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.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-another-great-year-of-fighting-and-winning-for-texans,Sen. Cruz: Another Great Year of Fighting and Winning for Texans,2023-12-31,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led the fight in the Senate this year against the Biden administration’s woke agenda and delivered pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-freedom policies to promote jobs, freedom, and security for Texans.

Reflecting on the past year, Sen. Cruz said, “As your senator for Texas, I have been proud to lead the fight to defend our values and promote jobs, freedom, and security. This year, I’ve had the privilege of leading my Republican colleagues as ranking member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. We formed bipartisan coalitions around Biden nominees to stop inexperienced and radical ones while supporting qualified public servants, and we worked in a bipartisan manner to advance policies that will benefit the families and businesses in the Lone Star State. As we look ahead to 2024, I excited to keep fighting for the Lone Star State, and defending your freedoms, strengthening our economy, and creating more jobs for hardworking Texans and their families.”

Sen. Cruz’s 2023 Highlights:

Delivering for Texas

SIGNED INTO LAW: After months of legislative efforts from a bipartisan coalition of Texas lawmakers led by Sen. Cruz, the annual defense authorization bill included language to streamline the presidential permitting process for building key bridges across the Rio Grande in Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Texas.

Sen. Cruz also wrote a letter to the Biden administration in support of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge (PVGTB)presidential permit application.

SECURED BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL SUPPORT: Sen. Cruz led the fight for U.S. diplomats and officials of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary Commission to have the necessary resources to ensure Mexico’s compliance with the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers. A bipartisan majority of senators supported his efforts.

PASSED THE U.S. SENATE: Sen. Cruz led efforts to formally name the Ports-to-Plains Corridor through Texas and New Mexico asInterstate 27, which will boost economic growth in Texas.

Sen. Cruz participated in agriculture roundtables with industry leaders from the coast to the panhandle as he works to ensure our farmers and ranchers have the resources they need for Texas agriculture to thrive.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter calling out FEMAfor rejecting the City of Corpus Christi’s appeal for additional funding for the Packery Channel Restoration Project to rebuild after damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to President Biden supporting Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for an emergency disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to Texans impacted by severe weather, including tornadoes and heavy rain, in Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, and Orange counties.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Biden administration supporting Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for an emergency disasterdeclaration to provide federal assistance to Texans impacted by Winter Storm Mara.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Highway Formula Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation that would direct the Department of Transportation to reevaluate the funding formulas used to distribute federal highway dollars to ensure we invest properly in Texas highways and highways across the nation.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Improving Access to Our Courts Act to provide an additional court – located in Alpine, Texas – to those served by the Pecos Division of the Western District of Texas.

Following reports of mail theft in the Galveston area, Sen. Cruz introduced the Upholding a Secure Postal System (USPS) Act that would require the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress on nationwide mail theft trends, and what the Postal Service is doing to combat theft.

Boosting Jobs and the Economy

Sen. Cruz was awarded the 2022 Club for Growth Defender of Economic Freedom Award for dedication to promoting economic growthand championing issues related to limited government.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Cost Recovery and Expensing Acceleration to Transform the Economy and Jumpstart Opportunities for Businesses and Startups (CREATE JOBS) Act to generate much-needed investment in America’s workforce, create jobs, and provide relief for struggling Americans.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act, and legislation to make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s middle-class tax cuts.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Chemical Tax Repeal Act to eliminate the Superfund Tax imposed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Sen. Cruz introduced an amendment to repeal a provision from the 2021 infrastructure package that created new reporting requirements for many cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. The amendment would remove harmful regulations on the cryptocurrency industry that stifle innovation, endanger the privacy of Americans, and would push key aspects of the industry overseas.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Adopting Cryptocurrency in Congress as an Exchange of Payment for Transactions Resolution, also known as the ACCEPT Resolution.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to prohibit the Federal Reserve from developing a direct-to-consumer central bank digital currency, which could be used as a financial surveillance tool by the federal government.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Federal Permitting Modernization Act (FAST Act) and the 90-day Review Act aimed at streamlining and expediting federal permitting for major infrastructure projects by putting more stringent timetables on federal agencies and courts to review projects.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation that will prevent companies that manage investment funds held in federal employee retirement accounts from using those holdings to vote in corporate shareholder meetings to force leftist Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies onto private sector businesses.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to eliminate the Office of Financial Research, a stark example of redundancy and unaccountability within the Treasury Department.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to eliminate the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

Protecting Our Independent Judiciary and Combating the Weaponization of Government

Sen. Cruz introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure only nine justices could serve on the U.S. Supreme Court at a time.

Sen. Cruz led a Supreme Court amicus brief in the case Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo arguing that the doctrine of “Chevron deference” violates Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution.

Sen. Cruz filed a Supreme Court amicus brief in the case Washington Alliance of Technology Workers v. Department of Homeland Security in support of a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari, seeking Supreme Court review of the unlawful issuance of student visas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland confronting the Department of Justice for surveilling the personal communications of attorneys advising congressional oversight committees.

Sen. Cruz filed an amicus brief in the case Estados Unidos Mexicanos v. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to support the Second Amendment and American sovereignty.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice requesting an investigation into why radical environmental organizations have been able to accept foreign money without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Sen. Cruz introduced Eric’s Law, a bill that aims to deliver justice to victims and their families in federal death penalty cases.

Sen. Cruz introduced a joint resolution pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to fight a D.C. Council measure that would allow illegal aliens to vote in local D.C. elections.

Sen. Cruz introduced a series of bills to stop the lingering authoritarian COVID-19 mandates and protect Americans fromunconstitutional federal mandates around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Cruz led a coalition of Senate Republican committee ranking members in sounding the alarm over an attempt by the White House to hijack the rulemaking process to promote left-wing policy goals.

Pushing Back on the Left’s Woke Agenda

Sen. Cruz introduced bicameral legislation, the Safeguarding Free Speech Act, to prohibit federal agencies from forcing an employee or contractor to use personal pronouns that differ from an individual’s biological sex.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Respect for Hispanic Americans Act, which would ban the use of the wholly-invented term “Latinx” in any official government communication by a federal agency or employee.

Freeing American Energy and Dismantling Burdensome Environmental Regulations

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) honored Sen. Cruz with the Legislator of the Year Award for championing policies and advocating and leading legislative efforts to promote U.S. energy.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to counter the Biden administration’s executive overreachbanning gasoline powered vehicles and establishing an electric vehicle mandate.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act and the Saving America’s Vulnerable and Endangered Species Act (SAVES Act), which would remove regulatory burdens for ranchers and conservators engaged in captive breeding of exotic wildlife while promoting animal conservation in the United States.

Sen. Cruz introduced a resolution pushing back on the implementation of a carbon tax. The resolution addresses the negative impacts of instituting a carbon tax.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) against addingunnecessary bureaucratic barriers to the permitting process for domestic mining.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act to reform the Antiquities Act of 1906 and require congressional approval for national monument designations.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to extend the public comment period for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) financial assurance proposed rule.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to amend the National Trails System Act and designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail without harming Texas and American energy development projects in the areas around Route 66.

Sen. Cruz sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm raising concern about a proposed rule by the DOE to change efficiency standards on distribution transformers—critical electric grid components.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of the Treasury Janet Yellen condemning efforts by the Biden administration to use the U.S. tax code to penalize American energy production.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Natural Gas Export Expansion Act, which would expedite the federal approval process for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and increase free trade.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Energy Freedom Act, in order to make America energy secure again by accelerating federal permitting for energy projects and pipelines, mandating new onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales, approving pending liquified natural gas (LNG) export licenses, and generally speeding up solar, wind, and geothermal development.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act, which would alleviate burdensome government regulations and allow farmers to protect their newborn livestock from black vultures without a depredation permit whenever their livestock is threatened.

Backing Law Enforcement

PASSED THE SENATE: Sen. Cruz sponsored a resolution commemorating the bicentennial of the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation that would protect the brave men and women of law enforcement by criminalizing fleeing from agents or officers in a high-speed chase. The bill is named in honor of Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., who died in the line of duty while pursuing a group of illegal aliens near Mission, Texas.

Combating the Drug Crisis and Increasing Healthcare Access

SIGNED INTO LAW: Sen. Cruz’s Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act is now law. It will direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to take steps to enhance understanding of the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine, or tranq and other novel synthetic drugs, develop new tests for detection, and establish partnerships with front-line entities that are often the first points of contact with new street drugs.

Sen. Cruz introduced bipartisan legislation to address the online sale of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act, to expand healthcare innovation and accessibility for Texans and all Americans by increasing access for all Americans to life-saving drugs, devices, and other medical therapies already approved in other trusted countries.

Defending the Right to Life

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding answers about allegations that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was secretly surveilling recent meetings of the pro-life group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU).

Sen. Cruz led the effort to demand answers from Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, about the reported harassment of a pro-life Catholic school group at the National Air and Space Museum.

Sen. Cruz sent a bicameral letter to the National Archives and Records Administration acting archivist Debra Steidel Wall urging a prompt response regarding the treatment of several pro-life Americans at the National Archives Museum on January 20, 2023.

Championing Our Military and Veterans

SIGNED INTO LAW: Sen. Cruz authored the bipartisan, bicameral bill that renamed a Texas post office after Spc. Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old soldier of the United States Army stationed at Fort Hood Army Base who was murdered by another soldier on base.

SIGNED INTO LAW: Sen. Cruz’s Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments (CADETS) Act expanded the age of eligibility for the Student Incentive Payment Program at the Maritime Administration, granting financial assistance to cadets who attend one of six state maritime academies, including Texas A&M Maritime Academy, and who commit to a post-graduation service obligation.

SIGNED INTO LAW: Sen. Cruz spearheaded a bipartisan amendment to the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)prohibiting the sale of Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) crude oil to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Sen. Cruz introduced an amendment to the FY24 NDAA that build on the NDAA of 2023, to support servicemembers who were wrongly discharged solely based on their COVID-19 vaccine status.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, bicameral, bipartisan legislation to ensure Coast Guardsmen are paid just like other military personnel in the event of a government shutdown.

Sen. Cruz sent a bipartisan letter to the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requesting answers on the backlog of veterans’ service record requests impacting their access to critical government benefits and services.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation that creates an opt-in for military families to establish Military Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to help fund their child’s education and expand access to personalized, high-quality educational experiences.

SIGNED INTO LAW: Sen. Cruz introduced the Deterring Egregious State Infiltration of Schools’ Training (DESIST) Act, which would prohibit the Department of Defense from establishing or maintaining a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program at any private school operated or controlled by entities linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This amendment was included in the FY24 NDAA.

Advocating for Our Students

Sen. Cruz introduced and fought for the immediate passage of his Securing Our Schools Act and the Protect Our Children’s Schools Act, which would improve school security and access to student mental health resources and allow schools to use unspent, previously appropriated federal COVID-19 education-related funding to improve school security.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging the Biden administration to address the growing rates of antisemitism in K-12 schools following Hamas’s war against Israel.

Standing Up to America’s Enemies and Adversaries, While Standing with Her Allies

PASSED THE U.S. SENATE: Sen. Cruz spearheaded the passage of his bipartisan legislation to rename the street outside of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. as “Oswaldo Payá Way” after the Cuban dissident leader who was assassinated by Cuba’s communist regime.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Protecting America from Spies Act, legislation that would make individuals who have committed acts of espionage or intellectual property theft against the United States ineligible for visas, as well as the family members of such individuals, for a period of five years.

Standing with Israel

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on him to rescind discriminatory guidance issued by the State Department halting bilateral scientific and technological cooperation in certain Israeli-held territories.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Harvard University President Claudine Gay demanding that the university condemn the antisemitic statementsmade by student organizations on campus.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Hamas Sanctions Act, the first piece of legislation to comprehensively target Hamas. The legislation wouldimpose sanctions on Hamas, its members and affiliates, and countries that provide funding and territory for Hamas operations.

Countering the Iranian regime

Sen. Cruz introduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act, or SEVER Act, to block the Biden administrationfrom allowing Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other sanctioned individuals linked to the Iranian regime to enter the United States.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to prohibit the Biden administration from waiving Congressional sanctions that prohibit cooperation on Iran’s nuclear program.

Countering Communist China

PASSED THE U.S. SENATE: Sen. Cruz gained unanimous support for his resolution calling for the release of wrongfully detained Texan Mark Swidan, who is imprisoned in China.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act, to stop adversaries from acquiring land near military bases, and military areas, which puts our military and national security at risk.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft (SHEET) Act to counter Chinese espionage efforts in American universities.

Supporting freedom and opposing oppression in Central and South America

Sen. Cruz introduced a resolution supporting the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), a multilateral initiative by American allies in Latin America including Panama, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to President Biden calling on his administration to reverse political concessions and increase pressure on the Maduro regime in Venezuela, after the administration eased economic pressure as part of a deal related to the Venezuelan elections in 2024.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Corruption in Argentina Stymied by Enforcing Sanctions Act of 2023, or CASES Act, which would require the President to investigate five Argentinian officials for corruption, including Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Fighting to Secure the Southern Border

Sen. Cruz introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, which would allow local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and would pull taxpayer-funded grants going to sanctuary cities.

Sen. Cruz introduced the FINISH IT Act, which would require the federal government to use previously purchased and unused border wall panels to extend the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border or to transfer them to state governments to be used for wall construction.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to President Biden urging the White House to reverse the administration’s decision to end Title 42.

Sen. Cruz led Republican Senate colleagues on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border to Brownsville, Texas on the eve of the end of Title 42 to meet with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Texas National Guard, and other law enforcement officials.

Sen. Cruz introduced bicameral legislation to amend federal law and impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any person who has multiple convictions, or a conviction for an aggravated felony, who enters the country illegally.

Sen. Cruz traveled to Texas’ maritime border at South Padre Island to visit key Coast Guard stations and hear directly from the men and women of the Coast Guard about what resources they need to keep Texas’ maritime borders safe and secure.

Sen. Cruz introduced the Schools Not Shelters Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support, to protect and prioritize students by prohibiting K-12 schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funding from being used as shelters to house illegal aliens.

Sen. Cruz introduced an amendment to add the Secure the Border Act to the continuing resolution to stop the Biden Border Crisis dead in its tracks and halt the invasion at our southern border.

Sen. Cruz led Republican Senate colleagues on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border to witness the impacts of the millions of illegal immigrants who have flooded through the southern border, the rising rates of drug smuggling, and the increasing national security threats due to President Biden’s open border policies.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling on the Biden administration to address a text message, discovered by El Paso Sector Intelligence, soliciting personal information of Border Patrol agents and their families.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas demanding that the Biden administration immediately address the influx of “special interest aliens” who have been arrested at the southern border.

Leading Republican Legislative Initiatives as the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce Committee

PASSED THE U.S. SENATE: Sen. Cruz advanced legislation that would streamline the CHIPS permitting reform process, removing burdensome hurdles to achieving environmental reviews and permits. The amendment, which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support in July, would provide regulatory certainty and accelerate the construction of semiconductor manufacturing plants.

Sen. Cruz introduced the bipartisan, bicameral AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in vehicles. In Texas, over 88,000 jobs are tied to radio.

Sen. Cruz introduced bipartisan legislation that passed the Commerce Committee to require all event ticket sellers to display the total ticket price—including all required fees—in any advertisement or marketing materials.

Sen. Cruz led bipartisan efforts to stop three Biden administration nominees over lack of experience or radical policy positions.

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to limit children’s access to social media at school by requiring schools receiving federal broadband funding to prohibit access on subsidized services, devices, and networks.

Sen. Cruz unveiled a discussion draft of legislation aimed at addressing major issues in college athletics that have wrought a patchwork of pending litigation, inconsistent state laws, and labor complaints.

Sen. Cruz and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, legislation that would block the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from banning gas stoves.

Sen. Cruz and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, introduced the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act, legislation that would require the FTC to create reasonable disclosure guidelines for products that have audio or visual recording components, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers that are not clearly obvious. This legislation passed the Commerce Committee.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) President and CEO Patricia de Stacy Harrison, expressing objections to a CPB mandate that radio and television stations must engage in affirmative action to qualify for grant funding.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Eventbrite President and CEO Julia Hartz requesting details regarding the firm’s seemingly inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines targeting conservatives, which has resulted in the removal of events featuring comments from Riley Gaines, while permitting feature speakers espousing allegiance to Hamas.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and National Science Foundation (NSF) to turn over information regarding their role in helping facilitate the censorshipof Americans’ constitutionally protected speech online.

Sen. Cruz led 27 of his colleagues in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to rescind its draft order on “Digital Discrimination,” which would give the federal government control over nearly every aspect of the Internet while opening broadband providers to expansive, indeterminate, and crippling liability under a “disparate impact” standard.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey demanding answers regarding the company’s decision to delete references to a donation the company made to the Black Lives Matter Global Network.

Sen. Cruz asked the National Science Foundation (NSF) to turn over information regarding its taxpayer-funded censorship, including doling out tens of millions of dollars in grants to universities building online censorship tools and developing “trauma support” therapy for journalists.

Sen. Cruz led more than 100 other lawmakers in calling on Congressional leaders to include Sens. Cruz and Kelly’s amendment to streamline the CHIPS permitting reform process in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Sen. Cruz led a bicameral coalition of federal lawmakers calling on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to reverse its suspension of rules allowing liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail.

Sen. Cruz led Commerce Committee Republican members in sending a letter to companies X, Meta, TikTok, and Google seeking information on their content moderation policies during the Israel-Hamas war, and asking the companies to commit to fully preserving a documentary history of Hamas’s atrocities.

Sen. Cruz led a group of senators in urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to withdraw a proposed rule designating more than 28,270 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico, an area larger than West Virginia, as a “critical habitat” for the newly discovered Rice’s whale—a clear attempt to shut down oil and gas operations in the area over a single sighting of a whale in 2017.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter pressing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the decision-making behind certain grants to the Amtrak NY-NJ Gateway Program and asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to commit to giving fair consideration to the whole country for grants, rather than favoring the Northeast Corridor.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) demanding answers on whether the deployment of federal air marshals to assist along the southwest border is risking the safety of the flying public.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the newly sworn-in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner, Anna Gomez, urging her to oppose FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s plan to expand the E-rate program beyond school classrooms and libraries. The proposed expansion of funding, including to fund Wi-Fi hotspots on school buses, is not only unlawful (the statute only allows for connectivity spending for classrooms and libraries) but raises concerns about subsidizing children’s unsupervised internet access to social media sites like TikTok and Instagram on their bus rides to and from school.

Sen. Cruz and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) today sent a letter to the law firm Sher Edling LLP demanding information related to the firm’s barrage of lawsuits targeting energy companies, and the role the acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ann Carlson, played in these lawsuits while serving as a professor at UCLA Law School.

Sen. Cruz took to the Senate floor requesting unanimous consent to pass the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, bicameral, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The Pay Our Coast Guard Act would ensure Coast Guardsmen are paid just like other military personnel in the event of a government shutdown.

Sen. Cruz led all Committee Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden, blasting the administration for violating the Vacancies Act by allowing Ann Carlson, who was effectively rejected by the Senate to be administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to serve as acting head of the agency.

Sen. Cruz joined Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on an amicus brief in a case concerning the Biden administration’s decision to alter the terms of “Lease Sale 261,” an oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Sen. Cruz released a fact-finding report on the single largest pot of federal money ever allocated for broadband—the $42.45 billion allocation for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan seeking answers regarding her plans to regulate artificial intelligence for “disinformation” and “bias.” The letter explains that the FTC’s review of large language models used to train AI, which comes without any explicit statutory congressional authorization, may also infringe on constitutionally-protected speech.

Sen. Cruz sent letters to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan and the head of the European Union’s San Francisco office, demanding answers regarding the degree of coordination between the FTC and the EU to enforce the EU’s Digital Services Act (“DSA”) and Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) on U.S. soil.

Sen. Cruz and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), announced that they had secured a bipartisan amendment to prevent the Biden administration from banning gas stoves in households across America in the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) funding bill. The amendment largely mirrors the bipartisan Gas Stoves Protection and Freedom Act that they had introduced together in February that would preclude CPSC from using federal funds to ban gas stoves or impose regulations that would substantially increase the costs of gas stoves to make them unaffordable for Americans.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, the superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), demanding answers about the safety of cadets in light of disturbing remarks by the school’s sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) director.

Sen. Cruz and Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a bipartisan letter to seven automakers that either removed or planned to remove broadcast AM radio in their current and future vehicle models, including electric vehicles, urging the automakers to make a commitment to keep AM radio in their vehicles.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan regarding the troubling drop in employee morale at the agency.

Sen. Cruz led a coalition of Senate Republican committee ranking members in sounding the alarm over an attempt by the White House to hijack the rulemaking process to advance left-wing policy goals that have been rejected by Congress.

Sen. Cruz published a 13-page memo to the beer industry’s self-regulatory body detailing how Bud Light’s sponsorship of Dylan Mulvaney violated industry standards that prohibit marketing to underage individuals.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to immediately nominate a “serious and well-qualified person with substantial aviation experience” to serve as Federal Aviation Administration administrator.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg demanding answers about reporting from the Wall Street Journal describing how Instagram’s recommendation systems actively facilitated the production, purchase, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Sen. Cruz and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) opened an investigation into and called on the beer industry’s self-regulatory body—the Beer Institute—to investigate whether Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with influencer Dylan Mulvaney violates the Beer Institute’s guidelines prohibiting marketing to underage individuals. The letter outlines evidence showing that Dylan Mulvaney’s audience skews younger than the legal drinking age and that Mulvaney’s social media content appeals to young viewers.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission Acting Inspector General asking that she open an investigation into whether FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s unprecedented actions against the Standard General-TEGNA transaction, including the decision to have the FCC’s Media Bureau designate the transaction for an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) hearing, were motivated by a biased desire to block the deal.

Sen. Cruz and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent bicameral letters to Consumer Reports, the Climate Imperative Foundation, and Stacey Abrams’ Rewiring America group.

Sen. Cruz led his Senate Commerce Republican colleagues in sending a letter highlighting serious concerns regarding President Biden’s nominee to lead the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA), Ann Carlson, and her past record of promoting green energy mandates for the automobile industry.

Sen. Cruz and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a bicameral letter to Mary Daly, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“SF Fed”), regarding the SF Fed’s failure to properly ensure the safety and soundness of Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and to comply with congressional oversight requests about SVB’s collapse.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting information related to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) long-running inability to address congestion and air traffic controller shortages in the New York region.

Sen. Cruz and Republican committee members sent a letter expressing concern that President Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg are improperly favoring Northeastern states over the rest of the country with respect to Amtrak Board seats and a large taxpayer-funded rail grant program.

Sen. Cruz sent letters to nine Big Tech firms seeking information about coordination with more than 40 government officials who were attempting to flag, censor, and investigate the content and accounts of Americans online.

Sen. Cruz led a letter with more than a dozen Senate Republican colleagues to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging the administration to strike a number of liberal social policy conditions that were attached to grants for domestic chip production. Few of the requirements on the $39 billion in money, such as requiring applicants to develop plans around mass transit use and affordable housing, were found in the CHIPS Act, a bill enacted last year meant to help re-shore semiconductor manufacturing.

Sen. Cruz sent a series of letters to Biden regulators and left-wing environmental advocacy groups seeking information and preservation of documents regarding their role in the Biden administration’s recent efforts to ban gas stoves.

Sen. Cruz and Rep. Jim Jordan opened a probe into the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation of Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.

Sen. Cruz called on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to rescind its costly, radical proposed rule to require government contractors to provide extensive information about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeking information about its lengthy delays in reaching decisions on applications for deepwater ports for exporting oil and natural gas. The letter also urged MARAD to meet its statutory deadlines to make decisions. Currently, four of the seven applications for licenses are for projects located off the coast of Texas.

Sen. Cruz sent a letter to social media companies Meta, Google, Twitter, and TikTok launching an oversight investigation into these companies’ use of recommendation algorithms and their reported use of “blacklists,” “de-emphasizing,” and other means of “reduced distribution” of content from users, including many conservatives.

Sen. Cruz, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) sent a letter to the CEOs of DirectTV and its controlling shareholders, AT&T and TPG, voicing deep concerns about DirecTV’s decision to drop conservative news network Newsmax.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-on-state-of-the-union-political-leaders-need-to-start-talking-about-the-emotional-state-of-america,Murphy on State of the Union: Political Leaders Need to Start Talking About the Emotional State of America,2023-12-31,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined CNN’s State of the Union to discuss how government can help tackle the loneliness epidemic and why it’s important for Americans to have a national conversation about rebuilding community and connection.

“Last year, we had more suicides in the United States than in any year in our lifetime. Rising rates of violence. More people taking withdrawal drugs and overdosing. It feels like people are having a harder time finding purpose and meaning than ever before. And part of the reason for that – a lot of people are lonely and feeling alone. 20 years ago, only 3% of Americans reported having no friends. Today, 12% of Americans say they have not a single friend. We report spending half as much time as we used to on a daily basis with family and friends. We’re withdrawing into ourselves, and with that comes a real sickness, emotionally, spiritually, physically. And it's something that I think political leaders need to start talking about because it impacts everybody in this country on the right and the left. And it's actually a wonderful unifying conversation because everyone in this country is feeling alone,” said Murphy.

On bipartisan support for regulating social media, Murphy said: “The social media companies absolutely are determined to protect their addictive technology. Their entire business model is centered around trying to get us to look at our phones six to eight hours a day. They make less money if we're talking to each other rather than looking at our phones. But the good news is this conversation about social media regulation is one that actually brings Republicans and Democrats, the right and the left together. You talk to parents out there – it really has nothing to do with their ideology as to whether or not they want more help in trying to keep their kids off of TikTok, off of Instagram, especially when they see those sites really taking their children into a dark rabbit hole.”

Murphy discussed how the political discourse is disconnected from what Americans are really feeling: “I think when you don't have leaders that are sticking up for you and plugging into the things that matter most to you, that makes you feel alone, right? You want a champion. You want somebody that understands what you're going through and is fighting for you. That's why I think we have to talk about the emotional state of America because that's a way for political leaders to directly plug into the actual things that people are feeling. And so when we just sort of talk about the price of health care or the unemployment rate – that isn't directly connected to the spiritual, emotional state of the country in a way a conversation about loneliness or purpose or meaning would be. I know that those are topics that feel very unfamiliar and distant to political leadership, but it actually, I think, would scratch the American public where they itch and make them feel less alone if they thought political leaders were actually talking about the way that they feel.”

Murphy added: “You can’t just have a conversation simply about how people are feeling. You’ve got to say ‘how are you feeling,’ and then what can government do to make it better. If you talk about loneliness, part of the policy is social media regulation, but it's also free time and leisure time, right? Giving people the space where they can go join a church or a social club. It's about connection. I want a four-day work week. I want more functional third places. I want more community pools. And I want more vibrant churches. I want places where people can meet. You have to start the conversation around purpose and meaning and connection, but then I think you need to move pretty quickly to policy, but make sure that that's one conversation.”

Earlier this month, Murphy authored an op-ed for the New Republic to make the case for a political realignment oriented around a set of solutions that would address America’s spiritual unspooling and enable Americans to have more economic control over their lives, more social connection, and more moral markets.

Murphy and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults (SILO) Act, legislation to establish a grant and training program for community-based organizations working to address social isolation among older adults and adults with disabilities – two populations at greater risk for loneliness. Earlier this year, Murphy introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act, which would create an Office of Social Connection Policy within the White House to work across federal agencies to develop effective strategies for improved social infrastructure and issue national guidelines for social connection similar to existing guidelines on sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. It would also provide funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better understand the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-need-for-congressional-oversight-of-weapons-transfers,Kaine Statement on Need for Congressional Oversight of Weapons Transfers,2023-12-30,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to transfer weapons to Israel without congressional oversight:

“Just as Congress has a crucial role to play in all matters of war and peace, Congress should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation. Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark. We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision—the second such decision this month.”

Kaine has long been a leading voice for the need to make decisions related to war and peace through a deliberate congressional process. This month, Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval was signed into law. Earlier this year, the Senate voted to pass Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars.

Kaine strongly condemned Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and has been vocal about the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He’s taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including directly engaging the Qatari and Egyptian governments, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and counter Hamas’ terrorist threats. Kaine led his colleagues in calling for a short-term cessation of violence in order to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians in Gaza.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-december-podcast-king-discusses-new-gun-safety-legislation-with-senator-mark-kelly-and-former-maine-us-marshal,"In December Podcast, King Discusses New Gun Safety Legislation with Senator Mark Kelly and Former Maine U.S. Marshal",2023-12-30,2023,2023-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the December episode of his “Inside Maine” podcast, in which he discussed new gun safety legislation to save lives in Maine and across the country. During the podcast, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) joined Senator King to discuss the GOSAFE ACT which they recently introduced to limit the sale, manufacture and transfer of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms like the one used during the October 25th attack in Lewiston. Later in the podcast, retired U.S. Marshal Chief Noel C. March shared insights from his four decades in law enforcement on gun safety, community engagement, and how the GOSAFE Act would save lives and make it easier for law enforcement to respond to mass shootings.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more mass shootings in the United States in 2023 than days.

“For too long, communities across our country have felt the devastation and heartbreak of America’s gun violence epidemic – with each mass shooting and senseless act of violence leaving Americans to wonder if they or their loved ones will be next,” said Senator King. We owe it to the people of Maine, and victims of gun violence across the country, to prevent more gun violence while protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. Saving lives remains my one and only goal.”

As the son of two police officers, Senator Mark Kelly learned the value of public service at an early age. Senator Kelly earned his B.S. degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and later an M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. As a Navy pilot, he made multiple deployments on the aircraft carrier USS Midway and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Senator Kelly is the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and multiple Air Medals. He has logged more than 5,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft and has over 375 carrier landings. Senator Kelly retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain. Senator Kelly is Chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, where he plays a leading role in getting our airmen and soldiers the tools they need to do their jobs, while also expanding Arizona’s role in our national defense.

Noel C. March is a Lecturer of Justice Studies and Director of the Maine Community Policing Institute at University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). From 2010 to 2018 he served as an appointee of President Barack Obama as the United States Marshal in Maine where he represented the U.S. Department of Justice in the protection of our federal courts and judges, the investigation and apprehension of federal fugitives, the investigation of registered sex offenders, confiscation of criminal assets and support of the witness protection program. Chief March is now a nationally recognized subject-matter-expert in Community Engagement, Community Oriented Policing and Campus Safety who has served on the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Board of Directors. Noel is a graduate of the 170th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy as well as the University of New England and the University of Maine Graduate School, where he earned degrees in Organizational Leadership and Peace & Reconciliation Studies, respectively.

Senator King previously led bipartisan, common-sense legislation to address the gun violence epidemic in the United States while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. The Safer Communities Act, passed in 2022, includes increased mental health resources, funding for red flag laws, and enhanced background checks for buyers under 21.

Bill text for the GOSAFE Act can be found here. Senator King’s new op-ed on the GOSAFE Act can be found here.

