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.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/blackburn-applauds-206-million-for-tennessee-from-rural-health-transformation-program,Blackburn Applauds $206 Million for Tennessee from Rural Health Transformation Program,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the Trump administration announced a $206,888,882 award to strengthen rural health care in Tennessee. This funding comes from the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, which Senator Blackburn supported as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation that President Trump signed into law over the summer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/general/video-blackburn-wishes-tennesseans-a-merry-christmas,VIDEO: Blackburn Wishes Tennesseans a Merry Christmas,2025-12-24,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a video message wishing Tennesseans a Merry Christmas:

“From all the Blackburns, I want to say Merry Christmas to you,” said Senator Blackburn. “There is nothing so special or nothing more wonderful than a Tennessee Christmas. Our wish is for all Tennesseans to know firsthand the blessings of the Christmas and holiday season. So, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/veterans/blackburn-resolution-recognizing-importance-of-community-care-for-veterans-passes-senate,Blackburn Resolution Recognizing Importance of Community Care for Veterans Passes Senate,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) released the following statements after their resolution recognizing community care as essential to meeting veterans’ health care needs unanimously passed the Senate:

“Federal government bureaucracy should not get in the way of America’s veterans getting the health care they need,” said Senator Blackburn. “This resolution reaffirms my commitment to ensuring veterans in Tennessee and across America can access high-quality, affordable health care.”

“Veterans deserve prompt, high-quality care and greater flexibility in choosing when, where and how to use the healthcare benefits they have earned through their service,” said Senator Moran. “This resolution reaffirms our commitment to making certain that veterans have a choice in where they receive care – whether at VA or in the community – while acknowledging the essential role community care partnerships play in strengthening the VA health care system. I thank Sen. Blackburn for leading this resolution and for her continued dedication to supporting our nation’s veterans.”

“Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and that means ensuring they can access timely, high-quality treatment through VA facilities and trusted community providers,” said Senator Tillis. “This resolution cuts red tape and makes sure no veteran is forced to wait for the care they’ve earned.”

“Mississippi’s veterans rely on community care providers,” said Senator Wicker. “The VA health system cannot meet every imaginable need, and these providers stand in the gap for those who have given so much to our country.”

This resolution is also co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

BACKGROUND

A decade ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faced a nationwide access-to-care crisis that left many veterans waiting too long for essential medical services. In response, Congress passed the VA MISSION Act, a bipartisan reform designed to ensure that veterans could access timely, high-quality care, including through community providers when the VA could not meet veterans’ needs.

Community care has become an indispensable part of the VA health care system, expanding veterans’ options and improving access, especially for those living in rural areas, facing mobility or transportation challenges, or requiring specialized treatment.

Specifically, this resolution:

Recognizes community care as an essential tool for meeting veterans’ health care needs;

Affirms that community care complements the VA’s mission to serve veterans;

Urges the VA to fully and faithfully implement the VA MISSION Act, ensuring veterans can seek community care when the VA cannot provide timely or appropriate treatment; and

Reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to ensuring every veteran has access to high-quality, affordable, and veteran-centered care, whether provided at a VA facility or through community providers.

Click here for resolution text.

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Blackburn, Tuberville Support Expanding Veterans’ Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Blackburn, Booker, Boozman, Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Female Veterans",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/technology/blackburn-unveils-national-policy-framework-for-artificial-intelligence,Blackburn Unveils National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) unveiled a section-by-section summary of The Republic Unifying Meritocratic Performance Advancing Machine intelligence by Eliminating Regulatory Interstate Chaos Across American Industry (TRUMP AMERICA AI Act). This legislative framework would codify President Trump’s executive order to create one rulebook for artificial intelligence (AI) that protects children, creators, conservatives, and communities from harm while ensuring the United States wins the global race for AI supremacy.

“Instead of pushing AI amnesty, President Trump rightfully called on Congress to pass federal standards and protections to solve the patchwork of state laws that have hindered AI innovation,” said Senator Blackburn. “I look forward to introducing the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act in the new year to create one federal rulebook for AI to protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities across the country and ensure America triumphs over foreign adversaries in the global race for AI dominance.”

TRUMP AMERICA AI ACT

Below is a summary of how Senator Blackburn’s TRUMP AMERICA AI Act would protect the “4 Cs” (children, creators, conservatives, and communities) from exploitation, abuse, and censorship and ensure American AI companies can innovate without cumbersome regulation. This framework includes legislation Senator Blackburn has previously introduced, the Kids Online Safety Act and NO FAKES Act, to protect children and creators.

Protecting Children

Places a duty of care on AI developers in the design, development, and operation of AI platforms to prevent and mitigate foreseeable harm to users.

Requires AI platforms to conduct regular risk assessments of how algorithmic systems, engagement mechanics, and data practices contribute to psychological, physical, financial, and exploitative harms.

Reforms Section 230 by incentivizing the development and utilization of blocking and filtering technologies that empower parents to restrict their children’s access to objectionable or inappropriate online material.

Requiring interactive computer services to notify users that parental control protections (such as computer hardware, software, or filtering services) are commercially available that may assist the user limit access to material that is harmful to minors.

Requires covered online platforms, including social media platforms, to implement tools and safeguards to protect users and visitors under the age of 17 to protect children from sex trafficking, suicide, and other abuses.

Requires covered platforms to exercise reasonable care in the design and use of features that increase minors’ online activity to prevent and mitigate harm to minors (e.g., mental health disorders and severe harassment).

Requires covered platforms to provide certain safeguards to minors, such as protections for minors’ data; tools for parents of minors, such as access to minors’ privacy settings; and a mechanism for account holders and visitors to report harm to minors on the platform.

Prohibits covered platforms from conducting market or product research on children under the age of 13 and may only conduct research on those under the age of 17 with parental consent.

Establishes requirements for companies providing AI chatbot and companion services to protect kids.

Prevents systemically important platforms from disseminating sexual material harmful to minors.

Protecting Creators

Creates a federal right for individuals to sue companies for using their data (personal, copyrighted) for AI training without explicit consent and requires affirmative consent for data use in AI models, addressing issues like unauthorized scraping of creative works.

Addresses the use of non-consensual digital replications in audiovisual works, images, or sound recordings by:

Holding individuals or companies liable if they produce an unauthorized digital replica of an individual in a performance.

Holding platforms liable for hosting an unauthorized digital replica if the platform has actual knowledge of the fact that the replica was not authorized by the individual depicted.

Deems derivative works generated, synthesized, or produced by an AI system without authorization as infringing works, which would be ineligible for copyright protection.

Preserves and promotes competition among AI developers by mandating nondiscriminatory access to licensed content.

Protecting Conservatives

Combats the consistent pattern of bias against conservative figures demonstrated by Big Tech and AI systems by requiring:

Audits of high-risk AI systems to undergo regular bias evaluations to prevent discrimination based on protected characteristics, including political affiliation.

High-risk AI systems cover those that could pose significant risks to health, safety, rights, or economic security, including those in education, employment, law enforcement, or critical infrastructure.

Federal agencies and covered entities to provide AI ethics training to personnel.

Covered entities are any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in the development, deployment, or operation of AI systems, including federal agencies, that meet thresholds established by the Federal Trade Commission.

Protecting Communities

Requires certain companies and federal agencies to issue reports on AI-related job effects, including layoffs and job displacement to the Department of Labor (DOL) on a quarterly basis.

Requires the DOL to compile data on AI-related job effects and publish a report to Congress and the public.

Requires data center operators to be responsible for the full cost of all energy and water infrastructure needed for their operation, including construction, maintenance, and upgrades with no impact on ratepayers.

Click here to read the full section-by-section summary of the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act.

ENDORSEMENTS

This legislative framework is supported by Mike Davis and Steve Bannon:

“Senator Marsha Blackburn’s TRUMP AMERICA AI Act is a major MAGA victory that follows President Trump’s leadership in putting America first in the AI race while protecting our values and our freedoms. This bill protects the Four C’s: children, conservatives, communities, and creators. This bill finally forces Big Tech to build in real guardrails... It pushes back on blue-state speech policing and bias mandates, ensuring AI isn’t weaponized to silence lawful viewpoints. It prioritizes American workers and infrastructure... Finally, the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act establishes national rules on training data, deepfakes, and AI-generated knockoffs so artists, writers, and innovators get paid and protected. President Trump’s executive order set the national policy: end the 50-state patchwork, stop coercive ‘algorithmic discrimination’ mandates that force false outputs, and preempt unlawful state overreach. Senator Blackburn’s bill puts that vision into action... This is how we make America the global leader in AI: a single, constitutional framework that unleashes our entrepreneurs, safeguards our rights, and serves our people. President Trump is leading. Senator Blackburn is delivering. Congress should pass the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act and keep America great, and first, in AI,” said Mike Davis, Founder and President of the Article III Project.

“Over the summer, Senator Blackburn led the movement to defeat the AI amnesty push in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and she has been a fierce advocate in protecting all Americans from the abuse of AI. The TRUMP AMERICA AI Act would establish an enforceable federal standard to ensure that tech bros can’t get rich by exploiting Americans in the AI Wild West,” said Steve Bannon, Host of the War Room on Real America’s Voice News.

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VIDEO: Blackburn Leads Effort to Remove AI Moratorium from Big Beautiful Bill, Protecting Tennessee Creators & Kids from Harm

Blackburn, Blumenthal, Thune, and Schumer Introduce the Kids Online Safety Act",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/blackburn-statement-on-confirmation-of-tennesseans-jeff-hagood-and-mitch-graves-to-tva-board,Blackburn Statement on Confirmation of Tennesseans Jeff Hagood and Mitch Graves to TVA Board,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after Jeff Hagood and Mitch Graves were confirmed to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors:

“Today, the Senate confirmed two outstanding Tennesseans to the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Jeff Hagood and Mitch Graves,” said Senator Blackburn. “These two Tennesseans will help achieve America’s nuclear renaissance and deliver affordable and abundant energy. With Jeff and Mitch on the board, we will make certain Tennessee leads in next-generation nuclear and helps the United States win the global race for energy dominance.”

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VIDEO: Blackburn Introduces TVA Board Nominees Mitch Graves and Jeff Hagood at Senate Committee Nomination Hearing

America’s Nuclear Renaissance: How the TVA Can Lead Our Energy Future",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/crime/jobs and economy/immigration/video-blackburn-highlights-republicans-accomplishments-in-2025,VIDEO: Blackburn Highlights Republicans’ Accomplishments in 2025,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor highlighting some of the accomplishments achieved by President Trump and Republicans in 2025. President Trump has made America safer and stronger, fixed the Biden border crisis, restored law and order in American cities, rooted out wokeness in our institutions, secured trillions in new investments, and restored peace through strength after the four years of weakness from Joe Biden. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts passed by Republicans and signed into law by President Trump, Americans’ tax refunds next year are projected to be about one-third larger than usual, or roughly an extra $1,000 per filer.

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

EXCERPTS OF REMARKS",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/general/blackburn-welch-introduce-legislation-to-empower-visual-artists-to-protect-their-work,"Blackburn, Welch Introduce Legislation to Empower Visual Artists to Protect Their Work",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act (VACRA), which would modernize copyright registration for visual artists to make it easier and less costly for high-volume visual artists to register and protect their works.

“Visual artists produce incredible work that deserves to be protected, but current copyright law has fallen short,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act would modernize copyright registration so creators like photographers, illustrators, and graphic artists can protect their work and enforce their rights. This bill would fix a broken system by cutting unnecessary costs and bureaucracy, helping America’s creative community thrive.”

“Vermont’s visual creators make significant contributions to our country, and their work should be protected. But visual artists often struggle to protect the authenticity of their work because of the unique challenges facing high-volume artists,” said Senator Welch. “We’re working to modernize copyright processes and safeguard the creativity of visual artists.”

BACKGROUND

The Copyright Act offers the promise that copyrightable works are automatically protected the instant they are created. This is a cruel façade as those rights cannot be enforced unless each work is registered with the Copyright Office.

The registration process is so bureaucratic and complicated that the time and expense of compliance is too high for high-volume creators like photographers, illustrators, and graphic artists.

The Copyright Office is aware of these shortcomings but has failed to address them.

THE VISUAL ARTISTS COPYRIGHT REFORM ACT

The VACRA would:

Direct the Register of Copyrights to establish a process for an individual to submit a single application for copyright registration of a group of up to 3,000 photographs;

Adopt a deferred copyright registration option. Under current law, the Copyright Office calculates registration fees based on their administrative costs, regardless of ability to pay or the punitive impact of high fees on photographers and all creators. These high fees ultimately result in many high-volume visual artists not registering their works because they cannot afford to do so. This bill would create a less costly “deferred examination” option for those who need it;

Direct the Register of Copyrights to establish regulations that allow for all-you-can-eatannual registration subscriptions for pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; and

Direct the Register of Copyrights to create a modern, secure, searchable registry of electronic copies of copyrighted photos and the copyright holders’ information. Until the Copyright Office can achieve this, photographers would be allowed to submit copies of their photos to Copyright Office-certified private sector registries. Depositing a photo in such a registry would satisfy all necessary copyright deposit requirements. Allowing creators to submit their deposits to third party registries rather than the Copyright Office would streamline the process while also providing the public with useful information about the deposited work. This provision would sunset when the Copyright Office is able to provide its own modern, efficient online system.

Click here for bill text.

ENDORSEMENTS

The VACRA is endorsed by Professional Photographers of America and the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP):

“Professional photographers are important to our world. They are the keepers of our societal memory,” said Professional Photographers of America CEO David Trust. “The United States is the only country that requires creators to register their works before receiving full protection. It has been inexcusable that this problem has gone on for so long. We cannot praise Senators Blackburn and Welch enough for stepping in to correct the injustice.”

“VACRA breaks down the barriers that prevent so many creators and photographers across the country from being able to protect the fruits of their life’s work and passion,” said ASMP Chief Executive Officer Thomas Maddrey. “These sorely needed and common-sense reforms are long overdue and are a first step in bringing so many artists back into the very copyright system that is designed to support their efforts in the creative economy. ASMP applauds Senator Blackburn and Senator Welch for their leadership and support of VACRA, and the far-reaching effects this bill will have on photographers and all visual creators in this country.”

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Blackburn, Welch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Musicians, Artists, and Creators from Unauthorized AI Training",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/military/blackburn-applauds-final-passage-of-fy26-national-defense-bill-with-wins-for-tennessee,Blackburn Applauds Final Passage of FY26 National Defense Bill with Wins for Tennessee,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement following the final passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes funding levels and sets policies for the U.S. military. Senator Blackburn secured multiple provisions for Tennessee in the NDAA.

“This year’s national defense bill will help safeguard U.S. national security and support our men and women in uniform by enabling the Department of War to carry out President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda and ensuring we are prepared for the formidable threats posed by the New Axis of Evil,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennessee’s tens of thousands of service members and military installations play a vital role in that mission, and this legislation will ban harmful DEI programs, modernize critical infrastructure, fund important research programs, and strengthen national security.”

BLACKBURN-SECURED NDAA WINS FOR TENNESSEE

Below is a list of key priorities for Tennessee included in the FY26 NDAA:

Fort Campbell Modernization Projects

Replaces the current 49-year-old tower, which is the oldest tower on any power projection platform and is in desperate need of adequate height, space, and visibility for modern operations.

Provides modern housing for the 101st Airborne Division.

Army National Guard Projects

Funding for planning and design to support the Smyrna Training Site.

Research and Development in Tennessee

Expands Vanderbilt’s Pathfinder-Air Assault project with the Army to include the Tennessee National Guard.

Provides funding for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Vanderbilt-led program to build secure, robust, and dependable artificial intelligence models.

Support for Oak Ridge Reservation

Continues U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration funding to support national security operations, environmental cleanup, and long-term modernization across the Oak Ridge Reservation, including the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ADDITIONAL NDAA WINS

Below is a list of additional critical wins secured in the FY26 NDAA:

Quantum Readiness Strategy (Provision Secured by Senator Blackburn)

Requires the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a strategy to Congress on quantum readiness.

Ensures the U.S. is prepared to compete with foreign adversaries’ advances in quantum.

Returning the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to Its Warfighting Mission and Eliminating Wokeness

Repeals DEI statutes within the DoW and prohibits new DEI-related practices.

Protects women’s sports at service academies by prohibiting men from participating in women’s athletic programs.

Improving Service Member Quality of Life

Authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for service members.

Bans cell phones in DoW schools.

Improves information-sharing with state veterans’ agencies to connect service members transitioning out of service with benefits.

Modernizes the military food program and provides service members with healthier and more affordable dining options.

Supporting President Trump’s Efforts to Secure the Southern Border and Defend the Homeland

Extends provisions keeping Guantanamo Bay open for Law of War detainees.

Allows governors to utilize active National Guard and Reserve personnel for disaster response.

Advancing Reform of the Pentagon’s Budgeting & Acquisition Processes

Requires a Secretary of War report on audit progress and options to accelerate activities to meet the 2028 audit deadline.

Building on President Trump’s Military Recruitment Surge

Increases required Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units by 100 and authorizes a bonus for new instructors.

Strengthening Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/technology/blackburn-blumenthal-press-toy-makers-on-ai-powered-toys-exposing-children-to-inappropriate-content,Blackburn & Blumenthal Press Toy Makers on AI-Powered Toys Exposing Children to Inappropriate Content,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officers of Little Learners Toys, Mattel, Miko, Curio Interactive, FoloToy, and Keyi Robot sounding the alarm on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their toys. The Senators demanded answers on what safeguards these companies have in place to protect kids from sexually explicit, violent, or otherwise inappropriate content for children.

AI Chatbots in Toys Pose Serious Risk to Children’s Healthy Development

“We write today to express our concern with the sale of toys powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI toys—specifically those powered by chatbots imbedded in everyday children’s toys like plushies, dolls, and other beloved toys—pose risks to children’s healthy development. While AI has incredible potential to benefit children with learning and accessibility, experts have raised concerns about AI toys and the lack of research that has been conducted to understand the full effect of these products on our kids. Many of these toys are not offering interactive play, but instead are exposing children to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and manipulative engagement tactics. These aren’t theoretical worst-case scenarios; they are documented failures uncovered through real-world testing, and they must be addressed.”

AI-Powered Teddy Bear Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conversations and Explained Where to Find Knives

“Most concerningly, many of these AI toys use the exact same AI systems that have been dangerous for older children and teens. Many of these toys—marketed towards young children and infants—rely on AI systems that the companies themselves admit are not meant for children under 13. These chatbots have encouraged kids to commit self harm and suicide, and now your company is pushing them on the youngest children who have the least ability to recognize this danger. In an example specific to AI toys, the teddy bear Kumma has been found to have sexually explicit conversations with users. When a researcher asked the bear, ‘what is kink?’ The bear responded with a list of sexual fetishes. The bear also purportedly described in detail different sexual roleplay scenarios, including scenarios between a teacher and a student and even a parent and a child. In a separate line of questioning, the bear gave step by step instructions on how to light a match and where to find knives. It is unconscionable that these products would be marketed to children, and these reports raise serious questions about the lack of child safety research conducted on these toys.”

Companies Are Collecting Sensitive Data from Children Using AI Toys That Is Highly Sought After by Criminal and Bad Actors

“Not only are these products potentially dangerous, but they also collect sensitive data on American families. To function, these products rely on the collection of data about children, either provided by a parent while registering the toy or collected through built-in camera and facial recognition capabilities or recordings. These products are often designed to have free-flowing conversations with children who, without knowing better, will share troves of personal information. This data collection comes with risk as companies store and sell the data they collect on children. The FBI has even issued a warning about connected toys, urging parents to contemplate the cybersecurity, hacking, and surveillance risks associated with connected toys. This data—specifically voice data—is highly sought after by criminals and bad actors.”

AI Toys Are Addictive By Design to Encourage Ongoing and Unhealthy Engagement with Kids

“Additionally, these products are addictive by design, utilizing design features that encourage ongoing and, at times, unhealthy engagement. These toys are designed to engage children with humanlike interactions, so it is not surprising that they often try to aggressively keep the conversation going—even when the child indicates they want to leave. Some of these toys even utilize common gamification tactics to encourage daily use, like offering daily bonuses for playing with the toy. Social media companies have long used these tactics to addict our children, and we have seen the devastating consequences of compulsive usage. It is unacceptable to use these tactics on our youngest children with untested AI toys. Toymakers have a unique and profound influence on childhood—and with that influence comes responsibility. Your company must not choose profit over safety for children, a choice made by Big Tech that has devastated our nation’s kids.”

Click hereto read the full letter.

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ICYMI in Reuters: Blackburn Shreds Meta After Bombshell Report Reveals Company’s AI Rules Allowed Bots to Engage in ‘Sensual’ Chats with Kids",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/veterans/blackburn-rosen-introduce-legislation-to-cut-red-tape-for-providers-to-take-care-of-america-s-service-members-and-veterans,"Blackburn, Rosen Introduce Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Providers to Take Care of America’s Service Members and Veterans",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to cut red tape by eliminating duplicative credentialing and privileging when medical providers move between the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill would strengthen health care delivery for service members and veterans.

“Health care providers shouldn’t be hindered by bureaucratic red tape when caring for the men and women who have bravely served our nation,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan legislation would end unnecessary duplication so that medical providers can move between the DoW and VA more quickly, ensuring service members and veterans get the high-quality care they need without delay.”

“Health care providers who work at the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense do critical work in caring for the men and women who serve and have served our nation,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to remove bureaucratic red tape and allow medical providers to more easily practice between the two departments to improve care for veterans and servicemembers. As long as I’m in the Senate, I’ll always work to make sure everyone who has worn our nation’s uniform has the care, support, and hope they deserve.”

U.S. Representatives Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) led the introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

BACKGROUND

Credentialing is the process of confirming a medical provider’s education, training, licenses, certifications, and professional history. Privileging determines what specific medical services that provider is authorized to perform based on their qualifications and experience.

Currently, the DoW and VA use separate credentialing and privileging systems that do not transfer between Departments. As a result, when a provider moves from a DoW to a VA facility, or vice versa, they must often repeat the entire credentialing and privileging process from the beginning.

This duplication can take several months, during which qualified providers are unable to see patients, facilities remain understaffed, and access to care is delayed. These delays limit workforce flexibility, hinder medical readiness, and prevent DoW and VA from quickly sharing providers during staffing shortages or high-demand periods.

This bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly move toward a single, uniform credentialing and privileging system for medical providers used by both Departments.

Click here for bill text.

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Ahead of Veterans Day, Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Recognizing Importance of Community Care

Blackburn, Tuberville Support Expanding Veterans’ Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Blackburn, Booker, Boozman, Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Female Veterans",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/health care/blackburn-presses-cvs-on-driving-up-health-care-costs-and-forcing-taxpayers-to-fund-fraud,Blackburn Presses CVS on Driving Up Health Care Costs and Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Fraud,2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter CVS Health CEO David Joyner, pressing him on the company’s lengthy record of fraud and regulatory violations at taxpayers’ expense and the role the company has played in driving up health care costs. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), such as CVS Caremark, wield extraordinary power over which drugs are covered by insurance and where patients can fill prescriptions.

Senator Blackburn has led the charge to rein in PBMs by introducing the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) act earlier this year. This legislation would bring down the cost of prescription drugs by delinking the compensation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from drug price and utilization.

Taxpayers Have Funded Fraud, Overbilling, Unsafe Practices, and Regulatory Violations at CVS

“President Trump has, rightfully, called for ending the massive taxpayer subsidization of big health insurance companies. CVS is the largest, most vertically integrated company in healthcare, and the federal government has quickly become CVS's largest funder. CVS Health, the fifth largest company in the United States by revenue, owns the second-largest pharmacy benefit manager (Caremark), the largest retail pharmacy chain (CVS), and the third-largest health insurer (Aetna), as well as other subsidiaries that extend into drug manufacturing and rebate aggregation. This vertical integration has not led to lower drug prices, but rather consolidated power that has enabled a lengthy record of fraud, overbilling, unsafe practices, and regulatory violations across the company, all subsidized by significant taxpayer funding. CVS itself acknowledges that programs funded by the U.S. government account for a ‘significant’ and growing share of its revenues… In 2024 alone, the federal government spent approximately $89.48 billion directly on CVS.”

CVS Drives Up Costs by Steering Patients to CVS-Owned Pharmacies Instead of Community Pharmacies

“As one of the largest PBMs in the United States, CVS Caremark wields extraordinary control over which drugs are covered and where patients can fill prescriptions, whether those patients are insured by Aetna or by other plans. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Caremark of inflating insulin prices by excluding cheaper competitors, while state attorneys general have sued over reimbursement schemes that underpay independent pharmacies. By steering patients toward CVS-owned pharmacies, CVS drives up costs and eliminates competition, undermining widely bipartisan goals of increasing transparency and reducing middlemen-driven price inflation in the prescription drug market. CVS retains the power to under-reimburse independent and community pharmacies while giving preferential treatment to the more than 9,000 CVS-owned pharmacies. As CVS has consolidated market power, it has given itself the ability to weaken competition and leave community pharmacies, insurers, and patients with no real alternatives to sustain themselves. As CVS itself notes, its market power is so much greater than that of its clients that losing U.S. federal government contracts is the only thing that could impact its operations.”

CVS Refused to Provide Requested Information to Tennessee Auditors, Resulting in $750,000 in Fines

“It appears clear that CVS does not want its role in rising healthcare costs to be examined by lawmakers. Just this year, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance attempted to audit CVS Caremark for its compliance with Tennessee law and its dealings with pharmacies that serve Tennessee residents. Despite having the requested information available and despite requirements in Tennessee law that the information be provided to state auditors, Caremark instead spent months delaying and concealing the requested information. This eventually resulted in three separate orders against Caremark, each levying $250,000 in fines for failure to provide auditors with information to review Caremark's dealings.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/health care/blackburn-releases-fact-sheet-on-how-republicans-health-plan-would-make-health-care-more-affordable,Blackburn Releases Fact Sheet on How Republicans’ Health Plan Would Make Health Care More Affordable,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a fact sheet contrasting Republicans’ plan to lower health care costs with Democrats’ proposal to line the pockets of big insurance companies and fund pandemic-era health care subsidies riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. A recent Government Accountability Office report found that the pandemic-era health care subsidies backed by Democrats are a ‘mecca for fraud,’ including approved applications with false or missing records and nearly 100,000 duplicate Social Security numbers enrolled in the program. Click here to watch Senator Blackburn’s remarks about this report on the Senate floor.

“Republicans want to put money back in taxpayers’ pockets and empower patients while Democrats are pushing to line the pockets of insurance companies and force taxpayers to foot the bill for fraud,” said Senator Blackburn. “Instead of expanding health savings accounts, Democrats want American taxpayers to spend $83 billion to extend pandemic-era subsidies that are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse, including more than 6.4 million improper enrollees and 100,000 duplicate Social Security numbers.”

Click hereto download this fact sheet.

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Democrats for Pushing to Extend Pandemic-Era Health Care Subsidies Riddled with Fraud

Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Empower Families to Choose Health Care Coverage That Fits Their Needs",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/health care/blackburn-introduces-legislation-to-empower-families-to-choose-health-care-coverage-that-fits-their-needs,Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Empower Families to Choose Health Care Coverage That Fits Their Needs,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Health Coverage Across State Lines Act, which would allow health insurers to offer individual health insurance plans across state lines. This legislation would lower costs, expand options, and increase competition in the insurance marketplace.

“Families shouldn’t be stuck with one or two overpriced insurance options just because of where they live,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Health Coverage Across State Lines Act would empower Americans to choose the health insurance plan that works for them by allowing insurers to sell plans across state lines. Opening up the marketplace would drive down costs, expand choice for families, and break up insurance monopolies.”

BACKGROUND

Currently, millions of Americans are left with only one or two options when it comes to purchasing a health insurance plan and are prevented from buying across state lines.

Across-state-line purchases of health insurance would put consumers in the driver’s seat, letting families shop for coverage that fits their needs instead of being locked into one state’s limited offerings.

Allowing health insurers to compete across state lines breaks up insurance monopolies, putting downward pressure on premiums.

Small businesses and self-employed Americans face the highest premiums and fewest choices in today’s market. Across-state-line sales would allow them to access broader, more affordable enrollment options.

THE HEALTH COVERAGE ACROSS STATE LINES ACT

The Health Coverage Across State Lines Act would allow health insurance plans to be sold across state lines and ensure they are governed by the laws of the insurer’s “primary” state, even when sold in secondary states. This would remove regulatory barriers that currently fragment the insurance market along state boundaries and limit plan availability and affordability for consumers.

This legislation would create real competition where none currently exists for millions of Americans living in one or two insurer states.

Click here for bill text.

RELATED

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Support and Expand Tennessee’s Medicaid Innovation

Blackburn, Bennet Introduce Bill to Support Lifesaving Emergency Services in Rural Communities

Blackburn, Warner Introduce Bill to Lower Costs and Improve Access to Care for Rural Medicare Patients

Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Veterans Health Care Freedom Act",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/health care/video-blackburn-slams-democrats-for-pushing-to-extend-pandemic-era-health-care-subsidies-riddled-with-fraud,VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Democrats for Pushing to Extend Pandemic-Era Health Care Subsidies Riddled with Fraud,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor slamming Democrats for pushing to extend pandemic-era health care subsidies that are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse and would cost taxpayers $35 billion per year. Senator Blackburn highlighted a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report that shows just how easy it is to commit fraud with these subsidies. Excerpts of Senator Blackburn’s remarks are below, and video can be downloaded here.

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

EXCERPTS OF REMARKS",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/military/blackburn-leads-tennessee-delegation-in-urging-national-guard-bureau-to-make-greece-a-partner-nation-to-tennessee-national-guard,Blackburn Leads Tennessee Delegation in Urging National Guard Bureau to Make Greece a Partner Nation to Tennessee National Guard,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), along with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation, sent a letter to General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, urging him to support assigning Greece as an additional partner nation to the Tennessee National Guard under the State Partnership Program. This decision would support U.S. priorities in the region, give the Tennessee National Guard access to new training opportunities, and improve regional stability and military readiness.

This partnership is a natural fit for Tennessee, given the state’s existing air refueling mission with the 134th and the Hellenic Air Force’s standing as one of NATO’s largest and most capable air forces. Together, these strengths create meaningful opportunities for future training and cooperation.

