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://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3177953F-1F2D-49F8-BE85-39112AE422EF,Congressman Rogers Announces Nearly $213 Million Award for Rural Healthcare in Kentucky,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced Kentucky has been awarded $212.9 million from the new Rural Health Transformation Fund through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Earlier this year, Congressman Rogers voted for the historic Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a carve out of $50 billion for rural healthcare from 2026 to 2030. Kentucky will receive nearly $213 million in 2026 from the new fund to expand rural healthcare, strengthen the workforce in rural clinics and modernize rural healthcare facilities. Awards from the fund will be made annually to Kentucky over the next five years.

“When we passed this funding into law earlier this year, I worked hard to ensure Kentucky would receive necessary support over the next five years from the new Rural Health Transformation Fund to help address the high rates of health disparities in our rural Appalachian region,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “We have made great strides to improve healthcare in the mountains, and this funding will help us continue to address diabetes, obesity, perinatal care, behavioral health, dental care and other dire medical needs in our rural communities.”

Two key initiatives will be included in Kentucky:

Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation will help rural providers coordinate and improve treatment for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Powering Rural Maternal and Infant Health Community-Based Teams will strengthen prenatal care access and support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies in underserved communities.

The formula for the Rural Health Transformation Program was written into law, including:

$25 billion over five years will be distributed evenly among the states; this means each state will receive $100 million each year for FY 2026-2030 ($500 million total).

$25 billion will be distributed to states based on criteria established by the Secretary that target funding to states with high rural health care needs and that outline long-term programmatic goals that will transform access to care in the state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=23E19F2B-B66D-4C93-BA00-907571B2B5F2,McConnell Helps Secure More Than $212 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Rural Hospitals,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been awarded $212,905,591 in federal funds for investment in rural healthcare.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services will receive funding from the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program which was authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that Senator McConnell voted in support of. The federal funding distributed this year to Kentucky will be directed toward rural hospitals and will be used in a variety of ways approved by statute.

“This significant investment in healthcare is a major win for Kentucky’s rural hospitals and providers,” said Senator McConnnell. “I was proud to help secure the Rural Health Transformation fund in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that Congress passed earlier this year. This legislation helped strengthen safety nets for Kentuckians most in need and works toward a more sustainable and innovative healthcare system in rural areas throughout our country and the Commonwealth.”

This federal program was established to help implement structural reforms to failing rural healthcare systems in place of prior temporary patches. The main goals of the program include sustainable access to care, workforce development, innovative care, and innovation in technology to promote healthy lifestyles for Americans. The federal funding will be allocated to approved states over five years. All 50 states were eligible to apply for funding from the RHT, and half of the funds will be distributed equally to approved states while the other half will be allocated based on state metrics and applications to maximize impact as well as address needs.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=40918BA1-AB26-4732-9DB6-6A059D768023,"Andy Barr Announces the Passing of Tatum Dale, Longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager",2025-12-25,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Lexington, KY— It is with an incredibly heavy heart that U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced the passing of Tatum Dale, his longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager for his U.S. Senate campaign. Barr released the following statement:

“When I first ran to serve the Sixth District, Tatum Dale was one of the first people who volunteered to help. Born and raised in Murray, Tatum came to the University of Kentucky for college, and I’m forever grateful that she stayed to serve alongside me. For over 15 years, Tatum was the heart and soul of my team. She held almost every job in my office—Scheduler, Field Representative, Deputy District Director, District Director, then Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for my U.S. Senate run.

“With Tatum’s leadership, my office favorably closed thousands of cases for Kentuckians—helping veterans, seniors, and families throughout our district. She fought to deliver funds to support dozens of community projects across our Commonwealth. She loved helping people and was a servant of others, just as Christ envisioned us all to be. Maybe that’s why her birth in heaven is a shared birthday with our Lord and Savior. While our hearts are broken, our team finds peace and hope knowing that Tatum is now home with Christ, resting comfortably in the arms of her Savior.

“Tatum loved her family, her faith, and her Commonwealth. She made me a better Congressman, our staff better public servants, and we will all miss her forever. From Murray to Lexington and everywhere in the Commonwealth that she touched, we hope you will all join us in praying for Tatum’s family and friends—and be forever inspired by her memory to serve others.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=182BD663-CD18-4A42-9C95-7B67265B69C7,"McConnell, Shaheen in The Washington Post: Russia Isn’t Winning Its War On Ukraine.",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Jean Shaheen (D-NH) submitted the following op-ed published by The Washington Post:

In the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden administration gave Congress its assessment of Ukraine’s ability to hold back Russian forces. The projection was bleak. Kyiv, they said, would fall in weeks, if not sooner.

Yet, the Russian tanks that attempted to topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government were either destroyed or forced to retreat. By April, not only had Putin failed to install a friendly government in Kyiv, his military couldn’t secure a foothold anywhere near Ukraine’s capital. Instead, Ukraine successfully confined Russia’s troops to the far east of their country, where Russia has tried to steal territory since 2015.

After almost four years of fighting, Russia has lost about a third of its strategic bombers, and it continues to lose equipment at significantly higher rates than Ukraine. It is Russia that has borne more than 1 million casualties, dead and wounded, in grinding battles of its own making. Pundits who predicted a quick Ukrainian defeat were wrong in 2022, and they are wrong today.

Along the way, Republicans and Democrats alike criticized the Biden administration’s excessive caution in refusing to provide Ukraine the weapons it needed, when they could have made the biggest difference. It is more than plausible that the Ukrainians could have achieved a decisive victory and lasting peace if they were simply granted the fighter jets, air defenses and long-range weapons when they initially requested them from President Joe Biden. But American assistance was often too little, too late.

In prolonging Putin’s aggression, this hesitation also gave China, Iran, North Korea and other nations working together to undermine American interests new reasons to doubt our credibility and strength.

Fortunately, the opportunity for President Donald Trump to end this conflict on favorable terms for Ukraine, America and the West has not passed. But he must not continue to make the same miscalculation that his predecessor made in 2022.

Administration officials say that the “fall” of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk is a bellwether for what’s to come for Ukraine. Yet, Pokrovsk, whose population was only around 60,000 even before the war, has yet to fall. And in the entire year and a half that the Russians have spent trying to take this relatively small city, their minuscule gains have come at staggering material and human costs.

Russians are paying an extraordinary economic price in pursuit of Putin’s lust for glory and blood. Russian oil and gas revenue have fallen more than 30 percent due to attacks on its energy infrastructure. The Kremlin has been selling gold to stabilize its finances and shield elites from the true cost of Putin’s war. And roughly a quarter of Russian companies are now bankrupt or at risk. Russia cannot afford the war it is fighting, but it can prolong it.

Putin may be playing for time, but he is not dragging out this conflict because it is his preferred tactic. He is dragging it out because he cannot achieve a decisive victory. He’s hoping that slow, grinding attrition will divide the West.

Instead, the United States must stand with European allies investing heavily in their own defense and far exceeding American support to Ukraine. If there are economic fruits of peace, they lie in cooperation with an innovative, Western-oriented Ukraine and a resurgent Europe, not in a bankrupt, backward Russia.

Envoy Steve Witkoff has been to Moscow six times since the administration took office and worked to get Putin an invitation to the U.S. Yet, just as the Russians have barely moved in their ground offensive against Ukraine, they have not moved an inch in negotiations with the U.S.

It is fair to ask what the U.S.’s endgame should be. Wars end when leverage changes. If the U.S. and its allies want a negotiated end, the only proven, viable path is to strengthen Ukraine’s position, not to weaken it. Abandoning Ukraine or granting Russia what it cannot win on the battlefield will not bring lasting peace. Putin wants more than Donbas — he denies Ukrainian sovereignty outright. And his ambitions extend to the Baltic states and other nations once held captive by the Soviet empire.

Congress has an array of bipartisan tools to increase pressure on Putin. In October, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced measures to tighten sanctions enforcement, restrict Chinese support for Russia’s war machine and authorize transferring frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The Trump administration’s recent sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft have had a profound effect, but much more is required.

Additional investment in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the National Defense Authorization Act and the Senate’s defense appropriations, and which is spent here at home to reconstitute America’s defense industrial capacity — would bolster European contributions and help ensure Ukraine has the air defenses, long-range weapons and industrial support needed to sustain a position of strength.

Putin is betting the U.S. will talk itself into believing Ukraine cannot succeed. The past four years show the opposite. Ukraine has defied every expectation, including our own. Kyiv is not losing, and Moscow is not winning. It is up to Washington to match Ukraine’s resolve with the clarity this moment demands.",1,2026-04-03T05:34:17Z,2026-04-03T05:35:48Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/photo-release-comer-meets-with-usda-secretary-brooke-rollins-at-white-house,Photo Release: Comer Meets with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins at White House,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) had breakfast at the White House with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins. They discussed a broad range of agricultural policy initiatives and pledged to work together to expand market opportunities and remove barriers for America’s farmers. Secretary Rollins and Congressman Comer also share a unique background in agricultural leadership, having served concurrently as state Future Farmers of America (FFA) Officers, with Secretary Rollins representing Texas and Congressman Comer representing Kentucky.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3808C6A0-3EB2-4601-BFDD-A91958B31FB2,Barr: FIGHT China Act will Make Trump’s America First Investment Policy Permanent,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, the FIGHT China Act led by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) passed the U.S. Senate and is going to President Trump’s desk for his signature. The legislation is the strongest sanctions ever passed by Congress on China. The FIGHT China Act restricts American investment into Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military and surveillance companies and other sensitive technologies of adversarial nations. This legislation will make President Donald J. Trump’s America First Investment Policy permanent and prevent American investors from unknowingly bankrolling military and tech companies that threaten U.S. national security.

“The bottom line is U.S. investors continue to be the primary source of global investment capital into the technology sectors in China at the heart of the U.S.-China economic competition,” Barr said in a joint appearance on Maria Bartiromo with Senator Cornyn on Wednesday. “Americans are unknowingly funding the Chinese military industrial complex, and we will end that with the FIGHT China Act. This codifies President Trump’s America First Investment Policy and will stop the flow of capital and know-how into the sensitive technologies that threaten our national security.”

A 2024 report found U.S. index funds steered $6.5 billion of Americans’ retirement money into 63 Chinese companies blacklisted for supporting the CCP military or human-rights abuses. Barr worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), and others in House Republican leadership to fight for this provision to be included in the NDAA.

“The need to address capital flowing from the U.S. to countries of concern was realized during the first Trump administration, and my legislation presents a generational opportunity to confront the threats China, Iran, North Korea and others pose to our national and economic security,” said Sen. Cornyn after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. “This landmark legislation would prohibit and require notification of U.S. investments in certain technologies in countries of concern, ensuring American ingenuity, innovation, and investment do not end up in the hands of adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to be weaponized against us. I’m proud this long-awaited effort is approaching the finish line and am grateful to colleagues past and present for their contributions to this effort, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law as part of the annual defense bill.”

“The FY26 NDAA advances President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength agenda and delivers historic wins that have taken years of sustained effort across multiple Congresses to achieve. President Trump has made clear the past few decades of investments propping up Communist China’s aggression must come to an end. The inclusion of outbound investment restrictions in this year’s NDAA are an important step to protect our nation’s national security and economic competitiveness,” said Speaker Johnson after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. “This achievement is the result of persistent work by House and Senate committees and Republican leaders in Congress like Rep. Barr who championed these reforms and made it reality. Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down. President Trump and Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it.”

“Our Committee and our Conference delivered a huge win for American national security – finally cutting off American investors to feed the Beijing military machine,” said Chairman Mast after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week. “I want to thank Rep. Barr for his leadership in helping get this across the finish line and to President Trump’s desk.”

“Since day one, Rep. Barr has led the charge to hold Communist China accountable, and the inclusion of his bipartisan FIGHT China Act in the House-passed NDAA bill is another important step toward ending the CCP’s exploitation of America’s financial markets. We urge the Senate to move quickly to end CCP military companies from using the ‘passive index loophole’ to access American capital,” said Chris Iacovella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Securities Association after House passage of the FIGHT China Act last week.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C7C392C2-6ED2-475C-A5E7-BE11566E2085,"Barr Leads Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to Passage, Heads to President Trump’s Desk",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act passed the U.S. Senate and is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by a criminal he had arrested ten years earlier. Although his murder was clearly an act of retaliation for his service, his family was denied Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program benefits solely because he had retired.

The Chief Proffitt Act amends the PSOB program to make retired or separated officers and their families eligible for benefits if they suffer permanent disability or death in an event related to their service. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2012, making the Proffitt family eligible for benefits.

“Chief Proffitt embodied what it means to be a model Kentuckian — a military veteran, a devoted public servant, and a law enforcement leader who protected his community with honor,” said Congressman Barr. “His murder was a clear act of retaliation, and yet his family was denied the benefits they deserved because of a technicality. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act corrects that injustice. I am grateful to the Proffitt family for their strength and perseverance, and proud to lead this bill across the finish line to give them and other families across America who face similar tragedies the benefits they deserve.”

""I personally knew Herbert “Sprocket” Proffitt well. He was a great public servant who spent his entire life making my community a safer place. I’m very happy to support this legislation for his fine family,” said U.S. Congressman James Comer (R-KY), who represents Tompkinsville.

“Chief Proffitt dedicated his life to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ultimately sacrificed his life as a result of his service. I am thrilled to see the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act become law to honor his sacrifice and legacy,” said U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) who represents many of the Proffitt family members in Congress.

“On behalf of the entire Proffitt family, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Congressman Andy Barr for leading the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act,” said Jeff Proffitt, son of Chief Proffitt and the former Mayor of Tompkinsville. “We are grateful to Congressman Barr and his team for their dedication in getting this legislation enacted, and to Supporting Heroes for recognizing the need for this bill and helping start the process several years ago.”

“On behalf of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, we extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Andy Barr for his tireless efforts in securing the passage of the Chief Herbert Proffitt Act within the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act,” said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police. “Chief Proffitt’s legacy embodies service, sacrifice, and devotion to community, and this legislation ensures his memory will continue to inspire future generations. It demonstrates to young men and women entering law enforcement that our legislators stand firmly behind those who serve—even after retirement. Congressman Barr’s commitment to honoring Kentucky’s heroes reflects his unwavering support for law enforcement and the values we uphold. We are proud to recognize his leadership and dedication to preserving the legacy of one of our own. Congressman Barr continues to honor and support the men and women in law enforcement, and the 12,000 members of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police are deeply thankful.”

“FLEOA strongly supports this commonsense legislation to strengthen the Public Safety Officer’s Benefits program and ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers targeted by criminals for violence due to their former service are eligible for PSOB benefits,” said Mat Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “The PSOB program is a lifeline for federal, state, and local officers who are killed or permanently injured in the line of duty. We are grateful to Representative Andy Barr and the bill’s supporters for their leadership and steadfast commitment to the law enforcement community.”

“This legislation closes a long-standing gap in federal law, delivering fairness and dignity to the families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price. It also reinforces our solemn obligation to law enforcement professionals who confront danger every day to keep our communities safe,” said Bert Eyler, President of the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition.

“The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act makes an important change that will assist families during a challenging time. Approving this measure is the right thing to do and honors the service and sacrifice of both law enforcement officers and their families,” said the Major Cities Chiefs Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F83CCBEA-17C5-4600-B421-045BB02DFF5B,Congressman Rogers Supports Republican Plan to Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted in support of House Republicans’ Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, H.R. 6703. House Republicans passed their health care plan on Wednesday to make insurance more affordable for everyone, including lower premiums and expanded coverage options.

