the AmeriCorps Seniors Program grants, AmeriCorps was able to complete two rounds of FY2025 funding, delivering $11.2 million in Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and Senior Companion Program (SCP) awards to organizations across New York State. A list of Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program awards for New York in FY2025 can be found below: “The Community Place of Greater Rochester is deeply grateful for Senator Schumer’s steadfast support and for this significant AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program grant,” said Scott C. Benjamin, President & CEO of Charles Settlement House & The Community Place of Greater Rochester. “This more than $1 million investment strengthens our ability to connect older adults with meaningful opportunities to serve, mentor, and support children, families, and neighbors across our community. These programs change lives every day — not only for those receiving support, but for the seniors whose wisdom, compassion, and service make Rochester stronger.” “The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program is an impactful program providing opportunity for Broome County Seniors to serve their community and make positive contributions to the lives of others and have meaningful outlets to share their time and talents. The funding Broome County is receiving from this program will support opportunities for over 30 volunteers and we are grateful to Senator Schumer for his tireless efforts on behalf of this program,” said Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive. “We are very pleased about the release of 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program funds and the continuation of this important mentorship program. The one-to-one social-emotional attention, encouragement, and support provided to the approximately 225 Syracuse City School District and Head Start children is critical in a city like Syracuse, where childhood poverty is the worst in the nation. Likewise, the more than 68 senior volunteers gain renewed purpose, companionship, and a modest stipend for their time and talents. We thank Senator Schumer for his continued support of this program,” said Carolyn D. Brown, Executive Director, People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. ""We are so thankful for the efforts of Senator Schumer to secure funding for our foster grandparent program,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president & CEO, Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “When funding for the program was cut earlier this year, it impacted more than 1,000 children with special and exceptional needs, who received added assistance to help them succeed academically, and older adults, who were given a sense of purpose and much needed social interaction in their retirement years. The extra care and attention the foster grandparents provide make a difference not only in the classroom, but in the lives of these children. During this season of giving, Senator Schumer has given Catholic Charities a gift that is so appreciated by the children, teachers and foster grandparents who can now restart this vital program in our community.” Vernex Harding, Executive Director of Head Start of Rockland, Inc., said, “I express heartfelt gratitude for Senator Schumer's unwavering support and advocacy for AmeriCorps to allocate essential funds to programs like Foster Grandparents. This funding restores and empowers our dedicated senior volunteers' ability to continue mentoring and uplifting children, creating meaningful relationships that shape bright futures. We are deeply thankful for this assistance, which strengthens intergenerational bonds and enriches the lives of both children and volunteers in our community.” AmeriCorps programs have long-standing bipartisan support, having been previously authorized by Congress and funded by the annual appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed into law. The FGP and SCP programs both provide grants to engage Americans 55 and older in volunteer service to their communities. FGP members support children and youth with special or exceptional needs in schools, Head Start centers, youth facilities, and other community-based settings, providing critical support such as tutoring, mentoring, and emotional reassurance. SCP members support older adults who need assistance to remain independent, offering friendship, companionship, and support with daily tasks. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-delauro-renew-bill-to-ban-unpredictable-scheduling-practices,"Warren, DeLauro Renew Bill to Ban Unpredictable Scheduling Practices",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, DeLauro Renew Bill to Ban Unpredictable Scheduling Practices Legislation would require many employers to provide work schedules two weeks in advance and compensate workers when their schedules change last minute Bill Text (PDF) | Bill One-Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Schedules That Work Act to address unpredictable scheduling practices that may deprive workers of income and require them to work unreasonable hours, like “clopening” shifts that leave little time to commute and rest between shifts. “Unpredictable scheduling makes it impossible for workers to arrange child care, juggle an education, or even pay the bills. We’re fighting to empower workers and help them regain control over their work schedules and build economic security for themselves and their families,” Senator Warren said. “We are in a cost of living crisis that forces too many Americans to live paycheck to paycheck,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Hardworking Americans deserve economic security and the peace of mind that the hours they work will provide enough to make ends meet so they can provide for themselves or their family. That is why I am proud to join Senator Warren in reintroducing the Schedules that Work Act, so workers are not subject to abusive scheduling practices that can lead to financial insecurity and instability. American workers deserve certainty about their schedules and incomes.” Workers experience many unreasonable scheduling practices, like last-minute shift cancellations, being placed “on-call” with no guarantee of work hours, scheduled for “split shifts” of non-consecutive hours, and even being sent home early without pay when demand is low. If they push back or request schedule changes, employers may retaliate. This month, Starbucks agreed to pay $38.9 million to settle claims it violated New York law by failing to provide regular schedules to employees, cutting workers' scheduled hours without their consent, and giving shifts to new hires first instead of to existing employees. A report by the Harvard Kennedy School found that unpredictable schedules lead to higher employee turnover, household economic insecurity, and reductions in workers’ health and wellbeing. It also found that Black and Hispanic women are disproportionately impacted by unpredictable schedules and were more likely to have a shift canceled without appropriate notice than white workers. The Schedules That Work Act curbs these harmful practices by giving workers a voice in their schedules and helping people meet their responsibilities at work and at home. The bill protects workers who ask for schedule changes from retaliation, and it requires employers to consider their requests. For workers in retail, food service, and cleaning occupations, it requires employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance. The legislation also provides compensation to these employees when their schedules change abruptly, or they are assigned to particularly difficult shifts, including split shifts and call-in shifts. The bill also expands these same protections to hospitality and warehouse workers, and establishes a right to rest between shifts – protecting workers from being forced to work a closing shift one night and the opening shift the next day – and compensating them adequately if they voluntarily do so. If passed, employers would also be required to compensate employees if schedules are not posted two weeks in advance, or if there are changes to the schedule within the two-week period. The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Richie Torres (D-NY-15), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY-04). The Schedules That Work Act is supported by: 9to5, A Better Balance, Action for Children, AFL-CIO, African American Health Alliance, All-Options, American Association of University Women, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, BreastfeedLA, Catch Fire Movement, CDF, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Popular Democracy, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Chicago Foundation for Women, Child Care Aware of America, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition for Social Justice, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition on Human Needs, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Economic Policy Institute, Equal Rights Advocates, Every Texan, Faith in Public Life, Family Values @ Work, Healthy Nourishment, Jobs With Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, MANA - A National Latina Organization, MomsRising, National Black Worker Center, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Network of Jewish Human, Service Agencies, North Carolina Justice Center, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Public Justice Center, ROC United, Service Employees International Union, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Start Early, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, TakeAction Minnesota, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United for Respect, We All Rise, Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest PA, Women Employed, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Women's Law Project, Women's Media Center, Workplace Fairness, YWCA of the University of Illinois, YWCA USA, ZERO TO THREE. “Unpredictable and inadequate work hours have long been a problem for part-time and hourly workers in low-paid jobs, which means they have been a problem for women, and especially for women of color,” said NWLC Vice President for Education and Workplace Justice Emily Martin. “But the harms posed by volatile work hours—and the uncertain paychecks they produce—have intensified during the pandemic, as workers face new risks to their health, inadequate access to paid leave and paid sick days, and additional caregiving challenges posed by school and child care closures and quarantines. Together, the Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights will help working people meet their responsibilities both on and off the job, bolster economic security for their families, and help close race and gender wage gaps.” “Through A Better Balance’s free and confidential legal helpline, we are constantly hearing from workers in industries like retail, food service, and other shift-based roles who have to miss out on hours and pay because their employers’ unpredictable scheduling practices make it impossible to plan around childcare, medical appointments, and other care-related needs. Many of these workers are also denied essential benefits like paid leave and healthcare due to their part-time status – even if they’re working full-time hours across multiple jobs,"" said A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar. ""The Schedules That Work Act and Part Time Workers Bill of Rights will together combat these unfair practices and support the health and financial security of these essential workers, advancing gender and racial equity nationwide. We thank Senator Warren for her leadership on this legislation and continued commitment to this country's working families.” Congresswoman DeLauro and Senator Warren have introduced the Schedules That Work Act every Congress since 2015. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-schakowsky-renew-fight-to-pass-part-time-worker-bill-of-rights-act,"Warren, Schakowsky, Renew Fight to Pass Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Schakowsky, Renew Fight to Pass Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), have reintroduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act to strengthen protections for part-time workers and allow them to better balance their work schedules with personal and family needs. The legislation will address one of the primary issues that hourly workers face - work schedules that do not provide as many hours as they need to support their families - and provide additional protections and benefits for part-time workers. “Every worker deserves a chance at providing for themselves and their families, but greedy giant corporations are using loopholes to exploit part-time workers instead,” said Senator Warren. “I’m fighting hard to pass the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights and ensure companies put their workers over profits.” “Part-time workers across the country deserve better. More than one in five American workers are part-time and they face volatile work hours, unstable incomes, and low wages. Earlier this week, I reintroduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act with my colleagues Representative DeLauro and Senator Warren to ensure equitable workplace treatment and conditions for part-time workers. This legislation requires employers to treat part-time and full-time employees impartially and gives part-time workers access to stable hours and medical leave. We must improve the quality of part-time work for millions of families across the country,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. Corporations often attempt to avoid providing workers benefits and higher wages by giving part-time workers fewer hours than they want and spreading work among many part-time employees rather than hiring full-time employees. This month, Starbucks agreed to pay $38.9 million to settle claims it violated New York law by failing to provide regular schedules to employees, cutting workers' scheduled hours without their consent, and giving shifts to new hires first instead of to existing employees. The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would: Require employers to offer available hours to current, available, qualified part-time employees before hiring new employees or subcontractors. The legislation requires employers with more than 15 workers to compensate existing employees if they hire new employees instead of assigning new work to available, qualified, existing employees. This provision is based on successful access to hours ordinances in cities across the country, including those in Chicago, Emeryville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Make more part-time employees eligible for family and medical leave. The legislation guarantees any employee who has worked for their employer for at least a year access to federal leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Allow part-time workers to participate in their employers’ pension plans. The legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to give part-time workers who have worked at least 500 hours for two consecutive years access to retirement plans if they are offered by their employers to full-time workers. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act is supported by: 9to5, A Better Balance, Action for Children, AFL-CIO, African American Health Alliance, All-Options, American Association of University Women, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, BreastfeedLA, Catch Fire Movement, CDF, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Popular Democracy, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Chicago Foundation for Women, Child Care Aware of America, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition for Social Justice, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition on Human Needs, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Economic Policy Institute, Equal Rights Advocates, Every Texan, Faith in Public Life, Family Values @ Work, Healthy Nourishment, Jobs With Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, MANA - A National Latina Organization, MomsRising, National Black Worker Center, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Network of Jewish Human, Service Agencies, North Carolina Justice Center, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Public Justice Center, ROC United, Service Employees International Union, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Start Early, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, TakeAction Minnesota, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United for Respect, We All Rise, Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest PA, Women Employed, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Women's Law Project, Women's Media Center, Workplace Fairness, YWCA of the University of Illinois, YWCA USA, ZERO TO THREE. The legislators also introduced the Schedules That Work Act, complementary legislation to help ensure that low-wage employees have more certainty about their work schedules and income. The Schedules That Work Act protects workers who ask for schedule changes from retaliation and requires employers to consider their requests. For retail, food service, and cleaning occupations, it requires employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance. The legislation also provides compensation to these employees when their schedules change abruptly or they are assigned to particularly difficult shifts, including split shifts and call-in shifts. A recent Berkely study found that unpredictable schedules - which often mean lack of access to enough working hours - are associated with financial insecurity, housing insecurity, high stress, poor health outcomes, and, for parents, less time spent with children, which, in turn, leads to worse outcomes for children. One study found that 65% of respondents with part-time jobs had dealt with ""at least one serious material hardship"" in the past year. Workers facing these challenges are disproportionately women and workers of color as exposure to schedule instability is 16% higher among workers of color compared to white workers. Laws to help workers access more work hours have already been passed as part of fair workweek laws across the country, including in Chicago, Emeryville, California; New York City; Philadelphia; San Francisco; San Jose; Seattle; and SeaTac, Washington. Senator Warren and Congresswoman Schakowsky first unveiled their plans to introduce the bill in December 2019. Senators Warren and Booker reintroduced the bill in the Senate in 2020. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-960881-coming-to-wasco-county-for-distance-learning,"Merkley, Wyden Announce $960,881 Coming to Wasco County for Distance Learning",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a federal investment of $960,881 for the Dufur School District 29 to support distance learning in Wasco County. With this funding, instructors at Portland Community College in Multnomah County, Baker Technical Institute in Baker County, Columbia Gorge Community College in Wasco County, and the Oregon Veterans Home in Wasco County will deliver technical training, STEM coursework, and certified nurse assistant training courses to three locations benefiting 655 Dufur School District 29 students. “As I hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I frequently hear from folks about the challenges they are facing, especially in rural communities that have unique hurdles in accessing education and health care services,” said Merkley. “This critical investment will ensure that working families living in more remote communities will have better access to the tools and services they need to thrive.” “Distance to a city should not determine whether or not hard-working students are able to access a quality education,” said Wyden. “This grant closes that gap and ensures students in Wasco County can gain the technical skills required to expand the healthcare workforce. I applaud this federal award to Dufur School District, and I will fight for more programs like this that provide opportunities for students living in Oregon’s rural communities.” This federal funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants, which help rural communities access advanced telecommunications technology. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-demands-answers-from-trump-admin-on-unauthorized-dismantling-of-manufacturing-program,Senator Baldwin Demands Answers from Trump Admin on Unauthorized Dismantling of Manufacturing Program,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 a group of her colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on its decision to withhold and delay congressionally-approved funds to the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program’s Centers and why the Administration has repeatedly insisted MEP is inconsistent with their priorities. The MEP program is a public-private partnership that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and create jobs. Prior to the Trump Administration’s moves to dismantle the program, the MEP in Wisconsin helped create more than $2.5 billion in economic impact and created or retained nearly 4,000 jobs in just two years. “On April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators in a letter to Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt. “Since then, NIST and the Administration have put the future of the MEP Program in deep uncertainty with its ever-shifting chronology of statements and actions. This uncertainty has already caused roughly 90% of MEP Centers to conduct layoffs or freeze hiring, with some at risk of entirely shutting down. Our offices are also deeply troubled by reports that the Administration has issued Reduction in Force (RIF) and possible separation notices to every MEP employee. These actions disregard Congress’s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.” These actions come despite longstanding broad, bipartisan support from Congress, and the fact that both the House and Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills provide $175 million for MEP. The Administration has also claimed that the goal of the MEP – to support American manufacturers – was not aligned with the Administration’s priorities. President Trump has promised an “American manufacturing boom,” but the latest jobs report indicates 67,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since April 2025. “It is perplexing why the Administration appears to believe a program specifically designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing would be at odds with its priorities,” concluded the Senators. “We should not be undermining or eliminating a long-standing program that strengthens innovation, enhances global competitiveness, and creates jobs in U.S. manufacturing.” Since 1988, the MEP has worked to strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturing through a nationwide network of MEP Centers. The MEP National Network is comprised of 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and over 1,450 trusted advisors and experts at more than 430 MEP service locations that provide any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. Senator Baldwin has long championed investing in the manufacturing sector. In addition to helping pass the CHIPS and Science Act, Senator Baldwin worked to secure significant investments to support the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Baldwin is Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee charged with oversight of MEP at the Department of Commerce. In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and co-signed by 26 of their colleagues. Full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Acting Under Secretary Burkhardt, We write to seek clarity and information on what appears to be the unauthorized dismantling of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. If the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues its current trajectory of refusing to provide MEP Centers their congressionally mandated funding, 65,000 American manufacturers will lose critical services and resources after December 31, 2025. This is an unacceptable and completely avoidable outcome, and we call on you to rectify this immediately. On April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers. Since then, NIST and the Administration have put the future of the MEP Program in deep uncertainty with its ever-shifting chronology of statements and actions. This uncertainty has already caused roughly 90% of MEP Centers to conduct layoffs or freeze hiring, with some at risk of entirely shutting down. Our offices are also deeply troubled by reports that the Administration has issued Reduction in Force (RIF) and possible separation notices to every MEP employee. These actions disregard Congress’s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The MEP Program under the Department of Commerce (DOC) and NIST has long enjoyed broad bipartisan, bicameral support for its success as a national network of go-to experts that help small and medium-sized manufacturers enhance productivity and adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. Congress first authorized MEP in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act and of 1988 and reauthorized the program in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Recent legislation demonstrates Congress’s ongoing support for MEP Centers, as both the House and Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills provide $175 million for MEP. The House report specifically supports “continuation of current State awards that bolster the local manufacturing economy.” Additionally, the Senate report clearly directs that “no funds are provided to execute or plan for a program that reduces the number of active MEP Centers” and that “any revamp, including the one outlined in the June 2025 renewal documents, should not proceed without consultation and approval from the Committee.” Additionally, please provide a briefing to our staff on the status of the MEP Program and the Department’s plans for program continuity no later than January 5, 2026. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-demands-answers-about-donations-to-trumps-ballroom-presses-new-architect-leading-white-house-project-for-details,"Blumenthal Demands Answers About Donations to Trump's Ballroom, Presses New Architect Leading White House Project for Details",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today demanded answers from Roblox CEO David Baszucki about his reported contribution to President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom as well as ten other individuals who attended the October 15, 2025 fundraising dinner for the project. As Ranking Member of PSI, Blumenthal has led an inquiry into the use of private donations to fund President Trump’s increasingly expensive ballroom, most recently estimated to cost $400 million, and has repeatedly raised concerns about donors that have deep financial, business, or other personal interests before the Trump Administration. In a letter sent today to Baszucki, Blumenthal requested additional information from the Roblox CEO about his donation, following a recent meeting during which Baszucki confirmed that he had contributed to President Trump’s ballroom, “I appreciated your candor and transparency at our recent meeting, in acknowledging that you were among the guests in attendance at that dinner and that you made a $5 million contribution to the ballroom project in your personal capacity.” Blumenthal continued, “As an attendee at the October 15 dinner and donor to the project, you possess critical information about the Administration’s solicitation of donations, its management of this project, why your donation was not publicly disclosed, and what President Trump or his representatives may have agreed to provide in exchange.” In letters to ten other individuals who attended the October 15 fundraiser, including Frank J. Fertitta II, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Red Rock Resorts, Blumenthal wrote, “A representative of your company was reportedly among the guests in attendance at the October 15 dinner; however, neither you nor your company were on the donor list which the White House released to the public several days later. My office has recently received information that at least one other attendee at the October 15 dinner, who was not listed by the White House as a donor, did in fact contribute to the Ballroom project.” As part of his inquiry, Blumenthal has also written to the contractor, engineer, and previous architect leading the construction and design of the ballroom. In addition to demanding answers from Roblox and other potential donors today, Blumenthal is seeking information from Shalom Baranes Associates Architects, which has taken on the project following President Trump’s clash with the previous architect. Blumenthal pressed Founding Principal Shalom Baranes in a letter sent today for information on how his company became involved in the project and the terms of his selection to participate. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter to Baranes can be found here. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter to Roblox CEO David Baszucki is available here. A compilation of letters sent today to individuals who attended the October 15 fundraiser can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-democratic-colleagues-introduce-sweeping-veterans-bill-to-reform-and-improve-va-health-care,"Blumenthal, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Sweeping Veterans Bill to Reform & Improve VA Health Care",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is leading a group of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act (the Honor Act)—sweeping legislation to invest in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) aging infrastructure, improve VA’s ability to recruit high quality health care employees, and improve the standards of care veterans receive. He was joined by fellow Committee members U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “Democrats are pushing sweeping reforms to fix a VA system stretched to its limits. The VA system is underfunded, understaffed, and overdue for reform. We are demanding major capital investments in VA facilities, more money for the staff who deliver health care, and increased standards for community care,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. Blumenthal continued, “Built on years of feedback from veterans and recommendations from watchdogs, our legislation enacts sweeping historic reforms to ensure veterans receive high-quality, timely care—both at VA facilities and in the community. The Honor Act mandates broad, landmark investments to replace VA’s aging infrastructure and make VA clinicians’ compensation more competitive. It aims to guarantee veterans’ access to well-trained, veteran-informed care no matter where they live.” “We have an obligation to do more than just thank our veterans for their service. We owe veterans the full, critical benefits they earned through their service,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “The Honor Act is an important step in fulfilling our obligation by ensuring the VA can easily improve its infrastructure, recruit high quality candidates, and always ensure our veterans are receiving the highest quality health care.” “We owe it to veterans in Maine and across the nation to provide them with the highest standard of care and support,” said Senator King. “A critical part of meeting that responsibility is ensuring the VA has a strong workforce and the infrastructure necessary to serve those who have served us. The Honor Our Promises to Veterans Act does exactly what its name suggests: it helps ensure the VA remains accountable to our veterans and fulfills the commitments our nation has made to them.” “The Honor Act is a critical investment into the VA that truly prioritizes our Veterans,” Senator Duckworth said. “It will expedite Veterans' access to much-needed care, hold community practitioners to higher standards and increase oversight into VA infrastructure projects. Further, it will help alleviate the staffing shortages largely caused by the Trump Administration’s extreme measures to push out nearly 30,000 employees this year. I’m proud to join Senator Blumenthal in introducing this comprehensive legislation that upholds the integrity of VA as the medical center home and keeps the care of our Veterans as VA’s highest priority.” “Veterans are important members of our communities who have risked their lives in service to our country, and they deserve the highest possible quality of care, education, and training,” said Senator Hirono. “Instead of supporting our veterans, the Trump Administration has spent the last year repeatedly attacked our veteran community, gutting VA funding and stripping veterans of care they need. By helping to initiate policy reforms including recruiting high-quality employees, improving infrastructure, and supporting education, this comprehensive legislation is another step in the right direction to ensuring that veterans are prioritized.” “America’s veterans deserve the highest standard of care, and I’m proud to join this commonsense legislation to deliver just that,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bill will make it easier to upgrade old infrastructure and help the VA recruit the highest quality candidates. Together, we can undertake real VA reforms that make a meaningful difference for our veterans.” “As part of our commitment to the brave men and women who so bravely served our nation in uniform, this commonsense bill incorporates recommendations directly from experts and veterans across this country to ensure the VA can better serve them and their families,” said Senator Shaheen. The Senators’ legislation would implement critical policy reforms based on feedback from veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, labor representatives, VA employees, the Government Accountability Office, and VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). It is the most comprehensive legislation to reform VA health care since the MISSION Act. Among its many provisions, the Honor Act would: Improve care at VA and in the community for veterans: Improves scheduling of appointments for veterans by establishing specific timing requirements; Increases transparency around access to care for veterans by requiring publicly accessible information on available providers, wait times, and drive times for both VA and the community; Designates community care providers as informed on military sexual trauma (MST) if they complete certain relevant trainings, to ensure MST survivors can make informed choices about their care; Roots out community care providers who have felony connections or who have been been investigated for or confirmed for providing poor care from VA’s list of authorized providers, to ensure veterans are only receiving care at VA and in the community from high quality providers; Ensures community care providers are held accountable for meeting the training and quality standards required of VA providers; Codifies VA OIG’s oversight authority for community care providers and facilities so it can review and audit them with the same thoroughness as VA care; Requires community care providers give VA specific data to determine the quality, safety, and timeliness of the care they are providing veterans; and Directs VA OIG to investigate life-saving dialysis care provided at VA and in the community, following investigations of community providers uncovering extremely substandard practices. Reform VA’s hiring process to ensure the Department can recruit & retain talented employees, especially for positions facing urgent shortages: Reforms VA’s hiring process by establishing common sense processes and requirements to speed up the current extremely long hiring timeline to fill critical vacancies at VA; Requires VA to establish staffing models for each service and program in the Department to provide veterans and Congress more transparency on the staffing and resources needed for facilities; Allows VA to waive certain pay limitations or increase incentive pay to help recruit and retain high-quality in demand health care positions at the Department; Modernizes VA’s telework policy by making it the default for all positions that do not require employees to be onsite; Makes it easier for VA to hire psychologists, a position facing severe staffing shortages at the Department, and for them to earn higher pay; and Establishes additional education programs to make VA more competitive when it comes to hiring and retaining the workforce critical to VA operations, including creating two new education and career growth incentive programs for facilities staff and schedulers. Strengthen VA infrastructure to increase the Department’s capacity to serve veterans: Authorizes the level of funding estimated by VA - approximately $10 billion a year over ten years - to tackle its infrastructure needs for modern medical facilities, renovations, and cemeteries; Allows VA to purchase land for medical facilities earlier, which will speed up the delivery of new facilities; Develops relevant plans and infrastructure workforce hiring strategies to accomplish new facility projects and provide Congress performance data for enhanced oversight; Examines infrastructure budgeting strategies and identifies what reforms are required, informed by industry best practices; and Provides annual budget requirements over a 10-year period allowing Congress and the Department to modernize VA’s infrastructure through a strategic, comprehensive approach. A link to the bill’s full text and section by section can be found HERE and HERE. The Honor Act has received support from critical veteran advocates, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Common Defense, Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, VoteVets, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Veterans Affairs PA Association (AVAPAA), American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Military Association of America, and Minority Veterans of America. “AFGE appreciates Ranking Member Blumenthal’s commitment to maintaining the viability of the direct care system and improving compensation for the VA workforce. The “Honor Act of 2025” would help create a more even playing field between direct care and private care by removing the bias against VA telehealth, reinstating telework and requiring private care to meet standards expected of VA. The Honor Act would also ensure that VA police receive law enforcement pensions and expand reimbursement for continuing professional education for clinicians. We look forward to working with Sen. Blumenthal to improve and refine this important legislation,” said MJ Burke, President of AFGE National VA Council. “This is the strongest, most veteran-centered VA reform bill we’ve seen in years: it delivers faster appointments, real transparency, tougher standards for private contractors, life changing investments in VA hospitals and clinics, and smarter hiring so we actually have the doctors, nurses, and staff we need. It honors our service by making the care we earned work better, inside the VA and in the community. This is what putting veterans first actually looks like in action,” said Naveed Shah, Army veteran and Political Director of Common Defense. “The Honor Act of 2025 fulfills the unmet aspirations of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which sought to empower veterans with the information needed to make informed healthcare decisions and to guarantee high-quality care regardless of where it's delivered. The Honor Act directly addresses these gaps by providing veterans with transparent, real-time access to wait times at both VA facilities and community providers, as well as publicized information about their providers' specialized training and High Performing designations. It expands telehealth options for veterans who prefer virtual care, assures consistent quality standards across all providers—whether within the VA system or in the community—and broadens the VA Office of Inspector General's authority to investigate care delivery wherever it occurs, ensuring comprehensive oversight that veterans can trust,” said Dr. Russell Lemle, Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute. “The American Psychological Association applauds the introduction of the Honor Act of 2025 and thanks Senator Blumenthal and his staff for championing veterans and the professionals who care for them. This bill takes meaningful steps to strengthen the VA’s ability to recruit and keep the psychologists it urgently needs — a pressing issue as more than half of VHA facilities report severe psychologist shortages, the highest among all clinical roles. The Honor Act also creates transparency and parity between VA direct care and community care, helping ensure every veteran receives high-quality care, no matter where they’re served,” said Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., Chief Executive Officer, American Psychological Association. “NOVA strongly supports the ‘HONOR Act of 2025’ as it mandates training and transparency within the community care network and provides Veterans with the data and information they need to make the best decisions for their unique healthcare. We are happy to see more educational assistance and continuing education funding for nurses, as well as pay increases for nurse leadership along with steps that encourage VA’s ‘grow your own,’ and mentorship programs. Many of the provisions in the Honor Act directly align with NOVA legislative priority goals and will improve and advance care for Veterans,” said Catherine Giasson, President, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs. “The HONOR Act is a strong, veteran-first investment in the care our nation’s heroes have earned. By modernizing VA infrastructure, strengthening direct-care services, and ensuring the Department can recruit and retain the world-class clinicians veterans rely on, this bill reinforces VA’s ability to keep to keep delivering exceptional care to veterans. Just as importantly, The Honor Act raises the bar for accountability in community care so veterans aren’t left navigating gaps in quality or access. VoteVets is proud to support this legislation that puts veterans’ health and dignity at the center of VA policy. We applaud Senator Blumenthal’s leadership and urge Congress to pass The Honor Act without delay,” said Kayla Williams, Senior Advisor, VoteVets. “The Modern Military Association of America supports the Honor Act 2025 as it strengthens the promise our nation makes to every veteran. By holding community care providers to the same training and quality requirements as VA clinicians, and ensuring those who fail to meet them are held accountable and removed, this bill closes dangerous gaps in veteran care. Our veterans deserve consistent, trauma-informed, and respectful treatment wherever they receive services—and the HONOR Act is an essential step toward delivering that standard nationwide,” said Ash Carothers, Executive Director, Modern Military Association of America. “AAPA appreciates Sen. Blumenthal's work to improve healthcare for veterans and the inclusion of three provisions in his HONOR Act that would be critical steps towards addressing health workforce shortages at the VA and increasing access to care for our nation's veterans. The bill would modernize PA practice by removing collaboration requirements, open job postings to all qualified candidates, and provide support for continuing professional education. VA PAs are trained and qualified to practice in all specialties, including mental health, and we thank Sen. Blumenthal for recognizing the need for improved utilization of PAs at the VA so that veterans are able to better access the high-quality care they deserve,” said Todd Pickard, President, American Academy of Physician Associates. “VAPAA extends its thanks to Senator Blumenthal for his work and attention to veterans, by ensuring they have access to the high quality healthcare they need and deserve. The HONOR Act of 2025 contains provisions that will modernize PA practice at VA, and improve parity with community healthcare organizations, by removing unnecessary barriers to PA hiring, retention, and education, particularly for PA veterans wishing to serve their fellow veterans .This is especially appreciated as it will improve access to care in rural and remote areas where PAs excel by helping to address workforce shortages of healthcare providers caring for veterans. VA PAs are trained and qualified to practice in all specialties, including Primary Care and Mental Health, so we thank Senator Blumenthal for recognizing the need for increasing utilization of PAs within VA to improve veterans’ access to the high-quality care that they require, demand, and deserve,” said Christopher Lorenc, President, Veterans Affairs PA Association. “Dialysis companies that contract with the VA must provide safe working conditions for dialysis caregivers and the best quality care for our nation's veterans. Senator Blumenthal’s legislation is a critical step toward ensuring worker input and that the private dialysis companies entrusted with veterans’ care are held accountable for meeting minimum standards. We applaud Senator Blumenthal for championing this effort, and we stand ready to work with Senator Blumenthal to make sure dialysis caregivers have the working conditions they need to provide every veteran with the best quality care possible,” said Leslie Frane, Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union. “NFFE is pleased to see the HONOR Act come to life and is encouraged by its potential to advance the working conditions and careers of VA healthcare workers and other professional and administrative staff, including VA police officers—all of whom are essential to maintaining a safe, high-quality environment of care for our nation’s veterans. We welcome continued engagement to ensure the bill achieves its full intended impact,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-trump-administrations-latest-attack-on-revolution-wind,Blumenthal Statement on Trump Administration's Latest Attack on Revolution Wind,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard released the following statement today on the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to stop work on the nearly complete Revolution Wind offshore wind project. “While the Trump Administration plays political games with Revolution Wind, here’s what’s at stake for Connecticut: the loss of good paying union jobs, billions of public and private dollars wasted, and higher electricity prices. This latest attack on Revolution Wind is even more absurd than the first one. The President cites national security risks, but has not been able to prove or demonstrate that such risks even exist. I am standing with our state’s delegation to keep fighting for this project, the workers who deserve to keep their jobs, and the Connecticut consumers who can’t afford to pay more for electricity,” Blumenthal said. After the Trump Administration’s first attempt to stop work at Revolution Wind in late August, Blumenthal wrote to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum demanding answers regarding Trump’s interference in the project. A copy of that letter is available here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-continues-to-push-for-answers-on-trumps-pharmaceutical-deals/,Gallego Continues to Push for Answers on Trump’s Pharmaceutical Deals,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In letters to the drug companies who recently inked deals with President Trump, Senator Gallego calls for more details and greater transparency WASHINGTON – In response to President Trump’s recent announcement that nine drugmakers agreed to direct-to-consumer pricing through the TrumpRx drug purchasing platform, and the implementation of “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) pricing in Medicaid, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) called on the drug manufacturers to clarify the agreement and provide the public with details on the arrangement. “It raises concern that to date, the public has been provided with only limited details, despite the significance of this arrangement for millions of patients, and that in return for this arrangement [these companies] will get a three-year exemption from Section 232 tariffs,” Senator Gallego wrote in the letters to the drug manufacturers. In the letters, Senator Gallego asks the drug manufacturers the following questions: Under the proposed model, which countries and pricing metrics will be used in the MFN formula? Will [the company] commit to transparency in how MFN prices are calculated, and disclose how the final MFN price is calculated, whether discounts, rebates, or pricing agreements are incorporated? How frequently will MFN comparator pricing be updated? Will changes be made automatically as international pricing data changes? What is the full scope of [your company’s] drugs subject to MFN pricing in Medicaid? How will MFN pricing in Medicaid affect Medicaid Best Price and the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program? Will [your company] commit to not shifting costs to other markets? Do you commit to not recoup any revenue reductions by raising prices in private insurance markets, employee-sponsored plans, or Medicare? Are there plans for [the company] to expand MFN or TrumpRx-style pricing to the commercial insurance or Medicare Part D markets? Given that Medicaid beneficiary cost-sharing on prescription drugs is generally limited, please explain how beneficiaries will see savings under this arrangement. As currently described, this model would require patients to bypass their insurance and pay cash for medications — often at high out-of-pocket costs. Given that many insured patients already have lower copays or coinsurance than the proposed TrumpRx discounts, it is unclear how this platform would provide meaningful relief. In fact, it may increase costs for patients,” Senator Gallego concludes the letters. Senator Gallego sent the letters to the nine companies included in President Trump’s most recent announcement. These companies include: Amgen Boehringer Ingelheim Bristol Myers Squibb Genentech Gilead Sciences GSK Novartis Merck Sanofi",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-gallego-gives-back-ahead-of-the-holidays-with-toy-donations/,Senator Gallego Gives Back Ahead of the Holidays with Toy Donations,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"PHOENIX – Ahead of the holidays, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) visited Phoenix Children’s Hospital to donate toys as part of the hospital’s annual Toyland Toy Drive, helping ensure every child admitted to the hospital over the holidays receives a gift. The hospital plans to provide gifts to over 400 families this year. During the visit, Senator Gallego delivered toys and spent time with hospital staff, thanking them for their dedication to caring for Arizona’s children, especially during a season that can be particularly challenging for families spending the holidays in the hospital. “During the holidays, it’s especially important that we look out for one another, and as a father of three, I know how much joy this time of year can bring,” said Senator Gallego. “For kids who have to spend this time in the hospital, even a small moment of joy can make a big difference. I’m grateful for the incredible staff at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for the care and compassion they provide to Arizona families every single day.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-job-and-energy-killing-empire-wind-1-and-sunrise-wind-pause/,Gillibrand Statement On Job And Energy Killing Empire Wind 1 And Sunrise Wind Pause,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on the brazen attack on New York’s energy economy by Trump’s Department of the Interior: “This announcement has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with a political agenda against energy and job creation in New York. There is no justification for a decision that destroys good-paying union jobs and drives up energy costs for hardworking New York families. I urge the Interior Secretary to reverse this reckless pause and allow these projects to power homes, job creation, and New York’s economy.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-recognizes-kevin-semprini-of-portsmouth-as-decembers-granite-stater-of-the-month,Senator Hassan Recognizes Kevin Semprini of Portsmouth as December’s Granite Stater of the Month,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 Kevin Semprini of Portsmouth as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Throughout his decades-long law enforcement service, Kevin has helped protect children across New Hampshire and keep our communities safe. A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Kevin grew up admiring the police officers in his neighborhood who worked to build a strong community. Kevin knew from an early age that he wanted to be a part of that mission. Inspired by their example, he joined the police force and dedicated himself to serving his community. Early in his career, Officer Semprini identified a need to strengthen child safety across New Hampshire. Working closely with the Portsmouth police chief, he helped to create a new school safety program. His work took him to local schools where he helped elementary school students learn about tips on how to stay safe. He quickly earned a nickname from students who struggled to pronounce his last name which reflected his warm and reassuring presence: “Officer Friendly,” a name that would stay with him throughout his career. As the department evolved, Officer Semprini played a key role in expanding youth-focused safety initiatives. He was introduced to the DARE program by a new Chief of Police and worked with state officials to pilot New Hampshire’s first DARE program, which was later expanded statewide. After 46 years of service, Officer Semprini retires with the gratitude of the Portsmouth community and all Granite Staters. His lifelong dedication to protecting children and strengthening public safety exemplifies the Granite State spirit of going the extra mile for one’s community. His lifelong work to support Portsmouth students is why Senator Hassan is proud to name him December’s Granite Stater of the Month. 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 nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here. To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below. I am honored to recognize Kevin Semprini of Portsmouth as December’s Granite Stater of the Month for his work to bolster public safety in his community. Growing up in Portsmouth, Kevin looked up to the police officers in his neighborhood, admiring the way they worked to foster a strong community. Kevin knew from an early age that he wanted to be a part of that mission and, when he was old enough, he joined the police force. Soon after joining the force, Officer Semprini saw that there was a need to improve child safety in New Hampshire and worked with the Portsmouth police chief to create a new school safety program. His work took him to local schools where he helped elementary school students learn about safety. Because students had some trouble pronouncing his last name they quickly landed on a nickname for him, a new name that reflected the warmth and comfort he conveyed: Officer Friendly. It’s a nickname that has stayed with him for the rest of his career. In the years that followed and as the police department continued to evolve, a new Chief of Police from California introduced Officer Semprini to the DARE program. Officer Semprini worked with the state to pilot the program, which eventually expanded statewide. Officer Semprini also pioneered the school resource officer program at Portsmouth High School and organized local toy drives for the holidays. As he retires, Officer Semprini carries with him the thanks of the people of Portsmouth and all Granite Staters for his 46 years of service and his steadfast protection of the children of New Hampshire. Officer Semprini’s commitment to improving children’s safety is a true example of the Granite State spirit of going the extra mile to protect your community. His lifelong work to support Portsmouth students makes me proud to name him December’s Granite Stater of the Month. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-hassan-and-young-secure-lab-test-report-improvement-that-helps-parents-reduce-childrens-exposure-to-toxic-lead,Senators Hassan and Young Secure Lab Test Report Improvement That Helps Parents Reduce Children’s Exposure to Toxic Lead,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following a bipartisan push from U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Todd Young (R-IN), major lab testing companies are taking steps to help parents reduce their children’s exposure to toxic lead. Young children who are exposed to lead can develop long-lasting cognitive impairments. In November, Senators Hassan and Young wrote to Quest and Labcorp, the nation's two largest lab testing companies, urging the companies to clearly state when providing children’s lead blood test results that there is no safe level of lead in a child’s blood. Both companies are now implementing this change, helping parents act to reduce their children’s toxic lead exposure when blood tests show elevated lead blood levels. Prior to this change, elevated lead blood levels below a particular “reference value” were frequently categorized as “normal” when patients received their results. As a result, parents looking at these test results may not have understood that their children’s even slightly elevated lead blood levels could cause long-lasting health problems. “I commend Quest and Labcorp for working quickly to help parents better protect their children from toxic lead exposure,”said Senator Hassan. “Clearly stating on blood test results that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children will help ensure that parents can take action when lead exposure is putting their children at risk of life-long impairment.” “It’s important that patients receive accurate and clear information from health care providers – especially when it comes to kids. I’m pleased that these providers quickly made adjustments to ensure that parents are more aware that any level of lead in their children’s blood can have serious health consequences,” said Senator Young. “We welcome the efforts of Senators Hassan and Young to educate the public on the dangers of lead exposure, even at the lowest levels, and the critical role blood lab tests play in illuminating a path to good health,” said Yuri Fesko, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Quest Diagnostics. “We applaud Senators Hassan and Young for their leadership in raising awareness about the dangers of lead exposure. Labcorp is committed to providing parents with clear, actionable insights to make the most informed decisions about their children’s health and wellbeing,” said Brian Caveney, M.D., Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Labcorp Senator Hassan has led efforts to help protect the health and safety of children and families. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan successfully led a bipartisan push to improve medication safety labeling for pregnant women. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trumps-assault-on-wind-energy-leaves-permitting-reform-dead-in-the-water,Trump’s Assault on Wind Energy Leaves Permitting Reform Dead in the Water,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), issued the following statement after the Trump Administration stopped five offshore wind farms that were under construction—adding to the growing number of onshore solar and wind energy projects that are still waiting for approval from the Department of Interior—preventing the delivery of affordable, reliable energy to tens of millions of Americans: “We want to thank Chairs Capito and Lee for their good-faith efforts to negotiate a permitting reform bill that would have lowered electricity prices for all Americans. There was a deal to be had that would have taken politics out of permitting, made the process faster and more efficient, and streamlined grid infrastructure improvements nationwide.” “But any deal would have to be administered by the Trump Administration. Its reckless and vindictive assault on wind energy doesn’t just undermine one of our cheapest, cleanest power sources, it wrecks the trust needed with the executive branch for bipartisan permitting reform. By sabotaging U.S. energy innovation and killing American jobs, the Trump Administration has made clear that it is not interested in permitting reform. It will own the higher electricity prices, increasingly decrepit infrastructure, and loss of competitiveness that result from its reckless policies.” “The illegal attacks on fully permitted renewable energy projects must be reversed if there is to be any chance that permitting talks resume. There is no path to permitting reform if this administration refuses to follow the law.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-neguse-hurd-mobilize-bipartisan-coalition-to-protect-ncar/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse, Hurd Mobilize Bipartisan Coalition to Protect NCAR",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Joe Neguse and Jeff Hurd led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition to protect funding for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. They mobilized 76 lawmakers to demand top congressional appropriators include language in the government funding package to prevent the dismantling of NCAR and ensure NCAR can maintain its core capabilities and continue delivering vital Earth system science that promotes public safety and improves national security. “Donald Trump’s vengeful plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research is not only illegal, it’s indefensible,” said Hickenlooper. “It will have devastating consequences not only for Colorado, but across the country. Colorado won’t be intimidated by the bully in the White House. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to fight back.” “Last week, I blocked the Senate appropriations process to demand full funding for NCAR in response to President Trump’s threat to dismantle it,” said Bennet. “NCAR’s work is indispensable for communities, decision-makers, and emergency responders. From predicting extreme weather conditions to supporting disaster preparedness to understanding how wildfires spread, the elimination of NCAR would be catastrophic for public safety and national security. I am grateful to Representatives Neguse and Hurd for their partnership on the effort to protect NCAR. We will explore every avenue to ensure we don’t lose this vital institution.” “The work being done at NCAR is vital to our state, our country, and our planet. The breathtaking advancements these scientists and researchers are making every day play a critical role in alerting communities to extreme weather conditions and the advanced modeling systems they are creating are vital to our national security. Any attempt to dismantle this institution is dangerous, reckless, and would, ultimately, put the United States at a very deep competitive disadvantage,” said Neguse. “I’m grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for taking critical action last week to stand up for NCAR’s continued funding, and I’m proud to work with my Republican colleague from the Western Slope, Jeff Hurd, to carry the baton in the House. As Coloradans, first and foremost, we intend to fight back against attempts to gut this cutting-edge institution” “NCAR does critical work in Colorado that helps predict severe weather and keeps America competitive in climate science. The research happening there protects communities and supports our national security. Dismantling this institution doesn’t make sense, and I’m glad to work with my colleagues in both chambers to make sure NCAR has the funding it needs to keep operating,” said Hurd. “The scientists at NCAR are doing work that matters – work that helps families prepare for storms, helps farmers plan their seasons, and keeps us ahead on the world stage. Supporting NCAR is a smart investment we should continue to make, not walk away from. I’m grateful to my House colleague, Joe Neguse, for his partnership in protecting an institution that matters to Colorado and the country.” NCAR is one of the world’s premier research centers and was founded in 1960 by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Its mission is to understand global weather systems and support the capabilities of the university community and broader scientific community, nationally and internationally. Following the Trump admin announcement to dismantle NCAR in Boulder, Hickenlooper has led the fight against their effort by blocking a Senate funding package, which did not fully protect NCAR funding, and joining a rally to save NCAR in Boulder. Full text of the letter available HERE and below. Dear Chair Collins, Ranking Member Murray, Chair Cole, and Ranking Member DeLauro: We write to express our bipartisan bicameral support for continued funding for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) as the FY 2026 appropriations process moves to conference. As the Committees finalize the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill, we believe NCAR represents a sound, forward-looking federal investment that delivers tangible benefits to communities, industries, and public agencies across the nation, particularly in weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, agriculture, and water management. We agree with the President’s FY 2026 National Science Foundation Budget Request regarding the importance of NCAR as a national research and infrastructure asset. As the Budget request states: “The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is an NSF-sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) guided by the vision: ‘a world-class research center leading, promoting and facilitating innovation in the atmospheric and related Earth Systems sciences.’ NCAR addresses this vision with integrated research and facilities organized around three overlapping areas of activity: cutting-edge airborne and ground-based observational facilities; community weather and climate models with thousands of users worldwide; and petascale high-performance computing.” NCAR’s integrated approach ensures that federal investments in weather and Earth-system science translate into practical, usable tools. Its community weather and seasonal forecast models underpin forecasting systems used by federal agencies, the military, state and local governments, universities, and private-sector partners. These models support a wide range of real-world applications, including agricultural planning, drought and water management, wildfire behavior analysis, flood forecasting, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness. Their research in the Earth-sun system is invaluable for understanding and predicting solar weather. Solar weather storms threaten satellites in orbit that provide crucial GPS and communications capabilities, posing a risk to our military, emergency responders, and banking systems. In agriculture, NCAR-supported modeling and data tools help producers anticipate seasonal variability, manage water resources, and mitigate weather-related risk. In wildfire-prone regions, NCAR research improves understanding of fire behavior and smoke transport, supporting more effective preparedness and response. For emergency managers, improved modeling and data integration contribute to earlier warnings and better coordination during extreme weather events—saving lives and reducing economic losses. As the President’s Budget further recognizes, continued operation of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer Center is essential for the integration, analysis, and modeling of large and complex data sets. This computing capacity enables more accurate forecasts and supports the growing demand for data-intensive applications across government and industry, including defense, aviation, and critical infrastructure planning, ensuring the United States remains competitive in weather and Earth system science. As an NSF-sponsored FFRDC, NCAR serves as a shared national resource that promotes efficiency and collaboration. By providing common infrastructure and open modeling frameworks, NCAR reduces duplication, strengthens partnerships, and ensures that federal research dollars are leveraged across states and sectors. As conferees complete the FY 2026 bill, we respectfully request sustained funding for NCAR. Continued investment will ensure that NCAR can maintain its core capabilities and continue delivering practical, high-value outcomes that support economic resilience, public safety, and informed decision-making nationwide. Funding for NCAR is essential to maintaining America’s leadership in global weather forecasting and to protecting our economy, our communities, and the everyday livelihoods of families across the nation. Thank you for your consideration and for your leadership throughout the appropriations process. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-crack-down-on-pharmacy-benefit-managers-price-gouging,"Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ Price Gouging",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and colleagues introduced the bipartisan, bicameral PBM Fiduciary Accountability, Integrity, and Reform (FAIR) Act, legislation that would establish fiduciary responsibilities for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—the middlemen of drug pricing—and require PBMs to act in the best interests of employees relying on employer-sponsored health plans, while keeping plan costs low. “Pharmacy benefit managers should be held accountable for their role in raising costs of prescription drugs,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation is critical to ensuring that PBMs are doing what’s best for Americans who rely on lifesaving medication.” Currently, PBMs that provide drug benefits for employer health plans often get away with price-gouging because they are not legally required to put employees’ interests first. The PBM Fair Act would ensure PBMs are classified as fiduciaries under law—thereby helping to curb hidden fees and end practices that drive up what employees pay for their medications. To ensure employer-sponsored health care plans are affordable and accessible to all families, this bill would specifically rein in bad PBM practices, such as: Marking up generic drugs at prices hundreds of times higher than actual cost; Limiting patient choice; and Denying claims with no or misleading explanations. In addition to Kaine, this bill is introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Companion legislation is led in the House by U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07). Full text of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-scott-slam-trump-administrations-sudden-halt-of-virginia-offshore-wind-project,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Slam Trump Administration’s Sudden Halt of Virginia Offshore Wind Project",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 along with U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (all D-VA) issued the following statement: “Despite our senior roles on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, the administration has failed to share any new information that supports this sudden and sweeping move to halt all offshore wind development, including a project off the coast of Virginia that is already almost complete and operational. That silence speaks volumes, especially given the president’s longstanding, well-documented opposition to offshore wind – and the promises he’s made to his donors to put his thumb on the scale against certain energy projects. This reckless, haphazard approach puts billions of dollars in private investment at risk, threatens thousands of good-paying American jobs coming to a veteran-heavy area, undermines energy security, and damages the credibility of the United States government. Virginia’s offshore wind project has undergone years of rigorous review and represents a critical step toward strengthening our energy independence, lowering energy costs for American families, growing our clean energy economy, and positioning the Commonwealth as a global leader in this industry. When a project that has met every requirement is suddenly stopped without explanation, it is fair to ask whether this decision is being driven by evidence, or by personal and political grievance.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-cornyn-bill-to-boost-military-service-recruiting-signed-into-law/,"Kelly, Cornyn Bill to Boost Military Service Recruiting Signed into Law",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statements after their bill to promote U.S. military recruiter access to secondary schools and attract the next generation of service members was signed into law by President Trump as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026: “When I was young, the U.S. Navy gave me purpose, direction, and the chance to be part of something much larger than myself. Our country needs more young people willing to step up, challenge themselves, and take advantage of these opportunities that come from military service,” said Sen. Kelly. “We’re making sure recruiters have fair access to schools so students who want to serve their country can get accurate information and a real path to do it.” “As the global threat landscape evolves and grows more complex, it’s vital that we attract, develop, and retain top talent to boost military readiness,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By expanding U.S. military recruiters’ access to high schools, we can enlist the next generation of advanced warfighters to serve under the bold leadership of President Trump and defend America’s interests at home and abroad.” Background: The Senators championed these provisions in the NDAA FY26 to ensure U.S. military service recruiters have the same access to high schools as colleges and prospective employers, so students can fully understand the benefits of military service and pursue it as a viable path after graduation. A recent CRS report analyzed military recruitment and goals for bringing new personnel into the Armed Forces to ensure our nation has a trained, robust, and fully manned military workforce. The report revealed the Army and Navy failed to meet their recruitment and personnel goals in previous Fiscal Years. Notably, the Navy recently announced it had more than 20,000 gaps at sea, which can harm retention and increase the risk for accidents and collisions. Similarly, the Department of the Army confirmed a 15,000-soldier shortfall two years ago under the Biden administration, which was the Army’s lowest number of recruits in five decades. The Senator’s legislation seeks to address this by ensuring military recruiters have fair and equal access to secondary schools so our military can achieve their recruiting objectives and retain a fully manned operational force.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/year-in-review-kelly-secures-millions-in-federal-funding-for-public-safety-and-infrastructure-projects-across-arizona/,Year in Review: Kelly Secures Millions in Federal Funding for Public Safety and Infrastructure Projects Across Arizona,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Secured $22 million for a child development center at Luke Air Force Base and $2.7 million for rural Arizona fire, police, and flood protection projects This year, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly championed federal investments for rural Arizona communities, delivering for local projects in every corner of the state. As too many of Arizona’s rural communities rely on decades-old equipment and run-down facilities that no longer meet the demands of today’s first responders, Kelly’s work focused on securing practical upgrades to keep communities safe. These investments will improve public safety, strengthen emergency response capabilities, and support military families. Arizona Priorities Requested and Secured by Kelly Luke Air Force Base This year, Senator Kelly secured more than $22 million to construct a much-needed child development center for servicemembers and their families at Luke Air Force Base. The funding builds on planning and design funds Kelly secured in the past two defense bills and will expand childcare capacity to better support military families. Read more about what this means for families at Luke here. Pinal County – Smith Wash Watershed Plan Pinal County received $1 million to develop a flood control plan for portions of Smith Wash in Pinal County to protect nearby homes and infrastructure. Watch more about this project here. City of Bisbee Following the devastating Main Street fires in Bisbee, Kelly secured $620,000 to replace a 30-year-old fire truck with a new aerial ladder fire truck, giving the city the resources needed to protect residents and businesses in the historic downtown district. Read more about what Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge said about this funding here. Town of Clarkdale Thanks to Kelly’s work, Clarkdale received $150,000 to make essential structural upgrades to the Clarkdale Police Station. The current building dates back to 1918 and needs critical repairs to ensure a safe working environment for law enforcement personnel. Read more about what Clarkdale Town Manager Susan Guthrie said about this funding here. Town of Superior Kelly delivered $718,000 for the Town of Superior to replace a 25-year-old, failing fire engine with a new fire truck to support the Superior Fire Department’s public safety response. Tonto Basin Fire District Kelly secured $158,000 for the Tonto Basin Fire District to renovate its fire station. The station was originally constructed in 1970 and now needs significant upgrades to meet the needs of first responders and ensure the safety of the crews and the public. Read more about Tonto Basin Fire Chief James A. Stoltenberg said about these upgrades here. Alpine Fire District And finally, Kelly supported the Alpine Fire District with $140,000 to purchase a new emergency response vehicle, increasing its capacity to support fire, EMS, and search-and-rescue operations in rural eastern Arizona. Sen. Kelly meets with Fry Fire District firefighters. In 2026, Kelly will continue championing rural Arizona communities by pushing for targeted investments that strengthen public safety, improve critical infrastructure, and support families in small towns across the state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=5FFA1D8D-0F75-4EC2-B3AF-F28835728882,Klobuchar Statement on Instacart Ending Dynamic Pricing,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, released the following statement on Instacart announcing it will end its practice of charging some customers more than others for the same products. This follows Klobuchar leading a group of seven other Senators in calling for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Instacart’s dynamic pricing. “Grocery prices are already too high—Americans shouldn’t be forced to pay even more because companies use artificial intelligence to inflate prices. I called on the FTC to investigate Instacart’s use of dynamic pricing to charge customers more for the same product because it is wrong and deceptive. Customers deserve fair prices and real competition to lower costs.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=E3DCCC10-4427-49D9-9EC2-9436FD12A89F,"Klobuchar, Firefighters and Advocates Celebrate Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act Being Signed Into Law",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"ST. LOUIS PARK, MN — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was joined by Minnesota Professional Firefighters Association President Scott Vadnais, IAFF Saint Paul Local 21 President Kyle Thornberg, IAFF Minneapolis Local 82 President Mark Lakosky, St. Louis Park Fire Chief Peter Hanline, Julie and Meghan Paidar, St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed, and St. Louis Park firefighters to celebrate the passage of Klobuchar’s bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act and honor the memory of Captain Michael Paidar, who died in 2020 from an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia while serving with the Saint Paul Fire Department. “Passing this bipartisan legislation was a critical victory for our firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and their loved ones,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act now signed into law, we are ensuring that the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program covers service-related cancers—honoring the memory of Captain Paidar and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice.” “I’m grateful to Senator Klobuchar for leading the bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. Every day, our nation’s first responders selflessly serve and protect their communities. Unfortunately, through exposures on the job, many are also fighting occupational cancer. As our family knows firsthand, the lives of the first responder and their family are forever changed upon the cancer diagnosis. Mike loved being a career firefighter and paramedic. Losing him to Leukemia in 2020 was devastating not only for our family, but also for his fire family and our communities. This important legislation will honor his legacy and recognize the sacrifices of our fallen, allowing first responders and their families to receive the PSOB benefits they rightly deserve,” said Julie Paidar, widow of St. Paul Fire Captain Michael Paidar. “Minnesota's firefighters and their families are better protected than ever today because of the passage of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” said Scott Vadnais, President of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association. “Thanks to Senator Klobuchar's steadfast leadership of the bipartisan effort to pass this bill, firefighters who perish in the line of duty from job-related cancer will get the benefits they deserve. Cancer is by far the greatest threat to firefighter safety, and the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes the constant risk for contracting cancer taken by our firefighters every day when they show up for work, in the same way we recognize the other risks of the dangerous nature of firefighting.” The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act expands access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Last week, the President signed the bill into law. Previously, firefighters were only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line-of-duty, or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11 related illnesses. In 2021, after strong advocacy from the Paidar family, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety awarded line-of-duty benefits to Captain Paidar’s widow Julie. This was the first time that a firefighter’s family had received benefits for cancer incurred in the line-of-duty through Minnesota’s state Public Safety Officer Benefits program. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act extends similar benefits to firefighters and other first responders across the country as a part of the federal PSOB program. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-led-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-30-years-of-u-s-vietnam-relationship-passes-senate/,Merkley-led Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 30 Years of U.S.-Vietnam Relationship Passes Senate,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—announced that his bipartisan resolution marking the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the United States and Vietnam unanimously passed the Senate. Merkley led the resolution alongside U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). “Vietnam is a critical partner to the United States, and only together will we be able to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our two nations,” said Merkley.“The unanimous passage of our bipartisan resolution reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to sustaining a productive bilateral relationship, ongoing support of war legacy programs to bring closure to all who suffered in the Vietnam War, and our determination to work together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.” As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, & International Cybersecurity Policy, Merkley has long advocated for the United States’ strategic partnerships in the region, including with Vietnam. In 2023, he led a bicameral congressional delegation to Vietnam, meeting with senior Vietnamese government officials, examining the painful wartime legacy of the Vietnam conflict, and traveling to a town on the Mekong River experiencing rising sea levels due to climate chaos. Full text of the bipartisan resolution can be found by clicking here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-announce-960881-coming-to-wasco-county-for-distance-learning/,"Merkley, Wyden Announce $960,881 Coming to Wasco County for Distance Learning",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a federal investment of $960,881 for the Dufur School District 29 to support distance learning in Wasco County. With this funding, instructors at Portland Community College in Multnomah County, Baker Technical Institute in Baker County, Columbia Gorge Community College in Wasco County, and the Oregon Veterans Home in Wasco County will deliver technical training, STEM coursework, and certified nurse assistant training courses to three locations benefiting 655 Dufur School District 29 students. “As I hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I frequently hear from folks about the challenges they are facing, especially in rural communities that have unique hurdles in accessing education and health care services,” said Merkley. “This critical investment will ensure that working families living in more remote communities will have better access to the tools and services they need to thrive.” “Distance to a city should not determine whether or not hard-working students are able to access a quality education,” said Wyden. “This grant closes that gap and ensures students in Wasco County can gain the technical skills required to expand the healthcare workforce. I applaud this federal award to Dufur School District, and I will fight for more programs like this that provide opportunities for students living in Oregon’s rural communities.” This federal funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants, which help rural communities access advanced telecommunications technology. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-end-staffing-crisis-at-fish-and-wildlife-service-warn-of-devastating-impacts-to-ecosystems-and-public-lands/,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to End Staffing Crisis at Fish and Wildlife Service, Warn of Devastating Impacts to Ecosystems and Public Lands",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)—the top Democrat overseeing funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)—and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)—former chairman and current senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources—joined their colleagues in urging the administration to immediately address and reverse the staffing crisis at the FWS, which has lost the capacity to properly manage most of America’s wildlife refuges, putting in jeopardy the ability to protect endangered wildlife species under the Service’s care. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and FWS Director Brian Nesvik, the Senators highlight the direct impacts cuts in staffing are having on the 573 national wildlife refuges across the country—with almost 60 percent of them lacking the resources and staff needed to fulfill their missions. According to public reports, Oregon and Washington have lost a combined 50 senior level scientists and staff. “Americans of all backgrounds love their public lands, and protecting wildlife refuges is a bipartisan cause that brings together environmentalists, sportsmen, and all who enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities provided by America’s National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge System is the only federal network of public lands that is primarily dedicated to the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant species and their habitats,” the Senators wrote. “This downward trend did not begin under the Trump administration. Yet the current administration has not only shown an unwillingness to address the problem—it has made the situation far worse. The President’s Fiscal Year 26 budget request slashed funding for FWS’s overall Resource Management account, which included a proposed 22 percent cut to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Moreover, the administration has indicated that it is planning more firings for public land agencies,” the Senators continued. The Senators also emphasized that operating with few or no employees has also hurt disaster resilience because FWS employees carry out projects to control flooding and prevent catastrophic wildfires. The letter was led by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and was also signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik: We write to sound the alarm on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) staffing crisis, which is causing particular harm to the National Wildlife Refuge System. A startling amount of staff and expertise needed to manage the Refuge System and protect America’s wildlife have been lost due to the administration’s firings, early retirement programs, and other efforts to push staff out of FWS. The agency is losing the capacity to manage America’s wildlife refuges and struggling to even keep them open. We ask that you provide Congress with your plan to address FWS’s staffing crisis and immediately act to ensure that FWS and the Refuge System have the staff and resources needed to guarantee a safe, quality experience for visitors to the Refuge System and to protect the invaluable wildlife species under the agency’s care. Americans of all backgrounds love their public lands, and protecting wildlife refuges is a bipartisan cause that brings together environmentalists, sportsmen, and all who enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities provided by America’s National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge System is the only federal network of public lands that is primarily dedicated to the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant species and their habitats. There are 573 national wildlife refuges across the country, with a footprint in every state. The Refuge System also utilizes a unique conservation approach through community-based initiatives that provide recreational and sporting opportunities and other localized needs. According to FWS, wildlife refuge recreation generates $3.2 billion in local economic activity each year. Every dollar that is invested in the Refuge System generates $3.12 in U.S. economic activity, a tremendous return on investment for the American taxpayer. However, according to recently released internal agency documents, almost 60 percent of the nation’s wildlife refuges lack the resources and staff needed to fulfill their missions. FWS has experienced a staggering 29 percent loss of employees who work for the Refuge System. This downward trend did not begin under the Trump administration. Yet the current administration has not only shown an unwillingness to address the problem—it has made the situation far worse. The President’s Fiscal Year 26 budget request slashed funding for FWS’s overall Resource Management account, which included a proposed 22 percent cut to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Moreover, the administration has indicated that it is planning more firings for public land agencies. Staffing reductions have negatively impacted national wildlife refuges across the country, forcing multiple wildlife refuges to operate with few or no employees. FWS’s internal estimates indicate that 9 percent of wildlife refuges are now classified as “shuttered.” It appears that FWS has abandoned these refuges, as there may not be a single employee on the ground to manage the refuge. The consequences of slashing the FWS workforce are already being felt across the nation. The collapse of staffing capacity within the Refuge System leaves refuges open to damage, vandalism, flooding, fire, and loss of protection and conservation measures for threatened and endangered wildlife species who rely on these refuges for survival. FWS staffing losses also hurt resilience because FWS employees carry out projects to control flooding and prevent catastrophic wildfires. It has also become more difficult for the agency to meet deadlines to list species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, an already challenging but essential obligation. This delay in work pushes endangered species closer to extinction and prevents infrastructure projects from moving forward, as they may encounter difficulties with acquiring needed permits amid such regulatory uncertainty. Considering the alarming scale of FWS’s staffing crisis, we request answers to the following by January 2, 2026: Will you commit to reversing the staffing losses at FWS? What is your plan to address FWS’s debilitating loss in capacity? Has the Administration considered the impact of decimating the FWS workforce on the economics of gateway communities? Does the Administration still plan on moving forward with firing more FWS employees, even as those firings are being stopped by federal courts? How is FWS planning to meet deadlines to list species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act? Protecting natural resources for Americans has always been a bipartisan effort and it is important that FWS has the workforce required to meet its core mandates. Thank you, and we look forward to your response. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-blumenthal-colleagues-demand-answers-on-trump-vas-plan-to-eliminate-tens-of-thousands-of-health-care-jobs/,"Murray, Blumenthal, Colleagues Demand Answers on Trump VA’s Plan to Eliminate Tens of Thousands of Health Care Jobs",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators: “At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them.” ICYMI: VIDEO FROM SENATOR MURRAY: “Exactly zero veterans think the problem with the VA health care system is that there are *too many* staff providing care. But Trump’s VA has now decided it won’t fill thousands of open positions. We need answers about what this will mean for veterans.” ***LETTER HERE*** Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and 36 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in a letter demanding answers about the Trump administration’s plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This follows recent reporting from The Washington Post detailing the Trump administration’s plans to eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled mission-critical health care positions at VA, including for doctors, nurses, and support staff. “We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article ‘VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,’ which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year,” the senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. “Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault.” The senators pushed back on Secretary Collins’ claims that cutting these jobs will have “no impact” on VA health care, pointing to data that even if cuts were focused on non-clinical and administrative vacancies, VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran-facing positions to meet their 35,000 number. They pressed Collins to provide additional information on VA’s plans to eliminate these positions, including asking for the list of positions removed; the names and titles of staff involved in making this decision; what evidence VA used to support this removal of vacancies; and what data was used to inform individual facility staffing baselines. The senators concluded, emphasizing the gravity of this plan amid Republicans’ health care-cutting agenda across the government: “Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them.” VA already lost more than 40,000 employees between January and September of this year as a result of President Trump and VA Secretary Collins’ hiring freeze, deferred resignations, early retirements, and the significant number of VA staff who have quit since the Trump administration took office due to draconian workforce policies. In addition, VA had at least 42,000 vacancies across the Department as of March 31, 2025, and that number is estimated to have grown significantly since then. The removal of these positions would put VA at pre-PACT Act staffing levels. More than one million veterans newly enrolled in VA health care as a result of expanded eligibility under the PACT Act, and millions more have increased reliance on VA because of toxic exposure-related illnesses and injuries. These continued cuts of VA health care follow widespread health care cuts initiated by Republicans across the government. Senate Republicans have failed to join Democratic efforts to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which 267,000 veterans rely on to afford health care. Coupled with Medicare and Medicaid cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that go into effect next year, Americans, including millions of veterans and veteran family members, are facing skyrocketing premiums and a looming health care crisis. In addition to Senators Murray and Blumenthal, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), 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), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elisa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Senator Murray was the first woman to join the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the first woman to chair the Committee—as the daughter of a World War II veteran, supporting veterans and their families has always been an important priority for her. Senator Murray has been outspoken in standing up for veterans, VA employees, and VA researchers against Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs that will undermine critical services our nation’s veterans rely on every day. In January, Murray called on President Trump to exempt all VA employees from the hiring freeze issued as part of his Day One Executive Orders. Senator Murray, was among the first to raise the alarm about the layoffs of VA researchers and called on President Trump to immediately reverse the firings. She pressed VA Deputy Secretary nominee Dr. Paul Lawrence on the firings of VA researchers at the hearing on his nomination, and held multiple press conferences with VA employees and veterans in Washington state who were abruptly laid off for no reason as part of the Trump administration’s mass firings at VA. Earlier this year, Senator Murray forcefully denounced the Trump administration’s initial plan to fire 80,000 employees at VA. Last week, Senator Murray released a video slamming the Trump administration’s plan not to fill thousands of open positions at VA, and demanding answers. The lawmakers’ full letter is available HERE and below: Dear Secretary Collins: We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article “VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,” which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year. Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault. Based on data mandated by Section 505 of Public Law 115-182, the VA MISSION Act of 2018, as of quarter two of FY 2025, the Department had a total of 42,518 vacancies. These vacant positions included 7,560 nurses, 4,400 schedulers, 2,800 physicians, 1,900 social workers, 1,650 nursing assistants, 1,630 practical nurses, 1,230 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, 1,080 health technicians, 860 veterans claims examiners, 760 police, and 710 psychologists – totaling more than 24,500 of the 42,500 vacancies. If the Department cut every other vacancy outside of these roles – which would still include cuts to various clinical and veteran-facing roles – VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran-facing positions in order to meet the 35,000 number. These cannot all be “COVID-era roles,” as VA has claimed, nor can these cuts be downplayed because some have been vacant for longer than one year. We request the following information regarding VA’s elimination of these positions: Please provide a list of vacant positions removed, disaggregated by facility and job series. Please provide a list of positions removed, disaggregated by job series and then by length of time since they were last encumbered or the position was created based on these categories of time: less than 30 days, greater than 30 days, greater than 90 days, greater than 180 days, greater than 365 days, and greater than 730 days. Please provide the titles of VA Central Office staff and the offices or departments involved in making this decision. VA already regularly adds and removes positions based on need as part of its normal recruitment and budgeting processes. What evidence was there to support this significantly larger removal of vacancies? Memos from the Department planning for this removal of vacancies reference a baseline number of positions used to inform individual facility staffing numbers. What is that baseline, and how was that number decided upon? How were individual facility baselines calculated based on that number? Why did the Department choose to use number of positions instead of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to establish these baselines? How were positions that typically do not occupy one FTE for each individual staff member, such as researchers, accounted for in the baseline and the cuts? Please detail the approval process for a facility or hiring manager to request new vacancies, roles, or recruitment processes beyond the new baseline. Based on what criteria can a facility or hiring manager request a new position or vacancy above the baseline? In VA’s FY 2026 budget request, the Department requested funding for 396,000 total FTE. As such, Congress provided $167 billion for the treatment of 7.7 million patients and 162.6 million outpatient visits to VA for FY 2026. Please provide an updated staffing and workload projection for FY 2026 that accounts for these vacancy cuts. How did the Department account for minimum staffing ratios when making these cuts, especially those required for nursing, long-term care, spinal cord injury and disorder teams, and mental health care? Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-urge-trump-administration-to-reverse-devastating-cuts-to-federal-weather-forecasting-and-snowpack-monitoring-services/,"Padilla, Schiff Urge Trump Administration to Reverse Devastating Cuts to Federal Weather Forecasting and Snowpack Monitoring Services",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) pushed the Trump Administration to reverse its shortsighted staff cuts and harmful reductions to critical weather forecasting services and snowpack surveys at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With an atmospheric river bearing down on California through Christmas, which has already caused severe flooding in Redding, the Senators raised the alarm that these dangerous cuts will restrict California’s preparation for dangerous storms and floods — threatening public safety, property, and agriculture — while damaging the state’s water supply. Due to the Trump Administration’s mass staff firings and other staff reductions, River Forecasting Centers have been forced to consolidate duties and shift roles away from consistent monitoring in specific local areas to more general ones. These unprecedented staffing cuts have also led to reduced overnight operations, less frequent collection of comprehensive data, and delays in severe weather warnings, while straining California’s state-federal partnerships that are necessary for forecasting, snowpack monitoring, and snow surveys. Padilla and Schiff warned that California National Weather Service (NWS) scientists are now simultaneously monitoring multiple flood-prone regions outside their normal coverage areas due to these cuts, which could limit critical written forecasts. “We are gravely concerned that diminished services within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture pose unnecessary risks to California lives and property and harm the state’s ability to prepare for dangerous storms and floods and to provide essential water,” wrote the California Senators. “We write to ask you to reconsider these reductions for the safety and well-being of Californians, and the many Americans that depend on timely weather and water services and forecasting.” The relentless rainfall from the atmospheric river currently hitting California shows how dangerous it is to weaken these warning systems. The staff cuts at the California-Nevada River Forecast Center and other weather forecast offices in California hinder their ability to provide flood risk warnings, impairing timely evacuation orders and emergency resource positioning. The Senators stressed that cuts to NWS’ forecasting services could also impact airplanes and ships that depend on storm prediction, as well as farmers’ planting and harvesting decisions, which depend on seasonal forecasts. Additionally, the Senators voiced serious concerns that these cuts will limit California’s ability to accurately conduct snow surveys to properly manage the state’s water supply. They warned that this forecasting gap will further impact the state’s nationally leading agriculture industry, while undermining drought preparation. “Staff cuts and regional consolidation of duties away from these important actions will severely impact the ability to perform snow surveys in as many as one third of the State’s watersheds, leaving a fundamental gap in the data needed for supply forecasting,” continued the Senators. “Lacking this data not only severely undercuts the State’s ability to properly plan and manage the water resources for Southern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley’s agricultural industry, it also debilitates our ability to prepare for the critical needs of communities in years of drought.” During an active fire season this summer, Senators Padilla and Schiff demanded that the Trump Administration reverse the staffing cuts at California NWS offices, which jeopardize critical weather services that people rely on during disasters. Padilla also introduced the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act, bipartisan legislation that would reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Rollins and Secretary Lutnick, We are gravely concerned that diminished services within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture pose unnecessary risks to California lives and property and harm the state’s ability to prepare for dangerous storms and floods and to provide essential water. We write to ask you to reconsider these reductions for the safety and well-being of Californians, and the many Americans that depend on timely weather and water services and forecasting. For decades, the State of California and the federal government have worked in partnership to produce forecasts and collect water supply data essential to California’s capacity to protect people and property from dangerous flooding. However, in recent months, unprecedented staffing cuts at your agencies have strained this vital partnership and greatly diminished the joint state-federal responsibility to perform essential forecasting functions and conduct snowpack monitoring and a significant amount of snow surveys as planned. There have been several reports about the continued impacts and dangers of staffing shortages, including reduced overnight operations, less frequent collection of comprehensive data, and delays in severe weather warnings. An article in the San Francisco Chronicle further highlighted that weather service scientists in California are currently having to simultaneously monitor multiple flood-prone areas beyond their usually assigned regions due to vacancies. This could force staff to cut back on the frequency of written forecasts, which are typically issued every six hours during winter storms. Cuts to National Weather Service operations within NOAA pose considerable risks. Staffing cuts to the Weather Service’s observations and forecasting capabilities could have ramifications for airplanes that can’t fly without accurate weather observations and forecasts, and ships that rely on storm forecasts to avoid dangerous high seas. Farmers also rely on seasonal forecasts to plant and harvest. Additionally, staffing reductions at the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) and weather forecast offices in California could pose serious threats to public safety. River forecast center employees save lives by providing advanced warning of flood risks, which is essential information used by emergency managers to issue timely evacuations and position emergency resources in advance of disaster. Additionally, federal agency staffing reductions will impact the State’s ability to conduct all of the snow surveys needed this winter to accurately forecast the State’s water supply. The State has a long history of collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies to collect key snow data that is essential to forecast California’s water supply each year. Historically, the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service have participated in the data collection. Staff cuts and regional consolidation of duties away from these important actions will severely impact the ability to perform snow surveys in as many as one third of the State’s watersheds, leaving a fundamental gap in the data needed for supply forecasting. Lacking this data not only severely undercuts the State’s ability to properly plan and manage the water resources for Southern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley’s agricultural industry, it also debilitates our ability to prepare for the critical needs of communities in years of drought. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-statement-on-trump-admins-attack-on-offshore-wind-and-ri-jobs,Reed Statement on Trump Admin’s Attack on Offshore Wind & RI Jobs,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"CRANSTON, RI – After the Trump Administration today announced it is once again halting offshore wind projects across the nation – including Revolution Wind, which is 85 percent complete and located approximately 15 miles off the southern shore of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement: “President Trump’s outdated energy policies are killing good-paying union jobs and have already increased energy bills for the average American family by thirteen percent since January. “While energy prices are soaring and our competitors across the globe are racing to innovate and find new sources of clean energy, we need to make energy more affordable and our energy grid more resilient. But Trump’s repeated attacks on offshore wind are holding our nation back, increasing energy bills, and hurting our economy. “The Ocean State knows the great potential of offshore wind for our economy and environment. I will continue fighting to ensure these projects can move forward to help lower energy bills for Rhode Islanders and create more jobs and more opportunity for all.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-schatz-colleagues-press-for-media-access-to-gaza,"Van Hollen, Schatz, Colleagues Press for Media Access to Gaza",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 (D-Md.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) were joined by over a dozen of their colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration to demand free and independent press access to Gaza immediately. In their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators urge the Administration to do more to secure the lifting of the Netanyahu government’s ban on press access to Gaza, underscoring the need for this access to ensure the international community has unbiased information to understand the conflict, current conditions, and ceasefire implementation. In addition to Senators Van Hollen and Schatz, the letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The Senators began, “We write to urge the Trump administration to swiftly demand that Israel allow free and independent press access to Gaza. We welcome reports that the Trump administration has been requesting that the Netanyahu government allow foreign journalists into Gaza now that a ceasefire is in place, and we urge the administration to amplify this pressure and prioritize this request as part of the ongoing talks with the Netanyahu government on the path to peace in the region. Free and independent press access to Gaza is crucial to facilitate the public’s right to uncensored and impartial information, to monitor implementation of the current ceasefire, and to ensure that Americans, Israelis, and the rest of the world have a factual accounting of what is occurring on the ground in Gaza.” “Foreign journalists have consistently reported in high-risk, high-casualty, and volatile armed conflicts - including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine – without military or government approval or monitoring. In fact, the Foreign Press Association – which represents journalists working for international news organizations reporting from Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip – has repeatedly called for immediate access to Gaza and even petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice demanding such access,” they note. “The Netanyahu government’s insistence on barring journalists from Gaza on safety and security grounds counters journalistic precedent and stands in stark contrast to the alarming number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza,” they continue. The Senators stress, “Press freedom and freedom of expression are protected as fundamental rights even during wartime under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, guaranteeing the right to opinions without interference and ‘freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.’ Israel has ratified this covenant. We encourage this Administration to remind the Netanyahu government of its commitment to protecting free and independent press and the safety of journalists.” “As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues and the ceasefire continues to take shape, it is all the more important that the foreign journalists have free and independent access to the Strip to provide a window to the rest of the world. We urge this administration to swiftly demand free and independent press access to Gaza,” the Senators write in closing. The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Secretary Rubio, We write to urge the Trump administration to swiftly demand that Israel allow free and independent press access to Gaza. We welcome reports that the Trump administration has been requesting that the Netanyahu government allow foreign journalists into Gaza now that a ceasefire is in place, and we urge the administration to amplify this pressure and prioritize this request as part of the ongoing talks with the Netanyahu government on the path to peace in the region. Free and independent press access to Gaza is crucial to facilitate the public’s right to uncensored and impartial information, to monitor implementation of the current ceasefire, and to ensure that Americans, Israelis, and the rest of the world have a factual accounting of what is occurring on the ground in Gaza. As you know, the Netanyahu government has imposed a foreign press blockade since October 7, 2023. To date, the Israeli Defense Forces has only allowed highly controlled and censored military-escorted trips into Gaza for select international media who are not permitted to freely engage with Palestinians. These trips only last for a few hours and follow the itineraries set by the military. In August 2025, BBC was taken into Gaza by the Israeli military and reported “The brief visit was highly controlled and offered no access to Palestinians, or other areas of Gaza. Military censorship laws in Israel mean that military personnel were shown our material before publication.” Meaningful and unimpeded press access in Gaza is necessary for the international community to have unbiased information to understand the rapidly changing environment, especially as the administration plans for Gaza’s post-war governance in accordance with regional partners and a reformed Palestinian Authority. There is high demand for oversight of the distribution of humanitarian aid, in-depth understanding of how Gazans want to see their future shaped without Hamas, and critical verification of how all parties are either adhering to or violating the fragile ceasefire. Foreign journalists have consistently reported in high-risk, high-casualty, and volatile armed conflicts - including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine – without military or government approval or monitoring. In fact, the Foreign Press Association – which represents journalists working for international news organizations reporting from Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip – has repeatedly called for immediate access to Gaza and even petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice demanding such access. At a court hearing on October 23, the Israeli government acknowledged that the ceasefire constituted a significant change in circumstances and justified a review of policy towards press access, and yet the state requested and was granted another 30-day delay to update its position. This month, the Israeli High Court of Justice granted the 9th delay since the petition was filed in September 2024. We urge you to use this opportunity to press the Netanyahu government to open Gaza’s borders to foreign journalists. The Netanyahu government’s insistence on barring journalists from Gaza on safety and security grounds counters journalistic precedent and stands in stark contrast to the alarming number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza. The world has relied on brave Palestinian journalists and media for uncensored reporting from Gaza at great personal risk. At least 206 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli armed forces, the most in any modern conflict. The Netanyahu government has both denied and justified targeting journalists. Following the August 10 killing of six journalists by an airstrike on a hospital complex in Gaza, the IDF released a statement saying the IDF “does not target journalists as such.” At the same time, the Netanyahu government repeated its accusation that a prominent Palestinian journalist killed in the attack, Anas Al-Sharif, was a Hamas-linked terrorist without providing any reliable evidence. Press freedom and freedom of expression are protected as fundamental rights even during wartime under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, guaranteeing the right to opinions without interference and ""freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.” Israel has ratified this covenant. We encourage this Administration to remind the Netanyahu government of its commitment to protecting free and independent press and the safety of journalists. As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues and the ceasefire continues to take shape, it is all the more important that the foreign journalists have free and independent access to the Strip to provide a window to the rest of the world. We urge this administration to swiftly demand free and independent press access to Gaza. Given the urgent concerns outlined in this letter, we request a response within two weeks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BFA83056-C5DC-4E10-8A48-96069B461ED1,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Slam Trump Administration's Sudden Halt of Virginia Offshore Wind Project",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,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 along with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (all D-VA) issued the following statement: “Despite our senior roles on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, the administration has failed to share any new information that supports this sudden and sweeping move to halt all offshore wind development, including a project off the coast of Virginia that is already almost complete and operational. That silence speaks volumes, especially given the president’s longstanding, well-documented opposition to offshore wind – and the promises he’s made to his donors to put his thumb on the scale against certain energy projects. This reckless, haphazard approach puts billions of dollars in private investment at risk, threatens thousands of good-paying American jobs coming to a veteran-heavy area, undermines energy security, and damages the credibility of the United States government. Virginia’s offshore wind project has undergone years of rigorous review and represents a critical step toward strengthening our energy independence, lowering energy costs for American families, growing our clean energy economy, and positioning the Commonwealth as a global leader in this industry. When a project that has met every requirement is suddenly stopped without explanation, it is fair to ask whether this decision is being driven by evidence, or by personal and political grievance.” ### * High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for downloadhere*",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-blunt-rochester-merkley-introduce-bill-to-repair-infrastructure-bridge-communities/,"Warnock, Blunt Rochester, Merkley, Introduce Bill to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators Reverend Warnock, Blunt Rochester, and Merkley introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act to help reunite communities divided by transportation infrastructure This legislation would expand on theReconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) to allocate $15 billion over five years for projects that serve to create economic opportunity by reconnecting communities and creating new space for housing, jobs, and economic development Construction of the Downtown Connecter in Atlanta and the I-16 Flyover in Savannah displaced historically Black communities and business districts, leaving friends and neighbors on opposite ends of the tracks Senator Reverend Warnock: “Ensuring Georgians aren’t cut off from accessing jobs and economic opportunity also helps restore the cultural fabric of communities divided by legacy infrastructure” Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Act. The bill would reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Program as the REPAIR Infrastructure Program. “Physical mobility and economic mobility are inextricably linked,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Ensuring Georgians aren’t cut off from accessing jobs and economic opportunity also helps restore the cultural fabric of communities divided by legacy infrastructure. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on this important legislation and look forward to better-connected communities across our state.” The REPAIR Infrastructure Act will build on the groundwork laid by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bridge communities separated by transportation and infrastructure barriers, and create new space for economic development. This would ensure more neighborhoods are vibrant and safe, contributing to healthier lives and creating more opportunities for American families. Senator Warnock has long supported reconnecting communities divided by legacy infrastructure projects, and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was based on legislation led by Senator Reverend Warnock. “The City of Savannah is tremendously thankful for Senator Warnock’s leadership and guidance in securing funding for Savannah within the Reconnecting Communities program,” said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson. “This is a transformative investment in Savannah’s neighborhoods and future which will help repair long-standing physical and social barriers by reconnecting communities and infrastructure to jobs, services, and one another. By prioritizing equity, safety, smart planning, and community input, Savannah is taking an important step toward building a more connected, inclusive, resilient city for all residents.” “We are supportive of federal investment in critical infrastructure projects like The Stitch, including the “REPAIR” Act introduced by Senator Warnock,” said Stitch Director Jack Cebe.“Building The Stitch promises to generate billions of dollars in economic value, create thousands of jobs, and stimulate follow-on private sector investment including the construction of new housing for thousands of families in Georgia.” Between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, there was an average of $4.6 billion in unmet funding requests for the Reconnecting Communities Program. During the same period, there were nearly 1,500 applications from communities in all 50 states for projects eligible under the REPAIR Infrastructure Act, demonstrating a desire for this funding across the nation. The interstate highway system sought to connect the country, but it also divided America’s historically Black and white communities on racial lines, especially in Georgia. In Atlanta, the 14-lane highway that now joins I-75 and I-85 was constructed through Black communities that were forced to relocate on opposite ends of this concrete barrier. In Savannah, the I-16 flyover was built over and through black-owned businesses and homes. Ultimately, DOT has funded 257 projects in 47 states to reconnect communities divided by legacy infrastructure. Those projects have helped communities redesign streets, spur economic development, address outdated highways, improve multimodal access, and enhance transit options. The REPAIR Infrastructure Act would: Reauthorize the REPAIR Infrastructure program out of the Highway Trust Fund at $3B per fiscal year from 2027 through 2031. Codify language to ensure REPAIR Infrastructure projects promote economic development, increase access to daily destinations, prioritize community involvement, and prevent displacement. Add explicit eligibility for REPAIR Infrastructure projects to existing highway formula programs. The REPAIR Infrastructure Act is endorsed by Smart Growth America, the National League of Cities, the American Society of Landscape Architects, America Walks, the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the League of American Bicyclists, the Living Streets Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Safe Routes Partnership, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and a national coalition of 74 additional organizations. Full text is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-tax-filing-season-warren-king-15-senators-warn-of-tax-filing-chaos-after-trump-admin-attacks-on-irs,"Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS Broad coalition of lawmakers call 2026 tax filing season a “huge test for the IRS” September Inspector General report warned that IRS is woefully unprepared for upcoming filing season, largely due to Trump admin gutting IRS workforce Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) led 15 Senators in pressing Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent and IRS Chief of Taxpayer Services Ken Corbin, warning that the IRS may not be prepared for the upcoming tax filing season — and that failure could saddle American taxpayers with filing problems and refund delays. The following Senators also joined the letter: Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “Taxpayers deserve to have the information and assistance they need to file their taxes and receive their refunds in a timely manner. The Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on the IRS threaten its ability to serve the public and undercut its mission to provide taxpayers with top quality service and ensure that our tax laws are enforced with integrity and fairness,” wrote the lawmakers. A recent report from the independent Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) warned that the IRS is woefully unprepared for the 2026 filing season, in large part due to the Trump administration’s widespread and large-scale staffing reductions at the IRS. The report indicated that these staffing cuts will likely prevent the IRS from adequately addressing fraud, managing and processing tax returns, and providing assistance to taxpayers at Taxpayer Assistance Centers, “putting the 2026 filing season at risk.” Over the past year, the Trump administration has repeatedly attacked the IRS. Since January, the IRS has lost more than 25 percent of its workforce. The agency has also seen unprecedented turnover — with a whopping seven different individuals acting as Commissioner over the past year. In addition to preparing for the upcoming tax filing season, the IRS is also tasked with updating dozens of federal tax forms to align with changes made to the tax code by Donald Trump and Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill. “The 2026 tax filing season will present a huge test for the IRS,” wrote the lawmakers. The senators pressed for answers to a series of questions about the IRS’s preparation for the upcoming tax filing season and sought a briefing from the agency by January 12, 2026. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-slams-pentagons-failure-to-properly-implement-housing-reforms-for-service-members-and-families,Warren Slams Pentagon’s Failure to Properly Implement Housing Reforms for Service Members and Families,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Slams Pentagon’s Failure to Properly Implement Housing Reforms for Service Members and Families Warren finds shockingly low use of housing dispute process and complaint database, revealing that Pentagon may be failing to “properly inform service members of their housing rights” “DoD must do more to fully and effectively implement these reporting and oversight mechanisms to hold private housing companies accountable for substandard living conditions” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with concerns that the Department of Defense (DoD) is failing to properly implement a housing complaint database and the formal dispute resolution process for service members and families living in privatized housing on military bases around the country. “My review has found that few service members are using these tools, which may indicate that DoD is failing to effectuate the tools mandated by Congress to ensure military families are provided with safe and sanitary housing,” said Senator Warren. Following reporting that military families were subjected to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions, Senator Warren conducted her own investigation, finding that housing contractors systematically failed to provide acceptable housing for servicemembers while earning huge profits and facing little DoD oversight or accountability. In response to the findings of this investigation, Senator Warren secured bipartisan reforms in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to address concerns that service members and families were subjected to unsafe and unsanitary conditions with no recourse. These included the creation of a formal dispute resolution process for residents facing inadequate housing conditions and the creation of a public complaint database for residents to hold private military housing companies accountable for their failures. However, DoD did not implement the public complaint database until August 2024, nearly 4 years after the reforms passed Congress. New data released by Sen. Warren shows that in the last year, the database received only 40 complaints. Even that limited number of complaints showed residents continue to face unaddressed concerns from pests like mice. An Army tenant satisfaction survey of the dispute resolution process found that 70% of respondents were not aware of, or did not know how to access the dispute resolution process. Both numbers are shockingly low, considering there are about 700,000 service members and their family members living in privatized military housing. “There may be a failure by DoD to properly inform service members of their housing rights and the availability of this feedback system. It is impossible to believe that the sparse list of dispute resolution requests and feedback reports encompass an accurate picture of military families’ housing needs and conditions,” said Senator Warren. An FY 2025 Army survey found that many tenants had a negative experience living in private military housing. For example, at Fort Carson, 32.4% of residents were dissatisfied with their current home/unit, and 34.1% of residents were dissatisfied with the overall level of and quality of services; at Fort Gordon, 36% of residents were dissatisfied with their home/unit, and 20% of residents were dissatisfied with quality of services received. Data also shows that families in private military housing still face problems with mold and other housing problems that cause nosebleeds, hives, swelling, and rashes, and other health problems. “Families deserve a safe, clean home environment – free of health risks such as mold and pests…DoD must do more to improve and fully effectuate housing reforms mandated by Congress and promote the DHFS to provide accountability and better quality of life to service members and their families,” concluded Senator Warren. Senator Warren pressed Secretary Hegseth to explain, by January 5, 2026, why the department took four years to implement the housing database, whether it requires private military housing companies to inform residents of their tenant rights, how the department is holding private military housing companies accountable for housing concerns, and asked for the department’s plan to inform residents of the database and formal dispute resolution process. Senator Warren has long fought to address unacceptable conditions in military housing: On December 17, 2025, Senator Warren announced FY 26 NDAA wins that include improved housing conditions for American troops. On September 29, 2025, Senator Warren pressed Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers about the potential privatization of military barracks. On April 8, 2025, Senator Warren pressured Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Dale Marks, to commit to holding private military landlords accountable for housing violations. On February 4, 2025, Senators Warren and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) urged the Department of Defense to investigate whether landlords were utilizing RealPage’s software to artificially raise rents for military families. On December 12, 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act that would overhaul our privatized military housing system. On September 27, 2024, Senators Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the Restore Military Families’ Voice Act, which would prevent private military housing companies from forcing non-disclosure agreements on military families. On April 19, 2024, Senator Warren questioned Army Secretary Christine Wormuth over military housing availability and the impact of non-disclosure agreements between private military housing companies and military families. On May 1, 2019, Senator Warren released the findings of a 3-month investigation into the housing conditions of privatized military residences. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-end-staffing-crisis-at-fish-and-wildlife-service-warn-of-devastating-impacts-to-ecosystems-and-public-lands,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to End Staffing Crisis at Fish and Wildlife Service, Warn of Devastating Impacts to Ecosystems and Public Lands",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)—the top Democrat overseeing funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)—and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)—former chairman and current senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources—joined their colleagues in urging the administration to immediately address and reverse the staffing crisis at the FWS, which has lost the capacity to properly manage most of America’s wildlife refuges, putting in jeopardy the ability to protect endangered wildlife species under the Service’s care. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and FWS Director Brian Nesvik, the Senators highlight the direct impacts cuts in staffing are having on the 573 national wildlife refuges across the country—with almost 60 percent of them lacking the resources and staff needed to fulfill their missions. According to public reports, Oregon and Washington have lost a combined 50 senior level scientists and staff. “Americans of all backgrounds love their public lands, and protecting wildlife refuges is a bipartisan cause that brings together environmentalists, sportsmen, and all who enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities provided by America’s National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge System is the only federal network of public lands that is primarily dedicated to the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant species and their habitats,” the Senators wrote. “This downward trend did not begin under the Trump administration. Yet the current administration has not only shown an unwillingness to address the problem—it has made the situation far worse. The President’s Fiscal Year 26 budget request slashed funding for FWS’s overall Resource Management account, which included a proposed 22 percent cut to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Moreover, the administration has indicated that it is planning more firings for public land agencies,” the Senators continued. The Senators also emphasized that operating with few or no employees has also hurt disaster resilience because FWS employees carry out projects to control flooding and prevent catastrophic wildfires. The letter was led by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and was also signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik: We write to sound the alarm on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) staffing crisis, which is causing particular harm to the National Wildlife Refuge System. A startling amount of staff and expertise needed to manage the Refuge System and protect America’s wildlife have been lost due to the administration’s firings, early retirement programs, and other efforts to push staff out of FWS. The agency is losing the capacity to manage America’s wildlife refuges and struggling to even keep them open. We ask that you provide Congress with your plan to address FWS’s staffing crisis and immediately act to ensure that FWS and the Refuge System have the staff and resources needed to guarantee a safe, quality experience for visitors to the Refuge System and to protect the invaluable wildlife species under the agency’s care. Americans of all backgrounds love their public lands, and protecting wildlife refuges is a bipartisan cause that brings together environmentalists, sportsmen, and all who enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities provided by America’s National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge System is the only federal network of public lands that is primarily dedicated to the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant species and their habitats. There are 573 national wildlife refuges across the country, with a footprint in every state. The Refuge System also utilizes a unique conservation approach through community-based initiatives that provide recreational and sporting opportunities and other localized needs. According to FWS, wildlife refuge recreation generates $3.2 billion in local economic activity each year. Every dollar that is invested in the Refuge System generates $3.12 in U.S. economic activity, a tremendous return on investment for the American taxpayer. However, according to recently released internal agency documents, almost 60 percent of the nation’s wildlife refuges lack the resources and staff needed to fulfill their missions. FWS has experienced a staggering 29 percent loss of employees who work for the Refuge System. This downward trend did not begin under the Trump administration. Yet the current administration has not only shown an unwillingness to address the problem—it has made the situation far worse. The President’s Fiscal Year 26 budget request slashed funding for FWS’s overall Resource Management account, which included a proposed 22 percent cut to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Moreover, the administration has indicated that it is planning more firings for public land agencies. Staffing reductions have negatively impacted national wildlife refuges across the country, forcing multiple wildlife refuges to operate with few or no employees. FWS’s internal estimates indicate that 9 percent of wildlife refuges are now classified as “shuttered.” It appears that FWS has abandoned these refuges, as there may not be a single employee on the ground to manage the refuge. The consequences of slashing the FWS workforce are already being felt across the nation. The collapse of staffing capacity within the Refuge System leaves refuges open to damage, vandalism, flooding, fire, and loss of protection and conservation measures for threatened and endangered wildlife species who rely on these refuges for survival. FWS staffing losses also hurt resilience because FWS employees carry out projects to control flooding and prevent catastrophic wildfires. It has also become more difficult for the agency to meet deadlines to list species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, an already challenging but essential obligation. This delay in work pushes endangered species closer to extinction and prevents infrastructure projects from moving forward, as they may encounter difficulties with acquiring needed permits amid such regulatory uncertainty. Considering the alarming scale of FWS’s staffing crisis, we request answers to the following by January 2, 2026: Will you commit to reversing the staffing losses at FWS? What is your plan to address FWS’s debilitating loss in capacity? Has the Administration considered the impact of decimating the FWS workforce on the economics of gateway communities? Does the Administration still plan on moving forward with firing more FWS employees, even as those firings are being stopped by federal courts? How is FWS planning to meet deadlines to list species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act? Protecting natural resources for Americans has always been a bipartisan effort and it is important that FWS has the workforce required to meet its core mandates. Thank you, and we look forward to your response.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-polis-call-on-president-to-reverse-denial-of-colorados-disaster-requests/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Polis Call on President to Reverse Denial of Colorado’s Disaster Requests",2025-12-21,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"This Saturday, President Trump denied Colorado’s requests for FEMA funding to help communities rebuild from devastation fires and floods WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Governor Jared Polis called on President Trump to reverse his decision to deny Colorado’s Major Disaster Declaration requests for the Elk and Lee Fires and the flooding in Western Colorado. These federal declarations would have unlocked FEMA funding to support the recovery efforts for each of these disasters, providing critical aid to impacted Western Colorado residents and businesses. “Coloradans are trying to rebuild their lives after fires and floods destroyed homes and communities across our state. Trump’s decision to reject our disaster requests, and therefore withhold resources as our communities continue to recover, is unacceptable. This isn’t a game. These are people’s lives,” said Hickenlooper. “President Trump’s decision to deny Colorado’s request for critical federal assistance is unacceptable,” said Bennet. “Communities in Western Colorado are in serious need of help after the life-threatening flooding and historic wildfires earlier this year. Trump continues to use Coloradans for political games; it is malicious and obscene. A disaster is a disaster, regardless of what state in the country it took place. Together with Governor Polis and the Colorado delegation, I will take every available step to appeal this decision.” “Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing. One of the most amazing things to witness as Governor has been the resilience of Coloradans following a natural disaster. Their courage, strength, and willingness to help one another is unmatched – values that President Trump seems to have forgotten. I call on the President’s better angels, and urge him to reconsider these requests. This is about the Coloradans who need this support, and we won’t stop fighting for them to get what they deserve. Colorado will be appealing this decision,” said Polis. Hickenlooper and the entire Colorado delegation previously wrote to President Trump to support both of Governor Polis’ requests for Presidential Major Disaster Declarations and the activation of Public Assistance to help Colorado communities recover from the fires and the floods. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-trump-administration-failure-to-release-the-complete-epstein-files,Durbin Statement On Trump Administration Failure To Release The Complete Epstein Files,2025-12-20,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Justice failed to produce the complete Epstein files yesterday in accordance with federal law: “Yesterday could have been a win for survivors, accountability, and transparency to the public. It wasn’t. After mishandling the Epstein files all year, the Trump Administration is now violating federal law to protect the rich and powerful. “It took an act of Congress to force Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino to even consider providing justice. They had a choice: survivors or Donald Trump. They chose the latter. “Senate Judiciary Democrats will investigate this violation of law and make sure the American people know about it. “The survivors deserve better. It’s clear Donald Trump and his Republican enablers are working for the rich and powerful elites—and not you.” -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/watch-gillibrand-touts-her-law-to-protect-large-public-events-from-drone-attacks-on-cbs-saturday-morning/,Watch: Gillibrand Touts Her Law To Protect Large Public Events From Drone Attacks On CBS Saturday Morning,2025-12-20,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"***Watch the segment here*** In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, appeared on CBS Saturday Morning with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) to discuss their legislation to protect large public events from drone attacks. Their bill, which passed earlier this week as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizes state and local law enforcement who have been trained by federal authorities to disable drones that pose a credible threat to large gatherings of people. With major events like Buffalo Bills playoff games, the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics rapidly approaching, this legislation is vital to help protect civilians from the growing threat of drone incursions. CBS News: Police can now take down drones at public gatherings, new defense law says TRANSCRIPT: Anchor: This week, ahead of a series of high-profile sporting events like the Super Bowl, FIFA Men’s World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, lawmakers passed the National Defense Authorization Act. This new defense bill enables local law enforcement to take down drones at public gatherings. That’s something pro sports teams and police have been pushing for. Our Nicole Sganga has the details of how the new law made it across the finish line. REPORTER: Drones hovering above. For years, local police could see them but not stop them. In their last two playoff seasons, the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens saw games disrupted by rogue drones flying near M&T Bank Stadium, and in 2023, a swarm of unidentified drones breached skies above Langley Air Force Base, putting the Pentagon on alert. Gillibrand: When we had multiple, day-after-day drone incursions over Langley, it created huge concern, and it’s what got me so focused on this issue, because we didn’t have the policy in place to take them down. REPORTER: Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand, leading Republican and Democratic voices on drone threats, say the new defense bill, signed into law by President Trump Thursday night, closes a dangerous security gap, creating a pathway to train local law enforcement to disable threatening drones. Cotton: There aren’t enough FBI agents and Homeland Security officers to protect it. So this legislation will empower state and local authorities with training from the federal government to, say, protect the airspace over Razorback Stadium or protect the airspace for a Buffalo Bills game. REPORTER: According to the NFL, since 2017, drone incursions over football games have increased by more than 20,000 percent, inspiring companies like D-Fend Solutions. Halachmi: Right now, these drones are accessible to everyone. In order for you to get a drone, all you need is a credit card and an internet connection. REPORTER: CEO Zohar Halachmi gave us an inside look at the sophisticated counter-drone technology. Halachmi: When we see drones, what we actually see is a virus—a virus with wings—and what we actually developed is an antivirus. It’s a cyber technique that enables us to detect those drones and penetrate into them. REPORTER: That cyber technique enabling operators like [operator name] to take remote control of a rogue drone and reroute it safely. Drone Operator: As it hits around 2.5 kilometers, we can take over the drone and actually tell the drone where to land in a safe area. REPORTER: Disabling aircraft without shooting them down, jamming signals, or tipping off the pilot. Drone Operator: So everything that we’re doing is invisible to the pilot. The only thing the pilot will see is that he got disconnected from his drone. REPORTER: Lawmakers hope new counter-drone technology also won’t tip off the fans. Do you think the public will notice a difference? Gillibrand: Hopefully not. Hopefully they will be blissfully unaware and delighted to be watching the Bills or watching some other great team. REPORTER: When it comes to countering drones, are we at the finish line, or are we at the kickoff? Cotton: Maybe the 40-yard line. The administration has six months to get all the training in place and then to help state and local law enforcement start using the technology to protect large gatherings and critical infrastructure. So I’d say we’re at least moving into field goal territory. REPORTER: Ahead of the World Cup and Olympics, a small win for the home team, or at least the Homeland Security team. For CBS Saturday Morning, I’m Nicole Sganga in Washington. Anchor: Sounds like a touchdown, right? Anchor: It’s a touchdown. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2025/12/20/slotkin-demands-answers-from-va-ahead-of-deployment-of-electronic-health-record-modernization-in-michigan-while-serious-issues-remain-unresolved/,Slotkin Demands Answers from VA Ahead of Deployment of Electronic Health Record Modernization in Michigan While Serious Issues Remain Unresolved,2025-12-20,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Elissa Slotkin,S001208,www.slotkin.senate.gov,slotkin,https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a new letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins, demanding answers from the VA ahead of the scheduled deployment of the Electronic Health Record modernization (EHR, or EHRM) program at 13 new sites next year, including 4 sites in Michigan, despite serious issues and system defects that remain unaddressed. “VA embarked on the EHRM program in October 2020 with the goal of improving the quality of care for veterans by updating the outdated VistA system to allow for better communication between the Department of Defense, VA, and community care providers,” the Senators wrote. “While we should always strive to innovate and improve the quality of care for veterans, in practice, the rollout of EHRM has been so problematic that it created life-threatening problems and ongoing upheaval for veterans’ ability to get the health care they need.” According to a VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report from 2024, VA’s new EHR system played a role in the 2022 death of a veteran in Ohio, due to errors in the scheduling function that resulted in staff not following up with patients who missed their appointments. Following a litany of serious implementation problems across hospitals in multiple states after the initial rollout in 2020, the VA announced a “reset” period in April 2023 where it paused the expansion of EHR to additional VA hospitals to focus on improving sites where EHRM is currently in use. In December 2024, VA announced that it was beginning early-stage planning to deploy the EHR system to four facilities in Michigan. In March, VA announced that it will complete nine additional medical facilities—bringing the total to 13 facilities expected to go live in 2026. According to VA, complete deployment of the system is anticipated at all VA medical facilities anticipated as early as 2031. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in March 2025 found that 58 percent of users of the modernized EHR system believed the new system increased patient safety risks. The GAO report also found that VA had not addressed over half of the configuration changes that administrators had requested, leaving a backlog of 1,800 changes unaddressed as it proceeded with implementation. The report made three new recommendations to VA—only one of which has been implemented this year—and stated that VA still has not responded to or implemented 14 previous EHR recommendations that it called “critical to reducing EHR risks and delivering a quality system.” In their letter, the senators also requested a staff briefing and answers by January 19th to a number of questions about VA’s rollout plan for EHR, staffing levels, whether VA plans will implement outstanding recommendations from the GAO report, and the guardrails VA has in place to ensure patient safety as it expands EHR to new states. The full text of the letter to Secretary Collins is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/as-union-pacific-files-application-to-acquire-norfolk-southern-senator-baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-get-serious-about-bringing-down-costs-for-wisconsinites,"Baldwin Calls for Rejection of Rail Megamerger That Threatens to Raise Costs on Wisconsin Farmers, Manufacturers, and Families",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,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) called on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to reject the merger application filed by Union Pacific to acquire Norfolk Southern. If approved, this merger would greatly reduce competition in Class I rail and worsen already poor service and high costs experienced by Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers while jacking up costs on consumers as businesses pay more to get their products to market. “As Wisconsin families watch the cost of just about everything skyrocket, the last thing they need is a rail merger that all but promises to raise prices and worsen already inadequate service for Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and businesses,” said Senator Baldwin. “Approving this merger would take us in the wrong direction – stifling competition, worsening service, and raising costs on consumers and businesses who are already facing growing headwinds because of the Trump Administration. While President Trump accepts payouts from Union Pacific to fund his $400 million ballroom, I’m ready to hold his feet to the fire and demand this merger be rejected on behalf of the Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and consumers who simply cannot afford it.” The merger, in which Union Pacific agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern, would be the most significant consolidation in freight rail in decades and would undoubtedly reshape the U.S. freight rail industry and supply chain. Baldwin has been critical of the rail merger, citing the continued consolidation in the railroad industry and impacts on manufacturers, agriculture, small businesses, and consumers. The Surface Transportation Board received a notice of intent regarding the proposed railway merger in July. Today, the railroads filed their formal application, which will initiate the merger review process. In July, Senators Baldwin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) called on the Surface Transportation Board to scrutinize the impact of this merger on the already poor service and high costs experienced by American businesses and consumers that rely on freight rail. That letter came after President Trump illegally fired former STB member Robert Primus in June ahead of the proposed megamerger. As the STB considers this merger, Union Pacific’s CEO recently visited President Trump in the Oval Office and committed to helping fund the President’s $400 million White House ballroom. At a nomination hearing in November in front of the Senate Commerce Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pushed two of President Trump’s nominees for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) – Mr. Richard Kloster and Ms. Michelle Schultz – on whether they will act independently or simply take orders from the President. Since the 1950s, the rail industry has consolidated from over 100 Class I freight railroads to only six today, leaving U.S. manufacturers, utility companies, agricultural producers, and small businesses paying excessive rates despite poor service and reliability. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-releases-statement-on-navy-announcement-of-new-frigate-class,Senator Baldwin Releases Statement on Navy Announcement of New Frigate Class,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,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) released the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced its plan to introduce a new frigate class. This announcement comes after the Trump administration announced plans to cut back the production of the U.S. Navy’s Constellation-class frigate warships that are produced in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay, WI. “Wisconsin workers and businesses have decades of experience and a second-to-none track record of building world-class vessels that defend our nation,” said Senator Baldwin. “That’s why I fought hard to build the Constellation-class frigates in Wisconsin, but the Trump administration is turning its back on this program and pulling the rug out from under thousands of skilled workers. Instead of following through with work already underway, Donald Trump has decided to throw in the towel and start from scratch – with no guarantee of better results. If the Trump administration insists on building a new frigate, then I call on the Navy to uphold its promise to Wisconsin’s shipyards, communities, and workers and ensure that some of these ships are built here in Wisconsin. Additionally, using any of the Navy’s money meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for this new frigate without the approval of Congress is illegal. It is only fair for the Trump administration to use every dollar meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for other Made in Wisconsin ships.” Baldwin was an early and strong advocate for Constellation-class frigates being built in Wisconsin. In 2020, Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the contract. In the 2021 NDAA, Baldwin helped secure more than $1 billion for an additional Constellation-class frigate, to be built in Marinette, Wisconsin, as well as $69.1 million in additional advanced procurement funding for critical systems and components for the frigate. Since 2023, Senator Baldwin has also successfully fought to include $200 million in Department of Defense funding bills to support the frigate program and the Wisconsin workforce. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2025/12/19/bennet-hickenlooper-hold-appropriations-package-to-demand-ncar-funding/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper Hold Appropriations Package to Demand NCAR Funding",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper issued the following joint statement on their hold to the Senate Appropriations Package to demand funding for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR): “President Trump is attacking Colorado because we refuse to bend to his corrupt administration. His reckless decision to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research will have lasting, devastating impacts across the country. We are holding the Senate’s appropriations package to demand full funding for NCAR. As Trump’s rampage continues, we will pull every lever available to do what is right for Colorado.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-senators-demand-answers-on-trump-vas-plan-to-eliminate-tens-of-thousands-of-health-care-jobs,"Blumenthal, Senators Demand Answers on Trump VA's Plan to Eliminate Tens of Thousands of Health Care Jobs",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today led a group of 37 of his colleagues demanding answers about the Trump Administration’s plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This follows recent reporting from The Washington Post detailing the Administration’s plans to eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled mission-critical health care positions at VA, including for doctors, nurses, and support staff. “We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article ‘VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,’ which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year,” the Senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. “Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault.” The Senators pushed back on Secretary Collins’ claims that cutting these jobs will have “no impact” on VA health care, pointing to data that even if cuts were focused on non-clinical and administrative vacancies, VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran facing positions to meet their 35,000 number. They pressed Collins to provide additional information on VA’s plans to eliminate these positions, including asking for the list of positions removed; the names and titles of staff involved in making this decision; what evidence VA used to support this removal of vacancies; and what data was used to inform individual facility staffing baselines. The Senators concluded, emphasizing the gravity of this plan amid Republicans’ health care-cutting agenda across the government: “Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them.” VA already lost more than 40,000 employees between January and September of this year as a result of President Trump and VA Secretary Collins’ hiring freeze, deferred resignations, early retirements, and the significant number of VA staff who have quit since the Trump Administration took office due to draconian workforce policies. In addition, VA had at least 42,000 vacancies across the Department as of March 31, 2025, and that number is estimated to have grown significantly since then. The removal of these positions would put VA at pre-PACT Act staffing levels. More than one million veterans newly enrolled in VA health care as a result of expanded eligibility under the PACT Act, and millions more have increased reliance on VA because of toxic exposure-related illnesses and injuries. These continued cuts of VA health care follow widespread health care cuts initiated by Republicans across the government. Senate Republicans have failed to join Democratic efforts to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which 267,000 veterans rely on to afford health care. Coupled with Medicare and Medicaid cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that go into effect next year, Americans, including millions of veterans and veteran family members, are facing skyrocketing premiums and a looming health care crisis. Blumenthal’s letter was joined by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), 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), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elisa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below. Dear Secretary Collins: We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article “VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,” which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year. Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault. Based on data mandated by Section 505 of Public Law 115-182, the VA MISSION Act of 2018, as of quarter two of FY 2025, the Department had a total of 42,518 vacancies. These vacant positions included 7,560 nurses, 4,400 schedulers, 2,800 physicians, 1,900 social workers, 1,650 nursing assistants, 1,630 practical nurses, 1,230 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, 1,080 health technicians, 860 veterans claims examiners, 760 police, and 710 psychologists – totaling more than 24,500 of the 42,500 vacancies. If the Department cut every other vacancy outside of these roles – which would still include cuts to various clinical and veteran-facing roles – VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran-facing positions in order to meet the 35,000 number. These cannot all be “COVID-era roles,” as VA has claimed, nor can these cuts be downplayed because some have been vacant for longer than one year. We request the following information regarding VA’s elimination of these positions: Please provide a list of vacant positions removed, disaggregated by facility and job series. Please provide a list of positions removed, disaggregated by job series and then by length of time since they were last encumbered or the position was created based on these categories of time: less than 30 days, greater than 30 days, greater than 90 days, greater than 180 days, greater than 365 days, and greater than 730 days. Please provide the titles of VA Central Office staff and the offices or departments involved in making this decision. VA already regularly adds and removes positions based on need as part of its normal recruitment and budgeting processes. What evidence was there to support this significantly larger removal of vacancies? Memos from the Department planning for this removal of vacancies reference a baseline number of positions used to inform individual facility staffing numbers. What is that baseline, and how was that number decided upon? How were individual facility baselines calculated based on that number? Why did the Department choose to use number of positions instead of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to establish these baselines? How were positions that typically do not occupy one FTE for each individual staff member, such as researchers, accounted for in the baseline and the cuts? Please detail the approval process for a facility or hiring manager to request new vacancies, roles, or recruitment processes beyond the new baseline. Based on what criteria can a facility or hiring manager request a new position or vacancy above the baseline? In VA’s FY 2026 budget request, the Department requested funding for 396,000 total FTE. As such, Congress provided $167 billion for the treatment of 7.7 million patients and 162.6 million outpatient visits to VA for FY 2026. Please provide an updated staffing and workload projection for FY 2026 that accounts for these vacancy cuts. How did the Department account for minimum staffing ratios when making these cuts, especially those required for nursing, long-term care, spinal cord injury and disorder teams, and mental health care? Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-confirmation-of-trump-loyalist-john-bartrum-to-lead-vas-health-care-system,Blumenthal statement on Senate Confirmation of Trump Loyalist John Bartrum to Lead VA's Health Care System,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement on the Senate’s confirmation of John Bartrum to be the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health. Bartrum has served as a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins since January. “Trump political acolyte John Bartrum is the wrong choice to lead VA’s health care system. As a Senior Advisor to VA Secretary Collins, he has played a key role in stonewalling and slow walking Congress and veterans— continuously hiding information about VA’s budget, community care wait times, contract cancellations, and staffing plans. He has also refused to implement laws as Congress intended— playing a central role in withholding critical funding required to be distributed to homeless service providers who support nearly 25,000 of our most vulnerable veterans. His lack of transparency and responsiveness to Congress is wholly unacceptable for someone who will now be tasked with leading the largest health care system in our country at a critical inflection point, and I am disappointed in this body’s decision to confirm him.” As a senior advisor for Collins, Bartrum has played a key role in the firing of thousands of health care staff, the politicization of the VA research publication process, and the cancellation of thousands of VA contracts. He has also refused to implement laws as Congress intended, including the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare & Benefits Improvement Act. He is continuing to withhold critical funding mandated under this law for organizations housing and providing critical resources for more than 25,000 homeless veterans. The Under Secretary for Health is tasked with overseeing the VA health care system—the largest integrated health care system in the country—which provides care to more than nine million enrolled veterans. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-the-dojs-failure-to-release-the-full-epstein-files-as-demanded-by-survivors-required-by-law,"Blumenthal Statement on the DOJ's Failure to Release the Full Epstein Files as Demanded by Survivors, Required by Law",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in response to response to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s statement on Fox News that the Department of Justice will not release the full Epstein files today, as required by law: ""The reason that we are seeing any of this material is because the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes have been so courageous and steadfast – and that’s also why releasing an incomplete selection of the files is so offensive and utterly unacceptable. Outrageously, the Administration has now clearly indicated that it will withhold large parts of the file today. Yes, it's a violation of the law; yes, it's an affront to Congress and the American public; but most importantly, it's an insult to the brave women who are asking for one, simple thing: justice. I don't think the Trump Administration can be trusted to follow the law, which is why I'll be calling for an audit by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General to backstop the concealment Deputy Attorney General Blanche has already admitted to doing."" -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-12/12/2025-12/19/2025,Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 12/12/2025-12/19/2025,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"Applauding Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Bill [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) welcomed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Blumenthal championed a number of provisions in the NDAA that promote U.S. national security objectives and bolster Connecticut’s defense industrial base and its workforce, all while improving support for servicemembers across the Department of Defense (DOD). The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 77-20 and was signed into law on December 18. An executive summary of the bill can be found here. “This defense bill prioritizes our national defense with investments in weapons and pay increases for servicemembers—while recognizing Connecticut’s critical role and workforce. The major, historic investments include producing submarines, joint strike fighters and helicopters, and other high tech platforms. Technological advancements and modernization bolster our state’s world-class manufacturing base. I am proud to advocate for the workers dedicated to defending our nation. With this legislation, we ensure that our military has the resources, technology, and support needed to protect our country,” said Blumenthal. The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026 also includes several provisions Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), championed to support sexual assault survivors within the Coast Guard. “I am proud of the significant reforms in this bill that will help protect current cadets and Coasties from the kind of harassment, abuse, and retaliation uncovered by my investigation,” Blumenthal said. “There is still significantly more work that needs to be done to combat the Coast Guard’s culture of coverup, but these provisions are an important first step.” In September 2023, as then-Chair of PSI, Blumenthal initiated an inquiry into the Coast Guard’s failure to disclose Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal Coast Guard investigation into the decades-long systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy. The NDAA includes numerous provisions requested by Blumenthal to protect sexual assault survivors and hold accountable perpetrators of sexual misconduct and those who enabled them. Combatting Hate-Based Violence & Trump Administration’s “Heinous Policy” on Hate Symbols Blumenthal wrote the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairs and Ranking Members of its Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies calling for a dramatic increase in resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention. “Over the weekend, the global Jewish community was devastated by the horrifying terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia. This terrible tragedy is sadly not an anomaly and reflects a worldwide rise in antisemitism, extremist ideology, and hate-based violence,” Blumenthal wrote. “That is why I urge you to show the Senate’s commitment to protecting our religious institutions and minority communities by dramatically increasing resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention, including by appropriating no less than $1 billion to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), making significant investments to the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act (NO HATE Act), and reestablishing and fully funding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS).” Blumenthal joined Jewish members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in issuing a statement in reaction to the murder of 15 people in Sydney, Australia at a menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah. The statement is signed by Blumenthal, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “The Festival of Lights commemorates and celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people, our identity and heritage. As we moved into the first night of Hanukkah, that tenacity was tested once again as we mourn those murdered in Sydney during a menorah lighting. Our prayers go out to the Jewish community in Australia, whom we embrace in their terrible hour of suffering. “We are horrified by the brutality of this attack, which comes at a time when Australia has seen a terrible rise in antisemitism. The disturbing wave of antisemitism around the globe has struck anxiety and fear into the hearts of every Jewish community. Some have faced harassment, vandalism, and discrimination. Others, violence as brutal as what we saw yesterday in Sydney. “This attack is the latest reminder of the work that remains to end the scourge of hatred towards Jews. To combat this disease of antisemitism, we must summon the strength to take action against this ancient hatred, and the courage to press on in the face of such violence against Jewish people at home and abroad. “We must speak out against all discrimination, from heinous acts like today to the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, and the attempts to blur the line between political disagreement and antisemitic hate. And we give thanks to the bravery of people like Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, who risked his own life on Bondi Beach to stop others from losing theirs. “May the memory of those we lost be a blessing, and may courage flow through the hearts of every Jewish family that lit their first candle last night and over the next seven nights.” Following reporting that the U.S. Coast Guard has allowed a new policy to take effect that no longer prohibits nor classifies swastikas and nooses as hate symbols, Blumenthal wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding that she “revoke this policy and make it clear to the brave men and women serving in the Coast Guard that hate has no place in the service.” In a letter sent following the Washington Post’s reporting that the Coast Guard has newly defined swastikas and nooses as just “potentially divisive,” Blumenthal wrote to Noem: “Granting hate symbols like swastikas and nooses even an ounce of respectability is absolutely an anathema. This edict besmirches the Coast Guard’s honor, and DHS should be ashamed. At a time when antisemitic and racist violence are at unconscionable levels, it is absolutely appalling that DHS is doubling down on such a hateful, destructive policy.” The text of the letter to Noem is available here. After the Coast Guard agreed to revise this hateful policy, Blumenthal reacted on Twitter/X. “I will take Secretary Noem’s statement as an answer to my letter that the Coast Guard’s abhorrent policy on hate symbols like nooses & swastikas will not go into effect. I am glad that the Trump Administration has backed down in response to well-deserved & widespread criticism of their reprehensible attempt to weaken protections against obvious hate symbols.I am disappointed that Secretary Noem’s statement fails to acknowledge how offensive this policy is & she owes an apology to the men & women of the Coast Guard,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X. Shining Light on Supreme Court Shadow Docket Decisions Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced bicameral legislation to establish transparency in decisions on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket, also known as the “shadow docket.” The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act requires the Supreme Court to provide a written explanation for shadow docket decisions and a vote count detailing how each Justice voted on the decision, promoting public understanding and consistency in judicial decision making. The Supreme Court has increasingly relied on the shadow docket—making decisions on short notice without oral argument or any legal explanation of the Court’s reasoning from the majority. The Court has utilized the shadow docket to make decisions on a number of wide-ranging, highly consequential cases, including the September 8, 2025 decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. The decision allows ICE agents to stop and arrest individuals based on their appearance, the language they speak, where they live, and what they do for work. “The shadow docket decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, a highly chilling legal landmark, condones racial profiling in Trump’s immigration enforcement. Shockingly, this very significant ruling was issued without any public argument or majority opinion. The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act shines light on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket rulings, like Vazquez Perdomo, and requires the Supreme Court to be accountable and explain its rulings. Americans deserve clarity from the nation’s highest Court—especially as the Court increasingly uses the shadow docket to issue far-reaching consequential decisions. Recent shadow docket decisions demonstrate the dire need for our legislation’s enforceable guidelines that hold the Court accountable,” said Blumenthal. The text of the bill can be found here. On the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Blumenthal and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 26 of their colleagues in a letter calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the impact Republicans’ health care-cutting agenda will have on veterans and their families. This follows Senate Republicans’ failure last week to join Democrats in extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which 267,000 veterans rely on to afford health care. Coupled with Medicare and Medicaid cuts – which go into effect next year – Americans, including millions of veterans and veteran family members, are bracing for higher costs and a looming health care crisis. “The 2025 budget reconciliation bill, Public Law 119-21, or the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ (BBB), will reduce access to essential health care and supportive services for millions of Americans, including veterans and their families. Compounded with expiring enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, veterans are facing a life-threatening reduction in access to health care and other essential benefits. These reductions in access to private health insurance, Medicaid, and funding for community health services will result in more veterans relying more heavily on their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits,” the Senators wrote. The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here. Blumenthal spoke at a spotlight forum on the Trump Administration’s dangerous effort to dismantle the Department of Education, highlighting how their actions negatively impact our nation’s veterans. At the forum, Blumenthal spoke with Rachel Gittleman, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, and Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed, about how veterans are struggling to access critical resources to help them assimilate to civilian life through education and skills training. “I want to talk about an area of interest to me as the Ranking Member on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and I'd like you to tell me how the dismantling of the Department of Education has affected veterans,” asked Blumenthal. “Two of the many programs that I helped administer were the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Program. Both of those programs disproportionately benefit and help veterans, many of whom are saddled with student debt,” said Gittleman. “And my office, like so many other offices in federal student aid, was completely gutted, leaving no one to help answer the phones, no one to help access the incredibly complicated and convoluted system that is these discharge programs.” “In our nation, we're moving towards a skills-based economy. This is so important for veterans transitioning into the world of being a civilian. How do they translate their incredible skills that they have earned through their hard work and dedication to our nation into ways that they can prove their skills and practice through economic opportunities so that they can raise their families, have lives of choice,” said Loyd. “But in this moment of fiscal uncertainty and the bait-and-switch and the instability and chaos that this Administration is engendering in the education world, states are now walking back and being very cautious and investing in innovation. I worry about the implications of how our veterans may not be able to meaningfully translate their skills into practice in ways that they should be able to powerfully, simply because we're in a moment of uncertainty that's leading to a lot of fear in the education system.” A video of Blumenthal’s interaction with Gittleman and Loyd at the forum can be found here. Blumenthal Bulletin Blumenthal released a statement on the Department of Justice’s failure to release the full Epstein files as demanded by survivors and required by law. Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor demanding the designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Blumenthal demanded answers regarding the Trump VA’s plan to eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs. Blumenthal released a statement on the Senate confirmation of Trump loyalist John Bartrum to lead VA’s health care system. Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor highlighting his ENFORCE Act, legislation to ensure those convicted of creating AI-generated child sexual abuse material face accountability. Blumenthal introduced legislation to protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. Blumenthal joined striking workers in West Hartford. Blumenthal introduced new legislation to streamline USPS shipping of nonprofit packages—like Boxes to Boots. Blumenthal joined the annual Founders Day Award Luncheon of the National Council of Negro Women. Blumenthal joined the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and Middletown VSO’s for a Wreaths Across America ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery. Blumenthal joined the yearly Chaz an AJ toy drive. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-for-shutdown-of-delaney-hall-ice-facility-and-statement-on-death-of-detainee-at-delaney-hall,Booker Calls for Shutdown of Delaney Hall ICE Facility and Statement on Death of Detainee at Delaney Hall,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK, NJ — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement: “I’m deeply concerned about the reported death of a 41-year-old man who was being detained at Delaney Hall yesterday. “For months, I have condemned the inhumane conditions at Delaney Hall and the mismanagement of this facility by its private operator, GEO Group - and now this tragic death has compounded the long and grotesque list of atrocities the GEO Group is committing. The Department of Homeland Security’s continued refusal to comply with appropriate oversight of this facility and the GEO Group’s abuses are totally unacceptable. “Because of the inhumane conditions for immigrants at facilities like Delaney Hall, I oppose private detention centers in any form, and have introduced legislation each Congress to end the use of these private prisons for the detention of immigrants and to ensure that our immigration system is aligned with our country’s legal rights and American values. There must be a clear accounting of what happened in this tragedy, and Delaney Hall must be closed so that this stain can be removed from our community of Newark.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-trumps-cannabis-executive-order,Booker Statement on Trump’s Cannabis Executive Order,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,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), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Cannabis rescheduling: “After decades of ignoring the evidence, the federal government has finally come to terms with what a majority of states have long acknowledged cannabis has medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than drugs like methamphetamine and heroin. For too long, federal law has lagged behind medical and scientific research. Based on this research, the FDA recommended last year that cannabis be rescheduled as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act. I am pleased that President Trump has directed the DOJ to complete the rulemaking process and implement this change. “Rescheduling will provide tax relief for businesses operating legally in New Jersey. The change also opens the door for expanded scientific research, allowing medical professionals and institutions to study its potential benefits and risks with far fewer regulatory hurdles. “However, rescheduling cannabis alone will not eliminate the harms of federal prohibition. Millions of Americans, especially Black and Brown communities, will continue to face criminal penalties for recreational use or for using medical marijuana products that lack federal approval. Thousands will remain in prisons around the country for marijuana-related offenses. Nor will this change restore access to public housing or nutrition assistance for people who use marijuana recreationally. “While President Trump has moved to reclassify cannabis in accordance with scientific and medical evidence, his administration’s broader approach to marijuana stands in stark contrast. This administration continues to use marijuana offenses as pretext to detain and deport nonviolent immigrants. The Department of Justice rescinded enforcement guidance that had deprioritized charging low-level cannabis crimes, and President Trump just signed legislation that will recriminalize intoxicating hemp-derived substances. Meaningful cannabis reform must go beyond rescheduling to address systemic harms. “With this announcement, we are moving one step closer to a common-sense, evidence-based approach to federal cannabis policy. I urge my colleagues in Congress to support the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which I will be reintroducing in the coming months. This bill would deschedule cannabis, establish a comprehensive regulatory and taxation system, and provide much-needed resources to communities most harmed by failed federal policies that prioritized criminalization over science, public health, and fairness.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-blumenthal-demand-investigation-into-trumps-misuse-of-va-resources-to-help-execute-his-extreme-deportation-campaign,"Duckworth, Blumenthal Demand Investigation into Trump’s Misuse of VA Resources to Help Execute His Extreme Deportation Campaign",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) member Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), today demanded an independent investigation into the Trump Administration’s decision to divert personnel, equipment and financial resources away from serving our nation’s Veterans and toward developing a database to track non-U.S. citizen employees as part of Donald Trump’s inhumane mass deportation campaign. After Donald Trump fired 30,000 VA employees and jeopardized timely VA care for our Veterans earlier this year, Duckworth’s letter underscores that aiding immigration enforcement does not support or advance the VA’s sacred mission of caring for our Veterans and their families and only further demoralizes the dedicated VA workforce. “Beyond cutting 30,000 Federal employees from the workforce this year, VA leadership is hindering Veterans’ prompt access to exemplary healthcare, and their swift delivery of benefits, by pursuing policy functions and using valuable resources irrelevant to its statutory responsibilities,” wrote Duckworth. “These actions are indicative of potential fraud, waste and misuse of Congressionally appropriated funds at VA. Furthermore, they also suggest possible gross mismanagement that undermines VA’s mission.” Demanding an independent investigation into this latest attempt by the Trump Administration to undermine the mission of the VA, Duckworth wrote: “…we request VA OIG conduct an independent investigation to include findings, if warranted, on the database’s adverse impact on delivering and managing healthcare and benefits and whether such activities are consistent with congressional intent for VA’s congressionally appropriated resources.” Duckworth has been a fierce leader and advocate for improving our Veterans’ and servicemembers’ access to care amid Trump’s ongoing attacks on the VA. In October, she defended disabled Veterans as Senate Republicans shamefully promoted Trump’s dangerous efforts to cut even more of their benefits. In September, she reintroduced legislation that would improve Veterans’ access to contraception and increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness for contraceptive products at the VA. A few weeks prior, Duckworth sent a letter to VA Secretary Collins demanding he block ICE from stealing VA resources at Hines VA Hospital in Chicago. Duckworth also joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in reintroducing legislation to help make it easier for our Veterans who struggle with infertility to build their families. After the first VA purge laid off workers with the Veterans Crisis Line—including several Veterans—Duckworth successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reinstate these devoted public servants that work to support our Veterans in their darkest moments. In the aftermath, she introduced the Protect Veteran Jobs Act with U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) to reinstate the thousands of Veterans who were fired in Trump’s mass layoffs—an effort Republicans shamefully blocked in March. Full text of the letter is available below and on the Senator’s website: Dear Inspector General Mason: We write to request that you initiate an independent investigation into the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) diversion of personnel, equipment and financial resources to develop a database on non-U.S. citizen employees. This non-mission critical activity, regardless of VA’s stated pretext for initiating it, appears to represent VA wasting time, attention and congressionally appropriated funds on activities that support already well-funded Federal agencies’ civil immigration enforcement operations, while doing nothing to improve patient care or benefits administration. VA’s sacred mission is to care for those who have served our country and their families, caregivers and survivors. Beyond cutting 30,000 Federal employees from the workforce this year, VA leadership is hindering Veterans’ prompt access to exemplary healthcare, and their swift delivery of benefits, by pursuing policy functions and using valuable resources irrelevant to its statutory responsibilities. These actions are indicative of potential fraud, waste and misuse of Congressionally appropriated funds at VA. Furthermore, they also suggest possible gross mismanagement that undermines VA’s mission. Recent reporting and commentary from VA officials validate and escalate our concerns that these immigration enforcement efforts risk the timely delivery of care and benefits to Veterans. To better understand these recent actions at VA, we request VA OIG conduct an independent investigation to include findings, if warranted, on the database’s adverse impact on delivering and managing healthcare and benefits and whether such activities are consistent with congressional intent for VA’s congressionally appropriated resources. We also request that your investigation recommends corrective actions, as necessary, including policy reforms, disciplinary matters and referrals to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. We respectfully request that your office prioritize this investigation and provide our offices with routine updates, including preliminary findings or recommendations. Thank you for attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-announce-135-million-in-federal-funding-to-support-illinois-students,"Durbin, Duckworth Announce $13.5 Million In Federal Funding To Support Illinois Students",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $13,467,325 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education for mental health and literacy support for students in Illinois. “There is a growing mental health and literacy crisis amongst today’s youth that must be addressed,” said Durbin. “Today’s announced federal funding for programs that build the pipeline of mental health professionals, connect professionals to students, and support literacy research will help Illinois face these concerns head-on. It also demonstrates the importance of the Department of Education as the Trump Administration continues its attempts to dismantle the agency. Senator Duckworth and I will always work to ensure our students have access to resources that help put them on a path toward success.” “Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, which is why I’m proud to see this investment support critical mental health programs that help students across Illinois thrive,” said Senator Duckworth. “While this funding will reach our state this time around, it’s cruel that Donald Trump’s cuts to federal services have jeopardized programs that prepare the next generation—hurting the very middle-class families he swore to protect, all while enriching his billionaire buddies. That’s why I will continue doing everything I can at the federal level, alongside Senator Durbin, to safeguard these investments and ensure every student across our state has the chance to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom.” The Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health Grant Program