Adding Greece as a Tennessee National Guard Partner Would Improve Military Readiness

“We write in support of assigning the Hellenic Republic of Greece as an additional partner nation to the Tennessee National Guard under the State Partnership Program (SPP). For more than thirty years, the Tennessee National Guard has demonstrated exceptional success and strategic value through its longstanding partnership with the Republic of Bulgaria, one of the earliest and most effective relationships in the SPP. Tennessee is uniquely positioned to expand this success by partnering with Greece to enhance regional interoperability while improving Guard readiness.”

Partnership with Greece Would Give the Tennessee National Guard Additional Training Opportunities and Advance American Interests

“Tennessee would also benefit from a partnership with Greece. We understand that the Tennessee National Guard would gain access to additional training opportunities across air, land, maritime, and cyber missions, improving readiness here at home. A new partnership would also open doors for Tennessee businesses and strengthen academic collaboration, research, and student exchanges. Adding Greece as a second partner will build on Tennessee's thirty years' success with the program, strengthen U.S. relationships abroad, and advance American interests in a strategically important part of the world.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/general/video-blackburn-grills-broadcast-radio-executive-for-hurting-artists-and-creators,VIDEO: Blackburn Grills Broadcast Radio Executive for Hurting Artists and Creators,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property hearing, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) grilled Henry Hinton, the CEO of Inner Banks Media and a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors, on his opposition to the American Music Fairness Act. This legislation would ensure artists are paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio stations.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s opening remarks, and click here and here to download her exchanges with Henry Hinton.

On the Need to Pass the American Music Fairness Act

Senator Blackburn: “When you look at the civilized world and you look at all the countries that compensate our artists, we are unfortunately in a league with North Korea and Cuba and Iran in not valuing what the creator comes up with.”

“The American Music Fairness Act fixes this issue by closing a loophole in copyright law and ensuring that artists and music creators are paid for the use of their songs on terrestrial radio stations.”

“This bill is about common sense and fairness… We have some big radio that doesn't agree with this... This bill protects small and local radio stations… They have created the soundtrack of our lives.”

“In my state of Tennessee, from Music Row to Beale Street to the hills of East Tennessee… We have an obligation to protect them and to ensure that they have the right to be paid for the product that they create. It is as simple as that.”

Blackburn Calls Out Big Radio for Causing Harm to Artists

Senator Blackburn: “Let me ask you this, not paying artists for their sound, their voice being on radio, they're getting zero money. Do you think that causes harm to the artist?

Henry Hinton: “The reality is we American radio reaches 79% of Americans every week. 226 million people listen to radio every week.”

Senator Blackburn: “I asked you about causing harm, not about your audience. So let me move on because you are causing harm. You’ve got an oldie station you've never paid Sam Moore's estate a dime for ‘Soul Man,’ and I bet you use that as bumper music a good bit.”

Blackburn Invites Hinton to Nashville to Meet with Artists

Senator Blackburn: “I would invite you, sir, to come to Nashville with me. Come to Tennessee with me and do a roundtable with me, with some of these musicians and entertainers, and I will guarantee you will hear quite a different story. This is an issue of fairness.”

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/kosa/technology/video-blackburn-speaks-with-mom-who-lost-her-child-to-suicide-after-he-was-targeted-in-sextortion-scheme,VIDEO: Blackburn Speaks with Mom Who Lost Her Child to Suicide After He Was Targeted in Sextortion Scheme,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) spoke with Tamia Woods, whose only son tragically died by suicide in 2022 after he was sexually extorted, about the importance of kids’ online safety. Senator Blackburn has led the charge to pass the Kids Online Safety Act to stop Big Tech from turning a blind eye while criminals use their platforms to prey on innocent children like James Woods.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s exchange with Tamia Woods on protecting kids online.

On the Need to Pass the Senate Version of the Kids Online Safety Act

Senator Blackburn: “There are laws in the physical space that protect children. You cannot endanger a child, you can't sell them alcohol, you can't sell them tobacco, you cannot expose them to pornography. If you were a liquor store and you were selling to kids, they would padlock your store and take away your license. But in the virtual space, our children are vulnerable 24/7, 365”.

“Ms. Woods, I'm just heartbroken for you as a mother and a grandmother and having teenage grandsons. This is a fear, an absolute fear, that parents have because the sextortion schemes and the targeting of young boys. It's like something that happens within a matter of hours and days.”

“Your son… was literally cyberbullied to death, and this is why we need to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. Ms. Woods, talk about why these platforms should be required to force safety by design and to put that burden on these social media platforms to root out these bad actors.”

Tamia Woods: “Did anyone know that on Google, if your child is 12 years old, and once they turn 13, Google directly messages your child and tells them that they no longer need parental control, and they can click here to opt out?”

“Parental controls are not enough… The other thing too is that by social media actually making sure that we have laws… making sure that our we can monitor our kids better… Like when my son said, ‘I'm going to kill myself,’ it would have alerted me. It would have alerted any parent that had lost their children's lives, and it would have told me something's wrong.”

“I wish that, even today, three years later, that I would have known half of the things that I would have had, or even be put in a position where I could have taught my son to come to us.”

On the Need for Parents to Talk to Their Kids About Child Exploitation

Senator Blackburn: “So what advice would you give to parents right now, sitting there today?”

Tamia Woods: “Talk to your children about sextortion and any other child exploitation. I knew nothing about it. Every parent that lives here today that has a child has a privilege I did not have… I would give anything to have my son back, and if they have to learn, if they have to see James' faith, if they have to see my tears, I'm going to make sure that it happens. If it means that I can save your grandchildren, I'm going to do it.”

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/blackburn-van-hollen-moolenaar-and-krishnamoorthi-grill-wada-on-reports-of-agency-intimidating-and-suppressing-whistleblowers,"Blackburn, Van Hollen, Moolenaar, and Krishnamoorthi Grill WADA on Reports of Agency Intimidating and Suppressing Whistleblowers",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"‘Whistleblowers are not the enemy, but instead are the reason doping scandals come to light in the first place’

‘When global institutions like WADA allegedly target those who come forward, they… shatter public trust and harm every athlete who competes honestly’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) sent a letter to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) demanding answers over allegations that its officials have launched an internal operation called “Operation Puncture” to intimidate and suppress whistleblowers who have sounded the alarm about corruption and misconduct within the agency.

Earlier this year, Senator Blackburn led a hearing following WADA’s refusal to investigate Chinese swimmers testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs before the Tokyo Olympics.

Reports Say WADA Is Intimidating and Suppressing Whistleblowers

“We write to express our concern over allegations that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been searching for whistleblowers who helped reveal the swimming doping scandal in 2021 involving People’s Republic of China athletes. According to the reporting, WADA officials have launched an internal operation, ‘Operation Puncture’ to investigate the leak of the 2021 doping allegations. While WADA claims that their motivations are innocent, it appears this investigation’s intent is to intimidate and suppress whistleblowers. If these allegations are accurate, WADA is not defending clean sport but is continuing to defend a cover-up.”

Blackburn Led Colleagues in Demanding Accountability from WADA for Chinese Doping Scandal

“The signers of this letter have been leading the effort to demand accountability from WADA for its handling of the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine before the Tokyo Olympics. We have urged full transparency and cooperation with investigators. Instead, WADA has met those calls with defensiveness, denial, and now alleged retaliation. This is unacceptable. Whistleblowers are not the enemy, but instead are the reason doping scandals come to light in the first place. If WADA is spending its time and resources chasing down those who reveal misconduct instead of addressing the misconduct itself, it has lost sight of its mission to ensure doping-free sport and is betraying the athletes it was created to protect. When global institutions like WADA allegedly target those who come forward, they not only silence whistleblowers—they shatter public trust and harm every athlete who competes honestly.”

New Allegations Reaffirm Need to Pass Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act

Click here to read the full letter.

VIDEO: Blackburn Scorches World Anti-Doping Agency for Refusing to Investigate Chinese Swimmers for Doping

Blackburn, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act as U.S. Withholds Funding to WADA

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/general/blackburn-cantwell-introduce-legislation-to-help-college-athletes-save-for-the-future-by-investing-nil-earnings,"Blackburn, Cantwell Introduce Legislation to Help College Athletes Save for the Future by Investing NIL Earnings",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE) Act, which would create first-of-its kind name, image, and likeness (NIL) tax-advantaged investment accounts for student athletes, require trustees to provide financial education, and establish regulations to prevent abuse.

In 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) allowed student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, which has now become a multibillion-dollar marketplace. With these NIL agreements opening the door to new economic freedoms, the HUSTLE Act would ensure college athletes have strong protections, clear guidance, and financial literacy to help them better navigate the world of college athletics.

“College athletes are now earning billions of dollars from their name, image, and likeness—and rightly so. We must empower these students to safeguard their financial future and protect themselves against rogue agents,” said Senator Blackburn. “The HUSTLE Act would allow college athletes to invest their earnings in a tax-advantaged account that grows over time, strengthen financial education, and create safeguards to prevent exploitation by dishonest agents.”

“This bill focuses in on the financial security and safety of college athletes who – finally – are earning compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL),” said Senator Cantwell.“Many of these athletes will be in a unique situation where they will earn NIL income during a relatively brief period of their careers. Our bill will set up a specific NIL Account where they can set aside some of that income and build long-term savings. The bill also will protect athletes and their NIL earnings against financial exploitation by unscrupulous agents. Since athletes have been able to earn NIL, some have been victimized by agents who have charged shockingly high commissions or have tried to take ownership of the athlete’s intellectual property rights. Our bill will rein in these abuses and require agents to register with a state.”

BACKGROUND

Since the Supreme Court affirmed in 2021 that college athletes have a right to profit from their name, image, and likeness, college athletics has turned into a multibillion-dollar marketplace. NIL deals generated over $1.2 billion in the 2023-2024 period, with projections to exceed $2.5 billion by 2025-2026 if revenue sharing is fully implemented.

Athletes who just a few years ago were prohibited from accepting basic sponsorships are now signing deals with national brands, monetizing social media platforms, licensing personal trademarks, and participating in increasingly complex commercial partnerships.

While this new environment gives athletes unprecedented earning power, these athletes can often lack the financial tools, institutional support, or regulatory safeguards necessary to navigate such a complex market.

In a 2022 NCAA survey of over 9,800 athletes, 49% indicated a need for educational resources specifically on tax and financial literacy. In the same study, only 9% of student-athletes had ever met with a financial counselor.

This mismatch—significant income paired with limited guidance—shows that student-athletes must be further empowered to invest in their financial futures and protect their long-term financial well-being.

THE HUSTLE ACT

The HUSTLE Act would:

Allow student-athletes to contribute their NIL income up to the annual gift-tax exclusion amount to an NIL Investment Account, with the funds growing tax-free;

Allow up to $35,000 of unused NIL account funds to be rolled over into an IRA or other retirement vehicle once the athlete has been out of college sports for at least a year;

Require trustees to provide financial education to ensure athletes understand and manage their NIL savings responsibly; and

Direct the U.S. Department of the Treasury to issue regulations to prevent abuse, ensure proper reporting, track contribution limits, and define additional qualified expenses.

The HUSTLE Act would also modernize the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act by:

Requiring athlete agents to register with a state before representing athletes in NIL endorsements;

Capping agent fees at 5 percent and certifying their registration to the athletic association that governs the athlete’s sport;

Further banning a range of deceptive practices, including misrepresenting NIL opportunities to influence enrollment or transfer decisions and signing athletes to contracts that extend beyond their eligibility; and

Requiring athletic associations—such as the NCAA or other national governing bodies—to maintain a public, searchable online registry of all registered and certified athlete agents, dramatically increasing transparency for athletes and families.

Click here for bill text.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Senators Blackburn and Cantwell have worked with outside entities to solicit feedback for this bipartisan legislation to support college athletes:

“Senator Blackburn is an advocate for student-athletes and continues to pursue innovative solutions related to their name, image, and likeness. At UT, we have long prioritized providing student-athletes with opportunities to build strong financial literacy. Federal incentives that support saving and investing NIL assets will further empower them to secure a strong financial foundation and thrive long after their time on Rocky Top,” said University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“The Southeastern Conference is grateful for the continued engagement of lawmakers in addressing the evolving needs of student-athletes. The HUSTLE Act represents a constructive approach by establishing tax-advantaged NIL investment accounts that encourage financial education, long-term savings, and responsible management of earnings. We appreciate Congress’s sustained bipartisan commitment to developing national, consistent standards that support student-athletes and enhance their opportunities in this rapidly changing environment,”said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/crime/blackburn-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-combat-cargo-theft,"Blackburn, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Combat Cargo Theft",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Cargo Security Innovation Act, which would ensure that those on the front lines of the fight against cargo theft have state-of-the-art technology to protect their operations:

“Cargo theft is a pressing issue impacting businesses in Tennessee, and we need to shut down these organized crime groups that steal essential goods from Tennesseans to traffic drugs and weapons,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Cargo Security Innovation Act would help law enforcement bring more of these criminals to justice and disrupt these sophisticated cargo theft rings to protect our supply chains.”

“Cargo theft significantly impacts the supply chain, harming American businesses and consumers, especially food shippers. When criminals break into shipments, businesses are forced to return containers and dispose of compromised products,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would equip law enforcement with the resources to combat these crimes — creating a pilot program that invests in technology to curb cargo theft.”

BACKGROUND

Cargo theft committed by sophisticated theft rings tied to organized crime is exploding across the U.S. targeting the busiest intermodal hubs.

Cargo theft jumped 57% in 2023, with reported losses topping $400 million. In Memphis, cargo theft jumped nearly 60% in the first six months of 2024 compared to all of 2023.

From food to electronics to pharmaceuticals, criminals are stealing essential goods in transit and disappearing without a trace. These aren’t random heists; they’re coordinated missions using fake IDs, GPS blockers, encrypted communications, and surveillance teams.

Organized crime groups treat cargo theft as a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise, funding violent drugs and weapons trafficking.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating to stop these crimes that have a direct impact on the American consumer, but they often lack the technology and resources to bring these criminals to justice.

THE CARGO SECURITY INNOVATION ACT

The Cargo Security Innovation Act would:

Create a pilot program at the TSA to deploy advanced law enforcement or cargo security technologies at intermodal hubs across the country; and

Require a report to Congress evaluating the effectiveness of these technologies.

Click here for bill text.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Cargo Security Innovation Act is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, the Association of American Railroads, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and IMC Logistics:

“Skyrocketing incidents of cargo theft undermine our supply chain, raise costs for consumers, and place truck drivers and warehouse workers directly in harm’s way. Due to the complex, multi-jurisdictional nature of these highly sophisticated crimes, only the federal government has the resources to take down organized theft groups. ATA commends Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar for introducing legislation to equip law enforcement with the advanced technological capabilities they need to keep pace with evolving criminal techniques and strike an effective blow against organized crime,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs at American Trucking Associations.

“As organized criminal groups become more sophisticated and brazen in targeting our supply chain, advanced technology is essential to staying ahead. Railroads appreciate Senator Blackburn’s leadership on this critical issue and her support for expanding the tools and resources needed to disrupt and deter these criminal enterprises,” said Ian Jefferies, President & CEO of Association of American Railroads.

“IANA applauds Senator Blackburn and Senator Klobuchar’s leadership in addressing cargo theft through the introduction of the Cargo Security Innovation Act. By leveraging technology and fostering public-private collaboration, this legislation tackles a threat across all modes of transportation. With the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration and industry partnerships, this legislation will deliver meaningful solutions for America’s supply chain as well as IANA’s members,” said Anne Reinke, President of Intermodal Association of North America.

“The Greater Memphis Chamber welcomes the introduction of the Cargo Security Innovation Act by Senator Marsha Blackburn as a step toward addressing the escalating threat of cargo theft. Memphis, one of America’s busiest intermodal freight hubs, is on the front lines of this challenge. Strengthening cargo security is critical to protecting goods in transit, supporting employers, and sustaining the economic competitiveness of Memphis and other freight gateways vital to U.S. commerce,” said Ted Townsend, President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/general/photo-blackburn-hosts-tele-town-hall-with-davidson-and-shelby-county-residents,PHOTO: Blackburn Hosts Tele-Town Hall with Davidson and Shelby County Residents,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after hosting a telephone town hall with residents of Davidson and Shelby County:

“It was wonderful to hear from Tennesseans in Davidson and Shelby County tonight about the work to make our communities safe again, make life more affordable, and return to regular order to rein in wasteful spending,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennesseans are thrilled by the historic success of President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force that has made over 3,500 arrests, including gang members, sexual predators, and murderers.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/immigration/video-blackburn-slams-biden-administration-s-failure-to-vet-afghan-migrants-following-national-guard-shooting,VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Biden Administration’s Failure to Vet Afghan Migrants Following National Guard Shooting,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor slamming former President Joe Biden’s scheme to make illegal immigration legal through “Operation Allies Welcome,” a program his administration launched following his disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Despite the Biden administration’s claim that Afghan nationals were properly vetted, a 2022 Inspector General report found that evacuees who were not fully vetted were admitted or paroled into the U.S. The suspect charged with the murder of National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom and the shooting of Guardsman Andrew Wolfe entered the country through this program.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

Suspect Charged in Shooting of Two National Guard Members Is an Afghan National Let in Under Biden",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/technology/video-blackburn-calls-on-congress-to-pass-senate-version-of-kosa-following-latest-meta-scandal,VIDEO: Blackburn Calls on Congress to Pass Senate Version of KOSA Following Latest Meta Scandal,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor calling on Congress to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act, which currently has a veto-proof majority of 69 co-sponsors. Earlier this week, Senator Blackburn penned an op-ed in TIME following new reporting that revealed sex trafficking on Meta platforms was both difficult to report and widely tolerated.

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

It’s No Secret Big Tech Has Sold Out Kids’ Safety for Profit

We have known for years that Big Tech has sold out children’s safety online for profit.

Their algorithms connect children with drug dealers and flood their feeds with pro-suicide content.

Their AI chatbots sexualize children in roleplaying fantasies.

Their design features allow children to share their precise, real-time location on a map with anyone, including predators eager to track them down.

Their entire profit model depends on addicting children to their products—no matter the consequences.

And every day, we learn more about this appalling abuse.

New Court Filings Reveal Meta Had “17x Strike” Policy for Individuals Who Engaged in Sex Trafficking

A recent brief filed by more than 1,800 plaintiffs, including parents and children, shows how Meta knowingly exposed children to unthinkable harms.

According to the brief, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, conducted internal studies showing that social media addiction among minors fuels anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts.

But when those findings surfaced, Meta buried the research and misled Congress about the results.

As a matter of policy, Meta allegedly refused to remove individuals who engaged in sex trafficking on its platforms until users reported the offender at least 17 times.

Even when the company detected child sexual abuse material with “100% confidence,” Meta often failed to remove the content.

An internal audit even showed that the company knowingly connected minors with potential predators through its algorithmic follow recommendations.

On a single day in 2022, it made such recommendations 1.4 million times.

Senate Version of KOSA Would Finally Require Big Tech to Take Responsibility for How Platforms Are Designed

One thing should be clear: Big Tech companies cannot be trusted to make their platforms safe by design because meaningful safety measures would cut into their bottom line.

That’s why Congress must step up and ensure that these companies finally face accountability for the harm they have inflicted on an entire generation of children.

Earlier this year, I reintroduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would ensure children are afforded the same protections from harm in the virtual world that they have in the physical world.

The Senate’s version of KOSA would establish a clear duty of care for online platforms to prevent their algorithms from pushing dangers on minors, including sexual abuse, illicit drugs, and the promotion of suicide and eating disorders.

This duty of care is critical: Requiring Big Tech companies to take responsibility for making their own products safer is essential to protecting kids and giving parents peace of mind.

It’s a big reason why this legislation has gained a veto-proof majority with 69 co-sponsors here in the Senate.

Blackburn Makes the Case for the Duty of Care

Last week, our colleagues in the House released a discussion draft of a new version of KOSA that would strip this duty of care.

While our colleagues in the House have not yet formally introduced this weaker version of KOSA, it’s important to note the difference in language.

With the Senate version, social media platforms would be required to “exercise reasonable care in the creation and implementation of any design feature to prevent and mitigate … harms to minors where a reasonable and prudent person would agree that such harms were reasonably foreseeable.”

With the House version, platforms would only be required to “establish, implement, maintain, and enforce reasonable policies, practices, and procedures that address” such harms.

Without the duty of care to prevent foreseeable harms, this new requirement is completely unenforceable.That’s not all. The House version weakens the standard to prove that Big Tech companies have knowledge of harms on their platforms. This would empower executives to bury their heads in the sand to avoid any accountability.

While the Senate version only preempts state laws, rules, or regulations that “conflict” with its provisions, the House version would wipe out any state law that “relates to” the provisions of the bill—even if they don’t conflict.

This would do nothing to protect children online. It would only protect Big Tech from facing accountability.

The Senate version of KOSA would ensure that Big Tech Companies can’t design their platforms to prey on our children for profit. We must preserve the duty of care and send this landmark legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.

Future generations of American children and families are depending on us to rein in Big Tech. Failure is not an option.

RELATED

ICYMI in TIME: Blackburn Makes Case for KOSA Following Latest Allegations Against Meta",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/energy/blackburn-applauds-funding-for-tva-to-deploy-small-modular-reactors,Blackburn Applauds Funding for TVA to Deploy Small Modular Reactors,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R. Tenn.) joined U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Tennessee Valley Authority President and CEO Don Moul in applauding today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) of the selection of TVA and Holtec Government Services to support early deployments of next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the United States.

“Tennessee is leading the way to deliver reliable, affordable, and secure energy for the American people,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Tennessee Valley Authority will play a critical part in shaping our country’s nuclear energy future, and I’m thrilled the TVA has been selected for a grant from the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of a small modular reactor at the Clinch River site.”

“As Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, and Tennessee’s Appropriator in Congress, I have made it my mission to not only expand new nuclear nationwide but ensure that Tennessee leads our nation in developing and deploying cutting-edge nuclear technologies that will create America’s New Nuclear Future,” said Representative Fleischmann. “There is no denying the reality that America needs more power. The only way that we will meet our future energy demands is through a robust ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy that puts nuclear power at the forefront. TVA and East Tennessee are primed to spearhead the deployment of next-generation SMRs that will fundamentally change America’s energy future. Today’s grant announcement from DOE is further proof that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are unleashing American Energy Dominance and ushering in a Golden Age for new nuclear. I also want to congratulate Holtec Government Services, which intends to deploy two SMRs in Michigan, on being chosen for this award. The road to get to today began when Congress passed my historic Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water bill to strengthen our domestic nuclear industry, and I commend TVA, DOE, and the Trump White House for their work in making today’s announcement a reality. We cannot slow down in our progress to create our New Nuclear Future, and I will keep working tirelessly as Energy and Water Chairman to continue to build on this phenomenal work that will be the foundation of America’s energy future.”

“Tennessee is quickly becoming the epicenter for nuclear innovation,” said Senator Hagerty. “I appreciate President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright for their confidence in our region. This grant will help advance the nation’s first Gen III+ SMR which is an important step forward for strengthening America’s energy future. It is clear that Tennessee is positioned to lead the next era of nuclear energy. President Trump’s leadership has helped renew momentum in America’s nuclear sector and support the resurgence of our industrial base. I look forward to seeing Tennessee play a central role in shaping the future of nuclear power for the country.”

“President Trump has made clear that America is going to build more energy, not less, and nuclear is central to that mission,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President’s manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.”

“TVA is once again answering our nation’s call,” said TVA President and CEO Don Moul.“Our employees are leading the way with advanced nuclear to power not just homes and businesses, but the technologies that will define America’s future. As AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure drive unprecedented energy demand, we’re building our nation’s nuclear energy foundation right here in the Tennessee Valley. This is about more than innovation, it’s about creating lasting opportunity, lowering energy costs, and securing a better tomorrow for American families today.”

BACKGROUND

TVA intends to deploy a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Tennessee and accelerate the deployment of additional units in coordination with Indiana Michigan Power in Indiana and Elementl in Alabama. The effort would also strengthen the domestic nuclear supply chain through planned work with Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies, and Aecon. Other partners supporting the project include Duke Energy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and the Electric Power Research Institute.

In March 2025, DOE issued a $900 million solicitation to de-risk the deployment of Gen III+ SMRs, and the remaining $100 million will be awarded later this year to support additional deployments and address key barriers in design, licensing, supply chain, and site readiness.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/health care/blackburn-introduces-bills-to-support-and-expand-tennessee-s-medicaid-innovation,Blackburn Introduces Bills to Support and Expand Tennessee’s Medicaid Innovation,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced a package of three bills to support and expand Tennessee’s Medicaid innovation. The legislation includes the Access to New Community Health Opportunities and Recovery (ANCHOR) Act, the Delivering Support for Hospitals (DSH) in Tennessee Act, and the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act.

“Tennessee is leading the way when it comes to Medicaid innovation, and these bills would expand that effort to improve the lives of Tennesseans,” said Senator Blackburn. “This package would strengthen support for our hospitals, give states the flexibility to use more effective primary care models, and allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to those battling serious mental illness or substance use disorder.”

THE ANCHOR ACT

The ANCHOR Act would:

Create a state plan option to provide Medicaid coverage to those suffering from severe mental illness or substance use disorder for a period of up to one year; and

Require states to create a care plan for individuals within 60 days of enrollment.

The ANCHOR Act is endorsed by Mental Health America (MHA), the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),Tennessee Hospital Association, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and the Texas Hospital Association:

“Mental Health America commends Congressman Pfluger and Senator Blackburn for their leadership in introducing the ANCHOR Act,” said Tim Clement, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at Mental Health America. “People with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders who lack insurance coverage are at great risk of suicide and overdose, and this bill will help them receive treatment and begin their journey to recovery.”

“The ANCHOR Act provides states with a means to expand Medicaid coverage for uninsured individuals facing significant behavioral health issues, guaranteeing timely and coordinated care to enhance health outcomes,” said Brian Hepburn, M.D., Executive Director for National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD).

THE DSH IN TENNESSEE ACT

Tennessee is the only state without permanent Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding, which provides payments to hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income patients. The DSH in Tennessee Act would:

Fix the long-standing issue where Tennessee had to rely on carveouts instead of a stable federal DSH allotment by giving Tennessee a permanent DSH allotment starting in fiscal year 2026; and

Increase Tennessee’s DSH enrollment every year to keep pace with inflation.

Click here for bill text.

THE MEDICAID PRIMARY CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

The Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act would:

Allow states to use Medicaid dollars to pay for Direct Primary Care Arrangements (DPC), which are fixed, monthly membership-style payments that cover a defined set of primary care services by giving the option for states to contract with DPC practices.

This would expand healthcare access for Medicaid beneficiaries and improve health outcomes, reduce emergency room visits, and save unnecessary medical costs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/jobs and economy/photo-blackburn-hosts-tele-town-hall-with-east-tennesseans,PHOTO: Blackburn Hosts Tele-Town Hall with East Tennesseans,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after hosting a telephone town hall with residents from Knox, Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Sevier, and Union counties:

“Tonight, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tennesseans in the eastern part of the Volunteer State about what we are doing to restore regular order to rein in wasteful spending, protect our kids online and in schools, support Tennessee veterans, and make our communities safe again,” said Senator Blackburn. “It was also wonderful to share the news of the Air Force selecting McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base as the seventh main operating base for the next generation KC-46 Pegasus refueler, which will improve national security and create jobs for Tennesseans.”

Click here to download this photo of Senator Blackburn.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/technology/icymi-in-time-blackburn-makes-case-for-kosa-following-latest-allegations-against-meta,ICYMI in TIME: Blackburn Makes Case for KOSA Following Latest Allegations Against Meta,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) penned an op-ed in TIME making the case for the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act following new reporting that revealed sex trafficking on Meta platforms was both difficult to report and widely tolerated. Read the op-ed here and below.

We Need to Protect American Kids Online

Senator Marsha Blackburn

TIME

Imagine a major U.S. company—let’s call it ""Big Corp."" It is one of the highest-valued businesses in the world, yet its entire profit model depends on addicting children to its products. And the consequences of this addiction are catastrophic.

Big Corp’s own internal studies show that this addiction fuels anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation among minors. But when those findings surface, the company buries the research and lies to Congress about the results.

At the same time, Big Corp exposes children to unthinkable harms, failing, and often outright refusing, to stop the abuse.

Such appalling behavior from a U.S. company would demand immediate accountability. Yet, according to a recent brief filed by more than 1,800 plaintiffs, including parents and children, Meta has allegedly committed these very offenses for years. The only difference: Instead of throwing our children to the wolves in the physical world, the Big Tech giant has allegedly sold out children’s safety for profit in the virtual space.

The brief, first reported by TIME, provides just the latest evidence documenting how tech companies such as Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have targeted children with addictive features—no matter the consequences.

According to the lawsuit, and Instagram’s former head of safety and well-being Vaishnavi Jayakumar, Meta has a policy to not remove individuals who engage in sex trafficking on its platforms until users report the offender at least 17 times.

In September, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, which I chair, heard from courageous former Meta employees like Jayakumar who worked on youth safety research. In a bombshell hearing, they described how Meta suppressed internal research showing that children using its virtual reality headsets have been sexually propositioned by adults in the company’s Metaverse.

For the child, the psychological and physiological harms of such abuse are no different than if it happened in person. Yet, according to the whistleblowers and hundreds of pages of internal documents, Meta sought “plausible deniability” by eliminating any evidence that would force the company to act. At one point, executives even warned researchers against referring to “kids” on their VR platforms. Their preferred euphemism? “Alleged minors with young sounding voices who may be underage.”

Although the company has said it “stands by its record” and denies any fault, such damaging actions have long been routine at Meta. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission revealed that in 2019, Instagram encouraged known “groomers” to connect with minors through algorithmic follow recommendations. Although the company was aware of these dangerous interactions, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly chose not to strengthen the platform’s safety teams to save money.

With Meta and other Big Tech platforms, we’ve seen this movie over and over: algorithms connect children with drug dealers and flood their feeds with pro-suicide content; AI chatbots sexualize children in role-playing fantasies; design features allow children to share their precise real-time location on a map with anyone, including predators eager to track them down.

The hard truth is that Big Tech companies cannot be trusted to make their platforms safe by design because meaningful safety measures would cut into their bottom lines. Congress must step up and ensure that these companies finally face accountability for the harm they have inflicted on an entire generation of children.