“While Democrats vote to send billions more to insurance companies, our bill provides long-term relief by cutting costs for patients and giving them more options,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “We’re lowering premiums in the Un-Affordable Care Act (ACA) by 11%, which is more than double the reduction of the Democrats’ plan. Instead of lining the pockets of big insurance companies, we are giving more money to patients through health savings accounts, better insurance plans and lower prescription costs.”

The Democrat-led plan to extend Obamacare tax subsidies for three more years will only lower costs for roughly 7% of Americans enrolled in the ACA.

Recently, a new investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed widespread fraud in the Obamacare tax subsidy system, including $94 million that paid for health care for deceased individuals.

Highlights of the ""Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act"":

Saves taxpayers $1.9 billion by reducing health care premiums for American workers;

Reduces ACA Premiums by 11% vs. 5% in the Democrat-led plan;

Increased transparency and lower prescription drug costs for all Americans;

Expands Association Health Plans to access better rates for patients, boosts health savings accounts for patients, and protects stop-loss insurance for small business owners.

Click here to read the ""Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.""

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=64EC6C99-2F4C-4127-B7D0-8CC6D4F95C60,McConnell’s Bill to Support Families of Retired Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Heads to President’s Desk,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Senate approved his measure to ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed or disabled as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, introduced earlier this year by Senators McConnell and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which passed today. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

The bill is named after Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean War veteran and law enforcement officer of 55 years who retired in 2009 as Chief of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. Although his murder was in direct retaliation for his service in uniform, his family was denied benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program because he had retired from his more than half-a-century of service.

The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act would amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program eligibility criteria for retired law enforcement officers who have died or become permanently disabled due to a targeted attack directly resulting from their service, and retroactively apply the updated eligibility for claims starting on January 1, 2012.

“The loss of Chief Herbert D. Proffitt is a tragic reminder of the risk that follows our finest every day of their lives. This legislation plugs an important hole, ensuring the Proffitt family—and others like them—are supported and assured that the service and sacrifice of their loved ones are never forgotten,” said Senator McConnell. “I’m grateful for our law enforcement officers and their steadfast dedication to keeping us safe, and I applaud my colleagues in the U.S. Senate for honoring their service by passing this bipartisan legislation.”

“On behalf of Chief Proffitt’s family and members of the law enforcement community, we appreciate Senator McConnell’s introduction of this important piece of legislation. This bill will include Line of Duty Death (LODD) benefits for retired members of law enforcement that have been murdered because of their prior law enforcement actions. Passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 will give some comfort to Chief Proffitt’s family while providing security to law enforcement families,” said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police.

“The Tompkinsville Police Department is grateful to Senator McConnell for his work to support and honor our law enforcement families. Thirteen years later, we still mourn the loss of Chief Herbert “Sprocket” Proffitt, a devoted father and leader in Tompkinsville who dedicated his life to keeping our community safe. We are proud to see his legacy honored with this important legislation,” said Kerry L. Denton, Deputy Chief of Police, City of Tompkinsville.

The legislation is endorsed by the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers Association, the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8C0178E7-1BDE-4EAC-9DBB-218A06A36586,McConnell Praises Passage of National Defense Legislation with Major Kentucky Wins,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding to train and equip America’s 21st-century military to meet evolving security threats. The bill includes authorization of critical investments secured by Senator McConnell for Kentucky’s military installations and other key defense priorities. With this legislation now on its way to President Trump for his signature, the priorities articulated in the NDAA now depend on passage of full-year defense appropriations.

“Passage of this legislation positions our servicemembers stationed in Kentucky to receive the equipment, training, and resources they need to address the threats facing our nation,” said Senator McConnell. “Representing the men and women of the Armed Forces serving in Kentucky is one of my greatest privileges. We owe a special obligation to those who volunteer to serve our country in uniform, and I will continue to support them in the United States Senate.”

Blue Grass Army Depot

Senator McConnell, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, secured a key provision that safeguards the future of Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Madison County. This legislation protects BGAD and other military installations from being closed by the Department of Defense without Congressional notification and a full evaluation of local and strategic consequences. It also requires the Secretary of the Army to provide Congress with an annual report on BGAD and other installations – arsenals, depots and ammunition plants – referred to as the Army’s Organic Industrial Base (OIB).

Senator McConnell also secured measures that encourage the Department of Defense to bring new missions to BGAD. These measures direct the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of expanding domestic propellant production and support the establishment of an additional artillery munition production line within the Army’s OIB.

“For years, I’ve worked with local leaders to complete the chemical weapons disposal mission at BGAD,” said Senator McConnell. “Now that the mission is complete, we’re focused on building a new future for the Depot—expanding its world-class facilities and unlocking new economic opportunities for Central Kentucky. With the NDAA’s passage, the Army is now positioned to help shape that future mission.”

“Senator Mitch McConnell’s leadership has once again delivered real results for Madison County and for our nation’s defense. Throughout the NDAA process, Senator McConnell championed measures that not only protect Blue Grass Army Depot from closure, but actively encourage the Department of Defense to expand propellant manufacturing and artillery munition production right here at BGAD. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking investment we have been advocating for during my tenure—one that strengthens national security while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs for our community. I am grateful to Senator McConnell and our federal delegation for their continued partnership and commitment to protecting and growing this critical Madison County asset,” said Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor.

Additional Kentucky Priorities in the NDAA

Senator McConnell also secured several provisions throughout the NDAA process that support the Commonwealth’s role as a cornerstone of America’s national defense:

Authorization for a new $45 million air traffic control tower at Fort Campbell, replacing the aging existing structure.

Support for the Army’s procurement of advanced Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems.

Encouragement for the potential use of the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System to defend Air Force bases.

Support to our Nation’s Servicemembers and U.S. National Security NDAA

In addition to these Kentucky-specific victories, the NDAA also authorizes the following provisions to support our service members and to deter American adversaries:

Authorization of a well-deserved 3.8% pay raise for service members.

Overhauls the defense acquisition bureaucracy to speed support defense innovation and accelerate the Defense Department’s procurement of critical weapon systems and munitions.

Reauthorizes the Ukraine Security Initiative and formally authorizes the Baltic Security Initiative.

Prohibits the drawdown of American forces in Europe and South Korea below certain levels and reinforces U.S. defense partnerships with Taiwan, the Philippines, and Israel.",1,2026-04-01T05:41:29Z,2026-04-01T05:42:36Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/endorsements-for-mcgarvey-bills-to-improve-black-lung-benefits-for-miners-and-their-families,Endorsements for McGarvey Bills to Improve Black Lung Benefits for Miners and Their Families,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) introduced two bills, the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act and the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, to hold coal operators accountable and improve black lung benefits programs for miners and their families.

Both bills received endorsements by various miner advocate groups. Read what they are saying below.

Appalachian Voices

Government Affairs Specialist Quenton King: “We applaud the leadership of Sens. Kaine, Warner and Fetterman and Reps. McGarvey and Scott for standing up for coal mining families in Central Appalachia and beyond. Black lung is a terrible disease, and too many coal mining families struggle to access the medical benefits and compensation they deserve. As the cost of living in the country continues to rise, we have to take care of the miners who put their bodies on the line. These bills will help families navigate the black lung benefit system while finally putting the monthly disability benefit on a path toward fairness.”

National Black Lung Association

Vice President Vonda Robinson: “We frequently hear from coal mining families in our communities that they feel the system is rigged against them. They have to fight tooth and nail for their black lung medical and disability benefits, all while fearing that a future decision might claw their black lung payments back from them. We need the system to be more fair for coal miners and their survivors. Congress must pass these bills so coal miners with black lung will have hope again.”

Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

Director of Policy Rebecca Shelton: ""Black lung disease is a horrible, occupational disease. It is preventable and shouldn't be the fate of any miner. The least we can do is try and make the federal disability benefits process more fair and less costly for miners and their families. Both these bills make significant contributions to that end and we're grateful for the leadership of Senators Kaine and Warner and Representatives McGarvey and Scott.""

United Mine Workers of America

International President Brian Sanson: “For generations, the United Mine Workers have fought to make sure miners suffering from black lung are not left behind. But as this disease becomes more aggressive and impacts miners at younger ages, our laws must keep pace. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act and the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act strengthen a lifeline that thousands of miners and families rely on. These bills aren’t just policy, they are about dignity, justice, and honoring the sacrifice miners make every day. The UMWA is proud to support these bills.”

###

Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-and-warner-introduce-bill-to-support-families-of-mine-workers-who-died-of-black-lung-disease,McGarvey and Warner Introduce Bill to Support Families of Mine Workers Who Died of Black Lung Disease,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) introduced the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, a bill to support families of miners who have died of pneumoconiosis, also known as “black lung disease.” A Senate companion bill will also be introduced by Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today.

Under current law, miners’ surviving dependents can claim monthly payments and medical benefits through the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972, but must prove black lung substantially contributed to the miner’s death, even if the miner was diagnosed with black lung and died of respiratory illness, imposing a heavy legal and financial burden on survivors’ families who lack the resources of mine operators and their lawyers.

“When families are navigating the grief of losing a loved one and the financial worries that come with it, they shouldn’t be subjected to a lengthy and expensive legal process just to prove what we already know: miners work in dangerous conditions to power this country and pay for it with their own health and lives,” said Rep. Morgan McGarvey. “The burden should be on the coal companies, not grieving widows, to either prove there’s no connection to black lung or pay these families what they’re owed as a small step towards addressing the irreparable harm miners endured on the job. I’m grateful to Senator Warner for staying in this fight and doing everything we can to make it easier for these families to get the benefits they’ve more than earned.”

“Grieving families in Virginia’s mining communities shouldn’t have to worry about fighting red tape or taking on hefty financial burdens,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud to stand alongside Rep. McGarvey and reintroduce the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, which will ensure that families struggling with the loss of a loved one receive the benefits they deserve.”

Research has shown that repeated exposure to coal dust and other materials puts miners at risk of developing black lung disease. Inhaling dust scars the lungs, impairs breathing, and other respiratory complications that can have life-altering consequences and lead to disability and death.

The Relief for Survivors of Miners Act would fix these barriers to benefits to ensure families of miners are properly compensated. Specifically, the legislation:

Re-establishes a pre-1981 “rebuttable presumption” that a miner who died from respiratory-related conditions had died due to black lung if the miner was previously disabled due to black lung.

Improves legal representation by paying attorney’s fees and medical expenses incurred during the claim process.

Requests a Government Accountability Office report on the financial impact of these payments and other ways to improve the claims process and benefits for survivors.

The bill text can be found HERE.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-kaine-warner-fetterman-scott-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-and-increase-accessibility-of-black-lung-benefits-program-for-miners,"McGarvey, Kaine, Warner, Fetterman, Scott Introduce Legislation to Strengthen and Increase Accessibility of Black Lung Benefits Program for Miners",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Mark R. Warner (both D-VA), and John Fetterman (D-PA), and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Labor, reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, legislation that would help miners who have suffered from black lung disease access the workers’ compensation and benefits they are entitled to receive under the federal Black Lung Benefits Program. This legislation significantly reduces barriers, such as rising inflation and costs-of-living, complex claims processes, and lack of legal representation, that prevent miners and their survivors from accessing benefits.

“After paying for this country’s last energy revolution with their own health and safety, miners shouldn’t have to endure a costly, drawn-out legal process to prove they’ve earned their benefits,” said McGarvey. “Our bill would peg these benefits to inflation and make them easier to access, rather than letting these miners who have sacrificed so much be left further and further behind. I’m grateful for Senators Kaine and Fetterman and Ranking Member Scott’s continued dedication to strengthen black lung benefits, get miners the care they need, and uphold the dignity of financial security that they deserve.”

“Our miners make tremendous sacrifices to keep our lights on, communities powered, and nation running,” said Kaine. “The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act will help the brave miners and retirees impacted by black lung disease finally get the medical coverage and compensation they've earned.”

“For generations, Virginia’s coal miners have made tremendous sacrifices to power America, literally risking their lives to fuel our nation,” said Warner. “The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act will eliminate red tape and help miners and their families get easy access to the benefits, compensation, and legal representation they deserve.”

“The job of a coal miner is often a dangerous and thankless one. Pennsylvania’s coal miners know the risk all too well,” said Fetterman. “It’s absolutely wrong when we have workers not receiving the benefits they were promised—zero exceptions. I’m proud to join my colleagues on the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act so we do right by our coal miners and their families. They risk their lives every day for our great country and we should have their backs when they need us, not leave them behind.”

“Decades ago, Congress established the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are totally disabled. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office found that miners often lack the necessary medical and legal resources to develop evidence to prove their claims,” said Scott. “The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act helps miners and their survivors access legal representation, ensures benefits are not eroded due to inflation, reduces the time for processing claims, and protects taxpayers from taking a hit when a self-insured coal company goes bankrupt and cannot pay black lung claims.”

Many miners have developed coal workers’ pneumoconiosis—commonly referred to as “black lung”—a debilitating and deadly disease caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust in underground and surface coal mines. In response, Congress passed the Black Lung Benefits Act in 1976 to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are disabled. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act makes necessary updates to ensure Congress is fulfilling its commitment to the nation’s coal miners by:

Automatically adjusting coal miners' benefits for inflation,

Helping miners and their survivors secure legal representation by increasing the number of attorneys willing to take on black lung claims,

Expanding the assistance provided by black lung clinics,

Ensuring miners get assistance from the Department of Labor (DOL) in rebutting medical evidence,

Improving access to CT scans to clarify medical eligibility,

Requiring the DOL to address potential conflicts of interest with physicians providing medical exams,

Accelerating the DOL’s access to employment and earnings verification for miners from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),

Establishing stringent criteria for mine operators that seek to self-insure,

Increasing civil penalties for mine operators that fail to secure benefits, and

Expanding the parties that the DOL can hold liable when an operator fails to secure benefits.

The legislation has been endorsed by Appalachia Voices, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, the BlueGreen Alliance, the Sierra Club, and the United Mine Workers of America.

A one-pager on the bill is available HERE. Full text of the bill is available HERE.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8B76ECF7-29EF-402C-B2CE-11B8ED8F2F79,Barr Honored for A+ Rating from NumbersUSA for Strong Border Security Record,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—This week, NumbersUSA honored U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) with an A+ Rating. Barr is one of 23 House Members who received NumbersUSA’s highest grade for championing stronger border security legislation. NumbersUSA is the premier education and research organization that stands for sensible, limited and enforced immigration in the United States.

“I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump in working to secure our border,” said Congressman Barr. “From delivering funding for the wall, to leading the defense of Trump’s authority to build the wall in federal court, to backing the largest investment in DHS ever passed, I’ve been there every step of the fight for border security with President Trump. I’ll continue working with President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan to lock down the border once and for all.”

“Andy Barr has earned a 100% A+ rating on NumbersUSA’s congressional grade card,” said Mike Hough, co-President of NumbersUSA. “That rating reflects Rep. Barr’s leadership in Congress on border security and enforcing our nation’s immigration laws. He is advancing our top priorities: ending birthright citizenship loopholes, cracking down on illegal immigrants obtaining commercial driver’s licenses, and preventing abuse of the asylum system. We are grateful to have strong leaders like Andy Barr working to pass tougher immigration laws in Congress.”

During this first session of the 119th Congress, Congressman Barr voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $170B to secure the border. He also introduced a constitutional amendment to prohibit the children of illegal immigrants from obtaining birthright citizenship. Recently, Barr and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced a bill to crack down on liberal states giving illegal immigrants commercial driver’s licenses that have led to the deaths of Americans in recent months.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/comer-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-crack-down-on-soaring-prescription-drug-costs-support-kentucky-pharmacists,"Comer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Soaring Prescription Drug Costs, Support Kentucky Pharmacists",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), introduced the Pharmacists Fight Back Act to lower life-saving prescription drug costs and rein in the predatory practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Since 2021, Congressman Comer has spearheaded a House Oversight Committee investigation that has uncovered how PBMs abuse their position as middlemen, keeping rebates and fees for themselves, undermining community pharmacists, and pushing higher drug costs onto patients at the pharmacy counter.