The ""Inside Maine"" podcast airs on the last Saturday of the month and aims to keep Mainers informed about issues, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work.

To listen to the December edition of Senator King’s podcast, click here. You can also find it on Apple Podcasts.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-administrations-decision-to-bypass-congressional-arms-sale-approval,Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s Decision to Bypass Congressional Arms Sale Approval,2023-12-30,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"News Alert: Share how President Trump’s Executive Orders are impacting you or your family

News Alert: Share how President Trump’s Executive Orders are impacting y...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-brauns-bipartisan-slow-down-move-over-resolution-passed-by-the-senate,"Blumenthal & Braun's Bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over Resolution Passed by the Senate",2023-12-29,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – The Senate passed the bipartisan “Slow Down, Move Over” resolution led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN). The resolution raises awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities and to recognize the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety.

“I’m proud the Senate has unanimously passed our bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over resolution,” said Blumenthal. “Tragic collisions that injure and kill first responders and roadside assistance workers like Corey Iodice continue to happen. This resolution amplifies the simple yet effective way to keep workers safe on the roads: Slow Down and Move Over.”

“Too many first responders and roadside assistance workers are killed in accidents on our highways,” said Braun. “This resolution is inspired by Corey Iodice, who was killed in such an accident, and is a reminder to all of us of the simple thing we can do to prevent these accidents: slow down, and move over.”

All 50 states have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Despite these laws, many motorists are unaware of them and roadside fatalities and injuries continue. On average, an emergency first responder is struck and killed every 4.65 days working on America's roadways, with 51 deaths occurring in 2022.

The Slow Down, Move Over resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jon Tester (D-MT). It is inspired by Corey Iodice, a tow truck operator for his family’s business, who was tragically struck and killed on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut in 2020 while assisting a driver. Following his death, his sister Cindy Iodice launched Flagman, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and educating drivers about the roadside dangers faced by first responders and highway workers.

“Emergency responders are the unsung heroes of our nation’s roads,” said Iodice, “so it’s important to keep the message of Slow Down Move Over in the motoring public’s eye. This resolution does just that. It serves as a clear reminder that emergency responders and highway workers operate in dangerous situations to keep the roads open and safe for the traveling public. Prioritizing their safety is essential.”

The resolution is supported by a number of organizations, including Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), American Automobile Association (AAA), American Association of State Troopers, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Eastern Transportation Coalition, Governors Highway Safety Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Association of Police Organizations, National Association of State EMS Officials, National District Attorneys Association, National Safety Council, National Sheriff’s Association, and National Volunteer Fire Council.

The text of the resolution is available here.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-2023-end-of-year-report,Murphy Releases 2023 End of Year Report,2023-12-29,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"HARTFORD–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Friday released his End of Year Report outlining the work he’s done for the people of Connecticut during 2023. The report details Murphy’s legislative priorities this year, including implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, tackling the fentanyl crisis, rebuilding community and connection, protecting kids and holding social media companies accountable, supporting workers, making housing more affordable, and more. Murphy also helped deliver billions of federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act to create good-paying jobs in Connecticut.

This year, Murphy and his office:

Introduced or co-sponsored more than 200 pieces of legislation, including 24 bills or resolutions as the lead sponsor.

Completed his seventh Walk Across Connecticut: four days, 67 miles, 17 towns, and hundreds of people along the way.

Traveled across the state, hosting 139 town halls, roundtables, listening sessions and more with Connecticut residents.

Responded and reached out to Connecticut residents through over 529,883 calls, emails, and letters.

Returned $3,189,384 to constituents, including owed Social Security payments, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds, and other savings from federal agencies.

Helped over 8,100 constituents work through federal issues and get their owed benefits.

Click here to download Senator Murphy’s 2023 End of Year Report.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours,Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours,2023-12-29,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.

Note: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of our constituents.

Milwaukee County Office Hours

Tuesday, January 2

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Washington Park Senior Center

4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-continues-working-to-ensure-usps-fixes-mail-and-newspaper-delivery-issues-in-north-dakota-receives-commitment-to-address-dickinson-delivery-issue-minot-box-repairs,"Hoeven Continues Working to Ensure USPS Fixes Mail & Newspaper Delivery Issues in North Dakota, Receives Commitment to Address Dickinson Delivery Issue, Minot Box Repairs",2023-12-28,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,hoeven,https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Hoeven Continues Working to Ensure USPS Fixes Mail & Newspaper Delivery Issues in North Dakota, Receives Commitment to Address Dickinson Delivery Issue, Minot Box Repairs

Senator Calls on USPS Meet with Communities before Moving Forward with Processing Changes

***Click here for Hoeven’s letter to USPS. Click here and here for USPS’s responses to Hoeven.***

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven continued his efforts to ensure that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is fixing mail and newspaper delivery issues in North Dakota, and again called on the Postal Service meet with communities in the state before moving forward with mail processing changes.

“From receiving the local newspaper to refilling prescriptions, paying bills, and sending packages to family and friends during the holiday season, our residents rely on the essential services provided by USPS,” said Hoeven. “We continue working to ensure that USPS is fixing delivery issues and at the same time have reiterated our concerns with proposed changes to mail processing in the state. USPS must meet with the impacted communities to answer any questions or concerns North Dakotans may have about the proposed change before moving forward with any processing changes.”

Hoeven has repeatedly raised concerns regarding delayed delivery of mail, packages and newspapers, as well as concerns about proposed changes to mail processing facilities, to USPS officials including, Director of Midwest Processing Operations Kathy Hand and Minnesota/North Dakota District Manager Angela Bye. In response to Hoeven, the USPS:

Committed to ensure that local newspapers are not sent to Fargo for processing but rather remain within their respective communities for prompt delivery.

Committed to address delivery issues, particularly with mail and local newspapers, that are concentrated in an area located in downtown Dickinson.

Committed to repair all USPS-owned cluster box units (CBUs) in Minot, North Dakota no later than January 5.

-###-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-merkley-announce-federal-investment-of-more-than-1-million-in-habitat-for-humanity-in-tillamook-county,Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Investment of More Than $1 Million in Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook County,2023-12-28,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Federal loan will help Habitat open ReStore retail operations in Tillamook County

Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of more than $1.1 million for Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook to secure space for its retail operations and administrative offices.

“In my town halls in Tillamook County and throughout the state, I hear from Oregon families and businesses that housing poses a huge challenge,” Wyden said. “Housing is a human right, and Habitat for Humanity has been on the frontline providing much-needed homes for Oregonians struggling to afford a roof over their heads. This investment will allow Habitat for Humanity to continue serving the citizens of Tillamook County for years to come.”

“Everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home. This federal investment heading to Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook County will help more rural Oregonians access quality housing,” said Sen. Merkley, who formerly led one of Habitat for Humanity's Oregon chapters. “I have seen firsthand the difference that accessible homeownership makes for families and the inspiring dedication of Habitat's staff and volunteers, who are working to realize a world where everyone has a decent home in a decent community.”

The $1.13 million Rural Development loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be used to buy an 8,625-square-foot commercial facility for Habitat for Humanity of Tillamook County's ReStore's retail operations and the organization's administrative offices.

Habitat for Humanity works with families, local communities, volunteers and partners to enable more people to live in affordable and safe homes. Its advocacy focuses on policy reform to remove systemic barriers preventing low-income and historically underserved families from having access to adequate, affordable shelter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-statement-on-passing-of-senator-herb-kohl,Senator Baldwin Statement on Passing of Senator Herb Kohl,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on the passing of former Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl.

“Herb was my role model. Herb was a true public servant, leading with compassion and humility, and uncompromising in putting Wisconsin first. It didn’t matter how powerful the opposing forces were or how long the fight was, Herb was willing to take on any challenge if it meant a brighter future for Wisconsin. Herb was as generous as they come – with his resources, his knowledge, his time, and his heart. Wisconsin is lucky to have had Herb Kohl in our corner and we are undoubtedly a better, more just place because of his service. He truly was nobody’s senator but ours. My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and the entire Badger State as we mourn the loss of a Wisconsin giant.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-markey-call-on-tesla-to-recall-all-vehicle-components-that-pose-known-safety-risks,Blumenthal & Markey Call on Tesla to Recall All Vehicle Components that Pose Known Safety Risks,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After alarming reporting on Tesla safety flaws, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) called on the company to immediately recall all vehicle components that pose a risk to consumers. A recent Reuters investigation revealed that Tesla knows about existing flaws in its cars, including serious issues with steering control and suspension caused by component failures, but conceals the causes of the flaws from U.S. regulators while blaming its customers for them.

“We write with extreme concern following recent reporting about Tesla’s knowledge of safety flaws in its vehicles and concealment of the causes of these flaws from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),” wrote Blumenthal and Markey to Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk. “This reporting puts your statement from January that ‘Teslas are the safest car on the road’ at stark contrast with reality. We call on you to swiftly recall all Tesla components that pose a safety risk and correct the record with NHTSA to ensure it can properly do its job.”

NHTSA is currently conducting investigations into one suspension connection point, the fore link, and power steering after failures experienced by Tesla drivers. In 2020, Tesla recalled the front suspension aft link and rear suspension upper link in China, suggesting the company is aware of these flaws in its vehicles, but no recall has yet taken place in the U.S. or other countries.

“[W]e are disturbed that you would blame your customers for these failures. Reporting notes that Tesla repeatedly attributed the suspension failures to ‘vehicle misuse’ or ‘driver abuse,’ including when justifying to NHTSA why it was not pursuing the aforementioned suspension recall in the United States,” continued the senators. “It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift the responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles to the people purchasing them, but also make that same flawed argument to NHTSA.”

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

Blumenthal and Markey have long pushed for autonomous vehicle (AV) technology safety. In August 2021, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), calling for the agency to launch an investigation into Tesla’s advertising of driving automation systems. The full text of the letter can be found here. In February 2022, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to Tesla Co-founder and CEO Elon Musk following numerous reports of dangerous braking flaws in Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems and amid several federal safety investigations, voicing serious concerns with the implementation of the company’s technology. The full text of the letter to Musk can be found here. In June 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement applauding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for upgrading its investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis after identifying additional crashes at first responder sites. In October 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement on a reported DOJ investigation into Tesla’s misleading advertising of driving automation systems. In February 2023, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement on Tesla’s recall of its vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta software due to crash risk, and in December 2023, the senators issued a joint statement on Tesla’s recall of 2 million vehicles with Autosteer, an Autopilot feature.

December 27, 2023

Mr. Elon Musk

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

Tesla

3500 Deer Creek Road

Palo Alto, California 94304

Dear Mr. Musk,

We write with extreme concern following recent reporting about Tesla’s knowledge of safety flaws in its vehicles and concealment of the causes of these flaws from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This reporting puts your statement from January that “Teslas are the safest car on the road” at stark contrast with reality.[1] We call on you to swiftly recall all Tesla components that pose a safety risk and correct the record with NHTSA to ensure it can properly do its job.

An alarming Reuters report last week outlined repeated failures in steering control and suspension parts on Tesla vehicles shortly after purchase. The report detailed complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft links, and sudden losses of power steering – often while a vehicle was in motion.[2] We are encouraged that NHTSA is conducting investigations into the fore link and power steering.[3] However, it appears that Tesla knew about the flaws in its components and failed to take action: in 2020, Tesla recalled the front suspension aft link and rear suspension upper link in China after pressure from regulators, but no such recall occurred in the United States or elsewhere in the world, putting countless Americans and others on the road at undue risk.[4] We urge you to swiftly issue a recall for any component – power steering, suspension, or otherwise – that poses a threat to the safe functioning of a vehicle.

Moreover, we are disturbed that you would blame your customers for these failures. Reporting notes that Tesla repeatedly attributed the suspension failures to “vehicle misuse” or “driver abuse,” including when justifying to NHTSA why it was not pursuing the aforementioned suspension recall in the United States.[5] It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift the responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles to the people purchasing them, but also make that same flawed argument to NHTSA. NHTSA exists to ensure roadway safety, but it cannot do its job with incomplete or incorrect information.

In light of these apparent false and misleading representations, we demand that you correct the record in every respect and that you commit to providing accurate and truthful statements in the future. The credibility and reputation of your company is at stake – and even more importantly, the safety of motorists and others on the roads.

As you are well aware, no company is above the law. We appreciate your urgent attention to this important matter, and we await your written response.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-highlights-2023-accomplishments-in-year-end-round-up,Duckworth Highlights 2023 Accomplishments in Year-End Round Up,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As 2023 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year:

“From helping almost 4,000 Illinoisans recover more than $2 million the Federal Government owed them to bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars to get the lead out of children’s drinking water, and from protecting hundreds of jobs in Peoria to helping bring home Illinois hostages held abroad, I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished this year,” Duckworth said. “It’s a true honor to continue serving Illinoisans in the United States Senate and as I look forward to the year ahead, I know there’s still much work to do to help save working families money, protect and defend women’s rights, end preventable gun violence, invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, advocate for Illinois on a global stage, support our troops and make sure we keep the promises we’ve made to our Veterans. I’m eager to get back to work for Illinois in 2024.”

Over the past year, Duckworth and her office responded to nearly 600,000 emails and other messages as well as assisted more than 3,500 Illinoisans who were experiencing difficulties navigating the federal bureaucracy, helping recover more than $2 million in Social Security payments, Veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and more. A select list of Duckworth’s accomplishments from the past year is below, and a comprehensive review of her first full term in the U.S. Senate, which ended on January 2, 2023, is available on the Senator’s website using the link here.

Key Accomplishments:

Helping get the lead out of our children’s water: Thanks in part to Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, this year Illinois received significant federal support for water infrastructure upgrades. Duckworth helped announce $332 million for Illinois’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund while in Rockford, and another $336 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans for Chicago.

Safeguarding hundreds of jobs in Peoria: After years of sustained effort from Duckworth to establish a minimum inventory of C-130 aircraft, Duckworth this year celebrated the Air National Guard’s decision in selecting Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing as one of four preferred locations for new C-130J aircraft to replace the aging C-130H models. This announcement ensures the mission of the 182nd Airlift Wing is safeguarded, protecting the jobs of 1,200 Airmen and approximately 370 full-time employees.

Pushing for Illinois’s leadership in future technology: Duckworth advocated for and championed Illinois in its selection for Tech Hub and hydrogen production and distribution hub initiatives. The Chicago Quantum Exchange’s The Bloch: End-to-end Quantum Solutions at Scale and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Central Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub were selected and are now eligible to apply for between $40-$75 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding to help Chicagoland remain at the cutting edge of technological innovation. The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub was awarded $1 billion in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Honoring our state and nation’s history: After introducing her Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, and Roberts Temple National Historic Site Act in 2021 and 2023, this year the Biden Administration designated the church that held Emmett Till’s pivotal open-casket wake in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood as a national monument. Duckworth also continues to push her Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act closer to becoming law and establishing the site as a national monument. This year the bill was reported favorably out of committee and sent to the full Senate after the National Park Service declared strong support for passing the legislation.

Protecting reproductive rights: Duckworth has made protecting and expanding access to essential reproductive healthcare a top priority. With the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to consider a case that could determine the future of widespread access to Mifepristone, Duckworth introduced a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Earlier this year Duckworth joined more than 250 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and also helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, which would guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country. On the one-year anniversary of the disastrous Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, Duckworth visited Southern Illinois’s CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about the clinic’s work as one of the closest clinics for Americans in states across the South. And Duckworth hosted Dr. Erin King of the Metro East’s Hope Clinic as her guest at this year’s State of the Union address.

Helping bring Illinois hostages home and pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza: Following negotiations, Duckworth aided in the release of Illinoisans Judith and Natalie Raanan who were taken by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks on Israel. Duckworth continued underscoring the need for all parties to remain laser-focused on the safe return of all hostages being held by Hamas and to take all possible measures to protect and deliver humanitarian aid to innocent civilians suffering in Gaza. Duckworth has consistently called for bringing sustained and greater humanitarian relief into Gaza to minimize the suffering of innocent civilians. Her efforts include urging for the inclusions of full humanitarian assistance in any national security funding packages, calling for humanitarian cessations of hostilities, pushing for fuel to be allowed into Gaza for hospitals and water treatment and more.

Supporting union workers: When United Auto Workers authorized a strike against General Motors, Stellantis and Ford earlier this year, Duckworth joined striking workers in Naperville to show her solidarity as workers pushed for better wages. Duckworth commended President Biden’s visit to Stellantis in Belvidere to celebrate the agreement reached between UAW and Stellantis for a new contract that included re-opening the shuttered plant in that city as an electric vehicle battery plant.

Helping families keep in touch with loved ones: Just days into the new year, Duckworth’s Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act was signed into law after years of Duckworth pushing for the law, which is already helping ensure consumers trying to keep in touch with their incarcerated loved ones are charged just and reasonable rates for all inter- and intra-state calls, regardless of the technology used.

Supporting servicemembers and bolstering military readiness: As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth secured several important provisions in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Her key provisions will help support a strong and ready total force, lead in the Indo-Pacific region, build the logistics enterprise for a combat-credible deterrent, tackle climate change and defend the environment and restore American competitiveness. This year’s NDAA also will help Illinois by supporting school districts near military bases and charting a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft.

Condemning reckless Republican efforts harming our military: Throughout Senator Tommy Tuberville’s ultimately futile, damaging and failed blockade on more than 450 critical military promotions, Duckworth repeatedly called for Tuberville to end his nearly year-long hold that hurt our military readiness and national security, as well as forcing unnecessary harm on our military families. In September, Duckworth joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues and military leaders in calling out Tuberville’s hold where she urged her Republican colleagues to stop simply disagreeing with Senator Tuberville in secret and to come forward and publicly condemn Tuberville’s dangerous military hold lest they be complicit in his efforts, too. In July, Duckworth also joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to condemn Tuberville’s reckless, partisan hold. She also joined other SASC members in calling on U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to help end Tuberville’s hold. In a hearing, Duckworth called Tuberville out, arguing that his actions have left our Marines without a Commandant for the first time in more than a century, hold our servicemembers and military families hostage over an individual senator’s political agenda and threaten our military readiness and national security.

Advocating for Illinois on an international stage: During her first year as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth led a series of official visits abroad to champion Illinois and strengthen economic ties for our state. Throughout the year Duckworth led a series of trips to Japan, Indonesia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Romania and the United Kingdom to highlight the benefits of Illinois’s major exports as well as its position as a prime location for business expansion and investment in the U.S.—touting the state’s strong workforce, educational and research institutions, and energy and transportation infrastructure. Following her trip to Japan, Japan announced a regulatory change that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois’s economy. Duckworth highlighted her efforts this year at fireside chats at City Club Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Enhancing Medicare for the disability community: After years of sustained and determined efforts led by Duckworth, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—for the first time in history—expanded Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems embedded in power wheelchairs, which are vital durable medical equipment that enable wheelchair users to independently perform activities of daily living, such as getting into and out of a power wheelchair, dressing and preparing meals.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-federal-highway-administration-has-heeded-his-calls-and-approved-plan-for-long-sought-crash-gate-for-emergency-vehicles-to-improve-safety-on-i-84,SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION HAS HEEDED HIS CALLS AND APPROVED PLAN FOR LONG-SOUGHT CRASH GATE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON I-84,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"After launching his push earlier this year following the bus crash on I-84 in Orange County that tragically killed two adults and injured dozens of Farmingdale High School students, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has heeded his calls to assist New York State and local officials with the creation of an emergency vehicles-only access road, also known as a “crash gate” on I-84.

“The tragic bus crash in Orange County this past September was just one of many a horrific tragedies that have taken place on Interstate 84 and plagued communities across New York with fear about the ability of first responders to quickly respond to these dangerous and sometimes deadly accidents,” said Senator Schumer. “First responders in Orange County have long called for the installation of a life-saving crash gate, and finally, after I called on the FHWA to support our local officials and help keep New Yorkers safe by working with them to greenlight this long desired safety project, I am proud to announce the federal agency has heeded our calls and has officially approved construction on an emergency crash gate for I-84. In an emergency every minute and second counts, and I will continue to fight to deliver the federal resources needed so our first responders can continue to save lives in Orange County and beyond.”

A copy of Schumer’s original join letter to the Federal Highway Administration demanding further action to approve plans for the crash gate can be found here.

Schumer said the construction of a crash gate for I-84 was first proposed over a decade ago, but the original proposal was never finalized. He explained that following his continued advocacy, the FHWA has officially approved the long-stalled state plan to install an emergency access point between the Goshen and Mountain Road exits — the more than a 10-mile stretch of the interstate that prevents timely emergency responses and currently sees about c per year.

Currently, the Slate Hill Fire District’s trucks can only access the highway in a roundabout way, which makes response times longer. Schumer said that September’s bus crash and other recent accidents demonstrated the troubling lack of access to I-84 that exists for first responders in the area. The Slate Hill Fire District’s closest entrance to I-84 is four miles from the firehouse, requiring its trucks to travel into another neighboring fire district just to enter the interstate. By constructing a first responders-only access road built between the eastbound and westbound highways, a crash gate will allow first responders to access I-84 faster and potentially save lives. According to the Slate Hill Fire District Chief, had such a crash gate been available in September, they would have been able to respond 5 to 10 minutes sooner.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/ndaa-signed-into-law-with-key-wins-for-rhode-island,NDAA Signed into Law with Key Wins for Rhode Island,2023-12-24,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual defense authorization bill into law yesterday, confirming the largest raise in military basic pay in decades for servicemembers and the Department of Defense civilian workforce. The NDAA bolsters the defense industrial base and military readiness, providing the U.S. military with strong and versatile capabilities.

Passage of the NDAA – which was approved by Congress earlier this month -- was led by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who worked on a bipartisan basis to pass a comprehensive NDAA that focuses on delivering the resources and equipment our troops need.

“This bipartisan NDAA makes America safer and stronger. It enhances our alliances, improves national security, and supports our servicemembers, their families, and the U.S. economy,” said Senator Reed.

Totaling $883.7 billion in national security investments, the NDAA establishes the policies and funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.

This year’s NDAA addresses significant national security priorities, including: strategic competition with China and Russia; disruptive technologies like hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing; modernizing America’s ships, aircraft, and combat vehicles; and improving the lives of our servicemembers and their families.

Notably, the FY 24 NDAA supports the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) by facilitating the transfer of significant Australian funding to support the U.S. submarine industrial base and the future sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia.

“The defense bill is essential for supporting the brave servicemen and women who volunteer to safeguard America’s freedom, security, and interests at home and across the globe. Now that the NDAA has passed the Senate on a strong, bipartisan basis, I urge the House to follow suit,” said Reed.

Reed noted the NDAA is good news for Rhode Island and a major win for America’s national security.

“This forward-looking defense bill will go a long way toward keeping the American people safe, deterring conflict, and confronting the national security threats we face,” said Senator Reed. “This bipartisan NDAA provides a historic level of support for our troops and their families, including the largest military pay raise in decades. It authorizes record-level investments in the people, platforms, and programs that our forces need to safeguard the nation and advance U.S. interests worldwide. This NDAA accelerates U.S. military research, development, and technology investments to provide our forces with advantages on the battlefield, while also ensuring the U.S. is better equipped to counter disinformation, cyberattacks, and other hybrid threats.”

The NDAA bolsters U.S. alliances and partnerships to operate successfully in competition with rival powers, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Notably, the bill makes key progress toward deterring and countering America’s adversaries, including by reducing dependence on China for raw materials used in defense technologies. The bill also takes steps to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

Reed highlighted several key provisions of the bill that will benefit Rhode Island’s defense workers and industry, including:

More than $10 billion to fully support construction of 2 Virginia-class submarines;

More than $240 million for workforce and training initiatives to support the production of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and the continued construction of Virginia-class submarines;

$74 million for Navy applied research on undersea warfare technologies, led by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC);

$20 million for the Defense Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), which ensures Rhode Island universities may compete to perform cutting-edge basic research and partner with defense labs;

$50 million in supplemental Impact Aid and $20 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities; and

$32 million in military construction funding for the RI Army National Guard.

Additionally, the bill includes several provisions to support small businesses, including language that improves the functioning of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), now known as the APEX Accelerators program; language to improve the timeliness of payments made to all small businesses; and updates to the Defense Rapid Innovation Program to support the transition of technologies from small businesses into fielding and use.

Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, are contributing to a booming defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island’s economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation.

A recent report by SENEDIA shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island’s defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion.

Reed noted that Congress must still enact a full fiscal 2024 appropriations bill when it returns to session in January, as well as a national security supplemental appropriations package that includes additional funds for submarine production. The Department of Defense is currently funded under a short-term continuing resolution that will expire after February 2, 2024.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/the-christmas-spirit,The Christmas Spirit,2023-12-24,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As we celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, we remember the true reason for the season: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the promise of a loving God who offered to us His only son.

On Christmas Eve, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the idea of the Christmas Spirit. Many may think of the Christmas Spirit as baking cookies or decorating the Christmas tree. While this is true, the Christmas Spirit also manifests in how we treat one another. The true Christmas Spirit reflects the teachings of Jesus: love one another, share our gratitude for all of the good things in our lives and give back to those less fortunate.

Showing kindness is the Christmas Spirit. Counting our blessings is the Christmas Spirit. Giving back in our communities is the Christmas Spirit. Thanking others is the Christmas Spirit. Helping our neighbors – strangers, too – is the Christmas Spirit.

One of the blessings I’m giving thanks for this Christmas is the service of our brave men and women in uniform overseas. Our service members and their families sacrifice time together on Christmas so the rest of us can celebrate with our families in peace. We owe them a debt we can never truly repay.

I’m looking forward to spending this evening the same as I do every Christmas Eve: hosting dinner at my home in Fort Pierre with around 100 of my family members, including my kids and grandkids. I hope that you are able to celebrate your traditions this Christmas with your family, friends and loved ones.

Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas and a joyful holiday season. It is an honor to work for you in the United States Senate. Thank you for all you to do make South Dakota the greatest place in the world to call home.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/a-year-in-review-senator-baldwin-crisscrossed-wisconsin,A Year in Review: Senator Baldwin Crisscrossed Wisconsin,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – In 2023, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) attended or hosted nearly 150 community events and meetings with constituents spanning 44 counties across Wisconsin. While crisscrossing the state, Senator Baldwin heard from constituents and celebrated her work to lower costs for families, support veterans, grow the Made in Wisconsin economy, rebuild crumbling infrastructure, and more.

“Traveling across the state and listening to Wisconsinites is what informs my work in Washington, and I’m so grateful to the families, businesses, local leaders, and all the Wisconsinites who take the time to share their experiences with me and are working to solve our state’s toughest challenges,” said Senator Baldwin. “Traveling the state is also a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made. I was proud to deliver real results for Wisconsin families – lowering costs, curbing the opioid and fentanyl crisis, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, and growing our Made in Wisconsin economy. I know we have more work to do, but I am so proud that we are following our state’s motto and moving Forward.”

Below are some highlights from Senator Baldwin’s year crisscrossing Wisconsin:

Addressing Public Safety and Opioid Epidemic

Ladysmith: At a roundtable, Senator Baldwin was joined by public health experts, law enforcement, and local officials to discuss her FEND Off Fentanyl Act and how to better protect our communities against the devastating impacts of opioids and fentanyl.

Wausau: While touring the Wausau Fire Station, Senator Baldwin heard about the impact the $3 million SAFER Grant she helped secure will allow for the hiring of nine new firefighters, helping them meet increasing demand and responsibilities.

Prairie du Chien: Joining first responders, Senator Baldwin celebrated the nearly $5 million of federal funding she helped deliver for the new Prairie du Chien Public Safety Center that will help first responders meet challenges, keep communities safe, and attract and retain talent.

Keshena: Senator Baldwin visited the Menominee Tribal Clinic in Keshena to see how a $1.3 million federal investment is helping the Menominee Tribe build a new tribal clinic to expand access to affordable health care, including mental health services and substance use disorder treatment.

Building a Made in America Economy

Milwaukee: At Rockwell Automation, Senator Baldwin touted her work to bring home a Tech Hub and discussed with consortium partners their work to spur personal medicine innovation, grow our economy, and create jobs in this cutting-edge industry.

Superior: Senator Baldwin met with AFL-CIO Wisconsin leaders at their Annual Meeting in Superior to discuss her efforts to support organized labor and good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and ensure American families have the economic security they need to sleep well at night.

Pleasant Prairie: Senator Baldwin visited Sanmina to celebrate Nokia bringing up to 200 manufacturing jobs to Wisconsin to produce key components for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Eau Claire: While hosting a roundtable at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Senator Baldwin heard about Chippewa Valley Tech College’s program for health career job training. Senator Baldwin helped secure nearly $5 million for this program that will train the healthcare workforce we need in our small towns and rural areas and help ensure traditionally underserved communities are not left behind in today’s economy.

Cambridge: While visiting Cobrahead, a small family business that makes gardening, horticulture, and agriculture equipment, Senator Baldwin highlighted her COOL Online Act, legislation that ensures all goods sold online list their country-of-origin and promotes American-made goods for online shoppers.

Cutting Prescription Drug Prices and Expanding Access to Mental Health Care

Waukesha: Senator Baldwin toured the Waukesha Free Clinic and joined local seniors and stakeholders to discuss the impact of cutting prescription drug prices. Senator Baldwin has long advocated for lowering prescription drug prices and helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, caps the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month, and caps Medicare beneficiaries out of pocket costs at $2,000 per year.

Green Bay: Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers toured the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center and hosted a roundtable with local leaders and metal health providers. Senator Baldwin successfully secured $3 million in this year’s budget to support implementation of the hotline.

Onalaska: Senator Baldwin visited Gunderson Pharmacy with seniors and health officials to learn about the impact of her Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to cap the cost of insulin and cut prescription drug costs.

Delivering for Wisconsin Infrastructure

Superior: Senator Baldwin, Governor Evers, and local officials visited the Blatnik Bridge to continue to urge the Biden Administration to replace the aging bridge.

Casco: Senator Baldwin stopped in Casco to highlight the broadband expansion the Village of Casco has undertaken to connect 291 distinct addresses to high-speed internet through a grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin using state and federal funds.

Milwaukee: Senator Baldwin saw firsthand the block-by-block lead service line replacement work being done and highlighted investments from the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead pipes in Milwaukee.

Wausau: Senator Baldwin joined officials from Wausau and Rib Mountain to tour the new Wausau Water Treatment Plant and highlight the over $3.3 million in federal funding Senator Baldwin secured for PFAS remediation for the city of Wausau and the Rib Mountain Sanitary District.

Standing Up for Wisconsin Veterans and Servicemembers

New Richmond, Wausau, Green Bay, Racine: In May, Senator Baldwin hosted a series of roundtable discussions on her efforts to increase health care and disability benefits for Wisconsin veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure while serving in the military. Veterans are now eligible for these benefits because of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 that Senator Baldwin helped pass into law.

Prairie du Sac: Senator Baldwin presented a Purple Heart Award to Rebecca Litscher, to provide long overdue recognition for her service and sacrifice.

