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.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-sham-stock-trading-bill,Baldwin Statement on Sham Stock Trading Bill,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after voting against the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation that fails to adequately prevent current members of Congress from holding stocks and enriching themselves while in office. The legislation also allows the President, Vice President, and White House staff to continue to use inside information and freely trade stocks for personal profit. The bill comes as President Trump made 21,000 stock trades and $2.2 billion in personal wealth in just his first year in office. On the contrary, Senator Baldwin does not trade stocks and has had the management of her financial assets in a blind trust while serving in the U.S. Senate since 2013.

“We are sent to Washington to do the people’s work and make their lives better, not to use our position of power to turn a profit. That’s why I have led by example – never trading a single stock since I have been in the Senate. I’ll continue fighting to root out corruption and stop politicians from enriching themselves while in office,” said Senator Baldwin. “The bill that the House passed simply falls short of ending this corrupt practice, letting members keep the stocks they have and allowing the President and Vice President to continue trading stocks and enrich themselves while in office. Wisconsinites deserve a real ban on this kind of corruption, and this is just what I support and what we need to become law.”

Senator Baldwin co-sponsors the following bills to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. These bills stand in contrast to the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would not require Members of Congress to divest their current holdings.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-votes-against-voluntary-approach-to-data-centers-vows-to-push-real-reform-to-protect-wisconsin-ratepayers,Baldwin Votes Against Voluntary Approach to Data Centers; Vows to Push Real Reform to Protect Wisconsin Ratepayers,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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) voted against legislation that fails to protect Wisconsin ratepayers and does nothing to ensure that data centers pay for their own energy costs. The legislation only asks that states and regulators “consider” making Big Tech pay for the energy that the data centers use, failing to put real protections for families from increased energy costs into law.

“This bill tries to sell the American people a bad bill of goods and take them for fools. This toothless legislation does not protect American families from increased energy costs and allows these huge AI data centers to pass on their energy bills to families and small businesses. Even worse, my colleagues are trying to use this window dressing to dupe the American people into thinking we are acting on an issue that they care deeply about, while not actually protecting them,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m committed to making AI data centers pay their own way and protecting hardworking Wisconsinites from paying a penny of Big Tech’s data center energy bills. The solution must be a mandate, under law, that these costs can’t be kicked to families because we cannot trust these tech giants to just do the right thing. I’ll work with anyone to protect families from yet another bill of theirs from increasing and ensure our communities are the ones in control, not big tech.”

The legislation, The Ratepayer Protection Act, requires states to “consider” a standard that would make certain large data centers pay for the costs of grid upgrades necessary to serve them. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this legislation pushes a voluntary standard, saying that state commissions “may adopt or reject” the federal standard. Therefore, there is no federal requirement preventing energy costs from data centers from being passed along to ordinary ratepayers. Additionally, the legislation does not cover all data centers. The bill only covers data centers with peak demand of 100 megawatts or more, leaving out every other data center that is placing massive new demands on a local grid.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-baldwin-secures-return-of-mental-health-help-on-988-for-lgbtq-kids,NEWS: Baldwin Secures Return of Mental Health Help on 988 for LGBTQ Kids,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After more than a year of pressure from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), 988’s specialized “Press 3” services for LGBTQ youth resumed today. This news comes after the Trump Administration abruptly canceled “Press 3” over a year ago and has since dragged their feet on following Senator Baldwin's bipartisan law that mandated a return of these services. For more than 14 months, the Trump Administration withheld specialized services for a population that is more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

“Suicide and mental health struggles touch every community across our state, and that’s why creating the 988 crisis lifeline to make sure help is there for everyone is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, last year, the Trump Administration decided to make these real struggles a political football and ripped away the specialized line that helped LGBTQ children. This was a deliberate choice. The Trump Administration chose to put children’s lives on the line to score some political points. I’ve fought tooth and nail to restore this lifesaving resource. When I realized the Trump Administration was not going to do it on their own, I wrote it into federal law to require them to restore the Press 3 option. This lifesaving resource never should have gone away in the first place, but I am glad the lifesaving support Press 3 provides is once again there for people who need it.”

Since the first reports of the Trump Administration’s planned shuttering of 988’s specialized services for LGBTQ youth, Senator Baldwin pushed for the reinstatement, including:

May 2025: Senator Baldwin led her colleagues in slamming the Trump Administration’s plan to take away lifesaving mental health services at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from LGBTQ youth.

June 2025: Baldwin condemned the Trump Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announcement of their plans to shut down the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ youth in 30 days.

July 2025: On the third anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Baldwin highlighted the Trump Administration’s dangerous decision to cut services for at-risk children.

July 2025: As ranking member of the Senate Labor-HHS (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Baldwin helped write and advance a fiscal year 2026 bill providing $535 million for 988—a $15 million increase—and restored dedicated funding for LGBTQ youth specialized services. The bill also rejected proposed cuts to SAMHSA and preserved it as an independent agency.

September 2025: U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced bipartisan legislation, the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, to codify the 988 lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ young people.

January 2026: Baldwin released the LHHS bill that provides $535 million, a $15 million increase over fiscal year 2025, for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to provide additional support for the program as reliance on 988 continues to increase since its launch.

January 2026: The Senate passed Baldwin’s bipartisan bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services. Included in the bill is language mandating the return of 988’s LGBTQ youth specialized services.

April 2026: When Secretary Kennedy testified in front of the Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Baldwin secured a commitment from Secretary Kennedy to follow the law and restore the 988 “Press 3” option.

June 2026: Senator Baldwin toured the 988 call center in Green Bay and held a roundtable with 988 Lifeline staff and local stakeholders about the impact the crisis line has had on mental health outcomes.

July 2026: Baldwin celebrated the fourth anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which came on the heels of a new study that found that since the launch of the three-digit crisis line, youth suicide deaths dropped 11% below projections, saving 4,372 lives.

September 2026: Senator Baldwin questioned several of President Trump’s nominees for positions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at a Senate hearing and secured commitments that the Trump Administration will restore the ‘Press 3’ option for LGBTQ youth at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by the end of September.

Senator Baldwin wrote and passed the legislation to create the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and has led the fight to ensure it gets properly funded each year. To support Wisconsin’s implementation of 988, the Senator also secured over $3 million in dedicated federal funding. When it was established, Baldwin and her Republican counterpart incorporated a specialized service for veterans, who disproportionately have suicidal ideation. Baldwin then successfully stood up a pilot program to address higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges among LGBTQ youth.

As ranking member of LHHS Senator Baldwin fought to secure $535 million for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and to restore dedicated funding for LGBTQ youth specialized services in Fiscal Year 2026 funding legislation.

The demand for 988 continues to rise, with the volume of calls, texts, and chats 15% higher than a year earlier and nearly 50% higher than two years ago. Since the lifeline launched, it has received over 27 million contacts, including over 18 million calls, 4 million texts, and 3 million chats.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/30/bennet-coons-warren-wyden-gallego-introduce-bill-to-impose-sanctions-on-israeli-settlement-construction-in-the-e1-area-of-the-west-bank/,"Bennet, Coons, Warren, Wyden, Gallego Introduce Bill to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlement Construction in the E1 Area of the West Bank",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, to introduce legislation that would impose targeted sanctions on companies, individuals, and other entities that facilitate the development of illegal Israeli settlements or related structures in the E1 area of the West Bank, including by submitting a bid for E1 tenders. It would also impose sanctions on those who attempt to organize, direct, finance, or facilitate the transfer of Israeli civilians into E1 settlements.

“Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for construction in E1 are aimed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and would gravely threaten prospects for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said Bennet. “Various American presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, have long recognized this and pressed Israeli governments not to move forward with this reckless project. Netanyahu and his ultra-right wing ministers, however, continue to prioritize their personal political interests ahead of Israeli and American security interests. The United States must use our considerable financial and diplomatic tools to reinforce its longstanding policy against Israeli annexation of the West Bank. That is why I am proud to sponsor this bill, which sends a clear message that those who facilitate Netanyahu’s latest dangerous settlement expansion in E1 risk losing access to the U.S. financial system.”

“For decades, American presidents from both parties have warned successive Israeli governments that construction in E1 threatened the viability of a Palestinian state and was unacceptable to the United States,” said Coons. “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity, and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians.”

“The E1 settlement project is a move towards de facto annexation of the West Bank, and those who choose to facilitate settlement construction should understand that they risk losing access to the U.S. financial system,” said Warren. “The United States must use all diplomatic and economic tools available to counter rapid settlement expansion and extremist settler violence in the West Bank, spiraling trends that will only undermine the prospect of lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”

Previous Israeli governments initiated plans for settlement construction in E1 in the 1990s, but they have halted them since 2005 amid international pressure. Last year, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approved construction of more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area, which connects the northern and southern West Bank. In recent weeks, Israel announced tenders to allow companies to bid for construction of these settlements. If completed, these units could sever the West Bank in two, gravely threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have publicly acknowledged – and spoken positively about – how E1 settlement expansion will make such an outcome impossible.

In September 2026, Bennet demanded that Netanyahu take immediate action to address surging Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, in the West Bank. In March 2026, Bennet pressed the Trump administration for an investigation into the death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, an American citizen who Israeli settlers shot and killed in the West Bank. In October 2025, Bennet urged President Trump to reinforce longstanding U.S. policy opposing any potential Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank. In August 2025, Bennet introduced the West Bank Violence Prevention Act to deter and prevent destabilizing violence in the West Bank, particularly against civilians, by requiring the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons engaging in violent extremist acts of terror, intimidation, and coercion against civilians in the West Bank.

In addition to Bennet, Coons, Warren, Wyden, and Gallego, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsored this legislation.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/30/bennet-wyden-veasey-colleagues-recognize-september-as-national-voting-rights-month-ahead-of-midterm-elections/,"Bennet, Wyden, Veasey, Colleagues Recognize September as National Voting Rights Month Ahead of Midterm Elections",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Resolution comes amid efforts by Donald Trump and Republicans to upend vote-by-mail and make voting harder for Americans

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (D-Texas), and 60 congressional colleagues to announce the introduction of a bicameral resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.”

“This month, we celebrate the fundamental right to vote, and the importance of free, fair, and secure elections,” said Bennet. “This right lies at the core of our democracy, but President Trump and his administration continue to attempt to undermine it for millions of Americans. We must continue our fight to defend Colorado’s gold standard election system against Trump’s baseless attacks and conspiracy theories.”

“Trump is doing everything he can to disenfranchise American voters in this year’s midterms because he’s afraid his platform of jacking up costs is about to lose Republicans the midterms,” said Wyden. “Access to the ballot and the right to vote are the bedrock of our democracy, and Congressman Veasey and I will continue fighting to protect this fundamental right for all Americans.”

“Over the past year, we’ve seen our fundamental right to vote eroded and access to critical information about the voting process worsen. In my home state alone, we’ve seen efforts to redistrict mid-decade, introduce restrictive voter ID laws, and reduce the number of polling locations available to voters,” said Veasey. “Now more than ever, it is essential for Americans to understand their voting rights, stay informed about what is happening around them, and help to keep their communities informed. That’s why I’m proud to introduce a resolution alongside Sen. Wyden to designate September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month – a step towards raising awareness, encouraging civic participation, and ensuring that Americans have the information they need to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard in November.”

Since the start of his second term, Trump has worked to undermine election systems nationwide, from appointing election deniers to key positions, to firing all members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, and attempting to limit mail-in voting.

This resolution encourages voter registration in the month of September and calls on Congress to preserve the right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the Democracy Restoration Act, and by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Bennet has consistently fought against blatant efforts from the Trump administration and Republicans to undermine federal elections. In August 2026, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and 26 Senate colleagues to demand the Trump administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s “quiet period” that prohibits large-scale voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Trump administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. In May 2026, Bennet released a statement following the release of the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed rule that would implement part of Trump’s executive order attacking mail in voting. In April 2026, Bennet joined Padilla and 36 of their colleagues to introduce the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act, legislation that would block Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order that attacks Coloradans’ ability to cast mail-in ballots. In March 2026, Bennet condemned the SAVE America Act on the Senate floor and called out Trump for holding the Senate hostage to pass this legislation.

In April 2025, he spoke on the Senate floor, calling out the SAVE America Act that would make it harder for millions of American citizens to register and exercise their right to vote, including women and voters in rural communities across the country. In February 2025, Bennet slammed Trump for sowing distrust in elections. In July 2023, Bennet and his Democratic colleagues introduced the Freedom to Vote Act to improve Americans’ access to the ballot, invest in state election infrastructure, strengthen campaign finance disclosure requirements, and ensure our elections are free from interference.

In addition to Bennet, Wyden, and Veasey, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif)., Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) as well as U.S. Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Jonathan Jackson (D-III.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) cosponsored this resolution.

The text of the resolution is available HERE.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-blunt-rochester-coons-colleagues-demand-secretary-mullin-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts/,"Senators Blunt Rochester, Coons, colleagues demand Secretary Mullin halt 2026 election interference efforts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Lisa Blunt Rochester,B001303,www.bluntrochester.senate.gov,bluntrochester,https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, Chris Coons (Both D-Del.), Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and their Senate Democratic colleagues called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately halt the department’s efforts to assert federal control over the 2026 midterm elections and undermine public trust in them. The senators demanded information substantiating Secretary Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower.

“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote.

In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Secretary Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states and criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data. The senators also objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded fiscal year 2025 funding and are threatening fiscal year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Secretary Mullin is putting Americans’ safety at risk as political leverage.

The senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find non-citizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement.

“According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the senators wrote. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.”

The senators called on Secretary Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), and release all withheld funds to states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-court-approval-of-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement,Booker Statement on Court-Approval of Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Settlement,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement after a federal judge approved the settlement between Paramount Skydance and the states that sued to block its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery:

“The Trump administration picked a winner from the outset and cleared its path. The states stepped in because this merger combines two of the largest film studios and drives concentration to levels the law presumes unlawful. They warned of higher prices, fewer films, and less choice. The settlement does not resolve those concerns.

“Americans deserve an economy where companies compete for their business, reward talent, and serve the public, not markets controlled by those with the deepest pockets.

“Above all, I worry about the workers, artists, and moviegoers who always pay the price when studios consolidate, and about the creative expression that disappears when fewer companies decide what gets made. Past entertainment mergers brought layoffs, shelved projects, and higher prices.

“Our country’s origin story begins with a revolt against monopoly: colonists dumped the East India Company’s tea into the Boston Harbor rather than accept a Crown-granted monopoly. Two hundred and fifty years later, that fight continues. I have called, and will continue to call, for the vigorous and fair application of our antitrust laws. I will watch this merger, and others, closely to make sure it does not threaten competition, raise prices, or invite corruption.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-celebrates-pinehurst-light-rail-opening,Cantwell Celebrates Pinehurst Light Rail Opening,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Celebrates Pinehurst Light Rail Opening

New station brings fast, affordable transit to more north Seattle residents

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, issued a statement celebrating the opening of the newest light rail station in north Seattle.

“This new station gives more north Seattle riders access to fast and affordable public transportation, with service every few minutes to UW, SeaTac Airport, and beyond,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Federal investment in our light rail system pays dividends in driving local economies and helping residents reach jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services across the region.”

Pinehurst Station is an infill station along the Lynnwood Link Extension light rail corridor. From Pinehurst Station, riders can reach the University of Washington and Downtown Seattle in under 15 minutes, with trips to SeaTac Airport taking less than an hour. The station is expected to serve up to 4,200 daily riders with service every 4-6 minutes during peak hours. It is opening to riders years ahead of the originally scheduled target of 2031.

Sen. Cantwell is a longtime champion of ongoing investments in Washington state’s light rail system. In March 2023, Sen. Cantwell announced a $79.3 million federal loan for Pinehurst station, also called the NE 130th Street Infill Station. The project included bus and paratransit transfer facilities, as well as sidewalks and bike infrastructure.

After finalization of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the inclusion of $254 million for the Lynnwood Light Rail Extension – which fully funded the project three years ahead of schedule – and $329.14 million for the Federal Way Link Light Rail Extension.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/remarks-senator-coons-celebrates-unanimous-passage-of-his-end-tax-penalties-on-american-hostages-act/,REMARKS: Senator Coons celebrates unanimous passage of his End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Christopher A. Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,coons,https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the Senate floor tonight ahead of the Senate’s passage by unanimous consent of his bipartisan legislation to protect Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad from facing fines and penalties for failing to pay taxes while in captivity.

“It’s ridiculous that one of the first things an American hostage or wrongful detainee receives from the government when they return home from captivity is a tax bill,” said Senator Coons. “I’ve been working for years to fix this flaw in our tax code to ensure that Americans currently held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad don’t owe thousands of dollars to the IRS when we finally bring them home. I’m so glad that my colleagues have finally supported this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I hope the president signs it immediately to bring this cruel practice to an end.”

The End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, led by Senator Coons and Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), was inspired by Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who was wrongfully detained by the Iranian government for 544 days in 2014. After returning home, Rezaian received a bill for over $20,000 in interest, fines, and other penalties related to tax payments that were due while he was imprisoned in Iran.

The bill will prevent the IRS from imposing penalties and charging interest on tax payments that eligible Americans were unable to make while held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The bill will also provide relief for penalties already paid by certain former hostages and wrongful detainees who returned home in recent years. The IRS has previously made clear this tax issue could only be fixed through legislation.

Senator Coons initially introduced this bill in December 2022. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed companion legislation introduced by Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.).

A transcript and video of Senator Coons’ remarks on the Senate floor this evening as he sought unanimous consent are available below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: Mr. President, I wonder if you’ve heard the story of Jason Rezaian. Jason was a Washington Post reporter, an Iranian-American who was stationed in Tehran and reporting for the Washington Post on the goings-on of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In 2014, he was arrested by the secret police and disappeared. Months later, it was revealed that he was a political prisoner being held at a notorious prison inside Iran. Jason was ultimately detained for 544 days before he was released, which he recounted in his harrowing tale, “Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison.”

When Jason returned to the United States at last, having been freed and returned to his family, what was the first thing he got from the U.S. government?

A tax bill. A tax bill for $20,000 for late filing and late payment.

Mr. Rezaian is a resourceful guy. He went to the IRS and said, “Hey, how can you charge me for late payment, penalties, and fees? I was in prison in Iran.”

They said, “Well, how are we supposed to know that?”

He said, “It was on the front page of the Washington Post.”

They said, “Well, we can’t just forgive fees and fines for anybody who comes and talks to us.”

They went through months and months of arguing back and forth, and he managed to get most of the fines and fees reduced, but not all. And so, after I met with him, now, years ago, I drafted and introduced the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. I bet you can guess what this bill does. There is a corollary, a companion in the House: the End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. And I’m grateful to Congresswoman Titus and Tenney of Nevada and New York for their co-sponsorship. It has passed the House unanimously.

Tonight, Senator Rounds and I have an opportunity to ask for unanimous consent that we pass this legislation in the Senate and send it to President Trump’s desk.

Incredibly, when we asked for the score on this bill, it’s positive, because the IRS insists on litigating these cases, and they almost always lose them. They waste staff time and money suing people who were hostages or prisoners overseas. This is simple. It’s common sense. It’s bipartisan, and it’s compassionate.

I want to thank Senators Crapo and Wyden for allowing Senator Rounds and me to pull this bill out of their larger tax package and pass it by unanimous consent tonight. And I want to thank Senator Mike Rounds for being an early adopter, when I explained what happened to Jason Rezaian, he said, “We should pass that, and pass it right away.”

Well, for better or worse, it’s taken years. But here we are tonight, on the verge of sending it to the president’s desk. And I cannot say how grateful I am for the chance to get this simple, clear, commonsense bill passed to help Americans who might tragically be held hostage or imprisoned wrongfully overseas.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-blunt-rochester-colleagues-demand-secretary-mullin-halt-2026-election-interfernece-efforts/,"Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, colleagues demand Secretary Mullin halt 2026 election interfernece efforts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Christopher A. Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,coons,https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and their Senate Democratic colleagues called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately halt the department’s efforts to assert federal control over the 2026 midterm elections and undermine public trust in them. The senators demanded information substantiating Secretary Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower.

“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote.

In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Secretary Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states and criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data. The senators also objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded fiscal year 2025 funding and are threatening fiscal year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Secretary Mullin is putting Americans’ safety at risk as political leverage.

The senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find non-citizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement.

“According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the senators wrote. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.”

The senators called on Secretary Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), and release all withheld funds to states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.

“The 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters,” the senators wrote.

The full text of the letter is available here.

Joining Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, Peters, Padilla, Durbin, and Schumer in sending the letter were Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-bills-to-bolster-american-geothermal-production-protect-the-energy-grid-clear-key-senate-hurdle/,"Cortez Masto Bills to Bolster American Geothermal Production, Protect the Energy Grid Clear Key Senate Hurdle",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"***VIDEO AVAILABLE***

FTPs for TV stations is available here.

Washington, D.C. – Today, two of U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) bipartisan bills, the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act and the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act(SECURE Grid Act), passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Next-generation geothermal technology uses the heat (100-400º+ C) from rocks several kilometers below the surface of the earth to produce electricity. The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would establish next-generation geothermal Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy. The legislation now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

States must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) to receive funds from the State Energy Program. The SECURE Grid Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Murkowski and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), would require these state plans to account for additional grid threats – such as supply chain dynamics, weather-related threats and vulnerabilities, and the potential for physical grid attacks. The legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

“American energy security isn’t a partisan issue – it touches the lives of every American from Anchorage to Elko,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources took an important step toward unleashing geothermal energy and protecting our electric grids. I look forward to the Senate immediately passing these critical bills.”

During today’s hearing, Senator Cortez Masto pushed Committee Chairman Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) to move forward with her Southern Nevada lands bill, Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-Nev.) Washoe County lands bill, and Congressman Mark Amodei’s (R-Nev.-02) Northern Nevada lands bill in November.

Senator Cortez Masto has consistently led efforts in Congress to bolster American energy production and secure the electric grid. She has led bipartisan legislation to encourage the production of electric distribution transformers, devices that are critical to the energy grid; to secure America’s energy supply chain; to increase critical mineral production in the American West; and to bolster American hydroelectric power production. Cortez Masto has called on the Trump Administration to take strategic action to protect, invest in, and strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chain.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-statement-on-vote-against-h-r-9340/,Cortez Masto Statement on Vote Against H.R. 9340,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her vote against H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, led in the Senate by Jon Husted (R-Ohio).

“I have the same concerns many Nevadans do about the influx of data centers in our communities. I believe that before any data center moves forward, it should have the support of the local community, should be built with union labor, should pay for necessary grid upgrades while prioritizing clean power, and it shouldn’t waste water or raise energy costs for residents.

“In the Senate, there are a number of bills to protect American families from data center-related energy cost spikes, including Senator Heinrich’s GRID Savings Act, which I support. Senator Husted could have joined Democrats on legislation with real teeth that would force data centers to pay for grid upgrades and ensure costs aren’t passed along to the consumer. Instead, Republican leadership, in an election year stunt, chose to push forward on a bill with only voluntary, ineffective language that won’t hold anyone accountable.”

Senator Cortez Masto is a cosponsor of Senator Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) GRID Savings Act. Instead of the Ratepayer Protection Act’s voluntary framework, the GRID Savings Act would require large load customers—like data centers—to pay for the facilities needed to connect them to the grid. Cortez Masto is also the cosponsor of legislation led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to demand more transparency from data centers by requiring them to clearly disclose their energy and water usage.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-cortez-masto-rounds-legislation-to-provide-tribal-courts-access-to-electronic-evidence/,"PASSED: Cortez Masto, Rounds Legislation to Provide Tribal Courts Access to Electronic Evidence",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to provide Tribal courts the same ability to issue warrants for electronic evidence like emails and social media messages as their non-Tribal counterparts. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

“Despite facing high rates of violence, Tribal communities are denied access to essential tools needed to solve crimes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It’s past time for Congress to eliminate this hurdle for Tribal law enforcement. I applaud the Senate passage of this legislation, and I urge my House colleagues to immediately send it to the President’s desk.”

“It’s important that Tribal law enforcement is able to do their job as efficiently as possible,” said Senator Rounds. “Our legislation would give Tribal law enforcement another tool to crack down on illegal activity on their lands. Cutting out the red tape and allowing Tribal courts to access evidence on their own is a step in the right direction to making every community safer. I’m pleased that the Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act has passed the Senate and I look forward to continuing our work to get it signed into law.”

The bipartisan Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act would amend current law to:

include courts of federally recognized Tribes as “courts of competent jurisdiction” under the Stored Communications Act;

require Tribal courts to adhere to warrant procedures described in the Indian Civil Rights Act to access electronic information; and

recognize Tribes as a government entity under the federal statute.

This bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the National Native American Bar Association, the National American Indian Court Judges Association, and the National Native American Law Enforcement Association.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

The Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act is part of Senator Cortez Masto’s response to the 2023 Not Invisible Act Commission Report, which gave recommendations to lawmakers and the federal government to combat the MMIP crisis. The commission’s report was mandated by Cortez Masto’s bipartisan Not Invisible Act, which was signed into law in 2020. Following the report, Cortez Masto has pushed both her BADGES for Native Communities Act and her Tribal Warrant Fairness Act,both of which contain Tribal public safety measures endorsed by the commission. The Not Invisible Act Commission Report was removed from the Department of Justice website more than 960 days ago by the Trump administration and has not been restored. Beyond public safety, Cortez Masto has pushed to better health care, maintain voting rights, and deliver tax parity for Tribes.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-us-forces-withdraw-from-iraq-duckworth-calls-on-trump-to-end-his-illegal-war-in-iran,"As U.S. Forces Withdraw from Iraq, Duckworth Calls on Trump to End His Illegal War in Iran",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) who served in the Iraq War—issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that the United States has officially withdrawn our military forces from Iraq:

“For an entire generation of combat Veterans, the weight of this moment as our nation withdraws U.S. forces from Iraq is hard to express. As a former Soldier who volunteered to serve in Iraq, I’m remembering the thousands of warfighters who never made it home and thinking of the heroes whose lives were forever changed because of the last time a President rashly sent our men and women into an unjustified war in the Middle East.

“In 2004, I deployed to Iraq to fight in a war I did not support on the orders of a President I did not vote for. I didn’t believe our country should be there to begin with. I wanted to take the fight to our enemy harbored in Afghanistan who attacked us on 9/11. I was proud to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom anyway—because that’s what Soldiers do. When our nation calls, our servicemembers always answer. They do what’s asked of them, no matter the cost to their own lives. That kind of selflessness and commitment to the mission demands the highest level of consideration by our nation. We owe it to those brave enough to serve to ensure each mission is worth it before we ever even ask them to sacrifice. And as we withdraw our forces from Iraq, it is baffling that Donald Trump has learned nothing as he plunges our servicemembers further into another forever war in Iran.

“I urge the President and Pete Hegseth to listen to myself and my fellow Iraq War Veterans who have seen firsthand the devastation of a needless forever war. We cannot repeat the same mistakes we made in Iraq. The stakes are too high to not make any attempt to evaluate the lessons learned before reaching for more conflict and destruction. With at least 22 lives lost and hundreds more wounded, it is as urgent and as prudent as ever that Trump brings an end to this disastrous war with Iran before any more lives are lost.”

Duckworth is an Iraq War Veteran who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On November 12, 2004, her helicopter was hit by an RPG and Duckworth lost her legs and partial use of her right arm. She is a Purple Heart recipient and one of the first handful of Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-padilla-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-protect-regional-national-archives-facilities-from-closure,"Duckworth, Durbin, Padilla, Schiff Introduce Legislation To Protect Regional National Archives Facilities From Closure",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"The lawmakers introduced the legislation following the announced closure of Regional National Archives and Federal Records Centers in Chicago and San Bruno, California

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), today introduced the National Archives Protection Act, legislation that would require congressional approval before the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) can close or significantly restrict access to existing regional facilities.

In June 2026, NARA announced plans to close its regional archive facilities and co-located Federal Records Centers (FRC) in Chicago and San Bruno, California, as well as relocate all temporary records from its Seattle facility. The decision has raised concerns from archivists, researchers and constituents about access to public records, many of which are not digitized and can only be accessed in person.

Chicago’s FRC houses more than 140,000 cubic feet of historical federal records from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, including federal court and naturalization records, immigration records, Native American and Bureau of Indian Affairs records, maritime records and other materials documenting the history of the Great Lakes region. The closure of Chicago’s FRC eliminates a regional access point serving six states, making it more difficult for Midwesterners and federal agencies to access the records that have yet to be digitized.

“Our National Archives make it possible for families, researchers and communities across the Midwest to access records that tell the story of who we are and where we come from,” Duckworth said. “This Administration has already shown how willing it is to erase American stories, and closing regional facilities like Chicago’s Federal Records Center would put even more of our history out of reach. Congress must have a say to protect the public’s access to these critical records and ensure our history is not lost.”

“Regional National Archives facilities, including Chicago’s Federal Record Center, ensure that Americans can access public and personal records without having to travel across the country. Closing these facilities without the oversight of Congress risks putting those records further out of reach for our communities,” Durbin said. “The National Archives Protection Act would ensure that these records, and the history they preserve, remain an accessible resource.”

“Our National Archives are home to the immigration journeys, military service, and family histories of people across the West and the Pacific,” said Padilla. “Closing Federal Records Centers would cut researchers and communities off from our own past. I’m proud to work with Senator Durbin to maintain the public’s access to our nation’s historic documents.”

“The administration is threatening access to historical and irreplaceable records, including closing down one facility in California that is home to countless photos and family heirlooms. Congress must exercise its oversight power to save decades of regional and national history,” said Schiff.

U.S. Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Judy Chu (D-CA-28) and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) introduced companion legislation in the House earlier this year.

-30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/09/30/2026/durbin-delivers-opening-statement-during-senate-judiciary-committee-nominations-hearing,Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"During his opening remarks, Durbin also reflected on yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement in which he outlined the extreme judicial nominees the Trump Administration has nominated, including the nominees before the Committee today.

Today’s Committee hearing considered the nominations of: Lee Rudofsky, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; Robert Long, to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; Peter Mansfield, to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; and Jesus Osete, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

After commenting on today’s judicial nominees, Durbin reflected on yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Key Quotes:

“President Trump has made it clear he believes judges appointed by him should be reliable votes for the MAGA agenda. He said, ‘it’s really OK for them to be loyal to the person that appointed them’… When judges don’t rule his way, President Trump attacks them, calling them ‘rogue judges that are criminals,’ and demanding that Republicans pass a ‘tough crime bill that…cracks down on rogue judges.’ He has repeatedly attacked his own Supreme Court appointees, most recently saying, ‘they are merely a shell of their original selves.’”

“For President Trump, it’s not enough that a judicial nominee be a principled conservative. Nominees must now demonstrate fealty to him and his MAGA agenda. So, President Trump has resorted to nominating ideologically extreme nominees in some cases—regardless of whether they have the qualifications to serve as a lifetime appointee.”

“Look no further than today’s panel. One of the nominees has only been out of law school for a decade and has been practicing for a grand total of seven years. Why should litigants have faith in these nominees that they’ll have the knowledge and expertise to adjudicate the cases? That is not a matter of concern to the President. He only cares if they will be loyal.”

“That loyalty is particularly important to President Trump at a time when jurists nominated during the first Trump Administration have been ruling against this President, including dozens who have ruled against this Administration’s illegal mandatory immigration detention.”

“And judges across the country, nominated by Presidents of both parties, have found the Trump Administration is repeatedly defying court orders. As Judge Patrick Schiltz—a George W. Bush appointee who clerked for Justice Scalia—found, ICE violated hundreds of court orders in Minnesota alone.”

“In rare interviews earlier this month, Judge Schiltz and other judges spoke out about the ‘grave threat to the rule of law’ posed by this Administration’s attacks. Last week, Chairman Grassley chastised Judge Schiltz and others, claiming that they violated the judicial canons by granting these interviews. In fact, the Advisory Opinion that the Chairman cited specifically permits ‘the measured defense of judicial colleagues from illegitimate forms of criticism and attacks that risk undermining judicial independence or the rule of law.’… Judges don’t give up their First Amendment rights when they assume the bench, particularly when it comes to preserving the rule of law.”

Durbin then spoke about yesterday’s hearing, in which former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the Committee.

“I’d like a minute to reflect on yesterday’s hearing. We have been trying for a year to get Mr. Jack Smith, the Special Counsel, to appear before this Committee under oath…Since October of last year, we have been waiting for the chance. Yesterday was that moment. Mr. Smith came before us, took the oath, and submitted himself to questioning from both sides of the aisle for a lengthy period of time.”

“What I found curious was the underlying charges which he was investigating—the instigation of the January 6 attack on the Capitol of the United States, as well as questioning the results of the 2020 election, together with the disposition of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Florida—was never raised on the Republican side of the aisle.”

“Those substantive issues, which led to indictments, were not contested or questioned. Rather, it was Mr. Smith who was on trial for acting as a prosecutor in this case.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

-30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-questions-judicial-nominees-about-protecting-americans-right-to-vote-during-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing,Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees About Protecting Americans’ Right To Vote During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Durbin questioned Judge Lee Philip Rudofsky and Jesus Osete about their views on the Voting Rights Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Durbin began by questioning Lee Philip Rudofsky, nominated to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, about his view on the Voting Rights Act.

“For 60 years, under the Voting Rights Act, individuals could bring [private] causes of action under that Act. I imagine the theory behind it, and I think I am right, is that that’s the only way for an individual to have a voice questioning government action which denies or limits a person’s right to vote. Is that your understanding?” Durbin asked.

Judge Rudofsky replied that he believes that the Voting Rights Act did not write an express right of action. Despite precedent, Judge Rudofsky previously ruled in a 2022 case that the Voting Rights Act does not have an implied right of action, and as a result, he diluted the voting power of the Black Arkansans who brought the case.

“In 2022, and you referred to the case, you presided over a case that challenged Arkansas’ House of Representatives redistricting map for diluting the voting power of Black Americans. In your own words, there was a ‘strong merits case that at least some of the districts…are unlawful under [Section] 2 of the Voting Rights Act.’ Yet, you claimed you could not reach the merits of the case and instead ruled that private citizens have no private right of action to enforce Section 2,” Durbin said.

“For 60 years before your decision, courts recognized private plaintiffs, individuals for example, who may have lived in those districts that were being contested, were able to bring cases under Section 2 challenging the policies and practices that made it more difficult for people to vote. To the detriment of voters of color in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, a divided panel of the Eighth Circuit embraced your fringe reasoning. The Eighth Circuit is the only appeals court in the nation to adopt your extreme position. Even the conservative Fifth Circuit declined to stray from precedent. That means state and local politicians can now freely violate the voting rights of their constituents, knowing they will go unchallenged by private citizens and without a doubt be ignored by this Department of Justice,” Durbin continued.

“As you reflect on the practical impact of denying to individuals, in all the states that I’ve mentioned, an opportunity to use the Voting Rights Act to assert the protection of their right to vote, do you have any misgivings about your ruling?” Durbin asked Judge Rudofsky.

Despite harming Americans’ right to vote, Judge Rudofsky defended his ruling.

Durbin replied, “I have to say that for 60 years, individuals could protect their own right to vote through the Voting Rights Act. Your position is a deviation from that precedent to the detriment of the voters and their rights in the future. I think that is significant.”

Durbin then questioned Mr. Jesus Osete, who has been nominated to be a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri, about his efforts to weaken voting rights legislation, especially because he now serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Justice Department. Notably, in 2016, Mr. Osete authored an article entitled “Voter Suppression Rears Its Ugly Head,” in which he criticized the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder for opening the floodgates to voter suppression.

“Now at the Justice Department, you have advocated to further change, and I believe, lessen the Voting Rights Act, building on the first major blow that came over a decade ago in Shelby County v. Holder. The Administration also continues to attack voting rights and undermine confidence in our elections, often under the guise of preventing voter fraud or ensuring so-called election integrity. Where do you stand today as a person working at the Justice Department, having made very clear in your statements in 2016 your feeling about voter suppression?” Durbin asked Mr. Osete.