“Congress is putting Pharmacy Benefit Managers on notice: their era of taking advantage of Americans is ending. PBMs have abused their role as middlemen, keeping rebates and fees for themselves, weakening our community pharmacists, and pushing costs onto patients at the pharmacy counter. We have a responsibility to act and that's why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act. This legislation takes meaningful steps to protect patients and our Kentucky pharmacists, ensuring they can access and provide affordable, life-saving medications to all without PBM interference. I look forward to working with my colleagues and our local pharmacists to get this legislation to the President’s desk,” said Congressman Comer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-sends-letter-to-usps-after-reports-of-significant-mail-delays-in-louisville,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Sends Letter to USPS After Reports of Significant Mail Delays in Louisville,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"“We must not have a repeat of last year’s delays.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 11, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner regarding “an alarming number of messages and calls from constituents who are not receiving their bills, medication, and other essential mail on time.”

The letter to USPS cites dozens of reports of mail and packages sitting idle in the Gardiner Lane facility for days and weeks and USPS trucks arriving at Louisville facilities only to be delayed or turned away.

“My constituents and I are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the sorters, letter carriers, and other rank-and-file postal employees who work hard to get Americans their mail on time, but we are deeply frustrated that USPS has not made progress on giving those workers everything they need to move the mail on time,” the Congressman wrote.

McGarvey has continued to probe USPS throughout the year after significant delays and witnessing structural issues at USPS during a tour of the facility on Gardiner Lane in February. In today’s letter, the Congressman dismissed claims by USPS that winter storms were to blame for the repeated and unprecedented mail days, highlighting “renewed reports of broken equipment, resource mismanagement, and staffing shortages” that “long predate any winter weather.”

“It is unacceptable that structural issues continue to significantly plague operations at USPS facilities in Louisville despite a USPS inspector general audit providing a detailed look into the facilities’ problems and recommending multiple fixes,” McGarvey continued. “I urge you to take every available action to resolve issues at Louisville’s postal facilities and to give postal workers every resource they need to succeed. Our community depends on reliable, timely mail service, and they deserve better.”

Read the full letter here:

###

Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=04F9405B-0725-4063-81DE-C361D9204CB5,Barr Votes for America First National Security Bill to Boost Pay for Troops and Eliminate DEI from the Military,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This landmark legislation delivers a 3.8% pay raise for America’s service members, eliminates politically driven mandates in the military, and restores a merit-based culture focused on readiness and national security. The bill also secures continued funding for border protection, institutes critical spending reforms, and strengthens U.S. deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“I’m proud to support this legislation because it advances President Trump’s America First agenda and restores the military’s core mission of putting America’s security first,” said Congressman Barr. “Under the President’s leadership, we are removing the radical left’s DEI and ESG mandates from the military, delivering well-deserved pay raises for our troops, and strengthening our deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party.”

The NDAA also permanently codifies $20 billion in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts that Congressman Barr championed as a member of the Congressional DOGE Caucus. It also eliminates DEI programs at the U.S. Department of War (DOW), ends climate-related initiatives at DOW, and advances numerous reforms Congressman Barr has long supported in previous defense authorization bills.

Finally, the NDAA reinforces President Trump’s peace through strength agenda by ensuring a fully equipped, highly capable fighting force and advancing the President’s Golden Dome initiative to deter against adversaries.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EBCE61B2-687F-4A04-A578-D1F9D7D4A35E,"Barr, House Republicans Advance Hard-Hitting China Investment Sanctions Closer to President Trump’s Desk",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— The toughest crackdown on military and surveillance capabilities by our adversaries ever passed out of Congress is one step closer to President Trump’s desk. This landmark legislation is a major victory and is the culmination of work across multiple Congresses by members in the House and Senate. The final product will restrict U.S. investment in Chinese military and surveillance companies passed the House and now awaits Senate action as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The FIGHT China measure, spearheaded by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), represents the most comprehensive effort to date in restricting American investment into Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military and surveillance companies and other sensitive technologies of adversarial nations. This legislation will make President Donald J. Trump’s America First Investment Policy permanent and prevent American investors from unknowingly bankrolling military and tech companies that threaten U.S. national security.

A 2024 report found U.S. index funds steered $6.5 billion of Americans’ retirement money into 63 Chinese companies blacklisted for supporting the CCP military or human-rights abuses. Barr worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), and others in House Republican leadership to fight for this provision to be included in the NDAA.

“This legislation takes President Trump’s America First Investment Policy to the next level and puts Beijing on notice,” said Congressman Barr. “It establishes the strongest framework in history to protect American investments, strengthen our national security, and enforce real transparency across critical economic and technological sectors. Congress is sending a clear message: no more American money for the CCP to build missiles aimed at our troops, the next spy balloon that will fly over our communities, or any other product that could harm Americans.”

“The need to address capital flowing from the U.S. to countries of concern was realized during the first Trump administration, and my legislation presents a generational opportunity to confront the threats China, Iran, North Korea and others pose to our national and economic security,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This landmark legislation would prohibit and require notification of U.S. investments in certain technologies in countries of concern, ensuring American ingenuity, innovation, and investment do not end up in the hands of adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to be weaponized against us. I’m proud this long-awaited effort is approaching the finish line and am grateful to colleagues past and present for their contributions to this effort, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law as part of the annual defense bill.”

“The FY26 NDAA advances President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength agenda and delivers historic wins that have taken years of sustained effort across multiple Congresses to achieve. President Trump has made clear the past few decades of investments propping up Communist China’s aggression must come to an end. The inclusion of outbound investment restrictions in this year’s NDAA are an important step to protect our nation’s national security and economic competitiveness,” said Speaker Johnson. “This achievement is the result of persistent work by House and Senate committees and Republican leaders in Congress like Rep. Barr who championed these reforms and made it reality. Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down. President Trump and Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it.”

“Our Committee and our Conference delivered a huge win for American national security – finally cutting off American investors to feed the Beijing military machine,” said Chairman Mast. “I want to thank Rep. Barr for his leadership in helping get this across the finish line and to President Trump’s desk.”

“Since day one, Rep. Barr has led the charge to hold Communist China accountable, and the inclusion of his bipartisan FIGHT China Act in the House-passed NDAA bill is another important step toward ending the CCP’s exploitation of America’s financial markets. We urge the Senate to move quickly to end CCP military companies from using the ‘passive index loophole’ to access American capital,” said Chris Iacovella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Securities Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/comer-honors-boyle-county-rebels-on-house-floor-for-class-4a-state-championship-victory,Comer Honors Boyle County Rebels on House Floor for Class 4A State Championship Victory,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today on the House floor, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) proudly recognized the Boyle County Rebels, a true high school football powerhouse in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, for winning the Class 4A State Championship. In his remarks, he praised the team’s dedication, hard work, and remarkable season, noting that this achievement — their fifth state title in six years — reflects the players’ discipline, the commitment of the coaching staff, and the unwavering support of the Boyle County community. Congressman Comer concluded his remarks by offering heartfelt congratulations to the players, coaches, faculty, and supporters, noting that their success has sparked a tremendous sense of pride and unity throughout Boyle County and all of Kentucky.

Watch Congressman Comer’s remarks HERE.

Below are Congressman Comer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mister Speaker,

It gives me great pleasure today to recognize the Boyle County Rebels, a football powerhouse in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, upon winning the Class 4A State Championship - marking their fifth state title in the last six years.

This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the program’s hard work, discipline, and excellence both on and off the field.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Justin Haddix, the Class 4A Coach of the Year, and standout player Seneca Driver, the Class 4A Player of the Year, the Rebels overcame an early season setback to finish strong and capture another state title.

Their perseverance and focus exemplify the spirit of champions.

I congratulate the players, coaches, faculty, and supporters of Boyle County High School on this extraordinary milestone.

The Rebels have built a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire pride and unity throughout Boyle County and beyond.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F32F40D9-C819-4796-8D28-21836560A31D,Congressman Rogers Votes for National Defense Authorization Act,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Includes nearly $97 million for Kentucky military projects

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026, providing $900 billion for national defense programs and advancing President Trump’s Peace Through Strength Agenda. It authorizes nearly $97 million for three projects in Kentucky, including aviation support at Fort Knox, a new air traffic control tower at Fort Campbell and a new vehicle maintenance shop at the National Guard Armory in Jackson.

The NDAA strengthens border security, modernizes our military fleet and weapons with the latest innovation, ends extreme woke policies in our military, and gives American troops a 3.8% raise.

“When America stands strong, we eliminate threats from adversaries who prey on weak targets. The NDAA is our blueprint for preserving peace through a stronger national defense, paving the way for the Golden Dome and next-gen weapons, warships and fighter aircraft. It also grows our industrial base with more defense manufacturing jobs and supply chains across America,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “Our brave military servicemembers also receive a much-deserved pay raise in this bill, and merit-based promotions.”

The NDAA also strengthens nuclear deterrence and provides critical resources to stand firm against adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/morgan-mcgarvey-and-rand-paul-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-push-to-ban-no-knock-warrants-nationwide-with-justice-for-breonna-taylor-act,"Morgan McGarvey and Rand Paul Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Ban No-Knock Warrants Nationwide with Justice for Breonna Taylor Act",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 10, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Reps. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) reintroduced legislation to ban no-knock warrants, the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act. The bill is named after Breonna Taylor, who was killed in March 2020 during a police raid on her Louisville home under the authority of a no-knock warrant.

Since the bill’s introduction last year, former Kentucky police detective Brett Hankison has been found guilty of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights, sparking a renewed push for a nationwide ban on the dangerous tactic that allows law enforcement to forcibly enter and raid a home without warning.

“It’s been five years since Breonna Taylor was killed by police, and we continue to grieve the life she should still be living today,” said Rep. McGarvey. “No law can right that wrong, but we can honor her memory by fighting for the justice she was never given. An homage to the heroic life Breonna lived as an EMT, this bill will save countless lives by banning the dangerous and deadly use of no-knock warrants nationwide. I’m grateful for Senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker and Reps. Yvette Clarke and Jasmine Crockett for their steadfast commitment to protecting civil liberties in this country and getting Breonna Taylor the overdue justice she deserves.”

“Kentucky recognized that no-knock warrants pose serious and unnecessary risks to both the public and law enforcement, and wisely restricted their use,” said Senator Rand Paul. The federal government should follow Kentucky’s lead and ensure this high-risk tactic is constrained.”

“Breonna devoted her career to caring for others and saving lives. A national ban on no-knock warrants is a safeguard worthy of her legacy,” said Amber Duke, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kentucky. “It sets a clear standard for law enforcement and moves us closer to a system where safety does not come at the expense of our constitutional rights. We are grateful for the continued leadership of Congressman Morgan McGarvey and the bill’s co-sponsors working to create lasting change.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

###

Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/12/house-passes-comer-s-legislation-removing-federal-government-restrictions-on-paducah-kentucky-property,"House Passes Comer’s Legislation Removing Federal Government Restrictions on Paducah, Kentucky Property",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing his legislation that lifts a National Park Service (NPS) restriction on property in Paducah, Kentucky. Introduced by Congressman Comer in February, H.R. 1276 will empower local officials to fully transfer land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, allowing the organization to renovate and improve its facilities for the benefit of the community.

“It is an honor to serve the people of Paducah and McCracken County in Congress. One of their community’s most impactful institutions, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, has been a cornerstone of support and opportunity for local youth for over sixty years. Unfortunately, a lingering federal interest in the property dating back to the City’s involvement in the Federal Lands to Parks Program decades ago has impeded progress on an exciting renovation project for the local Boys and Girls Club. H.R. 1276 is a straightforward, common-sense bill that would lift this outdated restriction and allow the City to fully transfer the land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. I was proud to collaborate with the City of Paducah, the National Park Service, and local stakeholders to develop this legislative solution. I would also like to thank Senator Paul for introducing the Senate companion bill, S. 601, and Senator McConnell for being an original cosponsor of that legislation. I look forward to working with them to get this bill across the finish line and onto the President’s desk,” said Congressman Comer on the House floor.

Watch Congressman Comer’s prepared remarks here.

Background:

The City of Paducah approached Congressman Comer’s office requesting assistance with removing the NPS’s role in the property that includes the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. The city currently owns the property after it was conveyed through the Federal Lands to Parks Program, but NPS still holds one restriction on the property. Paducah, Kentucky officials seek to transfer the property to the Boys and Girls Club, allowing the organization to renovate the building, including an updated gym and additional classrooms. Congressman Comer’s office collaborated with the City of Paducah, NPS, U.S. Army, and the House Committee on Natural Resources on the legislation.

Read More:

Comer Introduces Legislation to Remove Federal Government Restrictions on Paducah, Kentucky Property

Comer Testifies Before Natural Resources Committee, Urges Passage of Legislation Removing Federal Restrictions on Paducah Property",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395782,Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Remove the United States from NATO,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Thomas Massie,M001184,massie.house.gov,massie,https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release

Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov

Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 6508, the NATO Act, to remove the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“NATO is a Cold War relic. We should withdraw from NATO and use that money to defend our own country, not socialist countries,” said Rep. Thomas Massie. “NATO was created to counter the Soviet Union, which collapsed over thirty years ago. Since then, U.S. participation has cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and continues to risk U.S. involvement in foreign wars. Our Constitution did not authorize permanent foreign entanglements, something our Founding Fathers explicitly warned us against. America should not be the world’s security blanket—especially when wealthy countries refuse to pay for their own defense.”

The NATO Act:

- Requires the President to formally notify NATO of U.S. withdrawal under Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

- Concludes that NATO’s original Cold War purpose no longer aligns with current U.S. national security interests.

- Finds that European NATO members have adequate economic and military capacity to provide for their own defense.

- Prevents use of U.S. taxpayer funds for NATO’s common budgets, including its civil budget, military budget, and the Security Investment Program.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced companion legislation, S.2174, in the United States Senate.

The text of the NATO Act is available at this link.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/senator-paul-introduces-the-health-marketplace-and-savings-accounts-for-all-act/,Senator Paul Introduces the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 4th, 2025

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

Senator Paul Introduces the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act

WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Senator Rand Paul, M.D. (R-Ky.) introduced the Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act, legislation to make all Americans eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and expand Association Health Plans to provide maximum leverage to negotiate lower premiums with health insurance companies.

“Two of the most daunting problems facing Americans are the lack of affordable healthcare options and the fear of exorbitant medical bills,” said Dr. Paul. “With my plan, to provide the leverage needed to reduce the cost of premiums, nearly any conceivable membership entity, such as Costco or Amazon, would be empowered to collectively bargain on behalf of their members with health insurers to lower rates. Additionally, this legislation improves the treatment of health savings accounts so all Americans can obtain them, increases the tax-free maximum contribution by thousands of dollars, and expands what HSAs can be used to pay for, such as health insurance premiums and gym memberships. If we want lower premiums and better care, we need more choice and competition.”

Employer-sponsored insurance can offer strong coverage for those who have it, but many Americans do not work for large corporations and cannot access the same bargaining power and economies of scale. At the same time, Americans collectively owe over $200 billion in medical debt, and families often struggle to pay for expenses that fall outside their insurance plans.

