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.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/11alive-gwinnett-woman-highlights-struggles-with-health-insurance-authorization/,11Alive: “Gwinnett woman highlights struggles with health insurance authorization”,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"11Alive: “Ossoff reportedly received dozens of reports from Georgia patients, who have reported that prior authorization issues with their insurance companies have resulted in delays and denials of medically necessary health care that lead, in some cases, to untreated life-threatening conditions and severe financial hardship.” Atlanta, Ga. — 11Alive Atlanta is highlighting U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s investigation that details reports from Georgians who say insurance companies are denying or delaying care doctors say they need. In the last month, Sen. Ossoff has released the second and third reports of his ongoing investigation, which highlight stories from Georgia patients who have reported that insurance delays and denials of medically necessary health care have led, in some cases, to untreated life-threatening conditions, and/or severe financial hardship. Sen. Ossoff’s first report detailed stories of Georgians who report they have been delaying necessary care and are paying thousands more for care after the loss of the ACA tax credits, with some saying they’ve lost insurance altogether because of the high costs. See key excepts below from 11Alive’s report: 9/25: Gwinnett woman highlights struggles with health insurance authorization 11Alive // Joe Ripley On the outside, it might look like smiles, laughter and bliss. But on the inside, Megan Bliss was dealt a brutal blow. From rising healthcare costs to cuts to medical services to delays in critical care, she has experienced all three firsthand as she fights to regain a sense of normalcy. A stroke left her in immense pain and out of work for years. “About five years ago, I had a hemorrhagic stroke,” Bliss said. “It affected the left side of my body and basically a lot of the typical things, really had to learn how to walk again.” She said doctors prescribed her a DRG stimulator, a medical device designed to help ease her pain. But insurance denied her for months, saying Bliss had not met the proper requirements. “This puts a ton of pressure on my husband being the only income, and it’s emotionally very defeating,” Bliss said. “It’s pure insanity to me that those people who are not my doctor were making decisions about my healthcare. We pay money to the insurance company every two weeks, a huge chunk of money. I feel like that should be enough.” Bliss was denied due to prior authorization, a process that acts as a check or balance between a provider’s recommendation and what an insurer agrees to pay for. Ossoff reportedly received dozens of reports from Georgia patients, who have reported that prior authorization issues with their insurance companies have resulted in delays and denials of medically necessary health care that lead, in some cases, to untreated life-threatening conditions and severe financial hardship. Meantime, Megan Bliss finally got approved for her device after seven months. Now, the wait is on to book her procedure and pursue a less painful life. “Hopefully it’s not too long a wait before I can do the permanent implant and get a little bit of my normal life back,” Bliss said. # # #",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-reverend-warnock-receives-2026-mpa-industry-champion-award-for-film-advocacy/,Senator Reverend Warnock Receives 2026 MPA Industry Champion Award for Film Advocacy,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,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 received the 2026 Motion Picture Association’s Industry Champion Award The award was presented during the 2026 MPA Awards on Wednesday night Senator Warnock has advocated for film and TV production in Georgia and the U.S. since joining the Senate Senator Reverend Warnock: “I will continue to work in Washington and across the aisle to ensure Georgia-based film productions continue to be supported and Georgians, whose livelihoods depend on the film industry, have all the resources they need to succeed” ICYMI: The Power of Storytelling: 2026 MPA Industry Champion Honoree Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock on Georgia’s Production Future Washington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) received the 2026 Motion Picture Association Industry Champion Award for his continued work supporting the creative community and strengthening Georgia’s thriving film industry. “Georgia continues to be a national leader in the arts and entertainment industry. It fills me with immense pride whenever I see Georgia and my constituents’ work represented in a movie or TV show,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I will continue to work in Washington and across the aisle to ensure Georgia-based film productions continue to be supported and Georgians, whose livelihoods depend on the film industry, have all the resources they need to succeed.” Senator Warnock received the 2026 Motion Picture Association Industry Champion Award from MPA Chairman and CEO Charles H. Rivkin during the MPA Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Photo Credit: Motion Picture Association) Senator Warnock is the co-lead of the bipartisan CREATE Act, which would extend the Section 181 tax deduction and increase the incentive to keep production in the United States. Before Section 181 expired, film and TV studios could claim the deduction if they incurred at least 75% of their production costs in the United States. The provision allowed studios to deduct up to $15 million in production expenses but expired at the end of 2025. The CREATE Act would: Extend the expiration date of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 181 from 2025 to 2030. Make it more financially viable to shoot films and television shows in the United States, rather than moving to lower-cost foreign locations. Provide predictable long-term planning through annual cost-of-living adjustments starting in 2027 to ensure that the dollar limits keep pace with rising production costs over time. The CREATE Act is endorsed by the Motion Picture Association, the Independent Film & Television Alliance, the Recording Industry Association of America, the American Association of Independent Music, and the Recording Academy. Senator Warnock also co-leads the recently-introduced the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, which would establish a federal film tax credit. Senator Warnock has championed workforce development since coming to the Senate, particularly technical colleges and apprenticeship programs that lead to good-paying film industry jobs. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-warnock-report-finds-save-act-imposes-poll-tax-on-millions-of-married-american-women/,New Warnock Report Finds SAVE Act Imposes Poll Tax on Millions of Married American Women,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,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 released a new report examining the extra hurdles married women would need to go through to register or update their voter registration if the SAVE Act became law Senator Warnock’s new report finds that, in Georgia, married women could pay up to $75 in administrative and processing fees to obtain the documents required to vote Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are attempting to impose a “Marriage Tax” on millions of American women across the country The SAVE Act disproportionately harms married women who have changed their legal name by requiring them to produce both their birth certificate and marriage license to register or re-register to vote Senator Reverend Warnock: “They’re not trying to save our democracy. They’re not trying to save our elections. They’re trying to save Donald Trump’s power” Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), one of the Senate’s leading advocates for voting rights, released a new report examining the costly and time-intensive process married women in eight Georgia counties would have to navigate to verify their voter status under the SAVE America Act. The proposed bill requires women who have changed their last names to present their birth and marriage certificates to meet voter verification requirements. The report found women who do not have these documents readily available could pay up to $75 in administrative and processing fees and wait over 3 months to receive the required identification materials. “This is a poll tax on married women,” said Senator Warnock on MSNOW’s Deadline White House. “They’re not trying to save our democracy. They’re not trying to save our elections. They’re trying to save Donald Trump’s power.” The SAVE America Act purports to protect election integrity but instead imposes unnecessary restrictions that would disenfranchise over 760,000 Georgians and millions more nationwide through its onerous requirements. While the SAVE America Act disproportionately impacts married women, men and unmarried women are also subject to voter suppression under the proposed bill. For the more than 5.4 million Georgians who do not have a valid passport, they would need to bring their birth certificate, or another federally issued identification document, alongside their photo ID to register to vote. Despite the Trump administration’s sensationalized and baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, a Republican-led audit of the 2024 election revealed nine non-U.S. citizens out of 8.2 million registered voters in Georgia had cast a ballot in a previous election, with most having voted in elections before 2012. Senator Warnock is a leading voting rights advocate. Earlier this year, he unveiled a comprehensive policy agenda to repair and strengthen American democracy in the wake of escalating attacks on the right to vote. Following the Supreme Court decision to gut the Voting Rights Act in April, Senator Warnock argued that voting rights legislation must be the number one priority for Democrats when they regain the majority in the U.S. Senate. He is also a proud proponent of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would strengthen protections against discriminatory voting practices. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-across-the-aisle-to-improve-sewer-and-stormwater-infrastructure-across-georgia/,Sen. Ossoff Working Across the Aisle to Improve Sewer and Stormwater Infrastructure Across Georgia,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to improve sewer and stormwater infrastructure across Georgia. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the bipartisan Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 to help Georgia communities receive more support to address wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needs. The bipartisan legislation, first introduced by Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), would replace the outdated funding formula for the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, which determines how much Federal funding for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is distributed to different states, with a formula that better reflects states’ population and infrastructure demands. “Investing in Georgia’s sewer and stormwater infrastructure means protecting our families, homes, and communities. I am working across the aisle to help upgrade Georgia’s water infrastructure to keep communities safe and upgrade quality of life,” Sen. Ossoff said. Sen. Ossoff continues to upgrade sewer and stormwater infrastructure across the State of Georgia. In May, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver $1,092,000 in Federal funding for key stormwater infrastructure upgrades along Norman Berry Drive in East Point, including a storm water main replacement and headwall restoration to improve stormwater flows and prevent sinkholes in the area. In April, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Rep. McBath brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $1,092,000 in Federal funding to help improve South Fulton’s stormwater infrastructure, including the replacement of old stormwater pipes and measures to mitigate the effect of flooding near homes. Also in April, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver $954,000 in Federal funding to help the City of Hampton implement critical stormwater infrastructure improvements and reduce flooding along Woolsey Road. Last year, Sen. Ossoff passed into law his Georgia Stormwater Management Act, which created a new authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct water infrastructure projects across the Henry County, Clayton County, and Muscogee County. This year, Sen. Ossoff delivered $3,120,000 in Federal funding through the new authority to help upgrade the South Columbus Water Resources facility, which serves the City of Columbus and Fort Benning. Click here to read the Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026. # # #",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/read-here-marriage-tax-report/,READ HERE: MARRIAGE TAX REPORT,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,Senator Reverend Warnock’s report on the “Marriage Tax” that would be imposed on married women under the SAVE Act is available HERE.,1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-britt-push-trump-department-of-justice-for-guardrails-on-state-local-use-of-flock-cameras/,"Warnock, Britt Push Trump Department of Justice for Guardrails on State, Local Use of Flock Cameras",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In a new bipartisan letter, Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Katie Britt urged Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide state and local law enforcement with guidance on how to prevent the misuse of automatic license plate readers, like Flock Safety cameras The bipartisan effort follows growing national concern over the misuse of Flock cameras amid reports of law enforcement officers using them to stalk romantic partners, track Americans without warrants, and monitor personal contacts This is the first bipartisan Senate action on automatic license plate readers, like Flock cameras ICYMI in Punchbowl News: Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) are urging Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide guidance to state and local law enforcement on how they can prevent “misuse” of Flock cameras Senator Reverend Warnock, Britt: “We are deeply concerned about the misuse of ALPR systems and believe that appropriate safeguards are necessary to protect against unauthorized access and abuse, including by individuals who might misuse the technology to stalk and harass their victims” Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) are urging Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide state and local law enforcement agencies with new guardrails on how to prevent the misuse of automatic license plate readers (ALPR) like Flock Safety cameras. The senators’ new letter follows growing national concern over the misuse of Flock cameras amid reports of law enforcement officers using them to stalk romantic partners, track Americans without warrants, and monitor personal contacts. Increasingly, communities across the country and in Georgia are concerned with law enforcement officials potentially monitoring and tracking their movements without their consent. “We are deeply concerned about the misuse of ALPR systems and believe that appropriate safeguards are necessary to protect against unauthorized access and abuse, including by individuals who might misuse the technology to stalk and harass their victims. We also want to ensure that funding of these technologies is paired with appropriate oversight to ensure that the funding is not used to facilitate such abuse,” said Senator Warnock and Britt. Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers that capture the plate, make, model, and color of passing cars. The cameras—developed by Flock Safety in Atlanta, Georgia—are used by law enforcement agencies across the country to find stolen vehicles, locate missing people, and investigate other crimes. In recent months, the debate over privacy and police access has intensified, leading to pushback against the use of Flock cameras in local communities. In Georgia, the debate has taken several forms, from protests to town hall meetings, where Georgians are urging their local leaders to end contracts with Flock Safety. As the use of artificial intelligence spreads into every aspect of American life, Senator Warnock continues to center the privacy and data protection concerns of Georgians in his work in the U.S. Senate. In August 2025, Senator Warnock introduced bipartisan legislation alongside Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) to provide Georgia taxpayers with greater transparency and stronger protections for their personal data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In August, Senator Warnock traveled to Effingham County to meet with residents and discuss the impact of OpenAI’s new 3.2-gigawatt data center, the largest proposed site in the country. During his visit, Senator Warnock called for a moratorium on data center construction unless certain safeguards around utility bills, transparency, and pollution are in place. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: “Dear Attorney General Blanche, “We write with great concern over widespread reports regarding the misuse of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems, which may be purchased with federal funding. Specifically, reporting indicates that in dozens of cases across the country, police officers have improperly and, in some cases, illegally used ALPR technology to stalk and harass their current, former, or prospective romantic partners. While law enforcement agencies around the country appropriately use ALPR for legitimate public safety purposes including the investigation of violent crime and the location and recovery of missing and abducted persons, misuse of these systems undermines the public’s confidence in the technology. We, therefore, write to request information about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) funding and oversight of such systems to prevent such misuse and ensure compliance with applicable federal statutes and regulations. “State and local law enforcement agencies have widely adopted ALPR systems in recent years to conduct traffic enforcement and support criminal investigations. Flock’s ALPR network, the largest in the country, currently contains more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states, with 140,000 monthly active users. ALPRs perform billions of scans of vehicles in the U.S. per month, converting those scans into searchable data on the vehicle’s features, its location, and the time. This data is then uploaded into databases and retained for a certain period depending on state laws and regulations, sometimes as long as several years. In some cases, the agency can also choose to share its local data with other law enforcement agencies across the country. “ALPR systems thus enable law enforcement officials to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity and comprehensively track them across jurisdictional boundaries for investigative purposes. “However, law enforcement officers have also faced numerous allegations of misusing ALPR systems. In Georgia, at least 20 law enforcement officers have been arrested after abusing their access to ALPR systems. Law enforcement officers in 11 other states have resigned, lost their jobs, or faced investigations after abusing ALPR systems. In total, at least 50 law enforcement officers to date have been charged with, or accused of, using ALPR systems for unauthorized purposes. “At least 30 of these cases involve law enforcement officers stalking their current, former, or prospective romantic partners. In one case, a police chief used an ALPR system to stalk a former partner by searching the vehicle tags for her and her daughter around 600 times over the course of thirteen months. These cases demonstrate the importance of strong guardrails and safeguards – such as appropriate access controls, auditing, supervisory review, and meaningful consequences of intentional misuse – to ensure that ALPRs’ tracking capabilities cannot be utilized by rogue bad actors to threaten, manipulate, and inflict harm on unsuspecting victims. Individuals who abuse their law enforcement access to ALPR systems to harass or otherwise harm another person should be held accountable, including through termination and criminal prosecution where warranted. They shouldn’t be permitted to undermine the legitimate use of ALPR technology to protect the public. Furthermore, the misuse of ALPR systems may violate requirements for the implementation of federal funding. This includes a requirement that federal funds and associated programs be “implemented in full accordance with the U.S. Constitution, applicable Federal statutes and regulations,” including provisions protecting public welfare. “We are deeply concerned about the misuse of ALPR systems and believe that appropriate safeguards are necessary to protect against unauthorized access and abuse, including by individuals who might misuse the technology to stalk and harass their victims. We also want to ensure that funding of these technologies is paired with appropriate oversight to ensure that the funding is not used to facilitate such abuse. “We urge the DOJ to provide guidance to state and local law enforcement agencies on how they can best prevent the misuse of ALPR technology. We also request responses to the following questions by no later than October 21, 2026. “How much DOJ funding has supported the purchase of ALPR systems? What grant oversight and accountability mechanisms does DOJ have in place to address potential misuse and unauthorized access involving federally funded ALPR systems? What, if any, DOJ training is provided to grant recipients on best practices for retaining and accessing data collected by ALPR systems to prevent misuse or unauthorized data access? Does such training address appropriate auditing, supervisory review, and consequences for intentional misuse? In order to mitigate misuse or unauthorized data access, does DOJ have policies in place regarding the collection, use, storage, disposal, and access to data collected from ALPR systems operated by federal agencies? Is DOJ aware of whether any state or local law enforcement officers have been accused of misconduct or illegal activity related to the use of federally-funded ALPR systems? If DOJ becomes aware of such misconduct, what steps does DOJ take to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations? Do these steps ever include financial penalties or requirements that agencies take corrective, disciplinary, or other remedial action against individuals responsible for intentional misuse? Does DOJ require applicants for federal funding, for ALPR systems or otherwise, to disclose misuse or abuse of ALPR data? Does DOJ distinguish between misconduct by an individual user and systemic failures by a recipient agency when determining an appropriate response? Has DOJ audited the use of ALPR systems within federal law enforcement agencies for non-law enforcement purposes, including stalking? What controls are in place to identify unauthorized queries and hold federal personnel accountable for misuse” ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-to-improve-public-transportation-across-georgia/,Sen. Ossoff Working to Improve Public Transportation Across Georgia,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working with Republicans and Democrats to improve public transportation across Georgia. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the bipartisan Streamline Transit Projects Act, legislation to help reduce transit project delays by streamlining the environmental review process for projects that would have little to no environmental impact. The bill aims to more quickly deliver critical public transportation improvements and improve transit access and service for riders. The bipartisan bill was first introduced by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA). “Many Georgians depend on public transportation to get around their communities,” Sen. Ossoff said. “This bipartisan legislation will help expand transit programs across Georgia by cutting back on unnecessary and costly administrative delays.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to upgrade Georgia’s infrastructure. Last year, Sen. Ossoff announced grant funding was available for key transportation projects through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Also last year, Sen. Ossoff delivered Federal resources through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, created and funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law, to help eliminate blocked railroad crossings across Georgia. In March 2024, Sens. Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock announced the State of Georgia will receive $122,457,266 in Federal resources for transit infrastructure upgrades across the state in partial Fiscal Year 2024 funding, authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law. In March 2024, Sens. Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced two Federal grants for The Stitch and for a new multi-use trail connecting the Atlanta BeltLine with the Flint River Trail. Click here to read the Streamline Transit Projects Act. # # #",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-scott-unveil-bipartisan-effort-to-reverse-fort-gordons-hospital-closure/,"Warnock, Scott Unveil Bipartisan Effort to Reverse Fort Gordon’s Hospital Closure",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Tim Scott introduced an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act bill to reverse the closure of inpatient services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center According to reporting by WRDW, the Defense Health Agency confirmed its intent to transition Eisenhower Army Medical Center on Fort Gordon in Augusta to an ambulatory care center Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center serves 30,000-40,000 Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families in the Augusta area.The proposed plan would end inpatient care and turn the emergency room into an urgent care facility Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced an amendment last week to the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act bill that would ensure that inpatient services remain active at Fort Gordon’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta. “Fort Gordon military personnel and their families deserve the best care possible. That’s why I’m working across the aisle to stop this shortsighted closure,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “The Defense Health Agency needs to reconsider its proposal and ensure that our military heroes and their families can still get adequate and top-notch medical care at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.” “Our men and women in uniform have earned the highest quality of care our nation can provide,” said Senator Scott. “Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon should remain open so South Carolina’s service members, military families, and veterans continue to have access to timely, quality health care. Those who make tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedoms should not have to worry about whether they or their families can get the care they need. We owe them nothing less.” In May, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced that it is proposing to reduce care options at Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center. Under the proposal, the Army Medical Center would no longer have general inpatient hospital beds and would turn its emergency room into an urgent care facility. The DHA has already submitted a congressional notification regarding this proposed change. Currently, Fort Gordon’s Army Medical Center serves 30,000-40,000 Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families in the Augusta area. Shortly after the announcement, Senator Warnock issued a statement about the plans, expressing concern about the impact of this closure on Augusta’s already-strained civilian health care system. Senator Warnock, along with Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), has sent letters to DHA Director Vice Adm. Darin K. Via and the Department of Defense demanding answers on their decision to reduce care options at Fort Gordon’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center. ###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/video-sen-ossoff-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month/,VIDEO: Sen. Ossoff Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Atlanta, Ga, — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a new video message. “This is U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, and it is my pleasure to join with Georgians across our state who are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a deep honor to represent Georgia’s Latino community and to join you in honoring the extraordinary contributions that Latinos have made to the State of Georgia, to the United States, and to the world,” Sen. Ossoff said. Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s Hispanic Heritage Month message. Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s message below: SEN. OSSOFF: “Greetings. This is U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, and it is my pleasure to join with Georgians across our state who are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. “It is a deep honor to represent Georgia’s Latino community and to join you in honoring the extraordinary contributions that Latinos have made to the State of Georgia, to the United States, and to the world. “And from the moment I took office, my goal has been to be the most visible, the most accessible, and the most responsive and effective Federal representative that Georgia’s Latino community has ever had. “Whenever and however I can be of service, just reach out at ossoff.senate.gov. “Again, this is U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, joining you in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.”",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-leads-panel-highlighting-impact-of-fatherhood-engagement-on-black-maternal-health/,Warnock Leads Panel Highlighting Impact of Fatherhood Engagement on Black Maternal Health,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Yesterday, Senator Reverend Warnock convened a panel of advocates dedicated to improving Black maternal health outcomes by promoting fatherhood engagement The panel included Dr. Lynne Lightfoote, OB-GYN at Washington Wellness Group; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms; Omari Maynard, founder of ARIAH Foundation; and Lamman Rucker, an actor and advocate Senator Warnock has worked to combat maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for Black families across the country “BEYOND THE STATISTICS: A Conversation on Black Fathers Protecting Black Motherhood” took place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference Senator Reverend Warnock: “There is no reason that in the United States of America—the most powerful and wealthiest country on the planet and in the history of humankind—to have the kind of maternal mortality rate that we have” Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) hosted a panel with prominent community advocates focused on improving Black maternal health outcomes through investing in and creating programs that promote fatherhood engagement. The panel, titled “BEYOND THE STATISTICS: A Conversation on Black Fathers Protecting Black Motherhood,” builds on Senator Warnock’s legislative record addressing maternal mortality and improving health outcomes for Black families. In his opening remarks, Senator Warnock highlighted the need to pass his bipartisan Dads Matter Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of father inclusion and engagement in improving maternal health outcomes. Senator Warnock was joined by Dr. Lynne Lightfoote, OB-GYN at Washington Wellness Group; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms; Omari Maynard, founder of ARIAH Foundation; and Lamman Rucker, an actor and advocate. Thursday’s panel follows a panel Senator Warnock hosted earlier this year that emphasized these findings. “My goal is for all of you to leave feeling compelled to advocate for including dads in maternal and infant health,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “There is no reason that in the United States of America—the most powerful and wealthiest country on the planet and in the history of humankind—to have the kind of maternal mortality rate that we have.” “We are all about all the clinical and non-clinical risk factors associated with this crisis, but a huge part of our theory of change is we believe that if we can empower a new generation of fathers to understand how to show up, how to advocate, how to demand better, how to support that mother in ways that they weren’t able to, we can quickly make a drastic change and improve maternal outcomes,” said Charles Johnson. “The primary misconception is that Black men aren’t there, and that they don’t care, and in my experience, both as a father since 17, and as an educator, as an activist, as an artist, advocate, and someone who’s worked in this space, even on the policy side, and who also can reference data, we are there, and we care,” said Lamman Rucker. “Black men have been showing up and have even been raising kids that don’t belong to them for years and years.” “Pregnancy should be something joyous, and pregnancy should be something that you should not be afraid of, but now we’re afraid to get pregnant, Black women are afraid to get pregnant and that’s not okay,” said Dr. Lynne Lightfoote. “I need to use my voice. I need to use my heart. I need to use our story in order to help inspire people in order to create change and make sure that you know we all do this together in solidarity,” said Omari Maynard. Nationwide, Black women are 3.5 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, and, in Georgia, a recent study revealed nearly 90% of maternal deaths were preventable. In response to these devastating findings, Senator Warnock and the panelists highlighted data showing that father involvement during and after a child’s birth is associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. Senator Warnock has long championed efforts to combat maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for Black families in Georgia and across the country. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock joined a bicameral coalition to introduce the Kira Johnson Act, legislation that funds community-based organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-delivering-12-million-in-federal-funds-to-support-tybee-island-beach-renourishment-project/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Delivering $12 Million in Federal Funds to Support Tybee Island Beach Renourishment Project",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"In 2022, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock passed into law their “Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act” to support ongoing renourishment & storm risk management projects In March, Sen. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock, in separate letters, urged the Army Corps to allocate Federal funding for the Tybee Island project & again urged the Army Corps in June Tybee Island Mayor West: “Senators Ossoff and Warnock are persistent advocates for Tybee Island and worked with us in our efforts to secure the federal funding to nourish our beach and protect our island.” Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering Federal funding to support Tybee Island’s beach renourishment project. After successfully pushing the Trump Administration, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock today announced they are delivering $12 million in Federal funding to renourish Tybee Island’s beaches and protect the shoreline. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, after Federal funding cuts, the Trump Administration’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its 2026 work plan earlier this year, which did not include funding for Tybee Island’s project. In March, Sen. Ossoff Rev. Warnock, in separate letters, first urged Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to allocate Federal funding needed to help complete the shovel-ready Tybee Island Shoreline Protection Project, noting the project is ready to begin and has already completed its environmental review. Sen. Ossoff again urged the Army Corps in June to allocate the Federal funding for the renourishment project. “Beach nourishment at Tybee Island has been a successful partnership between the City of Tybee Island and the Corps for nearly five decades,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Senator Reverend Warnock and I are delivering Federal funding to help protect Tybee’s residents and businesses.” “I’m proud to have secured this funding with Senator Ossoff to ensure Tybee Island’s beaches remain among the best in the country. This funding will not only help restore the beaches and continue to be an economic boost for the region, but will also protect Georgia businesses, families, and the local economy from damaging storm surge and erosion,” Senator Reverend Warnock said. “Coastal Georgia is my home, and I plan to continue to advocate for it in Washington.” “Senators Ossoff and Warnock are persistent advocates for Tybee Island and worked with us in our efforts to secure the federal funding to nourish our beach and protect our island. They understand that Tybee’s shoreline is not only vital to our residents and visitors, but also to the broader coastal economy and Georgia’s economy,” Tybee Island Mayor Brian West said. “We are grateful for their continued advocacy and for assisting in reallocating $12 million for Tybee’s beach nourishment project. Senator Ossoff first made us aware that funds were available this year from other states for this project. This has truly been a team effort, and I am grateful to both Senators and everyone who stayed at the table, making the calls, asking the questions, and fighting for this project. We are ready to get to work this winter.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Tybee Island from the effects of sea-level rise and flooding. In 2022, Sen. Ossoff, alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, passed into law his Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act as part of the Water Resources and Development Act reauthorization, which extended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ authority to partner with Tybee Island on beach renourishment and storm risk management projects for 12 years. In 2023, Sen. Ossoff delivered a new $380,000 Federal grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)’s National Coastal Resilience Fund to help protect residents and homes from flooding on Tybee Island. Also in 2023, Sen. Ossoff delivered new resources through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to construct a new hurricane and tornado safe room on Tybee Island, providing a safe area for emergency personnel who must remain on the Island during hurricanes and other disaster situations. # # #",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-warnock-calls-out-ai-developers-social-media-companies-after-bizarre-health-hoax/,"VIDEO: Warnock Calls Out AI Developers, Social Media Companies, After Bizarre Health Hoax",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock warned about the risk to democracy after AI-generated social media posts with false health news about the Senator went viral Senator Reverend Warnock: “What if hours before an election, someone created a page with AI-generated images, fake stories about the candidates? How will voters know what’s true and what’s not true?” Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released a video (WATCH HERE) on the dangers of AI for democracy after an AI-generated hoax regarding his health circulated social media. The AI-generated posts claimed that Senator Warnock had collapsed on stage, and another said he had undergone surgery and was recovering from cancer. In response, Senator Warnock stressed the need for congressional action on AI. “What if hours before an election, someone created a page with AI-generated images, fake stories about the candidates? How will voters know what’s true and what’s not true?” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Social media companies have to move quickly to label this material. Congress needs to act.” This follows a recent visit by Senator Warnock to the proposed site of OpenAI’s new 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County. After meeting with residents and members of the Protect Effingham Alliance who raised serious concerns about the impact of OpenAI’s plan on their community, Senator Warnock announced his support for a statewide moratorium on data center construction. Watch the Senator’s video on the dangers of AI to democracy HERE Additional AI-generated photos showed the Senator with a full head of hair, while one post falsely announced he was the grandparent of twins. See below for a transcript Senator Reverend Warnock: ”I recently ran across this Facebook page that was posting tons of fake AI-generated images and stories about me. “Some of it was funny. This post, for example, says that apparently I have regrown a full head of hair. I should be so lucky. I checked the mirror this morning. Not true. “Some of it was bizarre, like this post that says I’ve had twin grandchildren. “But then there were other stories that were scary, suggesting that I was having some major health issues, and had even undergone surgery. Posts like these have received thousands of likes, thousands of views. Some well-meaning constituents and friends, well-wishers, actually called, saying that they were praying for my speedy recovery. “As these tools become increasingly powerful, it will get harder and harder to distinguish fact from fiction, and there are already bad actors out there who are doing everything they can to divide us and confuse us, and this has huge implications for our democracy. “What if hours before an election, someone created a page with AI-generated images, fake stories about the candidates? How will voters know what’s true and what’s not true? “We have a whole lot of work to do where AI is concerned. AI is here; it is a part of our lives. We must deal with issues related to safety and jobs, but this underscores yet another issue: our democracy itself. “Social media companies have to move quickly to label this material. Congress needs to act. We need guardrails. We need regulations. We need to figure this out. The future is already here.” ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-clarity-act-vote/,Warnock Statement on Clarity Act Vote,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after voting “NO” on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.3633, the Clarity Act. “Senate Republicans’ insistence on protecting this president’s rampant corruption killed the Clarity Act. Like many of my Democratic colleagues, I was ready to continue negotiations and make reasonable compromises to provide much-needed regulatory certainty. But I will never look away when it comes to the President illegally enriching himself at the expense of the American people. To make it plain: Senate Republicans gave us no choice.” “My work is not done today. I look forward to continuing to work with consumers and investors, and with industry stakeholders to pass a market structure bill into law that protects consumers and ensures that there are clear rules for digital asset investors, customers, and businesses so that Americans can innovate and prosper by owning their future in our financial system.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/after-gops-historic-medicaid-cuts-sen-ossoff-delivering-federal-funding-to-strengthen-georgias-rural-hospitals/,"After GOP’s Historic Medicaid Cuts, Sen. Ossoff Delivering Federal Funding to Strengthen Georgia’s Rural Hospitals",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — After Congressional Republican’s historic cuts to Medicaid last year, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering Federal funding to strengthen Georgia’s rural hospitals. Sen. Ossoff is delivering Federal funding to 18 rural hospitals across Georgia through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program (RHPAP), a new program created earlier this year that offers Federal funding to rural hospitals to strengthen care and prevent hospital closures. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Ossoff helped pass into law funding for this new Federal grant program as part of the bipartisan government funding bill that became law on February 3, 2026. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded hospitals may use this funding to retain physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, allowing hospitals to preserve essential services, including emergency, inpatient, and other critical health care services. “Georgia’s rural hospitals have been under strain for years, made worse by recent cuts to Medicaid. Bringing Republicans and Democrats in Congress together, I helped pass into law this new Federal funding to combat the GOP’s Medicaid cuts and help strengthen Georgia’s rural hospitals. Now the Federal funding is on its way,” Sen. Ossoff said. According to HHS and the Federal funding notice, each hospital is expected to receive the same amount of Federal funding, or roughly $187,500 in Federal funding ($24,750,000 split between 132 hospitals). Please find Federal grant funding below: Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia’s rural hospitals. This year, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver health care upgrades for Southwest Georgia communities, including Federal funding to upgrade hospital infrastructure in Crisp County, deliver a new MRI machine to Irwin County, fund a new CT Scanner, mammogram machine, and ambulance in Clinch County, and purchase new medical equipment for maternal and neonatal care in Valdosta. Sen. Ossoff also brought Republicans and Democrats together to expand health care services for families across North Georgia, including expanding health care transportation services in Rome, delivering a new Cardiac CT Scanner for a rural hospital in Union County, and delivering new equipment in Calhoun. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff delivered Federal resources to Crisp Regional Hospital to help construct a new health clinic facility in Warwick, Georgia. # # #",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/watch-sen-ossoff-commemorates-25th-anniversary-of-september-11th-terrorist-attacks/,WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Commemorates 25th Anniversary of September 11th Terrorist Attacks,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. “Today, I would like to pause and honor and remember all of those who were killed in New York, in Virginia, in Pennsylvania – all of the extraordinary first responders who lost their lives or put their lives on the line to rescue those who were stranded and wounded,” Sen. Ossoff said. “We will never forget 9/11. We will never forget the heinous terrorist attack on American soil, and we will never cease our vigilance in defending the United States and the American people,” Sen. Ossoff continued. “Today, we remember those who lost their lives and all the heroes whose service on that day remains an example of American heroism and patriotism that will live on for centuries.” Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s message for your use on air. Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s message below: SEN. OSSOFF: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years, and I know none of us can forget where we were when we first heard the news and saw the shocking images. “Today, I would like to pause and honor and remember all of those who were killed in New York, in Virginia, in Pennsylvania–all of the extraordinary first responders who lost their lives or put their lives on the line to rescue those who were stranded and wounded. “We will never forget 9/11. We will never forget the heinous terrorist attack on American soil. And we will never cease our vigilance in defending the United States and the American people. “Today, we remember those who lost their lives and all the heroes whose service on that day remains an example of American heroism and patriotism that will live on for centuries. “Thank you so much.” # # #",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-delivering-nearly-500-million-to-improve-water-infrastructure-damaged-by-hurricane-helene/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Delivering Nearly $500 Million to Improve Water Infrastructure Damaged by Hurricane Helene",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff today announced they are delivering nearly $500 million in Federal funding to upgrade water infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering nearly $500 million to upgrade water infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Helene, including nearly $360 million for drinking water upgrades and nearly $125 million for wastewater upgrades. The Federal grants come through the Federal bipartisan disaster funding package that Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock helped passed in December 2024. “Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we are delivering these resources to help improve Georgia’s water infrastructure after Hurricane Helene,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Hurricane Helene was a wake-up call: our state’s water infrastructure is not ready to handle extreme weather. That’s why I’m proud to work alongside Sen. Ossoff to unlock federal relief funding to help prevent dangerous flooding and keep clean drinking water flowing when the next storm hits,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. The Federal funding will be delivered to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), who will then distribute the Federal funds to local projects. According to the State and GEFA, the Federal funding is distributed across five funding categories: HRF (Helene Resilience Funding) for wastewater: $124.9 million HRF (Helene Resilience Funding) for decentralized wastewater (septic systems): $8.96 million HRF (Helene Resilience Funding) for drinking water: $359.5 million Emergency wastewater: $3.3 million Emergency drinking water: $2.75 million Sen. Ossoff continues working to upgrade infrastructure throughout the State of Georgia. In June, Sen. Ossoff delivered over $37 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law to remove lead pipes and conduct essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across Georgia through the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. In May, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver $1,092,000 in Federal funding for key stormwater infrastructure upgrades along Norman Berry Drive in East Point, including a storm water main replacement and headwall restoration to improve stormwater flows and prevent sink holes in the area. In April, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver $954,000 in Federal funding to help the City of Hampton implement critical stormwater infrastructure improvements and reduce flooding along Woolsey Road. Also in April, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Rep. McBath brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $1,092,000 in Federal funding to help improve South Fulton’s stormwater infrastructure, including the replacement of old stormwater pipes and measures to mitigate the effect of flooding near homes. In March, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver over $2.1 million in Federal funding to help the City of College Park upgrade its drinking water infrastructure. In December, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act to improve water infrastructure systems across rural Georgia. # # #",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-meets-with-gullah-geechee-community-members-visits-historic-harrington-school/,"Warnock Meets with Gullah Geechee Community Members, Visits Historic Harrington School",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Last week, Senator Reverend Warnock met with Gullah Geechee community members at the historic Harrington School in St. Simons Island to discuss environmental health concerns, land ownership, and cultural preservation Community members discussed high levels of toxic chemicals found in the blood of Glynn County residents living near Brunswick Superfund sites Senator Reverend Warnock: “Coastal Georgia families should not have to choose between their history or their health” St. Simons, GA – Last Friday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) met with members of the Gullah Geechee community in St. Simons, Georgia to hear about challenges facing coastal Georgia communities. The Gullah Geechee are descendants of Africans who were enslaved along the coastal regions of the Southeast and have preserved cultural traditions and connections to the land. Senator Warnock discussed environmental health concerns, generational land ownership, and preservation of Gullah Geechee culture. The meeting was held at the Historic Harrington School, the last remaining African American schoolhouse on St. Simons Island. Senator Warnock toured the schoolhouse, viewing exhibits on the building’s history and Gullah Geechee culture. The schoolhouse, built in 1924, is the last remaining African American schoolhouse on St. Simons Island and a central site of Gullah Geechee heritage. Senator Warnock has requested $233,000 in congressionally directed spending to support the rehabilitation of the Harrington School. During the meeting, Senator Warnock discussed research examining the health impacts of Brunswick Superfund sites on the community. Research from Emory University found that these superfund sites have contributed to higher levels of toxic chemicals in the blood of Glynn County residents, compared to the general population. Senator Warnock questioned how living near these Superfund sites has affected the Gullah Geechee community’s sense of safety and connection to the local environment. “Coastal Georgia families should not have to choose between their history or their health,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m grateful to the Gullah Geechee community members who shared their experiences and ideas on how we can protect their health while preserving lands that have been passed down for generations.” The conversation also focused on economic pressures facing community members, as rising property taxes and the cost of living have driven Gullah Geechee families off their ancestral lands. Senator Warnock has made it a priority to lower the rising cost of everyday essentials like housing, gas, groceries, and childcare. Senator Warnock has been a longtime advocate for the Gullah Geechee community. He has introduced a billto extend authorization for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and secured over $2.3 million for McIntosh County to improve emergency response following the Sapelo Island dock collapse. ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-wyden-open-inquiry-into-trump-administrations-political-targeting-of-non-profits/,"Warnock, Wyden Open Inquiry into Trump Administration’s Political Targeting of Non-Profits",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The senators’ probe follows reports that the Trump administration is politically targeting non-profit, non-partisan organizations Senators Reverend Warnock, Wyden: “Americans of every political persuasion must be able to trust that the IRS applies the tax code objectively under one set of rules” Washington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, launched an inquiry into reports that the Trump administration is developing plans to weaponize the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) tax enforcement authority to target perceived ideological opponents. “Americans of every political persuasion must be able to trust that the IRS applies the tax code objectively under one set of rules,” wrote Senators Warnock and Wyden. “Rather than targeting actual violence, these directives explicitly conflate terrorism with subjective political viewpoints—such as ‘anti-capitalism,’ ‘anti-Christianity,’ and views on race, migration, and gender.” The senators demand that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano disclose any details about the development of the Trump administration’s directive targeting non-profit organizations for political reasons, any communications to direct IRS employees to conduct prohibited enforcement actions, and to preserve any documents or communications associated with this effort. This latest effort to target non-profit organizations over baseless claims of impropriety further demonstrates the Trump administration’s willingness to put political interests ahead of the American people and substantiates concerns raised by Senator Warnock during Mr. Bisignano’s appearance before the Senate Finance Committee in April. In a similar hearing earlier this year, Senator Warnock pressed Secretary Bessent on the Trump administration’s continued indifference to the economic concerns of ordinary Americans. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: “Dear Secretary Bessent and Mr. Bisignano: “We write regarding disturbing reports that senior Treasury officials are developing plans to target left-leaning tax-exempt organizations with IRS enforcement scrutiny and potentially revoke their tax-exempt status. These reports suggest that political considerations—including the timing of the 2026 midterm elections—are influencing that effort. “The New York Post reported on August 27, 2026, that Treasury officials are reviewing tax-exempt organizations’ tax-exempt status, including the Open Society Foundations, Southern Poverty Law Center, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and other left-leaning ‘anti-corporate’ and labor-aligned organizations. It reported that members of Secretary Bessent’s ‘inner circle’ are developing a ‘blueprint’ for possible revocations of these organizations’ tax-exempt status, and that Administration officials want to complete ‘a good chunk of the crackdown’ before the midterm elections. “Following the 2013 controversy regarding the IRS’s treatment of conservative organizations’ applications for tax exemption, the Senate Finance Committee conducted a two-year bipartisan investigation. Republican leaders repeatedly argued that tax administration must never be influenced by political bias or viewpoint. That principle should apply equally regardless of the political views of the organizations involved. “If accurate, the New York Post report raises serious questions about whether political officials are influencing IRS decisions concerning particular taxpayers in ways prohibited by federal law. “Section 7217 of the Internal Revenue Code makes it unlawful for senior Executive Branch officials to ‘request, directly or indirectly,’ that the IRS conduct or terminate ‘an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer with respect to the tax liability of such taxpayer.’ IRS employees who receive prohibited requests must report them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). A willful violation is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. “The New York Post’s reporting fits a wider pattern of the Trump administration actively using national security directives to weaponize the IRS against protected First Amendment speech. In September 2025, President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7) and an Executive Order directing the IRS and federal agencies to target the financial networks of ‘Antifa’ and domestic terrorists. “However, rather than targeting actual violence, these directives explicitly conflate terrorism with subjective political viewpoints—such as ‘anti-capitalism,’ ‘anti-Christianity,’ and views on race, migration, and gender. “Former Attorney General Bondi made this explicit in her December 4, 2025 memorandum, which ordered law enforcement to map the financial sponsors of ‘Antifa-aligned extremists,’ and pursue applicable tax crimes based on those same ideological viewpoints. Consequently, IRS Criminal Investigation is now actively working with the FBI to scrutinize nonprofits in response to these partisan directives. “The reported ‘blueprint’ targeting left-leaning nonprofits is consistent with the Trump Administration’s campaign against higher education. In the spring of 2025, Trump said ‘Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’’ He also said he is targeting Harvard because he disapproves of its diversity and inclusion admissions programs and claims it has not sufficiently addressed antisemitism on campus. “In contrast to NSPM-7, the Bondi memo, and Trump’s statements on social media, section 501(c)(3) and longstanding IRS authorities establish the objective standards for non-profit organizations to receive tax-exempt status. While unlawful activity may jeopardize exemption, these authorities do not authorize the government to withdraw tax exemption because it disfavors an organization’s views. Indeed, earlier this year, CEO Bisignano testified before the Senate Finance Committee that IRS has ‘never’ acted on the President’s various statements criticizing his political opponents and that they have ‘no influence’ on the IRS. “IRS procedures similarly require impartial and consistent examination selection and independent classification review. IRS examiners must evaluate evidence impartially and determine exempt status ‘strictly on the laws that govern qualification.’ Whether an organization complies with section 501(c)(3) cannot properly depend on whether enforcement can be completed before Election Day. “Finally, auditing specific taxpayers is the IRS’s responsibility, not the responsibility of political officials at Treasury. If Treasury officials have accessed taxpayer-specific tax return information, including audit files or internal enforcement information, they may have violated section 6103, which permits access to protected taxpayer information only when required for an employee’s tax-administration duties. “Please provide the following information and documents by September 15, 2026: 1. Provide the reported ‘blueprint,’ including all policies, directives, guidance, criteria, and other documents concerning Treasury and IRS implementation of NSPM-7 as it relates to tax-exempt organizations, including criteria for selecting organizations for examination or possible revocation. 2. Identify the Treasury, IRS, White House, and other Executive Branch officials who developed those policies or criteria or recommended particular tax-exempt organizations for review. 3. State whether Treasury, the White House, or another Executive Branch office has identified or recommended particular organizations—including any of those named in the Post report—for IRS examination, investigation, compliance review, or revocation. If so, identify the recommending office and the legal authority and criteria relied upon, without disclosing protected return information. 4. State whether Secretary Bessent, any Treasury political appointee, any White House employee, or any other person covered by section 7217 has communicated directly or indirectly with IRS personnel about an audit or investigation of a particular taxpayer. If so, state whether any IRS employee made a report to TIGTA under section 7217(b). Provide any written request by Secretary Bessent that Treasury contends falls within the exception in section 7217(c)(3)for requests made ‘as a consequence of the implementation of a change in tax policy’ and identify the change in tax policy that Treasury contends gave rise to the request. 5. State whether any Executive Branch official has asked IRS personnel to accelerate, prioritize, complete, or take enforcement action concerning particular tax-exempt organizations before the November 2026 elections. 6. State whether political affiliation, ideological viewpoint, electoral timing, classifications such as ‘Antifa-aligned,’ or any of the ideological concepts identified in NSPM-7 have been used, formally or informally, to identify organizations for IRS scrutiny. If so, identify the statutory or regulatory authority and objective criteria supporting their use. 7. Explain the legal and evidentiary standards Treasury and IRS are applying to determine when a tax-exempt organization has ‘directly or indirectly’ financed political violence or domestic terrorism (as stated in NSPM-7), including the required nexus, knowledge, intent, materiality, and substantiality, and identify the relevant statutes, regulations, published guidance, and judicial decisions. 8. Describe the safeguards in place to ensure that referrals resulting from NSPM-7 are subject to the IRS’s ordinary classification and examination-selection procedures and state whether any official outside the IRS can direct examination of an organization over the objection of career IRS personnel. 9. State whether the President or White House personnel have requested or received return information concerning tax-exempt organizations in connection with this initiative and, if so, whether the requirements of section 6103(g), including applicable reporting and recordkeeping requirements, were satisfied. 10. Given Secretary Bessent’s prior senior roles at Soros Fund Management and Soros Fund Management’s relationship with the Open Society Foundations, describe any ethics review, recusal determination, waiver, screening arrangement, or other measure addressing Secretary Bessent’s participation in matters involving the Open Society Foundations. “Please also preserve all potentially responsive records, including emails, text and encrypted-message communications, memoranda, notes, calendar entries, meeting materials, and draft documents. “Americans of every political persuasion must be able to trust that the IRS applies the tax code objectively under one set of rules. Organizations that violate section 501(c)(3) should face appropriate enforcement regardless of their politics—and organizations should never face IRS scrutiny because political officials disapprove of their views. “We expect your prompt cooperation with this inquiry. Sincerely,” ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-backing-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-technical-skills-training-programs/,Sen. Ossoff Backing Bipartisan Bill to Expand Technical Skills Training Programs,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is backing a bipartisan bill to expand housing construction training programs in Georgia. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the bipartisan Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural or Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act of 2025 to help address the affordable housing crisis by helping train more students in housing construction. The bill, first introduced by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), would establish a new Federal grant program for residential housing construction programs at technical schools and community colleges. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the residential housing industry faces a shortage of between 200,000 and 400,000 construction workers in any given month. “Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. I am working with Republicans and Democrats to pass this legislation to create good-paying jobs and help build more homes across our state,” Sen. Ossoff said. Sen. Ossoff continues working to lower housing prices for Georgia families. In March, Sen. Ossoff helped pass the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, aimed at making housing more affordable in Georgia and across the Nation. In 2026, Sen. Ossoff delivered $1,005,000 in Federal resources to Habitat for Humanity of Hall County to support efforts to build a new home development in the City of Gainesville, and delivered $1,312,000 to the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners, which plans to work alongside Habitat for Humanity Milledgeville-Baldwin County, to build new affordable housing units in Baldwin County. Last August, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to require a Federal watchdog investigation into the housing affordability crisis and to help ID solutions. In 2025, Sen. Ossoff launched an investigation into large, out-of-state companies purchasing single-family homes across the State of Georgia, raising prices for families and reducing the supply of family homes available for purchase. Also in 2025, Sens. Ossoff and Ashley Moody (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2025, which would establish a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to help law enforcement, fire fighters, medical first responders, and teachers buy homes in the communities they serve. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Access to Homeownership Act to require landlords that receive financing through the Federal government, including through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, for multifamily properties like apartment buildings to offer tenants the ability to have their on-time rental payments reported to credit bureaus. Click here to read the CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025. # # #",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warnock-calls-for-data-center-moratorium-after-visiting-openai-site-meeting-with-effingham-county-neighbors/,"ICYMI: Warnock Calls for Data Center Moratorium After Visiting OpenAI Site, Meeting with Effingham County Neighbors",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock called for a statewide moratorium on all data center construction that can only be lifted for specific projects that adopt comprehensive safeguards around utility costs, transparency, and pollution Senator Warnock met with residents in Effingham County to discuss the impact of OpenAI’s proposed data center on their community Guyton, GA – Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) called for a statewide moratorium on all data center construction after visiting the proposed site of OpenAI’s new 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County. Ahead of this announcement, the Senator met with several residents who raised serious concerns about the impact of OpenAI’s massive data center on their community, specifically higher utility costs and more water, light and noise pollution. Under Senator Warnock’s proposal, the moratorium can be lifted for a specific project only if: There are no water or electric bill increases because of the data center There are no sweetheart tax giveaways to data center developers There are no NDAs The data center will not cause air and water pollution There is no ambiguity around noise and light pollution “The lack of transparency here in Effingham County and in counties across our state and across the country is unacceptable, and that’s why today I’m calling for a moratorium on data centers,” said Senator Warnock. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to provide local communities with tools, resources, best practices, and protections as they negotiate with multi-billion-dollar data center corporations. Specifically, this letter focused on concerns about data centers straining community water supplies, especially while Georgia experiences a historic drought. More coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s call for a statewide data center moratorium below: WSAV: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data center construction after meeting with Effingham County residents Friday who raised concerns about OpenAI’s proposed Project Camellia. WTOC: Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a moratorium on data centers Friday during a visit to Effingham County, saying OpenAI’s data center project moved forward without input from the community. WJCL: Effingham County residents met with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock on Friday to express concerns about the proposed Camellia Data Center, which would be located near their homes. WSB-TV: A U.S. senator representing Georgia is calling for a state moratorium on data center construction, starting with one of the largest in the nation in southeast Georgia’s Effingham County. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock had sharp words for Effingham County officials and OpenAI, which recently announced a $20 billion data center there, calling for a moratorium on similar projects in Georgia unless big tech companies and developers can promise specific economic and environmental protections for residents. CBS Atlanta: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock has called for a statewide moratorium on data centers in Georgia unless safeguards for the community are put in place. WABE: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers after visiting the site where OpenAI plans to build a massive data center in coastal Georgia. The Current: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock on Friday called for a moratorium on data center construction in Georgia, describing the secrecy surrounding plans to build a $20 billion data center in Effingham County “unacceptable.” Effingham Herald: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., came home to coastal Georgia Friday to visit the proposed site of OpenAI’s $20 billion Project Camellia in Effingham County — and called for a moratorium on data center development until residents have a meaningful voice in whether such projects are built in their communities. Savannah Morning News: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers. The announcement came Friday morning during a press conference at Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton, where Warnock met with residents and stakeholders regarding the planned data center in Rincon. He also laid out the only reasons the moratorium should be lifted if implemented. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Friday, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) pushed for a moratorium on data centers in a video on Instagram after visiting the construction site for OpenAI’s Project Camellia. The Post-Searchlight: Speaking at the site of a planned OpenAI data center in Effingham County, Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a statewide moratorium on data centers Friday. WRBL: U.S. Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) met with community stakeholders and media on Friday to discuss concerns related to a planned data center near Savannah. ###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-delivering-nearly-50-million-to-upgrade-robins-air-force-base/,Sen. Ossoff Delivering Nearly $50 Million to Upgrade Robins Air Force Base,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Robins AFB, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering Federal funding to upgrade Robins Air Force Base. Sen. Ossoff, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Military Construction and VA Subcommittee, is delivering nearly $50 million in Federal funding to upgrade infrastructure at Robins Air Force Base. Sen. Ossoff and his team worked to help ensure Robins AFB got the funding needed for these upgrades, which include repairs to HVAC and fire alarm systems, lighting upgrades, a new decontamination area, sewer system improvements, and new office spaces. Sen. Ossoff serves as the top Democrat on the Military Construction and VA Appropriations Subcommittee, positioning him to fight for and deliver Federal funding for key Georgia projects impacting national security, military readiness, quality-of-life for servicemembers and military families, and more. “The team protecting our nation at Robins Air Force Base needs continued support for their heroic efforts. I helped bring Republicans and Democrats together to fund these important projects to help our servicemembers and civilian personnel serving at Robins do their jobs and be safe,”Sen. Ossoff said. Funding for the projects came through U.S. Air Force’s budget for operations and maintenance projects and the Air Force’s Working Capital Funds, both of which received additional funding in this year’s bipartisan government funding package that became law on February 3, 2026. Please find more details about the Federal funding for Robins Air Force Base below: Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Robins AFB. In May, Sen. Ossoff held a hearing about funding priorities for military construction projects and highlighted the need to improve quality of life on Georgia’s defense installations, including at Robins. Last June, Sen. Ossoff held a hearing about funding priorities for military construction projects and highlighted key projects in Georgia, including upgrades needed at Robins. In January 2024, Sen. Ossoff passed into law his Robins Air Force Base Battle Management Enhancement Act through the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorized the first step in construction of the Battle Management Combined Operations Complex. Then in April 2024, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $50 million for the new Battle Management Combined Operations Complex at Robins AFB. In 2022, Sens. Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock brought Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed (D-RI) to Robins AFB to highlight the important role Robins AFB plays in U.S. national security. # # #",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/new-report-georgians-report-insurance-companies-are-denying-or-delaying-care-doctors-say-they-need/,NEW REPORT: Georgians Report Insurance Companies Are Denying or Delaying Care Doctors Say They Need,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Click hereto read Sen. Ossoff’s new report on insurance companies denying or delaying Georgians care their doctors say they need Atlanta, Ga. — A new report from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff reveals insurance companies are denying or delaying care Georgians’ doctors say they need. Today, Sen. Ossoff released a new report that details how Georgians are suffering delays or denials of medically necessary health care due to issues with “prior authorization,” where an insurance company can deny care even if doctors prescribe patients the treatment and say they need it. The report includes dozens of reports from Georgia patients, who have reported that prior authorization issues with their insurance companies have resulted in delays and denials of medically necessary health care, leading, in some cases to untreated life-threatening conditions, and/or severe financial hardship. In January, Sen. Ossoff launched an investigation into the impacts of rising health care costs and cuts to health care services, and in June, Sen. Ossoff urged Georgians to share stories of insurance companies denying or delaying medically necessary health care. “No American should be delayed or denied needed health care. It is unacceptable that Americans, who are paying record premiums to insurers making record profits in the world’s richest country, are nevertheless denied medically necessary care,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I will continue exposing these practices and working to ban insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care.” Georgia cancer patients and their family members have reported to the Senator’s staff that their medically necessary cancer treatments have been delayed and denied by their insurance companies. As detailed in the report: Kathy Lemoine, based in Lawrenceville, is a mother whose son, Andrew, was diagnosed at 29 years old with colon cancer and passed away six months later, shortly after turning 30. Ms. Lemoine reported that the process of watching her son deteriorate was “unbearable.” “Many parts of his treatment required prior authorization. And the one thing you don’t have with cancer is time to waste,” Ms. Lemoine observed. During his initial hospital stay after having a colostomy bag, Andrew was given and subsequently prescribed certain medications. However, Ms. Lemoine was unable to initially pick up Andrew’s medication because his prescriptions required prior authorization, meaning their insurance company had not yet approved them. Ms. Lemoine reports, “stopping these medications would have been life threatening for Andrew.” Ms. Lemoine was forced to pay out-of-pocket for the medications. During his chemotherapy, Andrew also suffered from extreme nausea and struggled to eat, and his mother requested that he receive intravenous nutrients. However, his insurance refused to pay for the nutrient solution reportedly because Andrew was still being seen on an outpatient basis. Ms. Lemoine reported that for close to three months, the insurance company still refused to approve the solution, despite her many requests. Even when Andrew transitioned to inpatient care after being unable to eat, the insurance company still would not approve the solution for another month. Ms. Lemoine reports that during those two months Andrew lost 70 pounds and was constantly nauseated. Ms. Lemoine notes, “Andrew would still be gone today because his cancer was so advanced, but he may have lived longer and suffered so much less if he had proper nutrition.” Georgia parents have reported to the Senator’s staff that, even when their child’s doctor prescribes a specific medication or treatment, insurance companies have delayed or denied medically necessary care, placing their children at unnecessary risk of harm or injury. As detailed in the report: Julia McCool, based in Buford, is a mother who has a two-year-old son. When he was about one year old, he was wheezing and having difficulty breathing, and Mrs. McCool took him to the ER where he was diagnosed with RSV and was prescribed an albuterol inhaler to force his airways open if he had an asthma attack. About one month later, her son started wheezing again, and Mrs. McCool took him back to the ER where she reported his doctors prescribed Flovent, a preventive medication that would lessen the risk of asthma attacks and wheezing over time. However, a day later, after leaving the hospital, Mrs. McCool had not heard from her pharmacy that the prescription had been filled. She called, only to learn that the medication required a prior authorization, which she said had not been approved. When she called her insurance company, they told her to “get the hospital to prescribe something else.” Even though the company eventually approved the medication, Mrs. McCool reported that she was “desperate” and “making calls to get this done” while her son was sick and still wheezing:“My child was prescribed his doctor’s first choice medication, and that should be what he gets. My insurance company should not decide what medication my child takes.” Georgia patients, including those with disabilities, have reported to the Senator’s staff that delays and denials of their medically necessary health care have led to untreated conditions, resulting in extreme pain, risk of injury, dangerous symptoms, financial stress, and even suicide. As detailed in the report: Lindsay Morrison, based in Fayetteville, learned that there was a problem with the discs in her spine in April 2025. She was diagnosed by an orthopedist with degenerative disc disease of the spine and was told she needed an immediate surgery to address one of the discs in her neck. Her doctor told her that if she had the surgery within 15 days, she would be guaranteed not to have nerve issues. The surgery was scheduled for mid-May, and then the day before the surgery, Ms. Morrison said she received a call from her doctor informing her that the insurance company would not cover the surgery because she had not first gone to physical therapy to address the issue. For four months, between May and August, Ms. Morrison said that her insurance company continued to delay and deny her access to the surgery, requiring her to “jump through hoops” to get the approval, including physical therapy sessions and obtaining a third-party opinion from a different doctor. Within two weeks of physical therapy, Ms. Morrison said she was in so much pain that she had to quit therapy and could not even tie her own shoes, take her dog outside, walk around the block, or participate in her daughter’s birthday party. Ms. Morrison finally received approval for the surgery from her insurance company in August. She told the Senator’s office that she now must take daily medication to deal with nerve issues that have emerged in her arm due to the delay in getting the surgery. “Every aspect of my life was affected,” she reports. “Any faith I had in religion or people was completely gone after this experience.” A Johns Hopkins study found that the practice of prior authorization, where patients must seek approval from their insurance company before receiving care, was “associated with disease exacerbation, preventable hospitalization, prolonged hospital stay, and lower rates of disease-free survival.” According to KFF, virtually all seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage must obtain prior authorization for some services, and in 2024 over four million of these requests were denied. Additionally, KFF also found that of the approximately 85 million Affordable Care Act (ACA) in-network denied claims in 2024, less than 1% were appealed, forcing patients either to pay for services out-of-pocket, despite having “coverage,” or forgoing care – solely because of decisions made by insurance companies. Sen. Ossoff continues to work to ban insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care. Last month, Senate Republicans blocked a Senate resolution cosponsored by Sen. Ossoff to stop the Trump Administration from allowing artificial intelligence to improperly deny seniors’ needed health care. In June, during the Senate’s vote series, Sen. Ossoff offered an amendment to prevent insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care, but Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Ossoff’s amendment. This followed Senate Republicans blocking Sen. Ossoff’s amendment during a Senate budget debate in April. In April, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz about insurance practices that lead to denied claims and delayed health care that patients need. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s new report: Georgians’ Health at Risk: Insurance Companies Denying Necessary Health Care. # # #",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-visits-future-openai-data-center-site-calls-for-statewide-moratorium/,"Warnock Visits Future OpenAI Data Center Site, Calls for Statewide Moratorium",2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock met with residents in Effingham County to discuss the impact of OpenAI’s proposed data center on their community In July, OpenAI announced it would construct a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County, Georgia Senator Warnock called for a moratorium on data center construction that can only be lifted for specific projects if certain safeguards around utility bills, transparency, and pollution are put in place VIDEO: Senator Reverend Warnock Calls for Statewide Data Center Moratorium Senator Reverend Warnock: “The lack of transparency here in Effingham County and in counties across our state and across the country is unacceptable, and that’s why today I’m calling for a moratorium on data centers” Guyton, GA – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) visited the proposed site of OpenAI’s new 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County. Senator Warnock viewed the site of the proposed project with Effingham resident John Smith who lives across the street from the site. Then, Senator Warnock met with several residents and members of the Protect Effingham Alliance who raised serious concerns about the impact of OpenAI’s plan on their community, specifically higher utility costs and more water, light, and noise pollution. After speaking with local residents, Senator Warnock announced his support for a statewide moratorium on data center construction. Under Senator Warnock’s proposal, the moratorium can be lifted for a specific project only if: There are no water or electric bill increases because of the data center There are no sweetheart tax giveaways to developers There are no NDAs The data center will not cause air and water pollution There is no ambiguity around noise and light pollution “Data center developers across the country are not operating in partnership with communities, and that’s why everyday citizens on both sides of the aisle are rightly and equally concerned about this,” said Senator Warnock. “The lack of transparency here in Effingham County and in counties across our state and across the country is unacceptable, and that’s why today I’m calling for a moratorium on data centers.” Earlier this year, OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, announced plans to construct a new 1,400-acre data center in Effingham County, Georgia. The $20 billion proposal, named “Project Camellia,” will require 3.2 gigawatts, the equivalent of providing power for 2.3 million homes. Effingham County residents were effectively excluded from the decision-making process, despite well-founded concerns that “Project Camellia” could raise electricity rates, create disruptive light and noise pollution, and otherwise affect the local community and nearby elementary school. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to provide local communities with tools, resources, best practices, and protections as they negotiate with multi-billion-dollar data center corporations. Specifically, this letter focused on concerns about data centers straining community water supplies, especially while Georgia experiences a historic drought. ###",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-across-the-aisle-to-improve-maternal-health-in-georgia/,Sen. Ossoff Working Across the Aisle to Improve Maternal Health in Georgia,2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to improve maternal health in Georgia. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the NIH Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Act to provide funding for the National Institutes of Health’s IMPROVE Initiative, which conducts research to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity. The NIH IMPROVE Act, introduced by Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), would authorize $73.4 million annually for the NIH IMPROVE initiative for seven years and would ensure consistent resources for ongoing research to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths and improve health care for women before, during, and after pregnancy. “The shockingly high maternal mortality rate for women in Georgia is a travesty. It is unacceptable for any mother to suffer or die because she lacks proper care,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I am working to pass this bipartisan bill to reduce maternal deaths and improve health care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to support the health and safety of Georgia mothers and children. In April, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the Social Determinants for Moms Act to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce the maternal mortality rate in Georgia and across the country. Last summer, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Ossoff worked across the aisle to secure key provisions in the U.S. Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill, including restoring staffing for Safe Motherhood and Infant Health programs; increasing funding for implementation of the Kira Johnson Act, which provides funding for community-based organizations working to advance maternal health; and restoring NIH’s participation in the Safe to Sleep campaign. In May 2025, Sen. Ossoff released findings from his investigation into the impacts of Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban, in which Georgia OBGYNs revealed they had personally encountered cases in which Georgia’s six-week abortion ban contributed to a health complication or death of the mother. Last March, Sen. Ossoff and other members of Congress demanded the Trump Administration provide answers on the reported shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last February, Sen. Ossoff introduced an amendment to protect children’s and maternal health care through Medicaid that Senate Republicans blocked. Also in 2024, as Chair of the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, Sen. Ossoff convened two public hearings at which Georgia women and Georgia OBGYNs testified to the harmful impacts of Georgia’s abortion ban. Click here to read the NIH IMPROVE Act. # # #",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-rev-warnock-upgrading-savannah-hilton-head-international-airport-through-bipartisan-infrastructure-law/,Sen. Ossoff & Rev. Warnock Upgrading Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff today announced new bipartisan infrastructure law resources to upgrade Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Today, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock announced they are delivering more than $4 million in Federal funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law to upgrade and help maintain Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The Federal funding, delivered through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, will help reconstruct a taxiway at the airport. “Georgia’s airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. That’s why we are pleased to deliver this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s infrastructure for years to come,” Sen. Ossoff said. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Georgia, and I’m proud to have worked with Senator Ossoff and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this done,” said Sen. Rev. Warnock. “Georgia is one of the most important aviation states in the nation. I will always champion our airports and aviation community to ensure that our economy and travelers can reach new heights.” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock continue delivering resources to upgrade Georgia’s airports and strengthen economic growth. In May, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered $10 million in Federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Terminal Program (ATP), authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law, to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. In September 2024, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered over $60 million in Federal investments for Georgia’s airports through the bipartisan infrastructure law, including over $11 million for taxiway construction at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. In May 2024, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered over $120 million in Federal grant funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for airport infrastructure upgrades, including nearly $6 million for Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. In 2023, Sen. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered $6.5 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law to support security screening checkpoint expansion projects already underway at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport —adding 23,000 square feet to the south side of the terminal building, and an additional two screening lanes to create a smoother traveling experience for millions of flyers. In June 2021, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered a new $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand the tarmac at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. # # #",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-pushes-federal-reserve-chair-to-include-labor-in-new-federal-reserve-ai-task-force/,Warnock Pushes Federal Reserve Chair to Include Labor in New Federal Reserve AI Task Force,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,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 is calling on Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh to include worker perspectives as the Fed assesses the implications of new technologies for the American workforce All three individuals tapped to advise the Fed on artificial intelligence have financial ties to the industry Senator Warnock has long championed protections for American workers as automation and AI reshape the workforce and economy Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “A task force asked to assess AI’s real economic impact on the labor force and the Fed’s mandate to promote maximum employment cannot do so accurately while excluding the very people best positioned to describe how that impact is unfolding: American workers” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, led a Senate coalition demanding that Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh include worker perspectives as the Fed assesses the implications of new technologies for the American workers whose jobs may be displaced by artificial intelligence (AI). “AI’s potential to reshape work is significant, and the stakes for workers are high: even a partial shift in how tasks are automated could affect millions of jobs across the economy, and workers have the necessary first-hand accounting of how AI is currently reshaping day-to-day tasks,” wrote Senator Warnock and his colleagues. “A task force asked to assess AI’s real economic impact on the labor force and the Fed’s mandate to promote maximum employment cannot do so accurately while excluding the very people best positioned to describe how that impact is unfolding: American workers.” Last month, Chairman Warsh launched the Federal Reserve’s Task Force on Productivity and Jobs to evaluate how AI and other emerging technologies could affect the economy and the labor market. Yet, in an alarming conflict of interest, all three advisors selected to advise the Fed on AI have financial ties to the industry. At a Senate Banking Committee hearing in July, Senator Warnock pressed Chairman Warsh on how the Fed would protect American workers from potential job losses and economic disruption as AI reshapes the economy. In February, Senator Warnock introduced the bipartisan Investing In Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to strengthen worker training and help Americans prepare for an economy increasingly shaped by automation and AI. In addition to Senators Warnock and Warren, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jack Reed (D-RI). A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: “Dear Chair Warsh: “We write to request that you ensure that the Federal Reserve’s (“the Fed”) newly announced Task Force on Productivity and Jobs includes the perspective of individuals who represents the interests of workers. Congress gave the Fed a dual mandate that includes promoting maximum employment, and Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) potential to disrupt the labor market bears directly on the Fed’s ability to fulfill that mandate. We welcome the Fed evaluating AI’s effects on productivity and jobs, but it is important that the Fed search outside of industry when appointing alternative, diverse viewpoints for this new task force. “On June 17, 2026, you announced the creation of five task forces to ‘advance the conduct of monetary policy.’ The task forces have been directed to ‘follow the evidence, provide candid feedback, and produce rigorous findings for the Federal Open Market Committee’ (FOMC). This included a Task Force on Productivity and Jobs, which is tasked with ‘assess[ing] the economic impact of new general-purpose technologies, including artificial intelligence, to inform the Federal Reserve’s policy judgments.’ The Fed explained that the task forces would be ‘co-led by external advisers . . . with deep expertise in their fields’ and ‘supported by Federal Reserve Staff.’ “On July 9, 2026, the Fed announced the three individuals who would lead the Task Force on Productivity and Jobs: Marc Andreessen, cofounder and general partner of Andreessen Horowitz; Charles Jones, a researcher at the Anthropic Institute; and Asha Sharma, executive vice president at Microsoft and Xbox CEO. All three have direct financial ties to the AI industry. “These potential conflicts were raised directly at your press conference on July 29, 2026, where you defended your selection process by explaining that your approach to building each task force was to find ‘the best subject matter experts anywhere in the world and put them together,’ particularly with people who ‘might disagree with them.’ You added that this design was meant to ensure each panel could have its own ‘family fight’ of divergent views. By your standard, however, a task force whose members are all financially tied to the AI industry cannot produce the genuine ‘divergence of views’ that you say you support. “Multiple members on the Senate Banking Committee, including Senators Warnock and Smith, raised these questions during your hearing before the Committee on July 15, 2026. Senator Warnock asked you, ‘Yes or no, will the Fed include anyone on this task force with an alternative viewpoint on AI? For example, anyone who represents the workers whose lives may be upended by increased adoption of AI tools and technology?’ You replied that a task force member is an academic, yet this member (Professor Charles Jones) is currently on leave at Anthropic. “We’re glad the Fed is assessing the economic effects of AI, among other emerging technologies, and we generally support your assertion that the Fed must have a ‘divergence of views,’ while undertaking this assessment, including but not limited to perspectives from industry. “We strongly believe, however, having more viewpoints represented will produce stronger conclusions and support the FOMC in improved policymaking. Additional viewpoints on AI will help better inform the FOMC as key monetary policy decisions are made in order to fulfil the Fed’s dual-mandate. AI’s potential to reshape work is significant, and the stakes for workers are high: even a partial shift in how tasks are automated could affect millions of jobs across the economy, and workers have the necessary first-hand accounting of how AI is currently reshaping day-to-day tasks. A task force asked to assess AI’s real economic impact on the labor force and the Fed’s mandate to promote maximum employment cannot do so accurately while excluding the very people best positioned to describe how that impact is unfolding: American workers. “AI has the potential to greatly improve American’s lives. It also has the potential to disrupt the labor market across sectors all at once. While reviewing AI’s impact on employment and inflation, the Fed cannot leave out workers and only hear from the people who stand to benefit the most financially from the continued deployment of AI. We therefore urge you to add individuals with no financial ties to the artificial AI industry and who represent the perspective of workers to this task force before it begins issuing recommendations to the Fed. “We look forward to continued engagement on this issue. Sincerely,” ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-secures-more-than-7-million-in-federal-funding-to-support-georgia-during-hurricane-season/,Warnock Secures More than $7 Million in Federal Funding to Support Georgia During Hurricane Season,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"This follows Senator Warnock’s most recent announcement, securing nearly $90 million in outstanding Helene payments to Georgia communities Last year, Senator Warnock released a report finding that the Trump administration was shortchanging Georgia communities more than half a billion dollars in disaster relief aid Senator Reverend Warnock: “I am proud to announce that funding is coming to Georgia to help our communities be better prepared for hurricane season and other disasters” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has successfully secured nearly $10 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Georgia communities to keep residents and vital infrastructure safe and secure in the midst of hurricane season. “The people of Georgia stepped up last year when our communities were devastatingly hit by Hurricane Helene,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I am proud to announce that funding is coming to Georgia to help our communities be better prepared for hurricane season and other disasters. Georgia communities will be more resilient and better prepared for severe weather with new systems to combat flooding and improved emergency communications.” Earlier this year, Senator Warnock successfully secured an additional $87 million in federal funding for payments owed to Georgia counties and entities following Hurricane Helene. In December 2025, Senator Warnock announced $314 million in federal funding for outstanding payments owed to Georgia communities 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. In 2025, a year after Hurricane Helene made landfall, Senator Warnock released a report finding that the Trump administration was withholding $600 million in promised recovery aid to Georgians. Despite bipartisan Congressional support for the immediate delivery of disaster recovery funds, the distribution of aid has been stifled by bureaucracy, red tape, and chaos in the Trump administration. A list of Georgia counties and entities receiving federal funding can be found below: ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-across-the-aisle-to-strengthen-lung-cancer-prevention/,Sen. Ossoff Working Across the Aisle to Strengthen Lung Cancer Prevention,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to strengthen lung cancer prevention for Georgia families. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act to support lung cancer prevention research in Georgia and across the country. The bill, first introduced by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Tina Smith (D-MN), would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assess the status of and identify opportunities to accelerate research related to lung cancer in women. The review would include data from HHS, the Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans Affairs with the goal of identifying new opportunities for research and providing recommendations for national cancer screening strategies. “Early cancer detection saves lives. That’s why I’m helping lead Senators in both parties to support cancer prevention research and better protect Georgians from lung cancer,” Sen. Ossoff said. Sen. Ossoff continues working to increase Georgians’ access to lifesaving and preventative health care. Earlier this year, Sen. Ossoff delivered $850,000 to Clark Atlanta University to strengthen prostate cancer research through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on February 3. Sen. Ossoff also delivered $800,000 to Augusta University to upgrade cancer research equipment. In March, Sen. Ossoff worked with Republicans and Democrats to expand access to early-detection cancer screenings for seniors in Georgia. The bipartisan Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, cosponsored by Sen. Ossoff, was signed into law on February 3 as part of bipartisan government funding legislation. In April of 2025, Sen. Ossoff spoke out about proposed cuts by the Trump Administration to federal childhood cancer research funding. Click here to read the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act. # # #",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-visits-ice-detention-center-pushes-for-answers-on-lack-of-basic-medical-care/,"Warnock Visits ICE Detention Center, Pushes for Answers on Lack of Basic Medical Care",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Warnock toured Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA to conduct Congressional oversight of the federal facility Since January 2025, multiple individuals have died inside Stewart Detention Center, during transport, or shortly after being medically released from the facility VIDEO: Senator Reverend Warnock Reacts to ICE Detention Center Tour Lumpkin, GA – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) visited the Stewart Detention Center to push for answers about the lack of basic medical care available inside the facility. The Senator spoke with several detainees, including a pregnant woman, who provided troubling accounts about access to basic medical care. The Senator spoke with immigration officials to demand answers on reports of overcrowding and increases in 911 calls from the facility. Since January 2025, multiple individuals have died inside Stewart Detention Center, during transport, or shortly after being medically released from the facility. According to reporting, 15 detainees have died since the facility opened in 2006. “Regardless of your politics, we should all be able to agree on this: everyone deserves to be treated with basic human dignity and respect,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “There are serious concerns in these facilities, particularly around the delivery of basic medical care, and so as a member of Congress, I thought it was important for me, as a voice for Georgia, to spend time speaking directly to those in the facility. I’m going to keep asking questions. I’m going to keep holding people accountable.” Senator Reverend Warnock praying with family of a detainee The Senator also visited El Refugio, a nonprofit that supports immigrant families. He met with staff and the family of a detainee, a father whose family says he has no criminal record and has lived in the United States for over 25 years. He was detained on his way to work. The Senator spoke to his family about their fears that he was not receiving adequate medical care; the Senator prayed with the detainee’s family. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warnock-leads-bipartisan-effort-to-increase-federal-grant-access-for-hbcus/,ICYMI: Warnock Leads Bipartisan Effort to Increase Federal Grant Access for HBCUs,2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year, Senators Reverend Warnock (D-GA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act, legislation that would streamline federal funding opportunities for HBCUs Senator Warnock has secured more than $265 million for Georgia’s 10 HBCUs, part of $17 billion in federal investments delivered to HBCUs across the nation Senator Warnock is a proud graduate of Morehouse College Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced a bipartisan bill that would streamline federal funding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The HBCU Research Capacity Act would set up a federally coordinated website that compiles information about HBCU-eligible STEM research and development funding opportunities. “HBCUs are incubators of diverse excellence and have proven their ability time and again to punch above their weight,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Despite not always having every tool at their disposal, they continue to make massive contributions to the research and development community. This bipartisan bill will make securing federal dollars for their research efforts that much easier, and I am proud to work alongside another champion of HBCUs in Senator Katie Britt.” The HBCU Research Capacity Act would amend Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to coordinate with federal agencies to create a centralized website listing these grant opportunities. This website would also share best practices for building research capacity, including recommendations from Federal, State, and local organizations. As the proud graduate of an HBCU, Senator Warnock is deeply committed to doing all he can to ensure these institutions thrive. To date, Senator Warnock has secured more than $265 million for Georgia HBCUs and more than $17 billion in total for HBCU campuses across the country. Alongside Senators Warnock and Britt, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Coons (D-DE). Earlier this year, Senator Warnock held a press conference with HBCU student newspapers to announce the bill introduction. More coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s introduction of the HBCU Research Capacity Actbelow: The Hilltop: Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a graduate of Morehouse College and the only HBCU alumnus currently serving in the U.S. Senate, positioned himself as a leading advocate for these institutions. He introduced the HBCU Research Capacity Act alongside Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), through the legislation designed to streamline federal grant access and expand research opportunities for HBCUs nationwide. The Maroon Tiger: Sens. Raphael Warnock ’91 (D-Ga.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced the HBCU Research Capacity Act. The bipartisan bill would create a centralized federal clearinghouse. The system would help HBCUs identify and apply for research grants. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/ms-now-jon-ossoff-has-a-congressional-superpower/,MS NOW: “Jon Ossoff Has a Congressional Superpower”,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"MS NOW: While some of the most “contentious partisan exchanges get the most attention,” Ossoff argued, the “investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses in our prison system,” the “mistreatment of military families by defense contractors” and the “abuse and trafficking of foster children in Georgia” are “equally important.” Washington, D.C. — MS NOW is highlighting U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s record of Congressional investigations that have uncovered corruption, abuse, and misconduct, and his legislative work to then solve corruption that his investigations uncovered. For example, in 2022, while investigating reports of corruption and abuse within Atlanta’s Federal prison as Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), Sen. Ossoff issued a Subpoena for the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Prisons Director, only securing his testimony after issuing the subpoena. Later in 2022, Sen. Ossoff unveiled the results of another 8-month bipartisan investigation, which uncovered that BOP employees sexually abused female prisoners in at least two-thirds (19 of 29 facilities) of Federal prisons that have held women over the past decade. Survivors of sexual abuse testified that BOP employees assaulted them in areas where they knew there was no camera coverage. After conducting the numerous investigations into the Federal prison system, Sen. Ossoff then used the evidence he uncovered to pass two bipartisan bills into law to strengthen oversight and accountability. In December 2022, Sen. Ossoff passed into law his bipartisan Prison Camera Reform Act with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), which required the Federal Bureau of Prisons to upgrade outdated and broken security camera systems, ensuring all facilities have the coverage necessary to protect the safety of incarcerated people and staff. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff then passed into law his bipartisan Federal Prison Oversight Act to overhaul independent oversight of the Bureau of Prisons by mandating routine inspections of all facilities by the DOJ Inspector General and establishing a new Ombudsman to investigate the health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated people and staff. In addition, after Sen. Ossoff’s investigation into Georgia’s foster care system uncovered the likely sex trafficking of foster kids, Sen. Ossoff then introduced and passed into law a bipartisan bill to help protect children from sex trafficking. See key excepts below from MS NOW: 8/13: Inside Jon Ossoff’s congressional superpower: Making oversight go viral MS NOW // Kevin Fry In recent years, Ossoff has pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about inconsistencies in the White House’s narrative about the Iran war. He’s pushed Tulsi Gabbard, the former head of national intelligence, to explain why she was present for an FBI search of a Georgia elections office. And he has peppered Louis DeJoy, the former U.S. postmaster general, about widespread mail delays in Georgia, asking him if he had received a letter he sent him. “As I conduct oversight,” he said, “I am trying to faithfully execute my solemn obligations under the Constitution as a United States senator to conduct vigorous oversight of the most out-of-control presidential administration in American history.” While some of the most “contentious partisan exchanges get the most attention,” Ossoff argued, the “investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses in our prison system,” the “mistreatment of military families by defense contractors” and the “abuse and trafficking of foster children in Georgia” are “equally important.” For instance, when Democrats held the Senate majority in 2022, Ossoff led an investigation of corruption and misconduct in the federal prison system — including at a facility in Atlanta. The effort included subpoenaing the outgoing head of the Bureau of Prisons to appear before his subcommittee — notable, given that Democrats controlled both the Senate and the White House at the time. At the hearing,Ossoff pressed the prison director to acknowledge that he was responsible for everything that occurs in the prison system. Ossoff credited the investigations with laying the groundwork for passage of bipartisan prison reform legislation. As chair of a Senate subcommittee on investigations, Ossoff also spearheaded a review of a private military housing company. He released a report finding that the company “failed to properly respond to both repairs and environmental hazards such as mold in homes on two military bases,” including one in Georgia. # # #",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-leads-inquiry-into-state-department-efforts-to-seek-personal-health-data-in-exchange-for-aid-to-developing-nations/,Warnock Leads Inquiry into State Department Efforts to Seek Personal Health Data in Exchange for Aid to Developing Nations,2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In a new letter, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock presses the Trump Administration on their efforts to obtain personal health data from African countries in exchange for global health funding The Trump Administration has requested direct, real-time access to the health data of citizens in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, and several other Sub-Saharan African countries The push for the sensitive information is part of the Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy, an initiative that requires countries to sign bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) agreements to receive global health foreign assistance from the U.S. Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “State has reportedly demanded that Uganda give the United States direct, real-time access to nine of the nation’s health data systems for seven years… While global health programs have historically included data sharing components, they have never required direct access to privileged electronic systems for U.S. government representatives” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, led several of his Senate colleagues in a new letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior leadership at the State Department (State) regarding the Trump Administration’s efforts to obtain personal health data from African countries in exchange for global health funding. The Administration’s push for the sensitive information is part of its America First Global Health Strategy, an initiative that requires countries to sign bilateral MOU agreements to receive global health foreign assistance from the United States. Traditionally, public health data is shared with the U.S. through anonymized exports. Under the new agreement, the U.S. government is requiring direct log-in access to foreign nations’ national health systems. “State has reportedly demanded that Uganda give the United States direct, real-time access to nine of the nation’s health data systems for seven years,” wrote the senators. “While global health programs have historically included data sharing components, they have never required direct access to privileged electronic systems for U.S. government representatives.” Historically, the U.S. has played a pivotal role in the global health space, serving as the main funder and implementer of global health programs. President Trump has moved away from this legacy during his second term in a variety of ways, such as withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and dismantling the robust foreign assistance ecosystem that has cemented American leadership in the global health space. The Trump Administration has also taken actions to restructure the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a cornerstone global health initiative that is vital for several African nations. In June, Senators Warnock and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) led 23 of their senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging Senate Appropriations committee leadership to oppose the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) work on global HIV/AIDS prevention and surveillance. In April, Senator Warnock led a letter with nine of his Senate colleagues, pushing the Senate Appropriations Committee to prevent PEPFAR from being misused as a tool of economic coercion. Global health advocacy groups are concerned about the Administration’s new practice of conditioning aid on real time access to surveillance data. For example, in exchange for HIV/AIDS and other global health funding, State has reportedly demanded that Uganda give the U.S. direct, real-time access to nine of the nation’s health data systems for seven years. The new initiative also appears to be at odds with the Administration’s own emphasis on digital freedom and protecting Americans’ data. The letter warns that these new MOUs may set precedents that ultimately harm Americans’ data privacy. In addition to Senator Warnock, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: “Dear Secretary Rubio,” “We write with great concern regarding the Department of State (“State”) Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) negotiated with foreign nations as part of the America First Global Health Strategy. In some instances, these DSAs require U.S. government officials to have direct log-in credentials for highly sensitive nationally-owned data systems. This is unprecedented and at odds with U.S. policy concerning the data of American citizens. We request a briefing and additional information on these developments.” “In September 2025, State began negotiating Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with foreign governments to structure U.S. global health aid. According to recent reporting, some MOUs are conditioning aid on the establishment of mandatory data access agreements and direct log-in credentials to highly sensitive health data systems.” “For example, in exchange for HIV and other global health funding, State has reportedly demanded that Uganda give the United States direct, real-time access to nine of the nation’s health data systems for seven years. While the MOU contains some privacy restrictions, the deal requires that the United States have direct access to the Ugandan system responsible for managing individuals’ electronic medical records and laboratory results.” “We know that Uganda is not alone: 34 countries have signed MOUs, and State has not publicly shared how many include an accompanying DSA. Only eight of these MOUs and only one of the DSAs have been made publicly available, either by State or partner countries. State has not published all of the MOUs and annexes on either their website or in the Federal Register—despite statutory requirements to do so.” “While global health programs have historically included data sharing components, they have never required direct access to privileged electronic systems for U.S. government representatives.” “Indeed, these new demands set an alarming precedent that is seemingly contrary to the Administration’s longstanding support for the privacy of U.S. citizens’ data. In this year’s National Cyber Strategy, the Trump Administration affirmed that it “will emphasize the right to privacy for Americans and American data.” The Federal Trade Commission recently reminded U.S. technology companies “to protect the privacy and data security of American consumers despite pressure from foreign governments to weaken such protections.” Likewise, just months ago, a State cable reportedly criticized China for “bundling enticing technology infrastructure projects with restrictive data policies that expand . . . access to international data for surveillance and strategic leverage.” Vice President Vance has even personally urged foreign governments to drop their demands for access to Americans’ personal user data, with U.S. officials citing the importance of “maintain[ing] each country’s sovereignty.” “We support efforts to protect the privacy of Americans’ data, and we are concerned that requiring U.S. government officials be provided access credentials to other nations’ sensitive health data systems may set international precedents that ultimately harm Americans. Therefore, we request that State provide a briefing to our offices and respond in writing to the following questions by August 31, 2026: Federal law requires that State make global health agreements publicly available. Why have the text of these MOUs and associated annexes not been published online and in the Federal Register, as required by law and consistent with precedent? If State does not intend to publish the MOUs and all associated annexes, including the data access agreements, what legal authority does State believe justifies withholding them? We understand that most but not all of the MOUs that have been signed include DSAs. How did State determine which countries would require or be exempted from DSA requirements? For each DSA, please identify every category of data that may be accessed directly by a U.S. representative, including whether the data may include names, national identification numbers, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, GPS/location information, HIV status, laboratory records, treatment histories, biometric information, pseudonymized identifiers, unique patient identifiers, metadata, or other sensitive health information. How did State determine the minimum data elements necessary to achieve public health objectives? Describe the technical architecture for each DSA, including whether data are transferred through bulk exports, application programming interfaces, remote database access, federated queries, or other mechanisms. Did the State Department consider alternative data collection or access approaches, such as requiring automated exports of pre-aggregated data or encouraging countries to publicly publish data at the necessary levels of aggregation and in accordance with national data safety laws? Do any of the DSAs contain provisions for accessing and/or exporting data at a more granular level than would have been obtained through PEPFAR’s traditional data collection system? Does State intend to make the data obtained through the DSAs public in a similar format, granularity, and cadence as PEPFAR’s traditional public reporting? If not, why not, and how do these decisions support oversight and transparency by Congress and the American taxpayer? What policies, procedures, and safeguards has State established for protecting personally identifiable information? Will any of the data be shared with U.S.-based third parties for any commercial purpose, including to train any artificial intelligence models? Do data subjects or the relevant countries have a right to object to the use of their data for these purposes? Are there any limitations on the specific purposes for which data can be shared with third parties? Which U.S. authority will oversee data transfers and management? How will this authority monitor and supervise use of this data, including any use by third parties? Who is liable for any misuse of foreign citizens’ personal data? Reporting suggests that these data transfers may not be consistent with domestic data protection law and the African Union’s Data Policy Framework. If these data transfers are found to violate domestic laws, will foreign nations be able to suspend the data transfers while continuing to access global health assistance? If the health agreement is terminated, will the data transferred to the U.S. be deleted? How long will data be retained by the U.S. and associated third parties? What privacy rights will foreign data subjects have over data that is transferred to the U.S.? How will foreign citizens’ privacy rights be enforced in case of a data breach or other unethical use of their data while it is in the U.S.? What procedures govern notification of foreign governments, affected individuals, Congress, and other stakeholders following a security incident or unauthorized disclosure? How are these DSAs consistent with the Trump Administration’s priority of elevating digital freedom? Would the Administration object if another country, such as the People’s Republic of China, established similar requirements for a nation to receive foreign development assistance, loans, or other aid? “Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.”",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-britt-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-detect-prevent-colorectal-cancer/,"Sens. Ossoff, Britt Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Detect & Prevent Colorectal Cancer",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"According to recent studies, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for Americans under 50 Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to expand early detection of colorectal cancer. Sens. Ossoff and Katie Britt (R-AL) are introducing the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act to help address the recent rise in colorectal cancer rates in youth. According to recent studies, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for Americans under 50, despite being highly preventable and treatable when detected early. Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan bill would provide funding to states to help individuals get screened for colorectal cancer, increase public awareness, and support health care professionals. Nearly 5,200 Georgians are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, and colorectal cancer cases in Georgians under 50 jumped from around 7 per 100,000 people in the early 2000s to nearly 11.2 in 2022 according to CDC and NIH estimates. “Early cancer detection saves lives, and too many Georgians have shared heartbreaking stories with me about losing loved ones to colorectal cancer. I’m introducing this bipartisan bill with Senator Britt to expand early detection of colorectal cancer and better protect young Georgians from this devastating disease,” Sen. Ossoff said. “The staggering rise in colorectal cancer we’re seeing across the country demands action. We know that this especially aggressive cancer is affecting younger Americans now more than ever. We must give states and healthcare providers the resources they need to better inform and treat the public, which is why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Ossoff,” said Senator Britt. Sen. Ossoff continues working to increase Georgians’ access to lifesaving and preventative health care. In June, Sen. Ossoff offered an amendment to prevent insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care, but Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Ossoff’s amendment. This followed Senate Republicans blocking Sen. Ossoff’s amendment during a Senate budget debate in April. In May, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver Federal funding to strengthen Clark Atlanta University (CAU)’s prostate cancer research. Clark Atlanta University plans to use the Federal funding to strengthen their research and education programs that focus on the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer for Black Georgians. In April, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to help Augusta University upgrade equipment at the Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University’s cancer research center. In March, Sen. Ossoff worked with Republicans and Democrats to expand access to early-detection cancer screenings for seniors in Georgia. The bipartisan Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, cosponsored by Sen. Ossoff, was signed into law on February 3 as part of bipartisan government funding legislation. Click here to read the Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act. # # #",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-secures-two-year-extensions-of-agoa-haiti-hope-help-in-bipartisan-funding-bill/,"Warnock Secures Two-Year Extensions of AGOA, Haiti HOPE/HELP in Bipartisan Funding Bill",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,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, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, helped secure two-year extensions of AGOA, Haiti HOPE/HELP in last week’s bipartisan continuing resolution The extension of the trade programs maintains duty-free access on more than 1,800 products from AGOA participating nations. It also extends the HOPE and HELP trade programs, which provide duty-free access for apparel and textile products from Haiti Senator Reverend Warnock: “This extension is a win-win for Georgians and our trading partners in Haiti and Africa. It will lower the cost of everyday goods and improve our national security by helping stabilize the economies of our global partners” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, helped secure two-year extensions of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP), and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership and Encouragement (HOPE) in last week’s bipartisan continuing resolution (CR). The extension of the trade programs maintains duty-free access on more than 1,800 products from eligible countries and extends the HOPE and HELP trade programs, which provide duty-free access for apparel and textile products from Haiti. “This extension is a win-win for Georgians and our trading partners in Haiti and Africa,” said Senator Warnock. “It will lower the cost of everyday goods and improve our national security by helping stabilize the economies of our global partners. This victory shows what is possible when we center the people in policymaking.” In the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Congress passed the HELP Act to broaden the types of goods eligible for duty-free status to over 5,000 types of apparel and footwear. The law, which helped rebuild some of Haiti’s domestic industry, expired October 1, 2025. In February 2025, Senator Warnock helped lead the reintroduction of the Haiti HELP Act. The legislation supports stable, safe jobs in Haiti while ensuring U.S. consumers have access to goods free from state-sponsored forced labor. Senator Warnock uses his oversight role and jurisdiction in the global commerce space as a check against the Trump administration’s reckless trade and tariff policies and their devastating impact on Georgia’s families, farmers, small businesses, and thousands of hardworking Georgians. Last week, Senator Warnock secured a written commitment from the Trump administration that would limit the President’s tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. In March, Senator Warnock joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for a fireside chat on the path forward for AGOA alongside Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE).",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-again-demand-answers-from-dha-on-reduction-of-services-at-dwight-d-eisenhower-army-medical-center/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Again Demand Answers from DHA on Reduction of Services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock launch second inquiry after DHA failed to respond to Senators’ latest questions Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock to DHA: “Servicemembers, their families, and veterans in Augusta deserve answers and information on how these potential changes could affect their ability to receive quality health care.” Fort Gordon, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are again pushing back on plans to reduce services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC). Earlier this week, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock again demanded answers from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and urged the agency to abandon its plan to close all inpatient services at DDEAMC. This new inquiry comes after DHA failed to respond to the Senator’s response deadline in the June 2026 inquiry. DHA’s plan includes permanently closing inpatient care and transitioning the emergency room to an urgent care center, which could disrupt care for servicemembers, their families, and veterans, and add strain on the local health care system. However, despite announcing the closure of all inpatient services at DDEAMC, DHA has not yet finalized a list of which inpatient services would be closed upon implementation and questions remain unanswered about the transition to an ambulatory care center. In this latest inquiry, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are demanding DHA immediately rescind Congressional notification for those changes in service until more information is received and the potential consequences for service members, veterans, and families in the CSRA are defined. “Seventeen days have passed since the deadline stated in our letter seeking more information about DHA’s decision to close all inpatient services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC) and transition the facility to an ambulatory care center, and we have not received a response,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock wrote to Department of Defense (DoD) Assistant Secretary Keith Bass and DHA Director Vice Admiral Darin Via. “This is unacceptable. Servicemembers, their families, and veterans in Augusta deserve answers and information on how these potential changes could affect their ability to receive quality health care.” “Until more information and clarification is received on this decision, and its potential consequences, DHA must immediately rescind Congressional notification for modification of services at DDEAMC,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock continued. Sen. Ossoff first launched an inquiry last November with the Acting Director of the DHA requesting more information about the plans to reduce services at the DDEAMC. Click here to read Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock’s new inquiry. # # #",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-warnock-delivers-senate-floor-speech-after-successfully-negotiating-restraints-on-trumps-tariff-authority/,WATCH: Warnock Delivers Senate Floor Speech After Successfully Negotiating Restraints on Trump’s Tariff Authority,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Warnock delivered a Senate floor speech reaffirming his commitment to reining in the Trump administration’s costly tariff regime Earlier this week, Senator Warnock secured a key concession from the U.S. Trade Representative limiting the President’s tariff authority Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, reaffirmed his commitment to reining in President Donald Trump’s reckless and costly tariff agenda in a speech on the Senate floor. Earlier this week, Senator Warnock successfully negotiated an agreement with the Trump administration to limit the President’s tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. “These are not normal times. This is not a normal president,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “If you give him an inch, he will take a mile. We don’t have to imagine. We are seeing it in real time, and everyday people, as a result of that, are struggling—struggling to buy groceries, struggling to buy gas, struggling to buy their kids back-to-school supplies. They are the ones who are suffering the consequences of his reckless tariff regime. But this commitment that we were able to get from Ambassador Greer is meaningful, because if the President ignores the law, if he oversteps his power, we will see him in court.” The non-partisan Tax Foundation found President Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year. Most American families are on track to lose $1,300 from President Trump’s tariffs in 2026. Last week, Senator Warnock unveiled a new report that found the cost of required school supplies for a 4th grader can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child. Senator Warnock continues to push back against the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy and the uncertain market conditions it creates for Georgia small businesses and the higher prices it imposes on Georgia families. Read the full transcript of Senator Reverend Warnock’s remarks below and watch HERE. “Mr. President, this letter restricts the President’s tariff authority under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. This is a small but meaningful victory for all Americans who continue to suffer under this President’s reckless tariffs. “Let’s be clear: Putin is a war criminal, and his war machine must be stopped. But we should not have to choose between putting a check on Putin’s aggression and putting a check on this president’s tariff regime. That is a false choice, and it is one that I am not willing to accept, and so I hope in the coming hours that we go further during the amendment process. I hope my colleagues will join me in stripping out any new presidential tariff authorities. “These are not normal times. This is not a normal president. If you give him an inch, he will take a mile. We don’t have to imagine. We are seeing it in real time, and everyday people, as a result of that, are struggling—struggling to buy groceries, struggling to buy gas, struggling to buy their kids back-to-school supplies. They are the ones who are suffering the consequences of his reckless tariff regime. But this commitment that we were able to get from Ambassador Greer is meaningful, because if the President ignores the law, if he oversteps his power, we will see him in court. “I hope this week-long process was the first step in Congress reasserting its role and placing guardrails on this president’s tariff regime. I urge my colleagues to go back home and talk to ordinary folks outside of the Beltway, they will tell you that while they support any efforts to protect our national security—and that’s what this is about, this isn’t just about Ukraine; it is about our own national security. But we must do everything to protect our national security while, at the same time, bolstering the economic security of everyday Americans. “So, as we go back home, ask any parent you meet how much back-to-school shopping cost them this year. I can tell you, as the father of two small children, that it is much more than they wanted to spend. When we come back to Washington, we can fight for those parents and build on this work to check the power of this reckless president. But I’m glad that we’ve gotten as far as we have on this issue. “I’d like to thank my friend and brother, Senator Cassidy, for your partnership in this amendment process, and I’d like to thank Senator Shaheen and Blumenthal for their efforts to find a solution and a way forward to support Ukraine, to protect our national security and our economic security at the same time. And with that, I yield back.” ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-dr-erica-schwartzs-nomination-to-lead-the-cdc/,Warnock Statement on Dr. Erica Schwartz’s Nomination to Lead the CDC,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on his decision not to support the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “As a voice for Georgia, I am honored to represent the hardworking scientists, doctors, and administrative professionals who make up the CDC. These hardworking public servants have consistently put the American people and our country first, despite the attacks Secretary Kennedy and this administration continue to levy against them.” “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the attack on the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, it was important for me to hear that the next leader of the agency would stand up for the thousands of Georgians who have devoted their careers to protecting the health and safety of our nation.” “While I appreciated the opportunity to speak with Dr. Schwartz, I am not confident she will be able to serve as a strong enough check on this administration’s most dangerous impulses. Secretary Kennedy has shown again and again that he will pressure even good people to put politics ahead of public health. For that reason, I cannot support her nomination.” ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-senate-agriculture-committee-farm-bill-markup/,Warnock Statement on Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Markup,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after today’s Farm Bill markup in the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Today’s Agriculture Committee markup was a missed opportunity to advance a bipartisan Farm Bill that supports farmers and families. Between the president’s tariff policy and his ongoing war in Iran, our farmers and the American people are struggling under the higher costs of everything. I have maintained for months that any deal needs to include a solution that would mitigate the disastrous cuts to SNAP that Senate Republicans enacted in their One Big Ugly Bill in July 2025. Senate Republicans’ current proposal does not go far enough in addressing my concerns.” “I will continue to work closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach an agreement that supports Georgia’s farmers and ensures families have the resources they need to buy groceries at the end of the month. There is a path to a bipartisan deal, and I remain hopeful we can get one done.” ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-wyden-push-trump-administration-to-cut-red-tape-requirements-in-medicaid/,"Warnock, Wyden Push Trump Administration to Cut Red Tape Requirements in Medicaid",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Ron Wyden are calling on the Trump administration to withdraw a policy that imposes strict Medicaid eligibility requirements on Americans seeking to obtain and maintain coverage Senator Warnock is a leading proponent of Medicaid expansion and has long championed efforts to increase access to affordable health care About 1.75 million fewer kids were enrolled in Medicaid this January, a year after Congressional Republicans cut $1 trillion from the program Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars on administrative red tape, and cause preventable health emergencies for all Americans” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Finance Subcommittee on Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, led 47 of their Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump administration rescind new Medicaid work reporting requirements that would severely limit access to lifesaving health care coverage for millions of Americans. “We urge CMS to withdraw this rule to ensure that Medicaid can continue its mission of providing health coverage to low-income Americans. Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars on administrative red tape, and cause preventable health emergencies for all Americans,” wrote Senator Warnock and his colleagues. “States are not prepared to implement the agency’s onerous, subjective requirements. It is families who will suffer, especially the sickest Americans, like those with mental health and substance use disorders, cancer, and diabetes, who most urgently need the health care Medicaid provides.” In the letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, Senator Warnock and his colleagues underscore that unnecessary restrictions on Medicaid eligibility would increase costs for millions of Americans already struggling with the ongoing affordability crisis. Senator Warnock is a leading proponent of Medicaid expansion and has long championed efforts to increase Georgians’ access to affordable health care. Last year, he released a report titled “Healthy People, Healthy Economy,” which found that investing in Medicaid stimulates economic growth and promotes access to employment. In June, Senator Warnock forced a vote pushing for the release of data surrounding Medicaid coverage loss nationwide. The Senator’s effort to release the data was blocked by Senate Republicans. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: Dear Administrator Oz, We write to urge you to withdraw the Administration’s interim final rule (IFR) implementing the Medicaid work reporting requirements passed by Congressional Republicans and signed into law by President Trump last year in H.R. 1. These policies will not increase employment and will instead lead to millions of Americans needlessly losing their health coverage. We support full repeal of all of H.R. 1’s Medicaid cuts. In the absence of Congressional action, CMS must delay implementation. States are not prepared to implement the agency’s onerous, subjective requirements. It is families who will suffer, especially the sickest Americans, like those with mental health and substance use disorders, cancer, and diabetes, who most urgently need the health care Medicaid provides. This rule transforms Medicaid from a health care program into a bureaucratic maze that will fail eligible Americans. It will strip coverage not because people are not already working or refuse to work, but because they cannot navigate a complex web of forms, passwords, and deadlines. Implementing ineffective, exclusionary work reporting requirements will create costly administrative barriers and deny Americans access to health care, resulting in poorer health, higher mortality, and reduced financial security. This rule does little to mitigate anticipated harms and makes exceptionally cruel and arbitrary choices with regard to medical frailty, significantly subverting the Congressional intent of this particular exemption. Nearly all adults with Medicaid (92%) are already working, going to school, caregiving, or have a disability. Moreover, an extensive body of evidence demonstrates that work reporting requirements do not promote employment but rather increase medical debt, delay care and contribute to poorer health outcomes. In its assessment of H.R. 1, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected an estimated 5.3 million enrollees will lose coverage by 2034, not accounting for the IFR’s even more stringent and burdensome requirements concerning the medical frailty exception. This evidence was not considered in the drafting of the IFR. Similarly, the IFR fails to acknowledge or account for states’ ineffectual and costly experiences implementing work reporting requirements. When Arkansas implemented similar requirements, 18,000 people lost coverage in just five months. They didn’t lose their Medicaid coverage because they suddenly found jobs with health benefits; they lost it because they didn’t have internet access, never received the notices, or couldn’t log into a glitchy state website. Michigan was poised to implement these work reporting requirements but paused the programs when they received astronomical coverage loss projections of 80,000 enrollees (33 percent of participants). In Georgia, the state spent $91,000,000 in taxpayer dollars to build a “work requirement” tracking system that often experienced technical failures. This translates to $13,000 per enrollee in administrative costs – almost five times higher than total spending on health care benefits for enrollees. Further, a recent study looking at these requirements in Georgia added to the body of evidence that they do not increase employment. CMS’ Onerous Definition of Medical Frailty Subverts Congressional Intent H.R. 1 includes explicit exemptions for individuals who are determined to be medically frail, including those with disabling mental disorders, substance use disorders, disabilities, or complex medical conditions. In including these exemptions, the statute provided protections for some of the most vulnerable Americans, while preserving states’ flexibility to determine how medical frailty should be defined and operationalized. However, the IFR impermissibly adds extra-statutory restrictions and requirements to this statutory exemption, limiting it to individuals whose disability or condition significantly impairs their ability to comply with the work reporting requirement. By attempting to rewrite the standard from the existence of a condition to its demonstrated impact on an individual’s ability to work, the IFR establishes a much narrower pathway to the exemption than H.R. 1 permits. CMS asserts authority for this expansion through the statutory phrase “as defined by the Secretary,” but a limited delegation to define specific conditions is not authority to override the categorical structure Congress enacted. This is legal overreach, not a policy choice. And this legal overreach, if maintained, will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans, states, and health care providers. States will face significant challenges operationalizing this narrower definition of medical frailty, and individuals will face challenges showing they meet the definition. The new standard will force the Medicaid program to take on completely novel responsibilities that are more akin to workers’ compensation than health insurance. States will not be able to rely on automation nor implement the law in a way that protects individuals with health needs, likely needing to revamp information technology (IT) systems; add new eligibility staff and call center support; modify applications, renewal forms, and educational materials; and train health care providers on how to assess and document whether someone’s condition “significantly impairs” their ability to work, a task that will be brand new to many providers. The IFR forces vulnerable Americans to quite literally prove they are “sick enough” to deserve health care. In practice, a person in the middle of a mental health crisis or a course of cancer treatment, or someone managing severe substance use disorder, will be forced to secure explicit provider attestations linking their illness to their capacity to work. If they cannot jump through this hoop, the penalty is severe: they are cut off from the very medical care they need to survive. Unfair Medical Frailty Verification Requirements Burden Sick Patients and Providers In addition to the limitations imposed by the medical frailty definition put forth by this rule, the verification and self-attestation requirements impose infeasible expectations on individuals. Beginning in 2028, the rule directs states to implement a stricter documentation verification regime that will drive up administrative costs, overwhelm already-stretched eligibility staff, and push people off coverage. The verification requirements in 2027 compared with 2028 function as a bait-and-switch: to the extent that implementation looks potentially manageable in the first year, then procedural barriers and coverage losses spike when the documentation default kicks in. In particular, the rule holds people who should qualify for the medical frailty exemption to a higher standard of evidence than for all other eligibility requirements or exemptions/exclusions (e.g., caregiving, being a veteran, or being incarcerated), requiring significant documentation that goes well beyond self-attestation starting in 2028. Year-Round Paperwork Requirements Will Exacerbate Coverage Loss There is a long-standing requirement for states to process an application within 45-days as a patient protection, so people are not waiting for their coverage to kick in. The IFR creates a new exception to this timeliness standard, effectively permitting states to process applications on longer timeframes. In providing this exception to states, CMS is acknowledging that states are unlikely to meet the standard patient protection because of increased paperwork burdens, an implicit recognition of the harm to come. This exception is even more harmful to beneficiaries when combined with the H.R. 1 policy that requires states to reverify eligibility for individuals in the expansion group and comprehensive 1115 waivers every six months, in addition to the fact that the law provides States the option to conduct more frequent verifications of compliance with the work reporting requirement. CMS acknowledges that the IFR creates a nearly impossible timing problem and offers no solution while barreling on with ill-advised and devastating policies. By combining the six-month eligibility renewal requirement with ongoing work-reporting checks, this rule ensures that families are never not in the process of signing up for health care, effectively setting a structural trap. The red tape gauntlet Americans will have to contend with to maintain health insurance coverage will be constant. A family will barely finish submitting documents for one review cycle before the state triggers the next, creating hurdles that are particularly burdensome for hourly workers with volatile schedules, single parents, and individuals with fluctuating health conditions. The Rule Requires State and Local Taxpayers to Foot the Bill for Costly System Upgrades The IFR creates even more administrative barriers and paperwork hurdles for individuals attempting to enroll in or keep their Medicaid coverage than the statute permits. This manifests in both more costly and onerous technology requirements for states as well as unnecessary hoops for individuals to jump through. In H.R. 1, Congressional Republicans provided a total of $200 million for all 50 states and the District of Columbia in FY 2026 to support the system upgrades they will need to comply with the law. However, in the IFR, CMS itself estimates that each state will spend approximately $15 million on systems changes, totaling nearly $700 million for the 44 states that are required to implement these changes, nearly four times the amount provided to states in the law. Recent reporting shows that state estimates of the costs to implement these requirements are significantly higher; North Carolina, for example, expects it will need to spend an estimated $31.2 million annually to enforce these requirements. While CMS announced in January 2026 that the agency secured deep discounts for states on implementation costs, no details have been released about these arrangements. As the price tag of Medicaid work reporting requirements continues to rise, every dollar spent by states to implement this new red tape is a dollar that could have instead been used to provide health care to vulnerable Americans. We urge CMS to withdraw this rule to ensure that Medicaid can continue its mission of providing health coverage to low-income Americans. Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars on administrative red tape, and cause preventable health emergencies for all Americans. This rule does not strengthen Medicaid; it dismantles it, turning a program designed to protect vulnerable Americans into a system that systematically denies them care. ### Title and affiliation are provided for identification purposes only. A pastor and social justice advocate, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was elected to the United States Senate in 2021 and reelected for a full term in 2022. The Senator serves on the Senate Agriculture, Banking, and Finance committees, as well as the Senate Aging Committee.",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-secures-key-victory-puts-guardrails-on-president-trumps-tariff-powers/,Warnock Secures Key Victory: Puts Guardrails on President Trump’s Tariff Powers,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock secured a key concession from the Trump Administration limiting the President’s tariff authority after a week-long pressure campaign Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, secured a written commitment from the Trump Administration that would limit the President’s tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation will help curb Russia’s ability to continue earning billions of dollars from energy exports through third countries. After weeks of working behind the scenes to limit the President’s tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, Senator Warnock supported the start of debate on the legislation and introduced a series of amendments to improve the bill. To ensure at least one of his amendments received a vote, the Senator successfully used procedural tools to pressure Senate leadership to call a vote on a bipartisan amendment with Senator Cassidy. After a conversation with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer earlier today, the Senator secured a written commitment restricting the President’s tariff authority under this legislation. The letter concedes the same limits that would have been established in the Warnock/Cassidy amendment. “Today is a small but meaningful victory for all Americans who’ve suffered under this President’s reckless tariffs. I continue to reject the idea that we have to choose between putting a check on Putin’s aggression and putting a check on this President’s tariff regime. I hope this is the first step towards Congress reasserting its role in placing guardrails on this President’s tariffs that raise the price of everything.” The non-partisan Tax Foundation found President Trump’s tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year. Most American families are on track to lose $1,300 from President Trump’s tariffs in 2026. This week, Senator Warnock unveiled a new report that found the cost of required school supplies for a 4th grader can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child. Senator Warnock continues to push back against the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy and the uncertain market conditions it creates for Georgia small businesses and the higher prices it imposes on Georgia families. ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-statement-on-cdc-director-confirmation-vote-2/,Sen. Ossoff Statement on CDC Director Confirmation Vote,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"“I congratulate Dr. Schwartz on her Senate confirmation and sincerely hope her tenure at CDC will be a success for the Nation, the State of Georgia, and the CDC. “The CDC is currently under political attack by this Administration, which has gutted and demoralized the CDC workforce and disbanded critical CDC offices focused on maternal health and disease monitoring. “Secretary Kennedy’s reckless and sustained attack on the CDC puts Americans’ health at risk. Against this disturbing backdrop, after speaking with Dr. Schwartz, I lacked sufficient confidence in her independence. Accordingly, I voted against her confirmation. “I nevertheless stand ready to work with Dr. Schwartz to support the CDC, its vital mission, and the CDC’s workforce.” ### Your form has been received. Someone from our office will get back to you as soon as possible. Please allow 5–7 business days to process a request. If your request needs immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to call our Washington, D.C. office or Atlanta office.",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-calls-on-trump-administration-to-improve-access-to-maternal-care-in-georgia/,Sen. Ossoff Calls on Trump Administration to Improve Access to Maternal Care in Georgia,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is calling on the Trump Administration to improve access to maternal care in Georgia. Today, Sen. Ossoff is demanding answers from Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General found that the three largest health insurance companies have inaccurate Medicaid Managed Care provider directories. The independent HHS OIG report found that these directories included some maternal health providers that were not actually in-network, listed incorrect contact information for some in-network providers, and were missing some in-network providers altogether. These “ghost providers” make it difficult for more than 1.5 million Georgians enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care plan to find an in-network provider and risk further delays for those who need access to crucial prenatal and postpartum care. “For pregnant women, time is of the essence to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. It is critical that they be able to find a provider that is in-network and available near them to receive timely prenatal care. I urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take immediate action to ensure states and Medicaid MCO plans have accurate provider directories, especially for patients seeking prenatal and postpartum care,” Sen. Ossoff wrote to Administrator Oz. Sen. Ossoff continues working to strengthen health care for Georgia mothers and children. This year, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $476,000 in Federal funding to help Emory University purchase equipment for the NICU at Emory Decatur Hospital and to deliver $1,581,000 in Federal funding to help SGMC Health purchase medical equipment to expand access to maternal and infant care for families across South Georgia through their new Women and Infants Tower. In April, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the Social Determinants for Moms Act to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce the maternal mortality rate in Georgia and across the country. In May 2025, Sen. Ossoff released new findings from his investigation into the impacts of Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban, in which Georgia OBGYNs revealed they had personally encountered cases in which Georgia’s six-week abortion ban contributed to a health complication or death of the mother. Last March, Sen. Ossoff and other members of Congress demanded the Trump Administration provide answers on the reported shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last February, Sen. Ossoff introduced an amendment to protect children’s and maternal health care through Medicaid that Senate Republicans blocked. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff launched a push to pass the MOMS Who Serve Act of 2024, legislation he co-sponsored to help moms in the armed forces access perinatal health care services. Also in 2024, as Chair of the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, Sen. Ossoff convened two public hearings at which Georgia women and Georgia OBGYNs testified to the harmful impacts of Georgia’s abortion ban. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-ossoff-secure-3-3-million-for-clean-water-emergency-response-in-rural-georgia/,"Warnock, Ossoff Secure $3.3 Million for Clean Water Emergency Response in Rural Georgia",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The funding will help protect public health and community water supplies during and after a natural disaster Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff secured this funding through the American Relief Act of 2025 Senator Reverend Warnock: “After a natural disaster, the last thing Georgians should have to worry about is if their water is safe to drink.” Senator Ossoff: “We’re delivering these resources to help improve Georgia’s water infrastructure after storms like Hurricane Helene.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) secured $3.3 million for the Georgia Rural Water Association to respond quickly and effectively to any clean water-related emergencies that may arise after natural disasters. Clean water-related emergencies can arise after natural disasters or other incidents that disrupt water and sewer systems, posing an immediate threat to public health. Funding secured by Senators Warnock and Ossoff will help communities respond quickly to these emergencies and prevent catastrophic infrastructure issues, such as sewer overflows and backups. “After a natural disaster, the last thing Georgians should have to worry about is if their water is safe to drink,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud that federal funding is on its way to Georgians on the ground toprovide the resources they need to deal with any emergencies that could impact access to clean, safe water.” “Clean, safe, healthy drinking water is not a luxury – it’s a necessity,” said Senator Ossoff. “Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we’re delivering these resources to help improve Georgia’s water infrastructure after storms like Hurricane Helene.” The funding is part of the bipartisan American Relief Act of 2025, which passed Congress in December 2024. It provided federal disaster and economic recovery funding for communities across the country, including Georgia. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is expected to use the funding to conduct activities that respond to and alleviate clean water emergencies for systems that ensure clean water. It includes a subaward to the Georgia Rural Water Association to enhance its water and sewer emergency mutual aid equipment program, a critical element in Georgia’s overall emergency response. The funding is also expected to support emergency response and preparedness, water infrastructure repairs, operations and maintenance of facilities, and the establishment of emergency monitoring capabilities. It will primarily assist communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Senator Warnock has consistently worked to provide and strengthen federal support for communities affected by natural disasters and has championed legislation to help Georgians defend against the impacts of severe weather. In March 2026, Senator Warnock secured over $531 million in federal disaster aid for Georgia farmers who were affected by Hurricane Helene. In March 2025, Senator Warnock led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging it to expedite disaster assistance for Georgia farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation also supported the effort. ###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-demand-answers-after-trump-administration-plans-to-outsource-education-departments-civil-rights-enforcement/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Demand Answers After Trump Administration Plans to Outsource Education Department’s Civil Rights Enforcement",2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are demanding answers as the Trump Administration reportedly ends civil rights enforcement within the Department of Education. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are demanding answers from Education Secretary Linda McMahon after reports the Trump Administration intends to outsource responsibilities of the Department of Education’s civil rights division to the Department of Justice (DOJ), leaving unanswered questions about the status of pending cases of potential civil rights abuses. Under the new agreements between the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the DOJ, the Justice Department will take on civil rights enforcement, some of which includes “complaint investigation” and “resolution processes.” This announcement follows the gutting of the Office for Civil Rights last year, when the Education Department closed a total of seven OCR offices across the nation, which impacted “nearly 60,000 public schools” and “over 30 million K-12 students.” “We write with serious concerns regarding the Department of Education’s potential dereliction of its duty to ensure children in Georgia receive a quality education free from discrimination,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock wrote to Secretary McMahon. “Despite this responsibility, the Trump Administration has chosen to fire Department of Education staff and enter into interagency agreements to outsource the agency’s formal duties.” “We have heard from constituents that have been harmed by these actions, and we are concerned this Department will continue to harm Georgia students. We demand that further action to dismantle the Department of Education be stopped,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock continued. Sen. Ossoff continues to hold the Trump Administration accountable for gutting key civil rights programs. In June, Sen. Ossoff joined Senate colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to halt changes affecting the Office for Civil Rights and preserve the Department’s capacity to enforce federal civil rights laws. In October 2025, Sen. Ossoff joined Senate colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to halt illegal efforts to shut down the Department of Education’s administration and enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Click here to read the Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-new-warnock-report-finds-required-school-supplies-can-cost-georgia-families-130-per-child/,ICYMI: New Warnock Report Finds Required School Supplies Can Cost Georgia Families $130 Per Child,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report examining the rising cost of school supplies as families prepare for back-to-school shopping Senator Warnock’s new report shows how expanding the Child Tax Credit could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs The report found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies Common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year Senator Reverend Warnock: “Expanding the Child Tax Credit is not only the right thing to do morally, but the smart thing to do economically. I will keep fighting to get this done” Washington, D.C. – Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, held a press call to highlight the release of his new report, which found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies. Additionally, the report examines how expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs and other everyday expenses. As families prepare to send their children back to school, they face rising costs for school supplies thanks to President Trump’s reckless tariff policies. The report reviewed 4th grade school supply lists from five schools across Georgia and reveals that common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year, respectively. More media coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s press conference below: Atlanta Journal-Constitution: As the new school year begins in metro Atlanta, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., is calling for the passage of the American Family Act, which he says will help families with the cost of school supplies and other child-related expenses. WABE: It’s back-to-school time! And preparing for the upcoming school year is getting more expensive for Georgia families. That’s according to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who says tariffs are putting additional pressure on Georgia’s families. A new report from his office shows that Georgia families are spending more to fill up their kids’ backpacks compared to last year. Cobb County Courier: At a press conference called by Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, Liz Pancotti with Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation noted that many of these products are produced overseas, and that companies are passing on costs to protect their bottom line. Moreover, “healthy foods cost more, and there have been cuts to government assistance for food security.” WUGA: U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock says tariffs imposed by the Trump administration mean Georgia families will spend more on school supplies. During a press call on Thursday, Senator Warnock cited a new report by his office which states Georgia families will spend more than $130 per child on fourth grade school supplies. 11Alive: Senator Warnock’s report shows fourth‑grade supplies can exceed $130, with items like pencils and lunch boxes rising 31% and 27% in a year. WRDW: Hours earlier, Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock painted a different picture, releasing data on the rising cost of back-to-school shopping. According to the report, a basic fourth-grade supply list now tops $130 per child, with staples like lunch boxes and pencils spiking in price. Warnock blamed the administration’s tariff policies for squeezing household budgets. WGXA: Are tariffs driving up back-to-school costs? U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report that found Georgia families could spend more than $130 per child on school supplies. Now, he is introducing legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit. ###",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-launches-inquiry-into-app-store-age-ratings-to-help-protect-children-online/,Sen. Ossoff Launches Inquiry into App Store Age Ratings to Help Protect Children Online,2026-07-31,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pressuring Big Tech companies to crack down on apps that put kids at risk. Today, Sen. Ossoff launched inquiries with Apple and Google about their app store age rating requirements and urged the tech companies to strengthen the default protections for minors and provide further transparency around staffing, reporting, enforcement, and metrics. A recent report highlighted that developers play a significant role in determining app store age ratings, with little external review. The report also raises concerns that parental controls are heavily reliant on app age ratings, which can result in minors being exposed to harmful material online. The same report documented an instance where the app store age rating for an app was quietly downgraded from 17+ to 12+ without clear justification, disrupting parental controls for families relying on the 17+ block to restrict access. “Incorrect age ratings can pose dangers to minors, by facilitating minors’ use of apps that enable communication with online predators or provide access to inappropriate sexual content or other harmful material. Child safety advocates have raised serious concerns that app store ratings may give parents a false sense of security and encourage minors to access content that many families reasonably expect to be restricted,” Sen. Ossoff wrote. Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect children online. In April, Sen. Ossoff launched inquiries with Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, and X over tech companies’ advertisement and distribution of “nudifying” apps that allow users to swiftly create explicit images of children and teenagers. Last December, the U.S. Senate passed Sens. Ossoff and Chuck Grassley (R-IA)’s bipartisan Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025 to strengthen coordination between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to better stop child trafficking and protect kids. In July 2025, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would impose new requirements on digital platforms to protect children from being targeted online with harmful content. In March 2025, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) to limit use of children’s information for individually targeted advertising. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan REPORT Act with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) became law, which — for the first time — requires websites and social media platforms to report crimes involving Federal trafficking and enticement of children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Since the law’s enactment, NCMEC has seen a 952% increase in reports of child sex trafficking and a 77% increase in reports of online enticement of children. In 2023, Sens. Ossoff and Grassley’s bipartisan Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 was signed into law, which strengthened Federal protections against the sexual abuse of children, including online exploitation. Please find Sen. Ossoff’s inquiries here with Apple and Google. # # #",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-urging-fda-to-protect-families-from-baby-formula-contamination/,Sen. Ossoff Urging FDA to Protect Families from Baby Formula Contamination,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect families from contaminated baby formula. Sen. Ossoff is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct stronger oversight of baby formula following recent reports of potential contamination in Nara Organics and ByHeart baby formula products that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned could lead to infant botulism. According to the CDC’s 2025 Early Childhood Nutrition Report, 27% of Georgia’s breastfed infants born in 2022 were fed formula within the first two days of life. Sen. Ossoff previously demanded answers from Nara Organics and ByHeart following initial reports of contamination. “I write to express my concern regarding reports of recent outbreaks of infant botulism. The recalls of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and Nara Organics’ Powdered Infant Formula mark two outbreaks within the past year, involving reports of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes infant botulism. Infant formula is a critical source of nourishment for newborns, regardless of whether the formula is used exclusively or as a supplement,” Sen. Ossoff wrote to Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas. “Every parent wants to ensure that their infants are being fed in a way that is both safe and healthy. As a United States Senator, it is my duty to ensure oversight of the infant formula supply chain is essential to protecting Georgia families,”Sen. Ossoff continued. Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgia kids from harmful chemicals and contaminants. This month, Sens. Ossoff and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act to help protect children from toxic chemicals in toys after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a February 2026 report in response to a 2024 inquiry from Sen. Ossoff into how the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) conducts testing on products intended for children ages 12 and under for potential lead contamination and other safety hazards. Last December, Sen. Ossoff urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate a grant made to Emory University to research children’s exposure to lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants in West Atlanta following the discovery of dangerously high levels of lead in some West Atlanta yards in 2018. Last April, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from baby formula producers Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson about recent reports of toxic chemicals found in formula. In May 2025, during a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration hearing, Sen. Ossoff pressed FDA Commissioner Martin Makary on the safety of infant formula, including the reported firings of scientists within the agency who work to prevent infant formula contamination. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-warnock-report-finds-georgia-families-will-pay-130-for-required-school-supplies/,New Warnock Report Finds Georgia Families Will Pay $130 for Required School Supplies,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock is unveiling a new report that examines the increased cost of school supplies and how expanding the Child Tax Credit could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs Senator Warnock’s report reviewed 4th grade school supply lists from five schools across Georgia, representing urban and rural communities, and found that the cost of required school supplies can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child Common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year Senator Reverend Warnock: “Expanding the Child Tax Credit is not only the right thing to do morally, but the smart thing to do economically. I will keep fighting to get this done” Above: A year-over-year comparison of the prices of common back to school supplies Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, is unveiling a new report that found the cost of required school supplies for a 4th grader can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child. Additionally, the report examines how expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs and other everyday expenses. As families prepare to send their children back to school, they face rising costs for school supplies thanks to President Trump’s reckless tariff policies. The report reviewed 4th grade school supply lists from five schools across Georgia representing urban and rural communities. The review found that the cost of required school supplies can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child. Common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year, respectively. “Donald Trump’s economic policies are making life harder for Georgians who are still feeling the pressure at the gas pump, in the grocery store, and in their household budgets,” said Senator Warnock. “Expanding the Child Tax Credit is not only the right thing to do morally, but the smart thing to do economically. I will keep fighting to get this done.” Above: A comparison of the current child tax credit vs the American Family Act Under current federal tax law, families receive—at most—the equivalent of $183 per month and can only access it when filing their taxes—not during times like back-to-school. Under the American Family Act, legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit, families would receive up to $360 per month for kids under 6 and $300 per month for kids aged 6-17. That is money Georgia families can use to cover essential costs like school supplies, tutoring, or childcare. In 2021, Congress passed legislation temporarily expanding the CTC, which lifted 165,000 Georgia children out of poverty, 2.9 million children across the country, and cut the national child poverty rate in half. Currently, there are more than 11 million children living below the poverty line in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for educational books and supplies, such as elementary, high school, and college textbooks and reference books, have increased 8.4% since 2024. According to a recent analysis by the Century Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative, prices for school supplies overall are up 7.7% and lunchbox staples are up 10.9%. Price increases for specific types or brands of items can be even higher. A copy of the report can be found HERE ###",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-finance-committee-advances-four-bipartisan-warnock-tax-provisions/,Senate Finance Committee Advances Four Bipartisan Warnock Tax Provisions,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The Senate Finance Committee advanced four bipartisan tax provisions championed by Senator Reverend Warnock as part of the Tax Administration and Service Act The bipartisan bill makes an array of commonsense fixes to IRS procedure and administration The legislation combines proposals recommended by the National Taxpayer Advocate to improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers and ensure taxpayers have timely access to expert assistance Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m proud to work across the aisle on these bipartisan reforms to make the IRS more responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people it serves” Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Finance Committee advanced four bipartisan tax provisions championed by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) as part of the Tax Administration and Service Act. The bipartisan bill makes an array of commonsense fixes to IRS procedure and administration. The legislation also incorporates proposals recommended by the National Taxpayer Advocate to improve communication between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and taxpayers and ensure taxpayers have timely access to expert assistance. “Georgians deserve a tax system that works for them, not one that creates unnecessary confusion or frustration,” said Senator Warnock. “I’m proud to work across the aisle on these bipartisan reforms to make the IRS more responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people it serves.” A breakdown of the provisions Senator Warnock championed is below. Taxpayer Privacy: This provision is based on Senator Warnock and John Barrasso’s (R-WY) Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act. The legislation requires the IRS to notify taxpayers about information requests it plans to make to third parties, giving taxpayers a chance to provide information before the IRS contacts a third party. Protecting Non-Profits from Politicization: This provision, authored by Senator Warnock and Lankford (R-OK) would codify a right of a nonprofit to appeal denials or revocations of tax-exempt status and also require the IRS to notify nonprofits of these rights. Digitization of Tax Returns and Correspondence: This provision is based on the Barcode Automation for Revenue Collection to Organize Disbursement and Enhance Efficiency (BARCODE) Act, which Senator Warnock leads with Sen. Todd Young (R-IN). The bipartisan legislation would expedite the IRS’s digitization of the tax filing process, digitize returns, and correspondence. Simplifying Filing Deadlines: This provision is based on Senator Warnock and Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) Tax Administration Simplification Act, legislation that draws on recommendations from the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) to improve customer experience by putting forth clearer deadlines and estimated tax payments, which are especially important for Georgia’s gig workers. The Tax Administration and Service Act would also upgrade refund tracking tools so taxpayers know when to expect their refunds, expand IRS call back options, and strengthen protections for victims of fraud. Since joining the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Warnock has championed taxpayer assistance and administration. His bipartisan legislation, the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act, was signed into law in December 2025 and provides an extension to ensure taxpayers impacted by recent natural disasters have more flexibility when claiming refunds or credits. He has also successfully pushed the IRS to lift its hiring freeze on taxpayer services staff. In July 2026, Senator Warnock also successfully secured an increase in the gas mileage reimbursement rate, putting more money in taxpayers’ pockets. Senator Warnock’s constituent services team is on pace to receive over 600 requests from taxpayers this year. ###",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-colleagues-pressuring-trump-admin-to-release-hiv-aids-prevention-funding-to-cdc/,"Sen. Ossoff, Colleagues Pressuring Trump Admin to Release HIV/AIDS Prevention Funding to CDC",2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pressuring the Trump Administration to release funding for HIV/AIDS prevention to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sen. Ossoff is leading a group of Senate colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to approve the transfer of $2 billion in funds meant for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to the CDC. This inquiry comes as new internal guidance by the State Department would end the transfer of PEPFAR funds to the CDC. According to former CDC Directors, without this dedicated funding stream, more than 18 CDC outposts could close before the end of the year, reducing the ability for the agency to launch timely and sufficient global health responses to disease outbreaks. Sen. Ossoff is joined by Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ed Markey (D-MA). “The rushed abandonment of a proven and effective structure threatens to increase the risk of future global health pandemics and disease outbreaks,” Sen. Ossoff and the group wrote. “Countries are struggling to maintain the programs set up by USAID and PEPFAR funding, facing more new infections and more deaths.” “We urge you to immediately rescind any guidance suggesting that State will no longer honor the transfer of $2 billion to CDC and commit to upholding this long-standing transfer that keeps Americans safe,” Sen. Ossoff and the group continued. Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect public health, the CDC, and its workforce. This month, Sen. Ossoff slammed U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for terminating the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis. Earlier this year, Sen. Ossoff worked with Republicans and Democrats to ensure the CDC receives crucial funding to protect the American people, successfully defeating the Trump Administration’s proposed 50% cut in funding for the CDC in the FY26 budget. Last October, Sen. Ossoff led Georgia’s Democratic Congressional Delegation in calling on Secretary Kennedy to answer for the chaos and disruption at the CDC that has marked his tenure, including the firings of CDC employees. Last June, Sen. Ossoff spoke in the Appropriations Committee markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill about bipartisan efforts to protect the CDC. Also in June, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from the Trump Administration following an NPR report that the CDC Program to prevent fentanyl overdoses had been frozen. In 2025, Sen. Ossoff and other members of Congress demanded that the Trump Administration provide answers on the reported shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system at the CDC. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s full inquiry. # # #",1,2026-07-30T07:32:48Z,2026-07-30T07:34:08Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-joins-bipartisan-effort-to-strengthen-whistleblower-incentives/,Warnock Joins Bipartisan Effort to Strengthen Whistleblower Incentives,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,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 joined a bipartisan coalition to enhance protections for whistleblowers Since taking office, Senator Warnock has championed legislation to protect whistleblowers from retaliation Senator Reverend Warnock: “This bipartisan bill promotes accountability and bolsters essential protections for people who risk their careers to stand up to fraud and corruption” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act of 2026 to provide long-term stability for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program, strengthen whistleblower protections, and expedite award processing. “No one should be punished for speaking out when they see something wrong. This bipartisan bill promotes accountability and bolsters essential protections for people who risk their careers to stand up to fraud and corruption,” said Senator Warnock. “This legislation will benefit every American taxpayer, and I’m grateful to work with my colleagues across the aisle to strengthen this vital program.” “Since I helped get the CFTC whistleblower program up and running, I’m pleased to see it’s been a big success,” said Senator Grassley. “This program roots out waste, fraud and abuse in the commodities trading industry and operates at no charge to the taxpayer. Now, it’s time for Congress to act so its success can continue. Our bipartisan legislation strengthens protections for patriotic whistleblowers, prevents unnecessary delays in the disbursement of whistleblower awards and ensures the CFTC whistleblower program can operate smoothly.” “Whistleblowers put their jobs and often their lives on the line to call out the most serious offenses in the workplace. Zero doubt that they should be protected,” said Senator Fetterman. “As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Grassley to protect whistleblowers and improve the CFTC whistleblower program.” “The Commodity Futures Trading Commission plays a crucial role in protecting American commodity markets, and safeguarding its whistleblower program helps maintain public trust in the integrity of those markets,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would provide long-term stability for the CFTC whistleblower program by strengthening protections for whistleblowers, promoting the timely processing of claims, and eliminating a loophole that can prevent whistleblowers from receiving awards.” The CFTC Whistleblower Program and Customer Protection Fund (CPF) rewards whistleblowers for reporting allegations of wrongdoing to the CFTC using funds collected through enforcement actions. The CPF also covers the operating expenses and educational initiatives that support the CFTC Whistleblower Program. Since 2014, the CFTC Whistleblower Program has awarded nearly $430 million to whistleblowers and issued over $3.7 billion in monetary sanctions. Senator Warnock has long championed efforts to bolster protections for whistleblowers. In December 2022, he successfully secured bipartisan support for the Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Improvement Act, which strengthened and expanded the scope of whistleblower reporting standards and financial rewards. Less than a year later, Senator Warnock introduced the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2023 to ensure timely processing of whistleblower claims and protect against retaliation. ###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-wicker-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-modernize-tire-safety-standards/,"Warnock, Wicker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Tire Safety Standards",2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Roger Wicker introduced the Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 legislation to modernize federal tire safety standards Georgia is a national leader in tire manufacturing and production Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgia’s nation-leading tire manufacturing industry helps keep Georgians safe and connected to boundless opportunities” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the bipartisan Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026, a bill that updates federal tire testing standards to protect passenger safety and reflect modern best practices in tire production. “Georgia’s nation-leading tire manufacturing industry helps keep Georgians safe and connected to boundless opportunities,” said Senator Warnock. “By modernizing this critical manufacturing sector, we can help foster innovation and keep Americans connected.” “Tire manufacturing technology has evolved, but federal regulations have not kept pace,” said Senator Wicker. “This legislation would update performance standards—protecting passenger safety and promoting innovation simultaneously.” The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 preserves a strong focus on safety. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to replace outdated testing requirements with more relevant, modern-day performance standards, clarifying existing safety criteria and aligning high-speed testing with internationally recognized best practices to keep our roads safe. Senator Warnock has successfully delivered millions of dollars’ worth of federal grant funding to improve roadway safety across Georgia. Last year, he led an effort to improve access to economic opportunity by investing in transportation infrastructure that is essential to keeping communities connected. The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 is endorsed by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and several tire manufacturing companies with operational hubs located in Georgia, including Pirelli, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., Kumho Tire USA, Inc., Continental Tire Americas, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Modernizing federal tire safety standards is essential to ensuring American drivers have access to the safest, most advanced tire technology available,” said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA). “The ‘Tire Safety Modernization Act’ is an important step toward aligning U.S. regulations with today’s innovations, strengthening road safety and supporting a more competitive tire manufacturing sector. USTMA and its member companies are grateful to Senators Warnock (D-GA) and Wicker (R-MS) for their leadership in championing this critical legislation.” “Toyo Tire commends Senators Raphael Warnock and Roger Wicker for introducing legislation that will help modernize federal tire safety testing requirements,” said Tatsuo Mitsuhata, Chairman & CEO, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. “Operating the largest tire factory in Georgia, Toyo understands the importance of maintaining a regulatory framework that supports both consumer safety and continued innovation in American manufacturing. This legislation represents a practical and forward-looking effort to ensure that federal tire standards keep pace with advances in vehicle and tire technology. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Warnock and Wicker in advancing this bipartisan effort and look forward to working with policymakers and industry stakeholders as the legislation moves forward.” “Kumho Tire USA, headquartered in Atlanta and serving customers through a nationwide distribution network, is grateful to Senators Warnock and Wicker for their leadership in introducing legislation to modernize federal tire safety testing standards,” said Edmund Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire USA, Inc. “With manufacturing and distribution operations, including facilities in Georgia, we support updating FMVSS tire tests to remove outdated requirements and align with global best practices, strengthening public safety and ensuring a fair, level playing field for responsible manufacturers.” “The introduction of this legislation by Senators Warnock and Wicker represents meaningful progress toward modernizing tire safety regulations,” said Tansu Işık, CEO Continental Tire Americas. “Aligning federal testing requirements with today’s technological advancements will help ensure effective safety oversight while promoting innovation and manufacturing growth in the United States. “For the Pirelli Group, which has manufacturing facilities in Georgia and is the exclusive tire supplier to the Formula One World Championship™, safety is paramount,” said Pirelli. “Modernizing tire testing requirements will help ensure that federal testing standards continue to foster innovation, recognize the industry’s most advanced tire technologies, and contribute to a lower environmental footprint.” “We appreciate Senators Warnock and Wicker for introducing legislation to modernize outdated tire testing requirements,” said Brad Heim, Vice President, Product Development — Global Consumer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Tire technology continues to advance rapidly, and federal standards should keep pace with innovation. This legislation will help ensure safety requirements reflect today’s technology while supporting U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.” ###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/breakdown-warnock-housing-provisions-lead-road-to-housing-act/,BREAKDOWN: Warnock Housing Provisions Lead ROAD to Housing Act,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"As a leader on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Reverend Warnock secured the defining provisions of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing package in a generation The provisions championed by Senator Warnock help increase housing supply by cutting red tape, combating appraisal bias, and reforming legacy housing programs Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m proud to have contributed to increasing our nation’s housing supply and lowering costs for hardworking Georgia families” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a leader on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, secured critical provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to help increase housing supply and address the nation’s housing affordability crisis. These provisions include several bills that Senator Warnock has championed for years to address bias in housing appraisals, incentivize local governments and banks to invest more in housing construction, and provide grants for affordable housing construction and local housing growth. “I hear from Georgians across the state who have been clamoring for action from Washington on the housing affordability crisis, and this legislation is proof that when we center the people instead of the politics, we can get good policy done,” said Senator Warnock. “I’m proud to have contributed to increasing our nation’s housing supply and lowering costs for hardworking Georgia families.” A breakdown of the provisions Senator Warnock secured is below. Appraisal Modernization Act: This provision includes a modified version of Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act, novel legislation that guarantees homeowners the option to request a second appraisal to combat appraisal bias. This is the only fair housing provision in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Systemic bias in the appraisal process has disadvantaged families of color for decades. Senator Warnock’s provision gives consumers the tools and resources they need to ensure their homes are fairly valued. Local Government Housing Innovation Fund: This provision, adopted from Senator Warnock’s flagship American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, authorizes $1 billion in grants to local governments who have demonstrated an improvement in housing supply growth, to incentivize actions and policies that increase housing supply. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Improvements: Senator Warnock championed several provisions that increase federal funding for the construction of new affordable housing and condition portions of this funding on local housing growth. Georgia communities received over $83 million in CDBG funding in FY26. Permitting Reform and Streamlining: Senator Warnock advanced several provisions that relax federal permitting and environmental review requirements for affordable housing projects, including giving local governments more control over environmental reviews for certain housing projects. Housing Supply Expansion Act: Georgia, like much of the southeast, has experienced a manufactured housing boom over the past several years. This legislation allows for more innovative and multi-story manufactured housing designs while reducing the purchase price of manufactured homes by as much as $10,000. In addition to these provisions, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act includes Senator Warnock’s landmark provision banning private equity from mass-purchasing single-family homes. Fines will be imposed on corporations that own more than 350 homes; these fines will go towards new housing construction and financial assistance for first-time homebuyers, inspired by the Senator’s Downpayment Toward Equity Act.",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-rev-warnock-ossoff-delivering-resources-to-strengthen-crime-prevention-efforts-in-gwinnett-county/,"Sens. Rev. Warnock, Ossoff Delivering Resources to Strengthen Crime Prevention Efforts in Gwinnett County",2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Norcross, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering resources to strengthen crime prevention coordination in Gwinnett County. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to help establish a central law enforcement command center in Norcross. According to the Norcross Police Department, the City has seen an increase in property crime, vehicle thefts, and violent incidents in recent years. To address these crimes, with the help of Federal funding Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering, Norcross aims to establish a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) to serve as a centralized command hub that will enable law enforcement to respond more swiftly to incidents and analyze critical public safety data in real-time. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering $450,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23. “Coordination between law enforcement is necessary to better prevent crime,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to help build a new central law enforcement command center in Norcross.” “Proper coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies is vital for any effort to combat crime,” said Senator Warnock. “I am proud to have worked with Senator Ossoff to secure nearly half a million dollars for the city of Norcross’s crime prevention center.” # # # Your form has been received. Someone from our office will get back to you as soon as possible. Please allow 5–7 business days to process a request. If your request needs immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to call our Washington, D.C. office or Atlanta office.",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-statement-on-designation-of-okefenokee-national-wildlife-refuge-as-georgias-first-unesco-world-heritage-site/,Sen. Ossoff Statement on Designation of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as Georgia’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site,2026-07-25,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"In February 2023, Sen. Ossoff led a bipartisan group urging National Park Service to nominate the Okefenokee refuge for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list Sen. Ossoff has worked for years to protect the Okefenokee Okefenokee becomes Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site Washington, D.C. — After years of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s advocacy, UNESCO has designated the Okefenokee as Georgia’s first World Heritage Site. Following Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan push over the last few years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has been designated as Georgia’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site. This announcement follows a bipartisan effort by Sen. Ossoff, who led a group of Georgia’s Congressional delegation in 2023 urging the Department of the Interior to pursue this prestigious designation. Following the group’s urging, in September 2023, the National Park Service announced it intended to nominate the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, and then in December 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it would nominate the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for the UNESCO World Heritage List. In response to today’s historic announcement, Sen. Ossoff released the following statement. “For years I’ve worked to protect Georgia’s beloved Okefenokee Swamp from dangerous strip mining, and now, following our bipartisan push, it’s been named Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site,” Sen. Ossoff said. “The Okefenokee is an irreplaceable natural treasure in our state, and this significant designation will help protect this renowned natural treasure for generations to come, promote tourism, and support Southeast Georgia’s economic growth.” The World Heritage designation places the Okefenokee alongside global landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. With its inscription, the Okefenokee becomes Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States to receive the prestigious designation. This recognition is expected to boost environmental protection efforts and promote economic prosperity through increased tourism and international recognition. According to a 2024 study, the World Heritage Site designation by UNESCO could double visitation at the Okefenokee Swamp Park, create about 750 long-term jobs, and deliver $60 million in annual economic impact. Sen. Ossoff has worked for years to protect the Okefenokee. In February 2023, Sen. Ossoff led a bipartisan coalition urging the U.S. Interior Department to nominate the Okefenokee Refuge for the honor, a crucial step in getting considered by UNESCO. Following his urging, in September 2023, the National Park Service announced it intended to nominate the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, and then in December 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it would nominate the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for the UNESCO World Heritage List. In April 2024, Sen. Ossoff submitted formal public comments to Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division opposing mining permits near the Okefenokee, citing the threat of “irreversible damage” to the swamp and surrounding ecosystem. In January 2025, following Sen. Ossoff’s push, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would expand the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s acquisition boundary by 22,000 acres. In May 2025, Sen. Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration’s Department of the Interior in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, securing a public commitment from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that no part of the Okefenokee would be sold. In June 2025, Sen. Ossoff welcomed the announcement of a land acquisition deal in which The Conservation Fund will purchase roughly 8,000 acres from Twin Pines Minerals, as well as the underlying mineral rights — effectively halting the proposed titanium mine near the swamp. In August 2025, Sen. Ossoff passed an amendment through the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to encourage greater expanded protection of the Okefenokee Swamp. # # #",1,2026-07-26T07:35:04Z,2026-07-26T07:36:32Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-again-presses-hhs-secretary-kennedy-for-failing-to-address-cancelation-of-cdcs-cyclosporiasis-parasite-monitoring/,Sen. Ossoff Again Presses HHS Secretary Kennedy for Failing to Address Cancelation of CDC’s Cyclosporiasis Parasite Monitoring,2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — As cases top 11,000 nationwide, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pressing HHS Secretary Kennedy on cuts to Cyclosporiasis monitoring. Today, Sen. Ossoff is again demanding answers from U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. about his decision to terminate the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) required surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis and is again requesting answers on the progress of Federal efforts to investigate and contain it. According to recent reports, there are over 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases being investigated across 41 states, including Georgia, with more than 4,100 cases being confirmed, and more than 300 people hospitalized. Sec. Kennedy failed to respond to Sen. Ossoff’s initial inquiry on the cyclosporiasis outbreak. “You have failed to address my questions regarding your inexplicable decision to terminate the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) required surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, and the progress of federal efforts to investigate and contain it,” Sen. Ossoff wrote to Sec. Kennedy. “Your silence amidst an ongoing outbreak of diarrheal disease is indicative of the reckless arrogance with which you demolished America’s public health defense.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect public health, the CDC, and its workforce. In April, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock demanded answers from Secretary Kennedy after reports that the CDC Atlanta Campus is still in need of repairs and improvements following last year’s shooting. In March, Sen. Ossoff worked with Republicans and Democrats to ensure the CDC receives crucial funding to protect the American people, successfully defeating the Trump Administration’s proposed 50% cut in funding for the CDC in the FY26 budget. Last October, Sen. Ossoff led Georgia’s Democratic Congressional Delegation in calling on Sec. Kennedy to answer for the chaos and disruption at the CDC that has marked his tenure, including the firings of CDC employees. Last June, Sen. Ossoff spoke in the Appropriations Committee markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill about bipartisan efforts to protect the CDC. Also in June, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from the Trump Administration following an NPR report that the CDC Program to prevent fentanyl overdoses had been frozen. In 2025, Sen. Ossoff and other members of Congress demanded that the Trump Administration provide answers on the reported shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system at the CDC. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-to-expand-market-access-for-georgia-forestry-and-timber-products/,Sen. Ossoff Working to Expand Market Access for Georgia Forestry and Timber Products,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to expand market access for Georgia forestry and timber products into Europe. Sen. Ossoff is launching an inquiry with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator Kelly Moore on the status of trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) that could open a major new market for Georgia forestry and timber products. Sen. Ossoff is encouraging Secretary Rollins and Administrator Moore to help open EU markets to American exporters by supporting EU regulatory approval of US fumigation techniques and working to provide a timeline for EU reviewal of US products. “Georgia is one of the largest producers and exporters of timber and forestry products, and expanding market access for Georgia forestry and timber products is vitally important to the state’s economy,” Sen. Ossoff wrote. “Expanding opportunities for our timber and forestry products in the EU has been a yearslong effort, and it is of the utmost importance to Georgia’s and the country’s forestry sector that we remain vigorous in these efforts.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia’s forestry and timber industries. In July, Sen. Ossoff urged the USDA Risk Management Agency to ensure Georgia farmers and growers still struggling to recover from damage from high winds during Hurricane Helene receive the support they deserve. In May, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses, or pest outbreaks. In 2025, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act, legislation that would boost Georgia’s forestry industry by establishing a competitive grant program for forestry career training programs. That same year, Sens. Ossoff and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced the bipartisan Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act to help Georgia foresters recovering from pine beetle infestations. Also in 2025, Sens. Ossoff and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the bipartisan Forest Data Modernization Act, which would modernize and improve the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program to ensure reliable data is available to inform forest management decision making. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s full letter. # # #",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-calls-for-community-protections-from-data-centers/,Warnock Calls for Community Protections from Data Centers,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock is calling for stronger protections for local communities impacted by the rapid growth of data centers as new data center expansion strains local water supplies Senator Warnock’s letter comes amid reports that ChatGPT maker OpenAI plans to build “Project Camellia,” a $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County, just outside Savannah, GA Georgia is the nation’s 6th largest data center hub with 230 facilities located across the state Data center development in Georgia has been fueled by lucrative state tax incentives In 2024, the Georgia General Assembly passed a two-year moratorium on the state’s data center tax exemption; that bill was vetoed by Governor Brian Kemp Senator Reverend Warnock: “Small, rural communities have been left to negotiate on their own with multi-million-dollar corporations whose well-staffed legal teams may negotiate dozens of deals at a time” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is calling for stronger protections for Georgia communities impacted by the rapid growth of data centers as new construction places increasing demands on the state’s water supplies. Georgia is the nation’s sixth-largest data center hub, with 230 facilities across the state. In a recent survey, 70% of Americans said they oppose constructing data centers for artificial intelligence (AI) in their local area. In a new letter, Senator Warnock calls on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue guidance and best practices to help local communities protect the long-term availability of safe, clean water amid the explosion of data center construction. “Small, rural communities have been left to negotiate on their own with multi-million-dollar corporations whose well-staffed legal teams may negotiate dozens of deals at a time,” wrote Senator Warnock. “It is past time for the EPA to stand up on the side of our families, communities, and local municipalities as they navigate this new landscape.” Senator Warnock’s letter comes amid reports that ChatGPT maker OpenAI plans to build “Project Camellia,” a $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County, just outside Savannah, GA. The new data center will require 3.2 gigawatts of power, nearly 70% of the energy produced by all four units at Plant Vogtle. Data centers for AI and other digital use cases are consuming increasing amounts of energy and water in their communities. According to the Berkeley Lab, data centers directly consumed 17.4 billion gallons of water in 2023—a threefold increase since 2014. This volume is equivalent to the annual water use of roughly 160,000 U.S. households. Studies project that by 2030, data centers could withdraw 80-150 billion gallons of water and consume 60-110 billion gallons annually. In July 2024, Senator Warnock fought against the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which rolled back financial incentives that spurred 51 new domestic energy projects in Georgia. The GOP legislation is expected to increase electricity spending by up to $110 per year. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: Dear Administrator Zeldin: I write to express concern over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) continued lack of support for public water systems and communities in Georgia as they navigate new water resource challenges posed by the rapid development of resource-intensive data centers. As the nation’s chief regulator responsible for ensuring the availability of safe and clean drinking water across the country, you have a solemn responsibility to ensure data centers are not sacrificing community water supplies under the guise of economic development. Under your leadership, however, the EPA has largely remained on the sidelines, leaving small and often under-resourced communities on their own as they negotiate on behalf of families against giant corporations seeking access to millions of gallons of community water resources per day to support the proliferation of data centers. I urge you to change course and immediately issue guidance and best practices to local communities on how to best protect the long-term availability of safe and clean water for ordinary people amid the explosion of data center construction. Georgia has quickly become one of the nation’s largest data center hubs, with between 200 and 230 facilities already located across the state. Every estimate suggests this growth is set to continue. On July 22, 2026, OpenAI announced plans for a new data center in Effingham County that will require 3,200 megawatts of power, or over 66 percent of Plant Vogtle’s entire generating capacity. As new data centers are built, they place new demands on Georgia’s limited water resources. Meanwhile, the entire state has been engulfed in a historic drought, with 100 percent of Georgians experiencing severe to exceptional drought earlier this year for the first time in recorded history. Alarmingly, some of these data centers have made unreasonable demands for water, pitting large corporations against under-resourced, often rural communities that, quite reasonably, want to promote economic development. One data center in Georgia went so far as to request 9 million gallons of water per day, enough to supply nearly 44,000 households or the entire population of the cities of Albany and Rome, Georgia combined. Thankfully, the local community had the foresight and resources to negotiate this data center’s water withdrawals down to 300,000 gallons per day. Meanwhile, in Fayetteville, Georgia, a data center managed to use nearly 30 million gallons of water without paying for it, in part because it installed a water hookup without the knowledge of the local utility. One reason this data center managed to almost escape a $150,000 bill was because the local community was unaccustomed to large commercial projects of this nature, though the same cannot be said of the data center developer, which is owned by a private equity company and has revenues in the hundreds of millions. The influx of data centers in Georgia during a record drought has been met with fierce skepticism across the state. Twenty-four cities and counties, ranging from urban DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton to rural Monroe, Crawford, and Gordon, have adopted data center moratoria. Just south of Atlanta, residents in Coweta County are fighting to become only the third county in Georgia history to stage a referendum, this time in an effort to block the construction of a more than 800-acre data center campus. The reaction to the expansion of data centers in Georgia mirrors the rest of the country. Over 70 percent of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their area, and many cite a data center’s strain on water and energy resources as a top concern. Despite these overwhelming and urgent water concerns, the EPA has, at best, largely stood on the sidelines. Instead of focusing on its statutory mandate to ensure the availability of safe and clean drinking water by working closely with local communities to ensure the proliferation of data centers has not introduced new contaminants, stressors, or challenges for community water systems, the EPA has partnered with data center developers to issue guidance and regulations to help these large corporations avoid federal regulatory scrutiny. As a result, small, rural communities have been left to negotiate on their own with multi-million-dollar corporations whose well-staffed legal teams may negotiate dozens of deals at a time. This pits communities against one another in a race to the bottom that ultimately may harm families. It is past time for the EPA to stand up on the side of our families, communities, and local municipalities as they navigate this new landscape. I urge the EPA to immediately rectify this failure by collaborating with local governments, water utilities and planning organizations, data center developers, and other interested parties to publish best practices and other resources to help communities protect and preserve the nation’s water supplies while also enabling sustainable, long-term economic development. These resources should include recommended best practices to reduce or minimize data centers’ water consumption and maintain water quality during construction and operation. In addition to a written response to this letter, please provide an in-person briefing on your progress to publish these resources to my office no later than four weeks after receipt of this letter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-presses-u-s-trade-representative-on-the-impact-trumps-trade-policy-is-having-on-georgians/,Warnock Presses U.S. Trade Representative on the Impact Trump’s Trade Policy Is Having on Georgians,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock pressed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s trade policies are affecting Georgia families already struggling with rising costs 90% of the costs from Donald Trump’s tariffs have fallen on American consumers and businesses Senator Warnock: “You and the president still seem to be in denial that tariffs have raised prices—a fact that study after study confirms and that is just basic common sense” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee’s International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness Subcommittee, pressed U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s trade policies are affecting Georgia families already struggling with rising costs. Greer’s appearance before the committee comes as President Trump threatens new tariffs amid a worsening affordability crisis. “You and the president still seem to be in denial that tariffs have raised prices—a fact that study after study confirms and that is just basic common sense,” said Senator Warnock. President Trump’s reckless tariff strategy has already cost American households more than $1,000 dollars in 2025 and is estimated to cost them another $1,300 this year because of higher prices for groceries and gasoline. An analysis conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 90% of the costs from President Trump’s tariffs have been paid by American consumers and businesses. In previous Senate Finance Committee hearings, Senator Warnock has pushed Ambassador Greer for assurances that investments in Georgia’s economy would remain a priority at USTR. Senator Warnock has long demanded that Ambassador Greer consider the devastating economic toll of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on American families already struggling amid the affordability crisis. Watch the Senator’s full remarks HERE See below a transcript of Wednesday’s hearing exchange Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Thank you, Chair Crapo. “Donald Trump promised, ‘on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.’ Instead, he’s made life more expensive for everybody. That’s even before his illegal war of choice sent energy prices through the roof. According to the Tax Foundation, Trump’s tariffs cost households $1,000 last year, and will cost them another $1,300 this year. The New York Fed found that in 2025, 90 percent of the economic burden from the tariffs were ultimately paid by American consumers and businesses, and a separate Fed study concluded what Americans already know just by going to the grocery store. The tariffs raised prices for families and contributed to core inflation. “Welcome, Ambassador Greer. Despite this mountain of evidence, you and the president still seem to be in denial that tariffs have raised prices—a fact that study after study confirms, and it’s just basic common sense. Everybody sees it; we’re feeling it. “So, here’s my question: Has the USTR ever produced any rigorous peer-evaluated study refuting the fact that the president’s tariffs have contributed to inflation, or is your rebuttal to these conclusions just based on vibes, people’s feelings, politics?” Ambassador Jamieson Greer (JG): “So, no, we don’t do vibes, Senator. So, the Council on Economic Advisers, they’ve done analyzes. We have seen, in fact, in the last month, inflation drop by 0.4 percent, core goods to 2.6 percent. Quite a contrast under Biden time with 9 percent inflation. Eggs have gone down by 28 percent year on year.” SRW: “My question…” JG: “Do you want the data, sir?” SRW: “Yeah, I want an answer to my actual question.” JG: “Well, I have data. I am trying to give it to you.” SRW: “My question is: Have you ever produced a peer-evaluated study refuting this evidence?” JG: “I literally have the data I’m prepared to read to you from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has serious economists. Year on year, the price of eggs has gone down 28 percent. Smartphones have gone down 12 percent. Butter has gone down 8.7 percent.” SRW: “That’s not my question.” JG: “I thought you wanted to know about the prices. They’re down.” SRW: “That’s not my question. The point is, is that tariffs contributed to inflation. Prices are higher than they were when the president came into office, and tariffs made it worse. People all over Georgia know that, businesses know that. And I’m asking you, I guess the answer to that is no. There’s no peer evaluated rigorous study refuting this, giving me item by item what the price of eggs is doesn’t take seriously the situation.” JG: “That’s what Americans care about. They care about these prices, and they’re down.” SRW: “So, how about this? Within 60 days, will the USTR—since you seem convinced that this is working and that tariffs have not driven up inflation—can you produce a formal, rigorous study, say within the next 60 days, that disproves what all Americans and economists believe to be true about the clear link between these tariffs and price increases? Can you produce that?” JG: “Sir, we have substantial data we’ll provide for you. I’m happy to sit with you and talk about this because I don’t think a five-minute colloquy does it justice. I’m happy to come and talk to you. Everything in the grocery cart comes from America produced here or Canada-Mexico duty-free.” SRW: “So let’s move on to one of the president’s claims. He implemented these tariffs to create what he promised would be a ‘manufacturing boom.’ Meanwhile, we’ve lost at least 75,000 manufacturing jobs since this president has taken office. How many net manufacturing jobs should we expect to see created by the end of this term because of these tariffs? Keep in mind that we’re already at a net negative of 75,000.” JG: “So, in terms of data, so this year in 2026 we’ve had an average increase per month of 3,000 manufacturing jobs. In 2024, last year of Biden, there was a negative 15,000 jobs on average per month lost. So, we’re already we’ve righted the ship on this, and now we’re in positive territory, which is where we want to be.” SRW: “How much of that construction is due to data centers?” JG: “You want to talk about construction now? Okay. So, factory construction has gone up. The employment in factory construction has gone up to 83,000 which is a huge benefit for our construction. A lot of this factory, some is for computing, some is for data, things that that can…” SRW: “So, do you expect to be at a net positive by 2030? Because right now, we’re at a net negative.” JG: “Yes, because after COVID, manufacturing jobs went back up as one would expect when the economy opened back up, and then it plummeted. By 220,000 jobs under Biden, we stabilized it last year. Now we’re net positive again. So, I expect that trend to continue if these policies continue.” SRW: “We’re out of time, brother. Chair, let me just say why this is important. I’m talking to business leaders all across Georgia, talking to consumers. One example is a company where they’ve had to lay off folks because they need a special type of steel that we don’t make, and that steel is now subject to a 50 percent tariff. I could go on and on. I’m all for manufacturing jobs, but these tariffs are raising costs, and everybody seems to know that except the Trump administration. Thank you.” ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnocks-35-insulin-cap-voted-out-of-committee-heads-to-senate-floor/,"Warnock’s $35 Insulin Cap Voted Out of Committee, Heads to Senate Floor",2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The INSULIN Act of 2026, which caps out-of-pocket costs of insulin at $35 a month for private insurance users and ensures access to affordable insulin for uninsured diabetics, passed out of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee with bipartisan support Over 12%of Georgia’s population has diabetes, and tens of thousands more remain undiagnosed Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, legislation led by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) titled the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2026 passed out of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee with bipartisan support. The INSULIN Act of 2026 legislation caps out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month for private insurance holders across the country and helps ensure uninsured diabetics have access to insulin that is $35 or less. The bipartisan bill builds on Senator Warnock’s legislation that capped insulin costs for seniors and was signed into law in 2022. This legislation, co-led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Susan Collins (R-ME), now heads to the Senate floor for a vote. The INSULIN Act of 2026 includes a Senator Warnock-negotiated provision that would establish a 10-state pilot grant program that awards funding to community health centers to help provide affordable insulin to uninsured patients and get them connected to care. The legislation also establishes an insulin resource center and hotline to help connect uninsured people with diabetes to resources they need to obtain insulin. “After years of effort, my bill to cap insulin at $35 a month for everyone is one step closer to becoming law,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they can’t afford insulin or don’t know where to get it.” Senator Warnock has long been a champion of lowering insulin costs for Georgians since joining the Senate. Since 2022, Senator Warnock has introduced legislation each Congress to lower insulin costs and help make prescription drug prices more affordable for Georgians. He first spearheaded legislation that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act and capped insulin costs for seniors at $35 per month. In 2023, Senators Warnock and Kennedy introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023, to cap the cost of insulin for everyone who needs it at $35. Later in 2023, Warnock and Kennedy released a report analyzing county-level data across the country to examine counties with both high rates of uninsured people and high rates of diabetes — which the Senators termed “Insulin Deserts”. Costs to treat diabetes have continued to rise for many Americans. According to the Health Care Costs Institute, insulin prices nearly doubled from 2012 to 2021, with the average price for a 30-day supply of insulin increasing from $271 to $499 during that span. According to the American Diabetes Association, medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes total $412.9 billion each year, and has asserted that diabetics account for $1 of every $4 spent on health care in the U.S. Cosponsors of the Insulin Act of 2026 include Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jim Justice (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jim Banks (R-IN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), David McCormick (R-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Mark Warner (D-VA). Read full text of the bill HERE ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-scott-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-young-parents-in-foster-care/,"Warnock, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Young Parents in Foster Care",2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act provides necessary resources for healthy pregnancies, stable parenting, and successful transitions into adulthood Senator Reverend Warnock: “Together, we are putting foster youth front and center by expanding access to the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program through Chafee and providing the resources they and their children need to build brighter, more secure futures” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act, legislation that would help young parents in the foster care system access the resources they need for healthy pregnancies, stable parenting, and a successful transition into adulthood. “Too many vulnerable youth in our foster care system are forced to contend with early parenthood while facing the complexities of the foster care system,” said Senator Warnock. “That is why I am proud to partner with Senator Scott on this crucial bill. Together, we are putting foster youth front and center by expanding access to the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program through Chafee and providing the resources they and their children need to build brighter, more secure futures.” “Every child deserves the key to opportunity no matter his or her walk of life,” said Senator Scott. “I am proud to introduce the Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act, which ensures young parents from the foster care system can create stable homes for themselves and their children. By investing in these young parents and providing them with ample resources, we are strengthening families, investing in America’s future, and ensuring the door to opportunity remains open for all.” The Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act would improve coordination between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV). The bill would require states to have process in place to provide eligible foster youth who are expecting or parenting information about services that can improve maternal health, child development, parenting skills, and long-term family stability. Senator Warnock has long championed legislation to help protect mothers and improve outcomes for families. The senator previously introduced the Kira Johnson Act, a bill to provide funding to community-based organizations leading the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women. In November 2023, Senator Warnock introduced legislation that would help keep kids out of foster care and promote healthy families by creating an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers. ###",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-slams-hud-for-curtailing-fair-housing-enforcement/,Warnock Slams HUD for Curtailing Fair Housing Enforcement,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Housing and Urban Development Acting Chief Financial Officer Irving Dennis over HUD’s refusal to distribute fair housing grants Earlier this month, HUD announced sweeping changes to a federal grant program that supports fair housing efforts The decision makes it more difficult to identify and adequately investigate violations of housing discrimination, and provide relief for Americans Senator Reverend Warnock has championed bipartisan legislation to boost housing supply by cutting red tape, investing in local innovation, and reforming legacy housing programs Senator Reverend Warnock: “HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee’s Economic Policy Subcommittee, questioned Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Chief Financial Officer Irving Dennis over HUD’s decision to drastically reduce the number of fair housing grants and deliberately exclude experienced fair housing organizations from the latest round of funding. Earlier this month, HUD announced sweeping changes to a federal grant program that supports fair housing efforts and stopped distributing funds to non-profit organizations that investigate and address housing discrimination. “HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing,” said Senator Warnock. “They’re the first line of defense; they’re the ones who see it, and none of them will receive anything. How is this consistent with the law, which requires funds to be made available to experienced non-profit, fair housing enforcement organizations?” Experienced non-profit organizations are often the primary enforces of fair housing protections for Americans facing housing instability, including people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans. Three in four housing discrimination complaints are first handled by these organizations, yet they rely on federal funding to investigate complaints and educate renters about their rights. HUD’s decision to gut the congressionally authorized grant program that supports these efforts will have a devastating impact on Georgians already being squeezed by the ongoing affordability crisis. Since coming to the Senate, Senator Warnock has worked to expand access to affordable housing and promote a fairer housing market. In July, Senator Warnock secured the inclusion of his provision to ban private equity firms from mass purchasing single-family homes in 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation. The housing package also included the Senator’s Appraisal Modernization Act, a provision to combat appraisal bias. It is the only fair housing provision included in the legislation. Watch the Senator’s full remarks HERE See below for a transcript of Thursday’s hearing exchange Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “The Fair Housing initiative program helps local governments and nonprofit organizations enforce the nation’s fair housing laws. In fact, nearly three in four fair housing complaints are first heard by these organizations, which use federal funds to investigate complaints and conduct education about renters’ rights. “Mr. Dennis, you are nominated to be the Chief Financial Officer at HUD, but you are basically doing the job right now. I would imagine you are aware that HUD recently announced they are making $83 million available under this fair housing initiative. How many of these dollars will go to these experienced non-profits who help so many Americans with their fair housing complaints?” Acting HUD CFO Irving Dennis (ID): “I’m not sure how those dollars will flow. That is a program decision within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. We’re responsible for making sure the funds are available and properly accounted for once they leave HUD and reported.” SRW: “Let me tell you the answer is zero. HUD does not reserve funding for these organizations, and it explicitly disqualified prior recipients from certain funds. So, HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing. They’re the first line of defense; they’re the ones who see it, and none of them will receive anything. “How is this consistent with the law, which requires funds to be made available to experienced non-profit, fair housing enforcement organizations?” ID: “Again, these are program decisions, and they are done in consultation with general counsel. I assure you that we are following the law; we will not do anything to violate the law.” SRW: “I assure you that it’s not consistent with the law, and it’s bad practice. To just disqualify the organization that is actually experienced with doing this work. I hope you will rethink this if confirmed to this position.” ###",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-warnock-effort-irs-increases-mileage-reimbursement-rate/,"Following Warnock Effort, IRS Increases Mileage Reimbursement Rate",2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Last month, Senator Reverend Warnock urged the Internal Revenue Service to increase the standard mileage reimbursement rate and give a bigger tax deduction to Georgia’s gig workers and independent contractors This adjustment benefits millions of independent contractors and gig workers who often drive thousands of miles a year for work The average gas price in Georgia is $3.77 a gallon, largely resulting from President Trump’s Iran War Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) secured a mid-year adjustment to the 2026 optional standard business mileage reimbursement rate after pressuring U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano last month. The Senator made the request after hearing directly from Georgia workers suffocated by the high price of gas. “I’m pleased that my efforts will provide relief to the millions of Americans who’ve been squeezed by the surge in gas prices,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I will continue to focus on making the livelihoods of hardworking Georgians a little better. If the President wants to fix the problems at the pump, he should end this illegal war with Iran” In a July 13 bulletin, the IRS announced that the standard mileage rate will increase by 3.5 cents per mile to 76 cents for the optional mileage rate for automobiles driven for business. The new rates will apply on or after July 1, 2026, and will be reflected on 2026 federal income tax returns filed next year. The price of gas has risen exponentially since President Trump began the war in Iran just over 140 days ago. In January 2026, when the current mileage reimbursement was set, the average retail cost of gasoline nationally was $2.93 a gallon. By May 2026, the cost rose to $4.60 per gallon, placing a significant burden on small business owners and workers. The IRS is authorized to set the standard business mileage rate every year. In years past, the IRS has made mid-year adjustments to the mileage rate, including in 2005, 2008, and 2011, when higher business, medical, and moving rates were applied mid-year “in recognition of recent gasoline price increases.” In 2022, the IRS made a mid-year adjustment to mileage rates due to “recent increases in the cost of fuel.” ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-unveils-comprehensive-plan-to-protect-and-expand-voting-rights-in-america/,Warnock Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Protect and Expand Voting Rights in America,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In a new framework released today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock called for Congress to investigate state politicians who rushed to gerrymander maps and eliminate Black majority districts following the Supreme Court’s Callais decision The investigations would seek to determine if lawmakers illegally discriminated based on race when drawing Congressional maps The Senator’s plan also includes a nationwide ban on partisan gerrymandering, stopping billionaires from buying our elections, and guaranteeing the right to vote for all Americans ICYMI from ABC News: Sen. Warnock urges Democrats to investigate officials who redrew maps Senator Reverend Warnock: “Voting rights are preservative of all other rights. They are the context in which all other debates take place. Democracy is the very house we live in. It is the whole game.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), one of the Senate’s leading advocates for voting rights, today unveiled a comprehensive policy agenda to repair and strengthen American democracy in the wake of escalating attacks on the right to vote. In this new policy paper, Senator Warnock argues that Congress must launch investigations into state politicians who redrew the maps after the Supreme Court decision to gut the Voting Rights Act earlier this year. “Across the Deep South, partisan actors have manipulated their maps to silence the voices of Black voters. Their names and stories are virtually unknown across the country, and that is one way they escape accountability,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Even this Supreme Court has made clear that intentional racial discrimination remains illegal. We owe it to voters to root out whether any illegal actions or discrimination occurred,” added the Senator. Senator Warnock’s plan outlines actions Congress should take in the short, medium, and long term. The plan includes: Launch Congressional investigations into state politicians who have manipulated maps to silence voters’ voices after the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v Callais. Determine if there is any evidence that these officials broke any laws in their race to gerrymander and silence Black voices. Ban partisan gerrymandering nationwide. If some partisan Republicans refuse to ban this egregious practice, we should put them on record, and we must make them explain why on the floor of Congress and to the American people. Stop billionaires from buying our elections. We need billionaires to spend less on elections and more in taxes. Expand American democracy. Grant statehood to the District of Columbia and self-determination for U.S. territories. Amend the Constitution. Enshrine the fundamental right to vote once and for all. Senator Warnock also framed the push as a call to action for his colleagues in Congress and in the Democratic Party to urgently prioritize the issue of voting rights saying, “No more excuses: As soon as Democrats hold a trifecta, protecting voting rights must be at the top of the agenda.” He also argues that fixing voting rights is a critical step towards addressing affordability and the cost of living saying, “Voting rights are preservative of all other rights. So even as we talk about affordability, as we talk about growing wealth inequality, billionaires getting tax cuts while everyday people can barely afford their lives, all of that brokenness reflects the brokenness of the democracy itself. We have to repair it, and we have to do so with urgency.” Read the full plan HERE. ###",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-colleagues-demand-more-fema-assistance-for-wildfire-prevention-and-response/,"Warnock, Colleagues Demand More FEMA Assistance for Wildfire Prevention and Response",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In a new letter, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock joined his Senate colleagues in demanding more assistance from FEMA for wildfire prevention and response Senator Reverend Warnock and colleagues: “It is imperative that FEMA helps communities quickly respond to wildfires and increase their resilience to future wildfire disasters” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined eight of his Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that all communities receive the federal resources they need to prevent and respond to wildfires. An analysis conducted by the Joint Economic Committee found that the annual economic burden of wildfires on the U.S. economy ranges from $394 billion to $893 billion, often forcing states to bear the brunt of disaster response and recovery costs. Currently, states can request financial assistance from FEMA through Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to help cover emergency-related costs, firefighting activities, and administrative expenses. After an FMAG is declared, states can request assistance to help impacted communities rebuild and mitigate future wildfire disasters through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire. However, many communities are still waiting for HMGP Post Fire funds from previous wildfires, leaving them vulnerable to current and future disasters. “Unfortunately, over 3.1 million acres have already burned across the country since the beginning of this year, which is the second largest number of acres burned in a January to July period in the past 10 years,” wrote Senator Warnock, colleagues. “Given these recent fires, the persistent drought across multiple states, and the expected above normal wildfire activity, it is imperative that FEMA helps communities quickly respond to wildfires and increase their resilience to future wildfire disasters.” Earlier this year, Georgia experienced the two most destructive fires in the state’s history, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch and Echols County and the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County. Together these fires burned over 50,000 acres, cost the state of Georgia $35 million, and destroyed 110 homes. Comprehensive and timely FEMA assistance is vital to ensuring Georgians have the adequate resources to recover from the devastating effects of these wildfires. Senator Warnock has consistently worked to provide and strengthen federal support for communities affected by natural disasters. In March 2026, Senator Warnock secured over $531 million in federal disaster aid for Georgia farmers who were affected by Hurricane Helene. In April 2025, Senator Warnock championed legislation that provided tax relief to victims of the South Georgia wildfires. Senator Warnock was joined by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: Dear Mr. Fenton: Wildfires are one of the most frequently recurring disasters that, while once common only to western states, have recently become a major threat to communities across the country. The Canadian wildfires in 2023 and 2024 produced smoke and harmful air pollutants that were dispersed across the eastern United States. In 2024 and 2025, the Cottonwood Peak wildfire in Nevada, the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Texas and Oklahoma, and the Los Angeles wildfires in California burned millions of acres across the west. 2024 also proved to be the worst wildfire season in Oregon, and in 2026, Georgia faced the most destructive fire in the state’s history. These wildfires can be lethal and destroy critical infrastructure and entire residential communities, negatively affect public health through harmful smoke and air pollutants, and place large economic burdens on urban and rural communities. Unfortunately, over 3.1 million acres have already burned across the country since the beginning of this year, which is the second largest number of acres burned in a January to July period in the past 10 years. According to the National Interagency Fire Center’s July National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook report, western and southeastern states are forecasted to experience above normal wildfire activity this summer as major drought conditions continue to persist. Given these recent fires, the persistent drought across multiple states, and the expected above normal wildfire activity, it is imperative that FEMA helps communities quickly respond to wildfires and increase their resilience to future wildfire disasters. Fortunately, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to help communities manage and control wildfire disasters. There were 67 FMAG declarations in fiscal year 2025 alone, which shows how valuable these grants are to helping communities combat wildfires. Therefore, FMAGs must continue to be available to all communities, especially for rural communities, as we prepare to enter the upcoming wildfire season. Communities can also increase their resilience after a wildfire disaster by participating in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire (HMGP Post Fire) for FMAG declarations, which helps develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in ways that reduce future disaster impacts. For example, in Nevada, HMGP Post Fire grants are primarily used for hazardous fuels mitigation in and around their communities with the intent of decreasing future wildland fire effects. However, we are very concerned that many states in 2025 and 2026 were not awarded HMGP Post Fire funding after an FMAG declaration. In fact, since March 18, 2025, HMGP has not been approved for any major disaster declaration. Additionally, a leaked memo from FEMA to the Office of Management and Budget from April 2025 suggested not automatically approving HMGP, and the recently released FEMA Review Council Report recommends replacing HMGP with a two-phase funding structure. These actions make the future of HMGP uncertain and leave communities without access to this critical funding. As we approach the summer months and prepare for above normal wildfire activity, we urge you to ensure FEMA can quickly respond to future wildfires and that FMAG and HMGP Post Fire funds are promptly approved and distributed to communities, including those in rural areas. We appreciate that FEMA recently started dispersing some HMGP funds to projects that were approved as far back as 2020. However, while addressing the backlog of HMGP projects is important, we urge you to ensure that more recent HMGP and HMGP Post Fire requests are also promptly reviewed and funds disbursed so that communities can prepare for future disasters. In addition, we request responses to the following questions by no later than July 31, 2026: 1. How does FEMA plan to ensure that it can promptly review and approve FMAG funds to provide vital assistance to communities during the upcoming wildfire season? Does FEMA’s plan include the recommendations provided by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding FMAG implementation, many of which FEMA concurred with and committed to finalizing? 