Earlier this year, I reintroduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would ensure children are afforded the same protections from harm in the virtual world that they have in the physical world. The Senate’s version of KOSA would establish a clear duty of care for online platforms to prevent specific threats to minors, including sexual abuse, illicit drugs, and the promotion of suicide and eating disorders. Requiring Big Tech companies to take responsibility for making their own products safer is essential to protecting kids and giving parents peace of mind.

The legislation has overwhelming bipartisan support, passing through the Senate last year by a vote of 91-3. This year, the legislation has already regained its veto-proof majority with 67 Senate co-sponsors.

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last year, Meta’s Zuckerberg faced dozens of parents who had lost their children to harms on social media. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve all gone through,” he told them. “No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered.”

But it isn’t the first time he has issued such an apology. And for parents living with unimaginable loss, any apology without action is meaningless.

They deserve accountability. The Kids Online Safety Act could finally deliver it.

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn Eviscerates Meta for Lobbying Against Kids Online Safety Act, Grills Google on Gemma AI Technology Fabricating News Stories

ICYMI in Punchbowl News: Blackburn Says Meta’s Instagram Teen Accounts Announcement Is ‘Nothing More Than a PR Stunt’

VIDEO: Blackburn Eviscerates Meta for Suppressing Child Safety Research Following Whistleblower Allegations",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/general/video-blackburn-wishes-tennesseans-a-happy-thanksgiving,VIDEO: Blackburn Wishes Tennesseans a Happy Thanksgiving,2025-11-27,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement and video wishing Tennesseans a happy Thanksgiving and thanking law enforcement, first responders, and military families for their service this holiday season:

“Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones to celebrate all of life’s blessings,” said Senator Blackburn. “In Tennessee, we are so grateful for our strong communities, our religious freedom, and President Trump’s work to strengthen our economy, secure the border, and Make Memphis Safe Again. We are also grateful for the local law enforcement officers, first responders, and military families who are working overtime to make certain our communities, our state, and our nation are safe this holiday season. From the Blackburn family to yours, happy Thanksgiving.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/general/blackburn-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-adopt-act-to-protect-adoptive-families-from-exploitation,"Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan ADOPT Act to Protect Adoptive Families from Exploitation",2025-11-26,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R. Tenn.) joined Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and their Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act to protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries. This legislation would ensure that adoption providers and attorneys operate only in states where they are licensed to do so.

“Unlicensed ‘baby brokers’ are exploiting vulnerable Americans who hope to adopt a child and grow their families,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan ADOPT Act would protect expectant mothers and adoptive families from exploitation by ensuring they have access to licensed and trustworthy providers in their states.”

“Adoption changes lives — for kids and adoptive parents alike. Unfortunately, unlicensed ‘baby brokers’ prey on vulnerable mothers and families, hurting everyone in the process,” said Senator Klobuchar, co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption. “That’s why Senator Britt and I are introducing the bipartisan ADOPT Act, which protects expecting mothers and adoptive families from exploitation by ensuring that parents pursuing private, domestic adoption are working with trusted, licensed professionals.”

This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R.-Ala.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.).

THE ADOPT ACT

The ADOPT Act would protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by:

Prohibiting adoption advertising and the provision of private adoption services for compensation by any entity not licensed as a child-placing agency or attorney; and

Restricting payments to expectant mothers unless made through a provider licensed in the state where the expectant mother resides.

ENDORSEMENTS

The ADOPT Act is endorsed by leading adoption organizations, including the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), Ethical Family Building, Adoptees United, and Families Rising.

“The ADOPT Act better ensures expectant mothers contemplating adoption have a trustworthy team around them, and that they have all the information and resources available to them before deciding whether to place their child for adoption,"" says Ryan Hanlon, president and CEO of National Council For Adoption. ""What's more, the ADOPT Act will spare prospective adoptive families—many of whom consider adoption after a painful infertility journey—time, resources and the heartbreak that so often accompanies signing with a predatory, unlicensed adoption intermediary.”

“The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) applauds efforts to protect adoptive families and children during the adoption process, by ensuring they are served by licensed adoption professionals, with appropriate oversight and transparency,” said Genie Miller Gillespie, Adoption Policy Director of AAAA. “Welcoming a child into a family through adoption is a tremendous and joyous event; the legal process behind that adoption must match the magnitude of the event. Ensuring the guardrails of the legal process are maintained and that all parties to an adoption are protected will help ensure that families do not have their hopes exploited. The ADOPT Act is an important step in protecting families and children.”

“The ADOPT ACT delivers long-overdue safeguards for vulnerable women, families, and children by combatting the exploitation carried out by unlicensed adoption intermediaries, and by ensuring that both expectant parents considering adoption and families hoping to adopt receive compassionate, qualified support,” said Celeste Liversidge, Executive Director of Ethical Family Building. “The Bill further reinforces essential protections for adopted children, whose long-term well-being must remain at the center of every adoption decision.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/crime/photo-blackburn-joins-attorney-general-bondi-for-memphis-safe-task-force-briefing-serves-dinner-to-task-force-members,"PHOTO: Blackburn Joins Attorney General Bondi for Memphis Safe Task Force Briefing, Serves Dinner to Task Force Members",2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, and other elected officials in Memphis for a briefing on the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force. In just 56 days, the Task Force made 3,151 arrests, seized 501 illegal firearms, apprehended 327 known gang members, and located 121 missing children.

Following the briefing, Senator Blackburn served dinner to members of the task force to thank them for their hard work and dedication to making Memphis safe again. She also delivered remarks during the press conference led by Attorney General Bondi.

“Memphis is an iconic and historic city that has been held back by violent crime for too long,”said Senator Blackburn. “It was wonderful to have Attorney General Bondi and other members of the Trump administration join us today in Memphis to recognize the historic success achieved by the Memphis Safe Task Force. The success of this task force would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the brave men and women on the ground taking violent criminals off the street.”

Click here to download photos of Senator Blackburn’s trip to Memphis.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks at the press conference.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/women/blackburn-merkley-urge-fifa-to-recognize-afghan-women-united-as-afghanistan-s-women-s-football-team,"Blackburn, Merkley Urge FIFA to Recognize Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s Women’s Football Team",2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino urging FIFA to formally recognize Afghan Women’s United as Afghanistan’s national women’s football team and to stop the Taliban from erasing Afghan women from international competition. Their letter calls on FIFA to enforce its human rights commitments and ensure these athletes can continue representing the women of Afghanistan on the world stage.

FIFA Must Recognize Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s National Women’s Football Team

“We write to urge the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to take decisive action to formally recognize Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s national women’s football team and to ensure that Afghan women athletes are not erased from international competition by the Taliban’s repressive regime. These players have continued to train and compete in exile despite being banned from their own country. FIFA’s support and recognition are essential to safeguard their right to play and to uphold the integrity of the sport.”

The Afghan Women’s Team, Now in Exile, Has Shown Extraordinary Courage

“Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, women and girls in Afghanistan have been stripped of their most basic freedoms, including the right to receive an education, travel freely, and participate in sports. Yet, the Afghan women’s team, now in exile, has shown extraordinary courage and perseverance by continuing to train, compete, and represent the spirit of their nation under unimaginably difficult circumstances. Their recent participation in a FIFA-supported tournament marked a powerful symbol of hope, but it also underscored a glaring truth: without formal recognition and consistent opportunities to compete, these women remain sidelined from the international stage. FIFA’s creation of an Afghan women’s refugee squad was an important step forward, but the players’ ultimate goal is to represent Afghanistan as their national women’s football team, and that goal remains unfulfilled.”

FIFA Must Honor Its Commitment to Upholding Human Rights Standards

“FIFA’s own statutes commit the organization to upholding human rights and promoting non-discrimination in sport. Those commitments must extend to the Afghan women who have lost their federation, their home field, and their right to play. One day, these brave athletes will hopefully be able to safely return home to play free from the repression of the Taliban. Until then, FIFA should ensure that they can continue to represent the millions of Afghan women who have either been forced to flee or remain under the Taliban’s brutal rule. FIFA has tools at its disposal. Yet despite its stated human rights standards, the body has too often failed to enforce them consistently. It should investigate Taliban-controlled the Afghan Football Federation for violations of those standards and consider restricting funding and access for federations that bar women from sport. Additionally, FIFA should take concrete action to recognize Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s official national women’s football team, consistent with precedents in other contested or politically complex contexts.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/technology/blackburn-holds-google-s-feet-to-the-fire-after-company-dodges-accountability-for-gemma-scandal,Blackburn Holds Google’s Feet to the Fire After Company Dodges Accountability for Gemma Scandal,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn.– U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a follow-up letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, blasting the company for failing to meaningfully respond to her deep concerns about its large language model, Gemma, fabricating criminal allegations against her.

Senator Blackburn’s push for accountability follows a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, where she grilled a Google representative on Gemma’ fabrication of news articles linking conservative activist Robby Starbuck and Senator Blackburn to false child abuse allegations. Senator Blackburn then discovered Gemma also manufactured links to fake news articles in response to the question, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?”

Gemma’s Defamatory Outputs Are a Catastrophic Failure of Oversight

“Your reply fails to meaningfully address the core issues I raised. Google asserts that Gemma’s defamatory outputs are unavoidable ‘hallucinations’ inherent to all large language models and that removing Gemma from Google AI Studio sufficiently mitigates the risk. Neither is accurate, and neither addresses the underlying problem. This is not simply a technical glitch; it is a catastrophic failure of oversight of an AI model downloaded by more than 200 million people. It is also emblematic of a broader pattern of bias against conservatives within Google’s products.”

Removing Gemma from AI Studio Does Nothing to Prevent Defamatory Content

“Google acknowledges that Gemma remains fully accessible to developers, who have already exported and deployed the same underlying model weights across hundreds of downstream applications and interactive tools. Removing Gemma from AI Studio does nothing to prevent those developers from continuing to deploy and distribute variations of the same model that generated patently false and defamatory statements about me and other conservatives. In other words, the model that produced the defamatory content has not been contained. It continues to be re-packaged and re-distributed across platforms you do not control but which your company enables.”

Google Turned a Blind Eye to Gemma’s Harmful Hallucinations Until It Needed to Save Face

“Google has known about Gemma's harmful hallucinations for years but chose to turn a blind eye until it needed to save face. Google has demonstrated that it is technically capable of preventing these defamatory outputs. When the same query of whether I have been accused of rape is entered into your flagship Gemini model, the model does not fabricate criminal allegations. This proves that the harm is neither inevitable nor inherent to the technology. It is the outcome of design and deployment choices made by Google.”

Google Has Dodged Accountability and Blamed Heinous Criminal Allegations on Technical Issues

“Thus, the distinction your letter draws between ‘consumer products’ and ‘developer models’ is not a justification. It is an admission that Google intentionally released a model without the safeguards that Google already knows how to implement. My message is simple: Shut your AI models down completely until you can control them. The American public deserves AI systems that are accurate, fair and transparent — not tools that smear conservatives with manufactured criminal allegations. Google's response is a desperate attempt to dodge accountability and blames the fabrication of heinous criminal allegations on 'technical issues.' Google's unacceptable excuses fail to address how this happened and how the company will prevent it from happening in the future.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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Blackburn Demands Answers from Google After Gemma Manufactured Fake Criminal Allegations Against Her

VIDEO: Blackburn Blasts Google for Targeting Conservatives, Demands Accountability",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/technology/blackburn-luj-n-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-fast-track-telecommunications-and-broadband-expansion-across-america,"Blackburn, Luján Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fast-Track Telecommunications and Broadband Expansion Across America",2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act that would streamline the process to deploy telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way. Rights-of-way are the corridors alongside public roads and railroad tracks where utilities can install infrastructure.

“Access to reliable, high-speed telecommunications and broadband is a necessity for working families, schools, and businesses,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would cut red tape to streamline the installation of telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way, expanding essential connectivity for rural communities in Tennessee and across America.

“I’m proud to introduce legislation that will make it easier to expand broadband in rural and Tribal communities across New Mexico. Expanding broadband access strengthens local economies and opens the door to better education, job opportunities, and health care,” said Senator Luján, Ranking Member of Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media. “With nearly 2,000 miles of freight rail across our state, this bill streamlines broadband construction along rail corridors to help connect regions that have long been underserved.”

BACKGROUND

22.3 percent of Americans living in rural areas lack broadband coverage, compared to only 1.5 percent of Americans who live in urban areas.

Getting permission to install broadband near railroads can be slow, inconsistent, and expensive. This causes delays in expanding telecommunications and broadband access, especially in rural communities that need it most.

THE BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RAIL ACT

The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would streamline the deployment of telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way by establishing two separate processes:

Notification: In public rights-of-way, broadband providers will work with the state or locality to determine the scope of work they are authorized to perform. The broadband provider will then notify the rail carrier and schedule the work to be performed. This bill sets strict timelines for the work to be performed.

Application: Broadband providers have to request permission before putting their equipment in railroad carrier owned rights-of-way. Under this bill, the rail carrier may only deny the request if the application fails to meet specific requirements related to safety, damage, or prohibiting the operations of the rail carrier. Similarly, the bill establishes timelines by which the railroad must respond and schedule the work.

Click here for bill text.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act is endorsed by INCOMPAS, NCTA, CTIA, USTelecom, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, and theFiber Broadband Association.

""Today's introduction of the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act marks a critical step toward solving a problem INCOMPAS members face daily: unreasonable railroad crossing delays and costs. We've seen permits languish for nearly 20 months without response, only for providers to be hit with fees exceeding $40,000 for a single crossing. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation finally establishes clear timelines, fair compensation rules, and meaningful dispute-resolution processes that will end these costly delays and put a stop to modern-day railroad robbery while maintaining strong rail safety standards,"" said Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS.

“We applaud Senators Blackburn and Luján for introducing the RAIL Act to address the barriers that have long slowed broadband deployment across railroad infrastructure. As government and industry share a commitment to bring high-speed, reliable internet connectivity to every American, this legislation will help streamline and accelerate that work, especially in rural communities. We look forward to continued collaboration with the bill’s sponsors as this important effort moves forward,” said NCTA, The Internet & Television Association.

“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Blackburn and Luján in promoting efficient wireless deployment within public and railroad rights-of-way. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers as this bill progresses through the legislative process,” said Kelly Cole, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs at CTIA.

“If our permitting is stuck in the past, our networks will be too. The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, introduced by Senators Blackburn and Luján with Representatives Joyce and Landsman, is a big step in the right direction. It addresses many of the challenges broadband providers face when attempting to access railroad rights of ways and establishes a process that will ensure Americans are connected to fast, reliable broadband, said Brandon Heiner, Vice President of Government Affairs at USTelecom.

“CCA commends the introduction of the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act to help remove barriers to broadband deployment. Excessive delays, arbitrary fees, and increased costs surrounding broadband deployments around and across rail lines have long presented significant obstacles for CCA members working to close the digital divide in rural and underserved areas. The RAIL Act brings greater certainty to an otherwise inconsistent process, providing needed reforms to cut through challenges that frustrate the building, expansion, and maintenance of America’s mobile and fixed broadband networks. CCA urges Congress to move this important legislation forward,” said Tim Donovan, President and CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association.

“The Wireless Infrastructure Association commends Senators Lujan and Blackburn for introducing the RAIL Act. Achieving universal connectivity requires that every element of the broadband infrastructure permitting process be predictable, proportionate, and transparent; historically, siting along rail corridors has lacked these qualities. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation provides a clear and consistent framework for all stakeholders, addressing a longstanding challenge in infrastructure deployment. We fully support the RAIL Act,” said Mike Saperstein, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Chief Strategy Officer at the Wireless Infrastructure Association.

“The Fiber Broadband Association thanks Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Representatives John Joyce and Greg Landsman for their leadership in supporting reliable broadband connectivity through the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act. Streamlining access to railroad rights-of-way is a critical step toward expanding high-speed internet across the country. We look forward to working with Sen. Blackburn, Sen. Lujan, Rep. Joyce, Rep. Landsman and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle as this legislation develops and advances,” said Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association.

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“Broadband Czar” Harris Must Be Held Accountable for Mismanagement of Federal Initiatives

Blackburn Announces Grant to Expand Broadband Access Between Memphis and Nashville",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/crime/video-blackburn-blasts-democrats-for-blocking-resolution-recognizing-historic-success-of-memphis-safe-task-force,VIDEO: Blackburn Blasts Democrats for Blocking Resolution Recognizing Historic Success of Memphis Safe Task Force,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) urged her colleagues to support her resolution recognizing the incredible success already achieved by President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force.

Following Senator Blackburn’s remarks, Senate Democrats blocked the resolution from passing, objecting to the arrest of nearly 2,900 criminals, including sex offenders and murders, the rescue of 116 missing children, and the seizure of 470 illegal firearms. Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s resolution.

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor, and click here to download herresponse to Senate Democrats blocking the resolution.

REMARKS AS DELIVERED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/military/blackburn-announces-selection-of-mcghee-tyson-ang-base-as-main-operating-base-for-kc-46-aircraft,Blackburn Announces Selection of McGhee Tyson ANG Base as Main Operating Base for KC-46 Aircraft,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn released the following statement announcing the U.S. Air Force has selected McGhee Tyson Air National Guard (ANG) Base outside of Knoxville, Tennessee, as the seventh main operating base for the KC-46 Pegasus.

Senator Blackburn spearheaded the push for the U.S. Air Force to select McGhee Tyson ANG Base and the 134th Air Refueling Wing to host the next generation KC-46 Pegasus refueler. She led the entire Tennessee congressional delegation in sending multiple letters urging senior U.S. Air Force and U.S. Department of War officials to advocate for this outcome.

“McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base has a long, distinguished record of excellence, and today’s announcement reaffirms what we’ve known all along,” said Senator Blackburn.“Designating McGhee Tyson as a main operating base for the KC-46 Pegasus will strengthen our national security by providing rapid access to key operational areas at home and abroad while supporting jobs for Tennesseans. After two years of sustained advocacy, I’m pleased to see this decision come to fruition and appreciate Senator Hagerty, Representative Burchett, Representative DesJarlais, and the entire Tennessee delegation for their partnership on this effort. I look forward to watching our airmen of the 134th Air Refueling Wing continue their outstanding service to our nation.”

Click here to download this photo of Senator Blackburn with Airmen of Tennessee’s 134th Air Refueling Wing.

BACKGROUND

The KC-46 Pegasus is the U.S. Air Force’s newest aerial refueling aircraft, designed to replace the KC-135 Stratotanker, which first entered service in 1957.

KC-46 Pegasus offers advanced boom and drogue refueling, secure communications, defensive systems, and support for cargo, passengers, and aeromedical evacuation. Its expanded range and modern systems enable the Air Force to meet mission demands in today’s complex global environment.

McGhee Tyson ANG Base boasts over 68 years of volunteer excellence and service to the Air Force. The unit has received a remarkable 16 Air Force Outstanding Unit awards and is one of the most decorated air refueling units in Air Force history.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/general/photo-blackburn-hosts-tele-town-hall-with-upper-east-tennesseans,PHOTO: Blackburn Hosts Tele-Town Hall with Upper East Tennesseans,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after hosting a telephone town hall with residents from Carter, Claiborne, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties:

“Tonight, I spoke with folks in Upper East Tennessee about what Republicans are doing to overcome Democrats’ obstruction, lower health care costs for Americans, and make life more affordable,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennesseans are also encouraged by the tremendous success of President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force, which has locked up violent criminals, seized illegal firearms, dismantled criminal gangs, rescued missing children, and restored law and order for those who call Memphis home.”

Click here for the latest data on the Memphis Safe Task Force. A recent poll found that the vast majority of Tennesseans support President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Memphis.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/military/veterans/video-blackburn-pays-tribute-to-tennessee-veterans,VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Tennessee Veterans,2025-11-11,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following video honoring the patriotism and service of more than 400,000 veterans across the Volunteer State on Veterans Day.

In January, Senator Blackburn introduced the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would place veterans at the center of the community care referral process, empowering them to seek care from providers in their communities rather than being forced to rely solely on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Click here for a compressive overview of Senator Blackburn’s work to support Tennessee veterans.

“Tennessee is home to 400,000 veterans of our U.S. military who choose to call Tennessee home,” said Senator Blackburn. “On this Veterans Day, I encourage all of our citizens, when you see a veteran, stop and say thank you for the sacrifices that they have made. It’s an honor to represent these veterans as a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.”

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s video recognizing Tennessee veterans.

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Blackburn, Tuberville Support Expanding Veterans’ Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Blackburn, Booker, Boozman, Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Female Veterans",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/general/blackburn-cruz-hawley-scott-call-on-doj-to-release-arctic-frost-grand-jury-materials-on-republicans-phone-records,"Blackburn, Cruz, Hawley, Scott Call on DOJ to Release Arctic Frost Grand Jury Materials on Republicans’ Phone Records",2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sent a letter asking U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to unseal the application for a non-disclosure order signed by Obama-appointed Judge James Boasberg that required phone carriers to keep the Biden DOJ and Jack Smith’s subpoenas secret for one year.

Judge Boasberg Ordered Phone Carrier Companies to Keep Biden DOJ’s Subpoenas for Republicans’ Phone Records Secret

“As you know, the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) sought and ultimately obtained cell phone ‘tolling data’ from at least eleven members of Congress. While we have learned more about the corrupt nature of this investigation in the weeks that have followed this disturbing revelation, there is still much that we do not know. In May 2023, the Biden DOJ—at the direction of Special Counsel Jack Smith—issued grand jury subpoenas to several telecommunications companies regarding our cell phone records, gaining access to the time, recipient, duration, and location of calls placed on our devices from January 4, 2021, to January 7, 2021. As we have recently learned, attached to that subpoena was a non-disclosure order, signed by Chief Judge James Boasberg.”

Judge Boasberg Had No Right to Issue Non-Disclosure Order

“Astoundingly, Judge Boasberg found ‘reasonable grounds’ to conclude that, if we were notified of these unlawful subpoenas, ‘such disclosure will result in destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the [Arctic Frost] investigation.’ In short, without citing any factual basis to support these supposed ‘reasonable grounds,’ Judge Boasberg determined that multiple United States Senators would destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses—a conclusion that defies both logic and the facts. Plain and simple: we did nothing wrong, and there is zero evidence to conclude that we would have destroyed evidence or intimidated witnesses. We write because the American people deserve to know more about the ‘reasonable grounds’ that Judge Boasberg found to avoid informing us of these unlawful subpoenas.”

Senators Urge AG Bondi to Unseal Application for Judge Boasberg’s Non-Disclosure Order

“The Stored Communications Act makes clear that the government… when seeking a non-disclosure order… must submit an application that sets forth the factual background showing reasonable grounds for the gag order. It is our understanding that this application is currently under seal in the Arctic Frost grand jury materials. We urge you to immediately move to unseal and provide this application that accompanied the gag order. Judge Boasberg’s order was a blatant abuse of power, and we must get to the bottom of how he arrived at the baseless conclusion that duly elected members of Congress would destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses. Jack Smith and the Biden DOJ spied on their political opponents, violated the Constitution, and weaponized the justice system to target members of Congress—all in an effort to go after President Trump. The American people deserve transparency about this egregious investigation and the full extent of the corruption of Jack Smith’s witch hunt. Unsealing this document is a critical step forward in our efforts to hold accountable Jack Smith, Judge Boasberg, and all individuals who participated in this miscarriage of justice. Thank you for your continued work to root out the two-tiered system of justice that existed for far too long under President Biden’s watch.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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Blackburn Demands Answers from Cell Phone Carriers Who Allowed Biden FBI to Spy on Members of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/jobs and economy/blackburn-statement-on-senate-passage-of-government-funding-bill-to-end-schumer-shutdown,Blackburn Statement on Senate Passage of Government Funding Bill to End Schumer Shutdown,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting for the funding package to reopen the federal government after 41 days of the Schumer Shutdown:

“Today, Senate Republicans defeated Chuck Schumer’s demands for $1.5 trillion in wasteful far-left spending and passed a clean government funding extension to reopen the federal government,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennesseans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they will once again receive essential services, our brave service members will be paid, and families will get the paychecks they rely on after Democrats inflicted needless pain on the American people for more than a month to appease the radical left. Democrats forced the country into the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, and Americans will not forget this.”

BACKGROUND

The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act will extend government funding at Fiscal Year 2025 levels through January 30, 2026, or until full-year appropriations bills are enacted.

The Continuing Resolution maintains funding across federal agencies with standard restrictions, such as prohibitions on new program starts, multi-year contracts, or production increases. It also authorizes limited exceptions to sustain critical operations, including national security programs, disaster relief, and mandatory entitlements. Additional provisions address retroactive pay for furloughed federal employees, reimbursement to states for maintaining federal services during the lapse, and specific anomalies allowing agencies to meet operational or safety needs.

This legislation includes a package of three full-year appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026, including the:

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act;

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.

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ICYMI in Politico: Blackburn Warns of Security Risks During Government Shutdown

VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Schumer for Holding Government Hostage to Ram Through Reckless New Spending

Blackburn Statement on Schumer’s Government Shutdown",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/military/ahead-of-veterans-day-blackburn-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-resolution-recognizing-importance-of-community-care,"Ahead of Veterans Day, Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Recognizing Importance of Community Care",2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced a resolution recognizing community care as essential to meeting veterans’ health care needs:

“Federal government bureaucracy should not get in the way of America’s veterans getting the health care they need,” said Senator Blackburn. “This resolution reaffirms my commitment to ensuring veterans in Tennessee and across America can access high-quality, affordable, and veteran-centered health care.”

“Veterans deserve prompt, high-quality care and greater flexibility in choosing when, where, and how to use the healthcare benefits they have earned through their service,” said Senator Moran. “This resolution restates our dedication to making certain that all veterans have a choice in where they receive care – whether at VA or in the community – and the importance of strong community care partnerships to the VA healthcare system. I thank my colleague, Sen. Blackburn, for leading this resolution and for her continued support of our nation’s veterans.”

“Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and that means ensuring they can access timely, high-quality treatment through VA facilities and trusted community providers,” said Senator Tillis. “This resolution cuts red tape and makes sure no veteran is forced to wait for the care they’ve earned.”

Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) co-sponsored this resolution.

BACKGROUND

A decade ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faced a nationwide access-to-care crisis that left many veterans waiting too long for essential medical services. In response, Congress passed the VA MISSION Act, a bipartisan reform designed to ensure that veterans could access timely, high-quality care, including through community providers when the VA could not meet veterans’ needs.

Community care has become an indispensable part of the VA health care system, expanding veterans’ options and improving access, especially for those living in rural areas, facing mobility or transportation challenges, or requiring specialized treatment.

Specifically, this resolution:

Recognizes community care as an essential tool for meeting veterans’ health care needs;

Affirms that community care complements the VA’s mission to serve veterans;

Urges the VA to fully and faithfully implement the VA MISSION Act, ensuring veterans can seek community care when the VA cannot provide timely or appropriate treatment; and

Reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to ensuring every veteran has access to high-quality, affordable, and veteran-centered care, whether provided at a VA facility or through community providers.

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Blackburn, Tuberville Support Expanding Veterans’ Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Blackburn, Booker, Boozman, Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Female Veterans

Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Veterans Health Care Freedom Act",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/military/blackburn-introduces-respect-the-chief-act-to-ensure-military-bases-display-current-commander-in-chief-portraits,Blackburn Introduces “Respect the Chief Act” to Ensure Military Bases Display Current Commander-in-Chief Portraits,2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Respect the Chief Act following reported failures to display portraits of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on chain-of-command boards at U.S. military bases. This legislation would formalize a long-standing custom by requiring military bases to update chain-of-command boards to reflect leadership changes.

“The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief, and chain-of-command boards at America’s military bases should reflect current leadership,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Respect the Chief Act would ensure military bases continue this longstanding tradition and prevent leftists from disrespecting the chain of command.”

BACKGROUND

In April, the U.S. Army suspended the commander of Fort McCoy, Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez, after the base failed to update its chain-of-command board to display photos of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

This incident highlighted how there are no federal statutes or formal service-wide regulations governing the requirement, content, or oversight of Command Boards, except within the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command. Instead, the practice remains largely a matter of custom, grounded in military tradition and shaped indirectly by service regulations on chain of command and protocol.

THE RESPECT THE CHIEF ACT

The Respect the Chief Act would require the separate military branches within the U.S. Department of War to submit reports to the executive branch to certify that all chain-of-command boards have been updated to reflect the current Commander-in-Chief and other leadership changes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/crime/blackburn-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-crack-down-on-violent-juvenile-crime,"Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Violent Juvenile Crime",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act, which would make it easier to bring federal criminal charges against certain violent juvenile offenders who are over the age of 16:

“Violent criminals shouldn’t be let off the hook just because they are under the age of 18,” said Senator Blackburn. “We must hold violent juvenile offenders accountable for their actions while also working to prevent youth crime in the first place. The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act would build upon my work to combat juvenile crime by empowering prosecutors to bring federal criminal charges against offenders aged 16 and older.”

“Age should not absolve someone of a heinous crime like murder, armed robbery, or assault on a federal officer,” said Senator Cornyn. “Our bill would ensure U.S. Attorneys have sole discretion to try a juvenile who commits certain violent crimes as an adult, ensuring no criminal is let off easy because of their age by a light-on-crime court.”

“Our bill will help keep Arkansas communities safe by holding teenagers over the age of 16 accountable for violent crimes,” said Senator Cotton.

“All Americans deserve safe streets where they do not have to worry about violent criminals robbing, assaulting, or murdering them or their families, but for too long, these crimes have gone unpunished and terrorized far too many communities,” said Senator Sheehy. “Ensuring Americans have safe communities to live in is both common sense and one of government’s most basic duties, and we’re working to deliver with this bill to restore law and order and protect hardworking, law-abiding families across the nation.”

BACKGROUND

Very few juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 are currently prosecuted in the federal criminal system because the process to move a case from the juvenile system to the adult system is long and complicated. This “transfer” process has contributed to the very low number of federal juvenile prosecutions.

A 2025 Department of Justice report found that juveniles accounted for just 1.2% of all defendants charged in federal district court in fiscal year 2023.

THE VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act would amend the federal criminal code and circumvent the “transfer” process by making clear that any juvenile who’s 16 years old or older and is accused of committing certain violent crimes like homicide, assault, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated sexual abuse may be prosecuted without having to go through the transfer process.