HSAs already give millions of Americans the freedom and flexibility to save and pay for medical costs insurance does not cover. Contributions are tax-free, balances can grow tax-free, and withdrawals remain tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses. HSAs also stay with an individual for life, regardless of employment status.

Dr. Paul’s Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act would dramatically expand Americans’ access to HSAs and to more affordable coverage by:

Opening HSAs to all Americans, regardless of income level or current insurance coverage, to take advantage of a tax-free HSA.

Raising the maximum annual HSA contribution to $24,500 for 2026. By contrast, for 2026, the HSA contribution limit is only $4,400 for an individual and $8,750 for a family.

Expanding what HSAs can cover to include health insurance premiums, vitamins and dietary supplements, gym memberships, and wearable fitness trackers, so Americans can use their own money to invest in prevention, wellness, and coverage that works for them.

The bill also reforms Association Health Plans to unlock new bargaining power for everyday Americans:

Allowing any membership organization to sponsor an ERISA health plan across state lines, regardless of an employment relationship. Nearly any membership-based entity could be empowered to collectively negotiate with insurers for better rates.

Creating new coverage options through groups such as rideshare services, online retailers, wholesale clubs, credit unions, churches, and other associations that bring people together.

Protecting coverage during job changes or unemployment, so Americans no longer have to fear losing their health plan when they lose or change a job.

Read the bill here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6A66402D-901D-4F7E-92AD-0CF9E3DF326C,McConnell at Hearing on Russian Abduction of Ukrainian Children,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, made the following comments today at a State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee hearing on Russian abduction of Ukrainian children:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening this hearing. And thank you all for being here today.

“I’d like to offer a particular welcome to you, Madam Ambassador. Getting a town that’s often consumed by its own metaphorical political warfare to pay attention to the harsh realities of your country’s real-life war for survival is a challenge – and I commend you for your work.

“Russia’s systematic abduction of Ukrainian children is horrifying. And it’s just a small glimpse into the tremendous pain and suffering that Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine has caused. Putin has stolen children from innocent families, and his war has stolen youth from a generation of Ukrainians.

“As I’ve said before, we should know enough history by now not to dismiss this as just ‘a quarrel in a faraway country, between two people of whom we know nothing.’

“That’s Neville Chamberlain, by the way. And we know how his dismissive attitude to Hitler’s aggression toward Czechoslovakia turned out.

“Like then, there’s a clear aggressor and a clear victim today. Like then, the moral and strategic dimensions are not in conflict for the West. Like then, we have an interest in the outcome of this war.

“But the price of peace matters. It must be a just peace, especially for the innocent children and families torn apart by Putin’s war. It must be an enduring peace. And I’m concerned that this sort of peace will remain out of reach until we’re willing to put more concerted pressure on Putin and sustain support for Ukraine.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=B4C7BF5E-3380-4229-A58E-F8FE68D59C33,Chairman McConnell in The Wall Street Journal: Peace Through Strength Is Worth Paying For,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, wrote the following op-ed on FY26 Defense Appropriations that appears in today’s print edition of The Wall Street Journal.

What time is it in America? “This is a 1939 moment. Or, hopefully, a 1981 moment. A moment of mounting urgency,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said. He is right about the gathering threats to America’s national security. But the lesson of 1939 is that fighting war is far costlier than deterring it. Defeating the Axis powers saw U.S. defense spending hit 37% of gross domestic product.

The defense budget request for fiscal 2026 from the Office of Management and Budget shows America risks forgetting this hard-won lesson. If our goal is to make this a “1981 moment”—as in the first year of the Reagan administration, when under-investment in the U.S. military was turned around—we must deliver more consistent support for defense. President Reagan’s peace-through-strength Cold War budgets allocated about twice as much as we spend now as a percentage of GDP. Today, in the face of many significant adversaries, spending more on defense is simply necessary. It must not be controversial.

I urged President Trump at the beginning of his second term to reject calls to narrow the scope of U.S. strategic interests and to invest in the armed forces and defense industrial base. Mr. Trump rightly disregarded the advice of isolationists and conducted decisive strikes against Iran while sustaining the Aukus partnership with Australia and the U.K. The president wants the best possible military for America and has set ambitious priorities such as a comprehensive missile defense, aka Golden Dome, and a shipbuilding renaissance. I have supported him in these endeavors.

But with 59 days until interim government funding runs out, it remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump’s administration and Congress will seize the opportunity provided by the Senate’s full-year defense appropriations bill for 2026 and invest accordingly.

Senior Pentagon officials have expressed a commitment to rebuilding American hard power. But others in the administration have balked at the resources required for these overdue efforts. In March, the president’s budget advisers pushed the first-ever full-year continuing resolution for defense, effectively extending President Biden’s anemic defense budget.

In June, OMB submitted a request for 2026 that would hold annual defense spending stagnant against inflation. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, administration officials then created budgetary chaos by pressing Congress to squeeze multiyear efforts like shipbuilding into a one-time spending measure using a process known as budget reconciliation. This complicated maneuver left critical programs on the cutting-room floor. Pentagon leaders have since acknowledged that total 2025 shortfalls after reconciliation exceed $25 billion.

Presidential priorities like Golden Dome and restoring shipbuilding are necessary to keep America safe, but they will fail without sustained long-term investment.

In recent weeks, Pentagon officials have acknowledged a $20 billion to $30 billion shortfall in critical munitions. Despite the complaints of senior administration officials about our limited production capacity, the administration’s 2026 budget request failed even to make use of that capacity to begin addressing the issue. Pentagon leaders now seem eager to support multiyear procurement to address the challenges ahead, but these plans are wishful thinking without additional funding.

By independent estimates, Golden Dome alone could cost upward of $3.5 trillion over the next 20 years, but the program is likely underfunded even this year. The president announced his selection of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft for the Air Force, the F-47, but this program is underfunded in 2026 by $500 million. Pentagon dithering over the Navy’s sixth-generation fighter, the F/A-XX, has delayed its development and led to hundreds of millions in contract-extension costs. If the department made a decision, Mr. Trump could launch a program that ensures the aircraft carrier remains America’s premier power-projection platform for decades.

The pace of military operations in the Middle East and Western Hemisphere has also exacerbated a shortfall in operations and maintenance, another consequence of the full-year continuing resolution. Combine that with the shortfall for Navy ship operations and the total operations and maintenance shortfall likely exceeds $2 billion.

These shortfalls aren’t breaking news. They are why the Senate passed, 77-20, a National Defense Authorization Act delivering $32 billion above the OMB request and on top of the money authorizers included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which I chair, worked with Pentagon leaders to build in an extra $7 billion to address urgent munitions requirements. It included nearly $8 billion to address shortfalls from reconciliation. And it addressed billions of dollars in unfunded requirements submitted by the armed services and combatant commands. To do so, we set our top line at $21.7 billion above the administration’s 2026 request.

As we look ahead to conferencing this bill with the House, Congress ought to ensure that this higher allocation is what the president signs into law. Mr. Trump’s advisers should encourage him to help Congress pass a defense appropriations bill that makes the historic investments needed to restore peace through strength.

A full-year bill capped at the OMB-requested level or another full-year continuing resolution would be devastating to the U.S. military. And it would imperil the president’s military legacy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DEE36959-BEB2-4853-98F9-5F8776D5C0A6,President Trump Signs Barr-Led Bill to Curb Opioid Deaths,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— This week, President Trump signed legislation boosting funding to an opioid recovery grant program, authored and championed by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY). First enacted in 2018, the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act created a targeted funding stream for treatment recovery centers to help individuals overcome addiction and successfully transition back into the workforce.

The CAREER Act grant program was included in the comprehensive SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, an extensive package focused on opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery. Under this reauthorization, programs funded through the CAREER Act received a $7 million annual increase, bringing total funding to $210 million. This boost provides critical resources to treatment providers nationwide, empowering individuals struggling with substance use disorder to rebuild their lives and reenter the workforce.

“Kentucky’s made significant strides in reducing overdose deaths thanks to the incredible efforts of our providers, but our fight against addiction is not over,” said Congressman Barr. “I’m grateful to Chairman Guthrie for his leadership on the SUPPORT Act, which reauthorized and expanded funding for the CAREER Act. This legislation equips providers on the frontlines with the tools they need to help individuals in recovery successfully return to the workforce, reclaiming the dignity, pride, and sense of purpose.”

“Our efforts are making a real difference in combating the nation’s opioid epidemic and saving lives through impactful legislation like the SUPPORT Act and the CAREER Act,” said Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY). “I want to thank Congressman Andy Barr for his work on the CAREER Act and Chairman Brett Guthrie for bringing this whole package across the finish line.”

“CAREER Act funding has helped us target resources for Kentuckians in recovery. We have been able to establish peer-to-peer mentorship programs and enable patients to pursue educational opportunities with this funding. We are grateful for the expansion of these resources and thank Congressman Barr for his leadership,” said Kara Ball, Chief Development and Communications Officer at Isaiah House, who received a $2.4M federal grant through the CAREER Act.

Research from the Recovery Research Institute shows that helping people in recovery reconnect with the workforce not only strengthens their long-term stability, but also boosts their chances of remaining drug-free in the critical months after treatment. Meaningful employment gives individuals a renewed sense of purpose, helps restore dignity, and allows them to contribute to their families and communities as they rebuild their lives.

While overdoses in Kentucky dropped by 30% in 2024 – which is an extraordinary improvement – the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still has Kentucky in the top ten for U.S. States and Territories in overdose death rates. In 2024, over 1,400 Kentucky families got the call that their loved one had passed away due to an overdose. This legislation will play a vital role in reducing overdose deaths and keeping families whole.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mcgarvey-condemns-trump-administrations-immoral-decision-to-slash-federal-funds-for-housing-assistance-as-kentucky-sees-freezing-conditions,Congressman McGarvey Condemns Trump Administration’s Immoral Decision to Slash Federal Funds for Housing Assistance as Kentucky Sees Freezing Conditions,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 2, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey sent a letter to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling out the Trump administration’s callous decision to slash 70 percent of federal funding for Continuum of Care (CoC) programs that help Kentuckians facing homelessness find stable, long-term housing.

McGarvey described the plan, first outlined in HUD’s FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity last month, as “dangerous and short-sighted,” leaving “vulnerable communities without options and organizations without time to adapt.” In Jefferson County alone, that community includes 950 people who rely on the housing funds from 13 CoC grants.

“We’re seeing absolutely freezing temperatures in Kentucky right now, and it’s unnerving that as a country we would turn a blind eye to our neighbors in need,” said McGarvey. “We’re talking about families with children, survivors of domestic violence, and our nation’s veterans getting turned away from a place to sleep at night and escape the cold because of this administration’s callous decision to make more Americans homeless.”

McGarvey explained that HUD’s proposed plan would create major funding gaps for the district’s federally funded housing supports, which are already facing significant setbacks from budget cuts and a shortage of affordable housing.

Today’s letter follows previous outreach to HUD in November when McGarvey and his colleagues called on the agency to work with Congress to appropriate the resources Americans need this winter.

Read today’s letter here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mcgarvey-writes-to-epa-urging-continued-oversight-into-louisville-public-health-and-safety-after-ups-flight-crash,Congressman McGarvey Writes to EPA Urging Continued Oversight into Louisville Public Health and Safety After UPS Flight Crash,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 1, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging continued oversight of the crash site with regard to the public health and safety of Louisvillians.

On November 4, UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crashed during departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The plane crash tragically killed fourteen people, including three crew members, and over a dozen were injured.

“Our community is heartbroken by the immediate loss of life, and we mourn for and with our friends and neighbors,” the Congressman wrote. “We are also concerned with the long-term public health implications of this accident.”

Flight 2976 was carrying approximately 220,000 pounds of jet fuel when it caught fire. The airplane wreckage was spread over a wide area and significantly fragmented and burned. While there were no hazardous materials directly on board the flight, several businesses that store hazardous materials on-site were affected.

“I am thankful for the EPA’s quick response to coordinate with local agencies’ cleanup efforts,” McGarvey continued. “Since the incident occurred on November 4th, crews have recovered close to 95 percent of the oil from the crash, or around 880,000 gallons of oil-water mix, and contained oil coverage within the impacted waterway. Thanks to the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies, Louisville’s public drinking water has been and remains safe for consumption in the wake of the crash.”

McGarvey requested EPA continue to play an active role, alongside the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, in overseeing the site and keeping the Congressional office informed about any updates regarding public health and safety.

Read the full letter here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7687FE8F-E007-4637-B904-B594D914AAFC,President Trump Signs into Law McConnell’s Bill to Address Substance Abuse Epidemic and its Impact on Workforce,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that President Trump has signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation includes the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act of 2025, which Senator McConnell introduced earlier this year.

The CAREER Act assists individuals recovering from substance use disorders by funding stable, transitional housing and offering essential support to help them reenter the workforce and sustain employment. This legislation reauthorizes and strengthens two successful programs established under the original CAREER Act: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Recovery Housing Program.

Since the CAREER Act was first signed into law in 2018, Kentucky has received over $12 million in federal funding. These funds have been distributed to organizations throughout the state to tackle workforce participation challenges linked to substance abuse. For the past six years, Senator McConnell has championed the CAREER Act and secured its funding through the annual appropriations process. His legislation has played a vital role in helping countless Kentuckians rebuild their lives, offering the stability of housing and the opportunity for meaningful employment.

“I thank President Trump for recognizing the value of this program and the dedicated organizations helping individuals, affected by the substance abuse epidemic, to reenter the workforce,” said Senator McConnell. “In Kentucky, this crisis has taken lives at an alarming rate, impacting not only families and communities, but also our workforce. That’s why I’m proud to continue leading efforts to combat the epidemic’s devastating impact on American workers and our economy. This crisis demands our ongoing attention, and we will keep working to provide Kentuckians in recovery with the tools they need to rebuild their lives and stay on the path to sobriety.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DA892639-48F2-461A-B0F8-0D88A82BE7A3,"Barr Mourns Murder of Army Hero, Again Backs Trump’s Travel Ban",2025-11-28,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Lexington, KY—U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) released the following statement after the tragic murder of Army National Guardsman, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom:

“I join all Kentuckians and Americans in mourning the murder of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. Our troops deserve support — not reckless Democrat claims that they’re following “illegal orders,” putting a target on their backs.

“President Trump is right to pause immigration from countries we can’t vet. As I’ve said repeatedly, “If we can’t vet them, they don’t belong here.” That’s why I voted against Biden’s $6 billion Afghan resettlement package that rushed unvetted arrivals into the country. President Trump is cleaning up Biden’s mess and I fully support him.”

In September of 2021, Barr voted against H.R. 5305, which Joe Biden later signed into law. This bill provided $6.3B in emergency funding to support resettlement and support services for unvetted Afghan refugees. It also made refugees eligible for certain entitlement programs.

Barr was joined in voting NO on this law by then-Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Mike Waltz, and Congressman Lee Zeldin.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D39228E9-F178-4FDB-AD0A-86B2B59B2903,"McConnell on Taiwan’s Special Budget Request, Defense Investments Across Indo-Pacific",2025-11-26,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding President Lai’s $40 billion special budget request for defense:

“From historic new investments in Australia to accelerated defense spending timelines in Japan, America’s allies and partners across Asia are demonstrating that they take threats to our shared security seriously. At the epicenter of the PRC’s aggressive ambitions, President Lai’s request for an historic special budget investment to bolster Taiwan’s defenses with cutting-edge American-made capabilities is welcome news.