Fort McCoy: Senator Baldwin toured the existing barracks at Fort McCoy that serve the thousands of reservists who come from across the country to train each year. Senator Baldwin secured the funds for Fort McCoy in the 2022 and 2023 government funding bills, to help construct permanent barracks that can house nearly 1,000 enlisted soldiers and officers during annual training and mobilization.

Supporting Our Farmers and Rural Communities

Greenleaf: Senator Baldwin toured Brickstead Farms, a fifth-generation family-run dairy farm, to discuss her work securing investments to help Wisconsin’s farmers, producers, and growers mitigate the impact of climate change and build sustainable agriculture operations.

Columbus: Senator Baldwin toured Gurn-Z Meadow Farm in Columbus and met with Dairy Business Innovation Initiative recipients to hear how they are using the funding to diversify their business products and launch new processing ventures.

Stratford: Senator Baldwin visited Marshfield Agricultural Research Center for a tour and to hear how the $6 million in federal funding she secured will better support researchers and the Wisconsin agricultural community.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/the-voices-behind-the-kids-online-safety-act-lori-schott-from-colorado,The Voices Behind the Kids Online Safety Act: Lori Schott from Colorado,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), is strongly supported by a broad coalition of parents who have tragically lost their children or whose kids have been severely harmed by Big Tech, young people who want to regain control over their online lives, and experts and advocates who study and see the negative effects of social media firsthand in their communities. The “Voices Behind the Kids Online Safety Act” series will amplify their stories as they call on Congress to pass the legislation to help protect themselves online and to hold Big Tech accountable. The bill has the support of nearly half of the U.S. Senate.

Lori Schott

Lori Schott’s interview with Denver7

The full interview & story can be found HERE

The Schott Family’s Story:

The Schotts lost Annalee on November 15, 2020. She was just 18 years old when she died by suicide. Her mom, dad and brothers were left brokenhearted, and at a complete loss as to what led her to such a dark place.”

But as Lori came to learn, Annalee left behind clues.

…

Scrolling through the videos, Lori said she found video after video of young people sharing — and at times glamorizing — self-harm and self-hate. Many had tens of thousands of likes or more.

Lori Schott’s Mission:

“At that moment is when I decided that pain has to be purpose, that I don’t want to see what happened to our daughter impact any other children,"" Lori said.

Stories like Annalee Schott’s have inspired a rare bipartisan mission in Washington, D.C. to hold social media companies accountable for the content their algorithms serve to our young people. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is before Congress and has cosponsors from both parties, including Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper.

…

But in Lori Schott’s eyes, KOSA is a vital first step to making the internet safer for our kids and building her daughter’s legacy. Annalee left her journal entries, Lori said, so we all could “see the impact and to dig down deep to do something about it.”

“Our kids deserve better,” Lori said.

The full Denver7 story and Lori Schott’s interview with Denver7 can be found here

Blumenthal and Blackburn are the lead sponsors of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would provide kids and parents with better tools to protect themselves online, hold Big Tech accountable for harms to kids, and provide transparency into black box algorithms.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-demands-answers-about-temporarily-shuttered-international-railway-crossings-in-texas-diverted-cbp-resources-to-process-illegal-aliens,"Cruz Demands Answers About Temporarily Shuttered International Railway Crossings in Texas, Diverted CBP Resources to Process Illegal Aliens",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demanding answers about U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s decision to temporarily close two international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, and divert CBP resources to help process illegal aliens, who are unlawfully entering the U.S. in record numbers. Sen. Cruz asked for answers about who made these decisions, what led to the decisions, and how CBP plans to prevent this from happening again.

Closing these international railway crossings delayed hundreds of thousands of tons of consumer and agriculture goods from traveling between the U.S. and Mexico. This is the second time since September that DHS has closed an international bridge in response to uncontrolled numbers of illegal aliens.

In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote,“…by shutting down legal border crossings to accommodate the surge of illegal aliens flooding the border at Eagle Pass, you have created a national security threat of the highest degree. You are also signaling to the world that the United States government—and certainly your Department—will put the interests of foreign citizens over the needs of American people and businesses. Furthermore, by ceding operational control of our southern border to criminal cartels that are ferrying terrorists, drugs, and dangerous criminals, you have effectively turned Border Patrol into a travel agency rather than a law enforcement organization. It goes without saying that this is an outrage and a total breakdown of law-and-order.”

Read the full letter here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-budzinski-demand-answers-from-nippon-steel-on-commitments-to-granite-city,"Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Demand Answers from Nippon Steel on Commitments to Granite City",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[SPRINGFIELD, IL] — This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) in sending a letter to Nippon Steel pushing the company for commitments to Granite City steelworkers during its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. In their letter, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski demanded answers from Nippon Steel on their intentions with existing operations and facilities in Illinois, details on worker retention and any proposed layoffs and their plans for Granite City Works.

“We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future,” wrote the lawmakers.

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

December 21, 2023

Mr. Eiji Hashimoto

President

Nippon Steel Corporation

6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future.

The surprise announcement of the sale of U.S. Steel on the morning of December 18 was another chapter in a long story of the company undercutting both workers and their community in recent years. Workers at the Granite City Works facility have built their lives and livelihoods around the facility for 128 years, and, in return, the company abruptly announced in September that they were “temporarily” laying off 400 workers and idling a blast furnace—a move now being investigated by the Illinois Department of Labor to ensure compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. In November, the company announced plans to temporarily idle the last remaining blast furnace at the facility, resulting in an additional 600 layoffs.

We are also troubled by reported remarks by a Nippon Steel executive in which the executive noted that Nippon is “supportive of the U.S. Steel plan for production in the future.” The executive went on to say that “U.S. Steel is planning to shift some quantity from the other mills to Big River Steel 2” in Arkansas and that Nippon is “thinking or planning to follow that plan.” A shift in jobs and operations from Granite City Works to Big River Steel would undermine the union labor force at the Granite City facility, and have devastating impacts on the surrounding community.

It is crucial that any company that wishes to acquire U.S. Steel, including the Granite City Works facility, honors their commitments to steelworkers and ensures that our industrial base – the driver of our regional economies – remains strong. We request further information on Nippon Steel’s proposal to acquire U.S. Steel and its assets in the event of a successful acquisition, and how that potential acquisition would impact steelworkers in Illinois. To that end, we have the following questions:

How does Nippon Steel plan to move forward with U.S. Steel’s existing operations and facilities in Illinois?

How many U.S. Steel workers does Nippon plan to retain, both in the short- and long-term?

How many workers, if any, does Nippon plan to lay off in the event of a successful acquisition?

What commitments can Nippon Steel make about its future operations in Illinois, particularly as it relates to the Granite City Works facility?

What outreach did Nippon Steel conduct to stakeholders across sectors, including the United Steelworkers and state and community leaders, prior to going public with the planned acquisition?

Thank you in advance for your timely response to these questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions as they arise.

Respectfully,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/22/2023/signed-into-law-annual-defense-bill-with-key-hassan-backed-provisions,SIGNED INTO LAW: Annual Defense Bill with Key Hassan-Backed Provisions,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – President Biden signed into law the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes key national security provisions that Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) secured and supported. The bill includes a 5.2 percent pay raise for U.S. service members and specifically includes bipartisan measures that Senator Hassan authored to provide parental leave parity for Reserve and National Guard members and prepare for emerging national security threats posed by quantum technology.

“We must do everything that we can to support our service members and their mission to protect our national security,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad to see this bipartisan bill signed into law, which includes measures to get our service members the pay and benefits they deserve, invests in New Hampshire’s military institutions, and will help keep our country safe, secure, and free.”

“I am also pleased that as part of the annual defense bill, we passed into law my bipartisan bill to provide paid leave parity for those in the National Guard and Reserves, as well as my bipartisan bill to better prepare for threats posed by our adversaries’ development of quantum technology,” said Senator Hassan. “Parental leave should be available to all new parents, and service members in the Reserves and the National Guard should have the same access to parental leave as those serving on active duty – this bill will ensure that is the case. Additionally, quantum technology has major national security implications, including the potential for our adversaries to use it to decrypt encrypted messages and data, and my bipartisan bill will expand our country’s efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries and respond to these threats while taking advantage of the opportunities presented by quantum technology.”

Key measures that Senator Hassan supported that are included in the NDAA and have now passed into law:

Senator Hassan’s bipartisan bill introduced with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to expand parental leave eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members to cover all new parents.

The legislation included in the NDAA ensures that beginning October 2024, drilling members of the National Guard and Reserves can take the equivalent of up to 12 weeks of parental leave when adopting or fostering children, or when their spouse has a child, just as birth mothers and those serving on active duty are able to.

Senator Hassan and Senator John Thune (R-SD)’s bipartisan measures to prepare for national security threats posed by emerging quantum technology. The provisions will:

Expand existing public-private talent exchange programs in the Defense Department to include private sector entities working on quantum technology research & applications

Authorize a fellowship program in the Defense Department for students focusing on quantum information science and technology research

Support for military spouses by allowing executive agencies to appoint spouses of service members to remote work positions, legislation that Senator Hassan cosponsored

Strengthening of our nation’s security posture by working more closely with allies and partners, including in the Indo-Pacific region, a priority of Senator Hassan’s

Improvements of addiction care resources for those serving in the military, including efforts to help expand access to naloxone and expanding research into alternatives to opioids for pain management

Prohibitions on military contracts with entities who have fossil fuel operations in Russia

Increased overtime pay rates for members of the U.S. Border Patrol

Support for NH priorities that are included in the NDAA:

Authorizing the procurement of additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which the Granite State plays a key role in building

Authorizing multiyear procurement for the next block of Virginia-class submarines, which are maintained at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Support for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock Expansion at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Multiple provisions to address PFAS contamination in military communities and continue studies into the health effects of PFAS

Support for the New Hampshire National Guard’s wellness center in Concord and a vehicle maintenance addition in Littleton

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-fiscal-year-2024-national-defense-act-becoming-law,Kaine Applauds Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Act Becoming Law,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) becoming law. The bipartisan legislation includes several provisions secured by Kaine to support our national security and Virginia’s defense community. As a member of SASC, Kaine played a key role in shaping the legislation and served as a member of the conference committee working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill.

“I’m glad the president signed this defense bill, which will support our national security, servicemembers, and Virginia’s defense community. I help write this bill every year, and this year, I’m particularly proud to have included bipartisan legislation I led to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO and to direct more federal attention to combat the fentanyl crisis. I also ensured the incorporation of my provisions to implement the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, which will support the security of our allies and boost Virginia’s economy.”

Kaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:

NATO: Includes Kaine’s bipartisan legislation with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval.

Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act: Includes provisions from Kaine’s bipartisan bill with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to direct increased federal attention to fentanyl trafficking by utilizing Pentagon tools like counter-drug intelligence and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat the crisis and disrupt cartel activity in Mexico. Specifically, the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 will work to strengthen these efforts by:

Highlighting the need to address the threat to national security posed by fentanyl trafficking.

Directing the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with Mexican defense officials.

Requiring the Secretary of Defense to enhance security cooperation with the Mexican military.

Addressing coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.

Australia and U.K. Partnership: Strengthens the United States’ partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies’ long-term security. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, the AUKUS agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in Hampton Roads.

Shipbuilding: Authorizes investments to help meet the congressionally mandated requirement to have 31 operational amphibious warfare ships for the Navy and Marine Corps, by restoring funding for LPD-33 and strengthening oversight of the Navy’s shipbuilding plan. Improves acquisition processes, expands defense industrial base capacity, and supports workforce development initiatives.

Pay Raises: Authorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce. Requires a review of military pay rates to determine if the current basic pay table adequately compensates junior enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4.

Recruitment: Establishes an Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program for the purpose of introducing community and junior college students to the military and preparing selected students for enlisted service in the Armed Forces. This follows conversations Kaine has had in Hampton Roads about tackling the recruitment and retention challenges in the military.

U.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific: Expands cooperation and engagement to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, through Fiscal Year 2024 and authorizes the full budget request for Fiscal Year 2024. Establishes the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA) to improve maritime security and boost information-sharing among partners in the region. Includes bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Kaine to increase coordination and boost cooperation with Pacific Island nations on emergency humanitarian response, law enforcement and maritime security activities, and counterintelligence.

Taiwan: Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for military forces of Taiwan. Improves U.S.-Taiwan cooperation related to military cybersecurity activities.

Support for Ukraine: Extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through Fiscal Year 2027 and authorizes the full budget request in Fiscal Year 2024. Extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts.

Servicemember Health Care: Includes various provisions to strengthen and expand access to quality health care for servicemembers and dependents with a focus on improving mental health services.

Requires a study in military treatment facilities on the efficacy of opioid alternatives for pain management, department assessment on the rates of opioid prescriptions to servicemembers.

Allows licensed Military and Family Life Counselors to provide non-medical counseling services outside of the state in which they are licensed.

Provides career flexibility for the services’ mental health workforce to increase retention.

Military Construction: Includes over $561 million for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.

$157M for Child Development Center, MQ-25 Aircraft Facilities, and a submarine pier at Naval Station Norfolk

$81M for Drydock Saltwater System at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

$61M for Special Operations Forces Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 2 Operations Support Facility at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story

$57M for Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story

$46M for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

$37M for Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico

$30M for pedestrian access at the Pentagon

$25M for Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters annex at Fort Belvoir

$23M for Maritime Surveillance System Facility at Dam Neck Annex

$20M for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston

$12M for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar support facilities at Dam Neck

$4M for an Equine Training Facility at Fort Belvoir

$4M to complete maintenance and readiness centers at Virginia Army National Guard’s Roanoke Regional Readiness Center in Troutville

$4M for the Army Reserve Center in Richmond

Military Families:

Expands servicemember eligibility to receive reimbursement for qualified spouse relicensing or business costs when the servicemember relocates as the result of reassignment or a transfer from active duty to the reserves—making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers.

Makes mental health care more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries in the active duty family members category and TRICARE Young Adult program, by waiving cost sharing requirements for the first three outpatient mental health visits each year.

Directs a review and report on access to resources and services related to mental health for students of Department of Defense Education Activity Schools.

Military Housing:

Improves military housing for servicemembers E-6 and below without dependents whose ships are undergoing maintenance by providing the authority to allow these junior enlisted servicemembers to collect a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and not live aboard the ship. This follows conversations that Kaine had with servicemembers in Hampton Roads about mental health challenges while living aboard ships during long maintenance periods.

Authorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks.

Requires that unaccompanied housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing.

Improves the calculation of BAH rates with respect to junior enlisted members, by delinking that calculation from specific housing types and provides additional flexibility to ensure equitable housing rates can be calculated in markets with limited housing inventory.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-continues-push-for-federal-re-approval-of-the-ambler-access-project,"Alaska Delegation Continues Push for Federal Re-Approval 
of the Ambler Access Project",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,murkowski,https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=15,scraper,"Anchorage, Alaska— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska) today sent a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland expressing their disappointment and frustration with the Department of the Interior’s (Department) politicization and continued delay of the Ambler Access Project (AAP), which is needed to facilitate road access to the world-class Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska.

The delegation’s letter coincides with the closure of the public comment period for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the AAP, which was necessitated by the Department’s decision last year to seek a voluntary court remand of the permits issued to the project. Despite claiming its supplemental analysis would be complete this year, the Department is already months behind schedule.

“Both Alaska and the nation need the jobs, revenues, and minerals that the AAP would facilitate access to. ANILCA mandates this project’s approval, and BLM’s extensive analysis indicates that it can be responsibly constructed with reasonable protections. Approving the AAP would deliver significant economic and security benefits for Alaska and the U.S. Rejecting the AAP, or approving it in a non-viable manner, would cost us those benefits, prolong our deep dependence on foreign minerals, and magnify the vulnerabilities and atrocities associated with it.”

In their letter, the delegation explained how Congress intended the AAP to receive expeditious approval:

“Instead of lifting [Public Land Orders], however, BLM has left them in place. Instead of the one- to two-year process envisioned and required by ANILCA, the AAP is now in its eighth year of federal permitting. Instead of the analysis prescribed by ANILCA, BLM remains involved and is now voluntarily in the midst of an SEIS. Further, despite your testimony earlier this year…assuring Congress that the SEIS was on track, and the schedule the Interior Department provided to the courts when seeking a voluntary remand, BLM has failed to keep the schedule and has fallen months behind, making it impossible to complete this process by the end of calendar year 2023.”

The delegation criticized the 1,283-page draft SEIS for exceeding the scope of the court’s remand. Despite telling the court that the agency would primarily focus on two specific considerations, BLM has reopened nearly its entire analysis, seeking to magnify the potential environmental impacts of the project while minimizing discussion of its economic benefits.

“We urge BLM to recognize the AAP, which has not yet been constructed, is clearly not responsible for existing fish and wildlife declines. The AAP’s proponents have committed to robust mitigation measures that will help avoid impacts to local resources, and the draft SEIS must recognize that restricted-use haul roads in Alaska can and historically have been carefully constructed and operated to protect the surrounding environment.”

The delegation next pointed to the urgent need for domestic sources of the minerals within the Ambler Mining District, which include copper, cobalt, gallium, and germanium. Projects to develop those minerals will be subject to a separate permitting process, but none will be able to proceed without a private haul road to transport ore to the Dalton Highway.

“While the U.S. has no apparent strategy to ensure a stable domestic supply of these commodities, the Ambler District conveniently contains deposits with all four of them. The Department should thus regard the AAP as strategic infrastructure that can be safely built while simultaneously boosting Alaska’s economy, strengthening our national security, and preventing the energy transition from being abruptly derailed.”

The delegation also knocked BLM for the broader impacts of its interminable permitting process.

“When this administration took office in January 2021, the AAP was fully approved, a right-of-way grant had been issued to the project proponent, and regional stakeholders were able to engage in negotiations on a specific, well-defined project. Three years later, BLM’s permitting process is having a deleterious impact on Alaskans’ ability to understand what this project is, where and how it will be constructed, how it will functionally be operated, and how the environment will be protected through mitigation measures and related protocols.”

The delegation closed its letter by urging BLM to approve a new Record of Decision (ROD) for the AAP in the second quarter of 2024, to select Alternative A as its preferred alternative, and to ensure the project is approved in an economically viable manner.

The delegation’s letter is available here.

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 guarantees a right-of-way (ROW) across federal lands to provide access to the Ambler Mining District. Federal permitting for the AAP began in 2015 and included a rigorous environmental review and environmental and economic analysis (EEA). After holding 18 public meetings and considering over 3,000 unique public comments, in July 2020, the Secretaries of the Interior and Transportation signed a ROD selecting the Northern Alignment as the approved route for the road. That same month, after holding 21 public meetings and reviewing over 21,000 public comments, BLM and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) signed a joint ROD choosing Alternative A as the preferred alternative; subsequently BLM and National Park Service issued a 50-year ROW permit for the AAP.

In February 2022, DOI sought a voluntary court remand to conduct an SEIS for the AAP. President Biden held a roundtable on “Securing Critical Minerals for a Future Made in America” on the very same day—failing to recognize that the Ambler Mining District is one of the nation’s best options to produce them, but foreshadowing his administration’s incoherence on this issue.

The court agreed to DOI’s remand request in May 2022, but placed conditions on it to ensure it would move forward expeditiously. In June 2023, Secretary Haaland testified to Congress that permitting would be completed by the end of the year, but just days later, the administration filed a court brief announcing a delay for a new ROD until mid-2024.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-welcomes-closure-of-loophole-in-russia-seafood-ban,Murkowski Welcomes Closure of Loophole in Russia Seafood Ban,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,murkowski,https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=15,scraper,"Anchorage, Alaska – Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed a new Executive Order, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance and determinations, clarifying and affirming the U.S. prohibition on Russian-origin seafood imports regardless of where processing occurs.

“In the midst of a truly difficult time for Alaska’s fishermen, these are stabilizing steps that will help end Russia’s evasion of sanctions and China’s dumping of overharvested Russian fish onto American markets. That, in turn, will help seafood prices recover, restore balance and basic fairness to markets, and cut off a key source of funding for Putin’s catastrophic war in Ukraine, all at the same time,” Murkowski said. “I want to commend the relentless and dogged advocacy of Senator Dan Sullivan and other Alaskans who have led on this charge to protect Alaska’s fishing industry, and thank the Biden administration for coming around and seeing the wisdom in addressing Russia’s malign behavior.”

Russia has maintained a one-sided ban on U.S. seafood imports since 2014. Following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia began to flood the international market with underpriced seafood to help fund its bloody war against an innocent nation. In response, President Biden issued Executive Order 14068 in March 2022, blocking the import of Russia seafood. Russia, however, has largely bypassed those sanctions by reprocessing its seafood harvest in China, making it a product of China for the purposes of U.S. country-of-origin labeling. China then exports those stocks to the United States, undermining the sanctions regime, domestic markets, and the hardworking Alaskan fishermen who sustainably harvest seafood. The Executive Order signed today amends EO 14068 to clarify that Russian-origin seafood import are banned even when that seafood is processed in another country.

The Executive Order can be read here. More information about Treasury’s guidance and determinations is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-tillis-urge-cms-to-clarify-guidance-protect-medicare-advantage-beneficiaries-access-to-long-term-care-facilities,"Murphy, Tillis Urge CMS to Clarify Guidance, Protect Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries' Access to Long Term Care Facilities",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure urging public clarification that critically and chronically ill Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries will have the same access to Long-Term Care Hospital services as traditional Medicare beneficiaries, as required by law. Murphy and Tillis detail how MA plans’ prior authorization practices are used to deny coverage of medically necessary care at Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs).

“Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) are hospitals that provide specialized care for high-acuity patients who require an extended hospital stay. These facilities are designed to care for severely ill patients who require complex medical treatment, such as mechanical ventilation and wound care. To be recognized as an LTCH, CMS requires hospitals to satisfy the conditions of participation of a short-term acute care hospital (STACH) but have an average Medicare length of stay greater than 25 days. In contrast, the average Medicare length of stay in a STACH is about 5 days,” the senators wrote. “Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are less than half as likely to receive LTCH care compared to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Recent research suggests that these practices may be worsening the outcomes of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; a 2021 peer-reviewed study found that delays in the transfer of mechanically ventilated patients to an LTCH decreased a patient’s likelihood of being successfully weaned from the ventilator and breathing on his or her own.""

“We have heard concerns from LTCHs in our states, as well as patients, that LTCHs regularly receive denial letters from Medicare Advantage plans stating that an LTCH transfer was not required because the patient could receive all necessary services in the short-term acute care hospital, even though the provider referred the patient to an LTCH and the patient met all of the medical necessity requirements for LTCH care,” the senators added.

The senators concluded: “We write to ask CMS to confirm this interpretation is correct and to request such information be publicly clarified to eliminate confusion for Medicare Advantage plans and ensure that LTCHs are treated the same as any other post-acute care provider under the Medicare Advantage regulations. We appreciate CMS’s commitment to improving Medicare Advantage enrollees’ access to Medicare-covered benefits and we look forward to working with you to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have access to the services they are entitled to by law.”

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure:

We thank the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for taking steps to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive the same services they would under traditional Medicare, as required by law. With the Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs Final Rule (CMS-4201-F) (the Final Rule) taking effect January 1, 2024, we are writing to ensure that critically and chronically ill Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will have the same access to Long-Term Care Hospital services as traditional Medicare beneficiaries.

Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) are hospitals that provide specialized care for high-acuity patients who require an extended hospital stay. These facilities are designed to care for severely ill patients who require complex medical treatment, such as mechanical ventilation and wound care. To be recognized as an LTCH, CMS requires hospitals to satisfy the conditions of participation of a short-term acute care hospital (STACH) but have an average Medicare length of stay greater than 25 days. In contrast, the average Medicare length of stay in a STACH is about 5 days.

Unfortunately, Medicare Advantage plan prior authorization practices are creating significant barriers to LTCH care for critically and chronically ill patients. A 2022 report by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General concluded that Medicare Advantage Organizations “sometimes delayed or denied Medicare Advantage beneficiaries' access to services, even though the requests met Medicare coverage rules” and that these denials sometimes delayed beneficiaries from receiving medically necessary care or prevented them from receiving the care altogether. Sadly, LTCHs are also subject to this trend. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are less than half as likely to receive LTCH care compared to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Recent research suggests that these practices may be worsening the outcomes of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries; a 2021 peer-reviewed study found that delays in the transfer of mechanically ventilated patients to an LTCH decreased a patient’s likelihood of being successfully weaned from the ventilator and breathing on his or her own.

We were pleased to see CMS respond to these practices by including language in the April 2023 Final Rule that specifies that Medicare Advantage plans must comply with general coverage and benefit conditions included in traditional Medicare coverage policies. The Final Rule also codifies previously released CMS guidance that Medicare Advantage plans must: (1) make medical necessity determinations based on traditional Medicare coverage criteria; 2) consider if a service is reasonable and necessary; 3) consider the patient’s medical history when making medical necessity determinations; and 4) where appropriate, plans’ medical directors must be involved in ensuring the clinical accuracy of medical necessity determinations.

The statute allows Medicare Advantage plans to create contracted networks, but the Final Rule specifies that Medicare Advantage plans must align with traditional Medicare in terms of covering different provider types and settings. This means that if care can be delivered in more than one way or in more than one setting, and a practitioner has ordered a covered item or service for a Medicare Advantage enrollee, then the Medicare Advantage plan cannot deny coverage. CMS provides the following example in the Final Rule:

“[I]f an MA patient is being discharged from an acute care hospital and the attending physician orders post-acute care at a SNF because the patient requires skilled nursing care on a daily basis in an institutional setting, the MA organization cannot deny coverage for the SNF care and redirect the patient to home health care services unless the patient does not meet the coverage criteria required for SNF care….” See 88 Fed. Reg. at 22190 (April 12, 2023).

We have heard concerns from LTCHs in our states, as well as patients, that LTCHs regularly receive denial letters from Medicare Advantage plans stating that an LTCH transfer was not required because the patient could receive all necessary services in the short-term acute care hospital, even though the provider referred the patient to an LTCH, and the patient met all the medical necessity requirements for LTCH care.

Based on the specifications included in the Final Rule and given that 42 CFR §412.3 covers admissions to an LTCH, we write to ensure that the Final Rule requires Medicare Advantage plans to apply traditional Medicare standards and requirements in assessing prior authorization requests for LTCH admissions. That is, a Medicare Advantage plan – like a traditional Medicare plan – cannot deny admission to an LTCH if the patient is being discharged from an acute care hospital, the patient’s attending physician orders post-acute care in an LTCH, and the patient meets the coverage criteria for inpatient admissions under 42 CFR §412.3.

We write to ask CMS to confirm this interpretation is correct and to request such information be publicly clarified to eliminate confusion for Medicare Advantage plans and ensure that LTCHs are treated the same as any other post-acute care provider under the Medicare Advantage regulations.

We appreciate CMS’s commitment to improving Medicare Advantage enrollees’ access to Medicare-covered benefits and we look forward to working with you to ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have access to the services they are entitled to by law.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-releases-2023-festivus-report-on-government-waste/,Dr. Rand Paul Releases 2023 ‘Festivus’ Report on Government Waste,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 22, 2023

Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

Dr. Rand Paul Releases 2023 ‘Festivus’ Report on Government Waste

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released his 2023 “Festivus” Report, totaling ~$900,000,000,000 in government waste.

This marks Dr. Paul’s ninth edition of the Festivus Report as he continues working to alert the American people to how their federal government uses their hard-earned money.

Some of the highlights include the National Institutes of Health spending a portion of a $2.7 million grant to study Russian cats walking on a treadmill and Barbies used as proof of ID for receiving COVID Paycheck Protection Program funds. The Department of Defense ruined over $169 million worth of military equipment by leaving it outside, the United States Agency for International Development spent $6 million to promote tourism in Egypt, and the Small Business Administration gave ‘struggling’ music artists like Post Malone, Chris Brown, and Lil Wayne over $200 million.

You can find Dr. Paul’s 2023 Festivus Report HERE.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-for-the-washington-examiner-rushed-secret-negotiations-are-not-the-way-to-address-the-border-crisis,"Sen. Johnson for the Washington Examiner: Rushed, Secret Negotiations are Not the Way to Address the Border Crisis",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the Washington Examiner published an op-ed written by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), where he emphasized that rushed and secret backroom negotiations by Senate leadership with President Biden are not the way to address the Democrat-caused crisis at the southern border. The senator stated that this effort should be about actually securing the border — not broader immigration reform.

The full op-ed can be found here and excerpts are below.

“Over the weekend, I joined 14 Republican Senate colleagues in releasing a letter calling for a meeting of the Senate Republican Conference to discuss the negotiations with the White House and Senate Democrats regarding securing our border. The letter appears to have succeeded in letting Senate leadership know that a large group of senators does not want to be jammed with legislation addressing the catastrophe at our border without a thorough review by us and the public.

…

“The crisis at the southwest border is unlike anything we’ve experienced in history. The massive flood of illegal migration is an order of magnitude larger than the ‘humanitarian crisis’ former President Barack Obama sparked when he abused prosecutorial discretion and granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in 2012. In 2019, Obama’s Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson, stated that 1,000 apprehensions per day ‘overwhelm[ed] the system.’ We recently experienced more than 14,000 encounters in a single day, and it has become common for encounters to exceed 10,000 per day.

…

“Unfortunately, Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress want an open border. Biden came into office with the border largely secured and then immediately reversed all the policies that had successfully stemmed the flow of illegal immigrants. The fact that Biden and congressional Democrats are the root cause of the crisis is a major problem in conducting good-faith negotiations with them.

“Indeed, because Biden has not faithfully executed existing law, repeatedly lied to the public, ignored and violated Supreme Court rulings, and failed to engage in meaningful negotiations on securing the border until only recently, it is impossible for Republicans to trust him to comply with whatever he agrees to. That’s a real challenge for Republican negotiators.

…

“Moreover, conducting rushed and secret backroom negotiations is not the way to address the unprecedented border crisis. That’s the kind of business as usual process Washington leadership has relied upon to mortgage our children’s future and weaken our country. Whatever negotiators produce will need to be fully vetted, discussed, and understood — by members and the general public. That will take weeks, not hours or days.

…

“But this effort should be about securing the border — not broader immigration reform. Addressing DACA recipients is politically impossible until the border is secure, and now, with Biden expanding the population of undocumented immigrants by more than 6 million people, he has made the problem significantly worse.

“The essential ingredient will be how to enforce any agreement reached. I have suggested making Ukraine funding contingent on benchmarks being met on a monthly basis. I am open to other foolproof enforcement ideas, but negotiators must realize enforcement is the key to any agreement that can pass the House and Senate.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-2023-year-in-review/,Senator Scott 2023 Year in Review,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SC,Tim Scott,S001184,www.scott.senate.gov,timscott,https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released his 2023 year in review, highlighting his work on behalf of the people of South Carolina and efforts to advance his Opportunity Agenda across the country.

This year, Senator Scott introduced 24 bills, 4 resolutions and 10 amendments. 8 pieces of his legislation were partially or fully enacted this year.

