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://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-applauds-congressional-app-challenge-winner,Wagner Applauds Congressional App Challenge Winner,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Ballwin, MO – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on this year’s winner of the MO-02 Congressional App Challenge: “Congratulations to Serena Huang of Parkway Central for winning this year’s Congressional App Challenge in Missouri’s 2nd District! Serena’s “Anchor App” was chosen for its beautiful user interface and robust technical design. Her app helps teens easily track their finances and build responsible spending and saving habits, incredibly important tools for young students. “I would also like to congratulation our 2nd place winners from Parkway South Rohan Potta, Mazinkhan Nadaf and Allen Zheng, as well as our 3rd Place winners Rachit Patek and Navin Narayanan who attend Lafayette High School. Thank you to our host, The Coder School, and our Head Judge Everett Johnson for helping us make this year’s competition an incredible success.” For more information on the Congressional App Challenge and Serena’s winning app, click here. Serena will be invited to participate in the 2024 #HouseofCode this spring. Her app will also be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives' website and as part of a U.S. Capitol exhibit.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/army-delivers-funding-family-housing-fort-leonard-wood-following-commitment-senator-hawley/,Army Delivers Funding for Family Housing at Fort Leonard Wood Following Commitment to Senator Hawley,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that the Army has now delivered $41.49 million for new family housing at Fort Leonard Wood. This follows Senator Hawley’s repeated demands that overdue investment in families’ homes be made and a commitment by the Army to deliver these funds. “Fort Leonard Wood’s military families lead a life of service and deserve homes that meet their basic needs. I’m glad to see the Army finally delivering on their promise to replace all aging homes on the base. I urge the Army to ensure that the additional $50 million in promised funding for FY2024 is delivered on time,” said Senator Hawley. Senator Hawley has long advocated for improved family housing at Fort Leonard Wood and has pressed the Army to deliver on its pledge to replace all military housing on the base.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-holds-nominees-calls-further-evaluation-mcconnell-nominees/,"Hawley Holds Nominees, Calls for Further Evaluation of McConnell Nominees",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), citing concerns about two of his recommended nominees. Senator Hawley appended questions to his letter for the nominees to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to answer regarding their policy views on several issues, including Big Tech and rail safety. Senator Hawley is currently holding both nominees. Senator Hawley’s letter comes as the Senate looks to pass a negotiated nominations package, likely to include dozens of Democrat-recommended nominees and only a few Republican appointees. “If Republicans are planning to install dozens of Biden nominees for positions across the federal government—without a vote—in exchange for just a handful of our own selections, I want to be sure that we get our nominees right,” wrote Senator Hawley. He continued, “For example, Andrew Ferguson, nominated to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), should answer additional questions on his philosophy concerning Big Tech, given the importance of that issue to our Conference. I also believe that Todd Inman, who is under consideration for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), should be asked to further articulate his views on various transportation policies, including rail safety and autonomous vehicles.” Read the full letter here or below. December 20, 2023 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Leader McConnell: I write today regarding the expected year-end nominations package and my specific concerns with two of your own recommended nominees. The expected nominations package will likely include dozens of nominees that have been recommended by Senate Democrats. Many of these Biden nominees will no doubt advance policies and values antithetical to those held by members of the Republican Conference. By agreeing to such a negotiated package in exchange for just a few Republican appointees you have personally deemed a priority, I believe we risk giving away too much. In particular, two of the nominees you have sought to include in this package need more time for careful evaluation by our own Conference, especially by non-Committee members. If Republicans are planning to install dozens of Biden nominees for positions across the federal government—without a vote—in exchange for just a handful of our own selections, I want to be sure that we get our nominees right. For example, Andrew Ferguson, nominated to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), should answer additional questions on his philosophy concerning Big Tech, given the importance of that issue to our Conference. I also believe that Todd Inman, who is under consideration for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), should be asked to further articulate his views on various transportation policies, including rail safety and autonomous vehicles. I have appended written questions below that I have for each of these two nominees. As you are aware, I am currently withholding my consent for these nominees to be confirmed without a floor vote—as is any senator’s right to do—until I and others can evaluate satisfactory responses to these important policy questions. I would like to meet with the nominees to discuss these questions. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senators-hawley-vance-rubio-urge-cfius-block-sale-us-steel-protect-americas-industrial-base/,"Senators Hawley, Vance, Rubio Urge CFIUS to Block Sale of U.S. Steel & Protect America’s Industrial Base",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) sent a letter to Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), urging her to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan-based Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC). NSC announced plans to acquire U.S. Steel on Monday, a deal that raises national security concerns and threatens to weaken America’s industrial base. “The transaction was not entered into with U.S. national security in mind. When U.S. Steel announced its “review of strategic alternatives” in August, it pledged to adopt a “measured approach.” But the board’s fiduciary duty was to its shareholders, and U.S. Steel has admitted that the very reason for the sale was its desire to “maximiz[e] value for [. . .] stockholders.” The transaction was not the product of careful deliberation over stakeholder interests, but rather the result of an auction to maximize shareholder returns,” wrote the Senators. They continued, “Trade protections can and should induce foreign investment that expands domestic production and creates American jobs. This corporate takeover is out of step with those goals. Allowing foreign companies to buy out American companies and enjoy our trade protections subverts the very purpose for which those protections were put in place.” “The Committee cannot rebalance American trade or reshape its corporate governance, but it can mitigate some of the worst consequences of both. It can and should block the acquisition of U.S. Steel by NSC, a company whose allegiances clearly lie with a foreign state and whose record in the United States is deeply flawed,” the Senators concluded. Read the full letter here or below. December 19, 2023 The Hon. Janet Yellen Secretary U.S. Treasury Department 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Yellen: We write to you in your capacity as Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to express my concern about the acquisition of the United States Steel Corporation (“U.S. Steel”) by Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation (“NSC”). The transaction marks a turning point for an icon of American industry and has dire implications for the industrial base of the United States. The transaction was not entered into with U.S. national security in mind. When U.S. Steel announced its “review of strategic alternatives” in August, it pledged to adopt a “measured approach.” But the board’s fiduciary duty was to its shareholders, and U.S. Steel has admitted that the very reason for the sale was its desire to “maximiz[e] value for . . . stockholders.” The transaction was not the product of careful deliberation over stakeholder interests, but rather the result of an auction to maximize shareholder returns. The joint press release announcing the all-cash transaction led off with a declaration about the transaction’s “certain and immediate value to U.S. Steel shareholders.” Despite the absence of any security-focused deliberation on U.S. Steel’s part, domestic steel production is vital to U.S. national security. Democratic and Republican administrations have both acted decisively over the last forty years to bolster the industry. The endurance of President Trump’s Section 232 tariffs on steel imports demonstrates that the preservation of the domestic steel industry remains vital to our national security. Trade protections can and should induce foreign investment that expands domestic production and creates American jobs. This corporate takeover is out of step with those goals. Allowing foreign companies to buy out American companies and enjoy our trade protections subverts the very purpose for which those protections were put in place. The problems with this transaction run even deeper than that, however. NSC does not share U.S. Steel’s storied connection to the United States, and its financial interests are tied into those of Japan. Earlier this year, NSC received more than $3 billion in subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. And NSC has even flouted American trade law. As recently as August 2021, NSC was found guilty of unlawfully dumping flat-rolled steel products into the U.S. market. This acquisition is not occurring in a vacuum. The United States has run a trade deficit for nearly half a century. Our cumulative trade debt now stands at more than $14 trillion. Over the last five years, we have run an average annual trade deficit of more than $65 billion with Japan alone. One of the promised benefits of such unbalanced trade is that we run a capital account surplus: we import the world’s goods, and they consume our financial assets in return. In theory that may sound fine. But issues become apparent when those financial assets include critical pieces of the American industrial base. The Committee cannot rebalance American trade or reshape its corporate governance, but it can mitigate some of the worst consequences of both. It can and should block the acquisition of U.S. Steel by NSC, a company whose allegiances clearly lie with a foreign state and whose record in the United States is deeply flawed. We urge the Committee to initiate a review of the transaction unilaterally, particularly in light of the fact that U.S. Steel received competitive bids from American companies who would not pose the same risks. Thank you for your efforts to safeguard American national security. Sincerely, Josh Hawley United States Senator J.D. Vance United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-transportation-committee-hears-missouri-river-stakeholder-during-water,House Transportation Committee Hears from Missouri River Stakeholder during Water Resources Hearing,2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee heard from a variety of stakeholders on the challenges they face. Entitled, “Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Stakeholder Priorities,” Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) invited Shane Kinne, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect Missouri River to testify on issues facing Missouri River stakeholders specifically. ""I greatly appreciate Shane’s willingness to shed light on Missouri River issues and speak to the importance of our inland waterways,” said Graves, “As we work to pass another water resources bill, it’s critical that voices along our rivers are represented so we can ensure that we continue to place a focus on flood control and navigation issues.” Image In his testimony, Kinne focused on the important work that has taken place on the Missouri River post-2019 flooding, as a result of WRDA 2020 and 2022. He also emphasized the importance of passing another Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in 2024. “We are in a very important time period for the Missouri River. While there are challenges, there is much momentum, both for flood control as well as navigation on the Missouri River. Much of this is due to recently passed WRDA bills that authorized important, generational projects and studies that, if properly executed, will improve the lives of those that live and work in the lower Missouri River basin. In order for us to continue to capture and capitalize on that momentum, it is critical that Congress continues to pass WRDA bills consistently and on time,” Kinne said in his opening statement. Watch Mr. Kinne’s testimony here. Read Mr. Kinne’s testimony here. Watch Chairman Graves’ opening statement here. Read Chairman Graves’ opening statement here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-burlison-introduces-achieving-choice-education-act,Rep. Burlison Introduces the Achieving Choice in Education Act,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) introduced the Achieving Choice in Education Act which would increase options for parents and encourage states to implement school choice policies. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is introducing the Senate companion to the bill. “Across the country, and especially in Southwest Missouri, school choice is already benefitting many of our nation’s young children.” said Rep. Burlison. “Through 529 education saving accounts, families are freed from the arbitrary link between where they live and which school their child can attend.” “School choice makes institutions of education more accountable and responsive to families. This leads to higher graduation rates and increases parental satisfaction and involvement while saving taxpayer dollars.” The Achieving Choice in Education Act modifies the definition of “qualified higher education expense” to allow 529 savings accounts to be used for tuition, books, curriculum materials, online education resources, tutoring fees, standardized tests, dual enrollment in higher education, and private and home school expenses. The bill doubles the contribution limit on K-12 expenses with 529 accounts from $10,000 to $20,000 a year and excludes those contributions from “gift tax” calculations up to $20,000 to meet the new withdrawal limit. Additionally, the Achieving Choice in Education Act gives states strong incentives to pass school choice policies through a 2-tier system impacting the tax-exemption status of municipal bonds. Click here to read the bill text. A one-pager with additional details can be found here. Cosponsors (5): Reps. John Carter (TX-31)*, Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), Ralph Norman (SC-5), Andy Webber (TX-14), Tracey Mann (KS-01) Senate Cosponsors (Led by Sen. Mike Lee): Senators Tim Scott (SC)*, Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Mike Braun (IN), Eric Schmitt (MO), Ted Budd (NC)",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-give-troops-pay-raise-protect-lake-city-army-ammunition-plant,"Graves Votes to Give Troops Pay Raise, Protect Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Jobs",2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting to pass the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. “This year’s annual defense bill gives our troops the largest pay raise in 20 years—a pay raise that’s well-deserved, hard-earned, and sorely needed given the skyrocketing cost of living our military families face.” said Graves, “Every day, our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to keep us safe. This bill also boosts funding to the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, which is critical for supplying our troops with the ammunition necessary for training and defending our nation.” Highlights from this year’s NDAA include: 5.2 percent increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years Authorizes monthly bonuses for junior enlisted members to counteract the effects of Biden’s record-high inflation Makes critical investments in improving military housing, education and childcare facilities Rejects the Biden Administration’s request to divest C-130 aircraft, ensuring continued air superiority across the globe. Provides an additional $37.8 million for Lake City Army Ammunition Plant",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-votes-strengthen-national-security-support-our-military,"Wagner Votes To Strengthen National Security, Support Our Military",2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act: “One of the most important roles of Congress is to support our military and provide for the nation’s defense, and this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is one of the best I have seen during my time in Congress. I voted for the NDAA because it is a $3.6 billion win for our region, includes the largest pay raise for our troops in more than 20 years, and makes historic investments in deterring and countering our enemies like Russia, China, and Iran. Also included is my MARITIME Act, a bipartisan bill that builds on the successes of the Abraham Accords in the Middle East and helps our partners in the region counter sea-based threats from bad actors like Iran, transnational criminals, and terrorists. The final bill also includes my House-passed amendment to require DOD’s Anti-Trafficking Office to incorporate efforts to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation, including by educating members of the U.S. Armed Forces on how to properly identify and report this horrific crime to law enforcement whether at home or abroad. “Unfortunately, Senator Hawley’s RECA amendment did not make it into the final version of the NDAA. I will continue advocating for this issue so our constituents can get the help and support they deserve.” St. Louis-Based Programs ($3.62 billion investment in St. Louis-made defense products)",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-burlison-introduces-workers-choice-act-2023,Rep. Burlison Introduces the Worker’s Choice Act of 2023,2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) introduced the Worker's Choice Act which would allow workers who opt out of a union in a right-to-work state to represent themselves before employers. ""The Worker's Choice Act allows employees the ability to negotiate for themselves the working conditions they will accept and will free them from being subjected to the terms of a union negotiated contract"" said Rep. Burlison. ""Workers in right-to-work states are not truly allowed to negotiate their own working conditions when they are still forced to accept union-negotiated terms. By freeing workers from union contracts, we are allowing American workers to have control over their own destiny. Self-determination made our country great, and this legislation supports the spirit of independence for the American worker."" The Worker's Choice Act would give workers the option to either be a union member and accept working conditions negotiated by the union or negotiate for compensation and working conditions independently and provide for their own representation in grievances and other dealings. This legislation also addresses the forced rider issue, wherein workers in right-to-work states, despite not belonging to a union, are still forced to accept the conditions a union has negotiated. The Worker's Choice Act does not impose new restrictions on employers, workers, or unions and does not make any changes to collective bargaining. Click here to read the bill text Click here to read an op-ed on the bill Original co-sponsors for this legislation include Representatives Bob Good (VA-05), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Coalition signers for this legislation include F. Vincent Vernuccio, President, Institute for the American Worker; Akash Chougule, Vice President, Americans for Prosperity; Steve Delie, Director of Labor Policy, Mackinac Center; Tom Hebert, Executive Director, Open Competition Center; Elisabeth Kines Messenger, CEO, Americans for Fair Treatment; Max Nelson, Director of Research and Government Affairs, Freedom Foundation; Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform, Center for the American Worker America First Policy Institute, Heritage Action for America. ""Rep. Eric Burlison's Worker's Choice bill empowers both workers and unions. It allows workers to say ""no thanks"" to unwanted representation and unions to say ""goodbye"" to workers who are not interested in accepting or paying for their services. We applaud this commonsense legislation made possible by the Congressman's leadership,"" - F. Vincent Vernuccio, President of Institute for the American Worker.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawleys-bipartisan-ai-bill-empower-parents-hold-big-tech-accountable-blocked-senate-floor/,Hawley’s Bipartisan AI Bill to Empower Parents to Hold Big Tech Accountable Blocked on Senate Floor,2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor and called for unanimous consent to pass his bill, the No Section 230 Immunity for AI Act. This legislation would clarify that Section 230 immunity does not apply to claims related to generative AI, ensuring consumers have the tools they need to protect themselves from harmful content produced by the latest advancements in AI technology. “We have seen what [Big Tech companies] do with their subsidy from government when it comes to social media […] [Big Tech companies] censor the living daylights out of anybody they don’t like […] This government protects [Big Tech],” said Senator Hawley. He continued, “[This bill] just says that these huge companies can be liable like any other company—no special protections from government […] It just breaks up the Big Government, Big Tech cartel. That’s all it does, and it says parents can go into court, same terms as anybody else, and make their case.” Click here or above to watch his full remarks. Senators Hawley and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – the Ranking Member and the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, respectively – introduced the No Section 230 Immunity for AI Act in June to put power in the hands of consumers and give Americans impacted by nascent AI technology their day in court to hold Big Tech companies accountable. Senator Hawley also previously announced five guiding principles for the future of AI legislation. Senator Hawley’s call to unanimously pass the bill was objected to by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-announces-nominations-us-military-academies-4,Graves Announces Nominations to U.S. Military Academies,2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"KANSAS CITY, MO – U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) has announced United States Military Service Academy nominations for students in Missouri’s Sixth Congressional District. Each year, members of Congress are tasked with selecting qualified students from their respective districts to attend one of America’s prestigious military academies. ""It is my honor to nominate these incredible young men and women to attend our nation’s military academies,” said Rep. Graves, who notified each student by phone of their nomination. “All have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their leadership abilities in their schools and communities. I know each and every one will go on to make North Missouri proud.” The following students from across North Missouri received nominations from Congressman Graves: Breanna Coonfare – U.S. Military Academy (Liberty North High School) Ethan Holtman – U.S. Military Academy (Jefferson C-123 High School in Conception Junction) Ryan Morrow– U.S. Military Academy (Park Hill South High School) Iris Alvarez – U.S. Military Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Savannah High School) Tade Wynn– U.S. Military Academy (Culver Military Academy, Hometown - Liberty) Lance Meekins – U.S. Military Academy (Kearney High School) George Freeman – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy (Moberly High School) Octavious Soriano – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy (St. Pius X Catholic High School, Hometown – Kansas City) Zacary Wheeler – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Smithville High School) Nikos Guerrero – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Park Hill High School) Gabriel Watkins – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Lathrop High School) Emma Bruhl – U.S. Air Force Academy (Vicenza High School) Margaret Howard – U.S. Air Force Academy (West Platte High School) Jacob Duckworth – U.S. Air Force Academy (Park Hill South High School) Maxwell Casey – U.S. Naval Academy (Pembroke Hill School, Hometown - Parkville) Evan Janiak – U.S. Naval Academy (Kearney High School) The nomination system is a very competitive process. Various military academies hold extremely selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Rep. Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board. The board, made up of service academy graduates, veterans and citizens of the Sixth District, interviewed and reviewed all applicants before making final recommendations to Rep. Graves. Students interested in being appointed to a service academy in the future are encouraged to learn more, particularly early in their high school career, by contacting Graves’ district office in Kansas City or by visiting graves.house.gov.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senator-hawley-forces-procedural-vote-delay-ndaa-shares-stories-nuclear-radiation-victims-betrayed/,Senator Hawley Forces Procedural Vote to Delay NDAA & Shares Stories of Nuclear Radiation Victims Betrayed by Congressional Leadership,2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) shared stories from victims of government-caused radiation poisoning, after Congressional leadership stripped reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from the FY ’24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Hawley called for a motion that would have extended debate on the NDAA and delayed its final passage in the Senate. The RECA program—which is set to expire in the coming months—compensates victims poisoned by the federal government through nuclear waste. A reauthorized and updated program would include numerous residents of the greater St. Louis area. Despite passing the Senate with strong bipartisan support and receiving an endorsement from President Biden, dealmakers scrubbed RECA reauthorization from the defense bill behind closed doors. “When the government causes injury, the government should make it right. […] That’s what the radiation compensation program does—and it’s wrong to let it expire,” said Senator Hawley. […] It is a scar on the conscience of this body and of this nation. And I will come to the floor as long as it takes until we do right by these Americans who have done right by their country because they deserve better than this.” “I realize my colleagues are all too eager to move on, but I think it is important we take as much time as is necessary to understand the stakes of what we are doing and to understand the stakes of turning our backs on these people,” he concluded. Click here or above to watch his full remarks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/grave-injustice-hawley-slams-congressional-leadership-betraying-nuclear-radiation-victims-stripping/,“Grave Injustice:” Hawley Slams Congressional Leadership for Betraying Nuclear Radiation Victims & Stripping Compensation from NDAA,2023-12-07,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor after Congressional leadership betrayed American nuclear program victims through backroom negotiations. Dealmakers stripped Senator Hawley’s bill to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from the FY ’24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Hawley vowed to oppose the final bill and slow down its passage. The Senate voted on an extra procedural motion today after Senator Hawley threw up a roadblock. The RECA program—which is set to expire in the coming months—compensates victims poisoned by the federal government through nuclear waste. This includes numerous residents of the greater St. Louis area and across the country. Despite passing the Senate with strong bipartisan support and receiving an endorsement from President Biden, RECA reauthorization was scrubbed from the bill behind closed doors. “This is a grave injustice. […] This [NDAA] turns its back on the people of the United States in defense of the lobbyists, and the suits, and the corporate entities who are going to get paid,” said Senator Hawley. “To the people of this nation—tens of thousands who have depended on this compensation, life-saving help, who are now at risk of losing all of it—this fight is not over. […] I will come to this floor as long as it takes […] until we compensate the people of this nation, who have sacrificed for this nation, and do not leave them behind,” he concluded.