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.wicker.senate.gov/2026/09/30/mississippi-delegation-applauds-key-fields-selection-as-a-kc-46-finalist/,Mississippi Delegation Applauds Key Field’s Selection as a KC-46 Finalist,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington – Today, the U.S. Air Force notified Congress that Key Field in Meridian has been selected as one of four preferred locations to be the future home of the new KC-46 aircraft. In response, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., along with U.S. Congressmen Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss., welcomed this announcement and made the following statement. “We applaud the U.S. Air Force for selecting Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, Mississippi, as a finalist to host the KC-46 refueling aircraft. “Key Field is the home of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, hosting more than 1,000 Airmen and Air Force personnel servicing the KC-135. The 186th is the primary National Guard tanker unit devoted to U.S. military operations in the Middle East—a vital mission for a consequential region of the world. “Meridian presents a strategic location for the KC-46 and is the prime candidate to undertake this mission. The city sits near important refueling tracks, and Mississippi’s vast open spaces enable large-scale exercises. This allows the 186th not only to service fleets flying along local routes but also to support the global refueling mission. Over the past few years, Key Field leadership has invested in the infrastructure upgrades that facilitate this mission. The City of Meridian also has a long record of welcoming service members and meeting the unique needs of military families. “As the Air Force moves into its final evaluations, we will keep making the case that Key Field is the right home for the next generation of air refueling.” Background on the Mississippi Delegation’s Key Field Engagement: The Mississippi delegation has consistently made the case that Key Field is well equipped to host the KC-46 aircraft. This month, the Mississippi delegation sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink in support of Meridian. Over the past few years, Mississippi’s federal officials have supported additional efforts to modernize Key Field infrastructure, paving the way for the installation to continue its contributions toward America’s national security posture. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://www.armstrong.senate.gov/senator-armstrong-praises-bipartisan-permitting-reform-package-advancing-key-reforms-to-get-america-building-again/,Senator Armstrong Praises Bipartisan Permitting Reform Package Advancing Key Reforms to Get America Building Again,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,OK,Alan Armstrong,A000383,www.armstrong.senate.gov,armstrong,https://www.armstrong.senate.gov/news/media-center/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2026 CONTACT: Chrissy Harbin, Miranda Dabney Senator Armstrong Praises Bipartisan Permitting Reform Package Advancing Key Reforms to Get America Building Again PACKAGE REFLECTS KEY ARMSTRONG PRIORITIES AND MONTHS OF WORK TO BUILD CONSENSUS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PERMITTING REFORM WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) praised Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT), along with Ranking Members Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Martin Heinrich (R-NM), for reaching a historic, bipartisan deal on theBipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, saying the proposal incorporates key reforms he has championed to make the federal permitting process faster, more predictable, and more durable. Senator Armstrong released the following statement: “I came to the Senate determined to help America build again, and I have been willing to work with anyone—Republican or Democrat—who is serious about fixing our broken permitting system. I applaud my colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle and the Trump administration for staying at the table and finding common ground. This agreement shows that comprehensive permitting reform is possible. Let’s finish the job when we come back in November and get this package to the President’s desk. “The reality is that meaningful, lasting reform doesn’t happen when politicians retreat to their partisan corners or demand 100 percent of their wish list—it happens when leaders are willing to do the difficult work of sitting at the table, and finding genuine common ground. On an issue as vital as energy and infrastructure, compromise isn’t about surrendering our principles or lowering standards; it’s about crafting an energy-neutral, practical framework that delivers real results for the American people, lowers utility bills, and strengthens our national security. If we want to solve generational challenges instead of just passing the buck down the road, we have to put country over party and do the tough, collaborative work required to get durable reform across the finish line. “Just as important, this agreement reflects a massive, cross-sector coalition that has hit the exact same regulatory wall. From conventional energy and manufacturing to mining, electric transmission, transportation, and renewables, industries across our economy are pounding the table together because they recognize that if America is going to compete globally, we have to restore our ability to build.” BACKGROUND Armstrong has made comprehensive permitting reform a central legislative priority since taking office in March 2026. He introduced S. 4944, the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure (AEMI) Act, to address the major federal barriers that delay energy, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects, and was joined by 20 co-sponsors. The Committee’s package includes key pillars of that effort, including: Reforms to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to promote consistent, evidence-based environmental decision-making across infrastructure projects; Greater certainty for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general and nationwide permits by eliminating duplicative review, extending permit terms, and incorporating judicial reforms to reduce baseless litigation; Statutory clarification to re-enable essential mining activities on federal lands; and Targeted National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reforms that clarify the scope of review, reaffirm NEPA’s procedural nature, and establish judicial review standards designed to prevent the law from being used to indefinitely stall critical infrastructure projects. Since taking office, Armstrong has engaged in a sustained effort to build support across industries for comprehensive permitting reform. In June, he hosted Getting America Building Again: Permitting Reform and America’s Competitive Future on Capitol Hill, convening more than 150 business leaders and policy experts around a shared blueprint for reform. He used his inaugural Senate floor speech to lay out the core elements of the AEMI Act and continued pressing the case at major energy and infrastructure forums throughout the summer.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-sham-stock-trading-bill,Baldwin Statement on Sham Stock Trading Bill,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after voting against the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation that fails to adequately prevent current members of Congress from holding stocks and enriching themselves while in office. The legislation also allows the President, Vice President, and White House staff to continue to use inside information and freely trade stocks for personal profit. The bill comes as President Trump made 21,000 stock trades and $2.2 billion in personal wealth in just his first year in office. On the contrary, Senator Baldwin does not trade stocks and has had the management of her financial assets in a blind trust while serving in the U.S. Senate since 2013. “We are sent to Washington to do the people’s work and make their lives better, not to use our position of power to turn a profit. That’s why I have led by example – never trading a single stock since I have been in the Senate. I’ll continue fighting to root out corruption and stop politicians from enriching themselves while in office,” said Senator Baldwin. “The bill that the House passed simply falls short of ending this corrupt practice, letting members keep the stocks they have and allowing the President and Vice President to continue trading stocks and enrich themselves while in office. Wisconsinites deserve a real ban on this kind of corruption, and this is just what I support and what we need to become law.” Senator Baldwin co-sponsors the following bills to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. These bills stand in contrast to the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would not require Members of Congress to divest their current holdings.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-votes-against-voluntary-approach-to-data-centers-vows-to-push-real-reform-to-protect-wisconsin-ratepayers,Baldwin Votes Against Voluntary Approach to Data Centers; Vows to Push Real Reform to Protect Wisconsin Ratepayers,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted against legislation that fails to protect Wisconsin ratepayers and does nothing to ensure that data centers pay for their own energy costs. The legislation only asks that states and regulators “consider” making Big Tech pay for the energy that the data centers use, failing to put real protections for families from increased energy costs into law. “This bill tries to sell the American people a bad bill of goods and take them for fools. This toothless legislation does not protect American families from increased energy costs and allows these huge AI data centers to pass on their energy bills to families and small businesses. Even worse, my colleagues are trying to use this window dressing to dupe the American people into thinking we are acting on an issue that they care deeply about, while not actually protecting them,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m committed to making AI data centers pay their own way and protecting hardworking Wisconsinites from paying a penny of Big Tech’s data center energy bills. The solution must be a mandate, under law, that these costs can’t be kicked to families because we cannot trust these tech giants to just do the right thing. I’ll work with anyone to protect families from yet another bill of theirs from increasing and ensure our communities are the ones in control, not big tech.” The legislation, The Ratepayer Protection Act, requires states to “consider” a standard that would make certain large data centers pay for the costs of grid upgrades necessary to serve them. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this legislation pushes a voluntary standard, saying that state commissions “may adopt or reject” the federal standard. Therefore, there is no federal requirement preventing energy costs from data centers from being passed along to ordinary ratepayers. Additionally, the legislation does not cover all data centers. The bill only covers data centers with peak demand of 100 megawatts or more, leaving out every other data center that is placing massive new demands on a local grid. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-baldwin-secures-return-of-mental-health-help-on-988-for-lgbtq-kids,NEWS: Baldwin Secures Return of Mental Health Help on 988 for LGBTQ Kids,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – After more than a year of pressure from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), 988’s specialized “Press 3” services for LGBTQ youth resumed today. This news comes after the Trump Administration abruptly canceled “Press 3” over a year ago and has since dragged their feet on following Senator Baldwin's bipartisan law that mandated a return of these services. For more than 14 months, the Trump Administration withheld specialized services for a population that is more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. “Suicide and mental health struggles touch every community across our state, and that’s why creating the 988 crisis lifeline to make sure help is there for everyone is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, last year, the Trump Administration decided to make these real struggles a political football and ripped away the specialized line that helped LGBTQ children. This was a deliberate choice. The Trump Administration chose to put children’s lives on the line to score some political points. I’ve fought tooth and nail to restore this lifesaving resource. When I realized the Trump Administration was not going to do it on their own, I wrote it into federal law to require them to restore the Press 3 option. This lifesaving resource never should have gone away in the first place, but I am glad the lifesaving support Press 3 provides is once again there for people who need it.” Since the first reports of the Trump Administration’s planned shuttering of 988’s specialized services for LGBTQ youth, Senator Baldwin pushed for the reinstatement, including: May 2025: Senator Baldwin led her colleagues in slamming the Trump Administration’s plan to take away lifesaving mental health services at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from LGBTQ youth. June 2025: Baldwin condemned the Trump Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announcement of their plans to shut down the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ youth in 30 days. July 2025: On the third anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Baldwin highlighted the Trump Administration’s dangerous decision to cut services for at-risk children. July 2025: As ranking member of the Senate Labor-HHS (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Baldwin helped write and advance a fiscal year 2026 bill providing $535 million for 988—a $15 million increase—and restored dedicated funding for LGBTQ youth specialized services. The bill also rejected proposed cuts to SAMHSA and preserved it as an independent agency. September 2025: U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced bipartisan legislation, the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, to codify the 988 lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ young people. January 2026: Baldwin released the LHHS bill that provides $535 million, a $15 million increase over fiscal year 2025, for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to provide additional support for the program as reliance on 988 continues to increase since its launch. January 2026: The Senate passed Baldwin’s bipartisan bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services. Included in the bill is language mandating the return of 988’s LGBTQ youth specialized services. April 2026: When Secretary Kennedy testified in front of the Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Baldwin secured a commitment from Secretary Kennedy to follow the law and restore the 988 “Press 3” option. June 2026: Senator Baldwin toured the 988 call center in Green Bay and held a roundtable with 988 Lifeline staff and local stakeholders about the impact the crisis line has had on mental health outcomes. July 2026: Baldwin celebrated the fourth anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which came on the heels of a new study that found that since the launch of the three-digit crisis line, youth suicide deaths dropped 11% below projections, saving 4,372 lives. September 2026: Senator Baldwin questioned several of President Trump’s nominees for positions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at a Senate hearing and secured commitments that the Trump Administration will restore the ‘Press 3’ option for LGBTQ youth at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by the end of September. Senator Baldwin wrote and passed the legislation to create the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and has led the fight to ensure it gets properly funded each year. To support Wisconsin’s implementation of 988, the Senator also secured over $3 million in dedicated federal funding. When it was established, Baldwin and her Republican counterpart incorporated a specialized service for veterans, who disproportionately have suicidal ideation. Baldwin then successfully stood up a pilot program to address higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges among LGBTQ youth. As ranking member of LHHS Senator Baldwin fought to secure $535 million for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and to restore dedicated funding for LGBTQ youth specialized services in Fiscal Year 2026 funding legislation. The demand for 988 continues to rise, with the volume of calls, texts, and chats 15% higher than a year earlier and nearly 50% higher than two years ago. Since the lifeline launched, it has received over 27 million contacts, including over 18 million calls, 4 million texts, and 3 million chats. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-applauds-president-trumps-nominee-for-u-s-marshal-for-the-northern-district-of-indiana/,Sen. Banks Applauds President Trump’s Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IN,Jim Banks,B001299,www.banks.senate.gov,banks,https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) released a statement applauding President Trump’s nomination of Indiana Police Captain Scott Krueger to serve as United States Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “President Trump nominated a great Hoosier and a great friend to be Northern Indiana’s next U.S. Marshal. As a state trooper, Captain Scott Krueger dedicated more than two decades to protecting Hoosiers, as President of the Indiana State Police Alliance he stood-up for our law enforcement officers when they needed it the most, and I look forward to supporting his confirmation in the Senate. Thank you to current U.S. Marshal Todd Nukes for your longtime service to our country.” Scott Krueger (Nominee for United States Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana): Scott Krueger has served as a trooper with the Indiana State Police for 26 years and currently serves as Captain and Executive Liaison in the Office of the Superintendent. He previously served as president of the Indiana State Police Alliance and as a member of the National Troopers Coalition’s Executive Committee. Krueger holds an associate’s degree in computer graphic technology from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Oakland City University. U.S. Marshals Service: Established in 1789 under President George Washington, the U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. The agency supports the Department of Justice and federal judiciary by apprehending federal fugitives, protecting federal courts, and participating in federal investigations. The agency has 94 Marshals nationwide—one for each federal judicial district. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-blocks-democrats-attempt-to-create-sanctuary-bus-stops-for-illegal-aliens/,Sen. Banks Blocks Democrats’ Attempt to Create “Sanctuary Bus Stops” for Illegal Aliens,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IN,Jim Banks,B001299,www.banks.senate.gov,banks,https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor objecting to Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D-Conn.) legislation that would prohibit ICE from enforcing federal immigration law at school bus stops. Banks warned that the bill would create “sanctuary bus stops” for illegal aliens and put children in harm’s way. During his remarks, Banks highlighted recent crimes committed by illegal aliens in Indiana and pointed to ICE’s successful five-day operation in early September that resulted in the arrests of 426 illegal aliens across the state. Click the image above or view the full speech here. See remarks below: “Mr. President, reserving the right to object: this is just another attempt by Democrats to stop ICE from doing their job and enforcing our immigration laws. As you’re seeing today, Democrats will do anything they can to stop ICE from securing our nation. “In my state of Indiana over the weekend, an illegal with an ICE detainer, drunk and behind the wheel, killed an innocent 33-year-old woman, Tamara Thomas, as she was walking near a gas station in Indianapolis. “Tamara is not the first Hoosier who lost her life because of the illegal immigration crisis. “In February, an illegal ran a red light and killed 64-year-old Terry Schultz in Avon, IN. “And in that same month, an illegal semi-truck driver who entered the country using Biden’s CBP One app swerved into oncoming traffic and killed four Amish men in Jay County, IN. “A couple of months ago, Indianapolis police arrested an illegal from Mexico, who now faces 30 charges, including rape, sexual assault and kidnapping. This illegal came into the country under the Biden Administration. “Last year, a 35-year-old illegal who was living in Indianapolis was sentenced to 35 years in prison after he sexually exploited and abused a 15-year-old girl. “Hoosiers are going to keep getting killed and harmed by illegals unless we let ICE officers do their jobs. The madness needs to end, and it needs to end now. ICE needs to be allowed to do their job without Democrat politicians getting in their way. “This bill that I am objecting to will prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops. But we know that illegal aliens are often at or near bus stops. “In Virginia last year, ICE arrested a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, a convicted pedophile, who exposed himself to a child at a school bus stop! How can anyone hear this awful story and think that the answer is to get ICE out of bus stops?! “Mr. President, if we prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops, you know what will happen? We’ll just create “sanctuary bus stops!” All the illegals in the country will just hide out at bus stops, knowing that ICE isn’t allowed to touch them! Bus stops will become the most unsafe places in the country. “I mean, it’s just crazy to me to think that we should prevent ICE from operating at bus stops. ICE needs to be allowed to operate wherever the job takes them, especially at places where illegal aliens can harm innocent children. “Look, ICE is not the enemy here. But Democrats are trying to make them the enemy! Just a couple of weeks ago, ICE conducted a 5-day operation in Indiana, which resulted in the arrests of 426 illegals. These criminals include people charged with robberies, drug trafficking, sex crimes, and more. And ICE arrested an illegal from Guatemala who illegally voted in a national election in Indiana. I thought Democrats said that type of thing never happens! “So here we are again. Instead of giving ICE more resources, not less, instead of doing anything we can to deport illegals from our country, Democrats are here asking for unanimous consent to tie ICE’s hands behind their backs. “I won’t let that happen. ICE needs to be allowed to enforce the law wherever it takes them.” ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-urges-army-to-designate-camp-atterbury-and-muscatatuck-as-premier-test-ranges/,Sen. Banks Urges Army to Designate Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck as Premier Test Ranges,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IN,Jim Banks,B001299,www.banks.senate.gov,banks,https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Indiana facilities are ready to accelerate testing of unmanned systems, counter-drone technologies, and other critical defense capabilities. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) led colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle urging the Army to designate Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center as Premier Test Ranges under the Permissive Test Range Expansion Initiative. Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck are ready to expand Department of Army testing of unmanned systems, counter-UAS technologies and other critical defense capabilities. Camp Atterbury has already supported testing of drones later deployed by U.S. Central Command. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck are ready to help the Army move cutting-edge defense technology from development to the battlefield. Designating these facilities as Premier Test Ranges would accelerate innovation, strengthen our military, and expand Indiana’s role in supporting our national defense.” Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind): “Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center are uniquely positioned to help our military prepare for the threats of tomorrow. Designating these facilities as Premier Test Ranges would accelerate innovation, strengthen military readiness, and build on Indiana’s important role in our national defense. This designation would help ensure our service members have the capabilities they need to confront emerging threats and keep Americans safe.” Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN-08): “Future wars will be determined not only by the size of a nation’s military, but by how quickly it can develop, test, and field the next generation of technology. The Department of War consistently turns to Indiana to deliver the cutting-edge capabilities that give our adversaries pause. Designating Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck as Premier Test Ranges would build on that record, accelerate innovation from the test range to the battlefield, and make sure American warfighters enter the fight with the technological advantage.” Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06): “Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck are ready for this mission today. Our facilities offer the airspace, testing grounds, and experience to help the Army turn new technology into battlefield capability. Atterbury has already supported testing of drones deployed overseas. This designation would build on that proven record and expand Indiana’s contribution to our national defense.” Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-09): “Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck are among our best military assets in the nation. They are a national leader in military readiness and the development of mission critical technology. Designating these assets as Premier Test Ranges would not only name them for what they already are, it will enhance our readiness ahead of emerging threats.” Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-03): “Indiana’s Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center are prime locations to be designated as Premier Test Ranges by the U.S. Army. Indiana has long served as the pinnacle for defense innovation, manufacturing, and testing. Just this year, the U.S. launched drones in Iran that had been tested at Camp Atterbury’s T-REX program. I am proud to support Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center for designation to further advance America’s war fighting capabilities.” Rep. James Baird (R-IN-04): “Indiana is well-positioned to lead the development and testing of next-generation defense technologies. Our adversaries are advancing their military technology, and we cannot afford to slow down our own innovation. Redesignating Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck as Premier Test Ranges will accelerate the development of crucial weapon systems that strengthen our national security, helping ensure America remains at the forefront of military innovation. I’m proud to join my fellow Hoosier members of Congress in calling on Acting Secretary Telle to promptly redesignate these sites.” Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01): “I appreciate Senator Banks’ leadership and my fellow members of the Indiana Congressional delegation for coming together to pursue this designation. Our Indiana National Guard members and training facilities are world-class, and a favorable decision would further strengthen Indiana’s role as a national leader in military readiness.” Read the full letter here or below: The Honorable Adam Telle Acting Secretary of the Army We are writing to respectfully urge you to designate Indiana’s Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) as Premier Test Ranges under the Department of Army’s Permissive Test Range Expansion Initiative (PTREI). This designation will bolster the Army’s capability to quickly connect private-sector innovation with realistic operational environments. As you know the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) under PTREI prioritizes commercial access to specialized environments ideal for testing unmanned systems, counter-UAS technologies, long-range fires and low-cost interceptors. MUTC offers a dense, infrastructure-rich urban landscape alongside the requisite physical, digital, and electromagnetic conditions needed to test commercial capabilities. Combined with Camp Atterbury’s maneuver space, ranges, aviation assets, and airspace access, the installation will allow technologies to quickly evolve from initial developmental testing to complex operational experimentation. This mature, self-sustaining ecosystem is operational and ready today, requiring no baseline infrastructure investment to support the initiative. Designating Camp Atterbury and MUTC as Premier Test Ranges will also provide increased testing capability to mitigate future scheduling bottlenecks as industry’s engagement with the Army continues to grow. Camp Atterbury has already demonstrated its value as a premier experimentation hub. Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, the first reverse-engineered, one-way attack drones deployed by the United States in CENTCOM, were tested at Atterbury. As CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper said earlier this year, “I remember well the training that happened at Camp Atterbury … That training has produced additional capability that we have now employed against an adversary, very effectively.”[1] Additionally, Indiana was recently designated as an FAA Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site, permitting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) testing to advance autonomous flight standards. Designating Camp Attebury and MUTC as a Premier Test Ranges would complement the FAA designation by creating a bridge between commercial drone innovations and the complex urban, counter-UAS, and electronic warfare evaluations conducted by the Army. Specifically, the restricted airspace over Camp Atterbury, Indiana, is designated by the FAA as Special Use Airspace R-3401A and R-3401B, extending from the surface up to Flight Level 400 (just over 51 square miles of restricted airspace). Camp Atterbury’s integration of this airspace has established it as a tried-and-true operational proving ground for accelerating cutting-edge defense technologies through Task Force RAPTR and its innovative Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) campaigns. Muscatatuck, moreover, specializes in Class G and custom-managed airspace tailored for realistic low-altitude urban warfare for class 1 UAS, counter-UAS (drone) testing, and routinely supports electronic attack for training and testing. Thank you for your leadership, dedication to accelerating innovation, and continued service to our nation. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/30/bennet-coons-warren-wyden-gallego-introduce-bill-to-impose-sanctions-on-israeli-settlement-construction-in-the-e1-area-of-the-west-bank/,"Bennet, Coons, Warren, Wyden, Gallego Introduce Bill to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlement Construction in the E1 Area of the West Bank",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, to introduce legislation that would impose targeted sanctions on companies, individuals, and other entities that facilitate the development of illegal Israeli settlements or related structures in the E1 area of the West Bank, including by submitting a bid for E1 tenders. It would also impose sanctions on those who attempt to organize, direct, finance, or facilitate the transfer of Israeli civilians into E1 settlements. “Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for construction in E1 are aimed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and would gravely threaten prospects for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said Bennet. “Various American presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, have long recognized this and pressed Israeli governments not to move forward with this reckless project. Netanyahu and his ultra-right wing ministers, however, continue to prioritize their personal political interests ahead of Israeli and American security interests. The United States must use our considerable financial and diplomatic tools to reinforce its longstanding policy against Israeli annexation of the West Bank. That is why I am proud to sponsor this bill, which sends a clear message that those who facilitate Netanyahu’s latest dangerous settlement expansion in E1 risk losing access to the U.S. financial system.” “For decades, American presidents from both parties have warned successive Israeli governments that construction in E1 threatened the viability of a Palestinian state and was unacceptable to the United States,” said Coons. “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity, and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians.” “The E1 settlement project is a move towards de facto annexation of the West Bank, and those who choose to facilitate settlement construction should understand that they risk losing access to the U.S. financial system,” said Warren. “The United States must use all diplomatic and economic tools available to counter rapid settlement expansion and extremist settler violence in the West Bank, spiraling trends that will only undermine the prospect of lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.” Previous Israeli governments initiated plans for settlement construction in E1 in the 1990s, but they have halted them since 2005 amid international pressure. Last year, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approved construction of more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area, which connects the northern and southern West Bank. In recent weeks, Israel announced tenders to allow companies to bid for construction of these settlements. If completed, these units could sever the West Bank in two, gravely threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have publicly acknowledged – and spoken positively about – how E1 settlement expansion will make such an outcome impossible. In September 2026, Bennet demanded that Netanyahu take immediate action to address surging Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, in the West Bank. In March 2026, Bennet pressed the Trump administration for an investigation into the death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, an American citizen who Israeli settlers shot and killed in the West Bank. In October 2025, Bennet urged President Trump to reinforce longstanding U.S. policy opposing any potential Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank. In August 2025, Bennet introduced the West Bank Violence Prevention Act to deter and prevent destabilizing violence in the West Bank, particularly against civilians, by requiring the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons engaging in violent extremist acts of terror, intimidation, and coercion against civilians in the West Bank. In addition to Bennet, Coons, Warren, Wyden, and Gallego, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsored this legislation. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/30/bennet-wyden-veasey-colleagues-recognize-september-as-national-voting-rights-month-ahead-of-midterm-elections/,"Bennet, Wyden, Veasey, Colleagues Recognize September as National Voting Rights Month Ahead of Midterm Elections",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Resolution comes amid efforts by Donald Trump and Republicans to upend vote-by-mail and make voting harder for Americans Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (D-Texas), and 60 congressional colleagues to announce the introduction of a bicameral resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.” “This month, we celebrate the fundamental right to vote, and the importance of free, fair, and secure elections,” said Bennet. “This right lies at the core of our democracy, but President Trump and his administration continue to attempt to undermine it for millions of Americans. We must continue our fight to defend Colorado’s gold standard election system against Trump’s baseless attacks and conspiracy theories.” “Trump is doing everything he can to disenfranchise American voters in this year’s midterms because he’s afraid his platform of jacking up costs is about to lose Republicans the midterms,” said Wyden. “Access to the ballot and the right to vote are the bedrock of our democracy, and Congressman Veasey and I will continue fighting to protect this fundamental right for all Americans.” “Over the past year, we’ve seen our fundamental right to vote eroded and access to critical information about the voting process worsen. In my home state alone, we’ve seen efforts to redistrict mid-decade, introduce restrictive voter ID laws, and reduce the number of polling locations available to voters,” said Veasey. “Now more than ever, it is essential for Americans to understand their voting rights, stay informed about what is happening around them, and help to keep their communities informed. That’s why I’m proud to introduce a resolution alongside Sen. Wyden to designate September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month – a step towards raising awareness, encouraging civic participation, and ensuring that Americans have the information they need to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard in November.” Since the start of his second term, Trump has worked to undermine election systems nationwide, from appointing election deniers to key positions, to firing all members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, and attempting to limit mail-in voting. This resolution encourages voter registration in the month of September and calls on Congress to preserve the right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the Democracy Restoration Act, and by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Bennet has consistently fought against blatant efforts from the Trump administration and Republicans to undermine federal elections. In August 2026, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and 26 Senate colleagues to demand the Trump administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s “quiet period” that prohibits large-scale voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Trump administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. In May 2026, Bennet released a statement following the release of the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed rule that would implement part of Trump’s executive order attacking mail in voting. In April 2026, Bennet joined Padilla and 36 of their colleagues to introduce the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act, legislation that would block Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order that attacks Coloradans’ ability to cast mail-in ballots. In March 2026, Bennet condemned the SAVE America Act on the Senate floor and called out Trump for holding the Senate hostage to pass this legislation. In April 2025, he spoke on the Senate floor, calling out the SAVE America Act that would make it harder for millions of American citizens to register and exercise their right to vote, including women and voters in rural communities across the country. In February 2025, Bennet slammed Trump for sowing distrust in elections. In July 2023, Bennet and his Democratic colleagues introduced the Freedom to Vote Act to improve Americans’ access to the ballot, invest in state election infrastructure, strengthen campaign finance disclosure requirements, and ensure our elections are free from interference. In addition to Bennet, Wyden, and Veasey, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif)., Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) as well as U.S. Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Jonathan Jackson (D-III.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) cosponsored this resolution. The text of the resolution is available HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/9/blackburn-sues-jack-smith-for-unlawfully-seizing-phone-records,Blackburn Sues Jack Smith for Unlawfully Seizing Phone Records,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Marsha Blackburn,B001243,www.blackburn.senate.gov,blackburn,https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) filed a lawsuit against former Special Counsel Jack Smith for unlawfully subpoenaing her cell phone toll records during the Arctic Frost investigation. “Through his Arctic Frost witch hunt that targeted conservatives across America and even the President of the United States, Jack Smith perpetrated one of the worst abuses of government power in our nation’s history,” said Senator Blackburn. “This lawsuit is solely about holding Mr. Smith accountable and ensuring that our nation’s justice system can never again be weaponized against the American people. I thank the New Civil Liberties Alliance for their partnership in filing this complaint and for fighting to uphold our cherished constitutional rights.” The New Civil Liberties Alliance filed the complaint on behalf of Senator Blackburn in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The lawsuit asks the Court to declare Smith’s appointment unlawful under the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause and to hold Smith accountable, in his personal capacity, for his gross abuses of power. Importantly, this lawsuit seeks an award of nominal damages of only one dollar—underscoring the point that Senator Blackburn is solely interested in holding Jack Smith accountable for his weaponization of government. The lawsuit comes one day after Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which revealed that Arctic Frost obtained sensitive information—including home addresses, bank account numbers, and signatures—on 4,782 Americans who donated to President Trump, including 102 Tennesseans. BACKGROUND Jack Smith was illegally named Special Counsel in November 2022. Then-President Biden did not nominate Smith, nor did the Senate confirm Smith as either Special Counsel or in any other position. Additionally, no statute authorized Smith’s appointment. Smith and others in the DOJ, FBI, Special Counsel’s office, and Public Integrity Section agreed to subpoena Senator Blackburn’s cell phone toll records, revealing whom she spoke with, when, and for how long. Smith also obtained a non-disclosure order from the Court, while withholding from the judge that the subpoena sought the records of a sitting U.S. Senator. That non-disclosure order required the Senator’s cell phone provider to keep the subpoena secret. Senator Blackburn was not the only target. Smith’s office is alleged to have subpoenaed the toll records of at least twenty Members of Congress — all Republicans — and roughly 400 Republican individuals and organizations. Smith issued the subpoena and non-disclosure order for Senator Blackburn’s records on May 25, 2023, just over a month after she became one of the first sitting senators to endorse President Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign. Senator Blackburn did not learn her records had been seized until October 6, 2025. RELATED VIDEO: Blackburn Presses Phone Company Executives on Complicity in Jack Smith’s Witch Hunt Against Conservatives Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Calling for DOJ Investigation into Jack Smith for Spying on Republican Members of Congress Blackburn Demands Answers from Cell Phone Carriers Who Allowed Biden FBI to Spy on Members of Congress",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-blunt-rochester-coons-colleagues-demand-secretary-mullin-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts/,"Senators Blunt Rochester, Coons, colleagues demand Secretary Mullin halt 2026 election interference efforts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Lisa Blunt Rochester,B001303,www.bluntrochester.senate.gov,bluntrochester,https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, Chris Coons (Both D-Del.), Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and their Senate Democratic colleagues called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately halt the department’s efforts to assert federal control over the 2026 midterm elections and undermine public trust in them. The senators demanded information substantiating Secretary Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower. “We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote. In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Secretary Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states and criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data. The senators also objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded fiscal year 2025 funding and are threatening fiscal year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Secretary Mullin is putting Americans’ safety at risk as political leverage. The senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find non-citizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement. “According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the senators wrote. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.” The senators called on Secretary Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), and release all withheld funds to states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-court-approval-of-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement,Booker Statement on Court-Approval of Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Settlement,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement after a federal judge approved the settlement between Paramount Skydance and the states that sued to block its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery: “The Trump administration picked a winner from the outset and cleared its path. The states stepped in because this merger combines two of the largest film studios and drives concentration to levels the law presumes unlawful. They warned of higher prices, fewer films, and less choice. The settlement does not resolve those concerns. “Americans deserve an economy where companies compete for their business, reward talent, and serve the public, not markets controlled by those with the deepest pockets. “Above all, I worry about the workers, artists, and moviegoers who always pay the price when studios consolidate, and about the creative expression that disappears when fewer companies decide what gets made. Past entertainment mergers brought layoffs, shelved projects, and higher prices. “Our country’s origin story begins with a revolt against monopoly: colonists dumped the East India Company’s tea into the Boston Harbor rather than accept a Crown-granted monopoly. Two hundred and fifty years later, that fight continues. I have called, and will continue to call, for the vigorous and fair application of our antitrust laws. I will watch this merger, and others, closely to make sure it does not threaten competition, raise prices, or invite corruption.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.budd.senate.gov/2026/09/30/budd-bill-to-build-new-state-veterans-home-near-fort-bragg-passes-the-senate-unanimously/,Budd Bill to Build New State Veterans Home Near Fort Bragg Passes the Senate Unanimously,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NC,Ted Budd,B001305,www.budd.senate.gov,budd,https://www.budd.senate.gov/category/news/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the House companion bill to his Fort Bragg Land Transfer for Veterans Act. This legislation transfers twenty acres of federal property off the installation at Fort Bragg to the State of North Carolina, allowing the state to pursue permitting and construction of a new state veterans home near the base. The bill is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Senator Budd teamed up with U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-N.C.