2. Rural communities are no stranger to large and catastrophic wildland fires that place large economic impacts on local industries, but rural communities are rarely eligible for these programs because of low population densities. Considering that wildfires often start in rural areas and then expand into areas with higher population densities, mitigation efforts in rural areas may help protect the higher populated areas. How is FEMA addressing any potential eligibility barriers that impact rural communities and may prevent them from accessing FMAG assistance? 3. From March 2025 to June 2026, how many HMGP requests did President Trump or the FEMA Administrator approve or deny? For requests that were denied, what were the reasons? 4. From March 2025 to June 2026, how many HMGP Post Fire requests did FEMA or FEMA Regional Administrators approve or deny, and for what reasons were these decisions made? Are FEMA Regional Administrators still empowered to approve HMGP Post Fire grants? 5. General feedback from state and local entities is that HMGP Post Fire, while amazing in concept, is rarely used because it is known to be an extremely cumbersome and bureaucratic process with limited and lengthy results. With this perception in mind, how many FMAGs have been approved since 2020 without a corresponding HMGP Post Fire application submitted? 6. Many state and local agencies have waited multiple years for approval to start work, and multiple years for reimbursement for work approved and performed under HMGP Post Fire. From January 2020 to June 2026, what is the total dollar amount of HMGP Post Fire funds waiting to be reimbursed to state agencies? 7. What has caused or is causing FEMA to delay or not disperse HMGP and HMGP Post Fire funds, and how are these issues being addressed? Does FEMA plan to include the GAO’s recommendation to provide assistance for immediate post-wildfire mitigation, which is necessary to prevent post-wildfire flooding, erosion, and debris flows? 8. Has the policy or practice for approving HMGP and HMGP Post Fire requests changed at all in the past 18 months? If so, please provide justification for the changes. 9. With HMGP’s future seemingly uncertain, what are FEMA’s plans for this program and how will the agency keep Congress informed on its status? We look forward to your swift response and working with FEMA to ensure the safety of all Americans from wildfire disasters. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-statement-on-4-servicemembers-killed-in-action-in-iran/,Sen. Ossoff Statement on 4 Servicemembers Killed in Action in Iran,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/amidst-cyclospora-parasite-outbreak-sen-ossoff-slams-hhs-secretary-kennedy-for-canceling-cdcs-monitoring-of-cyclosporiasis-parasite/,"Amidst Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak, Sen. Ossoff Slams HHS Secretary Kennedy for Canceling CDC’s Monitoring of Cyclosporiasis Parasite",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Amidst the current parasite outbreak, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is slamming HHS Secretary Kennedy for canceling the CDC’s required surveillance of the Cyclosporiasis parasite. In a new letter, Sen. Ossoff slammed U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for terminating the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis. According to recent reports, cyclosporiasis has been identified in more than 1,600 confirmed cases, with more than 100 people hospitalized and thousands of cases being investigated across 34 states, including Georgia. “Last year, you terminated the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) required surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis. And now a cyclosporiasis outbreak sweeps the nation,” Sen. Ossoff wrote to HHS Secretary RFK Jr.“Your foolish and self-indulgent demolition of critical public health programs puts Americans at risk. The Trump Administration is actively undermining food safety.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect public health, the CDC, and its workforce. In April, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock demanded answers from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. after reports that the CDC Atlanta Campus is still in need of repairs and improvements following last year’s shooting. In March, Sen. Ossoff worked with Republicans and Democrats to ensure the CDC receives crucial funding to protect the American people, successfully defeating the Trump Administration’s proposed 50% cut in funding for the CDC in the FY26 budget. Last October, Sen. Ossoff led Georgia’s Democratic Congressional Delegation in calling on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to answer for the chaos and disruption at the CDC that has marked his tenure, including the firings of CDC employees. Last June, Sen. Ossoff spoke in the Appropriations Committee markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill about bipartisan efforts to protect the CDC. Also in June, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from the Trump Administration following an NPR report that the CDC Program to prevent fentanyl overdoses had been frozen. In 2025, Sen. Ossoff and other members of Congress demanded that the Trump Administration provide answers on the reported shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system at the CDC. Click here to read Sens. Ossoff’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warnock-atlanta-mayor-dickens-councilmember-boone-celebrate-warnock-led-provision-that-will-keep-homes-in-the-hands-of-georgia-families/,"ICYMI: Warnock, Atlanta Mayor Dickens, Councilmember Boone Celebrate Warnock-Led Provision That Will Keep Homes in the Hands of Georgia Families",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,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’s provision to ban large corporations from mass purchasing single-family homes is federal law The provision is part of the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation Senator Reverend Warnock: “Housing is dignity, housing is stability, housing is hope” Atlanta, GA – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) held a press conference in the Adamsville neighborhood of Atlanta with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta City District 10 Councilmember Andrea Boone, and prospective first-time homebuyer Jacob Parcel to celebrate the enactment of Senator Warnock’s landmark provision prohibiting private equity firms from mass-purchasing single-family homes. The provision, and many other provisions championed by Senator Reverend Warnock, are included in the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, thelargest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation. Despite passing the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, President Donald Trump declined to sign the bill within the constitutionally designated 10-day timeline, prompting formal enactment to occur without the president’s signature. In addition to the ban on private equity, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act also includes provisions from Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act, the only fair housing provision in the legislation, and several bills Senator Warnock has championed for years to reform rural housing programs, penalize local governments for failing to meet housing goals, incentivize local governments and banks to invest more in the construction of housing, and provide grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners repair and weatherize their properties. More media coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s press conference below: WANF: Warnock authored the section of the bill that caps the number of homes corporations can own at 350 per investor group, with a fine of $1 million or three-times the price of a home’s value for every property they own over the cap. WABE: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock celebrated a bipartisan housing affordability package becoming federal law this weekend, which includes a provision he championed capping corporate ownership of single-family homes. Atlanta Voice: Warnock said there was still work to be done. The act doesn’t apply to homes that have already been purchased by corporations. Asked what the act means for the corporations or private equity that might remain involved in the Georgia housing market. Warnock said, “I want to stop the spread. They are picking homes like you, and I pick tomatoes in the grocery store.” Courier Georgia: During a press conference Monday, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) celebrated the legislation. He wrote several key provisions, including the limit on the number of additional homes private equity can buy and the measure making discrimination in the appraisal process illegal. “Let’s be clear, if you’re a single mom,” he said, “you cannot compete with Wall Street. They will outbid you every time, and so this is about fairness.” AJC: Standing in front of a three-bedroom Adamsville rental owned by a private equity firm, the Democratic senator was joined by Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta City Council member Andrea Boone, both of whom grew up in the Westside community. “They are picking houses the way you pick tomatoes at the grocery store,” said Warnock, calling Atlanta “ground zero” of corporate homeownership. ###",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-slams-cfpb-acting-director-russell-vought-for-prioritizing-debt-collectors-over-the-american-people/,Warnock Slams CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought for Prioritizing Debt Collectors Over the American People,2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Acting Director Russell Vought over his decision to expose millions of financially vulnerable Americans to predatory medical debt collectors Medical debt can ruin credit scores and exacerbate the crushing effects of the ongoing affordability crisis for rural and working-class Americans In Georgia, 27% of rural residents have medical debt collections on their credit report—ten percentage points higher than the national average Senator Reverend Warnock: “CFPB, by its nature, is advocating for the everyday consumers, and I don’t see how any of your actions suggest that you’ve been advocating for the people that I represent” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee’s Economic Policy Subcommittee, slammed Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), for reversing a finalized CFPB rule that would have removed almost $50 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of tens of millions of Americans. “CFPB, by its nature, is advocating for everyday consumers, and I don’t see how any of your actions suggest that you’ve been advocating for the people that I represent,” said Senator Warnock. “It seems to me that this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. People on both sides of the aisle know that medical emergencies can happen to anybody. They can happen to anyone. We’ve seen that up close in this very body over the last few weeks. But thanks to you, there are now families who cannot buy a house. They are hounded by debt collectors, and they’re denied business loans all because they got sick.” Last year, Senator Warnock joined Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 28 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding the Trump administration publicly produce the data and analysis used to justify the CFPB’s position that the medical debt rule was unnecessary or unlawful. Acting Director Vought has yet to respond to this inquiry, opting instead to deflect blame when confronted by Senator Warnock in Thursday’s Banking Committee hearing. In a similar effort to rectify Director Vought’s disastrous decision to reverse the CFPB medical debt rule, Senator Warnock forced a vote on the Senate floor to restore protections for the millions of Americans vulnerable to predatory medical debt collectors. Most of his Republican colleagues refused to support the resolution, and it ultimately failed on a 50-50 party line vote. 27% of Georgians in rural communities have medical collections on their credit report—ten percentage points higher than the national average. Statewide, roughly 640,000 Georgians lack adequate access to affordable health care because the Republican state legislature has repeatedly refused to fully expand Medicaid. Despite these setbacks, Senator Warnock continues to fight to ensure every Georgian has access to quality, affordable health care. Watch the Senators full remarks HERE. See below for a transcript of Thursdays hearing exchange Senator Raphael Warnock (SRW): “Thank you, Mr. Chair. Director Vought, have you or anyone you know ever had a medical emergency?” Acting Director Russell Vought (RV): “Of course.” SRW: “Do you personally know anyone who has ever gone into debt because of a medical emergency?” RV: “Yes.” SRW: “Before the president took office, the CFPB finalized a rule that would have removed almost $50 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of tens of millions of Americans. Debt which, by the way, is often incorrect. But Director Vought, within months of your taking office, the CFPB reverse itself and joined with the very same debt collectors who were set to profit off medical debt to overturn this rule. How did your decision in any way help those tens of millions of Americans, some of whom are watching today, being crushed by nearly $50 billion in medical debt? How was this helpful for them?” RV: “Senator, the statute specifically ensures that credit reporting agencies can take into account medical debt. So, until you change that statute, we don’t have the ability to just regulate however we want to.” SRW: “Well, you could have tried to narrow the rule, right?” RV: “No, we really couldn’t.” SRW: “You could have tried to fight it in court?” RV: “No, our oath is to the statutes that you have passed—to faithfully execute those laws.” SRW: “That’s not something you could have fought in court?” RV: “Not if we have a fundamental disagreement about what the statute requires.” SRW: “You and I can agree to disagree. I think you chose not to fight it in court, and you joined forces with those debt collectors. A year ago, I, along with nearly 30 of my colleagues, demanded answers from you about this decision, and I request unanimous consent to enter our letter into the record. You never responded. Do you ever respond? Do you ever plan to respond to my letter?” RV: “Much of the correspondence that we’ve gotten has to do with litigation that we’re a part of, and so we can’t speak and respond to letters of which we’re going to have to provide answers in court, and that is a reality that we face. But we do intend to have a very open relationship with Congress, and I’m happy to correspond with you on a regular basis.” SRW: “Do you do you ever plan to respond to our letter?” RV: “I’m leaving the post on August 1st, so there’s a lot of things that hopefully [President Trump’s nominee for CFPB Chair] Brian Johnson will be doing, and one of those is those types of correspondence.” SRW: “You’re leaving on August 1st—you’ve done quite a bit of damage in a few months. We had a simple ask: show your work, publicly disclose the data and the analysis to justify the CFPB’s position that the medical debt rule was unnecessary or unlawful. Since you didn’t respond, I’ll ask you now: How many Americans were projected to have their medical debt wiped from their credit scores by the CFPB’s medical debt rule, which you overturned?” RV: “I don’t know, but the rule was unlawful.” SRW: “The answer is 15 million. Medical debt can ruin credit scores, which can make it impossible for folks to ever buy a home. Do you know how many more mortgages consumers would have been able to afford each year if you hadn’t overturned the rule?” RV: “I don’t have that off the top of my head.” SRW: “So the answer is 22,000. So, 22,000 mortgages that consumers would have been able to afford. 15 million Americans who were set to have their medical debt wiped from their credit scores. I’ve seen this up close in the state of Georgia, and the impact, the real human costs behind the very cold and clinical language about statutory authority, authority which I think you do have. Questions that you could have raised.” “CFPB, by its nature, is advocating for everyday consumers, and I don’t see how any of your actions suggest that you’ve been advocating for the people that I represent. It seems to me that this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. People on both sides of the aisle know that medical emergencies can happen to anybody. They can happen to anyone. We’ve seen that up close in this very body over the last few weeks. But thanks to you, there are now families who cannot buy a house. They are hounded by debt collectors, and they’re denied business loans all because they got sick. Director Vought, you’ve spent the last 18 months decimating the CFPB and its consumer protections, and I think families across America will be that better off when you’re gone. I’d like a response to my letter.” ###",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-pushes-federal-reserve-chair-kevin-warsh-to-implement-artificial-intelligence-policy-that-protects-all-americans-not-just-tech-executives/,"Warnock Pushes Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to Implement Artificial Intelligence Policy That Protects All Americans, Not Just Tech Executives",2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"According to a Bloomberg analysis, spending on artificial intelligence has risen to about 8 percent of U.S. gross domestic product Americans’ retirement accounts are increasingly tied to the artificial intelligence industry, driven by massive increases in the stock prices of chip and AI companies Earlier this year, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock introduced legislation to support America’s workforce amid the rise of artificial intelligence Senator Warnock: “But here’s my problem: Americans are worried about what AI will mean for the economy, and I’m worried that this viewpoint isn’t represented at the Fed” Washington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee’s Economic Policy Subcommittee, questioned Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh about how to protect Americans from potential economic uncertainty tied to the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. “I’d be worried about a massive economic slowdown. You know, the impact of Wall Street on Main Street, and I’d be worried about job losses,” said Senator Warnock. “Stock prices tumbling would mean Americans could not retire as planned, and I don’t want to see taxpayers holding the bag should this AI bubble pop…But here’s my problem: Americans are worried about what AI will mean for the economy, and I’m worried that this viewpoint isn’t represented at the Fed.” According to a recent Bloomberg analysis, AI spending accounted for approximately 8% of U.S. gross domestic product and was a leading driver of economic growth. Despite growing alignment between the tech industry and top Wall Street investors, major AI firms have yet to generate meaningful profits. During Wednesday’s Banking Committee hearing, Senator Warnock pushed Chair Warsh to consider this as he seeks input on AI. Senator Warnock has championed protections for American workers as automation and AI reshape the workforce and economy. In February, Senator Warnock introduced the Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to increase investments in worker training and prepare workers for jobs of the future. He also successfully secured $65 million in funding for the Georgia Institute of Technology to help the university remain a national leader in computer science research and innovation. Watch the Senator’s full remarks HERE See below a transcript of Wednesday’s hearing exchange Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “The American economy is heavily leveraged on the success of artificial intelligence, and this is an issue that I’m very interested in—been engaging and talking to folks in the industry and folks outside of the industry, various stakeholders. According to a Bloomberg analysis, AI spending most recently climbed to about 8% of the U.S. gross domestic product, driving the country’s economic growth. Chair Warsh, you have long been bullish on AI. However, up to now, despite investors betting big on them, none of the major AI models have been meaningfully profitable. What are the consequences to our economy if none of these companies ever become profitable? Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh (KW): “So, if they were to disappoint investors, I think the capital markets would dry up for them, and some of that capital investment would be curtailed.” SRW: “I guess that’s one way of putting it. I guess I’m getting at where ordinary folks are in the midst of that. The markets behind the markets are real people who have retirement savings and who are trying to make their present as well as their future work. American retirement accounts are increasingly tied to AI, and so there’s the human issue driven by massive increases in the stock prices of chip and AI companies. You might talk about the current markets in a way. It sort of—it is tall and narrow. Let’s imagine if we are in an AI bubble. What would happen to our economy, and more specifically, Americans’ retirement savings, if that bubble popped?” KW: “So, I think it’s a fair question, Senator. I take it seriously. I’m not in the business of providing a Wall Street newsletter, but I’ll say broadly to your question about the effects on the economy: booms and busts do not help the real economy, and they don’t make the central bank’s job easier. What the central bank is trying to achieve is price stability—full employment—all in the context of financial stability. “On the question of these AI companies, certainly the surge in their investment and the surge in their valuations is notable. But I’ll also note one other thing, Senator. Over the course of the last couple of months, we’ve seen the market cap—both of the public companies and of private companies—under some pressure at the overall indexes. We do seem to see a broadening out now. Why is that? Because earnings now for the last several quarters more broadly are moving up. I don’t want to suggest that should give us any complacency, but what the Fed’s looking for is economic strength to broaden and the inflation that we talked about earlier to become more narrow.” SRW: “So, I’d be worried about a massive economic slowdown. You know, the impact of Wall Street on Main Street, and I’d be worried about job losses. Stock prices tumbling would mean Americans could not retire as planned, and I don’t want to see taxpayers holding the bag should this AI bubble pop. I’m not against AI. AI is not going anywhere. It has both promise and peril. I just want us to be thinking critically about this from all angles. “Earlier this month, you announced a new task force to assess the effect of AI on productivity and jobs. The three individuals you chose for the task force are tech executives who have directly worked for or with AI labs. All three of them. Yes or no, will the Fed include anyone on this task force with an alternative viewpoint on AI? For example, anyone who represents the workers whose lives may be up ended by increased adoption of AI tools and technology?” KW: “So, Senator, it’s a fair question. As I mentioned to your colleague a few moments ago, what I’d say is one of the people on those task forces is an academic. Now I don’t want to suggest that the academic is representing some…” SRW: “You don’t want to suggest that the academic is being academic—” KW: “—I don’t want to suggest that, but this isn’t a faculty lounge discussion. What I do want to suggest is that academic’s work has spent a lot of time talking about prior technology shocks and the displacement that it has on labor. The assurance I can give you is that these three people on that task force, like the other task forces, they’re not the deciders. You’retalking to one of the deciders. The 19 of us around the FOMC with a breadth of backgrounds and interest, we’re going to decide what we think of their conclusions.” SRW: “As a decision maker, I always want various viewpoints. I certainly have nothing against an academic expertise. I think you know that that’s important, and it’s too often ignored in some of the appointments that we’ve seen around here lately. But here’s my problem: Americans are worried about what AI will mean for the economy, and I’m worried that this viewpoint isn’t represented at the Fed.” ###",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-moran-launch-bipartisan-effort-to-protect-community-water-supplies-and-improve-drought-resilience/,"Warnock, Moran Launch Bipartisan Effort to Protect Community Water Supplies and Improve Drought Resilience",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jerry Moran introduced legislation that would establish a new office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The Securing America’s Water Supply Act would ensure communities have access to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ drought resilience and water supply expertise, strengthening the nation’s ability to protect valuable water resources and address water supply challenges while improving coordination between the Corps and local communities Senator Warnock: “A resilient water supply is crucial to the future of Georgia’s families, farmers, and businesses, and this new office will help provide communities the tools they need to protect this vital resource and build long-term drought resiliency” Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish an office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help communities meet their long-term water needs and address new water supply challenges posed by drought and aging infrastructure. This new office will centralize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ drought resilience and water supply expertise, ensuring local communities have access to critical water supply resources and support to tackle future opportunities and challenges. “Our bipartisan bill will help Georgia communities, state agencies, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work together to better address and manage our water resources responsibly,” said Senator Warnock. “A resilient water supply is crucial to the future of Georgia’s families, farmers, and businesses, and this new office will help provide communities the tools they need to protect this vital resource and build long-term drought resiliency.” “Establishing a dedicated Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation and Drought Resiliency will strengthen the Army Corps of Engineers’ mission of addressing water supply needs and support efforts to improve water availability and drought resilience,” said Senator Moran. “This new office will improve coordination with states and local partners, helping them access the authorities, programs and technical resources needed to make certain communities in Kansas and across the country have a reliable and sustainable water supply.” “This bill delivers critical support to the Corps of Engineers, strengthening its ability to support the water utilities that provide clean, reliable drinking water to people and businesses across metro Atlanta,” said Danny Johnson, Managing Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Natural Resources Department (ARC). “The Office of Water Supply gives the Corps the resources it needs to meet the Atlanta region’s water needs, now and into the future.” “Our nation’s water supply is at the core of our prosperity as it is vital for human life, industry, and agriculture,” said Brad Burnett, Chairman of the National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA). “Establishment of an Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency within the US Army Corps of Engineers will provide the focus needed within the federal government to support states and regional sponsors across the nation in maintaining and managing existing water supplies and developing new ones for the future.” Senator Warnock has long fought to implement lasting improvements to water supply infrastructure in Georgia. In June 2024, following a series of catastrophic water main breaks that left hundreds of thousands of Atlanta residents and local businesses without water services, Senator Warnock led a bicameral effort to secure nearly $1 million in federal funding to address chronic water infrastructure problems plaguing communities across Georgia. Senator Warnock was joined in this effort by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05). The Securing America’s Water Supply Act is supported by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA). ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/watch-sen-ossoff-presses-director-of-national-intelligence-nominee-on-2020-election-results-fulton-county-raid/,"WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Presses Director of National Intelligence Nominee on 2020 Election Results, Fulton County Raid",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WATCH: Sen. Ossoff’s full line of questioning Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, a member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, today pressed President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence on the 2020 election results and the Fulton County raid earlier this year. Today, in a U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Nomination Hearing, Sen. Ossoff pressed Walter “Jay” Clayton III, President Trump’s nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence, about who won the 2020 election and former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s presence during the FBI’s raid on the Fulton County elections office. When Sen. Ossoff asked Clayton, “Who won the 2020 election,” Clayton refused to answer the question and said, “I’m not going to do this with you.” In response, Sen. Ossoff told Clayton, “You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you asked to lead America’s Intelligence Community. Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president’s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?” Sen. Ossoff asked Clayton if he was aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid in Georgia earlier this year, to which Clayton said, “I was made aware of it by you yesterday.” “The first time you learned that Director Gabbard was present at that raid was in my office yesterday?” Sen. Ossoff replied. “Your answers lack credibility. Your testimony lacks credibility. You’re being evasive and you’re not being candid or forthright. And everybody across the country is going to watch this and know that.” Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s full line of questioning. Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s line of questioning below: SEN. OSSOFF: “You have an obligation to be honest and forthright with this Committee, correct?” CLAYTON: “Yes.” SEN. OSSOFF: “And is it the case in the Juan Orlando Hernandez case that the President of the United States pardoned a man who had worked with the Sinaloa cartel to facilitate massive narcotrafficking into the United States?” CLAYTON: “I don’t remember the specifics of that case…” SEN. OSSOFF: “He was convicted in your district.” CLAYTON: “He was convicted. I’m just … we convict a lot of people for a lot of drugs.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Convicted of narcotrafficking, yes?” CLAYTON: “Um, I believe so.” SEN. OSSOFF: “You know so. At massive scale, yes?” CLAYTON: “Well, you’re telling me what I know. That’s kind of –– he was I believe –– look, I’ll take your word for it. He was a convicted narcotrafficker.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Did the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, pardon a convicted narcotrafficker?” CLAYTON: “I believe we just discussed that. The president provided a pardon. Yes.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Yes or no? Did the President of the United States pardon a convicted narcotrafficker?” CLAYTON: “Yes.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 election?” CLAYTON: “You know, we’re not –– I’m not. I’m not going to do this with you.” SEN. OSSOFF: “This is a job interview. We’ve established that you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee, yes? You do have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee?” CLAYTON: “Yes.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 election?” CLAYTON: “Like I said, I’m not –– I’m not going to get into that with you.” SEN. OSSOFF: “But you do have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee.” CLAYTON: “Is anything that I just said not honest or forthright?” SEN. OSSOFF: “Yes, you’re not being honest or forthright. Who won the 2020 election?” CLAYTON: “I think I’ve answered the question. We can keep doing this.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Well, we’re going to keep doing it because you’re not being honest and forthright.” CLAYTON: “Nah, I’m not going to engage in the theater.” SEN. OSSOFF: “It’s a simple question, Mr. Clayton.” CLAYTON: “And I’ve answered.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 presidential election?” CLAYTON: “I’ve answered it.” SEN. OSSOFF: “You’re here asking for the support of senators to lead America’s Intelligence Community. We’ve established that you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with this Committee and with the American public, but you refuse to answer a simple matter of fact about the 2020 election, is that right?” CLAYTON: “No, that’s not right.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Then answer the question: who won the 2020 election?” CLAYTON: “I have answered the question.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Answer it. What is your answer?” CLAYTON: “I’ve given you my answer.” SEN. OSSOFF: “What is your answer?” CLAYTON: “…” SEN. OSSOFF: “You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you asked to lead America’s Intelligence Community. Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president’s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?” CLAYTON: “I think I gave you the answer.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid in Georgia earlier this year?” CLAYTON: “You uh –– you discussed that with me yesterday in your office.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid earlier this year?” CLAYTON: “You, you brought it to me … my attention yesterday ––” SEN. OSSOFF: “What is going on here? You’ve said at the beginning of this you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee. I’m asking a very simple question: are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid earlier this year? Yes or no? Are you aware?” CLAYTON: “I was ––” SEN. OSSOFF: “You won’t answer that question.” CLAYTON: “I just said I was made aware of it by you yesterday.” SEN. OSSOFF: “The first time you learned that Director Gabbard was present at that raid was in my office yesterday?” CLAYTON: “It was the first time that, in my recollection, I’ve thought about it recently. Now, was I aware of it before?” SEN. OSSOFF: “What?” CLAYTON: “You –– I mean, you brought it to my attention yesterday. I had not thought ––” SEN. OSSOFF: “So you had not known until ––” CLAYTON: “I had not –– I had not thought about it until you brought it to my attention yesterday.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Your answers lack credibility. Your testimony lacks credibility. You’re being evasive and you’re not being candid or forthright. And everybody across the country is going to watch this and know that. Are you aware that former Director Gabbard testified that her presence at the raid was quote ‘requested by the president’?” CLAYTON: “I’m not aware of that until now.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Okay, you are now aware of that.” CLAYTON: “Yeah.” SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that members of this committee are already probing Director Gabbard’s potential misconduct in this matter?” CLAYTON: “I don’t. I’m not privy to your probe into ––” SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that the general counsel and deputy general counsel of your office have already provided testimony to this committee regarding this matter?” CLAYTON: “No.” SEN. OSSOFF: “If the White House Chief of Staff or the president asks you to travel somewhere across the United States and oversee the execution of a domestic search warrant on a sensitive election facility, will you do it?” CLAYTON: “Umm that’s a hypothet––” SEN. OSSOFF: “Is that appropriate? Is that appropriate for the Director of National Intelligence?” CLAYTON: “That’s a hypothetical.” SEN. OSSOFF: “We all know it’s not appropriate.” CHAIRMAN: “Senator Ossoff your time is expired.” SEN OSSOFF: “Will you answer the question?” CHAIRMAN: “Your time is expired. Senator –––” SEN OSSOFF: “Will you give him the opportunity to answer the question? Is this not material right now, sir? Is it appropriate for the Director of National Intelligence to oversee the execution of domestic search warrants at sensitive election facilities? Yes or no?” CLAYTON: “I think you’re asking me, as you just said in your first comment to me ––” SEN OSSOFF: “Yes or no? Is it appropriate? No?” CLAYTON: “You are asking me to comment on a matter that you just said was under investigation.” SEN OSSOFF: “No, I’m asking you ––” CHAIRMAN: “Okay, Senator Ossoff, your time is expired.” SEN OSSOFF: “Disqualifying.” # # #",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-working-to-crack-down-on-ai-improperly-denying-needed-health-care/,Sen. Ossoff Working to Crack Down on AI Improperly Denying Needed Health Care,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence to deny needed health care. Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring a Senate resolution to stop the Trump Administration from allowing artificial intelligence to improperly deny seniors’ needed health care. This year, the Trump Administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, a pilot program that uses “technologies such as artificial intelligence to review the appropriateness of select services in six states over a six-year trial period.” The Congressional Review Act resolution, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), would repeal the WISeR Model, stopping the Trump Administration from using AI to deny seniors’ care. “The abuse of prior authorization practices has led to Georgians being denied life-saving medication and waiting months for the care they need,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Georgians shouldn’t have to worry that artificial intelligence will improperly deny them needed care.” Sen. Ossoff continues to work to ban insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care. In June, during the Senate’s vote series, Sen. Ossoff offered an amendment to prevent insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care, but Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Ossoff’s amendment. This followed Senate Republicans blocking Sen. Ossoff’s amendment during a Senate budget debate in April. In April, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz about insurance practices that lead to denied claims and delayed health care that patients need. Click here to read the Senate Resolution. # # #",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-report-finds-over-two-million-children-have-lost-medicaid-since-trump-took-office/,New Report Finds Over Two Million Children Have Lost Medicaid Since Trump Took Office,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"A new report finds that more than two million fewer kids were enrolled in Medicaid in April 2026, compared to January 2025 when President Trump took office In July 2024, Congressional Republicans cut $1 trillion from Medicaid Senator Reverend Warnock: “Two million vulnerable children have lost health care coverage for the sake of a billionaire tax break. That is a moral failure by our government and a betrayal of our responsibility to protect our children” Washington, D.C. – A new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families finds that more than two million children have lost Medicaid coverage since President Trump took office in January 2025. This drop in the number of children covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is alarming, as nearly half of all U.S. kids rely on the programs for health coverage. “This report should trouble the moral conscience of all Americans,” said Senator Warnock. “Two million vulnerable children have lost health care coverage for the sake of a billionaire tax break. That is a moral failure by our government and a betrayal of our responsibility to protect our children.” Senator Warnock has long championed efforts to expand affordable health care access. In June, he forced a vote to expand transparency surrounding Medicaid coverage loss nationwide. His effort to release the data was blocked by Senate Republicans 52-46. Last spring, the Senator released findings that the best way to get the most Americans working is to invest in Medicaid, making health care accessible to eligible Americans. ###",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-votes-no-on-blank-check-for-iran-war/,Warnock Votes “NO” on Blank Check for Iran War,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"President Trump’s illegal war of choice in Iran has continued for 137 days 14 service members have tragically lost their lives Senator Reverend Warnock: “This President needs guardrails, not a blank check” Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)released the following statement after voting “NO” on the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act for the first time in his Senate career because it authorized a blank check for President Trump’s illegal war in Iran. “I cannot vote to fund an illegal war with no justification, no set goal, and no exit strategy. I’m proud to represent Georgia’s 100,000 servicemembers—it’s why I’ve voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act every year I’ve served in Congress. But at a time when Americans are struggling to cover the cost of gas, health care, and groceries, we should not be spending billions on another endless war that endangers our Servicemembers and makes our country less safe. This President needs guardrails, not a blank check,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. Since President Trump launched his illegal war in February 2026, Senator Warnock has been a fierce opponent of the Trump administration’s decision to deploy U.S.military forces in Iran. Last month, Senate Republicans moved to block the Senator’s war powers resolution to stop President Trump’s war in Iran from passing on the floor of the Senate. The President is yet to receive any authorization from Congress as required by Article I of the U.S. Constitution. ### Title and affiliation are provided for identification purposes only. A pastor and social justice advocate, Senator ReverendRaphael Warnock was elected to the United States Senate in 2021 and reelected for a full term in 2022. The Senator serves on the Senate Agriculture, Banking, and Finance committees, as well as the Senate Aging Committee.",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-secure-26-million-for-savannah-brunswick-ports-and-cobb-county-transportation-project/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Secure $26 Million for Savannah, Brunswick Ports and Cobb County Transportation Project",2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation championed by Senators Ossoff and Warnock The Savannah and Brunswick ports will receive over $20 million to install fiber connections to increase efficiency and connectivity between freight vehicles Cobb County will receive $5 million for the Cobb Parkway at McCollum Parkway/Kennesaw Due West Road/Old 41 realignment project Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock today announced more than $26 million in federal funding for Georgia to support the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, as well as a transportation project in Cobb County. “Georgians deserve world-class infrastructure. Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we’re delivering these resources to upgrade infrastructure across metro Atlanta and coastal Georgia to keep families safe, support business and commerce, and keep our state moving,” said Sen. Ossoff. “I’m focused on securing federal funding for Georgia to keep our supply chains [love a supply chain reference on this one] running smoothly and our communities better connected,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This is the kind of progress I had in mind when I worked with my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I will continue to work to deliver more investments in our transportation economy for Georgians across the state.” For the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, the Senators secured $20,972,248 to install fiber connections for connected vehicles across the freight areas of both ports. The project includes the installation of 58 miles of conduit and fiber-optic communication, and the equipping of approximately 500 freight vehicles with on-board units to improve the efficiency of freight operations. In Cobb County, the senators secured $5 million to help realign Cobb Parkway at McCollum Parkway. The funding will be used to support study and design activities for the roadway realignments to correct multiple turning movements on McCollum Parkway, Old 41 Highway, South Main Street, and Summers Street by aligning with Cobb Parkway/US 41 at its intersection with Kennesaw Due West Road. The project also includes two bridge replacements over railroad corridors, multi-modal access, and operational improvements to increase community connectivity. In 2024, Senators Warnock and Ossoff secured more than $122 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade Georgia’s Public Transportation Infrastructure. The senators also secured over $48 million in federal funding for clean energy upgrades at the ports of Savannah and Brunswick. ###",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-atlanta-mayor-dickens-councilmember-boone-celebrate-warnock-led-provision-that-will-keep-homes-in-the-hands-of-georgia-families/,"Warnock, Atlanta Mayor Dickens, Councilmember Boone Celebrate Warnock-Led Provision That Will Keep Homes in the Hands of Georgia Families",2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"On Monday, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock held a press conference with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta City District 10 Councilmember Andrea Boone to celebrate the enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Senator Warnock’s provision to ban large corporations from mass purchasing single-family homes became federal law on Saturday morning Private equity has rapidly spread through Georgia’s housing market, with more than one in four single-family rental homes in metro Atlanta owned by large corporations The housing package includes provisions championed by Senator Warnock that will boost housing supply by cutting red tape, investing in local innovation, and reforming legacy housing programs Senator Reverend Warnock: “Housing is dignity, housing is stability, housing is hope” Photo Credit: Joshua Spruiel/City of Atlanta Above: Senator Warnock in Atlanta (also pictured from left to right: Jacob Parcel and his son, Atlanta City District 10 Councilmember Andrea Boone, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens) Atlanta, GA – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) held a press conference in the Adamsville neighborhood of Atlanta with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta City District 10 Councilmember Andrea Boone, and prospective first-time homebuyer Jacob Parcel to celebrate the enactment of Senator Warnock’s landmark provision prohibiting private equity firms from mass-purchasing single-family homes. The provision was included in the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation. The bill became federal law early Saturday morning. “Housing is dignity, housing is stability, housing is hope,” said Senator Warnock. “When you set politics aside and center the people, you have a chance at getting the public policy right. I promised the people of Georgia that I would walk with them, even as I work for them, and so it’s good to be walking through this neighborhood today and to think that over the weekend we were actually able to bring some good news.” “Senator Warnock understands the urgent need to address a challenge that Atlanta and other major cities have been facing for far too long,” said Mayor Dickens. “When large institutional investors and private equity firms buy up neighborhoods and homes in bulk, it becomes much harder for working families to achieve their dream of homeownership, and it becomes harder for longtime residents to remain rooted in the communities they helped build.” “Imagine saving long and hard for a down payment on a home, your piece of the American dream. You have every requirement in order, only to be disappointed time and time again because the dream is out of your reach,” said Councilmember Boone. “Today, I’m happy to tell you we’ve turned that corner. Thanks to the relentless leadership of Senator Warnock, this private equity ban legislation makes it clear our communities are not investment portfolios. No one should have to outbid Wall Street to build a life.” “Me and my wife resonate with this closely because we ourselves have been trying to buy a home for the last two years, and homes in our area have been few and far between. And the ones that are for sale are just simply too expensive,” said Jacob Parcel, a prospective first-time homebuyer and third generation Smyrna, GA, resident. “I believe if you work hard and if you save for years, you should be able to buy a home in the neighborhood that you want to be in…That’s why I’m grateful to Senator Warnock for fighting for us in Washington, and I appreciate all the efforts that he’s made.” On Saturday, despite passing the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became federal law without President Donald Trump’s signature. Lauded as the most consequential housing package in a generation, the legislation delivers relief to a housing market crippled by the ongoing affordability crisis. In addition to the ban on private equity, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act also includes provisions from Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act, the only fair housing provision in the legislation, and several bills Senator Warnock has championed for years to reform rural housing programs, penalize local governments for failing to meet housing goals, incentivize local governments and banks to invest more in the construction of housing, and provide grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners repair and weatherize their properties. ###",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-ossoff-secure-26-million-for-savannah-brunswick-ports-and-cobb-county-transportation-project/,"Warnock, Ossoff Secure $26 Million for Savannah, Brunswick Ports and Cobb County Transportation Project",2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation championed by Senators Warnock and Ossoff The Savannah and Brunswick ports will receive over $20 million to install fiber connections to increase efficiency and connectivity between freight vehicles Cobb County will receive $5 million for the Cobb Parkway at McCollum Parkway/Kennesaw Due West Road/Old 41 realignment project Senator Reverend Warnock: “This is the kind of funding and progress I had in mind when I worked with my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” Senator Ossoff: “We’re delivering these resources to upgrade infrastructure across metro Atlanta and coastal Georgia to keep families safe, support business and commerce, and keep our state moving.