Mr. Osete distanced himself from his 2016 article, instead claiming that he has upheld the law while touting his efforts to defend voter ID laws.

Durbin pushed back, “There is a genuine concern by many on my side of the aisle, and even some others that do not have a partisan identification, that there’s going to be an attempt to undermine the voting in the next election in November, just a few weeks away. At the Justice Department, can you give me your assurance that you have done nothing and will do nothing to inhibit the right of legal Americans to legitimately and fairly vote?”

Mr. Osete said he will enforce voting rights laws.

“When we hear from one of the assistant attorneys general that she’s going to send 1,000 observers into the [voting] precincts, what are we to make of that?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Osete replied that these observers will ensure election laws are complied with. Notably, in 2022 while at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, Mr. Osete objected to the Biden Justice Department’s planned efforts to deploy officials to monitor Americans with Disabilities Act compliance on Election Day, claiming that their presence would be “disruptive” and “only undermine confidence in our elections and deter Missourians from casting their votes.”

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

-30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-senate-rejecting-republican-messaging-bills,Durbin Statement On Senate Rejecting Republican Messaging Bills,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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) today released the following statement regarding the Senate rejecting Republicans’ Ratepayer Protection Act and Stop Insider Trading Act:

“In a last-minute gasp before the midterm election, Senate Republicans were hoping to pass a meaningless bill that does nothing to rein in data centers and a voter suppression bill masquerading as an inadequate congressional stock trading ban. Americans need real action, not Republican messaging.”

-30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-leads-colleagues-in-letter-to-hud-urging-implementation-of-whole-home-repairs-law/,Fetterman Leads Colleagues in Letter to HUD Urging Implementation of Whole Home Repairs Law,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,PA,John Fetterman,F000479,www.fetterman.senate.gov,fetterman,https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) led his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner urging an establishment of a Whole Home Repairs program through the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (GA-5).

“Almost 7 million Americans live in homes that are in need of significant repair, with deficiencies including leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and mold. This is an issue that disproportionately affects America’s seniors, many of whom would like to downsize but do not want to sell the home at a steep discount due to the updates required. As we saw in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s successful Whole Home Repairs program, providing grants for repairs allowed seniors to sell larger homes to growing families,” wrote the members of Congress.

Pennsylvania’s program provided grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners and small landlords repair and weatherize their properties. The Pennsylvania program also supported training and pre-apprenticeship programs to create jobs and build a skilled workforce for the future. As the result of a bipartisan and bicameral effort, the Whole-Home Repairs Act was signed into law with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The Whole Home Repairs pilot program will provide renovation and repair grants to homeowners and small landlords. This will help ensure America’s aging homes do not fall out of the housing supply.

“The language in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes you to operate a Whole Home Repairs program through 2031. We want to show the nation that repairing America’s crumbling homes is not a red or blue issue. Creating greater access to housing is an American issue. Any delays will mean millions of American families may never realize the benefit of this program. We were proud to help the Whole Home Repairs bill become law, and we stand ready to support you in making it a reality for Americans,” continued the members.

Read the full text of the letter below and here.

—

Dear Secretary Turner,

We write to urge you to establish a Whole Home Repairs program through the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. We were proud to vote for the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to improve access to affordable homeownership in America. This law includes our bill to create a Whole Home Repairs pilot program, which will provide renovation and repair grants to homeowners and ensure America’s aging homes do not fall out of the housing supply.

Almost 7 million Americans live in homes that are in need of significant repair, with deficiencies including leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and mold. This is an issue that disproportionately affects America’s seniors, many of whom would like to downsize but do not want to sell the home at a steep discount due to the updates required. As we saw in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s successful Whole Home Repairs program, providing grants for repairs allowed seniors to sell larger homes to growing families.

The language in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes you to operate a Whole Home Repairs program through 2031. We want to show the nation that repairing America’s crumbling homes is not a red or blue issue. Creating greater access to housing is an American issue. Any delays will mean millions of American families may never realize the benefit of this program. We were proud to help the Whole Home Repairs bill become law, and we stand ready to support you in making it a reality for Americans.

Given the importance of establishing the Congressionally-authorized Whole Home Repairs program, we request a meeting with the Office of Lead Hazard Control for our staff to discuss how it plans to implement this program. Specifically, we want to discuss how it plans to utilize appropriated funds and manage streamlining and reporting requirements. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-question-president-trump-on-invitation-of-vladimir-putin-to-g20-on-american-soil/,"Gallego, Colleagues Question President Trump on Invitation of Vladimir Putin to G20 on American Soil",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined a bipartisan group of 13 senators in sending a letter to President Trump inquiring about the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of Twenty (G20) Leader’s Summit in Miami, Florida this coming December.

In the letter, the senators question why Vladimir Putin, who has committed atrocities against the people of Ukraine and silenced his own people, has been welcomed with open arms to participate in a G20 meeting on American soil. This comes at a time when the Russian government is ramping up its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and continues to target Americans in Ukraine and around the world.

The senators make clear that President Putin should not be permitted to take part in G20 events or other similar international forums in the United States and request for Putin nor any sanctioned Russian officials be permitted at upcoming G20 events.

“President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day,” wrote the senators.

“This invitation also comes at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear. Numerous public reports have indicated that Russia is helping Iran’s military target American service members in the Middle East. Russia has also increased its hybrid warfare activities throughout Europe in recent months while simultaneously conducting deadly aerial attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure,” continued the senators.

“The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks. We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable. However, if President Putin and his government are not isolated on the international stage, what incentive does Russia have to agree to a ceasefire?” concluded the senators.

In addition to Senator Gallego, the letter was signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), and Alan Armstrong (R-OK).",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-introduces-bill-to-protect-americans-data-from-big-tech-and-ai-companies/,Gillibrand Introduces Bill To Protect Americans’ Data From Big Tech And AI Companies,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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) reintroduced the Data Protection Act. This legislation would create a new independent federal agency to protect Americans’ data, ensure fair data practices, and help the government adapt to rapidly evolving digital technologies.

“As AI continues to evolve, it is more important than ever that we take action to crack down on tech companies that misuse Americans’ data,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Currently, Big Tech companies are free to sell individuals’ data to the highest bidder without fear of real consequences, posing a severe threat to privacy and civil rights. My bill would create an independent federal agency to protect data and privacy, equipped with the resources to give Americans the meaningful protection they deserve.”

Data privacy is a growing concern in the United States. In 2025 alone, more than 3,300 data breaches exposed over 278 million individuals’ personal information. About 89 percent of Americans are concerned that their data is being accessed and used inappropriately.

Additionally, the U.S. is one of few democracies in the world that lacks a data protection agency. Senator Gillibrand’s Data Protection Act would create such an agency, strengthening the federal government’s ability to protect Americans’ data and bringing the U.S. in line with peer nations.

Specifically, the Data Protection Act would:

Limit the collection, use, and sharing of personal data;

Oversee high-risk data practices, ensure that data processing and algorithms are fair, and minimize the collection of data for commercial purposes;

Examine the social, ethical, economic, and civil rights impacts of data collection practices;

Maintain a publicly accessible list of data aggregators that collect, process, or share data;

Enforce privacy statutes and rules as authorized by Congress, with a broad range of tools including civil penalties, injunctive relief, and equitable remedies;

Develop model privacy and data protection standards, guidelines, and policies for use by the private sector and government agencies, and;

Advise Congress on emerging privacy and technology issues.

This legislation is endorsed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Consumer Federation of America, Fairplay, Consumer Action, and National Association of Consumer Advocates.

“The United States has been ensnared in a data privacy crisis for decades, and putting an end to it will take significant action from Congress,” said Kara Williams, Counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. “EPIC is proud to endorse Sen. Gillibrand’s Data Protection Act, which would establish a federal data protection agency that would focus exclusively on protecting privacy—a crucial first step to ending the mass overcollection and exploitation of Americans’ personal data.”

“With an increase in surveillance of every corner of life online and off, the need for a strong and clear privacy law with teeth has never been more urgent,” said Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy of the Consumer Federation of America. “The Data Protection Act is straightforward, administrable, and what we need right now.”

“Commercial surveillance has become Silicon Valley’s economic operating system, yet the United States is the only major industrialized country without a dedicated data protection agency to rein in harmful data practices,” said Asad Ramzanali, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Technology Policy at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator. “This void leaves Americans exposed and the government underequipped to respond. We’ve long needed a well-staffed watchdog with real authority to enforce privacy rights and hold companies accountable.”

“Consumers need an agency that makes data protection its priority. Senator Gillibrand’s plan to create a Data Protection Agency is the right step to ensure that companies use individuals’ data fairly, responsibly and with accountability,” said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Action.

“Data centers in the U.S. are vulnerable to attack, and as a country we need to do a much better job with data security. That’s why the U.S. needs a data protection agency,” said Bruce Schneier, Fellow and Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School.

The full text of the Data Protection Act can be found here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/watch-gillibrand-demands-enabler-hegseth-resign-after-dismissing-uss-lincoln-suicide-attempts-politically-motivated-firings/,"Watch: Gillibrand Demands “Enabler” Hegseth Resign After Dismissing USS Lincoln Suicide Attempts, Politically Motivated Firings",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Gillibrand: “This Is A Secretary Of Defense Who Does Not Know How To Lead Our Country Productively To Keep Americans Safer.”

***Watch Senator Gillibrand’s Full Interview Here***

Today, in an interview on CNN’s The Situation Room, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s immediate resignation following recent revelations that 8 sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had attempted suicide and that Hegseth plans to cut the number of generals and admirals in the military by 20%.

Gillibrand also continued to demand immediate passage of her bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) in light of the allegations in the Cornell University fraternity rape case. The legislation would hold campuses accountable, create a fair process for students, and ensure victims have access to a dedicated advocate to assist in navigating the adjudication process.

Footage of Senator Gillibrand’s interview with Pamela Brown can be found here.

Transcripts of key moments can be found below:

ON HEGSETH’S INABILITY TO STAND UP TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ENSURE OUR MILITARY KEEPS AMERICANS SAFE:

GILLIBRAND: This administration and Pete Hegseth want $1.5 trillion for the military, showing that they want unlimited money for bombs. They have plenty of money for billionaires and ballrooms, but yet not sufficient money for regular people who are working hard for food, for housing, and for healthcare. It’s just deeply demoralizing, the direction the secretary is taking.

BROWN: And you believe he should resign. Is that right?

GILLIBRAND: I’ve called on him to resign many times over almost all of these issues. Most recently, over the hitting of a girls’ school in Iran, the fact that he continues to prosecute a war that the American people have not had a chance to even support. There’s been no congressional approval. And again, asking for unlimited money for his bombs, waging this war when this administration refuses to fund things like Medicaid.

BROWN: But isn’t – in terms of the war itself, it’s more up to President Trump, right? As the commander-in-chief, and getting that sign-off, right?

GILLIBRAND: President Trump is bringing this country in the wrong direction on all these issues, but Secretary Hegseth is an enabler, and he is unwilling to do his job as the Secretary of Defense to prosecute wars properly, to have civilian harm reduction as part of his military services. He’s firing people not based on qualifications, but how they look, the color of their skin. These are all red flags that this is a secretary of defense who does not know how to lead our country productively to keep Americans safer.

ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP THAT FORCED SERVICE MEMBERS IN THE USS LINCOLN STRIKE GROUP TO SERVE IN DISMAL CONDITIONS:

BROWN: You’re also calling for congressional hearings after the Navy confirmed to you in a letter that eight sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln fleet – we should note there you have the carrier and then you have the fleet – that there were attempted suicides. So, what more have you learned about the conditions on board? Not just the carrier itself, which I was an embed on for three days back in July, but also just the other warships around it, where there were attempted suicides as well.

GILLIBRAND: Well, this goes to the lack of leadership of Secretary Hegseth again, and ultimately President Trump, deploying our service members for months upon months, far longer than they expected, not giving them the dwell time, the time at home that they need to recuperate and be ready to continue to go back into combat over and over again. We wrote a letter asking what is the status and well-being of the service members that are deployed, and the answer we got was shocking. Eight people have attempted suicide on these warships. Two threw themselves overboard, which, according to experts, is the most extreme scenario you can imagine being a sailor on a warship. And so I have serious questions about how Secretary Hegseth is leading this military and, ultimately, President Trump.

ON THE SERIOUS AND HORRIFIC ALLEGATIONS IN THE CORNELL RAPE CASE AND THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION LIKE THE CAMPUS ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFETY ACT TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS:

BROWN: I want to turn to another issue, and that is this Cornell rape civil suit that is getting a lot of attention. You have called the allegations “serious and horrific.” You and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley have introduced legislation to combat sexual assault on college campuses, but that bill was never passed. What role can Congress play here?

GILLIBRAND: Well, we should pass our legislation immediately. What it does is create rules of the road so that every student is protected on campus. We have to make sure that there’s a person who’s highly trained to receive these allegations in the first instance to tell a survivor what his or her rights are, what opportunity she has to report either through a civilian system, through a college system, or through a criminal system. She or he is given just the basic tools of advocacy about what’s going to happen to their lives and whether the school will provide accommodations. And then you need a process that is a highly informed process, that is legitimate, and doesn’t pit one student against another unfairly in a circumstance that doesn’t actually resolve to justice. And so we need reform on all of these college campuses. It’s not right that kids go off to school and are not safe. It’s not right that what happened in this instance doesn’t appear to have been assessed properly. So I’m grateful that the DA is looking at it again.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/fact-sheet-heinrich-outlines-how-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-will-deliver-cheaper-energy-more-jobs-and-responsible-growth,"FACT SHEET: Heinrich Outlines How Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, and Responsible Growth",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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, released a new fact sheet outlining key provisions of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, legislation that he unveiled with U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The landmark legislation will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States.

Text of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act can be found here.

Heinrich’s press release announcing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act can be found here.

Heinrich’s fact sheet can be found here and below.

Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will deliver cheaper energy, good-paying jobs, and responsible growth, while protecting important environmental review and historic preservation processes.

Cheaper Energy

As demand increases, America needs more electricity, and we need it cheaper and faster. This deal will increase supply, expand the grid, and drive costs down for families and businesses.

Builds more transmission, faster by strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) “backstop” siting authority — giving the federal government more authority to approve major interstate power lines – and allowing transmission applications to be processed simultaneously with state reviews, helping needed projects move through permitting faster.

Gets more energy onto the grid by:

Requiring regional and interregional transmission planning that accounts for where new transmission is needed and plans ahead for future electricity demand, helping to get more electricity to the places that need it and putting downward pressure on electricity costs.

Requiring grid-enhancing technologies and automated systems to speed up the process of connecting new energy projects to the grid and making better use of the grid we already have, increasing the supply available to consumers.

Requiring wholesale electricity markets to allow distributed generation sources and virtual power plants to participate, helping meet growing demand with more available supply.

Forces data centers pay their fair share by requiring data centers to pay for all of their associated transmission costs, rather than relying on a voluntary structure, preventing costs from being passed on to American families or small businesses.

Good-Paying Jobs

America has enormous energy and infrastructure needs, but we cannot create the jobs that come with building those projects if projects spend decades stuck in the permitting process.

Creates jobs across the energy supply chain by boosting the build out of more transmission, clean energy, supply manufacturing, and other grid infrastructure.

Creates greater certainty for projects permitted and financed across administrations by prohibiting any administration from delaying or blocking permitting of a class of energy projects – meaning no administration can block all solar, wind, or other class of energy project permits without facing legal action and fines.

Responsible Growth

Getting to a “yes” or “no” on permitting faster does not mean eliminating environmental protections, Tribal consultation, or the ability to challenge projects in court. This deal keeps important safeguards in place, while creating clear timelines and rules for permitting projects.

Sets clear deadlines for environmental reviews — including a two-year deadline for Environmental Impact Statement reviews and a one-year deadline for Environmental Assessment reviews, with consequences for agencies that miss those deadlines. That means environmental reviews still happen, but not indefinitely.

Establishes a new National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultation process that runs alongside National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews with a defined time limit, securing a statutory role for Tribes in determining how projects affect historic and cultural resources and protecting Tribes’ rights to formally consult during the processes — two things the Section 106 reforms attempted to eliminate.

Limits the types of impacts that projects are required to mitigate, creating clearer boundaries around which effects a project must mitigate or minimize.

Sets clear limitations on when and how a project may be legally challenged.

Sets a 150-day deadline for legal challenges under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), NEPA, and NHPA.

Generally limits who can bring a legal challenge to people or groups that participated in the relevant comment period or Tribal consultation process.

Limits when a court can temporarily stop a project from moving forward, while preserving the existing ability to seek that relief under the Administrative Procedures Act.

Allows states to handle endangered species consultations if they have demonstrated staffing, expertise, and resource capacity to do so.

Clarifies the limits on state water-quality reviews (under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act) by limiting state certifications to water pollution directly caused by a specific source for gas pipelines and transmission lines and prohibiting use of the process to address unrelated issues.

Prevents the federal government from changing the rules after the fact for certain wetlands and waterwaysby stopping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from preemptively or retroactively removing areas of land from the federal water-quality certification process.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lee-capito-and-whitehouse-introduce-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-of-2026,"Heinrich, Lee, Capito, and Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform the federal environmental review and permitting process. This groundbreaking agreement will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States.

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides certainty that permitted energy and infrastructure projects will retain their permits absent extraordinary circumstances, violations of law, or court order, as well as targeted reforms for various energy projects. This legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and from a diverse group of stakeholders. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act also forces data centers to pay their fair share by requiring them to pay for all of their associated transmission costs.

“America is entering a new era of energy demand. We have an enormous opportunity to build big things again to meet this moment – to build more generation, expand our grid, create more jobs, lower energy costs, and make sure we have the energy we need to compete. It should not take decades to build the infrastructure our country needs,” said Heinrich. “Our Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will help us get to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on energy projects faster, while protecting important environmental safeguards and protecting the ability of Tribes to formally consult during these processes. It will mean more energy on the grid, more good-paying jobs, and lower electricity costs for families and businesses. And as data centers drive demand for more power, it will ensure they pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require – not leave that bill to American families. Our bill puts teeth behind that principle.”

“We once built projects like the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building in years, not decades,” said Lee. “America still has the resources and the talent, but what too often stands in the way is a permitting system that takes too long and costs too much. After years of work in Congress and many months of negotiations, I’m proud we’ve reached a bipartisan agreement to fix this broken process and get America back to building.”

“For far too long, our broken and outdated federal environmental review and permitting processes have stood in the way of energy reliability, secure jobs, modern infrastructure, and economic growth. The bipartisan reforms we secured in this deal will transform our nation’s ability to power our economy and fuel future growth, while continuing to protect the land, water, and wildlife we all cherish. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and the House, and President Trump to get this essential legislation signed into law so we can build the infrastructure America needs to grow and thrive,” said Capito.

“The American people want lower energy bills, and they want more clean energy. Our permitting reform plan gets us a long way toward both of those goals. If we can pass this bill, we will flood the grid with clean, affordable energy and make data centers start paying their fair share,” said Whitehouse. “Like all major pieces of bipartisan legislation, this bill is a compromise. We believe it is a compromise that will result in a brighter, cleaner, more affordable future.”

The bill text is available here.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-vote-against-husted-backed-bill-that-fails-to-make-data-centers-pay-for-grid-upgrades,Heinrich Statement on Vote Against Husted-Backed Bill that Fails to Make Data Centers Pay for Grid Upgrades,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after voting against advancing U.S. Senator Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation that fails to make AI data centers to pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require – burdening American families with higher electricity costs.

“The Ratepayer Protection Act is exactly what Congress is known for: all message and no substance. If voluntary pledges and suggestions worked, families and small businesses wouldn’t be staring down rate hikes right now.

“I want Congress to pass legislation with real teeth that will require data centers to pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require and doesn’t shift costs onto American families. Husted’s bill fails to do both.

“I’m pushing for legislation that will actually hold AI data centers accountable for their energy usage and lower electricity bills for Americans.”

Last week, Heinrich blocked Husted’s attempt to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act via a Unanimous Consent (UC) agreement and urged his Senate colleagues to instead pass his GRID Savings Act, which forces large load customers — like data centers — to pay for the facilities needed to connect them to the grid.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-celebrates-committee-passage-of-his-bipartisan-energy-bills/,Hickenlooper Celebrates Committee Passage of His Bipartisan Energy Bills,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper led the Geo POWER Act and co-led the Earth MRI Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper celebrated the Senate Energy and Natural Resource (ENR) Committee’s passage of two Hickenlooper-led bipartisan bills.

The committee passed Hickenlooper’s Geo POWER Act, as amended, which would help accelerate geothermal technologies and deliver clean, reliable electricity across the country, and the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Reauthorization Act, which he co-leads with Senator Murkowski, to fund the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth MRI program. A program that improves our understanding of critical mineral, geothermal, and other subsurface resources across the country.

“America is an energy powerhouse, but our energy needs are growing rapidly,” said Hickenlooper. “To meet our energy demand, we need to invest in activities that make it possible to further unlock our full potential. If we do, we can secure lower energy costs for Americans, shore up our national security, and build tomorrow’s energy infrastructure today.”

The Geo POWER Act’s committee passage comes on the heels of Colorado’s National Laboratory of the Rockies being chosen as the launch point for the Geothermal Center of Excellence earlier this month. The Act provides a significant $800 million investment in unlocking geothermal energy here in the U.S.

Specifically, the Geo POWER Act would:

Require the Department of Energy to provide innovative financing to projects that are planning or enabling new aggregate electricity generation of at least 30 megawatts in multiple states with limited to no existing geothermal electricity generation;

Generate public data to de-risk future geothermal projects in new geologies and regions;

Ensure fiscal accountability by requiring projects to achieve milestones to access additional financial support; and

Accelerate the commercialization of next-generation geothermal technologies in new regions across the United States.

The Earth MRI Act would:

Reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at levels similar to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Expand the program to include natural hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource.

Hickenlooper is also a cosponsor of the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, which passed the ENR committee today as well. The bill would fund critical cybersecurity grants and technical assistance for public power utilities across Colorado.

Hickenlooper, a former geologist, is a strong supporter of an all-of-the-above energy approach, which he helped move the U.S. towards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, investing billions in clean energy generation.

He’s also called for a ‘Project Mercury’ for critical materials, arguing that America needs to take back the reins on critical minerals production to secure energy independence. In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has led and co-sponsored multiple other critical minerals related bills, including:

The bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies;

His bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for sustainable critical mineral research innovation and recycling; and

His bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.

His bipartisan National Critical Minerals Council Act to coordinate strategy for critical minerals across Federal agencies.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-republicans-sham-effort-to-shield-americans-from-data-centers-driving-up-energy-costs/,Hickenlooper Statement on Republicans Sham Effort to Shield Americans from Data Centers Driving Up Energy Costs,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Democrats pushed to strengthen the so-called Ratepayer Protection Act and require data centers to pay for grid updates

WASHINGTON – As the Senate considers the Ratepayer Protection Act, today U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper criticized the measure as lacking teeth after

Republicans refused to work with Senate Democrats to amend the legislation to actually protect Americans from paying increased energy prices for the energy needs of data centers. Democrats remain ready to stop data centers from raising costs.

“Data centers use large amounts of electricity. And families shouldn’t be forced to pay for their new infrastructure needs. Republicans say their bill fixes that. It doesn’t,” said Hickenlooper in a video statement today. “It asks states to consider protections for ratepayers. It doesn’t require them. This isn’t complicated. If Big Tech wants a data center. Big Tech should pay for it. Congress needs to get serious and actually protect ratepayers.”

Watch Senator Hickenlooper’s full video here.

Americans have already paid $100 billion in additional energy costs because of the war in Iran.

The so-called Rate Payer Protection Act only asks states to study the idea of requiring data centers to pay for necessary grid updates for their large energy demands. However, Senate Democrats pushed to include their provision that would have actually required the largest new power users to pay their fair share to connect. It would mandate data centers follow the same rules that power plants have followed for 20 years.

Currently, power plants must go through a detailed review process, pay for the upgrades needed to connect safely and reliably, and put up financial commitments to show it’s serious about moving forward.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-republicans-trojan-horse-voter-suppression-tactic/,Hickenlooper Statement on Republicans’ “Trojan Horse” Voter Suppression Tactic,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after blocking a Republican bill that would restrict voting and allow insider trading to continue.

“We blocked Republicans’ thinly veiled voter suppression bill outright earlier this year. Today, they ripped a page out of Homer and tried to sneak it through like a Trojan Horse,” said Hickenlooper. “We will continue to block their efforts to insulate the president from voters who are furious with MAGA’s corrupt agenda and cost-of-living emergency.”

Hickenlooper has consistently fought back against Trump and MAGA Republicans’ voter suppression bill and stood up to their attacks on mail-in-voting, a safe and secure voting method. As governor, Hickenlooper created the gold-standard mail-in-voting system in the country, providing millions of Coloradans with easier access to the ballot box.

The vehicle for the Republicans’ voter suppression provision, the Stop Insider Trading Act, fails to adequately stop members of Congress profiting off insider information. The bill also ignores any restrictions for the president and cabinet officials.

Hickenlooper, who has had his assets in a blind trust since he was Mayor of Denver, co-sponsors the more comprehensive Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act that would force all members of Congress to place their stocks into a qualified blind trust so that they can’t use insider information to inform their portfolio decisions and turn a profit.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-senate-passage-of-his-legislation-to-improve-financial-security-for-americans,Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of His Legislation to Improve Financial Security for Americans,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) celebrated Senate passage of the Claiming Age Clarity Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME), to help Americans make better-informed decisions that help them live a more financially-secure retirement. Specifically, it would change language to make it clearer to Americans about the impact that claiming Social Security benefits at different ages would have on their benefit amounts.

“Americans pay into Social Security their entire working lives, and it’s important that they understand what benefits they’re entitled to so they can make informed decisions about their retirement,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation will make that vital information clearer. I’m glad that both chambers have now passed this bill, and I urge the President to sign it.”

Social Security benefits are available to Americans starting at age 62, but those who choose to receive their benefits later receive greater monthly payments, with the highest payments available to those who wait until age 70 to begin claiming benefits. Many Americans do not begin claiming benefits at the age that will maximize their total income in retirement, and research has shown that the terminology the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses often leads to confusion. To take steps toward alleviating this problem, this legislation would clarify the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) terminology, ending the use of the confusing terms “early eligibility age,” “full retirement age,” and “delayed retirement credits,” and replacing them with “minimum monthly benefit age,” “standard monthly benefit age,” and “maximum monthly benefit age,” respectively.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-holds-hearing-on-nicaraguas-political-crisis,Kaine Holds Hearing On Nicaragua’s Political Crisis,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"VIDEO FROM THE HEARING IS AVAILABLE HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)—a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues—held a subcommittee hearing titled “Nicaragua’s Political Crisis: Ortega’s Assault on Democracy.” In July, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega declared that Nicaragua would no longer hold competitive elections.

“This is timely and urgent because the human rights challenges perpetrated by the current regime in Nicaragua have to be taken seriously, both for the sake of Nicaraguans but also for the entire region,” said Kaine. “I know very well the signs of autocratic government, the actions that they take, the human toll they inflict on everyday citizens.”

“What is happening in Nicaragua is a reminder that democracy doesn't always die from a coup or a military takeover, as was the case in Honduras. The erosion starts when an authoritarian leader systematically undermines the foundations of free society, press, independent judiciary—weaponizing government against dissidents and weakening other independent institutions,” Kaine continued.

“As a longtime member of the subcommittee and more recently the Chair and Ranking of the Subcommittee, I think Congress has a responsibility to authorize the necessary tools to put pressure on regimes,” Kaine said. “But we do have tools that we ought to be using to pressure those who are violating the human rights of others.”

During the hearing, Kaine asked the witnesses about the status of the 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who are living in the United States, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention of six of them. He also asked about impact of illicit gold mining in Nicaragua and the region and raised concerns about religious persecution.

The panel witnesses included:

Mr. Eddy Acevedo, Vice President for Policy & Government Relations, National Endowment for Democracy

Mr. Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute

Ms. Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director for Latin America and Caribbean Programs, National Democratic Institute

Mr. Juan Sebastián Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad

Kaine recently introduced bipartisan legislation to renew and expand sanctions on Nicaraguan officials responsible for corruption, human rights abuses, religious persecution, election manipulation, and political repression.

Kaine’s opening remarks are below:

I want to thank the Chairman and thank his staff for working so hard to bring this hearing together. This is a very important topic, and you framed it well, Mr. Chairman, in your opening comments.

This is timely and urgent because the human rights challenges perpetrated by the current regime in Nicaragua have to be taken seriously, both for the sake of Nicaraguans but also for the entire region.

I know very well the signs of autocratic government, the actions that they take, and the human toll they inflict on everyday citizens. I also know that most autocratic governments are not stable and that eventually they do fall. Justice and accountability ensue, but often not as quickly as we would hope.

I know this because I experienced it firsthand as a missionary in Honduras in 1980 and ’81. Living in a military dictatorship, I saw the abuses perpetrated by an authoritarian regime in that country. They opened my eyes to democratic backsliding wherever it occurs.

That year—in 1980 and ’81—was the only time in my life that I visited Nicaragua, and it was shortly after the effort to depose a dictatorship.

The dictatorship of Antonio Somoza had succeeded, and it was very early in that chapter. And so there were really high hopes about Nicaragua finding a positive path forward following decades of dictatorship.

That’s what makes this hearing and the need to have it so sad—because it's horrifying to see that many of the conditions in the in the country today sort of mirror what was seen back in those days when everyday Nicaraguans who dreamed of a an ability to shape the destiny of their nation were instead being pushed around.

A key lesson that I took from my time in Honduras was that instability, weak governments and governance, and regional security are all threatened when ordinary people can't choose their leaders, express themselves freely, worship freely, or hold their governments accountable.

The return of Daniel Ortega to power in 2007 has started a path of gradually weakening democratic institutions, the consolidation of power in the executive branch, and the setting of a foundation that we now see as critical today to today's authoritarian regime.

2018 marked a significant point, as the chairman mentioned. The violent repression that came about as a controversial pension reform plan was being pushed through the country's legislature. Protesters filled the street, and they were met with severe repression. Hundreds were killed. Thousands were injured or detained. Widespread human rights violations were documented. Then, it led up to a fraudulent 2021 presidential election, where additional semblances of democratic governance were weakened.

President Ortega knew that he was deeply unpopular with the Nicaraguan people and that he would be likely to lose in a free and fair election. So, what did he do? Instead of letting the people speak, he eliminated his opposition.

Beginning in June of 2021, seven presidential aspirants were arrested, including Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Miguel Mora, Medardo Mairena, Noel Vidaurre, and Juan Sebastián Chamorro.

We're privileged to have Juan Sebastián Chamorro here with us today. He and his colleagues were not defeated; they were not even allowed to compete. Instead, they were detained, imprisoned, convicted in a sham proceeding that lacked due process, stripped of their nationality, and ultimately expelled from the country.

Unfortunately, the story of the witness we'll hear from in a few minutes is not unique. In February 2023, the regime released 222 political prisoners and transported them all to the United States. In Virginia, we were proud to welcome them to the U.S. via a flight that they made into Dulles Airport.

Now, in America, these political prisoners released from Nicaragua thought they would be safe, but they're not. They currently exist in a state of legal limbo, facing active threats of deportation by the Trump Administration.

And I urge the Administration to evaluate whether legal protections from removal can be extended to former political prisoners. That would be the right thing to do. It would be in accord with our values, I believe, and I hope to work with the Chairman and my colleagues to elevate this issue with the Administration. It is it is difficult to be a harsh critic where criticism is warranted, and at the same time, possibly deport people back into conditions which we're complaining are inhumane and violate rights.

While the current regime has dismantled any semblance of democratic governance in Nicaragua, the regime has turned to Russia and China and others, as was indicated by the Chair, for assistance.

And so, what is happening in Nicaragua is a reminder that democracy doesn't always die from a coup or a military takeover, as was the case in Honduras. The erosion starts when an authoritarian leader systematically undermines the foundations of free society, press, independent judiciary—weaponizing government against dissidents and weakening other independent institutions.

As a longtime member of the Subcommittee and more recently the Chair and Ranking of the Subcommittee, I think Congress has a responsibility to authorize the necessary tools to put pressure on regimes. We are not perfect. We have our own challenges to solve. And frankly, the best way to do anything like this is not try to lecture somebody else, but to recognize our own imperfections and strive to get better.

But we do have tools that we ought to be using to pressure those who are violating the human rights of others. And that's why Senator Cruz and I have recently introduced the Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights Through Mandates of Accountability Act, the Reforma Act, which would provide the U.S. with greater authority to sanction Nicaraguan officials responsible for human rights violations. We've got to continue to work with allies and partners.

I want to conclude my opening statement and move into the most important part of this, which is hearing from our witnesses and asking them questions. And to again, to the Chair, I certainly appreciate the opportunity to have a hearing on this important topic.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-slams-congressional-republicans-for-ignoring-need-to-fund-landmark-infrastructure-law,Kaine Slams Congressional Republicans For Ignoring Need To Fund Landmark Infrastructure Law,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement regarding the expiration of funding for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation Kaine helped pass that brought over 12.6 billion in federal funding to Virginia for over 900 specific infrastructure upgrades:

“Virginians and Americans across the country deserve top-notch infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drinking and wastewater systems, and more. That’s why Democrats, Republicans, and the Biden Administration worked together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—legislation that brought $12.6 billion in infrastructure investments to the Commonwealth. But starting today, funding for this landmark law officially expires—all because congressional Republicans wasted valuable time in the Senate schedule on everything from crypto to college sports legislation, instead of things that would actually make a meaningful difference for a majority of Americans.”

Some examples of projects in Virginia funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include:

A nearly $400 million investment for Virginia’s airports

A $150 million investment for the City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

A $72 million investment for the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project

A $729 million investment to support the Long Bridge Project, which will alleviate bottlenecks and expand rail capacity in Northern Virginia

A $100 million investment to improve congestion through a Northern Virginia rail corridor

A $25 million investment for high-speed internet in Wise, Lee, and Norton counties

A $18.4 million investment to replace a 79-year-old bridge that carries Ashe Boulevard over CSX railroad tracks

A nearly $3 million investment to reconnect communities by improving transportation infrastructure in Norfolk and Richmond

A $100 million investment to support the construction of Microporous’ new manufacturing facility at the Southern Virginia Megasite

A $1.5 million investment for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-4-million-to-support-veteran-suicide-prevention-efforts-across-virginia,"Warner, Kaine Announce $4 Million To Support Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts Across Virginia",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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 $4,144,835 in federal funding to strengthen veteran suicide prevention efforts across Virginia. The funding will support eight community organizations that connect veterans and their families to mental health resources, outreach programs, suicide prevention services, and other critical support.

The grants are being awarded through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which was created by bipartisan legislation that Sen. Warner wrote and Sen. Kaine supported to expand prevention efforts and better connect veterans with resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local communities.

“Veterans deserve to know that help is there when they need it. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure that those who have sacrificed for our country are not left to suffer silently and have the support and resources that they’ve earned and are owed,” said the senators. “We’re proud to have helped create this program, which is delivering critical resources to organizations on the ground working with veterans. These federal dollars will help expand lifesaving suicide prevention efforts and ensure more Virginia veterans and their families can get the support they’ve earned.”

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program was created through the IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation led by Sen. Warner in 2019 to improve the coordination of veteran mental health and suicide prevention services and to better measure the effectiveness of these programs. The legislation was signed into law as part of the broader Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which passed the Senate unanimously in August 2020. In February 2025, Sen. Warner introduced bipartisan legislation to renew and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. In June 2025, Sen. Warner testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to advocate for this program’s extension.

The grant awards include:

$750,000 for EveryMind, Inc. to serve regions including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

$750,000 for Volunteers of America Chesapeake to serve Arlington, Augusta, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Cumberland, Fairfax, Fauquier, King and Queen, King George, Loudoun, Prince William, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Chesapeake, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Norton, Staunton, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, and Winchester.

$750,000 for Blue Star Families Inc. to serve regions including the city of Norfolk.