South Carolina

The Senator and his team assisted 7,320 South Carolinians with casework requests, an 80% increase compared to 2022.

Strengthening a direct line of communication with constituents remained a priority for the Senator and allowed him to send over 82,000 letters to South Carolinians in 2023.

Through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, the Senator championed several legislative accomplishments for South Carolina, such as:

$66 million in funding to complete new barracks at Fort Jackson;

$20 million in funding for the Aiken County National Guard Readiness Center;

$4.37 million in funding to complete the National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Charleston;

$7.9 million in funding for an automated multipurpose machine gun range at the McCrady Training Center in Columbia, South Carolina; and

$2.7 billion in funding to support the Savannah River Site, including $1 billion for plutonium modernization activities and $1.6 billion for operations and maintenance.

American Energy

Reaffirming his commitment to American energy dominance and independence, Senator Scott championed the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) from China Act, which would strengthen our energy security by prohibiting the sale of American crude oil from the SPR to any company under Chinese Communist Party (CCP) control and bar the exportation of SPR crude oil to China. Senator Scott also championed the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act to weaken Russia’s ability to influence our European allies by promoting energy independence.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

Senator Scott took over as the top Republican on the powerful Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in January. As the Ranking Member, he has focused on commonsense policies to create economic opportunity and grow communities across the country, including those that are often left behind. Throughout the year, Ranking Member Scott introduced 11 pieces of legislation and legislative frameworks as the Republican leader of the committee.

As the son of a single mother, Ranking Member Scott grew up living with family until they could afford to rent a place of their own and wasn’t able to experience the value of homeownership until later in life. That’s why he’s so dedicated to enhancing policies and programs that help improve housing affordability for Americans— making the American Dream a reality. Ranking Member Scott released the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, his comprehensive legislative solution to lift families up by taking a holistic view of federal housing policy and making long-needed reforms across all segments of the U.S. housing market.

The Biden administration and its regulators have worked overtime to push a progressive policy agenda and regulate every aspect of American life. Agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have issued rules and proposals at a record pace and the federal banking agencies have waded into climate initiatives and other progressive priorities outside its mandate. Throughout the year, Ranking Member Scott has executed principled oversight of the Biden administration’s burdensome regulatory agenda and demanded transparency and fact-based analyses for their proposed rules and regulations.

To see a full list of Senator Scott’s accomplishments during his first year as the Republican leader of the Senate Banking Committee, click here.

Education

Senator Scott has strived to create pathways to give all Americans a quality education. To that end, he hosted the largest ever National School Choice Week Student Rally at the U.S. Capitol, which was attended by more than 300 students from 10 D.C.-area public charter and private schools.

As the co-chair of the bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, Senator Scott hosted the 7th Annual HBCU Fly-In to celebrate the historic accomplishments of HBCUs, highlight their immense contributions to the American economy and workforce and discuss ways to strengthen them for years to come. This was the largest HBCU Fly-In to date.

With education as a central focus of his Opportunity Agenda, the Senator led two bipartisan Senate resolutions – National Charter School Week and National School Choice Week – both of which unanimously passed, raising attention to critical education issues and priorities.

In an effort to protect parental rights and ensure parents remain the lead decision makers in their child’s life, Senator Scott secured House passage of his Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act. Far too often, parents are pushed out of their child’s education—and kids are paying the price.

Health Care

Senator Scott championed 12 pieces of legislation aimed at making American health care more consumer friendly and market-driven. His Initiating Meaningful Patient Review Of Various Existing (IMPROVE) Part D Regulations Act, which ensures the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) listen to the patients who rely on Medicare Part D and make improvements based on their feedback, passed committee. Also passing committee this year was the Senator’s Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act, which ensures occupational therapists can provide care to those suffering with substance abuse and mental health disorders.

When the Biden administration pushed radical far-left priorities, Senator Scott back on harmful health care policies to South Carolinians and opposed two radical health care nominees. When Washington bureaucrats threatened American seniors’ coverage access and choices, Senator Scott co-led a bipartisan group of 61 Senators in calling for the protection of Medicare Advantage for the nearly 30 million older adults and individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program. The Senator also worked with Republicans on the Senate Committee on Finance to help prevent drastic cuts proposed by the Biden administration to the Medicare Advantage program.

As in everything he does, Senator Scott was focused on ensuring Washington bureaucrats work on behalf of the hardworking American people. In addition to formally launching another investigation into government waste, Senator Scott received a report from an investigation he previously initiated detailing deficiencies within Medicaid’s Recovery Audit Contractor Program—a program created to identify and correct government overpayments and underpayments.

Restoring Law & Order

Over the course of this year, South Carolinians and Americans alike have witnessed a spike in crime and an increase of illegal border crossings. In an effort to restore law and order, the Senator has supported legislation to tackle immigration, bolster police funding, prevent federal government overreach and combat human trafficking.

The Senator introduced the Alan T. Shao II Fentanyl Public Health Emergency and Overdose Prevention Act and Secure the Border Act of 2023, and supported the Back the Blue Act of 2023, Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2023, Combatting Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, Keep Our Border Agents Paid Act, Securing Our Border Act and Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act.

To combat the rising fentanyl crisis in America, Senator Scott, in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote and introduced the FEND Off Fentanyl Act. This bill targets every part of the illicit fentanyl supply chain – from the chemical suppliers in China to the manufacturers in Mexico and the cartels who smuggle the deadly drug across our border – and aims to choke off the income source of synthetic opioid traffickers and stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States. The FEND Off Fentanyl Act was unanimously voted out of the Senate Banking Committee and earned 66 Senate cosponsors. It was included in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

National Security & Foreign Affairs

This year, Senator Scott joined the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which he serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. Throughout the year, the Senator championed policies to strengthen U.S. national security, support our allies and push back on our adversaries.

After Iranian-proxy Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, Senator Scott stood by our greatest ally in the Middle East, and, in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced the Revoke Iranian Funding Act, a bill to permanently freeze the $6 billion released by the Biden administration to Iran and direct the Treasury Secretary to provide an accounting of all high-value Iranian assets around the world that are currently blocked by U.S. sanctions. To prevent Iran from funding further attacks on the U.S. and our allies, Senator Scott also pushed for passage of his Solidify Iran Sanctions Act to extend sanctions on funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors and curtail the regime’s ability to develop its nuclear program and finance destabilizing activities. Before and after the October 7 attack, the Senator led dozens of his Republican colleagues in holding the administration to account for its dangerous Iran polices. Additionally, to prevent U.S. tax dollars from winding up in the hands of Hamas and combat potential malign influence at our foreign policy institutions, Senator Scott helped author the Stop Support for Hamas Act and the State Department Security Notification Act, a portion of which was signed into law in the FY24 NDAA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-joins-resolution-to-condemn-iranian-military-proxy-attacks-on-u-s-troops/,Senator Scott Joins Resolution to Condemn Iranian Military Proxy Attacks on U.S. Troops,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SC,Tim Scott,S001184,www.scott.senate.gov,timscott,https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and 10 of their bipartisan colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning the increasing attacks by Iranian military proxies against U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Syria and emphasizing the urgency of responding to and deterring such attacks.

“We cannot stay silent while American troops and our allies are under attack from Iranian-backed terrorists,” said Senator Scott. “Without a clear and cohesive strategy to counter Iranian aggression, the Biden administration continues to place American service members and our Israeli allies at risk. Substantive action is needed to deter Iran and its proxies.”

“Attacks on American troops are reprehensible, and Iranian support for these attacks has rightfully earned a swift and forceful response from the Biden administration,” said Senator Coons. “I join Senator Cruz in introducing this resolution to condemn these attacks, increase pressure on Iran to cease its support for violent militia groups, and support efforts to deter Iranian-backed militia attacks on U.S. troops and the international community. I also commend the resiliency and bravery of American service members across the Middle East and hope this resolution makes clear Congress’ support for U.S. Central Command’s mission of countering terrorism and maintaining stability across the region.”

“The Iranian regime is attacking Americans, our allies, and our interests across the Middle East,” said Senator Cruz. “They are not only launching attacks and massacres against our Israeli and Arab allies, but their Houthi proxies are now trying to shut down freedom of navigation that is vital to the American and global economies. It is clear that they are not deterred, and it is long past time for the Biden administration to take all necessary steps to deter and counter these activities. Enough is enough.”

BACKGROUND

American troops in the region have been targeted by Iranian proxies more than 115 times since mid-October, in the wake of the terror attacks committed by Hamas against Israel. Iran provides financing, training and other support to militia groups throughout the region, including the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In addition to targeting U.S. troops and infrastructure, attacks by Iran-backed militias have forced global shipping companies to stop using the Red Sea as a travel route, slowing down critical supply chains throughout the region.

Senators Scott, Coons and Cruz were joined in introducing the resolution by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.).

The text of the full resolution is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-rips-chicago-mayor-education-board-president-for-anti-school-choice-resolution/,"Senator Scott Rips Chicago Mayor, Education Board President for Anti-School Choice Resolution",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SC,Tim Scott,S001184,www.scott.senate.gov,timscott,https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Chicago Mayor Previously Promised Not to Close Selective Enrollment Schools

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, slammed Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Board of Education President Jianan Shi for the city’s recently passed resolution that could eliminate school choice for Chicago families, strip minority and low-income students of their preferred high schools and widen the achievement gap.

“On December 14th, 2023, the Chicago Board of Education approved a teachers’ union-backed resolution that seeks to eliminate selective enrollment in Chicago Public Schools in the name of promoting ‘equity’. If enacted, this plan would be devastating to the thousands of students and families who currently benefit from attending a school of their choice. Chicago’s 11 selective-enrollment high schools, which emphasize academic rigor, achievement, and excellence, enroll nearly 10,000 Black and Hispanic students. Over 7,500 of students enrolled in these schools are low-income,” Senator Scott wrote. “These schools are not just the best in Chicago – they’re some of the highest performing in the entire country. They have been a lifeline for children from low-income and minority backgrounds whose families are desperate to provide them the best education possible amidst a landscape of failing assigned schools in Chicago.”

As a candidate for mayor, Johnson promised not to close the city’s selective enrollment schools. If enacted, this plan will break that promise and result in thousands of low-income students being trapped in failing schools.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Mr. Shi and Mayor Johnson:

I write to express strong condemnation of the Chicago Board of Education’s recently passed resolution that could eliminate school choice for Chicago families, strip minority and low-income students of their preferred education options, and widen the achievement gap. As Chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, I believe that every parent in the country has the right to choose the best school for their child, regardless of their zip code, and I urge you to preserve these critical options for families in Chicago.

On December 14th, 2023, the Chicago Board of Education approved a teachers’ union-backed resolution that seeks to eliminate selective enrollment in Chicago Public Schools in the name of promoting “equity”. If enacted, this plan would be devastating to the thousands of students and families who currently benefit from attending a school of their choice. Chicago’s 11 selective-enrollment high schools, which emphasize academic rigor, achievement, and excellence, enroll nearly 10,000 Black and Hispanic students. Over 7,500 of students enrolled in these schools are low-income[1].

These schools are not just the best in Chicago – they’re some of the highest performing in the entire country. They have been a lifeline for children from low-income and minority backgrounds whose families are desperate to provide them the best education possible amidst a landscape of failing assigned schools in Chicago. For example, Walter Payton College Prep, one of the schools that could be effectively dismantled by this plan, is ranked in the top 10 high schools in the United States. 96 percent of its students are proficient in math, compared to 11 percent in the district, and 95 percent of students are proficient in reading, compared to 14 percent in the district[2]. It also serves a minority population of nearly 59 percent, doing incredible work to reduce the achievement gap in Chicago. Across the board, data clearly shows that students at selective-enrollment high schools reach academic proficiency at substantially higher rates than CPS students districtwide.

Schools like this are providing life changing opportunities for students, and families are clearly crying out for more choice—not less. Six years ago, when Chicago Public Schools set up a new application system that allowed eighth graders to apply for a high school of their choice, rather than enrolling in their assigned neighborhood school, parents jumped at the chance to give their child better options. Since then, a stunning 76 percent of Chicago high school students have chosen to attend a school other than the one assigned to them[3].

Even then-candidate Brandon Johnson recognized the demand for and success of selective enrollment schools, promising not to get rid of them when his name was on the ballot. Now, having secured office on that promise, he’s turning his back on the families who rely on these schools and shutting out the students utilizing them to better their future. Chicago’s leaders should be looking for ways to increase school choice options for families who want them, rather than cutting them off.

As Chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, I believe supporting both neighborhood schools and schools of choice is not an either/or proposition. I am gravely concerned that this plan will strip away public school choice for families, destroy one of the city’s best ways of helping minority and low-income children succeed, and force children into failing public schools that do not work for them. As you work to finalize this plan over the next several months, I urge you to preserve these crucial school choice options.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-applauds-more-than-46-million-in-funds-heading-to-greensource-fabrication-in-charlestown-to-boost-defense-industrial-base,Shaheen Applauds More Than $46 Million in Funds Heading to GreenSource Fabrication in Charlestown to Boost Defense Industrial Base,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, applauded $46.2 million in federal funds awarded to GreenSource Fabrication, LLC., through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program. These funds will enhance existing production capabilities for GreenSource Fabrication and promote supply chain security for semiconductors, which are used by all major U.S. defense systems. Ensuring the United States has domestic capabilities in microelectronics will enable America to stay on the cutting-edge of manufacturing defense articles and provide a technical advantage ahead of its adversaries.

“New Hampshire plays a critical role in our nation’s defense industrial base and these federal funds will help enhance production and manufacturing capabilities at GreenSource Fabrication,” said Senator Shaheen. “These funds will broaden access to advanced hardware that – until recently – could only be procured from foreign sources, helping strengthen our supply chain and military readiness and solidifying New Hampshire’s role as a leader in domestic defense manufacturing.”

GreenSource Fabrication operates a state-of-the-art facility in Charlestown, New Hampshire that manufactures High-Density Interconnect Printed Circuit Boards and High Density Build-up organic substrates, used in nearly all electronic products. The award will enable GreenSource to scale up engineering, tooling and manufacturing operations to establish a dedicated building for integrated circuit substrate fabrication, crucial parts in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. These domestic production capabilities for semiconductors are critical enabling technologies for sixth-generation defense systems and applications, including for radar, electronic warfare, information processing and communications.

Senator Shaheen is a leader in the U.S. Senate to bolster the domestic defense industrial base to ensure U.S. troops have the cutting-edge equipment they need to defend the nation and deter adversaries. In August, Shaheen toured GreenSource Fabrication, where she met with engineers and employees and discussed the impact of the CHIPS Act on New Hampshire’s manufacturing sector. Shaheen also sent a letter in support of GreenSource’s funding proposal for the DoD’s DPA Title III Program. In early June, Shaheen toured three New Hampshire defense manufacturing facilities and met with the companies’ leadership ahead of a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Paris Air Show.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-recognizes-miller-family-and-santa-claus-house-as-alaskans-of-the-week,Sullivan Recognizes Miller Family and Santa Claus House as “Alaskans of the Week”,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,sullivan,https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=16,scraper,"ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized the Miller Family, longtime owners and operators of the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, on the Senate floor. The Santa Claus House, opened by Con and Nellie Miller more than 70 years ago, is a staple for tourism in Interior Alaska, and attracts thousands of guests every year from across the world to experience the magic of Christmas in the real North Pole. For decades, the Miller family has brought Christmas cheer all year round—all while getting involved in and giving back to the community. The Miller family and Santa Claus House were recognized as part of Sen. Sullivan’s series, “Alaskan of the Week.”

Tribute to the Miller Family

Madam President, I am going to end my remarks today on a high note and a very important one.

It is Wednesday. I like to come down and do what we call the “Alaskan of the Week.” I can see the pages are already kind of excited, right, because, let's face it, this is the most exciting speech of the week and certainly the most interesting.

So what I like to do is come down--by the way, I know the press generally likes it because it is normally a signal that it is the end of the week. Everybody is going home. This is usually the last speech of the week. I think this might be the last speech of the year this year.

What we do with the Alaskan of the Week, we talk a little bit about what is going on in Alaska--I will get to that--and then I like to highlight someone who is doing something great for my State.

It might be, you know, someone local. Our first Alaskan of the Week, I think, was a librarian who had been a librarian for 40 years--amazing woman--and then we have superstar world athletes, gold medalists in swimming, and things like that. So we just cover the whole gamut.

Now, usually there is a poster board. I made this a very special Alaskan of the Week poster board. This might be the first time ever it has got Santa on it, and you are going to see why--a Santa-oriented speech.

So, of course, right now, I am getting ready to head home in a couple of hours. I was just home over the weekend. There are no worries in Alaska right now about a white Christmas. Anchorage, my hometown, I think we have had close to 100 inches of snow already. Look, for us, that is a lot. I am talking about November, right. So we have a white Christmas coming, for sure.

It is magical, of course, in Alaska. We have got reindeer. We have got one that actually lives in downtown Anchorage. We have visitors coming. We have got a great town called North Pole, AK--North Pole, AK--and we have the Santa Claus House in North Pole, where Santa lives. By the way, this is true. This is what my Alaskan of the Week speech is all about.

If you write a letter to Santa addressed to the North Pole, your letter will end up at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK. Why wouldn't it?

By the way, this house is not to be confused with the abode of a North Pole city council member. North Pole, AK, is a city a little bit north of Fairbanks. This city council member, by the way, his name is Santa Claus. His legal name is Santa Claus. He is a member of the city council. I know him well. Look, I am not ripping him. He is a Bernie Sanders Socialist, true. Now, why wouldn't he be? You know, the guy gives out free gifts to everybody. That is true. He is a good guy. So, Santa, if you are watching, hello--Santa Claus, city council member, North Pole.

But in all seriousness, Interior Alaska--this is in the interior part of our State--has the greatest, most kind people and generous. And in keeping with the spirit of Christmas, our Alaskan of the Week is the Miller family who is the owner of Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK, which has been a fixture in our State--and really for the country--for over 70 years--70 years. The Miller family founded Santa Claus House and has been running it for 70 years, making North Pole, AK, literally what it is today. They built the whole community.

Let me help you get into the holiday spirit by describing just how magical the Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK, really is. If you drive down Saint Nicholas Drive--I am not kidding--by St. Nicholas Catholic Church, by the way, you will see a huge house lined with red trim and murals of a reindeer and Santa's sleigh. Just outside is a barn with a real reindeer, a massive, decked-out Christmas tree, and a 42-foot-tall Santa Claus statue welcoming you to Santa's workshop.

The magic does not end there. Inside the house, you are greeted by a Christmas tree decorated with every ornament you can imagine, a live countdown to Christmas Day--of course. Why wouldn't there be one every day of the year--and a professional Santa Claus ready to hear every Christmas wish from the thousands of visitors--and I am not just talking Alaskans but Americans, people from all over the world who visit Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK, every year. And you are also likely to meet and see several members of the extended Miller family working to make the Santa Claus House the winter wonderland it is. They have been doing it for four generations, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive.

Let me take you back four generations to the original founder of Santa Claus House. That is Con and Nellie Miller. Born in 1913, Con and his mother just didn't see eye to eye. They decided that it was best that he join the Navy.

He joined when he was 15--a little young. This is just in the great Alaska spirit. You know, I have talked about it a lot over the years. We have more veterans per capita than any State in the country, so being in the military and a veteran is very normal in Alaska. It is a great part of our culture.

This young guy Con left Colorado and spent 3 years in the Navy, starting at the age of 15. How he got in, I have no idea. He was on a gun boat in China. Then he got out. Then Pearl Harbor happened. And of course he is a patriot so he rejoined the Navy. He fought in the South Pacific during the Second World War--so a great American, “greatest generation” individual, Con Miller.

After the war ended, Con and his wife Nellie ended up in Fairbanks with the goal of running a clothing store. To supplement their income, Con sold clothes in the surrounding rural villages, often donning a red Santa suit each Christmas. He quickly earned celebrity status as the local Santa Claus in Interior Alaska--the first that many children had ever seen--ever--in rural Alaska.

In 1952, the Millers built a trading post 13 miles south of Fairbanks in the newly named North Pole, AK. So just a little south of Fairbanks, the big city in the interior. One day, while working hard at his new store, a young Alaskan boy recognized Con and asked: Well, hello, Santa. Are you building a new house? The inspiration clicked, and Con thought, Hey, why not? Let's do this. And so the Santa Claus House was born.

In addition to purchasing groceries, locals could mingle at the soda fountain and pick up their daily mail at the Santa Claus House under the direction of the post mistress, Nellie Miller--Con's, a.k.a. Santa's, wife. It was a mail contract station that served North Pole's first post office for almost 20 years. So there you have it, North Pole, AK, became a post office for America.

The Miller family lived above the store and was essential to its operation. All three kids: Terry, Mike, and Merry--yes, Merry Christmas, spelled M-E-R-R-Y, not M-A-R-Y--worked alongside their parents. Despite their insight behind the scenes as employees, current owner and manager Mike said they believed in Santa as much as anyone else. Of course, they did. Everybody believes in Santa.

As North Pole grew--it is growing; it is a great community, like I said, just a few miles outside of Fairbanks--the Santa Claus House grew with it. Inside the store's emphasis on Christmas delights slowly replaced the aisles of canned goods. Meanwhile, the Miller family established themselves as pillars of the North Pole community--not only North Pole but all of Interior Alaska.

Con Miller served as the mayor of North Pole for 19 years--the city's longest serving mayor-while Nellie Miller acted as a marriage commissioner for the community. Back then, that was a real job, a marriage commissioner.

Eventually, both of their sons, Terry and Mike, also found politics. The late Terry Miller was a State legislator. He was president of the State senate and was elected to be our Lieutenant Governor in 1978. Mike, who was helping around the Santa Claus House, also served in the legislature as senate president from 1983 to 2001. This is a dominating political family in Alaska, two State senate presidents.

I knew the Millers. They are a great, great family. Both Miller brothers, very highly respected across the aisle. This is, and was, and has been a great family committed to public service.

Begun over 70 years ago by Con and Nellie Miller, the Santa Claus House continues as following generations of Millers keep up that Christmas spirit and keep it thriving in North Pole, AK. It is still a family-run business.

Mike Miller is looking forward to the next generation continuing to run the family business with his daughter Carissa and son-in-law Paul and staffed by several grandchildren. Isn't this just a wonderful story? It really warms your heart as we head into the holiday season.

We all know Santa's job is a hard one, and it is also no small job running the Santa Claus House for the world. In addition to the family, there are between 40 and 60 employees year-round working there.

Besides being a delightful tourist attraction worldwide, the Santa Claus House understands the true meaning of Christmas and uses its name recognition for good works in the community, organizing food drives for the Fairbanks Food Bank that is used throughout Interior Alaska and many other charities.

Mike said: I think we have really worked hard to bring the spirit of Santa to our community, “the spirit of giving and family and caring about one another. I hope we have done a small slice [in this service] of helping people to realize that Christmas is about caring about one another, giving, and [about] being good neighbors.''

That is Mike Miller.

They have done that in a huge way. They have done more than give a small slice. For the past 70 years, they have given their all toward spreading the magic, the wonder, and the joy of Christmas to Alaskans, to Americans, to people all over the world.

So thank you to the Miller family and to the incredible institution of the Santa Claus House in North Pole for making our State a more jolly place, a more generous place, a more caring place, and for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive--not just now during the holidays but year-round in the great State of Alaska.

And, of course, to the Millers and Santa Claus House, congratulations on being our Alaskan of the Week.

I yield the floor.

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/us-treasury-finally-takes-action-on-russian-seafood-imports-following-2-year-sullivan-led-campaign,U.S. Treasury Finally Takes Action on Russian Seafood Imports Following 2-Year Sullivan-Led Campaign,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AK,Dan Sullivan,S001198,www.sullivan.senate.gov,sullivan,https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=16,scraper,"Determination Advances Reciprocity in U.S.-Russian Seafood Trading Relationship

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today lauded a new Executive Order and resulting U.S. Department of the Treasury determination that will finally revise current guidance that has allowed all Russian-origin seafood to bypass an earlier Executive Order banning its import into the United States. The new determination states that the current prohibition on Russian imports applies to salmon, pollock, cod and crab products harvested in waters under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation or by Russian-flagged vessels outside of Russian waters, even if this seafood has later been reprocessed and substantially transformed in another country, most frequently in Communist China and sometimes using slave labor. For nearly two years, Sen. Sullivan has been tirelessly advocating for the Treasury Department and other federal agencies to expand the current prohibition of Russian seafood into the U.S. market in dozens of meetings, advocacy and engagement with senior Biden administration officials and his congressional colleagues, and through legislation he’s authored and championed in the Senate.

“Russia’s decade-long ban on nearly all American-produced seafood products has created a completely unfair, one-sided trade relationship that has significantly hurt Alaska fishermen. In spite of an Executive Order issued in March of 2022 that I strongly advocated for that sought to level the playing field and correct this injustice, Russia and Communist China—which have some of the worst labor and environmental standards in the world—have aggressively exploited a gaping loophole that has given hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Russian seafood continued access to the U.S. market,” said Sen. Sullivan. “This unfair arrangement was wrong on so many levels: Not only did it drive down seafood prices and hurt hardworking American fishermen, especially in Alaska, it has also provided substantial revenue to support Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and has bolstered human rights abuses in China. Additionally, Russian and Chinese fisheries have some of the worst environmental standards for the sustainability of our oceans and fishing stocks in the world, while we have the highest.

“I’ve relentlessly pressed this issue with senior members of the Biden administration, expressing my frustration—and the frustration of Alaskans—that our own government has allowed this damaging injustice to go on for far too long. The administration has finally listened and taken action on this ridiculously unfair notion that ‘reprocessed’ Russian fish, pumped with chemicals in China, could be classified as the product of another country and still sold on the U.S. market almost duty-free. Our advocacy and unyielding determination have finally paid off, delivering a blow to the authoritarian regimes in Russia and China, and their fishing industries, which dramatically undermine the health of our oceans and promote human rights abuses. Most importantly, this is a long overdue win for Alaskan and American fishermen, for sustainable and environmentally-sound fisheries, and for the numerous coastal communities in Alaska that they support.”

Background

In March 2022, in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and at the strong urging of Sen. Sullivan, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14068, which prohibits the import of seafood originating in Russia. However, Russian and Chinese industry officials quickly exploited a loophole that gave them continued access to the U.S. market by sending Russian seafood to be substantially transformed in another country through reprocessing. Consequently, the Biden administration’s original prohibition was largely ineffective since the vast majority of Russian seafood is shipped to and reprocessed in other countries, such as China, and then shipped to the U.S. for consumption.

Today’s executive order will close this loophole and prevent any fish caught in Russian waters, or caught by Russian fishermen, from entering the U.S. market, regardless of where it goes for additional processing.

“United Fishermen of Alaska and the commercial fishing industry in Alaska thanks Senator Sullivan for his strong leadership on this issue, and for his years of support for the commercial fishing industry, particularly his support for seafood trade issues we are facing during this challenging time” said Matt Alward, president of the United Fishermen of Alaska. “Senator Sullivan’s work to enact meaningful prohibition of Russian seafood is a welcome step towards stabilizing the Alaska seafood industry.”

“Silver Bay Seafoods is owned by more than 550 fishermen, each of which operates an Alaskan small business and complies with stringent sustainability, environmental, and labor standards to ensure our customers get top quality seafood. Russian seafood cannot make the same claims, and although the Biden administration acted to ban imports of Russian seafood after the invasion of Ukraine, imports continued with impunity when routed through other countries. This action rights that wrong and ensures that the American consumer can feel good about the seafood they purchase,” said Cora Campell, CEO of Silver Bay Seafoods. “Senator Sullivan has shown tireless leadership on this issue and an unwavering commitment to Alaska’s fishermen and our coastal economy. He has doggedly pursued a level playing field, sound policy, and solutions that are good for seafood producers and consumers. Senator Sullivan’s work ethic is unmatched, and the Alaska seafood industry is fortunate to have such a stalwart advocate.”

“This is an enormous win for the nation’s effort to impose meaningful economic sanctions on Russia. Consumers throughout the United States have been unknowingly purchasing Russian-harvested seafood and indirectly supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine. That’s simply wrong,” said Joe Bundrant, CEO of Trident Seafoods. “We are grateful for the time and effort the administration, Senator Sullivan and other congressional offices have put into strengthening these sanctions and assuring U.S. consumers that their seafood purchases are not fueling the Russian war.”

“Members of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association applaud today’s action by the Treasury Department to increase economic sanctions on Russia by closing U.S. markets to Russian seafood,” said Julie Decker, president of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association. “Now, Russian seafood will not be able to enter the U.S. via other countries, fund Russia’s war in Ukraine, unfairly compete with domestic seafood, and depress U.S. seafood markets. We thank Senator Sullivan and our Congressional Delegation for their leadership on this issue, which is vital to U.S. fishermen and processors, and an important step toward ending the unjust war in Ukraine. Today’s action allows the U.S. to lead by example and we encourage other nations to follow suit.”

Senator Sullivan has strongly advocated for a fix—through legislative or administrative action—to meaningfully prohibit Russian seafood imports until American fishermen and processors are afforded reciprocal access to the Russian market and until Russia ends its brutal, illegal war against Ukraine.

Below is a timeline of the Russian seafood reciprocity issue, and Sen. Sullivan’s work to resolve it:

In 2014, Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. In response, the United States and its allies imposed a suite of sanctions. Russia then enacted retaliatory sanctions that barred the importation of any American fish into the Russian market. This created a very uneven seafood trade relationship: Russia could export as much seafood as it wants into the United States and we couldn’t export any Alaskan fish into Russia. This severely economically damaging injustice between America’s and Russia’s fishing industries continued to exist for almost a decade.

Sen. Sullivan pressed the issue of Russian seafood trade reciprocity—encouraging the federal government to ban the importation of Russian seafood into the United States—for years prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including in numerous meetings with the Commerce Secretaries and U.S. Trade Representatives under Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden—all to get the United States to level the playing field with regard to seafood trade with Russia.

On March 11, 2021, Sen. Sullivan pressed the issue of the lack of reciprocity in the Russian-U.S. seafood trading relationship with Wally Adeyemo, nominee to be deputy secretary of the Treasury. In their conversation, the deputy secretary committed to Sen. Sullivan to address this issue.

On February 9. 2022, Sen. Sullivan introduced the U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act, cosponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). This legislation would impose a ban on the import of all Russian seafood products into the United States, regardless of such seafood being reprocessed in another country.

On February 15, 2022, Sen. Sullivan included a provision in the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act that directs the federal government to prohibit Russian seafood imports into the U.S.

On February 17, 2022, Sen. Sullivan attempted to pass the U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act by unanimous consent, but the bill was blocked by Senate Democrats. Attempts to pass a revised version of S.2011 later in Spring 2022 were similarly blocked by Senate Democrats.

On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated its brutal invasion of Ukraine.

In the days following the invasion, Sen. Sullivan relentlessly pressed senior Biden administration National Security Council, Treasury Department, Commerce Department, and White House officials to include the banning of the importation of Russian seafood into the United States as part of the President’s broader sanctions package against the Putin regime.