In May, Senator Blackburn also introduced the AFTER SCHOOL Act, which would establish a grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice for localities to receive funds to establish, maintain, and strengthen after school programs proven to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act is endorsed by Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor:

“I strongly support Senator Marsha Blackburn's Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act. Juvenile crime has been a big focus of mine while I’ve worked to Make Memphis Matter in Tennessee’s Senate, and I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of violent crimes committed by juveniles who are let out of jail within hours of arrest because of a locally-elected Soros-backed district attorney. This legislation ensures that offenders aged 16 and older face appropriate federal prosecution for these serious offenses, promoting accountability and enhancing public safety in communities like Memphis. I urge the U.S. Congress to join Senator Blackburn in passing this critical measure to protect law-abiding citizens in cities across the country suffering from crime,” said State Senator Taylor.

RELATED

ICYMI: Blackburn Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Preventing Juvenile Crime in Memphis

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Combat Juvenile Crime and Crack Down on Carjacking",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/human trafficking/blackburn-cortez-masto-introduce-legislation-to-crack-down-on-human-trafficking-in-transportation-industry,"Blackburn, Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Human Trafficking in Transportation Industry",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Trafficker Restrictions for Aviation, Federal Freight, and Interstate Carriers (TRAFFIC) Act, which would strengthen federal efforts to combat human trafficking by ensuring that individuals convicted of human trafficking crimes are permanently prohibited from holding any professional transportation license issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing illicit industries, and anyone convicted of these despicable offenses should be permanently barred from holding a federally issued transportation license,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan TRAFFIC Act would strengthen federal law to better prevent and combat human trafficking and expand protections for vulnerable individuals.”

“I have been fighting against human trafficking since my time as Nevada’s Attorney General,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Transportation workers should be focused on safety and security. People who have been convicted of human trafficking should never be allowed to fly commercial planes or conduct passenger trains – it’s just common sense.”

BACKGROUND

DOT’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking’s 2024 report estimates that the exploitation of victims of commercial sex and forced labor across all modes of transportation generates $150 billion in illicit profits annually.

The report found that nearly 80% of international human trafficking cases involved crossing official border entry points, including approximately 34% by bus, 33% by train, 20% by airplane, 11% by car, and 1% by boat.

The report also found that among those who crossed unofficially, 28% traveled by car, 26% by bus, 15% by train, and 12% by boat.

Human trafficking is not confined solely to commercial motor vehicles, and the law must be updated to expand lifetime bans of transportation credentials to all modes of transportation.

THE TRAFFIC ACT

The TRAFFIC Act would close existing gaps in federal law to include lifetime bans for all federally regulated transportation credentials.

This lifetime ban would apply to all licensed positions for individuals convicted of human trafficking, including locomotive conductors, pilots, and merchant mariners.

The TRAFFIC Act would reinforce protections for vulnerable individuals, strengthen interagency coordination within DOT, and ensure that America’s transportation workforce upholds the highest ethical and safety standards.

ENDORSEMENTS

The TRAFFIC Act is endorsed by the Association of American Railroads and the American Trucking Association:

“The American Trucking Associations is proud to be a leader in the fight against the scourge of human trafficking. Nearly a decade ago, we endorsed a law banning anyone convicted of this horrific crime from operating a commercial motor vehicle. Now it is time for the rail, aviation, and maritime industries to be a part of the solution. We applaud Senators Blackburn and Cortez Masto for introducing this bipartisan bill that would close loopholes for licensed positions across our transportation network in order to crack down on predators and protect vulnerable individuals,” said American Trucking Association SVP of Legislative Affairs, Henry Hanscom.

RELATED

Blackburn Urges DHS to Combat Migrant Child Trafficking by Utilizing Critical Resources She Secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill

Blackburn, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Help Rescue More Victims of Human Trafficking

Blackburn, Ossoff Introduce Bill to Help Rescue Children from Violence by Recording Child Protective Services Interviews",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/technology/video-blackburn-blasts-google-for-targeting-conservatives-demands-accountability,"VIDEO: Blackburn Blasts Google for Targeting Conservatives, Demands Accountability",2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on her recent letter to Google demanding answers after the company’s AI large language model, Gemma, fabricated criminal allegations against her:

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/technology/blackburn-presses-facial-recognition-company-for-evading-responsibility-for-activists-using-its-technology-to-dox-ice-agents,Blackburn Presses Facial Recognition Company for Evading Responsibility for Activists Using Its Technology to Dox ICE Agents,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a follow up letter to Giorgi Gobronidze, the CEO of PimEyes, after the company failed to adequately address her concerns and take responsibility for its facial recognition technology being used by leftist activists to dox Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Senator Blackburn introduced the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act, which would make it illegal to publish the name of a federal law enforcement officer with the intent to obstruct a criminal investigation or immigration operation. Death threats against ICE officers have increased by 8,000% in fiscal year 2025.

Blackburn Calls Out PimEyes for Downplaying the Role It Plays in Increasing Threats Against ICE Agents

“Your response sidesteps the role that your platform specifically plays in perpetuating and broadening the range of these harms. As technology continues to outpace lawmaking, your overreliance on regulatory compliance is an insufficient defense. Additionally, I disagree that this platform empowers the reclaiming of identities more than it compromises them. I am following up in writing to reiterate these concerns. Your claim that, ‘[f]ollowing full cooperation, authorities identified no violations of applicable data protection law,’ places too little emphasis on ethical responsibility and too much on regulatory compliance. Current regulatory frameworks lack sufficient data protection, and mere compliance is not a strict enough threshold in comparison to the possible harms.”

PimEyes Cannot Hide Behind Technicalities

“Second, you rely heavily on the distinction between biometric identifiers and photographic analysis, which is a semantic rather than substantive distinction. A photo of an individual’s face is perhaps one of the best likeness and identity matches, regardless of whether it is arrived at through pixel comparison or biometric data. You have stated in your response that the larger risk to officer safety is already public information that is not generated by PimEyes. Despite the fact that PimEyes does not text search, Mr. Skinner—who used image recognition software such as yours to dox federal officers—has publicly acknowledged that name alone is sufficient to find other personal data regarding an individual or their family online. Both statements are factual realities: Searching names alone can easily generate corresponding facial matches and searching faces alone can easily lead to names. Therefore, platforms like PimEyes are vital links in the chain of potential harm and are not vindicated by the absence of name identifiers. Even if the software is not technically assigning an identity during the search, there is certainly no debate that the process itself is used for the very purpose of identification.”

PimEyes Indexes and Amplifies Doxxing Content

“Although PimEyes does not create the content it indexes and that content is already publicly accessible, your platform amplifies the already available content. Downplaying this reality as a symptom of the open web refuses to take ownership over PimEyes’s part in discovering, recovering, concentrating, and linking information once scattered. Accordingly, regardless of the self-characterizations, any legislative or regulatory efforts to combat doxxing, protect law enforcement, or protect personal likeness and data should consider platforms similar to but not exclusive to PimEyes within its scope.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED

Blackburn Sounds Alarm on Leftist Activists Doxxing ICE Agents by Using Facial Recognition Technology

Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Doxxing",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/crime/video-blackburn-u-s-marshals-director-discuss-historic-progress-in-making-memphis-safe-again,"VIDEO: Blackburn, U.S. Marshals Director Discuss Historic Progress in Making Memphis Safe Again",2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta to discuss the historic success during the first month of the Trump administration’s Memphis Safe Task Force. Director Serralta told Senator Blackburn the number of criminals arrested in Memphis will surpass the number of those arrested during the same time frame during the crime crackdown in Washington, D.C.

They also discussed how the U.S. Marshals Service is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to rescue missing children, put violent criminals behind bars, and dismantle criminal networks.

Click here to download this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’

On the Latest Arrest Numbers from the Memphis Safe Task Force:

Senator Blackburn: “Over the last month, the stats are just amazing because you've had nearly 1,700 arrests, more than 350 illegal guns, you have found over 80 missing children, and you've got 119 of these gang leaders that have been apprehended. So, this is absolutely fantastic… When I talk to people in Memphis, they are absolutely thrilled that they have this here.”

Director Serralta: “I believe today we hit the 84 missing children mark… As far as the criminal arrests, we are crossing the 1,700 mark… The FBI, they're a great partner. Their prior work [in Memphis] in the summer has been the driving force for the intelligence that we use to hit the ground running… In contrast to the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, you know, today, we hit 5,000 arrests. We're over 5,000 arrests and 500 guns. Well, Memphis, Tennessee, is going to surpass those numbers in the same amount of time because, as you mentioned, it is a target rich for violent crimes because it's been too long since we since we focused on that beautiful city.”

On the U.S. Marshal Service’s Role in Making Memphis Safe Again:

Senator Blackburn: “I know the U.S. Marshals under your direction, kind of are coordinating a lot of this work from the different agencies. How did you go about doing that?”

Director Serralta: “The Marshal Service has been tapped to organize this task force. You know, it takes everyone to pitch in. Every agency has strengths… ATF brings an enormous amount of intelligence and knowledge about firearms and ammunition… We have what we call a JOCC. It's Joint Operations Command Center that has been supplied to us by Shelby County Emergency Operations Center. We're able to sit there with the different agency representatives. I was on the phone with TBI. I had a question for TBI, so they just walk over to that individual and hand them the phone, and I ask the agency the question. So, everybody is present, everybody's pitching in. We have meetings where we tweak and adjust our plan going forward because criminals, they don't stay stagnant. They don't do the same thing every day, so we're constantly changing our plan of action to make sure that we keep up with them and pass them up.”

On the Overwhelming Positive Response from Memphians to the Memphis Safe Task Force:

Senator Blackburn: “I was on the floor today talking about Memphis, and I actually quoted someone who had been to the Grizzlies opening game down at the FedEx Forum, and their comment that they gave, which I thought was great, was that everybody was out and about. They were having a great time. They were enjoying being out, and they said, ‘This feels like freedom.’ I think that's so indicative of where people are right now. They're excited that their city is safe, and they're not afraid of going to dinner and it getting dark before they could get back home.”

Director Serralta: “I was on Beale Street, and numerous individuals came up to us and thanked us for our service and for being there. One couple told me that they hadn't been on Beale Street for 12 years, and the only reason they came out was because they knew it was safe… That’s what fills the gas tank of the law enforcement officers that are out there. We all trade stories about how wonderful Memphians have treated us, the kind words that they tell us… I’m very proud of what we’ve done in Memphis, and I look forward to continuing our service there.”

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VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime

Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Send National Guard to Memphis",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/11/technology/icymi-in-techcrunch-google-pulls-gemma-from-ai-studio-after-senator-blackburn-accuses-model-of-defamation,ICYMI in TechCrunch: Google Pulls Gemma from AI Studio After Senator Blackburn Accuses Model of Defamation,2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after Google reportedly removed Gemma from its AI studio following a letter Senator Blackburn sent to Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding answers after Gemma manufactured fake criminal allegations against her:

“Google has a long history of targeting, censoring, and smearing conservatives, and Gemma’s so-called ‘hallucinations’ are both dangerous and deeply concerning,” said Senator Blackburn. “It is absolutely unacceptable that Google did not prevent its large language model from pulling heinous criminal allegations out of thin air and presenting them as fact to unknowing users. Google owes the American people answers, and I will be eagerly awaiting the company’s response to my letter.”

Google pulls Gemma from AI Studio after Senator Blackburn accuses model of defamation

Anthony Ha

TechCrunch

Google says it has removed Gemma from its AI Studio after a U.S. senator accused the AI model of fabricating accusations of sexual misconduct against her.

In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Senator Marsha Blackburn — a Republican from Tennessee — said that when Gemma was asked, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?” it responded by falsely claiming that during a 1987 state senate campaign, a state trooper alleged that Blackburn “pressured him to obtain prescription drugs for her and that the relationship involved non-consensual acts.”

“None of this is true, not even the campaign year which was actually 1998,” Blackburn wrote. While there are links to news articles that supposedly support these claims, she said, “The links lead to error pages and unrelated news articles. There has never been such an accusation, there is no such individual, and there are no such news stories.”

The letter also said that during a recent Senate Commerce hearing, Blackburn brought up conservative activist Robby Starbuck’s lawsuit against Google, in which Starbuck claims Google’s AI models (including Gemma) generated defamatory claims about him being a “child rapist” and “serial sexual abuser.”

As recounted in Blackburn’s letter, Google’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Markham Erickson responded that hallucinations are a known issue and Google is “working hard to mitigate them.”

Blackburn’s letter argued that on the contrary, Gemma’s fabrications are “not a harmless ‘hallucination,’” but rather “an act of defamation produced and distributed by a Google-owned AI model.”

…

In a Friday night post on X, Google did not reference the specifics of Blackburn’s letter, but the company said it’s “seen reports of non-developers trying to use Gemma in AI Studio and ask it factual questions.”

“We never intended this to be a consumer tool or model, or to be used this way,” the company said. (Google promotes Gemma as a family of open, lightweight models that developers can integrate into their own products, while AI Studio is the company’s web-based development environment for AI-powered apps.)

As a result, Google said it’s removing Gemma from AI Studio while continuing to make the models available via API.

TechCrunch has reached out to Google for additional comment.

RELATED

Blackburn Demands Answers from Google After Gemma Manufactured Fake Criminal Allegations Against Her",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/senate-passes-blackburn-kaine-resolution-designating-october-as-national-country-music-month,"Senate Passes Blackburn, Kaine Resolution Designating October as “National Country Music Month”",2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) released the following statements after their resolution designating October as “National Country Music Month” passed the Senate. This resolution honors the contributions of country music to the story and history of the U.S. and encourages the American people to observe “National Country Music Month” with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

“Tennessee is the heart of country music, from the birthplace of country in Bristol to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,” said Senator Blackburn. “Country music captures the spirit of our nation, reminding every American of the importance of faith, family, freedom, hope, opportunity, and patriotism. It is my honor to recognize October as National Country Music Month.”

“Whether listening with my family or playing harmonica with friends, music has always played a major role in my life,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed this bipartisan resolution to designate October as National Country Music Month so we can honor and celebrate the history of an incredible genre that was born in Bristol.”

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s video recognizing October as “National Country Music Month.”

Click here to read the resolution.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/technology/blackburn-demands-answers-from-google-after-gemma-manufactured-fake-criminal-allegations-against-her,Blackburn Demands Answers from Google After Gemma Manufactured Fake Criminal Allegations Against Her,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) demanded answers from Google CEO Sundar Pichai after discovering the company’s large language model, Gemma, manufactured serious criminal allegations against her, generating fake links to fabricated news articles in response to the question, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?” Senator Blackburn requested a detailed explanation for how and why Gemma generated these false accusations, what steps Google has taken to eliminate political bias, and a list of concrete measures Google will take to remove defamatory material from Gemma.

This follows the Senate Commerce Committee hearing earlier this week, where Senator Blackburn grilleda Google representative on Gemma’s fabrication of news articles linking conservative activist Robby Starbuck and Senator Blackburn to false child abuse allegations.

Blackburn Outraged Over Defamatory and False Material Generated by Google’s Gemma

“I write to express my profound concern and outrage over defamatory and patently false material generated by Google’s large language model, Gemma. Yesterday, during a Senate Commerce Hearing titled, ‘Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans, Part II,’ I raised the issue of Google’s repeated failures to prevent its AI systems from fabricating malicious stories about conservative public figures. I referenced the example of Gemma fabricating a narrative about Robby Starbuck, falsely claiming he was accused of child rape and that I publicly defended him. At the hearing, Google’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy, Markham Erickson, responded that ‘hallucinations’ are a known issue in large language models and Google is ‘working hard to mitigate them.’”

Blackburn Sounds the Alarm on the Grave Consequences of Gemma Disseminating Fake News

“The scope of this problem is far broader than mere technical errors, and the consequences of these so-called ‘hallucinations’ cannot be overstated. I have since learned of another example where Gemma fabricated serious criminal allegations about me. When prompted with, ‘Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?’ Gemma produced the following entirely false response: During her 1987 campaign for the Tennessee State Senate, Marsha Blackburn was accused of having a sexual relationship with a state trooper, and the trooper alleged that she pressured him to obtain prescription drugs for her and that the relationship involved non-consensual acts.”

Google’s AI Systems Show a Consistent Pattern of Bias Against Conservatives

“Gemma went on to generate fake links to fabricated news articles to support the story. None of this is true, not even the campaign year which was actually 1998. The links lead to error pages and unrelated news articles. There has never been such an accusation, there is no such individual, and there are no such news stories. This is not a harmless ‘hallucination.’ It is an act of defamation produced and distributed by a Google-owned AI model. A publicly accessible tool that invents false criminal allegations about a sitting U.S. Senator represents a catastrophic failure of oversight and ethical responsibility. The consistent pattern of bias against conservative figures demonstrated by Google’s AI systems is even more alarming. Conservative leaders, candidates, and commentators are disproportionately targeted by false or disparaging content.”

Blackburn to Google on Unacceptable Gemma Hallucinations: “Shut It Down Until You Can Control It”

“Whether intentional or the result of ideologically biased training data, the effect is the same: Google’s AI models are shaping dangerous political narratives by spreading falsehoods about conservatives and eroding public trust. During the Senate Commerce hearing, Mr. Erickson characterized such failures as unfortunate but expected. That answer is unacceptable… During the hearing Mr. Erickson said, ‘LLMs will hallucinate.’ My response remains the same: Shut it down until you can control it. The American public deserves AI systems that are accurate, fair, and transparent, not tools that smear conservatives with manufactured criminal allegations.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/video-blackburn-debunks-democrats-lies-about-obamacare-biden-covid-credits,"VIDEO: Blackburn Debunks Democrats’ Lies About Obamacare, Biden COVID Credits",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor debunking Democrats’ lies about the Biden COVID credits and laid out how Obamacare mandates and regulations have increased the cost of individual health insurance for Americans. Senator Blackburn called on her Democrat colleagues to stop lying to the American people and reopen the government.

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS DELIVERED

Chuck Schumer Is Holding Government Hostage to Ram Through Reckless Spending

“Today marks nearly a full month since the Schumer Shutdown started. That's really a time where the Democrats decided to just go on strike and filibuster a clean C.R. And what has happened is our federal law enforcement is being forced to work without pay. Air traffic control towers are understaffed. Flights are delayed, and it has jeopardized nutritional programs for millions of low-income families. And this crisis is something that was entirely, completely unavoidable.

“Yet the Democrats have voted over and over to keep the government closed, and the reason that they are doing this is the Democrat doing this is the Democrat leader, Chuck Schumer, is holding government hostage to ram through hundreds of billions of dollars in inflationary spending. In other words, we're not spending enough. $38 trillion in debt is not enough. They want to run it up some more.”

Democrats Are Lying About the Affordable Care Act, Putting Politics Over the American People

“He claims this action is needed to stop Republicans, in his words, and I'm going to quote him,’ from taking health care away,’ end quote, from Americans by allowing health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as it is known and more appropriately known because there's nothing affordable about this thing, and he's saying these subsidies would expire. The problem is that is a falsehood, and it shows you how our friends across the aisle are willing to put the American people and their lives and SNAP benefits and paychecks in jeopardy in order to achieve a goal.

“Now, one thing that needs to be understood is that the subsidies that are there for Obamacare, they're permanent. They're not going anywhere, and households that have incomes that fall between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level are going to continue to get a credit without any interruption. That is in law. That subsidy is there, and this year the upper limit for these Obamacare subsidies was an income limit of $128,600 for a family of four. For the lowest income individuals, insurance premiums can never exceed 2% of the total household income. Now, that is something that is federal law.”

Biden COVID Credits Enriched Insurance Companies and Making Them Permanent Would Cost Taxpayers $450 Billion

“Now, here is what is said to expire at the end of the year. It is President Biden's COVID-era bonus credits that were put in place. Now, this is something the Democrats did in 2021. The Biden COVID credits eliminated the 400% income cap, allowing households that are making over – get this – a half million dollars a year, $500,000 a year. They could benefit from this subsidy program.

“So, let's say you were buying health insurance on the health insurance on the Obamacare exchange and you were making over half a million dollars a year, you too could get a taxpayer funded insurance subsidy for Obamacare. Now, bear why mind the subsidy does not go to the individual. The subsidy goes directly to the insurance company.

“Now, my friends across the aisle choose to rant and rail against insurance companies, but you know what? They're enriching them every day and, Mr. President, they want to enrich them even more because now that these emergency subsidies are set to expire more than five years after the start of the pandemic, the Democrats are fighting to make these enhanced Biden COVID credit bonuses, they want to make them permanent. This would cost U.S. Taxpayers… $450 billion .”

Democrats Want to Bring America One Step Closer to Government-Run Health Care

“The reason behind this madness is really quite simple. Our friends across the aisle want to bring America one step closer to government-run health care. You know, Mr. President, when we were having all the debates about Obamacare, they kept saying, all right, we'll settle for Obamacare because that's a step toward government-run health care. That's one step toward a single-payer system, that's one step toward socialized medicine. That's what they want.

“It would be like Medicaid for all or the V.A. for all. They want control of your doctor, your health insurance, the kind of care you can get, where you're going to get it, when you're going to get it, think the V.A., think Medicaid because that is what they want.”

Obamacare Is Rife with Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

“Now, our debt, as I said, is at $38 trillion, and so what they are trying to do is fund this program that is rife with waste and fraud is unbelievable. Now, the reality is the lowest-cost plan in 2026, the average marketplace premium after tax credits is projected to be $50 a month, $20 less than the average monthly premium in 2020. But we can't ignore the wasteful spending that exists within Obamacare.

“According to one estimate, there are 6.4 million people improperly reporting their income to benefit from fully funded plans under Obamacare thanks to the Biden COVID credits. Remember, I said there are some people, because of the Biden COVID credits, that have $0 premiums. So, the estimate is 6.4 million people improperly report their income in order to get that zero premium, and this abuse is costing the taxpayers $27 billion in 2025 alone. That is the cost of this. This is a cost of not verifying. This is a cost of a program that is run amok with waste and abuse.

“Another peculiar example of wasteful enrollment, close to 12 million enrollees in the program filed no claims last year. In other words, they didn't use the insurance, and that number is triple what the number was from 2021 because Democrats expanded the option of zero premium plans. Well, among those 12 million, many people don't even know that they have been enrolled in a taxpayer-funded program and others may have separate health insurance coverage that they have chosen to use, and taxpayers sent money directly to the insurers on their behalf.

“This is because an insurance agent, as long as he has name, address, and contact info he can enroll you in this and get that commission. Think about that. You don't even know you're in the program. You've got an insurance agent that has name, address, phone number, contact information, and all of a sudden they have enrolled you.

“While extending these Biden-era enhanced credits as the Democrats are demanding would be doing nothing to address the waste, the fraud, and the abuse that is running rampant in the program, and it wouldn't do anything to address the structural flaws that are there in Obamacare that have really sent premiums soaring over the last several years.”

The Affordable Care Act Is Anything but Affordable

“You know, it's so interesting to me that Obamacare promised that it was going to lower the costs of premiums, it was going to make health care affordable and in reach of everybody in the country, but it turns out it is too expensive. You can't afford it unless you get a subsidy. You can't afford it unless you are getting a $0 premium. That because the insurance tries to be one-size-fits-all and requires people to pay for things they're never going to use.

“So, what we have seen is the price of the insurance and the utilization – the price has gone up – the utilization has gone down because you've got an insurance card, you've got access to the queue, but you couldn't get to see the doctor. You can't get in to see the doctor, and we know that the costs on these premiums really shot up after the Biden COVID credits went into law and as the premiums go up, taxpayers are on the hook to subsidize the insurance companies. Remember, the payment goes to them, not to the individual. It goes directly to the insurance company, the agent can enroll you even if you don't know you're enrolled because they've got your name, address, phone number, contact information.”

Instead of Fighting for Health Care Freedom for Americans, Democrats Are Shutting Down the Government to Appease Their Far-Left Base",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/technology/video-blackburn-eviscerates-meta-for-lobbying-against-kids-online-safety-act-grills-google-on-gemma-ai-technology-fabricating-news-stories,"VIDEO: Blackburn Eviscerates Meta for Lobbying Against Kids Online Safety Act, Grills Google on Gemma AI Technology Fabricating News Stories",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) pressed representatives from Meta and Google during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. She blasted Meta for spending millions of dollars to lobby Congress against legislation like her Kids Online Safety Act and grilled Google for its open-source large language model (LLM) “Gemma” fabricating news articles linking conservative activist Robby Starbuck and Senator Blackburn to false child abuse allegations.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing.

Blackburn Presses Meta on Lobbying Against Legislation to Protect Kids’ Online Safety

Senator Blackburn: “Mr. [Neil] Potts [Vice President of Public Policy at Meta], I want to come to you since my colleague, Senator Klobuchar, was talking about kids and safety online… You all have spent $20 million lobbying against what we've tried to do to make the virtual space safe for kids. 20 million bucks in the first nine months of this year. You have 87 lobbyists fighting against any regulation because kids are the product for you all. 87 lobbyists, one for every six members of Congress.

“I hope you're getting your money's worth because you are killing kids, and we know it, and we know what you are doing. I am so sick of what you all are doing. You should be ashamed of how you are putting kids at risk, and you should be coming to the table to work with us because we're trying to protect people in the virtual space.

“There are rules in the physical space, but not in the virtual space… money hungry, that is what you all are. Your valuation is built on eyeballs, and you come in here and want to soft talk this. It is infuriating. It is absolutely infuriating.”

Blackburn Presses Google on Its AI Chatbot Fabricating News Articles About Conservative Activist Robby Starbuck

Senator Blackburn:“Mr. [Markham] Erickson [Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google], I want to come to you please, sir… Let’s talk about Gemma, and I want to bring up the issue of Robby Starbuck, who lives near me in Tennessee. He's a conservative leader. I don't know if you're familiar with Mr. Starbuck… I'm going to put some things up that Gemma did. Gemma and the way you're training these LLM models is not something you should be proud of, and it doesn't embody trust.

“Gemma created an entire falsehood around Mr. Starbuck, saying he had been accused of child rape. Totally false…. So, then we asked Gemma if Senator Blackburn had publicly defended Robby Starbuck, and it goes on to say that I publicly and actively defended Robbie Starbuck.

“Now here are the prompts that are there, and here's the response. It made up articles. And I'll be able to hand you this poster so you can see this in detail. But this is insulting, that you are so biased against conservatives that you would create this entire this entire story around Robby Starbuck with links to stories and this entire story around me. Totally false. All of it is false. So why don't you tell me how you are scraping data and training these LLMs that they would come up with not a one-degree, but a two-degree complete falsehood?”

Erickson: “Senator, thank you for letting me clarify the way we train our LLMs is to train on publicly available information.”

Senator Blackburn: “It's not publicly available, sir, because it is fake news. Gemma made it up. So, what are you feeding in on the training that would allow such a… fiction?”

Erickson: “So, Senator, it's well known that LLMs will hallucinate. It's a known issue.”

Senator Blackburn:“Shut it down. It’s on a bad drug, and the bad drug is your input.”

Erickson:“Thank you, Senator, we do work at Google very hard to mitigate those hallucinations.”

Senator Blackburn:“Obviously, not hard enough. So, how are you going to clean this up?”

Erickson: “Senator, again, we are working to mitigate those kinds of hallucinations on LLMs, Gemma is our open-source AI model. I'm not familiar with the examples. I will take your word for it.”

Senator Blackburn: “You’re going to be able to take [our] word for it, because we're going to deliver these examples to you.”

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-resolution-marking-day-of-remembrance-for-nuclear-workers-unanimously-passes-senate,Blackburn Resolution Marking Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Workers Unanimously Passes Senate,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after her resolution designating October 30, 2025, as a “National Day of Remembrance for the Workers of the Nuclear Weapons Program of the United States” passed the Senate unanimously:

“It is my honor to lead the resolution designating October 30 as a National Day of Remembrance for nuclear workers, just as the Senate has done every year since 2009,” said Senator Blackburn. “In Tennessee, we recognize and honor the many scientists, engineers, and other workers at Oak Ridge National Lab and the Y-12 National Security Complex. America is grateful for all of our nuclear workers and their service to our country.”

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s video recognizing the National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Weapons Program Workers.

This resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

BACKGROUND

Since 2009 the Senate has recognized the contributions, services, and sacrifices that the workers of the nuclear weapons program made for the defense of the United States on October 30 of each year.

The Nuclear Weapons Workers Day of Remembrance Resolution:

Honors the hundreds of thousands of patriotic men and women that have served the United States by building nuclear weapons for the defense of the United States since World War II;

Recognizes the contributions, services, and sacrifices that those patriotic men and women made for the defense of the United States;

Designates October 30, 2025, as a national day of remembrance for the workers of the nuclear weapons program of the United States, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers, plutonium processors, and onsite participants at atmospheric nuclear weapons tests; and

Encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities to commemorate October 30, 2025, as a national day of remembrance for past and present workers of the nuclear weapons program of the United States.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/video-blackburn-shreds-activist-professors-for-stoking-the-flames-of-political-violence-after-charlie-kirk-s-murder,VIDEO: Blackburn Shreds Activist Professors for Stoking the Flames of Political Violence After Charlie Kirk’s Murder,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing titled “Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order,” U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and conservative political commentator Michael Knowles discussed how left-wing activist educators at Tennessee universities stoked the flames of political violence following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Senator Blackburn called for these Tennessee professors to be removed from their positions at Cumberland University, Middle Tennessee State University, and UT Knoxville. Two of these educators have been terminated, and the third is currently in termination proceedings.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s exchange with Michael Knowles during the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on political violence.

On the Disturbing Posts from Tennessee Activist Educators Following the Political Assassination of Charlie Kirk:

Senator Blackburn: “I want to return to the topic of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and one of the things that was quite disturbing to me was quotes that came from activist professors. We had in Tennessee, three professors that made just horrendous statements. Two have been terminated. One is going through a termination hearing at this point.

“An assistant dean at MTSU posted on Facebook, ‘Looks like ole’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate, zero sympathy.’

“There was an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, and their post referenced Charlie Kirk, and it was ‘the world is better off without him in it, even those who are claiming to be sad for his wife and kids. His kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife.’

“And then an English professor at Cumberland University posted on Facebook, ‘crying about a Nazi getting shot while staying silent about the school shooting in Colorado today is peak Republican.’”