$725,000 for Boulder Crest Foundation to serve regions including Clarke, Frederick, and Loudoun counties.

$512,053 for Westcare Kentucky Inc. to serve regions including Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.

$357,782 for Mountain Valor Veteran Services to serve Patrick, Wythe, Floyd, Montgomery, Carroll, Pulaski, and Franklin counties, as well as the city of Radford.

$200,000 for United States Veterans Initiative – U.S. VETS D.C. to serve regions including Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Warren counties.

$100,000 for Western Tidewater Community Services Board to serve Accomack, Essex, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Sussex, Southampton, and Washington counties, as well as the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long worked to improve high-quality health care and mental health services for Virginia’s veterans. Earlier this year, the senators urged the administration to significantly boost funding for VA facilities, warning that years of underinvestment will increasingly leave Virginia veterans without the care access they’ve earned. In addition to his legislative efforts, Sen. Warner recently welcomed a new Chesapeake VA facility and has repeatedly met with senior leadership at the Richmond VA Medical Center and Hampton VA Medical Center to discuss suicide prevention and other issues affecting the local veteran community. Sen. Kaine has led legislation to protect veterans from housing discrimination and address homelessness and cosponsored legislation to improve veteran transition programs aimed at reducing veteran suicide. He has also been outspoken against the Trump-Vance administration’s cuts at the VA and the mass layoffs of federal employees, which disproportionately affect veterans.

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-tillis-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-reaffirming-u-s-nuclear-deterrence-commitments-to-allies/,"Kelly, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Reaffirming U.S. Nuclear Deterrence Commitments to Allies",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act, legislation reaffirming U.S. extended nuclear deterrence commitments to allies and the military exercises, planning, and consultations that make those commitments credible.

The legislation comes soon after Kelly and Tillis pressed the Trump administration to reverse its decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea and urged the Administration to maintain the training necessary to preserve the readiness of the alliance.

“Deterrence only works if adversaries believe you mean it. China and Russia are expanding their nuclear arsenals. North Korea keeps pushing. This is the wrong moment to leave allies confused about where we stand. We need to make clear that Congress is committed to maintaining the capability and credibility our allies are counting on,” saidKelly.

“Our adversaries are increasingly testing the strength of our alliances and seeking opportunities to undermine the stability and security we have preserved for decades,” said Tillis. “It’s critical that we work with our allies to maintain a credible deterrent, strengthen our collective defense, and ensure the continued peace of the Western world and the values we share.”

Background:

One of the stated goals of U.S. nuclear weapons policy for the past 75 years has been to extend its nuclear deterrent to key allies in Europe and Asia. Extended deterrence has been foundational to U.S. alliances, and today, this commitment remains steadfast.

However, credibly reassuring allies that the U.S. will come to their aid is a challenge. Today, that credibility is under greater strain as U.S. actions have raised questions about the durability of American commitments. At the same time, NATO countries have shown interest in nuclear-sharing or alternative nuclear arrangements.

The Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act is a clear congressional reaffirmation that strengthens assurance, reinforces deterrence, protects U.S. national security, and restates that extended nuclear deterrence remains consistent with U.S. nonproliferation objectives, providing a signal of continuity and resolve at a time of growing uncertainty about America’s commitment to the defense of its allies.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-in-sasc-strategic-forces-kelly-questions-if-golden-dome-will-trigger-another-arms-race/,"WATCH: In SASC Strategic Forces, Kelly Questions if Golden Dome Will Trigger Another Arms Race",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"During a Senate Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on Golden Dome for America, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly questioned experts on whether the administration’s proposed missile defense system could actually make the United States less safe by pushing Russia and China to build more nuclear weapons and develop new ways to defeat U.S. defenses, potentially fueling an arms race. Kelly also expressed concerns over whether the program’s extraordinary cost is worth it if Russia and China simply build more weapons to defeat it in the near future.

Sen. Kelly questions David J. Trachtenberg.

Kelly opened by questioning whether Golden Dome would push Russia and China to build up their arsenals rather than deter them: “Deterrence is about perception. And this administration might see Golden Dome as a defensive system. But what also matters here for strategic stability is how does China and Russia see this? For decades, U.S. nuclear strategy has recognized the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive forces. They’re connected. The basic concern is pretty straightforward. If one side builds defenses that could substantially reduce the effectiveness of the other side’s nuclear deterrent, the other side has an incentive to build more or better offensive weapons with more countermeasures. And that dynamic was part of the rationale behind negotiating limits on offensive and defensive systems during the Cold War.”

Kelly expressed that his biggest concern with Golden Dome is that America would be spending an outsized amount of money for a system that would become irrelevant as Russia and China build up their arsenals to defeat it: “Suddenly, they’re building thousands of more ICBMs. The Chinese are building thousands of more ICBMs. This system isn’t sized to handle it. We spent $1.2 trillion on a system that then becomes irrelevant…People don’t have health care coverage. They can’t afford their lives anymore. We’re investing trillions of dollars into the defense industry. And what we get out of it is, we get five, ten years down the road even after this thing is built. And we got a system that doesn’t even provide us what the level one requirements for the system was in the beginning on the piece of paper that the President signed.”

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s opening remarks. Click here to download a video of Kelly’s questions. See the transcript below:

Senator Kelly:

Mr. Trachtenberg. I’ve got some major issues on the physics of this system, especially the space-based interceptor part of this. The physics favors the offense in a big way. Interceptors can be defeated by countermeasures. And often when we test these things, we don’t account for those. But the other issue here is deterrence is about perception. And this administration might see Golden Dome as a defensive system. But what also matters here for strategic stability is how does China and Russia see this? For decades, U.S. nuclear strategy has recognized the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive forces. They’re connected. The basic concern is pretty straightforward. If one side builds defenses that could substantially reduce the effectiveness of the other side’s nuclear deterrent, the other side has an incentive to build more or better offensive weapons with more countermeasures. And that dynamic was part of the rationale behind negotiating limits on offensive and defensive systems during the Cold War. We considered this very seriously. So, we need to understand what the response and expansion of U.S. strategic missile defense could generate. If Russia and China believe that the goal that Golden Dome could reduce the effectiveness of their retaliatory forces, they could respond by expanding their arsenals, developing new ways to penetrate our defenses, or seeing the United States as willing to take a lot more risk if we’re in a crisis. So, Mr. Trachtenberg, what do you assess Russia and China are thinking about Golden Dome today?

Honorable David J. Trachtenberg:

Thank you, Senator. I appreciate your comments. I think Russia and China have been moving out, irrespective of what the United States plans to do or may do in the future. As I said, both Russia and China have been modernizing their own nuclear systems, and I believe that they’re doing that because their goals and objectives don’t align with ours. I do think Russia and China will oppose Golden Dome, just as they have opposed all U.S. missile defense efforts.

Kelly:

But you sound like it sounds like you think they’re on a path, regardless of any steps we take, as I think, Senator King pointed out. The Chinese are watching this today.

Trachtenberg:

Yeah, sure. What I’m saying, Senator, is that there is no mechanistic action-reaction formula. And historically, the belief that the United States generates reactions on the part of adversaries has not been proven to be so. And I go back, you mentioned the Cold War—

Kelly:

But isn’t it logical that if we were to build, let’s just say—when you study math, right, you look at things at the limit. If we were to build a system that they perceive is able to take out, let’s say, a large salvo of ICBMs, what would it be? What would the logical thing for them to do? What would be a logical response?

Trachtenberg:

I think the logical thing for them to do would be not to consider attack in the first place.

Kelly:

You don’t think the logical thing would be a larger salvo in nuclear weapons? This is going to be sized for something.

Trachtenberg: Sure, sure. But, Senator, again, if you look at history.

Kelly:

So you think that is logical that if let’s say just theoretically—

Trachtenberg:

No, no. If you if you look at the historical record, I think you see the Russians and the Chinese moving out based on their own considerations, irrespective of what the United States has or has not done. You may recall—

Kelly:

On all kinds of things, and we do exactly the same thing.

Trachtenberg:

You may recall the ABM Treaty of 1972 was intended to prevent the Soviet Union at the time from building up its offensive capabilities because we issued defense of the national territory, so they had no defense to counter. In reality, what happened was the greatest increase in Soviet ICBM weapons and warheads occurred after the signing of the ABM Treaty. So, their reaction suggests—

Kelly:

The greatest increase after the signing of the treaty of the ABM Treaty. And how many ICBMs does the Russians have today as a percentage of compared to what they had previously?

Trachtenberg:

The Russian, the Russians put most of their nuclear capability on large land-based missiles,

Kelly:

But isn’t it true that because of treaties that we have signed, we have reduced the size of our nuclear arsenal and the Russians have reduced considerably the number of nuclear weapons that they have today?

Trachtenberg:

It is true that we have reduced as a result of arms control treaties, the number of nuclear weapons in our arsenal. It is also true that we currently really don’t know what the Russians have, because the Russians suspended inspections under the New START Treaty years ago and have refused to allow them to continue. And without on-site inspections, it’s very difficult to know whether the Russians have continued to MIRV missiles or build up their capabilities. What we do know, Senator, is that they have been aggressively working to modernize their own nuclear capabilities for many, many years while the United States has not.

Kelly:

Well, we’re in the process of doing that as we should.

Trachtenberg:

We’ve been thinking about doing well.

Kelly:

Well, we’ve got a program to modernize Minuteman III. And we’re building more ballistic missile submarines, and we should be modernized our forces. My biggest concern here is that this system, because they have—their perception of this matters, and that this sets off another arms race. And suddenly we’re having to build—they’re building thousands of more ICBMs. The Chinese are building thousands of more ICBMs. This system isn’t sized to handle it. We spent $1.2 trillion on a system that then becomes irrelevant. Let’s just say, theoretically, not what the real numbers are. I don’t like to talk about those. Let’s say we could shoot down 100 ICBMs while they fire another 100. Or maybe they fire 500. And then our system was we spent $1.2 trillion. People don’t have health care coverage. They can’t afford their lives anymore. We’re investing trillions of dollars into the defense industry. And what we get out of it is, we get five, ten years down the road even after this thing is built. And we got a system that doesn’t even provide us what the level one requirements for the system was in the beginning on the piece of paper that the President signed.

Trachtenberg:

Senator, I appreciate your perspective, I do. I don’t think it’s an accurate reflection of how history has evolved throughout the Cold War and the post-Cold War period in terms of U.S. actions driving some kind of an armed.

Kelly:

But, Mr. Trachtenberg, you said after the ABM Treaty that that’s when the Russians accelerated their development of ICBMs. I’m way over my time. Thank you, Madam Chair.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=844818B8-AAE5-46D1-86B2-E81EF7047535,"Klobuchar, Cassidy Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Taxpayer Advocate Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan bill will help taxpayers resolve IRS problems

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released the statements below after the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act. The legislation strengthens the independence of the National Taxpayer Advocate by allowing the Advocate to hire and consult its own legal counsel rather than relying on attorneys who report to the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. The bipartisan legislation, which passed the House in 2025, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“The National Taxpayer Advocate plays a critical role in helping taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, but currently the attorneys supporting that office are selected by the IRS Chief Counsel, undermining the Advocate’s ability to provide fully independent advice and representation,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan bill will ensure that the Advocate has the independence needed to effectively do its job by allowing its attorneys to report directly to the Advocate and owe their loyalty to taxpayers, not the IRS. This will help the Advocate stand up for taxpayers, assist our constituents, and improve our tax system, and I urge the President to swiftly sign this bill into law.”

“If you’re having to deal with the IRS, odds are, you’re having difficulty doing so. This bill helps improve that experience for the honest taxpayer,” said Dr. Cassidy.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the agency, identifies systemic problems taxpayers encounter in dealing with the IRS, and recommends administrative and legislative changes to address those problems. Currently, TAS attorneys report to the IRS Office of Chief Counsel rather than directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate. The National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act would allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to hire and consult its own attorneys, strengthening TAS’s independence and its ability to advocate on behalf of taxpayers.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-heinrich-kelly-cantwell-call-on-states-to-stop-data-centers-from-passing-rising-costs-on-to-ratepayers/,"Luján, Heinrich, Kelly, Cantwell Call on States to Stop Data Centers from Passing Rising Costs on to Ratepayers",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Luján is one of only two U.S. Senators, and the only Democratic Senator, to have served as a state utility commissioner

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, called on Ann Rendahl and Jehmal Hudson, President and First Vice President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, to protect residential and small-business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, the senators urged state utility commissions to adopt a dedicated mechanism that applies to large data centers in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them.

“We write to ask NARUC and its member commissions to act now to protect residential and small business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, we ask that every state utility commission adopt a dedicated rate rider — a separate tariff mechanism — that applies to every large data center in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them, as well as the cost of their use of existing generation, transmission and distribution,” wrote the senators.

“The authority to set retail rates was delegated by Congress to the states. That is why we are writing to you. It is clear that unless states implement data center rate riders, consumers and small businesses will experience rate increases,” concluded the senators.

The full letter can be found here and below:

Dear President Rendahl & First Vice President Hudson:

We write to ask NARUC and its member commissions to act now to protect residential and small business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, we ask that every state utility commission adopt a dedicated rate rider — a separate tariff mechanism — that applies to every large data center in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them, as well as the cost of their use of existing generation, transmission and distribution. Furthermore, such a tariff should cover “ripple” costs borne by all ratepayers, such as increased costs associated with ensuring the planning reserve margin and other grid stability requirements.

Data centers are the largest, fastest-growing electric load in the country. A single campus can require as much power as a mid-sized city, and utilities are proposing billions of dollars in new plants and lines to serve them. Under traditional cost-of-service ratemaking, much of that cost is spread across all customer classes. Without clear rules laying out cost responsibility, families, small businesses and other industry customers in New Mexico, Arizona, Washington and every other state will pay for infrastructure they did not ask for and may never use — including stranded assets if a data center scales back or leaves.

We ask NARUC and its member commissioners to turn their attention to this issue with the utmost priority and ask that NARUC develop model tariff language, technical support and resolutions to help members adopt data center riders that, at a minimum, include:

Full cost recovery from the data center for any generation, transmission, or distribution investment made to serve it as well as the cost share of existing generation, transmission and distribution serving them;

Minimum-bill or take-or-pay provisions – provisions that ensure data centers pay for the cost of infrastructure as it is constructed – with contract terms long enough to cover the life of the assets built for the load;

Collateral, exit fees, and creditworthiness requirements so that other customers are not left with stranded costs;

Rules to include transparency, including public reporting of contracted load, energy use, and actual bills paid;

Rules that prevent a data center from shifting costs to other customers through selfsupply arrangements, including standby customers, or by contracting around the rider; and

Language that requires data centers to, at minimum, comply with state clean energy and climate policies.

Several of your member commissions — including Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana — have already approved large-load tariffs that are directionally consistent with these principles. Because this is an area that is evolving rapidly and is of great complexity, NARUC is uniquely positioned to ensure that all state commissions have the resources and tools they need to make informed decisions on large load tariff design.

The authority to set retail rates was delegated by Congress to the states. That is why we are writing to you. It is clear that unless states implement data center rate riders, consumers and small businesses will experience rate increases. There is also precedent for this kind of action from NARUC. Therefore, we ask that NARUC take this up at its Annual Meeting in November and report back to us on the steps you and your members have taken.

Thank you for your leadership and for your partnership with the states in protecting the Americans we all serve.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-shares-doj-documents-regarding-dea-fentanyl-practices-whistleblower-reports/,"Luján Shares DOJ Documents Regarding DEA Fentanyl Practices, Whistleblower Reports",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"June AP Report Found that DEA Allowed Mass Amounts of Fentanyl Pills onto New Mexico Streets

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, shared the following documents for New Mexicans to read for themselves regarding the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) fentanyl practices.

Senator Luján led the N.M. Delegation calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to expand its review of federal fentanyl investigations to examine Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) practices dating back before 2024, with a specific focus on the DEA’s fentanyl practices in New Mexico.

Following the Associated Press report that the DEA allowed fentanyl pills onto New Mexico streets, Senator Luján has been briefed by DEA and DOJ officials and continues to press the federal government for more information to be released to the public.

The following documents are available through the U.S. Department of Justice website:

November 2023: New Mexico DEA agent files complaint

A New Mexico DEA agent filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that federal prosecutors had discouraged or prevented agents from stopping suspected fentanyl shipments during investigations, allowing large quantities of fentanyl to reach New Mexico communities.

December 22, 2023: Office of Special Counsel (OSC) refers allegations to DOJ

The OSC found the allegations serious enough to require a DOJ investigation. OSC said there was a “substantial likelihood” that the alleged conduct could involve violations of rules, abuse of authority, or a danger to the public.

Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-referral_redacted.pdf

September 3, 2024: DOJ investigation rejects allegations

DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility found no misconduct, finding that prosecutors and agents have discretion to let suspected drugs move rather than immediately seize them. It found the specific decisions it reviewed were reasonable under DOJ policy.

Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-agency-report.pdf

September 17, 2024: Whistleblower disputes DOJ’s findings

The New Mexico whistleblower rejected the conclusions by the DOJ, arguing that important evidence was omitted from the report and that the authorities could have stopped the drugs without compromising larger investigations. He said that hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills were allowed to be distributed.

Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-whistleblower-comments_redacted.pdf

September 4, 2025: OSC closes review

After reviewing DOJ’s investigations and the whistleblower’s objections, OSC told President Trump that DOJ’s report met the legal requirements and that its findings “appear reasonable.” OSC accepted DOJ’s conclusion that the allegations were not substantiated.

Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-letter-to-the-president-redacted.pdf

January 2026: DOJ Inspector General flags broader fentanyl challenge

DOJ’s Inspector General warned that chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl remain a major enforcement problem. While fentanyl-related substances have been scheduled, precursors, pre-precursors, and “pre-pre-precursors” remain unregulated, and the Inspector General said DOJ should pursue additional legislation and enforcement resources.

Link: https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/TMPC-2025.pdf

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-taxpayer-assistance-and-service-act/,Luján Statement on Senate Passage of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Several Luján Authored Provisions Included in Bipartisan Tax Package

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, which included several provisions authored by Senator Luján:

“The Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act is a commonsense bipartisan legislative package that will strengthen taxpayer rights, reduce unnecessary burdens, and make our tax system fairer. I’m proud to have authored several provisions in this package to improve transparency, strengthen taxpayer protections, and help ensure the IRS works more efficiently for the American people.

“Now, with Senate passage, we are one step closer to delivering a tax system that better serves taxpayers with fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

In July, Senator Luján introduced the Strengthening Taxpayer Advocacy Act, bipartisan legislation to empower the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to better serve Americans navigating challenges with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Senator Luján also introduced a bipartisan package of three bills to improve transparency, fairness, and simplicity in the federal tax system. These pieces of legislation, led by Senator Luján, were included as provisions in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-releases-new-report-detailing-epa-capitulation-to-big-tech-dangerous-easing-of-regulations-to-build-data-centers-at-the-expense-of-transparency-and-communities-health,"Senator Markey Releases New Report Detailing EPA Capitulation to Big Tech, Dangerous Easing of Regulations to Build Data Centers at the Expense of Transparency and Communities’ Health",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MA,Edward J. Markey,M000133,www.markey.senate.gov,markey,https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"“The EPA's Data Center Disaster” Report (PDF)

Washington (September 30, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee, today released a report titled, The EPA’s Data Center Disaster: How the Trump Administration is Destroying Environmental Protections and Selling Out Communities for Big Tech, detailing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s campaign of reckless deregulation to dilute environmental and public health guardrails in direct service of Big Tech’s race to build data centers.

“75% of Americans do not want a data center in their backyard, yet Trump’s EPA has chosen to facilitate data center construction at the expense of our health, our pocketbooks, and our bedrock environmental laws. In what they have coined as ‘the largest deregulatory agenda in American history,’ President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have issued rollbacks of air, water, and toxic chemical regulations that make it easier to build data centers and fossil fuel infrastructure to power them,” said Senator Markey. “Instead of subverting the EPA to Big Tech’s control, Trump and Zeldin should act in the interest of the American people and hold accountable the industries they are obligated to regulate. The public deserves an EPA that lives up to its name.”

Senator Markey’s report pulls back the curtain on the EPA’s abuse of power and failure to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment. Since January 2025, Trump’s EPA has proposed and finalized rollbacks to undermine longstanding public health guardrails, explicitly and repeatedly naming data centers as a key beneficiary. And beyond these individual regulatory rollbacks, Zeldin has refused to contemplate any nationwide standards for data centers, despite increasing evidence of the harm that data centers and their related power infrastructure inflict on U.S. communities.

The cost of unfettered data center buildout is a real, present danger to the public. Air pollution associated with data centers in the United States caused an estimated $6.7 billion in public-health costs in 2023 and is projected to reach $20 billion by 2028. The EPA’s deregulatory blitz will only exacerbate this harm as communities have less protection and less input.

Senator Markey has been the leading voice against irresponsible and unregulated data center buildout at the expense of public health and the environment.

In July, Senator Markey released a discussion draft of his Protecting Communities Against Data Center Impacts proposal, a bill that would create a national framework to prevent increased energy costs, pollution, and adverse health harms related to the rapid buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure.

In June, Senator Markey wrote to EPA Administrator Zeldin to demand the withdrawal of a proposed rule that undermines Clean Air Act permitting standards to facilitate the buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure.

In June, Senator Markey reintroduced his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Impacts Act, legislation that would require data center operators to report the full range of their facilities’ environmental impacts.

In November 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to ensure that increased and projected energy demand from data centers does not result in unjust or unreasonable rate hikes for American households.

In September 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the EPA in opposition to the agency’s initial announcement of plans to roll back the NSR program for data center buildout.

In July 2025, Senator Markey hosted a roundtable discussion titled The Data Center Next Door: Hidden Costs and Harms of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptomining to highlight the adverse environmental, health, climate, and energy cost impacts of data center proliferation in communities across the United States, and to condemn the deregulatory actions set forth in President Trump’s AI Action Plan. On the day of the roundtable, Senator Markey also released a storybook to spotlight the experiences of American families living with data centers in their backyard.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/senate-unanimously-passes-merkley-curtis-bipartisan-wildfire-emissions-prevention-act/,Senate Unanimously Passes Merkley-Curtis Bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Bipartisan legislation would remove regulatory burden on proactive forest management, lower net emissions

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA).

Merkley and Curtis’ bipartisan legislation would streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.

“As climate chaos fuels longer, hotter, and more dangerous wildfire seasons, our communities need to have all the necessary resources to mitigate wildfire threats. Prescribed fire and cultural burning on the landscape are one such tool by reducing hazardous fuels,” said Merkley. “This bipartisan bill would streamline the use of prescribed burns and includes my provisions to establish the Smoke Ready Communities Program. With our Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act passing the Senate, we are on the way to supporting more prescribed fire on the landscape—an essential forest management activity—while giving our communities the resources to plan and prepare for smoke events, protecting public health and saving lives.”

“Utah has faced a devastating fire season, and we know that preventing catastrophic wildfires starts with giving land managers the tools to reduce hazardous fuels before they burn,” said Curtis. “Prescribed fire works, and states should not be penalized for responsibly using it to protect communities, forests, and air quality. I’m grateful the Senate unanimously passed this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I urge the House to act quickly so we can get it to the President’s desk.”

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would:

Make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to prevent wildfire emissions;

Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats;

Provide certainty that states won’t be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires;

Promote the efficient use of state air quality resources; and

Make our forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.

The bill passed the EPW Committee with a vote of 19-0 on September 16, 2026.

A one-page summary of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here, and the full bill text of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-bynum-oppose-trumps-undermining-of-due-process-and-politicizing-immigration-courts/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter, Bynum Oppose Trump’s Undermining of Due Process and Politicizing Immigration Courts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Oregon lawmakers demand an end to expedited “mega master” hearings in Portland, Tacoma, and other immigration centers.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum, today demanded the Trump administration end the practice of “mega master” immigration hearings that expedite the review of hundreds of immigrants’ cases in a day, resulting in a fast-track to removing immigrants without due process.

“This unwarranted blitzkrieg of assaults on justice and fair treatment raises serious constitutional concerns and is unworthy of the oaths you swore to uphold,” the Oregon lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Sirce E. Owen, Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review and David Venturella, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called ‘mega master’ hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump’s handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention, and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews,” they wrote.

“These policy changes confuse and terrify law-abiding immigrants in our communities and prevent them from having a fair day in court.”

The lawmakers wrote that the Portland Immigration Court in Oregon is now holding about two “mega master” hearings every week, in addition to maintaining its previously scheduled docket hearings and individual merit hearings. That has forced immigrants anticipating court dates in 2027 or 2028 to suddenly show up on extremely short notice and scrambling both to figure out how to get to the court on time, and to find an attorney to represent them.

“As if the changes at the Portland Immigration Court weren’t bad enough, the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court has now had judges deciding in mid-August to stop allowing immigration attorneys across Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska from appearing remotely on behalf of their clients detained at the regional detention center,” the lawmakers continued. “Previously, the Tacoma Immigration Court allowed out-of-state attorneys to represent their clients by making court appearances through video conferencing technology. Now attorneys—and when applicable, expert witnesses— have to attend these hearings in person.”

The new requirement for immigration attorneys to represent their clients in person comes as immigration judges allow Department of Homeland Security prosecutors to participate in hearings remotely. In other cases even the presiding judge is attending remotely as well, with attorneys sharing that remote appearances by judges happen in about half the cases that they must attend in-person at the Tacoma Immigration Court.

These new in-person requirements also come as attorneys share that the court is sending “notices to appear” and setting hearings for that same morning giving the attorneys little time to prepare or make travel arrangements from out of state. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also been routinely denying immigration attorneys access to their clients at detention centers, and transferring clients thousands of miles away to detention centers across the country.

“Immigration court proceedings must uphold fairness and rule of law and not be politicized to satisfy Donald Trump’s arbitrary detention quotas. We call on the Trump administration to discontinue policies and tactics that undermine constitutional due process. Our legal system relies on accountability; therefore, we demand that you establish fair and meaningful hearings that provide a genuine day in court and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” the lawmakers concluded.

The lawmakers ended their letter demanding a written response by October 15th, 2026 detailing the steps that the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security will take to achieve the following:

Terminate “mega master” hearings.

Provide immigrants with sufficient notice of their proceedings.

Reduce hardships on immigration attorneys.

Ensure that immigration judges hear cases individually, free from political influence.

The full text of the letter is here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bynum-announce-100000-for-central-oregon-wildfire-recovery/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bynum Announce $100,000 for Central Oregon Wildfire Recovery",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum, today announced $100,000 in federal awards to support displaced Oregonians and wildfire recovery efforts for Central Oregon communities that lost homes in the 2026 wildfires.

“As wildfires in central Oregon and statewide set new records every year in size and intensity, the rural communities on the front lines of these fights are the most in need of resources for recovery efforts,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award that will support Central Oregon communities including Warm Springs residents who were forced to flee from their homes, and I will continue to fight for more resources to support wildfire prevention and recovery across Oregon.”

“When disaster strikes, Oregon’s communities show up to help each other. These federal funds will help NeighborImpact provide critical support to Warm Springs families recovering from the devastating July wildfires, including emergency shelter, relocation assistance, and essential household supplies,” said Merkley. “I’ll keep fighting to bring federal resources home to Oregon so our communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild.”

“No where to sleep. Only the clothes on your back. Food to go is the only option. All in the matter of one day,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’ve heard that story too many times from my constituents. People need help after an emergency, and the faster that help comes, the better shot they have of rebuilding what was lost. And by help I mean money to get the basics. That’s the difference this funding can and will make.”

The $100,000 in federal awards from the NeighborWorks Disaster Grants program will be distributed to NeighborImpact, a central Oregon nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Thousands of Warm Springs residents were forced to evacuate and several homes were lost in the July 2026 fires. The grant will support the Wildfire Recovery Fund that is used to provide emergency shelter, relocation assistance, provide/replace personal items such as baby supplies, hygiene products, houseware items, laundry and cleaning supplies.

“Warm Springs deserves to be included in the regional response to wildfire and other needs on an equal basis with counties. Too often, tribal communities are a place to drive through, not a place to drive to. NeighborImpact values all our neighbors, including tribal neighbors, and the fires that burned at Warm Springs this summer, while devastating, were respond to and will continue to be responded to vigorously and thoroughly with resources, support for displaced people and empathy from our organization and, I hope, neighboring communities. The congressional appropriation funded through NeighborWorks America is a much-appreciated and critical tool enabling us to help in a time of need,” said Scott Cooper, Executive Director of NeighborImpact.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-pushes-for-senate-passage-of-bill-protecting-children-from-ice,Murphy Pushes for Senate Passage of Bill Protecting Children from ICE,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday went to the floor of the U.S. Senate to ask for unanimous consent to pass his bill to prevent ICE, Border Patrol, and all DHS agents from carrying out enforcement actions at school bus stops. A Senate Republican blocked the bill, allowing the Trump Administration to continue conducting aggressive enforcement operations in full view of children.

ICE recently conducted a week-long operation in Connecticut resulting in 118 arrests, which included an arrest of a parent who just dropped their child off at their bus stop. When reports surfaced, Sen. Murphy immediately joined elected officials and immigration rights advocates, as well as thousands of protestors in Danbury, to denounce the operation. Videos released to CT Insider by Danbury Public Schools under a Freedom of Information Act request documented the scene.

“I am […] just asking my colleagues: can we come to an agreement that school bus stops should be off limits? Can we decide to have compassion for that six-year-old child who got on the bus for his second day of school, and when he got back off the bus, was abandoned?” said Murphy.

Murphy chronicled the horrors witnessed by children in Danbury during their first week of school: “On the morning of August 26, the second day of school for most school districts in Connecticut, in Danbury, Connecticut, bus drivers began reporting to the school district that they had noticed the presence of ICE agents in and around school bus stops. At one of them, a constituent of mine, a father, was waiting at the school bus stop with his six-year-old son, and just moments after saying goodbye to his son for the second day of school, and even before the school bus had fully driven away, ICE arrested and detained him.”

Murphy pleaded with his Republican colleagues to consider the trauma ICE is inflicting on innocent children: “For parents in this body, you know how anxious that first day of school is, how kids are just brimming with nervous anxiety about that first day, and you know what that feels like to watch your kid walk onto that school bus. Well, what do you think it does to those kids on that first and second day of school to see ICE officers at the school bus stop? Imagine that six-year-old who boarded the school bus, and when he got back from school that day and got off, his parent wasn't there. A six-year-old feeling like he had been abandoned. In this case, he may or may not have seen the arrest because it happened almost immediately after he got on.”

Murphy emphasized that ICE blatantly lied when they denied carrying out arrests at school bus stops: “While that practice is bad enough, it is important to note that ICE tried to cover up the practice. When they were presented with these stories from Danbury, DHS doubled down and said any claim that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop is false. Then just days afterwards, we had the video evidence. This often happens—ICE says something didn't happen, and then we have the video proving that it did. And in Danbury's case, we have two separate videos taken from the school bus showing ICE operating at the school bus stop and detaining this parent.”

Murphy also revealed that several Republicans have voiced opposition to Trump’s heartless deployment of ICE to sensitive locations: “We came close to getting an agreement on a similar proposal before negotiations broke down over DHS funding. Senator Blumenthal, my colleague, has a piece of legislation that is even broader than the three bills I'm proposing. The idea is that there should just be a ban on the operation of ICE at sensitive locations, which would include places where children gather but also would include other sensitive locations like churches. I know my Republican colleagues were close to agreeing to that before these negotiations broke down.”

After a bizarre objection from Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Murphy hammered Republicans over how dishonest they are being about the terror ICE is inflicting on communities like Danbury: “I will be honest with you, I did not anticipate that one of the arguments against this bill would be that it would lead to the development of ‘sanctuary bus stops.’ But what do we imagine here? People are going to live at bus stops? We're going to have encampments around bus stops of people who are here without documentation? I just think it's an example of how this whole debate has gone way off the rails. It is just fundamentally detached from the reality.”

A full transcript of Murphy’s remarks is available below. You can watch Murphy’s remarks here.

Murphy:

Mr. President, there is a pretty significant divide right now between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of the way that ICE is enforcing our immigration laws in the interior. Democrats believe that what is happening today is both illegal and immoral, and that is why right now these operations are being funded through reconciliation, because we believe that it's our constitutional obligation to refuse to fund an agency that is out of control and not in compliance with the law. Republicans broadly have supported the actions of this administration as they target both immigrants without documentation and legal immigrants for arrest and detention.

I'm going to offer a request to pass a bill by unanimous consent that does not seek to repair that divide. Instead, it seeks to try to bring us together on a very narrow question—a question that arises from a set of incidents that have happened in my state of Connecticut over the course of the last month and a half. On the morning of August 26, the second day of school for most school districts in Connecticut, in Danbury, Connecticut, bus drivers began reporting to the school district that they had noticed the presence of ICE agents in and around school bus stops. At one of them, a constituent of mine, a father, was waiting at the school bus stop with his six-year-old son, and just moments after saying goodbye to his son for the second day of school, and even before the school bus had fully driven away, ICE arrested and detained him. This practice was reported all around the state: ICE gathering at school bus stops, waiting until a young child had boarded the school bus, and then detaining and arresting the parents.

For parents in this body, you know how anxious that first day of school is, how kids are just brimming with nervous anxiety about that first day, and you know what that feels like to watch your kid walk onto that school bus. Well, what do you think it does to those kids on that first and second day of school to see ICE officers at the school bus stop? Imagine that six-year-old who boarded the school bus, and when he got back from school that day and got off, his parent wasn't there. A six-year-old feeling like he had been abandoned. In this case, he may or may not have seen the arrest because it happened almost immediately after he got on. To me, it's pretty obvious that the intent here, with this new practice of ICE showing up at school bus stops, is to traumatize the children. But you don't have to agree with me that the intent is to traumatize the children to just come to the conclusion that ICE does not need to be at school bus stops in order to enforce the law. There are a myriad of other settings in which ICE can operate to carry out arrests while staying clear of school bus stops, where the intent or at least the result of those operations is to leave little kids in trauma.

I've introduced three pieces of simple legislation to say that ICE should not operate at daycare centers, they shouldn't operate at children's playgrounds, and that they shouldn't operate at school bus stops. I am asking unanimous consent today for only one of those pieces of legislation that I think is the most urgent, and while I don't expect the results to be agreement, I hope that we could find agreement on this narrow question: that ICE should just stay away from school bus stops. They shouldn't be traumatizing children at school bus stops and taking parents in the middle of the school day because there are so many other ways that ICE could operate so as to detain the people that they feel they need to detain without it being done in this deeply traumatic way.

In fact, we came close to getting an agreement on a similar proposal before negotiations broke down over DHS funding. Senator Blumenthal, my colleague, has a piece of legislation that is even broader than the three bills I'm proposing. The idea is that there should just be a ban on the operation of ICE at sensitive locations, which would include places where children gather but also would include other sensitive locations like churches. I know my Republican colleagues were close to agreeing to that before these negotiations broke down. And so today, I am taking a small slice of that broader proposal and just asking my colleagues: can we come to an agreement that school bus stops should be off limits? Can we decide to have compassion for that six-year-old child who got on the bus for his second day of school, and when he got back off the bus, was abandoned?

The last point I'll make is this: while that practice is bad enough, it is important to note that ICE tried to cover up the practice. When they were presented with these stories from Danbury, DHS doubled down and said any claim that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop is false. Then just days afterwards, we had the video evidence. This often happens—ICE says something didn't happen, and then we have the video proving that it did. And in Danbury's case, we have two separate videos taken from the school bus showing ICE operating at the school bus stop and detaining this parent. So my hope is that we can come together and just make a decision that while we have big differences over the broader issue of ICE enforcement, ICE should stop preying upon our kids at sensitive locations, and in particular, school bus stops.

My motion is this: notwithstanding Rule 22 and as if in legislative session, I would ask unanimous consent that the committee on the judiciary be discharged and the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S 5435. I further ask consent that the bill be considered to be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered, made, and laid upon the table.