-09), who led the House companion, to pass the legislation through Congress. Representative Hudson was joined by the entire bipartisan North Carolina House delegation in this effort. “North Carolina is the proud home of more than 620,000 veterans, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the quality care that they have earned. After the Fayetteville State Veterans Home closed in 2024, our state lost critical capacity to care for our veterans. Building a new veterans home near Fort Bragg will help fill that gap and ensure that our nation’s heroes receive the quality care they deserve. I am grateful to Representative Richard Hudson for leading this effort in the House and working with me to get this bill passed in the Senate,” said Senator Budd. “Our veterans kept their promise to serve, and we have a responsibility to keep our promise to take care of them. With today’s unanimous Senate passage, we are one step away from getting this bill signed into law and moving forward with a new veterans home near Fort Bragg. I want to thank Senator Budd, Chairman Wicker, and the Senate Armed Services Committee for working quickly to move our bill through the Senate and help us deliver for North Carolina’s veterans,” said Representative Hudson. “Serving our veterans is incumbent on all of us. It was my privilege to work with Congressman Hudson and take this important step in serving some of North Carolina’s finest. Today, the Senate moved swiftly to pass our bill aiming to facilitate the construction of a new veterans’ home in Harnett County. North Carolina’s 13th District is home to tens of thousands of veterans who have earned care worthy of their service. Once President Trump signs this into law, this new facility will finally deliver the long-term care our veterans have earned and deserve,” said Representative Knott. BACKGROUND The former Fayetteville State Veterans Home closed in February 2024 after structural deficiencies and repair needs were identified, several related to water damage. When the 150-bed facility closed, 85 aging veterans in residence, including many with dementia and other disabilities, were displaced. As a result, family members struggled to find suitable living accommodation that met their relative’s health and care needs. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.budd.senate.gov/2026/09/30/budd-coons-uscirf-reauthorization-bill-passes-senate-with-wide-bipartisan-support/,"Budd, Coons USCIRF Reauthorization Bill Passes Senate with Wide Bipartisan Support",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NC,Ted Budd,B001305,www.budd.senate.gov,budd,https://www.budd.senate.gov/category/news/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statements after their legislation to reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 passed the Senate unanimously last evening. The bill extends the authorization of the independent, bipartisan USCIRF to ensure the commission can continue to promote and monitor religious freedom around the world. The bill is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Upon passage, Senator Budd said: “The systemic persecution of people of faith in adversarial nations like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia is a grave threat to freedom of religion that cannot be ignored. For over two decades, USCIRF has been indispensable in safeguarding American foreign policy interests by exposing the brutal regimes and bad actors that imprison, torture, and even kill innocent people for practicing their faith. These malicious attacks on religious freedom must never go unchecked. I am proud to have led the bipartisan reauthorization of USCIRF in the Senate alongside Senator Coons, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who joined us in passing this time-sensitive legislation to ensure the Commission can continue its vital work to defend the freedom of religion around the world.” Upon passage, Senator Coons said: “The right to worship – or not worship – is fundamental to democracy and stability around the world. With it go freedom of speech, assembly, and petition. I’m proud this bill reauthorizing the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support. I urge the president to sign it quickly so our government can get back to the work of protecting religious freedom globally and ensuring that everyone has the space to live and breathe free.” U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-N.J.-04) and Brad Sherman (D-Ca.-32) led the reauthorization of USCIRF in the House of Representatives, which passed in early June of this year. Representatives Smith and Sherman were joined by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.-12), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28), Thomas Suozzi (R-N.Y.-03), Ted Lieu (D-Ca.-36), Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06), Michael McCaul (R-Texas-10), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.27), Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.-17), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.-04), and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08) in leading the effort. BACKGROUND In March 2026, Senators Budd and Coons were joined by Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and a broader bipartisan coalition in introducing legislation to reauthorize USCIRF through FY2028. In June 2026, the legislation advanced out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, as amended by the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016, declared U.S. policy to condemn violations of religious freedom and to promote the inalienable right to freedom of religion around the world. IRFA also established USCIRF as a bipartisan, independent commission charged with monitoring conditions for religious freedom worldwide. USCIRF’s 2026 Annual Report recommended that China, Iran, Russia, Nigeria, and Cuba, among other countries, be designated as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) for international religious freedom. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-celebrates-pinehurst-light-rail-opening,Cantwell Celebrates Pinehurst Light Rail Opening,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Celebrates Pinehurst Light Rail Opening New station brings fast, affordable transit to more north Seattle residents WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, issued a statement celebrating the opening of the newest light rail station in north Seattle. “This new station gives more north Seattle riders access to fast and affordable public transportation, with service every few minutes to UW, SeaTac Airport, and beyond,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Federal investment in our light rail system pays dividends in driving local economies and helping residents reach jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services across the region.” Pinehurst Station is an infill station along the Lynnwood Link Extension light rail corridor. From Pinehurst Station, riders can reach the University of Washington and Downtown Seattle in under 15 minutes, with trips to SeaTac Airport taking less than an hour. The station is expected to serve up to 4,200 daily riders with service every 4-6 minutes during peak hours. It is opening to riders years ahead of the originally scheduled target of 2031. Sen. Cantwell is a longtime champion of ongoing investments in Washington state’s light rail system. In March 2023, Sen. Cantwell announced a $79.3 million federal loan for Pinehurst station, also called the NE 130th Street Infill Station. The project included bus and paratransit transfer facilities, as well as sidewalks and bike infrastructure. After finalization of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the inclusion of $254 million for the Lynnwood Light Rail Extension – which fully funded the project three years ahead of schedule – and $329.14 million for the Federal Way Link Light Rail Extension.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-lee-whitehouse-and-heinrich-introduce-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-of-2026,"Capito, Lee, Whitehouse, and Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee; Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee; and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the ENR Committee, introduced theBipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform the federal environmental review and permitting processes. This groundbreaking agreement will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides certainty that permitted energy and infrastructure projects will retain their permits absent extraordinary circumstances, violations of law, or court order, as well as targeted reforms for various energy projects. This legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and from a diverse group of stakeholders. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act also forces data centers to pay their fair share by requiring them to pay for all of their associated transmission costs. “For far too long, our broken and outdated federal environmental review and permitting processes have stood in the way of energy reliability, secure jobs, modern infrastructure, and economic growth. The bipartisan reforms we secured in this deal will transform our nation’s ability to power our economy and fuel future growth, while continuing to protect the land, water, and wildlife we all cherish. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and the House, and President Trump to get this essential legislation signed into law so we can build the infrastructure America needs to grow and thrive,” said EPW Chairman Capito. “We once built projects like the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building in years, not decades. America still has the resources and the talent, but what too often stands in the way is a permitting system that takes too long and costs too much. After years of work in Congress and many months of negotiations, I’m proud we’ve reached a bipartisan agreement to fix this broken process and get America back to building,” said ENR Chairman Lee. “The American people want lower energy bills, and they want more clean energy. Our permitting reform plan gets us a long way toward both of those goals. If we can pass this bill, we will flood the grid with clean, affordable energy and make data centers start paying their fair share. Like all major pieces of bipartisan legislation, this bill is a compromise. We believe it is a compromise that will result in a brighter, cleaner, more affordable future,” said EPW Ranking Member Whitehouse. “America is entering a new era of energy demand. We have an enormous opportunity to build big things again to meet that moment – to build more generation, expand our grid, create more jobs, lower energy costs, and make sure we have the energy we need to compete. It should not take decades to build the infrastructure our country needs. Our Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will help us get to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on energy projects faster, while protecting important environmental safeguards and protecting the ability of Tribes to formally consult during these processes. It will mean more energy on the grid, more good-paying jobs, and lower electricity costs for families and businesses. And as data centers drive demand for more power, it will ensure they pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require – not leave that bill to American families. Our bill puts teeth behind that principle,” said ENR Ranking Member Heinrich. The bill text is available here. # # #",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-introduces-taxpayer-funded-compensation-accountability-act/,Cassidy Introduces Taxpayer Funded Compensation Accountability Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to ensure political appointees in the federal government do not earn a salary higher than Members of Congress. The bill would cap the annual salary of appointees at the annual salary of a U.S. Senator or Member of the House of Representatives. “If you’re paid by taxpayers, you shouldn’t make more than those who were elected by taxpayers,” said Dr. Cassidy. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-legislation-to-help-americans-better-plan-for-retirement-advances-senate/,Cassidy Legislation to Help Americans Better Plan for Retirement Advances Senate,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led efforts to pass the Claiming Age Clarity Act, a bill to help Americans better plan for retirement by ensuring they have clear information when deciding to claim Social Security benefits. The bill requires the Social Security Administration to replace current confusing terms used to describe claiming ages with clearer, more straightforward language. “Americans looking to retire are counting on the benefits they have earned. They ought to have the best financial information possible when the time comes,” said Dr. Cassidy. The Claiming Age Clarity Act has been endorsed by a variety of organizations representing elderly Americans, retirees, and individuals planning for retirement, such as the American Association of Mature Citizens Action (AMAC Action), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). “For too long, the terminology used by the Social Security Administration has misled millions of Americans into making suboptimal choices about when to claim their hard-earned benefits. This commonsense legislation is vital to ensuring older Americans make informed decisions that directly impact their financial security in retirement,” said AMAC Action’s Andrew J. Mangione. “Hard-working Americans deserve simple, straightforward information when planning for retirement, especially when it comes to claiming Social Security…We know the age at which one first claims Social Security benefits drastically impacts the total income they receive over time, and this bill will ensure that retirees are better informed in their long-term planning and decisions,” said Bipartisan Policy Center Action President Michele Stockwell. “AARP has long supported efforts to improve the terminology used by the Social Security Administration to describe claiming ages, replacing confusing terms like ‘early’ or ‘normal’ with plain-language alternatives such as ‘minimum,’ ‘standard,’ and ‘maximum’ monthly benefit age. These changes will help people better understand the lasting impact of their claiming choices and make more informed decisions to protect their financial security in retirement,” said AARP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Bill Sweeney. Background Cassidy joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the legislation in 2023. The group sent a letter to the Social Security Administration urging them to develop an action plan to help individuals make more informed claiming decisions. Cassidy has championed efforts to rescue Social Security from insolvency and repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-honors-new-orleans-native-walker-beerys-legacy-during-pediatric-brain-cancer-awareness-month/,LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Honors New Orleans Native Walker Beery’s Legacy During Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,LA,Bill Cassidy,C001075,www.cassidy.senate.gov,cassidy,https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, honored the legacy of New Orleans native Walker Beery and his family’s work through Kids Join the Fight during Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Walker’s story is a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can make a lasting difference. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency. Read his full September 2026 Local Spotlight below: This month’s Local Spotlight recognizes September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, in particular, Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Behind every pediatric cancer diagnosis is a child and family whose lives are forever changed. One story I want to share today is that of New Orleans native Walker Beery and his family. At just seven years old, Walker was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain cancer. During one of his days in the hospital, another little girl also receiving treatment gave Walker a teddy bear. She was going through a difficult time herself, but still wanted to do something kind for someone else. This small act inspired Walker to do the same, in an even bigger way. And Kids Join the Fight was born. Walker dreamed of raising a million dollars to help others and cure pediatric brain cancer. Although sadly Walker passed away on September 4, 2021, before he could reach his goal, his family was determined to finish what he started. Before the end of that same year, Kids Join the Fight had raised the million dollars Walker dreamed of. And they kept going. What started as a grassroots effort led by Walker and his friends has grown into an organization helping families, advancing the fight against pediatric cancer, and providing grants to families across the country. And perhaps most importantly, it continues to give children a chance to do what Walker did. Help someone else. Now, Walker’s legacy is taking shape in a very special way right in Louisiana. This November, Walker’s Imaginarium will open at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. It will give patients and their families a bright, happy place to play, laugh, and experience just a bit of normalcy during an incredibly difficult time. Because even when a child is sick, they still deserve to be a child. That is what makes Walker’s story so powerful. He was a seven-year-old boy who received a teddy bear and decided to then help others. And years later, his family has turned that simple act of kindness into a movement. This September, we remember Walker, children like Walker, and the families who fight alongside them. And we celebrate a little boy from New Orleans whose kindness continues to make an impact on many. May we all learn to walk with courage, gratefulness, and generosity during hard times. Just as seven-year-old Walker Beery did. Background In August, Cassidy commemorated the twenty-first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by highlighting the partnership between Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and First Baptist New Orleans, illustrating the deep sense of community that binds Louisianans together. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-meets-with-the-2026-maine-teacher-of-the-year,Senator Collins Meets with the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ME,Susan M. Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,collins,https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Click HERE for a full-resolution photo. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Julia Edwards, the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. Julia is a choral music teacher at Poland Regional High School and Bruce Whittier Middle School. She was previously named the 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. “Julia is an outstanding educator whose passion for music and commitment to her students have made a lasting and positive impact on the Poland community,” said Senator Susan Collins. “Teachers like Julia inspire students to discover their talents and develop a lifelong love of learning, and I appreciated the opportunity to congratulate her on receiving this prestigious award and to thank her for her important work.” In addition to her teaching, Julia has served as President of the Maine American Choral Directors Association, coordinated district-wide professional development conferences, presented at state and national conferences, and served as a guest clinician for district and state music festivals. She also plays the oboe and English horn with the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and Casco Bay Wind Symphony. Julia earned her degree in music education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/signed-into-law-kay-hagan-tick-reauthorization-act-authored-by-senator-collins,SIGNED INTO LAW: Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act Authored by Senator Collins,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ME,Susan M. Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,collins,https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, which she introduced with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), with Senator Angus King joining them as an original cosponsor, has been signed into law. Cases of Lyme disease have reached a new record level in Maine every year since 2022, with more than 4,200 cases reported statewide last year. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act confronts this growing public health threat by reauthorizing federal initiatives and programs to combat tick-borne diseases first established through the original Kay Hagan Tick Act, which Senators Collins and Smith led to passage in 2019. The Senators named their bill in honor of the late Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away in October of 2019 due to complications from the tick-borne disease known as the Powassan virus. “With Maine continuing to experience record levels of Lyme disease, we must continue working to address the growing threat posed by tick-borne diseases,” said Senator Collins. “The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act builds on the progress we have made in combatting these diseases since the original law was enacted and ensures this important work can continue across the country. I am grateful to Senator Smith for her partnership in this effort and to our colleagues in both chambers for working with us to move this important legislation across the finish line, and I am pleased to see it now signed into law.” Using a three-pronged approach, the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will: Reauthorize Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases through Fiscal Year 2030. These Centers have led the scientific response against tick-borne diseases, which now make up approximately 75 percent of vector-borne diseases in the U.S. There are four centers: at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of California–Davis, the University of Florida, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The authorization for the program under the Kay Hagan Tick Act expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Reauthorize CDC Grants to State Health Departments. These grants help departments improve data collection and analysis, support early detection and diagnosis, improve treatment, and raise awareness of vector-borne diseases. Reauthorizing these awards will help states continue building and maintaining a public health infrastructure for Lyme and other vector-borne diseases and amplify their initiatives through public-private partnerships. Since 2019, this funding has helped increase the number of health departments reporting tick-surveillance data from 6 to 44. Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue implementing and updating, as appropriate, its National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People. This strategy has been integral in expanding research into tick-borne diseases, improving testing and diagnostics, and coordinating efforts across the federal government. Since the original Kay Hagan Tick Act was signed into law in 2019, resources provided through the law have supported efforts to combat tick-borne diseases in Maine, including research at the MaineHealth Institute for Research connected to a clinical trial for a Lyme disease vaccine. The law has also provided funding for Maine CDC’s efforts to track and respond to vector-borne diseases. Senator Collins has also secured more than $6 million through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee for the University of Maine Tick Lab, which conducts tick surveillance and research and allows Mainers to submit ticks for pathogen testing. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act has been endorsed by the University of Maine Tick Lab, the Center for Lyme Action, and the Entomological Society of America. “The growing burden of ticks and tick-borne diseases requires attention at the federal, state, and local levels. Reauthorization of the Kay Hagan TICK Act helps maintain a national strategy for addressing these diseases and supporting the science, coordination, and public health capacity needed to respond effectively. We appreciate Senator Collins’ efforts to keep this issue before Congress and to recognize its importance to Maine and other heavily affected states,” said Griffin Dill, Director of the University of Maine Tick Lab. “The reauthorization of the Kay Hagan Tick Act is a landmark victory for the millions of Americans impacted by tick-borne diseases and a testament to what is possible when policymakers, patients, families, and advocates come together to address a growing public health crisis. We are deeply grateful to the bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate who championed this legislation and helped bring it across the finish line, and to the thousands of advocates across the country whose voices, persistence, and grassroots action made this historic achievement possible. We look forward to building on this momentum to deliver the research, prevention, diagnostics, and treatments that patients and families so urgently need. This legislation is a critical investment in our nation’s public health infrastructure and an important step toward finally turning the tide against these complex and devastating diseases,” said Meghan Bradshaw, MPH, Executive Director of the Center for Lyme Action. “On behalf of the Entomological Society of America, we are extremely appreciative of the support shown in the House and Senate for the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act and we thank Senator Collins for her continued leadership on this issue. Reauthorizing the CDC Regional Centers of Excellence (COE) in Vector-Borne Diseases and reinforcing support for the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant program will help protect communities across the country from the growing challenges posed by diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes through research, surveillance, management, and outreach,” said Dr. Melissa Siebert, the 2026 President of the Entomological Society of America. The complete text of the law can be read here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/remarks-senator-coons-celebrates-unanimous-passage-of-his-end-tax-penalties-on-american-hostages-act/,REMARKS: Senator Coons celebrates unanimous passage of his End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Christopher A. Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,coons,https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the Senate floor tonight ahead of the Senate’s passage by unanimous consent of his bipartisan legislation to protect Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad from facing fines and penalties for failing to pay taxes while in captivity. “It’s ridiculous that one of the first things an American hostage or wrongful detainee receives from the government when they return home from captivity is a tax bill,” said Senator Coons. “I’ve been working for years to fix this flaw in our tax code to ensure that Americans currently held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad don’t owe thousands of dollars to the IRS when we finally bring them home. I’m so glad that my colleagues have finally supported this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I hope the president signs it immediately to bring this cruel practice to an end.” The End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, led by Senator Coons and Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), was inspired by Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who was wrongfully detained by the Iranian government for 544 days in 2014. After returning home, Rezaian received a bill for over $20,000 in interest, fines, and other penalties related to tax payments that were due while he was imprisoned in Iran. The bill will prevent the IRS from imposing penalties and charging interest on tax payments that eligible Americans were unable to make while held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The bill will also provide relief for penalties already paid by certain former hostages and wrongful detainees who returned home in recent years. The IRS has previously made clear this tax issue could only be fixed through legislation. Senator Coons initially introduced this bill in December 2022. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed companion legislation introduced by Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.). A transcript and video of Senator Coons’ remarks on the Senate floor this evening as he sought unanimous consent are available below. WATCH HERE. Senator Coons: Mr. President, I wonder if you’ve heard the story of Jason Rezaian. Jason was a Washington Post reporter, an Iranian-American who was stationed in Tehran and reporting for the Washington Post on the goings-on of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2014, he was arrested by the secret police and disappeared. Months later, it was revealed that he was a political prisoner being held at a notorious prison inside Iran. Jason was ultimately detained for 544 days before he was released, which he recounted in his harrowing tale, “Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison.” When Jason returned to the United States at last, having been freed and returned to his family, what was the first thing he got from the U.S. government? A tax bill. A tax bill for $20,000 for late filing and late payment. Mr. Rezaian is a resourceful guy. He went to the IRS and said, “Hey, how can you charge me for late payment, penalties, and fees? I was in prison in Iran.” They said, “Well, how are we supposed to know that?” He said, “It was on the front page of the Washington Post.” They said, “Well, we can’t just forgive fees and fines for anybody who comes and talks to us.” They went through months and months of arguing back and forth, and he managed to get most of the fines and fees reduced, but not all. And so, after I met with him, now, years ago, I drafted and introduced the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. I bet you can guess what this bill does. There is a corollary, a companion in the House: the End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. And I’m grateful to Congresswoman Titus and Tenney of Nevada and New York for their co-sponsorship. It has passed the House unanimously. Tonight, Senator Rounds and I have an opportunity to ask for unanimous consent that we pass this legislation in the Senate and send it to President Trump’s desk. Incredibly, when we asked for the score on this bill, it’s positive, because the IRS insists on litigating these cases, and they almost always lose them. They waste staff time and money suing people who were hostages or prisoners overseas. This is simple. It’s common sense. It’s bipartisan, and it’s compassionate. I want to thank Senators Crapo and Wyden for allowing Senator Rounds and me to pull this bill out of their larger tax package and pass it by unanimous consent tonight. And I want to thank Senator Mike Rounds for being an early adopter, when I explained what happened to Jason Rezaian, he said, “We should pass that, and pass it right away.” Well, for better or worse, it’s taken years. But here we are tonight, on the verge of sending it to the president’s desk. And I cannot say how grateful I am for the chance to get this simple, clear, commonsense bill passed to help Americans who might tragically be held hostage or imprisoned wrongfully overseas.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-blunt-rochester-colleagues-demand-secretary-mullin-halt-2026-election-interfernece-efforts/,"Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, colleagues demand Secretary Mullin halt 2026 election interfernece efforts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,DE,Christopher A. Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,coons,https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and their Senate Democratic colleagues called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately halt the department’s efforts to assert federal control over the 2026 midterm elections and undermine public trust in them. The senators demanded information substantiating Secretary Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower. “We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote. In their letter, the senators raised concerns about Secretary Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states and criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data. The senators also objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded fiscal year 2025 funding and are threatening fiscal year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Secretary Mullin is putting Americans’ safety at risk as political leverage. The senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find non-citizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement. “According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the senators wrote. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.” The senators called on Secretary Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), and release all withheld funds to states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities. “The 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters,” the senators wrote. The full text of the letter is available here. Joining Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, Peters, Padilla, Durbin, and Schumer in sending the letter were Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-bills-to-bolster-american-geothermal-production-protect-the-energy-grid-clear-key-senate-hurdle/,"Cortez Masto Bills to Bolster American Geothermal Production, Protect the Energy Grid Clear Key Senate Hurdle",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** FTPs for TV stations is available here. Washington, D.C. – Today, two of U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) bipartisan bills, the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act and the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act(SECURE Grid Act), passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Next-generation geothermal technology uses the heat (100-400º+ C) from rocks several kilometers below the surface of the earth to produce electricity. The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would establish next-generation geothermal Research and Development Programs at the Department of Energy. The legislation now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. States must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) to receive funds from the State Energy Program. The SECURE Grid Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Murkowski and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), would require these state plans to account for additional grid threats – such as supply chain dynamics, weather-related threats and vulnerabilities, and the potential for physical grid attacks. The legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. “American energy security isn’t a partisan issue – it touches the lives of every American from Anchorage to Elko,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources took an important step toward unleashing geothermal energy and protecting our electric grids. I look forward to the Senate immediately passing these critical bills.” During today’s hearing, Senator Cortez Masto pushed Committee Chairman Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) to move forward with her Southern Nevada lands bill, Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-Nev.) Washoe County lands bill, and Congressman Mark Amodei’s (R-Nev.-02) Northern Nevada lands bill in November. Senator Cortez Masto has consistently led efforts in Congress to bolster American energy production and secure the electric grid. She has led bipartisan legislation to encourage the production of electric distribution transformers, devices that are critical to the energy grid; to secure America’s energy supply chain; to increase critical mineral production in the American West; and to bolster American hydroelectric power production. Cortez Masto has called on the Trump Administration to take strategic action to protect, invest in, and strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chain. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-statement-on-vote-against-h-r-9340/,Cortez Masto Statement on Vote Against H.R. 9340,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her vote against H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, led in the Senate by Jon Husted (R-Ohio). “I have the same concerns many Nevadans do about the influx of data centers in our communities. I believe that before any data center moves forward, it should have the support of the local community, should be built with union labor, should pay for necessary grid upgrades while prioritizing clean power, and it shouldn’t waste water or raise energy costs for residents. “In the Senate, there are a number of bills to protect American families from data center-related energy cost spikes, including Senator Heinrich’s GRID Savings Act, which I support. Senator Husted could have joined Democrats on legislation with real teeth that would force data centers to pay for grid upgrades and ensure costs aren’t passed along to the consumer. Instead, Republican leadership, in an election year stunt, chose to push forward on a bill with only voluntary, ineffective language that won’t hold anyone accountable.” Senator Cortez Masto is a cosponsor of Senator Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) GRID Savings Act. Instead of the Ratepayer Protection Act’s voluntary framework, the GRID Savings Act would require large load customers—like data centers—to pay for the facilities needed to connect them to the grid. Cortez Masto is also the cosponsor of legislation led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to demand more transparency from data centers by requiring them to clearly disclose their energy and water usage. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-cortez-masto-rounds-legislation-to-provide-tribal-courts-access-to-electronic-evidence/,"PASSED: Cortez Masto, Rounds Legislation to Provide Tribal Courts Access to Electronic Evidence",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Catherine Cortez Masto,C001113,www.cortezmasto.senate.gov,cortezmasto,https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to provide Tribal courts the same ability to issue warrants for electronic evidence like emails and social media messages as their non-Tribal counterparts. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. “Despite facing high rates of violence, Tribal communities are denied access to essential tools needed to solve crimes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It’s past time for Congress to eliminate this hurdle for Tribal law enforcement. I applaud the Senate passage of this legislation, and I urge my House colleagues to immediately send it to the President’s desk.” “It’s important that Tribal law enforcement is able to do their job as efficiently as possible,” said Senator Rounds. “Our legislation would give Tribal law enforcement another tool to crack down on illegal activity on their lands. Cutting out the red tape and allowing Tribal courts to access evidence on their own is a step in the right direction to making every community safer. I’m pleased that the Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act has passed the Senate and I look forward to continuing our work to get it signed into law.” The bipartisan Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act would amend current law to: include courts of federally recognized Tribes as “courts of competent jurisdiction” under the Stored Communications Act; require Tribal courts to adhere to warrant procedures described in the Indian Civil Rights Act to access electronic information; and recognize Tribes as a government entity under the federal statute. This bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the National Native American Bar Association, the National American Indian Court Judges Association, and the National Native American Law Enforcement Association. The full text of the legislation can be found here. The Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act is part of Senator Cortez Masto’s response to the 2023 Not Invisible Act Commission Report, which gave recommendations to lawmakers and the federal government to combat the MMIP crisis. The commission’s report was mandated by Cortez Masto’s bipartisan Not Invisible Act, which was signed into law in 2020. Following the report, Cortez Masto has pushed both her BADGES for Native Communities Act and her Tribal Warrant Fairness Act,both of which contain Tribal public safety measures endorsed by the commission. The Not Invisible Act Commission Report was removed from the Department of Justice website more than 960 days ago by the Trump administration and has not been restored. Beyond public safety, Cortez Masto has pushed to better health care, maintain voting rights, and deliver tax parity for Tribes. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-senators-to-blanche-investigate-communist-chinese-criminal-marijuana-organizations/,"Cotton, Senators to Blanche: Investigate Communist Chinese Criminal Marijuana Organizations",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,page_html,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tatum Wallace or Hannah McCarthy September 30, 2026 Cotton, Senators to Blanche: Investigate Communist Chinese Criminal Marijuana Organizations WASHINGTON—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting an investigation into Communist Chinese criminal organizations operating illegal cannabis and intoxicating-hemp enterprises that threaten the health and safety of Arkansans. In part, the Senators wrote: “We write requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the growing role of Chinese transnational criminal organizations in America’s cannabis and intoxicating-hemp markets. Recent reporting and investigations suggest Chinese criminal networks are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that threaten our communities and national security.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. September 30, 2026 The Honorable Todd Blanche Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Blanche: We write requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the growing role of Chinese transnational criminal organizations in America’s cannabis and intoxicating-hemp markets. Recent reporting and investigations suggest Chinese criminal networks are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that threaten our communities and national security. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment found that Chinese transnational criminal organizations dominate marijuana cultivation and distribution in the United States, especially in states with legal cannabis markets. These organizations purchase and lease American land for illegal grow operations, traffic foreign workers, and use toxic pesticides and fertilizers shipped from China, including chemicals banned in the United States. The scale and complexity of these networks make them difficult to track and raise concerns about what other illicit or synthetic products they may be introducing into the U.S. market. Last year, seven Chinese nationals were charged with running grow houses, smuggling workers from China, and laundering millions of dollars in proceeds. In April 2026, 29 Chinese nationals were charged in a nationwide black-market marijuana operation centered in Oklahoma. Most recently, local authorities in Siskiyou County, California detailed a sprawling system of industrial-scale illegal grows, many of which are run by Chinese nationals. The growers have been linked to human trafficking, violent crime, and toxic foreign pesticides. But their scale and a “shell game” of property records have complicated efforts to dismantle them. Congress has recognized the need to address vulnerabilities in this market, including closing gaps in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed unregulated intoxicating hemp and THC products to proliferate. These reforms are set to take effect on December 11, 2026. Leaving the loophole unaddressed would give these networks additional time to flood American commerce with synthetic products. This would also further entrench their operations on American soil, fund their enterprises with illicit revenue, and expose consumers to unregulated, dangerous synthetic products masquerading as legal hemp. While this will address harmful products currently in the market, questions remain about who is financing and supporting these organizations operating within the industry. We therefore request that the DOJ fully investigate these criminal networks, including their financing, land usage, chemical imports, and any connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-votes-to-ban-congressional-insider-trading-slams-democrats-hypocrisy/,"Cotton Votes to Ban Congressional Insider Trading, Slams Democrats’ Hypocrisy",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,page_html,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tatum Wallace or Hannah McCarthy September 30, 2026 Cotton Votes to Ban Congressional Insider Trading, Slams Democrats’ Hypocrisy WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after he voted in favor of the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would ban members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying stocks. He also condemned Democrats for opposing it despite their previous statements. “No one, especially members of Congress, should profit from insider information. I voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act to rid Congress of this corruption and ensure we all play by the same rules as every law-abiding Arkansan. The Democrats who blocked it went back on their word to protect their own wallets—they should be ashamed of themselves.” ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-hhs-announces-award-of-more-than-124-million-for-north-dakota,Sen. Cramer: HHS Announces Award of More Than $12.4 Million for North Dakota,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,www.cramer.senate.gov,cramer,https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $12,422,006 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program. The MFP program provides flexible funding opportunities to develop and test long-term strategies, tools and infrastructure needed to move eligible patients from institutional settings and into community-based settings.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-crack-down-on-atm-robberies,Sen. Cruz Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on ATM Robberies,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, issued the following statement after Senate passage of the Safe Access to Cash Act. This bipartisan legislation applies the same federal penalties to robberies involving off-site automatic teller machines (ATMs) as those that apply to robberies involving ATMs at financial institutions. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for passage. Sen. Cruz said, “In Texas and across the country, criminals are increasingly targeting ATMs, putting workers, bystanders, law enforcement, and first responders in danger. This common-sense legislation strengthens federal penalties to deter these criminals and disrupt the organized networks behind these robberies. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to pass this bipartisan bill through the Senate, and I urge the House to pass it and send it to the President’s desk.” Click here to read more about the bill. BACKGROUND: The Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934 currently applies to banks and financial institutions, but not to standalone ATMs in malls, convenience stores, or other public locations. Robbers and thieves are increasingly targeting ATMs, with theft rates rising dramatically each year since 2019. ATMs can be robbed in as little as three minutes and may hold as much as $250,000. Houston is currently tied with Chicago and Philadelphia as one of the cities facing serious ATM theft.