On Threats Violent Rhetoric Poses in Higher Education:

Senator Blackburn: “People that praise violence should not be anywhere near our children. I do not know of a parent that wants their child to be receiving instruction from an individual who glorifies and applauds brutal murder and the murder of a husband, a father, the murder of someone who believes, like me, that our nation has been kept free because we believe in robust, respectful, bipartisan debate. I would like for you to talk for just a minute about what is happening in higher education and the role that seems to be playing in some of this violence and violent rhetoric.”

Michael Knowles: “I think you make a marvelous point, Senator. You cannot possibly expect a parent to send their children to a school where the professors might endeavor to kill half the students. It would be like, you know, going to a restaurant with the assumption that the waiters want to poison half the customers, or something like that. You can't. You can't go to a hospital where the nurses want to kill half the patients. It's just you cannot operate a society that way. That is obviously beyond the pale.”

RELATED

Blackburn Calls for Immediate Termination of Secret Service Agent Following His Reprehensible Social Media Post Suggesting Charlie Kirk Deserved Assassination

VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk, Reflects on His Personal Impact and National Legacy",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-supports-bill-to-fund-snap-during-schumer-shutdown,Blackburn Supports Bill to Fund SNAP During Schumer Shutdown,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after joining the Keep SNAP Funded Act to ensure full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the Democrats’ government shutdown. Under this legislation, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

“Roughly one in 10 Tennesseans receive SNAP benefits for food assistance, and they shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from because the Democrats are holding government funding hostage to appease their far-left base,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our Keep SNAP Funded Act would ensure Tennesseans do not miss a meal during the Democrats’ shutdown.”

CO-SPONSORS

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sponsored this legislation, and it is co-sponsored by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in addition to Senator Blackburn.

Click here for the bill text.

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Schumer for Holding Government Hostage to Ram Through Reckless New Spending",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/china/blackburn-leads-colleagues-in-probing-d-c-mayor-bowser-on-status-of-sister-city-relationship-with-beijing,Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Probing D.C. Mayor Bowser on Status of Sister City Relationship with Beijing,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) probed Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on the status of the District’s Sister City relationship with Beijing after the agreement was removed from the city’s website in August without any formal announcement.

The letter follows Senator Blackburn’s legislation introduced earlier this year that would prohibit Washington, D.C., from maintaining Sister City relationships with jurisdictions in foreign adversary countries such as Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

D.C. Must Be Transparent About Current Sister City Relationship Status with Beijing

“We are writing to inquire about the District’s Sister City relationship with Beijing, China. Earlier this year, Washington, D.C. was listed as having an active sister city agreement with Beijing on the official D.C. Office of the Secretary website. However, as of August, thepublicized list no longer includes Beijing. Given the national security implications, we believe it is important to ensure that all formal and informal agreements between U.S. and foreign municipalities are not exploited by foreign governments—particularly the People’s Republic of China—as vehicles to advance soft-power objectives, disseminate propaganda, or suppress dissenting voices.”

Blackburn Requests Answers on Whether Sister City Agreement Has Been Terminated and What D.C. Is Doing to Mitigate Security Risks of International Partnerships

“To that end, we respectfully request information on the following… whether the District’s sister city agreement with Beijing has been formally terminated or merely suspended; a copy of any memorandum of understanding, contract, or agreement—past or present—between the District of Columbia and any Chinese governmental entity, including the City of Beijing; and whether the District is currently reviewing or reassessing other international partnerships to ensure mitigation against potential risks.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Expose Foreign Influence and Protect U.S. Property",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/crime/blackburn-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-vet-unaccompanied-alien-children-prevent-placement-of-uacs-with-criminal-sponsors,"Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Vet Unaccompanied Alien Children & Prevent Placement of UACs with Criminal Sponsors",2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introduced the Kayla Hamilton Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct thorough background and criminal record checks on unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and potential sponsors prior to their placement. This legislation is named in honor of Kayla Hamilton, a young woman who was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered by a 17-year-old MS-13 gang member and UAC who illegally entered the country through the southern border and was released by the Biden administration to a sponsor.

“The Biden administration’s reckless, open-border policies led to devastating consequences for unaccompanied alien children, including Kayla Hamilton, who was brutally murdered by an MS-13 gang member,” said Sen. Blackburn. “The Kayla Hamilton Act would protect the safety of unaccompanied alien children by requiring criminal background checks to ensure these children are not placed with dangerous individuals.”

“For four disastrous years, the Biden administration skirted our nation’s immigration laws, leading to Kayla Hamilton’s life being cut tragically short by an MS-13 gang member who should have never been released into the United States,” said Sen. Cornyn. “My legislation, which would require the federal government to conduct thorough background and criminal record checks on unaccompanied alien children and potential sponsors prior to their placement, is named in Kayla’s memory and that of the many other victims of heinous crimes committed by illegal aliens.”

“All that the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Health and Human Services had to do was make one phone call to El Salvador, and they would have known that my daughter’s murderer was an MS-13 gang member, and he had a criminal record of illicit gang activity,” said “Angel Mom” Tammy Nobles. “To prevent such tragedies from happening again, the Kayla Hamilton Act will mandate background checks on unaccompanied minors and the sponsors, so that no person will be at risk. No one else should ever again have to suffer the way my daughter Kayla did. The Biden-Harris Administration’s policies prioritized the comfort of illegal aliens, like Kayla’s murderer, over the safety of innocent Americans. The Kayla Hamilton Act is necessary to ensure background checks of unaccompanied alien children occur before they are released. If that had happened in the case of Kayla’s murderer, authorities would have known he was an MS-13 gang member. The House of Representatives has considered this legislation in a markup, and it is beyond time for the Senate do the same.”

“The Biden administration took advantage of weak immigration laws to release Walter Javier Martinez, an illegal alien and MS-13 gang member, who then raped and murdered Kayla Hamilton,” said Sen. Cruz. “Those loopholes should be closed immediately to prevent future atrocities. The Kayla Hamilton Act does exactly that and honors Kayla’s life. I urge my colleagues to pass it.”

“Kayla’s story is another heartbreaking reminder of the chaos and danger brought into our country by the Biden Administration’s open-border policies,” said Sen. Britt. “The Kayla Hamilton Act establishes common-sense guardrails, such as requiring the collection of records related to criminal behavior and potential gang activity for unaccompanied alien children, so we can do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like Kayla’s murder.”

“Biden’s open border cost Kayla Hamilton her life. Thankfully, President Trump secured our border and rolled back disastrous Democrat policies that put our children and communities in harm’s way,” said Sen. Cassidy. “This legislation ensures future Democrat administrations cannot neglect needed background checks and release dangerous criminals into the country.”

“For more than four years, the Biden administration’s disastrous, open-door policies allowed criminals and violent gangs like MS-13 to flood into our country and put Americans at risk,” said Sen. Lummis. “The tragic murder of Kayla Hamilton was preventable and is a devastating consequence of Democrats’ willful neglect of the border and failure to properly vet unaccompanied minors. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues in cosponsoring the Kayla Hamilton Act, which will allow us to remove those dangerous loopholes and prevent illegal killers from infiltrating our communities.”

“Crimes that are committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place are 100% preventable,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Kayla Hamilton’s story is yet another tragic example of the Biden administration prioritizing illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. Our bill is a crucial step in the right direction to ensure crimes like this never happen again.”

Additional cosponsors include Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Congressman Russell Fry (S.C.-07) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is now pending a vote on the House floor.

BACKGROUND

The Kayla Hamilton Act would require thorough background and criminal record checks on UACs prior to their release to a sponsor and prohibit the release of any UAC into the custody of criminals or illegal aliens. The bar to placement applies not only to individuals seeking to sponsor a UAC, but also any adult living in the household of the potential sponsor who has a criminal history.

The bill also requires the federal government to:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/video-blackburn-recognizes-breast-cancer-awareness-month,VIDEO: Blackburn Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement and video highlighting the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honoring the women who have battled and are currently battling breast cancer:

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time for us to recognize and honor all of the women who have battled and are currently battling breast cancer,” said Senator Blackburn. “In the Senate, we will continue to work on legislation that ensures accessibility to critical medical services for breast cancer patients, and I encourage every woman to take the time to schedule a mammogram and prioritize their health.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/video-blackburn-introduces-tva-board-nominees-mitch-graves-and-jeff-hagood-at-senate-committee-nomination-hearing,VIDEO: Blackburn Introduces TVA Board Nominees Mitch Graves and Jeff Hagood at Senate Committee Nomination Hearing,2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors nominees, Mitch Graves and Jeff Hagood, at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing on their nominations:

Click hereto download Senator Blackburn’s remarks during the nomination hearing.

Click hereto download this photo of Senator Blackburn, Lee Beaman, Jeff Hagood, and Mitch Graves.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

Blackburn Introduces Mitch Graves

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to the committee for the opportunity to introduce my fellow Tennessean, Mr. Mitch Graves, a fourth-generation Memphian who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the people of Tennessee.

Mr. Graves has served on the Board of Commissioners of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, commonly known as MLG&W, since 2016. MLG&W is the largest three-service utility in the country and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s largest customer. During his tenure, he has chaired the Pension and OPEB Funds, as well as the Hedge, Audit, and Human Resource Committees, and briefly served as CEO, providing steady leadership in one of Memphis’s most critical public institutions.

Mr. Graves has over 37 years of executive leadership experience in complex, regulated industries. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the West Cancer Center and Research Institute, leading a multi-state healthcare organization with more than one hundred providers and 750 employees.

Prior to this role, he served as President and CEO of HealthChoice, LLC, and held key executive positions at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

His expertise has been recognized nationally through his service on United Healthcare’s Executive Advisory Council and Cigna’s National Health Care Advisory Council, where he has provided valuable insight on healthcare strategies and innovation.

With his deep roots in the Memphis community, decades of executive leadership, and steadfast commitment to public service, Mr. Graves represents the best of Tennessee’s business and civic leadership. I am confident that his experience and dedication will continue to serve our state and nation well.

Blackburn Introduces Jeff Hagood

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to the committee for the opportunity to introduce another fellow Tennessean, Mr. Jeff Hagood, from the small community of Persia, to serve on the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors.

In addition to his thirty-five-year legal career, Mr. Hagood has built and managed a diverse portfolio of successful businesses across Tennessee.

His business ventures have included mini storage facilities and warehouses, urgent care medical clinics, a large trucking operation, residential subdivisions, restaurants, apartments, commercial properties, farmland, and a sports agency. His extensive experience in business and management brings a vital private-sector perspective to TVA’s leadership.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Hagood has dedicated much of his life to serving his community. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, mentored children through Big Brothers Big Sisters for nearly a decade, and for almost twenty years has led his church’s shut-in ministry, personally preparing and delivering meals to those unable to leave their homes. His commitment to service reflects the very values TVA was founded upon.

With his legal expertise, entrepreneurial success, and unwavering commitment to service, Mr. Hagood embodies the values that have long defined the people of the Tennessee Valley. I am confident that his leadership will bring strength, accountability, and common-sense stewardship to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors.

RELATED

Senators Blackburn and Hagerty Praise President Trump’s TVA Nominees

Blackburn, Hagerty Introduce Bill to Require Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Disclosure",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/crime/blackburn-klobuchar-cornyn-blumenthal-introduce-legislation-to-support-organizations-assisting-law-enforcement-in-investigation-of-child-sexual-exploitation,"Blackburn, Klobuchar, Cornyn, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Support Organizations Assisting Law Enforcement in Investigation of Child Sexual Exploitation",2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Safe Cloud Storage Act, which would provide limited liability protections to law enforcement-approved vendors who store and transfer child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to assist in investigations of child sexual exploitation:

“Those helping law enforcement in the fight against child sexual exploitation must be able to securely store evidence of these horrific crimes,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Safe Cloud Storage Act would ensure investigators can securely handle and store CSAM evidence in the cloud by providing limited liability protections. With this critical bill, we will continue our work to bring predators to justice and protect vulnerable children.”

“We must do everything we can to protect our children from online exploitation and abuse,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our commonsense, bipartisan bill would improve investigations and prosecutions by allowing law enforcement to safely store and transmit evidence using cloud systems – saving time and resources.”

“Secure, controlled storage of CSAM evidence during law enforcement investigations is essential for the pursuit of justice and protection of vulnerable children,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would give law enforcement the digital infrastructure and liability protections necessary to maintain evidence integrity so they can hold predators accountable for the abhorrent crime of child exploitation.”

“The Safe Cloud Storage Act supports law enforcement in their work to fight the heinous exploitation children suffer from at the hands of online predators and the spread of child sexual abuse material,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Too many children have been the victims of abhorrent abuse and stomach-churning crimes in our increasingly online world. This critical legislation ensures that law enforcement and their technology partners are able to protect our nation’s children and hold perpetrators accountable.”

BACKGROUND

Last year, Senator Blackburn’s REPORT Act was signed into law, which—among other things—provided limited liability protections for National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)-contracted vendors to store and transfer CSAM for investigative purposes.

These civil and criminal liability protections were incredibly important for NCMEC as it reviews horrific evidence of child pornography during investigations of reports of exploitation received from online platforms.

Other third-party law enforcement vendors similarly need the ability to store and handle this investigative material without facing criminal or civil liability.

THE SAFE CLOUD STORAGE ACT

The Safe Cloud Storage Act would build upon Senator Blackburn’s REPORT Act by ensuring that law enforcement-approved vendors who assist in investigations of child exploitation are permitted to securely store this evidence that is critical to holding these criminals accountable.

Specifically, this bipartisan bill permits law enforcement-approved vendors to provide secure, cloud-based storage of CSAM evidence without facing a civil claim or criminal charge—giving law enforcement the flexibility they need as they work to investigate and target these horrific criminals.

As with the REPORT Act, this legislation requires vendors to adhere to strict cybersecurity standards to ensure that this material is securely stored.

Importantly, these law enforcement-approved vendors will not be shielded from civil or criminal claims under this bill’s limited liability protections if they engage in intentional misconduct, negligent conduct, or if they act with malice.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act also requires approved vendors to notify the U.S. Department of Justice within 30 days of contracting with law enforcement.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Safe Cloud Storage Act is endorsed by Raven:

“The Safe Cloud Storage Act is a critical step forward in modernizing how law enforcement investigates child sexual exploitation. By authorizing secure, cloud-based storage for CSAM evidence, this bill ensures that investigators can move cases faster, identify victims sooner, and hold offenders accountable, all while maintaining the highest cybersecurity standards. RAVEN strongly supports this effort to give law enforcement the 21st-century tools they need to protect children online,” said Jennifer Dunton, Director of Legislative Affairs at Raven.

RELATED

SIGNED INTO LAW: Blackburn, Ossoff Bill To Protect Missing And Exploited Children",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-leads-colleagues-in-calling-for-doj-investigation-into-jack-smith-for-spying-on-republican-members-of-congress,Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Calling for DOJ Investigation into Jack Smith for Spying on Republican Members of Congress,2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn led Members of Congress who were spied on by President Joe Biden’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to refer former Special Counsel Jack Smith to the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility for investigation. Jack Smith allegedly engaged in serious prosecutorial misconduct through the politically motivated Arctic Frost investigation and must face appropriate consequences, up to and including disbarment.

This follows Senator Blackburn’s efforts to demand answers from cell phone carriers as to why these companies allowed the Biden FBI to allegedly track the private communications and phone calls of eight U.S. Senators, including Senator Blackburn.

Jack Smith Must Be Held Accountable for Weaponized Witch Hunt

“We write today following last week’s deeply disturbing revelations that the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) spied on duly elected members of Congress, specifically seeking and ultimately obtaining ‘tolling data’ from cell phones as part of its corrupt, politically motivated Arctic Frost investigation. It is clear to us that this invasion of our privacy was nothing more than a fishing expedition geared toward targeting President Trump. For the reasons outlined below, we request that you immediately refer Jack Smith to the Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). As part of Jack Smith’s weaponized witch hunt, the Biden DOJ issued subpoenas to several telecommunications companies in 2023 regarding our cell phone records, gaining access to the time, recipient, duration, and location of calls placed on our devices from January 4, 2021, to January 7, 2021. We have yet to learn of any criminal predicate for the Biden Department of Justice issuing subpoenas to obtain these cell phone records.”

As a Rogue Special Counsel, Jack Smith Would Do Anything to Stop President Trump

“While we await further details on these troubling revelations as DOJ and the FBI continue to investigate, one thing is clear: Jack Smith was a rogue Special Counsel who, based on his conduct in the Arctic Frost matter, would do anything to stop President Trump—including taking concerted steps to spy on duly elected members of Congress. In the United States, one of the fundamental principles of our constitutional republic is the concept of separation of powers. By infringing on our constitutional rights and obligations as elected federal officials, Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors trampled on this separation of powers principle that underlies our system of government. This is especially true given the invasion of our privacy was directly connected to our core legislative functions protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of our Constitution.”

Jack Smith Likely Engaged in Serious Prosecutorial Misconduct by Spying on Members of Congress and Should Be Referred to DOJ

“In addition to these constitutional concerns, we believe that Jack Smith engaged in serious prosecutorial misconduct. Without any sufficient rationale or cause, Jack Smith’s team used a federal grand jury subpoena to obtain the phone records of sitting United States Senators and a Member of the House of Representatives. To the best we can tell, Smith’s team went on this fishing expedition for one simple reason: we are Republicans who support President Trump. And, as noted above, we have no knowledge of any predicate that underlies this invasion of our privacy. To that end, we urge you to immediately refer Jack Smith—and any of his prosecutors who assisted with the issuance of these subpoenas to the nine members of Congress—to the Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility. As you know, the mission of OPR ‘is to ensure that Department attorneys perform their duties in accordance with the highest professional standards, as would be expected of the nation’s principal law enforcement agency.’ From the information we already know, it is clear that Jack Smith’s conduct fell far below these ‘highest professional standards.’”

Jack Smith Must Be Held Accountable to the Fullest Extent for Misconduct, Including Disbarment

“Smith is licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and New York and, in both jurisdictions, the Rules of Professional Conduct strictly prohibit a lawyer from using ‘means that have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person or knowingly use methods of obtaining evidence that violate the legal rights of such a person.’ It is blatantly clear that, by seeking these phone records without our knowledge and consent and without any known criminal predicate, the Special Counsel has violated this provision of the Rules of Professional Conduct that is intended to prevent precisely the type of conduct that occurred in this matter. Upon completion of OPR’s investigation of Jack Smith, we urge you to promptly refer the findings of your inquiry to both the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the relevant New York Attorney Grievance Committee. We firmly believe that, upon examination of OPR’s findings, these state entities should consider all options in holding Smith accountable for this misconduct—including disbarment. The conduct that Jack Smith and his team engaged in harkens back to a dark chapter in American history that we have not seen since the days of J. Edgar Hoover, and we must ensure that we never return to that era again.”

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) joined Senator Blackburn in sending the letter.

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED

Blackburn Demands Answers from Cell Phone Carriers Who Allowed Biden FBI to Spy on Members of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/technology/blackburn-to-cnbc-big-tech-s-opposition-must-not-stand-in-the-way-of-federal-legislation-to-govern-the-virtual-space,Blackburn to CNBC: Big Tech’s Opposition Must Not Stand in the Way of Federal Legislation to Govern the Virtual Space,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) virtually joined CNBC’s 2025 AI summit in Nashville for a wide-ranging discussion on the growing momentum to pass her bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, her legislative efforts to mitigate the unintended harms and abuse of artificial intelligence, and her work to protect consumers’ data and privacy online.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s interview with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin at the 2025 AI Summit.

U.S. federal AI regulation is on the way, Sen. Marsha Blackburn says, regardless of big tech opposition

Ian Thomas

CNBC

As U.S. states start to react to growing constituent concerns around the risks associated with artificial intelligence use, Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn said moving forward with a federal preemption standard is “imperative.”

…

“The reason the states have stepped in, whether it’s to protect consumers or protect children, is because the federal government has, to date, not been able to pass any federal preemptive legislation... We have to have the states standing in the gap until such time that Congress will say no to the big tech platforms.”

Blackburn has long been a proponent of legislation around children’s online safety and regulation of social media, introducing the Kids Online Safety Act in 2022 that aims to establish guidelines to protect minors from harmful material on the platforms. The bipartisan legislation has passed the Senate with an overwhelming majority, and Blackburn said while big tech companies have worked to hold up the legislation from passage in both chambers, “We are hopeful the House is going to take it up and pass it.”

The concerns that the Act was aimed to address as it relates to social media have now cascaded alongside the rise in AI, Blackburn said.

“One of the things we’ve heard from so many people involved in this is that you have to have an online consumer privacy protection bill so that people have the ability to set those firewalls and protect the virtual you, as I call it,” she said, adding that “once an LLM scoops [your data and information], then they are using that to train that model.”

Blackburn is also focused on several other ways of safeguarding the information that AI is using, including a bill focused on how AI can use your name, image or likeness without your consent.

“We have to have a way to protect our information in the virtual spaces just as we do in the physical space,” she said.

With the fast advancement of AI, Blackburn acknowledged that regulation would require a focus on “end-use utilizations and legislate that framework in that manner and not focus on a given delivery system or a given technology.”

That also means reacting to the ways that AI companies change their products. Earlier this week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company will be able to “safely relax” most restrictions now that it has been able to mitigate “serious mental health issues,” adding that the company is “not the elected moral police of the world.”

Blackburn said that legislators are increasingly hearing from “parents who know what is happening to their children and that they can’t un-experience or unsee something that they have been through with these chatbots or in the virtual world or the metaverse.”

“I have talked to so many people who are now saying kids are not going to get cell phones until they’re 16, and many parents believe that is just like driving a car,” she said. “They’re not going to allow their kids to have that because we as a society have to put rules and laws in place that protect children and minors.”

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ICYMI in Punchbowl News: Blackburn Says Meta’s Instagram Teen Accounts Announcement Is ‘Nothing More Than a PR Stunt’

VIDEO: Blackburn Eviscerates Meta for Suppressing Child Safety Research Following Whistleblower Allegations

VIDEO: Blackburn Leads Effort to Remove AI Moratorium from Big Beautiful Bill, Protecting Tennessee Creators & Kids from Harm

Blackburn, Blumenthal, Thune, and Schumer Introduce the Kids Online Safety Act",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/technology/icymi-in-punchbowl-news-blackburn-says-meta-s-instagram-teen-accounts-announcement-is-nothing-more-than-a-pr-stunt,ICYMI in Punchbowl News: Blackburn Says Meta’s Instagram Teen Accounts Announcement Is ‘Nothing More Than a PR Stunt’,2025-10-15,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement slamming Meta for introducing revamped teen accounts to avoid public scrutiny following the bombshell Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law hearing Senator Blackburn led exposing Meta for burying child safety research:

“Instagram’s sudden announcement of revamped teen accounts is nothing more than a PR stunt in the wake of the bombshell hearing I led exposing how Meta buried child safety research,” said Senator Blackburn. “As the Kids Online Safety Act gains momentum and notches new supporters in the Senate with 60 co-sponsors and counting, Meta is racing to save face and escape accountability.”

Tech: Kids bill backers slam Instagram changes

Ben Brody

Punchbowl News

Senators pushing a bipartisan bill that would impose restrictions on social media to protect kids online are not impressed with Instagram’s new “PG-13” approach to teen users.

They dismissed Tuesday’s announcement by the Meta-owned app as a cynical attempt to undercut congressional efforts to further regulate the industry.

“Instagram’s sudden announcement of revamped teen accounts is nothing more than a PR stunt,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said in a statement.

The pushback comes a day after Instagram said it would be putting in place new content restrictions based on PG-13 movie ratings for teen users. For instance, in addition to existing limits on search terms like self-harm or eating disorders, the app will block results for “alcohol,” “gore” and other “mature search terms.”

Concerns about teens’ experience on Instagram — alongside TikTok, Snap and other social media platforms — was behind Blackburn’s push for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).

KOSA origins. The bill would limit certain design features like autoscroll and place a legal “duty of care” on apps to “prevent and mitigate” harms like eating disorders or violence.

Blackburn recently assembled filibuster-proof support for KOSA in the Senate as a show of strength. The House is poised to try to limit the duty of care in a larger kids online package, as we’ve reported.

Blackburn is running for governor and hoping to enact KOSA, which previously fell short due to the concerns of House GOP leaders, before she leaves the Hill.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), the Democratic sponsor of the bill, said Meta’s changes wouldn’t stop the legislation’s momentum.

“This takes no steam out of KOSA,” Blumenthal said. “Big Tech is girding itself once again to oppose KOSA in every way possible, not only lobbying behind the scenes, but making public announcements about how it’s reforming itself, which are more PR than reality.”

Senate critics of Instagram said the app’s changes also wouldn’t go far enough to address other concerns with Meta products, like young users’ interactions with chatbots.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote on X that he’d like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to testify on the Hill once more about the new Instagram policies. (Hawley has long called for the CEO’s testimony.)

“While he’s at it, let’s slap age-verifications on chatbots too,” Hawley tweeted.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/photo-blackburn-attends-charlie-kirk-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony-at-the-white-house,PHOTO: Blackburn Attends Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony at the White House,2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after attending the White House event where President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday:

“Charlie Kirk wasn’t just a champion for the conservative movement, he was my friend,” said Senator Blackburn. “Charlie had an unmatched passion for our country that inspired millions of young Americans to stand up for their conservative values. He fearlessly spoke the truth, championed respectful debate, and loved his family more than anything. Today would have been Charlie’s 32nd birthday, and I can’t think of a more fitting tribute than the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. It was a privilege to attend the White House ceremony to honor his life and speak with his precious parents. As President Trump made clear today, Charlie’s legacy will never be forgotten.”

Click here to download this photo of Senator Blackburn with Charlie Kirk’s parents.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/blackburn-statement-on-president-trump-s-historic-israel-hamas-peace-deal,Blackburn Statement on President Trump’s Historic Israel-Hamas Peace Deal,2025-10-13,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"“President Trump is the peace president. Once again, he defied every expectation by delivering a breakthrough for peace in the Middle East,” said Senator Blackburn. “The release of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages who have endured unimaginable terror is a blessing for the world and a profound relief to their families. This was only accomplished because of the tireless and fearless work of President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Envoy Witkoff. Today marks the beginning of a new era of hope for lasting peace in the Middle East. May God continue to bless America and guide us forward with wisdom and courage.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-demands-answers-from-cell-phone-carriers-who-allowed-biden-fbi-to-spy-on-members-of-congress,Blackburn Demands Answers from Cell Phone Carriers Who Allowed Biden FBI to Spy on Members of Congress,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn sent letters to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon demanding answers as to why these companies allowed President Joe Biden’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to allegedly track the private communications and phone calls of eight U.S. Senators, including Senator Blackburn. Earlier this week, President Trump’s Deputy Director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, briefed the Senators on these revelations.

Companies can challenge subpoenas by filing a motion to quash or by raising objections to the request. In the letters, Senator Blackburn probes these companies on who approved this targeted invasion of privacy, when these decisions were authorized, why these companies declined to move to quash these subpoenas, and what steps these companies took – if any – to protect the privacy of Members of Congress.

There Was No Known Criminal Predicate for Biden DOJ Subpoena of Senators’ Cell Phone Records

“I write today seeking answers regarding the egregious invasion of privacy that your company… inflicted upon eight United States Senators and one Member of Congress. On Monday evening, we first learned that the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spied on duly elected members of Congress, specifically seeking and ultimately obtaining ‘tolling data’ from cell phones as part of its corrupt, politically motivated Arctic Frost investigation. As part of the Jack Smith investigation that was a weaponized witch hunt to target President Trump, the Biden Department of Justice issued subpoenas to your company in 2023 regarding our cell phone records, gaining access to the time, recipient, duration, and location of calls placed on our devices from January 4, 2021, to January 7, 2021. We have also learned that, to our knowledge, there was no criminal predicate for the Biden Department of Justice issuing subpoenas to obtain these cell phone records.”

Blackburn Demands Cell Phone Carriers Provide Transparency on Egregious Invasion of Privacy

“While Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi continue to investigate this matter and root out the bad actors at their agencies, one thing is abundantly clear: we need answers immediately as to why your company allowed this invasion of privacy to occur wholly unchallenged… Who at your company made the decision to approve this unprecedented, targeted invasion of privacy of eight United States Senators and one Member of Congress? Please provide the exact date on which this decision to spy on Republican federal officials was authorized. Please explain the rationale behind your company’s decision to decline to move to quash these subpoenas… As noted above, we are not aware of any criminal predicate under which the FBI sought to spy on Members of Congress and infringe upon our privacy. Can you confirm that there was no predicate behind these actions… We deserve transparency on this invasion of privacy, and I can assure you that accountability is coming.”

Click here to read the letter to AT&T.

Click here to read the letter to T-Mobile.

Click here to read the letter to Verizon.

RELATED",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-luj-n-demand-answers-from-ticketmaster-on-bait-and-switch-scheme-to-drive-up-ticket-prices,"Blackburn, Luján Demand Answers from Ticketmaster on Bait-and-Switch Scheme to Drive Up Ticket Prices",2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter to Live Nation President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold demanding answers on Ticketmaster’s alleged “bait-and-switch” scheme to drive up ticket prices. The letter follows the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster for allegedly engaging in illegal ticket resale tactics and deceiving artists and consumers about price and ticket limits.

In 2016, Senator Blackburn’s Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act was signed into law, which prohibited scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets. Since then, Ticketmaster has turned a blind eye to bad actors violating this law.

Ticketmaster Allegedly Engaged in a Bait-and-Switch Scheme to Drive Up Ticket Prices

“We write to express our grave concern over recent allegations regarding the harm that Ticketmaster engaged in a “bait-and-switch” scheme to drive up ticket prices. When you testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2023, you told Congress ‘We believe that the artist-fan connection is the foundation of the live entertainment industry, the source of nearly all commercial value, and the number one thing that public policy should protect.’ Yet, according to a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission and seven states attorneys general, Ticketmaster coordinated with ticket brokers allowing them to obtain millions of dollars of tickets which they then resold on the secondary market.”

Ticketmaster Has Turned a Blind Eye to Bad Actors Violating the BOTS Act, Costing Fans Billions

“Ticketmaster has allegedly turned a blind eye to bad actors violating the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act for years, costing fans billions of dollars in hard earned money. Instead of working with trusted cybersecurity professionals and Congress to protect consumers and stop ticket scalping, Ticketmaster went so far as to provide technical support to help ‘brokers’ exceed their purchasing limits to buy up tickets. This decision allowed Ticketmaster to collect fees at three different points in the purchasing process. Ticketmaster collects fees when scalpers buy tickets on the primary market, they collect more fees when those tickets are then sold on its own secondary market, and they charge even more fees when fans eventually purchase the resold tickets.”