and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program provide competitive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and consortia of LEAs to train and increase the number of credentialed mental health services providers providing school-based mental health services to students. The Education Innovation and Research grant provides funding to create, develop, implement, replicate, or scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, and field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. The Department of Education funding recipients include: Cahlhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin Counties: Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program ($1,246,643) Illinois State Board of Education: School-Based Mental Health Grant Program ($1,743,772) and Mental Health Service Professionals Development Program ($476,910) The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois: Education Innovation and Research ($10,000,000) -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-members-of-illinois-delegation-request-25-million-in-reimbursements-for-mwrds-work-on-the-thornton-reservoir,"Durbin, Duckworth, Members Of Illinois Delegation Request $25 Million In Reimbursements For MWRD’s Work On The Thornton Reservoir",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL-04), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) today sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle urging the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to include $25 million in construction funds in its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago for the work it has completed on the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir. “We are writing to request that you include $25 million in Construction funds in the Army Corps of Engineers’ Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for design and construction work conducted on the Thornton Composite Reservoir,” the lawmakers wrote. In 2009, MWRD executed an amendment to its Project Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps for the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir, enabling MWRD to work on the project while being eligible for federal reimbursement. Despite the reservoir being in service since 2015 and providing an estimated $660 million in flood reduction benefits to 14 communities, the Army Corps still owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements. “Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements for the cost of designing and constructing the Thornton Reservoir, which is needed to support flood-prone communities struggling to build resilient infrastructure. Cook County experienced significant flooding during storm events in 2023, 2024, and 2025, leading to three disaster declarations. These reimbursement funds would be used to advance shovel-ready projects to address flood damages in the Chicagoland area,” the lawmakers wrote. “Not only will this flood protection work help communities be more resilient, it also will help boost economic development. Including a $25 million reimbursement in the FY 2026 Army Corps of Engineers’ Work Plan will ensure that MWRD can reinvest in these communities to mitigate flooding and create a strong economic base,” the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers concluded their letter by emphasizing the necessity of including the reimbursement funds in the FY26 Work Plan to support flood protection projects across the state. “These funds are needed to provide community flood protection for projects currently in design, including projects in Maine Township, Park Ridge, the City of Harvey, Bremen Township, Midlothian, Crestwood, and Oak Lawn. FY 2026 funding would build on the $20 million in the FY 2024 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan; the $7.2 million reimbursement to MWRD in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Construction Spend Plan, Summer 2023 Addendum; and the $12 million in the FY 2022 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan, allowing MWRD to focus on completing critical projects, including the Robbins Flood Protection Project,” the lawmakers wrote. “As the Army Corps determines how to best address its flood damage reduction obligations and meet its commitments to its partners, we strongly urge you to include $25 million in Construction funds for the reimbursement owed to MWRD in the FY 2026 Work Plan to help create a better future for our constituents,” the lawmakers concluded their letter. Durbin has previously secured additional reimbursements from the Corps for MWRD’s work on Thornton Reservoir. In Fiscal Year 2022, Durbin secured $12 million in reimbursement funds in the Army Corps’ FY22 Work Plan. The following year, Durbin secured $7.2 million in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Construction Spend Plan for the project. In Fiscal Year 2024, Durbin also secured $20 million in the Army Corps’ work plan for reimbursement. A copy of the letter is available here and below: December 19, 2025 Dear Assistant Secretary Telle: We are writing to request that you include $25 million in Construction funds in the Army Corps of Engineers’ (Army Corps) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago for design and construction work conducted on the Thornton Composite Reservoir. In 2009, MWRD executed an amendment to its Project Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps for the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir. This enabled MWRD to design and construct the Thornton Composite Reservoir project and allowed it to be eligible for federal reimbursement. The reservoir was put into service in 2015 and has provided an estimated $660 million in flood reduction benefits to 14 communities over the last 10 years, protecting more than 35,000 structures from flooding. Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements for the cost of designing and constructing the Thornton Reservoir, which is needed to support flood-prone communities struggling to build resilient infrastructure. Cook County experienced significant flooding during storm events in 2023, 2024, and 2025, leading to three disaster declarations. These reimbursement funds would be used to advance shovel-ready projects to address flood damages in the Chicagoland area. Not only will this flood protection work help communities be more resilient, it also will help boost economic development. Including a $25 million reimbursement in the FY 2026 Army Corps of Engineers’ Work Plan will ensure that MWRD can reinvest in these communities to mitigate flooding and create a strong economic base. These funds are needed to provide community flood protection for projects currently in design, including projects in Maine Township, Park Ridge, the City of Harvey, Bremen Township, Midlothian, Crestwood, and Oak Lawn. FY 2026 funding would build on the $20 million in the FY 2024 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan; the $7.2 million reimbursement to MWRD in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Construction Spend Plan, Summer 2023 Addendum; and the $12 million in the FY 2022 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan, allowing MWRD to focus on completing critical projects, including the Robbins Flood Protection Project. As the Army Corps determines how to best address its flood damage reduction obligations and meet its commitments to its partners, we strongly urge you to include $25 million in Construction funds for the reimbursement owed to MWRD in the FY 2026 Work Plan to help create a better future for our constituents. Thank you for your consideration of our important request. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-blumenthal-ross-to-introduce-legislation-to-shine-light-on-supreme-court-shadow-docket-decisions,"Durbin Joins Blumenthal, Ross To Introduce Legislation To Shine Light On Supreme Court Shadow Docket Decisions",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act requires the Supreme Court to provide a written explanation for shadow docket decisions and a vote count detailing how each justice voted on the decision, promoting transparency and consistency in judicial decision making. WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC) to introduce bicameral legislation establishing transparency in decisions on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket, also known as the “shadow docket.” The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act requires the Supreme Court to provide a written explanation for shadow docket decisions and a vote count detailing how each Justice voted on the decision, promoting transparency and consistency in judicial decision making. The Supreme Court’s increasing reliance on the shadow docket allows it to make decisions on short notice without oral argument or any legal explanation of the Court’s reasoning. The Court has utilized the shadow docket to decide a number of wide-ranging, highly consequential cases, including the September 8, 2025 decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. The decision allows ICE agents to stop and arrest individuals based on their appearance, the language they speak, where they live, and what they do for work. The Trump Administration has also urged the Supreme Court to decide Trump v. Illinois, a case that will determine the legality of the Trump Administration’s federalization and deployment of the National Guard in Illinois, on the shadow docket. The Trump Administration’s emergency application is still pending. “The Supreme Court’s abuse of the shadow docket has allowed justices to hand down major rulings without justification and sets a dangerous precedent under which consequential cases are decided without a clear rationale—even when those cases involve a presidential administration that has shown little regard for the Constitution. This abuse of process must stop,” said Durbin. “The highest court in the land should not issue decisions in the dark. The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act would require justices to explain their decision making in every case, providing the American people with the transparency and accountability they deserve from their government.” “The shadow docket decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, a highly chilling legal landmark, condones racial profiling in Trump’s immigration enforcement. Shockingly, this very significant ruling was issued without any public argument or majority opinion. The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act shines light on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket rulings, like Vazquez Perdomo, and requires the Supreme Court to be accountable and explain its rulings. Americans deserve clarity from the nation’s highest Court—especially as the Court increasingly uses the shadow docket to issue far-reaching consequential decisions. Recent shadow docket decisions demonstrate the dire need for our legislation’s enforceable guidelines that hold the Court accountable,” said Blumenthal. “The conservative majority on the Supreme Court continues to issue harmful, backwards decisions through the shadow docket, often offering no explanation of their reasoning or how the justices voted,” said Ross. “From allowing DOGE to access sensitive data to permitting the illegal mass firings of federal employees, the Supreme Court has used the shadow docket to hand down major decisions that impact millions of Americans’ daily lives. This important legislation will require the Court to operate with the transparency that the American people deserve.” In addition to Durbin and Blumenthal, the Shadow Docket Sunlight Act is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). In addition to Ross, the legislation is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Hank Johnson (D-GA). The legislation is endorsed by a number of organizations including the National Women’s Law Center, Fix the Court, People for the American Way, Court Accountability Action, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). The text of the bill can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-whistleblower-disclosure-regarding-uscis-circumventing-court-order,Durbin Statement On Whistleblower Disclosure Regarding USCIS Circumventing Court Order,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding a whistleblower disclosure alleging that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is feigning compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and a court order in a class action lawsuit in order to avoid court oversight. The Nightingale court order simply requires USCIS to comply with existing FOIA law to process immigration case files and report its progress to the court. Yet, according to this whistleblower report, USCIS is trying to avoid court reporting requirements and obligations under FOIA by prematurely closing cases, even when a USCIS FOIA officer has found the case file information and could provide it to the FOIA requester. The disclosure comes after USCIS reported to the court that it had a 99 percent timely completion rate for immigration case file FOIA requests. “Today’s disclosure alleges that the DHS FOIA office wants a district court judge to believe FOIA requests are being processed more efficiently. But in fact, they are being summarily closed to cook the numbers. “The agency’s actions directly conflict with the spirit of the Nightingale lawsuit, which was filed to ensure due process for individuals who only can access their records through FOIA. They also appear to conflict with the Freedom of Information Act, which instructs agencies not to withhold information unless the agency reasonably foresees that the disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption. “New policies that allow the agency to reject FOIA requests reduce transparency and are just one more way that the Trump-Noem DHS is operating with impunity. The information contained in case files is vital as immigrants increasingly are the targets of violent enforcement actions and must dispute false narratives devised by this Administration. USCIS must respond to FOIA requests fully and in a timely fashion.” Records contained in immigration case files only obtainable through FOIA are critical. For example, case files reveal details about immigration enforcement actions against an individual, including a warrant or the absence of a warrant, analysis of U.S. citizenship claims, and details about an arrest. In another example, attorneys representing vulnerable populations, such as unaccompanied minors, must obtain case file information to reconstruct basic facts like entry dates or prior shelter placements to help prepare unaccompanied minor immigrants’ cases. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-booker-whitehouse-push-administration-to-ensure-tariff-exemptions-actually-result-in-lowering-grocery-costs/,"Gallego, Booker, Whitehouse Push Administration to Ensure Tariff Exemptions Actually Result in Lowering Grocery Costs",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent a letter to Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Andrew Ferguson questioning how the Commission is working to ensure grocery companies do not use this Administration’s reckless tariff policies as cover for price gouging and that the recently announced tariff exemptions on coffee, bananas, cocoa, and other tropical products actually result in lower grocery prices. “It was a necessary but late step to remove these tariffs. However, while eliminating these tariffs reduces costs for grocery importers, we are concerned that consumers may not see the full corresponding price decreases,” the Senators wrote. “We are concerned that the highly concentrated grocery industry – combined with the Trump Administration’s insufficient antitrust and consumer protection enforcement – creates a perfect storm that could enable giant grocery chains to engage in price gouging or other anti-competitive behavior.” To ensure President Trump’s reckless trade policies are not a “green light” for price gouging, the Senators push the FTC to: Require large grocery stores and food importers report their costs and retail and wholesale prices and the extent to which tariffs reductions have decreased their costs. Investigate and prosecute companies engaging in “unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.” Additionally, the Senators requested answers to the following questions: How will you ensure President Trump’s recent tariff removals do not result in sustained elevated prices? What steps will the FTC take to enforce competition and consumer protection laws against individuals and corporations in the grocery and food industry that attempt to price gouge consumers? If consumers have paid excessive prices for these goods since the tariff removals due to price gouging, what steps will the FTC take to ensure that consumers are made whole? You can read the full letter HERE. Senator Gallego sent two other letters this year urging the FTC to investigate how corporations could be using President Trump’s reckless tariff fluctuations as cover to raise prices beyond their cost increases. December 18, 2025",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-marks-one-year-in-the-senate-fighting-for-arizonans/,Gallego Marks One Year in the Senate Fighting for Arizonans,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In first year, Gallego introduced the most bills of any freshman Democratic Senator Gallego hosted eleven town halls across Arizona WASHINGTON – Finishing his first year in office, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)released the following statement: “I know this year hasn’t been easy for working families or for our country. The cost of groceries and energy rose dramatically, Republicans raised health care costs for millions of Americans, Trump took a wrecking ball to the federal services that millions of Americans rely on, and this administration’s cruel immigration practices tore families apart and caused chaos in our communities. But from day one, I’ve made it my mission to show up, listen to, and fight for Arizonans. “Looking ahead to 2026, I’m focused on building on this progress and continuing to show up for Arizona families every single day. The best part of this job has been, and will always be, working for Arizonans.” By the Numbers: During his first year in the Senate, Senator Gallego introduced 29 bills and cosponsored 223 more – the most bills of any freshman Democratic Senator. Senator Gallego had one of his sponsored bills sent to the President’s desk, where it is expected to be signed before the end of the year, and three more bills he backed also became law. Two of Senator Gallego’s bills passed out of committee, and five Gallego-backed bills passed the Senate. In Arizona, Gallego held eleven town halls across the state, including ones focused on veterans’ issues and health care. His office also closed nearly 450 constituent service cases and held more than 750 meetings with community leaders and advocates. Highlights: Economic Opportunity: Played a key role in shaping the landmark ROAD to Housing Act, the first housing package to pass out of committee in over a decade. Introduced bills to expand access to affordable housing, crack downon unfair pricing practices, and support workers. Veterans: Successfully pushed the Administration to dramatically scale back their planned layoffs at the VA by less than half after placing a blanket hold on all nominees to the Senate VA Committee. Health Care: Relentlessly held Republicans accountable for kicking millions of Americans off Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, holding town halls across Arizona and doing media appearances. Nutrition: Called out Republicans for gutting food assistance to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and using hunger as leverage. Visited Arizona food banks to highlight the impact these cuts are having on their demand this holiday season. Immigration: Introduced an ambitious border security and immigration reform plan that received support from national and Arizona leaders. Energy & Environment: Tackled America’s energy cost crisis head-on with hisplan for America’s energy future. Fought to help Northern Arizona recover from the devastating Dragon Bravo fire in the Grand Canyon. Restored millions of dollars in Colorado River conservation funding that had been frozen by the administration. Education: Succeeded in releasing funding for Arizona’s Head Start programafter the Trump administration’s chaotic funding freeze. Foreign Policy: Pressed President Gustavo Petro on drug trafficking during a visit to Colombia and called out Russian aggression at the Helsinki Commission in Finland. Introduced a War Powers Resolution to prevent an illegal war in Venezuela. Here’s what Arizona leaders are saying about Senator Gallego’s first year on the job: “Throughout his first year in the Senate, Senator Gallego has been a strong and reliable voice for health care in Arizona. He has pushed back against harmful Medicaid cuts and taken clear action to protect ACA tax credits that keep coverage within reach for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans. As rising costs put real pressure on families and providers alike, his leadership has helped safeguard access to care when it matters most. We’re grateful for his partnership and his commitment to putting patients first,” said Jessica Yanow, MPH, President and CEO, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers. “In his first year as a U.S. Senator, Ruben Gallego has shown that standing up for veterans isn’t symbolic, it’s personal. He listens, he acts, and he leads with the integrity of someone who understands service and sacrifice,” said Paula Pedene, US Navy Veteran, and member of Senator Gallego’s Veterans Advisory Council.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-leads-bipartisan-push-to-increase-accessibility-of-va-technology/,Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Push To Increase Accessibility Of VA Technology,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative David Valadao (R-CA-22) urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take swift action to make its technology accessible to people with disabilities. “Ensuring our veterans have the support, information, and services they need is of the utmost importance—and VA cannot do this unless its technology is accessible to veterans and VA employees with disabilities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “VA must train its employees to procure accessible technology and take steps to ensure that its technology remains accessible. I will continue to provide rigorous oversight on this issue to make sure that our veterans get the support that they deserve.” Accessible technology is critical to make sure that veterans with disabilities can get the information and services they need and to make sure that VA employees with disabilities can do their jobs. Roughly one-quarter of veterans have a service-connected disability, and post-9/11 veterans, who VA will serve for decades to come, have a higher rate of service-connected disabilities. Additionally, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires federal technology to be accessible for and usable by people with disabilities. Despite this, congressional and independent oversight efforts have consistently found that VA technology does not meet this requirement. A recent VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report found that, of the 30 critical information and communication technology systems analyzed, 26 were not accessible for people with disabilities. In its report, VA OIG issued four recommendations to improve VA accessibility and encourage the procurement of accessible technology. In her letter to VA, Senator Gillibrand encouraged the agency to carry out VA OIG’s recommendations as fast as possible. She also requested additional information on how VA plans to do so. The full text of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-merkley-baldwin-booker-40-senators-no-new-anti-lgbtq-anti-abortion-provisions-in-must-pass-government-funding-bills/,"Gillibrand, Merkley, Baldwin, Booker 40 Senators: No New Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Provisions In Must-Pass Government Funding Bills",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 40 other Democratic senators in urging Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to keep any new dangerous, hyper-partisan policy provisions that would curtail the freedoms of women and LGBTQ+ individuals out of must-pass government funding legislation. House Republicans have inserted more than 65 so-called “poison pill” provisions targeting abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, which would otherwise fail the scrutiny of congressional debate, into critical government funding bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass. “Dangerous poison pill provisions like those included in the FY26 House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass legislation and keep the government open and working for the American people. As such, we urge you to reject these extremist riders from the remaining final FY26 appropriations bills,” the senators wrote. In addition to Gillibrand, Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), 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), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), 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 ACLU, Advocates for Trans Equality, Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and Reproductive Freedom for All. Full text of the letter can be found here and below: Dear Chair Collins and Vice Chair Murray: We write to urge you to keep the FY26 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in must-pass legislation such as appropriations bills. In the recent past, the Senate has had success passing bipartisan bills in committee because these bills did not contain new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, in FY26, the House has included more than 65 new anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders in its appropriations bills, which we urge you to reject from any remaining final FY26 appropriations bills. In the more than three years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, our country has experienced a reproductive health care crisis. As of December 1, 2025, 13 states have banned abortion entirely, and 7 states have banned abortion anywhere from 6 to 18 weeks. Republicans have also attempted to ban medication abortion, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States. 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. Despite the dangerous consequences of the bans and the overwhelming support for access to abortion, House Republicans have continued to propose extremist anti-abortion policy riders in their appropriations bills. These new riders include a measure to defund Planned Parenthood, a provision to codify the Trump administration’s global gag rule, a provision that would interfere with essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care, and a provision that would restrict access to abortion and fertility care for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. If adopted, these provisions would dramatically undermine people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures and providers’ ability to deliver necessary reproductive health care. House Republicans have also used the FY26 appropriations process to push extremist and unpopular anti- LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten the lives and fundamental dignity of LGBTQ+ communities. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is being introduced across the country; in 2025 alone, more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across 49 state legislatures. Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. This includes provisions in almost every appropriations bill that would allow people and organizations, including those that receive taxpayer funds, to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. More than half of the House’s appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that severely restrict access to gender- affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of critical, medically necessary, evidence-based, and often life-saving health care. Among those who would be impacted by these riders are the more than 134,000 transgender veterans who rely on the Veterans’ Affairs Administration for their health care. Dangerous poison pill provisions like those included in the FY26 House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass legislation and keep the government open and working for the American people. As such, we urge you to reject these extremist riders from the remaining final FY26 appropriations bills. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-reintroduces-two-bills-to-stop-pfas-chemicals-from-entering-our-waterways-and-to-help-significantly-exposed-victims/,Gillibrand Reintroduces Two Bills To Stop PFAS Chemicals From Entering Our Waterways And To Help Significantly Exposed Victims,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Legislation Would Combat Toxic Forever Chemicals At The Source And Provide A Federal Cause of Action For Victims to Seek Relief This week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced two bills to combat dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and help support communities that have been significantly exposed to these chemicals. The bipartisan, bicameral Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act would help address PFAS contamination at the source. The bicameral PFAS Accountability Act would give victims of significant PFAS exposure legal recourse to sue PFAS manufacturers and would allow courts to award medical monitoring for early detection and treatment of diseases connected to PFAS. “‘Forever chemicals’ like PFAS are a dangerous threat to the environment and public health,” said Senator Gillibrand. “For years, companies have knowingly released toxic chemicals that have devastated families and communities. Those companies must be held accountable for their actions, and New York waterways must be protected from further contamination. These two bills will help address PFAS contamination at the source and deliver real justice for the victims of PFAS pollution in New York and across the country.” PFAS chemicals are widespread contaminants found in many industrial applications, firefighting foam, and a variety of consumer products. PFAS exposure is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, thyroid problems, and more. According to the Environmental Working Group, over 1.3 million New Yorkers have concerning levels of PFAS in their drinking water. The bipartisan Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act would set deadlines and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop water quality criteria and establish effluent limitation guidelines and standards (ELGs) for PFAS in industrial discharges from eight priority categories using its existing authority under the Clean Water Act. The legislation is led by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) in the House, and it is endorsed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The PFAS Accountability Act would allow victims of significant PFAS exposure to sue PFAS manufacturers, and it would make it easier for courts to award medical monitoringfor early detection and treatment of adverse health conditions related to the exposure. The legislation would also incentivize funding for PFAS safety research. The PFAS Accountability Act is led by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), along with Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) in the House. This legislation is endorsed by Waterkeeper Alliance, American Association for Justice, Buxmont Coalition for Safe Water, Environmental Working Group, Green Science Policy Institute, National PFAS Contamination Coalition, Southern Environmental Law Center, NRDC, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. A leader in the fight against PFAS, Senator Gillibrand has long advocated for and championed legislation to protect the public from dangerous PFAS chemicals. In July, she introduced the bipartisan DOD PFAS Discharge Prevention Act, which would reduce drinking water pollution and exposure to toxic forever chemicals for firefighters, service members, and communities by facilitating better monitoring and implementing best management practices of PFAS at Department of Defense (DOD) installations. In previous years, she successfully pushed to phase out DOD’s use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, and she passed legislation to expedite the testing, cleanup, and remediation of PFAS at some of the most contaminated U.S. military installations. The text of the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act can be found here. The text of the PFAS Accountability Act can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-meng-lead-effort-to-preserve-new-yorks-ability-to-use-broadband-infrastructure-funds-to-support-broadband-adoption-and-digital-inclusion-projects/,"Gillibrand, Schumer, Meng Lead Effort To Preserve New York’s Ability To Use Broadband Infrastructure Funds To Support Broadband Adoption And Digital Inclusion Projects",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, along with Congresswoman Grace Meng, raised concerns about the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) potential reclamation of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) non-deployment funds. If the NTIA unlawfully withholds these funds, New York stands to lose at least $273.52 million in funding to support broadband adoption and digital inclusion efforts. The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build broadband infrastructure. BEAD non-deployment funds refer to the funding left over after a state meets BEAD’s infrastructure deployment requirements. In May 2022, the NTIA outlined acceptable uses for these funds, clarifying that states may be able to use BEAD non-deployment funds to support digital inclusion projects, including expanding access to affordable broadband internet services, internet-enabled devices, digital literacy programming, telehealth services, and cybersecurity education initiatives. However, the NTIA’s June 2025 BEAD restructuring policy notice rescinds states’ flexibility to use these funds as Congress intended. As of today, the NTIA has yet to clarify whether states will be able to retain these funds at all, creating uncertainty that could result in the loss of federal support for increasing broadband adoption across New York State. The members emphasized that “BEAD non-deployment funds would benefit many more households than the one percent of households eligible for deployment funds and would help close the digital access divide for K-12 students, veterans, aging adults, rural communities, and families across the state. To fully ensure that all New Yorkers can participate in an increasingly digital era, they not only need access to broadband, but also access to affordable broadband, internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy programming to maximize internet connectivity.” “BEAD non-deployment funds are meant to complement BEAD’s universal connectivity goals, and federal statute explicitly authorizes these funds for a broad range of non-deployment activities, including accessibility, affordability, and digital readiness. If the NTIA restricts or reclaims these funds, broadband infrastructure investments risk creating a two-tiered system where broadband availability exists but remains out of reach for those who need it most,” the lawmakers stressed. The members continued to underscore the importance of broadband access in an increasingly digital era, stating that “Every New Yorker deserves affordable, high-speed internet, regardless of where they live. Broadband adoption projects play a crucial role in ensuring full participation in the digital economy. This is necessary because long-term American economic competitiveness relies on a digitally connected and skilled workforce.” The members closed the letter by highlighting that “Workforce development, employment, digital safety education, support for remote learning, telehealth, and the other non-deployment activities approved under the NTIA’s original 2022 guidance are foundational to delivering high-speed reliable internet to New York’s most underserved communities.” The members urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth to “preserve the flexibility states retained prior to the issuance of the NTIA’s June 2025 restructuring notice and allow states to use BEAD non-deployment funds for digital inclusion efforts.” Along with Senators Gillibrand and Schumer and Congresswoman Meng, the letter was cosigned by Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Laura Gillen (D-NY-04), and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20). The full text of the letter can be read HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/signed-into-law-annual-defense-bill-with-key-hassan-backed-provisions-and-new-hampshire-priorities,SIGNED INTO LAW: Annual Defense Bill with Key Hassan-Backed Provisions & New Hampshire Priorities,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – President Trump signed into law the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which included key provisions that Senator Maggie Hassan helped secure and supported. Among other measures, the legislation protects Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employees from the Trump Administration’s chaotic firings. “Service members and defense workers sacrifice to keep our country safe, secure, and free, and we must always have their backs,” said Senator Hassan. “I’m glad that President Trump has signed into law this bipartisan defense bill, which will help protect Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employees from the Trump Administration’s disruptive workforce reductions and advance other key priorities for New Hampshire and our service members.” Key measures that Senator Hassan supported that are included in the Senate-passed NDAA include: A provision Senators Shaheen and Hassan helped secure to protect Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employees, and other public shipyard employees, from the Trump Administration’s chaotic firings by prohibiting the Department of Defense from carrying out reductions in force, hiring freezes, and unfounded hiring delays at our nation’s public shipyards A 3.8% pay raise for service members Authorizes funding for Virginia-class submarines, which are repaired in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Authorizes funding for construction projects for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pease Air National Guard Base, and the New Hampshire Army National Guard Extends support for the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom against Vladimir Putin Protects American national security by constraining the ability of the President to unilaterally withdraw troops and equipment standing guard against Russia in Europe Senator Hassan is focused on keeping our country safe, secure, and free. Last year, she successfully passed into law critical measures in the annual defense bill, including a measure to help National Guard and Reserve members return to school after a mobilization or deployment. Senator Hassan has also been a champion of workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and has spoken out against the Trump Administration’s cuts and its hiring freeze at the Shipyard, which were later reversed. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-issues-statement-on-trump-administration-breaking-the-law-by-refusing-to-release-complete-epstein-files,Heinrich Issues Statement on Trump Administration Breaking the Law by Refusing to Release Complete Epstein Files,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that President Trump’s Department of Justice would only release a portion of the Epstein files today, in direct violation of federal law: “The law could not have been clearer: President Trump’s Department of Justice had 30 days to release ALL the files. Presumably, President Trump signed the bill into law himself, so he should know that... “But let’s not forget — President Trump has always had the power to release these files on his own. Ignoring the law now isn’t confusion or delay. It’s a deliberate attempt to bury the truth and protect the pedophiles who exploited and abused young girls. “The American people deserve transparency. Survivors deserve justice. President Trump: Release all the files. Now.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-releases-new-fact-sheet-on-rising-electric-bills-on-trumps-watch,Heinrich Releases New Fact Sheet on Rising Electric Bills on Trump’s Watch,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a new fact sheet that details how President Trump’s actions are gutting the energy sector and hiking up costs for families across the country. Since President Trump took office, household electricity bills have gone up 13%, with consumers soon to face a total of $85.8 billion in proposed or approved cost increases. Additionally, the Trump Administration has stalled the permits of more than 500 clean energy projects, rolled back tax credits that are helping families save money, taxed critical metals that are the backbone of the electric grid, and forced rate payers to bear the cost of keeping fossil fuel plants online past their retirement dates, exacerbating the nation’s energy affordability crisis. Data Source: Monthly Form EIA-861M (formerly EIA-826) detailed data - Revenue, sales, customer counts, and retail price by state and sector (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861m/xls/sales_revenue.xlsx) “Right now, Americans are facing an energy affordability crisis – electric bills are skyrocketing for families, and we’re not getting enough energy on our grid to meet the increasing demand from communities and data centers,” said Heinrich. “Donald Trump’s actions are single-handedly making this crisis worse. If we’re serious about lowering utility costs for working families, Donald Trump and his agencies need to stop sitting on routine approvals that are stalling projects across America and preventing them from bringing additional supply onto the grid.” Read the factsheet here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-during-committee-markup-heinrich-spotlights-need-to-pass-his-bipartisan-legislation-to-complete-continental-divide-trail,"ICYMI: During Committee Markup, Heinrich Spotlights Need to Pass His Bipartisan Legislation to Complete Continental Divide Trail",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — In his opening statement at a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting to examine pending legislation, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Committee’s Ranking Member, emphasized the need to pass legislation to improve New Mexicans’ access to their public lands, including his bipartisan Continental Divide Completion Act, which would complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail to better maintain the trail’s purpose while ensuring a safer more enjoyable journey for hikers. In addition to the Continental Divide Completion Act, Heinrich also highlighted the need to pass U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján's (D-N.M.) New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act to improve coordination of New Mexico land grants and public land agencies, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s (D-Colo.) Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act, which protects the Dolores River in Colorado by establishing a National Conservation Area and Special Management Area in the public land surrounding the river, and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis’ (R-Wyo.) Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act, which allows Wyoming greater flexibility on how to manage revenue from their state land. VIDEO: Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks during a Committee business meeting, December 17th, 2025. “The CDT is not just for through-hikers; for many New Mexicans, the CDT is their local trail. The trail where they walk their dog or spend time with their families. And the problem has been that there are still many gaps in the trail, where hikers have to literally hike on roads, even highway shoulders to connect from one segment to the next,” noted Heinrich. “The Continental Divide Completion Act, which we will consider today, would direct the land management agencies to work with trail users and local communities to fill in the gaps and complete this trail,” continued Heinrich. “I want to thank Senator Daines for partnering with me on this legislation.” A video of Heinrich’s opening remarks is here. A transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and I am pleased to see us considering 12 bills today. I hope that we can build on this for the future. And I want to point out that our agenda today includes the Continental Divide Completion Act, a bill I introduced along with Senator Daines. The CDT stretches from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, crossing more than 3,000 miles of some of the most rugged terrain in the U.S. While Senator Daines and I disagree on which portions of the trail are more scenic, we agree on getting this across the finish line. The trail is part of the Triple Crown of hiking and brings visitors from around the world to climb the spine of the North American continent. And for the mountain towns along the way, the trail really means economic development, it means good jobs, and it means money in their pockets. The CDT is not just for through-hikers; for many New Mexicans, the CDT is their local trail. The trail where they walk their dog or spend time with their families. And the problem has been that there are still many gaps in the trail, where hikers have to literally hike on roads, even highway shoulders to connect from one segment to the next. The Continental Divide Completion Act, which we will consider today, would direct the land management agencies to work with trail users and local communities to fill in the gaps and complete this trail. I want to thank Senator Daines for partnering with me on this legislation. -- And while there are too many bills on today’s agenda to mention all of them, but I do want to quickly highlight three others: S. 1363 would improve coordination between New Mexico land grants and the public land agencies on traditional uses of public land. S. 1787 would protect the Dolores River in Colorado by establishing a National Conservation Area and Special Management Area on the public land along this river. And lastly, S. 2273 would allow the state of Wyoming greater flexibility in how they manage state revenues derived from state lands. New Mexico recently needed Congressional action to change how we use state land revenues, so I know how important it is that this committee address these state trust land issues quickly as they arise. And I’ll hold the rest of my comments on other bills until we reach them on the agenda, and yield back my time. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-demand-answers-on-trump-vas-plan-to-eliminate-tens-of-thousands-of-health-care-jobs/,"Hickenlooper, Colleagues Demand Answers on Trump VA’s Plan to Eliminate Tens of Thousands of Health Care Jobs",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Richard Blumenthal, along with 36 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins demanding answers about the Trump administration’s plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them,” the senators wrote. This follows recent reporting on the Administration’s plans to eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled mission-critical health care positions at the VA, including for doctors, nurses, and support staff. The VA already lost more than 40,000 employees between January and September of this year as a result of President Trump’s hiring freeze, deferred resignations, early retirements, and many have quit as a result of this administration’s reckless policies. The VA had at least 42,000 vacancies across the Department as of March 31, 2025, and that number is estimated to have grown significantly since then. The removal of these positions would put VA at pre-PACT Act staffing levels. More than one million veterans newly enrolled in VA health care as a result of expanded eligibility under the PACT Act, and millions more have increased reliance on VA because of toxic exposure-related illnesses and injuries. These continued cuts of VA health care follow widespread health care cuts initiated by Republicans across the government. Senate Republicans have failed to join Democratic efforts to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which many veterans across the country rely on to afford health care. Coupled with Medicare and Medicaid cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that go into effect next year, Americans, including millions of veterans and veteran family members, are facing skyrocketing premiums.. The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Collins: We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article “VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,” which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year. Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault. Based on data mandated by Section 505 of Public Law 115-182, the VA MISSION Act of 2018, as of quarter two of FY 2025, the Department had a total of 42,518 vacancies. These vacant positions included 7,560 nurses, 4,400 schedulers, 2,800 physicians, 1,900 social workers, 1,650 nursing assistants, 1,630 practical nurses, 1,230 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, 1,080 health technicians, 860 veterans claims examiners, 760 police, and 710 psychologists – totaling more than 24,500 of the 42,500 vacancies. If the Department cut every other vacancy outside of these roles – which would still include cuts to various clinical and veteran-facing roles – VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran-facing positions in order to meet the 35,000 number. These cannot all be “COVID-era roles,” as VA has claimed, nor can these cuts be downplayed because some have been vacant for longer than one year. We request the following information regarding VA’s elimination of these positions: Please provide a list of vacant positions removed, disaggregated by facility and job series. Please provide a list of positions removed, disaggregated by job series and then by length of time since they were last encumbered or the position was created based on these categories of time: less than 30 days, greater than 30 days, greater than 90 days, greater than 180 days, greater than 365 days, and greater than 730 days. Please provide the titles of VA Central Office staff and the offices or departments involved in making this decision. VA already regularly adds and removes positions based on need as part of its normal recruitment and budgeting processes. What evidence was there to support this significantly larger removal of vacancies? Memos from the Department planning for this removal of vacancies reference a baseline number of positions used to inform individual facility staffing numbers. What is that baseline, and how was that number decided upon? How were individual facility baselines calculated based on that number? Why did the Department choose to use number of positions instead of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to establish these baselines? How were positions that typically do not occupy one FTE for each individual staff member, such as researchers, accounted for in the baseline and the cuts? Please detail the approval process for a facility or hiring manager to request new vacancies, roles, or recruitment processes beyond the new baseline. Based on what criteria can a facility or hiring manager request a new position or vacancy above the baseline? In VA’s FY 2026 budget request, the Department requested funding for 396,000 total FTE. As such, Congress provided $167 billion for the treatment of 7.7 million patients and 162.6 million outpatient visits to VA for FY 2026. Please provide an updated staffing and workload projection for FY 2026 that accounts for these vacancy cuts. How did the Department account for minimum staffing ratios when making these cuts, especially those required for nursing, long-term care, spinal cord injury and disorder teams, and mental health care? Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is vacant is not a suitable data point for determining need. At a time when veterans are already facing widespread cuts in their access to health care from H.R. 1, skyrocketing health insurance premiums from expiring enhanced premium tax credits, and forced closures of rural hospitals, VA needs to be expanding its capacity and staffing levels, not reducing them. Veterans deserve a VA staffed according to their needs and a Secretary who works to fill needed positions, not abolish them. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-reintroduces-bill-to-prepare-federal-government-for-cannabis-legalization-2/,Hickenlooper Reintroduces Bill to Prepare Federal Government for Cannabis Legalization,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"PREPARE Act would develop framework federal legalization based on Colorado’s Task Force The President announced plans to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper reintroduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act to prepare the federal government for federal legalization of cannabis. Following the President’s announcement to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, Hickenlooper welcomed the decision and pushed the admin to support his bill: “Another example of Colorado blazing the trail,” Hickenlooper posted on Twitter/X. “Now release and expunge records for everyone who was charged with federal marijuana crimes – and let’s pass our bill to prepare us for federal legalization while we’re at it.” Hickenlooper has consistently advocated for the federal government to change the classification of marijuana. Hickenlooper previously urged the DEA to completely deschedule marijuana. He co-sponsors the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which would deschedule marijuana. Though cannabis is currently illegal at the federal level, many states have followed Colorado’s safe and legal model. The PREPARE Act establishes a federal commission, modeled after Colorado’s regulatory commission, to advise the government on proper safeguards for federal cannabis legalization. On December 10, 2012, a month after Colorado voted to legalize marijuana, then-Governor Hickenlooper convened the Amendment 64 Task Force to provide recommendations for the development of regulations. Those regulations led to the thriving, safe, marijuana industry in Colorado today. The PREPARE Act would replicate the Amendment 64 Task Force at the federal level. Specifically, the PREPARE Act-established federal commission would: Advise on the development of a federal regulatory framework modeled after state cannabis regulations. Consider barriers and suggestions for regulating Cannabis similar to alcohol. Identify ways to remedy the disproportionate impact cannabis prohibition has had on minority, low-income, and veteran communities. Include representatives from relevant federal agencies and offices, individuals nominated by Senate and House leadership, industry representatives, and representatives of state and local governments. Importantly, the commission would not have rulemaking authority; its sole role would be to develop proposals and make policy recommendations. Hickenlooper’s bill has broad support from stakeholders, including the National Hispanic Cannabis Council, Partnership to End Addiction, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, NORML, US Cannabis Council, Minorities for Medical Marijuana, National Cannabis Industry Association, Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation, Colorado Association of Ski Towns, Colorado Municipal League, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. A one-page explainer is available HERE. Full bill text is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-delegation-condemns-trump-administration-attack-on-native-hawaiian_and-other-minority-serving-institutions,Hawaii Delegation Condemns Trump Administration Attack on Native Hawaiian- and other Minority-Serving Institutions,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) released the following statement on the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel’s recently-released opinion questioning the constitutionality of Native Hawaiian- and other Minority-Serving Institution programs: “Earlier today, the Trump DOJ released a legal opinion that attacked a wide range of programs of higher learning for minority communities. These programs expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and help students who have too often been left behind succeed in higher education. Targeting them does nothing to improve educational outcomes and instead threatens to undermine institutions that are vital to the people they serve. “We also note just how wrong they were with respect to programs impacting the Native Hawaiian community. Let us be clear. The United States has a long-standing trust relationship with the Native Hawaiian community, and we will continue fighting to ensure the U.S. lives up to its end.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-lease-for-new-hampton-roads-va-facility,"Warner, Kaine Announce Lease for New Hampton Roads VA Facility",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,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 (both D-VA) announced that a lease has been awarded for a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility in Hampton Roads. The awarding of this lease for a new, state-of-the-art outpatient clinic will improve veterans’ access to care in this region and follows years of congressional action and advocacy by the senators. “We are thrilled to announce the awarding of this new clinic lease in Hampton Roads,” said the senators. “The veteran population in the region continues to grow, and this facility will fill a critical gap by expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the veterans who have served our country. Virginians need and deserve this facility, and we will do everything we can to ensure that it is properly staffed despite President Trump’s plans to eliminate 35,000 health care positions at VA facilities across America.” While this lease was originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees for this proposed facility and 17 others. In June, Warner and Kaine urged the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to swiftly take up and reapprove all pending major VA medical facility leases. They subsequently pushed for the final committee, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to put forward their approval. In late July, the senators announced that approval for the leases had cleared all committees. From there, the administration needed to award a contract for the lease. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care access and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. The senators have fought to strengthen and expand mental health care and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Warner has been outspoken on the need to reduce the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensure the VA is appropriately staffed to improve access to care and benefits, strengthen the VA’s ability to increase capacity and build new medical centers, and improve women veterans’ access to health care. Kaine has called President Trump out for firing more veterans than any other president, and has introduced legislation to reinstate veterans who were fired from their federal jobs as part of the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and mass layoff of federal employees. Kaine has also been a vocal opponent of the Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate 35,000 health care positions at VA clinics. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=32F88312-3D29-475D-81D7-DB21363C1FF9,"Klobuchar, Booker, Colleagues Press the FTC to Investigate Instacart’s Dynamic Pricing",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"Letter urges for investigation to determine if the use of dynamic pricing violates the FTC Act WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, and Cory Booker, Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, led their colleagues in pressing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson to investigate Instacart’s use of dynamic pricing. Citing a recent study, the letter urges the Commission to investigate whether Instacart’s pricing strategy violates the FTC Act’s prohibitions on unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts and practices; to reopen its market study on surveillance pricing; and to determine whether the FTC needs additional authority to protect consumers from potential harms that stem from these pricing practices. “We write to express our deep concern after a recent study found that Instacart was offering substantially different prices to different consumers for the same items, from the same stores, purchased at the same time. If true, such practices may result in higher overall prices, deter competition, and potentially run afoul of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act’s prohibitions on unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts and practices,” wrote the Senators. “In competitive markets, retailers should be incentivized to reduce prices to draw customers from their competitors. But dynamic and surveillance pricing—especially models built on sensitive personal or competitive information—upend this foundational principle of the free market, allowing firms to set prices based on a person’s willingness to pay instead of market factors.” the Senators concluded. Along with Klobuchar and Booker, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The full text of the letter is below and can be found here. Dear Chair Ferguson: We write to express our deep concern after a recent study found that Instacart was offering substantially different prices to different consumers for the same items, from the same stores, purchased at the same time. If true, such practices may result in higher overall prices, deter competition, and potentially run afoul of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act’s prohibitions on unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts and practices. We urge the Commission to investigate this potential use of dynamic pricing to determine if it violates the FTC Act and whether the FTC needs additional authority to protect consumers from potential harms that stem from dynamic or surveillance pricing practices. A recent study found that some prices for the same products on Instacart varied by over 20 percent despite being purchased at the same store and under the same circumstances. For example, the study found that prices for everyday staples like sliced turkey, cornflakes, apples, crackers, and peanut butter all varied in price by more than 20 percent. Instacart’s dynamic pricing strategy reportedly affected nearly three-quarters of the products tested and was applied to each person who participated in the study. The study concluded that “corporate practices like these increase prices for American families.” In July 2024, the FTC sought information from eight companies as part of a market study on “surveillance pricing” to better understand how firms use personalized data and algorithmic tools to set individualized prices. In January 2025, the FTC issued a “staff perspective” on its ongoing study, noting that the practice of personalized pricing is becoming widespread and merits additional study. Unfortunately, the FTC appears to have shuttered further work on that market study, depriving the policymakers—and the public—of information vital to understanding the implications of this practice. We are concerned that surveillance pricing, like that described by the FTC’s market study, and dynamic pricing, like that found in the recent study of Instacart, can make pricing information more opaque to consumers and raise barriers for price competition and comparison shopping. These practices also incentivize companies to collect sensitive personal user data to aid in setting personalized prices. Additional antitrust concerns are raised if Instacart is setting or recommending prices for multiple companies that should be competing on price. Instacart has said that some of its retail partners use its algorithmic pricing product to optimize online pricing for its clients. Competitors should not be outsourcing pricing decisions to common algorithmic tools, especially those that have access to a competitor’s sensitive data. In competitive markets, retailers should be incentivized to reduce prices to draw customers from their competitors. But dynamic and surveillance pricing—especially models built on sensitive personal or competitive information—upend this foundational principle of the free market, allowing firms to set prices based on a person’s willingness to pay instead of market factors. We are deeply concerned that Instacart’s pricing tactics may result in higher food prices, less competition, fewer opportunities to comparison shop, more incentive for companies to collect sensitive personal data, and increased customer confusion—potentially in violation of the FTC Act. In light of these concerns, we urge the Commission to re-open its previous market study on surveillance pricing issues and investigate whether Instacart’s dynamic pricing violates the FTC Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z