“As Western-aligned nations around the world take the increasingly aligned threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea more seriously, we must not shirk our own responsibilities. From Taiwan and the Philippines to Israel and Ukraine, standing with friends and partners in the crosshairs of authoritarian aggression remains in America’s national interests. Today, more than ever, we must practice what we preach and make sustained annual investments in our own military to meet growing global threats.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5A052D5A-1D8A-47E5-9009-03979EACD542,Barr Secures Funding for New Firetrucks Across Kentucky’s Sixth District,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Lexington, KY—U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced that he delivered funding for two new fire trucks for Fire Departments in North Middletown and Stamping Ground today. This marks the second time in three months Congressman Barr has delivered new funding to strengthen fire and emergency services across Kentucky’s Sixth District. Barr championed the two grants through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process, and the projects totaling nearly $800,000 were approved in the most recent government funding bill last week.

For North Middletown, the $214,500 grant will enable the purchase of a new fire engine, the city’s first in 24 years. With a reserve truck now 42 years old, city leaders raised concerns regarding equipment reliability and the potential risks to community safety. The new engine will significantly enhance the department’s emergency response capabilities.

Officials in Stamping Ground sought Congressman Barr’s support for their $300,000 grant request, noting that a new pumper truck would be an economic benefit for the city.

“Our firefighters are the first line of defense for so many emergencies throughout our communities. I’ll always fight to give our departments the next generation of equipment to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Barr.

“The North Middletown Volunteer Fire Department, the City of North Middletown and the entire North Middletown community is excited to learn of the approval of our Community Project Funding request. This grant will help us in the purchase of a new fire apparatus, which will increase our abilities for emergency responses. We want to thank Congressman Barr for his help in securing this grant. Without his help this would not have been possible,” said Jeff McFarland, who serves as the Mayor and Chief of the North Middleton Fire Department.

“For the second time this year, Congressman Barr has brought home crucial federal funding to help our Department. We were approved for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs earlier this year to keep our firefighters safe on calls, and now, this new fire truck will improve our response on calls. We want to thank Congressman Barr and his team for working to get the job done for us in Washington,” said Stamping Ground’s Fire Chief Robert Hendricks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2BD7F33F-0783-451F-8BAE-77612A1455AB,McConnell Helps Secure More Than $8.7 Million for Upgrades to Lexington and Louisville Bus Systems,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that two Kentucky transit agencies will receive $8,724,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund improvements to their bus maintenance facilities.

The competitive federal grants awarded to the Transit Authority of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (Lextran) and Louisville’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration through the Buses and Bus Facilities Program, which was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Senator McConnell supported. Senator McConnell also wrote letters to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of the transit agencies’ grant applications.

$6,100,000 in federal funding to Lextran to procure new vehicles for their existing fleet. According to Lextran, they would acquire seven new buses and ten paratransit vehicles to replace outdated equipment.

“Lextran will use this federal funding to replace several vehicles that are nearing the end of their useful service life,” said Senator McConnell. “These new buses will improve reliability, increase efficiency, and help Lextran carry out its mission to provide dependable transportation services for families and workers across Lexington.”

“Receiving this grant is a proud achievement for our agency that reinforces our commitment to the community we serve. Adding 10 new paratransit vehicles and 7 fixed-route buses to our fleet strengthens our transportation network. These investments will enhance connectivity for riders, improve the reliability of our daily service, and elevate safety across all operations. We are grateful for the ongoing support from the Federal Transit Administration and Senator McConnell for this investment,” said Fred Combs, AICP, Lextran General Manager.

$2,624,000 in federal funding to TARC to create a new dedicated bus brake maintenance shop to consolidate the entire brake maintenance operation into one service facility.

“This federal funding will allow TARC to expand its operations, and the new brake-maintenance shop will help keep buses running safely, reliably, and on time,” said Senator McConnell. “Reliable public transit connects riders across Louisville and its suburbs to jobs, schools, and local businesses. TARC plays an important role in keeping our community moving, and this investment will strengthen the service that so many families rely on every day.”

“TARC is committed to providing great service to the city of Louisville; this award places us in a better position to do just that as we move toward implementing the New TARC Network next August,” said Ozzy Gibson, TARC Executive Director. “With the expansion of the 10th street maintenance facility, service reliability and performance across the fleet will improve for the Greater Louisville area; TARC is incredibly grateful to Senator McConnell for his support of this grant.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9E5260CE-748D-446F-BC51-1FD52A38690C,McConnell Statement on Ukraine,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today:

“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests. And a capitulation like Biden’s abandonment of Afghanistan would be catastrophic to a legacy of peace through strength.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/community-endorsements-for-bill-in-congress-to-fund-ohio-river-restoration,McGarvey Announces Community Endorsements for Bill to Fund Ohio River Restoration,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 20, 2025) – Environmental and conversation groups endorse the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, led by Congressman Morgan McGarvey and a bipartisan group of Representatives throughout the Ohio River Basin, to fund the restoration of the Ohio River.

Ohio River Basin Alliance

Chairperson Dr. Chris Lorentz: ""We are thrilled with the introduction of this legislation. Over 30 million people depend on the waters of the Ohio River Basin for their drinking water, health, jobs, and quality of life. This region deserves focused federal investments to restore and protect its waters, and to support the public health, economic, and ecological benefits that this bill provides.

“As much as this legislation is an ecological restoration initiative, it will spur economic development, safeguard public health, and enhance the quality of life of the millions living in the Basin.

“We are grateful to Representatives Erin Houchin and Morgan McGarvey for their bipartisan leadership as co-chairs of the Ohio River Basin Caucus and their efforts to protect these critical habitats and waterways.”

National Wildlife Federation

President and CEO Collin O’Mara: ""More than 25 million Americans and thousands of wildlife species depend upon the Ohio River Basin. This legislation represents a critical national commitment to conserve the Ohio and ensure current and future generations will benefit from cleaner water, healthier habitat, and stronger communities.”

Healthy Waters Coalition

Director Jordan Lubetkin: ""This bill can be a game-changer for the 30 million people who depend on the waters of the Ohio River region for their drinking water, health, jobs, and quality of life. Serious threats to local waters, such as toxic pollution, sewage contamination, and flooding, need to be addressed now, before the problems get worse and more expensive to solve. This bill, when passed, will benefit people and wildlife alike.""

Ohio River Way

Executive Director Forest Clevenger: “Experiencing the Ohio River’s majesty and scale—whether as a boater, paddler, angler, or cyclist—is awe-inspiring. These investments will safeguard our drinking water and natural beauty for generations to come, while growing recreation-based economies that can sustain rural river communities today.”

American Rivers Action Fund

Executive Director Heather Taylor-Miesle: “American Rivers Action Fund is proud to support the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which will safeguard the drinking water source for more than 25 million Americans across 15 states. The Ohio River Basin is the backbone of regional commerce, industry, and agriculture, and maintaining its health is critical to strengthening local economies and securing future growth. For years, we have partnered with communities to improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, and modernize infrastructure—investments that pay dividends through job creation.

“This legislation reflects a smart, basin-wide strategy to protect an essential resource while ensuring taxpayers get the best return on investment. We thank Representatives Houchin and McGarvey for advancing a plan that prioritizes water security, and prosperity for the region.”

The legislation is endorsed by the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Beaver Creek Hydrology (BCH), Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau in Indiana, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, EnviroKinecs, Inc., Friends of Bell Smith Springs, Friends of the Riverfront, Friends of the White River, Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Hoosier Environmental Council, Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., Indiana Parks Alliance, Indiana Wildlife Federation , Kentucky Conservation Committee, Kentucky Ecological Restoration Association (KERA), Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Riverkeeper, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc., Lower Wabash Partnership, Miami Conservancy District, Mill Creek Alliance, Mon Water Project, Mountain Watershed Association, Muncie Indiana Sanitary District’s Bureau of Water Quality, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District , National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio Environmental Council, Ohio River Basin Alliance, Ohio River Foundation, Ohio River Way, Ohio Water Partnership, Ohio Wetlands Association, PennFuture, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pristine River Initiatives, River Fields, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Thomas More University Biology Field Station, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, UpstreamPgh, Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, Watersheds of South Pittsburgh, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Wilderness Louisville.

Read the Ohio River Restoration Program Act here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2A07ABE0-6593-4EDC-BFA3-F2DF75F1439B,Congressman Rogers Votes to Release the Epstein Files,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In a nearly unanimous vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) by a vote of 427-1, requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to release all documents and records relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Congressman Rogers voted in support of the bill, as well as the House Resolution that passed in September, directing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to continue its investigation of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

“We all want to see justice for the victims of this horrific sex trafficking ring involving minors. I applaud the strong vote today and the effective ongoing work of the Oversight Committee,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “Washington Democrats failed to release the Epstein files under the Biden Administration for four years, but I’m grateful that we are moving forward in a bipartisan manner. I am hopeful that additional protections will be added to the bill for victim privacy, undercover law enforcement and whistleblowers.”

The Oversight Committee has already released 65,000 pages of documents and the Acosta interview transcript. They have also subpoenaed the Justice Department’s records, the Epstein Estates and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395780,"Massie-Khanna ""Epstein Files Transparency Act"" Passes House of Representatives",2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Thomas Massie,M001184,massie.house.gov,massie,https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release

Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov

Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie announces that his Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) passed the House of Representatives today on a vote of 427-1. EFTA received a vote after Rep. Massie successfully gathered 218 signatures on a discharge petition to force the legislation onto the House floor for consideration. EFTA requires the Attorney General to release all documents and records in possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

""Today's overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives to release the Epstein files is a major victory not only for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, but for victims of sexual abuse throughout the country,"" said Rep. Thomas Massie. ""EFTA's passage brings Epstein's victims one step closer to receiving justice and Americans one step closer to receiving transparency.""

""The Epstein Files Transparency Act now moves to the Senate,"" Rep. Massie continued. ""The Senate should not add an amendment to EFTA to avoid disclosing those rich and powerful men who have evaded justice for so many years. Senators should quickly send the House-passed bill to the President for his signature.""

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act. President Trump has said that he will sign the legislation.

Before today's vote, Reps. Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, and Marjorie Taylor Greene held a press conference at the Capitol with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. The press conference is available in its entirety at this link.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-members-of-congress-launch-federal-push-to-fund-ohio-river-restoration,Bipartisan Members of Congress Launch Federal Push to Fund Ohio River Restoration,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Ohio River Basin, spanning 55 congressional districts across 15 states, is the nation’s largest body of water to receive no dedicated federal funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 18, 2025) – Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) led introduction of the Ohio River Restoration Program Act with Reps. Erin Houchin (IN-09), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mike Rulli (OH-06), and Mark Messmer (IN-08) to fund the economic and environmental restoration of the Ohio River.

The bipartisan coalition of Members represents districts throughout the Ohio River Basin, which spans 55 congressional districts across 15 states. The Ohio serves as a source of drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, and its ecosystem is vital to local economies and industries, generating more than 500,000 jobs and $21 billion in wages.

Nationwide, more than a third of the United States’ waterborne commerce travels through the Ohio River – $43 billion in commodities annually – yet the Ohio River is still the nation’s largest body of water without any dedicated federal funding. The bill would dedicate up to $350 million in federal investments to the large-scale restoration of the Ohio River Basin, using initiatives similar to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which resulted in more than $3 in return on every federal dollar invested in the program.

“The Ohio River is an economic engine that powers industries and supports billions in nationwide commerce, but at home in the River City, it’s our lifeblood – it’s the water we drink, it’s the way we make a living, it’s a place to keep traditions alive and find community with our neighbors,” said Congressman McGarvey. “And yet, our local communities who rely on it most and have helped sustain this vital resource for years still haven't gotten a dime in dedicated federal funding to properly protect and restore this critical resource right in our backyard. The Ohio River has been overlooked for far too long, and it’s time for it to get the attention and investment it deserves.”

“The Ohio River is critical to our way of life in Southern Indiana,” said Rep. Houchin. “It strengthens our economy, supports our farmers and manufacturers, and provides drinking water for millions of families. Communities along the Ohio have invested in protecting this resource for generations, and it is time for the federal government to become a real partner in those efforts. I am proud to coauthor this bipartisan bill that will help restore the river, protect public health, and strengthen the economic future of the entire region.”

“The Ohio River is a lifeline for so many communities in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District,” said Congressman Deluzio. “From drinking water, to commerce and recreation, and more—our prosperity relies on a clean and healthy Ohio River. There’s a lot of good work happening to help improve the resilience and livability of our river—but not a lot of funding to get things done. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to dedicate resources to help protect and restore the Ohio River for generations to come.”

“My district is home to both the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds. We know how vital clean water is for our communities, our economy, and our health,” said Rep. Sykes. “I’m proud to co-lead the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which will provide resources to restore water infrastructure while protecting the environment. This legislation ensures the Ohio River remains a thriving resource for generations to come.”

“I am proud to co-lead this vital legislation and thank Rep. McGarvey for introducing it,” said Rep. Rulli. “For generations, the Ohio River has served as the backbone of Ohio’s 6th Congressional District and an economic lifeline for our nation, playing a crucial role in settling America and building us into an economic powerhouse. This restoration program is a smart investment that will restore abundant fish and wildlife while keeping the river clean and healthy for future generations.”

""The Ohio River Basin is essential to not only the health of thousands of Hoosier residents, but to the vitality of southern Indiana's agricultural and industrial communities,” said Rep. Messmer. “The conservation network in Indiana's 8th Congressional District has worked tirelessly to preserve access to recreation within the basin and reinforce existing ecosystems. I am proud to bolster their investments in one of America's most impactful watersheds by supporting the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act.""

The Ohio River Restoration Program Act would create a federal office within the Environmental Protection Agency to guide a restoration plan in coordination with states, local governments, interstate compact agencies, tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations that includes:

habitat restoration, farm conservation, and invasive species control and management;

pollution prevention and clean water protection;

robust monitoring, data collection, and evaluation;

local workforce development and training for jobs in water protection and restoration;

input from the local public to hold elected officials accountable and ensure that residents have a seat at the table in restoration decisions;

guaranteed clean, safe, and affordable water for local homeowners regardless of economic status; and

investments in local communities at particular risk of extreme storms, flooding, and pollution.

The Ohio River Restoration Program Act is endorsed by the National Wildlife Federation, Ohio River Basin Alliance, American Rivers Action Fund, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, American Sportfishing Association, Audubon, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Appalachian Citizens' Law Center (ACLC), Indiana Wildlife Federation , Friends of the Riverfront, Kentucky Riverkeeper, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Ohio River Way, Thomas More University Biology Field Station, Wilderness Louisville, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Pristine River Initiatives, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District , Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, PennFuture, Friends of Bell Smith Springs, River Fields, EnviroKinecs, Inc., Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Hoosier Environmental Council, Allegheny CleanWays, Kentucky Resources Council, Ohio River Foundation, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Appalachian Voices, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, UpstreamPgh, Ohio Environmental Council, Lower Wabash Partnership, Friends of the White River, Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc., Muncie Indiana Sanitary District’s Bureau of Water Quality, Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau in Indiana, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio Water Partnership, Beaver Creek Hydrology (BCH), Kentucky Ecological Restoration Association (KERA), Mill Creek Alliance, Watersheds of South Pittsburgh, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Indiana Parks Alliance, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

###

Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/11/comer-secures-3-million-in-funding-for-campbellsville-university-s-school-of-business-economics-technology-building-project,"Comer Secures $3 Million in Funding for Campbellsville University’s School of Business, Economics & Technology Building Project",2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, recently passed by Congress, includes $3 million in federal funding for the construction of a premier academic building on the Campbellsville University (CU) campus in Taylor County, Kentucky. Congressman Comer led efforts in Congress to secure funding for Campbellsville University’s School of Business, Economics, and Technology Building Project, which will create a premier new facility on CU’s main campus to house the CU School of Business, Economics, and Technology.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside local leaders at Campbellsville University and throughout Taylor County to secure federal funding for the Campbellsville University School of Business, Economics, and Technology Building Project. This investment marks a significant step forward for the University, providing modern space and resources to launch new and innovative academic programs. I remain committed to advocating in Congress for our local universities and students, so they have the tools they need to excel,” said Congressman Comer.