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-blunt-rochester-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-give-families-greater-flexibility-with-529-savings,"Sens. Cruz, Blunt Rochester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Families Greater Flexibility with 529 Savings",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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 Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the 529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation eliminates the $35,000 lifetime cap on rollovers from 529 education savings accounts to Roth IRAs. Sen. Cruz said, “I have been committed throughout my Senate career to expanding 529 savings accounts to give parents increased flexibility to save and invest in their children’s future. The law currently penalizes families when their children receive a scholarship or choose an alternative to college, leaving education savings unused, which in turn serves as a disincentive to initially use these accounts. The bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act will give parents greater flexibility to roll over unused education funds into their children’s Roth IRAs, and I’m proud to introduce it.” Sen. Blunt Rochester said, “529 accounts can be incredibly useful in helping families prepare for higher education, but plans can change. A student may receive a scholarship, not use the full balance of their account, or simply choose a different path. Families should be able to preserve financial flexibility regardless of what their child’s education decisions are years down the road. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act to remove barriers to saving and give families greater peace of mind when investing in their children’s future.” This legislation is supported by the Investment Company Institute. Investment Company Institute Chief of Government Affairs and Public Policy Tom Quaadman said, “ICI applauds Sens. Cruz and Blunt Rochester for their commonsense legislation giving families greater financial flexibility and security. Families with unspent funds in a 529 plan should not be penalized because a student received a scholarship or pursued other options. The Cruz-Rochester bill permits unused education savings to be moved into a Roth IRA allowing young people to get started on their path to a secure financial future.” Read the bill text here. BACKGROUND:",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.daines.senate.gov/2026/09/30/daines-celebrates-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-hyde-amendment-every-life-born-and-unborn-is-valued/,"Daines Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Hyde Amendment: “Every Life, Born and Unborn, is Valued”",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,MT,Steve Daines,D000618,www.daines.senate.gov,daines,https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Sponsors Resolution Commemorating Hyde Amendment’s Legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Americans United for Life at their September 30th rally celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment. Originally enacted in 1976, this amendment has saved the lives of millions of unborn children and protected taxpayers from violating their conscience by funding elective abortions. Daines today also joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a resolution to recognize the Hyde Amendment’s legacy over the past 50 years. Read the resolution HERE. Watch Daines’ full remarks at the Americans United for Life rally HERE: Read Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery: Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment-one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in our nation’s history that defends the unborn and taxpayer conscience. The Hyde Amendment protects the constitutional right to religious liberty and affirms that federal funds cannot be used to fund abortions. A majority of Americans support this. And yet, pro-abortion advocates attempt to undermine Hyde daily. In their own 2024-2025 report, Planned Parenthood reported that they received $832 million in federal funds through Medicaid and Title X. This Medicaid funding was temporarily blocked for one year thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts and Jobs act, which I was proud to support. But one year has passed, and Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood has resumed again. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to reinstate this ban and make it permanent. We also need to educate the next generation about how dangerous the abortion pill is, for both babies and for the women who take it. This is the left’s next battleground, and we can’t let them win. The grassroots movement, from our AUL doorknockers to the church ministries to the pregnancy clinics, is critically important. Thank you to everyone here- you are true examples of what it means to fight for what’s right, even when it’s not easy. And most importantly, we need your prayers. Prayer is the most powerful tool that we have on our side. I’ll close with Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart.” I’m hopeful that one day, by the grace of God, abortion will be unthinkable and every preborn child will be protected by law. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-darline-graham-stands-up-for-life-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-hyde-amendment,Senator Darline Graham Stands Up for Life on the 50th Anniversary of Hyde Amendment,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SC,Darline Graham,G000608,www.dgraham.senate.gov,darlinegraham,https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) today joined her Senate colleagues in cosponsoring a resolution marking the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment becoming law. The resolution recognizes the significant legacy of the Hyde Amendment, which has been credited with saving more than 2.6 million lives since its enactment. “I’m proud to join my Senate colleagues in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment. The legacy that the Hyde Amendment created is one of hope and promise, with 2.6 million lives saved thanks to this legislation,” said Senator Darline Graham. Senator Darline Graham continued, “But the work did not stop 50 years ago, and it is not stopping today. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortions, and I will oppose any effort to do so.” Full text of the resolution can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-us-forces-withdraw-from-iraq-duckworth-calls-on-trump-to-end-his-illegal-war-in-iran,"As U.S. Forces Withdraw from Iraq, Duckworth Calls on Trump to End His Illegal War in Iran",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) who served in the Iraq War—issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that the United States has officially withdrawn our military forces from Iraq: “For an entire generation of combat Veterans, the weight of this moment as our nation withdraws U.S. forces from Iraq is hard to express. As a former Soldier who volunteered to serve in Iraq, I’m remembering the thousands of warfighters who never made it home and thinking of the heroes whose lives were forever changed because of the last time a President rashly sent our men and women into an unjustified war in the Middle East. “In 2004, I deployed to Iraq to fight in a war I did not support on the orders of a President I did not vote for. I didn’t believe our country should be there to begin with. I wanted to take the fight to our enemy harbored in Afghanistan who attacked us on 9/11. I was proud to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom anyway—because that’s what Soldiers do. When our nation calls, our servicemembers always answer. They do what’s asked of them, no matter the cost to their own lives. That kind of selflessness and commitment to the mission demands the highest level of consideration by our nation. We owe it to those brave enough to serve to ensure each mission is worth it before we ever even ask them to sacrifice. And as we withdraw our forces from Iraq, it is baffling that Donald Trump has learned nothing as he plunges our servicemembers further into another forever war in Iran. “I urge the President and Pete Hegseth to listen to myself and my fellow Iraq War Veterans who have seen firsthand the devastation of a needless forever war. We cannot repeat the same mistakes we made in Iraq. The stakes are too high to not make any attempt to evaluate the lessons learned before reaching for more conflict and destruction. With at least 22 lives lost and hundreds more wounded, it is as urgent and as prudent as ever that Trump brings an end to this disastrous war with Iran before any more lives are lost.” Duckworth is an Iraq War Veteran who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On November 12, 2004, her helicopter was hit by an RPG and Duckworth lost her legs and partial use of her right arm. She is a Purple Heart recipient and one of the first handful of Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. -30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-padilla-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-protect-regional-national-archives-facilities-from-closure,"Duckworth, Durbin, Padilla, Schiff Introduce Legislation To Protect Regional National Archives Facilities From Closure",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"The lawmakers introduced the legislation following the announced closure of Regional National Archives and Federal Records Centers in Chicago and San Bruno, California [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), today introduced the National Archives Protection Act, legislation that would require congressional approval before the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) can close or significantly restrict access to existing regional facilities. In June 2026, NARA announced plans to close its regional archive facilities and co-located Federal Records Centers (FRC) in Chicago and San Bruno, California, as well as relocate all temporary records from its Seattle facility. The decision has raised concerns from archivists, researchers and constituents about access to public records, many of which are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Chicago’s FRC houses more than 140,000 cubic feet of historical federal records from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, including federal court and naturalization records, immigration records, Native American and Bureau of Indian Affairs records, maritime records and other materials documenting the history of the Great Lakes region. The closure of Chicago’s FRC eliminates a regional access point serving six states, making it more difficult for Midwesterners and federal agencies to access the records that have yet to be digitized. “Our National Archives make it possible for families, researchers and communities across the Midwest to access records that tell the story of who we are and where we come from,” Duckworth said. “This Administration has already shown how willing it is to erase American stories, and closing regional facilities like Chicago’s Federal Records Center would put even more of our history out of reach. Congress must have a say to protect the public’s access to these critical records and ensure our history is not lost.” “Regional National Archives facilities, including Chicago’s Federal Record Center, ensure that Americans can access public and personal records without having to travel across the country. Closing these facilities without the oversight of Congress risks putting those records further out of reach for our communities,” Durbin said. “The National Archives Protection Act would ensure that these records, and the history they preserve, remain an accessible resource.” “Our National Archives are home to the immigration journeys, military service, and family histories of people across the West and the Pacific,” said Padilla. “Closing Federal Records Centers would cut researchers and communities off from our own past. I’m proud to work with Senator Durbin to maintain the public’s access to our nation’s historic documents.” “The administration is threatening access to historical and irreplaceable records, including closing down one facility in California that is home to countless photos and family heirlooms. Congress must exercise its oversight power to save decades of regional and national history,” said Schiff. U.S. Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Judy Chu (D-CA-28) and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) introduced companion legislation in the House earlier this year. -30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/09/30/2026/durbin-delivers-opening-statement-during-senate-judiciary-committee-nominations-hearing,Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"During his opening remarks, Durbin also reflected on yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement in which he outlined the extreme judicial nominees the Trump Administration has nominated, including the nominees before the Committee today. Today’s Committee hearing considered the nominations of: Lee Rudofsky, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; Robert Long, to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; Peter Mansfield, to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; and Jesus Osete, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. After commenting on today’s judicial nominees, Durbin reflected on yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Key Quotes: “President Trump has made it clear he believes judges appointed by him should be reliable votes for the MAGA agenda. He said, ‘it’s really OK for them to be loyal to the person that appointed them’… When judges don’t rule his way, President Trump attacks them, calling them ‘rogue judges that are criminals,’ and demanding that Republicans pass a ‘tough crime bill that…cracks down on rogue judges.’ He has repeatedly attacked his own Supreme Court appointees, most recently saying, ‘they are merely a shell of their original selves.’” “For President Trump, it’s not enough that a judicial nominee be a principled conservative. Nominees must now demonstrate fealty to him and his MAGA agenda. So, President Trump has resorted to nominating ideologically extreme nominees in some cases—regardless of whether they have the qualifications to serve as a lifetime appointee.” “Look no further than today’s panel. One of the nominees has only been out of law school for a decade and has been practicing for a grand total of seven years. Why should litigants have faith in these nominees that they’ll have the knowledge and expertise to adjudicate the cases? That is not a matter of concern to the President. He only cares if they will be loyal.” “That loyalty is particularly important to President Trump at a time when jurists nominated during the first Trump Administration have been ruling against this President, including dozens who have ruled against this Administration’s illegal mandatory immigration detention.” “And judges across the country, nominated by Presidents of both parties, have found the Trump Administration is repeatedly defying court orders. As Judge Patrick Schiltz—a George W. Bush appointee who clerked for Justice Scalia—found, ICE violated hundreds of court orders in Minnesota alone.” “In rare interviews earlier this month, Judge Schiltz and other judges spoke out about the ‘grave threat to the rule of law’ posed by this Administration’s attacks. Last week, Chairman Grassley chastised Judge Schiltz and others, claiming that they violated the judicial canons by granting these interviews. In fact, the Advisory Opinion that the Chairman cited specifically permits ‘the measured defense of judicial colleagues from illegitimate forms of criticism and attacks that risk undermining judicial independence or the rule of law.’… Judges don’t give up their First Amendment rights when they assume the bench, particularly when it comes to preserving the rule of law.” Durbin then spoke about yesterday’s hearing, in which former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the Committee. “I’d like a minute to reflect on yesterday’s hearing. We have been trying for a year to get Mr. Jack Smith, the Special Counsel, to appear before this Committee under oath…Since October of last year, we have been waiting for the chance. Yesterday was that moment. Mr. Smith came before us, took the oath, and submitted himself to questioning from both sides of the aisle for a lengthy period of time.” “What I found curious was the underlying charges which he was investigating—the instigation of the January 6 attack on the Capitol of the United States, as well as questioning the results of the 2020 election, together with the disposition of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Florida—was never raised on the Republican side of the aisle.” “Those substantive issues, which led to indictments, were not contested or questioned. Rather, it was Mr. Smith who was on trial for acting as a prosecutor in this case.” Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here. Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here. Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations. -30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-questions-judicial-nominees-about-protecting-americans-right-to-vote-during-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing,Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees About Protecting Americans’ Right To Vote During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Durbin questioned Judge Lee Philip Rudofsky and Jesus Osete about their views on the Voting Rights Act WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin began by questioning Lee Philip Rudofsky, nominated to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, about his view on the Voting Rights Act. “For 60 years, under the Voting Rights Act, individuals could bring [private] causes of action under that Act. I imagine the theory behind it, and I think I am right, is that that’s the only way for an individual to have a voice questioning government action which denies or limits a person’s right to vote. Is that your understanding?” Durbin asked. Judge Rudofsky replied that he believes that the Voting Rights Act did not write an express right of action. Despite precedent, Judge Rudofsky previously ruled in a 2022 case that the Voting Rights Act does not have an implied right of action, and as a result, he diluted the voting power of the Black Arkansans who brought the case. “In 2022, and you referred to the case, you presided over a case that challenged Arkansas’ House of Representatives redistricting map for diluting the voting power of Black Americans. In your own words, there was a ‘strong merits case that at least some of the districts…are unlawful under [Section] 2 of the Voting Rights Act.’ Yet, you claimed you could not reach the merits of the case and instead ruled that private citizens have no private right of action to enforce Section 2,” Durbin said. “For 60 years before your decision, courts recognized private plaintiffs, individuals for example, who may have lived in those districts that were being contested, were able to bring cases under Section 2 challenging the policies and practices that made it more difficult for people to vote. To the detriment of voters of color in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, a divided panel of the Eighth Circuit embraced your fringe reasoning. The Eighth Circuit is the only appeals court in the nation to adopt your extreme position. Even the conservative Fifth Circuit declined to stray from precedent. That means state and local politicians can now freely violate the voting rights of their constituents, knowing they will go unchallenged by private citizens and without a doubt be ignored by this Department of Justice,” Durbin continued. “As you reflect on the practical impact of denying to individuals, in all the states that I’ve mentioned, an opportunity to use the Voting Rights Act to assert the protection of their right to vote, do you have any misgivings about your ruling?” Durbin asked Judge Rudofsky. Despite harming Americans’ right to vote, Judge Rudofsky defended his ruling. Durbin replied, “I have to say that for 60 years, individuals could protect their own right to vote through the Voting Rights Act. Your position is a deviation from that precedent to the detriment of the voters and their rights in the future. I think that is significant.” Durbin then questioned Mr. Jesus Osete, who has been nominated to be a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri, about his efforts to weaken voting rights legislation, especially because he now serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Justice Department. Notably, in 2016, Mr. Osete authored an article entitled “Voter Suppression Rears Its Ugly Head,” in which he criticized the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder for opening the floodgates to voter suppression. “Now at the Justice Department, you have advocated to further change, and I believe, lessen the Voting Rights Act, building on the first major blow that came over a decade ago in Shelby County v. Holder. The Administration also continues to attack voting rights and undermine confidence in our elections, often under the guise of preventing voter fraud or ensuring so-called election integrity. Where do you stand today as a person working at the Justice Department, having made very clear in your statements in 2016 your feeling about voter suppression?” Durbin asked Mr. Osete. Mr. Osete distanced himself from his 2016 article, instead claiming that he has upheld the law while touting his efforts to defend voter ID laws. Durbin pushed back, “There is a genuine concern by many on my side of the aisle, and even some others that do not have a partisan identification, that there’s going to be an attempt to undermine the voting in the next election in November, just a few weeks away. At the Justice Department, can you give me your assurance that you have done nothing and will do nothing to inhibit the right of legal Americans to legitimately and fairly vote?” Mr. Osete said he will enforce voting rights laws. “When we hear from one of the assistant attorneys general that she’s going to send 1,000 observers into the [voting] precincts, what are we to make of that?” Durbin asked. Mr. Osete replied that these observers will ensure election laws are complied with. Notably, in 2022 while at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, Mr. Osete objected to the Biden Justice Department’s planned efforts to deploy officials to monitor Americans with Disabilities Act compliance on Election Day, claiming that their presence would be “disruptive” and “only undermine confidence in our elections and deter Missourians from casting their votes.” Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here. Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here. Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations. -30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-senate-rejecting-republican-messaging-bills,Durbin Statement On Senate Rejecting Republican Messaging Bills,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,IL,Richard J. Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,durbin,https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the Senate rejecting Republicans’ Ratepayer Protection Act and Stop Insider Trading Act: “In a last-minute gasp before the midterm election, Senate Republicans were hoping to pass a meaningless bill that does nothing to rein in data centers and a voter suppression bill masquerading as an inadequate congressional stock trading ban. Americans need real action, not Republican messaging.” -30-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/democrats-block-ernst-effort-to-protect-taxpayer-dollars-from-fraudsters,Democrats Block Ernst Effort to Protect Taxpayer Dollars from Fraudsters,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,ernst,https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Democrats blocked passage of Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) comprehensive, bipartisan anti-fraud package, that could have saved American taxpayers approximately $240 billion. Senator Ernst called on her colleagues to pass this critical legislation to prevent fraudsters from stealing $1.4 billion every single day, but Senate Democrats objected. Following the massive fraud schemes that were uncovered in Minnesota and Ohio, Ernst has been fighting to pass her bill that would recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars, and stop fraudsters. Yesterday, Ernst exposed a list of con artists who fraudulently billed government programs for over one billion dollars, highlighting that “if grift was a government agency, the Department of Fraud would be the fifth largest.” Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks here. Ernst’s full remarks as delivered: “Mr. President, while hardworking Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities, there’s one class of people who’ve never had it better: Fraudsters “Scammers are stealing more than $1.4 billion from taxpayers every day. “Yesterday, I released a list of con artists who each fraudulently billed government programs for ONE BILLION DOLLARS or more. “These billionaire bandits looted programs for the elderly, poor, disabled, and veterans to lavish themselves with million-dollar mansions, Rolex watches, expensive jewelry, and luxury cars. “One fraudster brags, ‘I had everything. I had houses, I had cars, I had watches.’ “He ripped off Medicare for over a decade before getting turned in, and says, ‘It’s just so easy. It’s unbelievable.’ “Based upon the numbers, he isn’t lying. “If grift was a government agency, the Department of Fraud would be the fifth largest. “The $521 billion going to fraud every year exceeds the individual annual budgets of the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation, Homeland Security, State, and Justice. “That’s right, folks, fraudsters are being better taken care of than our veterans and farmers. “Fraud is not a victimless crime, either. “In fact, it has far-reaching consequences. “We’ve learned taxpayer dollars stolen from U.S. Small Business Administration financed the assassination, yes, you heard it right, the assassination of Haiti’s president in 2021. “A team of Colombian mercenaries and their pistols, rifles, and tactical gear were all paid for with the support of $840,000 fraudulently obtained from the SBA. “The political instability resulting from the assassination forced hundreds of thousands of Haitians to flee their nation, taking refuge in the United States. “The Biden administration provided many of these migrants with food stamps and medical care, also paid for by Americans taxpayers. “The inability to safeguard small business assistance resulted in taxpayers footing the bills for both the crime and its consequences. “Many of these scams also involve identity theft that upend the lives of the unsuspecting Americans who then must suffer the consequences. “For example, the Medicare number of a woman in California was stolen by scammers who used it to fraudulently bill for hospice care. “When she sought physical therapy for an injury, Medicare denied her coverage because she was listed as dying in hospice. “Think about that. “The same government agency that wouldn’t provide her with the health care she was promised, approved and paid for bogus medical bills submitted by scammers using her information. “Medicare exists to ensure folks like her receive medically necessary care, not to make billionaires out of fraudsters. “Yet, the identities and personal information of more than one million Americans have been stolen by Medicare mobsters to file phony health care claims. “One illegal alien submitted at least $1.3 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers over just six months using stolen identities. “He laundered millions of the stolen tax dollars overseas to the Russian mob before some of his victims alerted Medicare that they were not receiving notices for care and items they did not receive prescribed by doctors they had not visited. “Another con artist orchestrated a billion-dollar fraud machine that used foreign call centers to submit bogus bills. “He treated programs meant to care for the elderly, veterans, and servicemembers like his own personal cash register. “From fake day care centers to phony small businesses, the examples are absolutely endless, but the public’s patience is not. “According to the latest Gallup poll, nine out of ten Americans say government corruption is widespread, that’s a record-high number. “I challenge you to find any other issue where Democrats, Republicans, and independents agree with each other more strongly. “We owe it to all Americans to stop the government grift. “My Protecting American Taxpayers Act would do just that by— “ Stopping government agencies from handing out quick cash with no questions asked; triggering automatic investigations when there are sudden and suspicious spikes in payment claims; banning convicted fraudsters from receiving taxpayer dollars; taking back the money that was already stolen; and sending those darn scammers to the slammer. “If enacted, this bill could save $240 billion. That’s ‘billion’ with a B, folks. “The choice is quite simple: Give the money to fraudsters or return it to taxpayers. “What would really be criminal is if the Senate left town today without passing this meaningful legislation to eliminate fraud.” ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-america-cant-hit-pause-on-ai-while-china-charges-ahead,Ernst: America Can’t Hit Pause on AI While China Charges Ahead,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,ernst,https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Disaster Management hearing, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) praised how Super Intelligence (SI), also known as artificial intelligence, helps keep Americans safe while acknowledging Congress’ responsibility to ensure proper guardrails are in place. Ernst questioned Kurt Gaudette on how Congress can better empower SI developers and companies to collaborate to ensure we can deter and respond to cyber-attacks, emphasizing that “AI has been so helpful in medical research and protecting our troops from drone swarms or missile attacks… so we need to keep moving forward. If we pause, we're not going to see China pause.” Watch Ernst’s questioning here. Background: The hearing followed President Trump’s signing of an executive order focused on incorporating “Super Intelligence” (SI) and recognizing the continued advancement of the technological frontier and the opportunities it presents for the American people. The hearing examined the growing risks posed by increasingly capable SI systems, including SI agents acting beyond their intended instructions and the potential for hostile actors to use SI to target critical infrastructure, strategic industries, and government agencies. The hearing featured testimony from: Chris Painter, President of the Model Evaluation and Threat Research Marius Hobbhahn, Co-Founder and CEO of Apollo Research Paul Ohm, Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center Kurt Gaudette, Senior Vice President of Intelligence and Services at Dragos, Inc. Daniel Kokotajlo, Executive Director of the AI Futures Project ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-leads-colleagues-in-letter-to-hud-urging-implementation-of-whole-home-repairs-law/,Fetterman Leads Colleagues in Letter to HUD Urging Implementation of Whole Home Repairs Law,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,PA,John Fetterman,F000479,www.fetterman.senate.gov,fetterman,https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) led his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner urging an establishment of a Whole Home Repairs program through the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (GA-5). “Almost 7 million Americans live in homes that are in need of significant repair, with deficiencies including leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and mold. This is an issue that disproportionately affects America’s seniors, many of whom would like to downsize but do not want to sell the home at a steep discount due to the updates required. As we saw in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s successful Whole Home Repairs program, providing grants for repairs allowed seniors to sell larger homes to growing families,” wrote the members of Congress. Pennsylvania’s program provided grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners and small landlords repair and weatherize their properties. The Pennsylvania program also supported training and pre-apprenticeship programs to create jobs and build a skilled workforce for the future. As the result of a bipartisan and bicameral effort, the Whole-Home Repairs Act was signed into law with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The Whole Home Repairs pilot program will provide renovation and repair grants to homeowners and small landlords. This will help ensure America’s aging homes do not fall out of the housing supply. “The language in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes you to operate a Whole Home Repairs program through 2031. We want to show the nation that repairing America’s crumbling homes is not a red or blue issue. Creating greater access to housing is an American issue. Any delays will mean millions of American families may never realize the benefit of this program. We were proud to help the Whole Home Repairs bill become law, and we stand ready to support you in making it a reality for Americans,” continued the members. Read the full text of the letter below and here. — Dear Secretary Turner, We write to urge you to establish a Whole Home Repairs program through the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. We were proud to vote for the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to improve access to affordable homeownership in America. This law includes our bill to create a Whole Home Repairs pilot program, which will provide renovation and repair grants to homeowners and ensure America’s aging homes do not fall out of the housing supply. Almost 7 million Americans live in homes that are in need of significant repair, with deficiencies including leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and mold. This is an issue that disproportionately affects America’s seniors, many of whom would like to downsize but do not want to sell the home at a steep discount due to the updates required. As we saw in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s successful Whole Home Repairs program, providing grants for repairs allowed seniors to sell larger homes to growing families. The language in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes you to operate a Whole Home Repairs program through 2031. We want to show the nation that repairing America’s crumbling homes is not a red or blue issue. Creating greater access to housing is an American issue. Any delays will mean millions of American families may never realize the benefit of this program. We were proud to help the Whole Home Repairs bill become law, and we stand ready to support you in making it a reality for Americans. Given the importance of establishing the Congressionally-authorized Whole Home Repairs program, we request a meeting with the Office of Lead Hazard Control for our staff to discuss how it plans to implement this program. Specifically, we want to discuss how it plans to utilize appropriated funds and manage streamlining and reporting requirements. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=04E803CD-846B-495D-834A-912862C7D273,Fischer Makes the Case for Golden Dome During Subcommittee Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, convened a hearing for an update on Golden Dome, the multi-layer missile defense system being developed for the United States. Click here to download video of Fischer’s opening remarks Watch the full hearing here The committee heard testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable David J. Trachtenberg, senior scholar, National Institute for Public Policy Dr. Thomas O. Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies Mr. David E. Mosher, director of National Security Analysis, Congressional Budget Office Fischer’s remarks as prepared: Good afternoon and welcome to our witnesses who are joining us to discuss outside perspectives on Golden Dome for America. Our homeland is not a sanctuary. Our adversaries are developing and fielding long-range capabilities specifically designed to challenge and evade the limited defenses currently deployed. These include cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and large drones – threats that fall below the threshold of a full nuclear attack, yet could still provide devastating damage to our ports, critical infrastructure, and military installations. We do not have an effective counter to these threats, and we cannot afford to remain complacent. Our adversaries must never believe that they can coerce us with the threat of a limited, conventional missile attack on the United States. Which is why this subcommittee has been clear for years – on a bipartisan basis – that the United States needs a more comprehensive integrated air and missile defense system. This administration has supercharged these efforts. The Department [of War] is finally prioritizing homeland defense, has requested the resources needed to rapidly develop and field new systems, and has granted General Guetlein with all the authorities necessary to realize this vision as the Direct Reporting Program Manager for Golden Dome for America. I greatly appreciate General Guetlein’s close communication with this committee, and I’m confident that he’s building out an architecture that will provide the United States with much better coverage against a greater variety of threats. He’s committed to working with industry to lower costs, explore innovative ideas, and deliver capability as quickly as possible. Golden Dome completed its first successful test in June, and I look forward to hearing about future tests when our committee will be formally briefed in November. Most of the details of the architecture are highly classified, and rightly so. We do not want our adversaries to know the exact contours of Golden Dome. Unfortunately, keeping these details from the public has led to irresponsible speculation - often based on false assumptions - about what Golden Dome will look like and what it will cost the taxpayer. Mr. Mosher, I understand that CBO’s [Congressional Budget Office] cost estimate released earlier this year was underpinned by assumptions CBO made based solely on the limited language from President Trump’s Executive Order and does not reflect any of General Guetlein’s subsequent decisions about the overall program architecture, his engagements with industry to lower ‘cost-per-shot’, or how he plans to sequence the introduction of capability over time and leverage emerging technologies. I look forward to continued engagements with CBO on more informed analyses in the future. However, there is plenty we can talk about in this setting, and I look forward to hearing from the expert witnesses today about their views on what the Department should prioritize in Golden Dome.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=A1EB5405-40F1-49AE-851F-5003A62FE92B,Fischer Votes to Protect Consumers from Data Center Energy Costs,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill introduced by Senator Jon Husted (R-OH), to create a federal standard for data centers to cover the cost of energy generation and transmission and keep local ratepayers from facing increased energy costs. Fischer is a cosponsor of the legislation. “We’ve heard concerns from Americans across the country about the impact data centers could have on their energy bills,” Fischer said. “Senator Husted has worked hard to address this, but Senate Democrats put politics over a real solution. I was proud to cosponsor and support the bill, and I remain hopeful we can still get it to President Trump’s desk.” The Ratepayer Protection Act overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 16, 2026, by a vote of 417-3. The legislation creates a standard that states can consider when connecting new large-load data centers or hyperscalers with 100 megawatts or more of peak demand at a single facility. This standard is based on three provisions: Large-load data centers should cover the full, incremental cost of any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrades they require. If a data center needs a new high-voltage line or a new generating station to meet its load, they alone should be responsible for those costs. Contracts between large-load data centers and utilities should include meaningful financial assurances to prevent overbuilding or stranding assets that would otherwise force everyday customers to absorb the cost. Many of the infrastructure upgrades they require last for decades, so communities should not be left paying for infrastructure built for a single customer who later scales back or relocates. States retain full flexibility to design the specific standards and agreements that work best for them. The bill does not impose a federal mandate; instead, it provides a thoughtful federal standard for states to consider as they evaluate how best to connect these very large loads. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=F009CCC4-54CB-4E3E-AFA9-CF591BD66562,Fischer Votes for Ricketts’ Stop Insider Trading Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Bill includes SAVE America Act provision requiring photo ID to vote WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, introduced by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and cosponsored by Fischer, to prohibit Members of Congress from purchasing publicly traded stocks. It also includes a provision of the SAVE America Act requiring photo identification to vote. “Senator Ricketts has tackled insider trading to rebuild public trust and make sure Congress plays by the rules,” Fischer said. “I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this bill. Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, rallied Senate Democrats against it despite claiming to oppose insider trading and support photo ID to vote. It’s disappointing Senate Democrats refused to support this commonsense bill.” The Stop Insider Trading Act prohibits Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing any new stocks in publicly traded companies. It also requires public notice at least seven days, but no more than 14 days, in advance of any sell. The bill establishes a penalty of $2,000 or 10 percent of the investment value, whichever is greater, as well as the forfeiture of any net gain realized from any sale. The Stop Insider Trading Act was introduced in March of this year and is companion legislation to House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil’s legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in January of this year. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-question-president-trump-on-invitation-of-vladimir-putin-to-g20-on-american-soil/,"Gallego, Colleagues Question President Trump on Invitation of Vladimir Putin to G20 on American Soil",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Ruben Gallego,G000574,www.gallego.senate.gov,gallego,https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined a bipartisan group of 13 senators in sending a letter to President Trump inquiring about the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of Twenty (G20) Leader’s Summit in Miami, Florida this coming December. In the letter, the senators question why Vladimir Putin, who has committed atrocities against the people of Ukraine and silenced his own people, has been welcomed with open arms to participate in a G20 meeting on American soil. This comes at a time when the Russian government is ramping up its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and continues to target Americans in Ukraine and around the world. The senators make clear that President Putin should not be permitted to take part in G20 events or other similar international forums in the United States and request for Putin nor any sanctioned Russian officials be permitted at upcoming G20 events. “President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day,” wrote the senators. “This invitation also comes at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear. Numerous public reports have indicated that Russia is helping Iran’s military target American service members in the Middle East. Russia has also increased its hybrid warfare activities throughout Europe in recent months while simultaneously conducting deadly aerial attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure,” continued the senators. “The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks. We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable. However, if President Putin and his government are not isolated on the international stage, what incentive does Russia have to agree to a ceasefire?” concluded the senators. In addition to Senator Gallego, the letter was signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), and Alan Armstrong (R-OK).",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-introduces-bill-to-protect-americans-data-from-big-tech-and-ai-companies/,Gillibrand Introduces Bill To Protect Americans’ Data From Big Tech And AI Companies,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) reintroduced the Data Protection Act. This legislation would create a new independent federal agency to protect Americans’ data, ensure fair data practices, and help the government adapt to rapidly evolving digital technologies. “As AI continues to evolve, it is more important than ever that we take action to crack down on tech companies that misuse Americans’ data,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Currently, Big Tech companies are free to sell individuals’ data to the highest bidder without fear of real consequences, posing a severe threat to privacy and civil rights. My bill would create an independent federal agency to protect data and privacy, equipped with the resources to give Americans the meaningful protection they deserve.” Data privacy is a growing concern in the United States. In 2025 alone, more than 3,300 data breaches exposed over 278 million individuals’ personal information. About 89 percent of Americans are concerned that their data is being accessed and used inappropriately. Additionally, the U.S. is one of few democracies in the world that lacks a data protection agency. Senator Gillibrand’s Data Protection Act would create such an agency, strengthening the federal government’s ability to protect Americans’ data and bringing the U.S. in line with peer nations. Specifically, the Data Protection Act would: Limit the collection, use, and sharing of personal data; Oversee high-risk data practices, ensure that data processing and algorithms are fair, and minimize the collection of data for commercial purposes; Examine the social, ethical, economic, and civil rights impacts of data collection practices; Maintain a publicly accessible list of data aggregators that collect, process, or share data; Enforce privacy statutes and rules as authorized by Congress, with a broad range of tools including civil penalties, injunctive relief, and equitable remedies; Develop model privacy and data protection standards, guidelines, and policies for use by the private sector and government agencies, and; Advise Congress on emerging privacy and technology issues. This legislation is endorsed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Consumer Federation of America, Fairplay, Consumer Action, and National Association of Consumer Advocates. “The United States has been ensnared in a data privacy crisis for decades, and putting an end to it will take significant action from Congress,” said Kara Williams, Counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. “EPIC is proud to endorse Sen. Gillibrand’s Data Protection Act, which would establish a federal data protection agency that would focus exclusively on protecting privacy—a crucial first step to ending the mass overcollection and exploitation of Americans’ personal data.” “With an increase in surveillance of every corner of life online and off, the need for a strong and clear privacy law with teeth has never been more urgent,” said Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy of the Consumer Federation of America. “The Data Protection Act is straightforward, administrable, and what we need right now.” “Commercial surveillance has become Silicon Valley’s economic operating system, yet the United States is the only major industrialized country without a dedicated data protection agency to rein in harmful data practices,” said Asad Ramzanali, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Technology Policy at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator. “This void leaves Americans exposed and the government underequipped to respond. We’ve long needed a well-staffed watchdog with real authority to enforce privacy rights and hold companies accountable.” “Consumers need an agency that makes data protection its priority. Senator Gillibrand’s plan to create a Data Protection Agency is the right step to ensure that companies use individuals’ data fairly, responsibly and with accountability,” said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Action. “Data centers in the U.S. are vulnerable to attack, and as a country we need to do a much better job with data security. That’s why the U.S. needs a data protection agency,” said Bruce Schneier, Fellow and Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School. The full text of the Data Protection Act can be found here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/watch-gillibrand-demands-enabler-hegseth-resign-after-dismissing-uss-lincoln-suicide-attempts-politically-motivated-firings/,"Watch: Gillibrand Demands “Enabler” Hegseth Resign After Dismissing USS Lincoln Suicide Attempts, Politically Motivated Firings",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NY,Kirsten E. Gillibrand,G000555,www.gillibrand.senate.gov,gillibrand,https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Gillibrand: “This Is A Secretary Of Defense Who Does Not Know How To Lead Our Country Productively To Keep Americans Safer.” ***Watch Senator Gillibrand’s Full Interview Here*** Today, in an interview on CNN’s The Situation Room, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s immediate resignation following recent revelations that 8 sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had attempted suicide and that Hegseth plans to cut the number of generals and admirals in the military by 20%. Gillibrand also continued to demand immediate passage of her bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) in light of the allegations in the Cornell University fraternity rape case. The legislation would hold campuses accountable, create a fair process for students, and ensure victims have access to a dedicated advocate to assist in navigating the adjudication process. Footage of Senator Gillibrand’s interview with Pamela Brown can be found here. Transcripts of key moments can be found below: ON HEGSETH’S INABILITY TO STAND UP TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ENSURE OUR MILITARY KEEPS AMERICANS SAFE: GILLIBRAND: This administration and Pete Hegseth want $1.5 trillion for the military, showing that they want unlimited money for bombs. They have plenty of money for billionaires and ballrooms, but yet not sufficient money for regular people who are working hard for food, for housing, and for healthcare. It’s just deeply demoralizing, the direction the secretary is taking. BROWN: And you believe he should resign. Is that right? GILLIBRAND: I’ve called on him to resign many times over almost all of these issues. Most recently, over the hitting of a girls’ school in Iran, the fact that he continues to prosecute a war that the American people have not had a chance to even support. There’s been no congressional approval. And again, asking for unlimited money for his bombs, waging this war when this administration refuses to fund things like Medicaid. BROWN: But isn’t – in terms of the war itself, it’s more up to President Trump, right? As the commander-in-chief, and getting that sign-off, right? GILLIBRAND: President Trump is bringing this country in the wrong direction on all these issues, but Secretary Hegseth is an enabler, and he is unwilling to do his job as the Secretary of Defense to prosecute wars properly, to have civilian harm reduction as part of his military services. He’s firing people not based on qualifications, but how they look, the color of their skin. These are all red flags that this is a secretary of defense who does not know how to lead our country productively to keep Americans safer. ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP THAT FORCED SERVICE MEMBERS IN THE USS LINCOLN STRIKE GROUP TO SERVE IN DISMAL CONDITIONS: BROWN: You’re also calling for congressional hearings after the Navy confirmed to you in a letter that eight sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln fleet – we should note there you have the carrier and then you have the fleet – that there were attempted suicides. So, what more have you learned about the conditions on board? Not just the carrier itself, which I was an embed on for three days back in July, but also just the other warships around it, where there were attempted suicides as well. GILLIBRAND: Well, this goes to the lack of leadership of Secretary Hegseth again, and ultimately President Trump, deploying our service members for months upon months, far longer than they expected, not giving them the dwell time, the time at home that they need to recuperate and be ready to continue to go back into combat over and over again. We wrote a letter asking what is the status and well-being of the service members that are deployed, and the answer we got was shocking. Eight people have attempted suicide on these warships. Two threw themselves overboard, which, according to experts, is the most extreme scenario you can imagine being a sailor on a warship. And so I have serious questions about how Secretary Hegseth is leading this military and, ultimately, President Trump. ON THE SERIOUS AND HORRIFIC ALLEGATIONS IN THE CORNELL RAPE CASE AND THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION LIKE THE CAMPUS ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFETY ACT TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS: BROWN: I want to turn to another issue, and that is this Cornell rape civil suit that is getting a lot of attention. You have called the allegations “serious and horrific.” You and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley have introduced legislation to combat sexual assault on college campuses, but that bill was never passed. What role can Congress play here? GILLIBRAND: Well, we should pass our legislation immediately. What it does is create rules of the road so that every student is protected on campus. We have to make sure that there’s a person who’s highly trained to receive these allegations in the first instance to tell a survivor what his or her rights are, what opportunity she has to report either through a civilian system, through a college system, or through a criminal system. She or he is given just the basic tools of advocacy about what’s going to happen to their lives and whether the school will provide accommodations. And then you need a process that is a highly informed process, that is legitimate, and doesn’t pit one student against another unfairly in a circumstance that doesn’t actually resolve to justice. And so we need reform on all of these college campuses. It’s not right that kids go off to school and are not safe. It’s not right that what happened in this instance doesn’t appear to have been assessed properly. So I’m grateful that the DA is looking at it again. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-washington-watch-to-recap-arctic-frost-oversight,ICYMI: Grassley Joins “Washington Watch” to Recap Arctic Frost Oversight,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to discuss Jack Smith’s sweeping Arctic Frost investigation and the new revelations Grassley exposed during yesterday’s oversight hearing. “There's no justification for what Smith did. Not only was he after Trump, but we found out through all the hundreds, or I should say, thousands of pages of documents that we received... that he was after the Republican Party,” Grassley said. Listen to the full interview HERE. Excerpts follow. On revelations from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: ""Well, I think everything [Smith] said was justification for his effort to put Trump in prison, and there's no justification for what Smith did. Not only was he after Trump, but we found out through all the hundreds, or I should say, thousands of pages of documents that we received – which includes text and email and everything you could think of – that he was after the Republican Party. “There was no reason for [Smith] to get the records of 44 members of Congress, and I was one of those included. And it's a violation of the constitutional right of what we call the “Speech and Debate Clause.” And they even sought communications from roughly 50 journalists and their organizations to government sources, and private checks. Can you imagine getting financial contributions from 4,782 Americans, including 42 Iowans? So, their privacy is violated by the FBI having in their files the addresses, the check numbers, everything personal about these 42 Iowans or [4,782] Americans. “So, you can see, it was a sweep of about 400 Republican organizations [and] 44 members of Congress. And...January 6th – that was just an excuse. It was just a pretext for everything else they wanted to do. ""[Jack Smith’s team was] making a case to know all they could about the Republicans, and what [they could] do to destroy the Republicans. And yet, through all this process, there was only one indictment, and that was Trump. And that was their goal: to put him in prison so he couldn’t ever run for president again."" On the origins of Arctic Frost at the Biden FBI: “And one thing that I don't want you to forget – Jack Smith was not really the start of this. This goes way back to people within the FBI that just hated Trump. And they did all sorts of shenanigans to present a platform for Smith to take off from.” On congressional oversight and whistleblower retaliation: ""[Congress has a] constitutional responsibility to not only pass laws and appropriate money, but to make sure that the executive branch faithfully executes those laws, and that's the legislative branch's responsibility. You don't just pass a law and then say, “Forget about it.” You’ve got to make sure the president does his job, and that's true whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. “And you know...we get a lot of information from whistleblowers. In fact, Smith could not have known that we had these documents, because we got most of this stuff from the whistleblowers. We even got some grand jury information that we would have never otherwise gotten. And Smith [and] his team retaliated against whistleblowers. So, consequently, you can see how far they go. “We had an instance in which somebody on [Smith’s] team went to the Department of Justice Inspector General and said, ""You’ve got to investigate these whistleblowers.” Just think what a chilling effect that has on whistleblowing. And if you have a chilling effect on whistleblowing, you aren't going to get the information that Chuck Grassley needs to make sure that the president of the United States, whether he's a Republican or Democrat, faithfully executes the laws.” ”[W]hat we need to do is to have congressional oversight that exposes the wrongdoings of people like Smith or the FBI being weaponized against Trump and a few people in the FBI [who] hate Trump. They may not be there now, but they were there enough to create all the basis for Smith to move ahead. ""I've been [exposing] the truth, and...I think it proves that you can't rely on the Democrats running the government in a responsible way.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/video-grassley-blasts-democrats-for-blocking-legislation-to-protect-families-from-data-center-energy-costs,VIDEO: Grassley Blasts Democrats for Blocking Legislation to Protect Families from Data Center Energy Costs,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Click HERE for broadcast quality video. WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) blasted Senate Democrats for blocking overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation that would protect Americans from energy costs associated with data centers. Grassley is a cosponsor of Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) Ratepayer Protection Act, which builds on President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge signed by major tech and AI companies. The legislation encourages data centers to bring, buy or build their own energy without passing costs onto the community. This month, the House of Representatives approved the legislation with nearly unanimous, bipartisan support by a vote of 417-3. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) voted for the legislation. On Wednesday, the White House announced its support for the legislation. Iowa is home to some of the cheapest, cleanest and most predictable energy sources in the country, in part due to renewable energy and the long-standing partnership between Iowa’s utility companies and data center companies. Video and a transcript of Grassley's remarks are below. Broadcast quality video can be found HERE. VIDEO Many Iowans have asked me about data centers and their impact on energy costs. Republicans are taking action to protect Iowans from energy costs associated with data centers, all while supporting economic growth. Representatives Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Nunn, and Feenstra voted in the House of Representatives to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require data centers to foot the bill for their own energy. Iowans shouldn’t pay the price for data centers’ energy needs. So, we have this bill, the Ratepayer Protection Act that would [support ensuring] that the homeowners don’t pay for the electricity that data centers use. Now, Democrats are against this bill, seemingly. They don’t get that common sense that this bill predicts. In fact, Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked this bill that will lower energy costs for all Americans. Republicans will keep working to unleash American energy while bringing costs down for all Iowans.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2026/09/30/hagerty-advocates-for-the-ratepayer-protection-act/,Hagerty Advocates for the Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TN,Bill Hagerty,H000601,www.hagerty.senate.gov,hagerty,https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"The bill passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 417-3 WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) spoke on the Senate floor, imploring his colleagues to vote in favor of the Ratepayer Protection Act. The legislation is aimed at protecting consumers from taking on the increased energy costs associated with data centers and holding data center companies accountable for responsible investment. *Click the photo above or click here to watch* Remarks as prepared for delivery: “America is undergoing technological advancement at unprecedented speed. As we push new frontiers in this era of superintelligence, innovation can have a tremendously positive impact on our society and our nation’s competitiveness. At the same time, we find ourselves neck-and-neck with adversaries racing to harness this technology for their own purposes. It’s crucial that we keep up the pace, particularly regarding the development of large language models and computing power heretofore unseen. Our objective is clear: the United States must remain at the leading edge. To do so, we need more energy. Conversations are taking place across the United States about how we will meet the increased energy demands to power superintelligence. My overarching concern is that we do so responsibly and with local community needs in mind. Companies at the frontier of this emerging technology have the resources to pay for the infrastructure and costs associated to run these facilities. Importantly, the costs should not be borne by American families and small businesses. My colleague from Ohio has worked incredibly hard to get this bill across the finish line and deliver basic protections for the American people. The public is overwhelmingly in favor of the protections it would provide. Many states have already embraced it, including my home state of Tennessee. Tennessee adopted President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge while preserving the ability of local communities to make decisions about data center development. The communities that have chosen to welcome innovation have seen incredibly positive impacts: more jobs; new investment; and an increase in their tax base that can allow a range of options from lower property taxes to greater investment in local public resources. Importantly, we’re doing so while ensuring that the massive energy demands of data centers aren’t passed along to Tennessee families and small businesses. What is the only thing standing in the way of enacting these protections? My colleagues on the other side of the aisle. In the House, the Ratepayer Protection Pledge passed on an overwhelming bipartisan basis with a vote of 417-3. You almost never see this level of consensus in Washington. And yet, last week, Senate Democrats blocked it from passage right here on the Senate floor. Unbelievable. Instead of comprehensive measures that put the decision-making power in the hands of state and local communities, my colleagues across the aisle want Washington to decide, making sweeping decisions for our nation without input from the towns and cities it would directly impact. I cannot stress this enough: removing local choice and imposing blanket data center moratoriums are not the answer to responsible innovation. In fact, they are precisely what will kill innovation and put America underwater in the technological race against our adversaries. When it comes to investing in this new frontier, communities should be in the driver’s seat. Localities should be able to decide when, where, and whether they should permit these facilities—especially when they have so much to gain from the investment. We have seen a massive amount of misinformation circulating about data centers—their costs, their energy consumption, their water usage, and their noise levels. The truth is we can find solutions to the concerns of Tennesseans and Americans while putting the United States in the best possible position to succeed. We need to speak out against these false claims, put a stop to the fearmongering that is jeopardizing America’s opportunity to lead in a critical area for our economy and national security, and clearly communicate the advantages that communities can have when they embrace American energy, and American technological ingenuity, all while protecting—and even bettering—the lives of Americans. It’s time to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act. But here we are in an election season. Fearmongering has taken precedence over responsible and thoughtful action. False claims abound while America’s technology leadership hangs in the balance. We should move responsibly, protect American communities, and support our nation’s economic and national security. The House of Representatives seized the opportunity. It’s time for the Senate to set partisan politics aside and pass the Rate Payer Protection Act.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-to-introduce-stop-flock-abuse-act-establishing-safeguards-for-ai-powered-cameras/,"Hawley to Introduce Stop Flock Abuse Act, Establishing Safeguards for AI-Powered Cameras",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce the Stop Flock Abuse Act to establish basic safeguards for AI-powered cameras to ensure these nationwide surveillance networks protect Americans’ constitutional rights. This bill comes after Senator Hawley launched an investigation into AI-powered surveillance cameras and chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing on Flock cameras and the threat they pose to privacy and national security. Though their CEO declined to testify at the hearing, Flock Safety did provide some answers in a written letter to Senator Hawley, agreeing that Congress needs to create a federal framework to regulate this technology. Flock also admitted to instituting some guardrails on their products after coming under public scrutiny. “AI-powered cameras produced by Flock and its competitors are tracking and creating digital footprints of everyday Americans — a nightmare for individual liberties unless Congress enacts meaningful rules and accountability. Last week, my hearing on Flock brought to light the threat that these AI-powered cameras pose to national security and the privacy of everyday Americans,” said Senator Hawley. “That’s why I’m introducing the Stop Flock Abuse Act to establish basic safeguards for AI-powered cameras and protect Americans’ fundamental constitutional rights. Law-abiding Americans should not be treated like criminals.” The Stop Flock Abuse Act would establish the following commonsense guardrails:",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/fact-sheet-heinrich-outlines-how-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-will-deliver-cheaper-energy-more-jobs-and-responsible-growth,"FACT SHEET: Heinrich Outlines How Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, and Responsible Growth",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a new fact sheet outlining key provisions of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, legislation that he unveiled with U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The landmark legislation will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States. Text of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act can be found here. Heinrich’s press release announcing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act can be found here. Heinrich’s fact sheet can be found here and below. Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will deliver cheaper energy, good-paying jobs, and responsible growth, while protecting important environmental review and historic preservation processes. Cheaper Energy As demand increases, America needs more electricity, and we need it cheaper and faster. This deal will increase supply, expand the grid, and drive costs down for families and businesses. Builds more transmission, faster by strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) “backstop” siting authority — giving the federal government more authority to approve major interstate power lines – and allowing transmission applications to be processed simultaneously with state reviews, helping needed projects move through permitting faster. Gets more energy onto the grid by: Requiring regional and interregional transmission planning that accounts for where new transmission is needed and plans ahead for future electricity demand, helping to get more electricity to the places that need it and putting downward pressure on electricity costs. Requiring grid-enhancing technologies and automated systems to speed up the process of connecting new energy projects to the grid and making better use of the grid we already have, increasing the supply available to consumers. Requiring wholesale electricity markets to allow distributed generation sources and virtual power plants to participate, helping meet growing demand with more available supply. Forces data centers pay their fair share by requiring data centers to pay for all of their associated transmission costs, rather than relying on a voluntary structure, preventing costs from being passed on to American families or small businesses. Good-Paying Jobs America has enormous energy and infrastructure needs, but we cannot create the jobs that come with building those projects if projects spend decades stuck in the permitting process. Creates jobs across the energy supply chain by boosting the build out of more transmission, clean energy, supply manufacturing, and other grid infrastructure. Creates greater certainty for projects permitted and financed across administrations by prohibiting any administration from delaying or blocking permitting of a class of energy projects – meaning no administration can block all solar, wind, or other class of energy project permits without facing legal action and fines. Responsible Growth Getting to a “yes” or “no” on permitting faster does not mean eliminating environmental protections, Tribal consultation, or the ability to challenge projects in court. This deal keeps important safeguards in place, while creating clear timelines and rules for permitting projects. Sets clear deadlines for environmental reviews — including a two-year deadline for Environmental Impact Statement reviews and a one-year deadline for Environmental Assessment reviews, with consequences for agencies that miss those deadlines. That means environmental reviews still happen, but not indefinitely. Establishes a new National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultation process that runs alongside National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews with a defined time limit, securing a statutory role for Tribes in determining how projects affect historic and cultural resources and protecting Tribes’ rights to formally consult during the processes — two things the Section 106 reforms attempted to eliminate. Limits the types of impacts that projects are required to mitigate, creating clearer boundaries around which effects a project must mitigate or minimize. Sets clear limitations on when and how a project may be legally challenged. Sets a 150-day deadline for legal challenges under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), NEPA, and NHPA. Generally limits who can bring a legal challenge to people or groups that participated in the relevant comment period or Tribal consultation process. Limits when a court can temporarily stop a project from moving forward, while preserving the existing ability to seek that relief under the Administrative Procedures Act. Allows states to handle endangered species consultations if they have demonstrated staffing, expertise, and resource capacity to do so. Clarifies the limits on state water-quality reviews (under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act) by limiting state certifications to water pollution directly caused by a specific source for gas pipelines and transmission lines and prohibiting use of the process to address unrelated issues. Prevents the federal government from changing the rules after the fact for certain wetlands and waterwaysby stopping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from preemptively or retroactively removing areas of land from the federal water-quality certification process.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lee-capito-and-whitehouse-introduce-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-of-2026,"Heinrich, Lee, Capito, and Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform the federal environmental review and permitting process. This groundbreaking agreement will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides certainty that permitted energy and infrastructure projects will retain their permits absent extraordinary circumstances, violations of law, or court order, as well as targeted reforms for various energy projects. This legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and from a diverse group of stakeholders. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act also forces data centers to pay their fair share by requiring them to pay for all of their associated transmission costs. “America is entering a new era of energy demand. We have an enormous opportunity to build big things again to meet this moment – to build more generation, expand our grid, create more jobs, lower energy costs, and make sure we have the energy we need to compete. It should not take decades to build the infrastructure our country needs,” said Heinrich. “Our Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will help us get to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on energy projects faster, while protecting important environmental safeguards and protecting the ability of Tribes to formally consult during these processes. It will mean more energy on the grid, more good-paying jobs, and lower electricity costs for families and businesses. And as data centers drive demand for more power, it will ensure they pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require – not leave that bill to American families. Our bill puts teeth behind that principle.” “We once built projects like the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building in years, not decades,” said Lee. “America still has the resources and the talent, but what too often stands in the way is a permitting system that takes too long and costs too much. After years of work in Congress and many months of negotiations, I’m proud we’ve reached a bipartisan agreement to fix this broken process and get America back to building.” “For far too long, our broken and outdated federal environmental review and permitting processes have stood in the way of energy reliability, secure jobs, modern infrastructure, and economic growth. The bipartisan reforms we secured in this deal will transform our nation’s ability to power our economy and fuel future growth, while continuing to protect the land, water, and wildlife we all cherish. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and the House, and President Trump to get this essential legislation signed into law so we can build the infrastructure America needs to grow and thrive,” said Capito. “The American people want lower energy bills, and they want more clean energy. Our permitting reform plan gets us a long way toward both of those goals. If we can pass this bill, we will flood the grid with clean, affordable energy and make data centers start paying their fair share,” said Whitehouse. “Like all major pieces of bipartisan legislation, this bill is a compromise. We believe it is a compromise that will result in a brighter, cleaner, more affordable future.” The bill text is available here.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-vote-against-husted-backed-bill-that-fails-to-make-data-centers-pay-for-grid-upgrades,Heinrich Statement on Vote Against Husted-Backed Bill that Fails to Make Data Centers Pay for Grid Upgrades,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after voting against advancing U.S. Senator Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation that fails to make AI data centers to pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require – burdening American families with higher electricity costs. “The Ratepayer Protection Act is exactly what Congress is known for: all message and no substance. If voluntary pledges and suggestions worked, families and small businesses wouldn’t be staring down rate hikes right now. “I want Congress to pass legislation with real teeth that will require data centers to pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require and doesn’t shift costs onto American families. Husted’s bill fails to do both. “I’m pushing for legislation that will actually hold AI data centers accountable for their energy usage and lower electricity bills for Americans.” Last week, Heinrich blocked Husted’s attempt to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act via a Unanimous Consent (UC) agreement and urged his Senate colleagues to instead pass his GRID Savings Act, which forces large load customers — like data centers — to pay for the facilities needed to connect them to the grid.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-celebrates-committee-passage-of-his-bipartisan-energy-bills/,Hickenlooper Celebrates Committee Passage of His Bipartisan Energy Bills,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper led the Geo POWER Act and co-led the Earth MRI Act WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper celebrated the Senate Energy and Natural Resource (ENR) Committee’s passage of two Hickenlooper-led bipartisan bills. The committee passed Hickenlooper’s Geo POWER Act, as amended, which would help accelerate geothermal technologies and deliver clean, reliable electricity across the country, and the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Reauthorization Act, which he co-leads with Senator Murkowski, to fund the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth MRI program. A program that improves our understanding of critical mineral, geothermal, and other subsurface resources across the country. “America is an energy powerhouse, but our energy needs are growing rapidly,” said Hickenlooper. “To meet our energy demand, we need to invest in activities that make it possible to further unlock our full potential. If we do, we can secure lower energy costs for Americans, shore up our national security, and build tomorrow’s energy infrastructure today.” The Geo POWER Act’s committee passage comes on the heels of Colorado’s National Laboratory of the Rockies being chosen as the launch point for the Geothermal Center of Excellence earlier this month. The Act provides a significant $800 million investment in unlocking geothermal energy here in the U.S. Specifically, the Geo POWER Act would: Require the Department of Energy to provide innovative financing to projects that are planning or enabling new aggregate electricity generation of at least 30 megawatts in multiple states with limited to no existing geothermal electricity generation; Generate public data to de-risk future geothermal projects in new geologies and regions; Ensure fiscal accountability by requiring projects to achieve milestones to access additional financial support; and Accelerate the commercialization of next-generation geothermal technologies in new regions across the United States. The Earth MRI Act would: Reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at levels similar to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Expand the program to include natural hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource. Hickenlooper is also a cosponsor of the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, which passed the ENR committee today as well. The bill would fund critical cybersecurity grants and technical assistance for public power utilities across Colorado. Hickenlooper, a former geologist, is a strong supporter of an all-of-the-above energy approach, which he helped move the U.S. towards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, investing billions in clean energy generation. He’s also called for a ‘Project Mercury’ for critical materials, arguing that America needs to take back the reins on critical minerals production to secure energy independence. In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has led and co-sponsored multiple other critical minerals related bills, including: The bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies; His bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for sustainable critical mineral research innovation and recycling; and His bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects. His bipartisan National Critical Minerals Council Act to coordinate strategy for critical minerals across Federal agencies. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-republicans-sham-effort-to-shield-americans-from-data-centers-driving-up-energy-costs/,Hickenlooper Statement on Republicans Sham Effort to Shield Americans from Data Centers Driving Up Energy Costs,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Democrats pushed to strengthen the so-called Ratepayer Protection Act and require data centers to pay for grid updates WASHINGTON – As the Senate considers the Ratepayer Protection Act, today U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper criticized the measure as lacking teeth after Republicans refused to work with Senate Democrats to amend the legislation to actually protect Americans from paying increased energy prices for the energy needs of data centers. Democrats remain ready to stop data centers from raising costs. “Data centers use large amounts of electricity. And families shouldn’t be forced to pay for their new infrastructure needs. Republicans say their bill fixes that. It doesn’t,” said Hickenlooper in a video statement today. “It asks states to consider protections for ratepayers. It doesn’t require them. This isn’t complicated. If Big Tech wants a data center. Big Tech should pay for it. Congress needs to get serious and actually protect ratepayers.” Watch Senator Hickenlooper’s full video here. Americans have already paid $100 billion in additional energy costs because of the war in Iran. The so-called Rate Payer Protection Act only asks states to study the idea of requiring data centers to pay for necessary grid updates for their large energy demands. However, Senate Democrats pushed to include their provision that would have actually required the largest new power users to pay their fair share to connect. It would mandate data centers follow the same rules that power plants have followed for 20 years. Currently, power plants must go through a detailed review process, pay for the upgrades needed to connect safely and reliably, and put up financial commitments to show it’s serious about moving forward. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-republicans-trojan-horse-voter-suppression-tactic/,Hickenlooper Statement on Republicans’ “Trojan Horse” Voter Suppression Tactic,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after blocking a Republican bill that would restrict voting and allow insider trading to continue. “We blocked Republicans’ thinly veiled voter suppression bill outright earlier this year. Today, they ripped a page out of Homer and tried to sneak it through like a Trojan Horse,” said Hickenlooper. “We will continue to block their efforts to insulate the president from voters who are furious with MAGA’s corrupt agenda and cost-of-living emergency.” Hickenlooper has consistently fought back against Trump and MAGA Republicans’ voter suppression bill and stood up to their attacks on mail-in-voting, a safe and secure voting method. As governor, Hickenlooper created the gold-standard mail-in-voting system in the country, providing millions of Coloradans with easier access to the ballot box. The vehicle for the Republicans’ voter suppression provision, the Stop Insider Trading Act, fails to adequately stop members of Congress profiting off insider information. The bill also ignores any restrictions for the president and cabinet officials. Hickenlooper, who has had his assets in a blind trust since he was Mayor of Denver, co-sponsors the more comprehensive Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act that would force all members of Congress to place their stocks into a qualified blind trust so that they can’t use insider information to inform their portfolio decisions and turn a profit. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-ratepayer-protection-act-ensures-data-centers-pay-for-energy-needs-protects-families-from-higher-costs,"Hoeven: Ratepayer Protection Act Ensures Data Centers Pay for Energy Needs, Protects Families From Higher Costs",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,hoeven,https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation he is cosponsoring to protect families and small businesses from paying higher energy costs to support new data center development. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives approved the legislation in a strong bipartisan vote of 417-3. “American families shouldn’t have to pay higher energy costs if a data center is built in their community,” said Hoeven. “Our legislation would protect consumers from these rate increases resulting from data center construction. Instead of passing on higher energy costs to families and small businesses, the Ratepayer Protection Act will help ensure that the data center is responsible for paying for the infrastructure upgrades as well as fixed costs as a result of their demand for energy. This legislation passed the House with almost unanimous support, and we’ll continue working to get Senate Democrats on board with this common-sense legislation.” Specifically, the Ratepayer Protection Act: Creates a standard for State utility commissions to enforce for large-load data centers drawing more than 100 MW of power to pay the full cost of the electricity needed to serve them. Requires large loads to provide financial assurances before grid upgrades are made. Guarantees cost recovery if a large load exits its power supply contract early. -###-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-votes-for-stop-insider-trading-act-with-save-america-act-provisions,Hoeven Votes for Stop Insider Trading Act With Save America Act Provisions,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,hoeven,https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after voting for the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation he is cosponsoring that would help prevent conflicts of interest for lawmakers and enact SAVE America Act provisions requiring voters to provide photo identification when voting in federal elections. “These two priorities have strong support from the American people, and we should pass this legislation,” said Hoeven. “This bill builds on the current law to prevent conflicts of interest for lawmakers, and at the same time, it puts in place common sense SAVE America Act provisions to require voters to show identification when voting in a federal election. It is unfortunate that Democrats are again blocking these priorities.” Stock Trading Prohibitions Prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing securities or derivatives of publicly traded companies, while the Member is in federal service. Members who violate the prohibition are subject to a fine of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, whichever is greater, along with any net gain realized from the transaction. SAVE America Voter ID Requirements Requires voters to present valid physical photo identification to receive a ballot in federal elections. Accepted IDs include state driver’s license, state-issued photo ID card, U.S. passports, military or veterans’ ID, and Tribal ID. Voters voting by mail are required to either (1) submit a copy of a valid photo ID, or (2) provide last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit explaining why they cannot obtain ID, or (3) submit a notarized statement attesting that the individual has personally marked the ballot. -###-",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/democrats-block-husteds-bill-forcing-data-centers-to-pay-their-own-way/,Democrats block Husted’s bill forcing data centers to pay their own way,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,OH,Jon Husted,H001104,www.husted.senate.gov,husted,https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"“Let’s rise above the politics that often drag this place down and deliver for the American people and do our jobs.” View Husted’s remarks here. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate attempted to advance Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) Ratepayer Protection Act, but the bill failed after Democrats opposed the bill. 43 Senate Democrats voted NO, preventing the bill from reaching the 60-vote threshold to advance for a vote on passage. The Ratepayer Protection Act would require states to consider establishing standards for states and Public Utility Commissions when connecting large electricity users—such as data centers—to the grid. It ensures those large tech companies, not families or small businesses, pay for the power generation, transmission lines and other infrastructure needed to serve their facilities. Without those protections, utilities can shift those costs onto ratepayers through higher monthly electricity bills. Husted introduced the bill on July 16, 2026. The Ratepayer Protection Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 16, 2026, by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 417-3. Husted previously brought the bill to the Senate floor on Sept. 17, 2026, seeking its passage by unanimous consent—a process that expedites consideration of legislation in the U.S. Senate. A Senate Democrat objected, blocking the bill from Senate passage. The White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy stating the President would’ve signed the Ratepayer Protection Act into law if passed. Key excerpts include: “I rise today to speak about making life more affordable by lowering electricity prices through my bill, the Ratepayer Protection Act.” . . . “Americans are increasingly relying on the computing power of data centers in nearly every part of their daily lives, from medicine to manufacturing to agriculture, education, national defense and the delivery of basic services.” . . . “As our reliance on this technology grows, so does the demand for data centers across the country.” . . . “We have to make sure that the growth of these data centers does not mean higher electric bills for working families, for senior citizens or for small businesses.” . . . “That’s what we’re talking about today. “Making the data centers accountable, not the American ratepayer.” . . . “That’s why I’ve introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act. “My bill ensures that large data centers pay their fair share of electricity costs, infrastructure costs that they require, requiring them to own the responsibility for those costs rather than shifting them to other ratepayers.” . . . “So today we are considering the House passed version of my bill before this chamber. “It passed the House 417 to 3.” . . . “It could be law today if we just decide that we’re going to look out for the American ratepayer, and we’re going to take action to do so.” . . . “And among those who voted yes on the Democratic side were Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and every single member of the House Democratic leadership. “They all supported the bill in the House.” . . . “The Ratepayer Protection Act is such a no brainer that almost the most conservative and the most liberal representatives all agreed it was good policy.” . . . “All we have to do is take yes for an answer. “And we will begin today lowering electricity rates for American ratepayers.” . . . “It’s clear that big tech should be paying their own way, not passing the cost on to local communities and states. “And this bill does that.” . . . “Together, we can send this bill to the president’s desk for his signature today and prove to the American people we heard them, that we’re doing something to actually help lower their prices, the prices that they pay for electricity.” . . . “The Ratepayer Protection Act represents the most meaningful bipartisan step Congress can take to protect the American people from paying higher prices for electricity.” . . . “It demonstrates that in Washington it’s still possible to work in a bipartisan way to address the problems most pressing to the American people, and I am proud to have led this effort in the United States Senate.” . . . “Let’s rise above the politics that often drag this place down and deliver for the American people and do our jobs.” . . . “I listened to the Democratic leader talk about this bill a few moments ago, and I implore him to stop blocking this bill. “Stop blocking this bill. “Let it go. “Give us a chance on a bipartisan basis to prove that we care about what the American people are asking us to do. “Lowering their prices. “Making life more affordable. “In this case, lowering their electricity prices.” . . . “I would like for everybody in this chamber to take credit for lowering electricity prices and holding data centers accountable. “But if Democrats block this bill, they will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they do not care about affordability and that they will not do anything to take action to help.” . . . “Let’s get this done. “Let’s lower electricity prices. “Let’s hold data centers accountable. “And let’s stop blocking a path to affordability.