Banks:

Look, this is just another attempt after many other attempts by Democrats to stop ICE from doing their job and enforcing our immigration law. As you're seeing today, Democrats will do anything that they can to stop ICE—our men and women who are in federal law enforcement—from securing our nation and keeping families safe.

In my state of Indiana, just over this last weekend, an illegal with an ICE detainer, drunk and behind the wheel of a vehicle, killed an innocent 33-year-old woman, Tamara Thomas, who was walking near a gas station in downtown Indianapolis. Tamara unfortunately is not the first Hoosier who lost her life because of an illegal immigration crisis in this country. In February, an illegal ran a red light and killed 64-year-old Terry Schultz in Avon, Indiana. In the same month, an illegal semi truck driver who entered our country using Joe Biden's CBP One app swerved into oncoming traffic and killed four Amish men near my hometown in Jake County in Northern Indiana. A couple of months ago, Indianapolis police arrested an illegal from Mexico who now faces 30 separate charges, including rape, sexual assault, and kidnapping, and this illegal came into our country under the Biden administration. Last year, a 35-year-old illegal who was living in Indianapolis was sentenced to 35 years in prison after he sexually exploited and abused a 15-year-old girl. Hoosiers are going to keep getting killed and harmed by illegals unless we let ICE officers do their job.

The madness has to end and it needs to end right now. We need to support our ICE officers. ICE needs to be allowed to do their job without Democrats getting in their way. I've been in the Senate for two years and over and over again the Democrats have tried to obstruct ICE from doing their job. This bill that I'm about to object to today will prohibit ICE from operating near school bus stops. But we know that illegal aliens are often at or near bus stops. So here's the deal Mr. President: in Virginia last year, ICE arrested a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, a convicted pedophile, who exposed himself to a child at a school bus stop. How can anyone hear a story like that and think that the answer is to block ICE officers from doing their job at a school bus stop? Mr. President, if we prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops, you know what will happen: we'll just create sanctuary school bus stops. All the illegals, the criminals, the pedophiles will end up at school bus stops because they know they'll be protected there. All those illegals in this country will hide out at bus stops, and knowing that ICE won't be allowed to touch them, you'll see more stories like what you saw happen in Virginia last year. It's just crazy to me to think that we would prevent ICE officers from going wherever they need to go to do their job, even if that means at a bus stop, on those rare, very rare, circumstances and occasions. ICE needs to be allowed to operate wherever the job takes them, especially at places where illegal aliens can harm our children.

And look, ICE is not the enemy. Democrats are trying to make our ICE officers out to be the enemy, and they are not. Just a couple of weeks ago, ICE conducted a five-day operation in my home state which resulted in the arrest of 426 illegals. These criminals included people who were charged with robberies, drug trafficking, sex crime, sex crimes, and more. And ICE also arrested an illegal from Guatemala who illegally voted in national elections in Indiana. Mr. President, the Democrats all say that never happens, but they arrested an illegal just a few weeks ago in Indiana who did that. So here we go again with another attempt by Democrats to obstruct our federal law enforcement. Instead of giving ICE more resources to do the job that they need to do, instead of doing anything that we can to deport illegals from our country, Democrats are here asking for unanimous consent to tie ICE's hands behind their backs and prevent them from doing their job. I won't let that happen. That's why I came to the floor today, Mr. President. ICE needs to be allowed to enforce the law and do their job, and for that reason, Mr. President, I object.

Murphy:

Just three final points. I think Senator Banks articulates the Republican position which is that immigrants are, by definition, a safety threat to the United States of America, and that is just not true. I don't draw issue with the fact that there are immigrants who commit crimes but there are natural-born citizens that commit crimes at higher rates than immigrants do. The fact of the matter is that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than people who were born here in the United States. We should just keep people safe in this country no matter the country of origin or birth of the perpetrator.

Second, I think you can make the decision that I should be able to operate in the interior while keeping certain sites off limits. In fact, this was the Trump administration policy in the first term. So Republican administrations in the past have come to the decision that certain sites should be off limits for ICE. And in fact, when I talk to Trump supporters in Connecticut, who broadly do support the president's immigration policy, they also believe that they went too far in Connecticut. There were a lot of Republicans who showed up at our big rally the day after this incident happened, so it is not true that you can only support robust enforcement operations in the interior if you support ICE being at school bus stops.

Finally, I will be honest with you, I did not anticipate that one of the arguments against this bill would be that it would lead to the development of sanctuary bus stops. But what do we imagine here? People are going to live at bus stops? We're going to have encampments around bus stops of people who are here without documentation? I just think it's an example of how this whole debate has gone way off the rails. It is just fundamentally detached from the reality. You want to support Trump's immigration policy. You can do that while still saying that we shouldn't have ICE officers patrolling school bus stops with the purpose of traumatizing little children. That could be a consensus position, and we could choose to still disagree over the broader Trump immigration policy.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-slam-trump-administrations-oil-reserve-release-as-months-too-late-for-families-paying-high-energy-costs/,"Murray, Kaptur Slam Trump Administration’s Oil Reserve Release as Months Too Late for Families Paying High Energy Costs",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement in response to the Department of Energy’s announcement of another release of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“Families in Washington State, Northwest Ohio, and all across the country are still paying too much at the pump and on their home energy bills — and this latest release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve woefully comes months too late to bring those high costs down. The Trump Administration says the deal costs taxpayers nothing, yet it has not set aside the money needed to refill the Reserve for the majority of the barrels owed back, which leaves our country less ready for the next emergency. This is a show put on to distract from the fact that this Administration is responsible for sending gas prices skyrocketing, and working families will keep paying for it in the days, weeks, months, and years to come,” said Murray and Kaptur.

On September 29, the Department of Energy issued a request for proposals to exchange up to 40 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The exchange is part of a 172-million-barrel release the Trump Administration announced in March. Under an exchange, companies borrow oil from the Reserve and must later return it with extra barrels. Because none of the oil is sold, the exchanges bring in no money to pay for transport and other costs associated with moving it back into the Reserve.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/new-trump-sets-over-230-million-for-rural-housing-on-fire/,NEW: Trump Sets Over $230 Million for Rural Housing on Fire,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"As fiscal year ends at midnight, Trump admin is on track to let $230M+ in federal funding to help low-income Americans in rural areas afford to buy a home

POLITICO: $230 million in federal rural housing funds set to expire this week

***STATE-BY-STATE DATA HERE***

Washington, D.C. — As the fiscal year ends at midnight tonight, the Trump administration is on track to not spend nearly half of the $1 billion Congress has allocated for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program, which helps low- and very-low-income Americans in rural areas get the financing they need to afford a home to call their own. Each year, the program finances roughly 5,500 mortgages.

Over $230 million in funding that could have helped families hit by the housing crisis will expire tonight. That funding could have helped approximately 850 more rural households realize their dream of homeownership.

“This theft is an attack on rural America. President Trump and Secretary Rollins are lighting funding on fire that should have helped families in rural areas fulfill their dreams of owning a home to call their own,” said Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “There’s no excusing the fact that as the housing crisis hits rural America, this administration’s incompetence and intentional sabotage are denying help to families who need it most.”

“At a time when Americans are struggling to find housing they can afford, we should be doing everything possible to help families put a roof over their heads—especially in the most rural parts of our country where affordable housing options can be few and far between,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. “By letting this funding expire, the administration is sending a clear message: addressing sky-high housing prices isn’t one of their priorities.”

As of today, USDA has only spent $518 million of $1 billion in available funding for the program. While $250 million of the nearly half billion in unspent funds can be used in the next fiscal year, over $230 million cannot, and the Trump administration’s failure to properly manage this program and get the funds out this fiscal year means families across the country will be denied assistance while many more will have to wait longer for help they should have been able to get this year.

President Trump proposed eliminating this important program in fiscal year 2026—a cut Congress rejected—and the Trump administration has imposed harmful new red tape on the program. There is no recent precedent of any administration failing to tap this program’s funding to help Americans in rural areas get help buying a home.

The housing affordability crisis is hitting rural America hard. As a 2025 White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) report noted: “real rural house prices have risen at faster than 6x the pace of homeowner incomes, which is pushing homebuying further out of reach for young families.”

A state-by-state breakdown comparing funding the Trump administration has gotten out to help rural families buy homes this year versus the prior-year average is available HERE.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/republicans-block-democrats-bill-to-stop-trump-from-robbing-the-american-people-with-pocket-rescissions/,Republicans Block Democrats’ Bill to Stop Trump from Robbing the American People with “Pocket Rescissions”,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, in seeking unanimous consent to pass a commonsense bill to stop President Trump from robbing the American people through illegal “pocket rescissions.”

But Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) blocked the bill, which would (1) nullify the illegal “pocket rescission” that President Trump announced on Friday and (2) prevent the president from attempting to use a “pocket rescission” again by forbidding any president from submitting rescissions requests under the Impoundment Control Act with fewer than 90 days before the funds expire. This ensures Congress can act on the request and presidents cannot try to simply run out the clock.

Democrats have repeatedly sought to bar the Trump administration from so much as attempting this illegal maneuver—when marking up draft Senate spending bills, in votes on the floor, and in negotiations over spending packages, including negotiations over the continuing resolution that was recently signed into law. But Republicans have rejected every Democratic attempt over the last 18 months to enact new protections against pocket rescissions.

Senator Murray’s remarks ahead of the attempt to pass the bill, as delivered, are below:

“Thank you to my colleague from Oregon for setting out what is going on here because, as he said, on Friday night, President Trump announced that he was stealing more money from the American people. Trump and his budget director Russ Vought call it a ‘pocket rescission.’ Well, whatever you call it, it’s illegal.

“Trump is taking the bipartisan funding that we passed—funding that Democrats and Republicans agreed on, that he signed into law—and he is now ripping out the pages he doesn’t like. Forget about ideas like Congress and the law.

“Look, this is theft from the American people—plain and simple. In this case, Trump is tearing away funding to help Americans buy a home, he’s cutting off funds for health care research which would prevent things like dangerous hospital infections that are dangerous or saving taxpayers literally billions of dollars.

“But you know what, Trump could not care less. While he blows your tax dollars on an illegal war, Trump is illegally cutting off funding for health research, housing, and more.

“And I guess that’s no surprise given how this President is constantly out-of-touch with American families, saying ‘tariffs’ is his favorite word, ore saying he loves inflation, or saying he wants housing costs to go up—he said that.

“But where are my Republican colleagues who helped pass these funds that Trump is now stealing? Because this didn’t come out of left field. No one can pretend to be surprised by what is happening now.

“When Russ Vought was nominated as Trump’s budget chief, he was pretty darn transparent about the fact that he planned to break the law, he planned to tear up our bills, and he dared us to stop him. But that didn’t stop every Republican Senator from voting for him—and when his deputy was nominated and told us this summer that pocket rescissions were very much still on the table, what happened? Once again, every Senate Republican voted to confirm him too.

“Anyone watching could see this coming from a mile away—Trump used this scheme to unlawfully impound $5 billion last summer, for heaven’s sake. That’s why Democrats have fought again, and again, and again, to prevent the president from being able to use this illegal tactic, including in recent negotiations over the CR that’s now law.

“But Republicans have refused to work with us to prevent Trump and Russ Vought from stealing from the American people. Time, after time, after time, they have shot down our attempts to stop this administration from defying Congress and robbing our constituents.

“Let’s talk more about this ‘pocket rescission’ scheme for a minute and what’s at stake. President Trump and Russ Vought are saying: ‘Hey, we can ignore the law, we can ignore bipartisan deals, and just make our own decisions, as long as we do it last minute.’

“Everyone knows that is ridiculous and illegal. Congress would never have created a system that gave any President the ability to decide to just ignore or bypass a law.

“It makes no sense. And in fact, GAO has looked at what this President has done and has said it’s clearly illegal—twice. Now, my Republican colleagues know some of this, some of them have even said so. But whenever they have had the chance, they have not joined us to put an end to this. Democrats had language Republicans could have let us put in the last CR, or the CR before it.

“We’ve taken vote after vote on versions of this language—on the floor, and in committee—and, of course, we had the vote where Republicans confirmed the un-abashed architect of Trump’s illegal scheme as Budget Director.

“Well now they are getting one more chance. Senator Merkley and I and others have a bill to help Congress re-assert its authority—our authority—and head off Trump’s completely illegal pocket rescission scheme.

“We should be clear: Trump isn’t just illegally robbing our constituents through this pocket rescission. There are a whole lot of other funds that he is refusing to get out the door: more health research funding, grants to prevent teen pregnancy, funding to protect Americans from global health threats, and even a quarter of a billion dollars to help families in rural areas get the financing they need to finally achieve their dream of owning a home.

“Hundreds of families in rural America will be denied the shot to buy a home as Trump lights this money on fire tonight.

“So, it’s not just the pocket rescission—it’s all the rest of the money this administration is holding up or misspending. And Republicans have been pretty quiet about it.

“Russ Vought has always made his message to Congress painfully clear: he thinks the votes that we all take here don’t count. He thinks the laws we pass are optional.

“Now is the time for our Republican colleagues who said they would never let this happen to help us pass a bill that makes our message to Russ Vought equally clear: stop stealing from our constituents and start following our laws.”

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-leads-final-pre-midterm-effort-to-defeat-anti-voter-save-act-condemns-trump-corruption/,"Padilla Leads Final Pre-Midterm Effort to Defeat Anti-Voter SAVE Act, Condemns Trump Corruption",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, took to the Senate floor in opposition to Republicans’ so-called Stop Insider Trading Act, which would allow members of Congress who already own stocks to keep trading and does nothing to prevent the President and Vice President from trading stocks, and includes a voter identification provision from the SAVE Act that would require eligible voters to include photo identification in their mail and absentee ballots, among other provisions. If enacted, this requirement would have been stricter than all 50 states. Once again, Padilla led his Senate colleagues in defeating this anti-voter provision and underscored the importance of holding President Trump accountable for his ongoing corruption, this time, just over a month before Election Day.

The Senate failed to advance the bill by a party-line vote of 53-47, with 60 votes required to pass the bill.

“Here we are, 34 days before Election Day, or, as I like to suggest, 34 days before the final day to vote because we’re encouraging people to cast their ballot early if they can, or vote by mail if and where they can,” said Senator Padilla. “But instead of talking about the issues that are most on the minds of American families, Republicans are here again trying to distract from those issues and to, frankly, create confusion amongst voters in order to protect the President and the party from your failed policies.”

While Republicans claim to express concern over insider stock trading, Padilla exposed Trump’s own corruption and highlighted his previous efforts to prevent it, including the fact that President Trump traded more than 21,000 times in his first year in office, more than every member of Congress combined, increasing his net worth by $4-5 billion. Padilla also called out Trump’s Truth Social service, which sells early inside access to presidential announcements to hedge funds and Wall Street firms. He further detailed the impacts of attaching the voter ID provision to the bill and emphasized MAGA Republicans’ efforts to provoke election chaos.

“The American people deserve to have confidence that their elected representatives are making decisions in the best interest of the American people, and not in your bank account or in your stock investments. But that’s not what this bill will do,” continued Senator Padilla. “This bill does not ban members of Congress from holding stocks or trading stocks, and it exempts the most powerful elected official of all – the President of the United States – from a stock trading ban.”

“Today is not a serious attempt to address the kind of corruption here in Washington that the American people may care about,” said Senator Padilla. “And to add further proof to that point, this isn’t just a sham attempt to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, because it includes a voter ID poison pill in it. This so-called ‘Voter ID’ bill would impose a far stricter and more burdensome federal standard than all 50 states.”

Padilla sounded the alarm on Republicans’ baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, emphasizing their efforts to distract from their failed leadership and policies that are raising costs on American families. Padilla raised concerns about issues that Trump and MAGA Republicans should focus on instead of spreading election and voter disinformation.

“When families are struggling with rising inflation, the rising costs of health care and housing, groceries, mortgages, gas prices, an unauthorized war in Iran. Instead of actually addressing those issues with the real proposals, they’re seeking to distract and confuse. The American people deserve better than this,” Senator Padilla concluded.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, which has oversight over federal elections, Padilla has led the charge opposing Trump’s overreaching anti-voter SAVE Act. Last month, Padilla led his Senate colleagues in once again defeating MAGA Republicans’ efforts to advance Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio)’s voter ID bill, a provision of the SAVE Act. In July, Padilla tried twice to call up a bipartisan bill that would ban members of Congress and their family members, as well as the President and Vice President, from trading stocks – but Republicans blocked it both times. In June, Padilla led his Senate Democratic colleagues in defeating Republicans’ efforts to include the SAVE Act in their anti-immigrant reconciliation bill twice in one night. During the failed March 2026 “talking filibuster” attempt, Padilla took to the Senate floor four times as a leader in the Democratic opposition to the SAVE Act. Padilla has also led legislation to prohibit the president from monetizing his office by selling inside early access to official announcements to investors.

Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here.

Transcript of Padilla’s remarks is available below:

Mr. President, here we are, 34 days before Election Day, or, as I like to suggest, 34 days before the final day to vote because we’re encouraging people to cast their ballot early, if they can, or vote by mail if and where they can.

But instead of talking about the issues that are most on the minds of American families, Republicans are here again trying to distract from those issues and to, frankly, create confusion amongst voters in order to protect the president and the party from your failed policies.

Now, Senate Democrats, Senate Democrats agree that something real needs to happen to rein in the ability of elected officials, especially members of Congress, from making decisions that impact the companies in their stock portfolios.

That is true. The American people deserve to have confidence that their elected representatives are making decisions in the best interest of the American people, and not in your bank account or in your stock investments.

But that’s not what this bill will do.

This bill does not ban members of Congress from holding stocks or trading stocks, and it exempts the most powerful elected official of all – the president of the United States – from a stock trading ban.

Now let’s be clear, colleagues, because we’ve seen this time and again. When the president makes announcements or posts on Truth Social, he has the potential to move markets, shift the economy. And that’s truly an awesome power, one that nobody should be able to exploit for their own profit.

But that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done and has done over and over again.

That’s why, since returning to office last year, his net worth has grown some 4 to 5 billion dollars, billion with a B, Mr. President.

Now, ABC News showed us that just last year, he made over 21,000 stock trades across 8 accounts – in a matter of 80 – with the average of about 85 trades per day. 85 trades per day!

Does that sound like someone who is singularly focused on improving the quality of life for the American people?

I don’t think so.

Bloomberg News found that President Trump has traded stocks more than every member of Congress combined.

Think about that for a minute.

One person, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, the trader-in-chief, made more stock trades in one year than all 535 members of Congress.

Now, NBC News found that 327 of these were made exactly one day before he rolled back his, quote, “Liberation Day,” tariffs. Was that a coincidence? I think not.

How much grift from his own decision-making? The American people deserve to know.

But the president’s corruption goes even further.

His social media company is literally selling access to hedge funds and Wall Street brokers, early access to his major market-shaping announcements.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Trump has been making more stock trades than all of Congress combined while backing a ban that excludes him.

That’s what the bill before us does. Is it any surprise that the president supports a bill that does nothing to rein him in?

How can we possibly go home and tell the American people with a straight face that we’re stopping the corruption in Washington when the biggest exploiter is the president and he is immune from these – from this bill?

The authors of this bill refuse to put any restrictions or guardrails on the biggest, most corrupt federal stock trader of all.

Now, don’t take that to mean that Democrats don’t want to do anything in this space. We do.

In fact, the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee last year put out a bipartisan bill that would actually address this issue.

But folks watching at home should recognize that that bipartisan bill, with teeth, is not what Republicans have chosen to put on the floor today, 34 days before Election Day.

Instead, it’s this sham bill that doesn’t have the teeth and doesn’t rein in the trader-in-chief.

I’ve tried to bring up that bill, by the way, repeatedly in this Senate, and Senate Republicans have blocked it on multiple occasions.

So, today is not a serious attempt to address the kind of corruption here in Washington that the American people may care about.

And to add further proof to that point, this isn’t just an a – a sham attempt to ban members of Congress from trading stocks because it includes a voter ID poison pill in it.

This so-called “Voter ID” bill would impose a far stricter and more burdensome federal standard than all 50 states.

You know, some states have voter ID, some states don’t. Those that do have laws at the state level that require an ID, but it allows tribal IDs or student IDs, if issued by the state government or a state entity, to count.

But the federal provisions in this bill do not.

And it goes even worse for the one-third of American voters that prefer to vote by mail and they have that option in their state.

And 80% of Californians, by the way.

This requirement that you have to have a copy of your ID in the envelope with your ballot for it to count eviscerates the secret ballot that we value so much.

Here’s what the Republican lieutenant governor of Utah had to say – in Utah, the lieutenant governor is also the state election official – when it was included in the SAVE Act, and now it’s in the measure before us:

Quote, “The SAVE America Act requires a vote to include a photo copy of their ID, violating our constitutional right to a secret ballot.”

So, don’t just take my word for it. Republican governor of Utah.

And she’s not the only Republican opposed to this kind of legislation.

The Republican governor of Ohio vetoed a similar state bill, saying, quote, “The measure would not discourage fraud, would not add any real security, and would create additional and significant burden for Ohioans who vote by mail.”

All for what? For the, uh, in pursuit of the Big Lie?

The president’s been claiming for, what, a decade now about massive voter fraud, while every expert, every study has found the same thing. Despite the conspiracy theories – voter fraud is already illegal – let’s establish that, it’s already on the books as illegal. But it’s also extremely, extremely rare.

So what is this bill truly about, anyway? It’s not cracking down, as Republicans claim it is.

It’s not going to, you know, address the massive voter fraud that does not exist. Again, it’s misdirection. It’s a distraction. And it threatens to suppress the vote. 34 days before the election.

And, all of a sudden, Republicans realize that the only thing they have to show for their control of government for the last two years, right — you’re the majority in the Senate, you’re the majority in the House. Your party occupies the White House.

When families are struggling with rising inflation, the rising costs of health care and housing, groceries, mortgages, gas prices, an unauthorized war in Iran.

Instead of actually addressing those issues with the real proposals, they’re seeking to distract and confuse.

The American people deserve better than this.

And I urge all my colleagues to vote no on this cynical measure. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-durbin-duckworth-introduce-legislation-to-protect-regional-national-archives-facilities-from-closure/,"Padilla, Schiff, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Protect Regional National Archives Facilities from Closure",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The Senators introduced the legislation following the announced closure of Regional National Archives and Federal Records Centers in San Bruno, California and Chicago, Illinois

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), introduced the National Archives Protection Act, legislation that would require congressional approval before the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) can close or significantly restrict access to existing regional facilities.

In June 2026, NARA announced plans to close its regional archive facilities and co-located Federal Records Centers (FRC) in San Bruno, California and Chicago, Illinois, as well as relocate all temporary records from its Seattle facility. The decision raised concerns from archivists, researchers, and constituents about access to public records, many of which are not digitized and can only be accessed in person.

“Our National Archives are home to the immigration journeys, military service, and family histories of people across the West and the Pacific,” said Senator Padilla. “Closing Federal Records Centers would cut researchers and communities off from our own past. I’m proud to work with Senator Durbin to maintain the public’s access to our nation’s historic documents.”

“The administration is threatening access to historical and irreplaceable records, including closing down one facility in California that is home to countless photos and family heirlooms. Congress must exercise its oversight power to save decades of regional and national history,” said Senator Schiff.

“Regional National Archives facilities, including Chicago’s Federal Record Center, ensure that Americans can access public and personal records without having to travel across the country. Closing these facilities without the oversight of Congress risks putting those records further out of reach for our communities,” said Senator Durbin. “The National Archives Protection Act would ensure that these records, and the history they preserve, remain an accessible resource.”

“Our National Archives make it possible for families, researchers and communities across the Midwest to access records that tell the story of who we are and where we come from,” said Senator Duckworth. “This Administration has already shown how willing it is to erase American stories, and closing regional facilities like Chicago’s Federal Records Center would put even more of our history out of reach. Congress must have a say to protect the public’s access to these critical records and ensure our history is not lost.”

The San Bruno facility specifically holds immigration, naval, geological, and tribal records from as far back as the 1850s that are integral to researchers in California, Nevada, Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, Navy bases in the Pacific, and the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Records within the holdings increase understanding of immigration history through Angel Island and the impacts of enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The original case file of United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship as outlined in the 14th Amendment, is also one of the irreplaceable historical records in the records at San Bruno.

U.S. Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-committee-advances-bipartisan-padilla-bill-to-support-desalination-and-safe-drinking-water/,Senate Committee Advances Bipartisan Padilla Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) bipartisan bill to reauthorize desalination projects and research. Padilla’s Desalination Reauthorization Act cleared committee by voice vote, along with a bipartisan amendment that was also adopted by voice vote.

“Access to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, and investments in desalination projects provide promising pathways to meet our water needs,” said Senator Padilla. “The bill will help strengthen investments into desalination research and development so that every American can access safe, clean water. This is a critical step in addressing California’s water crisis and building new pathways for water security across the country.”

The legislation would extend the programmatic approval of the Bureau of Reclamation to fund desalination projects, which would otherwise expire this year. If the programmatic approval expired, Congress would need to pass a separate bill in order to authorize each new desalination project, which could substantially delay desalination projects and increase their costs. These projects, including the Doheny desalination plant in Orange County, help the Southwest counter drought by providing a drought-proof contribution to our water supply.

In addition, the legislation would authorize Reclamation to support advanced pilots to test new desalination technologies like OceanWell, which uses the ocean pressure at depths of approximately 1,400 feet to reduce the energy costs of desalination, and can also minimize desalination’s effects on marine life. OceanWell is working with Las Virgenes Water District in Ventura County to test its technology off the Southern California coast.

Specifically, this bill would:

Reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects, which is on track expire this year;

Amend the programmatic approval to extend to public/private partnerships to build desalination projects;

Direct that Reclamation cannot administratively impose a maximum funding amount that each desalination project can receive, which would allow large desalination plants to receive the full 25% federal cost-share; and

Amend the desalination and water purification research program to advance pilot projects, which cover the gap in developing new technologies known as the “Valley of Death” between small-scale pilots that test a laboratory concept and commercially viable projects.

The bipartisan amendment that the committee adopted would increase the maximum level of federal grants for desalination research to institutions of higher education like the University of California from $1 million to $2.5 million.

In addition to Padilla, the bill is cosponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Padilla has long been a strong advocate for ensuring access to safe, reliable water throughout California and across the country. Earlier this year, as severe droughts, warming temperatures, limitations on groundwater pumping, and outdated infrastructure compound California’s water scarcity issues, Padilla introduced a pair of bills to help address growing water supply challenges in California and the American West. His MORE WATER Act advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote and now heads to the Senate for a full vote.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-peters-reflects-on-proudest-accomplishments-for-michigan-takeaways-from-congress-during-detroit-economic-club-exit-interview,"ICYMI: Senator Peters Reflects on Proudest Accomplishments for Michigan, Takeaways from Congress During Detroit Economic Club Exit Interview",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reflected on his proudest accomplishments and takeaways from his 18 years in Congress during an “Exit Interview” with the Detroit Economic Club. In a conversation moderated by Local 4 Detroit’s Jason Colthrup, Peters highlighted his long-term efforts to support Michigan’s auto industry, protect the Great Lakes, and secure long-term missions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Below are highlights from Peters’ remarks:

Advocating for the 2009 Auto Rescue, Making the Case to Congress:

“We had a lot of members of Congress that were around the country that were saying, ‘Yeah, let them go bankrupt. You know, that’s okay. That’s capitalism, if they go under, that’s it.’ And I’m like, ‘No, you can’t have a manufacturing sector in America if you don’t have an auto sector that’s healthy and vibrant. This impacts everybody,’ and we made the case aggressively.”

Securing a Strong Future for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, including:

Delivering a New Squadron of KC-46A Refueling Tankers: “I blocked the Air Force Secretary from getting confirmed under the Biden Administration. He wasn’t going to get confirmed until I got some sort of commitment. And we worked together, and our delegation worked together, and then they said, ‘Well, we’ll get you these tankers.’”

Establishing the Northern Border Mission Center: “Now, we have this mission center which coordinates all of the border security from Maine to Washington state, all of the northern border, and it’s going to happen at Selfridge, which gives it a major Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission.”

To watch Peters’ full interview at the Detroit Economic Club, click here.

Securing Investments for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Protecting Our Waterways:

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was passed in [20]10, has been a major game changer. Billions of dollars have been going in, if you just think of the Detroit River area and up into Port Huron, I think $250 million to make sure we’re cleaning up the old toxic sites that were here from our industrial heritage. The watersheds are clean. And that happens all around the Great Lakes Basin. That has been major.”

Creating the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Center of Expertise in Michigan:

“It now has state of the art equipment there to train crews on how to clean up oil spills, so we don’t have to wait two weeks for a submersible. It can be there like in an hour and a half, it’s very close. We’re gaining the expertise there to make sure we’re cleaning up oil spills not just in the Great Lakes, but all of freshwater.”

The Detroit Economic Club (DEC) was formed in 1934 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes discussion and debate of important business, government, and social issues.

When the 2008 financial crisis rocked Michigan’s automotive industry, Peters was instrumental in advocating for the rescue of the Big Three automakers, which saved more than 1 million automotive industry jobs in Michigan and across the country.

Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 12 years, rising to the rank of Lt. Commander. During that time, he drilled at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. As a U.S. Senator, Peters has worked tirelessly to secure the future of Selfridge as Michigan’s premier military installation to maintain its role in our nation’s defense and as an economic driver for the state. He led the Michigan delegation to secure a full squadron of next generation KC-46A aircraft tankers, which will operate at Selfridge for the next 50 years. He also established and secured funding for the Northern Border Mission Center to be located at Selfridge.

Throughout his career in public service, Peters has been a champion for protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s drinking water from threats like oil spills and PFAS contamination. Peters’ efforts have helped protect our most precious source of drinking water and an economic engine for our state from the devastating consequences of pollution. He authored a provision signed into law to create the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes, and secured $1.5 million to launch the center. Headquartered at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, the Great Lakes National Center of Expertise will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses that currently don’t exist.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-cassidy-lead-bipartisan-colleagues-in-designating-september-2026-as-national-literacy-month,"Reed, Cassidy Lead Bipartisan Colleagues in Designating September 2026 as “National Literacy Month”",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of literacy, boost literacy support programs, and encourage more Americans of all ages to read, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) are teaming up on a bipartisan resolution to designate September 2026 as “National Literacy Month.”

The measure is being cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

“Reading unlocks opportunity, and education is a lifelong pursuit. By strengthening literacy for Americans and doing a better job of reaching learners of all ages where they are, we can help people reach their full potential and build a stronger society,” said Senator Reed. “I’m proud to work with Senator Cassidy and our colleagues to introduce this important resolution that amplifies the need for more effective literacy instruction for all students, regardless of their age or background.”

“Literacy opens the door for children to achieve the American Dream,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Congress must prioritize fixing our broken K-12 education system, so all children learn how to read proficiently.”

Reading is a cornerstone for personal growth, economic opportunity, and a strong society. Reading proficiency by third grade is one of the most important predictors of whether a student will graduate high school and succeed in a career, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies estimates that 28% of American adults perform at the lowest literacy proficiency level. Low levels of adult literacy in the U.S. are estimated to cost the nation as much as $2.2 trillion annually, According to a 2020 study by Gallup in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

In recognition of National Literacy Month, throughout the month of September, schools, libraries, non-profits, and other organizations will host a variety of activities, events, and free workshops highlighting the importance of building and strengthening literacy skills and the benefits of reading on healthy development.

Senator Reed is the author of the Right to Read Act (S.3365) which would ensure the nation’s school libraries are fully-stocked and staffed by surging federal investments in support of increasing student literacy. Additionally, he helped write the bipartisan Adult Education WORKS Act (S.1400) to strengthen and expand access to adult education services aimed at increasing literacy rates and growing the economy.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/09/30/video-amid-trump-trade-war-and-rising-prices-rosen-pushes-back-on-trumps-hostile-actions-against-canada/,"VIDEO: Amid Trump Trade War and Rising Prices, Rosen Pushes Back on Trump’s Hostile Actions Against Canada",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Jacky Rosen,R000608,www.rosen.senate.gov,rosen,https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Senate Republicans Blocked Rosen Resolution Condemning Trump’s Actions Against Canada

Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senate Republicans blocked Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) attempt to pass her resolution denouncing Donald Trump’s hostile actions against Canada that are increasing prices for consumers and harming Nevada’s economy. The resolution calls for the removal of Trump’s new 50 percent cost-raising tariffs on Canadian products and demands that the President stop taking inflammatory actions that needlessly harm the U.S. relationship with Canada. Nevada has already felt the impact of President Trump’s reckless actions, with tourism from Canada to Las Vegas down 17 percent in the last year and tariffs causing prices to skyrocket across the board. Canada is Nevada’s second-largest export market, accounting for $1.6 billion in goods every year.

Senator Rosen has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s attacks on Canada and their impact on Nevada. Earlier this month, Senator Rosen released a statement denouncing Trump’s trade war with Canada. She also helped introduce a bill that would repeal Trump’s new 50 percent cost-raising tariffs on Canada. Senator Rosen also met with the Consul General of Canada to discuss the relationship between Nevada and Canada, as well as the importance of Canadian visitors and products to Nevada’s economy.

Below are Senator Rosen’s full remarks:

Today, I rise to speak up against Donald Trump’s reckless trade war against Canada and the impact it is having on my state of Nevada.

Because of Trump’s childish fight with our neighbor, tourism is down, prices are up, and Canada is rethinking its relationship with our country.

Let me tell you why this matters for my state.

Canada is the number one source of international visitors to Las Vegas.

In 2024, nearly 1.5 million Canadians visited Nevada to help boost our tourism economy and the small businesses that depend on it.

And Canada is also one of Nevada’s top trading partners.

In fact, Nevada exports approximately $1.6 billion worth of goods to Canada.

Think about it: $1.6 billion of revenue coming to businesses in my state of Nevada to further contribute to our economy.

This is exactly why a good, healthy relationship between Canada and the United States is important for Nevada, Nevada’s economy, Nevada’s families.

But Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to harm our relationship with Canada. He’s hurting Nevada families; he’s hurting Nevada businesses along the way.

One of the first actions Trump took since returning to the White House was beginning a reckless and erratic trade war that has resulted in higher prices for American businesses. For American families, for all of us. Every single one of us.

To date, he has imposed tariffs on many items we buy from Canada, with higher rates on products like building materials, brand-name prescription drugs, alcohol, and paper products.

I’ve heard from restaurant owners paying more for paper towels and homebuilders paying more for materials. These costs not only make it impossible for our business owners to plan ahead, but they also get passed on to families.

Most recently, Trump utilized a never-before-used trade authority- I want to emphasize this- a never-before-used trade authority to target Canada, applying 50 percent tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods.

In retaliation, Canada recently imposed their own tariffs on goods they import from the United States, including from my state of Nevada.

Remember the $1.6 billion in Nevada goods we export to Canada? That number will likely be reduced because of these retaliatory tariffs.

And just yesterday, Trump’s ban on the import of many Canadian goods has gone into effect, restricting Americans’ freedom, restricting our freedom to buy what we want to buy, and making all of our prices go up.

The back-and-forth tariffs are a disaster, but they only tell one side of the story of Trump’s hostilities towards Canada.

Trump’s childish attacks on Canada have included threats to annex it as the United States’ “51st state,” and references to the Canadian Prime Minister as “Governor.”

He’s tried to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”

Trump even canceled trade negotiations because a Canadian television ad hurt his feelings.

After a year and a half of this nonsense, where has Trump gotten us?

Well, I can tell you where: last year, Canadian tourism to Las Vegas declined by 17 percent.

This contributed to an overall decline in tourism that made 2025 the worst non-pandemic year for Las Vegas since we began tracking data.

When we see a decline like this, it isn’t just a data point for us. Hospitality employs nearly a third of all the workers in Nevada.

So this means fewer guests in our hotel rooms, which leads to fewer shifts for housekeepers.

It means fewer visits to our restaurants and less tip money for servers and bartenders, and it trickles down to mean less money in our hospitality workers’ pockets, and when they go home to the neighborhoods they live in, that’s less money they can spend there.