“We are grateful for Congressman Comer’s continued support and for the recognition of the vital role higher education plays in supporting our communities. This funding marks an important step in Campbellsville University’s ongoing efforts to strengthen programs that prepare entrepreneurs and business leaders. CU is dedicated to helping Kentuckians pursue the American dream,” said Joseph Hopkins, Campbellsville University President.

Background:

Campbellsville University, located in Taylor County, is a private university enrolling more than 12,000 students, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. This grant will allow the new academic building to feature collaborative workspaces, an institute for economic development in partnership with local workforce and economic development organizations, a lecture and meeting space for the local community, a virtual learning lab equipped with VR, AR, and robotics tools, as well as a free enterprise and small business incubator.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=92673A11-06D0-4FD9-A774-32C4ED4C582E,Congressman Rogers Secures More Than $7 Million for First Responders in Eastern Kentucky,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, President Donald J. Trump signed legislation passed by Congress to reopen the federal government after a 43-day shutdown. Three federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026 were included in the package to reopen the government, along with two requests for Community Project Funding from U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) that will help first responders in Eastern Kentucky.

Congressman Rogers requested more than $3 million for a new Louisa Fire Department and Emergency Facility and nearly $4 million for the new Pikeville Police Department. The funding was passed and signed into law on Wednesday as well.

“Our rural first responders need federal, state and local support to make ends meet. I was honored to secure additional funding for the Pikeville Police Department and the Louisa Fire Department to help them expand services and upgrade their facilities to better serve the people of Eastern Kentucky,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “I’m grateful for our brave first responders and proud to support the competitive projects that these two departments submitted for funding in our region.”

The new fire and emergency operations facility in Lawrence County is estimated to take up to two years for construction with a projected cost totaling $4.2 million.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to Congressman Hal Rogers for his strong support and advocacy that helped secure funding for the construction of our new Emergency Communications Response Center. This facility will bring together our Fire Department, Police Department, and Communications Center under one roof — with room for future EMS operations as well. This is a major step forward in improving public safety, emergency response coordination, and service to our citizens. I want to thank all those who helped make this project possible and for their continued commitment to keeping our community safe,” said Harold Slone, Mayor of Louisa.

The estimated cost for the new Pikeville Police Department is $5 million with design and construction expected to take two years.

“The City of Pikeville is extremely excited and thankful to the Congressman for his work in getting funding for the new Police Station. This new station is greatly needed as we have outgrown our current facility that is over 30 years old and originally designed for 12 officers. There are now 25 officers in the same location. This new facility will have the ability to expand and grow with the cities needs and growth and will drastically improve public safety,” said Jimmy Carter, Mayor of Pikeville.

Congressman Rogers submitted the maximum of 15 Community Project Funding requests totaling nearly $150 million for southern and eastern Kentucky. As Congress continues their work to pass the nine remaining federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, Congressman Rogers is hopeful that the remaining earmarks will pass the finish line as well.

Click here a full list of the projects that Congressman Rogers has requested funding for.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/11/comer-secures-3-million-in-funding-for-trigg-county-hospital-emergency-ambulance-building-project,Comer Secures $3 Million in Funding for Trigg County Hospital Emergency Ambulance Building Project,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, recently passed by Congress, includes $3 million in federal funding for the construction of a new emergency medical services and ambulance facility in Trigg County, Kentucky. Congressman Comer led efforts in Congress to secure funding for the Trigg County Hospital Emergency Building Project, aimed at replacing the county’s outdated and undersized Emergency Ambulance Building and ensuring adequate facilities for its expanding team of first responders.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside local leaders in Trigg County to secure funding in Congress for the Trigg County Hospital Emergency Building Project. For too long, Trigg County’s first responders have operated out of an aging facility that is struggling to meet the needs of our growing community. This investment is a major step forward for our local medical services and will provide the modern space and tools they need to respond quickly and effectively when lives are on the line. I will continue working in Congress to support our local hospitals and first responders, so they have the resources necessary to keep Kentuckians safe and healthy,” said Congressman Comer.

“Thank you to Congressman Comer for his efforts in securing a grant for Trigg County Hospital to receive a new ambulance building. This project will be a tremendous benefit to Trigg County, Land Between the Lakes, and the surrounding lake area. We greatly appreciate his continued support and dedication to improving healthcare services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said John Sumner, Chief Executive Officer of Trigg County Hospital.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Congressman Comer for helping secure this Ambulance Building grant for Trigg County. This grant opportunity will ensure our technicians and paramedics are well taken care of while serving the citizens of Trigg County and its visitors. This funding will allow us to ensure our facilities are as good as any location across the Commonwealth,” said Stan Humphries, Trigg County Judge Executive.

Background:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=ABACFADF-AB42-4888-A57D-5A2E2CC71867,Senator McConnell Secures Over $11 Million for Kentucky Agriculture and Rural Communities,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured more than $11 million in federal funding for several Kentucky-focused priorities included in the final FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

$10 million for the University of Kentucky and USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) Forage-Animal Production Unit. The federal funding will be used to construct a new state-of-the-art agricultural research laboratory at the University. This builds upon federal funding previously secured by Senator McConnell for the project in FY 2020.

“This federal investment marks a major step forward for agricultural research and innovation at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture,” said Senator McConnell. “I was proud to secure this funding on behalf of UK, which will support agricultural research vital to our farmers and rural communities.”

“We are deeply grateful to Senator McConnell for his continued leadership and steadfast support of Kentucky agriculture. This investment strengthens a decades-long partnership between the University of Kentucky and the USDA Agricultural Research Service — one that has yielded innovations vital to our state’s signature industries, from beef and equine production to the emerging hemp economy,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “With this funding, we can continue developing science-based solutions that advance the productivity and profitability of Kentucky farms and improve the livelihoods of those who sustain them.”

Ohio County Healthcare

$1.35 million for Ohio County Healthcare (OCH) Hospital Infrastructure Improvement Project. This federal funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades at Ohio County Healthcare, including replacing the roof of the main hospital in Hartford, restructuring patient care areas, and other equipment updates.

“Ohio County Healthcare is a vital resource for tens of thousands of residents who depend on it for quality medical care, and it provides important jobs and health benefits to many families in our region,” said Senator McConnell. “These much-needed infrastructure improvements will ensure the hospital remains safe, reliable, and capable of delivering prompt emergency care when it’s needed most.”

""As a rural Critical Access Hospital, we are deeply committed to providing high-quality care to our neighbors—many of whom face economic hardship and limited access to essential health services,” said Shellie Shouse, CEO of Ohio County Healthcare. “Senator McConnell’s continued support of OCH is not just appreciated; it is vital. Without it, our ability to safeguard the health and well-being of our community would be severely compromised.""

In addition to the federal funding wins, the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report includes additional language and provisions advanced by Senator McConnell to benefit Kentucky and the broader national interest.

Closes the Intoxicating Hemp Loophole

Includes language to close a loophole that has allowed the sale of unregulated intoxicating THC products to be manufactured and sold nationwide, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products. The measure locks in the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework. More info HERE.

Supports White Oak Forest Conservation

Recognizes the ecological and economic importance of White Oak forests and encourages the Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand conservation efforts. This provision supports Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry and builds on McConnell-backed legislation like the White Oak Resiliency Act.

Enhances Equine Health Research Funding

Establishes a dedicated line item in the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) budget for equine health. Previously equine health was grouped with programs for deer, sheep, goats, and other similar animals. This new structure provides greater transparency and a stronger focus on equine-specific research.

Ensures Scientific Integrity in Alcohol Guidelines

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA to rely solely on findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) when updating alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This provision addresses concerns raised during the Biden administration that the DGA Committee might rely on biased sources. It ensures that any guidance is based on sound science and independent expert review.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F3976C1E-8E32-44C9-B2D3-9D0079005A1F,Senator McConnell Secures Federal Funding for Kentucky’s Defense Facilities,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $147 million in federal funding for military construction projects at several Kentucky military facilities. The funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.

""I'm honored to represent multiple key military installations in Kentucky that play a critical role in our national defense,"" said Senator McConnell. “The legislation we passed—and that the President signed—will support essential construction projects across the state. This bill makes an important investment in Kentucky’s contribution to the American defense industrial base by funding plans for a U.S.-based military shipping container production facility at Blue Grass Army Depot. It also provides substantial funding to modernize our military infrastructure at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, both of which are home to some of our military’s most distinguished Army units, as well as the Kentucky National Guard—further reinforcing Kentucky's deep importance to our national defense.""

Senator McConnell requested federal funding to support the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), Fort Campbell, Fort Knox and the Kentucky National Guard.

Blue Grass Army Depot

$27 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a military container production facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, Kentucky. The Department of Defense’s global logistics operations rely heavily on 20-foot metal shipping containers for logistics and deployment, yet most of these containers are currently manufactured in China. While BGAD already operates a small facility focused on maintenance and repair of shipping containers, this federal funding will support plans for the construction of a new container production facility—advancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing American dependence on foreign suppliers. This funding represents a step toward an opportunity identified in the Army’s study on the feasibility of reusing the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant and the Blue Grass Army Depot infrastructure, which was authorized by the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. As articulated by the feasibility study, BGAD is a promising potential home for new missions that would help bridge critical supply chain gaps.

“Senator McConnell’s steadfast leadership and vision continue to deliver meaningful results for Madison County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His success in securing funding for the new military container production project at the Blue Grass Army Depot represents a critical step in sustaining economic growth and preserving the skilled workforce that has long supported the Depot’s mission. As operations at the Chemical Demilitarization Site conclude, Senator McConnell has worked alongside us for a continual focus on job replacement and reinvestment which ensures BGAD remains an anchor of opportunity and innovation for Madison County and for the nation,” said Reagan Taylor, Madison County Judge Executive.

Fort Campbell

$45 million in federal funding for the construction of a new air traffic control tower at Campbell Army Airfield. The existing tower, built in 1975, is among the oldest still in use in the U.S. Army. It supports the critical operations of the 101st Airborne Division and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell. This new tower will be more capable of supporting Campbell Army Airfield’s high tempo of operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

$11 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a modernized hangar at Campbell Army Airfield. The 101st Airborne Division currently faces a shortage of hangar space for its CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A new hangar would accommodate the significant increase in Chinooks stationed at Fort Campbell and enhance the Campbell Army Airfield’s readiness and operational effectiveness in support of the 101st’s operations.

“The Military Affairs Committee is proud to stand beside the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms. Our mission has always been to ensure they are supported, equipped, and prepared for success—both in service and at home. We are deeply grateful for Senator McConnell’s enduring leadership and his tireless advocacy for Fort Campbell. His commitment continues to strengthen not only the installation but the entire community that supports it,” said Shannon Lane, Director, Military Affairs Committee, Christian County Chamber of Commerce; Member, Citizens for Fort Campbell.

Fort Knox

$50 million in federal funding for the demolition of legacy aircraft hangars at Ft. Knox. According to base officials, the existing hangars at Ft. Knox are not suitable to support current and future operations at Godman Army Airfield.

$8 million in federal funding for the construction of a vehicle access road at Ft. Knox. The funding will support the construction of a new two-way bypass to connect North Knox Street and Bullion Boulevard, allowing military equipment and large vehicles to easily travel between Fort Knox’s main north-south roads.

$4.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of two dining facilities at Ft. Knox. These new buildings would replace Fort Knox’s dining facilities, which are currently spread across six structures built in the 1960s. The upgraded facilities would better support key missions of Fort Knox, including the Cadet Summer Training, and training support to external units. They would also be equipped to serve significant numbers of troops during a large-scale deployment of forces from Fort Knox in a time of crisis.

“We are certainly thankful for Senator McConnell’s continued support to Fort Knox. His support directly impacts Fort Knox as a strategic enabler of readiness and lethality and continues to make it a premier installation. Furthermore, the benefits Fort Knox derives from the Senator’s support directly impacts the greater Fort Knox community,” said Lance O’Bryan, President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance.

Kentucky National Guard

$1.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of the National Guard Readiness Center in Somerset. This federal funding will support the planning of a new Army National Guard Readiness Center and Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Somerset, Kentucky. Currently, elements of the Kentucky National Guard assigned to the existing Somerset Armory, which was built in 1949, and the London Field Maintenance Shop, which was built in 1958, operate out of dated facilities. This new facility in Somerset would provide consolidated, modern infrastructure to better support the Kentucky Army National Guard’s operational needs in southeastern Kentucky.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=350D6AFF-F825-40DD-9D11-8EEEA5554DF6,"Senate Passes Resolution led by Sen. Cruz, Rep. Barr, Demanding China Release Pastor Ezra Jin and Other Leaders of Zion Church",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) demanding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) stop persecuting Christians and release Pastor Ezra Jin and other leaders of the Zion Church currently imprisoned in China.

On October 10, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party conducted the largest coordinated, nationwide crackdown against a Christian urban house church in over four decades. At least 22 pastors and church members from Zion Church, one of China’s largest underground congregations, were arrested, including a prominent pastor and the founder of Zion Church, Pastor “Ezra” Jin Mingri.

“China needs to release Pastor Jin and stop persecuting Christians for practicing their faith. Until then, Senator Cruz and I will keep rallying our House and Senate colleagues to condemn this atrocity and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable,” said Congressman Barr, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Select Committee on China.

“Christians are fighting daily for their religious freedom against the Chinese Communist Party,” said Senator Cruz. “Last month, the CCP carried out its largest nationwide crackdown in over four decades against a Christian house church in China. I’m grateful to Senator Coons and my colleagues for standing with me to demand Pastor Jin and his congregation’s release and to make clear that any government that fears faith is tyrannical.”

“The Chinese Communist Party’s campaign of repression against Christians, including the targeting of churches such as the Zion Church, is a violation of fundamental religious freedom rights,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). “I am glad to see the resolution condemning the CCP for abducting leaders of the Christian leaders, which I co-sponsored, has passed the Senate. This sends a clear message: faith is not a crime, and the United States condemns the recent alarming arrests of church leaders by CCP authorities.”

“The abduction of Pastor Ezra Jin and the ongoing religious persecution against Christians in China is a tragedy and a violation to individual rights and freedoms,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “I strongly condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s continued religious persecution of Christians, as well as believers of other faiths, and will continue to advocate for those being unfairly silenced. I’m pleased the Senate passed our resolution unanimously.”

“The Chinese Communist Party’s targeting of Pastor Jin and the Zion Church is an attack on the God-given right to live out one’s faith,” said U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). “I’m pleased the Senate passed this bipartisan resolution condemning China’s persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and I call for the immediate release of all those arrested. The United States stands with the persecuted and is committed to defending religious freedom.”

“Faith isn’t a crime. We need to call out China for once more targeting people of faith,” said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

“I’m proud to see the Senate’s passage of our resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal persecution of people of faith,” said U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). “The CCP’s record of religious oppression, including the unjust arrest of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and members of the Zion Church, is evil and unacceptable. With this bipartisan action, America is making clear our commitment to defend religious freedom as a basic human right and to stand up for all who are persecuted for their faith. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to hold the CCP accountable and demand the release of Pastor Jin and all those imprisoned simply for worshipping God.”

