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://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/28/mcclellan-launches-2026-veteran-of-the-year-program/,McClellan Launches 2026 Veteran of the Year Program,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the launch of her 2026 Veteran of the Year Program to recognize, honor and appreciate veterans living in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District for their service.

“Veterans gave their time and put their bodies on the line to protect our nation, and they continue to serve after their military careers. Their commitment, courage and selflessness deserves our respect and deepest gratitude,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “My fourth annual Veteran of the Year Program honors veterans living in Virginia’s Fourth and celebrates their continued efforts to give back to our communities. I encourage all those who know a veteran who’s continued to serve people in our district to send in their nominations today!”

Eligible nominees must be honorably discharged veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and must currently live in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District. Nominations for Rep. McClellan’s Veteran of the Year Program are due by October 28, 2026.

Last year, Congresswoman McClellan recognized U.S. Air Force Colonel William Butler, who dedicated over 30 years of service to saving lives, advancing medical research and educating his community. In 2024, she recognized Lt. Col. Curt Powell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two combat deployments before volunteering as a mentor for local veterans. In 2023, she honored Chief Warrant Officer Four Charles H. Talley, Jr., who dedicated 34 years of his life to the U.S. Army before continuing to support aspiring young professionals and active-duty servicemembers in Virginia’s Fourth.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/28/vindman-joins-virginia-west-virginia-delegations-in-introducing-bill-to-protect-historic-battlefields-in-shenandoah/,"Vindman Joins Virginia, West Virginia Delegations in Introducing Bill to Protect Historic Battlefields in Shenandoah",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined every member of the bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegations from Virginia and West Virginia in supporting the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation (VALOR) Act.

This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge Country in Virginia.

“The Shenandoah VALOR Act recognizes the important role the Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle play in our nation’s Civil War history while creating new opportunities for communities to preserve that history and share it with visitors,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to support this legislation that will protect these historic sites, invest in our local communities, support tourism, and ensure that future generations can learn from the stories that shaped Virginia and West Virginia.”

In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition.

The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System.

The legislation is led in the U.S. House by Riley Moore (W.Va.-02).

In addition to Vindman, the bill is supported by Rob Wittman (Va.-01), Jen Kiggans (Va.-02), Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Jennifer McClellan (Va.-04), John McGuire (Va.-05), Ben Cline (Va.-06), Don Beyer (Va.-08), Morgan Griffith (Va.-09), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10), James Walkinshaw (Va.-11), and Carol Miller (W.Va.-01).

“The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies, said Moore. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations.”

“Virginia’s historic sites help tell the story of our nation,” said Scott. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District educates Virginians and those visiting our Commonwealth on the true history of the battles fought in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. I am proud to cosponsor the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand the National Historic District’s reach and to authorize new resources that support this critical work.”

“I am proud to support this measure to preserve the Commonwealth’s battlefields and history. This important bill will help expand access to resources for our historic battlefields and districts for generations to come,” said Subramanyam.

“The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Walkinshaw.

“The Shenandoah Valley helped shape the course of the Civil War, and today its historic landscapes continue to draw visitors from across the country. Our Shenandoah VALOR Act would expand the National Historic District to additional communities in Virginia and West Virginia and strengthen the local partnerships that preserve and share this legacy. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic places,” said Beyer.

“Virginians recognize the historical value of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields and the critical role this beautiful landscape played in the Civil War,” said McClellan. “By expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, the Shenandoah VALOR Act will strengthen the federal government’s ability to preserve these hallowed lands for generations to visit, enjoy and learn from this site. I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership in this space.”

“Our nation’s rich history and beautiful landscapes must be preserved,” said McGuire. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act is crucial for safeguarding the historic landscapes our country is known for. As tourists from across the globe visit these sites, we must do what we can to ensure they’re maintained for generations to come.”

“Shenandoah is more than a scenic landscape. It is a place where Virginia’s history and culture come to life. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026 expands the National Historic District to include four additional counties. This legislation preserves and strengthens the partnership among local communities, the state, and the district, while ensuring these historic resources continue to be supported at the local level rather than federally managed,” said Cline.

“The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most significant sites in our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve that history for generations to come,” said Wittman. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help protect historic battlefields, expand opportunities for Americans to experience the outdoors, and support the local tourism economy. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure the Shenandoah Valley is preserved for future generations.”

“A part of what makes Virginia so special is the Commonwealth’s rich history and the generations of Americans that have helped shape it. The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help preserve the historic battlefields and sites that tell the story of the Shenandoah Valley while expanding opportunities for future generations to learn about and experience this important part of our nation’s history. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to protect these historic sites and ensure their stories are preserved for the next generation to learn and enjoy,” said Kiggans.

“Virginia’s history, good and bad, is worth studying. The Shenandoah VALOR Act helps promote this history and serve local economies. As a student of history with family ties to the region, I am excited to join a Congressional effort that expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District,” said Griffith.

“West Virginia came to be during the Civil War, and it is essential that we protect the rich history of our state. Expanding the Shenandoah Valley National Historic District into Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties will help preserve significant historic sites while also creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle. This legislation is an investment in West Virginia’s past that will give our communities the resources they need to create jobs, attract visitors, and help local communities share their stories with visitors from across the country,” said Miller.

Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which is supported by U.S. Senators Mark Warner (Va.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.)

“This is a big day for West Virginia. This bill would add critical Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties saw some of the first actions of the conflict and suffered through all four years of the war—from Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Hokes Run to the Gettysburg Campaign and the battles of 1864, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle played a significant role. West Virginia was born in the fire of the Civil War. Our people lived it, fought in it, and were shaped by it in ways no other state can claim. Expanding this District is about recognizing that unique role and making sure West Virginia’s chapter of the story is preserved and told for generations to come. West Virginia’s Civil War history is not a footnote,” said Justice. “It is central to who we are as a state. This bill makes sure that history gets the recognition and the resources it deserves, and it does it with both of our states working side by side. That’s the way it ought to be.”

“The Shenandoah Valley played a vital role in our nation’s history, and preserving these battlefields will ensure that future generations can understand the events that shaped our country. This bipartisan legislation reflects our shared commitment to protecting these historic landscapes by expanding the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include additional sites in Virginia and West Virginia, which will support tourism and local communities across the region,” said Warner.

“The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is one of Virginia’s great historical treasures, preserving the Valley’s Civil War battlefields so that Americans from across the country can visit them and reflect on our country’s history,” said Kaine. “I’m glad to be working with my colleagues to expand the district into Rockbridge County and strengthen the partnerships that protect these valued sites for years to come.”

“Expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District will help preserve key Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle that played a significant role in our state’s history. The battlefield provides an incredible opportunity for people to learn about the formation of West Virginia and the important role our state holds in the foundation of our nation. By expanding the boundaries, we are able to enhance the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District partnership model, helping provide necessary resources and funding to preserve and improve this historic site for future generations,” said Moore Capito.

The bill is also supported by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and American Conservation Coalition Action.

“The Shenandoah VALOR Act brings together two states, once divided by war, in a bi-partisan effort to preserve the Shenandoah Valley as the national treasure that it is – reminding us that our shared history and natural wonders can unite and lift up diverse communities and provide a brighter future for us all,” said the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

“As conservatives, we must conserve our natural heritage in places like the Shenandoah Valley. The American Conservation Coalition Action applauds Representative Moore’s leadership to build a bipartisan consensus around this effort,” said Chris Barnard, American Conservation Coalition Action President.

BACKGROUND

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/28/vindman-mfume-urge-netanyahu-to-contain-settler-violence-protect-communities-in-the-west-bank/,"Vindman, Mfume Urge Netanyahu to Contain Settler Violence & Protect Communities in the West Bank",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Kweisi Mfume (M.D.-07) sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging his government to take immediate steps to contain settler violence in the West Bank.

“We write with urgent concern regarding the growing outbreak of extremist settler violence in the West Bank, including violence that has killed and threatened American citizens,” wrote the lawmakers. “We do so out of concern for Israel’s long-term security as well as for the safety of Palestinians. Continued settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank will harm that security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

“Amidst this violence, we are especially concerned for the safety of American citizens in the West Bank,” the lawmakers continued. “Nine American citizens have been killed in the West Bank since January 2022. To date, no one has been held accountable for any of these nine deaths. Many of us have heard directly from constituents, including American citizens who have themselves been threatened or harassed by settlers without cause.”

“Restoring the rule of law in the West Bank serves the security of Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the lawmakers concluded. “The safety of our constituents matters to us as the safety of your citizens matters to you. We also hope to see conditions improve so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live alongside one another without fear of terrorism or lawless violence.”

In the letter, the representatives request that the Israeli government take the following actions to uphold the rule of law and end the violence in the West Bank:

Instruct the Israeli Police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to defend Palestinian communities in the West Bank when they come under attack, and to apply that standard consistently, whoever the attackers are;

Establish a transparent and credible mechanism to investigate and prosecute violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian Americans, and complete the pending investigations into the deaths of the nine American citizens killed in the West Bank since January 2022.

Halt further settlement approvals and continue to take steps to remove illegal outposts in the West Bank.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-demand-dhs-halt-efforts-to-undermine-2026-midterm-elections,"Kaine, Colleagues Demand DHS Halt Efforts to Undermine 2026 Midterm Elections",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined 33 of his Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin halt the Department’s efforts to extend federal control over and undermine public trust in the 2026 midterm elections. The senators wrote to request information substantiating 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 and release the full grant funding to states, and urged DHS to 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 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, 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, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find noncitizen 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.

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

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

In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

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.

You have been unwilling to publicly affirm that you will not send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to the polls, despite federal law barring their presence. Most recently, you deployed Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents across nine states for a “coordinated criminal voter fraud surge initiative,” despite the lack of verifiable evidence of widespread noncitizen voter fraud. Your actions as Secretary are intentionally undermining Americans’ trust in the 2026 midterm elections and appear to purposefully disenfranchise eligible voters. Taken together, these actions amount to an illegal attempt to federalize the administration of the upcoming midterm elections.

At the direction of President Trump, you have endeavored to coerce states into divulging sensitive voter roll information, raising serious concerns about how that information will be stored and used. On March 25, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14248, which required DHS to compare state voter registration lists against federal immigration databases. The Executive Order was followed by an overhaul of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which transformed the program from one used for individual benefits eligibility checks to a system that could carry out bulk searches of records using Social Security numbers. Since then, DHS has repeatedly pressured states to share their voter rolls and run them through the modified SAVE program, despite legal concerns and known accuracy issues. You have exerted this pressure despite the fact that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which administers the SAVE program, has acknowledged that its results can be inaccurate. Additionally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has acknowledged that its citizenship data for naturalized citizens – which is used by the SAVE program – is incomplete and unreliable. Even though the Supreme Court has allowed you to use the SAVE program for now, we remind you of the requirement of the National Voter Registration Act, 52 U. S. C. §20507(c)(2)(A) that bars any systematic removal of ineligible voters within 90 days of Election Day.

On July 17, 2026, you claimed, without evidence, that 250,000 non-citizens were registered to vote in four states. This claim has been refuted by states and even by other administration officials. For example, you claimed that around 16,000 noncitizens illegally registered to vote in Nevada, but later, other DHS officials alleged the number was only 185. A subsequent review by Nevada state officials found all 185 individuals were U.S. citizens. These states did not agree to give you their sensitive state voter roll information and judges in each state dismissed the Department of Justice’s efforts to access that information. Moreover, elections experts have challenged the legitimacy of these numbers. Considering the inaccuracies in SSA’s citizenship categorizations and the questions surrounding how you obtained the voter roll information needed to analyze this data, we cannot trust the numbers as reported.

Further, under your leadership, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently added new terms and conditions to fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 2026 Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program awards. These are grants provided to states to help them protect their communities from terrorism and other hazards. In the FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FEMA mandated that 3% of the target allocations for these grants be spent on enhancing election security, including critical activities like hardening election locations. Now, after FY25 agreements have already been signed, this Administration is threatening to withhold a percentage of the funding hostage if recipients do not meet these new, specious requirements, despite serious legal and implementation concerns. FEMA also added requirements to the recently released FY26 Homeland Security Grant Program NOFO, conditioning 20% of the full amount of the grants on states’ compliance with election requirements that states have contested in litigation. DHS’s continued interference with FEMA’s grants puts FEMA’s mission at risk, slows down the administration of grants, and ultimately hurts communities.

Now, a federal whistleblower has alleged that, at the direction of DHS and USCIS leadership, the component’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate staff may have violated laws and DHS policies in furtherance of a new “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” 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. 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 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.

We are deeply troubled by the actions that you, DHS, and the Trump Administration have taken. As such, we demand that you immediately cease the aforementioned activities and provide us with all information underpinning the allegations made in your July 17, 2026, letter regarding non-citizens registered to vote, rescind Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), release all withheld funds to the states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.”

Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-strengthen-us-critical-mineral-supply-chains,"Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Critical Mineral Supply Chains",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in introducing the Critical Mineral Executive Coordination Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China by improving diplomatic training and coordination across the federal government.

“We need critical minerals to build chips for everything from our smartphones to our national defense apparatus. The U.S. must not cede control of global critical mineral supply chains to China,” said Kaine. “That is why I’m glad to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation to establish a dedicated executive branch critical minerals czar and marshal our diplomatic corps’ expertise in this area. This commonsense and overdue step is crucial to our national security and retaining our technological edge, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to support this legislation.”

The Critical Mineral Executive Coordination Act would establish a Foreign Service Institute training program to help Foreign Service Officers advance U.S. economic and national security interests related to critical minerals and strategic competition with China. The bill would also establish a permanent Special Advisor to the President for Critical Minerals and Supply Chains within the National Security Council to coordinate a government-wide critical minerals strategy.

The legislation also advances two provisions of the DOMINANCE Act, a bill led by U.S. Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA-06) and Young Kim (R-CA-40) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

In addition to Kaine, Scott, and Warnock, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), and John Curtis (R-UT).

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-and-kaine-applaud-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house,Subramanyam and Kaine Applaud Bill Designating George C. Marshall House As National Park Service Affiliated Area Becoming Law,2026-09-27,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) bill designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as a National Park Service (NPS) affiliated area was signed into law.

“Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community for hundreds of years. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. The International Center right here in Leesburg has so much to offer visitors from around the world, including educational programming for people of all ages. I am proud that Senator Kaine and I delivered for Virginians and made this bill law,” said Subramanyam.

“George C. Marshall was educated at Virginia Military Institute, served as the US Army’s Chief of Staff during World War II and then earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as Secretary of State,” said Kaine. “This NPS designation of Dodona Manor will help preserve his home, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and ensure future generations understand the critical role he played in our history. I’m grateful to the many advocates and partners who have worked with us to get this done.”

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaineand Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.”

The official designation is the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area provides new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming.

General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-subramanyam-applaud-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house-as-national-park-service-affiliated-area-becoming-law,Kaine & Subramanyam Applaud Bill Designating George C. Marshall House as National Park Service Affiliated Area Becoming Law,2026-09-27,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam’s (D-VA-10) bill designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as a National Park Service (NPS) affiliated area was signed into law.

“George C. Marshall was educated at Virginia Military Institute, served as the US Army’s Chief of Staff during World War II and then earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as Secretary of State,” said Kaine. “This NPS designation of Dodona Manor will help preserve his home, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and ensure future generations understand the critical role he played in our history. I’m grateful to the many advocates and partners who have worked with us to get this done.”

“Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community for hundreds of years. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. The International Center right here in Leesburg has so much to offer visitors from around the world, including educational programming for people of all ages. I am proud that Senator Kaine and I delivered for Virginians and made this bill law,” said Subramanyam.

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaine and Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.”

The official designation is the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area provides new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming.

General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/25/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-help-fund-childcare-for-first-responders/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Childcare for First Responders,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) today introduced the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act, legislation that would help states fund childcare services for the minor children of firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics during shift work and non-traditional hours.

“As a father, I know how important reliable, affordable childcare really is for families across Virginia. Our community’s firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics deserve to know their kids are taken care of when they answer the call to serve,” said Vindman. “This legislation will support more childcare options for our neighbors that work long hours. I will always fight for Virginia’s families and first responders to succeed.”

The Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to help states fund childcare programs tailored to the shift schedules and non-traditional work hours of covered first responders.

Grants would be awarded for three-year periods, with matching requirements increasing over the course of the grant term. Eligible beneficiaries would include career and volunteer firefighters, certified emergency medical technicians, and licensed paramedics who are employed by or affiliated with state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies.

“First responders across eastern North Carolina work long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays to keep our communities safe, but finding childcare that works around those hours can be a real challenge,” said Davis. “I am proud to co-lead the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act to help communities expand childcare options that reflect the realities of first responders’ schedules. Our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are there for us at all hours of the day, so we should ensure their families have the support they need to continue serving our communities.”

This legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Prince William County IAFF.

“In more than two decades as a firefighter and paramedic, I’ve watched talented colleagues walk away from this profession entirely because they couldn’t reliably find childcare,” said the Prince William County IAFF. “Our work doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. We work 24-hour shifts, often leaving home well before sunrise to report for duty, and we cover nights, weekends, and holidays. Traditional childcare simply isn’t built for that. The Providing Child Care for Firefighters and EMS Act tackles a problem that’s quietly costing us good people.”

BACKGROUND

Since coming to Congress, Vindman has been a champion for law enforcement and first responders across Virginia and the United States.

In 2026, Vindman secured more than $2,750,000 for law enforcement and public safety projects in Virginia’s Seventh District as part of a U.S. House-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill.

Vindman has also led key congressional efforts — like the Nitazene Control Act, the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act, and the Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act — to give law enforcement the tools they need to tackle the fentanyl and nitazene crises.

Vindman has cosponsored the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act, and the COPS Reauthorization Act.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9226,Beyer Demands Answers About Equipment at Proposed Arch Site,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district that includes Arlington National Cemetery and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), issued the following statement after visiting the site of President Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch in response to reports from constituents of construction equipment at the site:

“This morning, after hearing from constituents who saw construction equipment at the site of Trump’s proposed vanity arch, I drove down to Columbia Island to see for myself. When I arrived, I found workers operating heavy equipment who told me they were conducting archaeological work to evaluate the composition of the soil. When I asked whether this work was a precursor to construction of the arch, they said that they could not answer. The logical conclusion, however, is that the presence of this heavy equipment and additional surveyors is a clear indication that the Trump Administration is preparing to move forward with construction.

“That would be deeply troubling. Trump’s arch is illegal and immoral, and the Administration is also under court order requiring 48 hours’ notice before work proceeds. Yet, the Administration appears to be pushing ahead with activity at the site even while it still has not done the basic work necessary to understand the consequences of this project. There has been no adequate assessment of the regional impacts of this 250-foot structure on public safety, vehicular traffic, air traffic, or historic sites, including the implications of Trump’s latest ravings about using the arch as a base for drone and sniper operations.

“Donald Trump and his Administration are determined to find a way to push this project through by any means necessary, regardless of the law or the concerns of the people who live here but my constituents have made their views abundantly clear: they do not want this project. Neither do I. I will continue doing everything in my power to stop this illegal and reckless attempt to turn our nation’s capital into a monument to Donald Trump.”

Rep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9227,"Beyer Condemns Trump’s Illegal, Secretive Assault on East Potomac Park Following Site Tour",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Don Beyer today issued the following statement after conducting a site visit at East Potomac Park with local stakeholders, including Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker, Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run Deputy Director Becky Lambros, League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Bill Nesper, Beltway Golfer Magazine Publisher Alex Dickson, and Member of the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) LeRoy Hansen:

“East Potomac Park is not Donald Trump’s personal playground. It is a treasured public park that people across our region use every single day. Today, we saw golfers on the course, cyclists and runners on the roads, and families enjoying this incredible space. We also saw the Administration’s destruction firsthand, including trees that have already been cut down, some of them historic cherry trees. And all of this is happening behind closed doors. The Administration is tearing apart a public park while refusing to tell the public what it is doing, what it has already done, or what it plans to do next. That is an outrageous mismanagement of our public land and a complete disregard for the American people whom this park belongs to.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/24/mcclellan-joins-bipartisan-shenandoah-valor-act-to-expand-shenandoah-valley-battlefields-national-historic-district-into-west-virginia/,McClellan Joins Bipartisan Shenandoah VALOR Act to Expand Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District into West Virginia,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) to introduce the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act, or Shenandoah (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge Country in Virginia. Every member of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations is an original cosponsor of this legislation. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which also has the full bipartisan support of both states’ senators.

“Virginians recognize the historical value of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields and the critical role this beautiful landscape played in the Civil War,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04). “By expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, the Shenandoah VALOR Act will strengthen the federal government’s ability to preserve these hallowed lands for generations to visit, enjoy and learn from this site. I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership in this space.”

“The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies. The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations,” said Congressman Moore.

In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition.

The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System.

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners.

Shenandoah VALOR Act Supporters:

“The Shenandoah Valley played a vital role in our nation’s history, and preserving these battlefields will ensure that future generations can understand the events that shaped our country. This bipartisan legislation reflects our shared commitment to protecting these historic landscapes by expanding the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include additional sites in Virginia and West Virginia, which will support tourism and local communities across the region,” said Virginia Senator Mark Warner.

“The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is one of Virginia’s great historical treasures, preserving the Valley’s Civil War battlefields so that Americans from across the country can visit them and reflect on our country’s history,” said Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. “I’m glad to be working with my colleagues to expand the district into Rockbridge County and strengthen the partnerships that protect these valued sites for years to come.”

“The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most significant sites in our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve that history for generations to come,” said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01). “The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help protect historic battlefields, expand opportunities for Americans to experience the outdoors, and support the local tourism economy. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure the Shenandoah Valley is preserved for future generations.”

“A part of what makes Virginia so special is the Commonwealth’s rich history and the generations of Americans that have helped shape it. The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help preserve the historic battlefields and sites that tell the story of the Shenandoah Valley while expanding opportunities for future generations to learn about and experience this important part of our nation’s history. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to protect these historic sites and ensure their stories are preserved for the next generation to learn and enjoy,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02).

“Virginia’s historic sites help tell the story of our nation,” said Congressman Bobby Scott. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District educates Virginians and those visiting our Commonwealth on the true history of the battles fought in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. I am proud to cosponsor the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand the National Historic District’s reach and to authorize new resources that support this critical work,” said Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03).

“Our nation’s rich history and beautiful landscapes must be preserved,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). “The Shenandoah VALOR Act is crucial for safeguarding the historic landscapes our country is known for. As tourists from across the globe visit these sites, we must do what we can to ensure they’re maintained for generations to come,” said Congressman John McGuire (VA-05).

“Shenandoah is more than a scenic landscape. It is a place where Virginia’s history and culture come to life,” said Rep. Cline. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026 expands the National Historic District to include four additional counties. This legislation preserves and strengthens the partnership among local communities, the state, and the district, while ensuring these historic resources continue to be supported at the local level rather than federally managed,” said Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06).

“The Shenandoah VALOR Act recognizes the important role the Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle play in our nation’s Civil War history while creating new opportunities for communities to preserve that history and share it with visitors,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to support this legislation that will protect these historic sites, invest in our local communities, support tourism, and ensure that future generations can learn from the stories that shaped Virginia and West Virginia,” said Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

“The Shenandoah Valley helped shape the course of the Civil War, and today its historic landscapes continue to draw visitors from across the country. Our Shenandoah VALOR Act would expand the National Historic District to additional communities in Virginia and West Virginia and strengthen the local partnerships that preserve and share this legacy. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic places,” said Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08).

“Virginia’s history, good and bad, is worth studying. The Shenandoah VALOR Act helps promote this history and serve local economies. As a student of history with family ties to the region, I am excited to join a Congressional effort that expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09).

“I am proud to support this measure to preserve the Commonwealth’s battlefields and history. This important bill will help expand access to resources for our historic battlefields and districts for generations to come,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

“The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11).

“This is a big day for West Virginia,” said Senator Justice. “This bill would add critical Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties saw some of the first actions of the conflict and suffered through all four years of the war—from Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Hokes Run to the Gettysburg Campaign and the battles of 1864, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle played a significant role.”

“West Virginia was born in the fire of the Civil War. Our people lived it, fought in it, and were shaped by it in ways no other state can claim. Expanding this District is about recognizing that unique role and making sure West Virginia’s chapter of the story is preserved and told for generations to come.

“West Virginia’s Civil War history is not a footnote,” Justice said. “It is central to who we are as a state. This bill makes sure that history gets the recognition and the resources it deserves, and it does it with both of our states working side by side. That’s the way it ought to be,” said West Virginia Senator Jim Justice.

“Expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District will help preserve key Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle that played a significant role in our state’s history. The battlefield provides an incredible opportunity for people to learn about the formation of West Virginia and the important role our state holds in the foundation of our nation. By expanding the boundaries, we are able to enhance the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District partnership model, helping provide necessary resources and funding to preserve and improve this historic site for future generations,” West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said.

“West Virginia came to be during the Civil War, and it is essential that we protect the rich history of our state. Expanding the Shenandoah Valley National Historic District into Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties will help preserve significant historic sites while also creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle. This legislation is an investment in West Virginia’s past that will give our communities the resources they need to create jobs, attract visitors, and help local communities share their stories with visitors from across the country,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01).",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/24/mcclellan-leads-virginia-democratic-delegation-to-oppose-trumps-efforts-to-rescind-the-roadless-rule/,McClellan Leads Virginia Democratic Delegation to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Rescind the Roadless Rule,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led 7 Members of the Virginia delegation — including U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and James Walkinshaw (VA-11) — in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”).

Since its implementation in 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected 45 million acres of forest lands across the country, including nearly 394,000 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service filed a proposal in August of this year to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could have devastating impacts on water quality, biodiversity, economic development and more for these regions.

“This proposal would strip protections from approximately 84% of Virginia’s roadless areas, opening these lands to road construction, logging, and other industrial activities. The consequences for Virginia’s environment, economy, and public health would be severe, falling squarely on the families and communities we represent,” wrote the lawmakers. “With more roadless acres than any other state east of the Mississippi River, Virginia has an outsized stake in decisions regarding the Roadless Rule. Once lost, these ecosystems and the countless benefits they provide to clean air, clean water, and climate resilience cannot be easily restored, if at all.”

The letter outlines the risks this rescission would pose to Virginia by jeopardizing Virginia’s drinking water and ecosystems, threatening economic activity driven by recreation and tourism activities, increasing wildfire risk and straining public resources.

“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=842,"Walkinshaw, McClellan Lead Virginia Democratic Delegation to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Rescind the Roadless Rule",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan led 6 Members of the Virginia delegation — including U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) — in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”).

Since its implementation in 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected 45 million acres of forest lands across the country, including nearly 394,000 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service filed a proposal in August of this year to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could have devastating impacts on water quality, biodiversity, economic development and more for these regions.

“This proposal would strip protections from approximately 84% of Virginia’s roadless areas, opening these lands to road construction, logging, and other industrial activities. The consequences for Virginia’s environment, economy, and public health would be severe, falling squarely on the families and communities we represent,” wrote the lawmakers. “With more roadless acres than any other state east of the Mississippi River, Virginia has an outsized stake in decisions regarding the Roadless Rule. Once lost, these ecosystems and the countless benefits they provide to clean air, clean water, and climate resilience cannot be easily restored, if at all.”