It’s not only Nevada that’s feeling this. According to the Canadian government’s own data, total spending by Canadians in the United States declined by over $3 billion

And Canadians themselves are pointing to Trump’s hostility as a reason for this decline.

They’re still traveling and spending money, Canadians are. They’re just not coming to the United States. This situation was 100% avoidable. None of this had to happen.

No one can argue with the facts: tourism is down because of Trump’s trade war with Canada. Less money is being invested in our economy, and our small businesses are struggling to navigate expensive and constantly-changing conditions.

That’s why I’m here today to pass a simple resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Trump’s trade war against Canada must end. It must end to get our economy and the relationship with our neighbor back on track.

I hope my colleagues can look at the facts and agree.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-lead-senate-resolution-honoring-hawaiian-history,"Schatz, Hirono Lead Senate Resolution Honoring Hawaiian History",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a Senate resolution designating September 2026 as “Hawaiian History Month.” The resolution recognizes the rich history and culture of Native Hawaiians and Hawai‘i.

“Hawaiian cultural traditions and values are an essential part of what makes Hawai‘i special. Hawaiian History Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Native Hawaiian community and recommit to protecting Native Hawaiian rights,” said Senator Schatz.

“Hawai‘i’s story is rooted in the wisdom, leadership, and enduring heritage of Native Hawaiians. As we celebrate our state’s rich culture, I am proud to honor the immeasurable contributions Native Hawaiians have made—and continue to make—across our islands and nationwide,” said Senator Hirono.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-colleagues-fight-department-of-educations-new-rule-weaponizing-higher-education-accreditation-process/,"NEWS: Schiff, Colleagues Fight Department of Education’s New Rule Weaponizing Higher Education Accreditation Process",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Adam B. Schiff,S001150,www.schiff.senate.gov,schiff,https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"“These changes set a dangerous precedent by forcing accreditors and, in turn, institutions, to answer to the political whims of the executive branch.”

Washington, D.C. — After the Department of Education’s new regulations enabling new accreditors to enter the market more quickly, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led his colleagues in a comment letter to urge the Department to rescind the rule – warning of the implications to academic freedom and upholding the quality of higher education.

“We urge you to ensure any reforms to the accreditation system prioritize what is best for students and taxpayers not partisan, political actors… The provisions outlined in the Department’s proposed rule threaten this system by inserting undue influence from the executive branch into the higher education accreditation process. Such changes place the academic freedom and intellectual diversity of our nation’s higher-education institutions in jeopardy,” the Senators wrote in a new comment letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent.

The Senators warn that the provisions go against Congressional intent and will threaten academic freedom, invite inexperienced accreditors to enter the market quickly potentially leaving students vulnerable to fraud, impose ideological requirements on accreditors, and reduce guardrails around educational institution’s ability to switch accreditors – enabling those who have defrauded students.

“Such a politicization of faculty hiring and tenure gives the executive branch undue political influence over who institutions hire and what research their faculties produce. These provisions will narrow the scope of future research and dissuade faculty from producing findings that might be unpopular with the corporate or political forces which can influence hiring and firing decisions at institutions. This rule will have a negative downstream effect on the pipeline of future innovation that drives economic growth and improves the lives of all Americans,” the Senators wrote.

“As the Department joins its counterparts across the executive branch of this administration in taking drastic steps to exert its influence within higher education, the proposed rule contains several policies which go against the statutory intent meant to give institutions and accreditors independence in setting and enforcing standards and protection against undue political influence… In light of these concerns, we urge you to rescind the elements of the proposed rule which increase executive-branch involvement and influence in higher-education accreditation and invite lower-quality, inexperienced, and potentially unscrupulous actors to the market of millions in taxpayer dollars,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Schiff, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

Background: Senator Schiff has prioritized holding the administration accountable for its weaponization of higher education. Most recently, Schiff and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39) introduced new legislation, the Higher Education Accreditation Accountability Act, to prevent the administration from using accreditation as a “secret weapon” against higher education.

Earlier this year, Schiff and 43 other California Democrats demanded the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescind its proposed regulation that would politicize federal grants. In April, Schiff led several Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Education to reverse its efforts to weaponize the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), the bipartisan and independent committee that advises the Secretary of Education on the accreditation process.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon and Under Secretary Kent:

We write to provide our comments on the Department of Education’s (Department) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on August 20, 2026, that would overhaul accreditation and higher education. We urge you to ensure any reforms to the accreditation system prioritize what is best for students and taxpayers not partisan, political actors.

Accreditation from a Department-recognized agency assures students and taxpayers of an institution or program’s quality and enables students to participate in financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), like Pell grants and Direct Loans. To preserve academic and institutional independence, federal law prohibits the Department from establishing specific accreditation standards, including those relating to curricula, faculty, admissions, and student support. Instead, the Department’s primary role within the accreditation system is to recognize individual agencies and ensure that they are applying rigorous standards consistently, affirm those standards promote program quality, and provide robust due process procedures in the recognition process.

The provisions outlined in the Department’s proposed rule threaten this system by inserting undue influence from the executive branch into the higher education accreditation process. Such changes place the academic freedom and intellectual diversity of our nation’s higher-education institutions in jeopardy. Additionally, elements of the proposal meant to loosen regulations around the accreditation process will lower the standards for new accreditors and enable institutions to escape accountability and sanctions more easily. These provisions will make accreditation a race to the bottom, leaving students and taxpayers vulnerable to fraud and misrepresentation.

Several components of the NPRM take positive steps to support program quality such as efforts to streamline transfer of credit policies, strengthen conflict of interest controls and student achievement standards. However, we urge the Department to consider the consequences other elements of this proposal will have on accreditors’ ability to assess institutional quality objectively and safeguard students and taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse on the part of predatory or unscrupulous institutions.

Below, we provide more detailed input on the regulations proposed by the Department.

Academic Freedom, Intellectual Diversity, and Institutional Policies

The Department is proposing that accreditors must, among other requirements, “establish a policy that is designed to support, promote, and appropriately prioritize intellectual diversity and the free exchange of ideas amongst faculty….” By mandating that accreditors create standards for the “intellectual diversity” of faculties—a term which the rule never defines—the Department can dictate who institutions can hire and continue to employ under the guise of correcting any perceived ideological imbalance amongst faculty at our nation’s institutions.

Additionally, the Department is proposing that accreditors require institutions to have policies which ensure “sufficient flexibility in instructional staffing policies to respond to persistent material changes in student demand, program viability, or financial conditions.” This language could enable accreditors to force institutions to reduce faculty tenure protections. Tenure is a crucial safeguard for academic freedom, allowing faculty to conduct research, publish findings, and exercise freedom of speech without the threat of losing their position due to outside pressure.

Such a politicization of faculty hiring and tenure gives the executive branch undue political influence over who institutions hire and what research their faculties produce. These provisions will narrow the scope of future research and dissuade faculty from producing findings that might be unpopular with the corporate or political forces which can influence hiring and firing decisions at institutions. This rule will have a negative downstream effect on the pipeline of future innovation that drives economic growth and improves the lives of all Americans.

The proposal includes a requirement for accreditors to assess whether institutions allow “a range of academic perspectives” to be expressed “without adverse action based on lawful viewpoints unrelated to professional or academic competence….” This language could be easily weaponized to suppress free speech or discourse on campus based on what the executive branch interprets to be a “lawful” viewpoint. Similarly, the Department is proposing that accreditors assess whether institutions adequately protect First Amendment rights and refrain from allowing institutions to “violate any Federal or State law,” including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Institutions are, of course, already required to follow these laws and are subject to legal action if they are accused of violating them. The Department’s rule will mandate that accreditors, which do not have the expertise of federal civil rights or First Amendment law, arbitrate on these matters.

The provision which includes Title VI and Title IX rights concludes that such a mandate means that “agencies must not have policies that require institutions or programs to provide unlawful preferences to students, faculty, staff, contractors, or any employees based upon their race, color, national origin, or sex, including in admissions, hiring, and the selection of contracts.” Such language parallels the Department’s attempts to purge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and protections for transgender students from college campuses based on the current administration’s interpretation of civil rights law, whether through conducting politically charged civil rights investigations or, within the accreditation space, threatening accreditors’ recognition by pressuring them to drop their DEI policies.

Beyond forcing accreditors to adhere to this administration’s interpretation of civil rights law and protections, the Department’s proposals around institutional policies and academic freedom exceed the authority exceed the Department’s authority under the HEA and the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979. The HEA grants accreditors the authority to set their own standards on assessing an institution’s faculty, curriculum, and admissions practices independent of the Department’s regulations, while limiting the Department from prescribing accreditor standards. The Department of Education Organization Act prohibits the Department from exercising “any direction, supervision, or control” over the “curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel” of any institution or accrediting agency.1Such prescriptions on accreditors’ policies, which in turn affect the policies of their constituent institutions, trample the Congressionally mandated independence of accreditors from the executive branch, jeopardizing accreditors’ role as a safeguard for taxpayer dollars and setting a dangerous precedent accelerating this administration’s politicization of higher education.

New Accrediting Agencies

The HEA requires that accreditors seeking Department recognition “demonstrate the ability and the experience to operate as an accrediting agency or association…,” have a pool of voluntary members, consistently apply and enforce standards, and carry out regular accrediting activities like on-site inspections. The Department’s proposal to “streamline” the process for new accreditors to earn recognition, however, subverts the HEA by striking the regulations governing how much experience a prospective accrediting agency must demonstrate, instead, requiring no experience accrediting at all. The Department proposes that an agency can apply for recognition when it demonstrates that it can legally operate in the relevant jurisdiction, has adopted accreditation standards, operating procedures, and institutional applications consistent with federal regulations, and has at least one institution or program which has applied for accreditation.

The current regulation builds out the HEA’s requirements by having prospective accreditors accredit at least one institution or program and carry out other typical accreditor duties for at least two years before seeking recognition from the Department. This waiting period enables the Department to examine whether a prospective accreditor is consistently and rigorously applying quality standards before it receives the ability to gatekeep federal funds for new institutions.

By striking the two-year requirement and allowing application and review without ever having accredited an institution, the Department’s proposal will enable unproven and inexperienced accreditors to enter the market. Loosening these standards risks institutions actively seeking out accreditors who do not have the expertise necessary to hold them accountable to high standards, while creating perverse incentives for longstanding accreditors to scale back their own oversight efforts to remain competitive. A cost estimate produced by the Congressional Budget Office, when considering legislation that would open the accreditation marketplace, made assumptions that federal spending would increase as a result because new institutions would become accredited and existing accrediting agencies would be less likely to remove accreditation from existing institutions in a competitive market. The Department has not considered these potential outcomes in its reasoning or cost estimates. The accreditation landscape this provision creates could give unscrupulous institutions a clear path to defrauding students and increasing costs for taxpayers. In fact, officials from the defunct accreditors of predatory for-profit institutions, which shuttered after investigations and left thousands of students in debt and with worthless degrees, are primed to establish new accrediting agencies under these new regulations.

Changing Accreditors

The Department’s proposal strikes the requirement that institutions be in good standing with their accreditors for the 24 months prior to changing accrediting agencies. As written, the Department’s proposal would direct the Secretary to automatically approve a change in accreditor, unless the Secretary determines that the institution is seeking the change to evade federal law, avoid enforcement from its current accreditor, or obtain Title IV eligibility through some other form of misrepresentation.

Current regulation forbids colleges from changing accreditors if their accreditation has been withdrawn, revoked, terminated, or placed on probation in the two years prior to the switch. Under the Department’s proposal, the Secretary would have to uncover evidence that the institution’s intent in changing accreditors was to evade accountability. This shift in a discretionary approach will lead to institutions switching accreditors or maintaining multiple accreditors to escape oversight or sanctions from an accrediting agency, especially in light of the personnel cuts at the Department. We are concerned that the Department will not have adequate staffing to properly review and evaluate institutions’ applications to switch accreditors.

This laxing of standards around accreditation switching is compounded by the provision directing the Secretary to “not determine the cause of having multiple accrediting agencies to be unreasonable due to a withdrawal, revocation, other termination of accreditation, probation or equivalent, show cause order, or suspension order.”2 This means that the Secretary will not consider an institution seeking multiple accreditation while sanctioned by its current accreditor to be evading accountability. Such a provision incentivizes institutions to pursue or maintain multiple accreditation to protect against a loss of accreditation and eligibility for federal funds. This provision therefore puts students and taxpayer dollars at risk by allowing colleges who have rightfully been sanctioned for not meeting quality standards to continue receiving federal funding.

We urge the Department to reinstate the current regulations to maintain critical guardrails for students and to remain good stewards of taxpayer funds. The current regulation remains in line with Congressional intent and will ensure that the Department gives proper scrutiny to institutions attempting to evade accountability or sanctions by switching accreditors.

Conclusion

As the Department joins its counterparts across the executive branch of this administration in taking drastic steps to exert its influence within higher education, the proposed rule contains several policies which go against the statutory intent meant to give institutions and accreditors independence in setting and enforcing standards and protection against undue political influence. These changes set a dangerous precedent by forcing accreditors and, in turn, institutions, to answer to the political whims of the executive branch. Simultaneously, the provisions around new accrediting agencies and institutions’ switching of accreditors will dilute higher education with inexperienced or hyper-ideological accreditors, incentivizing established accreditors to relax their standards and grant more opportunities for low-quality institutions and programs to escape accountability. Ultimately, taxpayer dollars will continue to flow to institutions which saddle students with extreme debt and worthless degrees.

In light of these concerns, we urge you to rescind the elements of the proposed rule which increase executive-branch involvement and influence in higher-education accreditation and invite lower-quality, inexperienced, and potentially unscrupulous actors to the market of millions in taxpayer dollars.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sens-schiff-ricketts-unveil-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-endangered-species-recover-faster/,"NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Ricketts Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Help Endangered Species Recover Faster",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Adam B. Schiff,S001150,www.schiff.senate.gov,schiff,https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chairman of the Senate EPW Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee, are unveiling bipartisan legislation to improve and modernize the implementation of the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) species recovery efforts – aiming to make conservation efforts more efficient and standardized, encourage conservation efforts by private landowners, and help endangered species reach recovery.

“Protecting the thousands of endangered species and strengthening recovery efforts must be a bipartisan cause – it is a shared responsibility that takes all of us. My new legislation with Senator Ricketts updates the Endangered Species Act to ensure policies that will help species on the verge of extinction survive and recover are implemented efficiently, based on science, and in partnership with private landowners and states. We must all do our part to leave the world a better place than we found it,” said Senator Schiff.

“Fifty-three years ago, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act to recover threatened and endangered species. Instead, it has created regulatory barriers that make recovery efforts more difficult. The Improving Species Recovery Act would cut burdensome red tape and modernize the recovery process. It would empower local experts with the resources and certainty they need to de-list species. As Governor, I led boots-on-the-ground efforts to protect our wildlife in Nebraska. This bill would ensure states and private landowners can continue that work more efficiently and effectively,” said Senator Ricketts.

The Improving Species Recovery Act modernizes and enhances the recovery framework under the ESA through voluntary partnerships and relationships with private landowners, conservation milestones, clear and standardized demographic metrics, automating its processes with digital technology, and promoting greater collaboration with the states. A centerpiece of the bill is the establishment of conservation milestones to track the progress of species and ensure the government is properly collaborating with private landowners and taking their conservation actions into account.

This legislation came about after the Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee’s hearing, “Challenges and Opportunities with Implementing the Endangered Species Act,” where the Senators discussed opportunities to strengthen efforts in promoting species’ recovery. All three hearing witnesses, including both Majority and Minority witnesses, have endorsed the bill, including Defenders of Wildlife, Property and Environment Research Center, and Riley Consulting LLC.

The Improving Species Recovery Act would:

Incentivize Voluntary Conservation: Encourages private landowners and states to protect species early by establishing clear standards for pre-listing conservation and defining how voluntary efforts influence listing and delisting decisions.

Reward Progress with Regulatory Relief: Introduces measurable “conservation milestones” that, once achieved, grant landowners and agencies greater regulatory flexibility and priority access to conservation funding.

Improve Data and Transparency: Mandates establishing a clear “baseline status” for species at the time of listing to reduce the risk of painful litigation and requires public reporting every three years to track recovery progress, species trends, and data gaps.

Modernize Permitting Approvals: Directs FWS to expand digital tools (like IPaC) and explore AI technology to automate and fast-track interagency consultation and review processes while remaining in compliance with the law.

“The Improving Species Recovery Act represents a major step forward for bipartisan improvements to the Endangered Species Act to boost species recovery. Setting clear recovery benchmarks and rewarding progress with gradual regulatory relief is a practical solution to make the ESA work better for wildlife, states, and private landowners. We’re grateful to Senators Schiff and Ricketts for working across the aisle to advance meaningful reforms to recover more species,” said Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law and Policy, Property and Environment Research Center (PERC).

“We applaud Senators Schiff and Ricketts’ effort to pass a thoughtful, bipartisan bill to strengthen the implementation of theEndangered Species Act — our nation’s most effective conservation law responsible for recovering 99% of the species under its protection since its inception,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “This legislation is another step forward for endangered species conservation and a model for cross-party collaboration. We hope to see this trend continue.”

Background: Schiff continues to work with his colleagues to push for greater resources for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to protect and recover threatened and endangered species and address recent staffing challenges.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

A section-by-section for the legislation is available here.

A one-pager for the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/on-senate-floor-shaheen-slams-trump-administration-for-illegally-cancelling-funding-for-programs-benefiting-granite-staters,"On Senate Floor, Shaheen Slams Trump Administration for Illegally Cancelling Funding for Programs Benefiting Granite Staters",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, today took to the Senate floor to deliver remarks voicing her fierce opposition to the Trump Administration’s illegal cancellation of over $800 million in appropriated federal funding. The Trump Administration’s decision will cut funding for critical programs including housing counseling, health care research and university fellowships that support Granite State families, health care providers and students. In her remarks, Shaheen slammed the Administration for hurting her constituents and highlighted stories she’s heard from constituents across the state about the detrimental impacts the Trump Administration’s illegal “pocket recission” will have.

Click HERE to watch Senator Shaheen’s remarks in full.

Key Quotes from Senator Shaheen:

“The President promised the American people when he was campaigning that he would lower costs, and instead he’s putting services that millions of people count on at risk, including in my home state of New Hampshire.”

“These abrupt cuts to programs Americans rely on have only created uncertainty and frustration at a time when people are already feeling immense financial burdens. They’re feeling uncertainty and anxiety about what’s happening in this country. These programs matter to people in New Hampshire. They make a difference in their lives. But the President and his cronies in this Administration don’t seem to care less.”

“The President's also spending federal resources, as we've heard, for ads to promote himself and his Administration [...] Americans don't see those as priorities. They're concerned about how they're going to pay for their groceries, how they're going to pay for their gasoline, how they're going to pay child care. And this Administration is doing nothing. Zero. Nada. Nothing to help the American people.”

Full remarks as delivered:

Madam President,

I join my colleagues this evening to express my deep concerns, and I share your outrage, Senator Kaine, about the Trump Administration’s decision to recklessly take away funding for critical programs that hardworking Americans rely on to get ahead. The President promised the American people when he was campaigning that he would lower costs, and instead he’s putting services that millions of people count on at risk, including in my home state of New Hampshire.

Last Friday, the Administration sent its request to cancel over $800 million in federal funding. And because today marks the end of the Fiscal Year, there is not enough time for Congress to stop these funds from being eliminated.

This deliberate move, as my colleagues have said, is a “pocket recission,” and it is illegal—let me say that again—it is illegal, plain and simple.

Over the past week, I’ve heard from countless constituents in New Hampshire about the importance of the programs that are being cut by this pocket recission. This funding provides housing counseling support, as Senator Murray and Senator Kaine have said, that is vital to people in New Hampshire who are trying to afford housing. It provides vital health care research that saves lives and education programs.

It is abundantly clear that these cuts won’t bring down costs, they won’t keep our neighborhoods safe and they certainly won’t make our country any stronger.

Now, it’s not up to the President and unelected bureaucrats at the Office of Management and Budget to decide where the federal funding goes. They can’t cancel a program simply because they don’t like it. That’s what they’re trying to do, but it’s illegal because our Constitution grants Congress, not the executive branch, the power of the purse.

Congress writes the checks; and the Administration is not supposed to just tear them up.

Even the GAO, the non-partisan “congressional watchdog”, has concluded that this move is illegal, not to mention that several of our Republican colleagues have also mentioned that it’s illegal.

When I talk with Granite Staters, one thing I consistently hear is that the cost of housing is a pain point for families already struggling with high prices.

You know, the average price of house in New Hampshire now is over $550,000 thousand. Too many young families can’t afford that. And with housing prices hitting those highs, too many people are being priced out of this critical part of achieving the American dream. That’s why federal programs like the Housing Counseling programs are just so important.

Housing Counseling helps families buy homes, avoid foreclosures and secure affordable rents. Since the program began in 2009, it has helped over 4.2 million households across the country avoid foreclosure. And in New Hampshire, thousands of families have used Housing Counseling to lower their home purchase price, to reduce their debt and to secure safe and stable housing.

For example, Jake and Lisa are a young married couple who lived in an apartment in Grafton County, which is in the northwest part of our state. Their landlord decided to sell their apartment and Jake and Lisa needed to relocate. But because of high housing costs, they struggled to find a home that was in their price range. They couldn’t afford to use a buyer’s agent, so they turned to a HUD-certified housing counselor.

In one instance, their Housing Counselor helped them obtain a home inspection that revealed major heating and electrical issues. And without this help they might have closed on a home that would have cost them in the long term. Their Housing Counselor also helped them create a plan that allowed them to pay their debts while maximizing their savings. And just a few months ago, in a happy ending, Jake and Lisa officially became homeowners. But without their Housing Counselor, who knows when, or even if, Jake and Lisa would have been able to achieve this milestone. And sadly they’re not alone. Too many families are still looking for a safe and affordable place to call home.

And Housing Counseling isn’t the only program in jeopardy. This Administration has left $230 million in federal rural housing funds unspent. Now Russ Vought may not think that’s a lot of money, but in New Hampshire, we think that’s a lot of money. And we should be doing everything possible to help families put a roof over their head—especially in the most rural parts of our country where affordable housing options are too often few and far between.

By letting this funding expire, the Administration is sending a clear message to Americans: Addressing sky-high housing prices isn’t one of the priorities of the Trump Administration.

Now, in addition to cutting programs that help Americans find housing they can afford, the Administration has cut funds that allow students to master foreign languages and become more well-rounded scholars and to do business around the world.

I mean, the President says he wants to do business around the world. He wants the United States to be a global business hub, and how can we do that if we have people who can’t communicate in foreign languages? And the Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship program has made it possible for students from New Hampshire to attend universities that specialize in foreign languages and international relations.

These fellowships provide the skills for Americans to be the bridge to other countries and to understand cultures around the world, and to do business around the world. Eliminating 1,900 fellowships denies young Americans, including Granite State youth, from developing the skills to serve our country, to improve international relations and to strengthen our national and economic security.

And the Administration has also eliminated $28 million in funding appropriated to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This includes cutting a grant program at Dartmouth College—Dartmouth College where we have the only medical school in New Hampshire. The grant program is designed to improve health care quality and access for rural populations living in Northern New England. The program focused on improving care for kids with complex medical needs and for better coordinating that care for cancer patients.

This doesn’t seem wasteful to me, but that’s what the Trump Administration said when they rescinded these funds.

Now, it’s not just health care funding that was gutted, as we know, OMB also cancelled funding for a program that has helped Americans build safer communities since the 1960s. The Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) was established in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with a mission to help states and communities address and heal from incidents of discrimination.

The idea behind this program is pretty simple. If we get people talking to each other—something that might be helpful in the Senate—we can constructively deal with incidents like swastikas painted on synagogues or racial slurs that are used in schools, and we can foster understanding and help avoid outbreaks of violence. And I’ve seen very directly how this program can help.

In 2022, at a middle school and high school in Dover, New Hampshire, which is next to the community where I live, tensions among students reached a boiling point after some students decided to write racially biased and antisemitic posts on social media. The leadership of the schools reached out to CRS for help in defusing the situation, and CRS offered a program it had developed called the School-Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together, or School-SPIRIT—an appropriate name.

In this instance, the schools in Dover used School-SPIRIT to convene key school administrators, students and community stakeholders to identify the bias and prejudice that were driving tensions and to formulate a plan to help defuse those tensions through communicating.

All in all, this was a success story for the school and for the entire community. And yet, despite the many positive outcomes all over the country, Russ Vought—all by himself—decided that CRS needed to be shut down.

All of this is to say is that these abrupt cuts to programs Americans rely on have only created uncertainty and frustration at a time when people are already feeling immense financial burdens. They’re feeling uncertainty and anxiety about what’s happening in this country.

These programs matter to people in New Hampshire. They make a difference in their lives. But the President and his cronies in this Administration don’t seem to care less.

It’s part of a disturbing but all too common pattern from this Administration: Bypassing Congress, skirting legal authority and leaving families to pay the price.

And what’s the Administration prioritizing instead?

Well, they're driving up prices, they're driving up the cost of gasoline, they're driving up the cost of groceries, they're driving up the cost of home heating oil that people in New Hampshire are going to depend on because the weather is starting to get cold. And they're doing it because of a needless and costly war in Iran.

The President's also spending federal resources, as we've heard, for ads to promote himself and his Administration. He's spending federal resources to put his name on as many things as possible. To build a ballroom. To change the color of the reflecting pool. To build an arch that's going to obstruct the view of Arlington Cemetery.

Americans don't see those as priorities. They're concerned about how they're going to pay for their groceries, how they're going to pay for their gasoline, how they're going to pay child care.

And this Administration is doing nothing. Zero. Nada. Nothing to help the American people.

So let me close with this: As a former Governor, I know how important it is to ensure that tax dollars are being spent effectively and responsibly. But let me be clear: Taking a sledgehammer to programs Americans rely on every day isn’t responsible governing.

Congressional Republicans and Democrats can stop this from happening again, and I look forward to working with my colleagues so that no Administration, Republican or Democrat, tries to cut congressional mandated investments again.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-leads-new-hampshire-delegation-bicameral-group-of-lawmakers-in-urging-hud-to-expedite-release-of-critical-housing-grant-funding-to-prevent-homelessness-service-cuts,"Shaheen Leads New Hampshire Delegation, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers in Urging HUD To Expedite Release of Critical Housing Grant Funding to Prevent Homelessness, Service Cuts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, led a bipartisan, bicameral group of Congressional lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner demanding HUD release the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants and urging the Department to immediately expedite the process of awarding grant funding for the HOPWA program. Shaheen’s letter comes as organizations across the nation, including in New Hampshire, are at risk of losing critical HOPWA funding that they rely on to serve those with HIV/AIDS. Many previously awarded HUD grants are expiring today, September 30, yet HUD has not released a NOFO nor communicated with grantee organizations who are relying on the renewal of their awards to continue providing critical housing and health care services to communities across the nation.

The lawmakers wrote, in part: “We write to express our grave concerns regarding the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. For many organizations in our communities, this program is vital to ensuring individuals with HIV/AIDS have access to safe and stable housing. We urge you to release the NOFO immediately and expedite the awards so communities can continue to provide support and housing to those who need it.”

They continued: “Unfortunately, many competitive HOPWA awards will expire tomorrow on September 30, 2026. Your department still has not released a NOFO, and grantees have received no information regarding the renewal of their awards. HOPWA is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, making any gap in funding detrimental for the organizations providing support and the individuals and communities that depend on this program.”

The lawmakers concluded: “We understand that the awarding process takes careful review, but because these applicants are all seeking renewals, they have already been vetted and approved by your department. We urge you to expedite this process immediately and release awards as soon as possible. Without these critical funds, individuals with HIV/AIDS will face the risk of homelessness, and the organizations that help them may have to close their doors.”

The full letter can be read HERE.

Over 30 percent of those with HIV are living below the poverty line, and 20 percent have experienced homelessness in recent years. As the only HUD program dedicated to housing support for those with HIV/AIDS, expiration of previous awards and a delayed grant process by HUD could lead to staff layoffs and cuts to health care and housing services—exacerbating homelessness for some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.

Senator Shaheen was joined on the letter by the entire New Hampshire delegation, including Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02). The letter was also co-signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Danny Davis (IL-07), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Everton Blair (GA-13), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Judy Chu (CA-28), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Troy Carter (LA-02), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bill Foster (IL-11), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), William Keating (MA-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Angie Craig (MN-02) and Juan Vargas (CA-52).

Shaheen is leading efforts in the Senate to lower housing costs and prevent homelessness in the Granite State, including her efforts to help pass the landmark 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act earlier this year. The legislation includes three New Hampshire-focused provisions Shaheen secured—the Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act, Streamlining Rural Housing Act and the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative in Community Enhancement (PRICE) Act—to expand the supply of affordable housing, streamline construction and lower costs in the Granite State and across the country. In the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, Shaheen secured upwards of $9 million in federal funding for affordable housing in New Hampshire. Recently, Senator Shaheen visited Keene, Salem, Franconia, West Lebanon and Laconia to discuss policy solutions and highlight her work to lower housing costs for communities across the state.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/09/30/icymi-slotkin-delivers-speech-at-carnegie-institution-on-defending-democracy/,ICYMI: Slotkin Delivers Speech at Carnegie Institution on Defending Democracy,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MI,Elissa Slotkin,S001208,www.slotkin.senate.gov,slotkin,https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Wednesday, September 30, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) delivered remarks at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on her takeaways from a recent trip to Hungary and Poland, and how we can use lessons from those countries to protect democracy here in the United States. This follows a speech last year to the Brookings Institution, where Slotkin warned of President Trump’s authoritarian playbook.

Following her remarks, she joined Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and staff writer for The Atlantic, for a Q&A discussion on lessons learned from global pro-democracy efforts and the future of American democracy.

Slotkin’s remarks as prepared

Watch full speech

READ SOME KEY EXCERPTS BELOW.

Two visions for America:

But what this last year has clarified for me is that, as leaders, we have a responsibility not to just ‘admire the problem’, as we say at the Pentagon. The American people are looking for a path through the dark tunnel and into the light.

President Trump thinks America is unremarkable, mediocre, and in decline. He believes we are not exceptional in our role in the world, and we never were – same as China or Russia.

The America I know is filled with big-hearted people, who care about their neighbors and their community, and certainly the future for their kids. A society, stitched together by shared values of fairness and boundless optimism. America is a place where we do big things, and a shared set of laws allows anyone from anywhere to succeed.

Toplines from Hungary:

Just five months ago, a pro-democracy movement in Hungary achieved what many thought was impossible: they beat their authoritarian leader, Viktor Orban, ending his 16-year regime. Orban was elected in 2010 on the promise that he would put more money in the pockets of average Hungarians.7

While Hungary is not an apples-to-apples comparison to America, the trip helped crystallize some of the very trends we’re seeing here in our country…

Authoritarians talk a big game about bringing down costs, but once in power, they enrich themselves at the expense of their own voters. They just can’t help themselves. Eventually, that corruption trickles down to the average person.

At this point, Donald Trump is on track to be the most successful corrupt leader in the world’s history. Best estimates are that he and his family have increased their net worth by more than 3.5 billion dollars.

At the CIA, I was an Iraq specialist. I spent a lot of time in Baghdad. Let me just say: Saddam Hussein would have spit out his tea at the level of corruption Trump and his family are currently engaged in: Palaces and golden ballrooms and arches dedicated to himself. Saddam would have been green with envy.

If we learned anything from Hungary and other authoritarian countries, it’s that eventually we hit a tipping point, and the public will refuse to accept this level of corruption.

We have to lift the veil of fear:

One of the key tools in authoritarian governments is the wielding of fear. Just think about what Trump has done to our journalists, universities, law firms, and corporations that won’t bow down to him. They’re all just going to ground and trying to stay out of Donald Trump’s firing line.

They should be linking arms and working together to push back. But they’re not.

Build a broad coalition:

In Hungary, the lesson I drew very clearly was that you need a broad coalition to remove an authoritarian like Orban at the polls. Peter Magyar was a young, dynamic newcomer who used social media brilliantly – but just as relevant was the coalition he put together to oust Orban.

Here in America, that coalition would be the equivalent of disaffected Trump voters, traditional Democratic voters, and young and first time voters.

What we know here in the US, is that a new coalition is needed that crosses party lines to win in 2028. No litmus testing people out of a movement for change. And, I’d offer that after losing two of the last three elections to Trump, insiders in Washington need to accept that it’s no longer Democrat vs. Republicans or Moderates vs. Progressives. That is fighting the last war.

The tectonic plates of American politics are shifting beneath our feet. The real divide is those who believe in President Trump’s vision of America – that we have no moral backbone, no core belief system, and we’re in decline – and those who believe that the American spirit still lives…

Free and fair elections:

The authoritarian playbook is very clear: When you’re at risk of losing, you either A: make up a threat that only you can protect the American people from, or B: find a way for federal law enforcement or the military to seize ballots or machines.

In Hungary, Orban used Plan A. One week before his election, he falsely claimed there was a major threat to an oil pipeline in an attempt to be seen as the only true protector. Luckily, the Hungarians saw through it. They knew it was all a ruse.

A forward-looking agenda:

So, what can we offer a big broad coalition that is willing to vote against a dictator? In my mind, we owe them three things.

First: We need to show people that the government can work in concrete ways.

Number Two: Accountability.

Number Three: We need to Trump-proof the government.

Conclusion:

I believe that Americans want the best for each other and the future of this country. I believe that we are a people who will build the future with our own two hands – so that our children and grandchildren have a better life to look forward to.

And I am optimistic because this isn’t the only time in our country’s history we’ve had a rough period. Even if it sometimes feels that way.

If you’re like me and history gives you hope, then just think about all these tough moments in our history, and how we got out of them.

Every single time, we got through it with two things: engaged citizens and principled leaders.

I’ll leave you with this: America is not a country that cowers. We’re not at our end. We will get out of this. We will not give up the ship.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.smith.senate.gov/u-s-senator-tina-smiths-legislation-to-combat-lyme-disease-other-tick-borne-diseases-becomes-law/,U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Becomes Law,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Tina Smith,S001203,www.smith.senate.gov,tinasmith,https://www.smith.senate.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases has been signed into law by the President. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-September.

“The number of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses has been rising at an alarming rate. This law will step up regional efforts at researching, testing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We must cut down on tick-borne illnesses for the sake of Americans’ health and well-being,” said Sen. Smith. “This law will save lives, especially in states like Minnesota, where tick populations have been rising.”

Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in tick-borne diseases. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Lyme disease remains the state’s most reported tick-borne illness, with 3,551 probable cases reported in 2024. In the same year, Minnesota also reported hundreds of cases of other tickborne diseases: 627 cases of anaplasmosis, 89 cases of babesiosis and 14 cases of Powassan virus disease.

The bill, co-led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was named in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away on October 28, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne Powassan virus.

Using a three-pronged approach, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will:

Continue implementation and updates of the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People.

This will support ongoing federal efforts to advance research, improve diagnostics and strengthen coordination on vector-borne diseases.

Reauthorize the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years.

These centers support critical research, surveillance and public health efforts to address tick-borne diseases and other vector-borne threats.

Reauthorize CDC grants to state health departments to strengthen vector-borne disease prevention and response efforts.

These grants will support surveillance, early detection and diagnosis, treatment efforts, public education, and partnerships to address Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/09/30/2026/as-ai-threatens-american-workforce-van-hollen-introduces-legislation-to-create-jobs-and-tackle-long-term-unemployment,"As AI Threatens American Workforce, Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Create Jobs and Tackle Long-term Unemployment",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"As concerns grow about the threats posed to the American workforce by AI – and as U.S. long-term unemployment hits nearly two million – U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is introducing the Ready to Work Act, legislation that creates an innovative federal program to generate job opportunities for people who have been unemployed for six months or more, connecting them to work that rebuilds skills and financial stability. This bill would provide support to help people overcome the barriers keeping them out of the workforce – such as transportation, childcare, job readiness training, and substance abuse treatment – and training programs that build skills to sustain permanent employment. Senator Van Hollen was joined in introducing this legislation by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

“Every American who wants to work should be able to find a job. But with AI as a looming threat to our workforce – and nearly two million Americans already unemployed for six months or longer – it’s clear that we need to do more. Instead of accepting prolonged joblessness as inevitable, we must provide real opportunities for workers to get into or rejoin the workforce and help remove barriers like childcare, transportation, and job training. This critical legislation will support American workers and strengthen economic stability for American families,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Between student loan debt and high unemployment, young people have been hit with an economic wrecking ball,” Wyden said. “This bill would take an innovative approach to creating job opportunities for young Americans that want a bite at the American dream that has become out of reach for too many students and graduates,” said Senator Wyden.