“The United States has led the world in religious freedom, standing against tyrannical regimes like the People’s Republic of China,” said U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). “We must speak the truth about the regime’s evil crackdown on Christians and other religious groups. We will not stop advocating for those living under the thumb of Xi Jinping’s oppression.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=38BE2B66-BCBA-427A-8CCA-5DDC10FCEDA8,"Barr Votes Again to Reopen the Government, Blasts Democrats for the Schumer Shutdown",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Tonight, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) voted for legislation to reopen the government and fund operations through January 30, 2026. Following his vote, Congressman Barr released this statement:

“For over 40 days, Senate Democrats held our nation hostage—blocking paychecks for air traffic controllers and putting food assistance for millions at risk. In the end, they achieved nothing but creating chaos. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and House Republicans to reopen the government and get back to delivering the America First agenda.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=08F155E8-48CB-4635-AD7E-C40CA660C9D1,Congressman Rogers Votes to Reopen the Federal Government,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Guarantees SNAP Benefits through September 2026

Restores Pay for Military and Federal Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted to end the longest federal government shutdown on record by supporting the Continuing Appropriations Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026.

The bill extends government operations through January 30, 2026, guarantees SNAP food benefits through September 2026, restores pay for the military and all federal employees, gets air travel back on track before the holidays, and includes three federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, including all veterans’ programs.

“It’s a shame that the American people’s paychecks and SNAP benefits were ‘leveraged’ by Washington Democrats to keep the government shutdown for their own agenda. Thankfully, after more than 40 days, enough Democrats saw the light and decided to vote with Republicans to pass the bill and responsibly reopen the federal government,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “This bill gives us more time to work on healthcare needs and other funding priorities, while ensuring no more federal paychecks are missed and no more people go hungry – something that should never be negotiable. As an appropriator, I’m glad we picked up lost time by passing three federal funding bills in this package for next year, including veterans’ health care benefits, funding for our farmers and rural broadband. We have a lot of work left to do and I’m grateful to get the country back on track.”

As Dean of the House, Congressman Rogers led a House bereavement resolution to adjourn in memory of former Vice President Dick Cheney who passed away on November 3, 2025. Rogers and Cheney served in the House together from 1981 to 1989.

Summaries for the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills:

Agriculture (including USDA & FDA)

Legislative Branch

Military Construction & Veterans Affairs

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-why-im-voting-no-on-the-cr,Congressman Morgan McGarvey: Why I’m Voting No on the CR,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 12, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey released the following statement on Republicans’ refusal to include federal funding for health care tax credits in their bill to fund the government:

“Republicans in Congress chose to keep the government shut down for a record-breaking 43 days rather than work out a deal with Democrats to fix our broken healthcare system.

“Americans are already getting crushed by costs everywhere going up, but health insurance premiums going up thousands more next year will price a ton of Kentucky families out of their health insurance. The cost of inaction here – in a country where having health care coverage is a matter of life or death – will be catastrophic.

“A pinky promise to consider fixing a crisis this big at a later date is an unacceptable option. For a family in Louisville who’s about to spend more on their health insurance each month than they do on their mortgage, waiting is an option they can’t afford.

“I’m voting no because I refuse to pretend Congress is powerless to fix this crisis.

“Now is not the time to cave. It’s the time to do your job and fix the problems you were sent to Washington to solve.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Local Impact: Failure to address lapsing ACA tax credits in this bill will have the following impact in KY-03:

The unsubsidized cost of insurance is increasing by up to 37% for Kentuckians — a 10 times bigger increase than in recent years. (Source)

Higher costs and less federal funding means Kentuckians will be left to pay the difference.

For example, a 60-year-old couple in Kentucky with no children making $85,000, who paid $600 a month in 2025 for health insurance, will pay $2700 a month in 2026 for the same Kynect plan. (Source)

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-introduces_bipartisan-legislation-with-reps-beyer-and-ciscomani-to--to-improve-disability-claims-process-for-veterans,McGarvey Introduces  Bipartisan Legislation with Reps. Beyer & Ciscomani to  to Improve Disability Claims Process for Veterans,2025-11-11,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"November 11, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Reps. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) introduced the Veterans Transition Support Act to improve the disability claims process for veterans. The bill would expand the Solid Start program to help transitioning service members file claims pre-separation and minimize interruptions in medical care and benefits.

Due to time constraints in a service member’s transition to civilian life, inconsistent education about filing disability claims, and difficulties accessing the necessary health records, veterans often face difficulties when filing for benefits and lengthy waits before receiving benefits. The Veterans Transition Support Act would amend the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Solid Start program by requiring that a VA representative contact transitioning service members 120-210 days prior to separation to coincide with their eligibility to file a VA disability claim through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. Filing a claim through the BDD program would ensure service members still have access to their medical and personnel records and enable the VA to rapidly deliver a decision. This bill aims to provide veterans with a more seamless transition and less of a coverage gap between exiting the service and receiving benefits.

The legislation is endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Common Defense.

“Our nation’s veterans face lots of challenges during the transition back to civilian life, but our commitment to them shouldn’t end when their service does,” said Rep. McGarvey. “That’s why we’ve got to invest more in successful programs like Solid Start, which eases the transition from DoD to the VA, and keep building up the arsenal of resources our vets need to be set up for success in civilian life.”

“Those who served deserve a disability claims process that is simple, efficient, and honors their service. But our veterans too often encounter barriers filing post-discharge VA disability claims and lengthy waits before receiving benefits,” said Rep. Beyer. “By expanding the Solid Start program, our legislation would encourage more service members to take part in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program and file their disability claims early. This would streamline their claims process and minimize the gap between their discharge and when they begin to receive benefits. With this bill, we hope to ensure veterans receive the services and benefits they’ve earned without unnecessary gaps in care and support.”

“Our service members selflessly dedicate themselves to our nation – but unfortunately, I often hear of the challenges associated with transitioning out of the military,” said Rep. Ciscomani. ""I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan, bicameral bill to streamline the medical and disability claim process to ensure our veterans have access to the care and support their service earned. By requiring proactive outreach prior to separation from the service, it is my hope that this legislation will help make the process not only smoother but also ensure veterans do not slip through the cracks and miss opportunities to apply for benefits that they have earned.”

“The VFW supports the Veterans Transition Support Act to enhance the VA Solid Start Program by adding an outreach call to service members before separation from the military. As longtime advocates for improved transition support, the VFW believes this is a practical and meaningful step to better inform veterans of the benefits and services they have earned,” said Associate Director of VFW’s National Legislative Service Joy Craig. “The timing of the call would coincide with when service members are eligible to file expedited disability claims through the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, ensuring access to benefits at the earliest possible moment. The VFW thanks Representative Beyer for introducing this important legislation and prioritizing a smooth transition for service members from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

“The transition from military service to civilian life can be difficult for veterans who must overcome obstacles that hinder their ability to gain and sustain meaningful employment,” said DAV’s National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “DAV is proud to support the Veterans Transition Act of 2025, which aims to improve this transition by mandating early, proactive outreach through the Solid Start program —as early as 210 days before separation. We applaud Representatives Beyer, Ciscomani, and McGarvey for their leadership on this vital issue that will ensure every service member gets the help they have earned.”

“Too many veterans fall through the cracks because the disability claims process is stacked against them from day one,” said Common Defense’s Deputy Director for Government Relations John Kamin. “Common Defense is proud to support Congressman Beyer's Veterans Transition Support Act, which takes a smart, commonsense approach to make sure servicemembers get critical guidance before they separate—when they still have access to their records and can actually act on it. By strengthening the VA’s Solid Start program, this legislation will help veterans get the care and benefits they’ve earned without needless delays and red tape.”

Full text of the Veterans Transition Support Act is available here, with a one-pager available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9BC0F429-AEAA-4DF4-B5DA-38FFC1E72CA4,McConnell Hemp Provision Targets Intoxicating THC Products; Protects Industrial Hemp and CBD,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) secured language in the FY 2026 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill to close a loophole that has allowed the sale of unregulated intoxicating THC products to be manufactured and sold nationwide, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products. The measure locks in the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework.

Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, played a key role in crafting the legislation. “The language I helped secure in the Agriculture Appropriations bill addresses a serious concern regarding the manufacturing and selling of unregulated, intoxicating THC products nationwide,” said Senator McConnell.

Once the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill passes in the Senate and the House, it will go to President Trump for his signature.

The hemp provision would accomplish the following:

Industrial hemp: Defines “industrial hemp” to clarify that hemp that is used for industrial applications — such as seed, stock, fiber, grain oil — or hemp used in federally authorized research, drug trials, or research at an institution of higher education, including at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Synthetic “hemp” products: Prohibits synthetic cannabinoids.

THC Limits in final hemp products: Excludes intoxicating THC products that contain more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per package/container from the definition of hemp.

Preserves Farm Bill definition in hemp plants: Leaves in place the 0.3% limit on total THC for hemp plants growing in the field.

Protects CBD: Does NOT place any limits on the amount of non-intoxicating CBD products that can be in a product or container. Industrial hemp and CBD products that contain traceable or low amounts of THC would continue to be legal.

Implementation and Guidance: To help give our hemp farmers ample time to prepare for their future, the legislation also contains a one-year implementation delay and requires FDA to establish industry guidance within 90 days.

“The language included in today’s bill preserves the legitimate hemp industry while addressing the rise of intoxicating and synthetic THC products. Industrial hemp and CBD will remain legal for industrial applications — such as seed, stock, fiber, grain oil — or used in drug trials, federally authorized research, or research at an institution of higher education, such as the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Research Program,” said Senator McConnell. “I am proud to have championed this language that keeps these products out of the hands of children, secures the future of regulated hemp businesses, and keeps our promise to American farmers and law enforcement by clarifying the intention in the 2018 Farm Bill”

“These psychoactive products are being sold openly in vape shops and convenience stores with little to no regulation, making them readily accessible to middle and high school students. Their intoxicating effects can impair judgment, hinder academic performance, and increase the likelihood of progression to more dangerous substances. The KNOA is far more concerned for the welfare of our youth than for the profits of an industry that converts hemp into such harmful products,” said Tommy Loving, Executive Director of the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association. “The Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association commends Senator Mitch McConnell for his continued leadership in working to close this loophole. Senator McConnell has long been an advocate for protecting children and supporting law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.”

""Our community works together to keep all of our children safe from many threats. Unfortunately, the proliferation of vaping products that contain delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10, are readily available at retail outlets in all areas of our community. These vapes are being purchased and used by students as young as 10 years old. Students, who many times are trying vaping for the first time, are being exposed to intoxicating hemp products and the results are dangerous. We have created a system that does not provide safeguards to protect our K-12 students from these dangerous products. I commend Senator McConnell for working to close these loopholes in order to protect every child in Kentucky,” said Gary Fields, Bowling Green Independent School District Superintendent.

""Senator McConnell’s steadfast leadership since 2013 has been instrumental in establishing industrial hemp as a critical new commodity, paving the way for growth in American agriculture and manufacturing. The National Hemp Association looks forward to working with him and his colleagues to secure a promising future for our nation’s hemp farmers and the many benefits hemp provides,” said Geoff Whaling, Chair of the National Hemp Association.

Additional Support for the Legislation

39 Attorneys General wrote to Congress regarding the legislation on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.

In the letter, they write, “We ask that Congress clarify the federal definition of hemp during the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process or through the reauthorization of the Farm Bill to leave no doubt that these harmful products are illegal and that their sale and manufacture are criminal acts… Many of these products—created by manufacturers by manipulating hemp to produce synthetic THC—are more intoxicating and psychoactive than marijuana a Schedule I controlled substance and are often marketed to minors. Unless Congress acts, this gross distortion of the 2018 Farm Bill’s hemp provision will continue to fuel the rapid growth of an underregulated industry that threatens public health and safety and undermines law enforcement nationwide.”

Health and safety groups from across the country wrote to Congress regarding the impact this issue is having – especially on children --- and the need to address it.

In the letter, they write, “The 2018 Farm Bill’s definition of hemp has been interpreted by the hemp industry as “legalizing” hemp-derived THC and all other psychoactive substances derived from hemp…that have similar effects as delta-9 THC The current definition of hemp has created serious challenges for regulators and public-health officials, while fueling widespread, largely unmonitored sales of highly intoxicating products. These substances are now sold nationwide – in gas stations, convenience stores, head shops and online – in ways that are purposely made both accessible and attractive to youth.3-7 These substances are often sold in the form of gummies, chocolates, chips, candies, and cookies… There have been thousands of calls to U.S. poison control centers from use of these products, more than 30% for children 5 years and younger.”

Op-ed by Dr. Matt Rossheim, a professor, substance use prevention researcher, and parent in Fort Worth, Texas, where he writes that “Congress must close this loophole, restore hemp to its intended purpose as stated by the sponsors of the original bill, and protect kids before more families are harmed.”

In the op-ed, Dr. Rossheim writes: “Since 2021, poison control centers have handled more than 10,000 delta-8 THC cases. In Kentucky, pediatric cannabis poisonings have increased sixfold since 2018, and youth presenting with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome – severe pain with uncontrollable vomiting – have risen tenfold. No parent should have to wonder whether a pack of gummies at the corner store could send their child to the ER… Some claim that banning intoxicating THC products would destroy the entire hemp market. But hemp has countless legitimate uses: nutritious foods and animal feed, durable textiles, sustainable building materials, eco-friendly plastics, rope, clothing, biofuels, and cosmetics, to name a few. To suggest these markets can’t survive without marijuana look-alikes is like saying corn farmers can’t thrive without moonshine. It’s simply not true.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-pauls-remarks-defending-the-hemp-industry/,,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON DC – Tonight, November 10th, 2025, Dr. Paul delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding his amendment to remove language in the government funding package that targets the hemp industry. The amendment would protect farmers, processors, and small businesses by striking provisions that impose restrictive regulations on hemp farmers and hemp-derived products.

Watch the full remarks here.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5D8EA719-A5C0-4415-AC25-49A2C143B41F,McConnell Delivers Senate Floor Speech on Louisville UPS Plane Crash,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding yesterday’s UPS cargo plane crash in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky:

“I know that many of our colleagues will have seen the tragic news out of my hometown yesterday. And I’m grateful that their thoughts and prayers this morning are with the people of Louisville. Folks around Jefferson County need those prayers right now, and in the days and weeks to come.

“The death toll from last evening’s UPS cargo crash has risen throughout the day. For the families of these victims, and for the injured survivors being treated at area hospitals, life will never be the same.

“There’s a lot of grief welling up right now in Kentucky. This would be true even in the case of a single life lost. But as local first responders, state officials, and federal investigators continue their work today, I’d like to help our colleagues understand what makes this tragedy such a gut punch in a place like Louisville.

“During the day, Louisville International hums with thousands of passengers from across the country. But around the clock, Louisville is also a hub for global shipping and logistics. Business supplies, consumer goods, Christmas gifts… if it’s going somewhere in short order, there’s a good chance it’s passing through UPS Worldport in Louisville. None of this is possible without teams of devoted professionals.

“Louisville is home to logistics experts, warehouse workers, aircraft crew and maintainers. They take pride in their work, and their community takes pride in them. That’s why this crash cuts so deep. It’s about all of us. Today, Jefferson County schools and many local businesses are closed. Neighbors are mourning neighbors.

“So today will be a tough day in the Commonwealth. But the people of Louisville are grateful for the swift, life-saving efforts of our first responders from local police, fire, and EMS. They can trust in the prayers of their fellow Americans. And I want them to know that their representatives here in Washington are making sure that every federal resource they need is on the ground or headed that way soon.