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-justice-releases-statement-in-support-of-trumps-immigration-agenda/,Senator Justice Releases Statement in Support of Trump’s Immigration Agenda,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,WV,James C. Justice,J000312,www.justice.senate.gov,justice,https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Justice released a statement supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda. “Let me be crystal clear: I support President Trump’s immigration strategy, full stop. It’s not surprising that some are twisting my words to score political points, but there should be no confusion about where I stand. What’s been accomplished by President Trump in regards to our border and immigration is truly amazing. President Biden allowed millions upon millions to illegally enter our country. Cleaning up this mess has been a tremendous accomplishment. Our brave ICE officers are doing an incredible job protecting our communities, and they must continue to focus on criminals who are here illegally and putting Americans in danger. Violent criminals, drug traffickers, gang members and others who threaten our communities should be identified, arrested and removed. President Trump has made securing our border and restoring law and order a top priority, and I support that effort. As a senator, I will continue working with the administration and our law enforcement officers to make West Virginia and this country safer. West Virginians expect us to enforce the law, protect our communities, and keep dangerous criminals off our streets. That is exactly what I support,” said Senator Jim Justice. # # #",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-senate-passage-of-his-legislation-to-improve-financial-security-for-americans,Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of His Legislation to Improve Financial Security for Americans,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) celebrated Senate passage of the Claiming Age Clarity Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME), to help Americans make better-informed decisions that help them live a more financially-secure retirement. Specifically, it would change language to make it clearer to Americans about the impact that claiming Social Security benefits at different ages would have on their benefit amounts. “Americans pay into Social Security their entire working lives, and it’s important that they understand what benefits they’re entitled to so they can make informed decisions about their retirement,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation will make that vital information clearer. I’m glad that both chambers have now passed this bill, and I urge the President to sign it.” Social Security benefits are available to Americans starting at age 62, but those who choose to receive their benefits later receive greater monthly payments, with the highest payments available to those who wait until age 70 to begin claiming benefits. Many Americans do not begin claiming benefits at the age that will maximize their total income in retirement, and research has shown that the terminology the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses often leads to confusion. To take steps toward alleviating this problem, this legislation would clarify the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) terminology, ending the use of the confusing terms “early eligibility age,” “full retirement age,” and “delayed retirement credits,” and replacing them with “minimum monthly benefit age,” “standard monthly benefit age,” and “maximum monthly benefit age,” respectively. Full text of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-holds-hearing-on-nicaraguas-political-crisis,Kaine Holds Hearing On Nicaragua’s Political Crisis,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"VIDEO FROM THE HEARING IS AVAILABLE HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)—a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues—held a subcommittee hearing titled “Nicaragua’s Political Crisis: Ortega’s Assault on Democracy.” In July, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega declared that Nicaragua would no longer hold competitive elections. “This is timely and urgent because the human rights challenges perpetrated by the current regime in Nicaragua have to be taken seriously, both for the sake of Nicaraguans but also for the entire region,” said Kaine. “I know very well the signs of autocratic government, the actions that they take, the human toll they inflict on everyday citizens.” “What is happening in Nicaragua is a reminder that democracy doesn't always die from a coup or a military takeover, as was the case in Honduras. The erosion starts when an authoritarian leader systematically undermines the foundations of free society, press, independent judiciary—weaponizing government against dissidents and weakening other independent institutions,” Kaine continued. “As a longtime member of the subcommittee and more recently the Chair and Ranking of the Subcommittee, I think Congress has a responsibility to authorize the necessary tools to put pressure on regimes,” Kaine said. “But we do have tools that we ought to be using to pressure those who are violating the human rights of others.” During the hearing, Kaine asked the witnesses about the status of the 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who are living in the United States, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention of six of them. He also asked about impact of illicit gold mining in Nicaragua and the region and raised concerns about religious persecution. The panel witnesses included: Mr. Eddy Acevedo, Vice President for Policy & Government Relations, National Endowment for Democracy Mr. Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute Ms. Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director for Latin America and Caribbean Programs, National Democratic Institute Mr. Juan Sebastián Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad Kaine recently introduced bipartisan legislation to renew and expand sanctions on Nicaraguan officials responsible for corruption, human rights abuses, religious persecution, election manipulation, and political repression. Kaine’s opening remarks are below: I want to thank the Chairman and thank his staff for working so hard to bring this hearing together. This is a very important topic, and you framed it well, Mr. Chairman, in your opening comments. This is timely and urgent because the human rights challenges perpetrated by the current regime in Nicaragua have to be taken seriously, both for the sake of Nicaraguans but also for the entire region. I know very well the signs of autocratic government, the actions that they take, and the human toll they inflict on everyday citizens. I also know that most autocratic governments are not stable and that eventually they do fall. Justice and accountability ensue, but often not as quickly as we would hope. I know this because I experienced it firsthand as a missionary in Honduras in 1980 and ’81. Living in a military dictatorship, I saw the abuses perpetrated by an authoritarian regime in that country. They opened my eyes to democratic backsliding wherever it occurs. That year—in 1980 and ’81—was the only time in my life that I visited Nicaragua, and it was shortly after the effort to depose a dictatorship. The dictatorship of Antonio Somoza had succeeded, and it was very early in that chapter. And so there were really high hopes about Nicaragua finding a positive path forward following decades of dictatorship. That’s what makes this hearing and the need to have it so sad—because it's horrifying to see that many of the conditions in the in the country today sort of mirror what was seen back in those days when everyday Nicaraguans who dreamed of a an ability to shape the destiny of their nation were instead being pushed around. A key lesson that I took from my time in Honduras was that instability, weak governments and governance, and regional security are all threatened when ordinary people can't choose their leaders, express themselves freely, worship freely, or hold their governments accountable. The return of Daniel Ortega to power in 2007 has started a path of gradually weakening democratic institutions, the consolidation of power in the executive branch, and the setting of a foundation that we now see as critical today to today's authoritarian regime. 2018 marked a significant point, as the chairman mentioned. The violent repression that came about as a controversial pension reform plan was being pushed through the country's legislature. Protesters filled the street, and they were met with severe repression. Hundreds were killed. Thousands were injured or detained. Widespread human rights violations were documented. Then, it led up to a fraudulent 2021 presidential election, where additional semblances of democratic governance were weakened. President Ortega knew that he was deeply unpopular with the Nicaraguan people and that he would be likely to lose in a free and fair election. So, what did he do? Instead of letting the people speak, he eliminated his opposition. Beginning in June of 2021, seven presidential aspirants were arrested, including Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Miguel Mora, Medardo Mairena, Noel Vidaurre, and Juan Sebastián Chamorro. We're privileged to have Juan Sebastián Chamorro here with us today. He and his colleagues were not defeated; they were not even allowed to compete. Instead, they were detained, imprisoned, convicted in a sham proceeding that lacked due process, stripped of their nationality, and ultimately expelled from the country. Unfortunately, the story of the witness we'll hear from in a few minutes is not unique. In February 2023, the regime released 222 political prisoners and transported them all to the United States. In Virginia, we were proud to welcome them to the U.S. via a flight that they made into Dulles Airport. Now, in America, these political prisoners released from Nicaragua thought they would be safe, but they're not. They currently exist in a state of legal limbo, facing active threats of deportation by the Trump Administration. And I urge the Administration to evaluate whether legal protections from removal can be extended to former political prisoners. That would be the right thing to do. It would be in accord with our values, I believe, and I hope to work with the Chairman and my colleagues to elevate this issue with the Administration. It is it is difficult to be a harsh critic where criticism is warranted, and at the same time, possibly deport people back into conditions which we're complaining are inhumane and violate rights. While the current regime has dismantled any semblance of democratic governance in Nicaragua, the regime has turned to Russia and China and others, as was indicated by the Chair, for assistance. And so, what is happening in Nicaragua is a reminder that democracy doesn't always die from a coup or a military takeover, as was the case in Honduras. The erosion starts when an authoritarian leader systematically undermines the foundations of free society, press, independent judiciary—weaponizing government against dissidents and weakening other independent institutions. As a longtime member of the Subcommittee and more recently the Chair and Ranking of the Subcommittee, I think Congress has a responsibility to authorize the necessary tools to put pressure on regimes. We are not perfect. We have our own challenges to solve. And frankly, the best way to do anything like this is not try to lecture somebody else, but to recognize our own imperfections and strive to get better. But we do have tools that we ought to be using to pressure those who are violating the human rights of others. And that's why Senator Cruz and I have recently introduced the Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights Through Mandates of Accountability Act, the Reforma Act, which would provide the U.S. with greater authority to sanction Nicaraguan officials responsible for human rights violations. We've got to continue to work with allies and partners. I want to conclude my opening statement and move into the most important part of this, which is hearing from our witnesses and asking them questions. And to again, to the Chair, I certainly appreciate the opportunity to have a hearing on this important topic. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-slams-congressional-republicans-for-ignoring-need-to-fund-landmark-infrastructure-law,Kaine Slams Congressional Republicans For Ignoring Need To Fund Landmark Infrastructure Law,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement regarding the expiration of funding for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation Kaine helped pass that brought over 12.6 billion in federal funding to Virginia for over 900 specific infrastructure upgrades: “Virginians and Americans across the country deserve top-notch infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drinking and wastewater systems, and more. That’s why Democrats, Republicans, and the Biden Administration worked together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—legislation that brought $12.6 billion in infrastructure investments to the Commonwealth. But starting today, funding for this landmark law officially expires—all because congressional Republicans wasted valuable time in the Senate schedule on everything from crypto to college sports legislation, instead of things that would actually make a meaningful difference for a majority of Americans.” Some examples of projects in Virginia funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include: A nearly $400 million investment for Virginia’s airports A $150 million investment for the City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project A $72 million investment for the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project A $729 million investment to support the Long Bridge Project, which will alleviate bottlenecks and expand rail capacity in Northern Virginia A $100 million investment to improve congestion through a Northern Virginia rail corridor A $25 million investment for high-speed internet in Wise, Lee, and Norton counties A $18.4 million investment to replace a 79-year-old bridge that carries Ashe Boulevard over CSX railroad tracks A nearly $3 million investment to reconnect communities by improving transportation infrastructure in Norfolk and Richmond A $100 million investment to support the construction of Microporous’ new manufacturing facility at the Southern Virginia Megasite A $1.5 million investment for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-4-million-to-support-veteran-suicide-prevention-efforts-across-virginia,"Warner, Kaine Announce $4 Million To Support Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts Across Virginia",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,144,835 in federal funding to strengthen veteran suicide prevention efforts across Virginia. The funding will support eight community organizations that connect veterans and their families to mental health resources, outreach programs, suicide prevention services, and other critical support. The grants are being awarded through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which was created by bipartisan legislation that Sen. Warner wrote and Sen. Kaine supported to expand prevention efforts and better connect veterans with resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local communities. “Veterans deserve to know that help is there when they need it. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure that those who have sacrificed for our country are not left to suffer silently and have the support and resources that they’ve earned and are owed,” said the senators. “We’re proud to have helped create this program, which is delivering critical resources to organizations on the ground working with veterans. These federal dollars will help expand lifesaving suicide prevention efforts and ensure more Virginia veterans and their families can get the support they’ve earned.” The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program was created through the IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation led by Sen. Warner in 2019 to improve the coordination of veteran mental health and suicide prevention services and to better measure the effectiveness of these programs. The legislation was signed into law as part of the broader Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which passed the Senate unanimously in August 2020. In February 2025, Sen. Warner introduced bipartisan legislation to renew and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. In June 2025, Sen. Warner testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to advocate for this program’s extension. The grant awards include: $750,000 for EveryMind, Inc. to serve regions including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park. $750,000 for Volunteers of America Chesapeake to serve Arlington, Augusta, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Cumberland, Fairfax, Fauquier, King and Queen, King George, Loudoun, Prince William, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Chesapeake, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Norton, Staunton, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, and Winchester. $750,000 for Blue Star Families Inc. to serve regions including the city of Norfolk. $725,000 for Boulder Crest Foundation to serve regions including Clarke, Frederick, and Loudoun counties. $512,053 for Westcare Kentucky Inc. to serve regions including Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties. $357,782 for Mountain Valor Veteran Services to serve Patrick, Wythe, Floyd, Montgomery, Carroll, Pulaski, and Franklin counties, as well as the city of Radford. $200,000 for United States Veterans Initiative – U.S. VETS D.C. to serve regions including Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Warren counties. $100,000 for Western Tidewater Community Services Board to serve Accomack, Essex, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Sussex, Southampton, and Washington counties, as well as the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg. Sens. Warner and Kaine have long worked to improve high-quality health care and mental health services for Virginia’s veterans. Earlier this year, the senators urged the administration to significantly boost funding for VA facilities, warning that years of underinvestment will increasingly leave Virginia veterans without the care access they’ve earned. In addition to his legislative efforts, Sen. Warner recently welcomed a new Chesapeake VA facility and has repeatedly met with senior leadership at the Richmond VA Medical Center and Hampton VA Medical Center to discuss suicide prevention and other issues affecting the local veteran community. Sen. Kaine has led legislation to protect veterans from housing discrimination and address homelessness and cosponsored legislation to improve veteran transition programs aimed at reducing veteran suicide. He has also been outspoken against the Trump-Vance administration’s cuts at the VA and the mass layoffs of federal employees, which disproportionately affect veterans. If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-tillis-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-reaffirming-u-s-nuclear-deterrence-commitments-to-allies/,"Kelly, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Reaffirming U.S. Nuclear Deterrence Commitments to Allies",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act, legislation reaffirming U.S. extended nuclear deterrence commitments to allies and the military exercises, planning, and consultations that make those commitments credible. The legislation comes soon after Kelly and Tillis pressed the Trump administration to reverse its decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea and urged the Administration to maintain the training necessary to preserve the readiness of the alliance. “Deterrence only works if adversaries believe you mean it. China and Russia are expanding their nuclear arsenals. North Korea keeps pushing. This is the wrong moment to leave allies confused about where we stand. We need to make clear that Congress is committed to maintaining the capability and credibility our allies are counting on,” saidKelly. “Our adversaries are increasingly testing the strength of our alliances and seeking opportunities to undermine the stability and security we have preserved for decades,” said Tillis. “It’s critical that we work with our allies to maintain a credible deterrent, strengthen our collective defense, and ensure the continued peace of the Western world and the values we share.” Background: One of the stated goals of U.S. nuclear weapons policy for the past 75 years has been to extend its nuclear deterrent to key allies in Europe and Asia. Extended deterrence has been foundational to U.S. alliances, and today, this commitment remains steadfast. However, credibly reassuring allies that the U.S. will come to their aid is a challenge. Today, that credibility is under greater strain as U.S. actions have raised questions about the durability of American commitments. At the same time, NATO countries have shown interest in nuclear-sharing or alternative nuclear arrangements. The Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act is a clear congressional reaffirmation that strengthens assurance, reinforces deterrence, protects U.S. national security, and restates that extended nuclear deterrence remains consistent with U.S. nonproliferation objectives, providing a signal of continuity and resolve at a time of growing uncertainty about America’s commitment to the defense of its allies.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-in-sasc-strategic-forces-kelly-questions-if-golden-dome-will-trigger-another-arms-race/,"WATCH: In SASC Strategic Forces, Kelly Questions if Golden Dome Will Trigger Another Arms Race",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,AZ,Mark Kelly,K000377,www.kelly.senate.gov,markkelly,https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"During a Senate Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on Golden Dome for America, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly questioned experts on whether the administration’s proposed missile defense system could actually make the United States less safe by pushing Russia and China to build more nuclear weapons and develop new ways to defeat U.S. defenses, potentially fueling an arms race. Kelly also expressed concerns over whether the program’s extraordinary cost is worth it if Russia and China simply build more weapons to defeat it in the near future. Sen. Kelly questions David J. Trachtenberg. Kelly opened by questioning whether Golden Dome would push Russia and China to build up their arsenals rather than deter them: “Deterrence is about perception. And this administration might see Golden Dome as a defensive system. But what also matters here for strategic stability is how does China and Russia see this? For decades, U.S. nuclear strategy has recognized the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive forces. They’re connected. The basic concern is pretty straightforward. If one side builds defenses that could substantially reduce the effectiveness of the other side’s nuclear deterrent, the other side has an incentive to build more or better offensive weapons with more countermeasures. And that dynamic was part of the rationale behind negotiating limits on offensive and defensive systems during the Cold War.” Kelly expressed that his biggest concern with Golden Dome is that America would be spending an outsized amount of money for a system that would become irrelevant as Russia and China build up their arsenals to defeat it: “Suddenly, they’re building thousands of more ICBMs. The Chinese are building thousands of more ICBMs. This system isn’t sized to handle it. We spent $1.2 trillion on a system that then becomes irrelevant…People don’t have health care coverage. They can’t afford their lives anymore. We’re investing trillions of dollars into the defense industry. And what we get out of it is, we get five, ten years down the road even after this thing is built. And we got a system that doesn’t even provide us what the level one requirements for the system was in the beginning on the piece of paper that the President signed.” Click here to download a video of Kelly’s opening remarks. Click here to download a video of Kelly’s questions. See the transcript below: Senator Kelly: Mr. Trachtenberg. I’ve got some major issues on the physics of this system, especially the space-based interceptor part of this. The physics favors the offense in a big way. Interceptors can be defeated by countermeasures. And often when we test these things, we don’t account for those. But the other issue here is deterrence is about perception. And this administration might see Golden Dome as a defensive system. But what also matters here for strategic stability is how does China and Russia see this? For decades, U.S. nuclear strategy has recognized the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive forces. They’re connected. The basic concern is pretty straightforward. If one side builds defenses that could substantially reduce the effectiveness of the other side’s nuclear deterrent, the other side has an incentive to build more or better offensive weapons with more countermeasures. And that dynamic was part of the rationale behind negotiating limits on offensive and defensive systems during the Cold War. We considered this very seriously. So, we need to understand what the response and expansion of U.S. strategic missile defense could generate. If Russia and China believe that the goal that Golden Dome could reduce the effectiveness of their retaliatory forces, they could respond by expanding their arsenals, developing new ways to penetrate our defenses, or seeing the United States as willing to take a lot more risk if we’re in a crisis. So, Mr. Trachtenberg, what do you assess Russia and China are thinking about Golden Dome today? Honorable David J. Trachtenberg: Thank you, Senator. I appreciate your comments. I think Russia and China have been moving out, irrespective of what the United States plans to do or may do in the future. As I said, both Russia and China have been modernizing their own nuclear systems, and I believe that they’re doing that because their goals and objectives don’t align with ours. I do think Russia and China will oppose Golden Dome, just as they have opposed all U.S. missile defense efforts. Kelly: But you sound like it sounds like you think they’re on a path, regardless of any steps we take, as I think, Senator King pointed out. The Chinese are watching this today. Trachtenberg: Yeah, sure. What I’m saying, Senator, is that there is no mechanistic action-reaction formula. And historically, the belief that the United States generates reactions on the part of adversaries has not been proven to be so. And I go back, you mentioned the Cold War— Kelly: But isn’t it logical that if we were to build, let’s just say—when you study math, right, you look at things at the limit. If we were to build a system that they perceive is able to take out, let’s say, a large salvo of ICBMs, what would it be? What would the logical thing for them to do? What would be a logical response? Trachtenberg: I think the logical thing for them to do would be not to consider attack in the first place. Kelly: You don’t think the logical thing would be a larger salvo in nuclear weapons? This is going to be sized for something. Trachtenberg: Sure, sure. But, Senator, again, if you look at history. Kelly: So you think that is logical that if let’s say just theoretically— Trachtenberg: No, no. If you if you look at the historical record, I think you see the Russians and the Chinese moving out based on their own considerations, irrespective of what the United States has or has not done. You may recall— Kelly: On all kinds of things, and we do exactly the same thing. Trachtenberg: You may recall the ABM Treaty of 1972 was intended to prevent the Soviet Union at the time from building up its offensive capabilities because we issued defense of the national territory, so they had no defense to counter. In reality, what happened was the greatest increase in Soviet ICBM weapons and warheads occurred after the signing of the ABM Treaty. So, their reaction suggests— Kelly: The greatest increase after the signing of the treaty of the ABM Treaty. And how many ICBMs does the Russians have today as a percentage of compared to what they had previously? Trachtenberg: The Russian, the Russians put most of their nuclear capability on large land-based missiles, Kelly: But isn’t it true that because of treaties that we have signed, we have reduced the size of our nuclear arsenal and the Russians have reduced considerably the number of nuclear weapons that they have today? Trachtenberg: It is true that we have reduced as a result of arms control treaties, the number of nuclear weapons in our arsenal. It is also true that we currently really don’t know what the Russians have, because the Russians suspended inspections under the New START Treaty years ago and have refused to allow them to continue. And without on-site inspections, it’s very difficult to know whether the Russians have continued to MIRV missiles or build up their capabilities. What we do know, Senator, is that they have been aggressively working to modernize their own nuclear capabilities for many, many years while the United States has not. Kelly: Well, we’re in the process of doing that as we should. Trachtenberg: We’ve been thinking about doing well. Kelly: Well, we’ve got a program to modernize Minuteman III. And we’re building more ballistic missile submarines, and we should be modernized our forces. My biggest concern here is that this system, because they have—their perception of this matters, and that this sets off another arms race. And suddenly we’re having to build—they’re building thousands of more ICBMs. The Chinese are building thousands of more ICBMs. This system isn’t sized to handle it. We spent $1.2 trillion on a system that then becomes irrelevant. Let’s just say, theoretically, not what the real numbers are. I don’t like to talk about those. Let’s say we could shoot down 100 ICBMs while they fire another 100. Or maybe they fire 500. And then our system was we spent $1.2 trillion. People don’t have health care coverage. They can’t afford their lives anymore. We’re investing trillions of dollars into the defense industry. And what we get out of it is, we get five, ten years down the road even after this thing is built. And we got a system that doesn’t even provide us what the level one requirements for the system was in the beginning on the piece of paper that the President signed. Trachtenberg: Senator, I appreciate your perspective, I do. I don’t think it’s an accurate reflection of how history has evolved throughout the Cold War and the post-Cold War period in terms of U.S. actions driving some kind of an armed. Kelly: But, Mr. Trachtenberg, you said after the ABM Treaty that that’s when the Russians accelerated their development of ICBMs. I’m way over my time. Thank you, Madam Chair.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=844818B8-AAE5-46D1-86B2-E81EF7047535,"Klobuchar, Cassidy Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Taxpayer Advocate Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Amy Klobuchar,K000367,www.klobuchar.senate.gov,klobuchar,https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan bill will help taxpayers resolve IRS problems WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released the statements below after the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act. The legislation strengthens the independence of the National Taxpayer Advocate by allowing the Advocate to hire and consult its own legal counsel rather than relying on attorneys who report to the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. The bipartisan legislation, which passed the House in 2025, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The National Taxpayer Advocate plays a critical role in helping taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, but currently the attorneys supporting that office are selected by the IRS Chief Counsel, undermining the Advocate’s ability to provide fully independent advice and representation,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan bill will ensure that the Advocate has the independence needed to effectively do its job by allowing its attorneys to report directly to the Advocate and owe their loyalty to taxpayers, not the IRS. This will help the Advocate stand up for taxpayers, assist our constituents, and improve our tax system, and I urge the President to swiftly sign this bill into law.” “If you’re having to deal with the IRS, odds are, you’re having difficulty doing so. This bill helps improve that experience for the honest taxpayer,” said Dr. Cassidy. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the agency, identifies systemic problems taxpayers encounter in dealing with the IRS, and recommends administrative and legislative changes to address those problems. Currently, TAS attorneys report to the IRS Office of Chief Counsel rather than directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate. The National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act would allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to hire and consult its own attorneys, strengthening TAS’s independence and its ability to advocate on behalf of taxpayers. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-lankford-coons-resolution-honoring-50-years-of-prison-fellowship-passes-senate-unanimously/,"ICYMI: Lankford, Coons Resolution Honoring 50 Years of Prison Fellowship Passes Senate Unanimously",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,OK,James Lankford,L000575,www.lankford.senate.gov,lankford,https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC — US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) secured unanimous Senate passage of their resolution recognizing 50 years of Prison Fellowship’s work to bring faith-based rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances to people impacted by incarceration. The bipartisan resolution recognizes Prison Fellowship’s nationwide impact and comes months after Lankford celebrated the launch of the organization’s first federal Prison Fellowship Academy at the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma. “Prison Fellowship has spent 50 years helping people understand that a mistake does not have to be the end of their story,” said Lankford. “Their work points people to Christ, helps restore families, and gives people the opportunity to change. I’m grateful for the staff and volunteers who have stayed committed to this work for five decades, and I’m glad to recognize Prison Fellowship on its 50th anniversary.” “The first time I was in a maximum-security prison, I was 12 years old, joining my father on one of his prison ministry visits,” said Coons. “I saw how prison ministry transformed the lives of both those inside the prison and for our family outside of it. For 50 years, Prison Fellowship has brought that transformation to communities across the country, answering Jesus’ call to love our neighbors no matter where or who they are.” “Chuck Colson once described his imprisonment as ‘the great humiliation of my life’—yet God used that humiliation for a greater purpose,” said Scott Peyton, Senior Director of Advocacy. “Fifty years later, Prison Fellowship continues that legacy, encountering Jesus with those impacted by incarceration, equipping the Church, and advancing justice that restores. We are deeply grateful to Senators James Lankford and Chris Coons for their leadership, and to the United States Senate for honoring fifty years of transformed lives and the enduring truth that no life is beyond the reach of God’s grace.” Background Lankford has spent years working to expand opportunities for faith-based organizations to serve individuals in federal prisons. In 2018, Lankford supported the bipartisan First Step Actand successfully amended the legislation to ensure faith-based organizations could provide job training, social development, and family programming on equal footing with non-faith-based organizations. That work helped establish the framework for faith-based rehabilitation programs like Prison Fellowship to partner with the Bureau of Prisons. In June 2026, Lankford celebrated the launch of the first federal Prison Fellowship Academy at the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma. The Prison Fellowship Academy became the first nonprofit program designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as an evidence-based recidivism reduction program under the First Step Act. Lankford has continued to champion faith-based rehabilitation and successful reentry through bipartisan efforts including the MERCY Act and the Safer Supervision Act. Founded in 1976 by the late Charles Colson following his conversion to Christianity during incarceration, Prison Fellowship is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The organization serves prisoners, former prisoners, and their families through programs focused on rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances. You can download the full text of the resolution HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases/lankford-leads-senate-in-honoring-50-years-of-the-hyde-amendment/,Lankford Leads Senate in Honoring 50 Years of the Hyde Amendment,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,OK,James Lankford,L000575,www.lankford.senate.gov,lankford,https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases,page_html,"Resolution Recognizes 50 Years of Bipartisan Support for the Hyde Amendment and its Protections for Unborn Children WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Senate Values Action Team, introduced a resolution recognizing the Hyde Amendment’s 50th anniversary and its enduring legacy of protecting unborn children and upholding the conscience rights of American taxpayers. The resolution commemorates 50 years of the Hyde Amendment by recognizing its legacy of saving more than 2.6 million lives while affirming that federal taxpayers should not be compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious and moral beliefs. “For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been an important protection for American taxpayers,” said Lankford. “Every child is valuable. No American should ever wonder if the check they’re sending to the IRS on April 15 will be used to pay for someone’s elective abortion. Hyde was a bipartisan agreement five decades ago, and it has been included in appropriations bills every year since. We should keep that commitment in place.” You can download the text of the resolution HERE or below: Whereas September 30, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, a longstanding pro-life provision which protects Federal taxpayer dollars from being used to take human life through elective abortion; Whereas, in 1976, Congressman Henry J. Hyde introduced an amendment, which bears his name, to House of Representatives Bill No. 14232, 94th Congress (referred to in this preamble as the “Hyde Amendment”); Whereas, in introducing his amendment, Congressman Hyde explained, “We who seek to protect that most defenseless and innocent of human lives, the unborn—seek to inhibit the use of Federal funds to pay for and thus encourage abortion as an answer to the human and compelling problem of an unwanted child.”; Whereas the Hyde Amendment was adopted by Congress, shortly after Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) was decided, by a bipartisan vote and has been renewed in both Republican and Democratic majorities through the annual appropriations process for 50 years; Whereas, since 1976, more than 2,600,000 lives have been saved by the Hyde Amendment; Whereas the Hyde Amendment reflects the bipartisan principle that American Federal taxpayer dollars should not be used to finance abortions, safeguarding taxpayers’ conscience rights; Whereas public funding of abortion makes the American taxpayer complicit in the physical, emotional, and societal harm caused to women by abortion and increases the pressure a woman may already feel to have an abortion; Whereas the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment provides an opportunity to remember the more than 64,000,000 abortions that have taken place in the United States since the Roe v. Wade decision; and Whereas every human life in the womb has inherent dignity and worth, is not inconvenient, and has the right to life: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the amendment by Congressman Henry Hyde (referred to in this resolution as the “Hyde Amendment”); (2) commemorates the adoption of the Hyde Amendment in 1976, and its continued inclusion in Federal appropriations bills for 5 decades; (3) honors the legacy of Congressman Hyde and recognizes his leadership in establishing the policy that bears his name; (4) recognizes the 2,600,000 lives saved by the Hyde Amendment; (5) affirms the principle that Federal taxpayers should not be compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious, moral, medical, or ethical convictions; (6) recognizes the Members of Congress, advocates, citizens, and organizations that have worked for more than 5 decades to preserve protections for unborn children and to maintain limitations on the use of Federal funds for abortion; and (7) encourages the people of the United States to reflect upon the history and significance of the Hyde Amendment and the loss of more than 64,000,000 babies through abortions that have taken place since Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973). Background Congressman Henry Hyde first introduced the Hyde Amendment in 1976, and it has been included in federal appropriations bills for five decades. Lankford’s resolution recognizes the amendment’s bipartisan history and its role in protecting taxpayers from being compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious, moral, medical, or ethical convictions. The resolution also recognizes more than 2.6 million unborn children whom it attributes to having been saved by the Hyde Amendment. Joining Lankford in introducing the resolution are Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jim Justice (R-WV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Darline Graham (R-SC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Dave McCormick (R-PA). Rep. Smith (R-NJ-04) introduced companion legislation in the House along with 27 other House members, including Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Riley Moore (R-WV-02), Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Michael Cloud (R-TX-27), Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Ron Estes (R-KS-04), Harriet Hageman (R-WY-AL), Andy Harris (R-MD-01), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Addison McDowell (R-NC-06), John McGuire (R-VA-05), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Bob Onder (R-MO-03), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Keith Self (R-TX-03), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15), Daniel Webster (R-FL-11), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02). Supporting organizations include CatholicVote, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life Committee, Live Action, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, Heritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Heartbeat International, United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Family Research Council. You can learn more about the resolution in the Daily Wire HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lee.senate.gov/2026/9/mike-lee-introduces-the-direct-seller-and-real-estate-agent-harmonization-act,Mike Lee Introduces the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,mikelee,https://www.lee.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act, which clarifies Fair Labor Standards Act provisions to ensure that direct sellers and qualified real estate agents are recognized as independent contractors under federal law, aligning with the federal tax code and creating hiring dependability for companies and workers alike. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senator John Curtis (R-UT) and has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA). “For decades, moms and dads have supported their families through direct selling and independent real estate businesses in Utah and across the country,” said Senator Lee. “Unfortunately, ambiguity in their federal classification has resulted in lawsuits that threaten entire industries and thousands of jobs. This legislation closes these loopholes and gives enterprising independent contractors clear legal status.” “We thank Senator Mike Lee for engaging with the direct selling community and bringing this legislation before the Senate,” said Dave Grimaldi, CEO of the Direct Selling Association. “DSA represents people who choose to build businesses on their own terms. DSA's work is to bring their stories and experiences to Congress and make sure they have a voice in the laws that affect that choice, so no individual seller has to carry that responsibility alone.” The Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that the term “employee” does not include any direct seller or qualified real estate agent (as defined in Section 3508(b) of the Internal Revenue Code). Establish these workers as independent contractors—not by subjective interpretation but by statute—aligning federal law with federal tax code and creating hiring dependability for the companies and workers. Builds upon Senator Lee’s 21st Century Worker Act, which simplifies employee classifications to cut red tape around hiring independent contractors and flexible work arrangements. Read the bill text here.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-heinrich-kelly-cantwell-call-on-states-to-stop-data-centers-from-passing-rising-costs-on-to-ratepayers/,"Luján, Heinrich, Kelly, Cantwell Call on States to Stop Data Centers from Passing Rising Costs on to Ratepayers",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Luján is one of only two U.S. Senators, and the only Democratic Senator, to have served as a state utility commissioner Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, called on Ann Rendahl and Jehmal Hudson, President and First Vice President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, to protect residential and small-business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, the senators urged state utility commissions to adopt a dedicated mechanism that applies to large data centers in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them. “We write to ask NARUC and its member commissions to act now to protect residential and small business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, we ask that every state utility commission adopt a dedicated rate rider — a separate tariff mechanism — that applies to every large data center in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them, as well as the cost of their use of existing generation, transmission and distribution,” wrote the senators. “The authority to set retail rates was delegated by Congress to the states. That is why we are writing to you. It is clear that unless states implement data center rate riders, consumers and small businesses will experience rate increases,” concluded the senators. The full letter can be found here and below: Dear President Rendahl & First Vice President Hudson: We write to ask NARUC and its member commissions to act now to protect residential and small business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers. Specifically, we ask that every state utility commission adopt a dedicated rate rider — a separate tariff mechanism — that applies to every large data center in its jurisdiction, so that data centers pay the full cost of the generation, transmission, and distribution built to serve them, as well as the cost of their use of existing generation, transmission and distribution. Furthermore, such a tariff should cover “ripple” costs borne by all ratepayers, such as increased costs associated with ensuring the planning reserve margin and other grid stability requirements. Data centers are the largest, fastest-growing electric load in the country. A single campus can require as much power as a mid-sized city, and utilities are proposing billions of dollars in new plants and lines to serve them. Under traditional cost-of-service ratemaking, much of that cost is spread across all customer classes. Without clear rules laying out cost responsibility, families, small businesses and other industry customers in New Mexico, Arizona, Washington and every other state will pay for infrastructure they did not ask for and may never use — including stranded assets if a data center scales back or leaves. We ask NARUC and its member commissioners to turn their attention to this issue with the utmost priority and ask that NARUC develop model tariff language, technical support and resolutions to help members adopt data center riders that, at a minimum, include: Full cost recovery from the data center for any generation, transmission, or distribution investment made to serve it as well as the cost share of existing generation, transmission and distribution serving them; Minimum-bill or take-or-pay provisions – provisions that ensure data centers pay for the cost of infrastructure as it is constructed – with contract terms long enough to cover the life of the assets built for the load; Collateral, exit fees, and creditworthiness requirements so that other customers are not left with stranded costs; Rules to include transparency, including public reporting of contracted load, energy use, and actual bills paid; Rules that prevent a data center from shifting costs to other customers through selfsupply arrangements, including standby customers, or by contracting around the rider; and Language that requires data centers to, at minimum, comply with state clean energy and climate policies. Several of your member commissions — including Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana — have already approved large-load tariffs that are directionally consistent with these principles. Because this is an area that is evolving rapidly and is of great complexity, NARUC is uniquely positioned to ensure that all state commissions have the resources and tools they need to make informed decisions on large load tariff design. The authority to set retail rates was delegated by Congress to the states. That is why we are writing to you. It is clear that unless states implement data center rate riders, consumers and small businesses will experience rate increases. There is also precedent for this kind of action from NARUC. Therefore, we ask that NARUC take this up at its Annual Meeting in November and report back to us on the steps you and your members have taken. Thank you for your leadership and for your partnership with the states in protecting the Americans we all serve. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-shares-doj-documents-regarding-dea-fentanyl-practices-whistleblower-reports/,"Luján Shares DOJ Documents Regarding DEA Fentanyl Practices, Whistleblower Reports",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"June AP Report Found that DEA Allowed Mass Amounts of Fentanyl Pills onto New Mexico Streets Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, shared the following documents for New Mexicans to read for themselves regarding the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) fentanyl practices. Senator Luján led the N.M. Delegation calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to expand its review of federal fentanyl investigations to examine Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) practices dating back before 2024, with a specific focus on the DEA’s fentanyl practices in New Mexico. Following the Associated Press report that the DEA allowed fentanyl pills onto New Mexico streets, Senator Luján has been briefed by DEA and DOJ officials and continues to press the federal government for more information to be released to the public. The following documents are available through the U.S. Department of Justice website: November 2023: New Mexico DEA agent files complaint A New Mexico DEA agent filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that federal prosecutors had discouraged or prevented agents from stopping suspected fentanyl shipments during investigations, allowing large quantities of fentanyl to reach New Mexico communities. December 22, 2023: Office of Special Counsel (OSC) refers allegations to DOJ The OSC found the allegations serious enough to require a DOJ investigation. OSC said there was a “substantial likelihood” that the alleged conduct could involve violations of rules, abuse of authority, or a danger to the public. Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-referral_redacted.pdf September 3, 2024: DOJ investigation rejects allegations DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility found no misconduct, finding that prosecutors and agents have discretion to let suspected drugs move rather than immediately seize them. It found the specific decisions it reviewed were reasonable under DOJ policy. Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-agency-report.pdf September 17, 2024: Whistleblower disputes DOJ’s findings The New Mexico whistleblower rejected the conclusions by the DOJ, arguing that important evidence was omitted from the report and that the authorities could have stopped the drugs without compromising larger investigations. He said that hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills were allowed to be distributed. Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-whistleblower-comments_redacted.pdf September 4, 2025: OSC closes review After reviewing DOJ’s investigations and the whistleblower’s objections, OSC told President Trump that DOJ’s report met the legal requirements and that its findings “appear reasonable.” OSC accepted DOJ’s conclusion that the allegations were not substantiated. Link: https://www.osc.gov/~assets/cases/osc-file-no-di-24-000207-letter-to-the-president-redacted.pdf January 2026: DOJ Inspector General flags broader fentanyl challenge DOJ’s Inspector General warned that chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl remain a major enforcement problem. While fentanyl-related substances have been scheduled, precursors, pre-precursors, and “pre-pre-precursors” remain unregulated, and the Inspector General said DOJ should pursue additional legislation and enforcement resources. Link: https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/TMPC-2025.pdf ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-taxpayer-assistance-and-service-act/,Luján Statement on Senate Passage of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Ben Ray Luján,L000570,www.lujan.senate.gov,lujan,https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list,scraper,"Several Luján Authored Provisions Included in Bipartisan Tax Package Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, which included several provisions authored by Senator Luján: “The Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act is a commonsense bipartisan legislative package that will strengthen taxpayer rights, reduce unnecessary burdens, and make our tax system fairer. I’m proud to have authored several provisions in this package to improve transparency, strengthen taxpayer protections, and help ensure the IRS works more efficiently for the American people. “Now, with Senate passage, we are one step closer to delivering a tax system that better serves taxpayers with fairness, transparency, and accountability.” In July, Senator Luján introduced the Strengthening Taxpayer Advocacy Act, bipartisan legislation to empower the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to better serve Americans navigating challenges with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Senator Luján also introduced a bipartisan package of three bills to improve transparency, fairness, and simplicity in the federal tax system. These pieces of legislation, led by Senator Luján, were included as provisions in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-releases-new-report-detailing-epa-capitulation-to-big-tech-dangerous-easing-of-regulations-to-build-data-centers-at-the-expense-of-transparency-and-communities-health,"Senator Markey Releases New Report Detailing EPA Capitulation to Big Tech, Dangerous Easing of Regulations to Build Data Centers at the Expense of Transparency and Communities’ Health",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MA,Edward J. Markey,M000133,www.markey.senate.gov,markey,https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"“The EPA's Data Center Disaster” Report (PDF) Washington (September 30, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee, today released a report titled, The EPA’s Data Center Disaster: How the Trump Administration is Destroying Environmental Protections and Selling Out Communities for Big Tech, detailing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s campaign of reckless deregulation to dilute environmental and public health guardrails in direct service of Big Tech’s race to build data centers. “75% of Americans do not want a data center in their backyard, yet Trump’s EPA has chosen to facilitate data center construction at the expense of our health, our pocketbooks, and our bedrock environmental laws. In what they have coined as ‘the largest deregulatory agenda in American history,’ President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have issued rollbacks of air, water, and toxic chemical regulations that make it easier to build data centers and fossil fuel infrastructure to power them,” said Senator Markey. “Instead of subverting the EPA to Big Tech’s control, Trump and Zeldin should act in the interest of the American people and hold accountable the industries they are obligated to regulate. The public deserves an EPA that lives up to its name.” Senator Markey’s report pulls back the curtain on the EPA’s abuse of power and failure to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment. Since January 2025, Trump’s EPA has proposed and finalized rollbacks to undermine longstanding public health guardrails, explicitly and repeatedly naming data centers as a key beneficiary. And beyond these individual regulatory rollbacks, Zeldin has refused to contemplate any nationwide standards for data centers, despite increasing evidence of the harm that data centers and their related power infrastructure inflict on U.S. communities. The cost of unfettered data center buildout is a real, present danger to the public. Air pollution associated with data centers in the United States caused an estimated $6.7 billion in public-health costs in 2023 and is projected to reach $20 billion by 2028. The EPA’s deregulatory blitz will only exacerbate this harm as communities have less protection and less input. Senator Markey has been the leading voice against irresponsible and unregulated data center buildout at the expense of public health and the environment. In July, Senator Markey released a discussion draft of his Protecting Communities Against Data Center Impacts proposal, a bill that would create a national framework to prevent increased energy costs, pollution, and adverse health harms related to the rapid buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure. In June, Senator Markey wrote to EPA Administrator Zeldin to demand the withdrawal of a proposed rule that undermines Clean Air Act permitting standards to facilitate the buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure. In June, Senator Markey reintroduced his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Impacts Act, legislation that would require data center operators to report the full range of their facilities’ environmental impacts. In November 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to ensure that increased and projected energy demand from data centers does not result in unjust or unreasonable rate hikes for American households. In September 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the EPA in opposition to the agency’s initial announcement of plans to roll back the NSR program for data center buildout. In July 2025, Senator Markey hosted a roundtable discussion titled The Data Center Next Door: Hidden Costs and Harms of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptomining to highlight the adverse environmental, health, climate, and energy cost impacts of data center proliferation in communities across the United States, and to condemn the deregulatory actions set forth in President Trump’s AI Action Plan. On the day of the roundtable, Senator Markey also released a storybook to spotlight the experiences of American families living with data centers in their backyard. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-mccormick-celebrates-transformational-3-billion-investment-in-carnegie-mellon-university/,Senator McCormick Celebrates Transformational $3 Billion Investment in Carnegie Mellon University,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,PA,David McCormick,M001243,www.mccormick.senate.gov,davemccormick,https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) celebrated a historic gift to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, including a transformational $1 billion investment in CMU’s Pittsburgh campus and $2 billion to launch Carnegie Mellon University Miami. “This extraordinary investment from my great friend Ken Griffin is a tremendous vote of confidence in CMU, in Pittsburgh, and in the innovation that will continue to define America’s future,” said Senator McCormick. “Pittsburgh has always been a city that reinvents itself. Andrew Carnegie helped build the Steel City into an industrial powerhouse, and today, the university that bears his name is helping lead America into the next era of innovation. I’m so proud of President Farnam Jahanian and his team for helping make Carnegie Mellon one of the finest research institutions in the world, a global leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, computer science, and so much more.” Senator McCormick previously served on Carnegie Mellon’s Board of Trustees and has long viewed the university as central to Pittsburgh’s transformation from the Steel City into a global hub for technology and innovation. CMU’s world-class leadership in artificial intelligence, robotics, computer science, and engineering has helped put Pittsburgh at the forefront of the technologies shaping America’s future. That leadership made CMU the natural home for Senator McCormick’s inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, showcasing the Commonwealth’s unique strengths in AI, energy, and advanced technology and catalyzing $92 billion in investment in Pennsylvania’s future. This historic investment announced today builds on that momentum. The $1 billion commitment to support CMU’s Pittsburgh campus will strengthen CMU’s research and academic leadership, attract the best minds, and fuel innovation and discovery in western Pennsylvania. The $2 billion investment in the launch of CMU Miami will expand the reach of an institution built in Pittsburgh and bring CMU’s culture of innovation and excellence to a new generation of leaders. At a moment of intense global competition, America must continue to invest in the people and institutions that allow us to invent, build, and lead. More than a century after Andrew Carnegie invested in Pittsburgh, that same spirit of ambition, discovery, and innovation remains alive and well in Western Pennsylvania.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/senate-unanimously-passes-merkley-curtis-bipartisan-wildfire-emissions-prevention-act/,Senate Unanimously Passes Merkley-Curtis Bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Bipartisan legislation would remove regulatory burden on proactive forest management, lower net emissions Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA). Merkley and Curtis’ bipartisan legislation would streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner. “As climate chaos fuels longer, hotter, and more dangerous wildfire seasons, our communities need to have all the necessary resources to mitigate wildfire threats. Prescribed fire and cultural burning on the landscape are one such tool by reducing hazardous fuels,” said Merkley. “This bipartisan bill would streamline the use of prescribed burns and includes my provisions to establish the Smoke Ready Communities Program. With our Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act passing the Senate, we are on the way to supporting more prescribed fire on the landscape—an essential forest management activity—while giving our communities the resources to plan and prepare for smoke events, protecting public health and saving lives.” “Utah has faced a devastating fire season, and we know that preventing catastrophic wildfires starts with giving land managers the tools to reduce hazardous fuels before they burn,” said Curtis. “Prescribed fire works, and states should not be penalized for responsibly using it to protect communities, forests, and air quality. I’m grateful the Senate unanimously passed this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I urge the House to act quickly so we can get it to the President’s desk.” The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would: Make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to prevent wildfire emissions; Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats; Provide certainty that states won’t be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires; Promote the efficient use of state air quality resources; and Make our forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner. The bill passed the EPW Committee with a vote of 19-0 on September 16, 2026. A one-page summary of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here, and the full bill text of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-bynum-oppose-trumps-undermining-of-due-process-and-politicizing-immigration-courts/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter, Bynum Oppose Trump’s Undermining of Due Process and Politicizing Immigration Courts",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Oregon lawmakers demand an end to expedited “mega master” hearings in Portland, Tacoma, and other immigration centers. Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum, today demanded the Trump administration end the practice of “mega master” immigration hearings that expedite the review of hundreds of immigrants’ cases in a day, resulting in a fast-track to removing immigrants without due process. “This unwarranted blitzkrieg of assaults on justice and fair treatment raises serious constitutional concerns and is unworthy of the oaths you swore to uphold,” the Oregon lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Sirce E. Owen, Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review and David Venturella, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called ‘mega master’ hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump’s handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention, and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews,” they wrote. “These policy changes confuse and terrify law-abiding immigrants in our communities and prevent them from having a fair day in court.” The lawmakers wrote that the Portland Immigration Court in Oregon is now holding about two “mega master” hearings every week, in addition to maintaining its previously scheduled docket hearings and individual merit hearings. That has forced immigrants anticipating court dates in 2027 or 2028 to suddenly show up on extremely short notice and scrambling both to figure out how to get to the court on time, and to find an attorney to represent them. “As if the changes at the Portland Immigration Court weren’t bad enough, the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court has now had judges deciding in mid-August to stop allowing immigration attorneys across Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska from appearing remotely on behalf of their clients detained at the regional detention center,” the lawmakers continued. “Previously, the Tacoma Immigration Court allowed out-of-state attorneys to represent their clients by making court appearances through video conferencing technology. Now attorneys—and when applicable, expert witnesses— have to attend these hearings in person.” The new requirement for immigration attorneys to represent their clients in person comes as immigration judges allow Department of Homeland Security prosecutors to participate in hearings remotely. In other cases even the presiding judge is attending remotely as well, with attorneys sharing that remote appearances by judges happen in about half the cases that they must attend in-person at the Tacoma Immigration Court. These new in-person requirements also come as attorneys share that the court is sending “notices to appear” and setting hearings for that same morning giving the attorneys little time to prepare or make travel arrangements from out of state. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also been routinely denying immigration attorneys access to their clients at detention centers, and transferring clients thousands of miles away to detention centers across the country. “Immigration court proceedings must uphold fairness and rule of law and not be politicized to satisfy Donald Trump’s arbitrary detention quotas. We call on the Trump administration to discontinue policies and tactics that undermine constitutional due process. Our legal system relies on accountability; therefore, we demand that you establish fair and meaningful hearings that provide a genuine day in court and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” the lawmakers concluded. The lawmakers ended their letter demanding a written response by October 15th, 2026 detailing the steps that the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security will take to achieve the following: Terminate “mega master” hearings. Provide immigrants with sufficient notice of their proceedings. Reduce hardships on immigration attorneys. Ensure that immigration judges hear cases individually, free from political influence. The full text of the letter is here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bynum-announce-100000-for-central-oregon-wildfire-recovery/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bynum Announce $100,000 for Central Oregon Wildfire Recovery",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum, today announced $100,000 in federal awards to support displaced Oregonians and wildfire recovery efforts for Central Oregon communities that lost homes in the 2026 wildfires. “As wildfires in central Oregon and statewide set new records every year in size and intensity, the rural communities on the front lines of these fights are the most in need of resources for recovery efforts,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award that will support Central Oregon communities including Warm Springs residents who were forced to flee from their homes, and I will continue to fight for more resources to support wildfire prevention and recovery across Oregon.” “When disaster strikes, Oregon’s communities show up to help each other. These federal funds will help NeighborImpact provide critical support to Warm Springs families recovering from the devastating July wildfires, including emergency shelter, relocation assistance, and essential household supplies,” said Merkley. “I’ll keep fighting to bring federal resources home to Oregon so our communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild.” “No where to sleep. Only the clothes on your back. Food to go is the only option. All in the matter of one day,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’ve heard that story too many times from my constituents. People need help after an emergency, and the faster that help comes, the better shot they have of rebuilding what was lost. And by help I mean money to get the basics. That’s the difference this funding can and will make.” The $100,000 in federal awards from the NeighborWorks Disaster Grants program will be distributed to NeighborImpact, a central Oregon nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Thousands of Warm Springs residents were forced to evacuate and several homes were lost in the July 2026 fires. The grant will support the Wildfire Recovery Fund that is used to provide emergency shelter, relocation assistance, provide/replace personal items such as baby supplies, hygiene products, houseware items, laundry and cleaning supplies. “Warm Springs deserves to be included in the regional response to wildfire and other needs on an equal basis with counties. Too often, tribal communities are a place to drive through, not a place to drive to. NeighborImpact values all our neighbors, including tribal neighbors, and the fires that burned at Warm Springs this summer, while devastating, were respond to and will continue to be responded to vigorously and thoroughly with resources, support for displaced people and empathy from our organization and, I hope, neighboring communities. The congressional appropriation funded through NeighborWorks America is a much-appreciated and critical tool enabling us to help in a time of need,” said Scott Cooper, Executive Director of NeighborImpact. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-moody-democrats-are-the-party-of-no-continue-to-block-legislation-to-protect-ratepayers-and-ban-stock-trading-in-congress/,"Senator Moody: Democrats are the Party of No, Continue to Block Legislation to Protect Ratepayers and Ban Stock Trading in Congress",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,FL,Ashley Moody,M001244,www.moody.senate.gov,moody,https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Ashley Moody released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked The Stop Insider Trading Act, which she cosponsored, and The Ratepayer Protection Act. These two measures would stop Congressional stock trading, institute nationwide voter ID requirements, and ensure families are not stuck paying the costs of potential new data centers. “This is exactly why Americans are frustrated with Washington. Democrats had the opportunity to join us in restoring some faith in our government by banning members of Congress from trading stocks and protecting families from paying the costs for massive data centers, and they said NO. Instead of working to benefit the American people, Democrats chose to play politics to solicit praise from the most radical element of their base,” said Senator Ashley Moody. BACKGROUND: Senator Moody recently took to the Senate floor to seek unanimous consent to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, which passed by the House in bipartisan fashion. The Stop Insider Trading Act would generally prohibit Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requiring public notice before selling stocks. The measure would also instate national voter ID requirements. Earlier this year, Senator Moody introduced the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act to stop insider trading. Senator Moody has also been a strong advocate for protecting Florida ratepayers and co-sponsored The Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House by and overwhelming 417-3 vote. This legislation would require state utility regulators and unregulated utilities to consider adopting large load standards ensuring cost recovery for the “full, incremental” cost of any generation, transmission or distribution upgrade needed to serve the large-load customer. The vast majority of Americans support voter ID—according to Pew Research Center, 83% of adults—including 76% of Black Americans and 82% of Hispanic Americans. According to a University of Maryland study, an overwhelming majority of 86% of American favor banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks, including 88% of Democrats and 81% of Independents. Both measures passed the House, but Senate Democrats blocked them from advancing. # # #",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4C38BC64-63E9-409D-8ACF-BFB638B9E9C5,Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Raising Concerns About Putin’s Invitation to the G20 Summit,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,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.) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – joined Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) in raising concerns to President Trump regarding the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Miami, Florida, in December. Specifically, the senators questioned the invitation of Vladimir Putin to participate in a G20 meeting on U.S. soil, citing Russia’s continued attacks against Ukrainian civilians and targeting of Americans in Ukraine and around the world. The senators also urged that Putin and other sanctioned Russian officials not be permitted to participate in G20 events or similar international forums held in the United States. “President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine,” wrote the senators. “Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day.” “This invitation also comes at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear,” continued the senators. “Numerous public reports have indicated that Russia is helping Iran’s military target American service members in the Middle East. Russia has also increased its hybrid warfare activities throughout Europe in recent months while simultaneously conducting deadly aerial attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure.” “The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks,” concluded the senators. “We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable. However, if President Putin and his government are not isolated on the international stage, what incentive does Russia have to agree to a ceasefire?” Full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear President Trump, We write to express our serious concern regarding reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to attend the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit on December 14 and 15 in Miami, Florida. We were already disappointed by the recent participation of Russian government delegations in a series of G20 meetings across the United States, including a delegation led by sanctioned Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the Finance Ministerial in Asheville, North Carolina; a Russian delegation at the Commerce Department Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and a Russian delegation at the Energy Abundance Ministerial in Houston, Texas. We raise the same concerns noted in an April 3 bipartisan Senate letter, which outlined the national security implications of allowing a delegation of sanctioned members of the Russian Duma to visit the United States for official meetings. Given President Putin’s continued actions against the Ukrainian people and U.S. national security interests, we urge you to reconsider granting President Putin the stature and legitimacy to appear in the United States as a world leader at the G20 Leaders’ Summit. President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day. This invitation also comes at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear. Numerous public reports have indicated that Russia is helping Iran’s military target American service members in the Middle East. Russia has also increased its hybrid warfare activities throughout Europe in recent months while simultaneously conducting deadly aerial attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure. President Putin and Anton Siluanov, in addition to others traveling as part of the respective delegations for G20 meetings, are sanctioned under Executive Order 14024 for engaging in conduct deemed to be harmful to U.S. national security. It is troubling that, despite being sanctioned, these individuals have been given access to participate in G20 forums hosted in the United States. The G20 is intended to foster international cooperation on critical issues including finance, trade and global economic stability. As Russia continues its war against Ukraine and refuses to agree to a just and lasting peace agreement, its government should not be afforded a business-as-usual treatment alongside other nations at G20 events. The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks. We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable. However, if President Putin and his government are not isolated on the international stage, what incentive does Russia have to agree to a ceasefire? As the United States holds the G20 presidency for the remainder of the calendar year, we urge you to reverse course and rescind the invitation to President Putin and ensure that other sanctioned Russian officials, who bear responsibility for Russia’s war against Ukraine, are not permitted to participate in upcoming G20 engagements, including the Trade Ministerial, Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and Leaders’ Summit, until Russia agrees to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Thank you for your consideration. # # #",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-pushes-for-senate-passage-of-bill-protecting-children-from-ice,Murphy Pushes for Senate Passage of Bill Protecting Children from ICE,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,chrismurphy,https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday went to the floor of the U.S. Senate to ask for unanimous consent to pass his bill to prevent ICE, Border Patrol, and all DHS agents from carrying out enforcement actions at school bus stops. A Senate Republican blocked the bill, allowing the Trump Administration to continue conducting aggressive enforcement operations in full view of children. ICE recently conducted a week-long operation in Connecticut resulting in 118 arrests, which included an arrest of a parent who just dropped their child off at their bus stop. When reports surfaced, Sen. Murphy immediately joined elected officials and immigration rights advocates, as well as thousands of protestors in Danbury, to denounce the operation. Videos released to CT Insider by Danbury Public Schools under a Freedom of Information Act request documented the scene. “I am […] just asking my colleagues: can we come to an agreement that school bus stops should be off limits? Can we decide to have compassion for that six-year-old child who got on the bus for his second day of school, and when he got back off the bus, was abandoned?” said Murphy. Murphy chronicled the horrors witnessed by children in Danbury during their first week of school: “On the morning of August 26, the second day of school for most school districts in Connecticut, in Danbury, Connecticut, bus drivers began reporting to the school district that they had noticed the presence of ICE agents in and around school bus stops. At one of them, a constituent of mine, a father, was waiting at the school bus stop with his six-year-old son, and just moments after saying goodbye to his son for the second day of school, and even before the school bus had fully driven away, ICE arrested and detained him.” Murphy pleaded with his Republican colleagues to consider the trauma ICE is inflicting on innocent children: “For parents in this body, you know how anxious that first day of school is, how kids are just brimming with nervous anxiety about that first day, and you know what that feels like to watch your kid walk onto that school bus. Well, what do you think it does to those kids on that first and second day of school to see ICE officers at the school bus stop? Imagine that six-year-old who boarded the school bus, and when he got back from school that day and got off, his parent wasn't there. A six-year-old feeling like he had been abandoned. In this case, he may or may not have seen the arrest because it happened almost immediately after he got on.” Murphy emphasized that ICE blatantly lied when they denied carrying out arrests at school bus stops: “While that practice is bad enough, it is important to note that ICE tried to cover up the practice. When they were presented with these stories from Danbury, DHS doubled down and said any claim that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop is false. Then just days afterwards, we had the video evidence. This often happens—ICE says something didn't happen, and then we have the video proving that it did. And in Danbury's case, we have two separate videos taken from the school bus showing ICE operating at the school bus stop and detaining this parent.” Murphy also revealed that several Republicans have voiced opposition to Trump’s heartless deployment of ICE to sensitive locations: “We came close to getting an agreement on a similar proposal before negotiations broke down over DHS funding. Senator Blumenthal, my colleague, has a piece of legislation that is even broader than the three bills I'm proposing. The idea is that there should just be a ban on the operation of ICE at sensitive locations, which would include places where children gather but also would include other sensitive locations like churches. I know my Republican colleagues were close to agreeing to that before these negotiations broke down.” After a bizarre objection from Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Murphy hammered Republicans over how dishonest they are being about the terror ICE is inflicting on communities like Danbury: “I will be honest with you, I did not anticipate that one of the arguments against this bill would be that it would lead to the development of ‘sanctuary bus stops.’ But what do we imagine here? People are going to live at bus stops? We're going to have encampments around bus stops of people who are here without documentation? I just think it's an example of how this whole debate has gone way off the rails. It is just fundamentally detached from the reality.” A full transcript of Murphy’s remarks is available below. You can watch Murphy’s remarks here. Murphy: Mr. President, there is a pretty significant divide right now between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of the way that ICE is enforcing our immigration laws in the interior. Democrats believe that what is happening today is both illegal and immoral, and that is why right now these operations are being funded through reconciliation, because we believe that it's our constitutional obligation to refuse to fund an agency that is out of control and not in compliance with the law. Republicans broadly have supported the actions of this administration as they target both immigrants without documentation and legal immigrants for arrest and detention. I'm going to offer a request to pass a bill by unanimous consent that does not seek to repair that divide. Instead, it seeks to try to bring us together on a very narrow question—a question that arises from a set of incidents that have happened in my state of Connecticut over the course of the last month and a half. On the morning of August 26, the second day of school for most school districts in Connecticut, in Danbury, Connecticut, bus drivers began reporting to the school district that they had noticed the presence of ICE agents in and around school bus stops. At one of them, a constituent of mine, a father, was waiting at the school bus stop with his six-year-old son, and just moments after saying goodbye to his son for the second day of school, and even before the school bus had fully driven away, ICE arrested and detained him. This practice was reported all around the state: ICE gathering at school bus stops, waiting until a young child had boarded the school bus, and then detaining and arresting the parents. For parents in this body, you know how anxious that first day of school is, how kids are just brimming with nervous anxiety about that first day, and you know what that feels like to watch your kid walk onto that school bus. Well, what do you think it does to those kids on that first and second day of school to see ICE officers at the school bus stop? Imagine that six-year-old who boarded the school bus, and when he got back from school that day and got off, his parent wasn't there. A six-year-old feeling like he had been abandoned. In this case, he may or may not have seen the arrest because it happened almost immediately after he got on. To me, it's pretty obvious that the intent here, with this new practice of ICE showing up at school bus stops, is to traumatize the children. But you don't have to agree with me that the intent is to traumatize the children to just come to the conclusion that ICE does not need to be at school bus stops in order to enforce the law. There are a myriad of other settings in which ICE can operate to carry out arrests while staying clear of school bus stops, where the intent or at least the result of those operations is to leave little kids in trauma. I've introduced three pieces of simple legislation to say that ICE should not operate at daycare centers, they shouldn't operate at children's playgrounds, and that they shouldn't operate at school bus stops. I am asking unanimous consent today for only one of those pieces of legislation that I think is the most urgent, and while I don't expect the results to be agreement, I hope that we could find agreement on this narrow question: that ICE should just stay away from school bus stops. They shouldn't be traumatizing children at school bus stops and taking parents in the middle of the school day because there are so many other ways that ICE could operate so as to detain the people that they feel they need to detain without it being done in this deeply traumatic way. In fact, we came close to getting an agreement on a similar proposal before negotiations broke down over DHS funding. Senator Blumenthal, my colleague, has a piece of legislation that is even broader than the three bills I'm proposing. The idea is that there should just be a ban on the operation of ICE at sensitive locations, which would include places where children gather but also would include other sensitive locations like churches. I know my Republican colleagues were close to agreeing to that before these negotiations broke down. And so today, I am taking a small slice of that broader proposal and just asking my colleagues: can we come to an agreement that school bus stops should be off limits? Can we decide to have compassion for that six-year-old child who got on the bus for his second day of school, and when he got back off the bus, was abandoned? The last point I'll make is this: while that practice is bad enough, it is important to note that ICE tried to cover up the practice. When they were presented with these stories from Danbury, DHS doubled down and said any claim that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop is false. Then just days afterwards, we had the video evidence. This often happens—ICE says something didn't happen, and then we have the video proving that it did. And in Danbury's case, we have two separate videos taken from the school bus showing ICE operating at the school bus stop and detaining this parent. So my hope is that we can come together and just make a decision that while we have big differences over the broader issue of ICE enforcement, ICE should stop preying upon our kids at sensitive locations, and in particular, school bus stops. My motion is this: notwithstanding Rule 22 and as if in legislative session, I would ask unanimous consent that the committee on the judiciary be discharged and the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S 5435. I further ask consent that the bill be considered to be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered, made, and laid upon the table. Banks: Look, this is just another attempt after many other attempts by Democrats to stop ICE from doing their job and enforcing our immigration law. As you're seeing today, Democrats will do anything that they can to stop ICE—our men and women who are in federal law enforcement—from securing our nation and keeping families safe. In my state of Indiana, just over this last weekend, an illegal with an ICE detainer, drunk and behind the wheel of a vehicle, killed an innocent 33-year-old woman, Tamara Thomas, who was walking near a gas station in downtown Indianapolis. Tamara unfortunately is not the first Hoosier who lost her life because of an illegal immigration crisis in this country. In February, an illegal ran a red light and killed 64-year-old Terry Schultz in Avon, Indiana. In the same month, an illegal semi truck driver who entered our country using Joe Biden's CBP One app swerved into oncoming traffic and killed four Amish men near my hometown in Jake County in Northern Indiana. A couple of months ago, Indianapolis police arrested an illegal from Mexico who now faces 30 separate charges, including rape, sexual assault, and kidnapping, and this illegal came into our country under the Biden administration. Last year, a 35-year-old illegal who was living in Indianapolis was sentenced to 35 years in prison after he sexually exploited and abused a 15-year-old girl. Hoosiers are going to keep getting killed and harmed by illegals unless we let ICE officers do their job. The madness has to end and it needs to end right now. We need to support our ICE officers. ICE needs to be allowed to do their job without Democrats getting in their way. I've been in the Senate for two years and over and over again the Democrats have tried to obstruct ICE from doing their job. This bill that I'm about to object to today will prohibit ICE from operating near school bus stops. But we know that illegal aliens are often at or near bus stops. So here's the deal Mr. President: in Virginia last year, ICE arrested a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, a convicted pedophile, who exposed himself to a child at a school bus stop. How can anyone hear a story like that and think that the answer is to block ICE officers from doing their job at a school bus stop? Mr. President, if we prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops, you know what will happen: we'll just create sanctuary school bus stops. All the illegals, the criminals, the pedophiles will end up at school bus stops because they know they'll be protected there. All those illegals in this country will hide out at bus stops, and knowing that ICE won't be allowed to touch them, you'll see more stories like what you saw happen in Virginia last year. It's just crazy to me to think that we would prevent ICE officers from going wherever they need to go to do their job, even if that means at a bus stop, on those rare, very rare, circumstances and occasions. ICE needs to be allowed to operate wherever the job takes them, especially at places where illegal aliens can harm our children. And look, ICE is not the enemy. Democrats are trying to make our ICE officers out to be the enemy, and they are not. Just a couple of weeks ago, ICE conducted a five-day operation in my home state which resulted in the arrest of 426 illegals. These criminals included people who were charged with robberies, drug trafficking, sex crime, sex crimes, and more. And ICE also arrested an illegal from Guatemala who illegally voted in national elections in Indiana. Mr. President, the Democrats all say that never happens, but they arrested an illegal just a few weeks ago in Indiana who did that. So here we go again with another attempt by Democrats to obstruct our federal law enforcement. Instead of giving ICE more resources to do the job that they need to do, instead of doing anything that we can to deport illegals from our country, Democrats are here asking for unanimous consent to tie ICE's hands behind their backs and prevent them from doing their job. I won't let that happen. That's why I came to the floor today, Mr. President. ICE needs to be allowed to enforce the law and do their job, and for that reason, Mr. President, I object. Murphy: Just three final points. I think Senator Banks articulates the Republican position which is that immigrants are, by definition, a safety threat to the United States of America, and that is just not true. I don't draw issue with the fact that there are immigrants who commit crimes but there are natural-born citizens that commit crimes at higher rates than immigrants do. The fact of the matter is that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than people who were born here in the United States. We should just keep people safe in this country no matter the country of origin or birth of the perpetrator. Second, I think you can make the decision that I should be able to operate in the interior while keeping certain sites off limits. In fact, this was the Trump administration policy in the first term. So Republican administrations in the past have come to the decision that certain sites should be off limits for ICE. And in fact, when I talk to Trump supporters in Connecticut, who broadly do support the president's immigration policy, they also believe that they went too far in Connecticut. There were a lot of Republicans who showed up at our big rally the day after this incident happened, so it is not true that you can only support robust enforcement operations in the interior if you support ICE being at school bus stops. Finally, I will be honest with you, I did not anticipate that one of the arguments against this bill would be that it would lead to the development of sanctuary bus stops. But what do we imagine here? People are going to live at bus stops? We're going to have encampments around bus stops of people who are here without documentation? I just think it's an example of how this whole debate has gone way off the rails. It is just fundamentally detached from the reality. You want to support Trump's immigration policy. You can do that while still saying that we shouldn't have ICE officers patrolling school bus stops with the purpose of traumatizing little children. That could be a consensus position, and we could choose to still disagree over the broader Trump immigration policy.