“Long-term unemployment is devastating for someone’s financial security, future job opportunities, and overall wellbeing—and it can take a toll on our economy as well. The Ready to Work Act creates real, meaningful job opportunities for people who have been struggling to find employment. This bill provides people with the support and resources they need as they reenter the workforce and strengthen local economies,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“With the looming threat of massive job losses from AI, we have to find new ways to protect Americans from long periods of unemployment and connect them to good-paying, stable jobs,” said Senator Murphy. “This bill reimagines and modernizes our unemployment system, creating a wider range of support resources, so that everyone looking for work can find work.”

The Ready to Work Act would: establish a program at the Department of Labor to reimburse local workforce development boards and community-based organizations for costs associated with providing jobs as well as training, support, and career services to long-term unemployed workers. The bill also provides competitive grants to local areas to support innovation and investment in areas hit hardest by high poverty and chronic joblessness, which would give additional flexibility and support in the places where it is needed most. These grants would support locally-driven development, worker-owned enterprises, and other strategies to ensure that area residents are part of the process and benefit from the results.

Today, over 1.9 million workers have been job searching for at least six months, accounting for more than 26% of all unemployed workers. This legislation provides targeted funding to local areas to generate work opportunities and get Americans back into the workforce. With mandatory federal funding, the program can grow large enough to serve anyone who is long-term unemployed and wants to participate. The bill is designed to address long-term unemployment under all economic conditions.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is available here. Text of the legislation is available here.

“What makes Senator Van Hollen’s Ready to Work Act so vital and unique is that it directly seeks jobs solutions to avoid the devastating harms of long-term unemployment. Studies make clear that while any job loss is painful, long-term unemployment deeply scars workers economically and emotionally but can be prevented with the types of thoughtful policies Van Hollen is proposing,” said Gene Sperling, Director, Economic Dignity Lab, McCourt School at Georgetown.

This legislation is supported by a wide array of organizations and stakeholders, including America Forward, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Center for Employment Opportunities, Employ Prince George's, Inc., Maryland Workforce Association, Midwest Urban Strategies, Inc., National Association of Workforce Boards, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, National Urban League, Redefine Alliance, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), United States Workforce Associations, and United Way of Central Maryland.

“America Forward is proud to support the Ready to Work Act, which would make critical, targeted investments in proven approaches to reach, engage, and support workers experiencing prolonged unemployment. Expanding resources specifically to eliminate barriers and create pathways back into the workforce for people who've been unemployed for six months or more is essential to responding to disruptions in today’s quickly-changing economy, creating a more productive, sustainable, inclusive economy in the long term, and moving all of America forward,” said Deborah Smolover, Executive Director, America Forward.

“The Ready to Work Act is the kind of sound investment needed to address the systemic barriers keeping justice-impacted people locked out of the workforce,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “When 60% of people returning from incarceration face unemployment a year after release, we know that this isn’t down to the individual's desire to work, it’s a systemic issue. Too many doors are closed and too many people don’t have time or money to invest in job readiness training. The Ready to Work Act offers in demand training and financial support so that every American can build themselves a quality career. We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen’s leadership in building an inclusive economy where opportunity is afforded to everyone.”

“Employ Prince George’s is proud to support the Ready to Work Act and its investment in creating meaningful pathways back into the workforce for individuals experiencing long-term unemployment. We see firsthand the importance of connecting job seekers not only to employment, but also to the training, career services, and supportive resources that help individuals overcome barriers and achieve long-term economic stability. By investing in locally driven workforce solutions and strong partnerships with employers and community organizations, this legislation can expand access to opportunity while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need,” said LaTara T. Harris, President & CEO, Employ Prince George’s, Inc.

“NAWB applauds Senator Van Hollen for his leadership on the Ready to Work Act and his recognition that helping people return to work often requires addressing barriers beyond job training alone. Local workforce development boards are uniquely positioned to connect people to good jobs while coordinating the training and supportive services that help them succeed. By empowering workforce boards and investing in wages, training, and supports that address barriers to employment, the Ready to Work Act strengthens the pathways that help people get back to work and stay employed,” said Andrew Bercich, CEO, National Association of Workforce Boards.

“The Ready to Work Act recognizes the critical role our nation’s workforce development system plays in connecting people to opportunity. NAWDP is pleased to support legislation that equips local communities and workforce professionals with additional tools to help individuals overcome barriers, build skills and return to meaningful employment,” said Melissa Robbins, CEO, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.

“As an intermediary that invests into employment social enterprises — businesses that create jobs and economic mobility for sidelined talent across the country — Redefine Alliance is proud to support the Ready to Work Act. Ten million Americans are shut out of the economy due to barriers like homelessness or incarceration, and the Ready to Work Act will not only generate opportunity for such populations but also will help to shift the public workforce culture towards an economy that works for everyone,” said Manie Grewal, Head of Policy, Redefine Alliance.

“Programs like those authorized under this Act would give AAWDC and the Anne Arundel County Local Workforce Development Board an important additional tool to serve long-term unemployed residents and employers throughout our county who are eager to rebuild the connection between local job seekers and quality employment. We believe the Ready to Work Act is a thought, well-structures response to a real and growing problem in our workforce system,” said Kirkland J. Murray, President and CEO, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation.

“The number of workers that remain on the sidelines, unable to find work that sustains them and their families, has real consequences in local communities. The Ready to Work Act will address that issue by investing resources through local workforce development boards, and providing transitional employment opportunities (using an earn and learn model) that build skills and grows the competencies of workers to compete for jobs that offer livable wages and access to benefits. Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) fully supports this proposed legislation as a necessary tool to reengage America’s workforce,” said Tracey Carey, Executive Director, Midwest Urban Strategies, Inc.

“Individuals who have been out of the workforce face unique and persistent barriers to employment. The Ready to Work Act would further empower local workforce boards to serve these individuals by connecting them directly with jobs. Work experience is a vital piece to keeping these individuals employed in a dynamic labor market. Thank you to Senator Van Hollen for reintroducing this important legislation,” said Ryan Hundt, Director, United States Workforce Associations.

“Senator Van Hollen's 'Ready to Work Act' is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that addresses the problem of long-term unemployment. We know that the long-term unemployed are at serious risk of dropping out of the labor market permanently, making themselves unable to support themselves and their family. Senator Van Hollen's measure would keep them in the labor force by providing funding to local communities to provide temporary employment. This is a measure designed to keep people out of poverty by providing work, not a handout,” said Dean Baker, Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

“Every American who wants to work should be able to find a job — full stop. Instead, over a quarter of unemployed workers have been searching for six months or more, and that's not an accident of the economy, it's a policy failure. Long-term unemployment doesn't just scar the worker who loses income and skills — it destabilizes families and hollows out communities, and the market has proven it cannot fix this on its own. The Ready to Work Act steps in where the market has failed, guaranteeing real job opportunities for anyone locked out of the workforce,” said Mark Paul, Associate Professor of Economics, Bloustein School of Public Policy, Rutgers University.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-ai-threatens-american-workforce-van-hollen-introduces-legislation-to-create-jobs-and-tackle-long-term-unemployment,"As AI Threatens American Workforce, Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Create Jobs and Tackle Long-term Unemployment",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"As concerns grow about the threats posed to the American workforce by AI – and as U.S. long-term unemployment hits nearly two million – U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is introducing the Ready to Work Act, legislation that creates an innovative federal program to generate job opportunities for people who have been unemployed for six months or more, connecting them to work that rebuilds skills and financial stability. This bill would provide support to help people overcome the barriers keeping them out of the workforce – such as transportation, childcare, job readiness training, and substance abuse treatment – and training programs that build skills to sustain permanent employment. Senator Van Hollen was joined in introducing this legislation by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

“Every American who wants to work should be able to find a job. But with AI as a looming threat to our workforce – and nearly two million Americans already unemployed for six months or longer – it’s clear that we need to do more. Instead of accepting prolonged joblessness as inevitable, we must provide real opportunities for workers to get into or rejoin the workforce and help remove barriers like childcare, transportation, and job training. This critical legislation will support American workers and strengthen economic stability for American families,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Between student loan debt and high unemployment, young people have been hit with an economic wrecking ball,” Wyden said. “This bill would take an innovative approach to creating job opportunities for young Americans that want a bite at the American dream that has become out of reach for too many students and graduates,” said Senator Wyden.

“Long-term unemployment is devastating for someone’s financial security, future job opportunities, and overall wellbeing—and it can take a toll on our economy as well. The Ready to Work Act creates real, meaningful job opportunities for people who have been struggling to find employment. This bill provides people with the support and resources they need as they reenter the workforce and strengthen local economies,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“With the looming threat of massive job losses from AI, we have to find new ways to protect Americans from long periods of unemployment and connect them to good-paying, stable jobs,” said Senator Murphy. “This bill reimagines and modernizes our unemployment system, creating a wider range of support resources, so that everyone looking for work can find work.”

The Ready to Work Act would: establish a program at the Department of Labor to reimburse local workforce development boards and community-based organizations for costs associated with providing jobs as well as training, support, and career services to long-term unemployed workers. The bill also provides competitive grants to local areas to support innovation and investment in areas hit hardest by high poverty and chronic joblessness, which would give additional flexibility and support in the places where it is needed most. These grants would support locally-driven development, worker-owned enterprises, and other strategies to ensure that area residents are part of the process and benefit from the results.

Today, over 1.9 million workers have been job searching for at least six months, accounting for more than 26% of all unemployed workers. This legislation provides targeted funding to local areas to generate work opportunities and get Americans back into the workforce. With mandatory federal funding, the program can grow large enough to serve anyone who is long-term unemployed and wants to participate. The bill is designed to address long-term unemployment under all economic conditions.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is available here. Text of the legislation is available here.

“What makes Senator Van Hollen’s Ready to Work Act so vital and unique is that it directly seeks jobs solutions to avoid the devastating harms of long-term unemployment. Studies make clear that while any job loss is painful, long-term unemployment deeply scars workers economically and emotionally but can be prevented with the types of thoughtful policies Van Hollen is proposing,” said Gene Sperling, Director, Economic Dignity Lab, McCourt School at Georgetown.

This legislation is supported by a wide array of organizations and stakeholders, including America Forward, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Center for Employment Opportunities, Employ Prince George's, Inc., Maryland Workforce Association, Midwest Urban Strategies, Inc., National Association of Workforce Boards, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, National Urban League, Redefine Alliance, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), United States Workforce Associations, and United Way of Central Maryland.

“America Forward is proud to support the Ready to Work Act, which would make critical, targeted investments in proven approaches to reach, engage, and support workers experiencing prolonged unemployment. Expanding resources specifically to eliminate barriers and create pathways back into the workforce for people who've been unemployed for six months or more is essential to responding to disruptions in today’s quickly-changing economy, creating a more productive, sustainable, inclusive economy in the long term, and moving all of America forward,” said Deborah Smolover, Executive Director, America Forward.

“The Ready to Work Act is the kind of sound investment needed to address the systemic barriers keeping justice-impacted people locked out of the workforce,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “When 60% of people returning from incarceration face unemployment a year after release, we know that this isn’t down to the individual's desire to work, it’s a systemic issue. Too many doors are closed and too many people don’t have time or money to invest in job readiness training. The Ready to Work Act offers in demand training and financial support so that every American can build themselves a quality career. We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen’s leadership in building an inclusive economy where opportunity is afforded to everyone.”

“Employ Prince George’s is proud to support the Ready to Work Act and its investment in creating meaningful pathways back into the workforce for individuals experiencing long-term unemployment. We see firsthand the importance of connecting job seekers not only to employment, but also to the training, career services, and supportive resources that help individuals overcome barriers and achieve long-term economic stability. By investing in locally driven workforce solutions and strong partnerships with employers and community organizations, this legislation can expand access to opportunity while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need,” said LaTara T. Harris, President & CEO, Employ Prince George’s, Inc.

“NAWB applauds Senator Van Hollen for his leadership on the Ready to Work Act and his recognition that helping people return to work often requires addressing barriers beyond job training alone. Local workforce development boards are uniquely positioned to connect people to good jobs while coordinating the training and supportive services that help them succeed. By empowering workforce boards and investing in wages, training, and supports that address barriers to employment, the Ready to Work Act strengthens the pathways that help people get back to work and stay employed,” said Andrew Bercich, CEO, National Association of Workforce Boards.

“The Ready to Work Act recognizes the critical role our nation’s workforce development system plays in connecting people to opportunity. NAWDP is pleased to support legislation that equips local communities and workforce professionals with additional tools to help individuals overcome barriers, build skills and return to meaningful employment,” said Melissa Robbins, CEO, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.

“As an intermediary that invests into employment social enterprises — businesses that create jobs and economic mobility for sidelined talent across the country — Redefine Alliance is proud to support the Ready to Work Act. Ten million Americans are shut out of the economy due to barriers like homelessness or incarceration, and the Ready to Work Act will not only generate opportunity for such populations but also will help to shift the public workforce culture towards an economy that works for everyone,” said Manie Grewal, Head of Policy, Redefine Alliance.

“Programs like those authorized under this Act would give AAWDC and the Anne Arundel County Local Workforce Development Board an important additional tool to serve long-term unemployed residents and employers throughout our county who are eager to rebuild the connection between local job seekers and quality employment. We believe the Ready to Work Act is a thought, well-structures response to a real and growing problem in our workforce system,” said Kirkland J. Murray, President and CEO, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation.

“The number of workers that remain on the sidelines, unable to find work that sustains them and their families, has real consequences in local communities. The Ready to Work Act will address that issue by investing resources through local workforce development boards, and providing transitional employment opportunities (using an earn and learn model) that build skills and grows the competencies of workers to compete for jobs that offer livable wages and access to benefits. Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) fully supports this proposed legislation as a necessary tool to reengage America’s workforce,” said Tracey Carey, Executive Director, Midwest Urban Strategies, Inc.

“Individuals who have been out of the workforce face unique and persistent barriers to employment. The Ready to Work Act would further empower local workforce boards to serve these individuals by connecting them directly with jobs. Work experience is a vital piece to keeping these individuals employed in a dynamic labor market. Thank you to Senator Van Hollen for reintroducing this important legislation,” said Ryan Hundt, Director, United States Workforce Associations.

“Senator Van Hollen's 'Ready to Work Act' is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that addresses the problem of long-term unemployment. We know that the long-term unemployed are at serious risk of dropping out of the labor market permanently, making themselves unable to support themselves and their family. Senator Van Hollen's measure would keep them in the labor force by providing funding to local communities to provide temporary employment. This is a measure designed to keep people out of poverty by providing work, not a handout,” said Dean Baker, Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

“Every American who wants to work should be able to find a job — full stop. Instead, over a quarter of unemployed workers have been searching for six months or more, and that's not an accident of the economy, it's a policy failure. Long-term unemployment doesn't just scar the worker who loses income and skills — it destabilizes families and hollows out communities, and the market has proven it cannot fix this on its own. The Ready to Work Act steps in where the market has failed, guaranteeing real job opportunities for anyone locked out of the workforce,” said Mark Paul, Associate Professor of Economics, Bloustein School of Public Policy, Rutgers University.

“Long-term unemployment has soared during COVID-19 and we are at risk of repeating the mistakes of the last recession where long-term unemployment remained stubbornly high for too long. This bill addresses a crucial issue by encouraging employers to take a second look and therefore encouraging workers to keep searching. We don’t have a moment to lose in helping the long-term unemployed get back to work,” said Peter Ganong, Associate Professor, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-cassidy-bill-to-improve-irs-customer-service-passes-senate/,"Warner, Cassidy Bill to Improve IRS Customer Service Passes Senate",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes several provisions from the senators’ Improving IRS Customer Service Act. The legislation will take important steps to improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers, streamline tax compliance processes, and ensure taxpayers have timely access to expert assistance, among other much-needed tax administration reforms. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

“Provisions from my Improving IRS Customer Service Act will bring clarity and relief to taxpayers in Virginia and across the country,” said Sen. Warner. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for passing this crucial bill to make tax season a little bit easier for the millions of Americans who file taxes. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk to become law.”

“Taxpayers should get the help they need without a fight. This package gives the American people a stronger voice and makes help easier to access,” said Dr. Cassidy.

The provisions of Improving IRS Customer Service Act included:

Establish a dashboard to inform taxpayers of backlogs and wait times. Specifically, this provision reduces unnecessary calls and letters to the IRS by requiring the IRS to establish a user-friendly, real-time dashboard on IRS.gov, providing taxpayers with information on call volume, backlogs, wait times, and the availability of callbacks.

Expand electronic access to information about returns and refunds. Specifically, this provision reduces unnecessary calls and letters by requiring upgrades to the IRS’s “Where’s my Refund?” tool, “Where’s my Amended Return?” tool, and Online Account or any successor systems. These upgrades will provide more individualized information to taxpayers about the status of their refunds, including whether their return has been suspended, and if so, what the IRS has requested and how to provide the information.

Expand callback technology. Specifically, this provision recommends that by 2028 the IRS should provide taxpayers the option to receive a callback on all its lines and extensions when calls are not answered within 5 minutes. Currently, the IRS sometimes offers taxpayers the option to have the IRS call them back instead of waiting on hold – an option highly valued by taxpayers.

Expand online accounts. Specifically, this provision requires the IRS to upgrade its online accounts after conducting focus groups with stakeholders. These upgrades will permit taxpayers and certain representatives to view images of tax returns, documents, notices, and letters sent or received by the IRS and provide responses to IRS inquiries through the online account. It also requires the IRS to give practitioners, return preparers with valid PTINS, and qualified reporting agents access to client accounts without requiring them to log in to each client’s account separately. The IRS would need to establish a program to prevent unauthorized disclosures by such persons and to publish an annual report on its activities.

Inform individuals facing economic hardships of collection alternatives. This provision requires the IRS to inform taxpayers who request certain types of “streamlined” installment agreements of other available collection alternatives if they have an outstanding tax liability and may be experiencing economic hardship. The provision also requires the Secretary, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to report to Congress on the IRS’s accuracy in identifying taxpayers with tax liabilities who have an economic hardship, the status of the liabilities, and whether its identification procedures could be used for other purposes.

Sen. Warner is committed to improving IRS customer service and accelerating refund times. Sen. Warner first introduced the Improving IRS Customer Service Act in 2024 with Sen. Cassidy. Last year, Warner wrote to the National Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS regarding the underperforming Richmond TAS office and advocated against any harmful personnel decisions that stand to negatively impact taxpayers. He also strongly supported the Inflation Reduction Act – legislation that provided $80 billion in funding for the IRS to modernize systems and improve customer service.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-4-million-to-support-veteran-suicide-prevention-efforts-across-virginia/,"Warner, Kaine Announce $4 Million to Support Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts Across Virginia",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,144,835 in federal funding to strengthen veteran suicide prevention efforts across Virginia. The funding will support eight community organizations that connect veterans and their families to mental health resources, outreach programs, suicide prevention services, and other critical support.

The grants are being awarded through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which was created by bipartisan legislation that Sen. Warner wrote and Sen. Kaine supported to expand prevention efforts and better connect veterans with resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local communities.

“Veterans deserve to know that help is there when they need it. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure that those who have sacrificed for our country are not left to suffer silently and have the support and resources that they’ve earned and are owed,” said the senators. “We’re proud to have helped create this program, which is delivering critical resources to organizations on the ground working with veterans. These federal dollars will help expand lifesaving suicide prevention efforts and ensure more Virginia veterans and their families can get the support they’ve earned.”

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program was created through the IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation led by Sen. Warner in 2019 to improve the coordination of veteran mental health and suicide prevention services and to better measure the effectiveness of these programs. The legislation was signed into law as part of the broader Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which passed the Senate unanimously in August 2020. In February 2025, Sen. Warner introduced bipartisan legislation to renew and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. In June 2025, Sen. Warner testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to advocate for this program’s extension.

The grant awards include:

$750,000 for EveryMind, Inc. to serve regions including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

$750,000 for Volunteers of America Chesapeake to serve Arlington, Augusta, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Cumberland, Fairfax, Fauquier, King and Queen, King George, Loudoun, Prince William, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Chesapeake, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Norton, Staunton, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, and Winchester.

$750,000 for Blue Star Families Inc. to serve regions including the city of Norfolk.

$725,000 for Boulder Crest Foundation to serve regions including Clarke, Frederick, and Loudoun counties.

$512,053 for Westcare Kentucky Inc. to serve regions including Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.

$357,782 for Mountain Valor Veteran Services to serve Patrick, Wythe, Floyd, Montgomery, Carroll, Pulaski, and Franklin counties, as well as the city of Radford.

$200,000 for United States Veterans Initiative – U.S. VETS D.C. to serve regions including Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Warren counties.

$100,000 for Western Tidewater Community Services Board to serve Accomack, Essex, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Sussex, Southampton, and Washington counties, as well as the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long worked to improve high-quality health care and mental health services for Virginia’s veterans. Earlier this year, the senators urged the administration to significantly boost funding for VA facilities, warning that years of underinvestment will increasingly leave Virginia veterans without the care access they’ve earned. In addition to his legislative efforts, Sen. Warner recently welcomed a new Chesapeake VA facility and has repeatedly met with senior leadership at the Richmond VA Medical Center and Hampton VA Medical Center to discuss suicide prevention and other issues affecting the local veteran community. Sen. Kaine has led legislation to protect veterans from housing discrimination and address homelessness and cosponsored legislation to improve veteran transition programs aimed at reducing veteran suicide. He has also been outspoken against the Trump-Vance administration’s cuts at the VA and the mass layoffs of federal employees, which disproportionately affect veterans.

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-banning-members-of-congress-from-purchasing-individual-stocks/,Warner Statement on Banning Members of Congress From Purchasing Individual Stocks,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the Stop Insider Trading Act:

“I strongly support cracking down on stock trading by members of Congress and making sure no public official can use their position to enrich themselves.

“Preventing members of Congress from profiting off their public service should be something both parties can agree on. Unfortunately, Republicans made the cynical decision to hijack a bill focused on cleaning up congressional ethics and restoring public trust and load it up with unrelated restrictions on Americans’ ability to vote. Those provisions have nothing to do with preventing insider trading and no business being attached to this legislation.

“I voted no because I will not support making it harder for eligible Americans to vote in order to pass an ethics reform that should stand on its own. I remain ready to work across the aisle to strengthen our ethics laws and crack down on congressional stock trading, without using that effort as a vehicle to rewrite our nation’s voting laws.”

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-ratepayer-protection-act/,Warner Statement on Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after the Senate did not advance the Ratepayer Protection Act:

“Across Virginia and across the country, communities near a data center are being saddled with high utility costs and serious concerns regarding the strain on local natural resources. Unfortunately, the Ratepayer Protection Act falls short because it lacks the enforceable requirements needed to actually protect families from bearing the costs of data center development.

“To actually get costs down, increase transparency, and get these data centers to use clean energy we need legislation with real teeth, real requirements, and real consequences.

“My Data Center Tax and Accountability Act would require data center builders to provide accurate information about power and water usage, have setbacks from our communities, bring their own power, and get rid of secret, non-disclosure agreements. Communities deserve to know what a data center will bring to their neighborhood and not be swindled by backroom deals. My bill would also condition valuable tax benefits on meeting clean energy standards.

“We have a chance to make a difference in the lives of American families and provide them some real relief. We cannot miss the mark on this one. Let’s work on putting some real requirements in place.”

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/two-years-after-hurricane-helene-warnock-marks-2-2-billion-secured-for-georgias-recovery/,"Two Years After Hurricane Helene, Warnock Marks $2.2 Billion Secured for Georgia’s Recovery",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock has secured over $2.2 billion in federal disaster relief for Georgia communities still dealing with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene

Last year, Senator Warnock released a report that found the Trump administration was shortchanging Georgia communities by more than half a billion dollars in disaster relief

Two years ago, in September 2024, Hurricane Helene killed 37 Georgians and caused billions of dollars in damages across South and East Georgia

Today, Senator Reverend Warnock held a press call highlighting his efforts to secure federal recovery funds

Senator Reverend Warnock: “I will continue to push FEMA and this administration to make sure Georgians receive every cent that they are owed and so desperately need, and I will continue to call out the Trump administration for shortchanging Georgians.”

Washington, D.C. – In the two years since Hurricane Helene made landfall, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has secured more than $2.2 billion in federal disaster relief for Georgia communities still recovering from the storm. The funding is helping communities rebuild after the hurricane that killed 37 Georgians and caused billions of dollars in damages across South and East Georgia.

“I have continued to push this administration to deliver the relief Georgians need and deserve,” Senator Reverend Warnock said. “I remain concerned about how long it takes for communities to receive federal relief after natural disasters strike. It took way too long—and far too much pressure from my office—to get this administration to act and begin releasing funds.”

One year after Hurricane Helene made landfall, Senator Warnock released a report finding that the Trump administration owed Georgians $600 million in promised recovery aid, along with a statement calling attention to the delayed funding. Following Senator Warnock’s pressure, federal funding has again begun flowing to Georgia counties and entities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Working closely with state and local leaders, including the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Senator Warnock has pushed to unlock additional federal disaster funding by building bipartisan support for the expedited release of federal funds and repeatedly pressing Trump administration officials to distribute the funding.

In December 2025, Senator Warnock announced he had secured $314 million in federal funding for outstanding payments owed to Georgia counties and entities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The funding, part of a disaster recovery bill championed by Senator Warnock in 2024, is meant to reimburse local communities for funds spent on recovery. Most recently, Senator Warnock announced a tranche of funding that brought the total federal disaster funding secured by Senator Warnock to well over one billion dollars, including $87 million in previously outstanding funds for Georgians.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-criticizes-trump-admin-for-failing-basic-responsibility-to-protect-citizens-abroad-and-demand-accountability/,Welch Pushes Bipartisan Vote on Resolution Demanding Answers for Deaths and Mistreatment of U.S. Citizens at the Hands of Israeli Security Forces,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VT,Peter Welch,W000800,www.welch.senate.gov,welch,https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Welch: “The real question here is not what Israel is doing but what the United States government is not doing on behalf of its own citizens.”

Welch joins nearly all Democratic Senators in bipartisan rebuke of Netanyahu government’s failure to hold Israeli officers responsible for unjustified killings of American citizens

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in urging Senate passage of their resolution requiring a Department of State report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years, and many more have been detained without charge or trial. None of their cases have been credibly investigated or resulted in punishment of the perpetrators.

The Senators’ resolution would require the State Department to provide information regarding investigations of the killing of United States citizens by violent Israeli settlers and Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically related to the detention of Palestinian children.

“The real question here is not what Israel is doing, but what the United States government is not doing on behalf of its own citizens. Some of whom have been killed, others of whom have been detained. So, this resolution is asserting the will of Congress that our government do its job to protect American citizens when they’ve been injured or they’ve been killed; to demand accountability and an investigation. It’s certainly within the power of this government to use its influence so that Israel does comply with our laws,” said Senator Welch ahead of the vote. “I urge all of our colleagues to stand up for the right of all of our citizens to have the full protection of the United States government.”

In his remarks before the vote, Senator Welch highlighted the story of Dylan Collins, a Vermonter and AFP video journalist who was wounded during a deadly October 13, 2023 , targeted strike by the Israeli military on a clearly marked group of journalists on the Israel-Lebanon border.

“Another reporter, Dylan Collins, a constituent from Vermont, a very accomplished photojournalist. He was not in the West Bank, but he was reporting from the Israeli-Lebanese border. He was also in a group of journalists prominently stationed on an open hillside. They had the usual identification of a press vest, blue helmets, and a vehicle clearly marked ‘press’ where they were clearly visible. They were fired on by an Israeli tank and heavy machine gun fire. There has been no significant investigation on the part of the Israeli government to get to the bottom of how that happened,” said Senator Welch.

While hospitalized from injuries sustained in the strike, Collins reported the targeted attack to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and later presented video evidence of the strike to FBI and DHS investigators and the State Department in May 2024. Senator Welch has led and joined eight letters to the U.S. government requesting answers about the attack and demanding accountability. To date, the U.S. has failed to undertake an independent and transparent investigation resulting in accountability for this deadly attack. Senator Welch welcomed Collins to Capitol Hill last year to demand justice for journalists killed and injured in the Middle East.

Watch the Senator’s full remarks below:

Read a key excerpt from the Senator’s remarks on the Senate Floor:

“Today we’re here on this resolution that is about protecting Americans: 17 Americans who’ve been the victim of violence in the West Bank. Today, this resolution is about the obligation that our State Department has, our government has, to protect American citizens abroad by demanding a report, by getting information, and by insisting on accountability. So, whatever one’s position may be with respect to the hostilities in the Middle East, what this resolution is requiring is that the State Department do the job with respect to American deaths in the West Bank; the same request that we would make if this were another government, not Israel, and American citizens were the victims of violence in other countries.

“It’s the basic responsibility of this United States government to protect U.S. Citizens. That’s what this is profoundly about. The failure for the State Department and our government to do the basic responsibility of citizen protection and accountability has to be wired up into the policy of this administration to look the other way when these things are happening.

“It has been the policy of the United States to support a two-state solution. It is the policy of the Netanyahu government to occupy and ultimately annex the West Bank. And the result of that, there is in many cases settler violence toward citizens of the West Bank, in some cases Americans who are there. It also is the reason why in many cases where this violence is occurring, very much in front of the eyes of the American military, they’re looking the other way and doing nothing to protect the victims.”

•••

The resolution draws upon Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to file a privileged resolution that would require the State Department to provide information on any country receiving U.S. security assistance and that country’s observance of internationally-recognized human rights. The resolution would also require the Trump Administration to submit the report within 30 days, or the majority of security assistance of Israel would be prohibited. Following the receipt of a State Department report, Congress may consider any necessary changes to U.S. security assistance to that country in light of the information received. If the administration declines or fails to submit the required report, the administration’s decision would prompt the termination of certain covered security assistance programs for Israel.

Senators Welch, Van Hollen, Kaine, and Sanders were joined in introducing the resolution by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass), Tina Smith (D-Minn.),Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).

Read and download the full text of the resolution.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-delivers-over-2-million-in-federal-investments-to-improve-rural-health-care-in-vermont/,Welch Delivers Over $2 Million in Federal Investments to Improve Rural Health Care in Vermont,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VT,Peter Welch,W000800,www.welch.senate.gov,welch,https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Welch secured funding for the projects through congressional appropriations

BURLINGTON, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, today announced the delivery of more than $2 million in federal funding to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and the University of Vermont (UVM) Health Network to support and improve access to rural health care in Vermont. Senator Welch nominated project recipients through the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process.

This federal funding secured by Senator Welch includes $1.4 million to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital to construct new pharmacies in Caledonia County to address the recent loss of pharmacies in Caledonia towns, and $694,000 million to the UVM Health Network for hospital safety improvements.

“Rural communities are facing more barriers to affordable health care than ever before, making it harder for Vermonters to easily reach a pharmacy and get the care they need. I’m proud to deliver this federal funding to increase health care access in the NEK by building more local pharmacies in rural communities and investing in safety improvements at medical facilities,” said Senator Welch. “I’m committed to doing everything I can to expand access to health care and affordable prescription drugs in every corner of our state.”

“A local pharmacy is an essential part of a healthy, thriving community. We’re excited to move forward with restoring this critical service in Hardwick and thankful to Senator Welch and NVRH for their partnership and investment in the community’s health and well-being,” said Chris Towne, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Counties Health Care.

“We are grateful for Senator Welch’s support in helping to stabilize our regional pharmacy landscape. Rural communities deserve local access and choice, especially given the fragility of our healthcare systems,” said Shawn Tester, Chief Executive Officer, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

“Health care organizations across the country have grappled with rising violence for several years, especially against frontline caregivers, and Vermont is not immune,” said Stephen Leffler, MD, University of Vermont Health Chief Executive Officer and University of Vermont Medical Center President. “The challenge is complex, and we are grateful Sen. Welch recognizes hospitals cannot solve it alone. The funding he has secured will help us implement visitor management and enhanced weapons screening systems at UVM Medical Center, where our teams care for the largest patient population. These initiatives are an important part of the health system’s ongoing work across the region to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all of our patients, staff and visitors.”

Senator Welch secured nearly $60 million in federal funds to support 38 Vermont projects through the CDS process for FY26. Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-to-host-common-grounds-listening-session-in-windham-county/,Welch to Host Common Grounds Listening Session in Windham County,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VT,Peter Welch,W000800,www.welch.senate.gov,welch,https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"BRATTLEBORO — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Windham County on Monday, October 5th as part of his Common Grounds Listening Session series.

This event will be held at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Vermonters are invited to join Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.

The Senator will host Common Grounds events in every county of Vermont in 2026. So far, Senator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Essex, Bennington, Franklin, Addison, Windsor, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Caledonia counties.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Monday, October 5, 2026; 2:00-3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Brooks Memorial Library: 224 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301

RSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s Common Grounds Listening Session in Windham County.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/ri-delegation-delivers-nearly-4-5-million-for-local-firefighters/,RI Delegation Delivers Nearly $4.5 Million for Local Firefighters,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,RI,Sheldon Whitehouse,W000802,www.whitehouse.senate.gov,whitehouse,https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to advance fire safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today welcomed $4,538,706 in federal grants for local firefighters to strengthen safety and training, upgrade equipment, and purchase new emergency response vehicles for the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy and fire departments in Coventry, Lincoln, West Warwick, Newport, Woonsocket, and on Prudence Island.

Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) grants are designed to help local fire departments upgrade and modernize their equipment, improve training, and enhance their abilities to comply with response, equipment, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This program has injected tens of millions of dollars in federal assistance into local fire department across Rhode Island over the last decade, enhancing their response and staffing capabilities to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, search and rescue, hazardous materials incident response, and wildfire response.

Local departments in the following communities will receive federal AFG funds to enhance the safety of firefighters and improve emergency response:

PROVIDENCE: $1,849,284 to purchase firefighter breathing apparatus and firefighter training

WOONSOCKET: $1,000,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art aerial ladder truck that will replace the department’s obsolete apparatus that has become difficult and costly to repair

COVENTRY: $499,177 to acquire a new ambulance that will replace the Central Coventry Fire District’s current vehicle with over 250,000 miles on record

WEST WARWICK: $339,932 to upgrade the department’s current, outdated hose and nozzle on its frontline engine and to purchase two new cardiac monitors

PRUDENCE ISLAND: $255,015 to modernize the Volunteer Fire Department’s portable radio fleet with 34 new devices

LINCOLN: $99,840 for Lime Rock Fire Department to acquire new cardiac monitor/defibrillators and $57,191 for Quinnville Fire District to replace outdated equipment with four new portable radios and a state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera

NEWPORT: $68,181 to acquire three new Lucas Mechanical CPR-assisted devices

Additionally, the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy will receive $370,086 to modernize and improve its capabilities and enhance the safety of trainees with the purchase of a new fire truck simulator, three new forcible entry doors, fifteen new self-contained breathing apparatuses, and forty reflective helmet covers.

“Our firefighters take tremendous risks to serve our communities and we’ve got to have their backs and ensure they have the best equipment, vehicles, and training to safely and effectively do their job. This federal funding will improve firefighter safety and enhance their emergency response capabilities,” said Senator Reed. “These new grants will improve the health and safety of our firefighters and our communities.”