The letter outlines the risks this rescission would pose to Virginia by jeopardizing Virginia’s drinking water and ecosystems, threatening economic activity driven by recreation and tourism activities, increasing wildfire risk and straining public resources.

“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.”

Read the full letter text here.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=849,Walkinshaw Cosponsors Bipartisan Shenandoah VALOR Act to Preserve Historic Battlefields,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) cosponsored Congressman Riley M. Moore's (WV-02) Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act, or Shenandoah (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. Every member of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations is an original cosponsor of this legislation. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which also has the full bipartisan support of both states’ senators.

“The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11).

In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition.

The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System.

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners.

“The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies. The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations,” said Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02).",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-push-trump-to-negotiate-ai-guardrails-with-xi-jinping,"Kaine, Colleagues Push Trump to Negotiate AI Guardrails with Xi Jinping",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined 15 of his Democratic colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to negotiate a formal agreement between the U.S. and China on guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI) models with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The senators also urged President Trump to consider enacting a mutual pause in frontier AI development to prevent potential cyberattacks, the development of biological weapons, and other dangerous activities that could threaten humanity.

“We write concerning public reporting that your administration plans to have discussions about artificial intelligence with China during the upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping currently planned for September 24, 2026,” began the senators.

“We support this dialogue and encourage you to have those discussions at the highest level. As extraordinary as the promise of some of AI’s advanced capabilities are, safety incidents make clear that both national and international infrastructure is threatened by unregulated testing and release of AI models. It is incumbent upon both governments to discuss necessary guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of AI in order to mitigate the risks of unfettered advancement,” continued the senators.

“As you prepare for the upcoming summit, we urge you to engage with President Xi directly to discuss efforts to avoid the potential harms of this technology for the safety and benefit of the world. America leads in AI innovation, and we must lead the world in AI safety and international cooperation, including by working with China to develop a formal agreement that would slow down, and potentially enact a mutual pause in, frontier AI development to prevent cyberattacks, the development of biological weapons, and other dangerous activities that threaten the lives of the American people and humanity writ large,” the senators added.

“The conversations should include specific focus on the standards needed for development and testing processes, oversight and monitoring of models, enforcing human control over the use of autonomous systems, and technological verification of any agreed upon terms to ensure that an agreement is being enforced. Protecting American safety and leadership in AI will require international cooperation with many countries, but it must start with serious engagement by your administration and China at this summit,” the senators emphasized.

“AI technology is too powerful, and its risks too many, for the U.S. and China to forgo discussions on parameters around its development and use. What our two countries develop as guardrails will serve as a standard for how the technology is used worldwide. Given how quickly AI technology is developing and how transformative it may be, we cannot delay our pursuit of diplomatic efforts to mitigate its risks. Those efforts must start with direct engagement with China to ensure the safety and well-being of all people as AI innovation continues.” the senators concluded.

Kaine was joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

President Trump,

We write concerning public reporting that your administration plans to have discussions about artificial intelligence with China during the upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping currently planned for September 24, 2026. We support this dialogue and encourage you to have those discussions at the highest level. As extraordinary as the promise of some of AI’s advanced capabilities are, safety incidents make clear that both national and international infrastructure is threatened by unregulated testing and release of AI models. It is incumbent upon both governments to discuss necessary guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of AI in order to mitigate the risks of unfettered advancement. As you prepare for the upcoming summit, we urge you to engage with President Xi directly to discuss efforts to avoid the potential harms of this technology for the safety and benefit of the world. America leads in AI innovation, and we must lead the world in AI safety and international cooperation, including by working with China to develop a formal agreement that would slow down, and potentially enact a mutual pause in, frontier AI development to prevent cyberattacks, the development of biological weapons, and other dangerous activities that threaten the lives of the American people and humanity writ large.

The development, release, and proper and improper use of AI present several risks unique to this technology. Testing AI models without constant monitoring and safe sandboxing has resulted in security breaks. Current publicly available models are concerningly capable of detecting and exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Companies developing AI have even more powerful models internally. An international race between the U.S. and China to advance these capabilities without safety guardrails, as is currently unfolding, poses unnecessary and dangerous risks to the American people. CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently said that it would “not be misplaced” to refer to the capabilities of AI as “akin to digital nuclear weapons.” At the same time, despite serious warnings from those in your administration and bipartisan Congressional action, your administration has loosened export controls of semiconductors to China and refused to close relevant loopholes on the remaining regulations, enabling China to access the U.S. chips it needs to accelerate its own AI development. Both countries are currently integrating AI tools into military and defense applications, including in autonomous and unmanned systems, which Congress and AI developers alike have warned against without significant safeguards. AI has many applications and many of them are tools we will find beneficial, but its significant dangers and potential use in lethal applications without meaningful human control must be addressed, in part, through international cooperation.

In addition, efforts to engage with China should not stop the U.S. from constructing and implementing guardrails domestically, and Congress and U.S. companies should not wait to do so. In fact, both the U.S. and the Chinese government have already put some guardrails in place, but these provisions are not sufficient on their own. Your administration has implemented a voluntary testing scheme before the public release of advanced AI models. China reportedly has put in place several testing and capability restrictions, including registration and safety requirements for certain applications, although consistent implementation remains uncertain. The mutual recognition between the two countries that AI poses significant risks both during development and after release should be the foundation of discussions centered on reaching concrete terms for an international safety agreement. The conversations should include specific focus on the standards needed for development and testing processes, oversight and monitoring of models, enforcing human control over the use of autonomous systems, and technological verification of any agreed upon terms to ensure that an agreement is being enforced. Protecting American safety and leadership in AI will require international cooperation with many countries, but it must start with serious engagement by your administration and China at this summit.

While advanced AI may be new, engagement between two superpowers over a technology that poses an existential threat is not. The U.S. and Soviet Union, over decades, negotiated and implemented multiple nuclear arms control agreements with each other, despite many deep-seated ideological differences during the Cold War. At the core of those agreements were verification mechanisms to ensure both countries were complying. Like those agreements that have helped keep the world safe from mutually assured destruction, identifying and coming to terms with the technical specifications for AI safety will require some of the smartest minds in the world committed to diplomacy. We encourage you to embrace these challenges because the stakes are existential, and our response must match the moment.

The experts building frontier AI models have also been raising concerns for some time that the capabilities of AI models may soon accelerate beyond our ability to understand or control them. In July, over 1,300 employees of frontier AI companies, who are uniquely aware of AI’s potential and risks, called on the U.S. government to engage in an international effort to create the tools necessary to pace the frontier of AI development, particularly as increased automation of AI research may lead to even faster advancement. We should take these warnings seriously. Former Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson and Robert Rubin recently published an op-ed calling for you and President Xi to work on an “ACT” — AI Cooperation Treaty.” We may not get another moment to take the actions necessary to protect our citizens and people around the world.

AI technology is too powerful, and its risks too many, for the U.S. and China to forgo discussions on parameters around its development and use. What our two countries develop as guardrails will serve as a standard for how the technology is used worldwide. Given how quickly AI technology is developing and how transformative it may be, we cannot delay our pursuit of diplomatic efforts to mitigate its risks. Those efforts must start with direct engagement with China to ensure the safety and well-being of all people as AI innovation continues.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-response-to-extensive-salt-typhoon-hacks-warner-cruz-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-telecommunications-cybersecurity/,"In Response to Extensive Salt Typhoon Hacks, Warner, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Telecommunications Cybersecurity",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and former technology entrepreneur who cofounded the wireless firm Nextel, and Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced the Telecommunications Cybersecurity and Resilience Act, bipartisan legislation that would create a voluntary framework, developed by experts from government and the private sector, to strengthen telecommunications cybersecurity. This bill comes after the Salt Typhoon hacks that widely compromised the U.S. and global telecommunications sector.

“The Salt Typhoon intrusion was the worst telecom hack in our nation’s history and showed us just how vulnerable our critical infrastructure is, but it does not have to be that way. If telecommunications companies adopt cybersecurity best practices, our networks can be more resilient,” said Sen. Warner. “This bipartisan legislation is a good start in protecting our nation and strengthening the communications networks Americans rely on every day.”

“Foreign adversaries are increasingly targeting America’s communications networks. Securing them requires an approach that keeps pace with evolving threats. This sensible bill brings government and industry together to develop voluntary, telecom-specific cybersecurity best practices rather than adopting rigid federal mandates that quickly become outdated. As Commerce Committee chairman, I will continue working to strengthen the networks Americans rely on while preserving the innovation needed to protect them,” said Chairman Cruz.

The Telecommunications Cybersecurity and Resilience Act would:

Create a telecommunications cybersecurity working group among providers, suppliers, cybersecurity experts, and relevant state, local, and federal agencies, to develop practical, risk-based cybersecurity best practices focusing specifically on the telecommunications sector.

Create a voluntary certification process, that puts real accountability behind the adoption of best practices through independent third-party assessment and certification.

Require the best practices to be reviewed and updated at least every two years and following major cyber incidents or significant changes in the threat landscape.

Read the full bill here. Read a one pager here and a section by section here.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-warner-asks-for-unanimous-consent-to-pass-the-protect-americas-workforce-act/,"On Senate Floor, Warner Asks for Unanimous Consent to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO IS AVAILABLE HERE

WASHINGTON – On the floor of the United States Senate today, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) asked for unanimous consent to pass his Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA), legislation that would repeal two union-busting executive orders and restore collective bargaining rights and workplace protections for federal workers.

In his remarks, Sen. Warner explained how the Trump administration “has wanted to traumatize the federal workforce.” The president “signed two executive orders, one that ripped away collective bargaining rights from more than a million public servants and the other that unilaterally canceled hundreds of thousands of existing union contracts under, frankly, what I think are a false national security pretext to make it easier, frankly, to fire experienced, nonpartisan civil servants and, candidly, replace them with political loyalists.”

Sen. Warner continued, “These executive orders reclassify entire departments and agencies – for example the whole Department of Treasury, the whole Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Communications Commission.”

“As I mentioned, this has already passed with a large margin, bipartisan in the Republican-controlled House,” Sen. Warner said.

He then urged his colleagues to “stand up for these vital and dedicated workers, protect long-standing labor protections, and the integrity of the civil service.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) objected, blocking the bill from Senate passage.

Sen. Warner’s full remarks as prepared are below:

I rise today to remind my colleagues that federal workers do indispensable work to keep Americans safe, healthy, and informed.

They inspect our food, support our troops, respond to natural disasters, and protect our safety. They deserve basic workplace protections that prevent retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful terminations.

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has treated federal workers with incredible cruelty — stripping them of basic employment rights, insulting their work, questioning their integrity, and indiscriminately firing hundreds of thousands of hardworking civil servants. This is a shameful way to treat the individuals that keep our country running every single day.

I’ve said this a hundred times, but federal workers are not interchangeable widgets that you can fire and replace with the snap of a finger. They are dedicated experts with irreplaceable knowledge and experience.

When we treat these people as disposable, air traffic becomes more dangerous, our food supply becomes less safe, the health and safety of our coal miners and firefighters becomes compromised, scientific progress is halted, and our national security is placed at risk.

As part of his rampage against federal workers, last year President Trump signed two executive orders, one that ripped away collective bargaining rights from more than a million public servants and one that unilaterally canceled hundreds of thousands of existing union contracts under a false national security pretext to make it easier to fire experienced, nonpartisan civil servants and replace them with political loyalists.

Through these executive orders, President Trump has blatantly abused the authority granted to him under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which allows the president to limit collective bargaining agreements when there is a national security concern.

Now let me be clear, as the Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I thoroughly understand the importance of making occasional exceptions to protect our national security.

However, the Trump Administration has not utilized these exceptions in good faith.

Instead, the president has inappropriately classified two-thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions without any explanation whatsoever.

These executive orders reclassify entire departments and agencies – including the Department of Treasury, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission – stripping their employees of collective bargaining rights without explanation because, clearly, the decision was made without any reasoning.

Today I urge my colleagues to join me in reversing these reckless executive orders that have stolen long-standing labor protections from our workforce by passing my bill, the Protect America’s Workforce Act.

Our colleagues in the House have already taken a stand against this administration’s union-busting campaign by passing this bill on a bipartisan basis.

Now it is our turn, here in the Senate, to pass this legislation and repeal these harmful executive orders.

Let’s stand up for these vital and dedicated workers, restore long-standing labor protections, safeguard the integrity of the civil service, and ensure the federal workforce can continue serving the American people.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-introduces-bills-to-fight-against-tick-borne-diseases-protect-americans-with-alpha-gal-syndrome/,"Warner Introduces Bills to Fight Against Tick-Borne Diseases, Protect Americans With Alpha-Gal Syndrome",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced two bills to strengthen the federal response to tick-borne diseases and better protect Americans living with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS).

“Cases of alpha-gal syndrome are rapidly increasing in Virginia and across the country, and nearly everyone I meet has or knows someone whose life has been affected by this disease. We must do more to understand, prevent, and treat AGS and other tick-borne diseases,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce these two bills to strengthen our efforts to combat tick-borne diseases by expanding the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, supporting research through targeted grants, and giving those living with AGS greater support by adding the condition to the major food allergen list.”

AGS is an allergic condition primarily associated with the bite of the lone star tick. Individuals with AGS develop a potentially life-threatening allergy to alpha-gal, a carbohydrate found in meat from mammals, including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and rabbit, as well as certain products derived from mammals, including gelatin, dairy products, and some pharmaceuticals. The prevalence of AGS in the United States has increased in recent years with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University finding a 100-fold increase in positive test results for alpha-gal antibodies between 2013 and 2024. AGS is the 10th most common food allergen in the country.

The Strengthening Tick-borne disease Opposition and Prevention Through Investment in Collaboration, Knowledge, and Surveillance (STOP TICKS) Act would boost efforts to prevent and respond to AGS and other tick-borne diseases by reauthorizing and expanding the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) and increasing funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that support states and researchers working to combat vector-borne diseases.

The Alpha-Gal Allergen Inclusion Act would add alpha-gal to the federal list of major food allergens, requiring clear and specific labeling on all U.S. packaged food products and helping Americans with AGS more easily identify products that could trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02) and endorsed by the Alpha-gal Alliance, Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund, Alpha-gal Foundation, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, FARE, Tick-Borne Conditions United, Center for Lyme Action, Project Lyme, the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, LymeTV, FAACT, the Asthma and Allergy Network, the International FPIES Association, Alpha-gal Encouragers, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American, AllergyStrong, FOODiversity, Food Equality Initiative, The Foundation of AAIR, LivLyme, Lymedisease.org, and the Bay Area Lyme Foundation.

“We are very grateful to Senator Warner for his leadership in encouraging and leading measures to further both education and science into the relationship between tick bites and human allergic reactions. We appreciate his responsiveness to this serious, potentially life-threatening allergy,” stated UVA School of Medicine’s Thomas Platts-Mills, FRS, the Oscar Swineford, Jr. Professor of Medicine and the Jeffrey M. Wilson, MD, PhD., Associate Professor of Medicine, in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology.

“Every day, we hear from Virginians with alpha-gal syndrome who struggle to feed themselves and their families safely. Reading a label should not require guesswork or a call to the manufacturer. Clear allergen labeling would give people with AGS the confidence to shop, cook, and share meals without fear. The Alpha-gal Foundation is grateful to Senator Warner for standing with the patients and families in our community,” said Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols, Co-founders Alpha-gal Foundation.

“The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act would add alpha-gal to the list of major food allergens disclosed on food labels, allowing people with alpha-gal syndrome to identify safe food options. People with AGS must avoid foods that contain mammalian ingredients, but current labeling law does not require those ingredients to be clearly disclosed. Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-altering and sometimes fatal allergy, which the CDC has identified as a ‘growing threat to public health.’ Cases are rising rapidly in the most affected areas, including in Virginia. The Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund thanks Senator Warner for his leadership and looks forward to working with him to pass this urgently needed legislation,” said Sharon Forsyth, Executive Director, Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund.

“Tick-borne diseases, including alpha-gal syndrome, are a growing public health concern, and we welcome a coordinated federal response,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). “Sen. Warner’s legislation aligns with FARE’s priorities for increased funding, more research, and better surveillance capabilities to fully understand the true impact of alpha-gal syndrome and improve outcomes for patients seeking diagnosis and care.”

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-introduces-new-sweeping-health-care-bill-to-lower-costs-expand-coverage-and-improve-access-to-care/,"Warner Introduces New Sweeping Health Care Bill to Lower Costs, Expand Coverage, and Improve Access to Care",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced the Health for the Commonwealth through Affordability, Reform, and Expansion Act of 2026, or the Health CARE Act, sweeping legislation to lower costs, expand coverage, and make it easier to access the care they need. The legislation would make significant reforms across the health care system while advancing Warner’s broader goal of ensuring every American, regardless of age or employment status, can access affordable health coverage.

“Our current health care system makes it hard and expensive for Virginians and Americans across the country to access the care they rely on,” said Sen. Warner. “There is still a lot of work to be done to get to universal coverage, but my comprehensive Health CARE Act includes life-saving provisions to meaningfully improve health care and lower costs, including for those on Medicare, Medicaid, and those who get health insurance through their employer right now.”

The Health CARE Act would:

Reverse harmful health care provisions in H.R. 1.

Make permanent enhanced ACA premium tax credits.

Implement a low-cost public health insurance option.

Expand the Medicare drug price negotiation program.

Extend Medicare-negotiated drug prices, out-of-pocket limits for prescription drugs, inflation rebates, and $35 copay cap and no deductible on insulin to ACA and employer markets.

Ensure health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers do not put profit over patients by reforming the use of step therapy and prior authorization, banning PBM spread pricing in Medicaid, allowing Medicare Advantage enrollees to switch plans mid-year if their provider leaves their network, and requiring all retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies to respond to surveys that collect drug acquisition costs.

Improve Medicaid by reinstating the higher federal match when a state newly expands Medicaid and applying it retroactively to states that expanded late.

Improve Medicare by including hearing aid coverage.

Require hospitals, clinical laboratories, imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers make negotiated rates and cash prices public.

Require health insurance plans in the employer and ACA markets provide detailed information about benefits, explanations of benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and utilization management policies to plan enrollees, and to make certain cost and ownership information public.

This legislation is endorsed by Community Catalyst, Families USA, Small Business Majority, Virginia Community Healthcare Association, Virginia Poverty Law Center, and Virginia Rural Health Association.

“The Virginia Rural Health Association appreciates the support Senator Warner continues to provide for rural citizens and rural healthcare. The Health CARE act will help rural citizens through maintaining the ACA premium tax credits and lowering prescription drug costs while supporting rural healthcare providers through prior authorization and Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms,” said Beth O’Connor, Executive Director, Virginia Rural Health Association.

“Virginia’s Community Health Centers are on the front lines of providing comprehensive, affordable health care to more than 400,000 Virginians each year. The Health CARE Act of 2026 represents a meaningful step toward expanding access to coverage, lowering health care costs, strengthening Medicaid, and reducing barriers that too often prevent patients from receiving the care they need. VCHA applauds Senator Warner’s continued leadership on improving access to quality, affordable health care and is proud to endorse this legislation,” said Tracy Douglas, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Community Healthcare Association.

“Recent cuts to health insurance tax credits and enrollment assistors combined with new red tape for people with Medicaid insurance has impacted people’s ability to get insurance, get healthy and contribute to their communities,” said Shaina Goodman, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, Community Catalyst. “As such, proposals like the Health CARE Act are the exact thing Congress should be focused on. We are grateful to Sen. Warner for his leadership and happy to support legislation that moves our healthcare system toward one Community Catalyst envisions: where healthcare is affordable, accessible, and accountable to all people.”

“The cuts to Medicaid from HR1 are devastating to low-income Virginians who were already struggling with increased costs for housing, food, and necessities. When someone goes without medical care due to red-tape barriers, the consequences to their health can be life threatening as well as financially devastating. We are excited that this bill would not only reverse the 2025 harmful cuts to life saving care but also create a federal option on the Marketplace which can assure that quality and affordable care is available to all Virginians,” said Emily Hardy, Director of Advocacy, Virginia Poverty Law Center’s Center for Healthy Communities.

Read the full bill here. Read a section by section here.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-schatz-to-take-to-senate-floor-to-demand-passage-of-new-ai-security-legislation/,"Warner, Schatz, Kim to Take to Senate Floor to Demand Passage of New AI Security Legislation",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced sweeping legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Later today, Warner, Schatz, and Kim will speak about the legislation on the Senate floor.

The Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 comes as leading AI companies and cybersecurity researchers have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the rapidly advancing capabilities of frontier AI systems. Leading AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Deepmind, Meta, and Microsoft have issued warnings about the rapidly advancing cybersecurity capabilities of their models, warning that the newest frontier models can identify and exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities without human guidance. Recent incidents have also highlighted alarming deficiencies in frontier labs’ security practices. The combination of these factors underscores a rapidly emerging challenge: AI systems are becoming increasingly capable of performing sophisticated cybersecurity tasks that can be enormously valuable to defenders but could also pose serious risks if misused or inadequately secured.

“The companies building the most powerful AI systems in the world are sounding the alarm: the step-change increase in AI models’ capacity for cyber-offense, combined with clear failures to securely host and deploy these capabilities, could pose serious risks to our national security, our critical infrastructure, and the systems Americans rely on every day,” said Sen. Warner. “I remain enormously optimistic about the potential of AI, but optimism cannot be an excuse for inaction, nor can we normalize these kinds of concerning incidents. If a model is capable of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in a bank, a water system, or our electric grid, we ought to know that before it is released to the public – not after something goes catastrophically wrong. This legislation establishes basic, enforceable rules of the road to make sure the most powerful models are tested, secured, and responsibly deployed.”

“Every day, we’re seeing new reports of AI models going rogue and hacking systems without our knowledge or oversight. The risks of AI are not theoretical – they are happening in real-time,” said Sen. Schatz. “Our bill is about making sure humans remain in control of AI models and preventing future breaches with rigorous standards, testing, and oversight. Immediate risk requires immediate action.”

“Innovation without control just leads to chaos, and this is our moment to make sure that the American people have control over the incredible strides we’re seeing on AI. Control means making sure that the technology does not outpace safety and common sense. It means making sure it can be used to advance quality of life instead of hurdling us towards the doomsday scenarios we’ve been warned about. The actions we are proposing are in pursuit of meeting the moment that the American people are demanding; to work with urgency to keep our families safe,” said Sen. Kim.

The Warner-Schatz-Kim legislation would establish a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Department of Commerce, bringing together representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of the Treasury, along with independent technical experts, to evaluate emerging AI risks and establish technical safety and security standards.

Critically, developers of frontier AI models would be required to provide the Board access to their models at least 45 days before public release, including model weights, configuration files, runtimes, and software libraries necessary to operate the model, allowing experts to evaluate powerful models before deployment.

The legislation would also require AI developers to create and follow Model Safety Plans identifying the capabilities and risks of their systems, the specific steps they will take to mitigate those risks, and the corporate officer responsible for implementing the plan.

Under the legislation, the AI Safety Board would develop enforceable standards for evaluating frontier models and securing testing environments, including safeguards and monitoring procedures for models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities without direct human prompting. Developers would be legally required to comply with applicable standards, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, per day.

The bill would also:

Create a secure reporting process and a national AI incident database to track AI safety and security incidents, recurring flaws, and near misses so researchers, government agencies, and developers can learn from failures across different systems. The database would be established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Require frontier AI companies to report serious safety and security incidents, generally within 30 days, and within 72 hours when an incident poses an imminent threat to national security, critical infrastructure, or public safety. Critical infrastructure operators using AI to manage industrial control systems or other operational technologies would also be covered.

Establish secure federal testing environments that can use resources at the National Security Agency and Department of Energy National Laboratories to conduct sensitive pre-deployment testing of frontier models.

Develop new standards specifically for autonomous AI agents, including risks involving identity, authentication, authorization, access to data and systems, and differing levels of autonomy.

Require standardized documentation for AI agents, including their intended uses, authority boundaries, access to data and tools, known limitations, and results of independent evaluations where applicable.

The legislation specifically focuses on advanced artificial intelligence models – systems that exhibit, or could be modified to exhibit, high levels of performance on tasks posing serious risks to national security, national economic security, or public health and safety.

The legislation is designed to address a range of risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems, including their potential to facilitate cyberattacks, evade the control of their developers or operators, assist in the development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or other weapons, or have their model weights stolen or maliciously modified.

Text of the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 is available here.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-introduces-bipartisan-stop-spam-calls-act,Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Bipartisan Stop Spam Calls Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) introduced the Stop Spam Calls Act to crack down on spam calls and texts by empowering the FCC to better protect consumers. The bill requires each telemarketer wanting to send robocalls or robotexts to a consumer to directly get their explicit, written consent. Under current law, businesses can ask consumers to consent to telemarketing calls from them and thousands of their marketing partners with a single check box.

“Families shouldn’t be subjected to unwanted telemarketing robocalls from thousands of businesses. In an age where Americans have become far too used to their information being sold to the highest bidder behind their backs, Congress needs to take action to protect people’s privacy. The Stop Spam Calls Act will reign in robocall abuses and reestablish the power of consent for consumers,” said Congressman Subramanyam.

“Giving one company permission to call you shouldn’t open the door to calls from countless others. Your phone number shouldn’t be passed around without your say,” said Congressman Shreve. “The Stop Spam Calls Act closes that loophole. Americans should decide who has permission to call them.”

“The Stop Spam Calls Act would reinstate a repealed FCC protection aimed at reducing the billions of unwanted telemarketing calls that arrive on our phones every day,"" said Christine Hines, senior policy director at the National Association of Consumer Advocates. ""This bill, which requires consumers to provide written consent to each marketer or seller before receiving certain robocalls or robotexts, would help to restore trust in our communications.""

“When we interact with a business, we don’t expect that they will share our phone number with hundreds of other sellers,” said NCL Senior Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil. “This legislation would give control back to the public over how our contact information is shared. Congress should not delay in reinstating the FCC’s commonsense policy that outlawed these predatory practices.”

“Online shopping shouldn’t mean endless spam robocalls from thousands of companies you’ve never even heard of,” said Patrick Crotty, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. ""The Stop Spam Calls Act would restore FCC rules that checked these abuses and limit intrusive robocalls.""

The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishamoorthi, Andre Carson, George Whitesides, and John Mannion. It was endorsed by the following organizations: Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America (CFA), National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and National Consumers League (NCL).

View the full bill here.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/24/following-meeting-with-va-leadership-vindman-presses-va-secretary-to-fully-staff-the-fredericksburg-va-health-care-center/,"Following Meeting with VA Leadership, Vindman Presses VA Secretary to Fully Staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins requesting that he take immediate and decisive action to hire the medical specialists necessary to fully staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center and ensure that veterans in Virginia receive the care they deserve.

The letter follows a meeting between Vindman, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and senior leadership at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center to discuss ongoing staffing challenges and barriers to recruiting and retaining medical specialists.

During the meeting, a representative of Secretary Collin’s DC Office cited salary limitations as a significant obstacle to competing with private-sector health care providers for qualified physicians. Vindman is calling on Secretary Collins to use existing authority granted by Congress to waive those pay limitations for critical health care personnel and help fill vacancies at the Fredericksburg facility.

You can read the full text of the letter below.

—

Secretary Collins,

I write to request that you take immediate and decisive action to hire the medical specialists necessary to fully staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center and ensure that Veterans in Virginia receive the care they deserve. Congress has granted you the authority to pay competitive salaries for the medical professionals who treat our country’s heroes. The time to exercise that authority to help veterans in Fredericksburg is now.