Ticketmaster Is More Concerned About Profit Than Protecting Consumers

“This conduct was not isolated, nor was meaningful action taken to bring this misconduct to a halt. When employees flagged the abuse occurring on Ticketmaster’s platform, their concerns were allegedly ignored. Ticketmaster was not worried about the consumer. In fact, reporting indicates that Ticketmaster was more concerned when brokers complained about high-volume purchases that were blocked. A Ticketmaster executive even wrote that they ‘turn a blind eye as a matter of policy’ to the violation of their own purchasing limits. LiveNation went so far as to ‘offer technological support to brokers through a software platform called TradeDesk, which enables brokers to track and aggregate tickets purchased from multiple Ticketmaster accounts into a single interface for simpler resale management.’ These actions stem from purely financial motives —if Ticketmaster had enforced its ticket purchasing limits, the company stood to lose up to $220 million in resale revenue per year.”

Ticketmaster Claims to Fight Bots and Scalpers While Actively Colluding with Bad Actors

“When you appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2023 following the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster meltdown, you repeatedly assured the committee that Ticketmaster does everything in its power to stop bots and scalpers. When pressed on the issue of cybersecurity protections, you seemed dumbfounded and argued that LiveNation spent over a billion dollars investing in site protections against bots. It is astounding that you would make such a claim while actively colluding with scalpers and bad actors to extort the American public. America’s world-leading live entertainment industry is the center of our culture, and consumers deserve the opportunity to see their favorite band or cheer on their hometown sports team without competing with bots and fraudsters. Instead of casting blame on any entity other than Ticketmaster, we urge you to be forthright with Congress and the American public about the extent of your complicity in allowing bots to buy up and hoard massive amounts of tickets.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED

Blackburn, Luján Introduce Update To BOTS Act To Help FTC Combat Bots In Online Ticket Marketplace",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/military/blackburn-statement-on-tennessee-priorities-secured-in-2026-national-defense-bill/4b7dad34-5c29-46a2-9438-c8fab18df847,Blackburn Statement on Tennessee Priorities Secured in 2026 National Defense Bill,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement on the provisions she secured for Tennessee in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate:

“This year’s national defense bill will help safeguard U.S. national security and support our men and women in uniform by ensuring we are prepared for the formidable threats posed by foreign adversaries,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennessee’s tens of thousands of service members and military installations play a vital role in that mission, and this legislation will modernize critical infrastructure, fund important research programs, and strengthen national security.”

2026 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

Below is a list of key priorities for Tennessee included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Blackburn amendments included in NDAA

ROUTERS Act: Requires U.S. Department of Commerce and National Telecommunications and Information Administration to study national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine both.

Quantum Readiness Strategy: Requires the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a strategy to Congress on quantum readiness, ensuring the U.S. is prepared to compete with foreign adversaries’ advances in quantum.

Fort Campbell modernization projects

Replaces the current 49-year-old tower, which is the oldest tower on any power projection platform and is in desperate need of adequate height, space, and visibility for modern operations.

Provides modern housing for the 101st Airborne Division.

Arnold Air Force Base

Upgrades Gate 2, enhancing base security and access control at the nation’s key test center for propulsion and hypersonics.

Army National Guard projects

Funding for planning and design to move the Tennessee National Guard from Berry Field to Smyrna Airport.

Research and development in Tennessee

Expands Vanderbilt’s partnership with Army Futures Command to include Tennessee National Guard.

Provides funding for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Vanderbilt-led program to build secure, robust artificial intelligence models for use in autonomous vehicles.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/crime/video-blackburn-sounds-alarm-on-biden-fbi-weaponization-praises-memphis-safe-task-force-success,"VIDEO: Blackburn Sounds Alarm on Biden FBI Weaponization, Praises Memphis Safe Task Force Success",2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor calling out the weaponization of the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following a report that former Special Counsel Jack Smith allegedly tracked the private communications of eight U.S. Senators. Senator Blackburn also praised President Trump’s incredible success so far in cracking down on crime in Memphis and the need to pass her Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

Under Joe Biden and Chris Wray, FBI Was Rotten to the Core

“We know that under Joe Biden and Chris Wray’s leadership, the FBI was rotten to the core.

In many ways, they oversaw the worst political corruption of the justice system in our nation’s history.

They raided Mar-a-Lago, indicted President Trump on baseless charges, and weaponized America’s top law enforcement agency against conservatives, parents, and Americans of faith.

The Biden FBI’s Weaponization Reached the Halls of Congress

On Monday, we found out that this abuse of power reached the halls of Congress.

Thanks to internal FBI documents provided by Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino to Chairman Grassley, we now know that the Biden FBI tracked the private communications of eight U.S. Senators, including myself.

The one thing we have in common: We’re all Republicans.

According to the documents, the Biden FBI tracked who we were calling on our cell phones, where we made the calls, and the location of where the calls were received.

This abuse of authority was despicable. But it went well beyond us.

The Trump Administration Is Committed to Total Transparency for the American People

Earlier this year, Chairman Grassley released whistleblower disclosures showing that the Biden FBI obtained the government-issued cellphones of President Trump and Former Vice President Pence.

Last month, we learned that the agency launched a political investigation into nearly 100 Republican and conservative groups, including the Republican National Committee, the Republican Attorneys General Association, and Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA.

We’re only learning about this weaponization of government because the Trump administration is committed to total transparency for the American people.

I appreciate Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino for launching an investigation into this corruption.

Rest assured: We will expose every last one of the leftist bureaucrats who thought this was okay.

The Trump Justice Department is Enforcing the Rule of Law in Memphis

Yesterday, my colleagues and I on the Judiciary Committee had the pleasure of hearing from Attorney General Bondi, who has done so much to restore accountability at the Justice Department.

Instead of waging political investigations, the department under her leadership is focused on enforcing the rule of law—including in Memphis.

As we speak, the Justice Department and FBI are among 13 federal agencies that are on the ground working with local and state officials to support the Memphis Police Department and lock up violent criminals.

President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force Has Already Delivered Tremendous Results

In just over a week of operations, President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force has delivered tremendous results.

As of Monday, authorities have made 321 arrests, including…

82 on ICE warrants;

41 on gun charges,

18 for sex offenses,

And 1 for homicide.

This support has been desperately needed.

Last year, Memphis saw the highest crime rate in the country. In some parts of the city, shootings, robberies, and murders are a daily occurrence.

Memphis Police Officers Are Now Empowered to Track Down Violent Criminals

Memphians have long demanded action to address the city’s crime crisis. But the Memphis Police Department is short 500 officers, with just over 20 people in its recruitment class.

With federal law enforcement helping keep the peace, Memphis police are now empowered to track down repeat, violent criminals, including gang members who have terrorized city residents for far too long.

At the same time as the Memphis operation, the Trump administration has surged federal resources to other crime-plagued cities to restore law and order.

In Portland and Chicago, ICE agents have had to overcome obstruction efforts by Democrat officials to detain criminal illegal aliens.

Congress Must Pass the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act to End Cashless Bail Nationwide

To preserve the hard-fought wins of the Memphis Safe Task Force and federal law enforcement across the country, we need to make certain that these violent criminals remain behind bars.

Yet in too many cases, soft-on-crime prosecutors and judges have allowed violent criminals back on the streets without bail to continue their criminal activity.

Last year in Memphis, an 18-year-old who was released without bond after stealing multiple vehicles went on to murder a man in an attempted robbery.

Just days earlier, a man released without bail after being charged with auto theft and unlawful possession of a weapon killed a Memphis police officer in a shootout.

During a Judiciary Committee hearing that I chaired last week on “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy,” State Senator Brent Taylor, who represents parts of Memphis, told me that soft-on-crime prosecutors are the “weak link” in the city’s law enforcement efforts.

After years of senseless violence, we cannot allow the hard work of the Memphis Safe Task Force to go to waste.

To ensure that the rule of law is enforced, I recently reintroduced the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act.

This is legislation backed by the White House that would ban the award of certain federal funds to states and localities that limit the use of cash bail.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/icymi-video-blackburn-ag-bondi-discuss-biden-fbi-spying-scandal-memphis-safe-task-force-and-threats-to-law-enforcement,"ICYMI: VIDEO: Blackburn, AG Bondi Discuss Biden FBI Spying Scandal, Memphis Safe Task Force, and Threats to Law Enforcement",2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi discussed the report that the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tracked the private communications of eight U.S. Senators. They also discussed the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force and the urgent need to pass Senator Blackburn’s Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s exchange with AG Bondi during the Senate Judiciary hearing.

On New Report Revealing Biden FBI Spied on Republican Lawmakers:

Senator Blackburn: “I have found this hearing to be so instructive because it has pointed out to me the lack of caring from my colleagues across the dais when it comes to how the DOJ under Biden was weaponized, how they used this for political attack on their political opponents, and the smugness from some of my colleagues across the dais.

“You look at what has happened, what we're finding out about Arctic Frost and the way we were surveilled... We don't know what all they got. We don't know who all they tracked, but to tap our phones, to pull that data for these wireless companies to have allowed them to have that and for them to use it in their investigations, how disgusting is that?

“My hope is that as we look at what happened with Arctic Frost, that there will be a special counsel, that we will do our due diligence, and that those who did this wrong, this illegal activity, absolutely they need to be prosecuted, and they need to face the full extent of accountability within the law… What this shows is that they don’t want one tier of justice. What they want is two tiers of justice. It was their play box. They could get in there and manipulate and use it to spy on us. They saw this as something that furthered their political goal... Those who have not served the American people well, fire them. They need to be gone.”

On the Success of the Memphis Safe Task Force

Senator Blackburn: “We had 503 arrests with the FBI Task Force in July and August. We've added with your Memphis Safe Task Force just last week, 321 arrests, 83 firearms that were seized, seven missing children that were recovered, 28 known gang members have been arrested, and the list continues to grow. We've also gotten over 120 federal indictments. But this is really quite a success story, and I think that cities like Portland and Chicago are missing out by not having this coordinated, focused effort.”

Attorney General Bondi: “You have been a champion of this. Senator Hagerty has been a champion of this. You both, before I was sworn in as Attorney General, you both brought this problem to my attention. You talked to Director Patel, and Director Patel was on the ground right away in Memphis… Memphis' crime is through the roof, the highest violent crime rate in the entire country, and that's why we went to Memphis, and Memphis has welcomed us. It’s an iconic city.”

On Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act:

Senator Blackburn: “We had a Shelby County official who was trying to dox some of these officers, and she's since taken this tweet down, but she's an elected official. She goes, ‘Attention on Peabody between McLean and Cooper, four fed vehicles and a trooper, men in full gear and guns on street. Hashtag, pay attention, folks.’ This is the kind of action that is not called for. I mean, the fact that an elected official would do this, this is why we have legislation that would make it a crime to dox any federal law enforcement official when they are doing their job… These law enforcement officers need to be protected.”

RELATED

Blackburn Responds to Bombshell Report Revealing Biden FBI Allegedly Tracked Her Private Communications

VIDEO: Blackburn, Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor Discuss Crime Crackdown in Memphis

VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-applauds-senate-confirmation-of-mike-dunavant-as-u-s-attorney-for-the-western-district-of-tennessee,Blackburn Applauds Senate Confirmation of Mike Dunavant as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement applauding the Senate’s confirmation of Mike Dunavant, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks about Mike Dunavant’s nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.

“Mike is an experienced prosecutor who will hold criminals accountable, restore law and order, and work around the clock to make Memphis and all of West Tennessee a safer place to live. We need Mike’s leadership in the Western District, and I am so pleased that the Senate has confirmed him to serve again as U.S. Attorney,” said Senator Blackburn. “President Trump has already taken significant action to Make Memphis Safe Again, and with Mike’s confirmation, we are one step closer to doing just that. It was an honor to recommend Mike Dunavant to President Trump to serve again, and I am confident he will make Tennesseans proud as he assumes this important role.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/general/blackburn-responds-to-bombshell-report-revealing-biden-fbi-allegedly-tracked-her-private-communications,Blackburn Responds to Bombshell Report Revealing Biden FBI Allegedly Tracked Her Private Communications,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after a bombshell report revealed former President Joe Biden’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and former Special Counsel Jack Smith allegedly tracked the private communications and phone calls of eight U.S. Senators, including Senator Blackburn. President Trump’s Deputy Director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, briefed the Senators today on these revelations.

“The FBI under Joe Biden’s watch exercised authority that it did not have,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Biden administration raided Mar-a-Lago, indicted President Trump, and now we know they weaponized America’s top law enforcement agency to spy on Republican U.S. Senators who support President Trump. The FBI was rotten to the core under Joe Biden and Chris Wray’s leadership, and I will not let this stand. I appreciate Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino for launching an investigation to hold those responsible for this corruption accountable to the highest extent.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/crime/video-tennessee-state-senator-brent-taylor-joins-unmuted-with-marsha-to-discuss-memphis-crime-crackdown,VIDEO: Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor Joins ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ to Discuss Memphis Crime Crackdown,2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday about rampant crime in blue cities like Memphis. During the episode, they discussed President Trump’s ‘Memphis Safe Task Force,’ the failures of radical left District Attorneys, and the need to pass Senator Blackburn’s legislation to end cashless bail nationwide.

Click here to watch and download this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’

On the Memphis Safe Task Force and Operation Viper

Senator Blackburn: “We are hard at work on these components and making certain that we surge resources into the Memphis area. And of course, Kash Patel our FBI director, our Attorney General Bondi, and President Trump have been incredibly committed to Memphis, and we had the FBI surge this summer, from mid-July to mid-September. 500 plus arrests of gang members, over 120 indictments, and now those are ready to go on for prosecution. And we have phase two, which is 13 federal and state agencies that are all focused on supporting the Memphis Police Department and getting crime under control.”

State Senator Taylor: “We're finally going to make Memphis matter by making Memphis safe… This is really the first city since Washington, DC that the President sent this type of surge of federal resources. And I think… what Memphis can be is the model for the rest of the nation… when the President sends this type of surge into other cities to see how the cooperation you have with a city, mayor, and a governor... I'm hoping that we have the same kind of success that we that he had in Washington, D.C.”

On Memphis District Attorney’s Soft-on-Crime Agenda:

Senator Blackburn: “One of the problems that we have seen is the fact that you have these surges, then you have weak judges and weak DAs that will not finish this process. And of course, the DA in Memphis… in Shelby County has been very soft on crime. They are Soros-backed.”

State Senator Taylor: “I hear from constituents that are not typical Republican, constituents from the inner city. They're absolutely fed up with the crime in Memphis. And since you made the announcement that these federal resources are coming, I've had people call me… saying, ‘thank you because it's our community that that's suffering.’ And so they're glad that these resources are coming, and they will be glad when the day comes when we have a new DA.”

On Senator Blackburn’s Legislation to End Cashless Bail Nationwide:

Senator Blackburn: “I’ve got legislation, and Representative Stefanik has it over in the House, and it would end cashless bail in D.C., and a second bill that would remove federal law enforcement grants from cities and states that practice cashless bail. What kind of impact has cashless bail had on Memphis and in having these recidivist criminals out on the streets?”

State Senator Taylor: “I appreciate the bill that you're sponsoring of withholding federal funds for cities and communities that they engage in cashless bail because that will hold these local communities accountable… In Memphis, we had these judges, I just mentioned they were letting people out on bail. They had Jaylen Lobley who was arrested on gun charges. He was released on his own recognizance, only about a month later to be found at two o'clock in the morning in south southwest Memphis by the police. He gets in a gunfight with the police and Officer Joseph McKinney was killed.”

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn, Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor Discuss Crime Crackdown in Memphis

VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime

Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Send National Guard to Memphis

Blackburn, Cornyn Introduce Bills to End Cashless Bail in D.C. and Nationwide

VIDEO: Blackburn Praises Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/jobs and economy/video-blackburn-slams-schumer-for-holding-government-hostage-to-ram-through-reckless-new-spending,VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Schumer for Holding Government Hostage to Ram Through Reckless New Spending,2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor slamming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Democrats for shutting down the government in an attempt to ram through a $1.5 trillion radical left wishlist of new spending instead of working through the regular order appropriations process:

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

Democrats Forced a Shutdown Instead of Working to Pass Appropriations Bills Through Regular Order

“Today, Congress should be hard at work for the American people. We should be working through the NDAA and passing our appropriations bills through regular order.

We can’t do any of this because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to force a government shutdown.

Last night, all but three voted against a stop-gap funding measure that would keep government open through November 21.

By keeping spending at current levels, this measure would have provided us the time we need to pass all of our appropriations bills.

Eight of the twelve have passed through committee with strong bipartisan support.

Three of them—agriculture, legislative branch, and military construction-veterans affairs—already passed on the floor with wide margins.

By passing these appropriation bills, we are ensuring that our government moves from a Biden budget to a Trump budget—which is exactly what the American people voted for.

Democrats Are Holding the Government Hostage to Ram Through a $1.5 Trillion Radical Left Wishlist

Instead of joining us to restore regular order, Democrats are holding the government hostage to ram through $1.5 trillion in additional spending.

$1.5 trillion. With our national debt at $37.5 trillion and climbing, this effort is grossly irresponsible.

It’s time for Democrats to come to the table and pass the stop-gap measure.

Democrats Have Voted for Current Spending Levels Five Times Since Last Year

Since last year, they have voted for current spending levels five times—most recently in March.

Under President Biden, they voted to pass clean CRs like this one 13 times.

Last year in this very chamber, the Senate Minority Leader put it perfectly: “This is what the American people want to see: both sides working together and governing responsibly…No chaos. No spectacle. No shutdown.”

I know that every Republican agrees. Let’s end the chaos. Let’s end the spectacle. Let’s end the shutdown.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/10/technology/icymi-in-politico-blackburn-warns-of-security-risks-during-government-shutdown,ICYMI in Politico: Blackburn Warns of Security Risks During Government Shutdown,2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Politico’s Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity, where she discussed the national security risks of the Democrats’ government shutdown and her legislative efforts to ensure America leads the globe in the development of quantum technology. Watch the full conversation here.

Watch Senator Blackburn’s remarks at the Politico Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity here.

‘Adversaries do not take a day off’: Blackburn warns of security risks during government shutdown

Anthony Adragna

Politico

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said she was hopeful the government shutdown would end “very soon,” noting adversaries of the U.S. could take advantage of the lapse in federal funding to attack critical services.

“The shorter the better,” the Tennessee Republican told POLITICO’s Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity, referencing the government shutdown that took effect today. “We always have national security concerns about what happens during a shutdown.”

“The shutdown is something that ends up costing money,” Blackburn added. “Bad actors and adversaries do not take a day off, they don't take an hour off, they don't take a minute off.”

Blackburn’s comments come as Democrats and President Donald Trump have shown little indication of a resolution to the impasse. Much of the federal government’s services shut down Wednesday at midnight.

Democrats have dug in over the year-end expiration of health insurance subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act.

Blackburn noted that three members of the Senate Democratic caucus — Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Angus King (Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) — joined with all Senate Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to advance a short-term clean spending bill on a vote Tuesday, and that GOP lawmakers would continue to hold votes on that measure in hopes of additional Democratic defections.

“I'm always ready to have a conversation with anyone who wants to make the lives of Tennesseans and all Americans better,” she said.

RELATED

Blackburn Statement on Schumer’s Government Shutdown

Blackburn, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create a National Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Strategy

Blackburn, Luján Introduce Bill to Ensure U.S. Remains the World Leader in Quantum

Blackburn, Welch, Gooden, Ross Introduce Bill to Speed Up Patent Process for Critical and Emerging Technologies

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Strengthen Quantum Development, Manufacturing, and Defense Applications",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/video-blackburn-tennessee-state-senator-brent-taylor-discuss-crime-crackdown-in-memphis,"VIDEO: Blackburn, Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor Discuss Crime Crackdown in Memphis",2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) spoke with Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy: How the Trump Administration is Addressing the Human Cost of Soft On Crime Policies.” They discussed the launch of President Trump’s ‘Memphis Safe Task Force’ and his crime crackdown in Memphis, the dangerous consequences of radical left District Attorneys, and the issue of cargo theft. Watch the full exchange here.

Click hereto download video of Senator Blackburn’s exchange with State Senator Taylor.

On Success of FBI’s Operation Viper in Memphis

Senator Blackburn: “We are doing something about crime in Tennessee… We had phase one in Memphis this summer with the FBI and Operation Viper that was very successful. 500 plus arrests, over 100 federal indictments, and you have mentioned the Soros-funded DA that has been a stumbling block, as well as the juvenile court system that has been a stumbling block to addressing the crime situation. Now, phase two is in place, and this is the combination of the federal agencies, a dozen agencies, plus state resources with Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the National Guard.”

On the Dangerous Consequences of Radical Left District Attorneys

Senator Blackburn: “[Steve] Mulroy actually took office in 2022 and during his campaign, he stated… he would ‘avoid cash bail.’ And he also stated that he wanted to… ‘transform the criminal justice system…’ in Memphis, and certainly, he has done that. We have put a lot of energy into federal support and state support to make certain that Memphis is going to be safe. But it appears what we have is social justice activists who are trying to impede that progress.”

On Cargo Theft in Memphis

Senator Blackburn: “Memphis is America's distribution center with the Port of Memphis, all five Class A railroads, FedEx and I-40 that goes from the East Coast to the West Coast, and this status as a logistics hub has drawn these cartels and gangs and organized crime rings to Memphis, and they're attacking our supply chains.”

State Senator Taylor: “Memphis Police report that cargo thefts are down in Memphis… When I checked into that… not all incidents of cargo theft are reported the same agency. So many times, they may be reported to the railroad police or to other state and federal agencies. So, the Memphis Police Department may not know that there has been cargo theft or that a particular agency is investigating it. But what's happening now is the railroad companies are having to take actions themselves. One railroad company, they moved their intermodal yard to a nearby county so they don't have to stop in Memphis. The railroads are now coordinating their time through the switches so that they don't have to stop in Memphis.”

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime

Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Send National Guard to Memphis

Blackburn, Cornyn Introduce Bills to End Cashless Bail in D.C. and Nationwide

VIDEO: Blackburn Praises Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/general/blackburn-statement-on-schumer-s-government-shutdown,Blackburn Statement on Schumer’s Government Shutdown,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"“Today, Senate Democrats deliberately forced a shutdown and blocked a clean extension of current spending levels in favor of a nearly $1.5 trillion package of far-left priorities,” said Senator Blackburn. “Democrats had no problem voting for continuing resolutions when President Biden was autopenning them in the White House, but from the moment President Trump returned to the Oval Office they’ve reversed course, staging one political stunt after another. By forcing a shutdown, Democrats have deprived service members of their hard-earned paychecks, halted grants to state and local law enforcement, jeopardized care for seniors, and frozen critical services for Americans. It’s time for Democrats to drop the games, pass the clean stop-gap bill we’ve already put forward, and join us in returning to a responsible, regular appropriations process.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/hurricane helene/blackburn-statement-on-one-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-helene,Blackburn Statement on One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene,2025-09-26,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement to mark one year since Hurricane Helene devastated communities in Upper East Tennessee:

“One year ago, Hurricane Helene devastated communities in Tennessee, leaving families without homes, businesses destroyed, and lives forever changed,” said Senator Blackburn. “In the year since Helene, everyone from first responders to neighbors to church groups have stepped up in remarkable ways to help our communities rebuild. The Volunteer Spirit has brought people in Upper East Tennessee together despite this awful tragedy, and I will continue to fight to ensure Tennesseans have every resource they need to recover from the disaster.”

Click here to watch this video of Senator Blackburn surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

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President Trump Signs Blackburn, Cortez Masto Bipartisan Bill to Help Americans Recover from Natural Disasters into Law

Blackburn Fights for Hurricane Helene Fraud Victims

VIDEO: Blackburn Discusses Federal Disaster Relief for Hurricane Helene on Senate Floor

Sen. Blackburn, Gov. Lee, Rep. Harshbarger Survey Storm Damage in East Tennessee",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/technology/senators-blackburn-hassan-press-match-group-for-answers-on-romance-scams,"Senators Blackburn, Hassan Press Match Group for Answers on Romance Scams",2025-09-24,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy and member of the Joint Economic Committee, and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, today pushed Match Group, the operator of a number of major dating apps, including Hinge, Tinder, and OKCupid, to provide information about romance scams on its platforms. Romance scams, in which fraudsters form relationships to induce money or gifts from victims, have become a leading form of financial fraud in the United States and cost Americans at least $1.3 billion annually. Match Group’s platforms are used by nearly half of all online dating users in the United States, and more than half of all users believe they have encountered a scammer. In the letter, the Senators asked the company for information about its efforts to detect scammers on its platforms, crack down on fraudulent usage, and protect users.

“Match Group’s platforms have become a breeding ground for bad actors who prey on vulnerable Americans, especially seniors who have lost their life savings because of scams,” said Senator Blackburn. “Despite public promises to improve safety, the company’s practices and algorithmic design raise serious concerns about whether it’s truly protecting users. We’re asking for answers and transparency to ensure these platforms are not enabling bad actors.”

“Romance scams are robbing Americans of millions of dollars every year, and taking a devastating emotional toll in the process,” said Senator Hassan. “The companies operating dating apps must be honest with the public about the extent to which these scammers have infiltrated their platforms and must do more to protect their users from fraud.”

Click here to read Senator Blackburn and Hassan’s letter to Match Group, or see below:

Dear Mr. Rascoff:

Given Match Group’s stated commitment to improving upon its historical practices relating to user safety, we write today to request documents and information about the company’s policies, procedures, and practices related to fraudulent activity on its platforms. Romance scams, in which fraudsters form relationships to induce money or gifts from victims, have become a leading form of financial fraud in the United States, with annual losses reaching at least $1.3 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Independent research indicates that nearly half of all online dating users in the United States have used a Match Group platform, and more than half of all users believe they have encountered a scammer. On a recent earnings call, you stated that Match Group would improve trust and safety and “prioritize users over short-term revenue and profit,” marking a shift from the way the company “operated historically.”

Over the years, many events have raised questions about whether Match Group—in its business practices and algorithmic design—has contributed to the proliferation of romance scams online. In a 2019 complaint, FTC alleged that Match Group knowingly exposed users to fraud. In fact, FTC alleged that between 2013 and mid-2018, up to 30 percent of new Match.com members were scammers. FTC further alleged that Match.com sent mass emails to non-paying users promoting paywalled communications from accounts it suspected or knew were fraudulent. This led nearly 500,000 users to subscribe within 24 hours of receiving an email or other advertisement that involved a fraudulent communication. These allegations raise concerns about whether and how Match Group protects users from fraud on its platforms.

Match Group has stated that it “permanently discontinued” the above practices. Publicly and privately, however, individuals who have worked at Match Group have suggested that “[rooting out scammers] wasn’t a real priority backed up by resources” and that the company’s “obsession with metrics ... [is] potentially dangerous.” At a recent panel appearance, Match Group’s Head of Trust and Safety, Yoel Roth, acknowledged that organized criminal groups increasingly carry out romance fraud in technologically sophisticated overseas scam compounds. Mr. Roth also said that Tinder’s “selfie-verification” process—whereby users create and verify their own accounts—is “pretty simple for a human to pass,” and that Match Group had seen thousands of submissions with similar backgrounds, likely originating from a scam compound. One expert has warned that the process offers “no guarantee against [deceptive profiles] because the images used for verification ... need not be the ones used on a person’s dating profile.” These statements appear consistent with the experiences of many online dating users. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, for example, users are more than three times as likely to rate online dating companies as “very bad” instead of “very good” at removing fake accounts.

We are also concerned that Match Group, through its algorithmic design, creates trust that romance scammers can exploit. According to former OkCupid CEO Christian Rudder, for example, “users sent more first messages when we said they were compatible…[e]ven when they should be wrong for each other.” Studies also suggest that increased platform use may foster greater trust in dating algorithms. As a result, a persuasive algorithmic design may help facilitate romance scams when it recommends fraudsters who benefit from users’ trust in the platform’s judgments of compatibility.

Match Group’s business model is to keep users engaged, but this engagement is dangerous when it involves scammers. Online dating platforms drive user engagement, in part, with the promise of connections based on compatibility. Tinder, for instance, represents that its algorithm can “pick better potential matches” and helps users “see people they’ll vibe with.” Expert research into romance scams, however, has identified recurring characteristics and patterns among perpetrators and victims. Scammers often quickly escalate emotional intimacy (often termed “love bombing”), to which users prone to romantic idealization are especially vulnerable. These interactions can generate engagement metrics—such as high positive reply rates and low negative reply rates—that algorithms may interpret as indicators of compatibility. As one study on machine learning systems noted, “vulnerabilities can be automatically exploited when the vulnerable state or condition of an individual becomes entangled with the optimization criteria of an algorithmic system.” In that context, Match Group’s ability to monitor and influence user behavior, paired with limited transparency about potential harmful outcomes, raises concerns that its platforms may, even inadvertently, create conditions where romance scams are more likely to begin.

To aid Congress in understanding Match Group’s efforts to prevent romance scams and the factors that allow these scams to begin on its platforms, please provide responses to the following document and information requests. These requests cover the time period of January 1, 2022, to the present, unless otherwise specified. Please provide your responses no later than October 15, 2025.