On March 11, 2022, as a result of Sen. Sullivan’s advocacy, the Biden administration announced it would prohibit the importation of Russian seafood into the United States, in addition to banning goods from several other signature sectors of Russia’s economy. President Biden also announced his intention to revoke Russia’s “most-favored nation” status as a member of the World Trade Organization.

Despite this success, it became clear that Russian seafood oligarchs began to bypass the Biden administration’s sanctions by shipping their seafood to other countries, especially China, to then have the Russian seafood transformed and shipped into the United States almost duty-free. This loophole allowed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Russian seafood to escape sanctions and make it into the U.S. market, while significantly harming Alaskan and other American fishermen.

On April 7, 2022, Sen. Sullivan pressed Chris Magnus, then-commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), about closing the existing loophole that gives Russian seafood non-reciprocal access to the U.S. market.

On March 3, 2023, Sen. Sullivan pressed Troy Miller, acting commissioner of CPB, about the existing loophole that gives Russian seafood non-reciprocal access to the U.S. market.

On March 21, 2023, Sen. Sullivan pressed the Russian seafood loophole issue with Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the Treasury.

Throughout 2023, Sen. Sullivan pressed the Russian seafood loophole issue with high-level, senior Treasury, CPB and White House officials on a very regular basis, including in text messages and phone calls on June 9, June 23, August 6, August 13, October 24, October 25, November 21, December 8, and December 13.

On June 15, 2023, Sen. Sullivan again pressed the continued Russian seafood prohibition issue with Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the Treasury.

On June 15, 2023, led by Sen. Sullivan, Sens. Sullivan and Murkowski introduced the updated U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2023, legislation that would impose a comprehensive ban on the import of all Russian-origin seafood products into the United States. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.) and Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska).

On June 22, 2023, Sen. Sullivan attempted to pass the U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity by unanimous consent, but the bill was again blocked by Senate Democrats.

On August 30, 2023, Sen. Sullivan again pushed the Russian seafood loophole issue with Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the treasury, and Troy Miller, CBP acting commissioner.

On September 26, 2023, at Sen. Sullivan’s urging, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and CBP personnel convened a seafood industry roundtable in Anchorage to discuss the Russian seafood loophole issue and to get agreement on a detailed plan to close this loophole. This was a result of Sen. Sullivan’s many discussions with both CBP and Treasury pressing them to place a meaningful prohibition on Russian seafood imports.

On October 24, 2023, Sen. Sullivan again pressed the Russian seafood prohibition issue in a call with Wally Adeyemo, deputy secretary of the Treasury, and continued to follow-up over the ensuing weeks.

On December 19, 2023, Sen. Sullivan spoke on the Senate floor about the Russian seafood prohibition issue and again urged his colleagues to pass his U.S-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2023.

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-announce-over-240-million-for-clean-water-infrastructure-across-maryland,Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $240 Million for Clean Water Infrastructure Across Maryland,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $240,451,000 to modernize clean water infrastructure across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, will support the Maryland Department of the Environment’s efforts to provide low- or no-interest loans for critical water infrastructure projects, helping communities across the state maintain access to clean water.

Most of the funding – $211,862,000 – comes from the once-in-a-generation Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the lawmakers and the Biden-Harris Administration fought to enact to deliver historic federal investments in the country’s water infrastructure. This funding will supplement the $28,589,000 in federal funding appropriated to Maryland's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) that the lawmakers secured through annual appropriations for fiscal year 2023.

“Modernizing our water infrastructure is a critical public health priority. That’s one of the reasons why we fought to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – to advance our progress in communities across our state and improve their access to clean and safe drinking water. With these funds, we’re delivering on that objective for Marylanders,” said the lawmakers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-colleagues-applaud-senate-passage-of-legislation-honoring-medal-of-honor-recipients/,"Young, Colleagues Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,IN,Todd Young,Y000064,www.young.senate.gov,toddyoung,https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded Senate passage of legislation he helped introduce that would designate U.S. Highway 20 – including the 156 miles in Indiana – as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.”

“Our Medal of Honor recipients are some of our nation’s bravest heroes,” said Senator Young. “I am proud to support the designation of U.S. Highway 20 as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway’ and permanently recognize and celebrate each recipient’s selfless devotion and sacrifice to our country. I look forward to this legislation passing the House of Representatives, and eventually becoming law.”

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.

Redesignating U.S. Highway 20— the longest continuous highway in the United States— as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” would honor each state’s current and future Medal of Honor recipients and recipients from any state who travel on it.

Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 accounts for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” would ensure all 3,516 recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored. Following Indiana’s designation, INDOT placed eight commemorative signs along the route through Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter, and Lake counties.

In addition to Senator Young, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) also cosponsored the Senate version of the bill.

The legislation is supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-statement-on-the-ongoing-israel-hamas-war,Senator Baldwin Statement on the Ongoing Israel-Hamas War,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war:

“Hamas’s October 7th terrorist massacre has led to unbearable suffering in Israel, Gaza, and around the world. As I have said before, I support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organization’s threat – but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims.

“Unfortunately, the Netanyahu government’s indiscriminate bombing and military approach has led to unacceptable bloodshed in Gaza and does not appear to be moving us closer to our ultimate goals of removing Hamas from power and achieving a lasting peace in the region through a two-state solution. Preservation of innocent lives and civilian infrastructure is not just morally right, but also necessary to accomplish security, stability, and peace in the region moving forward.

“I support the resumption of a humanitarian ceasefire, in order to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid, protect innocent civilians and civilian sites, and negotiate the release of the hostages taken on October 7th. This is only possible if both Hamas and the Israeli government cooperate. As we look ahead, the United States needs to continue to do more to urge Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, facilitate humanitarian efforts, and play a more active role in helping create a two-state solution – something I have long supported – to ensure that both the Palestinian and Israeli people have the right to self-determination, safety, and security.”

In response to ongoing war and the growing humanitarian crisis, Senator Baldwin supports the following actions:

An immediate humanitarian ceasefire that ensures the unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access to Gaza, agreed to by both Israel and Hamas.

Adherence to International Humanitarian Law by all parties and the protection of all civilians and civilian sites.

Increased humanitarian aid access to prevent starvation and an even more severe public health crisis, including maintaining the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, and any other steps needed to allow the sustained delivery of the basic essentials in quantities sufficient to meet the current need.

The United States to provide immediate humanitarian aid to help those in Gaza.

Access to prompt medical attention for sick and wounded civilians, both within Gaza as well as the option to evacuate to a neighboring country for medical care.

Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to the hostages while the United States and Israel work to secure their release.

Ensure no Palestinians are forcibly removed from Gaza.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0446C366-6747-4D27-B0B0-67660DA4DE02,Boozman Preserves Memories of Arkansas Air Force Veteran,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service of Harold Beaver in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.

Beaver was born on December 12, 1946 and raised in Searcy, Arkansas. He grew up on a farm and attended Pleasant Plains school with only 15 other classmates. After graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas to pursue a degree in civil engineering.

After completing a mandatory two years of ROTC, Beaver chose to pursue advanced ROTC.

“Everybody who was looking to have some choices during the Vietnam era rather than being drafted, for the most part, chose to go into the advanced ROTC. That’s part of the reason, I had no idea what my draft number would be. It didn’t make any difference, so I chose to go in that direction.”

Just weeks after marrying his wife, he was assigned to March Air Force Base in Riverside, California for a six-week advanced ROTC summer camp. “It was an interesting experience,” he said recalling the extensive schedule that kept him very busy.

He graduated in May 1969 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His first active duty assignment was at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas.

“The interstate wasn’t completed at the time, so we did a lot of country driving to get there,” he said.

He was selected for pilot training and learned to fly the T-41 “to weed out the folks” who weren’t cut out to be a pilot.

The next step in training was flying the T-37, which at the time was the first jet an Air Force pilot flew. It was side-by-side training with an instructor for more than four months.

“The 37’s got a stick so you had to learn that transition,” he said. “It’s the only plane in the Air Force, at that time, where you practiced spins, so we would go up to 22,500 feet, force it into a stall, create rotation and make it spin. There is only one spin recovery procedure. Nothing else works, other than that one, so you had to do it right once you got into a spin to get out.""

One of his fellow students in the program was killed trying to get out of a spin. “It made me do some soul searching whether I wanted to continue with the program or not,” he recalled.

Beaver said the hardest part of learning to fly was the motion sickness, but he found ways to overcome the challenge.

Following training on the T-38 the pilots in the class were able to select their next flying assignment based on the class ranking. Beaver elected to be an instructor on the T-37 and stay at Webb Air Force Base.

He described the relationships he made with fellow students as the best part of pilot training, and how important that was for him to give those same experiences to new pilots as an instructor.

Flight classes were typically made of 25-30 students with 9-10 instructors.

Beaver and other instructors also trained a lot of foreign pilots. One of his best students was from Norway. While that student spoke English well, others weren't proficient in the language.

“It was kind of difficult trying to explain to them what to do in the plane while you’re flying.""

There is one experience as an instructor that stands out.

“We were spinning,” Beaver said. He recalled the student tried to recover, but the plane ended up in an inverted spin. “Very uncomfortable situation, and his hands were locked on the stick, and I couldn’t get him to turn loose.” Beaver was beating on the student’s hands to no avail. “I grabbed his oxygen hose, squeezed it, and he couldn’t breathe, so he turned loose the stick to grab his mask and that’s when I got the stick and we recovered and came back immediately.”

Beaver had a five-year commitment to the Air Force, but he was able to get an early out as the Vietnam War was ending.

He and his wife returned to Arkansas where he spent a long career serving as a civil engineer for the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Beaver says he hopes he made a difference and shared knowledge that helped his pilots.

He recommends the ROTC program for those who feel called to serve. “It is something of an honor to serve your country, especially as a pilot, especially wearing the uniform of this country,” he said.

“Harold Beaver made a tremendous impact on transportation in Arkansas, so I’m especially honored to help preserve these memories of his Air Force service, as well. He is a great example of someone who has found ways to use his talents to serve others throughout his lifetime. His stories are important to our nation’s history and I’m glad future generations will get to learn about the role he and other pilot instructors have had in ensuring the strength of our military,” Boozman said.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-joins-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,Capito Joins Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WV,Shelley Moore Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,capito,https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter – led by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) – urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications.

“This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines,” the senators said.

“Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first,” the senators continued.

In addition to Senators Capito, Kaine and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

Full text of the letter is available here.

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-wishes-west-virginians-amerry-christmas,"VIDEO: Capito Wishes West Virginians a
Merry Christmas",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WV,Shelley Moore Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,capito,https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"**Click here or the image above to watch the video.**

**Click here to download the video.**

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued a video message wishing West Virginians a Merry Christmas.

Full video transcript included below:

“Merry Christmas, West Virginia. As you gather with family and loved ones to enjoy the traditions and festivities, I hope this is a time of great joy, peace, and happiness.

“I encourage you to pause and reflect on what's most important during this Christmas season. Whether you are at home or traveling to see those who matter most, let's come together and celebrate the blessings that we have and renew our hope for a bright future and a new year ahead.

“Let's also remember the brave men and women serving overseas, first responders and law enforcement officers, and our medical professionals who are unable to spend these special holidays with their loved ones because of their selfless service to all of us.

“From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. May your days be merry and bright, and may the year ahead be full of blessings for you and your family.”

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-nifa-awards-262500-to-ndsu-to-empower-women-leaders-in-agribusiness-education,"Sen. Cramer: NIFA Awards $262,500 to NDSU to Empower Women Leaders in Agribusiness Education",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $262,500 to North Dakota State University to address the shortage of experts in agricultural management and economics. It will also empower women and underrepresented groups in the agriculture and food production sector.

These funds are part of a larger investment of $3.2 million in Food and Ag Sciences National Needs Graduate and Post-grad Fellowship Grants. NIFA’s National Needs Fellowship program trains students pursuing masters and doctoral degrees and provides additional education for the next generation of policy makers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-scott-demand-biden-admin-delay-red-tape-rule-detrimental-to-small-businesses,"Crapo, Risch, Scott Demand Biden Admin Delay Red-Tape Rule Detrimental to Small Businesses",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ID,Mike Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,crapo,https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) with U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) and 76 of their colleagues wrote U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Andrea Gacki urging the administration to delay the implementation of new reporting requirements for small businesses.

“On behalf of the millions of small businesses in our states, we write to you today with significant concerns regarding the implementation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA),” wrote the elected officials. “ . . . While the goal of this new law is to target shell companies involved in illicit financial transactions, the CTA defines covered entities as those having 20 or fewer employees and under $5 million in revenue. In other words, not just shell companies, but nearly every small business in America.”

“Unfortunately, FinCEN is woefully behind in educating small business owners and stakeholders of their new obligations under the CTA that begin in just a few short weeks . . . This lack of awareness and education is alarming and must be addressed before the law is implemented,” continued the leaders. “FinCEN has yet to finalize the two final BOI rulemakings that are critical to protecting small businesses’ personal information. We strongly request that FinCEN delay the January 1, 2024, effective date for all BOI requirements by a minimum of one year and FinCEN has finalized all outstanding rulemakings. We believe a year’s delay will provide FinCEN and the business community with more time to educate owners of their new obligations. It will also give FinCEN time to review the new rules and improve and finalize the statute’s regulatory framework.”

The full letter is available here.

Joining Senators Crapo, Risch and Scott are U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-North Dakota), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Dan Sullivan (R-Alabama), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama), Steve Daines (R-Montana), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana).

The letter is also supported by numerous organizations, including:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-statement-on-americans-including-texans-freed-from-maduro-custody-in-venezuela,"Cruz Statement on Americans, Including Texans, Freed from Maduro Custody in Venezuela",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the announcement that ten Americans, including three Texans, have been freed from captivity in Venezuela, where they were held by the Maduro regime, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said, “I’m pleased these Americans, including Texans Luke Denman, Airan Berry, and Jerrel Kenemore, will finally be reunited with their loved ones here at home. I have long called on the Maduro regime to release them and for the United States to impose pressure on the regime until it did so, and it is heartening that their unjust ordeal is over. Nevertheless, I continue to be concerned that the Biden administration’s hostage diplomacy, in this case the release of criminal and terrorist financier Alex Saab, sends a message to terrorists and other American adversaries abroad that American hostages can be used as bargaining chips.

“This news must also deepen our focus and commitment to bring back all Americans who are wrongfully detained overseas. Texan Mark Swidan remains unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party, and the Biden administration must do everything it can to secure his release.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-britt-introduce-legislation-to-bar-non-citizens-from-voting-in-federal-elections,"Sens. Cruz, Britt Introduce Legislation to Bar Non-Citizens from Voting in Federal Elections",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), members on the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, joined together with their colleagues on the committee to introduce the Citizen Ballot Protection Act. This bill would ensure states have the authority to verify that only American citizens are voting in federal elections. The bill specifically amends Section 6 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, to explicitly allow states to put in place a proof of citizenship requirement for both the federal mail voter registration form, and any state mail voter registration forms they might develop.

Upon introducing the bill, Sen. Cruz said, “Voting is a privilege and right reserved for American citizens to participate democratically in deciding the leadership of our country. Under Joe Biden’s watch, the integrity of our electoral process has been compromised. Democrat-run jurisdictions have violated our electoral process by granting an open invitation to any non-citizen or illegal alien to unconstitutionally participate in voting in local elections. This presents an unreasonable risk of cross-contamination of ballots and voting by non-citizens in federal elections. We must uphold the integrity of our electoral system by requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship before casting a vote at the ballot box.”

Cosigners of the bill include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Sens. Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

Read the full text of the bill here.

Background:

Sen. Cruz has spearheaded several efforts to block non-citizens from voting in elections including:

Introducing legislation to prohibit the Washington D.C. city government from using federal funds to facilitate non-citizen voting in elections in our nation’s capital;

Introducing a joint resolution pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to fight a measure passed by the D.C. Council that would allow illegal aliens to vote in local D.C. elections.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-coons-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-urging-steps-to-restore-deterrence-against-iran-proxies-attacking-us-troops,"Sens. Cruz, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Urging Steps to Restore Deterrence Against Iran Proxies Attacking U.S. Troops",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), joined by 12 additional cosponsors, this week introduced a resolution urging the Biden administration to take all necessary steps to restore deterrence against Iran and Iranian proxies targeting Americans and American interests in the Middle East. American troops in the region have been targeted by Iran and Iranian proxies more than 115 times since mid-October. Iran provides financing, training, and other support to terrorist groups throughout the region, including the Houthis.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Iranian regime is attacking Americans, our allies, and our interests across the Middle East. They are not only launching attacks and massacres against our Israeli and Arab allies, but their Houthi proxies are now trying to shut down freedom of navigation that is vital to the American and global economies. It is clear that they are not deterred, and it is long past time for the Biden administration to take all necessary steps to deter and counter these activities. Enough is enough.”

Sen. Coons said, “Attacks on American troops are reprehensible, and Iranian support for these attacks has rightfully earned a swift and forceful response from the Biden administration. I join Senator Cruz in introducing this resolution to condemn these attacks, increase pressure on Iran to cease its support for violent militia groups, and support efforts to deter Iranian-backed militia attacks on U.S. troops and the international community. I also commend the resiliency and bravery of American service members across the Middle East and hope this resolution makes clear Congress’ support for U.S. Central Command’s mission of countering terrorism and maintaining stability across the region.”

In addition to Sens. Coons and Cruz, the resolution is cosponsored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

The text of the full resolution is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-klobuchar-lead-call-for-increased-funding-to-help-ensure-our-childrens-food-is-safe-and-free-of-toxins,"Duckworth, Klobuchar Lead Call for Increased Funding to Help Ensure Our Childrens’ Food is Safe and Free of Toxins",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Following recent reports of heavy metals being found in baby food and food pouches for young children, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with several of their Senate colleagues, are leading the call for Senate Appropriators to prioritize additional resources that would help the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health Nutrition programs, including the Closer to Zero program, better ensure the food our nation’s children consume is nutritious, safe and free of toxins.

“Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods,” wrote the Senators. “Additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation…This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls.”

Along with Duckworth and Klobuchar, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Full text of the letter can be found using the link here and below:

Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins:

We write to thank you for your strong support of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health programs, including the Closer to Zero program, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. We urge you to increase funds to those programs as you refine the FY 2024 appropriations package. Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods. While we acknowledge that Senate report language regarding heavy metals in baby foods has been included, we urge you to appropriate $20 million to support FDA’s Maternal and Infant Health and Nutrition programs to enable the agency to improve its oversight and enforcement capacity.

In 2021, the FDA announced its Closer to Zero initiative, which sought to “identify actions the agency will take to reduce exposure to toxic elements from foods eaten by babies and young children—to as low as possible” and included timelines to set standards for four toxic heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) found in baby foods. After months of delays, FDA recently issued proposed draft action levels of lead in foods intended for consumption by babies and young children. This draft guidance is the latest to remain unfinalized, after FDA released draft guidance on levels of lead in juices in 2022. Interim reference levels of arsenic, cadmium and mercury also remain incomplete, despite the negative effects these toxic heavy metals can have on the development of infants and children under the age of two. Their presence poses a continuous threat to the Nation’s public health and food supply. It is essential that standards for industry be expeditiously set and that the FDA works to enforce compliance of these standards.

In addition, infant formula is a vital source of nutrition for infants in one of the most vulnerable stages of a child’s life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents continue breastfeeding or incorporating infant formula into their child’s diet for the first year of their life. Families rely on formula—both powdered and liquid—to supplement their children’s nutritional intake. Parents deserve to be confident that the infant formula products they feed their babies are nutritionally adequate, safe from contaminants and readily accessible at retail stores. Unfortunately, as many families have discovered during the recent infant formula shortage, these goals have fallen short. Additional oversight into the manufacturing practices, safety concerns and the sourcing of raw materials for infant formula is needed to ensure the utmost safety of this sole source of nutrition.

We appreciate the agency’s actions to reform its oversight of human foods that will ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of the foods consumed by infants and young children. Even though internal organizational changes remain ongoing, additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation. FDA must be empowered to do its share of the work. This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls.

The health and livelihood of future generations is of utmost importance, and we must do everything we can to ensure we set them up for success. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/28/2023/senator-hassan-nominates-new-hampshire-students-for-united-states-service-academies,Senator Hassan Nominates New Hampshire Students for United States Service Academies,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan announced that she has nominated 42 New Hampshire students to attend United States Service Academies - the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

“I am grateful for the young Granite Staters who are stepping forward to serve our country in uniform and keep us safe, secure, and free,” said Senator Hassan. “It is an honor to nominate these New Hampshire students to attend our United States Service Academies, and I look forward to seeing all that these students accomplish in the years to come.

For more information on the nomination process for interested applicants, click here.

See below for the full list of Senator Hassan’s nominees:

NAVAL ACADEMY

Rathank Chea, Hampton

Stephen Cleveland, Lincoln

Caitlyn Koutalidis, Hampton

Max Durkin, Greenland

Aaron Jee, Bedford

Patrick Gandini, Gilford

Nolan Matuszak, Hampstead

Anderson Seals, Exeter

Mackenzie Poplawski, Hampton

Kyle Ashley, Newport

AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Sky Willer, Epsom

Dalton Cox, Hollis

Naomi Nunez, Littleton

Aislyn Reed, Bow

Peter Evans, Barrington

Martina Pike, Loudon

Michael Nemeth, Hudson

Colin Atkinson, Amherst

Trey Baker, Hampstead

Justin Blanchard, Portsmouth

Taylor Anderton, Hampton Falls

Adam Connelly, Hollis

Thomas Johnson, Nashua

Wyatt Lake, Etna

Talia Parmalee, Exeter

Charlotte Smith, Center Barnstead

Rayna Thompson, Brentwood

Alec Simoneau, Amherst

Brandon Adamson, Londonderry

Nicholas Engert, Grantham

MILITARY ACADEMY

Jackson Bairstow, Dover

Annie Christina, Brentwood

Thomas Lacroix, Auburn

Thaddeus Maughan, Hopkinton

Regan McIntire, Gilford

Thanida Thomas, Thornton

Tatiana Stockbower, Dover

Harley Twofoot, Merrimack

Declan MacDougall, Somersworth

Victoria Kelly, Northfield

MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

Derek Leedberg, Stratham

Meghan Shippos, Bow

Trey Baker, Hampstead

Victoria Kelly, Northfield

Nolan Matuszak, Hampstead

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-calls-from-nh-delegation-pay-boosted-for-granite-staters-working-at-the-va-white-mountain-national-forest-and-other-federal-offices-in-nh,"Following Calls from NH Delegation, Pay Boosted for Granite Staters Working at the VA, White Mountain National Forest, and Other Federal Offices in NH",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following a push from the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is increasing pay for federal employees in New Hampshire and Vermont, who support Granite Staters through their work at places like the White River Junction VA Medical Center, White Mountain National Forest, and the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. It applies to workers in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, and Sullivan Counties in New Hampshire, as well as in Vermont, who will now receive the same locality pay as those in most counties in New Hampshire and in the Greater Boston area. The classification changes in New Hampshire and Vermont will mean that more than 1,000 federal employees will now receive more competitive pay rates.

The announcement comes after the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations urged OPM to take this action, and will help increase efforts to hire and retain federal employees for critical efforts, including implementation of the PACT Act, which Senator Hassan and colleagues developed and passed into law last year to help get veterans exposed to toxic substances the VA health care and benefits that they need.

“Granite Staters deserve a fully staffed, well-qualified federal workforce in order to best serve them,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This important pay increase will help recruit and retain the talented public servants who help Granite Staters – including our veterans – get the support that they need.”

“This long-overdue pay raise for the hard-working federal employees in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton and Sullivan Counties is a great way to end the year,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m proud to have worked with the New Hampshire delegation to get this done so folks are paid what they deserve for the work they do.”

“Hardworking New Hampshire families deserve to be fairly compensated for their work,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I’m pleased to see this change that the New Hampshire Delegation advocated for take effect – I will always fight for our New Hampshire workforce.”

“Ensuring our federal workers’ pay keeps pace with our changing economy is common sense,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “This change will give our dedicated federal workers the raise they deserve and ensure our federal agencies can continue to attract qualified employees.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-devastating-floods-shaheen-leads-nh-congressional-delegation-letter-to-fema-requesting-the-agency-standby-to-provide-disaster-assistance-funds,"Following Devastating Floods, Shaheen Leads NH Congressional Delegation Letter to FEMA Requesting the Agency Standby to Provide Disaster Assistance Funds",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell in support of New Hampshire communities following severe flooding and wind damage. The letter urges FEMA, in the event the state asks, to work with affected counties and the state government to respond to severe flooding and wind damage and if the state asks for a disaster declaration, to make assistance available quickly.

“The effect of the heavy rainfall and flooding were felt throughout the state with numerous road closures due to rising water and full roadway washouts. In addition to transportation infrastructure being damaged, there are reports of homes being destroyed in northern New Hampshire and some residents having to be rescued by National Guard helicopter. The full extent of the damages throughout the state won’t be known until the waters recede,” the Delegation wrote.

On December 18, 2023, a massive storm system swept across New England, bringing rain and winds with speeds approaching Category 1 hurricane force. Many places in New Hampshire recorded rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches, with at least one community experiencing much as six inches. This heavy rainfall was exacerbated by unseasonably warm temperatures that melted snow, which increased the water level in streams and rivers. Flash flood warnings were in effect over broad swaths of the state.

“State officials have said that much of the current damage is to infrastructure, and there is a concern that snow could soon fall and cover the damage, making a true accounting of the damage more difficult. Given the extensive flooding and wind damage, we call on FEMA to stand ready to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it,” the Delegation continued.

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-colleagues-sound-the-alarm-about-economic-deterioration-in-the-west-bank,"Warner, Kaine & Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict.

This letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues – meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement – are critical for the PA’s civil administration and security purposes.

“A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,” wrote the senators. “A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.”

“In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,” they continued. “We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.”

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

Dear President Biden,

We write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group’s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers’ violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security.

Members of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration’s recent actions – including visa bans – targeting those carrying out these attacks.

We are also concerned about the conflict’s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank.

A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.

In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security.

We acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security.

In recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is “vastly under resourced,” and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-scott-announce-3-million-in-federal-funding-for-regional-flood-risk-management-feasibility-study-in-hampton-va,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study in Hampton, VA",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today’s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately.

“Rising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,” the members said. “We’re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.”

The Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region.

Since 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-urges-va-treasury-department-to-simplify-travel-reimbursements-for-medical-care,"King Urges VA, Treasury Department to Simplify Travel Reimbursements for Medical Care",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), is urging the Department of Treasury and Department of Veterans Affairs to better support veterans seeking the benefits they’ve earned. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and VA Secretary Denis McDonough, King and a bipartisan group of colleagues urge the federal government to address some important structural issues within the VA’s travel reimbursement program that is affecting the ability of veterans – especially low-income veterans and veterans in remote rural communities – to managing their VA Beneficiary Travel Pay reimbursements.

Under current federal law, most low-income veterans and veterans with a service-connected disability are entitled to reimbursements for travel to and from their VA medical appointments. For many veterans, especially low-income veterans in rural communities who have to travel long distances to access their VA health care, these reimbursements are essential. However, the current system for VA Beneficiary Travel Pay reimbursements has left too many veterans, who are entitled to travel reimbursement, waiting months with hundreds of dollars in unpaid claims at any one time – putting their financial stability at risk.

“Veterans who rely on this and other VA programs should have an easy way to ensure that they are receiving the benefits they are owed,” wrote the senators. “Our veterans deserve much better, especially when they are simply trying to receive the benefits they have earned.”

Many veterans across the country have complex health conditions and require numerous medical appointments each month. Under the current system, veterans who receive travel reimbursements via direct deposit are unable to reconcile travel claim payments with their bank statements. When veterans receive multiple reimbursements on varying timelines, it is exceptionally difficult to determine the status of each individual claim, leaving many veterans with outstanding claims they are unable to account for.

In the letter, the senators asked Yellen and McDonough to respond to the following questions by January 15, 2024: How can veterans currently track individual beneficiary travel reimbursements after they have filed the initial claim; which agency bears responsibility for determining what information is included in the PPD of PPD+; and are VA and Treasury considering implementing a numerical identification system that veterans can use to track their individual claims and associated payments?

In addition to King, U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) signed the letter.

Representing a state with one of the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. In August, Senator King joined the Maine Delegation in sending a letter to the VA identifying challenges with the VA’s new Beneficiary Travel Self Service System, implemented more than three years ago, including processing delays and the need for a high-speed internet connection to access the system. Earlier this year, King also introduced bipartisan legislation to support veterans with mental traumas, as well as celebrated President Biden signing his legislation into law, which increases benefits for veterans and military families.

To read the full letter, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/ri-delegation-urges-federal-assistance-to-help-recover-from-storm-related-flooding,RI Delegation Urges Federal Assistance to Help Recover from Storm-Related Flooding,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – As Rhode Island assesses flood damage and begins to recover from a severe storm system that moved through the state earlier this week, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo are urging President Biden to promptly approve any request for federal assistance made by the State of Rhode Island to support emergency operations and accelerate recovery from significant local flooding.

The National Weather Service reported that northern Rhode Island into the Providence area saw the region’s highest rainfall totals, where at least 4.5 inches of rainfall were observed. Local utility providers also reported more than 70,000 power outages as a result of damaging winds.

Governor McKee has declared a state of emergency as a result of the damaging storm. This step is an essential prerequisite for seeking federal disaster assistance. The state will now need to assess the cost of the emergency response and damages associated with the storm in order to determine if it meets the minimum thresholds required for a federal emergency or major disaster declaration.

“This severe storm system wreaked havoc on certain parts of the state, and a number of neighborhoods were hit hard by flooding. We are committed to doing everything we can to help in the recovery effort. With the storm behind us, it is now important for the State to work with local leaders, FEMA, and other federal partners to quickly assess the damage and determine what assistance can be provided to help communities, businesses, and homeowners get back on their feet,” said Reed, Whitehouse, Magaziner, and Amo in a joint statement.

In an effort to help Rhode Island communities and the state respond to storm-related damage and flooding, the state’s Congressional delegation sent a letter urging President Biden to support Rhode Island and expediate any and all emergency assistance.

The full text of the letter follows:

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20006

Dear President Biden:

Over the last two days, Rhode Island has experienced a strong storm with significant rainfall, winds over 60 miles per hour, and localized and coastal flooding. The storm, with heavy rains and damaging winds, caused about 72,000 power outages, necessitated the closure of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, overwhelmed storm water systems, closed schools and local businesses, and caused damage and debris to both homes and businesses.

As our local communities work to clean up and assess damage, we urge you to expeditiously approve any request from the State of Rhode Island for federal assistance, including under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Thank you for your assistance and leadership.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-new-ftc-proposal-to-protect-childrens-privacy-online,Schatz Statement On New FTC Proposal To Protect Children’s Privacy Online,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission unveiled a proposal aimed at expanding protections for children’s privacy online. Specifically, the proposal would limit the ability of social media platforms to send push notifications to young users and further limit data retention for youth, among other things.