As you are aware, on August 24th, Senator Tim Kaine and I participated in a meeting with senior leadership of the VA Health Care Clinic in Fredericksburg. The facility leaders who attended that meeting were knowledgeable, forthcoming, and clearly committed to helping those who served our country. In my view, the meeting was a productive step towards resolving the staffing issues at the clinic.

The most important takeaway from the discussion related to hiring for vacant positions. A representative from your Washington, DC office explained that VA salary limitations are preventing the agency from competing with private hospitals for talented doctors. Specifically, he claimed the Fredericksburg facility is unable to hire and retain adequate staff because the VA does not pay doctors a competitive salary. However, for over a year, your agency has had Congressional authority to remedy this problem and hire all the skilled practitioners necessary to ensure that America’s veterans receive the medical care they deserve.

In December of 2024 a Republican House of Representatives worked with a Democratic Senate and President Biden to resolve this issue by passing the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This legislation contained a provision that granted the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 300 waivers permitting the agency to pay higher salaries for specialists in critical areas of healthcare.

It is my understanding that your team has recently begun awarding these waivers and that fewer than 100 remain to be allocated. Furthermore, according to staff on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, not a single voucher has been used anywhere in Virginia. I am calling on you to use a portion of the remaining waivers to hire high-quality medical specialists for the Fredericksburg facility so we can improve the lives of the tens of thousands of veterans living in Central and Northern Virginia.

Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country, and the Fredericksburg Health Care Center is the largest and newest VA outpatient clinic. A substantial share of my constituents in the Seventh are rural veterans, for whom traveling to Richmond or Washington D.C., presents a significant burden. Therefore, deploying the Elizabeth Dole Act vouchers in Fredericksburg will deliver real benefits to an area with an acute need.

As I mentioned above, the meeting with local leadership from the Fredericksburg Health Care Center was encouraging. Because your office has acknowledged that you understand the salary cap issue, it is your duty to address it immediately. Mr. Secretary, you have a clear opportunity to improve the quality of medical care for Virginia Veterans. I urge you to exercise your waiver authority to fill the vacancies at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center without further delay. If you need additional waiver authority for more slots, we stand ready to work with you to make that happen.

Please provide a response advising me whether you will begin using the waivers allowed by Section 142 of the Elizabeth Dole Act of 2025 to hire medical specialists at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center no later than Friday, October 9, 2026.

BACKGROUND

On Monday, August 24, Vindman and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hosted a roundtable with veterans discuss their experiences with the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. Following the meeting, the lawmakers met with senior VA leadership.

In mid-July 2026, 200 Virginians responded to a survey from Vindman about the delays they experienced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. He personally called over 30 of these veterans to express his commitment to demanding better from the VA.

In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned.

Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the care they earned through their service in six different letters. All of these letters have gone without a written or substantial response.

Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here.

Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here.

Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here.

Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letter here.

Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/23/mcclellan-celebrates-securing-three-virginia-initiatives-in-water-resources-development-act-of-2026/,McClellan Celebrates Securing Three Virginia Initiatives in Water Resources Development Act of 2026,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: On September 16, 2026, the House passed H.R. 9497, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, to authorize critical water infrastructure projects and programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Specifically, McClellan applauded the inclusion of three initiatives that she requested to authorize water resource studies and water infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 serves as proof that Congress can still work together on a bipartisan basis to tangibly better the lives of local communities and environments for generations to come. This bill will significantly strengthen our waterways, ports, harbors and critical water infrastructure across the country, and those in Virginia and beyond will feel its effects,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I am especially grateful to see that priorities I championed to serve Virginia communities have been included in this year’s WRDA. From proactively managing flood control for the James and Appomattox Rivers, to increasing funding for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program, to delivering $25,000,000 to improve water infrastructure for Henrico County in my district, these projects advance comprehensive quality-of-life improvements and ensure that the health, safety and well-being of our inland waterways and the people who live around them remain a priority.”

The 2026 WRDA includes water resources infrastructure and projects of the USACE. Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits. The 2026 WRDA will enact and bolster numerous projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including three of McClellan’s submissions involving the Petersburg, Chesapeake Bay and Henrico County areas.

The three initiatives McClellan successfully requested included in the 2026 WRDA are as follows:

James River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study. This project modification would include additional portions of the Appomattox River to an existing feasibility study and add flood risk management as a purpose to better support water infrastructure in the region and mitigate potential damages incurred by flooding. The Appomattox River has not been dredged since 1949. This initiative would authorize dredging along the Appomattox River including at Petersburg to restore navigational capacity of the Appomattox River by removing the significant sedimentation that has accumulated in the Petersburg Harbor and portions downstream. The bill also authorizes additional flood-management activities to address frequent flooding in Petersburg and other localities along the Appomattox River. Failure to dredge the river and subsequent sediment buildup prevents the River from navigational uses and further impedes the function of the City’s storm sewer outfalls. Over 67 acres of the City’s urban downtown suffer from frequent flooding due to inadequate river conveyance.

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program Authorization Increase. The purpose of the Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Recovery Program in Virginia is the restoration and rehabilitation of reef habitat to provide for self-sustaining native oyster populations and associated fish and wildlife habitat within the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. According to USACE, the program is currently about $38 million short of its authorized cap of $120 million. Scheduled work over the next two years in Virginia and Maryland would bring the total close to the $120 million cap before the next anticipated WRDA. Without an increase in program authorization in the 2026 WRDA, USACE’s ability to prepare needed oyster recovery work in the Chesapeake Bay could be imperiled. This initiative would make a $30 million increase in program authorization to address anticipated oyster recovery work in the Bay through 2030.

East End Water Transmission Main (Design) for Henrico County. This project entails the preliminary and final design of approximately 70,000 LF of 42” water transmission main (WTM) and will deliver $25 million to Henrico County for the purposes of completing this project. This new WTM is intended to run from an existing 48” WTM in the central part of the County to an existing 36” WTM located in the east end of the County. This would improve resilience in Henrico’s water supply system, allowing continued transmission of clean water from the western side of the County to the eastern side in the event that Richmond experiences another water treatment facility failure, similar to what occurred at the beginning of 2025.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/23/vindman-joins-democratic-veterans-in-demanding-trump-hold-beijing-accountable-for-providing-key-intelligence-to-iran/,Vindman Joins Democratic Veterans in Demanding Trump Hold Beijing Accountable for Providing Key Intelligence to Iran,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of their Democratic Veteran colleagues in calling on President Trump to publicly condemn China’s support for Iranian forces that are killing U.S. troops ahead of his White House meeting with President Xi Jinping.

On July 17th, an Iranian missile struck a U.S. base in Jordan killing three servicemembers and injuring four others. Recent reporting from the Wall Street Journal confirms that Iran acquired high-resolution satellite imagery of the base from Chinese entities.

Ahead of the September 23rd White House meeting between Trump and Xi, Ryan is leading his Democratic veteran colleagues in demanding Trump hold Xi accountable for Beijing’s role in U.S. troop deaths, and that he publicly condemn China’s support for IRGC operations.

Joining Vindman and Ryan are fellow Democratic veterans and U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), Herb Conaway (N.J.-03), Derek Tran (Calif.-45), Mike Thompson (Calif.-04), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19), Ted Lieu (Calif.-36), and Salud Carbajal (Calif.-24).

The full text of the letter can be found hereand below.

Dear President Trump,

Ahead of President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to the White House, we implore you to use your meeting to strongly condemn China’s sharing of satellite information that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. servicemembers in Jordan on July 17th, and demand that President Xi cease any support, cooperation, and information sharing with Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

On July 17th, an Iranian ballistic missile struck sleeping quarters at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, killing three American soldiers and wounding four others. The Wall Street Journal has since reported that Iran acquired high-resolution satellite imagery of the base from Chinese entities both before and after the attack, intelligence that U.S. officials say was directly connected to the strike that killed our troops.

Your administration knew this coordination was happening. In May, the State Department sanctioned three China-based firms for supplying Iran with satellite imagery of American and allied military facilities. Senior officials in your administration reportedly spent months warning their Chinese counterparts that companies in their country were arming Iran with the targeting data.

The satellite imagery is only one piece of China’s material support to Iran; Chinese firms have supplied key raw materials for the production of Iranian Shaheds, delivered chipmaking equipment to the IRGC, and sold Iran shoulder-launched missile systems, including the weapon that was likely responsible for the downed American F-15E Strike Eagle.

Rather than hold Beijing accountable, you downplayed these findings. When asked aboard Air Force One whether you would raise the issue with President Xi, you told reporters, “I think he’s behaved reasonably well.” That is a direct and egregious betrayal of our troops.

Our servicemembers are paying the price in blood for this administration’s pathetic refusal to confront Beijing. That must end now. Your meeting with President Xi presents an important opportunity to condemn China’s role in arming and enabling Iran, and to demand an end to their support.

As veterans, we know what it means to send Americans into harm’s way, and we know what is owed to them in return: the truth, and a Commander-in-Chief willing to hold accountable anyone and everyone who might do harm to our troops.

BACKGROUND

Vindman is a 25-year Army veteran and member of the Democratic Veterans Caucus; Vindman also sits on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has become the leading voice of opposition to Trump’s war in Iran.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-to-force-votes-demanding-answers-regarding-trump-vance-administrations-horrifying-expansive-costly-third-country-deportation-network,"Kaine To Force Votes Demanding Answers Regarding Trump-Vance Administration’s Horrifying, Expansive, Costly Third-Country Deportation Network",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, announced the filing of fifteen additional privileged resolutions to require the Trump-Vance Administration to produce assessments of the human rights situation in Belize, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Moldova, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, and Uganda following reports that the Trump-Vance Administration deported immigrants who are not from those countries to those places. The legislation comes amid new reporting alleging the Administration has pledged at least $410 million to build a vast network of dozens of countries for third-country deportations.

“The American people want the government to focus on lowering their costs, not committing appalling human rights abuses with their tax dollars,” said Kaine. “Yet the Trump-Vance Administration is spending hundreds of millions of dollars—or more—to rip migrants from their homes and families without due process and send them to random countries they have no connection to and where they are being brutally beaten and held in awful conditions. We have a right to demand answers about what conditions are like in those countries and to understand what kind of shady backroom deals are facilitating these shameful removals. We can get those answers by passing these resolutions.”

The resolutions are privileged under the Foreign Assistance Act, meaning Kaine can force the Senate to debate and vote on them. Kaine previously teamed up with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) to force a vote in the Senate to require a human rights report regarding El Salvador. The move came after President Trump threatened to imprison U.S. citizens there. Kaine has also previously filed resolutions to compel human rights reports regarding Cameroon, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Mexico, Panama, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uzbekistan after reports of those countries’ involvement in third-country deportations from the United States.

Included here are the full texts of the legislation regarding Belize, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Moldova, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-warner-introduce-legislation-to-modernize-aging-schools-in-virginia-and-across-the-country,"Kaine, Warner Introduce Legislation to Modernize Aging Schools in Virginia and Across the Country",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner (both D-VA) reintroduced the School Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2026, legislation to help modernize aging school buildings in Virginia and across the nation by expanding access to the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit (HTC). The bill would make it easier for school districts to partner with private entities to finance renovations to historic school buildings that will continue to operate as schools after the improvements have concluded.

“Every student deserves a safe, healthy learning environment where they can succeed, but many schools are in need of urgent and often costly repairs,” said the senators. “We’re proud to introduce this legislation to help communities across the Commonwealth and the nation modernize their schools, preserve historic buildings, and support local construction jobs.”

Forty percent of public school buildings nationwide were built before 1980, and many aging facilities contain harmful materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Research has shown that the physical conditions of school buildings affect student learning. Yet school districts are facing an estimated $85 billion funding gap for public school facilities, with state and local governments covering nearly all the costs.

As Mayor of Richmond, Kaine worked with local stakeholders to use the HTC to renovate the closed Maggie Walker High School and reopen it as the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. The project helped address overcrowding at Thomas Jefferson High School by relocating its magnet program to the new building.

The legislation is endorsed by Preservation Action, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the International WELL Building Institute, AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, the American Institute of Architects, the Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition, and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition.

Full text of the legislation is available here. A one-pager is available here.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-blackburn-urge-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services-to-reconsider-proposed-restrictions-on-remote-patient-monitoring/,"Warner, Blackburn Urge Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to Reconsider Proposed Restrictions on Remote Patient Monitoring",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider sweeping proposed changes to remote patient monitoring (RPM) that could limit access to care for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural communities and those served by hospitals and small and independent practices, as well as undermine bipartisan efforts to expand technology-enabled health care.

RPM is a growing health care service that utilizes real-time data and telehealth to keep people with acute and chronic diseases out of the emergency room by getting them the right care at the right time.

In a letter to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, Sens. Warner and Blackburn raised concerns that changes included in the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule would make it significantly harder for providers to offer remote monitoring services, even as Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) work to expand access to technology-enabled care in rural communities.

The senators wrote, “Remote monitoring services are especially important in rural communities, where patients often face long travel distances, transportation barriers, clinician shortages, hospital closures, and limited access to timely follow-up care. These services allow clinicians to monitor patients between visits, identify worsening conditions earlier, and intervene before a patient requires an emergency department visit or hospitalization. Congress, states, and providers are working to expand technology-enabled care, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize health information infrastructure, and support care in the home. Remote monitoring is central to these rural health transformation efforts. It extends the reach of limited clinical workforces, improves chronic disease management, supports patients following hospitalization, and helps rural residents remain stable and independent at home.”

“The proposed rule would make a number of changes that would fundamentally impact how RPM services are provided. One concerning change would prohibit contracting for RPM clinical services and instead require RPM services to be provided by clinical staff employed by the billing practitioner or the practitioner’s practice. Many hospitals and rural, small, and independent practices rely on specialized clinical and technology partners to make remote monitoring available. However, these vendors are not mere middlemen; they are specialized to partner with health care practitioners to help provide these services to medically complicated patients. These arrangements help practices manage patient onboarding, device support, data review, alert management, documentation, and clinical escalation under the oversight of the treating practitioner.Because both hospital as well as small and rural practices often lack the internal workforce to manage these programs entirely in-house, we urge CMS to develop a regulatory framework that protects against waste while preserving flexible staffing models. In addition to the above, the proposed rule also includes provisions that create new payment methodologies, reduce reimbursement, and require additional health care appointments, all while acknowledging that it is making changes without even having all the information it needs,” the senators added.

The senators noted that the proposed changes could run counter to bipartisan efforts to expand remote monitoring in rural America. Recently, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously advanced the Rural Patient Monitoring (RPM) Access Act, legislation that Sens. Warner and Blackburn have introduced in the Senate to ensure Medicare patients in rural and underserved communities have access to remote physiological monitoring services. HHS is also working with states to implement the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to make investments in technology that can help rural providers deploy remote patient monitoring infrastructure.

The senators continued by urging CMS to improve its collection of information about how remote patient monitoring is being provided and then implement targeted guardrails to effectively root out fraud, waste, and abuse without leaving rural providers who are following the rules with fewer tools to serve patients.

The senators concluded, “We respectfully urge CMS to reconsider the proposal’s changes to remote patient monitoring, particularly the limits on remote monitoring staffing, and partner with providers, patient advocates, and remote monitoring stakeholders on program integrity standards that reach bad actors while preserving access for the beneficiaries these services were designed to serve.”

“Remote monitoring has become an important way for patients, especially seniors and people in rural communities, to stay connected to their care teams without unnecessary travel or delays in care. CMS’s proposal to substantially reduce when and how these services can be reimbursed would make it impossible for many practices—particularly small and rural providers—to offer remote monitoring at all. At a time when policymakers are trying to expand access to technology-enabled care, Medicare should be making it easier for providers to reach patients where they are, not narrowing the pathways they can use to deliver that care,” said Chris Adamec, Executive Director, Alliance for Connected Care.

“UVA Health appreciates Senators Mark Warner and Marsha Blackburn’s leadership in supporting Medicare policies that preserve access to remote patient monitoring. At UVA Health, RPM extends care beyond the walls of the hospital, allowing our clinical teams to remain connected with patients as they transition home—monitoring their recovery, identifying changes in condition earlier, and intervening when needed. This service is particularly important for patients in rural communities, who may otherwise travel significant distances for or may not receive care. Remote patient monitoring has become an important part of how we improve continuity of care, support safer transitions, reduce avoidable utilization, and help patients recover where they most want to be—at home,” said Novella W. Thompson, MBA, MA, ALM-C, FACHE, Assistant Chief, Population Health Department, UVA Health University Medical Center.

“Remote patient monitoring has become an important extension of care for patients across Southern Virginia, particularly those managing chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. Through our partnership with Cadence, RPM allows our cardiology and primary care teams to stay connected with patients between visits, use vital data to identify potential concerns before they become health care crises and help patients better manage their health from the comfort of home. For many rural patients, RPM improves access, convenience and peace of mind while helping providers deliver more proactive, personalized care,” said Steve Heatherly, Market President & CEO, Sovah Health (Danville and Martinsville, Virginia).

“At Highpoint Health, remote patient monitoring plays an important role in helping patients with heart conditions stay connected to their care team while remaining in their own homes. For many patients, particularly those in rural communities, this type of proactive care, grounded in real time clinical data, can provide earlier identification of potential concerns and increased confidence in managing their health between office visits. This includes advancing their care plan in between office visits. As healthcare providers continue to look for ways to improve access and outcomes, maintaining access to remote patient monitoring remains an important tool for supporting patient-centered care,” said Rod Harkleroad, Market President Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas & CEO of Highpoint Health – Sumner (Gallatin, TN).

“We share the concerns Sens. Blackburn and Warner raised about the remote patient monitoring changes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “We support strengthening program integrity and reducing administrative burden. To maximize the value of remote patient monitoring, CMS needs better data on remote patient monitoring use and cost. We also want to ensure RPM remains accessible, especially for rural patients. As Bipartisan Policy Center’s comments on the rule state, the agency should require the provider billing for remote monitoring to redetermine at regular intervals—for example, every six months—whether remote monitoring is medically necessary for their patient.”

“The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) thanks Senators Blackburn and Warner for raising important issues with CMS regarding the remoting monitoring provisions in the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule,” said AANP President Valerie J. Fuller, PhD, DNP. “AANP raised similar concerns during the comment period, in particular the negative impact these proposals could have on access to care in smaller, rural practices, and we remain committed to working with Congress and CMS on policies that protect program integrity without harming patient access to care.”

“As the Commonwealth’s largest safety-net provider, VCU Health has helped thousands of Medicare beneficiaries manage chronic conditions through remote monitoring and telehealth, reducing avoidable emergency department visits and rehospitalizations,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., MBA, FACS, Chief Executive Officer of VCU Health. “These innovative digital health tools keep vulnerable patients connected to their care teams while preserving access to VCU Medical Center for high-acuity patients across central Virginia and beyond. As future policies and funding are considered, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach that protects patients, promotes high-quality care, and preserves the viability of these services.”

“RPM services operate as an extension of an established primary care clinician, creating ongoing virtual support for patients in between regular visits. This access is critical in rural communities that struggle with physician and healthcare workforce shortages. Rural areas are especially susceptible to the harmful outcomes of RPM reimbursement variation: this often leads to a reduction in patients’ access to cost-saving, patient-centered care. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) advocates for delays in CMS’ proposed remote monitoring policies. We encourage CMS to work with stakeholders and Congress on a balanced approach that protects patients, preserves clinically integrated care, and strengthens program integrity protections: such approaches are outlined in provisions within the widely supported legislation H.R. 3108/S.1535, the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Access Act,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association.

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Administrator Oz:

We write regarding the sweeping proposed changes to remote monitoring in the Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.

We share CMS’s commitment to strengthening program integrity and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used to provide high-quality services to Medicare beneficiaries. However, we are deeply concerned that the proposed policies would reduce access to care for millions of Medicare beneficiaries, with particularly severe consequences for rural communities and patients served by hospitals as well as small and independent practices.

We urge CMS not to finalize these policies as proposed and instead work with Medicare beneficiaries, health care providers who utilize remote monitoring in their practice, and other stakeholders to collect any necessary data and develop targeted safeguards that address fraud, waste, and abuse without disrupting clinically appropriate care.

Remote monitoring services are especially important in rural communities, where patients often face long travel distances, transportation barriers, clinician shortages, hospital closures, and limited access to timely follow-up care. These services allow clinicians to monitor patients between visits, identify worsening conditions earlier, and intervene before a patient requires an emergency department visit or hospitalization. Congress, states, and providers are working to expand technology-enabled care, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize health information infrastructure, and support care in the home. Remote monitoring is central to these rural health transformation efforts. It extends the reach of limited clinical workforces, improves chronic disease management, supports patients following hospitalization, and helps rural residents remain stable and independent at home.

Further, this proposed rule works against bipartisan efforts by Congress and HHS itself to strengthen rural access to remote monitoring. Recently, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed the Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act,which we introduced in the Senate. Additionally, HHS continues to work with states on the ongoing rollout of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Through the RHTP, CMS is partnering with states to make investments in rural health technology, enabling rural providers in many states to deploy RPM infrastructure. We are concerned that the provisions in the proposed rule will disrupt the care delivery models that CMS and the states are working to build.

The proposed rule would make a number of changes that would fundamentally impact how RPM services are provided. One concerning change would prohibit contracting for RPM clinical services and instead require RPM services to be provided by clinical staff employed by the billing practitioner or the practitioner’s practice. Many hospitals and rural, small, and independent practices rely on specialized clinical and technology partners to make remote monitoring available. However, these vendors are not mere middlemen; they are specialized to partner with health care practitioners to help provide these services to medically complicated patients. These arrangements help practices manage patient onboarding, device support, data review, alert management, documentation, and clinical escalation under the oversight of the treating practitioner.Because both hospital as well as small and rural practices often lack the internal workforce to manage these programs entirely in-house, we urge CMS to develop a regulatory framework that protects against waste while preserving flexible staffing models. In addition to the above, the proposed rule also includes provisions that create new payment methodologies, reduce reimbursement, and require additional health care appointments, all while acknowledging that it is making changes without even having all the information it needs.

We share CMS’s commitment to strengthen oversight of technology-enabled care, including remote patient monitoring (RPM). However, in 2024, the HHS Office of the Inspector General reviewed RPM and agreed that CMS “lacks key information for oversight.” OIG also made substantive recommendations that would enable CMS to create the data and accountability pathways to distinguish clinically integrated remote monitoring from arrangements that present genuine program integrity risk without imposing a blanket employment restriction. We believe CMS should work first to implement OIG’s recommendations for collecting more information about how these services are being provided. Once CMS has that information, it can implement guardrails that appropriately steward taxpayer dollars by rooting out waste, fraud and abuse without leaving rural providers who are following the rules with fewer tools to serve their patients, which would only and push care back toward more costly emergency departments and institutional settings.

We respectfully urge CMS to reconsider the proposal’s changes to remote patient monitoring, particularly the limits on remote monitoring staffing, and partner with providers, patient advocates, and remote monitoring stakeholders on program integrity standards that reach bad actors while preserving access for the beneficiaries these services were designed to serve.

Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your prompt reply.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-introduce-legislation-to-modernize-aging-schools-in-virginia-and-across-the-country/,"Warner, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Modernize Aging Schools in Virginia and Across the Country",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) reintroduced the School Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2026, legislation to help modernize aging school buildings in Virginia and across the nation by expanding access to the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit (HTC). The bill would make it easier for school districts to partner with private entities to finance renovations to historic school buildings that will continue to operate as schools after the improvements have concluded.

“Every student deserves a safe, healthy learning environment where they can succeed, but many schools are in need of urgent and often costly repairs,” said the senators. “We’re proud to introduce this legislation to help communities across the Commonwealth and the nation modernize their schools, preserve historic buildings, and support local construction jobs.”

Forty percent of public school buildings nationwide were built before 1980, and many aging facilities contain harmful materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Research has shown that the physical conditions of school buildings affect student learning. Yet school districts are facing an estimated $85 billion funding gap for public school facilities, with state and local governments covering nearly all the costs.

As Mayor of Richmond, Kaine worked with local stakeholders to use the HTC to renovate the closed Maggie Walker High School and reopen it as the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. The project helped address overcrowding at Thomas Jefferson High School by relocating its magnet program to the new building.

The legislation is endorsed by Preservation Action, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the International WELL Building Institute, AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, the American Institute of Architects, the Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition, and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition.

Full text of the legislation is available here. A one-pager is available here.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9224,Beyer Statement On Trump Arch Announcement,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), issued the following statement after President Trump declared via social media post that his proposal for a gigantic arch intended to serve as a monument to himself would “convert” the site “to house, store, and… use large numbers of drones, plus snipers, …and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition,” supposedly for national security reasons:

“Putting a drone launching site directly in the landing path for DCA is a stupid, dangerous, and unworkable idea. But if Trump wants to pursue it, the FAA’s prior work over the past six months to rubber stamp this proposal with a dubious safety study will be obsolete, and they will have to do it all over again.

“Likewise, Trump’s notion to make his vanity arch an ammunition depot for ‘snipers’ in a location where snipers have never been needed would place a large weapons cache within feet of thousands of tourists, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on major commuter traffic thoroughfares and Metro’s Blue Line. Such work would necessitate a redo of all prior impact studies, some of which remain unreleased if they were ever done at all.

“Of course, Trump is not serious about any of this. He just wants this massive monument to his own ego built by any means available, and he has been told that he is likely to lose court challenges. He hopes to use national security as a ludicrous pretext to force construction through, just as he did with his wildly expensive White House ballroom boondoggle. The overwhelming local opposition to Trump’s illegal and disrespectful vanity arch will not be defeated by this chicanery. The Narcissist in Chief is not fooling anyone.”

Last Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a doubtful “determination of no hazard to air navigation” for the President’s arch proposal. The FAA’s determination did not contemplate the structure’s use as a launch pad for “large numbers of drones.”

The FAA document’s political influence was especially apparent in the closing section, which overruled a prior FAA requirement of flashing red lights for the arch in favor of “a non-standard eternal flame” “continuously floodlighted by searchlight projectors.” The National Park Service similarly issued documentation finding the arch would have substantial adverse effects on regional historic sites, but approving it anyway.

Rep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/22/mcclellan-announces-launch-of-the-2026-2027-youth-advisory-council-for-virginias-fourth/,McClellan Announces Launch of the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council for Virginia’s Fourth,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Richmond, VA –​​ Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the launch of her Youth Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 school year to promote high schoolers’ engagement with the legislative process and federal government. Members of the Youth Advisory Council will engage with the Congresswoman’s staff through monthly virtual meetings and have the opportunity to present their policy ideas to the Congresswoman.

“Students thrive when they are encouraged to share their perspective and confronted with new ideas that teach them to think for themselves. Yet many young people think their voices aren’t being heard by those in power,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “My Youth Advisory Council Program fosters an environment in which high school students are empowered to discuss the challenges of our time and explore how we can fight for a better future for them and for future generations. I want to encourage high schoolers across Virginia’s Fourth to speak up, to demand more from their elected leaders and to get involved in my Youth Advisory Council this year!”

The Youth Advisory Council is open to all high school students currently residing or attending school in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District. The council will meet monthly with members of McClellan’s Washington, D.C. and district staff to learn more about the legislative body, communications, constituent casework and district outreach. The students will also work on a project that they share with the Congresswoman and discuss what they have learned over the course of the program.