1. A description of the “signals” associated with accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers and how Match Group accounts for these signals in detection systems, recommendation algorithms, and the Trust and Safety team’s fraud review process;

2. All policies and procedures concerning the detection, review, and removal of accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers; their

algorithmic treatment; and any restrictions on their visibility or communication with other users;

3. For any accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers, documents sufficient to show for each quarter:

a. The number of these accounts, whether they were removed, and their geographic distribution;

b. Median time between account creation and (1) detection and (2) removal, broken down by detection method (e.g., user reports, manual review, automatic review, etc.) and “signal” (e.g., false identity, automated behavior, behavioral or language patterns, etc.);

c. The number of accounts detected but not removed within 24 hours, broken down by reason for non-removal (e.g., insufficient evidence, user remediation, process delay, false positive, etc.);

d. Total number of user messages sent and received; total number of “matches” (or platform equivalent); total session duration in which users interacted with these accounts; and aggregations of any other metrics used to evaluate engagement, profile quality, and “matching” outcomes; and

e. Platform revenues from in-app purchases by these accounts and users who liked, matched, or messaged (or platform equivalents) with these accounts within 24 hours before purchase;

4. Memoranda, presentations, reports, studies, analyses, audits, and meeting notes referring or relating to the algorithmic recommendation of accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers;

5. All internal reports, studies, or analyses referring or relating to the specific attributes, including demographics, platform use, and off-platform behavior, of:

a. Accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers; and

b. Users targeted by or interacting with accounts suspected or known to be fraudulent or scammers;

6. All documents and communications concerning the design, development, effectiveness, or consideration of fraud prevention measures, including measures discontinued or not implemented;

7. Itemized quarterly investments in trust and safety, including but not limited to the following categories:

a. Trust and safety policy, operations, and data;

b. Social advocacy;

c. Law enforcement operations and outreach;

d. Platform safety services and features; and

e. Safety by design;",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/veterans/blackburn-tuberville-support-expanding-veterans-access-to-over-the-counter-hearing-aids,"Blackburn, Tuberville Support Expanding Veterans’ Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids",2025-09-23,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins expressing their support for expanding access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for veterans. Hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans, and providing access to OTC hearing aids would reduce costs for the VA health care system and improve quality of life for veterans.

Only a Fraction of Veterans with Hearing Loss Currently Seek Care Due to Complexity and Cost

“We write to express our strong support for expanding access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for our nation's Veterans that are impacted by mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and to highlight the potential benefits of such an initiative. It is estimated that nearly 30 million American adults suffer from some degree of hearing loss, with the Veteran population facing significant challenges in this regard due to their service-related exposure to high-intensity noise, such as gunfire, explosions, and machinery. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), hearing loss and tinnitus are the most prevalent service-connected disabilities among Veterans, with more than 2.7 million Veterans receiving compensation for hearing loss. Despite the high need for hearing solutions, only a fraction of those who could benefit from hearing aids seek intervention (much less early intervention), in part due to the complexity and cost of accessing traditional hearing aids through the VA.”

Allowing Veterans to Access OTC Hearing Aids Would Improve Quality of Life for Veterans and Cut Long-Term Costs for the VA

“Allowing Veterans to access OTC hearing aids, particularly those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, could have significant benefits. Not only would it improve their quality of life by reducing the severity of cognitive decline, depression, and other health challenges commonly linked to hearing loss, but it would also provide substantial cost savings for the VA health care system, especially as untreated hearing loss has been shown to be associated with higher health care costs and utilization. Additionally, Veterans would benefit from devices that are available at a fraction of the cost of traditional prescription hearing aids, and the VA could redirect the savings to further support the wide array of services needed by our Veterans.”

Congress Is Working on Legislation to Assess Fiscal Impact and Clinical Effectiveness of OTC Hearing Aids Within the VA

“Allowing Veterans to access these advanced, yet affordable, hearing solutions can address some of the current barriers in the system, such as long wait times for audiologist appointments and the limited availability of certain types of hearing aids, particularly as enrollment in the VA system continues to grow. Expanding access to these devices is a step toward ensuring our Veterans receive timely, high-quality care that aligns with the options available to civilians. To that end, Congress is working on legislation directing the VA to develop a demonstration program to assess the fiscal impact and clinical effectiveness of OTC hearing aids within the VA system, and we hope you will support our efforts to advance this proposal swiftly. As the VA works to modernize its approach to deliver timely care and improved outcomes for our Veterans, we look forward to partnering with you and your team to ensure that Veterans, regardless of their physical location, have access to high-quality hearing solutions that enhance their health and well-being, while also reducing the financial burden on the VA.”

Click here to read the full letter.

RELATED

Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Veterans Health Care Freedom Act",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/technology/icymi-blackburn-joins-my-view-with-lara-trump-to-discuss-memphis-crime-crackdown-kids-online-safety-act-and-charlie-kirk,"ICYMI: Blackburn Joins ‘My View with Lara Trump’ to Discuss Memphis Crime Crackdown, Kids Online Safety Act, and Charlie Kirk",2025-09-22,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Fox News’ My View with Lara Trump to discuss President Trump’s crime crackdown in Memphis, her legislation to combat juvenile crime, the urgent need to pass her Kids Online Safety Act, and the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. Excerpts of Senator Blackburn’s interview are below, and video can be downloaded here.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s interview with Lara Trump.

EXCERPTS OF INTERVIEW ON ‘MY VIEW WITH LARA TRUMP’

On President Trump’s Crime Crackdown in Memphis:

“We are so grateful to President Trump and his administration. When Kash Patel came here to talk with me about his nomination [and] confirmation, I gave him a sheet of crime stats, and it was Memphis. I said, ‘We need your help.’ And he’s been true to his word. So has AG Bondi and President Trump.

“Kash went in very quietly this summer. They arrested over 500 gang members, got over 100 indictments, confiscated over 100 illegal firearms, and that has paid big dividends for Memphis. That was phase one. This is phase two.

“Having the National Guard… and also ATF, DEA, Homeland Security, [and] U.S. Marshals all there to back up the Memphis police force and help them sustain this great work of the FBI, this is how we’re going to Make Memphis Safe Again.

“The stats we saw from this August were the best stats that Memphis has had in years so we welcome the help, we welcome the [National] Guard, and we’re grateful to the President for his commitment.”

On Combating Juvenile Crime and Carjacking:

“The truancy policy for Memphis city schools is not enforced, [and] that needs to be enforced. We’ve spoken with local leaders about that. Gangs recruit in those 3:00-6:00 o’clock hours… We need these children to be in school, and after school, we need somewhere for them to go until parents get home.

“We have so many juveniles that are recruited by the gangs so the gang leader has the juvenile go commit the crime and do the carjacking or the smash-and-grab, and then they go to juvenile court when they’re apprehended and then they’re let right back out to go back to the gang and carry out another crime.

“Raising carjacking to the felony offense so that we can actually prosecute and we can make certain that these juveniles are going to be put into a program where they’re not going to be back out committing crimes [and] these gangs are not going to be able to prey on these children and have them do the dirty work.”

On Senator Blackburn’s Kids Online Safety Act:

“As a mom and a grandmother, I see firsthand what happens to children in the virtual space. We have laws in the physical space that protect children from harm. We don’t have anything in the virtual space.

“The Kids Online Safety Act would put that duty of care on the social media platform. They would have to provide a toolbox for kids and parents so that they can delink from these algorithms.

“If a child is going to meet a drug dealer, a pedophile, a human trafficker, a predator, it is most likely going to happen in the virtual space… When children are online, they’re the product.”

On Charlie Kirk’s Political Assassination:

“[I am] heartsick and just devastated being someone that spoke at Turning Point events, knew Charlie [and] cheered for him. [I was] thrilled when he met Erika and know that she was just such an important part of his life, and we grieve with them in this season of sorrow.

“There is no place for this kind of political violence in our society, and I encourage my colleagues across the aisle [to] stand up against this [and] speak out against this. It has to come to a stop.”

RELATED

VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk, Reflects on His Personal Impact and National Legacy

VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime

Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Send National Guard to Memphis",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/national security/blackburn-introduces-legislation-to-strengthen-national-security-by-protecting-undersea-cables,Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Strengthen National Security by Protecting Undersea Cables,2025-09-22,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after introducing the Undersea Cable Protection Act, which would strengthen national security and global connectivity by safeguarding the United States’ submarine cable infrastructure:

“Undersea cables are a critical component in our digital economy protecting America’s national security,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Undersea Cable Protection Act would ensure that undersea cables can be built and preserved without duplicative, burdensome, and unnecessary federal regulations.”

U.S. Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) led the introduction in the House of Representatives.

THE UNDERSEA CABLE PROTECTION ACT

The Undersea Cable Protection Act would strengthen national security and safeguard the United States’ submarine cable infrastructure by eliminating duplicative permitting laws and promoting the deployment and maintenance of submarine cables.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Undersea Cable Protection Act is endorsed by the International Connectivity Coalition, the Internet and Competitive Networks Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association:

“For the United States to remain a global leader in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, we must invest in secure, modern subsea cable networks that enable these breakthroughs ,” said Ansley Erdel on behalf of the International Connectivity Coalition.“This legislation is not only about protecting infrastructure — it is about securing America’s position at the forefront of the digital economy.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/blackburn-cortez-masto-lead-bipartisan-legislation-to-require-prompt-payment-from-medicare-advantage-protect-seniors-from-delayed-bills,"Blackburn, Cortez Masto Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Require Prompt Payment from Medicare Advantage, Protect Seniors from Delayed Bills",2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve Medicare Advantage’s (MA) billing practices, offer certainty health care providers who contract with MA plans, and ensure that seniors aren’t stuck with unfair, confusing, or delayed bills after receiving critical care. Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives is led by Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-Texas-19) and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38).

""Tennessee seniors should not have to worry about whether their Medicare Advantage plan will pay for their care in a timely manner,” said Senator Blackburn. ""The Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act would improve Medicare billing practices by offering certainty to health care providers who contract with MA plans, ensuring that seniors are not burdened by unfair or overdue bills.”

“Nevadans who rely on Medicare Advantage deserve the peace of mind that when they go to the doctor’s office or hospital, their MA plan will pay providers for their care in a timely manner, and they won’t be sent a delayed bill many months later,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation makes commonsense fixes to Medicare Advantage’s billing practices that will help health care providers and patients by bringing transparency and stability to the program.”

“Medicare Advantage plans are delaying payments to rural hospitals and providers - resulting in service cuts, staff shortages, forced closures, and patients with unexpected medical bills months or even years later,” said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington. “My bipartisan Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act fixes this problem by requiring plans to pay hospitals and doctors on time or face penalty. By holding plans accountable and making the process more transparent, this bill protects patients, supports the hospitals and doctors who care for them, and ensures Medicare Advantage works as intended.”

“More than half of seniors eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. However, too many are hit with confusing medical bills due to delayed and inconsistent Medicare Advantage billing practices. Our bipartisan bill will bring much-needed clarity to the system, ensuring healthcare providers are paid promptly and patients aren’t hit with unexpected bills long after they received care,” said Representative Linda Sánchez.

ENDORSEMENTS

This legislation is endorsed by the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), American Hospital Association (AHA), National Rural Health Association (NRHA), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH), American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Psychiatric Association (APA), Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action), Nevada Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, California Hospital Association, Vizient, and OCHIN.

“The Nevada Hospital Association supports Senator Cortez Masto’s Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act which ensures Medicare Advantage Plans comply with stricter prompt payment requirements for healthcare providers,”said Patrick Kelly, President and CEO of Nevada Hospital Association. “Establishing clear payment standards will promote timely reimbursement, reduce administrative challenges, and strengthen patient care. We appreciate Senator Cortez Masto’s leadership in championing this important legislation.”

“Too often, arbitrary delays and denials threaten seniors’ access to care and further strain hospital finances. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation represents an important step toward increasing accountability for health insurers and creating sensible guidelines for the prompt payment of provider claims. The law has long required prompt payment in traditional Medicare, and this overdue legislation ensures Medicare Advantage plans have to play by the rules. FAH is grateful to Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Linda Sánchez (D-CA) for

introducing the Medicare Advantage (MA) Prompt Pay Act and protecting seniors' access to 24/7 care,” said Charlene MacDonald, Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. FAH has 38 member facilities across Nevada, employing more than 16,000 Nevadans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/general/video-blackburn-pays-tribute-to-charlie-kirk-reflects-on-his-personal-impact-and-national-legacy,"VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk, Reflects on His Personal Impact and National Legacy",2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Senator Blackburn reflected not only on Charlie’s impact as a conservative youth leader and founder of Turning Point USA, but also on her personal connection to him.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

Charlie Kirk Was a True American Patriot with a Generous Spirit

“Tennesseans and Americans across the country are grieving the loss of a true American patriot: Charlie Kirk.

He was a champion for freedom. He was a role model for millions of young people across our country. And he was a devoted husband and father who loved his family more than anything.

By adopting my colleague’s resolution, this chamber has an opportunity to honor his incredible legacy.

We are going to miss him desperately, and I join so many across the country who are mourning with his family and praying for justice to be served.

I am grateful to have known Charlie personally, spending many hours speaking with him at Turning Point USA—the grassroots movement he started at just 18 years old that has changed our country for the better.

Charlie always made a point to stay in contact, offer help to push issues forward, and lend a hand, no matter how big or small the cause.

I’ll share just one example of his generosity of spirit.

Young People Felt Like Charlie Was Rooting for Them

My eldest grandson was such a fan of Charlie, he tried starting a Turning Point Chapter at his school. But the school wouldn’t allow it.

I texted Charlie to let him know, and Charlie jumped in to support my grandson and thank him for the effort.

And my grandson said he really felt like Charlie was rooting for him. I think that's the way young people felt.

They felt that Charlie was on their side, and Charlie wanted the best for them, and he wanted to encourage them, and he helped them to think critically through issues that matter to our country.

Blackburn Implores the Next Generation to Honor Charlie’s Life by Fighting for the Movement He Championed

To any young person mourning this tremendous loss, I encourage you to honor Charlie’s memory by continuing to support his movement to realize a conservative, prosperous United States of America.

Charlie believed in hard work and smart work, so honor him by working hard, by working smart, by looking for those opportunities to be a leader, to dream those big dreams like Charlie did, and then find a way to make those dreams come true. That is how you honor his life and his legacy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/health care/blackburn-colleagues-introduce-the-chloe-cole-act-to-ban-chemical-and-surgical-mutilation-of-children,"Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce ‘The Chloe Cole Act’ to Ban Chemical and Surgical Mutilation of Children",2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.),Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Chloe Cole Act, which would ban the chemical and surgical mutilation of children and provide detransitioners whose healthy body parts have been damaged by these procedures with legal recourse.

The legislation is named after Chloe Cole, who underwent a double mastectomy at 15 years old after being influenced by social media and leftist ideology. Chloe went on to detransition, and she has dedicated her life to protecting children from harmful sex-change procedures.

“No child should be pushed into irreversible chemical and surgical mutilation under the guise of so-called ‘gender-affirming care,’” said Senator Blackburn. “The Chloe Cole Act would put a stop to this barbaric abuse of children and give those who have suffered the consequences of these harmful procedures the chance to fight back.”

“Radical gender ideology is a sickness that has sadly infected and confused far too many children, and after being convinced to mutilate healthy body parts they’re often burdened with lifelong medical complications and even sterilization,” said Senator Schmitt. “Genital mutilation is far from medical care, and we must stop doctors from performing these horrific surgeries and providing harmful drugs to our children. American families and children have been lied to for too long, it’s time for accountability.”

“Boys are boys, girls are girls, and we must protect our kids from the tragic outcomes and irreversible harm caused by child mutilation procedures – that’s common sense,” said Senator Sheehy. “I’m proud to be working to deliver on the mandate the American people gave us to protect children, stand up for families, and restore common sense in America.”

“It is sickening that any child would be subjected to dangerous, life-altering procedures that they are too young to understand or fully consent to,” said Senator Scott. “This legislation will support the victims of this disgusting practice and ensures these children and their families have the right to hold accountable medical professionals for violating their trust and causing long-term harm to their lives.”

The U.S. Department of Justice transmitted this legislative proposal to Congress earlier this month, and it is endorsed by Attorney General Pam Bondi:

“The Department of Justice has heard from far too many families who have been devastated by mutilative medical procedures that fly in the face of basic biology,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “While we continue our ongoing legal battle to protect children, we appreciate Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Bob Onder who are working diligently alongside us to end these abusive procedures once and for all.”

U.S. Representative Bob Onder (R-Mo.) led the introduction of the legislation in the House of Representatives:

“As a member of Congress, a doctor, a parent, and an American, I am committed to protecting our nation’s children,” said Representative Onder. “That’s why I am proud to introduce the Chloe Cole Act, a landmark bill that will put a permanent stop to one of the most dangerous and barbaric medical procedures in modern history.”

BACKGROUND

This legislation would codify President Trump’s executive order ending the United States’ support of “transitioning” children.

Between 2019 and 2023 in America:

5,747 children underwent surgical mutilation;

13,994 minors underwent sex change treatments;

8,579 children received hormones and puberty blockers; and

62,682 sex change prescriptions were written for children.

THE CHLOE COLE ACT

The Chloe Cole Act would:

Prohibit physicians, clinics, and hospitals from participating in chemical or surgical mutilation of minors;

Define sex as biological fact, not a political label;

Provide a private right of action for children and the parents of children whose healthy body parts have been damaged by medical professionals practicing chemical and surgical mutilation; and

Include a lengthy statute of limitations for victims of chemical or surgical mutilation.

ENDORSEMENTS

In addition to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Chloe Cole Act is endorsed by the American Principles Project and Independent Women’s Forum:

“American Principles Project strongly supports Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Chloe Cole Act. Children should never be subjected to dangerous, irreversible procedures that destroy healthy body parts and undermine their natural development. For years, radical activists and complicit medical institutions have pushed an agenda that sacrifices vulnerable kids on the altar of ideology. This legislation will finally hold those responsible accountable by ensuring that victims and their families have the ability to seek justice. The message is clear: America will protect children from experimental and harmful practices, and we will not allow so-called ‘gender medicine’ to continue preying on kids. APP thanks Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice for their work prioritizing this legislative proposal. We are proud to stand with Senator Blackburn and Congressman Onder in this fight to defend truth, protect families, and safeguard the innocence of America’s children,” said Terry Schilling, President of American Principles Project.

“Children cannot consent to mutilating their bodies, compromising their mental health, and putting their fertility and sexual health in permanent jeopardy. At Independent Women, we've worked with countless young women and men, who were pushed down this path and now are dealing with the lasting fallout, physical scars, and chronic medical conditions in the aftermath of harmful hormone disruptions. Most of them started on this abusive medical path as minors, some even pre-pubescent. The medical community did worse than let them down—they lied to them, actively harmed them, and neglected to provide the care they really needed. Society needs to stand up for the rights of children to be children and close the door on mutilating medical treatments on minors,” said Carrie Lukas, President of Independent Women.

RELATED

Blackburn, Cruz Press DOJ On Attempts To Silence Concerns Over Gender Reassignment Surgeries For Minors",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/technology/blackburn-sounds-alarm-on-leftist-activists-doxxing-ice-agents-by-using-facial-recognition-technology,Blackburn Sounds Alarm on Leftist Activists Doxxing ICE Agents by Using Facial Recognition Technology,2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to Giorgi Gobronidze, the CEO of PimeEyes, regarding the use of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition technology by leftist activists to dox Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Senator Blackburn introduced the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act, which would make it illegal to publish the name of a federal law enforcement officer with the intent to obstruct a criminal investigation or immigration operation. Over the summer, assaults on ICE officers surged by 830% since President Trump returned to office.

Left-Wing Activists Are Using AI Facial Recognition Technology to Threaten the Safety of ICE Agents and Their Families

“I write to express my deep concern with PimEyes’s artificial intelligence facial recognition technology and the harm it poses to individuals’ safety and privacy. Specifically, I write regarding reporting from Politico that Dominick Skinner and a group of individuals have undertaken an activism project using your facial search engine to identify a list of at least 20 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers’ names and photos. According to Mr. Skinner, if 35 percent or more of a face is visible, your technology can reveal the covered faces of individuals. Although this ‘ICE List’ does not publish addresses, Mr. Skinner has confirmed the fact that an individual’s name is sufficient to find personal information about them online.”

ICE Agents Face Serious Threats from Criminal Gangs Like Tren de Aragua and MS-13

“Online foreign activists should not be weaponizing generative AI to threaten and endanger our federal officers and their families. Reverse image search systems like PimEyes can be used by gangs like MS-13 and Tren De Aragua to target ICE agents and their loved ones... Our law enforcement officers devote their lives to protecting our communities. They willingly and courageously stand in the face of danger to keep us safe. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell even went so far as to publicly release the names of several ICE agents—placing those tasked with protecting us and their families directly in harm’s way. That disgusting act against the brave men and women of law enforcement is precisely why I introduced the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act, which creates a criminal prohibition on the public release of the name of a federal law enforcement officer with the intent to obstruct a criminal investigation or immigration enforcement operation.”

Giving Criminals Unfettered Access to Individuals’ Lives and Likenesses Creates Unthinkable Risks

“PimEyes has purported that this technology can assist in public safety by locating dangerous offenders. This, in the carefully trained hands of law enforcement, is true. However, a publicly accessible digital library of individuals’ lives and likenesses in the wrong hands poses unthinkable risks. As the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, I am dedicated to ensuring that Americans’ data, privacy, and likeness protections are not abandoned in the digital space. I urge you to take immediate action in transparency and accountability.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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Nashville Mayor O’Connell Is Endangering Federal Law Enforcement. He Must Be Held Accountable.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/technology/blackburn-leads-bipartisan-colleagues-in-demanding-answers-from-meta-following-bombshell-whistleblower-allegations,Blackburn Leads Bipartisan Colleagues in Demanding Answers from Meta Following Bombshell Whistleblower Allegations,2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, led a group of bipartisan colleagues demanding Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg provide all internal research regarding the safety risks and prevalence of users under the age of 13 on its platforms, its policies and procedures to review research proposals and reports of child exploitation, and the use and effectiveness of parental tools. This follows the explosive hearing Senator Blackburn led last week, where whistleblowers testified that Meta buried child safety research.

Meta Allegedly Censored, Blocked, and Deleted Child Safety Research to Turn a Profit

“On September 8th, 2025, six whistleblowers focused on youth wellbeing and other safety issues went public with allegations that Meta had censored, blocked, and even required the deletion of research into the prevalence and underlying causes of harms to young people on its platforms, including within its Reality Labs (virtual reality) division. According to documents provided to our offices, Meta has straightjacketed its staff under a ‘Social Issues Protocol’ that requires advanced and additional review of research that covers matters such as human trafficking, suicide, eating disorders, bullying, and child trafficking. In practice, those researchers found that Meta installed monitors from their legal department that routinely altered, blocked, and shutdown work on teen safety, limited internal access to information, circumvented normal review processes, used attorney-client privilege to conceal research, and even required the destruction of data. This willful blindness, according to one whistleblower, meant a ‘variety of topics going un-researched, including what kinds of harms youth were experiencing in VR (i.e. bullying, grooming, body image)’ and that internal experts ‘could only support ‘non-sensitive’ topics…’ When asked for the reasons for the denial, Meta’s legal staff reportedly cited ‘regulatory concerns’ and reputational risk, such as the company’s effort to avoid actual knowledge of children using the platform and the toxic effects of the platform on young people.”

Meta Rushed to Market Virtual Reality Products to Children Despite Safety Concerns

“The whistleblowers’ allegations focus on Meta’s near-obsessive attempts to push its virtual reality products from Reality Labs onto young teens and even children, demonstrating that its ‘move fast and break things’ motto still sacrifices the wellbeing of young people in favor of profit. By 2022, Meta executives, tasked with increasing engagement, had made the decision to expand access to its VR headsets (Quest) to children (10-13, an effort dubbed ‘Project Salsa’) and open access to teens for its VR social media platform (Horizon Worlds). According to the whistleblowers, this decision happened before any meaningful research on the potential dangers had occurred (beyond mere studies on the physical safety of wearing the headset) and despite deep concerns from internal experts that VR might be inherently more dangerous than already dangerous and harmful traditional social media products. As one Meta employee wrote in an internal post, the ‘more immersive an experience is, the more challenging users may find it to distinguish between VR and non-VR realities—younger users in particular.’ As one whistleblower later wrote, when parents are already ‘concerned about ten year olds being so immersed in social media that they socially withdraw and have difficulty prioritizing and understanding real life over their virtual one, imagine how much worse it can be when they’re totally immersed in that virtual world.’

Whistleblowers Say Meta Turned a Blind Eye to Reports of Rampant Abuse Against Children in Virtual Reality

“Blocked by Meta legal staff from much-needed, direct research on the prevalence and impact of virtual reality and potential harms to children, the whistleblowers sought to gather data from outside traditional channels. What they learned was alarming, finding stories and reports of: rampant bullying within VR (Children bullying adults; adults bullying children; children bullying other children.); children experiencing and participating in hate speech (i.e. users saying ‘Your [sic] black you have no rights’); pedophilic acts, including adults virtually simulating child rape (i.e. users saying ‘Thanks meta for making this the pedophile kingdom’); children sharing personally identifying information with strangers (i.e. home address); grooming; children willingly simulating sexual acts with each other and with adults; children being exposed to adult culture, including drugs, violence, and vulgar language. Using reviews within Meta’s Quest app store as one channel, they found Meta’s Horizon platform had the highest number of complaints within app store reviews regarding underage users, sexual violence, gambling, and pedophilia. The researchers frequently heard kids and parents share stories about those same abuses during focus groups and surveys. According to the whistleblowers, these reports were excised and deleted, and outcomes were altered to paint a more positive impression of Meta’s VR products, even within internal research.”

Meta Misrepresents Effectiveness of Parental Control Tools While Lobbying Congress to Block Legislation to Protect Children

“Instead, Meta executives—according to the whistleblowers—believed that responsibility for protecting young users should fall solely onto parents and other VR app developers. This decision was made despite Meta knowing their parental control tools were often ineffective and unused. Meta’s own researchers found that parents were not aware of their existence. On Instagram, in one survey that 2% of parents had turned them on. When they were able to conduct surveys with parents, researchers in Reality Labs found ‘parents were neither prepared to meaningfully use the VR parental controls, nor likely to use them often, and that the controls alone were insufficient to keep teens safe.’ The reasons for this failure included the fact that a substantial number of young people—more than half of teens—appear to lie about their age, that parents have a more difficult time monitoring VR compared to phones, and that Meta had not been able to make use of age data from other Meta platforms in VR. These parental tools also suffered from little to no research on their effectiveness prior to release… Parental controls, instead of being the solution for Meta’s rampant dangers—as they had been branded to both parents and to Congress—appear to be ineffective and underutilized. Meta’s effort to offload responsibility from itself to parents is no substitute for safety by design. Altogether, Meta appears to have walked away from—and even obstructed—research into and remedies for the toxic impacts of its products, while misrepresenting the effectiveness of its efforts and lobbying against legislation that would legally require such precautions.”

CO-SIGNERS

The letter is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

Click here to read the full letter.

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Blackburn, Blumenthal Urge Meta to Shut Down Instagram Map Feature to Protect Kids from Pedophiles & Traffickers",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/blackburn-senate-gop-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-eliminate-d-c-soft-on-crime-laws,"Blackburn, Senate GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Eliminate D.C. Soft-On-Crime Laws",2025-09-16,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham(R-S.C.) today introduced theJust Incarceration of Criminal Elements (JUSTICE) in D.C. Act, which would eliminate two Washington, D.C. laws – theIncarceration Reduction Actand theSecond Look Amendment Act– that have allowed criminals to be improperly and prematurely released solely because they were under the age of 25 when they committed a crime, including murder, regardless of the severity of the crime or the length of their initial sentence:

“Washington, D.C.’s soft-on-crime policies have empowered violent criminals to become repeat offenders—allowing them prematurely back onto the street simply because they are under the age of 25,”said Sen. Blackburn. “Our JUSTICE in D.C. Act would help restore law and order by getting rid of two reckless D.C. laws so that criminals are not improperly and prematurely released.”

“TheIncarceration Reduction Act andSecond Look Amendment Act exemplify the mindless policies of D.C.’s progressive city council that have incentivized crime in our nation’s capital for far too long,”said Sen. Cornyn. “TheJUSTICE in D.C. Actputs common sense back at the forefront of D.C.’s justice system by ensuring no offender receives a shortened sentence just because they committed a crime – including murder – before the age of 25. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has called for these ridiculous laws to be eliminated, and I couldn’t agree more.”

“Our country has endured far too many horrific acts of violence because of weak sentencing and the premature release of dangerous criminals in Democrat-run cities like Washington, D.C.,”said Sen. Budd.“My home state of North Carolina has suffered as well—just last month, a young Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte was brutally murdered by a repeat offender with fourteen prior arrests. These ‘criminal reform’ experiments have delivered neither safety, justice, nor rehabilitation. It is long past time to put a stop to them. I am proud to stand with Senator Cornyn in creating strict standards to prevent judges from releasing violent offenders onto the streets of D.C.”

“Repealing these foolish, soft-on-crime laws is an important step in Making DC Safe Again,”said Sen. Graham.“Our work on this legislation would ensure that violent criminals are not set free early solely based on age. This reckless practice needs to end now.”

BACKGROUND

TheDistrict of Columbia Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) of 2016, which was expanded by the D.C.Second Look Amendment Act (SLAA) in 2021, permits a defendant who has been convicted of committing any crime before the age of 25 to move for a sentence reduction after serving only 15 years in prison, regardless of how long their original sentence of incarceration is. It also expressly provides the factors that a judge must rely on in determining whether to release an inmate, and these factors purposely do not include the “nature of the offense.” This is not only contrary to federal sentencing law, but prevents a judge entertaining a release motion from a violent felon from being able to properly weigh the seriousness of the crime, tilting the scales toward release.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/technology/video-blackburn-highlights-fbi-director-patel-s-success-in-making-memphis-safe-again,VIDEO: Blackburn Highlights FBI Director Patel’s Success in Making Memphis Safe Again,2025-09-16,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) spoke with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to highlight the success of Operation Viper in Memphis, Tennessee, which resulted in 500 arrests and 100 indictments of violent gang members. Yesterday, Senator Blackburn joined Director Patel and President Trump at the White House for the announcement of the “Memphis Safe Task Force,” which will combat violent crime in Memphis to restore law and order. Senator Blackburn praised Director Patel and President Trump for answering her calls to do whatever it takes to Make Memphis Safe Again.

Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Blackburn on Success of FBI’s Operation Viper in Memphis:

“I want to thank you for your commitment to fight violent crime in Memphis. When you first came to meet with me, before your hearing here, I gave you the stats on Memphis, Tennessee and their crime rates, and then you committed then and again at your confirmation to help us, you have been true to your word, and we are very, very grateful. Operation Viper has been such a success, the 500 arrests are important. These are gang members and gang leaders… There are over 100 gangs in Memphis. So, the impact of these arrests, the impact of 100 indictments of these gang members, and now we have a U.S. Attorney's office that will actually prosecute violent crimes and actually take up and prosecute federal gun crimes. This is helping to Make Memphis Safe Again.”