“Tech platforms have knowingly harvested and profited off of children’s data for years, using targeted advertising and other tools to keep kids scrolling at the expense of their mental health and development,” said Senator Schatz. “The FTC’s proposal is an encouraging step toward implementing safeguards to protect the youngest users of social media against constant surveillance and manipulation. But rulemaking is no substitute for law – Congress needs to act. We urgently need to pass legislation that will protect kids online by setting minimum age requirements for social media use and banning algorithmic targeting for children and teens.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/following-devastating-floods-shaheen-leads-nh-congressional-delegation-letter-to-fema-requesting-the-agency-standby-to-provide-disaster-assistance-funds,"Following Devastating Floods, Shaheen Leads NH Congressional Delegation Letter to FEMA Requesting the Agency Standby to Provide Disaster Assistance Funds",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell in support of New Hampshire communities following severe flooding and wind damage. The letter urges FEMA, in the event the state asks, to work with affected counties and the state government to respond to severe flooding and wind damage and if the state asks for a disaster declaration, to make assistance available quickly.

“The effect of the heavy rainfall and flooding were felt throughout the state with numerous road closures due to rising water and full roadway washouts. In addition to transportation infrastructure being damaged, there are reports of homes being destroyed in northern New Hampshire and some residents having to be rescued by National Guard helicopter. The full extent of the damages throughout the state won’t be known until the waters recede,” the Delegation wrote.

On December 18, 2023, a massive storm system swept across New England, bringing rain and winds with speeds approaching Category 1 hurricane force. Many places in New Hampshire recorded rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches, with at least one community experiencing much as six inches. This heavy rainfall was exacerbated by unseasonably warm temperatures that melted snow, which increased the water level in streams and rivers. Flash flood warnings were in effect over broad swaths of the state.

“State officials have said that much of the current damage is to infrastructure, and there is a concern that snow could soon fall and cover the damage, making a true accounting of the damage more difficult. Given the extensive flooding and wind damage, we call on FEMA to stand ready to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it,” the Delegation continued.

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2023/12/senate-passes-tillis-bill-to-equip-law-enforcement-with-trauma-kits,Senate Passes Tillis Bill To Equip Law Enforcement With Trauma Kits,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,tillis,https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate recently passed the American Law Enforcement Sustaining Aid and Vital Emergency Resources(SAVER) Act, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Thom Tillis to equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits to immediately respond to civilian or first responder injuries during emergency calls.

“As a strong supporter of our brave men and women in law enforcement, I was proud to co-introduce this legislation which would equip law enforcement with the tools they need to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Tillis. “Ensuring law enforcement officers have effective trauma kits will save countless lives. I am proud the American Law Enforcement SAVER Act passed the Senate and look forward to quick passage in the House to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need.”

Background:

The effectiveness of a law enforcement trauma kit program depends in part on the contents and the quality of the kits. Medical professionals recommend that a kit include bleeding control supplies like tourniquets, bandages, non-latex gloves, scissors, and instructions. However, there is enormous variation in the products available on the market. The American Law Enforcement SAVER Act would:

Establish baseline standards in consultation with law enforcement and medical professionals for trauma kits purchased using grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG);

Require the development of optional best practices that law enforcement agencies can adapt for training law enforcement officers to use trauma kits and for deployment and maintenance of the kits in vehicles and government facilities.

The legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, National Criminal Justice Association, The Wounded Blue, American Trauma Society, Society of Trauma Nurses, American College of Surgeons, and American College of Emergency Physicians.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2023/12/tillis-colleagues-slam-dhs-decision-to-suspend-rail-commerce-at-border-to-process-more-migrants,"Tillis, Colleagues Slam DHS Decision to Suspend Rail Commerce at Border to Process More Migrants",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,NC,Thom Tillis,T000476,www.tillis.senate.gov,tillis,https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues recently sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding the BidenAdministration re-open railway commerce at the Southern border. Earlier this week, the Administration closed the railways to process migrants illegally crossing the border.

“We write today to express our serious concern with the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) recent actions to suspend international railway crossings and rail operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. On December 18, 2023, CBP pulled personnel from those operations and redirected them to assist with the migrant surges at the southwest border. In recent weeks, CBP has suspended vehicle processing at Eagle Pass International Bridge 1 and operations at California’s San Ysidro Pedestrian West and Arizona’s Lukeville Port of Entry. Without putting real policies in place to cut the increasing flow of illegal immigration, our national security and economy will continue to pay the price,” the senators wrote.

“CBP’s decision to suspend rail service and close international crossings at Eagle Pass and El Paso directly and immediately impacts our carriers’ ability to move goods across the North American rail network and to the North American consumers who rely on them. The success of our trade partnership with Mexico relies on the successful operation of these international railway crossings. U.S. goods and services trade with Mexico totaled an estimated $855.1 billion in 2022. Eagle Pass and El Paso accounted for a total of $33.95 billion or 35.8% of all cross-border rail traffic to and from Mexico in the last year,” the senators continued.

“The crisis at our nation’s southern border is unprecedented and is the worst it has ever been in our country’s history. Only smarter and effective policies will guide us out of it, and without a real plan, this Administration will hardly address the substantial challenges that currently exist. Redirecting a small group of CBP personnel away from these rail entries will not do anything to get us closer to a solution. We urge you to re-open the rail ports of entry at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. Further, we urge you to take this humanitarian, security, and economic crisis seriously and engage with Congress to enact real policy change that stops the flow of illegal migration,” the senators concluded.

Read the full letter HERE.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-announce-more-than-25-million-to-improve-road-safety-across-maryland,Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $25 Million to Improve Road Safety Across Maryland,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MD,Chris Van Hollen,V000128,www.vanhollen.senate.gov,vanhollen,https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $28,505,333 to improve road safety in communities across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, will help local departments of transportation across the state develop and implement safety action plans and structural improvements to better accommodate and ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on roadways. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help to save lives on roadways across the country, supporting many local governments’ existing “Vision Zero” plans, which aim to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on roadways.

The SS4A program was established and funded at $5 billion over five years by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation the lawmakers worked to pass to support infrastructure initiatives across the country.

“Too often, aging infrastructure contributes to accidents that cause serious injuries and even death for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which we fought to pass, will upgrade our roads, make them safer for our communities, and shorten commute times for the millions of hardworking Marylanders who depend on public infrastructure every day. They will enable our local partners to improve safety and accessibility on roadways across our state,” said the lawmakers.

The federal funds were awarded as follows:

Greater Baltimore Region

$9,920,000 to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to pilot a Complete Streets project, which will reduce dangerous accidents by making city roadways more accessible through temporary lane and street closure events for cyclists and pedestrians as well as sensors that will help plan improvements at the city’s most high-volume intersections;

$3,648,000 to Baltimore County to conduct planning activities, including road safety audits for corridors throughout the county;

Prince George’s County

$9,764,000 to Mount Rainer to implement its Vision Zero plan.

$768,000 to the Towns of Riverdale Park and Edmonston to develop a Complete Streets plan;

$160,000 to the Town of Brentwood to create a Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements;

Montgomery County

$360,000 to the City of Gaithersburg to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan;

$320,000 to the City of Rockville to create a Vision Zero plan and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements and conduct safety audits;

$160,000 to Montgomery County to conduct supplemental planning efforts to review Vision Zero activities and evaluate progress;

$120,000 to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) to conduct planning activities throughout Montgomery County;

Anne Arundel and Howard Counties

$683,200 to the City of Annapolis in Anne Arundel County to update its existing Vision Zero Plan;

$488,133 to Howard County to test safety approaches on the US 1 corridor, a 12-mile stretch of roadway with safety challenges;

Eastern Shore

$320,000 to the City of Cambridge in Dorchester County to create a Vision Zero plan and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements;

$280,000 to Queen Anne's County to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan;

$64,000 to the Town of Rising Sun in Cecil County to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan;

Western Maryland

$1,050,000 to Frederick County to plan road improvements to eliminate traffic fatalities and improve bicycle accessibility;

$240,000 to Brunswick to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; and

$160,000 to the Town of Sykesville to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.

The Safer Streets and Roads for All program was established to support regional and local efforts to prevent roadway deaths through planning and demonstration projects that help local governments better understand the safety challenges in their communities and implement solutions to make their streets, roads, and highways safer for all. In fiscal year 2022, the SS4A program delivered over $1.5 million to safety action plan projects in Maryland.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=74152009-A568-4072-95E6-F3399A6F8809,"Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management in Hampton, VA",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today’s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately.

“Rising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,” the members said. “We’re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.”

The Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region.

Since 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F477A381-91DE-48A6-8275-990FED884AE8,Warner and Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict.

This letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues – meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement – are critical for the PA’s civil administration and security purposes.

“A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,” wrote the Senators. “A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.”

“In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,” they continued. “We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.”

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

Dear President Biden,

We write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group’s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers’ violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security.

Members of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration’s recent actions – including visa bans – targeting those carrying out these attacks.

We are also concerned about the conflict’s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 – including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked – have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank.

A significant source of the PA’s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government’s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA’s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.

In addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay – and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services – represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security.

We acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security.

In recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is “vastly under resourced,” and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-announce-22-million-for-rural-school-hybrid-program,"Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million for Rural School Hybrid Program",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a $2.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program for Chemeketa Community College.

“Students of all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at a solid education,” Wyden said. “This funding is the perfect example of how to expand opportunitiesfor folks in rural Oregon and across the nation, and I applaud Chemeketa Community College for receiving this grant.”

“Higher education helps connect students with resources, opportunities, and tools to thrive, building stronger communities, economies, and futures in Oregon,” said Merkley. “As the first in my family to graduate from college, I know how challenging it can be to access higher education—especially for those coming from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. This incredibly important funding for Chemeketa Community College will help provide crucial support and opportunities, opening doors for Oregon’s rural students”

“We are thrilled to receive this grant for the 'Chemeketa College-going Access and Regional Equity for Students (CARES)' project. This funding will empower us to expand educational opportunities for rural high school students, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure a brighter future for our region,"" said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College.

The $2.2 million federal grant will support the Chemeketa College-going Access and Regional Equity for Students (CARES) program. The program expands career and technical education dual credit courses, develops hybrid CTE and combined school enrollment models, and provides teachers with effective technology and professional development opportunities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-announces-milwaukee-selected-as-finalist-in-new-economic-development-program-opens-door-to-up-to-50-million-investment,Baldwin Announces Milwaukee Selected as Finalist in New Economic Development Program; Opens Door to Up to $50 Million Investment,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Grow Milwaukee Recompete Plan has been selected as a finalist for a new economic development initiative, the Recompete Pilot Program. The Recompete Pilot Program was created under the Baldwin-supported CHIPS and Science Act to do targeted economic development in distressed communities and create and connect people to good jobs.

Out of 560 applicants nationwide, Grow Milwaukee was one of only 22 organizations selected to move forward in the process, allowing them to compete for up to a $50 million economic development investment. Grow Milwaukee will also receive a $500,000 Strategy Development Grant to further develop their plan. Grow Milwaukee's focus will be centered on the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, an area with a history of segregation and business exodus that has stunted economic prosperity in the surrounding area.

“I voted for the CHIPS and Science Act to bring home manufacturing jobs and open the door to economic opportunity for Wisconsin families,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am thrilled that Milwaukee has been selected for this program, putting us on the path to connect more people with good-paying jobs, grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, and ensure that no community is left behind.”

Grow Milwaukee is a consortium of Milwaukee organizations including Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, the Milwaukee Bucks, Rockwell Automation, Jonco Industries, WRTP Big Step, City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County that is aiming to support business growth, revitalize vacant and underutilized sites, expand small businesses, and create workforce pathways to quality jobs, including union, trades, and advanced manufacturing positions. Senator Baldwin advocated to the Biden administration for Grow Milwaukee’s application earlier this year.

The Strategy Development Grant for $500,000 can be used to hire experts, build and strengthen partnerships, conduct studies, pilot strategies, and more. This Recompete Pilot Program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments. More information on the Recompete Pilot Program can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-brings-home-over-15-million-for-rhinelander-oneida-county-airport-upgrades,Baldwin Brings Home Over $1.5 Million for Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Upgrades,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is receiving over $1.5 million through the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make necessary upgrades to improve safety and increase efficiency for travelers.

“Wisconsin relies on our regional airports to connect travelers, commuters, and businesses to destinations around the world,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud that my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making this investment to help keep our Made in Wisconsin economy moving forward and travelers in Northern Wisconsin safe for years to come.”

The investment comes through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, which is making a $15 billion investment over five years nationwide to upgrade runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects. In just the first three years of the program, Wisconsin airports have received over $117 million in AIG grants.

The $1.5 million grant for the County of Oneida and City of Rhinelander will be used to improve 15,000 square feet of the airport's existing runway to address drainage issues, install new lighting on runways, and upgrade existing signage and navigation aids that provide pilots with critical airfield information, including an airport beacon that has reached the end of its useful life.

“On behalf of the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Commission and its regional sponsors, we extend our gratitude to Senator Baldwin for her continued support of our facility. Funding for this comprehensive project will go toward supplanting much of our airport’s 45-year-old physical infrastructure,” said Matthew J. Leitner, Airport Director at Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport. “This will enhance our airport’s operational capabilities and further increase the economic contribution it makes to our region, which is already over $40,000,000 annually.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom-news-releases-barrasso-lummis-join-bill-to-hold-the-atf-accountable/,"Barrasso, Lummis Join Bill to Hold the ATF Accountable",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"CASPER, WY – U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., joined Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and their Republican colleagues in reintroducing the ATF Accountability Act of 2023 to provide transparency at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for gun owners and manufacturers across America.

The ATF engages in a secretive classification review process where the agency makes decisions about whether a particular firearm is regulated by the National Firearms Act. Decisions and justification for decisions are often only made available to manufacturers in private correspondence. This causes uncertainty for both gun-owning Americans and firearm manufacturers, especially in combination with the ATF’s refusal to make public rules regarding classification final.

“Every day, people in Wyoming responsibly use their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms,” said Senator Barrasso. “For far too long, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has had regulations that keep responsible gun owners and manufacturers in the dark. Any attempt to stop law-abiding citizens from appealing unfair rulings must be stopped dead in its tracks. I will continue to stand up against any policies that threaten our Second Amendment rights.”

“D.C. bureaucrats cannot be allowed to criminalize law-abiding gun owners with the stroke of a pen behind closed doors,” said Senator Lummis. “Protecting the Second Amendment has never been more important after Senate Democrats attempted to jam through an assault-weapons ban just last week. The ATF Accountability Act strengthens the people of Wyoming’s constitutional right to bear arms by creating a pathway to legally challenge any new restrictive regulations.”

“American gun owners and manufacturers have been left in the dark for far too long with closed-door rule changes by the ATF,” said Senator Braun. “Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights shouldn’t be the last to know the classification status of firearms, or what licenses or tax stamps they need to avoid running afoul of the law. The ATF needs accountability and transparency, which this bill accomplishes.”

The ATF Accountability Act:

• Creates an appeals process following a ruling by ATF with specific regular timeframes

• Permits gun manufacturers to appeal the legal status or classification of any product by filing with the Director of Industry Operations with jurisdiction. After which, the appeal is directed to an administrative law judge

This legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-for-justice-thomass-recusal-in-trump-january-6th-case,Blumenthal Calls for Justice Thomas's Recusal in Trump January 6th Case,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,blumenthal,https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to ensure Justice Clarence Thomas recuses himself in proceedings in United States v. Trump given his wife Ginni Thomas’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Blumenthal’s letter comes as the Supreme Court considers special counsel’s request to rule on former President Trump’s immunity in the January 6th case and as Trump has been requested to respond to the Court on an expedited basis.

“I urge you to ensure that Justice Thomas abides by federal statute and the Court’s own Code of Conduct and recuses himself from participating in United States v. Trump,” wrote Blumenthal, citing Eastman v. Thompson as an example of a previous instance in which Justice Thomas had rightly recused himself and calling on Thomas to provide an explanation if he does not recuse himself in this case.

“No proceeding could be graver than the prosecution of an attempt to undermine our sacred electoral process,” Blumenthal stressed. “Justice will be done only if such a case is heard by judges whose impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned.”

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

December 20, 2023

The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Chief Justice

Supreme Court of the United States

1 First Street NE

Washington, DC 20543

Dear Chief Justice Roberts:

The Supreme Court is currently weighing whether to decide a critical question in United States v. Trump, a criminal case arising from former President Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection. Last week, the United States urged the Court to fast-track its consideration of “a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy”: whether former President Trump is immune from charges of conspiring to obstruct the certification of the 2020 electoral vote and overturn the results of the election.[1] The Court has asked former President Trump to respond on an expedited basis—by today at 4:00 PM.

I write to urge you to take appropriate steps to ensure that Justice Clarence Thomas recuses himself from consideration of the petition for certiorari and any future proceedings in United States v. Trump, or otherwise provides the public an “explanation of [his] recusal decision”[2] showing how his participation comports with judicial ethics and federal law.

The federal recusal statute requires that any “justice, judge, or magistrate judge … shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”[3] In addition, recusal is required when a Justice “or his spouse … is known by the judge to have an interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding; [or i]s to the judge’s knowledge likely to be a material witness in the proceeding.”[4]

In October, Justice Thomas followed this statute in recusing himself from participating in Eastman v. Thompson.[5] That case concerned whether attorney-client privilege shielded emails by defendant John Eastman regarding strategies to overturn the 2020 election results.[6] Eastman was a personal lawyer to former President Trump who received correspondence from Justice Thomas’s wife, Virginia (“Ginni”) Thomas, about efforts to overturn the election.[7] In fact, Mrs. Thomas has been deeply involved in former President Trump’s attempt to overturn the most recent presidential election, including by attending the January 6th rally whose other attendees later stormed the Capitol,[8] sitting on the board of an organization that led the “Stop the Steal” movement,[9] and sending dozens of text messages urging White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to prevent certification of the election results.[10]

Given Mrs. Thomas’s involvement in challenging the 2020 election results, Justice Thomas’s impartiality in a related case “might reasonably be questioned,” giving rise, at a minimum, to an appearance of a conflict of interest.[11] Justice Thomas’s recusal in Eastman v. Thompson was therefore proper.

The same is true in United States v. Trump. Mrs. Thomas’s close interactions with senior Trump administration officials about overturning the 2020 election results—the very subject of the litigation—certainly creates circumstances where Justice Thomas’s “impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”

The Supreme Court’s recent adoption of a Code of Conduct only underscores the importance of recusal.[12] Although the Code very unfortunately does not provide any enforcement mechanism, it mirrors the statutory standard for recusal. In lieu of an enforcement mechanism, the Code states that Justices themselves “must bear the primary responsibility for requiring [appropriate] judicial behavior.”[13] With trust in the Supreme Court near historic lows,[14] the need for this judicial responsibility has never been higher. As the Chief Justice, it is incumbent upon you to assure that the Code is followed to “dispel the misunderstanding” that “Justices … regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules.”[15]

I urge you to ensure that Justice Thomas abides by federal statute and the Court’s own Code of Conduct and recuses himself from participating in United States v. Trump. No proceeding could be graver than the prosecution of an attempt to undermine our sacred electoral process. Justice will be done only if such a case is heard by judges whose impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned.

Sincerely,

[1] Petition for Writ of Certiorari at 2, United States v. Trump (No. 23-3228).

[2] See Letter from Supreme Court Justices to Richard J. Durbin at 2 (Apr. 25, 2023), https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter%20to%20Chairman%20Durbin%2004.25.2023.pdf.

[3] 28 U.S.C. § 455(a).

[4] 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(5).

[5] Eastman v. Thompson, No. 22-1138, 2023 WL 6379015 (U.S. Oct. 2, 2023).

[6] Jacqueline Alemany et al., Trump Lawyers Saw Clarence Thomas as Key to Stop Biden Electoral Count, Emails Show, Wash. Post (Nov. 2, 2022), https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/02/trump-clarence-thomas-emails.

[7] Id.

[8] Danny Hakim & Jo Becker, Ginni Thomas Says She Attended Jan. 6 Rally, N.Y. Times (Mar. 14, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/14/us/politics/ginni-thomas-jan-6-rally.html.

[9] Id.

[10] Bob Woodward & Robert Costa, Virginia Thomas Urged White House Chief to Pursue Unrelenting Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election, Texts Show, Wash. Post (Mar. 24, 2022), https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/virginia-thomas-mark-meadows-texts.

[11] 28 U.S.C. § 455(a).

[12] U.S. Sup. Ct, Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States (hereinafter Code of Conduct) (2023), https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/Code-of-Conduct-for-Justices_November_13_2023.pdf

[13] Id. at cmt.

[14] Megan Brenan, Views of Supreme Court Remain Near Record Lows, Gallup (Sept. 29, 2023), https://news.gallup.com/poll/511820/views-supreme-court-remain-near-record-lows.aspx.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-resolution-commemorating-50-years-of-the-endangered-species-act,Booker Introduces Resolution Commemorating 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reaffirming the role this legislation has played in safeguarding global biodiversity. The resolution not only commemorates the invaluable achievements of the ESA over the last five decades, but also underscores the unprecedented threat of the current global extinction crisis and therefore the continued importance of protecting the ESA.

Enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been a cornerstone of environmental protection efforts, responsible for rescuing 99 percent of wildlife under its shield from the brink of extinction. Now, 50 years later, our world’s wildlife is again at a critical juncture. As a result of human impacts on the environment, we are facing a global mass extinction crisis on par with the events that drove dinosaurs to extinction 65 million years ago. Species today are going extinct thousands of times faster than natural extinction rates, with scientists estimating more than one in six species are at risk of extinction within our lifetime.

“From the iconic humpback whale to the majestic grizzly bear and the emblematic bald eagle, the ESA has been instrumental in preserving diverse ecosystems and ensuring the survival of numerous species,” said Senator Booker. “As our planet confronts a biodiversity crisis of monumental proportions, we must reinforce legislative efforts to preserve wildlife and counter partisan attacks that threaten the safety of our country’s rich ecosystem.”

The resolution notes the Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful conservation laws ever enacted by any country, with four out of five U.S. citizens in favor of it. With nearly half of all ecosystems in the United States at risk of total collapse, expanding protections for endangered species is crucial to saving our nation’s treasures. Last month, Co-Chairs of the Endangered Species Act Caucus, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), introduced the resolution in the House.

Senator Booker has been a champion of endangered species and of the Endangered Species Act, and recently received an award at the ESA@50 celebration at the Library of Congress.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=04067563-0C4F-4769-9B7B-2A5FFC065A1C,Boozman Joins Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), in sending a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications.

Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.”

The lawmakers wrote, “Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.”

In the letter, the senators also advocate for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

In addition to Boozman, Kaine and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

“More patients than ever are reaching out to us because they’ve been negatively impacted by these programs,” said Anna Hyde, Vice President of Advocacy and Access for the Arthritis Foundation. “They are being caught in a financial bind because they can’t pay the full cost of their medications. Biologic medicines are expensive and there are no generic alternatives, so copay assistance is often a vital life line for them.”

""Far too many of the one million Americans living with multiple sclerosis are unable to afford life-changing medications to reduce the number of relapses, delay the progression of disability, and limit new disease activity. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is disappointed with the Biden administration’s decision to appeal the court’s September 29th ruling and continue the use of copay accumulators that will negatively impact access to care. We urge the withdrawal of their recently filed appeal,” said Bari Talente, EVP, Advocacy & Healthcare Access, National MS Society.

“The NPF Patient Navigation Center is constantly fielding calls from people who can’t afford the medicine they have been prescribed because of copay accumulator practices, so we are clearly disappointed in the administration’s move to appeal the decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that would limit their use,” said Leah M. Howard, J.D., President and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation.

“While serving a million people impacted by cancer each year, we at the Cancer Support Community have witnessed the adverse effects of copay accumulator adjustment programs on patients’ ability to access life-saving medications. CSC strongly opposes the use of AAPs and supports the adoption of the 2020 NBPP policy, protecting affordability and access to care for under-resourced patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance programs. We are grateful to have leaders that share our commitment to breaking down barriers and improving healthcare for all,” said the Cancer Support Community.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen:

We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients.

In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs.

As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs.

As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.”

We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=09A499DF-29BE-4489-BDED-1D2295C743C4,Boozman Bill Authorizing Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Signed into Law,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Legislation authored by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to authorize a permanent electronic duck stamp for the entirety of a waterfowl hunting season was signed into law by President Joe Biden Tuesday.

The bipartisan Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 will make the Federal Duck Stamp more accessible, decrease barriers to compliance and increase revenue for conservation. It will allow hunters access to an electronic duck stamp via their smart phone to meet the requirement that they purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and carry it while in the field.

“Arkansans are rightfully proud of the unique environment that makes our state a world-class duck hunting location. Modernizing the Federal Duck Stamp is great news for waterfowlers who want to take part in this time-honored tradition and share their appreciation for this popular outdoor activity. I’m pleased the president has signed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 into law,” said Boozman, a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which invests federal funds generated by the Duck Stamp in wetland preservation.

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME) championed this legislation. It was also cosponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Garret Graves (R-LA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA).

The legislation is backed by a number of leading conservation and wildlife organizations.

""On behalf of Arkansas's waterfowlers, I would like to thank Senator Boozman for leading the Senate's efforts to modernize the Federal Duck Stamp. This commonsense legislation not only cuts red tape, but makes it easier for Arkansans to enjoy our world class waterfowl opportunity,"" said Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Austin Booth.

“The Duck Stamp Modernization Act is a commonsense effort to simplify the way in which sportsmen and women operate in the 21st century. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is glad to see this legislation signed into law, and thanks the leadership of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Senator Boozman, CSC Vice-Chair Representative Graves, and the other members of the CSC who spearheaded this effort,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-barrasso-ferc-must-fix-epas-proposed-clean-power-plan-20,"Capito, Barrasso: FERC Must Fix EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WV,Shelley Moore Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,capito,https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Willie L. Phillips and Commissioners James Danly, Allison Clements, and Mark C. Christie. The Senators urged the Commissioners to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 and fix the associated threats to electric reliability the plan presents.

“The record developed at the Technical Conference, and the actions taken by the Commission and by EPA after the Technical Conference, clearly show that a majority of Commissioners agreed (and Mr. Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation acknowledged) that more work is necessary to determine how EPA’s proposed rule could impair electric reliability,” the senators write.

“We share Commissioner Danly’s hope that EPA will return to the Commission again to discuss how its Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 can avoid harming electric reliability. We urge you to remain engaged with EPA and to keep us apprised of progress on these critically important matters. As we pointed out in our letter of November 2, if Commissioners and FERC staff do not bring to bear your expertise and fact-based analysis to dissuade the EPA from continuing on its current course, you will bear at least partial responsibility for any blackouts and brownouts that occur as result of electric resource shortages that would be attributable to compliance with a final rule resembling the Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0,” the senators also wrote.

This follows a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Senators Capito and Barrasso sent out yesterday. In addition, Senators Barrasso and Capito have sent two other letters to FERC on this topic on June 30 and November 2.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Chairman Phillips and Commissioners:

We appreciate that your 2023 Annual Reliability Technical Conference (“Technical Conference”) included testimony concerning the potential impact on electric reliability of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) proposed rule to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil-fueled power plants (“Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0” or “EPA’s proposed rule”). As we have noted in earlier correspondence, it is necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “the Commission”) to develop and formally submit to EPA and for EPA itself to have an adequate record of the potential impact of Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 on electric reliability. Accordingly, the Commission must do more than convene a single panel with EPA during a single Technical Conference.

It is a positive sign that the Commission issued “a notice inviting post-technical conference comments addressing the topics and questions that accompanied the agenda.” Also, in a letter dated December 12. 2023, Mr. Ronan Gulstone, Chairman Phillips’s Chief of Staff, has called EPA’s attention to the record of FERC Docket No. AD-23-9-000. Shortly after the Technical Conference on November 15, EPA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that “specifically requests public comment on reliability needs that may arise during implementation of any final rule.” It is unfortunate that EPA did not seek comment on how EPA’s proposed rule could be modified to prevent negative consequences for electric reliability in the first place.

The record developed at the Technical Conference, and the actions taken by the Commission and by EPA after the Technical Conference, clearly show that a majority of Commissioners agreed (and Mr. Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation acknowledged) that more work is necessary to determine how EPA’s proposed rule could impair electric reliability.

At the Technical Conference, Commissioner Clements asked Mr. Goffman what the Commission could do to assist EPA. In response, Mr. Goffman testified on behalf of EPA as follows.

“I certainly don't think we have quite the expertise that you would hope we have to tell you specifically what quote ‘FERC should be doing.’ The most important thing from EPA’s perspective and given our mutual mission here is answer the phone when we call with the next round of questions that we're going to have. Again, as you know, I kind of see us between now and final as … going through the circuit several different more times, looking at our record, looking at questions that commenters raised. Going to the RTO’s, the ISO’s, the utilities the balancing authorities and then coming back to [FERC] and [FERC] staff to get your insights and feedback in terms of helping us interpret what we’re hearing and how we can then translate that into the provisions of the final rule.”

On the basis of Mr. Goffman’s testimony – and thus by its own admission – EPA does not have the expertise to determine the impact of its proposed rule on electric reliability. The Agency is also unable or unwilling to articulate how it or FERC could improve Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 to ensure that the final rule does not threaten reliability. Accordingly, the Commission itself must take the lead to protect reliability in the context of EPA’s development of the final rule. Chairman Phillips said, and Mr. Goffman agreed, “[EPA is] having this discussion [with] ongoing engagement and [EPA is] open to hearing feedback and implementing that in the final rule.” The value of the inter-agency engagement to which Mr. Goffman referred must be measured by the text of the final rule and its effects. To date, the limited engagement between EPA and FERC on electric reliability has been inadequate.

At the Technical Conference, Commissioners identified the pace of retirements driven by Clean Power Plan 2.0 as a critical issue that EPA must address. Commissioner Christie asked Mr. Goffman if the EPA had analyzed how Clean Power Plan 2.0 would impact financing for traditional resources. Based on Mr. Goffman’s answer, Commissioner Christie concluded, and we agree, “EPA has not performed any serious and credible analysis of the essential question of how Electric Generating Units (“EGUs”) that will be affected by Clean Power Plan Rule 2.0 will be able to obtain financing for the substantial costs of compliance.” It is unacceptable that EPA has “not done much if any serious, in-depth analysis” considering that “timelines for compliance are utterly irrelevant if the affected EGU cannot obtain financing for the compliance costs.”

In response to a question from Commissioner Danly concerning the impact of Clean Power Plan 2.0 on electricity markets broadly and the currently expected pace of retirements in the organized markets, Mr. Goffman told the Commission that he would like to “actually follow up on this discussion” because “[Commissioner Danly] laid out a lot of issues that I think [EPA will] have to address in terms how we account for potential retirements … that are either occurring or are projected.”[1] Commissioner Danly and “a plurality of commenters have raised these issues,” leaving EPA with what Mr. Goffman referred to as “homework” to be undertaken as Clean Power Plan 2.0 remains “very much a work in progress.”