Eligible high school students can submit their applications now until 11:59 PM on October 2nd, 2026. The Council will be held from October through May.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/22/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-combat-mail-theft-and-check-fraud/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Combat Mail Theft and Check Fraud,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act, legislation that would strengthen the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s capacity to investigate postal employee misconduct, mail theft, check fraud, and related financial crimes.

“Virginians deserve to trust our mail system. Families should be able to put a check or a personal document in the mail without worrying that it will be stolen and used to commit fraud,” said Vindman. “Our local law enforcement officers are doing everything they can, but they simply do not have the capacity to keep up with the growing number of cases. This bill will make sure our federal investigators have the personnel, training, and resources they need to do their jobs.”

“I support the need to staff this division of Special Agents and multiply these agent positions in an effort to better protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from mail frauds such as the cases that Investigator Oakerson has been tasked with working,” said Town of Orange Chief of Police Rebecca Nelson. “I also support the creation of legislation allowing Postal Inspectors to investigate postal employees and contractors associated with the mail. The thefts that are occurring in the sorting facilities are costing the citizens of the Commonwealth a great deal of money.”

The bill comes in response to growing concerns from local law enforcement, including detectives with the Town of Orange Police Department, who have reported a significant increase in mail theft and the check fraud that often follows. Orange County currently has approximately 50 open mail fraud cases, creating a substantial burden for local investigators who do not have the resources or personnel to investigate every case.

The Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act would:

Increase investigative staffing at the USPS Office of Inspector General to keep pace with rising postal crime and growing caseloads;

Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts for Special Agents responsible for investigating crimes involving postal employees;

Provide critical resources, including training and equipment, to support federal investigators;

Improve accountability and oversight through regular workforce assessments and reporting to Congress.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Postal Police Officers Association and the Town of Orange Police Department.

BACKGROUND

In Virginia, only three Office of Inspector General Special Agents currently cover the entire state, including multiple major sorting facilities operating around the clock and employing thousands of workers.

The problem extends well beyond Virginia. Communities across the country — including in New York, California, North Carolina, Maryland, and Illinois — are experiencing increased mail theft, check washing, and fraud targeting Americans’ personal and financial information. Nationally, reported mail theft-related check fraud has resulted in more than $688 million in losses.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-tackle-maternal-and-infant-mortality,Kaine & Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Tackle Maternal And Infant Mortality,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Mothers and Newborns Success Act, bipartisan legislation to address the United States’ disturbingly high maternal and infant mortality rates and reduce the well-documented racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

“The U.S. is the most prosperous, powerful, and innovative nation in the world—yet more mothers and infants die throughout pregnancy and childbirth than in nearly any other peer nation. For Black women, rates of maternal mortality are even higher,” said Kaine. “This is tragic but overwhelmingly preventable—that’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Murkowski to direct federal resources toward dramatically decreasing U.S. maternal and infant mortality and addressing inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes. This is a goal everyone should be able to get behind, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.”

“The racial and rural disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates in this country are alarming and unacceptable,” said Murkowski. “Our legislation works to address this by investing in innovative approaches to maternal health care, improving data collection, strengthening support for women during the postpartum period, and expanding the use of telehealth in rural communities. Whether you’re in Napakiak or New York City, every mother and child deserves access to quality care, and the programs implemented through this bill will help bring us closer to that goal.”

Maternal and infant mortality in the U.S. is a tale of two crises: an overall rate that far exceeds other developed nations, and a rate among people of color that is yet worse. The overall U.S. maternal mortality rate in 2024 was 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, far higher than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)—a collection of developed peer nations—average of 10.3. That same year, the U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.52 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to an OECD average of 4.0. For both maternal and infant mortality rates, there are clear racial disparities, with Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women suffering worse outcomes than white women. For example, the 2024 maternal mortality rate among Black women was 44.8 per 100,000 live births, which is over three times higher than the maternal mortality rate for white women and more than four times the OECD average.

The Mothers and Newborns Success Act would aim to bring the U.S. maternal and infant mortality below the OECD average and reduce racial and ethnic disparities by directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to take actions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and deploy such measures in a manner that counters inequities. Specifically, the bill would:

Provide grants administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) State Maternal Health Innovation Program and the Supporting Maternal Health Innovation Program for states to create and implement plans to address disparities in maternal health and improve maternal health outcomes.

Support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to classify birthing facilities so that patients know the level of risk-appropriate maternal and neonatal care at each facility. This would help improve care delivery and health outcomes for expectant mothers and their infants.

Support the CDC’s efforts to gather pregnancy checkbox data from death certificates to help provide more accurate data on maternal deaths.

Support the CDC’s data collection on maternal attitudes and experiences during the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum periods as well as efforts to provide technical assistance to states to ensure representation of communities of color in key datasets. This data would help determine and address gaps in care.

Establish a pilot program through HRSA to identify and share best practices and evidence-based information on maternal health with providers and patients.

Establish a National Maternal Health Research Network at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support innovative research on the underlying causes of maternal mortality and their treatment.

Support HRSA’s Rural Maternity and Obstetric Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program to improve access to and continuity of obstetric care in rural communities, including through the use of telehealth.

Establish a public and provider awareness campaign through the CDC to promote awareness of maternal health warning signs and the importance of vaccinations for pregnant women and children.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-vote-against-advancing-college-sports-legislation,Kaine Statement on Vote Against Advancing College Sports Legislation,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,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 after voting against advancing college sports legislation that insufficiently protects student athletes:

“This is a bill to tackle a real problem that needs a comprehensive solution. I can see some things in this bill that I like, and I’m impressed that the NCAA and college conferences, including those whose members include Virginia schools, have signaled their support. But this bill won’t be ready for primetime until it strikes the right balance to protect the best interests of student athletes. For example, why does the bill cap compensation for student athletes while allowing those who make massive salaries and profits from their labors—coaches, athletic directors, sports networks, online gambling operations—to rake in obscene amounts of money with no cap? And why must student athletes’ rights to avail themselves of legal remedies under state laws for mistreatment by their institutions be dramatically restricted? We should pass a version of this bill that keeps its many good provisions without unreasonably limiting the young people who create America’s exciting college athletic environment.”

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9223,Beyer Calls For Suspension Of AI System Deployed By FAA At Washington Area Airports,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus and represents a Northern Virginia district that includes Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in the U.S. House, issued the following statement today on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) deployment of an AI Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (“SMART”) system to manage flights at Washington area airports including DCA:

“The FAA should not use my constituents as guinea pigs for an unproven AI air traffic control system. The safety of the 24 million people traveling through DCA each year must be the top priority. Residents of this region are still uncertain about air safety after last year’s fatal accident, and the Administration did shockingly little to educate the traveling public about this development before implementing it in one of the most complex airspaces in the world.

“Unfortunately, I was informed today that air traffic controllers were not consulted on the ‘SMART’ system’s design and development, and were not trained on using it prior to the system’s adoption at local airports. I was further informed that the air traffic controllers have been told the ‘SMART’ system can adjust schedules and potentially even routes. Despite outward appearances, the airlines reportedly were privately ‘panicking’ about the hasty implementation of this system. I do not know why the Administration felt the need to race it into use, but it is unacceptable to use AI as a substitute for rebuilding the human-directed air traffic controller workforce.

“Dangerously rushing a system that holds Americans’ lives in its hands is not a good use case for artificial intelligence. I call on the FAA to immediately suspend its operation, at the very least until it is clearly established beyond doubt via air traffic controller feedback and independently verified stress testing that the technology is safe.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/21/vindman-applauds-over-680000-in-federal-funding-to-strengthen-head-start-programs-in-caroline-orange-and-fredericksburg/,"Vindman Applauds Over $680,000 in Federal Funding to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Caroline, Orange, and Fredericksburg",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Virginia Families Pay for Back-to-School Essentials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Back-to-School Tax Credit Act,...

Vindman Joins Legislation to Demand That Trump and Hegseth Stop Hiding True Cost of Iran War

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of his...

Vindman Votes to Protect Ratepayers From Data Center Grid Upgrade Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) yesterday voted in favor of H.R....

Vindman Leads on Legislation to Make Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet...

Vindman Votes to End the War in Ukraine, Strengthen Our Own National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting to pass...

Vindman Votes to Hold Trump Accountable

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting against the...

Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) honors the lives...

Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected...

Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after...",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=838,"Walkinshaw, Ranking Member Thompson, Ramirez Introduce Bill to Strengthen Oversight of CISA’s Cyber Workforce",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Ranking Member Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) introduced the CISA Force Structure Assessment Act.

Since President Trump took office, nearly 1,000 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees have been fired, sidelined, or pushed out, hollowing out roughly one-third of the nation’s leading civilian cyber defense agency. His administration has also cut critical programs and disrupted partnerships that help government and industry share information about cyber threats. The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the Director of CISA to determine whether, after these sweeping cuts, the agency still has the personnel, training, certifications, and resources needed to protect federal networks, support state and local governments, and secure critical infrastructure.

“America’s cyber defenses are only as strong as the people behind them,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing reshape the threat landscape, Congress needs a clear accounting of whether CISA has the workforce, skills, and resources required to keep Americans safe and enable mission delivery. This legislation will identify critical gaps and give Congress concrete information to address them.”

“With Iran targeting our critical infrastructure and frontier AI models creating new cyber risks, we must ensure we have a cybersecurity workforce to counter these growing threats,” said Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson. “After Trump has spent the past two years targeting and slashing CISA’s workforce, we need the agency to assess if it has right personnel in place to fulfill its mission. I thank Congressman Walkinshaw for introducing this necessary legislation to do exactly that.”

""Between the security failures of DOGE, the abuses of immigrant families’ data, and the decimation of CISA’s workforce and resources, the Trump administration and my Republican colleagues have demonstrated a lack of interest in safeguarding our nation’s cybersecurity and our residents’ civil rights and privacy. And as Americans grow more concerned about the threats of AI models, it is more critical than ever that we expand and safeguard the workforce to protect America's cybersecurity,"" said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. ""The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act will help Congress better understand how we can strengthen CISA's workforce to ensure the agency meets its mission of keeping our communities safe.""

The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the CISA Director to conduct an assessment of the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission with current staffing levels and resources. The assessment includes :

Workforce training and industry-recognized certifications;

Security of federal information systems and support for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments;

Risks associated with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies;

Threat-hunting and cyber incident response capabilities;

Support for critical infrastructure and operational technology; and

Cybersecurity cooperation with international allies and partners.

CISA would be required to consult with federal agencies, state and local governments, information-sharing organizations, critical infrastructure partners, and other stakeholders.

Within one year of enactment, CISA would report its findings to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, including recommendations to address personnel, resource, training, and certification gaps.

Read the bill text here.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=840,"Walkinshaw, Van Hollen, Hoyer Lead Bipartisan Coalition of 110 Lawmakers Against Trump’s Proposed Federal Pay Freeze",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), joined by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 110 lawmakers in urging congressional leaders to reject the Trump administration's proposed federal employee pay freeze and deliver a meaningful pay increase in 2027.

The lawmakers urged Congress to enact the 4.1 percent increase provided under the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, or FAIR Act, which would help federal pay keep pace with rising costs after two straight years of falling behind inflation. At a minimum, they wrote, civilian federal employees should receive the same 3.8 percent increase the Trump administration has proposed for federal law enforcement personnel.

Federal employees received a 1 percent raise this year, well short of the 3.4 percent rise in consumer prices over the past 12 months.

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote:

""These challenges have come on top of just a 2 percent pay raise in 2025 and a 1 percent raise in 2026. Asking these public servants to now accept a pay freeze as the cost of living continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut

""The Administration's own proposal on federal pay increases demonstrates why such an increase is necessary. President Trump has proposed that federal law enforcement personnel receive a 3.8 percent pay increase to improve recruitment and retention, and has proposed a 5-7 percent pay increase for service members given the critical support they provide our nation. The same rationale applies to all federal workers.

""The federal government must recruit and retain skilled employees to care for our veterans, protect our national security, inspect our food and medicine, conduct lifesaving research, process benefits, secure federal networks, and perform countless other critical functions.""

The letter, signed by 12 senators and 98 House members, urges congressional leaders to include the increase in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation.

The full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-protect-students-from-physical-abuse-end-dangerous-corporal-punishment-practices-in-schools,"Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Students from Physical Abuse, End Dangerous Corporal Punishment Practices in Schools",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, alongside Senators Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), introduced the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act, legislation to federally prohibit corporal punishment in any school that receives federal funding.

“No child should ever face physical abuse, including at school,” said Senator Kaine. “It's time to end the outdated and harmful practice of corporal punishment in every school across the country. Instead of relying on fear, our schools should provide safe, supportive learning environments that students need to thrive and be healthy.”

The administration of corporal punishment—defined as the intentional infliction of physical pain upon a student for disciplinary purposes—constitutes an unacceptable educational practice that remains prevalent across multiple jurisdictions. Empirically validated research demonstrates that corporal punishment fails to achieve measurable behavioral corrections; rather, it introduces substantial risk of long-term physical and psychological trauma, diminishes academic performance, and severely undermines the institutional trust required for effective learning. By establishing a comprehensive statutory prohibition on these practices, this federal legislation enacts protections for students to ensure all public educational facilities maintain safe, non-violent environments.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-expand-federal-support-for-magnet-schools,"Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Federal Support for Magnet Schools",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, alongside Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Magnet Schools Accessibility, Growth, and Nonexclusionary Enrollment Transformation (MAGNET) Act, legislation to fuel the growth of magnet schools nationwide by improving and expanding the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP).

“Every student deserves an education that helps them reach their full potential, regardless of their background or their ZIP code,” said Kaine. “Magnet schools bring kids from many different communities together, giving them valuable opportunities to learn from one another and explore their interests. I’m proud to support this legislation to expand access to magnet schools and help both new and existing programs build diverse classrooms in Virginia and across the country.”

Magnet schools are public schools designed to cater to different learning styles and attract a wide range of students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and across ZIP codes. Over 3.5 million students nationwide currently attend magnet schools. The MAGNET Act would help counter a growing national trend of segregation by race and income in school districts by updating the MSAP grant to expand access to funding and promote diversity. The bill would also authorize the Supplemental Diversity Grant, a new grant program to be housed under MSAP to help preexisting magnet programs reach diversity-related goals.

The MAGNET Act is led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2).",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-gao-report-reviewing-implications-of-global-aging,Kaine Statement on GAO Report Reviewing Implications of Global Aging,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees, released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report requested by Kaine that reviewed the implications of global aging:

“I’m glad that the Government Accountability Office produced this report that I requested to better understand how the U.S. government is responding to this massive—but under-appreciated—global phenomenon, and to assess how aging populations will affect our security, economic competitiveness, and global health. At a time when the Trump-Vance Administration is chaotically slashing critical foreign assistance programs that have for decades served to maintain global stability and keep Americans safe, it’s critical that we understand the implications of this demographic shift and thoughtfully incorporate the needs of aging communities in our foreign policy. As we work to restore U.S. foreign assistance programs and rebuild our alliances, this report underscores the need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to address global aging.”

The share of the global population over 60 will double by 2050, and the total number of people over 80 will triple in that same time period.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-reed-coons-press-pentagon-dni-for-answers-on-reported-ai-failures-in-military-operations/,"Warner, Reed, Coons Press Pentagon, DNI for Answers on Reported AI Failures in Military Operations",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, called on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to investigate reported failures involving the use of artificial intelligence in U.S. military and intelligence operations and provide relevant Inspectors General unrestricted access to examine the incidents.

The senators’ letter follows public reports of an AI-targeting platform relying on outdated geospatial data in a kinetic strike in Minab, Iran, and an aborted military interdiction operation after AI-generated false information was included in disseminated U.S. intelligence.

“Recent events – including public reports of an AI-targeting platform relying on outdated geospatial data in a kinetic strike in Minab, Iran and a public report on an aborted military interdiction operation driven by potential AI-hallucination in disseminated intelligence by U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific – have given us growing concern about the extent to which agencies under your oversight have prioritized acceleration of AI capability adoption and ‘experimentation’ over effective governance,” the senators wrote.

Warner, Reed, and Coons warned that reported AI failures in targeting and intelligence systems could lead to serious operational errors and erode confidence in U.S. intelligence and military actions.

“Public reports that AI targeting platforms have repeatedly generated spurious outputs (based on outdated input data or outright hallucination) risk serious operational error, in addition to undermining the confidence of both the American public and international partners in the accuracy and reliability of U.S. intelligence and intelligence-informed kinetic actions,” they continued.

The senators called for the reported incidents to be investigated by the relevant Inspectors General, warning against sacrificing safeguards in the push to rapidly deploy AI across national security missions.

“These potential mistakes – against the backdrop of the Department of Defense’s harassment of a leading U.S. AI vendor over the latter’s reluctance to allow its products’ use in fully-autonomous kinetic operations – deserve immediate investigation by relevant Inspectors General, with a higher degree of public transparency in the ultimate findings, given the impacts these perceived failures have on public confidence in our intelligence and warfighting missions,” the senators wrote.

Warner, Reed, and Coons also stressed that AI can play an important role in intelligence analysis while requiring rigorous standards and human oversight, particularly when intelligence could lead to military action.

“While AI has appropriate applications in the analytic and other fields, strong tradecraft standards should ensure that no disseminated intelligence product contains AI-generated errors, particularly when such intelligence may serve as the impetus for a kinetic action against a nuclear-armed adversary,” they wrote.

The senators pointed to the administration’s rollback of AI governance measures, including the revocation of National Security Memorandum 25 and a Department of Defense AI strategy that characterizes governance policies as barriers to adoption.

“A ‘Move Fast and Break Things’ approach may serve for high-engagement memes on social media platforms, but it risks potentially grave operational miscalculations and represents a serious threat to morale; recruitment; and foreign perceptions on the thresholds, accuracy, and justness of U.S. military action,” the senators wrote.

Warner, Reed, and Coons concluded by calling for a broader examination of potential AI-related failures beyond the two publicly reported incidents:

“We urge you to promptly investigate this matter, providing relevant Inspectors General with unrestricted access to both instances this year in which media reports have suggested significant errors in AI-enabled targeting workflows, as well as any additional instances that may have so far not been publicly reported.”

The full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=841,"Walkinshaw , Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize our POW/MIA Servicemembers",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating Friday, September 18, 2026, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This resolution pays tribute to American servicemembers who were prisoners of war or still missing while fighting in combat.

""As the father of a Purple Heart wounded warrior, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who are missing a loved one,"" Rep. Thompson said. ""More than 80,000 service members remain unaccounted for, and their families deserve a unified effort to help bring them home. This bipartisan resolution is a commitment to our men and women in uniform and serves as a reminder of the work needed to help reunite our military families.""

“On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who endured captivity, those who have been accounted for, and those who remain missing. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan resolution with Congressman Thompson and reaffirm our nation’s enduring commitment to bring every servicemember home,"" Rep. Walkinshaw said.

""Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) proudly supports recognizing September 18, 2026, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. For VVA, this day is more than a ceremony. It is a reminder of a promise our nation has not yet fully kept. Our founding principle, ‘Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,’ is not a slogan. It is a sacred obligation. We will keep the POW/MIA flag flying, keep the candle burning, and keep faith with every family still waiting for answers. VVA believes one of the most meaningful ways to honor our POWs and MIAs is to provide the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency with $250 million to complete its mission. Recognition must be more than words. It must be backed by the resources, people, and commitment necessary to bring home every missing American who can still be found. We owe that to them. We owe it to their families. And we owe it to the promise our nation made when we sent them to serve,” said Tom Burke, Vietnam Veterans of America President.

“We have a sacred obligation to honor those whose service to their nation came at the cost of their freedom, and were never afforded the chance to return home. Recognizing the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day underscores that the 80,000 U.S. service members missing in action will never be forgotten, and reaffirms the gratitude of the American people for their sacrifices. With Honor Action, with solemn gratitude, is proud to endorse this resolution, and we thank Reps. G.T. Thompson and James Walkinshaw for ensuring the memory of our service members' lives on,"" said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor.

“EANGUS proudly endorses this resolution recognizing the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Our nation has a solemn obligation to remember those who never returned, continue the fullest possible accounting of our missing, and stand beside the families who have carried the burden of uncertainty and loss. Their service and sacrifice must never be forgotten,” saidCSM John D. Gipe, USA Retired Executive Director, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

“The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) endorses House Res. 1566, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and James Walkinshaw, and thanks them for their leadership. Recognizing and honoring the brave Americans who endured the unimaginable as prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action is vital to ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. JWV continues to strongly support the No Veteran Left Behind mission and to provide support to the families of POW/MIA servicemen and women who deserve closure. When JWV displays the POW/MIA flag and holds the Missing Man Table ceremony, we demonstrate our solidarity with families still awaiting answers. May the memory of our prisoners of war and those missing in action remain a constant source of blessing and a reminder of the true cost of our freedom,” said National Commander Selina Kanowitz, MSgt. USAFR (Ret.).

This resolution is also endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America.

Background:

Each year, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is honored on the third Friday of September. According to the Department of War’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency, there are still 80,000 service members missing in action. Pennsylvania has the third most unaccounted for POW/MIAs with 5,375 servicemembers yet to be brought home. Since 2023, four POW/MIA’s have been identified and returned home to Congressman Thompson’s district.

Read the full resolution here.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-colleagues-urge-congressional-leaders-to-reject-trumps-proposed-federal-pay-freeze/,"Warner, Colleagues Urge Congressional Leaders to Reject Trump’s Proposed Federal Pay Freeze",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and a coalition of 110 bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers urged congressional leaders to reject the Trump administration’s proposed federal employee pay freeze and deliver a meaningful pay increase in 2027.

The lawmakers urged Congress to enact the 4.1 percent increase provided under the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, or FAIR Act, which would help federal pay keep pace with rising costs after two straight years of falling behind inflation. At a minimum, they wrote, civilian federal employees should receive the same 3.8 percent increase the Trump administration has proposed for federal law enforcement personnel.

Federal employees received a 1 percent raise this year, well short of the 3.4 percent rise in consumer prices over the past 12 months.

The lawmakers wrote, “These challenges have come on top of just a 2 percent pay raise in 2025 and a 1 percent raise in 2026. Asking these public servants to now accept a pay freeze as the cost of living continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut.”

The lawmakers continued, “The Administration’s own proposal on federal pay increases demonstrates why such an increase is necessary. President Trump has proposed that federal law enforcement personnel receive a 3.8 percent pay increase to improve recruitment and retention, and has proposed a 5-7 percent pay increase for service members given the critical support they provide our nation. The same rationale applies to all federal workers.”

“The federal government must recruit and retain skilled employees to care for our veterans, protect our national security, inspect our food and medicine, conduct lifesaving research, process benefits, secure federal networks, and perform countless other critical functions,” the lawmakers added.

The letter, signed by 12 senators and 98 House members, urges congressional leaders to include the increase in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation.

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, Leader Schumer, and Leader Jeffries,

We write to urge you to reject the Trump Administration’s proposed pay freeze and work to provide federal

employees with a meaningful pay increase in 2027 that keeps pace with the rising cost of living.

Federal employees have endured an extraordinarily difficult period marked by government shutdowns and

repeated efforts to strip away longstanding civil service protections, all while continuing to deliver the benefits

and services Americans rely on every day. These challenges have come on top of just a 2 percent pay raise in

2025 and a 1 percent raise in 2026. Asking these public servants to now accept a pay freeze as the cost of living

continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut.

The Administration’s own proposal on federal pay increases demonstrates why such an increase is necessary.

President Trump has proposed that federal law enforcement personnel receive a 3.8 percent pay increase to

improve recruitment and retention, and has proposed a 5-7 percent pay increase for service members given the critical support they provide our nation. The same rationale applies to all federal workers.

The federal government must recruit and retain skilled employees to care for our veterans, protect our national

security, inspect our food and medicine, conduct lifesaving research, process benefits, secure federal networks,

and perform countless other critical functions. If competitive compensation is necessary to recruit and retain

qualified federal law enforcement officers, it is also necessary to recruit and retain qualified employees

throughout the federal government.

Without a meaningful pay raise, we risk further exacerbating staffing challenges at critical agencies like the

Department of Health and Human Services, whose employees conduct lifesaving medical research, monitor

disease outbreaks, administer critical health programs, and protect the safety of our food and medicines. HHS

has already lost thousands of employees, including significant reductions at the FDA, reducing the agency’s

capacity to conduct inspections essential to Americans’ wellbeing. At a time when families are seeing repeated

food recalls and outbreaks, further weakening the federal workforce responsible for inspecting facilities and

identifying contamination could put even greater strain on our food-safety system.

A pay cut could similarly exacerbate staffing challenges across other mission-critical agencies. At the Social

Security Administration, further workforce losses could mean longer waits for seniors, people with disabilities,

and families seeking benefits. And at agencies responsible for our national security, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a pay freeze could make it even harder to recruit and retain the highly

skilled cybersecurity professionals needed to protect federal networks and critical infrastructure. That is

especially concerning as cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including our energy, water,

transportation, and communications systems, continue to grow more frequent and sophisticated.

At a minimum, federal civilian employees should receive the same 3.8 percent pay increase the Administration

has proposed for federal law enforcement. We strongly believe, however, that Congress should go further and

provide the 4.1 percent increase called for in the FAIR Act, which would help federal pay keep pace with rising

costs while ensuring the government can continue to attract and retain the workforce necessary to serve the

American people.

There’s precedent for Congress taking action when a President fails to ensure federal employee pay keeps pace

with the cost of living. In 2019, after President Trump initially froze federal employee pay, Congress rejected

the freeze and enacted a pay increase. Congress should once again exercise its authority to ensure federal

employees receive a fair and meaningful adjustment to their pay in 2027.

We therefore urge you to include a federal employee pay increase of no less than 3.8 percent, and preferably the 4.1 percent provided under the FAIR Act, in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=835,"Walkinshaw, McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the Trump Administration to protect people who have fled repression in China and could face persecution or torture if they are sent back.

McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, and Walkinshaw all serve on the CECC—a congressional commission that monitors and documents human rights violations in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

In the letter, the lawmakers called on the U.S. government to stop the practice of detaining at-risk individuals, release those currently in detention, prohibit them from being deported to the PRC, and give fair and timely consideration of their applications for asylum.

“Many people who have fled persecution in the PRC come to the United States with an expectation that they can find refuge,” the Members wrote. “They should be given every opportunity to apply for asylum if they have not yet done so and given fair and timely consideration of such application for asylum or other protection. Under no circumstances should at-risk individuals be deported to the PRC.”

The Members also made the letter public so immigration attorneys and advocates can use it in cases involving Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans and others who fear persecution if returned to China.

“There are likely many more detainees at ICE facilities, perhaps lacking representation, who fear deportation to a country run by a government that seeks to do them harm,” the Members continued. “There are perhaps others who have already been sent back to the PRC who are now experiencing persecution, torture or worse. Thus, we see value in making this letter and its message public.”

The letter notes that the U.S. government deporting an individual to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened (also known as “refoulement”) would violate both United States and international law, and would also be a betrayal of that promise by then-Senator Marco Rubio to provide refuge to those subject to the repression of the Chinese Communist Party, when he introduced the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act and the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act.