“Rhode Island’s bravest risk their lives on the front lines to protect our communities,” said Senator Whitehouse. “I’m glad to help deliver this federal funding to ensure that the Rhode Island Fire Training Academy and local fire departments have the updated resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

“Rhode Island firefighters show up for us on our worst days. They deserve the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Congressman Magaziner. “I am proud to join my colleagues in the Rhode Island congressional delegation to deliver federal funding to help us stay safe and support the firefighters who run toward danger when we need them most.”

“Rhode Island firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and they need the right equipment and training to do their jobs safely,” said Congressman Amo. “I am proud to work with my federal colleagues to help deliver these investments, which will help fire departments across our state upgrade critical equipment and vehicles and strengthen their ability to respond when Rhode Islanders need them most.”

Rhode Island’s federal delegation helped secure a total of $648 million in FY2025 funding to make this round of competitive fire grant awards available to communities nationwide through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant program.

Over the last three years, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state have been awarded over $43 million in federal funding through FEMA’s AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant funding.

Senator Reed leads an annual fire grant workshop that helps local fire departments with the competitive grant application process. Both AFG and SAFER awards are based on need, scope, community impact, and overall application merit.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-republicans-block-wyden-bill-to-ban-data-centers-on-public-lands,Senate Republicans Block Wyden Bill to Ban Data Centers on Public Lands,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced and sought to pass legislation that would ban the sale or transfer of federally-owned public lands for the purpose of developing new data centers and associated infrastructure in Oregon and nationwide.

Introduction of the bill follows recent reports that the Trump administration is considering the transfer of more than 17,000 acres of public land across Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah to build 12 new data centers. Further reporting confirms that the administration is eyeing a parcel of federal land in Eastern Oregon near Hermiston, Ore., for development.

Wyden worked to pass his legislation on the floor earlier today through a fast-track legislative process, citing the urgent need for Congress to act before the administration sets this dangerous precedent.

“Donald Trump and his allies have taken every opportunity to chip away at what belongs to the American people. All in an effort to boost profits for corporations and secure bigger campaign support for themselves,” Wyden said on the Senate floor. “Congress must not let the Trump administration establish a dangerous precedent that our public lands are a fire-sale inventory for development by the highest bidder.”

Text of the legislation is here.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-introduces-bill-to-ban-data-centers-on-public-lands,Wyden Introduces Bill to Ban Data Centers on Public Lands,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Wyden bill follows public reporting that Trump administration is trying to transfer over 17,000 acres of public land in the West for data center development

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced legislation that would ban the development, sale or transfer of federally-owned public lands for the purpose of constructing new data centers and associated infrastructure in Oregon and nationwide.

Introduction of the bill follows recent reports that the Trump administration is considering the transfer of more than 17,000 acres of public land across Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah to build 12 new data centers. Further reporting confirms that the administration is eyeing a parcel of federal land in Eastern Oregon near Hermiston, Ore., for development.

“Public lands belong to the taxpayers, not corporations, and especially not Donald Trump,” Wyden said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time in public service, it’s that when you come for Oregonians’ public lands, you’ll have hell to pay. My legislation is the ironclad path to ensuring that Trump – or any future administration – cannot hijack our treasured public lands to build data centers that use up water resources and jack up energy costs.”

Earlier this year, Wyden unveiled a comprehensive proposal to ensure data centers start paying for the disruptions caused to communities like higher energy costs and water usage.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-bynum-oppose-trumps-undermining-of-due-process-and-politicizing-immigration-courts,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter, Bynum Oppose Trump’s Undermining of Due Process and Politicizing Immigration Courts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon lawmakers demand an end to expedited “mega master” hearings in Portland, Tacoma, and other immigration centers.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum, today demanded the Trump administration end the practice of “mega master” immigration hearings that expedite the review of hundreds of immigrants’ cases in a day, resulting in a fast-track to removing immigrants without due process.

“This unwarranted blitzkrieg of assaults on justice and fair treatment raises serious constitutional concerns and is unworthy of the oaths you swore to uphold,” the Oregon lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Sirce E. Owen, Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review and David Venturella, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called ‘mega master’ hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump’s handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention, and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews,” they wrote.

“These policy changes confuse and terrify law-abiding immigrants in our communities and prevent them from having a fair day in court.”

The lawmakers wrote that the Portland Immigration Court in Oregon is now holding about two “mega master” hearings every week, in addition to maintaining its previously-scheduled docket hearings and individual merit hearings. That has forced immigrants anticipating court dates in 2027 or 2028 to suddenly show up on extremely short notice and scrambling both to figure out how to get to the court on time, and to find an attorney to represent them.

“As if the changes at the Portland Immigration Court weren’t bad enough, the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court has now had judges deciding in mid-August to stop allowing immigration attorneys across Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska from appearing remotely on behalf of their clients detained at the regional detention center,” the lawmakers continued. “Previously, the Tacoma Immigration Court allowed out-of-state attorneys to represent their clients by making court appearances through video conferencing technology. Now attorneys—and when applicable, expert witnesses— have to attend these hearings in person.”

The new requirement for immigration attorneys to represent their clients in person comes as immigration judges allow Department of Homeland Security prosecutors to participate in hearings remotely. In other cases even the presiding judge is attending remotely as well, with attorneys sharing that remote appearances by judges happen in about half the cases that they must attend in-person at the Tacoma Immigration Court.

These new in-person requirements also come as attorneys share that the court is sending “notices to appear” and setting hearings for that same morning giving the attorneys little time to prepare or make travel arrangements from out of state. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also been routinely denying immigration attorneys access to their clients at detention centers, and transferring clients thousands of miles away to detention centers across the country.

“Immigration court proceedings must uphold fairness and rule of law and not be politicized to satisfy Donald Trump’s arbitrary detention quotas. We call on the Trump administration to discontinue policies and tactics that undermine constitutional due process. Our legal system relies on accountability; therefore, we demand that you establish fair and meaningful hearings that provide a genuine day in court and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” the lawmakers concluded.

The lawmakers ended their letter demanding a written response by October 15th, 2026 detailing the steps that the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security will take to achieve the following:

Terminate “mega master” hearings.

Provide immigrants with sufficient notice of their proceedings.

Reduce hardships on immigration attorneys.

Ensure that immigration judges hear cases individually, free from political influence.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bynum-announce-100000-for-central-oregon-wildfire-recovery,"Wyden, Merkley, Bynum Announce $100,000 for Central Oregon Wildfire Recovery",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum, today announced $100,000 in federal awards to support displaced Oregonians and wildfire recovery efforts for Central Oregon communities that lost homes in the 2026 wildfires.

“As wildfires in central Oregon and statewide set new records every year in size and intensity, the rural communities on the front lines of these fights are the most in need of resources for recovery efforts,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award that will support Central Oregon communities including Warm Springs residents who were forced to flee from their homes, and I will continue to fight for more resources to support wildfire prevention and recovery across Oregon.”

“When disaster strikes, Oregon’s communities show up to help each other. These federal funds will help NeighborImpact provide critical support to Warm Springs families recovering from the devastating July wildfires, including emergency shelter, relocation assistance, and essential household supplies,” said Merkley. “I’ll keep fighting to bring federal resources home to Oregon so our communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild.”

“No where to sleep. Only the clothes on your back. Food to go is the only option. All in the matter of one day,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’ve heard that story too many times from my constituents. People need help after an emergency, and the faster that help comes, the better shot they have of rebuilding what was lost. And by help I mean money to get the basics. That’s the difference this funding can and will make.”

The $100,000 in federal awards from the NeighborWorks Disaster Grants program will be distributed to NeighborImpact, a central Oregon nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Thousands of Warm Springs residents were forced to evacuate and several homes were lost in the July 2026 fires. The grant will support the Wildfire Recovery Fund that is used to provide emergency shelter, relocation assistance, provide/replace personal items such as baby supplies, hygiene products, houseware items, laundry and cleaning supplies.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/09/29/in-senate-rosen-helps-pass-legislation-to-protect-college-sports/,"In Senate, Rosen Helps Pass Legislation to Protect College Sports",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Jacky Rosen,R000608,www.rosen.senate.gov,rosen,https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped pass a bipartisan bill in the Senate to establish much-needed regulation in college sports and provide important protections for student-athletes regarding health, safety, academics, and compensation. The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act would establish clear requirements for name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements for college student-athletes and set regulations for sports agents – protecting young athletes from predatory practices and guarding the integrity of college sports.

“The current rules around athlete compensation and eligibility in college sports have created a murky landscape that’s hurting our student-athletes and the sports we love most,” said Senator Rosen. “I was proud to help pass this bipartisan bill in the Senate to return some much-needed stability to college sports, and provide clear protections for our athletes and universities in Nevada.”

“With the passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, we have taken an important step forward in providing intercollegiate athletics with comprehensive guidelines to address many of the most pressing issues in college sports today,” said Brian Sandoval, President of the University of Nevada, Reno. “The Protect College Sports Act establishes clear frameworks for eligibility, revenue sharing and medical benefits for student-athletes, among many other key provisions, and clearly affirms the need for student-athlete protections through sensible oversight. We are grateful to Senator Rosen for her leadership, vision, and dedication to ensuring that student-athletes remain at the center of these important reforms.”

“There is no question that the landscape of intercollegiate athletics is at an inflection point, and the Protect College Sports Act offers a common-sense approach that will create stability and clarity for institutions and support student-athletes as they grow and prepare for life after sport,” said Chris Heavey, Interim President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). “We’re grateful to Sen. Jacky Rosen and to all members of our federal delegation who supported this important legislation, and to all who are working hard to ensure a bright future for student-athletes here in Nevada and throughout the nation.”

In June, when the Senate Commerce Committee considered the bill, Senator Rosen secured two amendments that would ensure that non-Power 4 conferences, like the Mountain West Conference that UNR and UNLV are a part of, have a seat at the table when the rules are being decided at the NCAA and on the future of college sports.

Senator Rosen has played an important role in promoting American sports and supporting the industries around them. Senator Rosen’s Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act to revitalize boxing and strengthen fighter protections recently advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee. In June, Senator Rosen’s bipartisan American Decade of Sports Act, which would boost American sports diplomacy and leverage large sporting events hosted in the U.S. to boost tourism, advanced out of committee. Recently, Senator Rosen and UNLV hosted a discussion on Sports Tourism with representatives from the UFC, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Las Vegas Athletics, and organizers of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-alsobrooks-statement-on-s-res-852/,SENATOR ALSOBROOKS’ STATEMENT ON S.RES.852,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MD,Angela D. Alsobrooks,A000382,www.alsobrooks.senate.gov,alsobrooks,https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"September 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) voted for S.Res.852, a resolution requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. After the vote, she released the following statement:

“Whenever an American citizen is killed overseas, Congress has a responsibility to learn exactly what happened and what we can do to ensure it never happens again. I joined my colleagues in demanding the answers Americans deserve. For the sake of Palestinians and Israelis, for the sake of peace and compassion, the violence we have witnessed in the West Bank must stop, and there must be accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the victims. It is time to change course. My commitment to Israel’s right to exist and defend itself is unwavering, but I will always stand up to injustice and violence.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-republicans-vote-down-baldwin-effort-to-prevent-higher-costs-for-millions-of-americans-on-the-affordable-care-act,Senate Republicans Vote Down Baldwin Effort to Prevent Higher Costs for Millions of Americans on the Affordable Care Act,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,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) forced the U.S. Senate to vote to repeal the Trump Administration’s policy that will undermine the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Senate Republicans voted against this effort, greenlighting Trump’s rule that will terminate coverage for up to two million Americans, raise out-of-pocket costs, and make it easier for insurance companies to cover fewer services. The vote on the resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) was 48 - 51.

“For over a decade, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, without a plan to replace it for the 23 million Americans who rely on this program for insurance. So, they have turned to backdoor ways to chip away at the program and cause chaos for the Americans who rely on it for their health care. Americans understand what a lifeline this program is for cancer patients, Americans with disabilities, farmers, and entrepreneurs,” said Senator Baldwin. “This misguided policy, which Republicans and the President own, will jack up out-of-pocket costs and deductibles on millions, pile on red tape, and reduce coverage for essential things like addiction treatment, hearing aids, and more. This policy makes people pay more for worse care. As Americans struggle to afford the cost of just about everything right now, Republicans and President Trump continue to price working families out of insurance and undermine folks’ ability to access quality care.”

The Trump Administration’s rule promotes the use of catastrophic health plans with extremely high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, loosens physician network requirements for plans, and will allow insurers to offer “non-network” plans that may not cover the cost of care. This would make it easier for insurers to raise out-of-pocket costs, sell new kinds of junk insurance coverage, increase working families’ deductibles, cover fewer services, and kick more providers out of network. Senate Republicans rejected Baldwin’s resolution to overturn this rule.

The result would be worse coverage at higher costs, including:

Terminate Insurance for Up to 2M: According to CMS estimates, the rule would reduce enrollment in ACA plans by up to 2 million.

Jack Up Costs: Insurance would become more unaffordable. For example, bronze plans would have maximum out-of-pocket costs of $15,600 for an individual or $31,200 for a family in 2027 – almost the entire income of an individual earning at the federal poverty level.

Reduce Benefits: Benefits may be reduced in many states – meaning Americans could lose access to coverage for substance use disorder treatment, hearing aids, or other critical services.

Increase Red Tape: Paperwork burden would increase on 4.7 million Americans, making it more difficult for them to get the coverage they deserve and kicking millions off their insurance.

Cut off Americans from their Doctors: Access to providers would decrease as insurance companies sell non-network health plans – with unlimited costs to consumers – and reduce the number of providers in their networks.

The CRA resolution would have repealed this destructive rule under the Congressional Review Act. Repealing this rule would prevent millions of Americans from losing their health insurance, stop working families from facing astronomical out-of-pocket costs, and make it harder for insurance companies to take advantage of Americans by selling them junk insurance.

Senator Baldwin has long pushed back against Republicans’ attempts to hollow out the Affordable Care Act and support Americans who rely on the marketplace for coverage. Earlier this year, she led her colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration reverse course on its harmful proposed rule. Senator Baldwin has long pushed to curb the expansion of junk health insurance plans, culminating in the Biden Administration heeding her years-long call to limit the availability of short-term limited duration insurance in 2024.

More information about this rule is available here. Full text of this resolution is available here.

A full recording of Senator Baldwin's floor speech is available here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/today-baldwin-forces-vote-to-stop-trump-affordable-care-act-rule-that-will-terminate-care-for-2-million-americans,TODAY: Baldwin Forces Vote to Stop Trump Affordable Care Act Rule that Will Terminate Care for 2 Million Americans,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,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) will force the Senate to vote on her resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to prevent up to two million Americans from having their health care coverage terminated and to repeal the Trump Administration’s rule that will undermine the Affordable Care Act marketplace, raise out-of-pocket costs, and make it easier for insurance companies to cover fewer services.

“Americans have been clear that they need lower health care costs. And what does President Trump do to respond? He pushes a policy that will cause out-of-pocket costs to skyrocket, reduce the benefits you get for the same plan, and terminate coverage for two million Americans,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today, we will put all Senators on the record – do they want to be responsible for these high costs and their constituents losing their insurance coverage, or will they stand with Americans who just want some breathing room?”

A livestream of Senator Baldwin’s floor speech, which is scheduled for 1:10 CST/2:10 EST is available here.

The Trump Administration’s rule promotes the use of catastrophic health plans with extremely high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, loosens physician network requirements for plans, and proposes that insurers be allowed to offer “non-network” plans that may not cover the cost of care. This would make it easier for insurers to raise out-of-pocket costs, sell new kinds of junk insurance coverage, increase working families’ deductibles, cover fewer services, and kick more providers out of network.

The result would be worse coverage at higher costs, including:

Terminate Insurance for Up to 2 Million: According to CMS estimates, the rule would reduce enrollment in ACA plans by up to 2 million.

Jack Up Costs: Insurance would become more unaffordable. For example, bronze plans would have maximum out-of-pocket costs of $15,600 for an individual or $31,200 for a family in 2027 – almost the entire income of an individual earning at the federal poverty level.

Reduce Benefits: Benefits may be reduced in many states – meaning Americans could lose access to coverage for substance use disorder treatment, hearing aids, or other critical services.

Increase Red Tape: Paperwork burden would increase on 4.7 million Americans, making it more difficult for them to get the coverage they deserve and kicking millions off their insurance.

Cut off Americans from their Doctors: Access to providers would decrease as insurance companies sell non-network health plans – with unlimited costs to consumers – and reduce the number of providers in their networks.

Baldwin’s CRA resolution would repeal this destructive rule under the Congressional Review Act. Repealing this rule would prevent millions of Americans from losing their health insurance, stop working families from facing astronomical out-of-pocket costs, and make it harder for insurance companies to take advantage of Americans by selling them junk insurance.

The resolution is also led by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and it is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Warner (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03) also introduced this resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

More information about this rule is available here. Full text of this resolution is available here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-republican-attempts-to-ignore-the-reason-for-jack-smiths-lawful-investigation-trumps-incitement-of-a-violent-insurrection-at-the-capitol-to-prevent-the-transition-of-power,Blumenthal Slams Republican Attempts to Ignore the Reason for Jack Smith's Lawful Investigation: Trump's Incitement of a Violent Insurrection at the Capitol to Prevent the Transition of Power,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – During a hearing today with former Special Counsel Jack Smith, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, underscored the seriousness of the events that predicated Smith’s investigations into President Donald Trump, including the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. During his exchange with Smith, Blumenthal also ran through the lawful investigative steps that Smith and his team took in order to pursue the case, including seeking an indictment from a grand jury composed of everyday Americans.

“I want to remind folks why we're here today. And I think a picture is worth a thousand words. We're here today because Donald Trump incited a mob to attack us—the Capitol, Members of Congress, to stop the counting of votes. He objected to the result of an election, and he tried to stop the peaceful transition of power by inciting rioters to attack the Capitol, including everybody here today,” Blumenthal said.

“And we came to this very room on that day seeking safety, finding refuge. We were kept here for hours, and then we were given the choice to secretly go home, to leave here, as armed guards sought to protect us in this room, and I remember sitting over in that corner, trying to recharge my phone, so I could call my wife to tell her I was OK. That's what Donald Trump did on that day.”

Blumenthal’s exchange with Mr. Smith is available here and a full transcript is copied below.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Smith, thank you for being here. You're here voluntarily, correct?

Jack Smith: Yes.

Senator Blumenthal: You offered to come repeatedly more than a year ago, correct?

Mr. Smith: I believe it was last October.

Sen. Blumenthal: You didn't need to be subpoenaed to come here. You came here to tell your story. I want to give you the opportunity to respond to some of Senator Britt’s questions if you feel you have anything to add, because you were interrupted repeatedly. And I'm willing to take some of my time to give you an opportunity to clarify anything you'd like.

Mr. Smith: Just very briefly, our nondisclosure orders were not predicated on the idea that Members of Congress or Members of this Committee would commit acts of obstruction. It was based on a real concern that Donald Trump and his associates would do that because they had done it, and they did it again. Donald Trump, in our case, in the elections case, later suggested that a witness, General Mark Milley, should be put to death. He said, “If you come after me, I'm coming after you.” Election workers in Georgia, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, faced vile, racist death threats because of the things that Donald Trump said and how he targeted her. We had an absolute basis to seek protection of our investigation from that sort of obstruction.

Sen. Blumenthal: Pretty chilling stuff. I think everybody watching should be chilled by what you just recounted. I want to remind folks why we're here today. And I think a picture is worth a thousand words. We're here today because Donald Trump incited a mob to attack us—the Capitol, Members of Congress, to stop the counting of votes. He objected to the result of an election, and he tried to stop the peaceful transition of power by inciting rioters to attack the Capitol, including everybody here today. And we came to this very room on that day seeking safety, finding refuge. We were kept here for hours, and then we were given the choice to secretly go home, to leave here, as armed guards sought to protect us in this room, and I remember sitting over in that corner, trying to recharge my phone, so I could call my wife to tell her I was OK. That's what Donald Trump did on that day. And we decided, it was a really great moment in the history of this body, at least recent history, that we would not go home, that we would continue the counting of votes, and we decided—I was so inspired by this moment—Republicans and Democrats alike, all of them, that we wanted that transition of democracy to go forward, and it did. In spite of Donald Trump.

I want to read to you what you told the House Committee: “Our assessment of the evidence is that the person most responsible for what happened on January 6, that he is the person most responsible for what happened on January 6.” He caused what happened. It was foreseeable to him, and then when it happened, he tried to exploit it in furtherance of the conspiracy. Do you stand by that statement?

Mr. Smith: I do.

Sen. Blumenthal: And you conducted this investigation, it lasted months, correct?

Mr. Smith: That’s correct.

Sen. Blumenthal: And you concluded that on January 6, Donald Trump directed an angry mob to the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congressional certification of the Presidential election, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: And he exploited the rioter’s violence to delay the counting of the vote, correct?

Mr. Smith: Correct.

Sen. Blumenthal: It was the result of a criminal conspiracy that resulted from his denying the results of the 2020 election, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: And he knew those claims were false.

Mr. Smith: Yes, that is what we alleged in our indictment, and that’s what we intended to prove in trial.

Sen. Blumenthal: You intended to prove it beyond reasonable doubt, correct?

Mr. Smith: Absolutely.

Sen. Blumenthal: And you brought that indictment even though the standard was probable cause, because you had proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr. Smith: Yes, we had evidence from a variety of sources. As I mentioned earlier, we had Republicans who wanted Donald Trump to win the election, people who had hoped he would win, but who put country before party. We felt those would be very powerful witnesses. We also had law enforcement officers who sought to defend this Capitol, who put their lives on the line for our democracy. Those two would be very powerful witnesses.

Sen. Blumenthal: And in fact, more than 140 were assaulted, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: Now, the inciting of that mob and the riot was following his attempt to induce state officials—this point is really important—induce state officials to ignore the true vote count and manufacture fraudulent state electors’ slates in not just one or two but seven separate states, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: And again, these charges were not brought by you personally, they were the result of a grand jury indictment involving, how many people sit on grand jury?

Mr. Smith: Up to 23.

Sen. Blumenthal: They’re everyday Americans, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: who hear all the evidence, and they make a judgment without fear of favor and their identities are protected, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: And this indictment was not the result of some extraordinary process. I'm a former federal prosecutor, I was U.S. Attorney in Connecticut, I was a state Attorney General in Connecticut. Indictments are returned by grand juries composed of 23 everyday Americans in the course of criminal proceedings throughout the country, and that’s the way the process works, correct?

Mr. Smith: That is correct.

Sen. Blumenthal: Now, there is something larger at stake here, I think, and I think you alluded to it. The reason why these criminal charges, and they are serious felony counts against Donald Trump are so important is deterrence. That is why conviction would have been important, and it was forestalled by forces beyond your control. But deterrence of criminal conduct is one of the valid goals of criminal proceedings, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes, it is.

Sen. Blumenthal: And what we're trying to deter here is an attack on democracy—another assault on the Capitol or some other symbol of democracy, and more than a symbol, it is the fulcrum, one of the central points of our democracy. We want to make sure that this attack on our elections system does not happen again, correct?

Mr. Smith: Yes.

Sen. Blumenthal: So this criminal proceeding is not about personal retribution against Donald Trump. It really is, in a sense, a defense of our democracy to stop another attack on our democracy, correct?

Mr. Smith: We brought the case based on the facts and the law. My view is that those facts, amply supported the prosecution we brought.

Sen. Blumenthal: But you did not bring it as a matter of public policy, you brought it as a prosecutor following the facts and law, correct?

Mr. Smith: That’s correct, as a prosecutor, I worked within the confines of my profession and the rules of the department, as well as the law. My job is to follow the facts and law and bring a case if it’s appropriate and not bring a case if it’s appropriate, and that is what we did.

Sen. Blumenthal: I want to show you a picture, you're going to recognize it, even though I know it will be difficult to see. It comes from one of the indictments from the grand jury. It is of how Donald Trump stored classified documents in his ballroom and bathroom in his personal home. These were classified documents that he bragged were secret. He showed it to visiting journalists, he showed it to friends, and he stored it in this way, with the documents strewn across the floor, classified documents about American vulnerabilities to attack by our enemies and plans to counter those attacks. Is that the way classified documents ought to be stored, Mr. Smith?

Mr. Smith: No.

Sen. Blumenthal: And he was indicted by a grand jury for taking those classified documents without authorization and without safeguarding them in even the most minimal way. He did not even put them in a safe or in a closet. They were strewn across the floor, correct?

Mr. Smith: The indictment lays out the allegations that we brought and that the grand jury voted.

Sen. Blumenthal: Thank you for your answers to my questions, Mr. Smith.

-30-",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-wa-delegation-in-supporting-governors-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-individual-assistance-for-devastating-wildfires-in-washington-state,Cantwell Joins WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Joins WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Washington state’s Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to help families recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31.

For the first time, on August 1, the National Weather Service upgraded a Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead. The Spokane Complex Fires forced 67,000 people to evacuate, burned nearly 10,000 acres, with damages predicted to exceed $1 billion.

This was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock. In Okanogan County, the Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, and Sinlahekin fires burned over 350,000 acres total.

“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible,” Sen. Cantwell and other members of the delegation wrote. “A record-setting drought and an unusually small snowpack contributed to numerous large and fast-moving wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Benton, Spokane, Stevens, and Okanogan Counties, as well as on the Spokane Indian Reservation. These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry.”

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led the letter. Joining Sen. Cantwell as cosigners were U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).

The lawmakers continued, “Local, state, and federal resources responded quickly to the wildfires. Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces and the National Guard, deployed to Washington state to assist local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. While their heroic efforts helped to contain these devastating fires, federal assistance is required to support communities as they begin to rebuild. The fires destroyed over 2,500 structures, including entire neighborhoods, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Ultimately, over 650 primary residences were destroyed by these fast-moving wildfires, leaving hundreds of Washingtonians displaced.”

“Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster, as well as for your prompt approval of the state’s Emergency Declaration request submitted on August 2nd, which allowed for critical federal assistance that supported fire suppression, emergency shelter operations, and other vital needs. We reiterate our full support for the September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance,” Senator Murray and the delegation concluded.

On Aug. 2, the day after the fires broke out, Sen. Cantwell visited county and city command centers in Spokane and took part in a press briefing about the devastating fires. On Aug. 12, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at a briefing about response to and recovery from the fires.

On September 2025, Sen. Cantwell’s Fire Ready Nation Act passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The bipartisan Fire Ready Nation Act would formally establish a permanent Fire Weather Services program within NOAA and authorize funding for new technologies to forecast weather conditions that cause and impact wildfires.

A background document detailing Sen. Cantwell’s work to bolster wildfire preparedness is available HERE.

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible. A record-setting drought and an unusually small snowpack contributed to numerous large and fast-moving wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Benton, Spokane, Stevens, and Okanogan Counties, as well as on the Spokane Indian Reservation. These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry.

Local, state, and federal resources responded quickly to the wildfires. Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces and the National Guard, deployed to Washington state to assist local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. While their heroic efforts helped to contain these devastating fires, federal assistance is required to support communities as they begin to rebuild. The fires destroyed over 2,500 structures, including entire neighborhoods, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Ultimately, over 650 primary residences were destroyed by these fast-moving wildfires, leaving hundreds of Washingtonians displaced.

Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster, as well as for your prompt approval of the state’s Emergency Declaration request submitted on August 2nd, which allowed for critical federal assistance that supported fire suppression, emergency shelter operations, and other vital needs. We reiterate our full support for the September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. We appreciate you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-peters-padilla-durbin-schumer-demand-secretary-mullin-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts/,"Cortez Masto, Peters, Padilla, Durbin, Schumer Demand Secretary Mullin Halt 2026 Election Interference Efforts",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in demanding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin halt the Department’s efforts to assert federal control over and undermine trust in the midterm elections.

“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the Senators began.

In their letter, the Senators raised concerns about Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states. His claims about noncitizen voting have already been disproven in Nevada. They also criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the Administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data.

The Senators objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded Fiscal Year 2025 funding and are threatening Fiscal Year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Mullin is putting Americans’ safety at risk as political leverage.

The Senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find alleged non-citizen voters.

“According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the Senators wrote. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.”

The Senators called on Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a) and release all withheld funds to states without further delay; and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.

“The 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters,” the Senators concluded.

The full text of the letter is available here.

Senator Cortez Masto has consistently stood up to President Trump’s illegal attempts to take away Americans’ voting rights. When President Trump signed an executive order mandating that states share their voter lists with the federal government and redesign election mail, she introduced legislation and filed an amicus brief to block it and urged USPS not to implement the order. Cortez Masto helped Democrats defeat the SAVE America Act and called attention to the impact it and other so-called “election integrity” measures by the Trump Administration would have on voting access for Tribal communities.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-statement-on-vote-to-require-the-department-of-state-to-produce-report-on-violence-in-the-west-bank/,Cortez Masto Statement on Vote to Require the Department of State to Produce Report on Violence in the West Bank,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting to require the Department of State to report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans:

“Over the past three years, settler violence in the West Bank has dramatically increased, and over a thousand civilians, including nine Americans and hundreds of children, have been killed. This violence is unacceptable and incompatible with efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “American citizens are being killed, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has not done nearly enough to stop this violence. The American people deserve answers, and today I voted for transparency and accountability.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-delivers-opening-statement-during-judiciary-committee-hearing-with-former-special-counsel-jack-smith,Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing With Former Special Counsel Jack Smith,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Durbin: “There was nothing untoward about Special Counsel Smith and his fellow prosecutors conducting this investigation. The aspersions cast on Mr. Smith nonstop are petty, personal, and political.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with former Special Counsel Jack Smith.

In November 2022, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Mr. Smith, a nonpartisan career prosecutor, as Special Counsel with authority to investigate President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as Trump’s effort to illegally retain highly classified government documents. As a result of these investigations, Special Counsel Smith indicted Trump on four counts in the election interference case and 40 counts in the classified documents case. Mr. Smith has offered to testify publicly under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee for almost a year. Instead of allowing Mr. Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans held wasteful hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous other issues worth examining within the Committee’s jurisdiction.

Key Quotes:

“Republicans have spent months spreading baseless conspiracy theories about Mr. Smith’s investigation instead of hearing from him directly. Nearly a year ago, Mr. Smith volunteered to testify under oath before this Committee, and we Democrats joined in that offer, saying let’s get to the bottom of it. Put him under oath and let’s ask questions.”

“House Republicans called Mr. Smith to testify in January, but Senate Republicans refused his offer to testify and instead [said they would hold] eight hearings on [Mr. Smith’s] supposed wrongdoing—never calling him directly. In fact, this Committee held only three hearings to question telecom companies for following the law and hear from MAGA loyalist witnesses with no first-hand knowledge of Mr. Smith’s investigation. Finally, Senate Republicans relented, and we have today’s hearing.”

“Here are the facts: Mr. Smith was tasked with investigating President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his unlawful retention and distribution of sensitive, classified documents after he left office… President Trump’s efforts to steal the election reached a crescendo on January 6, 2021, when he exhorted his supporters at a rally by the White House to ‘fight like hell,’ and told them ‘we’re going to the Capitol.’”

“When he finally left office in 2021, President Trump seized boxes of classified documents containing top-secret information on our defense and weapon capabilities, our nuclear programs, and potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attacks. These were government documents the President took, not his personal effects—yet he stored these extremely sensitive documents haphazardly in a Mar-a-Lago ballroom, a bathroom shower, his bedroom, and other unsecured spaces.”

“In both his theft and distribution of these classified documents and his attempts to steal the 2020 election, Trump demonstrated a wanton disdain for the United States, the will of its people, and our national security.”

“Investigating misconduct by government officials requires scrupulous care. Thankfully, Mr. Smith, who is here today and will be under oath, and his team of nonpartisan, career prosecutors had the necessary experience to tackle this assignment… But in return for [routine investigative activities], Mr. Smith and his special counsel staff have had their names dragged through the mud by the MAGA machine… This is a result of President Trump’s campaign, aided and abetted by Congressional Republicans, to whitewash the history of the 2020 election and the insidious attack on this Capitol building.”

“It is sad to see my colleagues contort themselves to support President Trump’s lies. I expect that will continue today because of the limits placed on Mr. Smith’s ability to testify by MAGA loyalist Judge Aileen Cannon and the Trump Administration. Judge Cannon has enjoined the release of Volume II of the Special Counsel report on the classified documents investigation, and Mr. Smith himself is enjoined from providing information about that investigation unless the Justice Department has made that information public.”

“Let me be clear: There was nothing untoward about Special Counsel Smith and his fellow prosecutors conducting this investigation. The aspersions cast on Mr. Smith nonstop are petty, personal, and political. They are nothing but a smokescreen to distract from President Trump’s own unlawful conduct.”

“After years of whitewashing President Trump’s crimes, my Republican colleagues can finally raise their concerns with the one person who can best address them. Maybe this will finally free the Committee from the endless debate on baseless conspiracy theories and allow us to address real problems affecting the American people.”

When Trump was re-elected president in November 2024, Special Counsel Smith moved to dismiss the cases against him based on the Department of Justice’s position that the Constitution forbids the federal indictment and prosecution of a sitting president. Following the dismissal, Special Counsel Smith provided Garland a two-volume report outlining his findings in both investigations. While Garland released Volume I, concerning the election interference case, Judge Aileen Cannon enjoined DOJ from releasing Volume II, concerning the classified documents case.

In October 2025, and again in February 2026, Durbin led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in sending a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) calling on him to allow former Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify before the Committee. In their letters, the Senators also urged Chairman Grassley to request DOJ release Volume II of Special Counsel Smith’s report.

Video of Durbin’s opening statement in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

-30-",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-announces-1-44-million-in-funding-for-williamsport-water-tank-replacement-project/,Fetterman Announces $1.44 Million in Funding for Williamsport Water Tank Replacement Project,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,PA,John Fetterman,F000479,www.fetterman.senate.gov,fetterman,https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) announced $1,440,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority (WMWA) for a tank replacement. This funding was secured by Senator Fetterman, through the EPA’s Community Grants program, to have their aging water tank replaced, bolstering water service reliability for over 51,000 customers.

“One of my highest priorities is securing federal investments that lower costs for Pennsylvania families and businesses. I was proud to support WMWA in its efforts to replace its 100+ year old water storage tank. This investment will improve water service reliability for generations to come and puts ratepayers first,” said Senator Fetterman.

“The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority is extremely grateful to Senator John Fetterman for providing this grant opportunity and for recognizing the importance of investing in critical water infrastructure. The Authority also thanks EPA for their support and assistance throughout the grant process and construction of this project. Their efforts helped make this investment in our community possible. Maintaining and investing in critical water infrastructure is essential to the health, safety and future of our community. Reliable water service is something people often take for granted, but it requires constant investment to ensure our system remains safe, dependable, and resilient for generations to come,” said Michael D. Miller, Executive Director of the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority.

Senator Fetterman was the sole supporter of this award in the FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending process.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-celebrates-teamsters-local-500s-new-contract-with-quaker-valley-foods-2/,Fetterman Celebrates Teamsters Local 500’s New Contract with Quaker Valley Foods,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,PA,John Fetterman,F000479,www.fetterman.senate.gov,fetterman,https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after the announcement of a new contract agreement between Teamsters Local 500 and Quaker Valley Foods, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following statement:

“The members of Teamsters Local 500 work year-round to move food up and down the East Coast. This deal with Quaker Valley gives them what we all deserve: a dignified retirement. Sending my congratulations to everyone who stood together in fighting for this new contract.”

Teamsters Local 500 represents nearly 70 Quaker Valley Foods employees in Northeast Philadelphia, including the roughly 35 truck drivers who began striking on August 5, 2026. These workers fought for and secured stable retirement benefits, in the form of a hybrid annuity, as part of their new contract with the food distributor.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-celebrates-senate-passage-of-his-bipartisan-bill-to-extend-terrorism-risk-insurance/,Gallego Celebrates Senate Passage of His Bipartisan Bill to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Last night, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) celebrated the Senate passage of his Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026. The bipartisan legislation would safeguard the availability of terrorism risk insurance coverage for American businesses.