At this writing, it is unclear how EPA will treat Mr. Gulstone’s letter calling attention to the record FERC has developed in Docket No. AD23-9-000. Accordingly, we renew our request that the Commission formally file the record in Docket No. AD23-9-000 in EPA Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072-0007. This filing must include all comments to the Commission, and the 2023 Long Term Reliability Assessment issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) on December 13, 2023. Only then will EPA even begin to have an adequate record on reliability issues relating to Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0. Mr. Goffman testified that EPA’s effort on the proposed rule is “in the fifth inning.” He conceded that EPA’s proposed rule is still nowhere near ready for finalization. Thus, the Technical Conference must represent the beginning, and not the end, of engagement between the Commission and EPA on the subject of electric reliability. Mr. Goffman acknowledged that EPA would benefit from “the record of this proceeding today to be shipped to [EPA].”

As Commissioner Danly said at the end of his statements, we must “hope that [EPA and FERC are] going to keep talking.” We share Commissioner Danly’s hope that EPA will return to the Commission again to discuss how its Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 can avoid harming electric reliability. We urge you to remain engaged with EPA and to keep us apprised of progress on these critically important matters. As we pointed out in our letter of November 2, if Commissioners and FERC staff do not bring to bear your expertise and fact-based analysis to dissuade the EPA from continuing on its current course, you will bear at least partial responsibility for any blackouts and brownouts that occur as result of electric resource shortages that would be attributable to compliance with a final rule resembling the Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0.

Sincerely,

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-secures-west-virginia-priorities-in-committee-passed-addiction-response-legislation,"Capito Secures West Virginia Priorities in 
Committee-Passed Addiction Response Legislation",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,WV,Shelley Moore Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,capito,https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded the passage of the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee recently. The comprehensive, bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and adds programs designed to address the nation’s ongoing substance use disorder epidemic. Senator Capito was a cosponsor of the original legislation, which passed in 2018, and worked with her colleagues to ensure a number of key provisions she championed were continued in the bill’s reauthorization.

“As far too many in West Virginia and across our nation experience the lasting and devastating consequences of addiction, we must continue to ensure the appropriate resources are available for individuals, families, and communities that are struggling with this epidemic,” Senator Capito said. “The SUPPORT Act provides needed relief by focusing on prevention, treatment and recovery, and addresses new challenges since the original bill was passed like increases of fentanyl overdoses and other emerging threats. I was proud to advocate on behalf of and ultimately secure provisions in this bill that are important to my state, and will continue to work with my colleagues to see this legislation become law.”

BACKGROUND:

As approved by the committee on December 12, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act includes provisions based on a number of bills Senator Capito has introduced, including:

The Safe Response Act, which reauthorizes grants to train first responders on how to safely respond to a known or suspected drug overdose.

The Rise From Trauma Act, which reauthorizes resources to identify, prevent, and mitigate the effects of trauma related to the addiction epidemic among infants, children, and their families. This bill ensures the continuation of a task force to identify and disseminate trauma-informed best practices within federal grant programs; reauthorization of a grant program to link educational agencies with mental health systems to increase student access to evidence-based trauma support services; continued funding for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network; and continued support for state efforts to collect and report data on adverse childhood experiences.

The Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women.

The Youth Prevention and Recovery Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes a grant program to prevent, provide recovery support for, and treat substance use disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults.

In addition to the approval of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, the HELP Committee also approved the bipartisan Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act. This important legislation, led by Senator Capito, would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), a lifesaving program that provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for women who are low-income, uninsured, and underinsured who do not qualify for Medicaid. Since 1991, NBCCEDP has served more than 6.2 million women, detecting nearly 78,000 breast cancers and over 24,500 premalignant breast lesions.

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-call-on-dol-to-utilize-schedule-a-shortage-occupation-list-address-workforce-shortages,"Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Call on DOL to Utilize Schedule A Shortage Occupation List, Address Workforce Shortages",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined his colleagues in a letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, encouraging the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to use its Schedule A Shortage Occupation list as a tool to address the workforce shortages our country is facing in critical high-skill industries, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math occupations (STEM) and professional healthcare occupations.

Established in 1965, the Schedule A Shortage Occupation List was created to simplify the process of hiring international talent. Occupations on the Schedule A list may be filled by immigrants sponsored for employment-based green cards without their sponsor being required to obtain a permanent labor certification. The list has not been updated since 2005 and currently includes only two professions—professional nurses and physical therapists—failing to meet evolving workforce needs.

Since its creation, the Schedule A list has included a variety of high-skill occupations, including positions in healthcare, scientific research, advanced manufacturing, and more. The senators explained vacancies in these high-skill industries threaten the U.S. national security and readiness.

“While this undoubtedly points to a need for greater investment in our domestic STEM and healthcare workforce, which we look forward to working with your agency to address, there remains a significant need for individuals who can fill these gaps now,” the senators wrote. “Lengthy processing delays at the Department of Labor prevent international professionals from being part of the solution. In September 2023, your agency reported the average processing time for PERM labor certification applications had reached 326 days. If an audit of the application is performed, the average rises to 489 days.”

“For too long, unnecessary red tape has prevented skilled immigrants from helping us fill vacancies and maintain U.S. competitiveness in vital industries. The Department of Labor has tools at its disposal to address some of these challenges, but does not seem to have employed them to the fullest extent possible,” the senators continued. “We look forward to better understanding how Congress can work with your agency to combat workforce shortages, attract and hire international talent, and continue growing the economy.”

Additional cosigners include U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-condemn-inaction-of-un-regarding-hamas-sexual-violence-against-women,"Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Condemn Inaction of UN Regarding Hamas’ Sexual Violence Against Women",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined a bipartisan letter led by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), condemning the response to Hamas’ widespread sexual violence against women in Israel on October 7, 2023. The senators also called for the immediate launch of an independent investigation into sexual violence committed by Hamas.

“As multiple UN Security Council Resolutions affirm, the use of sexual violence is a war crime under international law. Hamas’s premeditated campaign of systematic sexual violence on October 7 clearly meets this standard,” the senators wrote. “Given that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) has a history of bias and unfairly singling out Israel, we urge you to move swiftly to seek the establishment of an independent fact-finding effort through a separate mechanism, tasked with collecting testimonies from survivors and witnesses of Hamas’s sexual violence. An independent investigation is a necessary step to hold perpetrators accountable, support survivors, and provide justice for victims.”

“The UN’s delay in denouncing Hamas’s sexual violence and rape on October 7 is a moral failure,” the senators continued. “Tasking the one-sided COI to investigate these atrocities undermines the effort’s credibility, creates the strong potential for biased outcomes, and provides no measure of justice for the victims and survivors. In addition to holding UN Women’s leadership accountable for their weeks-long failure to condemn sexual violence committed by Hamas, we call on you to immediately launch a full and independent investigation into Hamas’ brutal campaign of sexual violence committed against Israeli women. We thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.”

The letter was cosigned by Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), James Risch (R-ID), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-epa-awards-nearly-100000-to-safetyspect-inc-in-grand-forks,"Sen. Cramer: EPA Awards Nearly $100,000 to SafetySpect, Inc. in Grand Forks",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an award of $99,093 through its Small Business Innovation Research program to SafetySpect, Inc., a biotechnology company located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This funding will go towards the development of a device which will establish shelf-life for red meat, allowing management of storage, transportation, and dynamic pricing of food close to expiration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-faa-awards-890535-to-minot-international-airport-for-drainage-improvements,"Sen. Cramer: FAA Awards $890,535 to Minot International Airport for Drainage Improvements",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $890,535 to the Minot International Airport to complete the final phase of 9,000 feet of drainage improvements. This project installs 17,000 feet of drainage upgrades as recommended by a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan to reduce wildlife attractants.

These funds will be administered through the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program, which was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The AIG program provides funding to airports for modernization and safety projects.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-hhs-awards-more-than-15-million-for-health-care-services,Sen. Cramer: HHS Awards More Than $1.5 Million for Health Care Services,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $1,501,596 to the Northland Health Partners Community in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. This grant is funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Cluster grant program, which provides funding to community health centers across the United States.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-nifa-awards-200000-to-nueta-hidatsa-sahnish-college,"Sen. Cramer: NIFA Awards $200,000 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the award of $200,000 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, a tribal community college in New Town, North Dakota.

The award will go towards the advancement of NHS College’s existing extension program objectives by creating capacity to extend services in remote and underserved tribal segments on the Fort Berthold Reservation. This includes offering informal equine education, community equine activities, therapeutic riding, and expanding the capacity and reach of NHS College’s Agriculture Department recruitment efforts for equine education.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-wyden-applaud-senate-passage-of-legislation-honoring-medal-of-honor-recipients,"Crapo, Risch, Wyden Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,ID,Mike Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,crapo,https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) applaud Senate passage of bipartisan legislation designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Oregon, and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.”

“The Medal of Honor represents the determination and courage of those who acted far beyond the call of duty,” said Crapo. “I look forward to the enactment of law cementing this national designation to honor each of them across these many miles.”

“Medal of Honor recipients’ selfless actions deserve more than a medal—they deserve America’s continued gratitude,” said Risch. “To recognize their service to our nation, the Senate today designated U.S. Highway 20, which spans the great state of Idaho, as a 3,000-mile memorial to the recipients of our nation’s highest military designation. The House should quickly pass this legislation, so we can rename the longest continuous highway in America the National Medal of Honor Highway.”

""It's an honor to have worked closely with veterans in Oregon and nationwide in the grassroots movement to designate our country's longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway,’” said Wyden. “I’m proud that my bill to officially recognize U.S. Highway 20 as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway’ has passed the Senate.

This bill is more than a symbolic gesture—it's a timeless tribute to the heroes of America. I am steadfast in my commitment to relentlessly champion this cause alongside our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to get this bill signed into law.”

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. U.S. servicemembers who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.

Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway'' would ensure all 3,516 recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored.

Senators Jeff Merkley, (D-Oregon), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Jon Tester (D-Montana), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) cosponsored the Senate version of the bill. U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) and Brian Higgins (D-New York) led similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

The legislation is supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-marshall-rep-arrington-send-letter-calling-out-the-usdas-misguided-emergency-relief-program-requirements,"Sens. Cruz, Marshall, Rep. Arrington Blast USDA’s Discriminatory Emergency Relief Program Requirements",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) along with Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) calling out the USDA’s discriminatory methodology for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Under the Biden administration’s 2022 ERP requirements, the purpose of the relief program is not to provide the greatest amount of relief to those farmers who’ve suffered the most from recent natural disasters, but instead to adjust payments based on a farmer or producer’s skin color and sex. Under the new requirements, farmers will receive a fraction of the amount they would previously have received, simply because of their color. This is blatantly discriminatory, and a shocking example of the Biden administration’s radical social agenda, pushed under thecover of “equity.” The USDA’s new methodology undermines the agriculture community and breaks a long-popular, highly praised, and well-functioning program. The new requirements will hurt Texas farmers and Texas agriculture.

About the letter, Sen. Cruz said, “Texas and American farmers are vital to our thriving country. The cattle they raise and crops they grow are the very food on our table, and the USDA is actively attacking a huge swath of the Lone Star State’s ranchers and producers because they think people of one race need less help than people of another. This is taxpayer-funded racism, it is anti-American, and it will only increase the amount of foreign agricultural products that we consume. American farmers will suffer for it, and I was proud to call out this action with my colleagues in the House and Senate.”

In the letter, the members wrote, “American producers have experienced significant losses, and the Administration has taken an approach that does not reflect Congressional intent. The current program does not provide needed assistance to full-time farm families that suffered the deepest losses, and in short, it misallocates limited but badly needed assistance.”

Cosigners of the letter include, Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Representatives Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) , August Pfluger (R-Texas), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Scott Franklin (R-Ga.), Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Dan Newhouse, (R-Wash.) Keith Self (R-Texas), Julia Letlow(R-La.), James Baird (R-Ind.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Rick Allen (R-Ga.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), John Carter (R-Texas), W. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas).

Read the full text of the letter here or below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We write to share our strong concerns regarding the methodology and implementation of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022. As farm and ranch families across the country continue navigating challenges caused by various natural disasters, it is vital that proper assistance be delivered in an effective and timely manner.

It is unacceptable that USDA’s announcement comes almost one year after Congress appropriated over $3 billion in funding to address natural disasters that occurred during the 2022 crop year through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328). This is especially true considering USDA had the framework of 2021 ERP Phase 1 available and Congress encouraged USDA to use such framework.

American producers have experienced significant losses, and the Administration has taken an approach that does not reflect Congressional intent. The current program does not provide needed assistance to full-time farm families that suffered the deepest losses, and in short, it misallocates limited but badly needed assistance.

Additionally, the methodology used for the 2022 ERP will negatively impact many farmers’ ability to receive financing from lenders and plan for the next crop year. Based on your regulation, farmers suffering losses who would have received assistance covering more than 75% of their calculated losses in 2020 or 2021 will now be capped at closer to 10%. For a mid-sized farm of 1,000 acres with calculated losses of $200 per acre ($200,000 in total losses), the vast difference between upward of $150,000 assistance in 2020 vs. $18,750 in 2022 could be the difference between survival and bankruptcy.

Earlier this year, Members of Congress sent a bicameral letter to USDA pertaining to the ERP Phase II, requesting that USDA reconsider the fundamental changes under such an approach and utilize EPR Phase 1 framework for the 2022 crop year. Unfortunately, these concerns were not addressed, as evidenced by the two-track payment calculation system utilized in the current program.

Furthermore, ERP for 2022 introduces a new payment limit, albeit under a novel name, the progressive payment factor. These factors have resulted in a system of winners and losers that punish the farm families hit hardest by disasters. Additionally, the 2020 and 2021 ERP payments were adjusted for premiums and administrative fees paid by all eligible producers whereas for 2022 payments this only benefits a limited number of producers. This change is also contrary to the statute.

While this program is already unnecessarily delayed it is still imperative that USDA depart from its current path because of the major problems raised by producers and Congress. USDA needs to follow the law and Congressional intent to address the crop losses of our farm families without the pay limits and without preferences that are not authorized by the statute. We strongly request the USDA abandon this current program and implement the framework of 2021 ERP Phase 1 as quickly as possible.

/x/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=13F3D30C-8D2A-4CAB-8A4D-09A2AFC6BFEE,Fischer’s Christmas Message,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following video to celebrate Christmas day.

Click the image above to watch video of Sen. Fischer’s remarks

Click here to download video",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=E38959C8-0DB0-4838-BF81-A84FD5F6F02C,Fischer Statement on Colorado Supreme Court Ruling,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement today in response to the Colorado Supreme Court’s recentruling disqualifying President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot:

“Regardless of your political persuasion, denying a candidate even the ability to stand for election is wrong. It’s the right of American voters to support who they wish, but this ruling takes away that right. This election interference is deeply unAmerican. I encourage the Supreme Court to weigh in quickly.

Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/fischer-statement-on-colorado-supreme-court-ruling",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-recognizes-paige-youschak-thompson-of-laconia-as-decembers-granite-stater-of-the-month,Senator Hassan Recognizes Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Paige is known around the Lakes Region for her dedication to volunteer work and bettering the community. She began regularly volunteering while her daughter was in school and now that her daughter is an adult, Paige volunteers five days a week, putting in more than 40 hours a week.

Being able to help the community brings Paige great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. Paige showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Paige is known throughout the Lakes Region for her service to different organizations. Although she has always volunteered, she became more active when her daughter was in school, and now, with her daughter an adult, volunteering has become the equivalent of a full-time job. Paige volunteers five days a week for more than 40 hours a week.

Paige will never say no when someone asks for her help. Although she does not have a favorite cause or organization, The Saint Vincent de Paul Society, a local thrift shop, has a special place in her heart since it is where she first started to consistently volunteer. In addition, Paige is especially fond of helping kids in the community, and believes in giving all children a chance, regardless of their income level. She worked with a local boutique to help provide free prom dresses to girls who may otherwise not be able to have one. Paige is also the chair of the community engagement committee for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, which helps local children and families in need – it has distributed more than $8 million over the last 40 years to the community.

Paige’s strong pull towards volunteer work stems from her deep and lifelong desire to be a person who helps out and holds space for others. Paige makes other people happy in any way that she can. Being able to help the community brings her great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can.

Paige showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year, and I am honored to name her Granite Stater of the Month. Especially as we enter the holiday season, I hope that we can all aspire to give our time and support to our community as freely as Paige does.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/shaheen-hassan-join-warren-group-of-democratic-senators-to-introduce-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgment-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Shaheen, Hassan Join Warren, Group of Democratic Senators to Introduce Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgment That Medication Abortion Is Safe and Effective",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Margaret Wood Hassan,H001076,www.hassan.senate.gov,hassan,https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a group of Democratic U.S. Senators led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion.

This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade and follows last week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access.

“Limiting access to mifepristone would deal yet another blow to women’s reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. The opinions of GOP lawmakers and extreme jurists have no place in dictating women’s ability to access the reproductive care they need,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to join this resolution that emphasizes the importance of maintaining and protecting women’s fundamental right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.”

“Across the country, women are grappling with the very personal impacts of the attacks on a woman’s fundamental freedom by anti-choice extremists,” said Senator Hassan. “Science has shown that mifepristone is safe and effective, and I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up for a woman’s fundamental freedom and making clear that access to this often life-saving medication must remain available.”

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions.

“I am fed up with extremists trying to turn back the clock and deny women reproductive health care – especially after decades of science that show that medication abortion is safe and effective. Any threat to the accessibility of this drug would be devastating to both health care providers and patients across the country, and Senate Democrats are demonstrating with this resolution that we're determined to fight back,” said Senator Warren.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected and that law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

The resolution was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-WY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.hawley.senate.gov/army-delivers-funding-family-housing-fort-leonard-wood-following-commitment-senator-hawley/,Army Delivers Funding for Family Housing at Fort Leonard Wood Following Commitment to Senator Hawley,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that the Army has now delivered $41.49 million for new family housing at Fort Leonard Wood. This follows Senator Hawley’s repeated demands that overdue investment in families’ homes be made and a commitment by the Army to deliver these funds.

“Fort Leonard Wood’s military families lead a life of service and deserve homes that meet their basic needs. I’m glad to see the Army finally delivering on their promise to replace all aging homes on the base. I urge the Army to ensure that the additional $50 million in promised funding for FY2024 is delivered on time,” said Senator Hawley.

Senator Hawley has long advocated for improved family housing at Fort Leonard Wood and has pressed the Army to deliver on its pledge to replace all military housing on the base.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-holds-nominees-calls-further-evaluation-mcconnell-nominees/,"Hawley Holds Nominees, Calls for Further Evaluation of McConnell Nominees",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), citing concerns about two of his recommended nominees. Senator Hawley appended questions to his letter for the nominees to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to answer regarding their policy views on several issues, including Big Tech and rail safety. Senator Hawley is currently holding both nominees.

Senator Hawley’s letter comes as the Senate looks to pass a negotiated nominations package, likely to include dozens of Democrat-recommended nominees and only a few Republican appointees.

“If Republicans are planning to install dozens of Biden nominees for positions across the federal government—without a vote—in exchange for just a handful of our own selections, I want to be sure that we get our nominees right,” wrote Senator Hawley.

He continued, “For example, Andrew Ferguson, nominated to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), should answer additional questions on his philosophy concerning Big Tech, given the importance of that issue to our Conference. I also believe that Todd Inman, who is under consideration for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), should be asked to further articulate his views on various transportation policies, including rail safety and autonomous vehicles.”

Read the full letter here or below.

December 20, 2023

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Minority Leader

U.S. Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Leader McConnell:

I write today regarding the expected year-end nominations package and my specific concerns with two of your own recommended nominees.

The expected nominations package will likely include dozens of nominees that have been recommended by Senate Democrats. Many of these Biden nominees will no doubt advance policies and values antithetical to those held by members of the Republican Conference. By agreeing to such a negotiated package in exchange for just a few Republican appointees you have personally deemed a priority, I believe we risk giving away too much.

In particular, two of the nominees you have sought to include in this package need more time for careful evaluation by our own Conference, especially by non-Committee members. If Republicans are planning to install dozens of Biden nominees for positions across the federal government—without a vote—in exchange for just a handful of our own selections, I want to be sure that we get our nominees right. For example, Andrew Ferguson, nominated to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), should answer additional questions on his philosophy concerning Big Tech, given the importance of that issue to our Conference. I also believe that Todd Inman, who is under consideration for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), should be asked to further articulate his views on various transportation policies, including rail safety and autonomous vehicles.

I have appended written questions below that I have for each of these two nominees. As you are aware, I am currently withholding my consent for these nominees to be confirmed without a floor vote—as is any senator’s right to do—until I and others can evaluate satisfactory responses to these important policy questions.

I would like to meet with the nominees to discuss these questions.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senators-hawley-vance-rubio-urge-cfius-block-sale-us-steel-protect-americas-industrial-base/,"Senators Hawley, Vance, Rubio Urge CFIUS to Block Sale of U.S. Steel & Protect America’s Industrial Base",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) sent a letter to Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), urging her to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan-based Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC). NSC announced plans to acquire U.S. Steel on Monday, a deal that raises national security concerns and threatens to weaken America’s industrial base.

“The transaction was not entered into with U.S. national security in mind. When U.S. Steel announced its “review of strategic alternatives” in August, it pledged to adopt a “measured approach.” But the board’s fiduciary duty was to its shareholders, and U.S. Steel has admitted that the very reason for the sale was its desire to “maximiz[e] value for [. . .] stockholders.” The transaction was not the product of careful deliberation over stakeholder interests, but rather the result of an auction to maximize shareholder returns,” wrote the Senators.

They continued, “Trade protections can and should induce foreign investment that expands domestic production and creates American jobs. This corporate takeover is out of step with those goals. Allowing foreign companies to buy out American companies and enjoy our trade protections subverts the very purpose for which those protections were put in place.”

“The Committee cannot rebalance American trade or reshape its corporate governance, but it can mitigate some of the worst consequences of both. It can and should block the acquisition of U.S. Steel by NSC, a company whose allegiances clearly lie with a foreign state and whose record in the United States is deeply flawed,” the Senators concluded.

Read the full letter here or below.

December 19, 2023

The Hon. Janet Yellen

Secretary

U.S. Treasury Department

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Yellen:

We write to you in your capacity as Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to express my concern about the acquisition of the United States Steel Corporation (“U.S. Steel”) by Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation (“NSC”). The transaction marks a turning point for an icon of American industry and has dire implications for the industrial base of the United States.

The transaction was not entered into with U.S. national security in mind. When U.S. Steel announced its “review of strategic alternatives” in August, it pledged to adopt a “measured approach.” But the board’s fiduciary duty was to its shareholders, and U.S. Steel has admitted that the very reason for the sale was its desire to “maximiz[e] value for . . . stockholders.” The transaction was not the product of careful deliberation over stakeholder interests, but rather the result of an auction to maximize shareholder returns. The joint press release announcing the all-cash transaction led off with a declaration about the transaction’s “certain and immediate value to U.S. Steel shareholders.”

Despite the absence of any security-focused deliberation on U.S. Steel’s part, domestic steel production is vital to U.S. national security. Democratic and Republican administrations have both acted decisively over the last forty years to bolster the industry. The endurance of President Trump’s Section 232 tariffs on steel imports demonstrates that the preservation of the domestic steel industry remains vital to our national security. Trade protections can and should induce foreign investment that expands domestic production and creates American jobs. This corporate takeover is out of step with those goals. Allowing foreign companies to buy out American companies and enjoy our trade protections subverts the very purpose for which those protections were put in place.

The problems with this transaction run even deeper than that, however. NSC does not share U.S. Steel’s storied connection to the United States, and its financial interests are tied into those of Japan. Earlier this year, NSC received more than $3 billion in subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. And NSC has even flouted American trade law. As recently as August 2021, NSC was found guilty of unlawfully dumping flat-rolled steel products into the U.S. market.

This acquisition is not occurring in a vacuum. The United States has run a trade deficit for nearly half a century. Our cumulative trade debt now stands at more than $14 trillion. Over the last five years, we have run an average annual trade deficit of more than $65 billion with Japan alone. One of the promised benefits of such unbalanced trade is that we run a capital account surplus: we import the world’s goods, and they consume our financial assets in return. In theory that may sound fine. But issues become apparent when those financial assets include critical pieces of the American industrial base.

The Committee cannot rebalance American trade or reshape its corporate governance, but it can mitigate some of the worst consequences of both. It can and should block the acquisition of U.S. Steel by NSC, a company whose allegiances clearly lie with a foreign state and whose record in the United States is deeply flawed. We urge the Committee to initiate a review of the transaction unilaterally, particularly in light of the fact that U.S. Steel received competitive bids from American companies who would not pose the same risks.

Thank you for your efforts to safeguard American national security.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley

United States Senator

J.D. Vance

United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,"Hirono, Colleagues Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and 16 other colleagues in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications.

Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.”

“Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first,” the lawmakers wrote.

In the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

In addition to Senators Hirono, Kaine, and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

The full text of the letter is available below and here.

Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen:

We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients.

In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs.

As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs.

As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.”

We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-marshall-lead-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,Kaine & Marshall Lead Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications. Virginia is one of 19 states that have banned copay accumulator programs, and this push would expand Virginia’s progress nationwide.

Regarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, “This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.”

The lawmakers wrote, “Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.”

In the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

In addition to Kaine and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

“We are hearing from more and more people with bleeding disorders in Virginia that they cannot access the treatments they need because they are facing copay accumulator adjustor programs. We are so grateful to Senators Kaine, Marshall and their colleagues who are working to lower patient costs and improve access to care. I join them in urging the Biden Administration to release new rulemaking to end this harmful practice; our community – and many others – simply can’t wait,” said Kelly Waters, Executive Director, Virginia Hemophilia Foundation.

“More patients than ever are reaching out to us because they’ve been negatively impacted by these programs,” said Anna Hyde, Vice President of Advocacy and Access for the Arthritis Foundation. “They are being caught in a financial bind because they can’t pay the full cost of their medications. Biologic medicines are expensive and there are no generic alternatives, so copay assistance is often a vital life line for them.”

""Far too many of the 1 million Americans living with multiple sclerosis are unable to afford life-changing medications to reduce the number of relapses, delay the progression of disability, and limit new disease activity. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is disappointed with the Biden Administration’s decision to appeal the court’s September 29th ruling and continue the use of copay accumulators that will negatively impact access to care. We urge the withdrawal of their recently filed appeal,” said Bari Talente, EVP, Advocacy & Healthcare Access, National MS Society.

“Too many rare-disease patients struggle to afford the therapies they need. Copay accumulator programs hurt the most vulnerable rare disease patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance to afford their medications by dramatically increasing their cost-sharing liability. NORD supports the District Court’s decision to vacate portions of the 2021 NBPP Final Rule that permitted the use of copay accumulator programs, and we are grateful for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support for the HELP Copays Act which would cement this decision legislatively. NORD is grateful to Senator Marshall and Senator Kaine for spearheading this letter to HHS on this important issue and for their continued leadership in protecting rare disease patients,” said Peter Saltonstall, President and COE, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

“The NPF Patient Navigation Center is constantly fielding calls from people who can’t afford the medicine they have been prescribed because of copay accumulator practices, so we are clearly disappointed in the Administration’s move to appeal the decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that would limit their use,” said Leah M. Howard, J.D., President and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “We join Senators Doc Marshall (R-KS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), in urging the Administration to renew policies ensuring copay assistance is counted towards deductibles and out of pocket maximums.”

“The Biden Administration has made it a priority to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Americans. HHS can do just that – make necessary and lifesaving treatments more accessible and affordable for the most vulnerable Americans, those with rare and serious, chronic illnesses. Senators Marshall and Kaine, have led the way in Congress by centering patients in the discussion on healthcare access. We encourage HHS to follow suit, align with the Administration’s priorities, and enforce the 2020 NBPP. Now is the time to do right by patients!” said the AIDS Institute.

“While serving a million people impacted by cancer each year, we at the Cancer Support Community have witnessed the adverse effects of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) on patients’ ability to access life-saving medications. CSC strongly opposes the use of AAPs and supports the adoption of the 2020 NBPP policy, protecting affordability and access to care for under-resourced patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance programs. We are grateful to have leaders that share our commitment to breaking down barriers and improving healthcare for all,” said the Cancer Support Community.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen:

We are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of “cost-sharing.” This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS’s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS’s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court’s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan’s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients.

In recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this “open door” would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs.

As a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs.

As you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court’s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer’s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient’s deductible. HHS further noted that “when this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.”

We also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient’s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/video-kaine-highlights-2023-accomplishments-work-ahead-in-2024,"VIDEO: Kaine Highlights 2023 Accomplishments, Work Ahead in 2024",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following video celebrating this year’s accomplishments and looking ahead to 2024. In the video, Kaine discussed his travel across the Commonwealth to see how legislation he helped pass, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, is benefiting Virginians. He also highlighted that there’s more to do and that he’ll continue working to support communities across Virginia in the Senate in the new year.

“As I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress,” said Kaine. “The combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia.”

Kaine concluded, “Our strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward.”

During the video, Kaine discussed some of this year’s accomplishments, including:

On the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: So far, Virginia has received $8.4 billion in infrastructure law funding, including for over 247 projects. Kaine specifically mentioned a recent $729 million grant he secured for Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects, which will help alleviate current bottlenecks, promote economic growth, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight.

On the Inflation Reduction Act: The Inflation Reduction Act took historic steps to lower health care and energy costs, including a $35 cap per month on insulin for Americans with Medicare, including 36,461 Virginians. Kaine talked about how this cap is saving seniors money. The cap took effect on January 1, 2023.

On the Repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs): The Senate voted to pass Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars. Kaine has been a leading voice in Congress on the need to repeal outdated AUMFs to help ensure that decisions about whether servicemembers are sent into harm’s way are made through a deliberate congressional process.

On the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: Kaine discussed the passage of the recent defense bill, which included his legislation to prevent any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without the consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress. He also mentioned provisions he secured in the bill to support the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies’ long-term security. In addition to bolstering our alliances, the agreement creates opportunities for further job creation and economic growth in Virginia, since a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines, which will be transferred through the agreement, are built in Hampton Roads.

A full transcript of the video is below:

Hey, everybody. Senator Tim Kaine here.

I want to wish you a happy holiday season as we come to the end of 2023.

As I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress. The combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia.

Just recently, we announced a $730 million rail investment in Virginia that will improve passenger and freight rail service all over the Commonwealth.

In the Inflation Reduction Act, we took steps to cap insulin costs for seniors at $35 a month under the Medicare program, and that has had tremendous benefit in saving our seniors money.

We have a record low unemployment rate, and the number of jobs that have been created since 2021 has been historic. But there's so much more to do.

In particular, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I work very hard to both help fund our military with a significant military pay increase we just passed, avoid unnecessary wars and not allow presidents to wage war without votes of Congress, but also strengthen alliances.