The full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-whistleblower-disclosure-warner-kaine-demand-investigation-into-dhs-data-misconduct-in-virginia-nationwide/,"Following Whistleblower Disclosure, Warner, Kaine Demand Investigation Into DHS Data Misconduct in Virginia, Nationwide",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), joined by 16 other Senate Democrats, today demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately open an independent investigation into the wrongdoings detailed in a recent whistleblower’s disclosure. The disclosure alleges that DHS is directing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) officers to impersonate voters in Virginia and across the country in violation of state laws to access online voter data as a part of its “Unlawful Voter Initiative,” an effort aimed at manufacturing evidence for President Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.

In Virginia, individuals using the state’s online voter portal must certify that they are accessing their own voter registration record and are warned that accessing another voter’s record is unlawful. According to the whistleblower, USCIS officers were nevertheless directed to falsely certify that they were the individual voters whose records they were searching. On Thursday, Virginia’s Attorney General Jay Jones warned DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin that officers’ actions, specifically those who checked a box falsely attesting they were specific Virginians verifying their voter registration records, “potentially violates several Virginia laws.”

The senators wrote in their letter, “The DHS Office of Inspector General’s mission is ‘[t]o provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS.’ We urge you to carry out that mission by immediately opening an independent investigation into the alleged wrongdoings detailed in the whistleblower’s claims, which describe agency leadership directing officers to violate the law and DHS standards of integrity.”

The senators highlighted additional allegations in the whistleblower’s disclosure, including that USCIS personnel were directed to create erroneous federal law enforcement records known as “TECS records” based on potentially unreliable information; required to meet performance quotas of reviewing 40 subjects per day with minimal training; and instructed to rely on DHS data of dubious origin that agency officials reportedly described as having been augmented with “supplemental magic.”

The senators also urged the OIG to take immediate action to prevent additional wrongdoing, writing, “In addition to your investigation, please use every tool at your disposal, including a management alert, to address this immediately and prevent any additional wrongdoing or misuse of agency personnel and resources while the investigation is ongoing.”

“Given the time-sensitive nature of these claims, and the potential for misuse of this information for political purposes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, please provide weekly updates on the status of your investigation to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Senate Committee on the Judiciary,” the senators concluded. “Finally, recognizing the special provisions concerning the DHS Secretary’s authority over certain DHS OIG audits and investigations, if the Secretary refuses to cooperate with an audit or investigation, please notify us immediately.”

In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The DHS whistleblower’s disclosure has also prompted outside watchdog organizations to conduct their own investigations into the Trump administration’s wrongdoings, including an investigation launched by American Oversight to obtain DHS and USCIS records under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and alleged DHS directives to violate state laws.

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Inspector General Cuffari:

On September 8, 2026, a protected whistleblower made the attached disclosure to the Senate (the “Disclosure”) that reveals serious allegations of illegal and inappropriate activities within the Department of Homeland Security’s (“DHS” or “the Department”) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (“FDNS”).

The attached Disclosure confirms that the Department and USCIS leadership have abruptly diverted FDNS from its mission and directed personnel to an “Unlawful Voter Initiative” using highly questionable data and methods to identify purported unlawful voters. DHS and USCIS training materials admit these investigations will include U.S. citizens, some of whom will have federal law enforcement records created about them based on unreliable data and rushed reviews by officers held to quotas. This initiative is placing FDNS employees in an impossible position. They are being directed to take actions in the weeks before the election that this whistleblower believes are against the law and Department policy, and which will harm Americans.

The whistleblower’s Disclosure includes compelling evidence of wrongdoing by agency leadership including:

(1) USCIS personnel have been directed to access sensitive voter information in violation of state laws prohibiting unauthorized access to individual voter records, including to make false certifications and affirmations;

(2) USCIS personnel are under significant pressure from headquarters to enter federal

TECS records about individuals that have a high risk of being false, potentially harming thousands of people in likely violation of federal privacy requirements;

(3) Agency leadership is imposing reckless quotas that demand USCIS personnel investigate 40 subjects per day with minimal training, a rate of roughly 12 minutes per subject, with leadership tracking agent output in an attempt to complete this rushed investigation by September 12; and

(4) DHS is providing USCIS personnel with DHS data of dubious origin, including voter data, which they are required to accept as accurate despite the admission that the data has been augmented with “supplemental magic.”

The whistleblower’s Disclosure states that rank-and-file USCIS employees have serious concerns with the actions they have been directed to perform as part of the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” When the whistleblower and others raised concerns about potential violations of state law, they were advised that they would not be held “personally liable”, implying an awareness of potential illegality by agency leadership. All these claims require a thorough and objective investigation, including whether authority exists to collect and use all relevant data, free of interference by agency leadership.

This initiative plainly appears to be a political exercise that poses risks to national security. Over the past several weeks, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ProPublica, and other outlets have reported on the intense White House pressure on DHS and other agencies to back up the President’s baseless claims of widespread election fraud. According to these reports, former USCIS officials are concerned that “work screening immigration applications for false information and possible security threats has effectively ground to a halt.”

Concerningly, the launch of the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” also occurred immediately following an FDNS reorganization that may have made these highly questionable practices easier to implement quickly across the agency. Your investigation should also examine whether this reorganization contributed to the management failures involved in this initiative.

The DHS Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) mission is “to provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS.” We urge you to carry out that mission by immediately opening an independent investigation into the alleged wrongdoings detailed in the whistleblower’s claims, which describe agency leadership directing officers to violate the law and DHS standards of integrity. Failure to do so risks compounding the serious concerns about these activities within the FDNS workforce and the lack of integrity of FDNS, USCIS, and DHS leadership. In addition to your investigation, please use every tool at your disposal, including a management alert, to address this immediately and prevent any additional wrongdoing or misuse of agency personnel and resources while the investigation is ongoing.

Given the time-sensitive nature of these claims, and the potential for misuse of this information for political purposes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, please provide weekly updates on the status of your investigation to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Finally, recognizing the special provisions concerning the DHS Secretary’s authority over certain DHS OIG audits and investigations, if the Secretary refuses to cooperate with an audit or investigation, please notify us immediately.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-statement-on-the-trump-administrations-repeal-of-an-executive-order-to-clean-up-the-chesapeake-bay/,"Warner, Kaine Statement on the Trump Administration’s Repeal of an Executive Order to Clean Up the Chesapeake Bay",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement on the Trump administration’s repeal of an executive order to clean up the Chesapeake Bay:

“For more than a decade-and-a-half, the federal government has worked alongside states and local communities to restore the Chesapeake Bay and protect one of Virginia’s greatest natural and economic resources. The Trump administration’s decision to repeal the 2009 executive order, which to this point has maintained considerable bipartisan support, dismantles a longstanding framework for coordinating that federal effort, including work to expand scientific research, assess the impacts of climate change, and tackle pollution from agricultural runoff and stormwater.

“Restoring the Chesapeake Bay is critical to the Commonwealth’s seafood and tourism industries, thousands of good-paying jobs, educational opportunities, and Virginians’ recreation. Rolling back efforts to clean up the Bay is dangerous not just for our environment but for our economy. We should be building on the progress we’ve made instead of walking away from a framework that has guided restoration efforts for more than 15 years.”

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-schatz-murray-shaheen-reed-coons-statement-on-deadly-iranian-wedding-strike/,"Warner, Schatz, Murray, Shaheen, Reed, Coons Statement on Deadly Iranian Wedding Strike",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement on an apparent errant U.S. strike on a home hosting a wedding in Kuhestak, Iran on September 1st:

“Reports that a strike on a home in Kuhestak, Iran that killed four civilians, including women and a child, and injured more than 60 others was likely caused by an errant U.S. bomb are shocking and deeply troubling. This is not the first time that U.S. strikes have resulted in civilian casualties during this war of choice, and it once again raises grave concerns about the Trump administration’s disregard for protecting civilian life. This incident must be fully and impartially investigated, and the full investigation must be shared publicly with Congress and the American people. We have yet to receive the full investigation of the Pentagon’s inquiry into a February 28th strike on a school in Minab that killed 175 civilians, mostly children. The public deserves to know what led to these failures and what is being done to prevent similar incidents in the future. This war must end.”

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/17/mcclellan-statement-on-house-passage-of-ratepayer-protection-act-and-other-bills-to-ensure-data-centers-pay-their-fair-share/,McClellan Statement on House Passage of Ratepayer Protection Act and Other Bills to Ensure Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass four bills cosponsored by McClellan that will protect residents in the community from rising costs associated with data centers:

“In a rapidly growing digital world in which U.S. households have on average 21 devices connected to the Internet, more and more activities from health care delivery to banking are conducted online and AI and other technologies continue to advance, the number of data centers has grown at a more rapid pace than our current electric infrastructure can handle. Consequently, the federal government must play a bigger role in ensuring that the costs to power these data centers do not get passed on to consumers and small businesses. As the data center capital of the globe, Virginia knows this struggle all too well.

“I voted in favor of four bills that take a crucial first step in ensuring that the burden of rising energy costs falls on the large-load customers who create increasing demand. These bills begin to move us in the right direction. From the Ratepayer Protection Act’s creation of a standard states can follow to ensure data centers are paying their fair share, to bills that help ensure that companies are not overbuilding data center infrastructure, these policies have earned bipartisan support because they give the federal government the tools they need to begin enforcing fairer outcomes for consumers.

“While these bills are an important first step, they do not go far enough to be the last. Congress must also pursue greater transparency and regulation for data center projects, ensure local governments siting these projects coordinate with state and federal regulators that address the impact they have on energy demand and the environment and bring renewable energy sources and battery storage online in a much more significant way. I will continue to advocate for these and other policies that ensure our nation can meet its digital and energy needs without overburdening people, communities and our environment.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9220,Beyer Opposes Crypto Tax Bill: “Crypto Industry Has Been Weaponized To Corrupt Our Presidency”,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and a member of the House Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks yesterday during the Ways and Means Committee’s markup of crypto tax legislation, the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act, explaining his vote against the measure:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I truly appreciate you and your staff for working across the aisle on the bill before us today.

I am also thankful for Mr. Horsford’s hard work and leadership through this process.

This legislation is a substantial improvement from the measure we considered in our committee earlier this year.

Some of the more egregious giveaways to the digital asset industry have been sanded down or removed altogether.

And I am particularly happy to see the inclusion of improved language that would limit the ability of taxpayers from using Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories as venues for tax evasion.

However, despite these improvements, I cannot support this legislation at this time.

Simply put, this bill does not exist in a vacuum.

Most Americans, for good reason, associate digital assets and cryptocurrencies with fraud, instability, illicit finance, and most all, with corruption.

Everyday, we are confronted with story after story of malfeasance of all types, either enabled or worsened by the increasing ubiquity of digital assets in the global economy.

The promises that crypto boosters have made over the years that greater digital asset adoption would somehow lead to lower costs, higher financial inclusion, more transparency, and so on have all been unmet.

Instead of this utopian vision, the reality of crypto is that most Americans experience is much darker.

Unfortunately, the fact is that the digital asset marketplace is dominated by bad actors, and none more so than the current occupant of the White House and his family.

Through their various cryptocurrency ventures like World Liberty Financial and the Trump-branded meme coin, the Trump family has amassed billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains coming in part from foreign governments, criminals, and wealthy donors – all through crypto.

And hundreds of millions of these dollars are flowing through the President’s political apparatus and flooding the airwaves to attack his political opponents.

The crypto industry has been weaponized to corrupt our presidency.

In exchange, this Administration has worked hard to water down or eliminate regulations aimed at protecting consumers while also halting prosecutions of numerous crypto fraudsters.

And most of all, the President has been focused on ensuring that he can continue to personally rake in massive cryptocurrency profits without any accountability.

Just look at what happened yesterday in the Senate, where CLARITY Act, a digital asset market structure bill, failed due to the President’s desire to avoid any restrictions on his ability to benefit from his own crypto holdings.

Even the most basic ethics requirements limiting the President and other senior government officials from profiting from the policies they oversee were onerous to him.

The close relationship between the President and cryptocurrency, and his relentless profit-seeking while in office, is doing the industry no favors in the long-term.

This staggering level of corruption is unprecedented in our history and leaves our nation extremely vulnerable, to say nothing of the more mundane criminal activity enabled by crypto which inflicts a heavy cost on the American people every single day.

I do not believe that we should proceed with legislation that would further embed this industry into our economic life and republic until we can get a handle on these more pressing and immediate challenges.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9221,"Beyer, Meeks, Sherman & Garamendi Announce JRD on U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Agreement",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Representatives Don Beyer, and Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brad Sherman, and John Garamendi, today issued the following statement raising serious concerns with the Trump administration’s nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia and announced the introduction of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block this agreement's entry into force.

“This U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement dangerously departs from decades of nonproliferation standards and presents considerable risks. For decades, across administrations of both parties, the United States has committed to a clear nonproliferation policy that no new countries should be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. In order to prevent nuclear weapons development, two provisions are critical: the Gold Standard commitment to no enrichment and no reprocessing, and the Additional Protocol that allows International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections to confirm enrichment and reprocessing are not occurring. The proposed nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia fails to secure these critical safety measures. Several countries – including Saudi Arabia’s neighbor, the UAE – successfully pursued civilian nuclear cooperation under this framework. There’s no credible reason Saudi Arabia should get a weaker deal.

“A region already gripped by conflict and escalation does not need another nuclear power. Saudi Arabia's own statements make that risk explicit: In a 2023 interview, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said plainly that, ‘if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, we must obtain one as well.’ The Kingdom has also obtained multiple nuclear-capable Dongfeng-3 ballistic missiles from China and is actively developing its own long-range ballistic missile program that could provide the means to deliver nuclear weapons. Handing Saudi Arabia enrichment capacity under these conditions – even with the stipulations included in the agreement the administration has shared with Congress – isn’t just reckless nonproliferation policy, it’s an invitation to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

“That is why we are introducing a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block this deeply flawed agreement and stop the Trump administration from further dangerous global nuclear proliferation.”

Beyer: This Bill Would Do More Harm Than Good For America And For Ukraine

September 16, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Beyer, Meeks, Neal Statement On Russia Sanctions Legislation

September 11, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Virginia Members Of Congress Welcome Investigation Of ICE Encounter With Jose Mejia Hernandez

September 4, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Beyer Leads Special Orders Highlighting Urgent Need to Restore USAID

September 3, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-elfreth-condemn-trump-executive-order-targeting-chesapeake-bay,"Scott, Elfreth Condemn Trump Executive Order Targeting Chesapeake Bay",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), co-chairs of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, issued the following statement after President Trump revoked Executive Order 13508, which directed federal agencies to reduce water pollution from federal lands and facilities and to promote ecosystem conservation:

“Yesterday, President Trump revoked an executive order by President Obama that directed federal agencies to support the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The federal government has a responsibility to be a partner in protecting and restoring the Bay, and walking away from that responsibility jeopardizes the hard-fought progress we have made. President Trump is making it more difficult for us to meet the goals outlined in the bipartisan 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and to secure a healthier bay for the millions of people who live throughout the watershed.”

“As co-chairs of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, we urge President Trump to immediately reverse course and reinstate the executive order. We cannot afford to turn back the clock on decades of bipartisan work to restore this national treasure.”

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-help-virginia-families-pay-for-back-to-school-essentials/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Virginia Families Pay for Back-to-School Essentials,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Back-to-School Tax Credit Act, legislation that would provide families with a new federal tax credit for basic school supplies.

“Every parent knows the back-to-school list: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, calculators — the basics our kids need to show up ready to learn. But now, that list is growing far too expensive,” said Vindman. “For hardworking families already stretching every dollar, those costs add up quickly. As a dad of two, I know firsthand that these aren’t optional expenses. Kids need school supplies every year, and families shouldn’t have to choose between getting their children what they need to succeed and paying for other necessities.”

The Back-to-School Tax Credit Act would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $250 per qualifying child for eligible school supply expenses. The credit would help families offset the cost of supplies required for enrollment or attendance at a public, private, or home school providing elementary or secondary education.

BACKGROUND

The legislation comes as back-to-school expenses continue to put pressure on household budgets. The National Retail Federation’s 2026 Back-to-School Survey found that families expected to spend an average of $146.45 per K-12 student on school supplies, in addition to roughly $250 per child on clothing and apparel, adding up to nearly $400 per student.

The price of school supplies has also increased sharply over the past year. Some common items, including lunch boxes, notebooks, and tissues, have seen year-over-year price increases of 20 percent or more. Tariffs and disruptions to global supply chains have contributed to higher costs for manufacturers and consumers.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-votes-to-protect-ratepayers-from-data-center-grid-upgrade-costs/,Vindman Votes to Protect Ratepayers From Data Center Grid Upgrade Costs,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) yesterday voted in favor of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation aimed at protecting families and businesses from being saddled with the costs of infrastructure upgrades needed to accommodate the rapidly growing energy demands of large data centers.

“It is past time for data centers to pay their fair share. Right now, Virginia families and businesses are unfairly footing the bill for massive infrastructure investments needed to power large data centers. That is unacceptable.” said Vindman. “The Ratepayer Protection Act is about fairness, accountability, and making sure the families can actually afford and predict their monthly utility bills.”

The legislation would require states to consider adopting policies that ensure large data centers help cover the costs of grid upgrades needed to support their power demands. Under the bill, utilities would be required to secure financial assurances or contributions from data centers to cover the costs of necessary upgrades before construction begins.

BACKGROUND

Vindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable.

In August, he introduced legislation to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks.

Prior to that, Congressman Vindman introduced a bill to cap the number of residential utility rate changes to one rate change annually, limiting how often utilities can change prices for everyday Virginians.

He has also fought against corruption in the energy space by championing a measure that would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=833,"Walkinshaw, Bacon, Landsman, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Rescue Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Don Bacon (NE-02), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Justice for Ukrainian Children Act, legislation to strengthen efforts to locate and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, hold those responsible accountable, and reunite families.

According to the Ukrainian government, Russia has abducted at least 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-scale invasion. Just over 2,100 have come home. Those still held have been separated from their families, subjected to political indoctrination and militarization, and stripped of their Ukrainian identity.

""Russia is running a deliberate campaign to erase these children's identity and steal Ukraine's future,"" said Congressman Walkinshaw. ""As a father, I cannot imagine the anguish of having your child taken and indoctrinated by a foreign government. The United States cannot look away. This bipartisan bill will help find these children, bring them home, and hold the perpetrators accountable.""

“Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children is among the most unconscionable crimes of this war,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Thousands of children have been taken from their parents, separated from their communities, and forced to endure horrors no child should ever have to face. Our responsibility is clear: find them, bring them home, and hold accountable those responsible. This legislation ensures that responsibility remains central to our strategy—and that the fate of Ukraine’s children is inseparable from the pursuit of accountability and a just and durable peace.”

""Tens of thousands of children from Ukraine are being brainwashed and hidden in Russia's adoption system. We have to do everything to bring these children home and reunite them with their families, where they belong,” said Congressman Landsman.

“Russia has taken thousands of Ukrainian children from their families and tried to strip them of their identity and homeland,” said Congressman Bacon. “We cannot sit by while parents, grandparents and siblings wait for their children to come home. The Justice for Ukrainian Children Act will strengthen efforts to find these children, return them to their families and hold those responsible accountable. I’m pleased to join Reps. Walkinshaw, Landsman and Fitzpatrick on this bipartisan legislation.”

The Justice for Ukrainian Children Act would:

Authorize $15 million a year of existing national security funding, through 2032, toward finding these children, getting them home, and helping them recover.

Maintain a secure database to preserve evidence of Russia's crimes, and share it with Europol, Ukraine's Ministry of Justice, and the groups working to bring children home.

Require the President to freeze assets and revoke visas for anyone who takes part in abducting, deporting, indoctrinating, or militarizing Ukrainian children.

Authorize $10 million for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America broadcasts into Ukraine and the region, and toward technology that defeats Russian jamming.

Make it United States policy to veto any Russian-led U.N. Security Council resolution that would shield Russia from accountability.

Require the State Department to report to Congress every year for five years on what it is doing to bring these children home, including in any talks to end the war.

Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children has been widely documented and condemned by the international community. In March of this year, a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded that Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity in deporting and forcibly transferring Ukrainian children and in making them disappear. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova over their alleged responsibility for those crimes.

U.S. Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), André Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Jim Costa (CA-21), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Val T. Hoyle (O-04), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Bill Keating (MA-09), George Latimer (NY-16), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Sarah McBride (DE), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Joe Wilson (SC-02) are original cosponsors of this legislation.

This bill is endorsed by Human Rights Watch, Razom for Ukraine, FDD Action, and the American Coalition for Ukraine.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=834,Walkinshaw Presses Postal Service Leadership for  Transparency After Troubling GAO Findings,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement today after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on United States Postal Service (USPS) performance and finances.

“Today’s GAO report confirms our previous warnings: under Louis DeJoy’s leadership, cutting service while raising prices was a recipe for disaster. The result has been slower mail, higher costs, and declining service for the American people.

Just as importantly, these findings from GAO reinforce my call for greater transparency from USPS. Congress is an essential partner in securing USPS’s future, but that partnership requires USPS to provide Congress and the public with clear, timely information about its plans, finances, and service performance.

The American people deserve a Postal Service that is reliable, affordable, and accountable, and Congress needs reliable data from the Postal Service to help achieve that goal”.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-wyden-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-standards-for-american-health-care-system/,"Warner, Wyden Introduce Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity Standards for American Health Care System",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today reintroduced the Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act, legislation to improve cybersecurity in our health care system amid a growing wave of cyberattacks that are compromising Americans’ sensitive information and disrupting access to critical care across the country.

“Cyberattacks on our health care system compromise Americans’ most sensitive personal information, delay essential medical care, and put lives at risk,” said Sen. Warner. “As cybercriminals ramp up their attacks on hospitals and health care providers, it’s becoming increasingly clear that voluntary standards are not enough to protect Americans’ health, safety, and privacy. This legislation would establish strong, commonsense cybersecurity protocols for health care entities, while also getting resources to rural and underserved hospitals to strengthen their defenses and protect the patients who depend on them.”

“Americans share their most sensitive personal information with their health care providers, and in return they expect every effort to be made to keep it secure,” said Sen. Wyden. “The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks has dramatically increased in every part of the health care system, and will only grow. Our bill creates national cybersecurity standards for health care providers and devotes resources, especially in rural and underserved areas, to ensure every Americans’ medical information is secure. Congress cannot wait to act until another catastrophic cyberattack compromises the safety and privacy of American families’ most personal information.”

The American health care system is particularly at risk for cyberattacks due to its size, technological dependence, collection of sensitive personal information, and unique vulnerability to disruptions.

Specifically, the Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish, enforce, and regularly update strong minimum cybersecurity standards for health care providers, health plans, clearinghouses, and business associates, with heightened standards for systemically important entities and entities critical to national security. The legislation would also require covered entities to develop continuity plans describing how it would resolve a tech failure or intrusion, conduct annual cybersecurity tests, and undergo independent security audits, while increasing fines for failure to meet security requirements and strengthening HHS oversight through annual cybersecurity audits. Additionally, this legislation would provide $1.3 billion to help hospitals strengthen their cybersecurity, including $800 million for hospitals in rural and underserved urban communities.

Full text of the bill can be found here. A summary of the bill can be found here.

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=836,"Walkinshaw, McDowell Leads Bipartisan FISA AI Reporting Act to Increase Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Use Under FISA",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. —Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) introduced a bipartisan bill with Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) to direct the intelligence community to report to Congress on how it uses artificial intelligence with data collected under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, including which systems are being used and what safeguards are in place to protect Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights.

“Artificial intelligence is changing the way industries across our country are collecting and analyzing information,” Congressman McDowell said. “Congress has a responsibility to ensure these tools strengthen our national security while protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms that define our Nation.”

""Congress must have strong oversight and transparency over federal AI use,” Congressman Walkinshaw said. “When intelligence agencies use AI to analyze sensitive communications and data, Congress needs to know how they use it and for what purpose. Our laws and oversight must keep pace with the technology.""

What the FISA AI Reporting Act does:

Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress within 180 days on the intelligence community’s use of artificial intelligence systems under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Requires the report to include:

A summary of how the intelligence community is using artificial intelligence systems to acquire, analyze, query, disseminate or otherwise access data under Section 702.

An assessment of safeguards in place to ensure the use of artificial intelligence complies with FISA and the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Information submitted by the Department of Justice or intelligence community to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court regarding the use of artificial intelligence under Section 702.

An identification of the types of artificial intelligence models being used under Section 702.

Allows the report to include a classified annex.

Requires the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate with the Attorney General, CIA Director, FBI Director, NSA Director, and other relevant intelligence community officials in preparing the report.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), first enacted in 1978, sets out the legal framework for the government’s collection of foreign intelligence information, including electronic surveillance, physical searches, the use of pen registers and trap and trace devices, and business records.

Section 702 of FISA allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign persons located outside the United States to obtain foreign intelligence information, with the compelled assistance of electronic communication service providers.

Read the full bill text here.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-senate-democrats-demand-answers-from-hegseth-on-cost-of-iran-war/,"Warner, Senate Democrats Demand Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined 45 of his Senate colleagues in demanding a full accounting of the costs of the ongoing war with Iran. The letter also criticized the Department of Defense for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase.

The United States is now more than six months into a conflict President Trump initially said would last six weeks. Eighteen American servicemembers have been killed and more than 820 wounded, and over 50,000 troops are currently deployed to the Middle East. In the letter, the senators note that deployments, including for the USS Lincoln and the 82nd Airborne, have been repeatedly extended, and that their offices have heard directly from military families worried about loved ones serving in the conflict.

“Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” wrote the senators. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.”

In their letter, the senators highlight the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime practice, noting that Hegseth has briefed Congress only seven times in six months and held just eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the war began, compared to more than 70 press briefings in the first month of the Iraq War alone. The senators also criticized the administration’s public supplemental funding request as a seven-page document offering only vague line items, in contrast to the detailed, hundred-page supplemental requests provided to Congress during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The senators are requesting that the Department of Defense provide:

A detailed breakdown of all direct and indirect costs of military operations against Iran to date, including damage to installations, aircraft, and equipment.

A full accounting of the $67 billion supplemental request, specifying what covers past costs versus future operations.

A detailed plan for how the Pentagon intends to spend the remaining $34 billion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“Despite asking for tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars, you have so far failed to provide basic information on how this money has and will be spent,” continued the senators. “Congress must have access to this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities. It is the bare minimum that any American would expect in balancing their own household budget.”

In addition to Sen. Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Hegseth:

We write regarding the Department of Defense’s failure to provide the American people with basic information about the war with Iran and its cost to taxpayers, even as the human costs of this war rise. More than six months into a war that the President said would last six weeks, 18 American servicemembers have been killed, more than 820 have been wounded, and more than 50,000 troops are currently deployed in the Middle East. Our troops have had their deployments extended repeatedly, as with the USS Lincoln and now the 82nd Airborne. Our offices have all received outreach from military families concerned about the safety and well-being of their loved ones serving and sacrificing in this war.

Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war. Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.

Based on the little information provided, the Department says it has already spent $41.7 billion on this war, though unofficial estimates put that figure much higher. In June, you formally asked the American taxpayers to foot the bill for a $67 billion Iran war supplemental request. This is on top of the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2027 budget request. And all of these pending requests come while the Department still has $48 billion in unspent funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that the Pentagon has not accounted for.