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-new-legislation-justly-compensate-landowners-stop-federal-confiscation-farmland/,Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Justly Compensate Landowners & Stop Federal Confiscation of Farmland,2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Just Compensation Act of 2023 to prevent the federal government and private companies from confiscating Missourians’ property without just compensation. “Missouri farmers work tirelessly to keep our state, and country, fed. The last thing they should have to deal with is big corporations and the federal government coming to try and take their land,” said Senator Hawley. “Congress must make it a priority to protect Missouri landowners and their property rights.” This legislation follows Senator Hawley’s defense of farmers affected by the Grain Belt Express construction campaign. Last month, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky, demanding the company make commitments to operate in good faith and adequately compensate landowners impacted by the proposed transmission line. Senator Hawley’s Just Compensation Act of 2023 would: Prohibit the federal government from delegating the power to exercise eminent domain to any private entity; Require the federal government to provide just compensation of 150 percent fair market value when exercising eminent domain; and Impose annual reporting requirements on the Attorney General.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/major-betrayal-hawley-statement-after-compensation-victims-government-poisoning-stripped-defense/,“Major Betrayal:” Hawley Statement After Compensation for Victims of Government Poisoning Stripped from Defense Bill,2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement after his legislation to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was stripped from the FY ’24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The proposal would have compensated victims who have been poisoned by their government through nuclear waste, including those in the greater St. Louis area. Without Congressional action, the entire RECA program will expire in the coming months and leave victims without support. The provision was removed despite passing the Senate with strong bipartisan support and receiving an endorsement from President Biden.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-slams-director-wray-fbis-targeting-catholic-americans-violent-extremists/,Hawley Slams Director Wray on FBI’s Targeting of Catholic Americans as ‘Violent Extremists’,2023-12-05,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray on the FBI’s targeting of traditionalist Catholics. Senator Hawley discussed a report issued by the House Judiciary Committee revealing a memo outlining the weaponization of the FBI against Catholics, and repeatedly demanded that Director Wray hold accountable the individuals involved. “Now we know that in fact, FBI agents did approach a priest and a choir director to ask them to inform on parishioners […] Good heavens, Director, this is one of the most outrageous targetings – you have mobilized your division, the most powerful law enforcement division in the world, against traditionalist Catholics,” said Senator Hawley. He continued, “your memo labels traditional Catholics as racially, and ethnically, motivated violent extremists in need of investigation […] You have repeatedly said ‘we don’t target churches, we don’t list churches,’ [but] they’re listed in the memo.” Senator Hawley has previously called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) for answers on the FBI’s targeting and subsequent arrests of people of faith, particularly Catholics.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-op-ed-dont-let-government-get-away-poisoning-americans/,Hawley Op-Ed: Don’t Let Government Get Away With Poisoning Americans,2023-12-04,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"By U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) | Dec. 4, 2023 | Real Clear Politics This year, Americans had the opportunity to revisit the origins of our nation’s nuclear program with the blockbuster film “Oppenheimer.” But there’s one story line that didn’t make the big screen: those Americans who are still paying the price. For decades, the federal government poisoned an untold number of its citizens through our atomic program. It happened everywhere, impacting uranium mine workers in Texas, Native Americans living downwind from nuclear tests in the Mountain West, and communities exposed to Manhattan Project waste in Missouri. And that’s just a small sample. […] Now, the law that delivers some justice and compensation to these victims is about to expire. Congress must include a reauthorization of this life-changing program as part of the annual defense bill. It’s our chance to give justice to victims who have been silenced and forgotten for years. […] Tens of thousands of American workers across the country helped to mine and process uranium and worked in facilities that built our atomic weapons, and they breathed in the toxic substances every day. […] In 1990, Congress finally acknowledged the government’s egregious neglect and passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to compensate victims who were sickened with cancer from nuclear tests. […] But in just a few months, funding for the program will be cut off. This cannot be allowed to happen. Since its creation, RECA has helped tens of thousands of Americans and assisted those exposed to radiation rebuild and renew their lives. How can we turn our back on them? Many more communities still need access to this program before it runs out. In my home state of Missouri, mismanaged nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project era sat exposed for years and contaminated communities in the St. Louis region – and now these areas have elevated cancer rates. In multiple other states, “downwinders” still need compensation. […] Back in July, Congress took the first step to getting this done when the Senate adopted, as part of the defense bill, my amendment with Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico to extend and strengthen the RECA program. I was proud to see that amendment pass with a bipartisan supermajority, reflecting the broad support among both parties for obtaining justice for victims. President Biden has since supported it as well. House and Senate leadership must not strip this life-changing program from the final defense bill. It would amount to a slap in the face to victims everywhere if our leaders in Congress decide to kneecap the Americans who suffered from these nuclear programs and instead ship billions and billions to defense contractors or foreign wars. There’s no excuse for forgetting about the people we serve. When the government poisons its own people, it must make it right. We have no other choice.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-urges-congress-reauthorize-compensation-nuclear-radiation-victims-expiration/,Hawley Urges Congress to Reauthorize Compensation for Nuclear Radiation Victims Before Expiration,2023-12-01,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement calling on Congress to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in the FY ’24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to compensate victims of government-caused radiation in the greater St. Louis area. If Congress does not act, the entire existing RECA program that provides support for victims of radiation around the country will expire in a few months. Senator Hawley has pledged to oppose the NDAA if it does not include compensation for Missouri victims. This past Tuesday, Senator Hawley welcomed Missouri grassroots advocates impacted by federal government-caused nuclear waste to the U.S. Capitol, so Washington leadership could hear their stories. Background: Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-new-legislation-protect-livestock-producers-tackle-rising-costs/,Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Protect Livestock Producers & Tackle Rising Costs,2023-11-30,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act to protect farmers from costly regulations – made in other states – that will hurt their business and drive-up costs for consumers. In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 which would ban the sale of pork, eggs, and calves for veal that were not produced with certain space requirements. It is estimated that California accounts for 13 percent of all pork consumption in the United States. When this law goes into full effect early next year, farmers across the country – including in Missouri – will have to comply with California’s preferred requirements to access the California market. “Missouri’s livestock producers keep food on the table across America and they shouldn’t be burdened by costly laws – made by other states – that disrupt interstate commerce, drive-up costs, and impose crippling regulations,” said Senator Hawley. “This law is a commonsense solution to protect family farms from going bankrupt and consumers from shouldering higher costs at the grocery store.” To ensure that no state can mandate animal welfare standards in another state, Senator Hawley’s Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act: Preempts states and local governments from regulating the raising, production, and importation of livestock or livestock-derived goods from another state or local government; Allows states to regulate the importation of livestock in the event of animal disease; and Protects farmers from states implementing laws that are preempted by this bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-brings-missourians-impacted-radioactive-waste-us-capitol-threatens-hold-ndaa/,"Hawley Brings Missourians Impacted by Radioactive Waste to U.S. Capitol, Threatens to Hold Up NDAA",2023-11-28,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) welcomed Missouri grassroots advocates impacted by federal government-caused nuclear waste to the U.S. Capitol. He repeated his pledge to oppose and hold up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it does not include compensation for the victims of decades-old radiation in the greater St. Louis area. “If this emerges from a back room, and this provision is out, the defense bill is going to face tough sledding on the floor of the Senate. […] I am not going to vote to pay defense contractors hand over fist while the people of my state—and, frankly, across the country—are denied the compensation that they’re due,” said Senator Hawley. He continued, “I don’t quite understand how it is that we may not have money available to compensate radiation victims in the state of Missouri—who have the highest rates of cancer in the nation—but we have unlimited funding for Ukraine.” Background: Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-pledges-oppose-ndaa-without-justice-victims-nuclear-contamination/,Hawley Pledges to Oppose NDAA without Justice for Victims of Nuclear Contamination,2023-11-22,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statements demanding justice for victims of nuclear contamination in the greater St. Louis area. He also pledged to oppose the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it does not include compensation for the victims. Background: Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. Most recently, Senator Hawley secured President Biden’s endorsement of his legislation to compensate victims of nuclear radiation exposure.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-demands-invenergy-compensate-missouri-landowners-affected-grain-belt-express-and-tiger/,Hawley Demands Invenergy Compensate Missouri Landowners Affected by Grain Belt Express and Tiger Connector Construction Project,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky, standing up for Missouri farmers and demanding the company make commitments to operate in good faith, as well as adequately compensate landowners affected by the Grain Belt Express construction campaign. Senator Hawley’s letter follows the Missouri Public Service Commission’s decision last month to approve the Tiger Connector amendment to the Grain Belt Express Line Project. “Your company’s Grain Belt Express construction campaign has hurt Missouri’s farmers,” wrote Senator Hawley. “They have lost the use of arable land, seen their property values decline, and been forced to operate under a cloud of uncertainty as your company vacillates over the full scope of the project.” He continued, “There is a clear remedy for these harms: as a gesture of goodwill, your company should commit to following all of the requirements passed in House Bill 2005 for the construction of the Tiger Connector Line. Additionally, your company should retroactively compensate landowners whose land was originally taken for the Grain Belt Express project at the new 150% rate. Your company should also commit to compensating farmers for any ongoing losses sustained as a result of your company’s construction and maintenance of both the Grain Belt Express and Tiger Connector.” Read the full letter here or below. November 15, 2023 Mr. Michael Polsky Chief Executive Officer Invenergy One South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800 Chicago, Illinois 60646 Dear Mr. Polsky: Your company’s Grain Belt Express construction campaign has hurt Missouri’s farmers. They have lost the use of arable land, seen their property values decline, and been forced to operate under a cloud of uncertainty as your company vacillates over the full scope of the project. To name just a few examples, since the Grain Belt Express was originally proposed, the completion timetable, the total capacity of the line, the ultimate corporate parent, the amount of power to be delivered, the location of the Missouri converter station, and the full range of connections required have all changed. This is not an acceptable status quo. In fact, public backlash against your company’s actions was so severe that last year Missouri passed a new law to fix this. House Bill 2005 guarantees that landowners whose property is seized for future projects must be compensated at 150% of market value and requires that a proportional amount of power from the line is given to the State. Unfortunately, those new protections come too late for the farmers whose land has already been taken. And to add insult to injury, your company has now gained approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission to add the Tiger Connector line to the approved Grain Belt Express project, bypassing the requirements in House Bill 2005. Given this track record, it is far from clear why any Missouri farmers should assume that your company is operating in good faith. There is a clear remedy for these harms: as a gesture of goodwill, your company should commit to following all of the requirements passed in House Bill 2005 for the construction of the Tiger Connector Line. Additionally, your company should retroactively compensate landowners whose land was originally taken for the Grain Belt Express project at the new 150% rate. Your company should also commit to compensating farmers for any ongoing losses sustained as a result of your company’s construction and maintenance of both the Grain Belt Express and Tiger Connector. No doubt such commitments will prove costly to your company. But at this point, only concrete commitments will make up for the frustration and grief Missouri farmers have already suffered. You owe them that. I await your response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-resolution-honors-us-marine-corps-captain-samuel-farmer-marines-and-sailors-his-platoon/,"Hawley Resolution Honors U.S. Marine Corps Captain Samuel Farmer, Marines and Sailors of His Platoon",2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Yesterday U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor recognizing the passage of his resolution honoring the heroism and sacrifice of United States Marine Corps Captain Samuel Farmer of Missouri and the Marines and Sailors he commanded as part of First Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment. During the height of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, then-First Lieutenant Farmer and his platoon were stationed at Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, facilitating the evacuation of American citizens, permanent residents, embassy workers, and special immigrant visa holders as the region rapidly fell to the Taliban. On August 26, 2021, an Islamic State terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 American service members – including nine from Captain Farmer’s platoon – and injuring many more, including Farmer. “Whatever you think of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, we should be able to honor the men and women who served so bravely – including Sam Farmer and the members of his platoon,” said Senator Hawley. “This young man from Missouri, who represents, frankly, the best of who we are and who we can be. And so, Mr. President, it’s a privilege to get to honor Sam, to congratulate him on his service to our country.” Click here or above to watch his full remarks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-urges-relief-missionaries-harmed-state-department-rule/,Hawley Urges Relief for Missionaries Harmed by State Department Rule,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department. Senator Hawley urged Assistant Secretary Bitter to provide relief to religious workers, including a Christian missionary employed in Missouri, who are being harmed by a recent State Department rule that effectively prioritizes illegal immigrants over religious workers in the visa queue. “It has come to my attention that a recent State Department rule created a massive backlog of employment-based, fourth preference category (EB-4) visas, which is adversely affecting faith-based employers in Missouri,” said Senator Hawley.” Concerningly, the Biden Administration seems to have pushed Christian missionaries to the back of the visa line—and allowed illegal aliens to cut ahead of them. It is incumbent upon your agency to provide relief to my constituents and religious organizations across the country who stand to be greatly harmed by this abrupt change in policy.” He continued, “The present obstacles that religious organizations face are unacceptable. Sadly, it appears that religious workers are collateral damage in the Biden Administration’s push to expand ‘lawful pathways’ for individuals who crossed the southern border illegally. […] Therefore, I urge you to redress the harms to religious workers generated by your agency’s rule, including by advancing the priority date for religious workers.” Read the full letter here or below. November 15, 2023 Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter Bureau of Consular Affairs U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Assistant Secretary Bitter, It has come to my attention that a recent State Department rule created a massive backlog of employment-based, fourth preference category (EB-4) visas, which is adversely affecting faith-based employers in Missouri. As a direct result of this rule, a missionary employed in my state will be forced to leave her family and wait abroad—for potentially more than a decade—until her visa is processed. Concerningly, the Biden Administration seems to have pushed Christian missionaries to the back of the visa line—and allowed illegal aliens to cut ahead of them. It is incumbent upon your agency to provide relief to my constituents and religious organizations across the country who stand to be greatly harmed by this abrupt change in policy. In March 2023, the State Department determined that it would no longer prorate EB-4 visa allocation to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, reversing the agency’s interpretation which had stood for nearly seven years. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data, there were 105,267 approved petitions awaiting EB-4 visa availability as of March 2023, including 84,168 petitions from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala—most of which are for unaccompanied youth. By contrast, only 866 such petitions were outstanding for religious workers. Almost instantly, the Department’s rule added tens of thousands of petitions to the waiting list for EB-4 visas and thus created a lengthy backlog for such visas. My office has been contacted by a religious non-profit in Missouri that is directly harmed by this action. The non-profit employs a missionary who is currently working on a temporary R-1 visa, which expires in January 2024. Though USCIS has approved her I-360 petition, she will be forced to leave the country when her R-1 visa expires and could wait more than a decade for her visa eligibility in the now-enormous queue of EB-4 visas. But for the State Department’s action, she may not have had to wait at all. The present obstacles that religious organizations face are unacceptable. Sadly, it appears that religious workers are collateral damage in the Biden Administration’s push to expand “lawful pathways” for individuals who crossed the southern border illegally. Indeed, the State Department’s own announcement states that religious workers and other EB-4 applicants “should expect to wait longer for a visa to become available…while applicants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras…should expect a shorter wait time.” In any case, this is a problem of your agency’s own making, and you bear responsibility for religious workers, like the missionary in my state, who are harmed by it. Therefore, I urge you to redress the harms to religious workers generated by your agency’s rule, including by advancing the priority date for religious workers. Please respond to this letter by providing the specific actions your agency will take to expeditiously fix this situation. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-applauds-house-passage-her-debbie-smith-act,Wagner Applauds House Passage of Her Debbie Smith Act,2023-11-13,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after the House passed her Debbie Smith Act, legislation that provides funding to law enforcement to analyze untested rape kits: “Survivors of sexual violence must have confidence that law enforcement will help them get the justice they need and deserve. That means identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting the attackers to the fullest extent of the law. “One of the most important methods of investigating these crimes is through DNA analysis. The Debbie Smith Act will reauthorize a vital program that provides support in all fifty states to help police collect and test that evidence in a timely manner, and improve the capacity of state and local prosecutors to bring these cases to court. Funding from the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Elimination Program has directly resulted in nearly 1.8 million DNA cases analyzed and processed, including over 600,000 crime scenes and rape kits. We must continue supporting this incredibly important program. I appreciate my colleagues for overwhelmingly voting for this bipartisan legislation and helping victims in their time of need.” Watch Congresswoman Wagner’s speech in support of this bill here. Background H.R. 1105, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, would reauthorize the DNA Backlog Elimination Program from FY2024 through FY2029. This program provides support to law enforcement and crime labs in all 50 states to analyze untested rape and sexual assault kits, improve law enforcement’s timely collection of DNA evidence, and enhance prosecutors' capacity to bring this evidence to trial.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-calls-yellen-protect-missouri-union-jobs-modify-terms-yellow-corporations-loans/,"Hawley Calls on Yellen to Protect Missouri Union Jobs, Modify Terms of Yellow Corporation’s Loans",2023-11-09,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, urging her to seek authority to extend the repayment terms of Yellow Corporation’s outstanding CARES Act loans, in an effort to allow the company to obtain a buyer and preserve union jobs for hundreds of Missouri workers. “After years of mismanagement, this once-venerable trucking company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, jeopardizing tens of thousands of positions—including about 750 union jobs in my home state of Missouri,” wrote Senator Hawley. “I urge you to seek the authority to modify the maturity date of Yellow’s outstanding CARES Act loans, pushing this date back to 2026.” He continued, “A modification of the repayment terms will allow Yellow to obtain a buyer who will keep its assets together as a going concern—that is, keep it in business as a player in the trucking sector. Reports indicate that such a potential buyer has already emerged. Facilitating such a sale, by making Yellow’s loan repayment terms more flexible, is a commonsense step to keep Yellow’s trucks on the road, and keep its workforce gainfully employed. American workers deserve that support. Read the full letter here or below. November 8, 2023 The Hon. Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Yellen: Executives, not employees, are responsible for corporate failures. American working people shouldn’t, as far as possible, suffer the brunt of bad strategic decisions. But unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening at Yellow Corporation. After years of mismanagement, this once-venerable trucking company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, jeopardizing tens of thousands of positions—including about 750 union jobs in my home state of Missouri. Now, the company is at risk of being effectively sold for parts, with its facilities being sold to one buyer and its fleet of movable assets being sold to another. If that happens, Yellow’s employees won’t only lose their jobs—which would be bad enough. These workers will also lose a significant portion of their earned benefits, such as accrued vacation time, sick pay, insurance contributions, pensions, and so on. Despite years of faithful service, they will be given the short straw. But it doesn’t need to be this way. The most significant financial pressure facing Yellow—and what is catalyzing this fire sale—is Yellow’s outstanding loan under the CARES Act, which comes due in 2024. You have the power to change that. I urge you to seek the authority to modify the maturity date of Yellow’s outstanding CARES Act loans, pushing this date back to 2026. As you know, the Treasury Department has done so on prior occasions, such as during the 2008 financial crisis, where circumstances proved appropriate. A modification of the repayment terms will allow Yellow to obtain a buyer who will keep its assets together as a going concern—that is, keep it in business as a player in the trucking sector. Reports indicate that such a potential buyer has already emerged. Facilitating such a sale, by making Yellow’s loan repayment terms more flexible, is a commonsense step to keep Yellow’s trucks on the road, and keep its workforce gainfully employed. American workers deserve that support. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-demands-investigation-biden-dhs-agents-pulled-child-exploitation-cases-after-additional/,Hawley Demands Investigation into Biden DHS Agents Pulled from Child Exploitation Cases After Additional Whistleblower Claims,2023-11-09,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, demanding an investigation into whistleblower allegations that the Biden DHS has reassigned hundreds of special agents charged with important investigations to menial tasks at the southern border – including handing out sandwiches to illegal immigrants. The letter follows Senator Hawley’s questioning of DHS Secretary Mayorkas’ testimony in last week’s Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing about whistleblower allegations. Following the hearing, several additional whistleblowers contacted Senator Hawley and provided additional details about special agents being reassigned. “Most concerningly, all the whistleblowers allege that important criminal investigations stalled and suspects were not arrested or indicted as a result of these reassignments,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Agents were pulled from investigations ranging from child exploitation to drug trafficking to counterterrorism. One whistleblower was pulled from child exploitation cases ‘that haunt your soul when you aren’t available and able to ensure the children involved aren’t being abused.'” He continued, “The Department’s decision to relegate its highly-trained criminal investigators to processing and feeding illegal immigrants, rather than investigating child exploitation cases, is bad policy. But it also may be illegal and in violation of existing regulations.” Read the full letter here or below. November 8, 2023 The Honorable Joseph V. Cuffari Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Lane SW Washington, DC 20528Dear Inspector General Cuffari, I write to request an immediate investigation into whistleblower allegations that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has shut down or delayed investigations into child exploitation and other crimes in order to transfer hundreds of special agents to process illegal immigrants at the southern border. No fewer than four separate DHS whistleblowers have contacted my office alleging a severe mismanagement of staffing and resources at the direction of senior officials within DHS, allegations which may demonstrate a violation of law. These allegations merit an immediate investigation. On October 31, 2023, I questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) regarding whistleblower allegations that he removed 600 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents from felony investigations to facilitate immigration processing functions at the southern border. According to the whistleblower, agents “are being told to shut down investigations to hand out sandwiches and escort migrants to the shower.” This led to child exploitation suspects and fentanyl dealers evading indictment, including child molesters. When asked whether special agents had been pulled away from cases and reassigned to the border, Secretary Mayorkas testified, “Combatting the fight against fentanyl, yes.” Following the hearing, three more whistleblowers from across the country contacted my office, corroborating these claims. One alleged that Secretary Mayorkas was “absolutely lying” and that agents were not, in fact, being reassigned to investigate fentanyl cases. The whistleblower corroborated the claim that there have been at least 600 agents at a given time reassigned to the border. A third whistleblower claims that he was also reassigned to the border to “babysit” illegal immigrants; his duties included holding doors for private contractors who prepared the sandwiches for illegal immigrants, who were “fed better than my kids.” A fourth whistleblower confirmed that special agents had been pulled off child exploitation investigations. According to some of the whistleblowers, much of their time was spent on “stand-by,” as offices at the border were not expecting their arrival. Most concerningly, all the whistleblowers allege that important criminal investigations stalled and suspects were not arrested or indicted as a result of these reassignments. Agents were pulled from investigations ranging from child exploitation to drug trafficking to counterterrorism. One whistleblower was pulled from child exploitation cases “that haunt your soul when you aren’t available and able to ensure the children involved aren’t being abused.” Another whistleblower alleges that hands-on child molesters were not arrested and further provides specific examples of child exploitation indictments that were delayed or adversely affected due to these reassignments. These whistleblowers have also provided documentation supporting their claims. For example, documents provided to my office show that HSI supervisors acknowledged the problem of HSI special agents sitting around without being assigned tasks. Additionally, the whistleblowers provided my office with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detail HSI special agents to the southern border. The MOA confirms the whistleblowers’ allegations that their duties would include “[p]hysically observing [migrants] in holding areas,” sitting with migrants at the hospital, and escorting migrants from place to place. Notably, the MOA was signed by the Acting Commissioner of CBP and a senior ICE official in April 2023, though the reassignments allegedly have been occurring for over a year. My office will transmit relevant documents to inform your investigation in a manner that protects the anonymity of whistleblowers. The Department’s decision to relegate its highly-trained criminal investigators to processing and feeding illegal immigrants, rather than investigating child exploitation cases, is bad policy. But it also may be illegal and in violation of existing regulations. For example, whistleblowers allege that these practices violate 13 U.S.C. § 1301(a) of the Anti-Deficiency Act, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76, and internal ICE travel policies. Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, you have the authority to conduct investigations into the programs and operations of DHS. I therefore write to request an immediate investigation into these practices. The American public deserves transparency and accountability, especially when it concerns the safety and security of our nation and the integrity of our law enforcement agencies. Please include in your investigation answers to the following questions: 1. Since January 2021, how many HSI special agents have been reassigned to the southern border to perform migrant processing functions? a. How many of these special agents were required to pause or abandon investigations into criminal activity due to their reassignments? b. How many of the investigations delayed or abandoned because of reassignments involved child exploitation, fentanyl trafficking, or counterterrorism? c. How is DHS measuring the effectiveness of these reassignments in reducing the number of migrants at the southern border? 2. How many complaints identifying potential waste, fraud, and abuse have DHS officials received as a result of HSI reassignments? a. Have any whistleblowers been subject to retaliatory action as a result of their complaints? 3. Are HSI special agents able to defer their reassignments in order to continue critical investigations? 4. Did the Department violate any provisions of law or internal policies by reassigning special agents to the border, including but not limited to violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act, OMB Circular A-76, or ICE travel policies? 5. Secretary Mayorkas testified to Congress that special agents had been reassigned to the border to combat the fight against fentanyl. Was this statement true? Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-demands-answers-dot-sheltering-illegal-immigrants-us-airports,Graves Demands Answers from DOT on Sheltering Illegal Immigrants at U.S. Airports,2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and Representative Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) led 66 additional House Republican colleagues in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg opposing the Biden Administration’s allowance and encouragement of the use of airports throughout the nation as temporary shelters for illegal immigrants. The Members of Congress cited reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed housing 60,000 migrants at four public airports and other facilities in New York and New Jersey, as has been done at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. “We adamantly oppose these ill-conceived plans that blatantly ignore the true crisis at hand and would inappropriately utilize America’s infrastructure. Our Nation’s airport infrastructure was built to facilitate commerce and transportation, not to serve as housing for unvetted and undocumented migrants. We request that you enforce public airport grant assurances and reject such plans,” the coalition of Members wrote. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s abject failure to protect our border or support policies that will keep America secure is an unconscionable dereliction of the most fundamental duty the Federal Government has to the citizens of this country.” The Members noted that airports are generally required to request permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before using aeronautical land and facilities for nonaeronautical purposes, like the housing of migrants, on an interim basis. “These provisions prevent governments, including the Federal Government, from abusing taxpayer investment in aeronautical facilities and commandeering them at below-market rates for nonaeronautical and incompatible purposes. It is your responsibility to direct the FAA to reject any attempt by a Federal, state, or local agency to use airport facilities for such a nonaeronautical and incompatible purpose as housing migrants.” The Members requested answers from Secretary Buttigieg by no later than November 20, 2023, detailing how many and which FAA-regulated airports are being used as shelters for migrants, whether the FAA has received or granted any request from an airport or government agency to use aeronautical facilities to house migrants, and any communications between the FAA and the DHS about the appropriateness of sheltering migrants at airports. Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawleys-renewed-push-tiktok-ban-blocked-senate-floor-despite-spike-pro-hamas-content/,Hawley’s Renewed Push for TikTok Ban Blocked on Senate Floor Despite Spike in Pro-Hamas Content,2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor and again called for unanimous consent on his bill, the No TikTok on United States Devices Act, which would prohibit TikTok from operating in the United States and ban commercial activity with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. The renewed push to ban the app comes amid the increase in anti-Israel, pro-Hamas content on the platform. “TikTok has become a haven for antisemitic content, a haven for propaganda, for genocide. […] As virulent and offensive as this content is, that is not a reason to ban them. The real reason to ban TikTok is that it is a spy app for the Chinese Communist Government,” said Senator Hawley. Click here or above to watch his full remarks. Senator Hawley’s call to unanimously pass the bill was objected to by Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Background: Yesterday, Senator Hawley sent a letter to to Secretary of the Treasury and Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) Chairwoman Janet Yellen, urging her to conclude CFIUS’ review of TikTok and to ban all ByteDance-controlled apps currently available to U.S. users. In March, Senator Hawley’s call to unanimously pass the bill, and his call to schedule a vote on the bill, were both objected to by Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.). In January, Senator Hawley introduced the No TikTok on United States Devices Act to prohibit TikTok from operating in the United States and ban commercial activity with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-questions-facebook-whistleblower-big-techs-rampant-child-exploitation-problems/,Hawley Questions Facebook Whistleblower on Big Tech’s Rampant Child Exploitation Problems,2023-11-07,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) heard testimony from Meta Whistleblower Arturo Béjar, the former Director of Engineering for Protect and Care at Facebook. The hearing took place in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, where Senator Hawley serves as Ranking Member. During his opening remarks, Senator Hawley called out Big Tech for their extensive lobbying efforts to kill any legislation attempting to regulate the industry. “Big tech is the biggest, most powerful lobbying in the United States Congress,”said Senator Hawley. “They spend millions upon millions upon millions of dollars every year to lobby this body, and the the truth is—as every reporter in this room knows, and I hope you’ll report it after this hearing—they do it successfully. They successfully shut down every meaningful piece of legislation every year.” He continued, “It is time for it to be broken, and the only way I know to break it is to bring the truth forward. And that’s why we are so glad Mr. Béjar that you are here today to do it.” Click here or above to watch the full exchange. Senator Hawley also questioned Béjar about a 2021 memo that Béjar had written to Facebook executives highlighting the platform’s rampant child protection failures. “In that memo, you disclosed to them that according to your own research, one in eight children, children now, had experienced unwanted sexual advances within the last seven days,” said Senator Hawley. “And about one in three—I think it was 27%—had experienced unwanted sexual advances outside of the seven day window.” When Senator Hawley asked Béjar about the executives’ responses to his email, Béjar revealed that executives at Facebook, including Mark Zuckerberg himself, ignored his findings. Senator Hawley stressed that change would only come through legal accountability:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-renews-effort-ban-tiktok-following-rise-pro-hamas-content/,Hawley Renews Effort to Ban TikTok Following Rise in Pro-Hamas Content,2023-11-07,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury and Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) Chairwoman Janet Yellen. He urged her to conclude CFIUS’ review of TikTok and to ban all ByteDance-controlled apps currently available to U.S. users, especially given the increase in anti-Israel, pro-Hamas content on the platform. “TikTok—and its parent company ByteDance—are threats to American national security,” wrote Senator Hawley. “While data security issues are paramount, less often discussed is TikTok’s power to radically distort the world-picture that America’s young people encounter. Israel’s unfolding war with Hamas is a crucial test case. According to one poll, 51% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 believe that Hamas’s murder of civilians was justified—a statistic notably different from other age cohorts. Analysts have attributed this disparity to the ubiquity of anti-Israel content on TikTok, where most young internet users get their information about the world.” He continued, “This simply heightens the stakes of the TikTok question: the longer this app is allowed to operate in the U.S., the longer its Chinese Communist Party overseers will apparently be able to propagandize Americans.” Background: In March, Senator Hawley delivered remarks on the Senate floor and called for unanimous consent on his bill, the No TikTok on United States Devices Act, to ban TikTok in the United States, but it was objected to by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). In January, Senator Hawley introduced the No TikTok on United States Devices Act to prohibit TikTok from operating in the United States and ban commercial activity with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. In December 2022, Senator Hawley’s No TikTok on Government Devices Act was signed into law effectively banning the Chinese app on all federal devices – including those belonging to the Department of Defense. Read the full letter here or below. November 7, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Yellen: TikTok—and its parent company ByteDance—are threats to American national security. The popular video-sharing app harvests vast amounts of data from Americans’ personal devices, data which then flows overseas to our main geopolitical rival. Whistleblower testimony has revealed that China-based employees have full access to U.S. user data. And under Chinese law, ByteDance is required to make that data available to the Chinese Communist Party upon request. We’ve known all this for years. But the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), which you chair, has not yet concluded its review of the app, or demanded that ByteDance sell off TikTok. Recent developments underscore the need for prompt action. While data security issues are paramount, less often discussed is TikTok’s power to radically distort the world-picture that America’s young people encounter. Israel’s unfolding war with Hamas is a crucial test case. According to one poll, 51% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 believe that Hamas’s murder of civilians was justified—a statistic notably different from other age cohorts. Analysts have attributed this disparity to the ubiquity of anti-Israel content on TikTok, where most young internet users get their information about the world. Crucially, this disparity aligns with the Chinese government’s foreign policy preferences. Having previously refused to condemn Hamas, the Chinese government is now calling for a “ceasefire” that would cripple Israel’s ability to defend itself. And we know from past experience that political manipulation is business as usual for TikTok. To take just one example, in 2019, as ByteDance partnered with the Chinese government to surveil Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, TikTok censored American user content critical of this repression. It appears that ByteDance is once again up to its old tricks—as innocent Israelis suffer and die. This simply heightens the stakes of the TikTok question: the longer this app is allowed to operate in the U.S., the longer its Chinese Communist Party overseers will apparently be able to propagandize Americans. That is unacceptable. I urge you, and the other members of CFIUS, to swiftly conclude your review and ban all ByteDance-controlled apps currently available to U.S. users. The matter is as simple as that. I look forward to your response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-burlison-introduces-propane-accessibility-and-regulatory-relief-act,Rep. Burlison Introduces the Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act,2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Recently, Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) introduced the Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act which would exempt propane tanks with a capacity of up to 126,000 pounds from burdensome regulations. In 2006, Congress authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program to identify and regulate high-risk chemical facilities. Unfortunately, when determining which propane tanks should be regulated, DHS set the threshold too low. That decision has had a negative impact on the ability of businesses to use and sell propane. Currently, propane retailers possessing 60,000 lbs. or more of propane are subject to CFATS. The 60,000 lbs. threshold places forces businesses who use and sell propane to comply with burdensome and costly regulations. Rep. Burlison said: “This is an issue that impacts the small, independent propane businesses in Southwest Missouri and throughout the country. When this issue was brought to my attention, I wanted to help.” “The Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act will provide relief from the onerous and costly regulations. These regulations are wasteful, time consuming, and costly. They create unnecessary burdens on the businesses that use and sell propane, and those burdens are passed on to American families in the form of higher prices.” Support for this legislation: “The National Propane Gas Association commends Congressman Eric Burlison for introducing The Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act. A GAO study conducted in 2021 has highlighted the duplicative nature of the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. Compliance with these regulations escalates operational expenses for the propane industry, thereby leading to higher costs for end users, particularly those residing in rural communities. Moreover, this program discourages the expansion of on-site propane storage, which could mitigate the risk of potential supply disruptions during peak demand months. The Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act offers a pathway to alleviate CFATS compliance obligations, ease supply chain limitations, and bolster energy security in rural America.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-bipartisan-coalition-reintroduce-legislation-stop-online-child,"Wagner, Bipartisan Coalition Reintroduce Legislation to Stop Online Child Exploitation",2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), Barry Moore (R-AL-02), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) reintroduced the Eliminate Network Distribution (END) Child Exploitation Act. This bipartisan legislation addresses the troubling prevalence of online child exploitation in communities across the nation. “Congress must take action to address the child exploitation crisis happening in the United States. I am proud to support the END Child Exploitation Act, provisions that are included in my Child Online Safety Modernization Act and EARN IT Act. These efforts are vital to ensuring law enforcement has the ability to properly and comprehensively investigate these horrible crimes and rescue children from abuse,” said Wagner. “Online risks are a dangerous and evolving threat to our children, and we must do more as lawmakers to protect them,” said McBath. “I am honored to lead this legislation to provide parents and law enforcement the necessary tools to stop child abuse and exploitation. I thank my colleagues for their support as we take an important step to keep kids safe, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect families in Georgia and across the United States.” “As technology has advanced, so has the online threat to our children,” said Moore. “I am proud to co-lead legislation to ensure law enforcement, parents, and guardians have the tools they need to catch criminals and keep kids safe online. I am grateful to my colleagues for joining this bipartisan effort to protect children and families.” “As a former prosecutor, I know all too well the difficulties of making a case when evidence has been lost. Extending the time frame for tech companies to keep the records and images compiled by online predators will be an important step in helping hold exploiters of children accountable. I commend our bipartisan leaders in the House for pursuing this legislation,” said Ivey. “Protecting our children in an increasingly online world must be a top priority for lawmakers, which is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the END Child Exploitation Act,” said Van Drew. “This is a critical first step to ensuring that law enforcement and parents have access to every resource possible to safeguard our children and guarantee perpetrators are held accountable.” “Ensuring the safety of children is one of my top priorities. I'm proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Eliminate Network Distribution (END) Child Exploitation Act, which aims to implement necessary precautions to prevent and respond to online child exploitation,” said Garcia. “It is imperative to use the full extent of the law to hold accountable those who exploit children or violate laws related to child sexual abuse.” This legislation is endorsed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the Fraternal Order of Police, PACT, and the END Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children Coalition. “Law enforcement is inundated with CyberTipline reports and is habitually under-resourced when pursuing these cases,” said Samantha Cadet, Director of Federal Affairs, Appropriations, and National Coalitions for RAINN. “90 days is too short of a timeframe for law enforcement to collect the evidence needed from these reports and to investigate dangerous perpetrators who possess and distribute child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Extending the retention period to 1 year is the first step forward in ensuring that law enforcement is effectively able to investigate these crimes and bring offenders to justice.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-advocates-victims-child-sexual-abuse-judiciary-committee-hearing,Wagner Advocates for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse at Judiciary Committee Hearing,2023-11-03,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, today spoke at the House Judiciary Committee Member Day Hearing in support of her legislation, the Child Online Safety Modernization Act (COSMA). The legislation enhances reporting of online child exploitation and requires online platforms to report child sex trafficking. Chair Wagner said: “One of my top priorities—and I believe it is a top priority for all of us here—is to protect children in our communities from exploitation. Tragically, our government is failing in this mission. The sexual exploitation of children has skyrocketed across the United States, and it is long past time for Congress to take substantive action to combat these horrific crimes. “My bill, H.R. 5182, the Child Online Safety Modernization Act or COSMA, directly addresses this issue. COSMA would modernize and enhance the NCMEC CyberTipline by requiring reports from online platforms to include information that actually helps law enforcement identify and locate the children depicted in CSAM as well as the individuals involved in posting this illegal imagery.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-calls-dol-deputy-secretary-answer-departments-reckless-fiduciary,Wagner Calls on DOL Deputy Secretary to Answer for the Department’s Reckless Fiduciary Rule,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, wrote to Department of Labor Deputy Secretary Julie Su questioning her on the proposed Fiduciary Rule that will make life more expensive for everyday investors. Chairman Wagner said: “Since I first came to Congress in 2013, I have fought back the Department of Labor’s attempts to raise costs, limit choices, and restrict access to investments for hardworking Americans. “This proposal marks the Department of Labor’s fourth attempt to issue a ‘fiduciary’ proposal. Each iteration of this decade-long effort has drawn significant investor as well as bipartisan Congressional concern. Most notably, the Obama Administration’s DOL Fiduciary Rule was vacated by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 2018 due to DOL exceeding its statutory authority under ERISA in writing rules. This court-rejected proposal threatened the access of affordable and reliable retirement investment advice for millions of low- and middle-income Americans. …The Obama Administration’s DOL fiduciary rule would have left Americans who are just starting to build their retirement savings without access to financial advice or paying more for fewer options and decreased service. The Biden Administration’s fiduciary rule is no different.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-votes-support-israels-right-defend-itself,Wagner Votes to Support Israel’s Right to Defend Itself,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she voted for legislation that would support Israel in its war against Hamas: “Israel has a right to defend itself against the brutal, unprovoked terrorist attack by Hamas. It is critical we advance funding that will help Israel destroy Hamas and protect its citizens against future attacks. I will continue to support Israel during this time of crisis, and I implore all my colleagues to speak out against the increasing waves of anti-Semitism we have seen across the country.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-urges-epa-clean-west-lake-landfill-immediately/,Hawley Urges EPA Clean Up West Lake Landfill Immediately,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Bruno Pigott, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Senator Hawley called on the EPA to immediately clean up the radioactive contamination at the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site in Bridgeton, Mo. “It’s probably no coincidence that the folks who live in this area are not big-time donors to political parties, they’re not big-time party activists, these are working people and they have been taken advantage of for years. And the government, for years, has just expected them to live with it…,” said Senator Hawley. “This has got to stop, and we need the EPA to clean this site up.” Watch the full exchange here or below. Background Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. Most recently, Senator Hawley secured President Biden’s endorsement of his legislation to compensate victims of nuclear radiation exposure. On July 27, 2023, in a strong bipartisan vote, Senator Hawley secured passage of an amendment to the FY 2024 NDAA that would provide compensation to victims of government-caused nuclear contamination. The legislation extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover victims of improperly-stored nuclear waste in affected areas in the St. Louis region. The measure—which was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.)—also reauthorized and strengthened the RECA program to cover more impacted Americans from nuclear tests along with uranium miners. Earlier in July, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE), urging additional testing for radioactive contamination at a site in St. Charles County, Mo., after a review of the Weldon Spring site in 2021 offered an extensive critique of the DOE’s cleanup and monitoring efforts there. Senator Hawley also sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) urging him to convene a committee hearing to discuss the government-caused nuclear contamination of the St. Louis area. In addition, Senator Hawley penned separate letters to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), DOE, and EPA, demanding answers from the government about the nuclear contamination. In April, Senator Hawley’s legislation mandating the clean up of Jana Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District and radioactive waste testing passed the U.S. Senate and Biden’s Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm also vowed to support it.