“My military service gave me an understanding that terrorism doesn’t just take lives the moment it strikes — it leaves behind families, businesses, and communities that must rebuild in its aftermath. We have to be prepared for the worst, and that means making sure businesses aren’t left without coverage if a terrorist attack were to happen. Letting this program lapse would put businesses, workers, and taxpayers at unnecessary risk,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill passed. I urge Speaker Johnson to bring the House back to D.C. from their prolonged vacation to quickly send this bill to the president’s desk for signage.”

Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, many insurance companies began excluding terrorism risks from commercial insurance policies, leaving businesses and industries without access to coverage. Since insurance is a precondition for commercial lending and real estate transactions, this gap in coverage threatened broad economic damage across real estate, construction, energy, transportation, and related industries.

Congress responded by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), creating a federal reinsurance backstop to stabilize the private market and ensure that commercial policyholders could continue to obtain terrorism risk coverage.

The private insurance market has relied on the TRIA backstop ever since. When TRIA briefly lapsed in December 2014, terrorism exclusions that insurers had pre-filed with state regulators took effect automatically, making terrorism coverage effectively unavailable across commercial policies nationwide. As a result, terrorism risk coverage was removed from policyholders immediately and without notice. Given that the current threat landscape remains elevated, allowing a similar lapse in terrorism coverage would expose policy holders to unnecessary financial risk and uncertainty.

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 would extend TRIA by seven years. Acting before the program expiration date of December 31, 2027, provides long-term market certainty and would prevent policyholders from facing a gap in coverage.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-introduces-resolution-to-establish-select-committee-on-ai/,Gallego Introduces Resolution to Establish Select Committee on AI,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a resolution to establish a Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. The legislation follows Senator Gallego’s recent call to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), earlier this month, urging them to support the establishment of a bipartisan Select Committee on AI at the start of next Congress.

The introduction of the resolution also comes as OpenAI, this week, paused the training of its latest models after the company disclosed it was reviewing several incidents in which rogue agents searched federal government websites, and as President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson hosted major tech CEOs — including from Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI and — for a meeting at the White House yesterday.

“The rapid development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence is akin to Dr. Frankenstein saying, ‘the monster is loose. Help me stop the monster,’” said Senator Gallego. “Congress must keep up and act. A bipartisan select committee would provide the vehicle for a focused, informed approach to governing AI that protects America’s national security interests while maintaining a competitive edge in the AI race.”

The committee would provide a bipartisan forum to examine the broad range of ways AI is changing the economy, government, national security, and everyday life. Its work would focus on understanding where existing federal oversight falls short and developing legislative safeguards and proposals to address emerging challenges.

The committee would hold hearings and investigations, gather information from federal agencies, issue subpoenas, and consider and report AI legislation.

Read the full resolution HERE.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-calls-allegations-in-cornell-rape-case-serious-and-horrific-on-nprs-all-things-considered/,Gillibrand Calls Allegations In Cornell Rape Case “Serious And Horrific” On NPR’s All Things Considered,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"***Hear Senator Gillibrand’s Full Interview Here***

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) called the allegations in the Cornell University fraternity rape case “serious and horrific” in an interview on NPR’s All Things Considered and issued the following statement:

“The allegations made in the Cornell University complaint are extremely serious and horrific.

“I am glad the district attorney is reopening this case. Regardless of what this grand jury concludes, the larger truth is clear: a system that forces survivors to these lengths is a system that is fundamentally broken. Victims deserve thorough investigations, and perpetrators must be held accountable.

“Our priorities are upside down. The Senate recently spent two weeks urgently talking about college sports but has spent years looking away from sexual violence and student safety on our college campuses.

“Congress must act and take up my bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) with Senator Chuck Grassley to hold campuses accountable, create a fair process for students, and ensure victims have access to a dedicated advocate to assist in navigating the adjudication process.”

Listen to Senator Gillibrand’s interview with NPR here. Full transcript of Senator Gillibrand’s interview below:

SACHA PFEIFFER: It’s All Things Considered from NPR News. I’m Sacha Pfeiffer.

JUANA SUMMERS: And I’m Juana Summers. When I heard a woman’s allegations that she was drugged and gang raped at a Cornell University fraternity house in 2024, the story felt familiar to me. It’s not because the story was well known before this weekend. It’s because so many of the details she alleges – a campus party, a fraternity, drugs, alcohol, and sexual assault – echo so many of the stories we’ve heard from numerous college campuses for years.

PFEIFFER: The alleged assault at Cornell happened in 2024. Campus police investigated, but no criminal charges were ever filed. Cornell defends its handling of the case. Now the woman, identified as Jane Doe, has brought a civil case against the university and the seven male students she says assaulted her. That has prompted prosecutors to reopen the case, and the details of these allegations have sparked national outrage.

SUMMERS: To unpack all of this, I called up someone earlier today who’s been pushing for years for legislation to address the handling of campus sexual assault crimes, New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and I started by asking her for her reaction to these allegations, as well as the decision to reopen the case.

GILLIBRAND: Well, I’m certainly grateful that the DA is reopening the investigation. I’ve just seen the public reports, and obviously these allegations are extremely serious and horrific, and as a parent with a kid in college, this is probably something that every parent in America wants addressed.

SUMMERS: Matthew Van Houten, who’s the Tompkins County District Attorney, said on Monday that Jane Doe’s original statement two years ago, and I’m going to quote him here, did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped. Now, in light of the new details provided in that civil suit, he says he would now let a grand jury decide. Her lawyer told CNN that the new report was not materially different from what was contained in the original complaint. What questions would you want answered about how investigators handled that initial report?

GILLIBRAND: So, one of the things that I found over the years of working in this space, is that the people who do the interviews initially or ask questions initially have to be highly trained. They have to be experts in this kind of trauma. They have to be experts on what happens when someone has lived through this kind of trauma. You need a trauma-informed counselor to do that first interview, and a lot of our lawyers, a lot of our district attorneys, a lot of law enforcement are not trained in that way. We studied cases where law enforcement groups were trained appropriately, and it exponentially increased the number of people who reported rapes. It increased the number of people whose cases actually went to adjudication, and it increased the number of convictions.

SUMMERS: I mean, you have been working on these issues for such a long time. I think it was more than a decade ago that I was talking to you, covering the bipartisan push that you and other lawmakers made to address this issue to curb the rates of sexual assaults on campuses. You’ve come back to this legislation over and over again, and yet I have to say, Senator, it doesn’t feel like much has changed. Is that your view?

GILLIBRAND: No, I think very little has changed. I do imagine that many campuses have put in place much better policies than they had a decade ago, but Congress hasn’t done its part, and we just spent two weeks talking about college sports. Congress should spend at least that time talking about how to make campuses safe for all students.

SUMMERS: What would you like to see Congress do? What’s an appropriate step here?

GILLIBRAND: Well, I’d like to have hearings on the piece of legislation that Senator Grassley and I have authored, CASA, and then we should be able to get a vote. Just simply get a vote so that we can hold campuses and communities of responsibility, hold them accountable for whether they are protecting all students or not, and that is literally not happening today on many, many college campuses.

SUMMERS: Senator Gillibrand, I’ve heard you for a long time, on and off the Hill. So I want to ask you a question, not as a senator, but just as a mom. And I understand that you have at least one son who’s college age. How do you talk to your sons? How do we talk to young men about situations and allegations like these? Because these instances, they keep happening year after year, from college campus to college campus.

GILLIBRAND: Well, as a mom, I of course worry about the safety and well-being of my children, and I try to make sure that they understand the risks they have every day. I also read the story about a bunch of kids who died on campus because they did some drug that’s not fentanyl but worse than fentanyl. So when I hear stories like this, I just talk to my children about what happened on these campuses, what happened to these children, and ask them like, “Do you ever see yourself in this situation? What would you do in this situation? Who would you ask for help? You know, would you save someone? Would you stick up for someone? Would you prevent someone from taking a risk that’s very scary, like taking drugs?” I think a lot of campuses have some sexual assault prevention training. I don’t know if all campuses have them, but I know that my sons have had those trainings on their campuses. So it’s very hard, and you just want your children and their friends and their whole community to be safe.

SUMMERS: I mean, just taking a step away from the specifics of these allegations at Cornell University, I just know so many women, myself included, who have had stories of experiencing unwanted sexual contact, assault, or rape on their campuses who then seek help from systems that were ostensibly built to keep them safe, and yet feel let down or betrayed, and it keeps happening. So I guess the question I have is, what makes it stop? What’s the tipping point?

GILLIBRAND: What you’ve heard from many survivors, and this is the throughline, is that when they felt they could report what happened, they were not received openly. They were received with disbelief. They were received with blame. They were received with, “That’s what you were wearing,” or “You were drinking that,” or “You were doing drugs. What do you expect?” Like sometimes, the first person they talk to is so uninformed and so poorly trained. They say all the wrong things, and the things that they say in those instances often will leave a survivor to drop the case or to blame him or herself and unwilling to tell his or her story. That does not set a campus up for safety or for success. You need to have a system that works, that works for everyone, that is 100% transparent.

SUMMERS: We’ve been speaking with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Thank you so much.

GILLIBRAND: Thank you.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-pass-legislation-to-cement-saratoga-battlefields-legacy/,"Gillibrand, Schumer Pass Legislation To Cement Saratoga Battlefield’s Legacy",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Legislation Would Rename Historic Site “Saratoga National Battlefield Park”

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced congressional passage of the bipartisan Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act. This legislation would officially redesignate Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park, more accurately reflecting its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.

Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) led the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, where it passed last year. The bill now heads to the president’s desk.

“Saratoga Battlefield is a source of pride for the Capital Region and a symbol of the patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience that built our country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Battles of Saratoga were the turning point of the American Revolution and monumental events in world history, marking the first time that a British army laid down their arms. This name change reflects the historic significance of the battles and honors the sacrifice of those who fought for our nation’s founding.”

“The Battles of Saratoga were the turning point of the American Revolution. I’m proud to announce that legislation renaming the historical park ‘Saratoga National Battlefield Park’ has just passed the Senate and will be signed into law,” said Senator Schumer. “This new name provides important context and reflects the significance of the battlefield as a turning point for the Revolutionary War. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year, and get ready for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga next year, honoring the heart of New York’s Revolutionary War history is key to ensuring America’s history lives on.”

“This summer, as we celebrated our nation’s 250thbirthday, I was reminded once again of the pivotal role our Capital Region played in America’s fight for freedom and independence,” said Rep. Tonko. “Now, as we approach the 250thanniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, I’m thrilled to celebrate the passage through the Senate of the Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act. The designation of ‘Saratoga National Battlefield Park’ will help accurately reflect the importance of this national historic site, boosting local tourism and fostering a greater appreciation for our region’s historic heritage among locals and visitors alike. I was proud last year to lead this legislation through the House, and I’m eager now to see it signed into law.”

The Saratoga National Historical Park is the site of the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, which were some of the first significant American victories over the British army during the Revolutionary War. The battles were called a “turning point” and helped to convince the French to ally with the American colonies. New York State began to preserve the site in 1927. In 1938, Congress passed a law to designate the park as a unit of the National Park System, naming it the “Saratoga National Historical Park.”

Local New York stakeholders have advocated to change the park’s name ahead of the battles’ 250th anniversary to more accurately reflect its significance as a battlefield. In 2024, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution requesting that Congress and the National Park Service change the name. This legislation would finalize this change.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-congress-passage-of-her-bill-to-end-production-of-the-penny-and-save-taxpayers-money/,Gillibrand Statement On Congress’ Passage Of Her Bill To End Production Of The Penny And Save Taxpayers Money,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today, following Congress’ passage of her Common Cents Act with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), James Lankford (R-OK), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement:

“Halting production of the penny just makes sense. It currently costs the U.S. Mint nearly four cents to produce a single penny – a massive waste of taxpayer dollars. By suspending the penny’s production, we can cut back on costs, streamline transactions, and move toward a more practical financial system. I am grateful to Senators Lummis, Lankford, and Wyden for their partnership in getting this bill through the Senate, and I now urge the president to sign it into law.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-new-report-that-impending-social-security-benefit-cuts-will-be-deeper-than-predicted/,Gillibrand Statement On New Report That Impending Social Security Benefit Cuts Will Be Deeper Than Predicted,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"New Report Finds Social Security Benefits Could Be Cut 26% In 2032

Gillibrand’s Social Security Expansion Act Would Extend The Solvency Of Social Security For 75 Years By Requiring The Wealthiest Americans To Pay Their Fair Share Of Payroll Taxes

Following the release of a new report finding that Social Security benefit cuts could be deeper than previously predicted – up to 26% – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) slammed the Trump administration for its role in jeopardizing seniors’ benefits and demanded passage of her legislation to extend the solvency and guarantee of Social Security.

“Americans who have worked hard their entire lives deserve every dollar of Social Security they were promised. But due to Trump administration and Republican inaction, their benefits are on track to be slashed by 26% in just six years,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must take immediate action to prevent this benefit cut. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I’m demanding swift passage of my legislation to blow the Social Security cap, make wealthy Americans pay their fair share, and prevent these draconian benefit cuts.”

This year’s annual Social Security Trustees Report, which was released in June, previously concluded that Social Security’s retirement trust fund will be depleted by 2032. A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report released earlier this month concluded that at that time, seniors will see their benefits cut by about 26%–a higher percentage than previously predicted.

Last year, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Social Security Expansion Act to extend the solvency of Social Security for 75 years by requiring the wealthiest American households to pay their fair share of payroll taxes.

Under the current formula, a CEO making $20 million a year pays the same amount into Social Security as individuals making $184,500 a year. This legislation would lift the cap on Social Security, requiring income above $250,000 to be subject to the Social Security payroll tax and thus increasing the amount paid into the Social Security trust fund to increase its longevity. Under this bill, over 91 percent of American households would not experience a tax increase.

The full text of this bill can be found here.

The depletion of Social Security funds is due in part to the Trump administration’s reckless policy agenda. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was passed by Republicans in Congress and signed into law by President Trump last year, permanently lowered income tax rates. This resulted in less tax being paid on Social Security benefits, reducing the revenue flowing to the Social Security trust fund and decreasing its solvency. At the same time, the administration’s deportation efforts and restrictive immigration policies have further reduced the revenue for the trust fund, as legal immigrants and many undocumented workers pay billions of dollars in Social Security taxes, but undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-republicans-blocking-her-bill-to-repeal-and-refund-trumps-cost-increasing-tariffs/,Gillibrand Statement On Republicans Blocking Her Bill To Repeal And Refund Trump’s Cost-Increasing Tariffs,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"New York Families Have Spent Over $5,500 More Due To President Trump’s Tariff Chaos And Other Reckless Policies

Today, after her bill to repeal and refund Trump’s Canadian tariffs and lower Americans’ costs was blocked by Senate Republicans, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

“When Americans go to the grocery store, the gas station, or their local small business, they are paying more because of Trump’s tariffs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Hardworking families are struggling because of the policies of Donald Trump and Washington Republicans that put bombs and billionaires over working people. Today, I offered a clear way to genuinely lower everyday costs and put more money back in Americans’ pockets. Yet again, Trump and Republicans stood in the way of progress for working families.”

Gillibrand’s bill, the Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies (BAD DEAL) Act, would have repealed all tariffs levied under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and required that Americans be refunded for all duties paid under this authority. This includes the 50% tariffs on Canada and the import ban on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products, motorcycles that took effect today.

The president’s tariffs have previously been found to be unconstitutional and have already raised costs on New Yorkers. Poll after poll after poll have found that a resounding majority of Americans oppose Trump’s tariffs actions that have raised prices and hurt their families.

Senator Gillibrand has opposed President Trump’s tariffs since the start of his administration. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s Tariff Tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. In March, she and her colleagues introduced the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act to exempt small businesses from another set of Trump-imposed tariffs and refund what they had already paid.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-senate-floor-senator-hassan-pushes-resolution-slamming-trumps-taxpayer-funded-political-ads,"On Senate Floor, Senator Hassan Pushes Resolution Slamming Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Political Ads",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,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 (D-NH) today took to the Senate Floor to pass a Senate Resolution that pushes for accountability over President Trump’s new political ad campaign promoting himself paid for with taxpayer dollars. The ads appear to clearly violate federal laws that prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to promote a political party or candidate. New reporting today revealed that President Trump personally directed the creation of the ads, and that the funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security. The latest reporting suggests that the ad campaign could cost $20 million in taxpayer funding.

Senator Hassan today introduced a Senate Resolution stating what members on both sides of the aisle have already publicly said — that these ads should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars. Despite that, Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the measure. Senator Hassan slammed the effort to block the resolution and urged the White House to reverse course.

Click here to see video of Senator Hassan’s remarks on the floor, or see key quotes below:

“On televisions across the country right now, people are being inundated with all kinds of political ads, but the ending of these ads is unlike any other. If someone's watching this ad, right at the end, at the bottom of the screen, you find out that this publicity stunt isn't paid for by President Trump or one of his PAC's or even one of his billionaire friends. No. This ad is paid for by you, the American taxpayer.”

“I've introduced a resolution that's quite simple. It just tells the President that he is wrong, that these ads need to be pulled down and that they should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars.”

“The American people want their tax dollars to go towards helping them and keeping them safe, not propaganda campaigns for a President. He's welcome to run whatever ads he wants with his own riches, but with taxpayer dollars, money that people have worked hard to earn, he needs to follow the law.”

“One of the ads is literally one of the President's campaign ads from 2024. It's clearly a campaign message, but he's making all of us pay for it at a time when he has sent grocery costs, rent costs, and gas costs soaring. Any American who watches this ad can see that it's not a PSA, like the White House claims. What's the public service message here?”

“If we're going to talk about which side of the aisle is supporting communism and socialism, it is this President who had the United States government take a share, an interest, in a privately held company. It is this President who welcomed the leader of the largest communist party in the world to the White House, fawning over him...while banning the free press from the White House and welcoming the communist press in.”

“My colleagues on the other side of the aisle should stand together in opposing this clearly unlawful and wrong use of taxpayer money. This is an incredibly wealthy President with a huge war chest that can afford to fund whatever political messages he wants. It should not come at the cost of hard-earned American tax dollars. So, despite the fact that we can't pass this resolution today, I hope that the administration listens to the bipartisan pushback on these ads and reverses course immediately.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-secures-senate-passage-of-legislation-to-transfer-a-portion-of-the-former-albuquerque-indian-school-campus-to-pueblos-for-the-indian-pueblo-cultural-center,Heinrich Secures Senate Passage of Legislation to Transfer a Portion of the Former Albuquerque Indian School Campus to Pueblos for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,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.) announced Senate passage of his Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2026, legislation that places portions of the former Albuquerque Indian School campus, currently managed by the General Services Administration, into trust for the benefit of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.

“Our legislation will help the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center expand its reach, create new economic opportunities, foster entrepreneurship, and help local small businesses grow. Now that our bill has passed the Senate, I urge Speaker Mike Johnson and House Leadership to take it up and pass it without delay. This legislation will deliver an important win for the 19 Pueblos and for everyone who calls New Mexico home,” said Heinrich.

In the Senate, the legislation is led by Heinrich and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In the House, it is led by U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and cosponsored by U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) in the House.

“Expanding economic development and cultural education opportunities for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is critical for the 19 New Mexico Pueblos it serves. I cosponsored the Albuquerque Indian School Act because it will help the center grow, support job creation, and generate new revenue for New Mexico’s Pueblos and our communities,” said Luján, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “Having this bill pass the Senate is a vital step toward getting this bill across the finish line and signed into law.”

The Albuquerque Indian School Act now heads to the House for final passage.

The Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2026 builds upon a longstanding, bipartisan effort to transfer the former Albuquerque Indian School campus and surrounding buildings to the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico for the development and growth of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a nationally recognized museum and cultural institution owned and operated by the Pueblos, dedicated to both preserving and perpetuating Pueblo history, culture, and art, while facilitating their future economic growth and long-term economic sustainability.

The text of the bill is here.

Last month, Heinrich and Luján announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passage of their Albuquerque Indian School Act.

Earlier this summer, Heinrich testified in support of the bill and urged his colleagues to advance the legislation out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Watch the full video of Heinrich’s testimony here.

In 2015, Heinrich, Luján, and the rest of the N.M. Delegation successfully passed into law the Albuquerque Indian School Land Transfer Act, legislation to place four tracts of land from the former Albuquerque Indian School into trust for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, consolidating the last parcels of the old school property into the Albuquerque Indian School campus. This followed several prior bipartisan efforts, from 1969 to 2008, led by former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), and former U.S. Representative Manuel Luján Jr. (R-N.M.).

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-applauds-passage-of-protect-college-sports-act/,Hickenlooper Applauds Passage of Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Bill includes Hickenlooper provisions to protect Olympic and non-revenue generating sports

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper welcomed the Senate passage of the Protect College Sports Act, which includes a Hickenlooper negotiated compromise requiring schools that participate in the bill’s new collective media rights framework to protect Olympic and non-revenue sports.

The bill also locks in roster and scholarship minimums to prevent the quiet cutting of sports that has accelerated in recent years as college athletics has become an increasingly commercial enterprise. Over the last two years, we’ve seen non-revenue sports get cut, including 415 college teams and 41 Olympic sports programs, affecting at least 1,000 student-athletes across the country.

“College athletes have won new rights and a bigger voice, and they deserve both. But the rules changed fast, and the sports that don’t make money were left wondering whether they had a future,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill gives Olympic and non-revenue sports the stability to keep going, and it lets Colorado’s universities plan and invest in athletes across every sport, not just the ones on television. It’s a compromise. Nobody got everything they wanted. But it’s a real answer, and that beats the uncertainty we have now.”

Colorado is home to Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs, where there is the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and over 20 National Olympic governing bodies.

Earlier this summer, Hickenlooper’s staff worked to ensure the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s interests were protected in the bill.

Read the Committee’s full endorsement letter HERE.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-calls-on-trump-ai-ceos-to-work-with-congress-on-responsible-ai-guardrails-ahead-of-white-house-meeting/,"Hickenlooper Calls on Trump, AI CEOs to Work with Congress on Responsible AI Guardrails Ahead of White House Meeting",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"“Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails”

WASHINGTON – Ahead of President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson’s expected meeting with leading technology executives Tuesday, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) sent a letter to the president urging him to use the meeting to commit to working with Congress on meaningful federal guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI).

“Many of the attendees at this meeting have warned about the risks of unregulated AI and have called for stronger safety measures,” Hickenlooper wrote. “We are in a critical moment, where the White House and Congress must act together to pass safety and transparency measures that keep the American people safe and informed as this technology is developed. Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails, including independent third-party evaluations that will help protect Americans.”

Hickenlooper criticized the administration for prioritizing rapid AI development while rolling back federal safeguards and downplaying warnings from AI researchers.

“To date, our country has not established transparent, meaningful safeguards to address the growing risks of AI,” Hickenlooper wrote. “You have prioritized accelerating AI development and maintaining a voluntary classified benchmarking process through the National Security Agency for advanced cyber capabilities while rolling back various federal safeguards. In addition, you have publicly called fears from AI researchers a ‘hoax,’ downplaying the potential threats of irresponsible development of this technology.”

Hickenlooper called on Trump and technology leaders to work with Congress to:

Commit to independent third-party evaluation of America’s most powerful AI models;

Establish meaningful accountability when companies knowingly deploy dangerous AI systems;

Improve reporting of serious AI incidents and vulnerabilities so government and critical infrastructure operators can respond quickly to emerging threats;

Protect communities from the costs of the AI buildout, including ensuring massive data centers pay their own way for their energy consumption rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize them;

Protect the American workforce as AI transforms the workplace, by improving forecasting and federal data availability on AI’s impact on jobs and making education and job training programs more effective; and

Strengthen U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, protecting American technology and working with our allies and partners to ensure that AI is developed in accordance with our values.

Hickenlooper joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss his letter. Watch the interview here.

Hickenlooper pointed to a series of recent incidents that demonstrate the growing risks of increasingly powerful AI. This spring, the United States narrowly avoided a potential escalation with China after an intelligence report generated with AI incorrectly identified a Chinese vessel as carrying components for nuclear weapons. More recently, rogue AI agents have broken through cybersecurity safeguards, accessed nonpublic health information on an Australian government website, and meddled with several U.S. government agency websites, including an attempted hack of the Department of Education.

Hickenlooper urged Trump and technology leaders to reject the extremes currently dominating the AI debate and instead pursue responsible regulation that preserves innovation while protecting Americans.

“To truly achieve a ‘Golden Age’ of America, we need to seize this golden opportunity to bridge the two extremes of the AI debate,” Hickenlooper wrote. “Somewhere between full speed ahead and full stop lies the real opportunity: a chance to develop thoughtful, sensible guardrails that ensure AI is safe, and that it helps everyone, not a select few.”

Hickenlooper has introduced bipartisan legislation to responsibly regulate AI, including the VET AI Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop standards and guidelines for independent third-party evaluations of AI systems. Earlier this month, OpenAI publicly backed third-party verification after Anthropic announced it would provide independent evaluators “employee-like access” to its models.

Hickenlooper has previously called on the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings with leaders from across the AI industry and urged Congress to enact stronger AI guardrails.

For the full text of the letter, click HERE or find below:

Dear President Trump:

As you and Speaker Johnson prepare to gather with American technology leaders, I write to urge you to use this meeting as an opportunity to commit to working with Congress on meaningful federal guardrails that require greater transparency and safety measures for artificial intelligence.

What once felt possible only in science fiction is happening before our eyes in real time. This spring, the United States narrowly avoided a major escalation with China after an intelligence report, based on an AI hallucination, incorrectly identified a Chinese ship in the Middle East as transporting components for nuclear weapons. The U.S. military prepared to intercept and board the vessel before officials learned the truth. The operation was called off, averting a potential crisis.

Since then, OpenAI agents have broken through cybersecurity safeguards and exploited vulnerabilities in an attempt to escape the “sandbox” designed to contain them, including working collectively to cover their tracks. Rogue agents have also accessed nonpublic health data on an Australian government website and meddled with several U.S. government agency websites, including an attempted hack of the Department of Education. Earlier this month a top Anthropic researcher resigned with a stark warning about the risks of rapidly accelerating AI. This high level of risk demands urgent action.

To date, our country has not established transparent, meaningful safeguards to address the growing risks of AI. You have prioritized accelerating AI development and maintaining a voluntary classified benchmarking process through the National Security Agency for advanced cyber capabilities while rolling back various federal safeguards. In addition, you have publicly called fears from AI researchers a “hoax,” downplaying the potential threats of irresponsible development of this technology. By contrast, three out of four Americans agree that AI firms are not doing enough to prevent disaster. This pursuit of AI leadership at all costs leaves Americans needlessly vulnerable as these systems rapidly become more powerful and potentially uncontrollable.

There are many steps we should take on AI that have outsized potential to protect Americans while preserving innovation. These include:

Commit to independent third-party evaluation of America’s most powerful AI models;

Establish meaningful accountability when companies knowingly deploy dangerous AI systems;

Improve reporting of serious AI incidents and vulnerabilities so government and critical infrastructure operators can respond quickly to emerging threats;

Protect communities from the costs of the AI buildout, including ensuring massive data centers pay their own way for their energy consumption rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize them;

Protect the American workforce as AI transforms the workplace, by improving forecasting and federal data availability on AI’s impact on jobs and making education and job training programs more effective; and

Strengthen U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, protecting American technology and working with our allies and partners to ensure that AI is developed in accordance with our values.

Rogue AI agents threaten the security of our government systems and reshape the U.S. economy. Many of the attendees at this meeting have warned about the risks of unregulated AI and have called for stronger safety measures. We are in a critical moment where the White House and Congress must act together to pass safety and transparency measures that keep the American people safe and informed as this technology is developed. Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails, including independent third-party evaluations that will help protect Americans.

To truly achieve a “Golden Age” of America, we need to seize this golden opportunity to bridge the two extremes of the AI debate. Somewhere between full speed ahead and full stop lies the real opportunity: a chance to develop thoughtful, sensible guardrails that ensure AI is safe, and that it helps everyone, not a select few. We’re entering a new era of artificial intelligence. And we need stronger tools to protect against consequences both profound and irreversible.

Our government must write AI’s rules of the road before we have a head-on collision. And we must do it now.

Sincerely,

John W. Hickenlooper

United States Senator

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-chu-recognize-asian-american-and-native-american-pacific-islander-serving-institutions-week,"Hirono, Chu Recognize Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"While the Trump Administration slashes funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, Members of Congress recognize the importance of AANAPISIs in expanding access to higher education for all

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving-Institutions (AANAPISI) Week, from September 27-October 3, 2026. This week honors the vital role of AANAPISIs in expanding access to quality higher education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.

“In Hawaii and nationwide, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions help students thrive in the classroom and prepare them for success after graduation. As the Trump regime continues its ideological attacks on Minority-Serving Institutions, supporting AANAPISIs and the communities they serve is critical,” said Senator Hirono. “By establishing AANAPISI Week, this resolution celebrates diversity in education and recognizes these institutions and the services they provide.”

“As a former community college professor, I’ve seen what happens when students get real support. They don’t just graduate, they can transform their families and their communities for generations. AANAPISIs make that possible for students who need it the most, including first generation, and low-income students of color, by breaking down barriers and making sure all students have an equal shot at higher education,” said Representative Chu, CAPAC Chair Emerita. “That’s why the Trump administration’s decision to terminate MSI funding, and now redirect $235 million of it to HBCUs and tribal colleges, is so disappointing. Every MSI deserves full investment, but pitting them against each other isn’t the solution, it is a step backward. This AANAPISI Week, I remain committed to fighting for these institutions and for every student’s right to the education they deserve.”

Since its authorization under the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the AANAPISI program has provided grants to institutions serving AANHPI undergraduate students to help expand their capacity to serve all students. These institutions have played a crucial role in opening the door to higher education for minority students, especially those who are low-income or first-generation. Today, AANAPISIs enroll 46 percent of all AANHPI undergraduate students in the United States, and award over 50 percent of the associate degrees and nearly 45 percent of the bachelor’s degrees attained by all AANHPI college students across the country.

This resolution comes days after the Trump Administration illegally diverted an additional $235 million in federal funding that Congress designated for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Instead of increasing investment in all institutions that serve minority communities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), AANNAPISIs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), the Trump Administration has approached support for minority communities as a zero-sum game.

“During this AANAPISI Week, APAHE extends our deepest gratitude to CAPAC for their steadfast leadership in defending the federal AANAPISI designation amid ongoing efforts by the Department of Education to dismantle these critical programs. AANAPISIs are vital to educational equity and AA&NHPI student success, and we must aggressively defend this essential resource from being stripped away,” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, President, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE).

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI students in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. She has introduced this legislation every year since 2022, leading a bicameral coalition to designate Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving-Institutions Week. In April, she led a press conference calling out the Trump Administration’s attacks on Minority-Serving Institutions following its redirection of $350 million in federal funding away from MSIs. In May, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senator Hirono marking May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. In February, Senator Hirono held a spotlight forum titled, “ED’s Attacks on Minority Students: Defunding Programs, Limiting Opportunities,” which highlighted the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) efforts to dismantle support for over 800 Minority-Serving Institutions, including AANAPISIs.

A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), and Mark Takano (D-CA).

The full resolution text is available HERE.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-senate-passage-of-his-bipartisan-legislation-to-make-food-supply-chain-safer,Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of His Bipartisan Legislation to Make Food Supply Chain Safer,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the Senate passage of the Making America’s Food Safer Act, bipartisan legislation he led alongside HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to improve the safety of the U.S. food supply chain. The HELP Committee advanced this legislation in July.

“No one should be in a grocery store aisle having to wonder whether the food in their cart is going to make them ill. Protecting Americans from contaminated food, faulty products, and other dangerous items is one of the most basic regulatory responsibilities the government has,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation will make the food supply chain more efficient, improve coordination between the federal government and state and local entities about food safety—all the more important in the context of recent outbreaks of foodborne illness—and help keep dangerous products off U.S. shelves. I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting this common-sense, bipartisan legislation.”

Specifically, the Making America’s Food Safer Act would:

Expand the third-party certificate program to allow both foreign and domestic entities involved in the food supply chain to be audited by accredited third-party auditors. Previously, only foreign entities were eligible for third-party auditing. This broadening of eligibility will relieve administrative burden on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and improve efficiency while preserving safety.

Provide the FDA with the authority to share food safety information with state and local regulatory agencies. Previously, the FDA was barred from sharing certain data, including surveillance data on foodborne illness outbreaks, laboratory fundings, facility inspection records, recall information, and consumer complaints, due to proprietary restrictions. Historically, coordination between the FDA and state/local regulators have helped protect public health, including in 2024 when data sharing between the FDA and North Carolina state health authorities led to the successful recall of lead-contaminated applesauce nationwide.

Expand the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to order the destruction of any FDA-regulated product that presents a significant public health risk, such as contaminated foods and illegal vaping/e-cigarette products. The FDA already has this authority for items like medical devices and prescription drugs. By expanding HHS’ authority to destroy dangerous items, this legislation would help close a loophole known as “port shopping”—i.e., subsequent attempts to bring dangerous goods into the U.S. after they have already been rejected through another port.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-criticizes-trump-vance-administrations-rollback-of-protections-for-survivors-of-assault-on-campus-and-lgbtq-students,Kaine Criticizes Trump-Vance Administration’s Rollback Of Protections For Survivors Of Assault On Campus And LGBTQ+ Students,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and former civil rights attorney, issued the following statement regarding the Education Department’s final rule reinstating Title IX regulations from President Donald Trump’s first term:

“Today’s Title IX final rule guts discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and will reimpose rules from the first Trump Administration that made it even harder for survivors of campus sexual assault to obtain justice,” said Kaine. “America’s future depends on the quality and safety of our schools. The Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and weaken protections for students are dangerous steps in the wrong direction.”

Since Trump took office for his second term, Kaine has been at the forefront of opposing the Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). In July 2026, Kaine successfully secured committee passage of his legislation to prevent the Administration from scattering ED’s programs to other agencies ill-equipped to handle them. Kaine has also advocated for legislation to combat campus sexual assault. Kaine has previously led introductions of the Survivor Outreach and Support on (S.O.S.) Campus Act and the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors (SUCCESS) Act, legislation to help support student survivors of sexual assault and other violence.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-lankford-introduce-jimmy-lai-internet-freedom-act-to-counter-chinas-internet-censorship-in-hong-kong,"Kaine, Lankford Introduce Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act to Counter China’s Internet Censorship in Hong Kong",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act to assist the people of Hong Kong in circumventing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) censorship and maintain access to a free and open internet.

The bill is named in honor of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and publisher who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court after being convicted under Beijing’s National Security Law. The legislation responds to the CCP’s continued erosion of Hong Kong’s freedoms and expanding efforts to restrict access to information online. The bill notes that Beijing has used its National Security Law to suppress freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press, while granting authorities expanded power to censor online content and obtain user information.

“China’s restrictions on internet in Hong Kong are a blatant attempt to crack down on dissent, stifle freedom of expression, and censor the free flow of information to the people of Hong Kong,” said Kaine. “The United States must stand up for freedom and the rights of all people. This legislation would improve the State Department and other agencies’ ability to strengthen access to internet and keep China from censoring information. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.”

The senators’ bill would establish a Hong Kong Internet Freedom Program within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and a corresponding program at the Open Technology Fund. The programs would coordinate with an interagency working group to develop a strategy for strengthening internet resiliency and online access in Hong Kong.

The Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act would:

Establish a Hong Kong Internet Freedom Program at the Department of State and Open Technology Fund.

Support technologies that allow Hongkongers to circumvent internet blocking, filtering, and censorship.

Support virtual private networks and other firewall circumvention tools.

Provide digital security and resiliency support to pro-democracy activists and civil society organizations.

Require a strategic planning report outlining the federal government’s efforts to expand internet freedom and circumvention technology in Hong Kong.

Kaine and Lankford first introduced the Safeguarding Internet Freedom in Hong Kong Act after Beijing imposed its National Security Law on Hong Kong. That legislation sought to develop and deploy firewall circumvention technology to help Hongkongers access information and communicate freely.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z