Despite your stated needs, you have repeatedly refused to share basic information that previous Administrations, both Republican and Democratic, provided to the American public and Congress during times of war. Donald Rumsfeld, as Secretary of Defense during the Iraq War, briefed Congress more than 20 times in the first six months of that war. In his briefings, he publicly provided granular detail about the war, including objectives; precise figures on damaged aircraft; quality of life for our troops—down to the number of days it took to deliver mail; and detailed breakdowns for transportation, operational support, and munitions replenishment costs in the supplemental request. In stark contrast, you have briefed Congress just seven times in that same period and in those appearances refused to answer even basic questions about the objectives and cost of this war. Your Department has held only eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the start of the Iran War, compared to more than 70 in the first month of the Iraq War alone.

This lack of basic information extends to the Pentagon’s spending. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress regularly received public supplemental requests that were more than a hundred pages long, with detailed explanations for how funding would be used, down to the number of barrels of fuel. In contrast, your public $67 billion Iran war supplemental request was a thin, seven-page document with only vague descriptions, such as “$1.2 billion for Administration priorities.”

Despite asking for tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars, you have so far failed to provide basic information on how this money has and will be spent. Congress must have access to this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities. It is the bare minimum that any American would expect in balancing their own household budget.

You shared this belief before entering government. In 2012, you criticized the Department’s ability to “shift literally hundreds of millions of dollars from program to program with little accountability.” You added, “[r]eforming the culture at the Pentagon to bring greater spending accountability will be difficult, but it’s long overdue.” And just last year, you said that “the American taxpayers deserve” to know where their money goes, “how it’s spent and make sure it’s spent wisely.” We agree.

Given this, we request the following information to inform the Senate’s decision-making by September 30, 2026.

Cost of the Iran War: Please provide a detailed cost breakdown for the cost of military operations against Iran to date, inclusive of all direct and indirect costs attributable to the conflict. This should include damage to military installations, aircraft, and equipment; cost to refurbish deployed ships and aircraft; and expected benefits for veterans.

$67 Billion Iran War Supplemental: Please provide a breakdown of the Administration’s supplemental request, including a detailed accounting for each major funding category and estimated expenses for the war in Iran. This breakdown should identify which portions of the request are intended to reimburse costs already incurred, which are intended to fund anticipated future operations, and which are unrelated to military operations against Iran. Please also note potential future funding requirements not included in the request, such as repairing military installations.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Funding: Please provide a detailed accounting of how the $48 billion remaining from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be spent, on what timeline, and whether any of these funds will support operations related to the Iran war.

The American people elected us to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars. The information we are requesting is the bare minimum required for us to carry out that responsibility. We look forward to receiving your response.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-joins-legislation-to-demand-that-trump-and-hegseth-stop-hiding-true-cost-of-iran-war/,Vindman Joins Legislation to Demand That Trump and Hegseth Stop Hiding True Cost of Iran War,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of his Democratic Veteran colleagues as an original co-sponsor on the Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act. This legislation would honor the immense sacrifices made by US troops in the Iran War and stop Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s attempts to obscure the true cost to our troops and the American people.

The Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act would ban the Secretary of Defense from manipulating casualty records and jeopardizing the benefits of our servicemembers and public servants. The bill introduction comes after the Pentagon unprecedentedly recategorized recent casualties suffered in Trump’s Iran war — including four killed and over 200 wounded servicemembers — under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury in a shameless attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people.

“Every service member who puts on the uniform deserves to know that their sacrifice will be honored and that their service will be accurately recorded,” said Vindman. “Casualties are not numbers to be moved around for political convenience. They represent Americans who were wounded, families who lost loved ones and are owed benefits, and communities that bear the lasting cost of war. The American people deserve an honest accounting of what is happening to our troops, and our servicemembers deserve the benefits and recognition they have earned. I’m proud to join my fellow veterans in demanding transparency, accountability, and a permanent record of their sacrifice.”

“Every Patriot deployed to this war in Iran – the 50,000 still in theater, the hundreds wounded, and especially the 18 killed – are American heroes. They deserve to be honored as such – not swept under the rug by a President and SecDef so humiliated by their failure that they’d rather dishonor the troops than tell the truth,” said Ryan. “It’s a total betrayal of our armed forces by the very people that swore to protect and do right by them. I’m proud to lead so many of my fellow veterans in Congress to make it clear we will not stand for the Trump Administration’s disgraceful disrespect of American heroes – before, during, or after their deployments.”

Joining Vindman as original cosponsors are Representatives and Democratic veterans Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), Herb Conaway (N.J.-03), Derek Tran (Calif.-45), Mike Thompson (Calif.-04), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19), Ted Lieu (Calif.-36), and Salud Carbajal (Calif.-24).

The legislation is endorsed by VoteVets and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

“Families who have lost a servicemember deserve an accurate, permanent record of their sacrifice. Congressman Pat Ryan’s companion bill in the House helps ensure that record can’t be rewritten. VoteVets is proud to support his leadership on this issue,” said Vote Vets Senior Advisor Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton.

“We are proud to stand with Congressman Ryan in demanding the Department of Defense be accountable and transparent in their decision to reclassify casualty records,” said Jess Finucan, Director of Policy & Advocacy for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “It is imperative to Congress and to the American people that we understand the true cost of war, not just in dollars but in lives forever affected. Purposefully reclassifying records to minimize the impacts of war is negligent and is a disservice to the servicemembers and families who have borne the costs. The Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act ensures transparent, accurate accounting and prevents long-term, negative impact on benefits for those who have served in harm’s way.”

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9218,Bipartisan Delegation Urges House Leaders To Take Immediate Action On Artificial Intelligence,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Don Beyer, co-chair of Congress’ bipartisan Caucus on Artificial Intelligence, today led a bipartisan group of 10 leaders on AI in the U.S. House in pressing leadership of both parties to take immediate, urgent action to address risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI). Their push came in the wake of the OpenAI agent cyberattacks on Hugging Face and subsequent warnings from leaders and researchers at prominent AI companies about the societal and existential risks posed by unrestrained advances in the technology.

The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX). They wrote:

“We call for your joint leadership on an urgent Congressional response to recent incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that have profound implications for economic and national security. Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur.

…

“Congress must urgently advance legislation to mitigate the risk of more serious incidents, especially those that could threaten critical infrastructure, our financial system, and other institutions that every American depends on.

“The House of Representatives could and should immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency. There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that that committees of jurisdiction have reported. Members of both parties have also worked in recent months to fast-track bipartisan legislation that is ready to be considered by committees of jurisdiction. We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process.

“We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot.”

Full Text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) serves as co-Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus. He was one of a handful of members selected to serve on the bipartisan Task Force On Artificial Intelligence, convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson. He is the author of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and a lead cosponsor of the CREATE AI Act, the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act, and the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act.

Beyer previously served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress.

***

Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries:

“We call for your joint leadership on an urgent Congressional response to recent incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that have profound implications for economic and national security. Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur.

“On August 26th, 2026, an independent review revealed how hundreds of AI agents that OpenAI was internally testing set up a secret message board, self-organized themselves into a collective, escaped their testing environments, and breached the systems of HuggingFace, another AI company.[1] The agents even tried to deceive their evaluators by attempting to manipulate log files and spoof tool calls. The agents undertook these actions without ever notifying a single official at OpenAI.

“OpenAI is not alone. Anthropic and Meta have also disclosed examples of AI agents escaping their testing environment to hack other organizations.[2] OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta are among the most sophisticated AI companies in the world, yet it appears they did not discover these incidents in real time. In OpenAI’s case, they did not know that their agents breached HuggingFace until approximately a week after the event.[3] Months after these incidents began, serious factual questions remain open, and we are relying on AI labs for insight into what happened and what this means for future incidents.

“Congress must ensure AI companies implement robust monitoring and independent oversight to protect the public. This incident reinforces that we cannot rely on what are clearly risky testing protocols and self-selected public reporting of incidents of concern. Indeed, nearly every major AI company has called for regulation, and leading employees of those same firms have signed open letters calling for government to pace the rate of AI development.[4] Congress must urgently advance legislation to mitigate the risk of more serious incidents, especially those that could threaten critical infrastructure, our financial system, and other institutions that every American depends on.

“The House of Representatives could and should immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency. There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that that committees of jurisdiction have reported.[5] Members of both parties have also worked in recent months to fast-track bipartisan legislation that is ready to be considered by committees of jurisdiction. We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process.

“We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9219,Beyer: This Bill Would Do More Harm Than Good For America And For Ukraine,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, delivered a stark warning against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act during floor debate on the measure ahead of a final vote this afternoon.

His remarks as delivered follow below, and video is available here.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this well-intentioned but terribly flawed bill.

All of us on our side of the aisle strongly support Ukraine.

But this bill would do more harm than good for America and for Ukraine.

It has three main points: sanctions, tariffs, and symbolism.

The new sanctions on Russia in this bill would be strong and sweeping, if they were enforced.

But the bill gives Trump the power to simply ignore them, and that is what he is very likely to do.

His criticism of Ukraine and friendliness to Russia have both been rising recently, and he is even calling for Russian energy exports, the very thing this bill is purported to block.

The bill’s tariffs are a huge problem.

President Trump has abused every presidential tariff authority – every single one – that Congress has given, often to target our allies.

This bill has a loophole that would allow him to define basically any country as a facilitator of evading Russian sanctions.

He could then hit them with tariffs of up to 100%, with no guardrails or oversight, and no expiration. It’s a much stronger tariff power than those he has already abused, and it would be much harder to challenge in court.

Giving him this power when he has shown us over and over again what he will do with it would be an incredible mistake.

And finally, we are told the bill will be a symbolic win for Ukraine and a show of American support.

But if this bill passes, I predict Ukraine’s supporters will regret it.

Yes they will be able to say “we stood with Ukraine,” in the immediate aftermath.

But when Donald Trump hits our allies with new tariffs and waives sanctions on Russia, the propaganda victory for Putin will be lasting, and the damage will be embedded in U.S. law.

Meanwhile the Ukrainian cause will be tied to Trump’s widely hated tariffs – deeply unpopular in America already, and further stressing Americans’ pocketbooks [which] is not good for Ukraine’s long term.

We can do better, and the House has passed a better bill.

With negotiation and compromise, we can pass a stronger bill that truly supports Ukraine and tightens the economic screws on Russia without harming Americans.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided bill so we can pass a better one.”

Rep. Don Beyer serves as Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, and serves on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-congress-should-support-ukraine-without-expanding-trumps-tariff,Scott: Congress Should Support Ukraine Without Expanding Trump’s Tariff Powers,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act:

“I strongly support Ukraine and efforts to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his brutal war. I stand with the Ukrainian people and have repeatedly voted to support Ukraine. However, I cannot support legislation that uses support for Ukraine as leverage to give Donald Trump even more authority to impose his reckless tariffs and trade wars that raise prices on American families. At a time when families are already struggling with the affordability crisis, Congress should be working to lower costs, not giving Donald Trump another tool to increase them.”

# # #",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/16/mcclellan-statement-on-sanctions-against-russia-and-granting-trump-unilateral-tariff-authority/,McClellan Statement on Sanctions Against Russia and Granting Trump Unilateral Tariff Authority,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026:

“At a time when the cost of everything from gas to groceries, health care to housing, technology to toilet paper and more keeps going up, the Trump Administration keeps doubling down on the cost-of-living crisis through needless tariffs on allies and adversaries alike with no discretion. Though I support implementing sanctions against Russia, I cannot support a sanctions bill that grants the Trump Administration greater tariff authority to prolong and intensify ongoing economic uncertainty.

“Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine demands a serious response, and I stand firmly on the side of the Ukrainian people and their struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country. The U.S. must continue its role of providing support for Ukraine while holding Russia accountable. Unfortunately, rather than solely working to strengthen and enact tougher sanctions on Russia and deliver military aid to Ukraine, this bill also contains the largest transfer of tariff authority ever granted to a president by Congress, allowing the Trump Administration to launch 100% tariffs on any country it chooses without Congressional guardrails. And Trump, just off the heels of starting an unnecessary trade war with Canada, has given every indication that he would exploit this power to entrench the American people in more trade wars, which would only further drive up costs.

“In a government that hinges on checks and balances, we cannot further cede Congress’s constitutional authority to levy tariffs and allow the executive to operate with total tariff power. To address Russia’s war in Ukraine, we need substantive action that both sanctions Russia and its allies for their aggression and equips Ukraine with the tools necessary to defend itself and push back against Putin’s war machine. This is not that legislation. For that reason, I voted no.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-leads-on-legislation-to-make-data-centers-pay-their-fair-share/,Vindman Leads on Legislation to Make Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (Mich.-08) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) as an original co-sponsor of the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act. This legislation will take away unfair tax breaks for data center build outs passed by Republicans in H.R. 1.

“It is past time we make data centers pay their fair share,” said Vindman. “Across Virginia, families and businesses are being forced to foot the bill for massive infrastructure investments needed to power large data centers. Everywhere I go, I hear from families who cannot afford their rising monthly utility bills and Republican-led data center tax breaks aren’t going to bring those monthly costs down. I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation that will make data centers pay their fair share.”

Last year, Republicans’ H.R. 1 expanded tax breaks that would spur the construction of AI data centers, paid for by cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and over $185 billion from food assistance. This legislation aims to reverse some of the harm by ending these tax breaks for big tech building data centers.

BACKGROUND

Vindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable.

In August, he introduced legislation to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks.

Vindman has also come out in strong opposition of the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy.

Prior to those actions, Congressman Vindman introduced a bill to cap the number of residential utility rate changes to one rate change annually, limiting how often utilities can change prices for everyday Virginians.

He has also fought against corruption in the energy space by championing a measure that would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-schiff-file-oman-war-powers-resolution,Kaine & Schiff File Oman War Powers Resolution,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) filed a War Powers Resolution to prohibit the use of the U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities in or against Oman. Last month, President Donald Trump threatened to “bomb the shit” out of Oman if it interferes with the United States’ blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“President Trump calls himself the ‘Peace President,’ but he has ordered military strikes in more countries around the world than any President in recent history,” said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “The American people don’t want more war, but instead of listening to them, President Trump is threatening to bomb Oman. The use of the U.S. military has a time and a place, but President Trump’s chaotic and expansive use of the military isn’t making Americans more secure. All it’s doing is raising costs, hurting servicemembers and their families, depleting our munitions stockpile, killing innocent civilians, and distracting us from real threats posed by China and Russia. I hope my colleagues will join us in trying to prevent the Trump-Vance Administration from stumbling from one blunder into another.”

“Donald Trump threatened, and then launched a war with Iran. Donald Trump threatened, and then launched strikes against Venezuela. And last month, Donald Trump threatened strikes against Oman – his next potential target for yet another foreign war,” said Schiff. “Congress has not authorized any of these commitments of our armed forces. And this resolution will make it clear that the American people and the U.S. Senate reject any additional deployment of our servicemembers for new wars around the globe.”

Full text of the resolution is available here.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-the-administration-continues-dangerous-effort-to-exploit-federal-workers-health-records-warner-and-schiff-demand-end-to-violation-of-privacy/,"As the Administration Continues Dangerous Efforts to Exploit Federal Workers’ Health Records, Warner and Schiff Demand End to Violation of Privacy",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following the White House Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) failure to suspend their proposed collection of the personal medical records of millions of federal workers, retirees, and their families to be weaponized in employment actions, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are leading their colleagues in urging the administration to end this illegal effort and demanding safeguards to protect the data of federal workers.

Earlier this year, Warner, Schiff, and 17 senators urged the administration to reverse course on the dangerous decision to seek unprecedented access to personal medical records. In addition to OPM’s failure to address the Senators’ inquiry, the System of Records Notice (SORN), published in June, confirms their intention to collect identifiable data of federal workers.

“The modified SORN does not resolve the fundamental privacy, legal, and constitutional concerns raised in our initial letter regarding a federal personnel agency maintaining a longitudinal repository of highly sensitive health information on more than eight million people…Most concerningly, the SORN states that OPM retains the right to re-identify pseudonymized records. In combination, these features create an extraordinarily detailed longitudinal health history that remains linkable to a specific person,” the senators wrote in a new letter to OPM Director Scott Kupor.

The senators point to the administration’s clear intent to target vulnerable communities by using sensitive health information in employment actions, including the hiring and firing of federal workers.

The SORN revealed OPM is “utilizing ZIP code, birth year, provider, service dates, diagnoses, procedures, and drug information to reveal highly specific patterns of care.”

“We support responsible efforts to protect the integrity of federal health-benefit programs. However, OPM’s proposals create an unnecessarily broad, decades-long, re-identifiable medical history of millions of workers, retirees, spouses, children, and other family members. We strongly urge OPM to suspend further implementation while these concerns are addressed and to work with Congress, federal employees and retirees, health plans, privacy and civil-rights experts, reproductive-health advocates, and other affected stakeholders to establish safeguards commensurate with the sensitivity of the information at issue,” the senators concluded.

Additionally, the senators are requesting that OPM brief Congress to provide answers on their work to protect federal workers’ families and OPM’s automated detection system, which has the potential to result in the wrongful targeting of individuals.

In addition to Sens. Warner and Schiff, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Director Kupor,

We write to express serious concern regarding the System of Records Notice (SORN) published by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on June 23, 2026, following OPM’s December 2025 proposal to obtain detailed health claims information from millions of federal employees, retirees, and their family members. On April 20, 2026, we urged you to immediately reverse course on OPM’s potentially illegal and dangerous decision to seek unprecedented access to personal medical records. The modified SORN does not resolve the fundamental privacy, legal, and constitutional concerns raised in our initial letter regarding a federal personnel agency maintaining a longitudinal repository of highly sensitive health information on more than eight million people.

The June SORN describes OPM’s intent to use identifiable data of federal employees, retirees, and their family members to create person-level longitudinal records that include persistent unique identifiers. Furthermore, OPM would enable authorized personnel to retrieve records using member identifiers for approved linkage, validation, and data-quality activities. Most concerningly, the SORN states that OPM retains the right to re-identify pseudonymized records. In combination, these features create an extraordinarily detailed longitudinal health history that remains linkable to a specific person.

While the SORN claims that pseudonymization will reduce some routine internal exposure, this change alone is not equivalent to eliminating identifiability. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cautions that not all techniques that merely mask personal information provide sufficient de-identification and recommends that agencies evaluate re-identification risk, adopt measurable de-identification standards, and conduct governance and risk assessment around data releases and access. In the case of OPM’s recent SORN, a stable identifier permits repeated encounters to be linked over time, utilizing ZIP code, birth year, provider, service dates, diagnoses, procedures, and drug information to reveal highly specific patterns of care. OPM itself maintains the mechanism needed to reconnect the pseudonymized history to the individual, negating any intended anonymization of data.

The Privacy Act requires federal agencies to only maintain information about an individual that is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose required by statute or Executive Order. OPM has failed to provide any justification for the collection of person-level data, instead relying on broad references to program integrity, fraud prevention, or cost evaluation. Additionally, the SORN concerningly permits disclosure of personal data to federal, state, local, territorial, tribal, or foreign law-enforcement authorities whenever OPM believes a record indicates a potential violation of criminal, civil, or regulatory law. It also permits disclosures to other federal agencies to address suspected fraud, waste, and abuse in programs under those agencies’ purview. These overly broad allowances to share sensitive health information are extremely concerning, given this administration’s clearly stated goals of targeting vulnerable populations.

In our April 20, 2026, letter, we specifically expressed concern that sensitive health information could be used in employment actions, including hiring, suitability determinations, appeals, reductions in force, disability accommodation requests, labor-management relations, and performance reviews. We have yet to receive a response to that letter. Furthermore, the June SORN fails to confirm that collected data will not be used for these purposes or related personnel actions. We urge OPM to make these prohibitions explicit and enforceable, extending those protections to matching claims information against personnel systems or other OPM databases.

The SORN also incorporates a National Archives and Records Administration Records Schedule directing OPM to retain Health Claims Records for 30 years, materially increasing the consequences of breach or misuse of highly sensitive health data. OPM has failed to explain why identifiable or re-identifiable longitudinal health claims must persist for decades. At a minimum, OPM should adopt a substantially shorter retention period for identifiable and pseudonymized person-level records, with automatic destruction of linkage keys after the operational need has expired to protect individuals’ data.

OPM’s proposal covers not only federal employees but also annuitants, spouses, former spouses, family members, Postal Service employees and their families, certain tribal employees, separated employees, and former family members. Many of these individuals are not federal employees and have no employment relationship with OPM. Young-adult dependents may receive reproductive, sexual-health, mental-health, substance-use, or other sensitive services that should not be accessible to the federal government, regardless of their family member’s Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage. OPM should preserve strict separation among family members’ records and prohibit use of one individual’s claims information to infer or investigate another family member’s conduct.

Lastly, reports indicate that OPM intends to use claims data to identify potential anomalies and that records deemed suspicious by analysts may be referred to OPM’s Office of Inspector General for investigation. However, claims data are not complete clinical narratives and may reflect rare diseases, complex pregnancy, disability, chronic illness, fragmented care, referral patterns, or coding practices rather than fraud. We are deeply concerned that adverse referral or action based solely on automated scoring or anomaly detection, without documented human review, will result in wrongful targeting of individuals with complex health needs and subject them to unwarranted administrative or law enforcement scrutiny.

Before OPM proceeds further with expanded collection and use of federal employee health data, we urge OPM to take the following actions:

Suspend implementation of any expanded person-level collection under the modified SORN.

Publish a field-by-field necessity analysis identifying the statutory purpose served by each data element and explaining why de-identified, aggregated, limited, or sampled data would be insufficient.

Use genuinely de-identified or aggregated data by default and permit re-identification only after a documented, individualized showing of necessity, with dual authorization, immutable audit logging, and periodic independent review.

Adopt an enforceable firewall prohibiting use, disclosure, matching, or linkage of claims data for any employment or personnel decisions.

Prohibit use or disclosure of OPM records to other federal agencies or any law enforcement entities, including – but not limited to – records related to an individual’s for seeking, obtaining, providing, or assisting with lawful health care.

Prohibit the use or referral of any health information for unrelated civil, criminal, or regulatory enforcement, particularly when based merely on a potential violation of law and require senior-level legal and privacy review before any external law-enforcement disclosure.

Reevaluate the 30-year retention schedule for health claims records and adopt much shorter retention periods for identifiable and pseudonymized person-level data, including time-limited retention of re-identification keys.

Establish independent oversight and public transparency, including annual reporting on the number and categories of re-identifications, external disclosures, law-enforcement referrals, access-control violations, security incidents, and disciplinary actions for misuse.

Provide specific protections for dependents and family members, including strict separation of family members’ claims and a prohibition on using one family member’s health data to infer or investigate another family member.

Describe the validation, human-review, error-correction, and anti-bias safeguards that will govern any automated or algorithmic fraud or anomaly detection before a person or provider is referred for investigation.

We support responsible efforts to protect the integrity of federal health-benefit programs. However, OPM’s proposals create an unnecessarily broad, decades-long, re-identifiable medical history of millions of workers, retirees, spouses, children, and other family members. We strongly urge OPM to suspend further implementation while these concerns are addressed and to work with Congress, federal employees and retirees, health plans, privacy and civil-rights experts, reproductive-health advocates, and other affected stakeholders to establish safeguards commensurate with the sensitivity of the information at issue.

We request a written response and briefing by OPM on the office’s efforts related to the above requested actions no later than September 25, 2026.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-votes-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine-strengthen-our-own-national-security/,"Vindman Votes to End the War in Ukraine, Strengthen Our Own National Security",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting to pass legislation that would impose sanctions on Russia.

“Ukraine’s national security is directly linked to America’s national security. Before what is likely to be a tough winter, I am proud to vote for the most serious sanctions package on Russia since this unprovoked war of aggression began.

“Putin will only back down when there are consequences for his actions. By targeting the revenue and key industries that help sustain Russia’s war, we will increase pressure on the Kremlin while continuing to stand with our Ukrainian allies.

“The legislation we voted on today is not perfect, but it is a vital step in ending the war, supporting Ukraine, and standing up for America’s national security. The last thing we want is America’s young men and women fighting and dying in Europe in another major war, and stopping Russia in Ukraine is key to curtailing Putin’s aggressive impulses.

“After recently returning from a Congressional Delegation to Ukraine, I know they need our support now more than ever before.”

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-passage-of-bill-to-help-workers-share-in-company-profits,Kaine Applauds Passage of Bill to Help Workers Share In Company Profits,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,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 celebrating the passage of the Retire through Ownership Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) to facilitate the establishment and operation of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), which allow workers to directly share in the profits they help their company earn, leading to higher wages and more wealth-building:

“ESOPs help workers make more money, build their retirement, and feel a sense of ownership and connection toward their places of work. I am glad that this bipartisan legislation, which will help companies to establish new ESOPs and operate existing ones, has now passed both houses of Congress. I encourage the President to sign this bill into law.”

Specifically, the legislation amends the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to clarify that companies operating in good faith can use long-standing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance on valuing shares to determine “adequate consideration” in an ESOP transaction, thus eliminating a source of uncertainty for companies establishing or operating ESOPs.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-votes-to-strengthen-water-infrastructure-across-virginias-seventh-district/,Vindman Votes to Strengthen Water Infrastructure Across Virginia’s Seventh District,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07) today voted in favor of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, legislation that would advance critical water infrastructure projects and studies across the country.

“Safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential to the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities,” said Vindman. “After seeing firsthand the devastating impact of Orange County’s water crisis, I was proud to secure the $50 million investment to help strengthen and modernize the county’s water system. We’re also taking action to restore the Rappahannock River by removing the Ficklen Island Dam and improving habitat for wildlife. These investments will help ensure our water infrastructure is prepared for the future and it’s why I voted for this legislation today.”

The bill would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin 14 water infrastructure projects and 133 feasibility studies and modifications for future construction. It would also update Corps policies to strengthen coordination with state and local governments on water infrastructure needs.

Vindman secured authorization for two projects in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District: $50 million for water infrastructure improvements in Orange County and the removal of Ficklen Island Dam in Fredericksburg.

In August 2024, Orange County experienced a major drinking water crisis after catastrophic pump failures at the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant led to hydrocarbons entering the county’s water supply. The failure prompted “Do Not Use” and “Do Not Drink” advisories, severely disrupting daily life for residents and businesses.

Under this bill, Orange County will be able to access $50 million in federal funding to strengthen and modernize its water infrastructure, helping ensure the county has a more reliable and resilient water system for years to come.

The removal of the Ficklen Island Dam, located on the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, would restore the shoreline and improve the well-being of wildlife living in and the around river.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/15/mcclellan-statement-on-al-green-resolution-to-impeach-trump/,McClellan Statement on Al Green’s Resolution to Impeach Trump,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after she voted “present” on the motion to table H.Res. 1486 to impeach President Trump:

“Today, the House voted to table Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump over his abuse of power and weaponization of ICE and Border Patrol agents, resulting in death, destruction and widespread fear across the country.

“The actions of the Trump Administration require serious scrutiny and attention, and I remain alarmed by the lawlessness that we have seen. I have been an outspoken critic of this Department of Homeland Security’s cruel and inhumane actions against our immigrant communities. Since the onset of these attacks, I have consistently voted against funding ICE and Border Patrol, introduced legislation to demand greater oversight and accountability for the detention and deportation of legal residents and citizens, stood against the proposed establishment of an ICE detention facility near my district and more. Over a year and a half into Trump’s second term, we face a campaign of terror launched against our immigrant communities, rampant corruption, an agenda that prioritizes the interests of the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else and skyrocketing prices across the board.