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:49:58Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-blasts-misguided-irresponsible-fiduciary-rule,"Wagner Blasts Misguided, Irresponsible Fiduciary Rule",2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, today released the following statement after the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new proposed fiduciary rule: “It’s fiduciary rule Groundhog Day at the Department of Labor. Federal courts rejected the 2016 final rule from DOL, and today the Biden Labor Department has shamelessly tried rebranding that prior failure in an effort that will only raise costs for Main Street investors and make it harder for Americans to save for their future. The facts are clear - the current regulatory framework ensures investment professionals are working in the best interests of their clients. States and regulatory bodies have already adopted best practices that protect consumers, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules are working to benefit investors. This new proposal will only disrupt the client-advisor relationship, reducing investment opportunities available to the public, and cause more investor confusion. The bottom line is that today’s announcement will make investing more expensive, taking money out of the pockets of hardworking Missourians who are just trying to responsibly invest for retirement or even their children’s future.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-blasts-mayorkas-pro-hamas-spokeswoman-still-dhs-payroll/,Hawley Blasts Mayorkas for Pro-Hamas Spokeswoman Still on DHS Payroll,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and slammed the Biden Administration for their employment of a pro-Hamas adjudication officer. “Mr. Secretary what is going on here? Is this typical of people who work at DHS? This is an Asylum and Immigration Officer who is posting these frankly pro-genocidal slogans and images on the day that Israelis are being slaughtered in their beds,” Senator Hawley said. “Has she been fired?” Secretary Mayorkas declined to answer Senator Hawley’s question, claiming the individual is on administrative leave and that he will not speak on an internal personnel matter. DHS employee, Newja Ali, has a documented history of making virulently antisemitic, pro-Hamas statements, including in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ savage attack on innocent American and Israeli civilians. Click here or above to watch the full exchange.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-exposes-whistleblower-claim-biden-dhs-pulled-agents-child-exploitation-cases-make-sandwiches/,Hawley Exposes Whistleblower Claim that Biden DHS Pulled Agents from Child Exploitation Cases to Make Sandwiches at Southern Border,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"During a second round of questioning at today’s Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called out Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for taking special investigators off of human trafficking and fentanyl cases and reassigning them to in-person services at the southern border. Senator Hawley referenced a whistleblower who came to him with these allegations, then questioned the Secretary. “You’re taking special agents away from investigating child traffickers and child exploitation—when you’ve lost tens of thousands of kids to traffickers—and you’re sending them to make sandwiches at the border,” said Senator Hawley. “What is going on?” Secretary Mayorkas dodged Senator Hawley’s questions about how many migrant children the Biden Administration has recovered out of the 85,000 it has lost. The Secretary also did not deny the DHS whistleblower allegation that at least 600 agents have been pulled from law enforcement work and put on different duties at the southern border. Click here or above to watch the full exchange.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-bill-keep-corporate-americas-dollars-out-us-politics/,Hawley Introduces Bill to Keep Corporate America’s Dollars Out of U.S. Politics,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Ending Corporate Influence on Elections Act to get corporate money out of American politics and dramatically cut back on publicly traded corporations’ ability to influence elections. Senator Hawley’s bill will begin to undo the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC. “For decades, Corporate America has funneled billions of dollars into elections in favor of politicians who favor their woke, social agendas—instead of American voters’ interests. This legislation would hold mega-corporations’ feet to the fire and stop their dollars from buying our elections,” said Senator Hawley. The Ending Corporate Influence on Elections Act would: Ban publicly traded corporations from making independent expenditures, political ads, or other electioneering communications. Ban publicly traded companies from giving money to Super PACs. Read the full bill text here. Senator Hawley’s new legislation is part of his larger agenda to hold Corporate America accountable for drowning out the voices of the American people: In September, Senator Hawley introduced legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 18 percent and bring relief to working people across America. Last month Senator Hawley also visited with workers on strike at the General Motors plant in Wentzville, Mo., to stand with them and support American jobs. In May, Senator Hawley introduced legislation to raise tariffs on imports from China until the United States’ unsustainable bilateral trade deficit comes into balance. In April, he unveiled two bills to crack down on Big Pharma’s exploitative drug prices and cap the cost of insulin. In December 2022, Senator Hawley stood with and voted to support rail workers as they sought a fair deal with sick leave.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senate-passes-hawley-amendment-budget-bill-blocking-taxpayer-funds-chinese-corporations/,Senate Passes Hawley Amendment to Budget Bill Blocking Taxpayer Funds to Chinese Corporations,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today the U.S. Senate voted on U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) Amendment (No Funding for Chinese Companies), as part of the upper chamber’s minibus appropriations bill. Senator Hawley’s amendment would prohibit Chinese entities or corporations from receiving any funding provided by the legislation. The amendment passed 61-36. “The appropriations bills that we are now considering appropriating a total of $280 billion taxpayer dollars. […] This amendment says that none of the money we are appropriating can go to China. It can’t go to Chinese companies or companies that are owned and controlled by China. That’s it, it’s simple. No American taxpayer dollars to the People’s Republic of China,” said Senator Hawley.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-burlison-introduces-state-border-defense-act,Rep. Burlison Introduces the State Border Defense Act,2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Yesterday, Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) introduced the State Border Defense Act which would allow states to enforce the provisions of federal immigration law and fight back against President Joe Biden’s failed immigration policies. This bill is the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) earlier this year. “The Biden Administration has facilitated an intentional invasion at our southern border, and President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas refuse to even acknowledge the problem, much less do anything to stop it,” said Rep. Burlison. Instead of enforcing the law and securing our border, they have implemented catch and release policies that are encouraging illegal immigration and putting our national security at risk. When states have stepped up to secure the border, the Biden Administration has sued them to force them to stop. If President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas won’t act, they need to get out of the way so our states can. The State Border Defense Act would allow states to enforce federal immigration laws and construct barriers on federal lands or in waters along the southern border to prevent illegal immigration. Co-sponsors for this legislation include Representatives Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Randy Weber (TX-14), Matt Rosendale (MT-02), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), and Eli Crane (AZ-02). Background: Since taking office in January 2021, the Biden Administration has rolled back successful Trump Era border policies that were working to secure our border. This has led to an unprecedented 6.2 million illegal border crossings and 7.5. million enforcement encounters nationwide. This includes 169 people whose name appear on the terrorist watchlist were stopped from trying to cross the southern border in fiscal year 2023, an all-time high, and more than the encounters in FY17 through FY22 combined. Instead of continuing policies that were working to secure the border and discourage illegal immigration, President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have chosen to release millions of illegal aliens into the country. Read the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-booker-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-crack-down-child-labor-practices-hold-corporations/,"Hawley, Booker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Child Labor Practices, Hold Corporations Accountable for Violations",2023-10-26,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan Preventing Child Labor Exploitation Act to prohibit companies that illegally employ children from securing coveted federal government contracts. Senator Hawley’s legislation comes as the Department of Labor recently reported a startling 69 percent increase in illegal child labor since 2018. This dramatic uptick in child-labor exploitation includes a series of high-profile cases involving minors employed in dangerous jobs at sanitation and meatpacking plants. “Child labor is an abomination and it has no place in our country. Companies that illegally employ children must be held accountable—especially those that contract with the federal government. This bipartisan legislation requires federal contractors to root out child labor in their operations and has the teeth to go after those who don’t comply,” said Senator Hawley. “Exploitation of children by big corporations to drive profit is an abhorrent practice, but is not a new one. Across the country, major corporations are relying on children to clean dangerous machinery, handle toxic chemicals, and work exhausting overnight shifts in their facilities for low wages and no benefits. Often, this work is done in violation of existing federal labor laws, but employers have shielded themselves from any accountability by relying on third-party vendors with long records of labor infractions. Despite efforts by Congress and this Administration to challenge these bad practices, too few companies have taken significant steps to address the ongoing child labor issues in their facilities. That’s why today I am joining Senator Hawley to say that, at a bare minimum, there is no reason that the federal government should contract with companies violating child labor law. We must ensure that federal contracts support good-paying jobs, and do not benefit corporations that continue to rely on children working in dangerous environments,” said Senator Booker. The Preventing Child Labor Exploitation Act would: Require federal contractors to disclose to the Department of Labor any child labor violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Criminalize a federal contractor’s failure to make required disclosures. Render repeat offenders ineligible for federal contracts for a period of 4 years. Read the full bill text here. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday, Senator Hawley questioned Robin Dunn Marcos, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, about the 85,000 children the Biden Administration has lost track of, leaving them vulnerable to human traffickers and dangerous child-labor practices. Senator Hawley sent a letter last month to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King, demanding answers after a disturbing report from The New York Times exposed unsafe, illegal child-labor practices within the company.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senate-passes-hawley-resolution-condemning-antisemitism-college-campuses/,Senate Passes Hawley Resolution Condemning Antisemitism on College Campuses,2023-10-26,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today the U.S. Senate passed by voice vote U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s resolution condemning Hamas and the antisemitic student groups on college campuses that have celebrated the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel. The passage of the resolution came after Democrats blocked the measure one week ago. “Mr. President, one week ago I came to this floor to try and pass this very resolution that condemns the violent, genocidal, antisemitic rhetoric and actions on our college campuses all across this country,” said Senator Hawley. “Sadly, I was blocked by one of my Democrat colleagues. And since then the situation at our universities has only worsened.” He continued, “That’s why what we’re doing today matters and that’s why I am pleased today, that we are able now finally, to pass this resolution that explicitly names the rhetoric, explicitly calls out the language of pro-violence, pro-genocide, and says that is wrong. […] The answer to that kind of hateful, virulent, dangerous speech, is speech with moral purpose. It is language with moral clarity. It is a moral stand that says no, that is wrong. That’s not us. That is not the United States of America. And that, Mr. President, is what we are doing right here, right now, on this floor today.” Watch his full remarks here or below.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-statement-election-mike-johnson-house-speaker,Graves Statement on Election of Mike Johnson as House Speaker,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to be the Speaker of the House. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting for Johnson: “Congratulations to Mike Johnson on being elected to serve as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. Throughout his time in Congress, Speaker Johnson has been a consistent and passionate champion of conservative principles, and I look forward to working alongside him and all House Republicans to secure our border, cut wasteful spending, and deliver on the promises we made to the American people.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-supports-mike-johnson-speaker,Wagner Supports Mike Johnson for Speaker,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement detailing her support for Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA) to be Speaker of the House. “Mike is a committed conservative who is ready to lead the House as Speaker. He is well-respected by Members from across the Republican Conference and has deep experience building the coalitions necessary to pass conservative policies that help American families.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-op-ed-not-one-taxpayer-dime-gaza-until-hamas-frees-all-hostages/,Hawley Op-Ed: Not one taxpayer dime for Gaza until Hamas frees all the hostages,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"By U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Oct. 25, 2023 | Fox News Since October 7, the world has learned with mounting horror exactly what Hamas’s terrorists did in Israel. Women and children slaughtered in their homes. Corpses paraded in the streets of Gaza. Screaming civilians dragged away on motorbikes. Now, the Israeli people fight for their lives, under the shadow of existential threat. […] Last week, Joe Biden unveiled to the American people his latest budget request. Despite what it says, his $106 billion request isn’t really about supporting Israel. Far from it. Rather, this budget request asks Congress to approve billions of dollars in “humanitarian aid”—including some foreign relief funds for Gaza itself. Gaza is ruled by a terrorist regime, currently holding captive dozens of innocent Israelis and numerous Americans. Let’s get one thing clear. Our policy here should be blindingly simple: no aid until Hamas releases its hostages. […] Making matters worse, this proposal comes on the heels of Biden’s disastrous, $6 billion attempt to buy off Iran. Iran, of course, has been a longtime supporter of Hamas. But last month, the Biden administration agreed to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets—handing the regime vast financial resources to fund terrorism. This is exactly the kind of negotiation with terrorists America can’t afford. Now, every other group—Hamas included—knows that this Administration will pay their shakedown demands. If Joe Biden and his team won’t keep Americans safe, it’s up to Congress. And here Republicans must take a hard line: no foreign aid for Gaza—none—until every last American hostage is freed and safe. […] But above all else, no funding for terrorist groups. Every American, regardless of political party, should be able to agree on that.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-slams-biden-official-releasing-migrant-children-human-traffickers/,Hawley Slams Biden Official for Releasing Migrant Children to Human Traffickers,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Robin Dunn Marcos, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, about the ongoing child migrant crisis at the southern border and the 85,000 children that the Biden Administration has lost track of. “Do you really think that you are helping these children by releasing them to labor traffickers and yes, sex traffickers?” asked Senator Hawley. “85,000 children whom you have no contact with and your answer is—we gave them a presentation before we turned them over to these people who are exploiting them on a scale not seen in this country for 100 years.” When Senator Hawley pressed Director Dunn Marcos to say exactly how many migrant children the department had released into the United States and was also currently in contact with, the Director had no response. “Let me just ask you this,” said Senator Hawley. “How many kids right now—of the 430,000 approximately unaccompanied children who have crossed the border under this administration, it’s an astounding number—how many are you in regular contact with, right now?” Director Dunn Marcos could not answer Senator Hawley’s question. Watch the full exchange here or below.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-calls-doe-watchdog-investigate-granholm-and-agency-staff-following-ethics-violations/,Hawley Calls for DOE Watchdog to Investigate Granholm and Agency Staff Following Ethics Violations,2023-10-24,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Inspector General Teri Donaldson calling on her to investigate DOE Secretary Granholm for misleading the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee about her financial holdings in April of this year, and her multiple violations of federal ethics laws. “Senior officials have no business trading stocks, especially stocks in the industries they regulate. The repeated ethics violations by Energy Department officials undermine the public’s trust in our government and the rule of law,” wrote Senator Hawley. During a recent Senate Energy Committee hearing, Senator Hawley also called on the Inspector General to investigate the ethical lapses at the DOE, in light of reports that hundreds of DOE officials hold stocks related to the agency’s work. Earlier this year Senator Hawley demanded DOE Secretary Granholm provide an explanation for misleading testimony during a Senate committee hearing where she claimed she did not own any personal financial stocks, when in fact, she held individual stocks as recently as May of this year. Read the full letter to DOE Inspector General Donaldson here or below. October 24, 2023 The Honorable Teri L. Donaldson Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20585 Dear Inspector General Donaldson, Thank you for your recent testimony in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in which we discussed the Energy Department’s compliance with ethics rules. I write to formally request you open an investigation into Secretary Granholm’s misleading testimony before the Committee about her financial holdings, as well as her repeated violations of federal ethics rules. I also request you conduct an audit of the Department’s compliance with existing ethics laws to determine whether senior officials own shares in companies they regulate. Secretary Granholm’s most recent violation of federal stock trading laws is just the latest in a series of ethics indiscretions. Prior to her false testimony before the Committee, Secretary Granholm had already violated federal stock disclosure laws nine times. Then, during her testimony before the Committee on April 20, 2023, Secretary Granholm testified three times, in response to my questions, that she no longer held any stocks. This was not true. At the time, she held stocks in six separate companies. Instead of being forthright about either her continued stock holdings or her misleading testimony, Secretary Granholm waited until May 18, 2023, to sell the remaining stocks she held. Then, she waited several more weeks to inform the Energy Committee that her testimony to us was untrue. Secretary Granholm is not the only official at the Energy Department who has traded stocks while in office. As we learned in February of this year, federal employees throughout the Energy Department hold energy-related stocks. I likewise request that, in addition to investigating Secretary Granholm, you conduct an audit of Department of Energy employees to determine whether they are in compliance with ethics rules concerning individual stocks ownership. Senior officials have no business trading stocks, especially stocks in the industries they regulate. The repeated ethics violations by Energy Department officials undermine the public’s trust in our government and the rule of law. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/biden-energy-official-freezes-when-pressed-pay-play-events/,Biden Energy Official Freezes Up When Pressed on Pay-to-Play Events,2023-10-19,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned two officials from the Department of Energy (DOE), Jigar Shah, the Director of Loan Programs, and Teri L. Donaldson, the Inspector General about pay-to-play events and insider stock trading. When Senator Hawley pressed Director Shah about the unethical nature of the pay-to-play events DOE officials attend and often speak at, the Director had no response. “You’re the Director of the loan programs for the federal government Department of Energy. People who want to get loans from the government are paying to see you and you think that that’s fine?” asked Senator Hawley. Director Shah went silent. Senator Hawley also called on Inspector General Donaldson to investigate the ethical lapses at the DOE, such as illegal stock trading by Department officials, in light of reports that hundreds of DOE officials hold stocks related to the agency’s work. “I am firmly of the view that we need to change the law here,” said Senator Hawley. “Senior executive branch officials should not be able to own individual stock, nor should members of Congress. We shouldn’t be stock trading.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/democrats-block-hawley-resolution-condemn-antisemitic-activities-college-campuses/,Democrats Block Hawley Resolution to Condemn Antisemitic Activities on College Campuses,2023-10-19,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor and called for unanimous consent on his resolution condemning Hamas and the antisemitic student groups on college campuses that have celebrated the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel. Senator Hawley wrote to all senators this week requesting they support his resolution. When Senator Hawley attempted to pass his resolution, it was blocked by Democrats. “Almost as disturbing as the facts of these terrible attacks themselves is the response of some people in this country. On our college campuses in this country who promptly took to the streets, to the courtyards of these campuses, the airwaves, to broadcast their support for this genocide against the people of Israel,”said Senator Hawley. He continued, “Calling for the death of Jewish people is not just another opinion. Calling for the genocide, celebrating the genocide of Jewish babies is not just another opinion. Celebrating the assaults on Jewish people in this country is not just another opinion, and the Senate should be clear and stand with moral clarity and say ‘this is wrong.'” Click image above to watch or go here. Senator Hawley’s call to unanimously pass the resolution was objected to by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-demands-answers-biden-dhs-employment-pro-hamas-spokeswoman-urges-firing/,"Hawley Demands Answers from Biden DHS for Employment of Pro-Hamas Spokeswoman, Urges Firing",2023-10-19,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for the termination of DHS employee, Nejwa Ali, who has a documented history of making blatantly antisemitic, pro-Hamas statements. Recent reporting reveals that Nejwa Ali has shared pictures glorifying Hamas terrorists and espoused other hateful, antisemitic rhetoric. Her statements clearly express that she harbors intensely negative views against the State of Israel and supports the recent attacks from Hamas terrorists. “I am alarmed by reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently employs a former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as an officer charged with adjudicating U.S. immigration cases,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Ms. Ali’s reported statements make clear that she harbors intensely negative views against the State of Israel and supports the recent barbarism perpetrated against its citizens by Hamas terrorists.” Senator Hawley pushed for answers on how many immigration cases involving Palestinians, Israelis, or other Jewish applicants Ms. Ali has reviewed, and what safeguards are in place in the asylum adjudication process to remediate any abuses committed by strongly prejudiced immigration officers. Read the full letter here or below. October 19, 2023 The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary United States Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, D.C. 20528 Secretary Mayorkas: I am alarmed by reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently employs a former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as an officer charged with adjudicating U.S. immigration cases. According to reports and publicly available records, this employee, Nejwa Ali, has a documented history of making virulently antisemitic, pro-Hamas statements, including in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ savage attack on innocent American and Israeli civilians. These statements appear to cast severe doubt on her ability to impartially evaluate immigration cases. I am glad to see that she has now been placed on administrative leave—but that is not enough. If these reports are accurate, you must terminate her employment immediately. Ms. Ali’s reported statements make clear that she harbors intensely negative views against the State of Israel and supports the recent barbarism perpetrated against its citizens by Hamas terrorists. For example, following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack, she reportedly posted on Instagram: “F*** Israel, the government, and its military. Are you ready for your downfall?” She also reportedly posted an image depicting armed terrorists paragliding into Israel with the caption “Free PALESTINE.” Her social media appears to contain numerous examples of anti-Israel and antisemitic statements, including “Israeli, American privilege is disgusting” and “F*** Israel and any Jew that supports Israel.” Ms. Ali’s troubling personal views apparently carry into her professional life—including her roles at DHS. She previously worked as a public affairs officer at the PLO’s office in Washington, D.C. before that office was shut down by the Trump Administration. In her current role, she reportedly works as an “Adjudication Officer” within U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) where she is tasked with “review[ing] and mak[ing] determinations on cases for immigration benefits,” among other responsibilities. Prior to this role, she reportedly worked as an “Asylum Officer” responsible for adjudicating asylum applications and conducting credible and reasonable fear screenings. Concerningly, Ms. Ali has explicitly linked her prejudicial views to her job. For instance, in one social media post associated with her name, she included the hashtags “#asylumseekers #palestine #refugeeswelcome”—suggesting that she may preference certain immigration cases over others at DHS. This is unacceptable. As Secretary, you must assure the American people that those charged with determining who enters the United States do so impartially and without prejudice. If the above reports are true and accurate, you must terminate Ms. Ali’s employment at DHS without delay. Additionally, please provide answers to the following questions: How many immigration cases involving Palestinians has Ms. Ali reviewed? For each case, please detail Ms. Ali’s involvement and the final determination. How many immigration cases involving Israelis or other Jewish applicants has Ms. Ali reviewed? For each case, please detail Ms. Ali’s involvement and the final determination. What safeguards are in place in the asylum adjudication process to remediate any abuses committed by strongly prejudiced immigration officers? Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-calls-ncaa-protect-female-athletes-clarify-transgender-locker-room-policy/,"Hawley Calls on NCAA to Protect Female Athletes, Clarify Transgender Locker Room Policy",2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President, former Governor Charlie Baker, following his recent testimony before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Senator Hawley called on the NCAA to stand up for the basic safety of their student athletes and asked Governor Baker to explicitly define the NCAA’s policy on transgender athletes’ access to locker rooms. “Yesterday you testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on issues in collegiate athletics. Arguably none is more important than the safety of student athletes,” wrote Senator Hawley. “That is why I asked you about Riley Gaines, and her Senate testimony earlier this year that the NCAA forced her and other female athletes both to accept a biological man in their locker room and to change alongside this person.” He continued, “When I asked you whether the forced inclusion of biological men in women’s locker rooms remains NCAA policy, you equivocated. You testified that you ‘[didn’t] believe that policy would be the policy that we would use today.’ But you declined to state what the NCAA’s policy actually is. This is your chance. The NCAA has a troubled history of using student athletes for financial gain while ignoring their concerns and needs—and in this case, their basic safety. The American public deserves honest answers.” In June, Senator Hawley questioned Riley Gaines about her experiences competing against a transgender athlete, and the trauma she and her teammates endured when their privacy was invaded by being forced to undress in front of a biological male. According to Gaines, an NCAA official told her Lia Thomas was allowed in the female locker room due to a rule change that made the facilities ‘unisex.’ Read the full letter here or below. October 18, 2023 Hon. Charlie Baker President National Collegiate Athletic Association 700 W. Washington Street P.O. Box 7110 Indianapolis, IN 46206 Dear Governor Baker: Yesterday you testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on issues in collegiate athletics. Arguably none is more important than the safety of student athletes. That is why I asked you about Riley Gaines, and her Senate testimony earlier this year that the NCAA forced her and other female athletes both to accept a biological man in their locker room and to change alongside this person. Ms. Gaines testified the NCAA made this decision without forewarning the female athletes, without asking for consent, and without obtaining consent of any kind. Worse still, Ms. Gaines and her teammates were allegedly warned that if they spoke in opposition to the NCAA’s policy, they would face consequences. When I asked you whether the forced inclusion of biological men in women’s locker rooms remains NCAA policy, you equivocated. You testified that you “[didn’t] believe that policy would be the policy that we would use today.” But you declined to state what the NCAA’s policy actually is. This is your chance. The NCAA has a troubled history of using student athletes for financial gain while ignoring their concerns and needs—and in this case, their basic safety. The American public deserves honest answers. Please provide comprehensive responses to the following questions: As of today—October 18, 2023—what exactly is the NCAA’s policy on transgender athletes’ access to locker rooms? Please provide a comprehensive explanation. Has the NCAA or any of its designees or officials ever promulgated a policy, whether through official or unofficial channels, of making locker rooms unisex? If not, has the NCAA conducted an investigation into why Ms. Gaines was informed in March 2022 that locker rooms would be treated as unisex spaces? In addressing the issue of transgender competitors, the NCAA is apparently shifting toward a policy of deferring to the governing bodies of individual sports. Will the NCAA defer to the policies of individual sport governing bodies regarding locker rooms and other changing facilities? If so, please provide a comprehensive explanation of how, from the NCAA’s perspective, allowing biological men to access the locker rooms of female athletes would be consistent with the legal requirements of Title IX that men and women be offered equitable opportunities to participate in sports. Will the NCAA provide an apology to female student athletes who were required to share locker rooms and other intimate spaces with biological men? Ms. Gaines has testified that female athletes have been threatened with consequences for publicly opposing the NCAA’s approach to transgender athletes. Does the NCAA maintain or enforce a policy prohibiting public opposition to the league’s policies on transgender athletes? Has the NCAA ever mandated, recommended, or otherwise advised that individuals opposing the league’s policies on transgender athletes receive counseling or other educational interventions? I await your responses. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-pushes-mayorkas-address-terrorist-linked-aliens-border-following-hamas-attack-israel/,Hawley Pushes Mayorkas to Address ‘Terrorist-Linked Aliens’ at Border Following Hamas Attack in Israel,2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to ensure the safety of Americans and, specifically, Jewish Americans amid the uptick in potential terrorist-linked illegal aliens at our southern border. This development follows the barbaric attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on innocent American and Israeli civilians. The recent reporting of numbers of encounters with people on the terror watchlist for FY2023 from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reveals that there were 154 encounters at the northern and southern borders among ports of entry and 505 encountered at the ports of entry. “Illegal aliens with potential ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah have no place in the United States. In the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is already alerting Americans about an elevated number of violent threats against civilians, including antisemitic threats,”wrote Senator Hawley. “It is therefore critical that you abandon your radical open border policies, and instead, take immediate action to secure the border.” Read the full letter here or below: October 18, 2023 The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Mayorkas, I write with alarm regarding the uptick in potential terrorist-linked illegal aliens encountered at the southern border. This development follows the barbaric attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on innocent American and Israeli civilians. It is imperative that you address this issue immediately to ensure the safety of American citizens, especially Jewish Americans, who are facing increased threats to their physical safety following the Hamas attack. As you are well aware, the United States has experienced an unprecedented wave of illegal immigration across our southern border during the Biden Administration, totaling 6.2 million illegal alien encounters. This figure includes record numbers of aliens who have been listed on the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) or traveled from countries known to be state sponsors of terrorism. In fiscal year 2023, Border Patrol encountered 154 TSDB aliens attempting to cross the border between ports of entry—more than the last six years combined. Furthermore, it is virtually certain that terrorist-linked individuals are among the estimated 1.6 million illegal aliens who have successfully evaded Border Patrol in entering the United States since President Biden took office. Your Department’s recently published threat assessment acknowledges this danger. For example, the assessment notes that “individuals with terrorism connections are interested in using established travel routes and permissive environments to facilitate access to the United States.” Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are encountering a growing number of “special interest aliens” from countries known to harbor terrorists—including Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. Just this week, four Iranians were apprehended in Texas by Border Patrol. Illegal aliens with potential ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah have no place in the United States. In the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is already alerting Americans about an elevated number of violent threats against civilians, including antisemitic threats. It is therefore critical that you abandon your radical open border policies, and instead, take immediate action to secure the border. As Secretary, your number one priority should be protecting American citizens against potential terrorist entering our country. As a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I request that you immediately respond to the following questions to disclose what you know to the American people: How many “special interest aliens” have been released into the United States in the past two years? Please disaggregate the figures by country of origin. What steps has DHS taken to heighten security standards at the southern border following Hamas’ attack on Israel? Is the Department of Homeland Security actively working with the FBI to monitor organizations with links to Hamas’ terrorism activities operating within the United States? Thank you for your attention to this critical matter of homeland security. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-sanders-brown-and-colleagues-introduce-senate-resolution-solidarity-uaw-workers-strike/,"Hawley, Sanders, Brown, and Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution in Solidarity with UAW Workers on Strike",2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), along with 31 Democrat colleagues in the Senate, to introduce a resolution in solidarity with United Auto Workers (UAW) across America who are bargaining for a fair contract, including 34,000 currently on strike. Senator Hawley has been a strong supporter of the autoworkers throughout their strike, calling for better hours, higher pay, and job security in America. Senator Hawley also visited the workers on strike at the General Motors plant in Wentzville, Mo., to stand with them and call for the protection American jobs. Senator Hawley has consistently advocated for American workers, including standing with and voting to support rail workers as they sought a fair deal with sick leave, as well as fighting to keep jobs here in the U.S. and stop the reliance on foreign supply chains for critical goods. More information about his past work in support of the American worker can be found on his website.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senator-hawley-unveils-resolution-condemning-hamas-and-antisemitic-student-activities-college/,Senator Hawley Unveils Resolution Condemning Hamas and Antisemitic Student Activities on College Campuses,2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will introduce a Senate Resolution condemning Hamas and the antisemitic student groups on college campuses that have celebrated the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel. Senator Hawley will seek consent to pass his resolution on the Senate floor, and wrote to all of his colleagues this week requesting their support. Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) are original cosponsors. “We must stand together with Israel and against hateful, violent rhetoric that threatens the safety and security of Jewish Americans in the United States,” wrote Senator Hawley. “My resolution unequivocally condemns Hamas and the hateful, antisemitic rhetoric that the recent terrorist attack has inspired on our college campuses. This is particularly urgent given the rise in threats against Jewish Americans across our country. I invite you to join me in standing with Israel and against hate.” Earlier this week, Senator Hawley urged the Department of Justice to investigate pro-Palestinian student groups’ potential ties to Hamas after they publicly gathered to celebrate the terrorist groups’ genocidal war against Israel. The text of the resolution can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-speaker-race,Wagner Statement on Speaker Race,2023-10-16,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on the House Speaker's race: ""Let me be clear, I am not, and will not, work with Democrats as our Republican Conference comes together to elect a conservative Speaker of the House. ""Too much is at stake to hand control of the House over to radical liberal Democrats, which is why we must elect a conservative as the next Speaker. Throughout my time in Congress, I have always been a team player and supported our Republican nominees out of Conference. ""Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-condemns-antisemitic-rhetoric-against-israel-announces-senate-resolution/,"Hawley Condemns Antisemitic Rhetoric Against Israel, Announces Senate Resolution",2023-10-16,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he will introduce a U.S. Senate resolution condemning the antisemitic rhetoric taking place on college campuses across America. Senator Hawley also sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland earlier today, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) immediately deploy resources to investigate the third-party funding of far-left student organizations that have called for the effective destruction of Israel.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-urges-doj-investigate-outside-funding-far-left-anti-israel-student-groups/,"Hawley Urges DOJ Investigate Outside Funding of Far-Left, Anti-Israel Student Groups",2023-10-16,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) immediately deploy resources to investigate the third-party funding of far-left student organizations that have called for the effective destruction of Israel. “In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, we have witnessed an alarming rise in support for violence against the Jewish people,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Public reports indicate that several far-left student groups have lined up to effectively cheerlead Hamas’s genocidal war against the people of Israel.” He continued, “Given the potential scale of this threat, I urge you to immediately deploy DOJ resources to investigate these organizations’ funding sources. The First Amendment protects the right to protest. But it does not protect the provision of material support to terrorist organizations. Nor does it insulate financial transactions that threaten our national security. Hamas, as you are well aware, is designated a terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. DOJ should deploy all appropriate authorities to investigate any potential links to organizations that operate within the United States.” Read the full letter here or below. October 16, 2023 The Honorable Merrick Garland Attorney General United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Garland: In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, we have witnessed an alarming rise in support for violence against the Jewish people. Public reports indicate that several far-left student groups have lined up to effectively cheerlead Hamas’s genocidal war against the people of Israel: At Harvard University alone, 34 student organizations signed a letter declaring that they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,” and that Israel is “the only one to blame” for the unfolding carnage. The University of California, Los Angeles witnessed a massive protest by students screaming “intifada, intifada”—a call for a violent uprising and the murder of Jewish people. In New York, Columbia University was forced to close its campus to the public after an Israeli student was violently assaulted by an allegedly pro-Palestine student. The University of Virginia chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine announced that the mass murder of civilians was “a step towards a free Palestine . . . reflect[ing] the power and resilience of the Palestinian people.” Other examples are legion. These student organizations are seemingly lobbying in support of the murder of innocent people, including children and babies. They are menacing Jewish Americans within our cities. And they are doing so in what appears to be a coordinated fashion. There is a long and sordid history of supposedly independent “human rights” groups operating within American borders, that possess longstanding ties to foreign terrorist organizations. To name just one high-profile example, in the early 2000s, the Department of Justice shuttered the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and jailed its founders, after finding that this supposed charitable organization was funneling money into the pockets of Hamas. It is entirely possible that many of these student organizations, at some level or another, are enmeshed in similar networks—whether as recipients of funding from these malicious actors or as conduits for it. Given the potential scale of this threat, I urge you to immediately deploy DOJ resources to investigate these organizations’ funding sources. The First Amendment protects the right to protest. But it does not protect the provision of material support to terrorist organizations. Nor does it insulate financial transactions that threaten our national security. Hamas, as you are well aware, is designated a terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. DOJ should deploy all appropriate authorities to investigate any potential links to organizations that operate within the United States. In particular, the Department should prioritize investigating the following questions: Of those student organizations presently calling for the effective destruction of Israel and justifying the recent massacre of Jewish people, how many receive significant funding from third-party groups? Of those third-party groups that offer financial support to pro-Hamas student organizations, or for which pro-Hamas student organizations conduct fundraising, how many have financial or ideological ties to Hamas? Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-calls-state-department-provide-additional-travel-assistance-americans-israel/,Hawley Calls on State Department to Provide Additional Travel Assistance for Americans in Israel,2023-10-11,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for additional travel assistance and updated guidance for Americans seeking to return home from Israel. Senator Hawley’s office is working with constituents in the region who wish to return to the United States, and anyone who needs assistance can call our office at (314) 354-7060. “Following the barbaric terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, my office has received multiple reports of Missourians in Israel who are seeking to leave the region but are struggling to find transportation out of the country,” wrote Senator Hawley. “With the growing number of commercial airlines cancelling flights out of Israel, I urge you to consider additional U.S government-facilitated transport options for Americans attempting to return home.” Read the full letter here or below. October 11, 2023 The Honorable Antony Blinken Secretary of State US Department of State 2201 C St. NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Blinken: I write with concern over the security situation in Israel and the safety of American citizens still in the region. Following the barbaric terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, my office has received multiple reports of Missourians in Israel who are seeking to leave the region but are struggling to find transportation out of the country. With the growing number of commercial airlines cancelling flights out of Israel, I urge you to consider additional U.S government-facilitated transport options for Americans attempting to return home. The Bureau of Consular Affairs informed my office yesterday that the State Department currently “is not involved with airlifts, an evacuation, or assisted departure of U.S. citizens.” Today, your office informed mine that the State Department “continue[s] to encourage U.S. citizens to look at the available commercial options to depart Israel.” While I appreciate the initial information provided on Sunday to help my constituents contact the U.S. Embassy, this is no longer sufficient. New clarity about travel assistance is urgently required. I urge you to work with your counterparts across federal agencies to bring to bear all available resources and authorities, including charter flights, to assist Americans that remain in Israel with returning home to their families. On behalf of my constituents who remain in the region, I request the answers to the following questions from your office as soon as possible. Is the State Department actively planning to provide additional travel assistance to Americans in Israel? Is the Department or any other U.S. agencies planning to conduct airlifts or equivalent government-facilitated transportation to help Americans in the region return home? If plans have been made, how will the State Department communicate those travel options? When can Americans expect information on how to return home? When can we expect decisions about transportation options to be made? I look forward to a timely response from your office. And thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-knesset-parliamentary-group-joint-statement-hamas-terrorist,House-Knesset Parliamentary Group Joint Statement on Hamas Terrorist Attack in Israel,2023-10-10,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) and members of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Group issued the following statement in response to the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel: “We strongly condemn the brutal, barbaric terrorist attack committed by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, on Israel. As of now, these terrorists have reportedly wounded thousands, killed over 1,000 Israelis, and have taken at least 150 people as hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. Through their despicable acts of terror, Hamas has chosen to put innocent lives on all sides in danger and placed its desire for violence over the prospect for peace. ""As members of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group, we unequivocally stand united with our ally, Israel, her people, and our friends in the Knesset during this tumultuous time. ""Let there be no mistake: The United States’ commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad. We must continue to support the State of Israel’s right to defend herself against Hamas and other terrorists’ heinous aggression, including by providing additional assistance as requested. As we mark this time of deep sorrow and sadness, our commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship is steadfast and unwavering.” The Group is made up of Reps. David Kustoff, Chairman (R-TN), Dean Phillips, Ranking Member (D-MN), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), John James (R-MI), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Max Miller (R-OH), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/abraham-accords-caucus-co-chairs-condemn-hamas-attack-israel,Abraham Accords Caucus Co-Chairs Condemn Hamas Attack on Israel,2023-10-07,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), along with her fellow Co-Chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA), Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), and Congressman David Trone (D-MD), released the following statement on today’s attacks in Israel: “We fully condemn this horrific, unprovoked attack against Israel. Thousands of rockets have been launched at Israeli cities by Iranian-backed terrorists. Hamas is targeting innocent civilians, taking hostages, and executing people in a campaign of unrelenting terror. The reports of children and families forced into hiding shock us to our core. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones, and we pray for the recovery of all those who have been injured. “These acts of war must be resolutely defeated. Hamas seeks nothing less than the destruction of Israel, a nation that has the fundamental right to defend itself against all forces of evil and violence. We stand together in lockstep with our ally Israel as they take the necessary actions to defend their country, protect their citizens, and restore security to its borders. Hamas must immediately end this invasion.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-supports-steve-scalise-speaker,Wagner Supports Steve Scalise for Speaker,2023-10-05,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement detailing her support for Steve Scalise to be Speaker of the House: “Congress needs a leader who will stand up for American families, grow our economy, and commit to reining in Joe Biden’s reckless spending. That leader is Steve Scalise, and I am honored to support him for Speaker of the House. “Inflation is hitting American families harder than ever, our borders are under attack, and Democrats are refusing to support the commonsense legislation necessary to protect our nation. In times of crisis, we need a principled Speaker who will unite all corners of the Party and be a fighter against the radical Democrat agenda. Time and time again, Steve has solved the toughest problems facing our Party and our nation. He is the leader who can communicate our shared conservative values to all 50 states, and who deeply understands how the federal government impacts the lives of each and every American.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-demands-army-fulfill-fort-leonard-wood-housing-promise-will-hold-nominations/,"Hawley Demands Army Fulfill Fort Leonard Wood Housing Promise, Will Hold Nominations",2023-10-05,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, demanding that she fulfill her pledge to replace all military housing at Fort Leonard Wood. “The Army’s inability to meet its own deadlines is unacceptable, and I will wait no longer,” wrote Senator Hawley. “I will withhold my consent to any future Army civilian nominations which require Senate confirmation. The soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood deserve better, and it is your responsibility to deliver for them.” BACKGROUND In June of 2021, Senator Hawley asked Secretary Wormuth and General McConville for information about the Army’s plans to replace housing at the base. In May 2022, Senator Hawley pressed Secretary Wormuth and Chief of Staff of the Army General James C. McConville for answers about housing at Fort Leonard Wood. A few weeks before his August visit, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Secretary Wormuth requesting an update on the Army’s plans to replace aging homes at Fort Leonard Wood. In August 2022, Senator Hawley toured Fort Leonard Wood, delivered remarks about the important work being done there, and visited with residents about base housing in need of replacement. In December 2022, Senator Hawley announced that the Army committed to spending $41.4 million in Fiscal Year 2023 and another $50 million in Fiscal Year 2024 for new housing at Fort Leonard Wood following repeated demands that aging homes at the base be replaced. In March, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth requesting, for the third time, the Army’s plan for replacing the aging homes at Fort Leonard Wood. Read the full letter here or below: October 5, 2023 Honorable Christine E. Wormuth Secretary of the Army 101 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0101 Dear Secretary Wormuth: I write with deep concern over the Army’s continual failure to keep its promises to the soldiers and families of Fort Leonard Wood. In December 2022, after the Army identified 1,142 family homes on post in need of repair, Under Secretary Camarillo pledged to me that the Army would spend $41.4 million during Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) and $50 million during FY24 on homes for families. You acknowledged this same pledge in a phone call with me over the summer. In the ten months since the commitment was made, the Army has continually dragged its feet. Now we know for sure that you have broken your promise. Your staff informs my office that no funds will be available until December 15, 2023, at the earliest, well past the end of the fiscal year which concluded on September 30, 2023. Once again, the Army has failed to prioritize the soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood. As I have written previously, the Army only committed to this investment reluctantly. Despite your commitment during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on May 5, 2022, the Army has still failed to produce your plan for replacing all housing at Fort Leonard Wood. Beyond your inability to even produce your plan, what investment you have promised has now failed to materialize. The deadline has now come and gone, and given your record I have real doubts that Fort Leonard Wood will receive this investment before the end of the calendar year. The Army’s inability to meet its own deadlines is unacceptable, and I will wait no longer. Until the promised $41.4 million is invested in housing at Fort Leonard Wood, I will withhold my consent to any future Army civilian nominations which require Senate confirmation. The soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood deserve better, and it is your responsibility to deliver for them. I promise you I will continue to work tirelessly to secure adequate housing for Fort Leonard Wood, and I keep my promises. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-healing-action-network-receiving-doj-grant-support,Wagner Statement on Healing Action Network Receiving DOJ Grant to Support Victims of Trafficking,2023-10-04,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after Healing Action Network received a Department of Justice grant to advance their important work as advocates for survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation: Rep. Ann Wagner: “Katie and the entire team at Healing Action Network are incredible advocates for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. I have worked with Katie for nearly a decade to pass legislation to help bring an end to sex trafficking, and I have personally seen how her determination and work ethic have truly saved lives. I was so pleased to congratulate her on this Department of Justice grant that will allow Healing Action Network to reach even more victims and provide vital resources to the survivors of this horrific crime. It was an honor to vote for this grant program that supports amazing organizations like hers so they can stay focused on their critical efforts that save lives. I look forward to continuing to work with her and her team for years to come as we fight to get justice for survivors and ensure their traffickers are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law”.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-bill-empowering-states-fight-back-against-bidens-border-crisis/,Hawley Introduces Bill Empowering States to Fight Back Against Biden’s Border Crisis,2023-10-04,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced the State Border Defense Act to empower states to fight back against President Biden’s failed immigration policies that are flooding America’s streets with deadly narcotics and enabling a rise in child trafficking. Senator Hawley’s legislation comes after the Biden Administration’s repeated efforts to undermine states’ ability to secure their own borders—including preventing the installation of a buoy barrier and razor wire along the southern border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a record 232,972 southern border encounters in August—the highest monthly total in 2023 thus far. “Our southern border is overrun. Joe Biden’s dangerous open-border policies are making it worse every single day, leaving states like Missouri to deal with the consequences. Since the federal government refuses to enforce our immigration laws, states must be able to,” said Senator Hawley. The State Border Defense Act would allow states to: Remove illegal immigrants from the country rather than sending them to other states Prosecute people who commit crimes while entering the country illegally Construct barriers on federal lands or waters along the southern border to prevent illegal immigration",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:43:12Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-amendments-homeland-security-appropriations-bill-approved-house,Wagner Amendments to Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Approved by House,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after two of her amendments to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill were adopted by the U.S. House: The first amendment would prioritize $24 million for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) investigations. Rep. Wagner said: “Last year, there were over 32 million reports of online child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as ‘child pornography.’ That’s an 89% increase since 2019 and equals over 87,000 reports per day of images and videos of children being raped and sexually exploited spreading across the internet. HSI is on the front lines fighting to locate and rescue vulnerable children and apprehend their abusers, which is why my amendment takes $24 million from bloated bureaucratic offices and ensures that HSI receives the resources needed to investigate these unconscionable crimes.” Watch Rep. Wagner’s remarks on this amendment here. The second amendment would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to resolve the Global Entry application backlog. Rep. Wagner said: “I have heard from so many frustrated constituents who have paid for Global Entry only to wait months, in some cases, for CBP to approve them for an interview. Today, Global Entry processing times average 11 months. This is utterly unacceptable. This amendment will direct CBP to do its job and get this situation and backlog under control.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-bill-reduce-rape-kit-backlog-unanimously-approved-judiciary,Wagner Bill to Reduce Rape Kit Backlog Unanimously Approved by Judiciary Committee,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after her Debbie Smith Act, legislation that provides funding to law enforcement to analyze untested rape kits, was approved by the House Judiciary Committee: “There are far too many victims who have had to go without justice due to the unconscionable rape kit backlog. My bill, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, will provide critical funding to our state and local law enforcement so rapists and other violent offenders can be identified and held accountable for their horrific crimes. Thank you to the House Judiciary Committee for advancing this important bill, and I look forward to the whole House showing our support for victims by passing this bipartisan legislation.” Background H.R. 1105, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, would reauthorize the DNA Backlog Elimination Program from FY2024 through FY2029. This program provides support to law enforcement and crime labs in all 50 states to analyze untested rape and sexual assault kits, improve law enforcement’s timely collection of DNA evidence, and enhance prosecutors' capacity to bring this evidence to trial.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-demands-dhs-terminate-new-intelligence-experts-group/,Hawley Demands DHS Terminate New ‘Intelligence Experts Group’,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for the immediate termination of the Department’s newly announced “Intelligence Experts Group.” “I write with deep concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) newly announced ‘Intelligence Experts Group.’ According to your Department’s press release, this entity will be led by at least three individuals who helped suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story preceding the 2020 U.S. presidential election,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Given the composition of its members, this Group seems to constitute yet another effort from the Biden Administration to undermine disfavored speech.” He continued, “I will continue to oppose this Administration’s apparent efforts to undermine protected speech. Therefore, I urge you to immediately terminate this so-called ‘Intelligence Experts Group.'” Last November, Senator Hawley led an investigation into President Biden’s plans to establish the Disinformation Governance Board, similar to the “Intelligence Experts Group.” Senator Hawley revealed documents that exposed the DHS’s plans for the Board to monitor and suppress the speech of American citizens, which were much more extensive than the Biden administration had publicly acknowledged. Read the full letter here or below. September 28, 2023 The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Mayorkas, I write with deep concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) newly announced “Intelligence Experts Group.” According to your Department’s press release, this entity will be led by at least three individuals who helped suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story preceding the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Given the composition of its members, this Group seems to constitute yet another effort from the Biden Administration to undermine disfavored speech. As you know, John Brennan, James Clapper, and Paul Kolbe all signed onto the infamous October 2020 letter, which falsely declared the Hunter Biden laptop story to be “Russian misinformation.” This was a clear attempt to aid then-candidate Joe Biden. Recent investigations have revealed text messages and emails that corroborate the corrupt intent behind the letter’s publication. It is therefore baffling that your Department would regard these individuals as having any remaining credibility with respect to intelligence matters. Enlisting the support of these discredited officials as the nation prepares for the 2024 presidential election appears to signal that DHS will continue its attempts to censor speech that is inconvenient to the current Administration. Of course, your Department tried—and failed—to monitor and censor protected speech through the now-defunct Disinformation Governance Board. But thanks to the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in Missouri v. Biden, we know that the White House and other agencies violated the First Amendment by coercing social media platforms to censor online speech. I will continue to oppose this Administration’s apparent efforts to undermine protected speech. Therefore, I urge you to immediately terminate this so-called “Intelligence Experts Group.” So that Congress can consider remedial legislation, please provide the following information by October 15, 2023: All records related to the Intelligence Experts Group, including but not limited to: written or recorded communications concerning the formation of the Group; the agenda or minutes from any meeting at which the Group’s formation was discussed; any legal review to determine whether the activities of the Group would be authorized by the Constitution of the United States; any communications or records about the individuals who would be recruited to serve on the Group; any communications with the White House about the formation of the Group or appointment of officials to serve on the Group. For any documents that are responsive to this request but withheld, please identify the name of each document, the date of its creation, the custodian, a summary of its contents, and the basis for withholding the record. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-requests-update-doe-monitoring-nuclear-contamination-weldon-spring-site/,Hawley Requests Update on DOE Monitoring of Nuclear Contamination at Weldon Spring Site,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary David Turk, requesting an update on the monitoring and remediation of the Weldon Spring Superfund Site in St. Charles, Mo. “As I previously wrote in my July 24, 2023 letter to Secretary Granholm, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is alarmed by deficiencies in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) monitoring of contaminants at the site, and so am I,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Despite your assurances that the site is ‘remediated,’ the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reports concern that uranium contamination may be spreading from Weldon Spring into local groundwater. Needless to say, contamination of groundwater is grossly unacceptable.” He continued, “I am asking you once again to please provide a clear timeline on when DOE will revise its sampling plans and when Weldon Spring will be fully remediated.” Earlier this month, Senator Hawley questioned Secretary Turk during an Energy Committee hearing, pressing him about the DOE’s inaction on the remediation efforts at the Weldon Spring Site. In July, Senator Hawley sent a letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, urging the Department conduct additional testing for radioactive contamination at the Weldon Spring Site, after a review of the site in 2021 led the MDNR to offer an extensive critique of the DOE’s cleanup and monitoring efforts at that location. Read the full letter here or below. Mr. David Turk Deputy Secretary Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20585 Dear Mr. Turk, I write in response to your September 7, 2023 email regarding the contaminated Weldon Spring Site. As I previously wrote in my July 24, 2023 letter to Secretary Granholm, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is alarmed by deficiencies in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) monitoring of contaminants at the site, and so am I. Despite your assurances that the site is “remediated,” the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reports concern that uranium contamination may be spreading from Weldon Spring into local groundwater. Needless to say, contamination of groundwater is grossly unacceptable. I trust that I need not remind you the health consequences of uranium contamination are significant, causing kidney and heart damage. The residents of St. Charles County deserve to know how DOE will ensure they are not exposed to contaminants in their water. Despite these significant concerns, and despite my previous letter, you did not come prepared to answer questions about the Weldon Spring site during your recent testimony. I was likewise disappointed that your follow-up email failed to answer whether the DOE will revise its sampling plans in light of MDNR’s concerns. The people of St. Charles County deserve to know if DOE is ensuring their groundwater’s safety. I am asking you once again to please provide a clear timeline on when DOE will revise its sampling plans and when Weldon Spring will be fully remediated. I look forward to your timely response. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-visits-uaw-picket-line-support-workers/,Hawley visits UAW Picket Line to Support Workers,2023-09-25,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statements after his visit with workers on strike at the General Motors plant in Wentzville, Mo. to stand with them and protect American jobs. Senator Hawley has continually supported the autoworkers throughout their strike for better hours, higher pay, and job security in America. In December 2022, Senator Hawley stood with and voted to support rail workers as they sought a fair deal with sick leave.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-hill-hagerty-rounds-slam-secs-predictive-data-proposal-demand,"Wagner, Hill, Hagerty, Rounds Slam SEC’s Predictive Data Proposal, Demand Answers to Disastrous Rule",2023-09-22,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, along with Congressman French Hill (R-AR), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) today sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler demanding answers on the SEC’s misguided proposal that will harm broker-dealers, investment advisors, and Main Street investors. They said: “While it is promoted as an investor protection measure, the Proposal’s true intention seems to be rewriting existing and well-functioning SEC regulations, such as Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”) and the fiduciary standard. This is likely to result in a burdensome, one-size-fits-all approach being imposed on all broker-dealers and investment advisers, irrespective of the technology they utilize. This new, untested standard would apply indiscriminately, whether or not firms provide personalized investment recommendations or advice to their customers….If the SEC’s goal is to replace Reg BI and the existing fiduciary standard with the Proposal’s heightened “best interest” standard, it should be transparent and direct about its actions. It should not rely on the recent attention around predictive data analytics or artificial intelligence as a pretext. Furthermore, if the SEC intends to assume the role of a technology regulator, it should seek explicit authority from Congress.” Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-applauds-federal-disaster-declaration,Graves Applauds Federal Disaster Declaration,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) applauded the granting of a Major Disaster Declaration in response to severe storms and flooding from July 29 to August 14, 2023 in 33 Missouri counties, including Adair, Clark, Gentry, Grundy, Knox, Scotland, Shelby, and Worth Counties in North Missouri. The Declaration will provide Hazard Mitigation (HM) funding for the State of Missouri and Public Assistance (PA) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster damaged public facilities in the impacted communities. “This declaration is an important step toward helping the people of Baring and other communities impacted by these storms recover and rebuild,” said Graves. “These public assistance dollars are going to help rebuild critical infrastructure damaged by these storms and help these communities come back stronger than ever. Our communities may be small, but we’re strong. Many have already come together to start the rebuilding process and while this assistance is welcome, we still have a long ways left to go. I’m going to continue pushing to make sure the United States Postal Service restores full service to Baring.” An EF-2 tornado occurred on August 4th destroying homes, businesses, the fire station and the Post Office in Baring. Graves recently called on the United States Postal Service to develop a plan to fully restore the Post Office in Baring. The Declaration comes after Graves pressed Deanne Criswell, the Administrator of FEMA, to approve the declaration request earlier this week during a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. He joined the rest of the Missouri delegation in requesting approval of the declaration request.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-colleagues-house-abraham-accords-caucus-commemorate-3-year,"Wagner, Colleagues in House Abraham Accords Caucus Commemorate 3-Year Anniversary of Historic Abraham Accords Signing",2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Abraham Accords Caucus Co-Chairs Ann Wagner (MO-02), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), and David Trone (MD-06) introduced a resolution commemorating the third anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords. H.Res. 701 highlights the progress made since the signing of the Accords and encourages further deepening and broadening of the Accords and expansion to new countries. “In just three years, the Abraham Accords have had life-changing benefits for Arab and Israeli citizens, unleashing pent-up economic potential and bringing real quality of life improvements. At a time of heightened anti-Semitism across the globe and increased Iranian aggression, it is more important than ever that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Abraham Accords partners and identify opportunities to grow and strengthen these agreements to ensure greater stability and peace in the Middle East. Trade and tourism have also grown, and the Accords are enabling signatory countries to break out of the cycle of dysfunction and violence and work together for the advancement of regional priorities,” said Congresswoman Wagner. ""The Abraham Accords have reshaped relations in the Middle East, forging bonds between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. These historic agreements marked a shift towards peace and prosperity,"" said Congressman Schneider. ""I am proud that we marked the third anniversary with so many representatives from Abraham Accords countries, from young leaders to ambassadors, and with leaders from across government and civil society. We remain unwavering in our dedication to deepening and broadening the Accords, building bridges, and creating opportunities for peace that will resonate around the world."" On September 15, 2020, the United States brought together leaders from Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain to sign the historic Abraham Accords. On December 22, 2020, Morocco signed the Abraham Accords, followed by Sudan on January 6, 2021. These normalization agreements transformed the region, enhanced Israel's security, created economic opportunities, and advanced vital U.S. national security interests. “Three years ago, the United States made historic progress towards achieving peace in the Middle East with the signing of the Abraham Accords Declaration,"" said Congresswoman Rodgers. “This long sought-after agreement marked the beginning of a new journey together in pursuit of creating a better, safer, and more prosperous world for our children and grandchildren. It is an honor to join my co-chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus in introducing this resolution to celebrate its anniversary and reaffirm our commitment to go above and beyond to make this world a place where all can enjoy a life of dignity and hope.” ""Three years ago, the Abraham Accords were signed to strengthen peace in the Middle East and beyond. Since their creation, the Accords have helped enhance security, create more economic opportunity, and improve diplomacy throughout the region,"" said Congressman Trone. ""This historic agreement highlights the importance of global cooperation and the great strides we can make across the world by working together. As a proud co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, I look forward to continue working with our partners in the Middle East to find common ground and promote interfaith cooperation.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-legislation-requiring-timely-reconstruction-damaged-rural-post-offices/,Hawley Introduces Legislation Requiring the Timely Reconstruction of Damaged Rural Post Offices,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Rural Post Office Reconstruction Act of 2023, new legislation that would establish a clear timeframe for reopening rural post offices that experience closure due to natural disaster damage or other unforeseen circumstances. On August 4, 2023, in Baring, Mo., an EF-2 tornado almost completely destroyed the town’s Post Office, in addition to damaging nearby homes and businesses. There is still no public timetable for the reconstruction of the Post Office. “Rural post offices are critical to the daily life of Missourians and Americans everywhere who live in small towns—and they must stay open whenever possible,”said Senator Hawley. “My bill guarantees the timely reconstruction of damaged post offices, ensuring rural residents have access to the medical deliveries and other vital services they depend on.” The Rural Post Office Reconstruction Act of 2023 would require: Timely reconstruction of severely damaged post offices; Reopening closed post offices; Reporting to Congress in the event remediation is not completed in the specific timeframe. Earlier this month, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy of the United States Postal Service seeking an update on the status of the Post Office in Baring, Mo.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-leads-rally-justice-demands-compensation-victims-stl-area-nationwide-nuclear-contamination/,"Hawley Leads Rally for Justice, Demands Compensation for Victims of STL-Area, Nationwide Nuclear Contamination",2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Yesterday U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) held a bipartisan rally at the U.S. Capitol with U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), House lawmakers, and victims of nuclear contamination—from the St. Louis area, St. Charles area, and across America—to demand justice and compensation for those who have been harmed by the federal government’s decades of negligence. “Dating all the way back to the Manhattan Project, the government used the city of St. Louis as a uranium-processing facility, as a major site, and then when that was over […] it allowed it to seep into the groundwater, it allowed it to get into Coldwater Creek, it allowed it get into the soil. Generations of Missourians—children—were poisoned because of the government’s negligence,” said Senator Hawley. Senators Hawley and Luján secured funding for victims of nuclear contamination by getting an amendment passed in the Senate version of the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) over the summer and, with the help of the victims urging Congress to act, are working with their colleagues to keep this amendment in the final package to be voted on later this year. “If the government is going to expose its own citizens to radioactive material […] for decades,” Senator Hawley continued, “the government ought to pay the bills of the men and women who have gotten sick because of it. They ought to pay for the survivor benefits of those who have been lost.” Watch the full video of Wednesday’s press conference below: Click image or go here Background Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. Most recently, Senator Hawley secured President Biden’s endorsement of his legislation to compensate victims of nuclear radiation exposure. On July 27, 2023, in a strong bipartisan vote, Senator Hawley secured passage of an amendment to the FY 2024 NDAA that would provide compensation to victims of government-caused nuclear contamination. The legislation extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover victims of improperly-stored nuclear waste in affected areas in the St. Louis region. The measure—which was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Luján, Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Schmitt—also reauthorized and strengthened the RECA program to cover more impacted Americans from nuclear tests along with uranium miners. Earlier in July, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE), urging additional testing for radioactive contamination at a site in St. Charles County, Mo., after a review of the Weldon Spring site in 2021 offered an extensive critique of the DOE’s cleanup and monitoring efforts there. Senator Hawley also sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman, Senator Joe Manchin, urging him to convene a committee hearing to discuss the government-caused nuclear contamination of the St. Louis area. In addition, Senator Hawley penned separate letters to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), DOE, and Environmental Protection Agency, demanding answers from the government about the nuclear contamination. In April, Senator Hawley’s legislation mandating the clean up of Jana Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District and radioactive waste testing passed the U.S. Senate and Biden’s Energy Secretary Granholm also vowed to support it.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/icymi-hawley-op-ed-cap-credit-card-interest-rates-help-americans-hammered-bidenomics/,ICYMI Hawley Op-ed: Cap credit-card interest rates to help Americans hammered by Bidenomics,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"By U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) | Sept. 20, 2023 | New York Post Exploiting people through high interest rates is wrong. In a world of Wall Street excess, that simple idea now sounds foreign. But for thousands of years, it was basic fairness. “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother,” declares Deuteronomy 23:19. The Western world took that principle to heart. From the Roman Empire on, nations enforced usury laws that severely restricted interest rates on loans. […] Times have changed. Our leaders forgot why those laws existed in the first place. […] The total amount of credit-card debt is more than $1 trillion — the highest in history. Delinquent payment rates are at their highest level in a decade. Compounding the problem, President Joe Biden’s inflationary policies have pushed consumer prices to the stratosphere. This kicked off a vicious cycle. And as costs rise, Americans are forced to use their credit cards to cover basic necessities like rent and groceries. […] American households get the short straw: Not only are they paying more for basic necessities, they’re now paying to clean up the Biden administration’s financial mess. This burden falls heaviest on the nearly 50% of Americans carrying a credit-card balance, many struggling to make ends meet. […] Just this year, Tyson Foods announced chicken-plant closures in small-town Missouri that will force 2,000 people out of work. Those workers and their families still need to live. If they end up carrying a credit-card balance, why are they fair game for corporate plunder? As a nation, we can do better than that. […] Supporting America’s workers and families means tackling the everyday problems they face — not giving handouts to corporations or foreign governments and hoping the benefits will eventually trickle down. […] Old slogans about the magic of the market won’t cut it anymore. Actually passing a law to cap interest rates is a first step toward a better future — a future rooted in our own tradition. American workers and families deserve it. Congress can pass legislation that makes a real difference. Republicans should step up to take the lead.