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced more than $26 million in federal funding for Georgia to support the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, as well as a transportation project in Cobb County. “I’m focused on securing federal funding for Georgia to keep our supply chains [love a supply chain reference on this one] running smoothly and our communities better connected,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This is the kind of progress I had in mind when I worked with my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I will continue to work to deliver more investments in our transportation economy for Georgians across the state.” “Georgians deserve world-class infrastructure. Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we’re delivering these resources to upgrade infrastructure across metro Atlanta and coastal Georgia to keep families safe, support business and commerce, and keep our state moving,” said Senator Ossoff. For the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, the Senators secured $20,972,248 to install fiber connections for connected vehicles across the freight areas of both ports. The project includes the installation of 58 miles of conduit and fiber-optic communication, and the equipping of approximately 500 freight vehicles with on-board units to improve the efficiency of freight operations. In Cobb County, the senators secured $5 million to help realign Cobb Parkway at McCollum Parkway. The funding will be used to support study and design activities for the roadway realignments to correct multiple turning movements on McCollum Parkway, Old 41 Highway, South Main Street, and Summers Street by aligning with Cobb Parkway/US 41 at its intersection with Kennesaw Due West Road. The project also includes two bridge replacements over railroad corridors, multi-modal access, and operational improvements to increase community connectivity. Senators Warnock and Ossoff have long been champions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, beginning with Senator Warnock’s work on the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to secure infrastructure investments that will support jobs in Georgia and modernize the state’s infrastructure. In 2024, Senators Warnock and Ossoff secured more than $122 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade Georgia’s Public Transportation Infrastructure. The senators also secured over $48 million in federal funding for clean energy upgrades at the ports of Savannah and Brunswick.",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-senator-lindsey-graham/,Warnock Statement on Senator Lindsey Graham,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Warnock released the following statement: “Lindsey Graham spent his entire life in public service—first in the military, then in public office. I am shocked by his sudden loss, and I pray God’s grace upon his family and loved ones.”",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/now-law-warnock-led-private-equity-housing-ban-will-help-keep-homes-in-the-hands-of-georgia-families/,NOW LAW: Warnock-Led Private Equity Housing Ban Will Help Keep Homes in the Hands of Georgia Families,2026-07-11,2026,2026-07,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’s provision to ban large corporations from mass purchasing single-family homes is now federal law The provision is part of the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation Private equity has rapidly spread through Georgia’s housing market, with more than one in four single-family rental homes in metro Atlanta owned by large corporations The housing package includes provisions championed by Senator Warnock that will boost housing supply by cutting red tape, investing in local innovation, and reforming legacy housing programs Senator Reverend Warnock: “This legislation is proof that when we center the people instead of the politics, we can get good policy done” Washington, D.C. – Today, in a historic victory for American families, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock’s (D-GA) landmark provision to ban private equity firms from mass-purchasing single-family homes is officially federal law. Hailed as the most consequential housing package in a generation, the legislation delivers relief to a housing market crippled by the ongoing affordability crisis. Despite passing the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, President Donald Trump declined to sign or veto the bill within the constitutionally designated 10-day timeline, prompting formal enactment to occur at midnight, without the president’s signature. “I hear from Georgians across the state who have been clamoring for action from Washington on the affordable housing crisis, and this legislation is proof that when we center the people instead of the politics, we can get good policy done,” said Senator Warnock. “I’m proud to have contributed to increasing our nation’s housing supply and lowering costs for hardworking Georgia families.” Corporate investors have suffocated metro-Atlanta’s housing market, with more than 1 in 4 single-family rental homes—over 72,000 properties—owned by large corporations. Corporate investors control more homes in metro-Atlanta than any other area in the country and have begun spreading to every corner of the state. In addition to the ban on private equity, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act also includes provisions from Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act, the only fair housing provision in the legislation, and several bills Senator Warnock has championed for years to reform rural housing programs, penalize local governments for failing to meet housing goals, incentivize local governments and banks to invest more in the construction of housing, and provide grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners repair and weatherize their properties. ###",1,2026-07-12T07:28:31Z,2026-07-12T07:30:18Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-delivering-funding-to-protect-georgia-families-from-hazardous-substances/,Sens. Ossoff & Rev. Warnock Delivering Funding to Protect Georgia Families from Hazardous Substances,2026-07-10,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Chickamauga, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering bipartisan infrastructure law funding to protect Georgia families from hazardous contaminants and substances. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering nearly $9 million in Federal funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law to accelerate the cleanup of polluted sites across Georgia. The Federal funding, delivered through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup grant program, will help assess, clean up and redevelop blighted properties across the state and protect families from dangerous chemicals. “This is about our communities’ health. No family in Georgia should live in fear of contaminants in their communities,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why we are delivering these historic public health and environmental cleanup efforts across Georgia.” “The health of Georgia’s communities is tied to the health of our environment,”said Senator Reverend Warnock. “These federal funds will help ensure Georgians can trust that their families are protected from hazardous substances.” Please find more details about the Federal grant funding below: Sen. Ossoff continues to protect Georgia families from harmful chemicals and contaminants. In May, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Rep. McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver Federal funding for the City of East Point to install PFAS removal filters to existing drinking water pipes, helping improve drinking water quality for families. In April Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to upgrade the Alcovy River Pump Station to better serve residents in the county by mitigating the risk of exposure to PFAS and other contaminants and improving available water supply. Last December, Sen. Ossoff urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate a grant made to Emory University to research children’s exposure to lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants in West Atlanta following the discovery of dangerously high levels of lead in some West Atlanta yards. Sen. Ossoff has previously delivered funding through the EPA’s Brownfield program for clean-up projects across the state, including in Adrian, Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Milledgeville, Rome, and Warner Robins. # # #",1,2026-07-11T07:10:48Z,2026-07-11T07:14:29Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-pressing-trump-administration-about-pfas-cleanup-delays-at-georgia-military-installations/,Sen. Ossoff Pressing Trump Administration About PFAS Cleanup Delays at Georgia Military Installations,2026-07-09,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is again pressing the Trump Administration about reported delays in PFAS cleanup at Georgia military installations. Sen. Ossoff is pressing Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth to address reported delays in the cleanup and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at DoD installations in Georgia and across the country. In 2019, reports found that Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Moody Air Force Base, and Robins Air Force Base used firefighting foam that contained significant amounts of PFAS and led to concerns about the drinking water near these installations. Last September, DoD released updated timelines for cleanup feasibility studies, including delays in Georgia of 5-20 years since the initial remediation timeline was released. PFAS are in a class of chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” and have been linked to numerous public health risks, including reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, thyroid problems, and cancer. The letter, led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), follows an earlier letter from Sen. Ossoff and colleagues who wrote to Sec. Hegseth with concerns about DoD’s delayed cleanup schedules last November. “As a nation, we must stand by our servicemembers and military communities to protect them from the health impacts of PFAS,” Sen. Ossoff and the group wrote. “Without a doubt, federal resources must address immediate and dangerous risks to human health and the environment. However, if not reversed, delays of this magnitude must also come with transparency, more specifics on these new timelines, an explanation as to which installations resources are being prioritized toward, and more local stakeholder engagement.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgians from harmful chemicals and contaminants. In May, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Rep. McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver Federal funding for the City of East Point to install PFAS removal filters to existing drinking water pipes, helping improve drinking water quality for families. In April, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to upgrade the Alcovy River Pump Station in Newton County to better serve residents in the county by mitigating the risk of exposure to PFAS and other contaminants and improving available water supply. In 2023, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with the Department of Defense to address the prevalence of chemical hazards on installations and to protect servicemembers who may have been exposed. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff and the group’s full letter. # # #",1,2026-07-10T08:20:04Z,2026-07-10T08:21:18Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-delivering-resources-to-strengthen-student-safety-at-morehouse-college/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Delivering Resources to Strengthen Student Safety at Morehouse College",2026-07-08,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering new Federal resources to strengthen student safety at Morehouse College. These new resources will help Morehouse strengthen campus security by installing motorized gates at entrances to campus, cameras at dorm entrances, and proximity locks on classrooms and offices throughout the campus. Sens. Ossoff and Reverend Warnock are delivering $556,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23. “I have worked to secure investments in Georgia’s HBCUs since the day I took office. Senator Reverend Warnock and I built a bipartisan coalition of support in the Senate to invest in Morehouse College with new resources to strengthen student safety,” Sen. Ossoff said. “As a 1991 graduate of Morehouse, I know how important this institution is not only to its students and staff but to the HBCU community,” said Senator Warnock. “We must ensure our HBCU campuses continue to be a place of safe and secure learning. I am proud to have secured these federal funds with Senator Ossoff to make sure Morehouse College remains that.” “Enhancing the security infrastructure that protects the Morehouse community is a critical investment in the future of our campus,” said Dr. F. DuBois Bowman ’92, the 13th president of Morehouse College. “We are grateful to Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator-alumnus Raphael Warnock for their continued commitment to the safety and well-being of Morehouse and the broader Atlanta community that engages with the institution every day.” # # #",1,2026-07-09T08:24:13Z,2026-07-09T08:26:05Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-pushing-usda-to-support-georgia-farmers-impacted-by-high-winds-from-hurricane-helene/,Sen. Ossoff Pushing USDA to Support Georgia Farmers Impacted by High Winds from Hurricane Helene,2026-07-07,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pushing to support Georgia farmers impacted by high winds from Hurricane Helene. Sen. Ossoff is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) to ensure Georgia farmers and growers still struggling to recover from damage from high winds during Hurricane Helene receive the support they deserve. Despite experiencing crop and production damages due to Hurricane Helene, producers who purchased Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI) coverage through USDA in Screven, Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Wayne, Glynn, and Camden Counties did not receive indemnity payments, which are payments made to farmers after they face qualified losses like from natural disasters. These indemnity payments are made if the National Hurricane Center (NHC) determines that a county (or adjacent county) was impacted by sustained hurricane-force winds. According to a new report published by the NHC in February 2026, “wind gusts in the 70-79 knots (kt) range were measured by weather stations in Towns, Chatham, and Echols Counties,” meaning more farmers in these counties should be eligible for indemnity payments. Sen. Ossoff is urging USDA to evaluate all available NHC data and take “all possible actions within your authorities to ensure that growers who purchased HIP-WI crop insurance policies from the Federal Crop Insurance Program receive the maximum support possible from USDA.” “In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused devastation to rural Georgia, including $5.5 billion in agricultural and timber losses. That is why I worked with congressional colleagues to pass disaster funding for Georgia farmers less than 90 days after Hurricane Helene devastated Georgia. However, some Georgia farmers have yet to be made whole,” Sen. Ossoff wrote to USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson. “I ask for your commitment that RMA will re-evaluate the available data produced by the NHC during and since Hurricane Helene to reconsider the HIP-WI eligibility determinations for Screven, Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, Mclntosh, Wayne, Glynn, and Camden counties. Ensuring that our farmers receive the support they planned for and invested in is the very least USDA can do.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to help Georgia agriculture recover from Hurricane Helene. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act to provide farmers with a temporary tax cut on crop insurance payments in the event their crop yields or revenues fall below their guaranteed level due to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and diseases. In March, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock announced more than $531 million in Hurricane Helene Federal relief for Georgia’s farmers after Sen. Ossoff successfully fought to pass a bipartisan disaster relief package in December 2024 that included $21 billion in agricultural disaster funding to help Georgia farmers recovering from the disastrous impacts of Hurricane Helene and farmers nationwide impacted by natural disasters. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s full letter. # # #",1,2026-07-08T07:27:19Z,2026-07-08T07:28:28Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-report-finds-average-georgia-families-pay-2400-more-due-to-trump-policies/,"New Report Finds Average Georgia Families Pay $2,400 More Due to Trump Policies",2026-07-07,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"A new report from the Joint Economic Committee highlights the higher prices Georgia families have been forced to pay for everyday essentials, including gas and groceries, since Donald Trump took office Senator Warnock: “This report puts in numbers what so many Georgians already know: Donald Trump has failed to make their lives better or more affordable since he’s returned to the White House” Washington, D.C. – A new report from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) highlights the higher prices Georgia families have been forced to pay for everyday essentials since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025. Despite promises from President Trump to bring down the cost of living, the average Georgia family has pad $2,400 more a year for items like gas, groceries, rent, and electricity due to economic policy decisions that have raised prices and the president’s war in Iran. On average, Georgians are paying $532 more for housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments; $310 more for groceries; $350 more for gas; and $120 more for electricity. “This report puts in numbers what so many Georgians already know: Donald Trump has failed to make their lives better or more affordable since he’s returned to the White House,” said Senator Warnock. “In fact, he’s made things worse. I urge my colleagues to join me in centering the concerns of ordinary people and work to make life more affordable for all Americans.” Since assuming office in January 2025, President Trump’s policies and domestic agenda have raised costs for American families. Washington Republicans’ signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, forced millions of Americans off their health care due to premium price hikes in Affordable Care Act health plans. The Republican tax and spending legislation is also responsible for $186 billion in nutrition cuts from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) a cut in the program have resulted in SNAP participation already falling by more than 4.3 million people, including 808,000 children, with more cuts yet to come. Republican policies have put an enormous strain on American families trying to make ends meet.",1,2026-07-08T07:27:19Z,2026-07-08T07:28:28Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-meets-with-columbus-technical-college-students-preparing-for-high-demand-careers/,Warnock Meets with Columbus Technical College Students Preparing for High Demand Careers,2026-07-07,2026,2026-07,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 joined students at Columbus Technical College to hear how they are preparing to compete in an increasingly competitive economy As artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, and four-year degree programs increase in price, trade schools, technical and community colleges are seeing an uptick in student enrollment Senator Warnock highlighted his bipartisan Pathways to Prosperity Act, legislation that incentivizes business and technical colleges to partner to create high-wage career pathways and scale apprenticeship programs for students While on campus, Senator Warnock participated in a welding tutorial with students Senator Reverend Warnock: “Work gives people purpose—it gives you a reason to get up in the morning—and it’s the only thing that’s going to give us a competitive edge in the 21st Century” Above: Senator Warnock at Columbus Technical College Washington, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined students at Columbus Technical College to hear how they are preparing to compete in an increasingly competitive economy. The Senator’s visit follows an uptick in student enrollment at trade schools, technical and community colleges as artificial intelligence reshapes the job market and four-year degree programs increase in price. During his visit, Senator Warnock joined students for a welding tutorial, highlighting the hands-on training at Columbus Technical College that is preparing Georgians for high demand careers. “Work gives people purpose—it gives you a reason to get up in the morning,” said Senator Warnock. “And it’s the only thing that’s going to give us a competitive edge in the 21st Century.” In addition to the students, Senator Warnock was joined by representatives from Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business and leading aerospace and defense manufacturer, and Columbus Water Works, a local utility, both of which have partnered with Columbus Technical College. These types of partnerships would be expanded nationwide through Senator Warnock’s bipartisan Pathways to Prosperity Act. The legislation would allow students at Columbus Tech to ‘earn while they learn’ by creating high-wage career pathways between the college and local businesses. The program will provide students invaluable real-world experience while they earn their degrees, allowing them to move more easily into the job market post-graduation. Above: Senator Warnock joins students in a welding tutorial Senator Warnock has championed workforce development since coming to the Senate. In May 2024, he successfully bolstered workforce development pipelines for aviation workers in Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization legislation. Additionally, Senator Warnock has introduced legislation to address shortages in education professionals to staff Head Start classrooms. As a proud alum of programs like Head Start, TRIO, and Pell Grants, Senator Warnock knows firsthand the power of federal investments that help students achieve economic mobility and professional success. That experience guides his work to ensure that the tens of thousands of technical college students across Georgia have the resources they need to gain skills, build careers, and make better lives for themselves and their families. The Pathways to Prosperity Act has earned strong backing from a diverse coalition of national and regional organizations committed to strengthening America’s workforce. Supporters include Jobs for the Future, the National Skills Coalition, the Council for Professional Recognition, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. ###",1,2026-07-08T07:27:19Z,2026-07-08T07:28:28Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/new-report-after-expiration-of-aca-tax-credits-georgians-are-delaying-necessary-care-paying-thousands-more-for-insuranceclick-here-to-read-sen-ossoffs-new-report-on-loss-of-aca-tax/,"NEW REPORT: After Expiration of ACA Tax Credits, Georgians Are Delaying Necessary Care & Paying Thousands More for Insurance",2026-07-06,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s new report on loss of ACA Tax Credits Washington, D.C. — Georgians are delaying necessary care and paying thousands more for health insurance after ACA tax credits expired, a new report from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff found. Early this year, Sen. Ossoff launched an investigation into the impacts of rising health care costs and cuts to health care services after Republicans in Congress gutted Medicaid and failed to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits that millions of Georgians rely upon to afford health care. Today, Sen. Ossoff released a new report with stories of Georgians who report they have been delaying necessary care and are paying thousands more for care after the loss of the ACA tax credits, with some saying they’ve lost insurance altogether because of the high costs. Recent analysis from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that after the ACA tax credits expired at the end of last year, roughly 350,000 Georgians have already lost health care. “The failure of Republicans to extend ACA tax credits has inexplicably hurt Georgia families, leading to hundreds of thousands going without health care, and more seeing huge increases in their premiums. I will continue working to restore these tax credits and to lower health care costs for Georgia families,” Sen. Ossoff said. Since the enhanced ACA tax credits expired at the end of 2025, Georgia patients on exchange plans are facing increased monthly premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and medication costs, forcing them to cut back on other items to keep their health insurance and to pay higher costs for less coverage. In some cases, Georgians have lost their insurance altogether. As detailed in the report: Deborah Tolson, based in Alpharetta, reported that her monthly health insurance premium in 2025 was $63 for three people: herself, her husband, and her daughter. As of January 2026, that same plan’s monthly premium reportedly increased to $1200—a 1,804% increase—for only her and her daughter. Her husband disenrolled from the plan and has been uninsured since January, since covering all three family members would have reportedly increased their monthly premium to over $2,000. He became eligible for Medicare in March, but his coverage will not begin until June. “All this stress for a basic plan,” Mrs. Tolson reported, “which doesn’t even cover routine screenings, like colonoscopies or mammograms, with doctors in our area.” Mrs. Tolson and her husband have “indefinitely” delayed their retirement plans due to rising health care costs. Georgia patients also reported that narrowing coverage and benefits on exchange plans has forced them to forgo medically necessary health care or has delayed their urgent tests, appointments, and treatments. For example: Nicole Kelly, based in Atlanta, is diagnosed with lupus, Raynaud’s disease, and scleroderma. She reported that her physician referred her to a rheumatologist for urgent testing in December 2025 after she suddenly lost feeling in her left hand. However, her monthly premium under her exchange plan reportedly rose from $254 to $1,571 in January 2026, a 518.5% increase. Because she would be unable to afford this new premium, she disenrolled from her plan and switched to a cheaper, new plan. However, her physician was no longer covered under her new plan, and the earliest she would be able to see a rheumatologist would be five months later in May 2026. Additionally, she would need to travel to Jonesboro or Kennesaw to see a rheumatologist covered by her new plan. “I’d be paying just as much as the old plan premium for transportation, time spent in traffic, and the premium on the new plan,” she reported. Ms. Kelly tried to switch back to her old plan in mid-February, but the premium had shot up to $2,458. Last year, Sen. Ossoff fought repeatedly to extend the ACA tax credits and protect Georgians’ health care. In December 2025, Sen. Ossoff spoke on the U.S. Senate Floor urging Republicans in the U.S. Senate to put politics aside and extend ACA tax credits before they expire, but Republicans refused to extend the credits. In August 2025, Sen. Ossoff sounded the alarm about the impact of losing the tax credits and urged for them to be extended. In June 2025, Sen. Ossoff offered an amendment to the Trump budget bill to extend key Affordable Care Act tax credits, but Republicans blocked Sen. Ossoff’s amendment. In February 2025, Sen. Ossoff introduced an amendment to protect children’s and maternal care through Medicaid that Senate Republicans blocked. Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s new report: Loss of ACA Tax Credits: Georgians Getting Sicker, Higher Costs, & Loss of Health Care. # # #",1,2026-07-07T08:20:12Z,2026-07-07T08:22:09Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-again-urge-dha-to-abandon-reduction-of-services-at-dwight-d-eisenhower-army-medical-center/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Again Urge DHA to Abandon Reduction of Services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center",2026-07-02,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Fort Gordon, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are again pushing back on plans to reduce services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center. Sen. Ossoff and Reverend Warnock are again urging the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to abandon its plan to close all inpatient services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC). The plan includes permanently closing inpatient care and transitioning the emergency room to an urgent care center, which could disrupt care for patients and add strain on the local health care system. However, despite announcing the closure of all inpatient services at DDEAMC, the DHA has not yet finalized a list of which inpatient services would be closed upon implementation and questions remain unanswered about the transition to an ambulatory care center. “We write following up on the Defense Health Agency (DHA)’s decision to close all inpatient services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC) and transition the facility to an ambulatory care center,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock wrote to Assistant Secretary Keith Bass. “We have become increasingly concerned by the information shared thus far regarding DHA’s decision to move forward with these closures absent any clear and adequate plan for servicemembers, their families, veterans, and staff.” “Any plans to reduce services would come at a great disservice to those who have made the greatest sacrifice to our Nation. We urge DHA to keep these men and women, and their families, at the forefront of any decision that would reduce services at Eisenhower Army Medical Center,” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock also wrote to Assistant Secretary Bass. “As presented, this plan will only create further chaos and could hinder access to care for servicemembers, their families, and veterans at Fort Gordon and the Augusta region. We therefore urge you to immediately halt all plans for reductions of service at DDEAMC and rescind Congressional notification, while DHA continues to clarify and provide additional information to Congress and the impacted community about this decision.” Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry last November with the Acting Director of the DHA requesting more information about reported plans to reduce services at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center, which serves between 30,000 to 40,000 active-duty servicemembers, retired servicemembers, their families, and DoD civilians in and around the CSRA. Click here to read Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock’s inquiry. # # #",1,2026-07-03T08:00:00Z,2026-07-03T08:01:30Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-cornyn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-children-from-toxic-chemicals-in-toys/,"Sens. Ossoff, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals in Toys",2026-07-01,2026,2026-07,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to protect children from toxic chemicals in toys. Sens. Ossoff and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act to help protect children from toxic chemicals in toys. In February, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in response to a 2024 inquiry from Sen. Ossoff into how the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) conducts testing on products intended for children ages 12 and under for potential lead contamination and other safety hazards. The report found that the CPSC has failed to review and update its testing requirements for lead despite being required to do so at least every five years and that the CPSC does not have written procedures for monitoring changes related to toxic substances in children’s products. Sens. Ossoff and Cornyn’s bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act would direct the CPSC to implement the GAO’s recommendations in order to strengthen that oversight of toxic substances in children’s products and protect kids from dangerous chemicals. “The safety of children in Georgia and across the Nation must be our highest priority,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I am introducing the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act with Senator Cornyn to help ensure that lead and other toxins stay out of children’s products.” “Parents should never have to fear for their child’s health or safety when playing with toys, which are essential to the development of cognitive, motor, and emotional skills,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By ensuring the Consumer Product Safety Commission is properly monitoring and recording inspections for lead contamination, this legislation would reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals through toys imported from places like China, preserve the joy and benefits of childhood play, and help parents rest easier at night.” The bipartisan bill is endorsed by Safe Kids Worldwide. “Parents and caregivers should be able to feel confident that the children’s products they rely on will not expose their kids to lead or other dangerous toxic substances,” said Torine Creppy, President of Safe Kids Worldwide. “We applaud Senator Ossoff for his leadership in protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgia kids from harmful chemicals and contaminants. Last December, Sen. Ossoff urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate a grant made to Emory University to research children’s exposure to lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants in West Atlanta following the discovery of dangerously high levels of lead in some West Atlanta yards. Last April, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from baby formula producers Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson about recent reports of toxic chemicals found in formula. In 2022, Sen. Ossoff pressed the GAO and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to improve efficiency and coordination in processing product recalls in order to protect families from dangerous products. Click here to read the No Lead in Toys Act. # # #",1,2026-07-02T06:20:02Z,2026-07-02T06:21:32Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-joins-bipartisan-letter-to-protect-u-s-specialty-crop-growers-and-restore-competitive-trade-balance-with-mexico/,Warnock Joins Bipartisan Letter to Protect U.S. Specialty Crop Growers and Restore Competitive Trade Balance with Mexico,2026-07-01,2026,2026-07,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 joined a bipartisan letter led by Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging him to establish safeguards to protect U.S. specialty crop growers from unfair international pressures Senator Warnock is a strong advocate for Georgia’s agriculture industry and has pushed for bipartisan solutions to lower trade barriers for Georgia producers Georgia is a leading producer of specialty crops—including blueberries, Vidalia onions, pecans, and peaches USMCA is critical to American agriculture and the global competitiveness of Georgia producers Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “Without measures to restore competitive balance, specialty crop production will increasingly move to foreign countries” Washington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a key member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined a bipartisan coalition of senators in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, calling for measures to restore a more competitive trade balance for U.S. specialty crops with Mexico. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) also signed onto the letter. “Without measures to restore competitive balance, specialty crop production will increasingly move to foreign countries,” wrote the senators. “We urge you to evaluate trade actions that can safeguard U.S. growers from unfair pressures from Mexico. This work is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the specialty crop sector and ensuring Americans continue to have access to high-quality, domestically grown food, which is fundamental to our national security.” In the letter, the senators push for alleviating unsustainable price pressures on U.S. specialty crop producers caused by an increasing volume of foreign products unfairly flooding U.S. markets while U.S. crops are reaching their peak in-season period. The letter comes as Ambassador Greer works to reauthorize the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Senator Warnock has been a vocal proponent of practical solutions to alleviate unnecessary strain on Georgia’s farmers imposed by oversaturated international markets and unfair trade policies. In April, Senator Warnock led a bipartisan letter urging Ambassador Greer to ensure the USMCA is improved to adequately support domestic producers and maintain strong market access for American farmers and ranchers. This letter comes as the Administration is nearing the July 1 mandatory USMCA six-year review. While USMCA—like any trade agreement—can be improved, pulling out of the trilateral USMCA would disrupt supply chains and drive-up costs for Georgia families already facing higher prices because of the Trump administration’s tariff policy. The letter is endorsed by several of Georgia’s agricultural stakeholders, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Berry Exchange, Georgia Blueberry Commission, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Watermelon Association, National Onion Association, National Pecan Federation, and the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below. “Dear Ambassador Greer,” “The U.S. specialty crop industry encompasses a large variety of commodities across 220,000 farms, each with distinct supply and demand conditions. As you know, many American growers of fruit, vegetable, and certain tree nut commodities and products are under unsustainable pressure from growing volumes of products unfairly entering U.S. markets. These imports flood the U.S. market, often at the same time U.S. crops are reaching their peak in-season period, with prices at or below the cost of production for U.S. producers. Additionally, many of these commodities are seasonal and/or perishable, creating unique challenges for identifying markets as these products must be harvested, marketed, and consumed within a limited window of time. Other specialty crops that are marketed year-round are forced to suffer the consequences over the course of the entire year. As you review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we look forward to engaging with you to implement trade measures that will allow our specialty crop producers to continue to feed the nation and remain viable against unfair foreign competition. We urge you to consider the significant strain Mexico continues to place on the U.S. specialty crop industry.” “Fresh fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico have increased by more than 550 percent since 2001, driven by fundamental cost and regulatory advantages.” “Mexican producers operate with significantly lower labor and production expenses, where agricultural wages are about one-tenth of U.S. levels, while U.S. growers depend heavily on the higher-cost H-2A program for seasonal labor. Because labor accounts for roughly half of total production and harvest expenses in this industry, these disparities create a substantial competitive gap. Mexican farms also cut corners by avoiding many of the regulatory requirements imposed by U.S agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Labor, further reinforcing their cost of production advantage.” “Without measures to restore competitive balance, specialty crop production will increasingly move to foreign countries. We urge you to evaluate trade actions that can safeguard U.S. growers from unfair pressures from Mexico. This work is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the specialty crop sector and ensuring Americans continue to have access to high-quality, domestically grown food, which is fundamental to our national security.” “Many specialty crop organizations and representatives recently submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative for consideration under Docket ID: USTR-2025-0004, titled ‘Request for Comments on the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada.’ We encourage you to prioritize the evaluation of these comments, and we emphasize the importance of these commodity industries’ submissions. We appreciate your consideration of our growers’ concerns, your review of the companion letter sent from 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives on May 12, 2026 regarding this matter, and look forward to continued collaboration as the 2026 USMCA review process moves forward.” ###",1,2026-07-02T06:20:02Z,2026-07-02T06:21:32Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-colleagues-demand-usps-abandon-proposed-rule-to-restrict-mail-in-ballots/,"Warnock, Colleagues Demand USPS Abandon Proposed Rule to Restrict Mail-in Ballots",2026-06-29,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock joined his Senate colleagues in condemning unlawful restrictions to mail-in voting access President Trump has co-opted the United States Postal service to further incite skepticism over the nation’s voting process using baseless claims of election fraud Senator Warnock continues to fight for comprehensive voting protections to ensure every American has access to the ballot box On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states are free to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive afterward Senator Reverend Warnock and his colleagues: “[W]e insist that the Postal Service abandon this proposed regulation and return to its core mission of providing universal postal services to every American. The Constitution and federal law demand nothing less” Washington, D.C. – Senators Reverend Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Gary Peters (D-MI), and Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Alex Padilla (D-CA), led a group of their colleagues in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump’s executive order to restrict voting by mail. “Ultimately, the proposed rule seeks to create a centralized national absentee voter database with individualized barcodes connected to the voters’ names under the control of the President that contains the voting information of millions of Americans,” wrote Senator Warnock and his colleagues. “That information would be ripe for potential abuse or improper disclosure potentially imperiling the integrity of American elections.” The senators warned that the proposed rule would create a federally controlled national list of absentee voters, raising serious concerns about political misuse and abuse. In court filings, the Trump administration has acknowledged that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is already in discussions with USPS about potentially comparing the list to DHS datasets. The senators note that combining USPS data with unreliable federal records could lead to eligible voters being disenfranchised, or voters and election officials being unfairly targeted for investigation. Since his return to the presidency in 2025, President Donald Trump has led a vendetta against his perceived political enemies, engaging in a concerted retaliatory campaign fueled by vindictive and unsubstantiated claims of widespread election interference. Senator Warnock has traveled the country speaking against the Trump administration’s baseless attacks on critical election infrastructure, including by demanding accountability from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for their role in seizing nearly 700 boxes of original ballots and records relating to the 2020 presidential election from the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below. “Dear Postmaster General Steiner, Chairwoman McReynolds, Vice Chairman Kan, Governor Stroman, and Governor Tangherlini: We write for a second time regarding the unconstitutional and illegal attempt to transform the United States Postal Service (USPS) into an election administration agency controlled by the White House and President Trump. In April, 37 senators wrote to you after President Trump issued his Executive Order directing USPS to issue a rule to establish compulsory specifications for election mail and create a master absentee voter list of millions of American voters – with the power to refuse to deliver their ballots.1 In that letter we urged you not to implement the President’s unconstitutional Executive Order. The Order is a blatant violation of the Constitution, which vests the authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of federal elections with the states, subject to alterations made by Congress. We received no response to that letter and USPS is now taking explicit steps to implement the Order. No federal statute vests the President or USPS with any authority to regulate elections of any kind. Accordingly, multiple states and organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the Executive Order. Despite these grave and serious legal deficiencies, on June 2, 2026, USPS published a proposed rule that, if finalized, would establish President Trump’s control over federal elections and allow USPS to adjudicate who can and cannot vote by mail. This proposed rule risks disenfranchising millions of voters. We again insist that you follow the law, refuse to implement President Trump’s Executive Order, and withdraw this presidentially-directed proposed rule. “The right to vote is the most sacred and cherished right of the American people. It is the bedrock of American democracy. The framers of our Constitution understood the dangers of centralizing power over federal elections and accordingly vested the primary authority to regulate the “times, places, and manner” of federal elections with the states, subject to alterations by statute enacted by Congress. The Constitution similarly vests the authority to determine the eligibility of voters with the states—not the President, and certainly not with USPS. The Constitution provides no role for USPS in regulating federal elections, and no statute delegates to USPS any authority to regulate elections or voter eligibility. The proposed rule does not grapple with these serious legal deficiencies. The proposal simply cites two sections of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 to justify USPS’s regulation of federal elections. These sections provide specific postal powers and general authorization to issue regulations but say nothing about regulating federal elections. Indeed, Title 39 explicitly says, “In providing services […] the Postal Service shall not […] make any undue or unreasonable discrimination among users of the mails,” – this proposal does the exact opposite. “It is universally understood that the Postal Service does not regulate or administer American elections. By statute, USPS is “an independent establishment of the executive branch” and its Board of Governors is protected from arbitrary removal by the President. This independence, which the proposed rule undermines, is the foundation of the nation’s trust in USPS’s ability to deliver the mail without fear or favor. The Postal Service acknowledged in a rulemaking just last year, “the Postal Service does not administer elections, establish the rules or deadlines that govern elections, or determine whether or how election jurisdictions utilize the mail.” This neutral and apolitical role to transmit the mail is critical to ensuring American voters trust that their ballots will be properly delivered. The proposed rule would fundamentally upend this longstanding and vital role of USPS, transforming them into a federal election administration agency – with frightening authorities to disenfranchise Americans. “The proposed rule USPS issued on June 2 suffers from all the same legal deficiencies of the Executive Order and cannot be lawfully implemented. The proposed rule would illegally condition a state’s exercise of its constitutional authority to utilize mail-in ballots on submitting its complete absentee voter rolls to USPS and complying with USPS mandatory election mail specifications. Specifically, the proposal requires any state that permits votes to be cast by mail to submit to USPS each absentee or mail-in voter’s name, address, and their unique Intelligent Mail Barcode. The regulation purports to permit only states to control which of their voters are enrolled on the new master list, but this new and unnecessary master list of American voters would then be controlled by USPS and ultimately President Trump. “In addition, the proposed rule requires that all mail ballots comply with new mandatory specifications, including that they have an election mail logo, a specific design, automation compatibility, and an Intelligent Mail Barcode unique to each voter. All ballots must also undergo design review by USPS prior to being mailed by an election jurisdiction. While some of these requirements are best practices, their compulsory nature creates new onerous, costly, and unfunded requirements on election jurisdictions that do not currently use these practices nor have the resources to do so. Furthermore, the new mandatory specifications provide the USPS with new and subjective authority to reject ballots, even for a missing or misprinted logo. “Critically, the proposed rule requires USPS to conduct a verification process to ensure that states comply with the regulation’s mandates prior to USPS accepting ballots and mailing them to voters. For such a consequential regulation of American democracy, the regulation stunningly lacks any detailed information about the process USPS intends to use to verify each piece of outbound election mail. Nevertheless, this new “verification process” empowers USPS to serve as the final arbiter of whether ballots meet the unilateral federal standards and are adequate to be delivered to voters – granting USPS the ultimate authority to decide which Americans can cast a ballot by mail. “What the proposal also makes clear is that if a state chooses not to provide USPS with their voter rolls that state cannot mail ballots to their voters, effectively prohibiting vote-by-mail in those states. Even if a state does provide USPS its voter rolls, USPS can still disenfranchise individual voters if their ballots do not meet USPS’s demanding requirements. While “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” stops the mail, under the regulation a missing election logo will. Nothing in federal law authorizes USPS to restrict states and voters from using the postal system to mail ballots. “This proposed regulation occurs as the federal government is demanding nearly every state’s voter rolls – an effort which has consistently been rejected by federal courts. Creating a master absentee voter list for the entire country is a backdoor mechanism to secure access to these voters’ names and addresses. And for states with universal vote-by-mail like California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Vermont (in general elections), the proposed regulation is a form of extreme coercion. It creates an untenable scenario, that requires these states to submit their entire voter rolls to the federal government or face the prospects of abandoning absentee voting altogether. “Furthermore, the proposed regulation explicitly articulates that one of its purposes is to assist federal law enforcement, raising serious legal and policy questions about how this information will be used. In fact, the Administration has acknowledged in recent court filings that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently having conversations with the Postal Service on how it could use the new master list of absentee voters and potentially compare it to DHS datasets. Given the ongoing efforts of the Administration to seek voter rolls and put them through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program, this coordination could lead to the USPS data being used in coordination with other risky and unreliable sources of information to disenfranchise American voters or even target voters or election officials for investigation. “The proposed rule also raises serious privacy concerns. Ultimately, the proposed rule seeks to create a centralized national absentee voter database with individualized barcodes connected to the voters’ names under the control of the President that contains the voting information of millions of Americans. That information would be ripe for potential abuse or improper disclosure potentially imperiling the integrity of American elections. The proposal provides no discussion of how USPS would safeguard this crucial information and every American’s right to a secret ballot. USPS simply states that its explanation of its privacy controls is “forthcoming.” Compiling a master list of mail-in and absentee voter data is incredibly dangerous in the modern era. “Lastly, notwithstanding the regulation’s major constitutional and legal violations, the proposed timeline and scope is not feasible. The proposed regulation demands that the Postal Service set up an entirely new system and database to process and transmit millions of absentee ballots that is secure and accessible to every American election official, just months prior to a general election. The Postal Service already issued its election mail guidance in January, and states and local governments have been planning accordingly – they will have no ability to change course to respond to this rule. This endeavor will also allegedly be accomplished without any dedicated resources or funding at a time when the Postal Service’s finances are under immense strain. In fact, the Postal Service has recently suspended regular retirement contributions and placed limits on all non-essential spending. As such, it is wholly unworkable and impractical. “Accordingly, we insist that the Postal Service abandon this proposed regulation and return to its core mission of providing universal postal services to every American. The Constitution and federal law demand nothing less.”",1,2026-06-30T06:29:10Z,2026-06-30T06:30:42Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-ossoff-rev-warnock-strengthening-public-safety-in-lagrange/,"Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Strengthening Public Safety in LaGrange",2026-06-26,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"LaGrange, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering new resources to strengthen public safety in LaGrange. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to improve emergency services in LaGrange by helping the fire department purchase a new Aerial ladder truck. According to local leaders, the LaGrange Fire Department’s truck has been in service for 28 years and is in need of replacement. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering $1,150,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on February 3. “Senator Reverand Warnock and I will never stop championing Georgia’s heroic fire departments,” Sen. Ossoff said. “These resources, which we secured with bipartisan support, will help firefighters in LaGrange respond to emergencies and keep the community safe.” “I am proud to have worked alongside Senator Ossoff to support LaGrange firefighters and emergency services with the resources they need to keep our Georgia communities safe,” said Senator Warnock. “The City of LaGrange would like to thank Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock, and their staff for their continued dedication to making Troup County and all of Georgia a better place to live and work. With funding provided through THUD FY26, the City of LaGrange Fire Department will purchase a new Aerial Ladder Truck, which will help the department retain its ISO classification and keep insurance rates lower for businesses and residents. Most importantly, this purchase will help save lives during rescue emergencies, and it would not be possible without the support of Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock, and their teams,” said LaGrange Mayor Jim Arrington. # # #",1,2026-06-30T06:29:10Z,2026-06-30T06:30:42Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-delivering-drinking-water-safety-upgrades-across-georgia-through-bipartisan-infrastructure-law/,Sen. Ossoff Delivering Drinking Water Safety Upgrades Across Georgia through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Sen. Ossoff delivering $37 million through bipartisan infrastructure law to help ensure families across Georgia have clean and safe drinking water Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering drinking water infrastructure upgrades through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Sen. Ossoff is delivering over $37 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law to remove lead pipes and conduct essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across Georgia through the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. “Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s water infrastructure for years to come, and I will continue working to remove lead pipes from our drinking water and keep Georgia families safe and healthy,” Sen. Ossoff said. Sen. Ossoff continues working to ensure Georgians have clean drinking water. This year, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to help the City of College Park upgrade its drinking water infrastructure. The Federal resources will help the city replace lead pipes with ductile iron pipes, improving drinking water quality for families. In February, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered over $67 million for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across the State of Georgia, through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Also in February, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver over $1 million in Federal funding to help upgrade Lee County’s drinking water infrastructure. Last December, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act to improve water infrastructure systems across rural Georgia. In 2024, Sen. Ossoff delivered over $36 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law for lead pipe replacement projects across Georgia. In April 2023, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock delivered $119.8 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across the Peach State through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. # # #",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-cassidy-urge-senate-colleagues-to-oppose-trump-administration-changes-to-cdcs-global-disease-programs/,"Warnock, Cassidy Urge Senate Colleagues to Oppose Trump Administration Changes to CDC’s Global Disease Programs",2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"In a new bipartisan letter, Senators Reverend Warnock and Dr. Bill Cassidy led 23 of their Senate colleagues urging Senate Appropriations committee leadership to oppose the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the CDC’s work on global H.I.V. prevention and surveillance The shift would diminish CDC’s role, the country’s premier experts on global health, in implementing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a program credited with saving more than 26 million lives since its inception in 2003 Withholding PEPFAR funding from the CDC jeopardizes decades of trust and collaboration between the CDC and health ministries around the world Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “No global health program better demonstrates the success of the U.S. global health strategy and the leadership of CDC than PEPFAR” Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) led a bipartisan group of 23 Senate colleagues urging Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to oppose the Trump Administration’s withholding of funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s global H.I.V. prevention and surveillance responsibilities for PEPFAR. Currently, the Department of State has refused to transfer congressionally appropriated funding to the CDC for these global health programs. This move diminishes the CDC’s authority in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program credited with saving more than 26 million lives since its inception in 2003. “No global health program better demonstrates the success of the U.S. global health strategy and the leadership of CDC than PEPFAR,” said Senator Warnock and his colleagues. Historically, the U.S. has played a pivotal role in the global health space, serving as the main funder and implementer of global health programs. President Trump has moved away from this legacy during his second term in a variety of ways, such as withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and dismantling the robust foreign assistance ecosystem that has cemented American leadership in the global health space. Prior to 2025 and the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), global health foreign aid occurred in a triangular fashion, with USAID, the State Department, and the CDC working together to promote global health programs. PEPFAR is one of the most successful U.S. global health programs that has demonstrated the effectiveness of this interagency coordination. In 2003, President George W. Bush launched PEPFAR to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since its inception, PEPFAR has invested over $100 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response and is credited with saving more than 26 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and has positioned the U.S. as the global leader in the HIV epidemic response. Since the CDC and its employees became a target of this administration, Senator Warnock has led several efforts defending their employment and the crucial role they play in keeping the nation safe. In June, Senator Warnock joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing the Secretary on how its withdrawal from the WHO and foreign aid cuts could affect the United States’ ability to protect Americans from Ebola and hantavirus. In addition to Senators Warnock and Cassidy, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below: “Dear Chair Graham, Ranking Member Schatz, Chair Capito, and Ranking Member Baldwin: We write to express our strong concerns regarding recent developments with the U.S. Department of State’s (“State”) restructuring of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. While the U.S. has been a strong leader in global health for several decades, State’s reform of PEPFAR will weaken the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in global health operations, which will cost lives and make our country less safe. Therefore, we urge the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee (SFOPS), as well as the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee (LHHS), to take steps to safeguard PEPFAR implementation in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills. No global health program better demonstrates the success of the U.S. global health strategy and the leadership of CDC than PEPFAR, which has saved over 26 million lives, prevented 7.8 million babies from being born with HIV/AIDS, and contributed to a 2.1% higher increase in GDP per capita in countries with PEPFAR funding since 2003. For decades, CDC has played a pivotal role in implementing PEPFAR with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under State’s coordination, leading global disease surveillance by maintaining more than 60 country offices, 1,500 overseas staff, and thousands of laboratory facilities worldwide. Despite the program’s demonstrated success, the Trump Administration has undermined PEPFAR over the past year by dismantling USAID, gutting CDC staff, and withholding half of PEPFAR’s funding for Fiscal Year 2025. With these actions, the Administration diminished the very same monitoring and lab capabilities that would have been instrumental in responding to current disease threats, like the hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks. On May 5, 2026, State announced that long-standing interagency transfers of PEPFAR resources in most countries will end by September 30, 2026. Partner countries that decide to continue working with the CDC will have to purchase its services and expertise at set fees. Additionally, countries that receive more than $125 million in annual U.S. foreign assistance will now be required to purchase a minimum package of these services. This policy will endanger PEPFAR’s mission, weaken its effectiveness at combatting HIV/AIDS around the world, and undermine the strategic interests of the United States in public health. Additionally, State is moving from PEPFAR’s traditional model to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that requires countries to sign agreements with stipulations such as favorable access to critical mineral deals. According to State’s 2022 PEPFAR Annual Report to Congress, the top five recipient countries scored an average Corruption Perception Index of 32.4. Only one of these countries is currently considered “Free.” Implementing partners that receive government contracts to disperse foreign assistance funds are required to conduct regular monitoring and reporting to ensure the efficacy of these funds, which is often not the case for government-to-government models. The proposed PEPFAR changes will hamper the United States’ ability to conduct oversight and weaken critical safeguards that ensure transparency. As a result, we respectfully ask the Subcommittees to consider the following options as they develop the FY2027 appropriations bill: Directly transfer $2 billion allocated for PEPFAR from the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs account to the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies account, specifically to CDC. Allocating the funds to CDC will continue the long-standing transfer that has occurred after the appropriations bill has passed and will preserve the CDC’s global health expertise. Directly increase funding for CDC’s Global Health account, which would reduce CDC’s reliance on future transfers from State, while continuing its efforts to support global health surveillance by maintaining relationships with foreign Ministers of Health. CDC has a proven track record of success as an implementing partner in PEPFAR. Its expertise in HIV surveillance and labquality is essential to support any testing, treatment, and prevention work in PEPFAR. Maintaining these specific capacities will protect U.S. government investment in the program. At the same time, increasing the CDC’s Global Health appropriation in the LHHS bill will bolster its work to support other disease surveillance efforts built through PEPFAR. PEPFAR is the crown jewel of the U.S.’s public health legacy. While we must be conscientious stewards of taxpayer dollars spent on foreign assistance, PEPFAR is one of the most cost effective foreign assistance programs, delivering an immense return on investment. Therefore, we urge you to include language in the FY2027 appropriations bill that preserves CDC’s role as a core implementing partner of PEPFAR to signal that Congress remains committed to maintaining the United States’ global health leadership and stability. Thank you for your consideration.”",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-hosts-panel-of-fathers-working-to-improve-maternal-health-outcomes/,Warnock Hosts Panel of Fathers Working to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Since arriving in the Senate, Senator Reverend Warnock has worked to combat maternal mortality and promote healthy families Georgia has one of the highest rates of maternal deaths in the country The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to improve maternal health outcomes through promoting fatherhood engagement Senator Reverend Warnock: “It’s a scandal and a scar on the soul of America that women routinely bring babies into the world with one foot in the grave” Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) hosted the Dads Matter: Preventing Maternal Mortality and Promoting Healthy Families panel, centered around improving maternal and infant health outcomes by promoting fatherhood engagement. In his opening remarks, Senator Warnock highlighted the need to pass his bipartisan Dads Matter Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of father inclusion and engagement in improving maternal health outcomes. The panel included four dads: John Jensen, Del Beaver, Rodrigo Stein, and Charles Johnson. Charles Johnson founded the organization 4Kira4Moms with the mission of addressing maternal mortality; the title honors his late wife Kira, who passed from childbirth complications. Senator Warnock is also the lead champion of the Kira Johnson Act, which funds community-based organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women. The panelists presented data showing that father involvement during and after a child’s birth is associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. The risks for nearly all preventable complications, including preeclampsia and sudden infant death, decrease with dad involvement. “There’s no reason for the United States of America, the most powerful country on the planet, to have the kind of maternal mortality rate that we have,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “It’s a scandal and a scar on the soul of America that women routinely bring babies into the world with one foot in the grave.” Last year, Senator Warnock first introduced the Dads Matter Act in 2024. This bipartisan legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of father inclusion and engagement in improving maternal health outcomes. Senator Warnock has long championed legislation to combat maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for hardworking families. Senator Warnock previously partnered with Senator Rubio to pass the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, signed into law in 2022, that provides federal funding to reduce maternal mortality and improve implicit bias training for providers to prevent maternal death. Senator Warnock also partnered with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to introduce the Kira Johnson Act, legislation to provide funding to community-based organizations leading the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women.",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-slams-president-trump-for-blocking-private-equity-housing-ban/,Warnock Slams President Trump for Blocking Private-Equity Housing Ban,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Reverend Warnock slammed President Trump for refusing to sign the ROAD to Housing Act, which would have banned large corporations from mass purchasing single-family homes Hours before the President was set to sign the legislation, he cancelled the signing ceremony, insisting that Congress pass his voter suppression legislation, the SAVE America Act Private equity has rapidly spread through Georgia’s housing market, with more than one in four single-family rental homes in metro Atlanta owned by large corporations The now-stalled housing package includes provisions championed by Senator Warnock that will boost housing supply by cutting red tape, investing in local innovation, and reforming legacy housing programs READ the one-pager on Warnock provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) slammed the President for blocking the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes the Senator’s private equity housing ban. The legislation was overwhelmingly passed by the House and the Senate earlier this week. In a shocking turn of events, the President cancelled the signing ceremony for the legislation early this morning, claiming it needed to include the SAVE America Act, legislation that would disenfranchise potentially millions of Americans. Corporate investors have suffocated metro-Atlanta’s housing market, with more than 1 in 4 single-family rental homes—over 70,000 properties—owned by large corporations. Corporate investors control more homes in metro-Atlanta than any other area in the country and have begun spreading to every corner of the state. Senator Warnock’s provision bans corporations that own more than 350 single-family homes from purchasing any additional single-family homes. In addition to the ban on private equity, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act also includes provisions from Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act, the only fair housing provision in the legislation, and several bills Senator Warnock has championed for years to reform rural housing programs, penalize local governments for failing to meet housing goals, incentivize local governments and banks to invest more in the construction of housing, and provide grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners repair and weatherize their properties. Find the full remarks from theSenatorHEREand below: Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “18 months into Donald Trump’s second term, and life is worse for everybody except the ultra-wealthy. Ordinary people aren’t able to make this economy work, and today this president had an opportunity to do something for ordinary people, for working Americans, and instead he has managed—once again—to make the story about himself. “I’m perturbed. I’m annoyed that instead of talking about housing, we’re standing here talking about Donald Trump. He is so obsessed with himself that he keeps tripping over himself, which is a deep problem, but it has serious implications for everyday people. “Here he is on a day staged for him to take credit for legislation he did little to shape, he managed to make the story about what’s going on with Donald Trump. And so that’s a sad irony. The bill that he refused to sign today would have given a leg up to Americans who have been exploited by corporate landlords. Ordinary people looking to buy a home cannot compete with billionaires and trillionaires. “The average age of somebody buying a first-time home is age 40. That’s something we could have begun to fix today. Still, more we need to do on top of this bill, but this would have been an excellent start. And once again, the President has muddied the waters. And so, I want to be very clear, because right now is one of the biggest times of the year to buy a home. So, here’s what is at stake for everyday people. “If you are buying a home today, we had the opportunity to stop giant corporations from competing against your offer. The president refused to help you. If a house on your block is being sold, the president could have made sure that that home went to a family instead of some out of state corporate landlord, and once again the president refused to help you. If you are getting an appraisal for your home and you think that appraisal is too low and you want some recourse—we had language in this bill to address that, and the president refused to help you. “My colleagues and I fought to protect the very people this president exploits every day. I’m proud of the bill that we delivered for the people of Georgia. The ROAD to Housing Act should have been a major win for everyday Americans, this bipartisan piece of legislation. I mean, Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren walked into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke—it wasn’t really a bar, but they came together—and we got this done. “So, I would encourage those in the House to send the bill to the President. Now it’s on the Speaker of the House, it’s on the leadership of the House, to decide if they’re going to stand with the American people or are they going to stand with Donald Trump. Send him the bill and force him to decide! If you don’t send him the bill, that means you’re standing with him rather than the people in your own district. We know who Donald Trump is in a real sense. This is about who the rest of us are, and so we will continue to fight for this. “The president has decided that the SAVE Act is what’s really important. Think about that. The SAVE Act, a voter suppression bill, the SAVE Act, which focuses on solving a problem that does not exist. He’s put that in front of a bill that’s looking to solve a problem that people on both sides of the aisle and every American knows is a real problem. If he were as focused on the housing of ordinary Americans as he is on renovating the house he temporarily occupies—fixing that house, tearing up that house, adding a ballroom to that house—while you’re trying to buy a house, while you’re trying to build a future for yourself and your family. He’s trying to hold on to power; the people I know in Georgia are just trying to hold on. “Somebody ought to tell the President of the United States that he is a temporary resident of public housing. It’s not his house, and he ought to get focused on making sure that the American people can buy a house and can afford rent. He ought to think about us for a change.” ### Title and affiliation are provided for identification purposes only. A pastor and social justice advocate, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was elected to the United States Senate in 2021 and reelected for a full term in 2022. The Senator serves on the Senate Agriculture, Banking, and Finance committees, as well as the Senate Aging Committee.",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-tps-ruling/,Warnock Statement on TPS Ruling,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senator Reverend Warnock released the following statement: “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a devastating blow for hundreds of thousands of law-abiding immigrants who have built their lives and contributed to their communities in the United States as fathers, mothers, teachers, nurses, doctors, researchers, business owners, and more. The people of Haiti, particularly, are living through a profound humanitarian and political crisis that warrants protection and relief. The Court’s position fails to meet that moral imperative. And their refusal to acknowledge the President’s repeated racism towards Haitians adds insult to injury. Our TPS neighbors add to our country in every way, and this loss harms us all.”",1,2026-06-27T06:16:17Z,2026-06-27T06:17:30Z https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-reintroduces-right-to-vote-act/,Sen. Ossoff Reintroduces Right to Vote Act,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Jon Ossoff,O000174,www.ossoff.senate.gov,ossoff,https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA-12) is introducing the companion bill in the House. Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is reintroducing legislation to create the first-ever affirmative Federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens. Today, Sen. Ossoff is reintroducing the Right to Vote Act to enshrine into law American citizens’ fundamental right to vote. First introduced in 2021, Sen. Ossoff’s Right to Vote Act would protect American citizens’ fundamental right to vote by establishing a first-ever statutory right to vote in Federal elections — protecting U.S. citizens from laws that make it harder to cast a ballot. The bill would allow Americans to enforce that right by challenging in court any policy that unduly restricts ballot access. States attempting to restrict voting access would have to meet a high bar to justify any policy that makes it harder for U.S. citizens to participate in Federal elections. Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) is introducing the companion bill in the House. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) cosponsored the bill. “With voting rights under attack in Georgia and across the country, I am reintroducing my legislation to empower voters to challenge in court any action taken by a state or local government that makes it harder to vote, and force that state or that locality to demonstrate that the restrictions serve some governmental purpose and are the least restrictive means of doing so,” said Sen. Ossoff. “Our democracy cannot work when politicians get to choose who is able to participate in it,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “For generations, Black and brown communities, young people, people with disabilities, and working-class voters have faced deliberate barriers designed to silence their voices. And we are watching it happen in real time as Republicans put up roadblock after roadblock to once again shrink the electorate. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to give people the power to fight back and make their voices heard.” “Our vote is our voice, and this legislation is needed now more than ever as this administration has made clear that it will do everything in its power to limit access to the ballot box this fall,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud to join my brother Senator Ossoff in introducing the Right to Vote Act.” “The Trump administration continues to threaten election and voter security in California and across the country by undermining trust and weakening access to resources. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of American democracy. That’s why I am proud to join Senator Ossoff in this fight to guarantee citizens’ right to vote by authorizing voters to challenge in court actions that have been taken to restrict their ballot access,” said Senator Schiff. “Americans’ right to vote is under attack, and this president is hellbent on undermining our elections to keep his power,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re giving Americans the tools to defend a right the Constitution guarantees.” “Free and fair elections are the foundation of participatory government, and any threat to the democratic process is a threat to our democracy itself,” said Senator King. “The Right to Vote Act would establish clear protections for voters and help ensure that every eligible American can demonstrate this sacred right in our elections. A healthy democracy depends on broad participation, and this bill will continue to make that participation easier—not harder.” “When we protect the right to vote, we protect the very foundation of our democracy,” said Senator Padilla. “While the Trump Administration and Republican-led legislatures threaten to restrict ballot access, we must ensure there are safeguards in place to ensure voters can defend their right in court. The right to vote should never be questioned, and Congress must protect every eligible voter’s right to participate in our elections.” “Our democracy works best when Americans can make their voices heard, and as we continue to see unprecedented attacks on the right to vote across the country, we must take action,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation enables voters to challenge policies that make it more difficult to cast their ballots, empowering people to protect voting rights nationwide.” “The ballot box is the beating heart of our democracy, but, for far too long, some Americans have faced enormous obstacles or outright denial as they’ve tried to participate in the democratic process. The Right to Vote Act gives Americans the power to contest unfair state laws designed to make it hard for targeted communities to exercise their constitutional right to vote. This defense of voting rights is hugely needed,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). “The Right to Vote Act safeguards Americans’ voting rights and defends against attempts to restrict voting access,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The right to vote is a bedrock of our democracy, a government that is supposed to be by and for the people. With unprecedented attacks on voting rights in states across the country, this critical legislation protects access to the ballot box and ensures Americans can exercise their most fundamental right.” “Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than ensuring that all citizens can exercise their fundamental right to vote. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans know their agenda is deeply unpopular, but instead of delivering for the American people, they are working overtime to disenfranchise millions of voters who have the constitutional right to vote them out of office,” said Senator Hirono. “By empowering voters to fight back against restrictions on their voting rights, this legislation will help ensure that every voice can be heard on Election Day.” “Voting in America is your right. Americans have been beaten, they’ve been bloodied, and they’ve given their lives to secure that right. Disenfranchisement today is more bureaucratic, and it’s more technical, but the results for ordinary citizens is the same: Their voices are shut out of a democracy,” Sen. Cantwell said. “I ask my colleagues to stand up for their constituents — because if we don’t stop this administration’s war on voting rights, I guarantee you, millions of Americans will be disenfranchised.” Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect voting rights for eligible Georgia voters. In March 2024, Sen. Ossoff joined Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock, Dick Durbin, Leader Chuck Schumer, and colleagues in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965 that have been eroded in recent years by federal court rulings. Also in 2024, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act, which would broaden protections for the election workers and volunteers who help administer America’s elections. The bill would also prohibit damage to election infrastructure, such as polling places and tabulation centers, with the intent to interfere with an election. Click here to read the Right to Vote Act. # # #",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warnock-celebrates-cancellation-of-social-circle-detention-center/,ICYMI: Warnock Celebrates Cancellation of Social Circle Detention Center,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"New reporting by the New York Times, confirmed by DHS, indicates that plans for new detention centers across the country are being abandoned Two planned facilities in Georgia, Social Circle and Oakwood, are among those detention centers no longer being considered Senator Reverend Warnock has led efforts to block the retrofitting of warehouses that would have served as detention centers in Social Circle and Oakwood Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) welcomed reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) planned to scrap two detention centers set to house immigrants in Georgia. The plan is for DHS to sell or give away warehouses in Social Circle and Oakwood, Georgia, rather than house thousands of people in these facilities. Since plans were revealed, Senator Warnock has been a fierce proponent in the fight against these detention centers. In March, the Senator joined Social Circle leaders in voicing opposition to the Trump Administration’s efforts to open an ICE detention facility that would have strained local resources with no plan for federal support to alleviate the anticipated harms. The Senator has also led several efforts to support Social Circle’s campaign against the proposed ICE facility, including sending letters to DHS and making a direct appeal to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. More media coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s comments below: WSB Radio: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock called the decision a victory for the community and credited local activism with helping change the government’s plans. “These things that were happening in the quiet of night, we shined a light on it, elevated it, people raised their voices and they got their victory,” Warnock said. Capitol Beat: Both Ossoff and fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock heralded the policy reversal in Social Circle, attributing it to their own efforts as part of a public pressure campaign. “Officials in the Trump administration got nervous because the people stood up and began to speak out,” Warnock said in a call with reporters on Friday. Fox 5: Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff as well as Republicans Rep. Mike Collins were part of the effort to block the protect. “The officials in the Trump/Vance got nervous. The people stood up and began to speak out,” Warnock said. Warnock said, “this White House and this administration viewed Social Circle’s concerns nothing more than a thorn in their side.” 11 Alive: “They were deeply concerned about this immigration facility,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock told 11Alive’s Grace King. “This would have taken a whole lot of opportunity off of potential tax revenue for that very small town, and it means a lot to those folks. To put it plainly, the officials in the Trump-Vance administration got nervous because the people stood up and began to speak out.” Univision: Tras la decisión del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) de cancelar la construcción de un megacentro de detención para inmigrantes en Social Circle debido a la presión de los residentes, Raphael Warnock, senador federal por Georgia, se pronunció, al respecto. No obstante, la incertidumbre persiste en la ciudad de Oakwood, donde los habitantes aun temen la posible edificacion de uno de estos complejos en su comunidad ante la falta de respuestas por parte de las autoridades. CBS News: Sen. Raphael Warnock called the development ‘a victory for the people of Georgia. When we stand up and speak out, the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power,’ Warnock said in a statement Friday. ‘I was proud to elevate the concerns of the people of Social Circle and Oakwood over the past four months to pressure administration to backtrack on their dangerous plans.’ Warnock said he advocated on behalf of residents despite the communities not being part of his political base. ‘The people of Social Circle and Oakwood didn’t vote for me, but I still fought for them because I was elected to serve all Georgians,’ he said. USA Today: Warnock, who tried to block the detention facilities during a funding battle in Congress and supported legislation that would require local input and approval for the construction of new detention facilities, celebrated the city’s announcement Thursday.",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/whos-served-by-this-economy-warnock-makes-clear-who-president-trumps-economy-is-helping-and-hurting-in-senate-banking-hearing/,“Who’s Served by This Economy?” Warnock Makes Clear Who President Trump’s Economy is Helping and Hurting in Senate Banking Hearing,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Democrat,Senate,GA,Raphael G. Warnock,W000790,www.warnock.senate.gov,warnock,https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Yesterday, during a Senate Banking committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock detailed how President Trump’s economic policies are hurting ordinary Americans President Trump’s policies and domestic agenda have added an enormous amount of money to the national debt without alleviating prices for American families Nearly 1 in 20 households—equivalent to roughly 14 million Americans—are severely behind on their utility bills and risk facing collections In the past year, nearly 40% of Americans have had to turn to credit cards to pay their bills and pay for everyday essentials Senator Reverend Warnock: “So, who’s served by this economy? There’s a long range of people who seem to be suffering. Who’s served by the economy—the Trump economy?” Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, during a U.S. Senate Banking Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) detailed how President Trump’s economic policies are hurting ordinary Americans and benefiting the ultra-rich. A recent Fox News poll found that more than half of all voters feel that President Trump’s economy helps rich people, and three out of five voters feel pessimistic about the economy overall. “So, who’s served by this economy? There’s a long range of people who seem to be suffering. Who’s served by the economy—the Trump economy?” Senator Warnock asked. “[Donald Trump] has been at it for 18 months. He’s raised costs for everybody, shredded a safety net meant to catch people during tough times. This Trump economy isn’t just bad—for me—it’s a moral abomination.” Since assuming office in January 2025, President Trump’s policies and domestic agenda have raised costs for American families. Washington Republicans’ signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, forced millions of Americans off their health care due to premium price hikes in Affordable Care Act health plans. The Republican tax and spending legislation is also responsible for $186 billion in nutrition cuts from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) a cuts in the program have resulted in SNAP participation already falling by more than 4.3 million people, including 700,00 children, with more cuts yet to come. Republican policies have put an enormous strain on American families trying to make ends meet. As a leader on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Warnock continues to push back against the Trump administration’s reckless economic policies and the rising prices it creates for ordinary Georgians. Watch the Senator’s full remarks HERE See below a transcript of today’s hearing exchange Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Well, thank you so much. Your introduction was prescient, you’ll see why, Brother Chair. According to a recent Fox News poll, more than half of all voters feel that President Trump’s economy only helps rich people, with an additional 15% saying his economy helps “no one”. And that same Fox News poll found that three out of five voters feel pessimistic about the economy. Doesn’t matter much what those of us on this panel feel, it’s what the American people feel. Consumer sentiment is near record lows. Ordinary Americans know Donald Trump’s economy isn’t working for them. “Dr. Morgan, you’re an expert on the economy. I don’t know your faith tradition, or if you share a particular faith tradition at all, but I’m a Matthew 25 Christian. Meaning, I like to center my work on the least among us, the poor, the most marginalized. Isaiah, whom I’ve been reading a lot lately, says, ‘Who are you to crush my people, to grind the face of the poor?’ So, I want to dig into that verse from Matthew 25 to assess the Trump economy. It says, ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink’. Dr. Morgan, how have the president’s policies been for hungry Americans?” Dr. Julie Margetta Morgan (JMM): “Senator Warnock, the president’s policies have pushed more and more Americans into hunger. We’ve seen actually 4 million people lose their SNAP benefits under this administration, as about 700,000 of them were children. And the Century Foundation’s own polling shows that one in three Americans have skipped meals in order to deal with their, their cost of living crisis.” SRW: “You said 4 million Americans? And you said 700,000 of the Americans kicked off of SNAP are children?” JMM: “That’s right.” SRW: “Because I met with the Speaker and others, and you know they’re saying that they’re, that you know, these are able-bodied men who are kicked off of SNAP, but you’re saying these cuts are leaving children food insecure?” JMM: “That’s right.” SRW: “Let’s try another one. The text goes on to say, ‘for I needed clothes, and you clothed me’. Dr. Morgan, how have the president’s policies been for poor, unemployed, or unhoused Americans?” JMM: “The president’s—the tax cuts alone had a massive effect on low-income families. Low-income families actually lost money under H.R. 1 to the tune of about $1,200.” SRW: “That’s the One Big Beautiful Bill?” JMM: “That’s right. But the Trump administration has also taken other actions that directly target poor and unhoused families. The Trump administration has attempted to impose time limits and work requirements on rental assistance. They’ve proposed cuts and changes to programs that support the homeless. And then rising utility costs are also hurting the poorest families as well.” SRW: “Matthew 25 says, ‘For I was sick, and you looked after me’. What about the President’s health care policies, especially when it comes to health care affordability?” JMM: “This is really an acute problem for families right now. We’ve seen cuts to Medicaid that have taken insurance away from families. We’ve seen the failure to extend the ACA premium tax credits that has jacked up the cost of health insurance premiums for many American families. We’re also seeing increasing costs on employer-sponsored plans. So, people are really faced with the choice right now of being uninsured or choosing kind of like a skimpier health insurance plan in order to get coverage, and at the same time—” SRW: “The Trump administration and Washington Republicans cut $1 trillion out of Medicaid—they call it waste, fraud, and abuse. Is it fair to say they cut more than waste, fraud, and abuse?” JMM: “That is correct. They cut care for American families.” SRW: “’For I was a stranger’—the text says—’and you invited me in’. How has the Trump economy been for law-abiding immigrants and dreamers living in the shadows?” JMM: “We’ve seen a kind of xenophobic attack on our immigrant neighbors. We’re seeing families who are afraid because of the actions of ICE to go to work and to send their families to school. It’s incredibly crushing, both for those families and for their communities and those of us who live among people, and then we’ve also seen this, these attacks to try to take away benefits and programs from law-abiding immigrants, so it’s hugely concerning.” SRW: “So, who’s served by this economy? There’s a long range of people who seem to be suffering. Who’s served by the economy—the Trump economy?” JWW: “I mean, it serves the rich, right? It serves Donald Trump himself, it serves his billionaire colleagues, and it serves, you know, the banks who are represented here at this hearing, who have gotten the Trump administration to roll back protections for working families in order to maintain their profits.” SRW: “I’m a few seconds over, and so I’m going to bring this to closure, Brother Chair. But Donald Trump has been president for 18 months, and while he and his advisors love to blame Joe Biden, Joe Biden, Joe Biden for rising costs, Americans elected him to lower costs. He’s been at it for 18 months, he’s raised costs for everybody, shredded a safety net meant to catch people during tough times. This Trump economy isn’t just bad, for me, it’s a moral abomination. This is bigger than politics, it’s about humanity. Thank you so much for your testimony.” ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z