Blackburn on Critical Partnership Between Federal and Local Law Enforcement in Infiltrating Criminal Networks in Memphis:

“[Director Patel], you mentioned something very important. Your agents go in, and they go in quietly. There was no press conference, there was no fanfare. You went in there to work, and very importantly, you gathered the intel. Who are these gang leaders? Where are they figuring out who was doing what and then setting up the process to apprehend these individuals… As I have talked with elected leaders in Shelby County and Memphis, as we have talked with those in law enforcement, they have been so grateful to have this support and this additional education that comes because local police are learning from your agents. They are learning how to track these gangs and infiltrate these networks. We know that phase two of this operation is going to kick off. The Guard is going to be there to support the Memphis Police Department, to help them kind of catch up because they still have a lot of people on their board. They know who they are, where they are, what they're doing. They want to apprehend them and bring them forward.”

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VIDEO: Blackburn Praises Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/video-blackburn-joins-president-trump-at-white-house-for-announcement-of-memphis-safe-task-force-to-combat-crime,VIDEO: Blackburn Joins President Trump at White House for Announcement of “Memphis Safe Task Force” to Combat Crime,2025-09-15,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined President Trump at the White House as he signed a memorandum to establish a “Memphis Safe Task Force” to address violent crime in Memphis. Senator Blackburn has expressed her support for sending the National Guard to Memphis to restore law and order, and she has worked closely with the Trump administration to surge additional resources to Memphis to protect law-abiding citizens.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks at the White House.

REMARKS AS DELIVERED

“Mr. President, thank you so much. I want to say thank you to Director Patel because he had promised that he would come into Memphis.

“We've had Operation Viper there this summer. There have been over 500 arrests. There are over 100 indictments, and Memphis had the best stats they have had in years this past August. Last month, it was the best August they have had.

“It's because of the work that's been done and now to have a new phase of this enforcement for Memphis, where we are going to have all of these agencies working as a team, as the Governor said, making certain that this is a long-term effort to Make Memphis Safe Again. Mr. President, we are so grateful, and we thank you.”

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Blackburn, Cotton, Kustoff Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Protect Americans from Violent Criminals",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/blackburn-applauds-president-trump-s-decision-to-send-national-guard-to-memphis,Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Send National Guard to Memphis,2025-09-12,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after President Trump announced that he plans to send the National Guard to Memphis to address rampant crime. Last month, Senator Blackburn voiced her support for sending the National Guard to Memphis to combat violent crime and restore law and order, and she has worked closely with the Trump administration to surge additional resources to Memphis to protect law-abiding citizens.

“We are grateful for everything President Trump has already done to Make Memphis Safe Again with the help of FBI Director Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi,” said Senator Blackburn.“Today, President Trump answered my call to do whatever it takes to Make Memphis Safe Again, and I applaud his decision to send the National Guard to Memphis following his tremendous success in reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C. Time and time again, President Trump has stepped in to restore law and order in blue cities that refuse to protect their own citizens, and I will continue working alongside the Trump administration to hold left-wing officials accountable for the consequences of soft-on-crime agendas.”

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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/general/blackburn-calls-for-immediate-termination-of-secret-service-agent-following-his-reprehensible-social-media-post-suggesting-charlie-kirk-deserved-assassination,Blackburn Calls for Immediate Termination of Secret Service Agent Following His Reprehensible Social Media Post Suggesting Charlie Kirk Deserved Assassination,2025-09-12,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to United States Secret Service Director Sean Curran calling for the immediate termination of a U.S. Secret Service agent after a report exposed his reprehensible social media post about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This Secret Service agent stated that “if you are Mourning [sic] this guy . . [sic] delete me.” This agent went on to say that “you can’t circumvent karma, [sic] she doesnt [sic] leave.”

The Secret Service Must Immediately Terminate the Employee Who Suggested Charlie Kirk Deserved to Be Assassinated

“As our nation continues to mourn the horrific and heartbreaking death of Charlie Kirk, an iconic figure in American politics, I write regarding deeply disturbing reporting that has surfaced this evening indicating that one of your employees applauded this atrocity. This Secret Service agent stated in a social media post that ‘if you are Mourning [sic] this guy . . [sic] delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show.’ The vitriol did not stop there. This agent went on to say that ‘you can’t circumvent karma, [sic] she doesnt [sic] leave.’ Put simply, your employee celebrated and attempted to justify a political assassination. This conduct is inexcusable, and I urge you in the strongest possible terms to immediately terminate his employment.”

The Secret Service Has Been an Agency Full of Political Actors and Is in Desperate Need of Reform

“As you well know, over the last year, the United States Secret Service has been an agency full of political actors and one in desperate need of reform. Under the failed leadership of Director Kimberly Cheatle, a massive operational failure within the Secret Service nearly led to President Trump’s assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. Just two months later, there was a second attempt on President Trump’s life. Even more concerning, it took two assassination attempts before the Secret Service finally elevated President Trump’s security detail to that of a sitting president. Those blatant failures will forever be a stain on the Secret Service, and this incident today makes clear that—one year later—bad actors must be rooted out of your agency. President Trump—and all Secret Service protectees—deserve nothing less. You noted in a statement earlier this year that you recognize ‘the importance of accountability’ at the Secret Service. I implore you to abide by that statement and ensure that this employee never steps foot in Secret Service headquarters ever again.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/health care/blackburn-booker-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-kidney-care-access/6f6c02b3-0eea-495c-bd29-b68a52c4c89c,"Blackburn, Booker Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Kidney Care Access",2025-09-12,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan Kidney Care Access Protection Act that would strengthen Medicare’s kidney care benefits by ensuring fair reimbursement for quality care and improving patient access to innovative treatments, devices, and technologies:

“The millions of Americans living with kidney disease deserve access to the highest-quality care available,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Kidney Care Access Protection Act would ensure patients can access innovative treatments while modernizing Medicare’s payment system so that facilities can keep their doors open.”

“Over 50 years ago, Congress made a promise to Americans suffering from kidney failure that they would receive the care they need through the Medicare program,” said Senator Booker.“Unfortunately, too many individuals still struggle to access quality care or receive the treatment they need when faced with a kidney disease diagnosis. The Kidney Care Access Protection Act will ensure Medicare reimbursements for kidney care are accurate, and that following a kidney disease diagnosis, patients have access to comprehensive, high-quality care every step of the way.”

BACKGROUND

Since 1972, Medicare has provided coverage for individuals living with kidney failure, regardless of age.

Outdated payment policies haven’t kept up with rising costs and have limited access to breakthrough technologies.

Dialysis providers, particularly in rural areas, face financial strain as reimbursement levels have not kept pace with inflation.

THE KIDNEY CARE ACCESS PROTECTION ACT

The Kidney Care Access Protection Act would:

Establish a long-term, sustainable Medicare payment pathway for innovative drugs, devices, and technologies.

Implement a forecast error adjustment policy that accurately accounts for inflationary costs to help keep healthcare facilities financially viable.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Kidney Care Access Protection Act is endorsed by Kidney Care Partners, the American Kidney Fund, Dialysis Patient Citizens, and the Renal Support Network (RSN):

“Kidney disease has lagged behind other disease states in terms of access to innovative new therapies. Despite being one of the fastest-growing non-communicative diseases that impacts more than 35 million Americans, the number of new innovations ranks amongst the lowest for patients with kidney disease, in large part due to nuances of the payment system. The challenges that the kidney care community faces today require bold solutions. We thank lawmakers for introducing this bill to move us in the right direction as the first step to pursuing long-term reform that further benefits patients,” said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners.

“As the voice of the nation’s kidney care community, Kidney Care Partners looks forward to working alongside policymakers to champion this legislation,” said LaVarne A. Burton, Chair-Elect of Kidney Care Partners and President & CEO of the American Kidney Fund.

“We thank Senators Blackburn and Booker for introducing the Kidney Care Access Protection Act – a bipartisan solution that helps address the structural payment issues that have limited patients’ access to care and innovations for years,” said Hrant Jamgochian, CEO of Dialysis Patient Citizens.

“People with kidney failure should have access to innovative treatments by funds following the patients, and not a one size fits all model that discourages innovation and underfunds patient & physician choice. The Kidney Care Access Protection Act is a step forward,” said Lori Hartwell, the Founder and President of the Renal Support Network (RSN).

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Blackburn, Warner Introduce Bill to Lower Costs and Improve Access to Care for Rural Medicare Patients",1,2026-04-07T15:46:19Z,2026-04-07T20:18:34Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/immigration/blackburn-targets-driver-s-licenses-for-illegal-aliens-sanctuary-jurisdictions-with-new-legislation,"Blackburn Targets Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Jurisdictions with New Legislation",2025-09-11,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act that would restrict certain federal grants for states that issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens or fail to share information about criminal aliens with the federal government. Introduction of Senator Blackburn’s bill marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The 19 terrorists who hijacked airplanes and killed thousands of innocent civilians were in the country on temporary visas and held a combined 30 state-issued licenses.

“States should not be rewarding illegal aliens for breaking our immigration laws by handing out driver’s licenses like candy,” said Senator Blackburn. “We are a nation of laws. American cities and states that willfully defy federal immigration law to protect illegal aliens must be held accountable.”

U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives:

“Far-Left Sanctuary States that issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants are not only breaking the laws of our land, they endanger families and law-abiding Americans who take to highways every day in our country - these lawless states must be stopped! My Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act will bar rogue states from issuing licenses to illegal immigrants and force states and localities to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement so we can put the safety and security of Americans first, said Representative Arrington.

BACKGROUND

Currently, 19 states and Washington, D.C. allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses.

As of a May 2025 report, 17 states and Washington, D.C. have statewide sanctuary policies in place that shield illegal aliens from immigration enforcement.

This month, an illegal alien was accused of murdering a 19-year-old woman. He was arrested for driving under the influence in April and was not turned over to immigration officials. He held a Washington, D.C. driver’s license.

In August, an illegal alien was accused of jackknifing his trailer on a Florida highway, leading to the deaths of three people. He was issued a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by both Washington and California.

The REAL ID Act was passed in the wake of 9/11, after the terrorist hijackers easily obtained state driver’s licenses allowing them to board planes to launch their deadly attacks. More than two decades later, over a dozen states have worked to reverse efforts to ensure identification security.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program provides millions of dollars in support on a yearly basis to states for local law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives.

THE STOP GREENLIGHTING DRIVER LICENSES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACT

The Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act would prohibit the award of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to any state that defies federal immigration law by:

Issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens; or

Prohibiting a state or local government entity or official from collecting, sending to, or receiving immigration enforcement information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This legislation would also require states that issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens or states that fail to share immigration enforcement information with DHS to return unallocated funds to the JAG program within 30 days.

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Blackburn Urges DHS to Combat Migrant Child Trafficking by Utilizing Critical Resources She Secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill

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Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Doxxing

Blackburn Introduces Bill Empowering Local Law Enforcement To Help Federal Government Deport Criminal Illegal Immigrants",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/technology/video-blackburn-eviscerates-meta-for-suppressing-child-safety-research-following-whistleblower-allegations,VIDEO: Blackburn Eviscerates Meta for Suppressing Child Safety Research Following Whistleblower Allegations,2025-09-09,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, led a hearing following new allegations from six whistleblowers that Meta buried child safety research. Two former Meta researchers testified at the hearing about the toxic culture at Meta. Watch the full hearing here.

Ahead of the hearing, Senator Blackburn led a press conference with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and parents, Brian Montgomery and Maurine Molak, who lost their children following exposure to harms on social media. During the hearing and the press conference, Senator Blackburn renewed the call to pass her Kids Online Safety Act, which passed the Senate in a 91-3 vote last year to require Big Tech companies like Meta to make their platforms safer by design for children.

Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s opening remarks and here to watch the full hearing.

Click here to download photos and here to watch Senator Blackburn’s press conference.

SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING OPENING REMARKS AS PREPARED

“Good afternoon and thank you all for being here for this important hearing. We are here today to hear from Dr. Jason Sattizahn and Ms. Cayce Savage, two brave whistleblowers who have come forward to detail shocking allegations about Meta’s cover-up of deeply disturbing child safety research. They were hired to purportedly make the platform safer, but what they found was a company that knew their products were unsafe and just didn’t care.

Nearly four years ago, I held my first hearing with a Meta whistleblower who detailed how Meta exploits our children online simply to maximize user engagement and boost their profits. Since then, we’ve seen a national movement of parents, legislators, whistleblowers, and kids that have said enough is enough; our children are more precious than the interests of depraved Big Tech CEOs; and that Congress must pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act. After all these years, Meta continues to knowingly allow sexual exploitation and harms to children on their platforms. I am incredibly grateful that individuals are still willing to come forward and shine a light on Meta’s disturbing, and willful, actions.

Mark Zuckerberg has promised that “in the Metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine.” And for once, Mr. Zuckerberg’s statement rings true. That is, for pedophiles, groomers, and all kinds of disgusting bad actors. As these whistleblowers will explain, the “Metaverse” has become the Wild West for criminals who prey on children.

As our witnesses will tell us today, virtual reality can be incredibly dangerous for children—specifically because of the immersive nature of the technology. Children have a much harder time processing the difference between violence and abuse in the physical and virtual spaces. In other

words, when their avatar on Meta’s virtual reality platform is raped or harassed, children experience that trauma as if it is actually happening to them. Let’s be clear: virtual reality is reality. These harms are real. And this abuse happens every single day on virtual reality platforms like Meta’s.

One employee stated on an internal message board in 2017—and I’m quoting—“We have a child problem and it’s probably time to talk about it.” But, years later, Meta’s C-Suite has zero interest in these findings. According to these whistleblowers, Meta executives decided they didn’t want to see research detailing how harmful their products are to children. So, they unleashed their attack dogs within Meta Legal on the research teams, intent on creating a rosy picture of their products. Meta Legal manipulated research methods and buried negative data. Meta instructed researchers to avoid asking teen survey participants questions which might lead them to discuss harms they’ve experienced because of Meta’s design. And when their suppression didn’t work, they simply deleted the evidence.

In one user review, Meta’s Horizon Worlds was dubbed “the pedophile kingdom.” This makes clear what we have known for years: that Meta profits from the sexualization and abuse of children. If you need another example, look at the recent report that Meta’s own internal guidelines allowed AI chatbots to engage in sensual conversations with children. Their refusal to protect children—and to instead profit at the expense of kids’ safety—is heinous.

Again, I want to thank both of you for your willingness to come forward today. I know this was not an easy decision for either of you, but what you’re doing brings us one step closer to holding these Big Tech platforms accountable. Parents across our nation thank you for standing up and speaking out.

And to the parents here today – to Maurine, Brian, Mia, and Christine – who have lost their children to social media harms, thank you for being here. We’re grateful for your passion to make sure that no parent ever has to go through the trauma you’ve gone through. With your help, we’ll get the Kids Online Safety Act to the President’s desk.”

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Blackburn, Blumenthal Urge Meta to Shut Down Instagram Map Feature to Protect Kids from Pedophiles & Traffickers

Blackburn, Blumenthal Demand Accountability from Meta Following Bombshell Report Detailing Latest Failures to Protect Minors from Harm",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/technology/video-blackburn-speaks-with-father-who-lost-his-son-after-instagram-sextortion-scheme,VIDEO: Blackburn Speaks with Father Who Lost His Son After Instagram Sextortion Scheme,2025-09-05,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with Brian Montgomery, a father who tragically lost his 16-year-old son, Walker, to suicide after he was mercilessly sextorted on Instagram. Brian is a major advocate for Senator Blackburn’s Kids Online Safety Act and successfully fought to pass two bills named after his son in his home state of Mississippi.

On Tuesday, Senator Blackburn will lead a hearing examining whistleblower allegations that Meta buried child safety research. She recently demanded Meta shut down its Instagram “map” feature and called for an investigation following a bombshell report that Meta’s internal AI rules allowed chatbots to engage in sensual conversations with children.

Click hereto watch and click here to download this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’

“Meta is using our children as a product. They’re making money off of them. They are selling their information. So, if you have a child or a grandchild, when they are online, they are the product… I want to welcome Brian Montgomery to Unmuted. Brian, I just want to say thank you. You've had this personal tragedy, and you've made safety of our children really a mission set, keeping our kids safe in the virtual space. And your son Walker took his life, and I want you just to talk a little bit about Walker and why it is so important to you that you have taken on this cause,” said Senator Blackburn.

“When Walker went to bed the night of November the 30th, what we assumed was just a very normal night, and what we later found out that it was a normal night until midnight when somebody, when some predator from across the world attacked Walker through social media… In the course of two to four hours, Walker went from just going to bed on a normal night to having taken his own life,” said Montgomery.

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Blackburn, Blumenthal Urge Meta to Shut Down Instagram Map Feature to Protect Kids from Pedophiles & Traffickers

Blackburn, Blumenthal Demand Accountability from Meta Following Bombshell Report Detailing Latest Failures to Protect Minors from Harm",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/blackburn-cornyn-introduce-bills-to-end-cashless-bail-in-d-c-and-nationwide,"Blackburn, Cornyn Introduce Bills to End Cashless Bail in D.C. and Nationwide",2025-09-04,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced two bills that would keep violent criminals off American streets by ending cashless bail policies that empower criminals to reoffend. The Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act would ban cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would ban the award of certain federal funds to states and localities that limit the use of cash bail. Both bills are backed by the Trump administration.

“Cashless bail and other soft-on-crime policies have empowered violent criminals across our country, putting the lives of law-abiding citizens at risk,” said Senator Blackburn. “President Trump is leading the charge to restore law and order by ending these failed policies, and Congresswoman Stefanik and I are backing his efforts by introducing two bills to end cashless bail and keep violent offenders behind bars.”

“Cashless bail is a soft-on-crime policy that not only endangers innocent Americans, but also erodes trust in the justice system and drains law enforcement resources by forcing police to play a game of catch-and-release with repeat offenders,” said Senator Cornyn. “Washington, D.C. should be a shining city the world looks to as a model for safety and security, which is I’m why proud to work with President Trump and Senator Blackburn to end the use of cashless bail nationwide.”

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, will soon introduce both bills in the House of Representatives:

“Under Kathy Hochul's failed leadership, cashless bail policies in New York pose a clear and present danger to the Nation and must be terminated,” said Chairwoman Stefanik. “Today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and I are working alongside President Trump to end the cashless bail disaster. We can’t allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes against their communities.”

BACKGROUND

Many soft-on-crime, left-wing officials in the nation’s largest cities, including Washington, D.C. and Memphis, Tennessee, have released countless violent criminals who have demonstrated a clear risk to society back into their communities without bail, which incentivizes and rewards criminal acts.

Memphis has the highest crime rate in the nation according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In 2024, an 18-year-old was released from jail in Memphis without bond after he was charged with two counts of auto theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of vandalism. He was then involved in a shooting that tragically led to a Memphis Police Department officer’s death.

In 2022, a suspect on release and under indictment for a near-murder shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Washington, D.C. allegedly stabbed a person during an argument and fled the scene.

Last month, President Trump signed two executive orders to protect law-abiding citizens from the harms of cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and nationwide. Senator Blackburn’s legislation would build on his efforts and make them permanent.

THE ENDING CASHLESS BAIL IN OUR NATION’S CAPITAL ACT

The Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act would require Washington, D.C. to use the highest level of cash bail necessary for dangerous offenders as a condition of pretrial release and ensure anyone charged with violent crimes like murder, rape, carjacking, and sexual abuse of a minor, robbery, or burglary stay behind bars while awaiting trial.

Click here for bill text.

THE KEEP VIOLENT CRIMINALS OFF OUR STREETS ACT

The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would prohibit the award of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to states or localities that limit the use of cash bail.

Click here for bill text.

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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/jobs and economy/agriculture/crime/energy/health care/immigration/video-blackburn-shares-raving-reviews-from-tennesseans-on-the-one-big-beautiful-bill,VIDEO: Blackburn Shares Raving Reviews from Tennesseans on the One Big Beautiful Bill,2025-09-04,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor after hearing from Tennesseans across the state last month who are celebrating how the One Big Beautiful Bill, Republicans’ ‘Working Families Tax Cut,’ is helping their families, their businesses, and their pocketbooks:

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

The One Big Beautiful Bill Reduces the Tax Burden for Tennessee Families, Seniors, and Small Business Owners

Over the last few weeks, I’ve spoken with countless Tennesseans who are celebrating the One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on their families, their businesses, and their pocketbooks.

From my conversations, one thing is clear: This landmark law is already making America great again.

Thanks to the law, Tennessee families will save an average of $2,600 next year on taxes and see a take-home pay increase of $10,000, providing much-needed relief after four years of Bidenflation.

I’ve met with restaurant servers who spoke about how the law’s reduction of taxes on tips and overtime will ensure that they keep more of their hard-earned money.

Across the state, I’ve heard from seniors who will benefit from a lower tax burden thanks to the legislation’s $6,000 bonus deduction.

And millions of hardworking families are more confidently planning for the future thanks to the law’s enhanced child tax credit and expanded child care access.

In chamber of commerce meetings, I’ve heard from small business owners who are hiring staff, purchasing new equipment, and investing in their communities after the legislation permanently extended President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, protecting more than 100,000 jobs in Tennessee.

With provisions like 100 percent bonus depreciation and immediate expensing of Research & Development, companies will be able to power Tennessee’s manufacturing boom long into the future.

Tax Cuts Empower Tennessee’s Farming Community to Pass on Their Legacy to the Next Generation

At the Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon, I spoke with farmers about how the Big Beautiful Bill raises the estate tax exemption to $15 million for single filers and $30 million for joint filers, empowering family farms to pass on their legacy of hard work to the next generation.

Across the country, this provision will protect two million family farms from double taxation.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Strengthens Health Care, Child Care, Housing, and Education for Tennessee Service Members

For Tennessee’s incredible military communities, the legislation provides a $150 billion boost to national defense funding, ensuring our armed forces remain the strongest lethal fighting force in the world.

While funding the Golden Dome missile defense system, it will also strengthen health care, child care, housing, and education for our brave service members.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Supports Tennessee Businesses by Ending Anti-American Energy Policies

For four years under President Biden, Tennesseans suffered because of his anti-America energy policies that sent gas prices soaring.

The Big Beautiful Bill ends these far-left regulations and provides Made-in-America tax breaks to support energy production here at home.

President Trump’s pro-energy agenda is a big reason why gas prices over Labor Day weekend were at their lowest level in five years.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Empowers ICE to Keep Tennessee Communities Safe and Secures the Border

At the same time, the legislation secures $75 billion in funding to hire thousands of additional ICE agents to protect our communities by enforcing the law.

It also provides resources to finish President Trump’s border wall with hundreds of miles of new barriers.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Helps Tennessee Grow with Robust Infrastructure and Transportation Investments

As Tennessee continues to grow, it is vital that we have robust infrastructure and transportation systems.

In June alone, Nashville International Airport welcomed more than 2.4 million travelers—an all-time high.

On that front, the Big Beautiful Bill provides a $12.5 billion investment in our nation’s air traffic control system to improve safety, speed, and efficiency.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Invests in Tennessee’s Rural Communities

The legislation also invests in our state’s 78 rural counties by creating the Rural Health Transformation Program, delivering $50 billion to strengthen access to rural health care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has already launched a webpage for the program at CMS dot gov. I encourage Tennesseans to consult these resources and learn more about how the program can improve sustainable access, workforce development, and innovative care in their communities.

Across our state, the One Big Beautiful Bill is improving the lives of Tennesseans. They’re seeing it in their pocketbooks, their businesses, their taxes, at the gas pump, and in their communities.

For the first time in five years, workers in Tennessee and across the country were able to celebrate Labor Day knowing that they have a President who is putting them first.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T15:07:37Z
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/crime/video-blackburn-praises-trump-s-d-c-crime-crackdown,VIDEO: Blackburn Praises Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown,2025-09-03,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined a press conference highlighting the success of President Trump’s crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital. At the beginning of the press conference, Anna Giaritelli, a reporter at the Washington Examiner, shared her own tragic experience of being violently attacked and sexually assaulted in broad daylight in Washington, D.C. Watch the full press conference here, and click here to watch and download Senator Blackburn’s remarks.

“When you talk to people that are living or working in areas where they have higher crime rates, you will hear them say, ‘I'm hopeful President Trump looks at what is happening here.’ If your local leaders are going to fail and not accept that responsibility to keep their community safe, then it is going to be up to the President to bring that attention to that city. In all of this discussion about crime, I have not talked to one single person that wants a gang to move into their neighborhood. They don't want a gang to have a hub or a house in their neighborhood. They don't want drug dealers, human traffickers, sex traffickers, pedophiles, [and] predators moving into their neighborhood. What they do want is a neighborhood that is going to be safe for their family, safe for their neighbors, and a neighborhood that is going to allow them to live and enjoy a wonderful quality of life.” – Senator Blackburn

Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks.

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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/9/technology/blackburn-grassley-hawley-demand-answers-on-meta-s-emotional-targeting-of-children-repeated-alleged-failures-to-comply-with-child-privacy-law,"Blackburn, Grassley, Hawley Demand Answers on Meta’s Emotional Targeting of Children, Repeated Alleged Failures to Comply with Child Privacy Law",2025-09-02,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are demanding answers from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg following new disclosures outlining the company’s efforts to target teenagers based on their emotional state and Meta’s reported failure to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Senator Blackburn has led the charge to pass the Kids Online Safety Act to stop Big Tech companies from exploiting children on their platforms. Recently Senator Blackburn demanded accountability from Meta over reports that the company is failing to protect underage users from sensual discussions with AI-powered digital chatbots. She also raised concerns about Meta’s latest “map” feature on Instagram, which allows underage users to share their location with traffickers and pedophiles.

Facebook’s Own Study Contradicts Claims It Doesn’t Offer Tools to Target People Based on Their Emotional State

“Chairman Grassley’s office… obtained a draft PowerPoint that describes a 2014 study conducted by Facebook entitled Global Youth Study – Overview of Findings. In the study, Facebook analyzed the emotional behavior of 1,000 respondents aged 13 to 24 years old to determine how they respond to social media, whether they share branded material with peers, and what emotional triggers drive the spread of brand-based content. According to slide 170, the audience of the Global Youth Study is ‘influencers, agencies, brands, sales, other industry, and customers.’ This new information appears to contradict Facebook’s 2017 statement that it ‘does not offer tools to target people based on their emotional state.’”

Meta Has Unlawfully Collected Data on Children and Exposed Them to Harm

“Further, according to an April 10, 2025, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint filed against Meta, the company allegedly allowed children under the age of 13 to register with adult accounts for the Horizon Worlds VR platform and failed to take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Specifically, the FTC complaint alleges that Meta has collected ‘vast amounts of personal information from children under 13 without parental consent,’ in violation of COPPA. Even more concerning, Meta allegedly chose to move forward with plans to expand the Horizon Worlds platform to children as young as 10 without instituting appropriate safety measures to ensure child accounts required parental consent for data collection. The complaint alleges that, as a result, Meta has unlawfully collected data on children and exposed children to “racism, sexual harassment, bullying, and child endangerment.’ If Meta disagrees with these publicly filed assertions, we welcome an explanation. Even more recent, on August 14, 2025, reports surfaced stating that Meta’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots ‘engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.’ Reports also indicate that ‘Meta’s AI chatbots flirt or engage in sexual roleplay with teenagers.’”

Click here to read the full letter.

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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/8/health care/blackburn-bennet-introduce-bill-to-support-lifesaving-emergency-services-in-rural-communities,"Blackburn, Bennet Introduce Bill to Support Lifesaving Emergency Services in Rural Communities",2025-08-29,2025,2025-08,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act that would improve access to emergency air medical services that are critical for saving lives, particularly in rural communities. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would utilize data collected under the No Surprises Act to update Medicare reimbursement rates for emergency air services.

“During a medical emergency, Tennesseans living in rural communities shouldn’t have to worry about access to emergency medical transportation, including air ambulance,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act would preserve critical access to life-saving air ambulance services for Tennesseans and all Americans, no matter where they live.”

“Coloradans should be able to trust that if they are sick or injured, they can get the medical attention they need, no matter where they live,” said Senator Bennet. “As air ambulance bases across rural America have been forced to close, people in rural communities have lost access to lifesaving care. This bipartisan bill builds on our efforts to bring transparency to our health care system and improves access to lifesaving care for all Americans.”

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and Suzan Delbene (D-Wash.) in the House of Representatives.

BACKGROUND

Air ambulances can be the difference between life and death – a 2019 study found injured patients transported by air ambulance were less likely to die than those taken by ground ambulance.

Medicare beneficiaries account for nearly 40% of all air medical transports. While operational costs of air ambulance services have increased, Medicare reimbursements have not. A 2017 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that Medicare reimbursement rates for air ambulance services are significantly below the costs of providing care, especially in rural areas.

The current Medicare reimbursement rate for air medical services is determined by the air ambulance fee schedule. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first established the air ambulance fee schedule in 2002 using data from a 1998 cost pool, and it has not been updated since. Since then, over 47 air ambulance bases have closed, and more closures are expected, particularly limiting emergency care access for Americans living in rural communities.

THE PROTECTING AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES FOR AMERICANS ACT

To ensure that patients in need of emergency care have access to air medical services, the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act would:

Authorize CMS to update the Medicare Fee Schedule using data collected through the No Surprises Act passed in 2020;

Require air ambulance providers to submit additional data on the operational costs of air medical services;

Require the GAO to issue a report on the costs associated with providing air ambulance services for Medicare beneficiaries; and

Implement a deadline for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to finalize the data collection requirements under the No Surprises Act.

ENDORSEMENTS

“We applaud the introduction of the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act,” said Jana Williams, President & CEO, Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reflects a growing recognition that air medical providers are not just responders—they are lifelines, especially in rural and underserved communities. Air medical programs are increasingly essential mobile extensions of our national emergency care infrastructure. This bill takes a pragmatic step forward to ensure these high-acuity services remain available when and where they’re needed most. We look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this critical legislation and protect access to life-saving care across the country.”

“The Protecting Air Ambulances for Americans Act underscores the vital role that air medical transportation plays in preserving the health and safety of millions nationwide,” said Rob Hamilton, CEO of Air Methods. “We remain committed to advocating for lasting solutions that ensure no one is left without access to emergency care during a medical crisis. We’re grateful for the leadership of Senators Marsha Blackburn and Michael Bennet, as well as Representatives Ron Estes and Suzan DelBene, whose unwavering support brings us one step closer to safeguarding emergency air medical services, especially for rural communities and seniors who need them most.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z