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-presses-tyson-foods-ceo-dangerous-child-labor-practices/,Hawley Presses Tyson Foods CEO on Dangerous Child Labor Practices,2023-09-19,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King, demanding answers after a disturbing new report from The New York Times exposed unsafe, illegal child labor practices within the company. “I am alarmed by new reports that Tyson Foods has actively participated in dangerous and illegal child labor practices,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Any company that employs, facilitates, encourages, or excuses child labor must be held to account. In light of the facts, you owe the American people an explanation as to Tyson’s child-labor practices.” Last Friday, Senator Hawley spoke with CEO Donnie King and secured his commitment to protect Missouri jobs, following an announcement that Tyson Foods would be closing its southern Missouri locations. He also introduced the Strengthening Antitrust Enforcement for Meatpacking Act, which would empower antitrust enforcers to break up giant meatpacking and poultry monopolies and place power back in the hands of Missouri’s farmers and workers. In May, Senator Hawley introduced the Corporate Responsibility for Child Labor Elimination Act, legislation to compel large corporations to eradicate unlawful child labor from their operations in the United States. Read the full letter here and below. September 19, 2023 Donnie D. King Chief Executive Officer Tyson Foods 2200 W. Don Tyson Parkway Springdale, AR 72762 Dear Mr. King: I am alarmed by new reports that Tyson Foods has actively participated in dangerous and illegal child labor practices. According to a lengthy report published yesterday in the New York Times, the poultry processing industry has regularly contracted with companies that employ child workers and subjected those children to highly unsafe working conditions. I am especially concerned that Tyson is subcontracting illicit child labor to avoid legal liability. The Times report recounts a number of horrific instances in which children—many, if not most, of whom crossed the southern border as unaccompanied minors—were severely injured or even killed while illegally employed at chicken processing plants. The report opens with the story of a teenager whose arm was ripped down to the tendons after it got caught in a factory machine. It goes on to quote a federal inspector who had tried to “track down a teenager who she heard had fallen from a ladder at Tyson and broken his leg.” Other examples include an eighth grader from Guatemala who was killed two months ago while working the cleaning shift at a Mississippi plant. Tyson has stated that the company has “no tolerance for child labor,” but the Times report suggests otherwise. According to the Times, every child interviewed by its reporter was fired—after “[s]upervisors who oversaw the cleaning shift at the Tyson plant warned their corporate office that a reporter was spending a lot of time in town.” One of the fired child workers said: “They made plenty of money from our labor and then tossed us out like trash.” The Times suggests Tyson evades accountability for illegal child labor by relying on subcontractors. “Even when inspectors do catch child-labor violations,” the Times reported, “they usually fine only the subcontracted companies, not the brands themselves.” In short, “the brands that [have] benefitted from the children’s labor [have] faced no consequences.” Any company that employs, facilitates, encourages, or excuses child labor must be held to account. In light of the facts, you owe the American people an explanation as to Tyson’s child-labor practices. Please provide me with answers to the following questions by the end of this week: To your knowledge, how many instances of child labor violations have occurred at Tyson facilities in the past five years? Is Tyson fully cooperating with the Department of Labor and any other state or federal authorities that may be investigating the company over potential violations of child labor law? What internal controls are in place to ensure that Tyson does not employ underage workers, or subcontract with companies that employ underage workers? In light of the Times report, what changes to company policy will Tyson be making? How does Tyson currently handle complaints from its employees or employees of its subcontractors regarding child labor? Will Tyson pledge to protect whistleblowers who raise concerns regarding child labor? Will you commit to ending any contracts with companies that have been fined for illegally employing children? Will you commit to an independent audit to ensure that Tyson’s entire production chain is free of illegal child labor? I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/deadline-approaching-soon-submit-service-academy-nomination-applications,Deadline Approaching Soon to Submit Service Academy Nomination Applications,2023-09-15,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Students in Missouri’s 6th Congressional District are reminded that applications for service academy nominations are due soon. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) is currently accepting applications from North Missouri students interested in attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or U.S. Naval Academy. The application deadline is 5:00 pm on October 6, 2023. “Our nation’s service academies are some of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the world,” said Graves. “Each year, I have the distinct honor of nominating several outstanding young men and women from North Missouri to attend the service academies. It’s a tough and competitive process, but I encourage every student who is interested in attending one of these incredible service academies to apply.” Individuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination can do so by contacting Congressman Graves’ Kansas City District Office at 816-792-3976 after opening an application with their desired service academy. To be eligible to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or U.S. Naval Academy, you must: 1. Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday. (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy) 2. Be a U.S. Citizen, and a permanent resident of Missouri. 3. Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents. 4. Meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy. 5. Be of good moral character. 6. Have a valid Social Security Number. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy all have extremely high admission standards and the nomination process is very competitive. Applicants are evaluated and interviewed by the Academy Nomination Review Board comprised of service academy graduates, veterans and citizens of Missouri’s 6th Congressional District before final recommendations are made to Congressman Graves.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-secures-commitment-tyson-foods-help-local-farmers-protect-missouri-jobs/,"Hawley Secures Commitment from Tyson Foods to Help Local Farmers, Protect Missouri Jobs",2023-09-15,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement after securing a commitment from Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King to help Missouri farmers and protect jobs for hard working Missourians. Yesterday, Senator Hawley introduced the The Strengthening Antitrust Enforcement for Meatpacking Act, new legislation that would empower antitrust enforcers to break up giant meatpacking and poultry monopolies and place power back in the hands of Missouri’s farmers and workers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-stands-auto-workers-protecting-american-jobs/,"Hawley Stands Up for Auto Workers, Protecting American Jobs",2023-09-15,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statements after the United Auto Workers (UAW) began their strike for a better deal. The Wentzville General Motors plant in Wentzville, Mo., joined the strike. In December 2022, Senator Hawley stood with and voted to support rail workers as they sought a fair deal with sick leave.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-new-antitrust-legislation-break-meatpacking-poultry-monopolies-and-empower/,"Hawley Introduces New Antitrust Legislation to Break Up Meatpacking, Poultry Monopolies and Empower American Farmers, Workers",2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Strengthening Antitrust Enforcement for Meatpacking Act to empower antitrust enforcers to break up giant meatpacking and poultry monopolies and place power back in the hands of Missouri’s farmers and workers. The introduction of Senator Hawley’s legislation comes after Tyson Foods announced it will be closing the doors of its poultry plants in southern Missouri, costing the state more than 2,000 jobs. “Today’s meatpacking monopolists are making massive profits while shutting down competition,” said Senator Hawley. “Congress must give antitrust prosecutors the power to end anti-competitive behavior without lengthy court battles. It’s time to hold monopolies accountable and empower farmers.” The Strengthening Antitrust Enforcement for Meatpacking Act would: Amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to establish specific thresholds for market concentration, allowing federal antitrust authorities to more effectively prohibit or unwind acquisitions that concentrate the meatpacking sector. Deter further meatpacking concentration by disincentivizing entrenched meatpacking interests from buying up more competitors. Put more power back in the hands of farmers and workers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-klobuchar-coons-collins-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-ban-use-materially-deceptive-ai/,"Hawley, Klobuchar, Coons, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban the Use of Materially Deceptive AI-Generated Content in Elections",2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) – Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law – joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) to introduce the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, a bipartisan bill to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate materially deceptive content falsely depicting federal candidates in political ads to influence federal elections. “We must protect the right of Americans to vote without being controlled or manipulated by artificial intelligence companies. Elections belong to the people, not the tech companies,” said Senator Hawley. This bill would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio, images, or video relating to federal candidates in political ads or certain issue ads to influence a federal election or fundraise. The bill allows federal candidates targeted by this materially deceptive content to have content taken down and enables them to seek damages in federal court. This ban extends to a person, political committee, or other entity that distributes materially deceptive content intended to influence an election or raise money fraudulently. Consistent with the First Amendment, the bill has exceptions for parody, satire, and the use of AI-generated content in news broadcasts. “Right now, we’re seeing AI used as a tool to influence our democracy. We need rules of the road in place to stop the use of fraudulent AI-generated content in campaign ads. Voters deserve nothing less than full transparency,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation would update our laws to prohibit these deceptive ads from being used to mislead voters no matter what party they belong to.” “American democracy faces novel threats from deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence, and we must take action to defend our system of free and fair elections. That is why I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to introduce legislation to safeguard federal elections by restricting the use of AI-generated content. I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly pass this bill and to protect our electoral system from the risks posed by unregulated AI,” said Senator Coons. “This bipartisan legislation would help to strengthen the integrity of our elections while also protecting First Amendment rights,” said Senator Collins.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-new-legislation-cap-credit-card-interest-rates-and-provide-relief-working/,Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Cap Credit Card Interest Rates and Provide Relief to Working Americans,2023-09-12,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Capping Credit Card Interest Rates Act, new legislation that would cap credit card interest rates at common sense levels, bringing relief to working people across America. “Americans are being crushed under the weight of record credit card debt—and the biggest banks are just getting richer,” said Senator Hawley. “The government was quick to bail out the banks just this spring, but has ignored working people struggling to get ahead. Capping the maximum credit card interest rate is fair, common-sense, and gives the working class a chance.” Cumulative consumer credit card debt recently surpassed one trillion dollars, the highest level in history. Last year, many major credit cards soared past the 30 percent interest rate threshold for the first time, and now the average rate of interest is hitting a record level. This means working people face higher financial burdens at the same exact time the biggest banks are booking bumper profits and wielding immense power over the market. Senator Hawley’s Capping Credit Card Interest Rates Act would: Cap the annual percentage rate (APR) for credit cards at 18 percent. Prevent credit card companies from imposing new fees to evade the cap. Impose penalties on credit card companies that violate the cap.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-denounces-bidens-shameful-hostage-deal-puts-americans-risk,Wagner Denounces Biden’s Shameful Hostage Deal That Puts Americans at Risk,2023-09-11,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s prisoner swap with Iran: “President Biden’s decision today puts American lives at risk, and we will work to hold him and his administration accountable for his monumental and dangerous failure. This ‘deal’ is a windfall for the violent and intolerant regime in Tehran, funneling it resources that will only be used to wage a war of terror and fund groups that kill Americans and our allies. Getting Iran to release American hostages is important, but not at a financial cost that puts millions of lives at risk from Iran being able to expand their nuclear ambitions and continue to fund their terrorist operations worldwide. ""The Administration has significantly hurt international efforts to tighten the screws on Iran for nuclear proliferation, support for terrorist proxies, rampant human rights abuses, and complicity in Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine. We need to be holding accountable countries that seek to destroy peace and security—not rewarding them. ""On the eve of the third anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords, when we should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these nations who face an existential threat from Iran, the Administration is undermining our partners’ confidence in the U.S. commitment to keep each other safe from our common adversary.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-presses-federal-disaster-declaration,Graves Presses for Federal Disaster Declaration,2023-09-08,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined Senators Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley, along with Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, Ann Wagner, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith, Mark Alford, Eric Burlison and Cori Bush, in writing a letter in support of Governor Mike Parson’s recent request for a Disaster Declaration. The Declaration request is in response to severe storms and flooding from July 29 to August 14, 2023 in 33 Missouri counties, including Adair, Clark, Gentry, Grundy,Knox, Scotland, Shelby, andWorth Countiesin North Missouri. “Many communities in North Missouri have been hit with severe storms over the last month. The town of Baring was devastated by a tornado. The folks there are resilient though and many have come together to get things going again. We need a disaster declaration to help them, and many others, in their recovery efforts,” said Graves. The EF-2 tornado, which occurred on August 4th, destroyed homes, businesses, the fire station and the Post Office in Baring. Graves recently called on the United States Postal Service to develop a plan to fully restore the Post Office in Baring. You can read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senator-hawley-demands-answers-washington-university-transgender-center-after-further-evidence/,Senator Hawley Demands Answers from Washington University Transgender Center After Further Evidence of Abuse of Minors,2023-09-07,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter demanding that Washington University in St. Louis and BJC Healthcare conduct a fresh evaluation of the practices at The Washington University Transgender Center. Recent reporting from the New York Times validated claims made by Jamie Reed, a former case manager at the Center, that the Center commenced experimental treatments on hundreds of minors and lacked appropriate safeguards. “As you have no doubt seen, the New York Times recently published a report which corroborates Jamie Reed’s allegations about the practices at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital,” wrote Senator Hawley. “In some cases, the Times contradicts representations your institutions previously made to my office. You have thus far refused to provide my office with documents regarding the Center, claiming that your internal review revealed no issues at the Center.” He continued, “This new report demands a fresh evaluation of the Center’s practices. To date, however, you have refused to provide my office with more than 5,000 documents, which I requested in a letter on April 27, 2023. Please provide such documents to my office immediately. Please also explain any apparent discrepancies between the University’s internal review and the Times report, including anything contained in the Times report that you may consider inaccurate.” In February, Senator Hawley launched an investigation into The Washington University Transgender Center, following allegations of potential malpractice. As part of the investigation, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Washington University Chancellor Andrew Martin and BJC HealthCare President and CEO Liekweg, requesting information about the receipt and use of federal funds in connection with the Center. Chancellor Martin confirmed to Senator Hawley that Washington University would comply with the request within four weeks. Senator Hawley also introduced the Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act, which would allow those who were harmed by gender-transition procedures as minors to bring lawsuits against the participating individuals and entities. Read the full letter here or below. September 7, 2023 Dr. Andrew D. Martin Chancellor Washington University in St. Louis 1 Brookings Dr. St. Louis, MO 63130 Richard J. Liekweg President and CEO BJC HealthCare 4901 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 Dr. Martin and Mr. Liekweg: As you have no doubt seen, the New York Times recently published a report which corroborates Jamie Reed’s allegations about the practices at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In some cases, the Times contradicts representations your institutions previously made to my office. You have thus far refused to provide my office with documents regarding the Center, claiming that your internal review revealed no issues at the Center. In light of this new report, I request once again that you immediately furnish my office with such documentation. Jamie Reed has been vilified for coming forward with her allegations, and many in the mainstream press and elsewhere rushed to discredit her account. Now, months later, the Times has validated her central claim: that the Center has commenced experimental treatments on hundreds of minors without appropriate safeguards in place. According to the Times: With its psychologists overbooked, the clinic relied on external therapists, some with little experience in gender issues, to evaluate the young patients’ readiness for hormonal medications. Doctors prescribed hormones to patients who had obtained such approvals, even adolescents whose medical histories raised red flags. Some of these patients later stopped identifying as transgender, and received little to no support from the clinic after doing so. The Times report invites further scrutiny into previous statements contained in the University’s internal review of the Center, which was provided to my office on April 21, 2023. For example, the review states that University physicians and Center staff “treat patients according to the currently accepted standard of care.” According to text messages obtained by the Times, however, the Center’s lead physician said he had “no idea how to meet what would be the most intensive interpretations” of the latest standard of care—raising questions about the procedures and processes actually employed at the Center. The Times report shows that the Center makes little to no effort to follow up with patients or track their outcomes, directly contradicting the results of your own internal review. In one case independently verified by the Times, a patient de-transitioned three years after being prescribed testosterone following just one visit to the Center, but was treated dismissively by Center staff and told there was no need for follow-up. According to the patient, “overall, there was a major lack of care and consideration for me.” As evidenced by its practices, the Center is apparently uninterested in its patients’ outcomes over the long term. Additionally, despite the University’s claim in its review that “[m]ental health care and counseling is a priority at the Center,” the Times found that the Center largely outsources this to outside therapists, many of whom do not possess relevant expertise. It appears the Center’s practice only requires a single letter from such a therapist to vet a minor’s mental health before prescribing the minor potentially irreversible medications. The Times also confirmed numerous patients at the Center who had severe psychiatric issues, including one on testosterone who stopped taking schizophrenia medication without consulting a doctor. This new report demands a fresh evaluation of the Center’s practices. To date, however, you have refused to provide my office with more than 5,000 documents, which I requested in a letter on April 27, 2023. Please provide such documents to my office immediately. Please also explain any apparent discrepancies between the University’s internal review and the Times report, including anything contained in the Times report that you may consider inaccurate. Finally, please describe in detail the Center’s plans to comply fully with §§191.1720 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, which generally prohibits the prescription or administration of puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors, among other provisions. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Josh Hawley United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-urges-postal-service-prioritize-rebuilding-post-office-destroyed-baring-mo-tornado/,"Hawley Urges Postal Service to Prioritize Rebuilding Post Office Destroyed in Baring, Mo., Tornado",2023-09-06,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy of the United States Postal Service (USPS) seeking an update on the status of the Post Office in Baring, Mo., after it was destroyed by a tornado on August 4, 2023. “Losing a functioning Post Office is more than an inconvenience for Baring’s citizens. They risk losing access to reliable medical delivery, payment disbursements, and indispensable communications,” wrote Senator Hawley. He continued, “United States Postal Service (USPS) should prioritize rebuilding this critical infrastructure as soon as possible to ensure the people of Baring promptly regain access to deliveries and other vital services that they depend on.” Read the full letter here or below. September 6, 2023 The Honorable Louis Dejoy Postmaster General United States Postal Service 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC 20024 Dear Postmaster General Dejoy, I write to urge you to immediately address the closure of the Post Office in Baring, Missouri, which was recently damaged by a tornado. United States Postal Service (USPS) should prioritize rebuilding this critical infrastructure as soon as possible to ensure the people of Baring promptly regain access to deliveries and other vital services that they depend on. On August 4, 2023, Knox County was struck by an EF-2 tornado. According to reports, this natural disaster affected local businesses, damaged 62 homes, and almost completely destroyed Baring’s Post Office building. The tornado removed the building’s roof and several walls; it has now been deemed inoperative. According to a recent USPS press release, mail operations at the facility will be suspended. Encouragingly, it appears that some deliveries will be rerouted to the Edina Post Office for P.O. Box customers. While this is a helpful remedy for some residents, USPS must promptly restore normal operations and services to the area. Losing a functioning Post Office is more than an inconvenience for Baring’s citizens. They risk losing access to reliable medical delivery, payment disbursements, and indispensable communications. I therefore urge you to rebuild the Post Office, resume normal deliveries, and initiate a public awareness campaign, in coordination with local officials, to make sure Baring residents are informed of the remedial steps your agency is taking. As a Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I know the important work that USPS performs on a daily basis for millions of Americans. I am also committed to making sure that the committee oversees how USPS ensures services for rural residents following natural disasters, like this one. I am therefore also requesting regular updates on the reconstruction of the Baring Post Office building so that, together, we can ensure that Baring residents are served by USPS. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, Josh Hawley United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-rouzer-statement-epas-implementation-supreme-court-wotus-ruling,"Graves, Rouzer Statement on EPA’s Implementation of Supreme Court WOTUS Ruling",2023-08-29,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releasing its updated Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule following the U.S. Supreme Court’s May ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case: “The Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett was a decisive win for America’s farmers, small businesses, property owners, and those who build our infrastructure. We said from the very beginning that the Biden Administration should have waited on Sackett, knowing how much of an impact the decision could have on their costly, burdensome, and overreaching WOTUS rule. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration’s revised rule barely pays lip service to the Sackett decision. The Court was clear that Clean Water Act overreach is illegal. The Administration is now trying to make Sackett fit with a rule that never should have been issued in the first place. This revised rule ignores fundamental concerns laid out in Sackett and is a missed opportunity to finally end longstanding confusion over what constitutes a WOTUS.” Background Information: On February 2, 2023, Graves and Rouzer introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on the Biden Administration’s flawed and burdensome WOTUS rule. On March 9, 2023, the House of Representatives approved the Graves-Rouzer resolution with bipartisan support in a vote of 227-198. On March 29, 2023, the Senate also passed the resolution of disapproval in bipartisan fashion in a 53-43 vote. On April 6, 2023, President Biden vetoed the resolution of disapproval, siding with far-left environmental activists over everyday Americans, as well as majorities in both Houses of Congress. On May 25, 2023, the Supreme Court struck down the Biden WOTUS Rule in Sackett v. EPA. On June 21, 2023, House and Senate Republican committee leaders asked the Biden Administration for a detailed update on their plans to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-leader-scalise,Wagner Statement on Leader Scalise,2023-08-29,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s diagnosis: ""Nobody is as prepared as Steve Scalise is to take on this new trial, and win. With his faith in God, the love of his life Jennifer at his side, and his children and loving family there to support him, I know Steve will fight through this and come out stronger and more purpose driven than before.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-mchenry-urge-pcaob-reconsider-proposed-changes-company,"Wagner, McHenry Urge PCAOB to Reconsider Proposed Changes to Company Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations Standards",2023-08-24,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry (NC-10), and Chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee, Ann Wagner (MO-02), sent a letter to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) urging the Board to reevaluate the proposed changes in its Exposure Draft regarding Company Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR) standards. The proposed changes are in direct conflict with existing rules and risk undermining audit quality, auditor independence, and the materiality standard. Read the full letter here or below: “We write to you with serious concern regarding the recent Exposure Draft from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (‘PCAOB’ or ‘Board’) on Company Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations (‘NOCLAR’). “Preventing fraud and maintaining financial reporting integrity are paramount to the effective functioning of U.S. capital markets. However, the proposed changes to NOCLAR standards risk undermining audit quality. The revisions to NOCLAR standards are likely to divert auditors’ attention, dedication, and resources away from their principal responsibility of rigorously evaluating financial statements. This concern comes at a critical time, as the PCAOB is emphasizing the need to enhance audit standards, as underscored by Chair Erica Williams’ recent Op-Ed. The proposed realignment will likely have the opposite effect resulting in a weakening of audit quality and increasing the risk of investor harm. “Auditors are not legal professionals and should not be expected to function as law enforcement agents. Notably, the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) has long-established rules for auditor independence. These rules prohibit auditors in the U.S. from offering services to audit clients that fall under the purview of legal experts. “The proposed NOCLAR requirements appear to be in direct conflict with these existing rules. They would compel public accounting firms to establish specialized teams responsible for identifying laws and regulations imposing additional scrutiny for noncompliance. Further, the PCAOB’s proposal may entangle auditors in legal and managerial decisions beyond their scope, potentially impinging on their ability to accurately assess financial statement information. “Additionally, the proposal risks undermining the materiality standard that is the foundation of U.S. capital markets, and to which the PCAOB must adhere. The vague and complex language in the Proposal, such as ‘could reasonably’ and ‘may have occurred,’ introduce uncertainty regarding the PCAOB’s future adherence to the materiality standard as established in TSC v. Northway. Use of such terms creates considerable ambiguity in determining the relevant laws and regulations that necessitate evaluation. This ambiguity, combined with the renewed emphasis on noncompliance, could lead to adverse outcomes for U.S companies, including increased legal and compliance costs. It may also divert the attention of management, employees, and audit committees from financial reporting. Safeguarding investors requires the PCAOB to meticulously assess the repercussions and ramifications of this proposal for the public company model and, by extension, the attractiveness of U.S. capital markets. “U.S. companies are already burdened with substantial compliance obligations and are overseen by federal and state authorities. The existing oversight and enforcement frameworks competently address instances of noncompliance. While auditors have traditionally been responsible for detecting illicit activities as part of financial audits, broadening their purview to encompass noncompliance with all laws and regulations could blur the lines between legal, managerial, and audit functions. Put succinctly, the responsibilities of auditors must not be confused for the role of law enforcement, and the PCAOB must refrain from conflating its role as the “auditor of the auditors” with the mission of other prudential regulators. “The PCAOB should reevaluate the suitability of its proposed NOCLAR standards and revise any final standards to more effectively align with the PCAOB’s mission. Striking a delicate equilibrium between fraud prevention, audit quality, and preserving essential financial reporting duties is imperative. We greatly appreciate your attention to these concerns and anticipate a productive dialogue on this critical matter.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-requests-plan-reopen-baring-post-office-after-tornado,Graves Requests Plan to Reopen Baring Post Office after Tornado,2023-08-22,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Sam Graves,G000546,graves.house.gov,graves,https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C – Congressman Sam Graves wrote Postmaster General Louis DeJoy today requesting the United States Postal Service (USPS) develop a plan to reopen the Post Office in Baring, Missouri destroyed by the EF2 tornado that devastated the community earlier this month. “There’s been a United States Post Office in Baring for more than 130 years,” Graves said. “In the wake of this tragedy, the people of Baring deserve a plan from USPS to reopen this post office and continue serving the community for generations to come.” “The community of Baring might be small, but it is strong. I ask that the United States Postal Service join in this rebuilding effort by finding a suitable location in Baring for the Post Office to reopen in a timely manner,” the letter states. You can read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-receives-homeland-security-investigations-award-protecting,Wagner Receives Homeland Security Investigations Award for Protecting Children from Human Trafficking,2023-08-16,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), released the following statement after today’s Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Symposium: “It was an honor to speak at the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Human Trafficking Symposium and kick off a day of training to help law enforcement, private and public sector partners, advocates, and so many others in our ongoing fight against human trafficking. There are too many victims being taken advantage of in our communities, and it is critical we all have the tools we need to identify human trafficking wherever it may occur and bring perpetrators to justice. ""Thank you to Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho for presenting me an award recognizing my work to fight for victims of trafficking. It is incumbent upon us to do all we can to prevent the sexual exploitation of some of the most vulnerable in our world, especially the innocent children who cannot protect themselves.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.hawley.senate.gov/biden-backs-hawley-lujan-legislation-provide-aid-victims-nuclear-contamination/,Biden Backs Hawley-Luján Legislation to Provide Aid to Victims of Nuclear Contamination,2023-08-10,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MO,Josh Hawley,H001089,www.hawley.senate.gov,hawley,https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) issued the following statement after President Biden endorsed Senator Hawley’s legislation to compensate victims of government-caused nuclear contamination originating from the Manhattan Project. Senator Hawley’s legislation was adopted by the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act in July. The legislation was introduced with support from Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Senator Hawley said: “Compensating victims of government-caused nuclear contamination and negligence should not be a partisan issue. It’s about justice. I am glad President Biden has announced his support of our amendment, but now we need action. This amendment must be included in the final negotiated defense bill that the President signs into law. And we also must hear from the Biden Administration about their next steps to support victims in the St. Louis area and beyond.” Background Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. On July 27, 2023, in a strong bipartisan vote, Senator Hawley secured passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would provide compensation to victims of government-caused nuclear contamination. The legislation extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover victims of improperly-stored nuclear waste in affected areas in the St. Louis region. The measure—which was cosponsored by Senators Ben Ray Luján and Mike Crapo—also reauthorized and strengthened the RECA program to cover more impacted Americans from nuclear tests along with uranium miners. Earlier in July, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE), urging additional testing for radioactive contamination at a site in St. Charles County, Mo., after a review of the Weldon Spring site in 2021 offered an extensive critique of the DOE’s cleanup and monitoring efforts there. Senator Hawley also sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman, Senator Joe Manchin, urging him to convene a committee hearing to discuss the government-caused nuclear contamination of the St. Louis area. In addition, Senator Hawley penned separate letters to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), DOE, and Environmental Protection Agency, demanding answers from the government about the nuclear contamination. In April, Senator Hawley’s legislation mandating the clean up of Jana Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District and radioactive waste testing passed the U.S. Senate and Biden’s Energy Secretary Granholm also vowed to support it.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:31:44Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-protect-victims-child-sexual,Wagner Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Victims of Child Sexual Abuse,2023-08-09,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), along with Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Zach Nunn (R-IA), released the following statement after she introduced the Child Online Safety Modernization Act: “In 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 32 million reports of online child sexual abuse material, sometimes called ‘child pornography.’ That’s equal to approximately 87,600 reports per day of images and videos of children being sexually exploited. My legislation, the Child Online Safety Modernization Act, will advance common-sense, bipartisan, and bicameral solutions to help law enforcement investigate these cases, rescue vulnerable children, and apprehend online predators,” said Wagner. “Additionally, this bill will make it clear that images and videos of children being raped is not ‘pornography,’ it is sexual abuse of a child. America cannot, and should not, accept a reality where innocent children are sexually exploited for financial gain. Congress must do everything in its power to end this scourge against humanity, and my legislation will help protect innocent victims from some of the most destructive criminals in our society.” “In today’s modern society, it has become increasingly important to hold accountable those individuals that would sexually coerce and extort our children. As elected officials, there is no greater responsibility than ensuring we are keeping our children safe,’ said Garcia. “This is why I’m proud to co-lead the Online Safety Modernization Act of 2023 because it is a step toward preventing online sexual abuse from occurring in our society today.” “As a father with six young children, there’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do to protect them,” said Nunn. “The appalling number of reports of sexual abuse to the CyberTipline indicate that we have a crisis on our hands. We must take action to stop this horrific abuse and ensure victims get justice.” “It is troubling and heartbreaking to see the rise of child sexual exploitation on the internet and we must do everything we can to save these children by supporting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as fully as we can,” said Bacon. “By requiring reports from online platforms to provide more information to help law enforcement identify and locate the child victim and the individual who posted the image, we can save more children from a life of sexual trauma.” Read the one-pager on this legislation here. Supporting Organizations National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) “NCMEC thanks Representatives Ann Wagner and Sylvia Garcia for their leadership in online child safety and the introduction of the Child Online Safety Modernization Act (COSMA). “COSMA addresses the significant impact of child sex trafficking and enticement of children for sexual abuse by requiring online platforms to report these crimes to the CyberTipline. The bill also extends the preservation of CyberTipline data from 90 days to one year and ensures reports will be more actionable, which will help law enforcement safeguard victimized children. Lastly, COSMA provides a much-needed update to the criminal code by replacing the term ""child pornography"" with ""child sexual abuse material"" to more accurately reflect the rape and sexual abuse of children that is depicted in these images. “NCMEC is proud to support this important legislation and applauds Representatives Wagner and Garcia for their continued dedication to the safety of our children.” - Michelle DeLaune – President & CEO – NCMEC National Children’s Alliance “We cheer the introduction of COSMA by longtime Congressional champion for children, Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, to modernize and fix many of the paths by which children exploited online might be saved from their abuse,” said Teresa Huizar, CEO of National Children’s Alliance, the national association of Children’s Advocacy Centers. “Child sexual abuse materials are exploding in volume as our systems for online reporting and holding offenders accountable are stretched past their limits. The important changes to the CyberTipline and enhanced reporting requirements, plus the changes to federal law forever eliminating the inaccurate and victim-blaming term ‘child pornography’ from our federal laws, make the passage of the act a critical step toward an internet that minimally protects our children. We thank Rep. Wagner for her ongoing bipartisan leadership on behalf of children around the country, online and off.” Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) ""Technology companies must effectively collaborate with law enforcement to address online sexual exploitation of children"", said Stefan Turkheimer, Interim Vice President of Public Policy for the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. ""The Child Online Safety Modernization Act is a major step forward to ensure technology companies are doing their part to rescue victims and catch predators seen in child sexual abuse material that they host and show on their platforms. International Justice Mission “International Justice Mission (IJM) is pleased to support the Child Online Safety Modernization Act (COSMA). We are grateful for the leadership of Rep. Ann Wagner (R-TX) and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) in introducing this much-needed legislation. This bill will enhance reporting and preservation requirements for technology companies to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2022, 89.3% of all CyberTipline reports were linked to potential offenders outside the U.S. and referred to law enforcement agencies in more than 140 countries. From IJM’s experience in training international law enforcement partners on CyberTipline investigations, it is clear that updates are desperately needed to the existing reporting framework. COSMA will help improve consistency, quality and timeliness in reports of suspected OSEC sent from electronic service providers to the CyberTipline. IJM’s 2020 study of livestreamed child sexual abuse in the Philippines found that victims were abused on average for two years prior to intervention, in part because of failures to detect, report or disrupt these crimes. These updated reporting requirements will help international law enforcement receive and respond to reports faster, helping to identify and remove more children from abuse sooner. IJM also supports COSMA’s increase in the period of time electronic service providers are required to keep content from reports submitted to the CyberTipline – from 90 days to 1 year. This critical change will give investigators much-needed time to conduct their important work.” – Nate King, Director of Congressional Affairs at International Justice Mission Raven ""Today our children live and interact in an online environment. There are not enough reporting mechanisms, guidelines, and legislation to find victims and protect them. COSMA will do just that and more importantly ensure that the horrific victimization of children is described accurately as - child sexual abuse material.” – John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven Ending Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) Coalition ""Online sexual exploitation and abuse of children has increased exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic"", said the Ending Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) Coalition. ""In 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline received over 16.8 million reports of suspected OSEAC. In just 3 years, that number has nearly doubled to over 32 million. The Child Online Safety Modernization Act is essential in ensuring that law enforcement has the necessary information to successfully investigate reports and identify child victims. We applaud Representatives Ann Wagner and Sylvia Garcia for their leadership on this important issue."" Missouri KidsFirst “Online sexual exploitation is an issue of great concern to providers who serve victims of child abuse, including Missouri’s Child Advocacy Centers (CACs). While we know the presence of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) is becoming more frequent in child abuse investigations, reliable data has been a consistent challenge to the field. This can delay the system response by law enforcement and child protective services and limit access to victim services,” said Jessica Seitz, Executive Director of Missouri KidsFirst, the state’s network of CACs. “We thank Representative Wagner for introducing this legislation which will promote justice and healing to children who have been exploited.” Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MOCADSV) “The Child Online Safety Modernization Act seeks to replace the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” throughout U.S. federal statutes. Child victims depicted in such imagery have no consent and no control over their sexual exploitation, and U.S. federal law should accurately reflect this abuse. MOCADSV supports Representative Wagner’s efforts to increase online safety for children, and update federal statutes to accurately name this abuse.” – Matthew Huffman, Chief Public Affairs Officer. Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) ""Our nation's laws have failed to catch up with technology and the internet. By holding online platforms accountable, The Child Online Safety Modernization Act is a step forward to ensuring all children can access the internet free from exploitation and abuse."" – Alexander Delgado, Director of Public Policy. National Center on Sexual Exploitation",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/burlison-introduces-bill-stop-automatic-union-payroll-deductions,Burlison Introduces Bill to Stop Automatic Union Payroll Deductions,2023-07-28,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-07) introduced the Paycheck Protection Act, which will establish transparency and protect the rights of federal employees by prohibiting labor unions from deducting dues directly from their paychecks. Labor unions, unlike other dues-paying membership groups, are allowed to deduct dues directly from paychecks. The Paycheck Protection Act eliminates this unnecessary and harmful practice by requiring federal labor unions to collect dues payments directly from their members. This will empower workers with vital information about the exact amount of dues they pay, thereby promoting transparency, financial awareness, and informed decision-making. Rep. Eric Burlison said, “The government should not be in the business of giving preferential treatment to labor unions. Whether or not a worker chooses to join a union and pay dues is up to them. The federal government should not help unions do their job by collecting dues on their behalf. The Paycheck Protection Act is essential to foster transparency and help federal workers make more informed decisions about their hard-earned wages.” Aaron Withe, CEO of the Freedom Foundation said, “The Freedom Foundation commends Rep. Burlison for his leadership in introducing this important legislation. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for government payroll systems to fundraise for politically partisan labor unions who use their access to federal employees’ paychecks to coerce them into membership and lock them into nearly irrevocable dues payments. Getting government out of the union dues collection business and making unions collect their own dues would make unions more accountable to their members and give federal workers greater control over their financial relationship with unions.” The Paycheck Protection Act is cosponsored by Reps. Bob Good, Mary Miller, Glenn Grothman, Andy Ogles, and Tom Tiffany.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-appointed-house-knesset-parliamentary-group-1,Wagner Appointed to House-Knesset Parliamentary Group,2023-07-28,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the House Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement after Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy appointed her to the House-Knesset Parliamentary Group. “I am deeply humbled and honored to be a part of this historic, bipartisan delegation that will further strengthen the special bond between the United States and Israel,” said Vice Chair Wagner. “Through my position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as co-chair of the House Abraham Accords Caucus, I look forward to working with members of the Knesset to build upon the recent successes in normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states. I have been proud to pass legislation this Congress honoring the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations, and through this collaborative body, I will strive to foster new pathways for peace and prosperity in the Middle East.” Background In May 2023, Speaker McCarthy and Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana signed a joint pledge to establish a collaborative group between the U.S. House of Representatives and the Israeli Knesset to memorialize and strengthen the special relationship between the two countries. Members of these legislative bodies will be able to personally engage with each other through visits to the United States and Israel. Speaker McCarthy and House Minority Leader Jeffries appointed the following Members of Congress to this inaugural group:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-her-corporate-governance-examination-act,Wagner Statement on Her Corporate Governance Examination Act,2023-07-28,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,wagner,https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, released the following statement on her Corporate Governance Examination Act, legislation that was marked up and passed by the Financial Services Committee this week: “This important legislation will address potential issues from proxy advisors and will ensure the financial interests of retail investors are protected. Too often politically or socially motivated shareholder proposals cause investors to shoulder increased and unnecessary costs. Being a fiduciary means you have a responsibility to protect the best interest of investors, not follow a politicized proxy process. My legislation will examine whether the proposal process has become unnecessarily politicized and help ensure these proposals don’t deter future investors or endanger current investors.” Background",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases/burlison-and-brecheen-introduce-america-works-welfare-reform-package,Burlison and Brecheen Introduce “America Works” Welfare Reform Package,2023-07-27,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,MO,Eric Burlison,B001316,burlison.house.gov,burlison,https://burlison.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Representatives Josh Brecheen and Eric Burlison (R-MO) introduced two bills aimed at reining in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending and getting Americans back to work. Rep. Eric Burlison said, “Temporary government assistance programs are supposed to be just that, temporary. Yet, millions of able-bodied Americans are receiving billions in government assistance at the expense of taxpayers and our national debt. It’s time to end the cycle of dependency. The America Works package makes common-sense changes to welfare for able-bodied working-age Americans and rolls back the largest food stamp expansion in 45 years. It’s time to get America back to work.” Rep. Josh Brecheen said, “Under President Biden, food stamp spending has increased by more than 27% in just two years—the largest increase in the program’s history. This increase in spending was not done by an act of Congress, but instead by unelected bureaucrats willfully usurping Congress’ power of the purse. In addition to this Administration thumbing its nose at the Constitution, President Biden has encouraged many Americans to become too dependent on government, leading to an explosion of able-bodied individuals taking advantage of programs intended for those who really need it. As a society, we must be encouraging more people to work and lessening the dependency culture.” Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO at the Foundation for Government Accountability, said about the Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act, “With the Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act, Rep. Burlison addresses some of the biggest barriers to work head on. For years, states and bureaucrats have created and fostered loopholes that keep Americans out of the workforce and trapped in dependency. Work requirements work—if you let them. By eliminating some of the biggest loopholes, more Americans can experience the value and dignity of work.” Tarren Bragdon, said about the Thrifty Food Plan Accountability Act, “Everything about the Biden administration’s spending habits have been unprecedented, so it’s no surprise that USDA blew past decades-old standards, peer-review processes, and expert advice to unilaterally increase benefits. This reckless action did nothing but increase dependency and further erode trust in Washington. Rep. Brecheen’s Thrifty Food Plan Accountability Act restores some fiscal sanity to the Thrifty Food Plan and helps this important program get back on track to serve the truly needy.” Rep. Burlison introduced the Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act, which caps assistance for able-bodied food stamp enrollees at 5 years, eliminates geographic waivers states regularly use to skirt work requirements, expands work requirements to parents on food stamps with children over the age of 6, and raises the current age limit exception for food stamp benefit eligibility to 65. Rep. Brecheen introduced the Thrifty Food Plan Accountability Act, which would eliminate President Biden’s unlawful Thrifty Food Plan increase that has led benefits to soar by 27%—the largest permanent increase since the program’s inception. The bill would also require any re-evaluations to be cost-neutral. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z