“However, while many of these warrant accountability and President Trump likely has committed impeachable offenses, Congress has not established the record necessary to support Articles of Impeachment or a conviction in a Senate impeachment trial. Such a record requires a comprehensive investigation, the collection and review of evidence, examination of witnesses, Congressional hearings and more. None of that has occurred yet, and I do not trust the current Republican majority to conduct the kind of investigation necessary to impeach President Trump or conduct an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.

“When Articles of Impeachment were raised against Trump last year, I voted present on a motion to table the resolution so that a proper investigation could be conducted. For those same reasons, I voted present on today’s motion to table Representative Green’s latest Articles of Impeachment.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-delivers-remarks-families-flight-5342-aviation-safety,Rep. Subramanyam Delivers Remarks with Families of Flight 5342 on Aviation Safety Legislation,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) delivered remarks at a press conference with the families of Flight 5342 on aviation safety. On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching DCA. 67 people died in the crash, including several of Rep. Subramanyam’s constituents. In his remarks, Rep. Subramanyam called on Congress to pass comprehensive aviation safety legislation. Below is a transcript of Rep. Subramanyam’s remarks, which can also be found here:

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank the families who are here today. We have gotten so far, and we're not all the way there yet, but we've gotten so far because of you and it's your bravery and your willingness to take a horrible, horrible tragedy and turn it into an opportunity to save lives in the future that is inspiring to so many of us in Congress and around the country, and so thank you for working tirelessly to try to pass common sense aviation safety legislation to fix what I believe is a glaring hole in our laws today.

And thank you for being here and for being here again and again and again. Your persistence is being noticed, and we will continue to persist with you. But even though it's been five months since the House passed the ALERT Act, and even though we've have the NTSB's final report on the causes of the collision, and even though near miss collisions keep occurring both in DCA and across the country, Congress has still failed to pass these critical safety measures into law.

We have the final NTSB report. We know what the safety measures need to be, and they need to be implemented. We have the opportunity to enact real change. So now is the time for leaders in Congress to come together and pass comprehensive aviation safety legislation. I associate my remarks with everything that was just said. We need the best of both bills. We need to make sure it gets onto the floor of the House for a vote. We need to make sure it passes and gets signed into law by the end of the year. We cannot wait until a future Congress.

We've been told over and over again that this will get done, that this is the best measure, but the time to wait is over. The time to act is now. So thank you for your persistence. Thank you for everything you've done. Thank you to our Senate members and thank you to our House members who are here today. We will continue to fight with you. Thank you.”

Rep. Subramanyam led a bipartisan investigation into the Army’s aviation practices following the crash, called for a pause on Black Hawk training flights in DCA airspace, and is a co-sponsor of both the ALERT Act and the ROTOR Act.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-stands-small-businesses-letter-small-business-administration,Rep. Subramanyam stands up for small businesses with letter to Small Business Administration,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) spoke out on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) proposed rule to overhaul small business size standards. In a letter sent to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and submitted to the Federal Register, Congressman Subramanyam outlined how the new rule would drastically increase the industry-specific annual revenue and employee caps that the SBA uses to determine who qualifies as a small business. The rule will make it easier for larger businesses to qualify for small business loan programs, as well as put thousands of larger businesses in direct competition with truly small businesses for the same government contracting opportunities.

“Billion-dollar businesses are the exact opposite of small. Their ability to qualify for highly competitive small business contracts pushes out and jeopardizes real small businesses. This new rule would raise the annual receipts for certain industries 20-fold. Our community and economy thrive when we support small businesses. This proposed rule attacks our small business contracting sector in Virginia when we should be backing them,” said Congressman Subramanyam.

The letter was cosigned by Virginia’s Democratic members of the House of Representatives: Representatives Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

View the full letter here.

Members of the public may submit a comment on the SBA’s proposed rule here. The comment period ends September 21st, 2026.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/15/vindman-votes-to-hold-trump-accountable/,Vindman Votes to Hold Trump Accountable,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) honors the lives...

Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected...

Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after...

Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share

Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress...

Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center

Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine...

Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times

Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with...

Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more...

Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of...

Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) applauded the implementation...",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-introduce-privileged-resolution-seeking-answers-on-west-bank-violence,"Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in leading 20 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a 502B privileged resolution requiring the U.S. Department of State to report to Congress on the growing violence in the West Bank. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years, with many more having been detained, but none have received justice from either the Israeli or U.S. government.

The senators’ resolution would require the State Department to provide information related to the investigations of the killings of U.S. citizens by violent Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank. It would also demand an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically in relation to the detention of Palestinian children.

“The violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank is reaching an unprecedented level, and as a result more and more Americans and Palestinians are being killed and injured. These actions—and the Israeli government’s lack of response to this violence—are unacceptable and threaten the long-term safety and security of the entire region,” said Kaine. “Friends need to listen to each other, and my colleagues and I have repeatedly urged Israeli leaders to take firmer action to curtail illegal settlements in the West Bank, prosecute violent settlers, and protect Palestinian residents as well as American citizens living in or visiting the West Bank. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution to require the State Department to conduct a formal assessment and provide a report to Congress on the situation in the West Bank, in particular the safety and security of Americans.”

The proposal draws upon Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to file a privileged resolution that, if passed, would require the State Department to provide information on any country receiving U.S. security assistance and that country’s observance of internationally recognized human rights. After introduction, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has 10 days to consider it in committee, and if it fails to do so, the resolution can be called up for a vote on the Senate floor. If the resolution passes the Senate, the Trump-Vance Administration must submit the report within 30 days or most security assistance authorized to Israel would be prohibited. If the resolution passes, and following the receipt of the State Department report, Congress may consider any necessary changes to U.S. security assistance to that country considering the information received. If the Administration declines or fails to submit the required report, the Administration’s decision would prompt the termination of certain covered security assistance programs for Israel.

In addition to Kaine, Van Hollen, and Sanders, the resolution was introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-clarity-act/,Warner Statement on CLARITY Act,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after voting against cloture on the CLARITY Act:

“I have long believed Congress needs to establish clear rules of the road for digital assets that protect consumers, safeguard our national security, and give responsible companies the certainty they need to operate in the United States.

“But we cannot pass landmark legislation governing this industry while allowing the President of the United States to personally profit from it. The president should not be able to use the power and influence of his office to benefit his own crypto holdings while his administration makes decisions that could directly affect their value. At a minimum, any serious crypto legislation must include meaningful ethics requirements that prevent the president and other senior government officials from profiting off the policies they oversee.

“I want to get to yes on responsible digital asset legislation, and no one has worked harder or spent more time engaging in good faith to try to get this done. We got close to resolving some of the toughest outstanding issues around law enforcement and national security, but ultimately, the failure to address this fundamental conflict of interest made it impossible for me to support moving forward. That is why I voted no today.”

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-kennedy-center-closure/,Warner Statement on Kennedy Center Closure,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), ex officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, released the following statement on today’s board meeting:

“The John F. Kennedy Center has an important relationship with Congress; it was established by and receives vital funding to maintain the building from Congress.

“It is no surprise that the Center has its own challenges, but its leadership and the president should be working with Congress to address and remedy those problems. Instead, President Trump has turned a national monument into another one of his vanity projects.

“With the president’s handpicked board voting to close the Center immediately, we are losing one of the country’s premier arts and cultural institutions. It is a shame the president would rather close the Center because it cannot have his name on the building, rather than work with Congress to renovate the building.”

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-the-protect-college-sports-act/,Warner Statement on the Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after voting for the Protect College Sports Act:

“College athletics provide incredible opportunities for student-athletes, serve as a critical pipeline for Team USA, and bring beloved traditions to communities across Virginia. I’ve long understood their importance – as governor, I worked to make sure Virginia Tech had a place in the newly expanded ACC.

“The current disorder in college sports isn’t serving athletes, schools, or fans well. This bill isn’t perfect, but it provides needed stability while protecting athletes’ ability to earn compensation from their name, image, and likeness, safeguarding scholarships, expanding guaranteed access to health care, and protecting athletes from predatory agents. I’m also glad to see strong protections for women’s and Olympic sports, and I believe this bill represents an important step toward a fairer and more sustainable future for college athletics.”

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-subramanyam-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house-as-a-national-park-service-affiliated-area-headed-to-the-presidents-desk,"Kaine, Subramanyam Bill Designating George C. Marshall House as a National Park Service Affiliated Area Headed to the President’s Desk",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10)'s legislation designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as an affiliated area under the National Park Service (NPS) has passed the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

“I am glad to see that my legislation with Representative Subramanyam to designate General George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor as a National Park Service Affiliated Area has passed the House and is headed to the President’s desk,” said Kaine. “This will ensure that the site is preserved for future generations, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and present an opportunity for the public to learn more about this period of our history.” “For hundreds of years, Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy and Dodona Manor’s significance by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. Virginians, Americans, and visitors alike can witness the history and educational programming of the International Center right here in Leesburg. I am grateful to work alongside Senator Kaine to deliver for Virginians and looking forward to continuing to visit such a historic landmark,” said Subramanyam.

Kaine and Subramanyam introduced the bill in February 2025.

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaine and Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, Chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.”

The official designation would be the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area would provide new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming.

General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-omar-casar-introduce-legislation-protect-workers-hard-earned,"Scott, Omar, Casar Introduce Legislation to Protect Workers’ Hard-Earned Wages from Medical Debt Collection",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON— Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Vice Ranking Member Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), introduced the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act. This bill would prohibit workers’ wages from being garnished to pay for medical debt.

Right now, approximately 100 million Americans are trapped with $220 billion in medical debt. Looming unpaid medical bills can devastate working families, whether they have health insurance or not. Unfortunately, the medical debt crisis has become more dire as millions of Americans are being stripped of their health care due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ disastrous “Big, Ugly Bill.”

Over the last several years, new reports of hospitals and debt collectors suing patients for outstanding bills and forcibly cutting their wages to repay the debt have highlighted the predatory nature of wage garnishments.

Currently, federal law allows up to 25 percent of a worker’s take-home pay to be garnished each workweek. Over 30 states have taken action to better protect consumers and have added additional protections to prevent workers’ wages from being unnecessarily garnished. However, when workers are struggling, these constraints are not enough.

The Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act protects workers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet, by prohibiting wages from being garnished for the payment of medical debt. Specifically, the bill:

Bans any amount of a worker’s wage from being subject to garnishment for medical debt, and

Prohibits any state or court from issuing or enforcing a wage garnishment order for medical debt.

“In the richest country in the world, medical debt should not be a threat to working people’s livelihood. The American people should not have to slash spending on necessities to pay for life-saving care and no one should be denied future health care because of unpaid medical bills. Unfortunately, that is the reality many Americans are facing right now,” said Ranking Member Scott. “I am proud to work with Reps. Omar and Casar on this commonsense legislation, which will ensure families are not thrown into further hardship simply because they got sick and needed care.”

“In 45 states, some workers have a portion of their take-home pay forcibly cut to pay off medical debt,” said Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar. “I'm partnering with Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) to ban this practice and ensure no worker is thrown into further financial hardship over often-predatory debt.”

“Nobody should lose their wages because they got sick,” said Vice Ranking Member Greg Casar (D-TX). “Trump and Republicans ripped health care away from millions of Americans to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Now families who get sick are being hit with bills they can't pay, and in most states a hospital or debt collector can take a cut of their paycheck before they ever see it. This needs to end, and our bill would stop it.”

The Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act is endorsed by: American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Center for Health and Democracy; Families USA; Public Citizen; and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

To read a fact sheet on the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act, click here.

To read the bill text on the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act, click here.

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-wittman-elfreth-kiggans-celebrate-house-passage-chesapeake-bay,"Scott, Wittman, Elfreth, Kiggans Celebrate House Passage of Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, which was introduced by Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) and Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02). This legislation reauthorizes key programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO). Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

NOAA’s CBO provides a variety of services that advance the restoration of the Bay and support local businesses, schools, and coastal resilience. CBO manages the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System which collects water quality, meteorological, and oceanographic data used by scientists, fisherman and those recreating on the Bay. CBO also oversees the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, a competitive grant program for environmental education projects that connect students throughout the watershed with the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act authorizes the Chesapeake Bay B-WET program for the first time in the program’s history.

“The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a critical resource for the millions of Americans that live within its watershed,” said Congressman Scott. “NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is essential to ensuring that government, industry, and nonprofits have the technical and scientific information necessary to improve the health of the Bay. This office also oversees the successful Chesapeake B-WET Program that has connected countless students to hands-on, environmental education programming throughout the watershed. Today’s passage of the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act is a major step towards ensuring that this office can continue supporting the restoration of the Bay and connecting future generations with the environment around them.”

“As a lifelong outdoorsman, vice chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I am proud to have co-led this bipartisan effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congressman Wittman. “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act would ensure that the Chesapeake Bay remains healthy for generations to come — protecting our coastal economies and preserving a national treasure. I will continue to advocate for this legislation as it moves to the Senate.”

“I am incredibly proud to represent the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, which conducts critical scientific research and programming to restore the health and habitat of the whole Chesapeake Bay watershed. I was thrilled to see my colleagues come together on the House floor today to pass the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act to ensure this office is properly resourced and – for the first time ever – authorize the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program to support hands-on outdoor learning for students,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “If you talk to folks back in Annapolis, they will describe the Bay as ‘transcending politics’ and that it’s ‘like a religion.’ I couldn’t agree more. That is why I will continue to work collaboratively with our partners – Democrat and Republican alike – to ensure the Bay can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“The Chesapeake Bay is vital to the coastal communities, local economies, and natural resources we are fortunate to have in Virginia,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act ensures NOAA can continue providing the research, restoration support, and educational opportunities needed to keep the Bay healthy and thriving. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation through the House, and I’ll continue working to see it signed into law.”

“NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is central to the Bay restoration effort, from providing essential water quality monitoring data, to supporting our understanding and management of our fisheries, to fostering a greater appreciation of the Bay through environmental education,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “Passing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act will ensure these critical functions continue and uphold a strong, science-based foundation for the work of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.”

“A healthier Chesapeake Bay starts with science, restoration, and education. This legislation does all three by supporting NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and Bay Watershed Education and Training program,” said Keisha Sedlacek, Senior Policy Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “These programs lead research and restoration work that create cleaner waterways, support fisheries and local economies, and build resiliency to climate change. Education grants allow thousands of kids to learn hands-on outside, building future leaders. We applaud the House and the leadership of Reps. Bobby Scott, Sarah Elfreth, Jen Kiggans, and Rob Wittman for advancing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act. We urge swift action from the Senate.”

“The Choose Clean Water Coalition wholeheartedly endorses the Chesapeake WATERS Act, which reauthorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO),” said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. “Many federal agencies play a critical role in restoring the Chesapeake Bay, and NCBO plays a critical role. They are a leader in restoring the Bay’s oyster population, protecting striped bass and other native species from the onslaught of invasive blue catfish, and helping steward the next generation through outdoor education experiences. It is vital they receive continued support as we enter the next chapter of the Bay restoration effort.”

Full text of the bill can be found by CLICKING HERE.

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-kaine-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house-national-park,"Subramanyam, Kaine bill designating George C. Marshall House as a National Park Service Affiliated Area headed to the President’s desk",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and Senator Tim Kaine’s legislation designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as an affiliated area under the National Park Service (NPS) has passed the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

“For hundreds of years, Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy and Dodona Manor’s significance by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. Virginians, Americans, and visitors alike can witness the history and educational programming of the International Center right here in Leesburg. I am grateful to work alongside Senator Kaine to deliver for Virginians and looking forward to continuing to visit such a historic landmark,” said Congressman Subramanyam.

“I am glad to see that my legislation with Representative Subramanyam to designate General George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor as a National Park Service Affiliated Area has passed the House and is headed to the President’s desk,” said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). “This will ensure that the site is preserved for future generations, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and present an opportunity for the public to learn more about this period of our history.”

Rep. Subramanyam and Senator Kaine introduced this bill in February 2025.

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaine and Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.”

The official designation would be the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area would provide new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming.

General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=817,Walkinshaw Warns Trump’s Census Plan Could Exclude Millions of People and Shortchange Communities,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) released the following statement warning that the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the U.S. Census could shortchange communities that rely on census data for federal funding.

“Donald Trump is trying to weaponize the U.S. Census to intimidate immigrant families and scare them from participating. His so-called citizenship question would not just undercount immigrant communities. It would shortchange communities across America.

Census data help determine how federal funding reaches schools, roads, hospitals, emergency services, and other essential needs. An undercount would not reduce the need for those services. It would leave states and local communities with fewer resources and force local taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden.

As the late Congressman Gerry Connolly’s Chief of Staff, I helped him fight back against Trump’s first attempt to add a citizenship question ahead of the 2020 Census.

Trump’s effort failed then, and it will fail now.”

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=819,"Walkinshaw, Carter Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Shape the Future of Medicare Telehealth With Better Data",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Buddy Carter (GA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to replace fragmented federal reporting with reliable annual data showing who Medicare telehealth is reaching, where access barriers remain, how patients are faring, and where taxpayer dollars may be at risk.

The Telehealth Reporting and Transparency Act of 2026 would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to report annually on telehealth utilization, patient access, available health outcomes, provider participation, and program integrity.

“Telehealth can be a lifeline when getting to a doctor is difficult, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and patients in rural communities. It also gives patients greater flexibility to manage chronic conditions, access behavioral health services, and receive routine follow-up care,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “Congress should not shape the future of telehealth in the dark. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Buddy Carter on this bipartisan effort to show what is working, where access gaps remain, and where taxpayer dollars may be at risk, without adding another layer of paperwork for physicians and other practitioners.”

“Telehealth has transformed the way millions of seniors access care, especially in rural communities where patients may live hours from the nearest provider,” said Congressman Carter. “As Medicare continues to embrace telehealth, Congress needs reliable data to ensure these services are reaching the patients who need them while protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse. This bipartisan legislation will give policymakers and the public greater transparency without placing new burdens on the physicians and practitioners caring for our seniors.”

The annual report would include:

National and state-level telehealth utilization, including rural and urban trends;

Demographic and geographic differences in utilization, including potential broadband barriers;

Available patient outcomes, provider participation, and barriers to delivering telehealth services;

Claims patterns that may indicate improper billing and actions CMS is taking to combat fraud, waste, and abuse.

CMS would be required to rely exclusively on information it already collects and could not impose new reporting or administrative requirements on physicians and practitioners. The agency would also create a public dashboard displaying aggregated telehealth data in a searchable and downloadable format.

The legislation does not expand or restrict Medicare telehealth coverage, change payment policies, or alter patient eligibility. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the reporting framework and recommend improvements.

The bill text is available here.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-report-that-dhs-personnel-were-told-to-lie-to-illegally-access-virginians-personal-information,Warner & Kaine Statement on Report That DHS Personnel Were Told to Lie to Illegally Access Virginians’ Personal Information,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding a report that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees were instructed to lie in order to unlawfully obtain Virginians’ personal information, by falsely attesting that they were specific Virginians verifying their voter registration records:

“As much as President Trump and his cronies insist otherwise, working for the federal government doesn’t mean you can break the law. The Virginia Department of Elections is clear: lying about one’s identity in order to access Virginians’ personal information is illegal, and any DHS officials who violated that code should be held accountable. Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that a President who is thin-skinned enough to incite a deadly riot to overturn a free and fair election he lost would lead an Administration that commits crimes in order to look for virtually non-existent voter fraud. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure citizens are not wrongfully purged from voting rolls and to protect Virginians’ personal information and the security of our elections from this deranged Administration.”

Virginians are able to check their registration status online, but must certify and affirm that they are checking their own registration in order to do so. Per the Virginia elections webpage, searchers are specifically asked to acknowledge that it is unlawful to access the record of any other voter, punishable as computer fraud under Va. Code § 18.2-152.3.

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9216,SEEC Blasts EPA Decision to Unleash Power Plant Pollution on Americans,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule to roll back life-saving air pollution limits for fossil fuel-fired power plants.

“Gasoline prices remain at all-time highs and diesel is more expensive than at any time in history. But instead of doing anything meaningful to lower costs for the American people, the Trump Administration is using this moment to boost outdated, expensive, dirty fossil fuel plants that are poisoning our air and water and driving up the price of electricity for all Americans.

“Our power sector is the second largest source of climate pollution in the nation. Just this summer, we’ve already seen many devastating extreme weather events linked to climate change: the sweltering July 4th heat dome, Gulf Coast flooding caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, the early summer wildfires blazing across the Midwest, and the rapidly growing ‘Super’ El Niño in the Pacific. EPA has both the authority and obligation under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from sources of dangerous air pollution, including power plants. Instead, thanks to Trump’s Polluters First Agenda, not only are our nation’s leaders choosing to rewind the clock and roll back power plant pollution standards, they are going even further to block future administrations from acting to stop planet-warming pollution from power plants.

“If Donald Trump wasn’t distracted by his corrupt bargains and political favors, he would realize that the solutions for a healthy and affordable future for the American people are already in front of us. To finally put an end to Trump’s self-inflicted affordability crisis, we must deliver fast, cheap, reliable, and clean energy, while holding big polluters accountable for endangering the public.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-statement-on-report-that-dhs-personnel-were-told-to-lie-to-illegally-access-virginians-personal-information/,Warner & Kaine Statement on Report That DHS Personnel Were Told to Lie to Illegally Access Virginians’ Personal Information,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding a report that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees were instructed to lie in order to unlawfully obtain Virginians’ personal information, by falsely attesting that they were specific Virginians verifying their voter registration records:

“As much as President Trump and his cronies insist otherwise, working for the federal government doesn’t mean you can break the law. The Virginia Department of Elections is clear: lying about one’s identity in order to access Virginians’ personal information is illegal, and any DHS officials who violated that code should be held accountable. Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that a President who is thin-skinned enough to incite a deadly riot to overturn a free and fair election he lost would lead an Administration that commits crimes in order to look for virtually non-existent voter fraud. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure citizens are not wrongfully purged from voting rolls and to protect Virginians’ personal information and the security of our elections from this deranged Administration.”

Virginians are able to check their registration status online, but must certify and affirm that they are checking their own registration in order to do so. Per the Virginia elections webpage, searchers are specifically asked to acknowledge that it is unlawful to access the record of any other voter, punishable as computer fraud under Va. Code § 18.2-152.3.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9215,"Beyer, Meeks, Neal Statement On Russia Sanctions Legislation",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat of Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Richard Neal, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means today issued the following statement after Republican leadership scheduled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act for a vote in the House next week:

“House Democrats are rock solid in our support for Ukraine, but the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act would do more harm than good. This bill would dramatically expand presidential tariff authorities while failing to mandate sanctions on Russia, both of which are unacceptable. These flaws would raise Americans’ prices while undermining support for Ukraine in the long term.

“We continue to seek bicameral, bipartisan negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers and deliver on our promise to Ukraine. In the meantime, the President has ample authority to expand sanctions on those fueling Russia’s war machine, including those targeted by this bill, and we renew our call on him to do so without further delay.”",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/11/vindman-remembers-the-lives-lost-on-september-11-25-years-ago/,"Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam...

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected...

Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after...

Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share

Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress...

Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center

Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine...

Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times

Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with...

Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more...

Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of...

Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) applauded the implementation...

Vindman Announces Thousands of Dollars in Funding to Support Law Enforcement and Strengthen Public Safety

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ)...",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-25th-anniversary-of-september-11th-attacks,Kaine Statement On 25th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001:

“This is a solemn anniversary for all Americans, but it’s especially close to home for the Commonwealth—nearly 200 people died that day at the Pentagon and aboard American Airlines Flight 77, and Virginia, as one of the most military-connected states in the country, had a disproportionate number of her sons and daughters deploy overseas after the attacks. Twenty-five years later, I’m praying for the families of the nearly 3,000 Americans who died, the first responders who heroically put themselves in harm’s way in the aftermath, the thousands of Americans who suffered disability or death because of the dangerous recovery work, the tens of thousands of servicemembers who answered the call and defended our nation in the War on Terror, and the millions of ordinary Americans who pulled together to try and help the nation heal. As Governor of Virginia, I went to the deployments, the homecomings, the funerals, and the wakes of many of our brave servicemembers—and it has made me even more dedicated to, as a U.S. Senator, ensure our veterans, servicemembers, and their families have the resources, health care, and benefits they have earned, to keep our nation secure, and to keep our troops from having to risk their lives unless absolutely necessary.”

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-colleagues-press-rfk-jr-on-diversion-of-taxpayer-public-health-funding-to-promote-his-personal-brand/,"Warner, Colleagues Press RFK Jr. on Diversion of Taxpayer Public Health Funding to Promote His Personal Brand",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) pressed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for answers regarding his use of time and resources for vanity projects as he fails to address the public health challenges facing Americans. While a record number of Americans are contracting measles, falling sick from parasites found in their food, and struggling to afford the health care that they need, Secretary Kennedy is diverting taxpayer dollars for self-promotion projects such as a podcast and cooking show to highlight his own interests, hobbies, and brand. The effort was joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as well as U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

“On a bipartisan basis, Congress has provided your Department with targeted resources to fight outbreaks of disease… However, it appears that you are not using this Office or comparable Department resources to address ongoing public health crises,” the senators wrote in a request for records and information to Secretary Kennedy.“Instead, you appear to be directing taxpayer dollars and official federal resources to produce vanity projects. These self-promotion projects include a new podcast and a new show that are each centered around your personal brand instead of the responsibility of your Department to protect the health of all Americans.”

The senators continued, “On ‘The Secretary Kennedy Podcast,’ you appear to be using official HHS resources to discuss topics such as ‘biohacking’ while ignoring the pressing outbreaks that Americans are facing every day. You also appear to be spending official HHS resources to personally host a cooking show called ‘The Real Food Show.’ A recent episode of this show, paid for with taxpayer dollars, featured you discussing ‘The Secret to the PERFECT Omelet.’ Both projects are on official government websites and state that they were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services.”

In the letter to Secretary Kennedy, the senators pressed for answers on how much of his Department’s time and taxpayer funds have been spent on projects such his “The Real Food Show,” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast.” The letter also requests answers on how much of the Department’s time and funding is being spent to respond to growing public health emergencies, such as the measles outbreak, including how much of Secretary Kennedy’s own time is actually dedicated to addressing these public health threats.

Under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, the United States is facing multiple life-threatening public health challenges. More Americans have contracted measles during this current administration than in the past 24 years combined. Additionally, as many as 20,000 people have been infected by cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal distress, and two people have died as a result of this uncontrolled outbreak.

Read the full text of the letter here and below.

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

Record numbers of Americans are contracting measles, falling sick with a parasite, and struggling to afford the health care that they need. At the same time, you are failing to carry out your duties as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are concerned that, instead of addressing the struggles that Americans face today in trying to keep their families safe and healthy, you are using taxpayer dollars to promote your personal brand.

In just the past few months, the United States has faced life-threatening public health challenges that you have failed to adequately address. Since President Trump was sworn in, more than 4,600 Americans – mostly children – have been infected by measles, and three have died. During this Administration, we have seen more cases of measles in the United States than in the previous 24 years combined. Yet you have made nearly no effort to help families protect their children from the life-threatening impacts of measles, and infections continue to skyrocket: in August of 2026, we have already surpassed the total number of measles cases reported in all of 2025. In fact, this is a predictable consequence of your longstanding crusade against vaccines.