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-slam-trump-administrations-oil-reserve-release-as-months-too-late-for-families-paying-high-energy-costs/,"Murray, Kaptur Slam Trump Administration’s Oil Reserve Release as Months Too Late for Families Paying High Energy Costs",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement in response to the Department of Energy’s announcement of another release of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. “Families in Washington State, Northwest Ohio, and all across the country are still paying too much at the pump and on their home energy bills — and this latest release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve woefully comes months too late to bring those high costs down. The Trump Administration says the deal costs taxpayers nothing, yet it has not set aside the money needed to refill the Reserve for the majority of the barrels owed back, which leaves our country less ready for the next emergency. This is a show put on to distract from the fact that this Administration is responsible for sending gas prices skyrocketing, and working families will keep paying for it in the days, weeks, months, and years to come,” said Murray and Kaptur. On September 29, the Department of Energy issued a request for proposals to exchange up to 40 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The exchange is part of a 172-million-barrel release the Trump Administration announced in March. Under an exchange, companies borrow oil from the Reserve and must later return it with extra barrels. Because none of the oil is sold, the exchanges bring in no money to pay for transport and other costs associated with moving it back into the Reserve. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/new-trump-sets-over-230-million-for-rural-housing-on-fire/,NEW: Trump Sets Over $230 Million for Rural Housing on Fire,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"As fiscal year ends at midnight, Trump admin is on track to let $230M+ in federal funding to help low-income Americans in rural areas afford to buy a home POLITICO: $230 million in federal rural housing funds set to expire this week ***STATE-BY-STATE DATA HERE*** Washington, D.C. — As the fiscal year ends at midnight tonight, the Trump administration is on track to not spend nearly half of the $1 billion Congress has allocated for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program, which helps low- and very-low-income Americans in rural areas get the financing they need to afford a home to call their own. Each year, the program finances roughly 5,500 mortgages. Over $230 million in funding that could have helped families hit by the housing crisis will expire tonight. That funding could have helped approximately 850 more rural households realize their dream of homeownership. “This theft is an attack on rural America. President Trump and Secretary Rollins are lighting funding on fire that should have helped families in rural areas fulfill their dreams of owning a home to call their own,” said Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “There’s no excusing the fact that as the housing crisis hits rural America, this administration’s incompetence and intentional sabotage are denying help to families who need it most.” “At a time when Americans are struggling to find housing they can afford, we should be doing everything possible to help families put a roof over their heads—especially in the most rural parts of our country where affordable housing options can be few and far between,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. “By letting this funding expire, the administration is sending a clear message: addressing sky-high housing prices isn’t one of their priorities.” As of today, USDA has only spent $518 million of $1 billion in available funding for the program. While $250 million of the nearly half billion in unspent funds can be used in the next fiscal year, over $230 million cannot, and the Trump administration’s failure to properly manage this program and get the funds out this fiscal year means families across the country will be denied assistance while many more will have to wait longer for help they should have been able to get this year. President Trump proposed eliminating this important program in fiscal year 2026—a cut Congress rejected—and the Trump administration has imposed harmful new red tape on the program. There is no recent precedent of any administration failing to tap this program’s funding to help Americans in rural areas get help buying a home. The housing affordability crisis is hitting rural America hard. As a 2025 White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) report noted: “real rural house prices have risen at faster than 6x the pace of homeowner incomes, which is pushing homebuying further out of reach for young families.” A state-by-state breakdown comparing funding the Trump administration has gotten out to help rural families buy homes this year versus the prior-year average is available HERE. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/republicans-block-democrats-bill-to-stop-trump-from-robbing-the-american-people-with-pocket-rescissions/,Republicans Block Democrats’ Bill to Stop Trump from Robbing the American People with “Pocket Rescissions”,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, in seeking unanimous consent to pass a commonsense bill to stop President Trump from robbing the American people through illegal “pocket rescissions.” But Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) blocked the bill, which would (1) nullify the illegal “pocket rescission” that President Trump announced on Friday and (2) prevent the president from attempting to use a “pocket rescission” again by forbidding any president from submitting rescissions requests under the Impoundment Control Act with fewer than 90 days before the funds expire. This ensures Congress can act on the request and presidents cannot try to simply run out the clock. Democrats have repeatedly sought to bar the Trump administration from so much as attempting this illegal maneuver—when marking up draft Senate spending bills, in votes on the floor, and in negotiations over spending packages, including negotiations over the continuing resolution that was recently signed into law. But Republicans have rejected every Democratic attempt over the last 18 months to enact new protections against pocket rescissions. Senator Murray’s remarks ahead of the attempt to pass the bill, as delivered, are below: “Thank you to my colleague from Oregon for setting out what is going on here because, as he said, on Friday night, President Trump announced that he was stealing more money from the American people. Trump and his budget director Russ Vought call it a ‘pocket rescission.’ Well, whatever you call it, it’s illegal. “Trump is taking the bipartisan funding that we passed—funding that Democrats and Republicans agreed on, that he signed into law—and he is now ripping out the pages he doesn’t like. Forget about ideas like Congress and the law. “Look, this is theft from the American people—plain and simple. In this case, Trump is tearing away funding to help Americans buy a home, he’s cutting off funds for health care research which would prevent things like dangerous hospital infections that are dangerous or saving taxpayers literally billions of dollars. “But you know what, Trump could not care less. While he blows your tax dollars on an illegal war, Trump is illegally cutting off funding for health research, housing, and more. “And I guess that’s no surprise given how this President is constantly out-of-touch with American families, saying ‘tariffs’ is his favorite word, ore saying he loves inflation, or saying he wants housing costs to go up—he said that. “But where are my Republican colleagues who helped pass these funds that Trump is now stealing? Because this didn’t come out of left field. No one can pretend to be surprised by what is happening now. “When Russ Vought was nominated as Trump’s budget chief, he was pretty darn transparent about the fact that he planned to break the law, he planned to tear up our bills, and he dared us to stop him. But that didn’t stop every Republican Senator from voting for him—and when his deputy was nominated and told us this summer that pocket rescissions were very much still on the table, what happened? Once again, every Senate Republican voted to confirm him too. “Anyone watching could see this coming from a mile away—Trump used this scheme to unlawfully impound $5 billion last summer, for heaven’s sake. That’s why Democrats have fought again, and again, and again, to prevent the president from being able to use this illegal tactic, including in recent negotiations over the CR that’s now law. “But Republicans have refused to work with us to prevent Trump and Russ Vought from stealing from the American people. Time, after time, after time, they have shot down our attempts to stop this administration from defying Congress and robbing our constituents. “Let’s talk more about this ‘pocket rescission’ scheme for a minute and what’s at stake. President Trump and Russ Vought are saying: ‘Hey, we can ignore the law, we can ignore bipartisan deals, and just make our own decisions, as long as we do it last minute.’ “Everyone knows that is ridiculous and illegal. Congress would never have created a system that gave any President the ability to decide to just ignore or bypass a law. “It makes no sense. And in fact, GAO has looked at what this President has done and has said it’s clearly illegal—twice. Now, my Republican colleagues know some of this, some of them have even said so. But whenever they have had the chance, they have not joined us to put an end to this. Democrats had language Republicans could have let us put in the last CR, or the CR before it. “We’ve taken vote after vote on versions of this language—on the floor, and in committee—and, of course, we had the vote where Republicans confirmed the un-abashed architect of Trump’s illegal scheme as Budget Director. “Well now they are getting one more chance. Senator Merkley and I and others have a bill to help Congress re-assert its authority—our authority—and head off Trump’s completely illegal pocket rescission scheme. “We should be clear: Trump isn’t just illegally robbing our constituents through this pocket rescission. There are a whole lot of other funds that he is refusing to get out the door: more health research funding, grants to prevent teen pregnancy, funding to protect Americans from global health threats, and even a quarter of a billion dollars to help families in rural areas get the financing they need to finally achieve their dream of owning a home. “Hundreds of families in rural America will be denied the shot to buy a home as Trump lights this money on fire tonight. “So, it’s not just the pocket rescission—it’s all the rest of the money this administration is holding up or misspending. And Republicans have been pretty quiet about it. “Russ Vought has always made his message to Congress painfully clear: he thinks the votes that we all take here don’t count. He thinks the laws we pass are optional. “Now is the time for our Republican colleagues who said they would never let this happen to help us pass a bill that makes our message to Russ Vought equally clear: stop stealing from our constituents and start following our laws.” ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-leads-final-pre-midterm-effort-to-defeat-anti-voter-save-act-condemns-trump-corruption/,"Padilla Leads Final Pre-Midterm Effort to Defeat Anti-Voter SAVE Act, Condemns Trump Corruption",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, took to the Senate floor in opposition to Republicans’ so-called Stop Insider Trading Act, which would allow members of Congress who already own stocks to keep trading and does nothing to prevent the President and Vice President from trading stocks, and includes a voter identification provision from the SAVE Act that would require eligible voters to include photo identification in their mail and absentee ballots, among other provisions. If enacted, this requirement would have been stricter than all 50 states. Once again, Padilla led his Senate colleagues in defeating this anti-voter provision and underscored the importance of holding President Trump accountable for his ongoing corruption, this time, just over a month before Election Day. The Senate failed to advance the bill by a party-line vote of 53-47, with 60 votes required to pass the bill. “Here we are, 34 days before Election Day, or, as I like to suggest, 34 days before the final day to vote because we’re encouraging people to cast their ballot early if they can, or vote by mail if and where they can,” said Senator Padilla. “But instead of talking about the issues that are most on the minds of American families, Republicans are here again trying to distract from those issues and to, frankly, create confusion amongst voters in order to protect the President and the party from your failed policies.” While Republicans claim to express concern over insider stock trading, Padilla exposed Trump’s own corruption and highlighted his previous efforts to prevent it, including the fact that President Trump traded more than 21,000 times in his first year in office, more than every member of Congress combined, increasing his net worth by $4-5 billion. Padilla also called out Trump’s Truth Social service, which sells early inside access to presidential announcements to hedge funds and Wall Street firms. He further detailed the impacts of attaching the voter ID provision to the bill and emphasized MAGA Republicans’ efforts to provoke election chaos. “The American people deserve to have confidence that their elected representatives are making decisions in the best interest of the American people, and not in your bank account or in your stock investments. But that’s not what this bill will do,” continued Senator Padilla. “This bill does not ban members of Congress from holding stocks or trading stocks, and it exempts the most powerful elected official of all – the President of the United States – from a stock trading ban.” “Today is not a serious attempt to address the kind of corruption here in Washington that the American people may care about,” said Senator Padilla. “And to add further proof to that point, this isn’t just a sham attempt to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, because it includes a voter ID poison pill in it. This so-called ‘Voter ID’ bill would impose a far stricter and more burdensome federal standard than all 50 states.” Padilla sounded the alarm on Republicans’ baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, emphasizing their efforts to distract from their failed leadership and policies that are raising costs on American families. Padilla raised concerns about issues that Trump and MAGA Republicans should focus on instead of spreading election and voter disinformation. “When families are struggling with rising inflation, the rising costs of health care and housing, groceries, mortgages, gas prices, an unauthorized war in Iran. Instead of actually addressing those issues with the real proposals, they’re seeking to distract and confuse. The American people deserve better than this,” Senator Padilla concluded. As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, which has oversight over federal elections, Padilla has led the charge opposing Trump’s overreaching anti-voter SAVE Act. Last month, Padilla led his Senate colleagues in once again defeating MAGA Republicans’ efforts to advance Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio)’s voter ID bill, a provision of the SAVE Act. In July, Padilla tried twice to call up a bipartisan bill that would ban members of Congress and their family members, as well as the President and Vice President, from trading stocks – but Republicans blocked it both times. In June, Padilla led his Senate Democratic colleagues in defeating Republicans’ efforts to include the SAVE Act in their anti-immigrant reconciliation bill twice in one night. During the failed March 2026 “talking filibuster” attempt, Padilla took to the Senate floor four times as a leader in the Democratic opposition to the SAVE Act. Padilla has also led legislation to prohibit the president from monetizing his office by selling inside early access to official announcements to investors. Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here. Transcript of Padilla’s remarks is available below: Mr. President, here we are, 34 days before Election Day, or, as I like to suggest, 34 days before the final day to vote because we’re encouraging people to cast their ballot early, if they can, or vote by mail if and where they can. But instead of talking about the issues that are most on the minds of American families, Republicans are here again trying to distract from those issues and to, frankly, create confusion amongst voters in order to protect the president and the party from your failed policies. Now, Senate Democrats, Senate Democrats agree that something real needs to happen to rein in the ability of elected officials, especially members of Congress, from making decisions that impact the companies in their stock portfolios. That is true. The American people deserve to have confidence that their elected representatives are making decisions in the best interest of the American people, and not in your bank account or in your stock investments. But that’s not what this bill will do. This bill does not ban members of Congress from holding stocks or trading stocks, and it exempts the most powerful elected official of all – the president of the United States – from a stock trading ban. Now let’s be clear, colleagues, because we’ve seen this time and again. When the president makes announcements or posts on Truth Social, he has the potential to move markets, shift the economy. And that’s truly an awesome power, one that nobody should be able to exploit for their own profit. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done and has done over and over again. That’s why, since returning to office last year, his net worth has grown some 4 to 5 billion dollars, billion with a B, Mr. President. Now, ABC News showed us that just last year, he made over 21,000 stock trades across 8 accounts – in a matter of 80 – with the average of about 85 trades per day. 85 trades per day! Does that sound like someone who is singularly focused on improving the quality of life for the American people? I don’t think so. Bloomberg News found that President Trump has traded stocks more than every member of Congress combined. Think about that for a minute. One person, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, the trader-in-chief, made more stock trades in one year than all 535 members of Congress. Now, NBC News found that 327 of these were made exactly one day before he rolled back his, quote, “Liberation Day,” tariffs. Was that a coincidence? I think not. How much grift from his own decision-making? The American people deserve to know. But the president’s corruption goes even further. His social media company is literally selling access to hedge funds and Wall Street brokers, early access to his major market-shaping announcements. Let that sink in for a moment. Trump has been making more stock trades than all of Congress combined while backing a ban that excludes him. That’s what the bill before us does. Is it any surprise that the president supports a bill that does nothing to rein him in? How can we possibly go home and tell the American people with a straight face that we’re stopping the corruption in Washington when the biggest exploiter is the president and he is immune from these – from this bill? The authors of this bill refuse to put any restrictions or guardrails on the biggest, most corrupt federal stock trader of all. Now, don’t take that to mean that Democrats don’t want to do anything in this space. We do. In fact, the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee last year put out a bipartisan bill that would actually address this issue. But folks watching at home should recognize that that bipartisan bill, with teeth, is not what Republicans have chosen to put on the floor today, 34 days before Election Day. Instead, it’s this sham bill that doesn’t have the teeth and doesn’t rein in the trader-in-chief. I’ve tried to bring up that bill, by the way, repeatedly in this Senate, and Senate Republicans have blocked it on multiple occasions. So, today is not a serious attempt to address the kind of corruption here in Washington that the American people may care about. And to add further proof to that point, this isn’t just an a – a sham attempt to ban members of Congress from trading stocks because it includes a voter ID poison pill in it. This so-called “Voter ID” bill would impose a far stricter and more burdensome federal standard than all 50 states. You know, some states have voter ID, some states don’t. Those that do have laws at the state level that require an ID, but it allows tribal IDs or student IDs, if issued by the state government or a state entity, to count. But the federal provisions in this bill do not. And it goes even worse for the one-third of American voters that prefer to vote by mail and they have that option in their state. And 80% of Californians, by the way. This requirement that you have to have a copy of your ID in the envelope with your ballot for it to count eviscerates the secret ballot that we value so much. Here’s what the Republican lieutenant governor of Utah had to say – in Utah, the lieutenant governor is also the state election official – when it was included in the SAVE Act, and now it’s in the measure before us: Quote, “The SAVE America Act requires a vote to include a photo copy of their ID, violating our constitutional right to a secret ballot.” So, don’t just take my word for it. Republican governor of Utah. And she’s not the only Republican opposed to this kind of legislation. The Republican governor of Ohio vetoed a similar state bill, saying, quote, “The measure would not discourage fraud, would not add any real security, and would create additional and significant burden for Ohioans who vote by mail.” All for what? For the, uh, in pursuit of the Big Lie? The president’s been claiming for, what, a decade now about massive voter fraud, while every expert, every study has found the same thing. Despite the conspiracy theories – voter fraud is already illegal – let’s establish that, it’s already on the books as illegal. But it’s also extremely, extremely rare. So what is this bill truly about, anyway? It’s not cracking down, as Republicans claim it is. It’s not going to, you know, address the massive voter fraud that does not exist. Again, it’s misdirection. It’s a distraction. And it threatens to suppress the vote. 34 days before the election. And, all of a sudden, Republicans realize that the only thing they have to show for their control of government for the last two years, right — you’re the majority in the Senate, you’re the majority in the House. Your party occupies the White House. When families are struggling with rising inflation, the rising costs of health care and housing, groceries, mortgages, gas prices, an unauthorized war in Iran. Instead of actually addressing those issues with the real proposals, they’re seeking to distract and confuse. The American people deserve better than this. And I urge all my colleagues to vote no on this cynical measure. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-durbin-duckworth-introduce-legislation-to-protect-regional-national-archives-facilities-from-closure/,"Padilla, Schiff, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Protect Regional National Archives Facilities from Closure",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"The Senators introduced the legislation following the announced closure of Regional National Archives and Federal Records Centers in San Bruno, California and Chicago, Illinois WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), introduced the National Archives Protection Act, legislation that would require congressional approval before the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) can close or significantly restrict access to existing regional facilities. In June 2026, NARA announced plans to close its regional archive facilities and co-located Federal Records Centers (FRC) in San Bruno, California and Chicago, Illinois, as well as relocate all temporary records from its Seattle facility. The decision raised concerns from archivists, researchers, and constituents about access to public records, many of which are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. “Our National Archives are home to the immigration journeys, military service, and family histories of people across the West and the Pacific,” said Senator Padilla. “Closing Federal Records Centers would cut researchers and communities off from our own past. I’m proud to work with Senator Durbin to maintain the public’s access to our nation’s historic documents.” “The administration is threatening access to historical and irreplaceable records, including closing down one facility in California that is home to countless photos and family heirlooms. Congress must exercise its oversight power to save decades of regional and national history,” said Senator Schiff. “Regional National Archives facilities, including Chicago’s Federal Record Center, ensure that Americans can access public and personal records without having to travel across the country. Closing these facilities without the oversight of Congress risks putting those records further out of reach for our communities,” said Senator Durbin. “The National Archives Protection Act would ensure that these records, and the history they preserve, remain an accessible resource.” “Our National Archives make it possible for families, researchers and communities across the Midwest to access records that tell the story of who we are and where we come from,” said Senator Duckworth. “This Administration has already shown how willing it is to erase American stories, and closing regional facilities like Chicago’s Federal Records Center would put even more of our history out of reach. Congress must have a say to protect the public’s access to these critical records and ensure our history is not lost.” The San Bruno facility specifically holds immigration, naval, geological, and tribal records from as far back as the 1850s that are integral to researchers in California, Nevada, Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, Navy bases in the Pacific, and the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Records within the holdings increase understanding of immigration history through Angel Island and the impacts of enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The original case file of United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship as outlined in the 14th Amendment, is also one of the irreplaceable historical records in the records at San Bruno. U.S. Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-committee-advances-bipartisan-padilla-bill-to-support-desalination-and-safe-drinking-water/,Senate Committee Advances Bipartisan Padilla Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Alex Padilla,P000145,www.padilla.senate.gov,padilla,https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) bipartisan bill to reauthorize desalination projects and research. Padilla’s Desalination Reauthorization Act cleared committee by voice vote, along with a bipartisan amendment that was also adopted by voice vote. “Access to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, and investments in desalination projects provide promising pathways to meet our water needs,” said Senator Padilla. “The bill will help strengthen investments into desalination research and development so that every American can access safe, clean water. This is a critical step in addressing California’s water crisis and building new pathways for water security across the country.” The legislation would extend the programmatic approval of the Bureau of Reclamation to fund desalination projects, which would otherwise expire this year. If the programmatic approval expired, Congress would need to pass a separate bill in order to authorize each new desalination project, which could substantially delay desalination projects and increase their costs. These projects, including the Doheny desalination plant in Orange County, help the Southwest counter drought by providing a drought-proof contribution to our water supply. In addition, the legislation would authorize Reclamation to support advanced pilots to test new desalination technologies like OceanWell, which uses the ocean pressure at depths of approximately 1,400 feet to reduce the energy costs of desalination, and can also minimize desalination’s effects on marine life. OceanWell is working with Las Virgenes Water District in Ventura County to test its technology off the Southern California coast. Specifically, this bill would: Reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects, which is on track expire this year; Amend the programmatic approval to extend to public/private partnerships to build desalination projects; Direct that Reclamation cannot administratively impose a maximum funding amount that each desalination project can receive, which would allow large desalination plants to receive the full 25% federal cost-share; and Amend the desalination and water purification research program to advance pilot projects, which cover the gap in developing new technologies known as the “Valley of Death” between small-scale pilots that test a laboratory concept and commercially viable projects. The bipartisan amendment that the committee adopted would increase the maximum level of federal grants for desalination research to institutions of higher education like the University of California from $1 million to $2.5 million. In addition to Padilla, the bill is cosponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). Padilla has long been a strong advocate for ensuring access to safe, reliable water throughout California and across the country. Earlier this year, as severe droughts, warming temperatures, limitations on groundwater pumping, and outdated infrastructure compound California’s water scarcity issues, Padilla introduced a pair of bills to help address growing water supply challenges in California and the American West. His MORE WATER Act advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote and now heads to the Senate for a full vote. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-peters-reflects-on-proudest-accomplishments-for-michigan-takeaways-from-congress-during-detroit-economic-club-exit-interview,"ICYMI: Senator Peters Reflects on Proudest Accomplishments for Michigan, Takeaways from Congress During Detroit Economic Club Exit Interview",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,MI,Gary C. Peters,P000595,www.peters.senate.gov,garypeters,https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reflected on his proudest accomplishments and takeaways from his 18 years in Congress during an “Exit Interview” with the Detroit Economic Club. In a conversation moderated by Local 4 Detroit’s Jason Colthrup, Peters highlighted his long-term efforts to support Michigan’s auto industry, protect the Great Lakes, and secure long-term missions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Below are highlights from Peters’ remarks: Advocating for the 2009 Auto Rescue, Making the Case to Congress: “We had a lot of members of Congress that were around the country that were saying, ‘Yeah, let them go bankrupt. You know, that’s okay. That’s capitalism, if they go under, that’s it.’ And I’m like, ‘No, you can’t have a manufacturing sector in America if you don’t have an auto sector that’s healthy and vibrant. This impacts everybody,’ and we made the case aggressively.” Securing a Strong Future for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, including: Delivering a New Squadron of KC-46A Refueling Tankers: “I blocked the Air Force Secretary from getting confirmed under the Biden Administration. He wasn’t going to get confirmed until I got some sort of commitment. And we worked together, and our delegation worked together, and then they said, ‘Well, we’ll get you these tankers.’” Establishing the Northern Border Mission Center: “Now, we have this mission center which coordinates all of the border security from Maine to Washington state, all of the northern border, and it’s going to happen at Selfridge, which gives it a major Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission.” To watch Peters’ full interview at the Detroit Economic Club, click here. Securing Investments for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Protecting Our Waterways: “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was passed in [20]10, has been a major game changer. Billions of dollars have been going in, if you just think of the Detroit River area and up into Port Huron, I think $250 million to make sure we’re cleaning up the old toxic sites that were here from our industrial heritage. The watersheds are clean. And that happens all around the Great Lakes Basin. That has been major.” Creating the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Center of Expertise in Michigan: “It now has state of the art equipment there to train crews on how to clean up oil spills, so we don’t have to wait two weeks for a submersible. It can be there like in an hour and a half, it’s very close. We’re gaining the expertise there to make sure we’re cleaning up oil spills not just in the Great Lakes, but all of freshwater.” The Detroit Economic Club (DEC) was formed in 1934 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes discussion and debate of important business, government, and social issues. When the 2008 financial crisis rocked Michigan’s automotive industry, Peters was instrumental in advocating for the rescue of the Big Three automakers, which saved more than 1 million automotive industry jobs in Michigan and across the country. Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 12 years, rising to the rank of Lt. Commander. During that time, he drilled at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. As a U.S. Senator, Peters has worked tirelessly to secure the future of Selfridge as Michigan’s premier military installation to maintain its role in our nation’s defense and as an economic driver for the state. He led the Michigan delegation to secure a full squadron of next generation KC-46A aircraft tankers, which will operate at Selfridge for the next 50 years. He also established and secured funding for the Northern Border Mission Center to be located at Selfridge. Throughout his career in public service, Peters has been a champion for protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s drinking water from threats like oil spills and PFAS contamination. Peters’ efforts have helped protect our most precious source of drinking water and an economic engine for our state from the devastating consequences of pollution. He authored a provision signed into law to create the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes, and secured $1.5 million to launch the center. Headquartered at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, the Great Lakes National Center of Expertise will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses that currently don’t exist. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-cassidy-lead-bipartisan-colleagues-in-designating-september-2026-as-national-literacy-month,"Reed, Cassidy Lead Bipartisan Colleagues in Designating September 2026 as “National Literacy Month”",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,RI,Jack Reed,R000122,www.reed.senate.gov,jackreed,https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of literacy, boost literacy support programs, and encourage more Americans of all ages to read, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) are teaming up on a bipartisan resolution to designate September 2026 as “National Literacy Month.” The measure is being cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Susan Collins (R-ME). “Reading unlocks opportunity, and education is a lifelong pursuit. By strengthening literacy for Americans and doing a better job of reaching learners of all ages where they are, we can help people reach their full potential and build a stronger society,” said Senator Reed. “I’m proud to work with Senator Cassidy and our colleagues to introduce this important resolution that amplifies the need for more effective literacy instruction for all students, regardless of their age or background.” “Literacy opens the door for children to achieve the American Dream,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Congress must prioritize fixing our broken K-12 education system, so all children learn how to read proficiently.” Reading is a cornerstone for personal growth, economic opportunity, and a strong society. Reading proficiency by third grade is one of the most important predictors of whether a student will graduate high school and succeed in a career, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies estimates that 28% of American adults perform at the lowest literacy proficiency level. Low levels of adult literacy in the U.S. are estimated to cost the nation as much as $2.2 trillion annually, According to a 2020 study by Gallup in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. In recognition of National Literacy Month, throughout the month of September, schools, libraries, non-profits, and other organizations will host a variety of activities, events, and free workshops highlighting the importance of building and strengthening literacy skills and the benefits of reading on healthy development. Senator Reed is the author of the Right to Read Act (S.3365) which would ensure the nation’s school libraries are fully-stocked and staffed by surging federal investments in support of increasing student literacy. Additionally, he helped write the bipartisan Adult Education WORKS Act (S.1400) to strengthen and expand access to adult education services aimed at increasing literacy rates and growing the economy.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-democrats-block-ricketts-stop-insider-trading-act/,Senate Democrats Block Ricketts’ Stop Insider Trading Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Senate Democrats blocked U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts’ (R-NE) Stop Insider Trading Act. This bill would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and immediate family members from profiting off stocks while serving in public office. It would also require Members and their families to disclose plans to sell stock to the public seven days in advance. “Public service is not a profit-making business,” said Ricketts. “Democrats disagreed when they blocked my bill to ban members of Congress from insider trading. Senate Republicans voted to deliver for Americans and help restore their faith in government officials. The House passed this bill in a bipartisan manner. It’s discouraging that Senate Democrats failed to do the same.” The House passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 232 – 198. Thirteen Democrats supported this bill. This is the second time Senate Democrats have blocked passage of the Stop Insider Trading Act.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.risch.senate.gov/news/press-releases/risch-names-disciples-coffee-as-september-small-business-of-the-month/,Risch Names Disciples Coffee as September Small Business of the Month,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,ID,James E. Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,risch,https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of Disciples Coffee in Boise as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for September 2026. Disciples Coffee will be recognized for its contribution to Idaho in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate. “Started in 2023, Disciples Coffee set out with the mission to serve more than just coffee to the Treasure Valley,” said Risch. “I am proud to recognize Disciples Coffee as Small Business of the Month for their work bringing people together over their small-batch specialty roasts and faithful community service through their Mission of the Month program.” Idaho is consistently ranked one of the best places in the country to do business. Each month, Senator Risch selects an Idaho Small business that exemplifies the Idaho values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to community. Last year, Senator Risch passed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to promote local economic growth and provide tax relief to Idahoans and small business owners.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2026/09/30/video-release-sen-johnsons-full-roundtable-discussion-covid-19-hospital-protocols-real-stories-from-real-people/,***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson’s Full Roundtable Discussion: COVID-19 Hospital Protocols: Real Stories from Real People,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) held a roundtable discussion titled “COVID-19 Hospital Protocols: Real Stories from Real People” with patients, families, doctors, and nurses. The 21 panelists shared firsthand accounts of mistreatment and other experiences they witnessed at hospitals across the country. In their remarks, panelists detailed how treatments such as remdesivir and ventilation were often forced on patients as the only viable options. Patients were denied alternative treatments and drugs, even when rigid hospital protocols were failing. “Rigid adherence to hospital protocols – rarely questioned – became the norm, which many doctors saw as violating the Hippocratic Oath’s core duty: patients first, not protocols. Far too often, the stories of COVID-19 hospitalizations were horrific … Patients lost their freedom. Family members could not visit and comfort their dying loved ones … In many of the testimonies received for this event, the callous comments by doctors and nurses to unvaccinated patients and their families are almost unbelievable,” Sen. Johnson said. “The stories you are about to hear didn’t occur within only one or two hospitals, but in hospitals across America. To date, we [have] received 583 testimonies from 46 states. The fact that these attitudes were widespread is indisputable. Today, I am providing a platform for these stories to be told so that this kind of cruelty will not be repeated,” Sen. Johnson continued. “The other underlying reality is these stories are real … [The] medical establishment – those doctors, those nurses – has to acknowledge the fact [that] these things are real so, once again, it can never be repeated,” Sen. Johnson concluded. Watch the full four-hour discussion here. PARTICIPANTS: Peggy Hokett Peggy Hokett’s husband, Raymond, died 24 days after being hospitalized in Oklahoma City. He was given remdesivir, told he would die because he was unvaccinated, and placed on a ventilator without consent. Dr. James P. Miller Dr. James P. Miller is a licensed physician and surgeon from Everett, Washington. He spoke on hospital misconduct, patient mistreatment, retaliation, and deliberate targeting of doctors who challenged COVID-era treatment practices. Gail Seiler Gail Seiler of Plano, Texas, was hospitalized with COVID in December 2021. Fortunately, with the help of her husband Brad, she was allowed to leave the hospital and recovered at home. She told her story from the perspective of a patient. Brad Seiler Brad Seiler is Gail’s husband, a registered nurse, and a former Army captain. Brad shared what he witnessed during her 15-day hospitalization, his concerns about her treatment, and his successful effort to bring her home. Donna Lowery, RN Donna Lowery is a registered nurse with 39 years of clinical experience, including 31 years at a hospital in Florida. After advocating for a COVID patient to receive a physician-ordered ivermectin prescription, she was terminated and faced a complaint filed against her nursing license with the Florida Board of Nursing. Stephanie Williamson Stephanie Williamson’s husband, David, was hospitalized December 10, 2021, in Pomona, New Jersey. He was denied alternative treatments, given remdesivir without consent, and pressured into intubation. David died 30 days later. Ralph Lorigo, Esq. Ralph Lorigo is a Buffalo-area attorney with more than 50 years of legal experience. During the pandemic, he represented 212 families across 40 states who were denied access to alternative treatments and drugs. Darla Smith Darla Smith’s husband, Keith, was hospitalized with COVID in York, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 2021. Darla unsuccessfully fought to advocate for his treatment, and Keith died on December 12 after being placed on a ventilator. Dr. John Littell Dr. John Littell is a family physician who cared for thousands of COVID patients in offices, homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. As chairman of family medicine at a Florida hospital, he witnessed patients and families denied treatment options, visitation, and access to dying loved ones. Melodie McKeel Melodie McKeel is the wife of Bryan McKeel, who passed away in Sarasota, Florida. Against the wishes of his family, he was intubated and denied further access to ivermectin after showing signs of improvement. Gail Macrae, RN Gail Macrae worked as a registered nurse at a hospital in Santa Rosa, California. During the pandemic, she witnessed the imposition of rigid protocols and the denial of alternative treatments and drugs. Karen Hayles Karen Hayles’ son, Chase, was a childhood cancer survivor with preexisting kidney damage. He was assured he would not receive remdesivir when he was hospitalized in Houston in 2021. He received it anyway, further damaging his kidneys. Chase died while awaiting a kidney transplant. Dr. Randy Grellner Dr. Randy Grellner is an Oklahoma state senator and family physician. Randy told the story of his longtime patient and friend, John – a 72-year-old farmer and Navy veteran who died after being hospitalized. Katelyn Johnson, RN Katelyn Johnson is a registered nurse with 10 years of bedside clinical experience and the former director of Medical Services for Paralyzed Veterans of America. She brought firsthand insight into how COVID-19-era hospital protocols affected patient access and the nurses caring for vulnerable veterans. Cori Peth Cori Peth’s father, George, died April 7, 2022, in Colorado after a three-month hospitalization. He was denied monoclonal antibodies, given remdesivir, and told he would die if he refused a ventilator. He later died on the ventilator. Nicole Landers, RN Nicole Landers is a Maryland registered nurse with more than 30 years of clinical experience. During the pandemic, she provided alternative treatments when doctors only offered the standard COVID-19 hospital protocols. Patti Joyce Patti Joyce of Jacksonville, Florida, told the story of her brother, Earl Hendrix, who died at 62 in Whitefish, Montana. Dr. Susan Rohr Dr. Susan Rohr is a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She challenged rigid treatment protocols and advocated for additional treatment options when patients were told there was nothing more that could be done. Patty Myers Patty Myers is a behavior analyst whose husband, Tony, died after a 25-day COVID-19 hospitalization in 2021. During his hospitalization, Patty advocated for and was denied treatments including ivermectin, monoclonal antibodies, high-dose vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D. Jenna Hadley Johnsen, RN Jenna Hadley Johnsen is a registered nurse, public health nurse, and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) from Minnesota with more than 22 years of experience. She held the medical power of attorney for her father who died after a 24-day COVID hospitalization in January 2022. Dr. Pierre Kory Dr. Pierre Kory is a pulmonary and critical care physician and the Chief Scientific Officer of Rebuild Medicine. He is the former chief of the Critical Care Service at the University of Wisconsin and was a frontline doctor treating patients from the start of the pandemic. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/09/30/video-amid-trump-trade-war-and-rising-prices-rosen-pushes-back-on-trumps-hostile-actions-against-canada/,"VIDEO: Amid Trump Trade War and Rising Prices, Rosen Pushes Back on Trump’s Hostile Actions Against Canada",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NV,Jacky Rosen,R000608,www.rosen.senate.gov,rosen,https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Senate Republicans Blocked Rosen Resolution Condemning Trump’s Actions Against Canada Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE. WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senate Republicans blocked Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) attempt to pass her resolution denouncing Donald Trump’s hostile actions against Canada that are increasing prices for consumers and harming Nevada’s economy. The resolution calls for the removal of Trump’s new 50 percent cost-raising tariffs on Canadian products and demands that the President stop taking inflammatory actions that needlessly harm the U.S. relationship with Canada. Nevada has already felt the impact of President Trump’s reckless actions, with tourism from Canada to Las Vegas down 17 percent in the last year and tariffs causing prices to skyrocket across the board. Canada is Nevada’s second-largest export market, accounting for $1.6 billion in goods every year. Senator Rosen has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s attacks on Canada and their impact on Nevada. Earlier this month, Senator Rosen released a statement denouncing Trump’s trade war with Canada. She also helped introduce a bill that would repeal Trump’s new 50 percent cost-raising tariffs on Canada. Senator Rosen also met with the Consul General of Canada to discuss the relationship between Nevada and Canada, as well as the importance of Canadian visitors and products to Nevada’s economy. Below are Senator Rosen’s full remarks: Today, I rise to speak up against Donald Trump’s reckless trade war against Canada and the impact it is having on my state of Nevada. Because of Trump’s childish fight with our neighbor, tourism is down, prices are up, and Canada is rethinking its relationship with our country. Let me tell you why this matters for my state. Canada is the number one source of international visitors to Las Vegas. In 2024, nearly 1.5 million Canadians visited Nevada to help boost our tourism economy and the small businesses that depend on it. And Canada is also one of Nevada’s top trading partners. In fact, Nevada exports approximately $1.6 billion worth of goods to Canada. Think about it: $1.6 billion of revenue coming to businesses in my state of Nevada to further contribute to our economy. This is exactly why a good, healthy relationship between Canada and the United States is important for Nevada, Nevada’s economy, Nevada’s families. But Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to harm our relationship with Canada. He’s hurting Nevada families; he’s hurting Nevada businesses along the way. One of the first actions Trump took since returning to the White House was beginning a reckless and erratic trade war that has resulted in higher prices for American businesses. For American families, for all of us. Every single one of us. To date, he has imposed tariffs on many items we buy from Canada, with higher rates on products like building materials, brand-name prescription drugs, alcohol, and paper products. I’ve heard from restaurant owners paying more for paper towels and homebuilders paying more for materials. These costs not only make it impossible for our business owners to plan ahead, but they also get passed on to families. Most recently, Trump utilized a never-before-used trade authority- I want to emphasize this- a never-before-used trade authority to target Canada, applying 50 percent tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods. In retaliation, Canada recently imposed their own tariffs on goods they import from the United States, including from my state of Nevada. Remember the $1.6 billion in Nevada goods we export to Canada? That number will likely be reduced because of these retaliatory tariffs. And just yesterday, Trump’s ban on the import of many Canadian goods has gone into effect, restricting Americans’ freedom, restricting our freedom to buy what we want to buy, and making all of our prices go up. The back-and-forth tariffs are a disaster, but they only tell one side of the story of Trump’s hostilities towards Canada. Trump’s childish attacks on Canada have included threats to annex it as the United States’ “51st state,” and references to the Canadian Prime Minister as “Governor.” He’s tried to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Trump even canceled trade negotiations because a Canadian television ad hurt his feelings. After a year and a half of this nonsense, where has Trump gotten us? Well, I can tell you where: last year, Canadian tourism to Las Vegas declined by 17 percent. This contributed to an overall decline in tourism that made 2025 the worst non-pandemic year for Las Vegas since we began tracking data. When we see a decline like this, it isn’t just a data point for us. Hospitality employs nearly a third of all the workers in Nevada. So this means fewer guests in our hotel rooms, which leads to fewer shifts for housekeepers. It means fewer visits to our restaurants and less tip money for servers and bartenders, and it trickles down to mean less money in our hospitality workers’ pockets, and when they go home to the neighborhoods they live in, that’s less money they can spend there. It’s not only Nevada that’s feeling this. According to the Canadian government’s own data, total spending by Canadians in the United States declined by over $3 billion And Canadians themselves are pointing to Trump’s hostility as a reason for this decline. They’re still traveling and spending money, Canadians are. They’re just not coming to the United States. This situation was 100% avoidable. None of this had to happen. No one can argue with the facts: tourism is down because of Trump’s trade war with Canada. Less money is being invested in our economy, and our small businesses are struggling to navigate expensive and constantly-changing conditions. That’s why I’m here today to pass a simple resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Trump’s trade war against Canada must end. It must end to get our economy and the relationship with our neighbor back on track. I hope my colleagues can look at the facts and agree.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-lead-senate-resolution-honoring-hawaiian-history,"Schatz, Hirono Lead Senate Resolution Honoring Hawaiian History",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a Senate resolution designating September 2026 as “Hawaiian History Month.” The resolution recognizes the rich history and culture of Native Hawaiians and Hawai‘i. “Hawaiian cultural traditions and values are an essential part of what makes Hawai‘i special. Hawaiian History Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Native Hawaiian community and recommit to protecting Native Hawaiian rights,” said Senator Schatz. “Hawai‘i’s story is rooted in the wisdom, leadership, and enduring heritage of Native Hawaiians. As we celebrate our state’s rich culture, I am proud to honor the immeasurable contributions Native Hawaiians have made—and continue to make—across our islands and nationwide,” said Senator Hirono. The full text of the resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-colleagues-fight-department-of-educations-new-rule-weaponizing-higher-education-accreditation-process/,"NEWS: Schiff, Colleagues Fight Department of Education’s New Rule Weaponizing Higher Education Accreditation Process",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Adam B. Schiff,S001150,www.schiff.senate.gov,schiff,https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"“These changes set a dangerous precedent by forcing accreditors and, in turn, institutions, to answer to the political whims of the executive branch.” Washington, D.C. — After the Department of Education’s new regulations enabling new accreditors to enter the market more quickly, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led his colleagues in a comment letter to urge the Department to rescind the rule – warning of the implications to academic freedom and upholding the quality of higher education. “We urge you to ensure any reforms to the accreditation system prioritize what is best for students and taxpayers not partisan, political actors… The provisions outlined in the Department’s proposed rule threaten this system by inserting undue influence from the executive branch into the higher education accreditation process. Such changes place the academic freedom and intellectual diversity of our nation’s higher-education institutions in jeopardy,” the Senators wrote in a new comment letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent. The Senators warn that the provisions go against Congressional intent and will threaten academic freedom, invite inexperienced accreditors to enter the market quickly potentially leaving students vulnerable to fraud, impose ideological requirements on accreditors, and reduce guardrails around educational institution’s ability to switch accreditors – enabling those who have defrauded students. “Such a politicization of faculty hiring and tenure gives the executive branch undue political influence over who institutions hire and what research their faculties produce. These provisions will narrow the scope of future research and dissuade faculty from producing findings that might be unpopular with the corporate or political forces which can influence hiring and firing decisions at institutions. This rule will have a negative downstream effect on the pipeline of future innovation that drives economic growth and improves the lives of all Americans,” the Senators wrote. “As the Department joins its counterparts across the executive branch of this administration in taking drastic steps to exert its influence within higher education, the proposed rule contains several policies which go against the statutory intent meant to give institutions and accreditors independence in setting and enforcing standards and protection against undue political influence… In light of these concerns, we urge you to rescind the elements of the proposed rule which increase executive-branch involvement and influence in higher-education accreditation and invite lower-quality, inexperienced, and potentially unscrupulous actors to the market of millions in taxpayer dollars,” the Senators concluded. In addition to Schiff, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Background: Senator Schiff has prioritized holding the administration accountable for its weaponization of higher education. Most recently, Schiff and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39) introduced new legislation, the Higher Education Accreditation Accountability Act, to prevent the administration from using accreditation as a “secret weapon” against higher education. Earlier this year, Schiff and 43 other California Democrats demanded the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescind its proposed regulation that would politicize federal grants. In April, Schiff led several Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Education to reverse its efforts to weaponize the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), the bipartisan and independent committee that advises the Secretary of Education on the accreditation process. The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary McMahon and Under Secretary Kent: We write to provide our comments on the Department of Education’s (Department) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on August 20, 2026, that would overhaul accreditation and higher education. We urge you to ensure any reforms to the accreditation system prioritize what is best for students and taxpayers not partisan, political actors. Accreditation from a Department-recognized agency assures students and taxpayers of an institution or program’s quality and enables students to participate in financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), like Pell grants and Direct Loans. To preserve academic and institutional independence, federal law prohibits the Department from establishing specific accreditation standards, including those relating to curricula, faculty, admissions, and student support. Instead, the Department’s primary role within the accreditation system is to recognize individual agencies and ensure that they are applying rigorous standards consistently, affirm those standards promote program quality, and provide robust due process procedures in the recognition process. The provisions outlined in the Department’s proposed rule threaten this system by inserting undue influence from the executive branch into the higher education accreditation process. Such changes place the academic freedom and intellectual diversity of our nation’s higher-education institutions in jeopardy. Additionally, elements of the proposal meant to loosen regulations around the accreditation process will lower the standards for new accreditors and enable institutions to escape accountability and sanctions more easily. These provisions will make accreditation a race to the bottom, leaving students and taxpayers vulnerable to fraud and misrepresentation. Several components of the NPRM take positive steps to support program quality such as efforts to streamline transfer of credit policies, strengthen conflict of interest controls and student achievement standards. However, we urge the Department to consider the consequences other elements of this proposal will have on accreditors’ ability to assess institutional quality objectively and safeguard students and taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse on the part of predatory or unscrupulous institutions. Below, we provide more detailed input on the regulations proposed by the Department. Academic Freedom, Intellectual Diversity, and Institutional Policies The Department is proposing that accreditors must, among other requirements, “establish a policy that is designed to support, promote, and appropriately prioritize intellectual diversity and the free exchange of ideas amongst faculty….” By mandating that accreditors create standards for the “intellectual diversity” of faculties—a term which the rule never defines—the Department can dictate who institutions can hire and continue to employ under the guise of correcting any perceived ideological imbalance amongst faculty at our nation’s institutions. Additionally, the Department is proposing that accreditors require institutions to have policies which ensure “sufficient flexibility in instructional staffing policies to respond to persistent material changes in student demand, program viability, or financial conditions.” This language could enable accreditors to force institutions to reduce faculty tenure protections. Tenure is a crucial safeguard for academic freedom, allowing faculty to conduct research, publish findings, and exercise freedom of speech without the threat of losing their position due to outside pressure. Such a politicization of faculty hiring and tenure gives the executive branch undue political influence over who institutions hire and what research their faculties produce. These provisions will narrow the scope of future research and dissuade faculty from producing findings that might be unpopular with the corporate or political forces which can influence hiring and firing decisions at institutions. This rule will have a negative downstream effect on the pipeline of future innovation that drives economic growth and improves the lives of all Americans. The proposal includes a requirement for accreditors to assess whether institutions allow “a range of academic perspectives” to be expressed “without adverse action based on lawful viewpoints unrelated to professional or academic competence….” This language could be easily weaponized to suppress free speech or discourse on campus based on what the executive branch interprets to be a “lawful” viewpoint. Similarly, the Department is proposing that accreditors assess whether institutions adequately protect First Amendment rights and refrain from allowing institutions to “violate any Federal or State law,” including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Institutions are, of course, already required to follow these laws and are subject to legal action if they are accused of violating them. The Department’s rule will mandate that accreditors, which do not have the expertise of federal civil rights or First Amendment law, arbitrate on these matters. The provision which includes Title VI and Title IX rights concludes that such a mandate means that “agencies must not have policies that require institutions or programs to provide unlawful preferences to students, faculty, staff, contractors, or any employees based upon their race, color, national origin, or sex, including in admissions, hiring, and the selection of contracts.” Such language parallels the Department’s attempts to purge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and protections for transgender students from college campuses based on the current administration’s interpretation of civil rights law, whether through conducting politically charged civil rights investigations or, within the accreditation space, threatening accreditors’ recognition by pressuring them to drop their DEI policies. Beyond forcing accreditors to adhere to this administration’s interpretation of civil rights law and protections, the Department’s proposals around institutional policies and academic freedom exceed the authority exceed the Department’s authority under the HEA and the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979. The HEA grants accreditors the authority to set their own standards on assessing an institution’s faculty, curriculum, and admissions practices independent of the Department’s regulations, while limiting the Department from prescribing accreditor standards. The Department of Education Organization Act prohibits the Department from exercising “any direction, supervision, or control” over the “curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel” of any institution or accrediting agency.1Such prescriptions on accreditors’ policies, which in turn affect the policies of their constituent institutions, trample the Congressionally mandated independence of accreditors from the executive branch, jeopardizing accreditors’ role as a safeguard for taxpayer dollars and setting a dangerous precedent accelerating this administration’s politicization of higher education. New Accrediting Agencies The HEA requires that accreditors seeking Department recognition “demonstrate the ability and the experience to operate as an accrediting agency or association…,” have a pool of voluntary members, consistently apply and enforce standards, and carry out regular accrediting activities like on-site inspections. The Department’s proposal to “streamline” the process for new accreditors to earn recognition, however, subverts the HEA by striking the regulations governing how much experience a prospective accrediting agency must demonstrate, instead, requiring no experience accrediting at all. The Department proposes that an agency can apply for recognition when it demonstrates that it can legally operate in the relevant jurisdiction, has adopted accreditation standards, operating procedures, and institutional applications consistent with federal regulations, and has at least one institution or program which has applied for accreditation. The current regulation builds out the HEA’s requirements by having prospective accreditors accredit at least one institution or program and carry out other typical accreditor duties for at least two years before seeking recognition from the Department. This waiting period enables the Department to examine whether a prospective accreditor is consistently and rigorously applying quality standards before it receives the ability to gatekeep federal funds for new institutions. By striking the two-year requirement and allowing application and review without ever having accredited an institution, the Department’s proposal will enable unproven and inexperienced accreditors to enter the market. Loosening these standards risks institutions actively seeking out accreditors who do not have the expertise necessary to hold them accountable to high standards, while creating perverse incentives for longstanding accreditors to scale back their own oversight efforts to remain competitive. A cost estimate produced by the Congressional Budget Office, when considering legislation that would open the accreditation marketplace, made assumptions that federal spending would increase as a result because new institutions would become accredited and existing accrediting agencies would be less likely to remove accreditation from existing institutions in a competitive market. The Department has not considered these potential outcomes in its reasoning or cost estimates. The accreditation landscape this provision creates could give unscrupulous institutions a clear path to defrauding students and increasing costs for taxpayers. In fact, officials from the defunct accreditors of predatory for-profit institutions, which shuttered after investigations and left thousands of students in debt and with worthless degrees, are primed to establish new accrediting agencies under these new regulations. Changing Accreditors The Department’s proposal strikes the requirement that institutions be in good standing with their accreditors for the 24 months prior to changing accrediting agencies. As written, the Department’s proposal would direct the Secretary to automatically approve a change in accreditor, unless the Secretary determines that the institution is seeking the change to evade federal law, avoid enforcement from its current accreditor, or obtain Title IV eligibility through some other form of misrepresentation. Current regulation forbids colleges from changing accreditors if their accreditation has been withdrawn, revoked, terminated, or placed on probation in the two years prior to the switch. Under the Department’s proposal, the Secretary would have to uncover evidence that the institution’s intent in changing accreditors was to evade accountability. This shift in a discretionary approach will lead to institutions switching accreditors or maintaining multiple accreditors to escape oversight or sanctions from an accrediting agency, especially in light of the personnel cuts at the Department. We are concerned that the Department will not have adequate staffing to properly review and evaluate institutions’ applications to switch accreditors. This laxing of standards around accreditation switching is compounded by the provision directing the Secretary to “not determine the cause of having multiple accrediting agencies to be unreasonable due to a withdrawal, revocation, other termination of accreditation, probation or equivalent, show cause order, or suspension order.”2 This means that the Secretary will not consider an institution seeking multiple accreditation while sanctioned by its current accreditor to be evading accountability. Such a provision incentivizes institutions to pursue or maintain multiple accreditation to protect against a loss of accreditation and eligibility for federal funds. This provision therefore puts students and taxpayer dollars at risk by allowing colleges who have rightfully been sanctioned for not meeting quality standards to continue receiving federal funding. We urge the Department to reinstate the current regulations to maintain critical guardrails for students and to remain good stewards of taxpayer funds. The current regulation remains in line with Congressional intent and will ensure that the Department gives proper scrutiny to institutions attempting to evade accountability or sanctions by switching accreditors. Conclusion As the Department joins its counterparts across the executive branch of this administration in taking drastic steps to exert its influence within higher education, the proposed rule contains several policies which go against the statutory intent meant to give institutions and accreditors independence in setting and enforcing standards and protection against undue political influence. These changes set a dangerous precedent by forcing accreditors and, in turn, institutions, to answer to the political whims of the executive branch. Simultaneously, the provisions around new accrediting agencies and institutions’ switching of accreditors will dilute higher education with inexperienced or hyper-ideological accreditors, incentivizing established accreditors to relax their standards and grant more opportunities for low-quality institutions and programs to escape accountability. Ultimately, taxpayer dollars will continue to flow to institutions which saddle students with extreme debt and worthless degrees. In light of these concerns, we urge you to rescind the elements of the proposed rule which increase executive-branch involvement and influence in higher-education accreditation and invite lower-quality, inexperienced, and potentially unscrupulous actors to the market of millions in taxpayer dollars. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sens-schiff-ricketts-unveil-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-endangered-species-recover-faster/,"NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Ricketts Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Help Endangered Species Recover Faster",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CA,Adam B. Schiff,S001150,www.schiff.senate.gov,schiff,https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chairman of the Senate EPW Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee, are unveiling bipartisan legislation to improve and modernize the implementation of the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) species recovery efforts – aiming to make conservation efforts more efficient and standardized, encourage conservation efforts by private landowners, and help endangered species reach recovery. “Protecting the thousands of endangered species and strengthening recovery efforts must be a bipartisan cause – it is a shared responsibility that takes all of us. My new legislation with Senator Ricketts updates the Endangered Species Act to ensure policies that will help species on the verge of extinction survive and recover are implemented efficiently, based on science, and in partnership with private landowners and states. We must all do our part to leave the world a better place than we found it,” said Senator Schiff. “Fifty-three years ago, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act to recover threatened and endangered species. Instead, it has created regulatory barriers that make recovery efforts more difficult. The Improving Species Recovery Act would cut burdensome red tape and modernize the recovery process. It would empower local experts with the resources and certainty they need to de-list species. As Governor, I led boots-on-the-ground efforts to protect our wildlife in Nebraska. This bill would ensure states and private landowners can continue that work more efficiently and effectively,” said Senator Ricketts. The Improving Species Recovery Act modernizes and enhances the recovery framework under the ESA through voluntary partnerships and relationships with private landowners, conservation milestones, clear and standardized demographic metrics, automating its processes with digital technology, and promoting greater collaboration with the states. A centerpiece of the bill is the establishment of conservation milestones to track the progress of species and ensure the government is properly collaborating with private landowners and taking their conservation actions into account. This legislation came about after the Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee’s hearing, “Challenges and Opportunities with Implementing the Endangered Species Act,” where the Senators discussed opportunities to strengthen efforts in promoting species’ recovery. All three hearing witnesses, including both Majority and Minority witnesses, have endorsed the bill, including Defenders of Wildlife, Property and Environment Research Center, and Riley Consulting LLC. The Improving Species Recovery Act would: Incentivize Voluntary Conservation: Encourages private landowners and states to protect species early by establishing clear standards for pre-listing conservation and defining how voluntary efforts influence listing and delisting decisions. Reward Progress with Regulatory Relief: Introduces measurable “conservation milestones” that, once achieved, grant landowners and agencies greater regulatory flexibility and priority access to conservation funding. Improve Data and Transparency: Mandates establishing a clear “baseline status” for species at the time of listing to reduce the risk of painful litigation and requires public reporting every three years to track recovery progress, species trends, and data gaps. Modernize Permitting Approvals: Directs FWS to expand digital tools (like IPaC) and explore AI technology to automate and fast-track interagency consultation and review processes while remaining in compliance with the law. “The Improving Species Recovery Act represents a major step forward for bipartisan improvements to the Endangered Species Act to boost species recovery. Setting clear recovery benchmarks and rewarding progress with gradual regulatory relief is a practical solution to make the ESA work better for wildlife, states, and private landowners. We’re grateful to Senators Schiff and Ricketts for working across the aisle to advance meaningful reforms to recover more species,” said Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law and Policy, Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). “We applaud Senators Schiff and Ricketts’ effort to pass a thoughtful, bipartisan bill to strengthen the implementation of theEndangered Species Act — our nation’s most effective conservation law responsible for recovering 99% of the species under its protection since its inception,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “This legislation is another step forward for endangered species conservation and a model for cross-party collaboration. We hope to see this trend continue.” Background: Schiff continues to work with his colleagues to push for greater resources for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to protect and recover threatened and endangered species and address recent staffing challenges. The full text of the legislation is available here. A section-by-section for the legislation is available here. A one-pager for the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/senator-schmitt-introduces-bill-to-protect-parents-and-children-from-ideological-child-welfare-policies/,Senator Schmitt Introduces Bill to Protect Parents and Children from Ideological Child-Welfare Policies,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Eric Schmitt,S001227,www.schmitt.senate.gov,schmitt,https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/,scraper,"Bill Would Prevent Federal Child-Welfare Funds From Being Used to Punish Parents for Raising Children According to Their Sex or Protecting Them From Irreversible Medical Harm U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), introduced the “Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act” to establish guardrails within the nation’s federal child-welfare framework to ensure federal funds are not used to punish parents for raising their children according to their sex or for protecting children from irreversible medical harm. The bill would preserve state authority to respond to actual abuse while preventing federally funded child-welfare systems from treating a parent’s affirmation of a child’s sex as abuse or using it as a basis for adverse action against a family. “The Left’s radical gender ideology is harming children with irreversible treatments and procedures. But in blue states, parents are being punished, and sometimes even separated from their children, for protecting their kids from this permanent damage. It is sickening that a state would impose ideological child-welfare policies to tear apart a family. Parents know what’s best for their own families, and we need to defend their rights to protect their children,” said Senator Eric Schmitt. The legislation is named after Yaeli Martinez, a teenager who was removed from her mother by California’s child-welfare system after her mother refused to treat Yaeli as a boy. Yaeli was provided testosterone while in state care and was ultimately isolated from her family. She died by suicide at age 19. The “Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act” Would: Clarify that affirming a child’s sex is not abuse: Prevent states from using federal funds to construe raising, referring to, or caring for a child according to his or her sex as abuse or neglect. Protect fit parents from adverse state action: Prohibit federally funded child-welfare systems from removing children from fit parents, initiating dependency proceedings, restricting visitation or communication, issuing abuse or neglect findings, placing parents on child-abuse registries, terminating parental rights, or denying foster or adoptive placement simply because a parent affirms the child’s sex. Protect children in state care: Restrict the use of federal funds for sex-rejecting interventions for children in state care and require sex-separated or single-occupancy housing and privacy protections. Give families a private right of action: Allow aggrieved parents, guardians, caregivers, and children to seek judicial remedies when covered entities violate the bill’s protections. Protect interstate custody orders: Amend the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act to prevent states from disregarding another state’s custody order when a child runs to or is taken to another state for the purpose of obtaining sex-rejecting interventions. The legislation would apply its protections across CAPTA, Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program, while establishing funding restrictions and enforcement mechanisms for violations. Statement of Support: “It is not child abuse for a parent or caregiver to affirm a child’s sex. In fact, doing so is acting in the best interest of the child by protecting them from falling into a false and dangerous ideology. But far too many families have been wrongly investigated and punished by the state for doing that very thing. Far too many foster parents have been barred from caring for children in need because they refuse to use false pronouns. We are grateful to Sen. Schmitt for introducing legislation that will protect families who rightly teach their children that each one is created uniquely, lovingly, by God, male and female.” – Penny Nance, CEO and President of CWALAC Supporting Organizations of Senator Schmitt’s Bill: Ethics and Public Policy Center Catholic Vote Concerned Women for America America First Works Child and Parental Rights Campaign Family Policy Alliance Heritage Action American Principles Project Lifeline Children’s Services Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender LGB Courage Our Duty – USA Genspect USA Genspect International WomenAreReal Partners of Ethical Care California Family Council California United for Sex-Based Evidence in Law and Policy Democratic Women’s Declaration Advocates Protecting Children Women’s Liberation Front Protect Kids Colorado. Good Citizen Project Indiana Family Institute America First Policy Institute Kansas Family Voice Colorado Parent Advocacy Network Parents United Colorado Do No Harm Parents Defending Ed Action Child Welfare & Justice Transformation Virginia Family Foundation ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/on-senate-floor-shaheen-slams-trump-administration-for-illegally-cancelling-funding-for-programs-benefiting-granite-staters,"On Senate Floor, Shaheen Slams Trump Administration for Illegally Cancelling Funding for Programs Benefiting Granite Staters",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,NH,Jeanne Shaheen,S001181,www.shaheen.senate.gov,shaheen,https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, today took to the Senate floor to deliver remarks voicing her fierce opposition to the Trump Administration’s illegal cancellation of over $800 million in appropriated federal funding. The Trump Administration’s decision will cut funding for critical programs including housing counseling, health care research and university fellowships that support Granite State families, health care providers and students. In her remarks, Shaheen slammed the Administration for hurting her constituents and highlighted stories she’s heard from constituents across the state about the detrimental impacts the Trump Administration’s illegal “pocket recission” will have. Click HERE to watch Senator Shaheen’s remarks in full. Key Quotes from Senator Shaheen: “The President promised the American people when he was campaigning that he would lower costs, and instead he’s putting services that millions of people count on at risk, including in my home state of New Hampshire.” “These abrupt cuts to programs Americans rely on have only created uncertainty and frustration at a time when people are already feeling immense financial burdens. They’re feeling uncertainty and anxiety about what’s happening in this country. These programs matter to people in New Hampshire. They make a difference in their lives. But the President and his cronies in this Administration don’t seem to care less.” “The President's also spending federal resources, as we've heard, for ads to promote himself and his Administration [...] Americans don't see those as priorities. They're concerned about how they're going to pay for their groceries, how they're going to pay for their gasoline, how they're going to pay child care. And this Administration is doing nothing. Zero. Nada. Nothing to help the American people.” Full remarks as delivered: Madam President, I join my colleagues this evening to express my deep concerns, and I share your outrage, Senator Kaine, about the Trump Administration’s decision to recklessly take away funding for critical programs that hardworking Americans rely on to get ahead. The President promised the American people when he was campaigning that he would lower costs, and instead he’s putting services that millions of people count on at risk, including in my home state of New Hampshire. Last Friday, the Administration sent its request to cancel over $800 million in federal funding. And because today marks the end of the Fiscal Year, there is not enough time for Congress to stop these funds from being eliminated. This deliberate move, as my colleagues have said, is a “pocket recission,” and it is illegal—let me say that again—it is illegal, plain and simple. Over the past week, I’ve heard from countless constituents in New Hampshire about the importance of the programs that are being cut by this pocket recission. This funding provides housing counseling support, as Senator Murray and Senator Kaine have said, that is vital to people in New Hampshire who are trying to afford housing. It provides vital health care research that saves lives and education programs. It is abundantly clear that these cuts won’t bring down costs, they won’t keep our neighborhoods safe and they certainly won’t make our country any stronger. Now, it’s not up to the President and unelected bureaucrats at the Office of Management and Budget to decide where the federal funding goes. They can’t cancel a program simply because they don’t like it. That’s what they’re trying to do, but it’s illegal because our Constitution grants Congress, not the executive branch, the power of the purse. Congress writes the checks; and the Administration is not supposed to just tear them up. Even the GAO, the non-partisan “congressional watchdog”, has concluded that this move is illegal, not to mention that several of our Republican colleagues have also mentioned that it’s illegal. When I talk with Granite Staters, one thing I consistently hear is that the cost of housing is a pain point for families already struggling with high prices. You know, the average price of house in New Hampshire now is over $550,000 thousand. Too many young families can’t afford that. And with housing prices hitting those highs, too many people are being priced out of this critical part of achieving the American dream. That’s why federal programs like the Housing Counseling programs are just so important. Housing Counseling helps families buy homes, avoid foreclosures and secure affordable rents. Since the program began in 2009, it has helped over 4.2 million households across the country avoid foreclosure. And in New Hampshire, thousands of families have used Housing Counseling to lower their home purchase price, to reduce their debt and to secure safe and stable housing. For example, Jake and Lisa are a young married couple who lived in an apartment in Grafton County, which is in the northwest part of our state. Their landlord decided to sell their apartment and Jake and Lisa needed to relocate. But because of high housing costs, they struggled to find a home that was in their price range. They couldn’t afford to use a buyer’s agent, so they turned to a HUD-certified housing counselor. In one instance, their Housing Counselor helped them obtain a home inspection that revealed major heating and electrical issues. And without this help they might have closed on a home that would have cost them in the long term. Their Housing Counselor also helped them create a plan that allowed them to pay their debts while maximizing their savings. And just a few months ago, in a happy ending, Jake and Lisa officially became homeowners. But without their Housing Counselor, who knows when, or even if, Jake and Lisa would have been able to achieve this milestone. And sadly they’re not alone. Too many families are still looking for a safe and affordable place to call home. And Housing Counseling isn’t the only program in jeopardy. This Administration has left $230 million in federal rural housing funds unspent. Now Russ Vought may not think that’s a lot of money, but in New Hampshire, we think that’s a lot of money. And we should be doing everything possible to help families put a roof over their head—especially in the most rural parts of our country where affordable housing options are too often few and far between. By letting this funding expire, the Administration is sending a clear message to Americans: Addressing sky-high housing prices isn’t one of the priorities of the Trump Administration. Now, in addition to cutting programs that help Americans find housing they can afford, the Administration has cut funds that allow students to master foreign languages and become more well-rounded scholars and to do business around the world. I mean, the President says he wants to do business around the world. He wants the United States to be a global business hub, and how can we do that if we have people who can’t communicate in foreign languages? And the Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship program has made it possible for students from New Hampshire to attend universities that specialize in foreign languages and international relations. These fellowships provide the skills for Americans to be the bridge to other countries and to understand cultures around the world, and to do business around the world. Eliminating 1,900 fellowships denies young Americans, including Granite State youth, from developing the skills to serve our country, to improve international relations and to strengthen our national and economic security. And the Administration has also eliminated $28 million in funding appropriated to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This includes cutting a grant program at Dartmouth College—Dartmouth College where we have the only medical school in New Hampshire. The grant program is designed to improve health care quality and access for rural populations living in Northern New England. The program focused on improving care for kids with complex medical needs and for better coordinating that care for cancer patients. This doesn’t seem wasteful to me, but that’s what the Trump Administration said when they rescinded these funds. Now, it’s not just health care funding that was gutted, as we know, OMB also cancelled funding for a program that has helped Americans build safer communities since the 1960s. The Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) was established in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with a mission to help states and communities address and heal from incidents of discrimination. The idea behind this program is pretty simple. If we get people talking to each other—something that might be helpful in the Senate—we can constructively deal with incidents like swastikas painted on synagogues or racial slurs that are used in schools, and we can foster understanding and help avoid outbreaks of violence. And I’ve seen very directly how this program can help. In 2022, at a middle school and high school in Dover, New Hampshire, which is next to the community where I live, tensions among students reached a boiling point after some students decided to write racially biased and antisemitic posts on social media. The leadership of the schools reached out to CRS for help in defusing the situation, and CRS offered a program it had developed called the School-Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together, or School-SPIRIT—an appropriate name. In this instance, the schools in Dover used School-SPIRIT to convene key school administrators, students and community stakeholders to identify the bias and prejudice that were driving tensions and to formulate a plan to help defuse those tensions through communicating. All in all, this was a success story for the school and for the entire community. And yet, despite the many positive outcomes all over the country, Russ Vought—all by himself—decided that CRS needed to be shut down. All of this is to say is that these abrupt cuts to programs Americans rely on have only created uncertainty and frustration at a time when people are already feeling immense financial burdens. They’re feeling uncertainty and anxiety about what’s happening in this country. These programs matter to people in New Hampshire. They make a difference in their lives. But the President and his cronies in this Administration don’t seem to care less. It’s part of a disturbing but all too common pattern from this Administration: Bypassing Congress, skirting legal authority and leaving families to pay the price. And what’s the Administration prioritizing instead? Well, they're driving up prices, they're driving up the cost of gasoline, they're driving up the cost of groceries, they're driving up the cost of home heating oil that people in New Hampshire are going to depend on because the weather is starting to get cold. And they're doing it because of a needless and costly war in Iran. The President's also spending federal resources, as we've heard, for ads to promote himself and his Administration. He's spending federal resources to put his name on as many things as possible. To build a ballroom. To change the color of the reflecting pool. To build an arch that's going to obstruct the view of Arlington Cemetery. Americans don't see those as priorities. They're concerned about how they're going to pay for their groceries, how they're going to pay for their gasoline, how they're going to pay child care. And this Administration is doing nothing. Zero. Nada. Nothing to help the American people. So let me close with this: As a former Governor, I know how important it is to ensure that tax dollars are being spent effectively and responsibly. But let me be clear: Taking a sledgehammer to programs Americans rely on every day isn’t responsible governing. Congressional Republicans and Democrats can stop this from happening again, and I look forward to working with my colleagues so that no Administration, Republican or Democrat, tries to cut congressional mandated investments again. Madam President, I yield the floor. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z