In the last couple of weeks, I've passed a historic bill that would block any president from getting out of the NATO alliance without a vote of Congress and also advance alliances in the Indo-Pacific with Australia and the U.K.

Our strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward.

Have a great holiday.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B62E572D-3D82-4987-AC6B-9B33FD7524E3,Graham Statement On Report That China Will Take Taiwan,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SC,Lindsey Graham,G000359,www.lgraham.senate.gov,graham,https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on a news report that Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Biden that China will take Taiwan.

“This story as reported is beyond unnerving.

“I support the One China Policy, but I also support freedom and democracy.

“To communist China, if you think you can bully your way into destroying world order without consequences, you will be making Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine look wise.

“I will be working with Democratic and Republican Senators to do two things quickly. First, create a robust defense supplemental for Taiwan and second, draft pre-invasion sanctions from hell to impose on China if they take action to seize Taiwan. I believe there is strong bipartisan support to stand up to Chinese communist aggression.

“When it comes to communist China, it is a genocidal, thuggish regime that has broken its word in several agreements, particularly Hong Kong.

“I believe the United States Congress is firmly united and fed up with communist China’s provocations.

“Apparently China sees weakness when it comes to the United States. I can say unequivocally when it comes to communist China, both parties are united in standing up to this anti-democratic regime.

“This statement by Chinese Communist Party dictator boss Xi proves the old saying, weakness anywhere provokes aggression everywhere.”

####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D0265091-BC21-4772-82C5-1B94F4C05E02,McConnell: America Needs To Show We Haven’t Forgotten How To Lead,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding national security priorities:

“Negotiations on border security continue to make headway. I’m grateful to Senator Lankford for his uninterrupted focus on the task at hand: meaningful policy changes.

“Our colleagues at the negotiating table are under no illusions about how difficult it is to fix our nation’s broken asylum and parole system.

“They’re working on what would be the first serious repair in more than 30 years.

“But there’s no longer any disagreement that the situation at the southern border is unsustainable and requires the Senate to act.

“This is the core of America’s national security. It will be an essential part of supplemental legislation to address pressing security challenges. And negotiations will continue in earnest until we get there.

“The Senate cannot afford to get this wrong. From south Texas to southeast Asia, and from the Black Sea to the Red Sea, it’s an historically challenging and consequential time to protect America’s interests, our allies, and our own people.

“The world is witnessing the first land war in Europe since 1945. Ukraine’s citizen soldiers are in the trenches right now, resisting Russian aggression with Western assistance.

“American leadership has strengthened the NATO alliance, prompted our closest allies and trading partners to share more of the burden of collective defense, and driven historic investments in the military strength and industrial capacity we need here at home to compete with our biggest adversaries.

“Finishing the job will require more of that leadership.

“Meanwhile, Israel is responding to the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

“Our ally needs the time, space, and support required to eliminate the terrorist savages responsible for the horrors of October 7th.

“And the entire region needs American leadership to restore deterrence against Iran and its terrorist proxies who attack U.S. personnel with impunity.

“From the other side of the world, our friends in the Indo-Pacific are watching closely what goes on in Europe and the Middle East and investing seriously in their own military strength… because they know that China is doing the same.

“Our single greatest strategic adversary is growing increasingly aggressive, increasingly advanced, and increasingly keen to seize an edge over a global superpower that fails to act like one.

“Mr. President, the stakes are high this holiday season for our allies and partners on the front lines of authoritarian aggression. The challenges are real for brave American servicemembers who are spending this time of year far from home and loved ones to keep us safe.

“It’s a dangerous world – one that doesn’t reward weakness.

“America needs to show that we haven’t forgotten how to lead, and that we’re committed to restoring the hard power that leadership requires.

“So I’m encouraged by our colleagues’ commitment to keep working toward an agreement on national security, beginning with security here at home.

“The Senate will not let the challenges we face go unanswered.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=0F230E45-FD2B-49A8-A0B8-41F713F15D7C,Sen. Moran Announces Opening of Hays VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,KS,Jerry Moran,M000934,www.moran.senate.gov,moran,https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – announced the opening of a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Hays.

The CBOC has been relocated just north of Interstate 70 to increase access to care for veterans in northwest Kansas. The new facility includes three additional exam rooms, increased square footage, up-to-date telecommunication digital security requirements, and a room dedicated to group therapy and mental health needs.”

“Access to critical and sufficient healthcare should not be difficult, especially for veterans,” said Sen. Moran. “The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center has put a tremendous amount of effort into creating an accessible and newer CBOC so that veterans across the state can receive the care they need.”

“The CBOC in Hays was first opened in September 1999 and has served Veterans continuously since,” said the Dole VA Medical Center. “In the summer of 2022, it was announced the facility would move to its new location to provide more space for additional services as well as easier access to those traveling from outside the area.”

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-calls-on-postal-regulatory-commission-to-reject-unjust-postal-rate-increases-for-alaskans,Alaska Delegation Calls on Postal Regulatory Commission to Reject Unjust Postal Rate Increases for Alaskans,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,AK,Lisa Murkowski,M001153,www.murkowski.senate.gov,murkowski,https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=16,scraper,"U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) called on the Postal Regulatory Commission to reject consideration of the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) proposal to establish higher postal rates for mail delivered to the non-contiguous United States. In a letter sent today that was signed by the Alaska and Hawaiian Congressional delegations as well as delegates from each of the U.S. territories, the members of Congress warned that the USPS proposal “to single-out select remote and rural communities for disproportionate price increases is inconsistent with the Postal Service’s Constitutional purpose and with its historical approach of a uniform price structure for customers, no matter where in the nation a resident lives.”

The USPS’ proposal would establish higher Zone 10 rates for certain “full network” products, including Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage, impacting packages destined for Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Territories.

To read the full letter, click here.

“This proposed increase in rates for Alaska and other non-contiguous states and territories is outrageous,” Sen. Sullivan said. “No state, including Alaska, should be punished by our own federal government because of geography. These hikes have the potential to severely negatively impact Alaskans—already reeling from inflation—who are more reliant on the USPS for basic goods and services than other Americans. I will be meeting with the Postmaster General soon to demand answers about the data they’re using to justify this increase, and the potential tax-payer funded monopolistic behavior of the USPS. I, along with my colleagues from impacted states and territories, will also be heavily weighing in with the Postal Regulatory Commission on this proposed rule. We will be insisting that the commission refuse to approve this rate increase, particularly because the USPS has not been transparent with any evidence justifying a change in rates.”

“Postal Service price increases on Alaskans living in remote and rural communities are unfair, harmful, and go against the USPS mission of uniform delivery for all Americans,”said Sen. Murkowski. “The Alaska delegation calls on the Postal Regulatory Commission to decline price increases in Zone 10 and avoid harming Alaskans who already face some of the highest costs of living in the country.”

“Alaskans rely on the Postal Service for more than just mail—it is a lifeline to the rest of the world,” said Rep. Peltola.“Medication, food, and more travels through our mail system on a regular basis. Urban and rural parts of our state all depend on reliable, predictable service for mail delivery, and these disproportionate cost increases would have a major impact on our daily lives. The costs of living in Alaska are already high. It makes no sense for the federal government to increase costs for Alaskans, without evidence, when postal services are relied on by so many across the state.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-braun-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-conduct-a-new-review-of-currently-approved-opioids,"Murphy, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Conduct a New Review of Currently Approved Opioids",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a plan to review all currently approved opioid medications. The Opioid Review Act would require the FDA to consider information that was not available when the drugs were first approved, such as addiction and overdose rates, and to publish a public report detailing next steps.

“The United States is five percent of the world’s population, and yet we account for between 70 and 80 percent of the world’s opioid prescriptions. In the years since these drugs were first approved by the FDA, we’ve learned just how addictive they are and far too many families have paid the price. Taking a hard look at whether the current guidance needs updating is one way we can begin to tackle this crisis. I’m glad our bipartisan bill was included in this year’s SUPPORT Act reauthorization, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure it lands on President Biden’s desk,” said Murphy.

“Drug overdose deaths continue to rise in the United States and we urgently need to take action to stop these devastating and preventable deaths. The bipartisan Opioid Review Act would direct the FDA to review approved opioids while considering important public health implications, like addiction and overdose rates,” said Braun.

Specifically, FDA’s report must be published online and must include:

Public comment on the FDA’s regulation of opioid drugs

An explanation of the actions the FDA has already taken to review the effectiveness, safety, benefit-risk profile, and use of approved opioid analgesic drugs

A timeline for an assessment of the potential need for changes in an opioid drugs’ labeling, revised or additional post marketing requirements, enforcement actions, or withdrawals from market

An overview of the steps that the FDA has taken to support the development and approval of non-addictive medical products intended to treat pain or addiction, and actions planned to further support the development and approval of such products

An overview of the consideration by the FDA of clinical trial methodologies for analgesic drugs, including the enriched enrollment randomized withdrawal methodology, and the benefits and drawbacks associated with different trial methodologies for such drugs, incorporating any public input received

The Opioid Review Act was included in committee passage of the SUPPORT Act Reauthorization last week.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/michigan-delegation-members-urge-air-force-to-select-selfridge-air-national-guard-base-for-kc-46-tankers,Michigan Delegation Members Urge Air Force to Select Selfridge Air National Guard Base for KC-46 Tankers,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), and U.S. Representatives John James (R-MI-10), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lisa McClain (R-MI-09), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4), and Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) are urging U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to select Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to host a new squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers. The letter to Secretary Kendall highlights Selfridge’s unique capability to host these tankers while reiterating the Michigan congressional delegation’s commitment to ensuring Selfridge is also selected to host a new, long-term fighter jet mission. This comes after the Air Force identified Selfridge as “an indispensable source of tanker capacity for our national security” in a letter to Peters and Stabenow in 2021.

“The Michigan Congressional Delegation expresses our strong belief that Selfridge is the ideal location for a squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers and a recapitalization of the A-10 squadron into an advanced fighter,” the letter stated. “With this in mind, we urge the Air Force to base a squadron of twelve KC-46s at Selfridge in addition to a future replacement fighter mission due to its strong operational track record, exceptional personnel, and strategic location.”

“We know Selfridge’s advantages, its exceptional operational track record, and the 127th Wing’s outstanding personnel make Selfridge an ideal candidate for a squadron of KC-46s and a future fighter mission,” the letter continued. “Our delegation and state are totally dedicated to fighting for Selfridge with Governor Whitmer’s proposed $100 million investment in base and runway improvements a tangible example of this commitment. We look forward to working closely with you and your office to ensure Michigan continues to be a value add to the Total Force.”

The 127th Wing at Selfridge currently operates the KC-135 Stratotanker in support of the global mobility mission, offering unparalleled synergy of training, efficiency, and mobility opportunities and operations. Placement of the KC-46 tankers, a next-generation air refueler that will be crucial to the future of U.S. defense strategy and operations, will help cement Selfridge’s position as a critical component to our national security.

This comes after Peters, Stabenow, and James recently urged leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include funding in the 2024 defense appropriation bills for additional fighter aircraft such as the F-15EX at Selfridge. In their letter, the Senators also advocated for continued funding for Exercise Northern Strike and the modernization of Army National Guard facilities to ensure equitable access for female servicemembers. Peters, Stabenow, and James additionally previously led a bipartisan, bicameral effort with the Michigan congressional delegation calling for a new fighter mission at Selfridge and introduced companion resolutions to highlight the contributions of Selfridge. Peters and Stabenow have also secured significant commitments from the Department of Defense, including a pledge that Selfridge will continue to play a “critical and ongoing role for our national security.”

Earlier this year, the lawmakers and other leaders in Michigan’s congressional delegation participated in the groundbreaking for a new $28 million aircraft hangar made by possible by federal funding that Senator Peters secured through his work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The new 41,900 square-foot facility will transform two hangars into a new hangar equipped for fighter maintenance and help to better position the base to be selected for a new, long-term fighter mission.

Selfridge supports approximately 5,000 military and civilian jobs and generates an estimated $850 million in economic impact statewide.

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Kendall,

We write to follow up on the Air Force’s letter from July 16, 2021 identifying Selfridge Air National Guard Base as an indispensable source of Air Force refueling capacity and as the location for a future tanker aircraft. The Michigan Congressional Delegation expresses our strong belief that Selfridge is the ideal location for a squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers and a recapitalization of the A-10 squadron into an advanced fighter. With this in mind, we urge the Air Force to base a squadron of twelve KC-46s at Selfridge in addition to a future replacement fighter mission due to its strong operational track record, exceptional personnel, and strategic location.

At the heart Selfridge is the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, comprised of the 171st Air Refueling Squadron and the 107th Fighter Squadron. The 171st Air Refueling Squadron has expertly operated eight KC-135T Stratotankers for the past 15 years including worldwide deployments to support operations in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The 107th Fighter Squadron currently operates A-10 fighters and is home to many of the Air Force’s most experienced pilots including five Air Force Weapons School graduates. The 171st and 107th Squadron’s valuable experiences provide a value add for Air Mobility and Air Combat Commands at a fraction of the cost of active-duty forces. Losing the 107th Squadron’s talented pilots and maintainers, geographic advantages, and fighter experience is unacceptable for the Michigan delegation and would be a loss to the Total Force.

With this in mind, we remain committed to fighting for a future replacement fighter mission at Selfridge. Unfortunately, Michigan has already lost two F-16 squadrons in 1992 and in 2009. After losing its F-16s, in 2009 Selfridge transitioned to A-10s which were relocated from Battle Creek. The A-10s scheduled retirement in Fiscal Year 2027 means it will lose its last fighter mission. We urge the Air Force to continue working with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to find a future fighter mission to ensure Selfridge can build upon its 100 years of fighter experience and more than 18 successful combat deployments.

In your recent visit, you witnessed firsthand this valuable skillset and the 127th Wing’s talented and experienced pilots, crews, and maintainers. The base’s proximity to a major airline hub at Detroit Metro/Wayne County Airport has allowed the 127th Wing to recruit and retain the highest quality pilots and maintenance personnel for their tanker and fighter missions. This location provides unique opportunities for citizen airmen and a strong work-life balance leading to a 95% retention rate and continued end-strength gains.

Selfridge has unmatched access to airspace and training ranges and is home to robust and operationally relevant readiness exercises. The Michigan National Guard annually hosts Operation Northern Strike, the largest joint all-domain, live-fire, reserve component readiness exercise in the continental United States. The Michigan Guard also hosts the highly successful “Winter Strike” exercise to test units' operational readiness in arctic conditions. Finally, Michigan is home to National All-Domain Warfighting Center, the largest contiguous joint service range/airspace complex east of the Mississippi River, providing tremendous training and operational readiness opportunities.

We are encouraged by the Air Force’s letter on July 16, 2021, outlining the Air Force’s intent to replace Selfridge’s current KC135 tankers with KC-46 tankers. We understand that as part of the KC-46 beddown, the Air Force must undergo a rigorous Strategic Basing Process. As the Air Force makes basing decisions including Selfridge, we respectfully request a robust and detailed timeline of all KC-46 basing decisions including current planned beddowns, known future KC-46 basing actions, and the number of KC-46s on contract without basing decisions.

In addition to providing these timelines, we respectfully request responses to the following questions:

What are the decision timelines associated with KC-46 basing plans?

What is the expected basing decision timeline for the KC-46s at Selfridge?

How is the Air Force preparing for this potential KC-46 transition for Selfridge?

What Air Force budgetary actions must be made to facilitate this KC-46 transition for Selfridge?

What personnel and economic impacts will the replacement KC-46s have on the 171st Squadron and on Selfridge?

The Air Force is procuring F-35As and F-15EXs to distribute across the Total Force. Would you please state which obstacles remain that prevent Selfridge from being included in the Air Force recapitalization plan for the A-10 with advice for how these shortcomings may be remedied?

We know Selfridge’s advantages, its exceptional operational track record, and the 127th Wing’s outstanding personnel make Selfridge an ideal candidate for a squadron of KC-46s and a future fighter mission. Our delegation and state are totally dedicated to fighting for Selfridge with Governor Whitmer’s proposed $100 million investment in base and runway improvements a tangible example of this commitment. We look forward to working closely with you and your office to ensure Michigan continues to be a value add to the Total Force.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-senator-peters-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-combat-human-rights-abuses,Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Help Combat Human Rights Abuses,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) bipartisan legislation to help American businesses combat human rights abuses.

Senator Peters’ Combating Human Rights Abuses Act – which he reintroduced with U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) – would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to help educate American exporters that are, or are considering, exporting goods in partnership with businesses in the People’s Republic of China where forced labor and significant human rights abuses have occurred. The bill would also direct the Commerce Department to offer guidance to exporters to help them avoid doing business with Chinese entities that may be implicated in forced labor or human rights violations.

“Human rights abuses like those committed in China must be condemned,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud the Senate has unanimously passed this bipartisan legislation to provide American businesses with the information and transparency they need to avoid business dealings with entities in China that may be involved in forced labor or other atrocities.”

The legislation has earned the support of the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

“There is no room for half-measures to stop corporate complicity in the atrocity crimes against Uyghurs,” said Omer Kanat, Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. “UHRP strongly endorses this Congressional action. It’s past time to end profits tied to entities that are using Uyghur forced labor, and tech companies that provide the 24-7 surveillance state enforcing the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people.”

The government of the People’s Republic of China has perpetrated egregious human rights abuses—including in Tibet and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region—against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups. The Chinese government’s actions have encompassed mass detention in internment camps, the use of forced labor, cultural cleansing, and other atrocities. This has led the U.S. State Department to determine that the People’s Republic of China, “under the direction and control” of the Chinese Communist Party, “has committed genocide against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang” as well as use “coercive policies” to seek to “eliminate Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among younger generations of Tibetans.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce provides valuable assistance to help U.S. businesses and exporters increase sales and tap into new markets, such as through export counseling provided by the U.S. Commercial Service. Peters’ bipartisan bill would build on existing human rights training for Commerce Department staff by ensuring its workforce is specifically informed about emerging trends and issues with respect to human rights abuses in China such as in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/after-reed-delivers-federal-funding-east-providence-families-in-flood-prone-properties-begin-to-get-their-voluntary-home-buyouts,"After Reed Delivers Federal Funding, East Providence Families in Flood Prone Properties Begin to Get Their Voluntary Home Buyouts",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts (RIACD), and East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva and his staff for teaming up to help residents relocate out of flood prone areas.

Last year, Senator Reed helped deliver critical federal funds to buyout flood prone properties and deliver relief for homeowners who suffered from repetitive flooding. Now, owners of chronically flooded properties are closing on real estate deals with the federal government, meaning fewer homes will be flooded during future storms.

Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured up to $9.65 million in federal funding for voluntary property buyouts for eligible homeowners along Marsh Street and around the State Street neighborhood, which includes Abbott Street, Luther Avenue, Julien Avenue, and Humphrey Street. The federal funding comes from USDA’s NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection-Floodplain Easements (EWP-FPE) program.

NRCS, RIACD, and East Providence officials have worked for months to assist homeowners with the buyout process.

In November of this year, eleven houses and one vacant lot were purchased for a total of $4,297,460.

Two more houses and four vacant lots are scheduled to close in early February of 2024. The costs for these closings will be approximately $1 million. This includes the purchase price for the properties, plus legal fees and relocation funds for homeowners and renters.

As the lead agency, NRCS must complete a thorough technical review for each eligible property. Once approved, NRCS purchases easements (the rights to the properties) to restore floodplain functions. The City of East Providence will hold the property titles (remaining interest in the property).

“These closings are welcome news for vulnerable property owners and will help the community enhance natural storm protection. These closings mean that families who wanted to relocate were able to take this voluntary buyout and get fair value for their homes. It also means less flood damage going forward. I appreciate NRCS, RIACD, and East Providence for working together, listening to community input, and taking action to assist families in need by helping prevent future flood damage,” said Senator Reed.

“This project brings much relief to residents who have been dealing with ongoing flooding issues due to the high water table,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “These properties will now be restored to their natural environment providing watershed capacity and new, public space for the community to enjoy.”

Reed expects nearly $8 million in federal funding will be used for the project. In addition to the home buyouts, some funds were paid to RIACD to manage the project and the remaining funds will be used to hire an engineering firm to design and implement the final floodplain restoration plan, which could include overseeing the demolition of the properties, restoration of the floodplain, and installation of stormwater mitigation works.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-helps-pass-short-term-faa-reauthorization,Reed Helps Pass Short-term FAA Reauthorization,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to bolster air safety and prevent travel disruptions during the busy holiday season, the U.S. Senate approved a short-term reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) financing and fee-collection authorities late last night. The temporary extension was needed or these FAA authorized would have expired on December 31.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees FAA funding, supported the three-month extension, which extends the FAA’s authority out to March 8, 2024.

“This is a needed short-term fix. I am committed to working on a comprehensive, multi-year FAA reauthorization that enhances aviation safety, improves airline service, and provides better consumer protections for passengers,” said Senator Reed. “U.S. airports and airlines have seen substantial growth, and we must ensure we continue to invest in the technology, facilities, and infrastructure to handle it.”

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the short-term FAA reauthorization bill earlier this month, so it now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

The FAA's current authorization dates back to 2018, when the most recent long-term reauthorization bill was passed.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-mchenry-lead-77-colleagues-in-requesting-delay-for-unclear-reporting-requirements-for-small-businesses,"Rounds, McHenry Lead 77 Colleagues in Requesting Delay for Unclear Reporting Requirements for Small Businesses",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) partnered with Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) to lead 77 of their colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki asking the department to delay implementation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements for small businesses.

The reporting requirements put into place by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) are set to begin January 1, 2024. The letter requests that FinCEN delay the January 1, 2024, effective date for requirements by a minimum of one year which will give FinCEN adequate time to finalize all outstanding rulemakings. The additional time will enable regulators to finish the necessary regulatory framework and give both FinCEN and the 33.2 million small business owners across the country additional time to prepare for this new reporting regime.

“On behalf of the millions of small businesses in our states, we write to you today with significant concerns regarding the implementation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA),” wrote the members. “The CTA requires most corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to regularly report information about their beneficial owners—the persons who ultimately own or control the company, to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) beginning on January 1, 2024.”

“Unfortunately, FinCEN is woefully behind in educating small business owners and stakeholders of their new obligations under the CTA that begin in just a few short weeks,” the members continued. “In fact, a National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey found that 90 percent of respondents were entirely unfamiliar with these reporting requirements. Even more concerning is that the CTA has civil and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and two years of jail time for failure to comply.”

Other signers included Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Katie Boyd Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

The letter was also signed by Representatives Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Roger Williams (R-Texas), French Hill (R-Ark.), Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Alexander Mooney (R-W.Va.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Bryan Steil (R-Wisc.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Tracey Mann, R-Kan.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Jake La Turner (R-Kan.), Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.).

Read the full letter HERE or below.

+++

Dear Secretary Yellen and Director Gacki:

On behalf of the millions of small businesses in our states, we write to you today with significant concerns regarding the implementation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The CTA requires most corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to regularly report information about their beneficial owners—the persons who ultimately own or control the company, to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) beginning on January 1, 2024.

While the goal of this new law is to target shell companies involved in illicit financial transactions, the CTA defines covered entities as those having 20 or fewer employees and under $5 million in revenue. In other words, not just shell companies, but nearly every small business in America.

Effective January 1st, small businesses will be required to provide the personal information of their beneficial owners – owners, board members, senior management, legal representation – and continue to monitor and report this information to FinCEN to ensure that it is current and up-to-date or they will face civil and criminal penalties. According to FinCEN estimates, more than 32 million separate reports are expected to be filed in 2024, with an additional five to six million filings each year thereafter.

Unfortunately, FinCEN is woefully behind in educating small business owners and stakeholders of their new obligations under the CTA that begin in just a few short weeks. In fact, a National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey found that 90 percent of respondents were entirely unfamiliar with these reporting requirements. Even more concerning is that the CTA has civil and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and two years of jail time for failure to comply.

This lack of awareness and education is alarming and must be addressed before the law is implemented. Dozens of organizations, representing millions of small businesses operating in every state and community across the country, have already publicly expressed their strong support for delaying implementation of the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements by one year.

Further, FinCEN has yet to finalize the two final BOI rulemakings that are critical to protecting small businesses’ personal information. These include the “Access Rule,” and the “Customer Due Diligence Rule”. As you know, the Access Rule specifies the parameters around which the database can be accessed, the purposes for which the information can be used, and how the highly sensitive information will be protected. The Customer Due Diligence Rule is critical to make sure BOI would not result in a duplicative reporting regime for small businesses.

Therefore, we strongly request that FinCEN delay the January 1, 2024, effective date for all BOI requirements by a minimum of one year which will give FinCEN adequate time to finalize all outstanding rulemakings. Additionally, we believe a year’s delay will provide FinCEN and the business community with more time to educate small business owners of their new reporting obligations.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-to-receive-nearly-4-million-in-additional-federal-disaster-aid-to-support-mauis-recovery-from-fires,Schatz: Hawai‘i To Receive Nearly $4 Million In Additional Federal Disaster Aid To Support Maui’s Recovery From Fires,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive $3.9 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the ongoing recovery effort on Maui following the fires in August. The funding, which comes from the Disaster Relief Fund which Congress replenished in September following calls from Schatz and others, will support staff who have been working on the emergency response effort.

“The federal government continues to support Maui in every step of the recovery process,” said Senator Schatz. “We’ll keep doing everything we can to make sure the people of Lahaina have what they need to get back on their feet.”

Working closely with the Biden Administration and congressional leaders, Schatz has led efforts to bring federal resources to Maui. To date, Hawai‘i has received more than $412 million in federal funding for the response to the fires, including more than $300 million in direct assistance to survivors from FEMA and the Small Business Administration.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-senators-shaheen-collins-discuss-bipartisan-efforts-to-lower-the-cost-of-insulin,"ICYMI: Senators Shaheen, Collins Discuss Bipartisan Efforts to Lower the Cost of Insulin",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) spoke with the Washington Post’s Health 202 Newsletter to discuss their bipartisan INSULIN Act as part of their recent efforts to lower the cost of insulin.

As co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Recently, the Senators penned a joint op-ed about the importance of lowering the cost of insulin. The Senators have worked to increase awareness of the threats posed by diabetes, invest in research and improve access to treatment options. They have consistently held insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Collins commended drug manufacturers Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi’s actions to lower their list prices for their insulin products.

Full text of the story can be found here and below:

Sens. Shaheen and Collins explain their work on insulin affordability

A growing share of the more than 7 million Americans with diabetes is enjoying lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin as states, Medicare and drug companies have moved to cap prices.

But some senators are pushing to address sky-high insulin costs for patients who continue to fall through the cracks. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced legislation earlier this year alongside Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who plans to tout it at today’s Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the diabetes epidemic.

Among other provisions, their bill would extend Medicare’s $35-per-month cap on insulin prices to individuals with private insurance, rein in the business practices of prescription drug middlemen and make it easier for new generic and biosimilar drugs to enter the market.

I caught up with the longtime co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus over the phone yesterday about their approach. This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

H202: There have been several steps in the public and private sector to lower insulin costs in recent years. Why is federal reform necessary at this point in time?

Collins: First of all, there’s no guarantee that the manufacturers keep their prices low, and we still have real problems in the marketplace.

What we have done, in my view, is a much more comprehensive approach. We’ve looked at why prices have gone up so much and we’ve looked at the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Our whole intent is to reduce the perverse incentives in the insulin market that encouraged these high list prices. That includes mandating that the PBMs pass 100 percent of the insulin rebates that they negotiate to the plan sponsors.

Shaheen: As for why now, we’ve seen a PBM reform bill pass the House overwhelmingly. There’s also PBM reform that I think is very likely to get to the floor of the Senate. But we can’t address the high cost of health care unless we address the cost of insulin, and getting at that underlying list price is about the PBMs. It’s also about allowing biosimilar insulin to get to the market.

Collins: That’s a really important point. What we found is, a couple of years ago when a biosimilar was launched on the market at a very low, affordable price, PBMs would not choose it to be on the formularies for insurance plans because they didn’t get a big enough cut of the price because it was so low.

So what did the company do? It relaunched the biosimilar at a higher price, and then it was chosen for the formulary. I can’t think of a better example of a broken marketplace than that.

H202: Republicans jettisoned a proposed $35 insulin cap on private insurance from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Sen. Collins, do you think enough members of your party would support the Insulin Act of 2023 to pass?

Collins: I think that there is support for a $35 cap, but a lot of people realize that there’s something wrong with the underlying insulin market and that we need to fix that.

Shaheen: We have seven Republican co-sponsors on the bill, and we’re talking to a number of other people who have expressed an interest, so we’re hoping to get more than that. And if you combine that with those people who voted to address insulin costs [previously], I think if this bill comes to the floor we will have a majority of senators supporting it.

H202: Other lawmakers have introduced legislation on this issue, including Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), who proposed a $35-per-month cost-sharing limit for insured and uninsured people. Can you comment on that effort?

Shaheen: We’ve met with Kennedy and Warnock to see if we could make sure we include all the provisions in both bills, and those discussions are still ongoing. It’s been something that the HELP Committee has also expressed an interest in. So I’m hopeful that we’re going to have something that everybody will support taking to the floor.

H202: We’re in a divided Congress, and for many Americans, Democrats and Republicans have never seemed so far apart. Why is bipartisanship important for lawmaking?

Collins: I’ve probably worked with Sen. Shaheen on more issues, and a wider range of issues, than any other senator, and frankly, I think that’s why we’ve been so effective in being able to get things done.

Shaheen: Two heads are better than one. Working together allows us to both pick up on any kinds of oversights that one person might have, but also to bring different perspectives to the issue.

Here in Congress that’s important because very little really gets done without having bipartisan support. A piece of that is being able to trust the people you’re negotiating with, and I think that is a really important aspect of my relationship with Sen. Collins.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-hassan-join-warren-group-of-democratic-senators-to-introduce-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgment-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Shaheen, Hassan Join Warren, Group of Democratic Senators to Introduce Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgment That Medication Abortion Is Safe and Effective",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a group of Democratic U.S. Senators led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion.

This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade and follows last week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access.

“Limiting access to mifepristone would deal yet another blow to women’s reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. The opinions of GOP lawmakers and extreme jurists have no place in dictating women’s ability to access the reproductive care they need,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to join this resolution that emphasizes the importance of maintaining and protecting women’s fundamental right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.”

“Across the country, women are grappling with the very personal impacts of the attacks on a woman’s fundamental freedom by anti-choice extremists,” said Senator Hassan. “Science has shown that mifepristone is safe and effective, and I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up for a woman’s fundamental freedom and making clear that access to this often life-saving medication must remain available.”

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions.

“I am fed up with extremists trying to turn back the clock and deny women reproductive health care – especially after decades of science that show that medication abortion is safe and effective. Any threat to the accessibility of this drug would be devastating to both health care providers and patients across the country, and Senate Democrats are demonstrating with this resolution that we're determined to fight back,” said Senator Warren.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected and that law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

The resolution was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-WY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and the EMAA Project.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z