While measles outbreaks continue to make children sick in every region of the country, you are also failing to protect Americans from historic outbreaks of foodborne illness. As many as 20,000 people have reported infections from cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal distress, and two people have now died as a result of this uncontrolled outbreak. As your Department fails to get a handle on cyclospora, people in at least 32 states have also been infected by salmonella, and dozens have been hospitalized.

On a bipartisan basis, Congress has provided your Department with targeted resources to fight outbreaks of disease. For example, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs has received significant funding to lead national communications campaigns about public health emergencies. However, it appears that you are not using this Office or comparable Department resources to address ongoing public health crises.

Instead, you appear to be directing taxpayer dollars and official federal resources to produce vanity projects. These self-promotion projects include a new podcast and a new show that are each centered around your personal brand instead of the responsibility of your Department to protect the health of all Americans. On “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast,” you appear to be using official HHS resources to discuss topics such as “biohacking” while ignoring the pressing outbreaks that Americans are facing every day. You also appear to be spending official HHS resources to personally host a cooking show called “The Real Food Show.” A recent episode of this show, paid for with taxpayer dollars, featured you discussing “The Secret to the PERFECT Omelet.” Both projects are on official government websites and state that they were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services.

To better understand how you are allocating the Department’s resources, we request answers to the following questions by September 30, 2026:

How much official time have you spent in meetings, briefings, and public engagements related to coordinating a response to address the following outbreaks?

Measles

Cyclospora

Salmonella

Hantavirus

Ebola

How much has the Department spent on efforts to respond to the measles outbreak and promote vaccination against measles?

Please describe the efforts and resources that you have dedicated to hiring staff at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the following areas of expertise:

Epidemiology

Infectious disease

Laboratory science

Public health informatics and surveillance

Public health communication

How much official time have you personally spent in producing the “The Real Food Show” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast?”

How many federal employees are working on “The Real Food Show” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast”, and how many hours are staff spending on these projects?

What are the total budget and expenditures thus far for the Department’s production and promotion of “The Real Food Show” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast”?

From where in the HHS operating budget is funding being drawn down to obtain the materials, production resources, staff resources, and promotion budget for these shows?

Please provide all communications, including contracts, statements of work, invoices, and payment records, between the Office of the Secretary and any production companies, media consultants, personal branding vendors, or third-party contractors involved in the “The Real Food Show” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast.”

Did the Department’s ethics officials review and approve the use of taxpayer dollars for “The Real Food Show” and “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast?” If so, please provide all associated opinions, guidance, memoranda, and conditions.

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/10/vindman-hears-from-the-84-of-virginians-who-support-keeping-the-government-open/,Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more than 850 Virginians in a district-wide survey, and the results were clear: respondents overwhelmingly believe that Congress should fight to keep the government open.

“Virginians know that federal workers are the backbone of our economy and our government,” said Vindman. “With tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors in Virginia’s Seventh District, I was proud to vote to keep the government open. I will continue working to deliver a budget that funds the government responsibly, aligns with our values, and tackles the out-of-control corruption we are seeing in Washington.”

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on a Senate Amendment to H.R. 6500 that would keep the government open. Vindman was proud to vote in favor of this amendment and stand with the dedicated federal workers and contractors who keep our government running.

The survey asked constituents whether they support keeping the government open and how concerned they would be about the impact of a government shutdown on federal workers and contractors in Virginia’s Seventh District.

Below are responses submitted by Virginia’s Seventh District residents who took the survey:

—

“My husband is a government worker and primary income earner. We do not have the financial wherewithal to handle another government shutdown.” — Caitlin, Prince William

“Our elected officials have a duty to ensure all essential services remain open. Federal employees should not have to live in fear of partisan politics.” — Richard, Spotsylvania

“I am very concerned about how the people of Virginia would survive another government shut down.” — Dorothy, Caroline

“I retired last year to avoid being RIFed. I went through two long shutdowns as a federal employee. It is very stressful not knowing when you are going back to work and will be paid. These shutdowns have to stop.” — Dinna, Spotsylvania

BACKGROUND

Vindman has long been a champion for federal workers and contractors.

During the October 2025 government shutdown, Vindman asked the U.S. House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to withhold his salary for the duration of the shutdown.

In March 2025, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation that would block Members of Congress from receiving their pay during a government shutdown.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-warner-unveil-legislation-to-reduce-traffic-improve-safety-at-dca,"Kaine & Warner Unveil Legislation to Reduce Traffic, Improve Safety at DCA",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner (both D-VA) announced the DCA Air Safety Act, legislation that would improve safety in the constrained and complex airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after last year’s deadly midair collision that claimed 67 lives. The bill would cap hourly arrivals, reduce the clustering of flights, and remove 30 slots—thereby addressing issues that contributed to the January 2025 disaster. The legislation would also mandate reports to Congress, public comment, and expert input to ensure that implementation is occurring in a manner that best improves safety.

“In the wake of the midair collision that killed 67 people last year near DCA, Congress must do more to ensure that the highest level of safety regulations is in place to prevent future tragedies,” said Kaine. “While I support various proposals to help do that, it’s obvious that any set of reforms that doesn’t address overcrowding at this airport—which sits along restricted airspace and is already operating beyond capacity—is dangerously insufficient. That’s why this legislation lays out a commonsense plan to decrease hourly arrivals and reduce flight clustering and overall traffic, and we urge our colleagues to put safety first and join us in getting it across the finish line as quickly as possible.”

“We owe it to the victims of the fatal mid-air collision near DCA and their loved ones to take action and prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. DCA’s overburdened runway is the busiest in the country, and the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the January 2025 crash underscored the serious risks posed by unsustainable traffic levels at the airport. Yet since the collision, there have been numerous near misses in DCA airspace,” said Warner. “For years, Senator Kaine and I have been warning that DCA is overcrowded and have fought to reduce the number of slot exemptions at the airport. The risks are now painfully clear, and Congress cannot wait for another tragedy to act. I urge my colleagues to quickly support this legislation to cap hourly arrivals, reduce flight clustering, decrease slot exemptions, and put passenger safety first.”

Specifically, the DCA Air Safety Act would:

Cap hourly arrivals by requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce DCA’s Airport Arrival Rate to no more than 28 aircraft per consecutive 60-minute period, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a collision.

Reduce flight clustering, i.e., when takeoffs and landings are condensed into short, high-intensity windows, by requiring the establishment of binding 30-minute interval caps within 180 days so operations are distributed evenly across each hour.

Eliminate 30 slots over five years to reduce overcrowding, including at least 26 beyond-perimeter (i.e., flights that have been given permission to operate outside of the airport’s 1,250-mile range limit) exemptions. The legislation would phase in the eliminations at a rate of six per year, starting in 2028, with full implementation required by the end of 2032.

Require a public process from the FAA, specifically the publication of a proposed list of slots to be eliminated, a 60-day public comment period, and the publication of a final list within 120 days after the public comment period closes.

Since 2000, DCA has added 64 daily flights, known as slots, straining the airport’s capacity. On the night of the January 2025 midair collision, there was an 18-minute period in which one single air traffic controller was responsible for managing 29 separate aircraft, including a 5-minute span with 6 takeoffs or landings – clear evidence of an airport pushed past its breaking point to the detriment of passenger safety.

Kaine and Warner have consistently sounded the alarm about hazardous overcrowding in DCA’s airspace and have called on Congress to reduce the number of slots at DCA, even before the January 2025 midair collision. After the publication of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) report on the causes of the disaster—which included evidence that airspace overcrowding and high controller workload contributed to the crash—the senators again urged Congress to act to remove slots and enact other safety measures and supported the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Reform (ROTOR) Act, legislation that would enact safety reforms at DCA and similarly-sized airports and improved coordination between the FAA and Department of Defense. In the weeks after the accident, Kaine and Warner, along with Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), secured Senate passage of a resolution honoring and remembering the 67 victims of the collision.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-colleagues-urge-supreme-court-to-block-postal-service-rule-limiting-mail-in-voting,"Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Supreme Court to Block Postal Service Rule Limiting Mail-In Voting",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,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) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers and former lawmakers in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of State of California, et al. v. United States Postal Service, et al. The lawsuit, brought by a coalition of state attorneys general, including Virginia’s Attorney General Jay Jones, challenges the legality of President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Postal Service rule seeking to exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Specifically, the case challenges a final rule issued by the USPS pursuant to Trump’s directive that imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail.

Nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary.

In the court filing, the amici curiae argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14399 and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and usurp congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over election administration.

“As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers,” wrote the lawmakers. “Amici have a particular interest in defending the institutional role of the Legislative Branch under Article I of the Constitution and in vindicating the long-settled principle that the Constitution commits ultimate regulatory authority over federal elections to Congress. The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.”

The amici also pointed to a recent federal court ruling blocking the USPS from implementing its newly finalized mail ballot rule for the midterm elections, saying the agency lacked the authority to implement the rule and that its actions are “substantively unconstitutional and contrary to law.”

“The district court correctly concluded that Appellees are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that USPS lacked authority to issue the Final Rule, that the Final Rule unconstitutionally imposes mail-ballot requirements on the States, and that the Final Rule unconstitutionally bars non-compliant State and local election officials from using the USPS to mail ballots at all,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal incursion on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote.

“The integrity of our constitutional system depends on each branch keeping to its assigned role,” concluded the lawmakers. “The Framers set up a two-part system that gave the States default authority to regulate federal elections subject to Congress’s authority to override the States. The Framers did not provide the President with any authority to interfere in that system, nor has Congress subsequently imbued the President or the Executive Branch with any such authority by statute.”

In addition to Warner and Kaine, the amicus brief was filed by 259 lawmakers and former lawmakers, including the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.

Warner and Kaine have been pushing back on the Trump administration’s attempts to “take over” and “nationalize” our upcoming elections. Fighting to ensure the safety and security of our midterms and protect Americans’ constitutional right to vote, the senators have repeatedly demanded that USPS abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order to restrict voting by mail.

The full brief is available here.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-colleagues-urge-supreme-court-to-block-postal-service-rule-limiting-mail-in-voting/,"Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Supreme Court to Block Postal Service Rule Limiting Mail-In Voting",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers and former lawmakers in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of State of California, et al. v. United States Postal Service, et al. The lawsuit, brought by a coalition of state attorneys general, including Virginia’s Attorney General Jay Jones, challenges the legality of President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Postal Service rule seeking to exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Specifically, the case challenges a final rule issued by the USPS pursuant to Trump’s directive that imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail.

Nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary.

In the court filing, the amici curiae argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14399 and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and usurp congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over election administration.

“As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers,” wrote the lawmakers. “Amici have a particular interest in defending the institutional role of the Legislative Branch under Article I of the Constitution and in vindicating the long-settled principle that the Constitution commits ultimate regulatory authority over federal elections to Congress. The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.”

The amici also pointed to a recent federal court ruling blocking the USPS from implementing its newly finalized mail ballot rule for the midterm elections, saying the agency lacked the authority to implement the rule and that its actions are “substantively unconstitutional and contrary to law.”

“The district court correctly concluded that Appellees are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that USPS lacked authority to issue the Final Rule, that the Final Rule unconstitutionally imposes mail-ballot requirements on the States, and that the Final Rule unconstitutionally bars non-compliant State and local election officials from using the USPS to mail ballots at all,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal incursion on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote.

“The integrity of our constitutional system depends on each branch keeping to its assigned role,” concluded the lawmakers. “The Framers set up a two-part system that gave the States default authority to regulate federal elections subject to Congress’s authority to override the States. The Framers did not provide the President with any authority to interfere in that system, nor has Congress subsequently imbued the President or the Executive Branch with any such authority by statute.”

In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the amicus brief was filed by 259 lawmakers and former lawmakers, including the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have been pushing back on the Trump administration’s attempts to “take over” and “nationalize” our upcoming elections. Fighting to ensure the safety and security of our midterms and protect Americans’ constitutional right to vote, the senators have repeatedly demanded that USPS abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order to restrict voting by mail.

The full brief is available here.

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-unveil-legislation-to-reduce-traffic-improve-safety-at-dca/,"Warner, Kaine Unveil Legislation to Reduce Traffic, Improve Safety at DCA",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced the DCA Air Safety Act, legislation that would improve safety in the constrained and complex airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after last year’s deadly midair collision that claimed 67 lives. The bill would cap hourly arrivals, reduce the clustering of flights, and remove 30 slots—thereby addressing issues that contributed to the January 2025 disaster. The legislation would also mandate reports to Congress, public comment, and expert input to ensure that implementation is occurring in a manner that best improves safety.

“We owe it to the victims of the fatal mid-air collision near DCA and their loved ones to take action and prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. DCA’s overburdened runway is the busiest in the country, and the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the January 2025 crash underscored the serious risks posed by unsustainable traffic levels at the airport. Yet since the collision, there have been numerous near misses in DCA airspace,” said Sen. Warner. “For years, Senator Kaine and I have been warning that DCA is overcrowded and have fought to reduce the number of slot exemptions at the airport. The risks are now painfully clear, and Congress cannot wait for another tragedy to act. I urge my colleagues to quickly support this legislation to cap hourly arrivals, reduce flight clustering, decrease slot exemptions, and put passenger safety first.”

“In the wake of the midair collision that killed 67 people last year near DCA, Congress must do more to ensure that the highest level of safety regulations is in place to prevent future tragedies,” said Sen. Kaine. “While I support various proposals to help do that, it’s obvious that any set of reforms that doesn’t address overcrowding at this airport—which sits along restricted airspace and is already operating beyond capacity—is dangerously insufficient. That’s why this legislation lays out a commonsense plan to decrease hourly arrivals and reduce flight clustering and overall traffic, and we urge our colleagues to put safety first and join us in getting it across the finish line as quickly as possible.”

Specifically, the DCA Air Safety Act would:

Cap hourly arrivals by requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce DCA’s Airport Arrival Rate to no more than 28 aircraft per consecutive 60-minute period, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a collision.

Reduce flight clustering, i.e., when takeoffs and landings are condensed into short, high-intensity windows, by requiring the establishment of binding 30-minute interval caps within 180 days so operations are distributed evenly across each hour.

Eliminate 30 slots over five years to reduce overcrowding, including at least 26 beyond-perimeter (i.e., flights that have been given permission to operate outside of the airport’s 1,250-mile range limit) exemptions. The legislation would phase in the eliminations at a rate of six per year, starting in 2028, with full implementation required by the end of 2032.

Require a public process from the FAA, specifically the publication of a proposed list of slots to be eliminated, a 60-day public comment period, and the publication of a final list within 120 days after the public comment period closes.

Since 2000, DCA has added 64 daily flights, known as slots, straining the airport’s capacity. On the night of the January 2025 midair collision, there was an 18-minute period in which one single air traffic controller was responsible for managing 29 separate aircraft, including a 5-minute span with 6 takeoffs or landings – clear evidence of an airport pushed past its breaking point to the detriment of passenger safety.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have consistently sounded the alarm about hazardous overcrowding in DCA’s airspace and have called on Congress to reduce the number of slots at DCA, even before the January 2025 midair collision. After the publication of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) report on the causes of the disaster—which included evidence that airspace overcrowding and high controller workload contributed to the crash—the senators again urged Congress to act to remove slots and enact other safety measures and supported the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Reform (ROTOR) Act, legislation that would enact safety reforms at DCA and similarly-sized airports and improved coordination between the FAA and Department of Defense. In the weeks after the accident, Kaine and Warner, along with Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), secured Senate passage of a resolution honoring and remembering the 67 victims of the collision.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-lonnie-g-bunch-iii,Scott Statement on Lonnie G. Bunch III,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his retirement:

“Secretary Lonnie Bunch has dedicated his career to ensuring the Smithsonian tells the full story of our nation. His historic leadership as the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture ensured that the African American experience is recognized as an essential part of the American story.

“His retirement comes as President Trump continues his efforts to whitewash history and pressure the Smithsonian to conform to his preferred version of the past. We cannot learn from our history by pretending the most painful chapters never happened. I thank Secretary Bunch for his decades of service and his commitment to truth. The Smithsonian must remain independent and free from partisan interference.""",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-call-on-un-security-council-to-pass-sanctions-on-sudan-to-cut-off-funding-for-conflict,"Kaine, Colleagues Call on U.N. Security Council to Pass Sanctions on Sudan to Cut Off Funding for Conflict",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, joined seven of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz calling on the United States to push to pass additional sanctions measures in Sudan that would restrict the flow of funds to the warring parties driving the current conflict in the country. The letter was transmitted shortly before the September 8 kick-off of the 2026 UN General Assembly.

The senators specifically advocated for international prohibitions on the sale of precursor chemicals used in certain types of gold extraction, and the development of due diligence guidelines for the procurement of gum arabic—a resource frequently smuggled by belligerents to fund their operations.

“Any resolution put forward to renew sanctions pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) should also prohibit the export or transfer of precursor chemicals used in Sudan’s artisanal mining industry, target the illicit sale of Sudanese gum arabic, and improve reporting by the Panel of Experts to explicitly identify arms embargo violations and the parties responsible,” said the senators.

“Restrictions meant to disrupt transactions at the point of sale must be combined with a coordinated effort to restrict access to the precursor chemicals that enable unregulated gold extraction in the first place. This is especially critical to curtail other sources of profit tied to the gold sector but outside material sales, such as informal taxation schemes, security fees, and transportation fees levied against mining firms in RSF-held territory,” the senators continued.

“Gold is not the only natural resource being exploited to fund the war-- revenue tied to gum arabic production is small relative to gold, but profits from its sale and control over of trade networks now help sustain the conflict. The RSF has engaged in looting and extortion to exert control over trade routes and border crossings, leveraging the proceeds to bankroll their side of the war. Cross-border smuggling and re-labelling of Sudanese gum arabic to avoid heightened scrutiny about sourcing is also pervasive in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt,” the senators underscored.

“The war in Sudan is now into its fourth year. A straight renewal of the UN Security Council Resolution on Sudan that maintains the status quo will not bring an end to the unimaginable violence and devastation that has affected millions of Sudanese. The international community should urgently adapt its strategy to creatively deploy the entire range of tools at its disposal. Coordinated, comprehensive measures to increase the pressure on the economic engine of the war, particularly on natural resources supply chains, can raise the cost of the war, making it too costly and burdensome to continue,” the senators concluded.

Kaine has worked to strengthen the U.S. response to the war in Sudan and support civilians affected by the conflict. He passed into law the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act to bolster U.S. diplomatic and humanitarian efforts by codifying and strengthening the position of Special Envoy for Sudan. He has also urged the Trump-Vance Administration to help prevent further atrocities, including by halting certain U.S. arms sales to countries fueling the war, and called for extending and redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan to protect Sudanese nationals from being returned to hazardous conditions.

In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Ambassador Waltz,

As the United Nations (UN) Security Council considers the renewal and possible expansion of the Sudan sanctions regime, we write to request that the U.S. Mission put forth additional measures that would target key funding sources actively enabling the horrific violence in Sudan. The recent proposal from U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos to expand the scope of the Darfur arms embargo to the entirety of the country is encouraging. We also appreciate his recognition that external financial support to all parties remains a driver of conflict and agree that the UN has the tools to address these issues. We therefore urge the U.S. Mission to engage accordingly and advocate for the passage of additional provisions to eliminate financial channels that belligerents depend on to perpetuate the conflict.

Specifically, any resolution put forward to renew sanctions pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) should also prohibit the export or transfer of precursor chemicals used in Sudan’s artisanal mining industry, target the illicit sale of Sudanese gum arabic (also known as acacia gum), and improve reporting by the Panel of Experts to explicitly identify arms embargo violations and the parties responsible.

Gold is widely considered the most significant source of income and foreign currency for both sides of Sudan’s war, which use the proceeds to purchase weapons and compensate personnel. The Treasury Department has previously targeted operatives in the RSF’s financial network that facilitate the sale of gold, recognizing the role that the sector plays in funneling cash to the militia group. However, restrictions meant to disrupt transactions at the point of sale must be combined with a coordinated effort to restrict access to the precursor chemicals that enable unregulated gold extraction in the first place. This is especially critical to curtail other sources of profit tied to the gold sector but outside material sales, such as informal taxation schemes, security fees, and transportation fees levied against mining firms in RSF-held territory.

Although it is difficult to determine precise figures because a substantial amount of Sudan’s gold is smuggled out of the country and gold production in RSF-controlled territory is not reported, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations account for approximately 80-90% of Sudan’s gold production. ASGM mining employs various methods of extraction, but it typically relies on mercury and sodium cyanide as relatively cheap and simple chemicals to easily find and process gold particles. In addition to the chemicals’ vital role in the wartime economy, numerous studies have found prolonged exposure can lead to severe health complications and is harmful to the local environment. According to a 2025 report, most of these precursor chemicals are imported from China, the United Arab Emirates, and some European Union (EU) nations. While the EU recently unveiled a suite of regulations restricting the sale of precursor chemicals to Sudan, the diverse supply chain necessitates a more comprehensive prohibition to eliminate the transfer of mercury and sodium cyanide to ASGM miners. Adoption of an export ban on mercury and sodium cyanide as part of the Security Council’s Sudan sanctions regime, with appropriate exceptions for humanitarian purposes, would help sever the link between the gold sector and the ongoing conflict.

Gold is not the only natural resource being exploited to fund the war. As documented by the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, revenue tied to gum arabic production is small relative to gold, but profits from its sale and control over of trade networks now help sustain the conflict. Sudan was one of the world’s largest exporters of gum arabic prior to 2023, but widespread disruption to the industry has caused output to plummet and its value to skyrocket. Consequently, the RSF has engaged in looting and extortion to exert control over trade routes and border crossings, leveraging the proceeds to bankroll their side of the war. Cross-border smuggling and re-labelling of Sudanese gum arabic to avoid heightened scrutiny about sourcing is also pervasive in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. As the Security Council has done in response to other conflicts where natural resource exploitation has contributed to instability, it should mandate the Panel of Experts to develop due diligence guidelines to improve gum arabic procurement practices, prevent smuggled products from entering the supply chain, and avoid inadvertently enriching the belligerents.

Finally, we encourage the U.S. to ensure the Panel of Experts’ extended mandate requires annual reporting that includes explicit documentation of all violations of the arms embargo and the parties responsible. Given the outsized role that external actors play in shaping the war, the Panel must improve transparency about the transfer of arms and financial support to the warring parties, including engagement with illicit gold smugglers. Reporting by other UN-sanctioned panels, including the Panel of Experts on Libya, demonstrate a level of naming and shaming that the Sudan panel should strive for. Countries who blatantly circumvent the arms embargo and other UN restrictions to prolong the conflict cannot be permitted to continue hiding their role and must be publicly held to account for their actions.

The war in Sudan is now into its fourth year. A straight renewal of the UN Security Council Resolution on Sudan that maintains the status quo will not bring an end to the unimaginable violence and devastation that has affected millions of Sudanese. The international community should urgently adapt its strategy to creatively deploy the entire range of tools at its disposal. Coordinated, comprehensive measures to increase the pressure on the economic engine of the war, particularly on natural resources supply chains, can raise the cost of the war, making it too costly and burdensome to continue. In the coming weeks, we hope that you and your team at USUN will consider incorporating these solutions into any forthcoming resolution to provide for the continuation and possible expansion of the Sudan sanctions measures.

Thank you for your consideration.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-commend-designation-of-9/11-pentagon-memorial-as-national-park-service-affiliated-area,"Warner, Kaine, Commend Designation of 9/11 Pentagon Memorial as National Park Service Affiliated Area",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,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), following reports today, commended the official designation of the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial as an affiliated area of the National Park System, a recognition that will help preserve the memory of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon and aboard American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001, and ensure their stories are passed down to future generations.

“The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is a solemn tribute to each of the 184 individuals at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 77 who tragically died on September 11, 2001, standing as a lasting reminder of Americans’ loss and resilience on one of our nation’s darkest days,” said the senators. “We’re proud to support efforts that will preserve this memorial for generations to come and ensure that Americans always have a place to honor those we lost, remember their stories, and deepen their understanding of the enduring impact of September 11 on our nation.”

Affiliated areas are nationally significant sites that preserve important cultural or natural resources but are typically owned and operated independently of the National Park Service. Through affiliation, the National Park Service can provide technical assistance and other support to help maintain these important sites. The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial becomes the 33rdaffiliated area in the National Park System.

Warner and Kaine have long supported the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and efforts to expand its educational mission, including the establishment of a Visitor Education Center that will tell the story of that day, and of how Americans responded, came together, and moved forward in the aftermath of the tragic September 11 attacks.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-attends-chesapeake-veterans-affairs-facility-ribbon-cutting-reaffirms-support-for-veterans-access-to-high-quality-health-care/,"Warner Attends Chesapeake Veterans Affairs Facility Ribbon Cutting, Reaffirms Support for Veterans’ Access to High-Quality Health Care",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) attended the ribbon cutting for the new Western Branch outpatient clinic in Chesapeake, a state-of-the-art Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The facility spans 27,000 square feet and will have a drive-through pharmacy, primary care, mental health care, and radiology. The clinic will serve more than 10,000 veterans who reside in South Hampton Roads.

HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE

“It is my pleasure to be here on a really important day for Hampton Roads veterans. Improving access to care for our veterans must always be a priority, and this brand new, state-of-the-art facility will be a key part of that equation for thousands of veterans in the region,” said Sen. Warner. “Veterans and their families have more than earned access to quality, reliable, and timely health care through years of service and sacrifice, but they have faced unnecessary hurdles to getting that care. I deeply appreciate the men and women who have signed up to work at this facility, and their colleagues nationwide who have devoted their careers to this medical and public service. I will continue fighting to improve access to quality care for our veterans.”

Western Branch CBOC is strategically located in South Hampton Roads to enhance access for veterans who must use either a bridge or tunnel to seek care at Hampton VAHCS, reducing travel times for many.

Sen. Warner has long fought to expand health care access and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Earlier this year, Sen. Warner pressed 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. Sen. Warner has specifically focused on the need to modernize and streamline how the VA delivers medical facilities and infrastructure, reduce the disability claim backlog at the VA, ensure the VA is appropriately staffed to improve access to care and benefits, improve women veterans’ access to health care, and he has pushed Congress to approve major VA facilities across the Commonwealth.

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-commend-designation-of-9-11-pentagon-memorial-as-national-park-service-affiliated-area/,"Warner, Kaine Commend Designation of 9/11 Pentagon Memorial as National Park Service Affiliated Area",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), following reports today, commended the official designation of the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial as an affiliated area of the National Park System, a recognition that will help preserve the memory of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon and aboard American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001, and ensure their stories are passed down to future generations.

“The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is a solemn tribute to each of the 184 individuals at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 77 who tragically died on September 11, 2001, standing as a lasting reminder of Americans’ loss and resilience on one of our nation’s darkest days,” said the senators. “We’re proud to support efforts that will preserve this memorial for generations to come and ensure that Americans always have a place to honor those we lost, remember their stories, and deepen their understanding of the enduring impact of September 11 on our nation.”

Affiliated areas are nationally significant sites that preserve important cultural or natural resources but are typically owned and operated independently of the National Park Service. Through affiliation, the National Park Service can provide technical assistance and other support to help maintain these important sites. The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial becomes the 33rdaffiliated area in the National Park System.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and efforts to expand its educational mission, including the establishment of a Visitor Education Center that will tell the story of that day, and of how Americans responded, came together, and moved forward in the aftermath of the tragic September 11 attacks.

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z