“I spoke with Mayor Craig Greenberg this morning, and my team and I will continue to stay in close contact with local, state, and federal officials, including at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in the coming days. But first and foremost, I’m keeping my fellow Kentuckians in my prayers, and I’d ask our colleagues to do the same.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3B648B2E-E3A6-4A61-99E9-F915566AE491,Reps Barr and Shreve Urge Terrorist-Designation for Radical Palestinian Group,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging the Department to designate the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) a terrorist organization. Documents published in recent news reports show the role that the PCPA working with Hamas to organize a flotilla of illicit resources sent to Gaza that bypassed a blockade of shipments coming into the area. Israel designated the PCPA a terrorist organization in January of 2022.

“We write to encourage the Treasury Department to designate the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) as an affiliate of Hamas and a Specially Designated Terrorist Group under Executive Order 13224,” their letter read in-part.

“Now, new documents uncovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, and released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, offer new insight into the group’s terrorist ties,” the letter continued. “These documents include an official letter from Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and a roster of senior PCPA operatives, conclusively establishing the organization’s ties to Hamas.”

“Most recently, the PCPA helped fund a flotilla of propaganda ships to violate Israel’s legal naval blockade of Gaza. While the flotilla claims its effort is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, it has rejected multiple offers by Israeli officials to provide the aid via established channels. We urge you to act swiftly to designate the PCPA and its affiliates, impose targeted sanctions, and hold accountable those who facilitate terrorism under the guise of civil society,” the letter concluded.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-statement-on-plane-crash-in-louisville,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Statement on Plane Crash in Louisville,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 4, 2025) – Congressman Morgan McGarvey issued the following statement after horrific reports that a UPS flight crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.

“Tonight, our community was rocked by a devastating plane crash at the Louisville airport.

“My heart breaks for the pilots, crew, and their families, and I’m praying for everyone impacted. I’m grateful for the bravery of our first responders as they continue their work throughout the night tonight to respond quickly and heroically to this horrific incident.

“We still do not have complete details on how this tragedy occurred, but I’ve spoken with the Chair of National Transportation Safety Board and will continue to stay in contact with state, local, and federal authorities to get answers and do what we can to help all those affected.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=19BCE5B7-33C2-4A63-A5A0-5E55A6E4341B,Vice President Dick Cheney,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney:

“Elaine and I join the Senate and the entire nation in mourning the loss of former Vice President Richard B. Cheney.

“America’s 46th Vice President and President of the Senate will be remembered for decades of deeply patriotic and highly capable service to our republic. From the highest reaches of power in Washington, Dick Cheney served with a profound and humble appreciation for the rules, principles, and institutions that sustain America’s experiment in self-governance.

“Rarely in our history have immense organizational competence, far-sighted vision, and sheer force of will coincided as they did in the leader who served as White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States. From his stewardship of the Department of Defense from the end of the Cold War through the Gulf War to his steady counsel to President Bush when terrorists launched a war against America on September 11, 2001, his intellect, experience, and resolve made America safer. As grave threats to our security continue to loom, his commitment to American leadership will remain a lesson.

“Today, we join Vice President Cheney’s wife, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and the entire Cheney family in mourning a monumental life.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=36624A39-889F-4B36-9F0C-78112B640845,McConnell on the Passing of Former Governor Martha Layne Collins,2025-11-01,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins:

“As Kentucky’s first female governor, Martha Layne Collins was known for breaking barriers. Governor Collins was a tireless advocate for all levels of education in Kentucky, and that passion carried her throughout her life. She also promoted growth in the Commonwealth by bringing the Toyota Plant to Georgetown stimulating the regional economy. It is with deep sadness that Elaine and I learned about Governor Collins’ passing, and we send our sincere condolences to her husband, Bill, and her two children.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8BF5E4BA-D796-46C7-BB53-ACD9372385F0,"McConnell: Servicemembers Deserve Open Gov’t, Full-Year Defense Funding",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the consequences of Democrats’ shutdown for the U.S. Armed Forces and the need to pass full-year defense appropriations:

“Government shutdowns have real consequences. I’ve said so countless times.

“Incredibly, it seems to have taken Democrats a month to remember that the proverbial stove is, in fact, hot. And yet, they’re not ready to turn it off… Just turn it down a notch… Just low enough that they can take the political heat.

“My friend from Delaware is right: Our military deserves a lot better than a government shutdown that jeopardizes their paychecks and the services military families count on.

“During Democrats’ shutdown, the President has had to scrape together unobligated balances within the Defense budget in order to uphold the nation’s promise to servicemembers through another pay period.

“I certainly hope he won’t have to divert resources from urgent modernization again to make payroll in another two weeks. But that ball, of course, is in the Democrats’ court. And I hope they’ll realize soon that the surest way to help servicemembers and civilian DoD employees is to simply turn government funding back on… and pass full-year appropriations.

“I know my counterpart on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, of all people, understands this. He knows what would really help our armed forces – because he and I worked closely together on a full-year bill for defense that would pay servicemembers and invest more in the capabilities they need to keep America safe.

“I’m grateful for Senator Coons’ collaboration on the bipartisan bill that earned overwhelming support in committee and would add $22 billion above the President’s defense request. This, by the way, is the bill that almost every Democrat voted against considering two weeks ago. I know the Ranking Member cares about the promises we make to the all-volunteer force and the challenges we expect them to face. I know he’s concerned about the erosion of Congress’ authority to set and fund national security priorities. So am I. And if we cannot appropriate, we will render ourselves irrelevant.

“The way to provide real certainty and deliver serious, full-year appropriations is to open the government and pass our bill. It’s that simple.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/chairman-comer-blasts-democrats-for-smears-against-president-trump-urges-them-to-reopen-the-government,"Chairman Comer Blasts Democrats for Smears Against President Trump, Urges Them to Reopen the Government",2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Today, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) to discuss the need for Senate Democrats to reopen the government and provide an update on the Committee’s investigation of the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Chairman Comer emphasized that Democrats are attempting to distract from the fact that they shut down the government by pushing a false narrative about President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Chairman Comer made it clear that the evidence gathered does not implicate President Trump in any way. He concluded by calling on Democrats to stop playing political games and reopen the government.

Below are Chairman Comer’s prepared remarks.

Today marks 21 days of the Schumer Shutdown.

Democrats’ political games are hurting hardworking Americans.

This week, essential federal workers won’t receive their paychecks because Democrats voted against paying them.

That includes Border Patrol and CBP agents, TSA and FAA staff, DOD civilians, FEMA responders, and Capitol Police officers.

The overwhelming majority of Americans oppose this Democrat shutdown.

Democrats know it, so they’re trying to distract from the fact that they shut down the government by pushing a false narrative about President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

Let me be clear: No one is protecting Epstein or his associates.

The House Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough review of the federal government’s handling of the Epstein investigation—one that goes far beyond the discharge petition the Legacy Media is obsessed with.

To date, the Oversight Committee has released roughly 43,000 pages of documents and issued 13 subpoenas.

We’ve conducted a deposition with former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and a transcribed interview with former U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta.

And guess what? Those interviews completely debunk the Democrats’ smear against President Trump.

Barr stated there was no evidence that President Trump was involved in Epstein’s criminal activity.

Acosta confirmed there was no contact with President Trump during the Florida case—no link, no conversations, nothing.

Despite these facts, Democrats, especially Ranking Member Garcia, continue to spread lies about President Trump. They’re infected with an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Oversight Committee Democrats post daily about Epstein. In fact, they’ve posted or reposted about Epstein nearly 60 times on X since the shutdown began.

Do you know how many times they’ve posted about essential federal workers not receiving paychecks because they voted against funding the government? Once.

Let’s be clear: Democrats don’t care about transparency or accountability in this matter. The evidence we’ve gathered does not implicate President Trump in any way.

Public reporting, survivor testimony, and official documents show that Bill Clinton had far closer ties to Epstein and Maxwell.

We’re working to bring Bill Clinton in for a deposition, but Democrats aren’t helping to get him here.

Why is that? That’s a question every reporter should be asking Ranking Member Garcia and every Democrat on the committee.

The Oversight Committee remains committed to accountability and transparency for the American people and for Epstein’s victims.

Our investigation hasn’t stopped during the shutdown. In fact, we released more documents just this past Friday.

Democrats need to stop playing games and vote to reopen the government.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/icymi-comer-discusses-bombshell-biden-autopen-report-on-fox-news-ingraham-angle,ICYMI: Comer Discusses Bombshell Biden Autopen Report on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined “The Ingraham Angle” on Fox News to discuss his bombshell report titled “The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.” The report details how President Joe Biden’s senior advisors, political aides, and personal physician colluded to deliberately hide his cognitive and physical decline from the American people. Chairman Comer emphasized that, as President Biden’s health declined, Biden White House staffers usurped presidential authority by executing decisions without the President’s awareness—including misusing the autopen and bypassing proper documentation of decision-making processes.

“It is astonishing. We are talking about thousands of pardons and dozens of executive orders. Especially during the last three months of the Biden Administration. That’s what the Oversight Committee focused on. Every key Biden staffer who we deposed had a different story on what the proper process was that they followed in using the autopen to sign a legal document. Their stories were inconsistent. Then we have emails from the Merrick Garland Department of Justice expressing concern to these same staffers about the excessive use of the Biden autopen and asked them point blank questions about what their approval process was,” said Chairman Comer.

“Laura, it is a fact that none of these staffers really saw Joe Biden. No one who authorized the autopen or gave the authorization to use the autopen rarely ever heard directly from Joe Biden. There are no notes. No chain of custody that would show that Joe Biden was involved in any meetings. These staffers confirmed that they would go weeks, months, and even years without communicating with Joe Biden. Some of them even pled the Fifth. This is a massive cover-up and what we determined is that every pardon and executive order should be null and void,” continued Chairman Comer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/10/oversight-committee-releases-report-on-the-biden-autopen-presidency,Oversight Committee Releases Report on the Biden Autopen Presidency,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"The report exposes Biden’s decline, the White House cover-up, and invalid executive actions signed by autopen; Chairman Comer sends referrals to the DOJ and D.C. Board of Medicine

WASHINGTON—Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a staff report titled “The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.” The report exposes how President Joe Biden’s top advisors, political operatives, and personal physician concealed the President’s mental and physical decline from the American people. The findings reveal that as President Biden’s condition deteriorated, his aides exercised presidential authority and facilitated executive actions without his direct authorization, including misusing the autopen and failing to properly document decision-making processes.

Following the findings of its investigation, the Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting the U.S. Department of Justice conduct a comprehensive review of all executive actions taken during the Biden presidency and scrutinize key Biden aides—Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Annie Tomasini, and Anthony Bernal—who pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the investigation. Chairman Comer also sent a letter to the District of Columbia Board of Medicine seeking its review of actions taken by Dr. O’Connor to determine any potential wrongdoing in his medical care of the former president.

“The Biden Autopen Presidency will go down as one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. As Americans saw President Biden’s decline with their own eyes, Biden’s inner circle sought to deceive the public, cover-up his decline, and took unauthorized executive actions with the autopen that are now invalid,” said Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.). “Our report reveals how key aides colluded to mislead the public and the extraordinary measures they took to sustain the appearance of presidential authority as Biden’s capacity to function independently diminished. Executive actions performed by Biden White House staff and signed by autopen are null and void. We are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of these executive actions and scrutinize key Biden aides who took the Fifth to hide their participation in the cover-up. The D.C. Board of Medicine must also review the actions taken by President Biden’s physician to hide his true condition. We have provided Americans with transparency about the Biden Autopen Presidency, and now there must be accountability.”

The report is based on 14 depositions and transcribed interviews with key Biden aides. During the investigation, Oversight Committee Democrats did not consider the question of who was running the country for four years to be worth further inquiry. Democrat Members and staff asked only about 3 hours and 30 minutes’ worth of questions over nearly 47 hours of depositions and transcribed interviews. On average, across the 14 interviews and depositions conducted by the Committee, Democrats spent just 15 minutes questioning each witness.

Below are key findings and recommendations from the report:

Biden’s Decline and Cover-Up: The Oversight Committee found substantial evidence that President Joe Biden experienced significant mental and physical decline during his presidency, while senior White House officials actively sought to conceal his deterioration from the public. President Biden’s inner circle, including top advisors and his physician, undertook coordinated efforts to mislead the public regarding his cognitive state, using scripted messaging, restricted access, and tightly controlled appearances. White House staff meticulously controlled President Biden’s daily activities, public appearances, and workload to mask his declining capabilities. This included restricting media access, avoiding unscripted events, and even seeking input from Hollywood figures on presentation strategy. Key advisors, including senior strategist Mike Donilon, stood to gain financially and politically from maintaining President Biden’s candidacy and suppressing evidence of his decline.

Gaslighting the American Public over Concerns about Biden’s Debate Performance and Cognitive Decline: Even a year later, President Biden’s former senior circle denies not only that his cognitive decline was on full display in his 2024 debate with President Trump, but that the public was ever even concerned about cognitive decline. In their view, public concern about Biden’s debate performance was about his “bad cold” and more general feelings about potential limitations due to his advanced age.

Political Interference in Medical Decisions and Failure of Medical Oversight: Testimony from senior officials, including Jeff Zients and Anita Dunn, revealed that political advisors interfered with decisions regarding President Biden’s medical evaluations, explicitly rejecting calls for cognitive testing to protect his reelection prospects. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the President’s physician, did not perform a cognitive assessment of President Biden and invoked his Fifth Amendment right when questioned by the Committee. Testimony suggests that Dr. O’Connor’s medical judgments were influenced by political advisors and that his financial ties to the Biden family presented conflicts of interest.

Referral of Biden’s Physician to D.C. Board of Medicine: Chairman Comer recommends that the District of Columbia Board of Medicine review the actions taken by Dr. O’Connor while serving as the White House physician to President Biden for any potential wrongdoing in the medical care of the former president—including whether Dr. O’Connor produced false or misleading medical reports to the American people.

Exercise of Presidential Authority by Biden Aides, Making Executive Actions Signed by Autopen Invalid: Senior Biden staff exercised presidential authority or facilitated executive actions without direct authorization from President Biden himself, including through misuse of the autopen and failures in documenting decision-making processes. The Oversight Committee found alarming deficiencies in the documentation and custody of the President’s decision binder, including instances where executive actions were executed without written authorization or clear record of the President’s approval. The Committee identified irregularities in the issuance of pardons and commutations during the final days of the Biden presidency, including those involving members of the Biden family, where the autopen was used without confirmed presidential authorization or proper documentation.

Referral to DOJ for Review of Executive Actions and Key Aides Involved in the Cover-Up: Chairman Comer is calling on the Department of Justice conduct a comprehensive review of all executive actions taken during the Biden presidency and is referring key Biden aides—Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal—for further scrutiny after they took the Fifth Amendment during the investigation.

Read the report and letters here:

Staff Report: “The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House”

Letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Department of Justice

Letter to Board Chair Dr. Andrea Anderson, District of Columbia Board of Medicine

Below are links to the transcripts and videos from the depositions and transcribed interviews conducted during the investigation:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/gov-beshear-rep-mcgarvey-urge-congress-to-extend-tax-credits-to-protect-affordable-health-coverage-for-kentuckians,"Gov. Beshear, Rep. McGarvey Urge Congress To Extend Tax Credits To Protect Affordable Health Coverage for Kentuckians",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Without extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, Kentuckians will pay thousands of dollars more in annual premiums

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 28, 2025) – This morning, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined together to warn of rising health insurance costs as Kentuckians face steep premium increases due to Congress’s lack of action to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Nearly 100,000 Kentuckians with insurance plans through Kentucky’s marketplace, kynect, will see up to 37% higher costs when open enrollment begins this Saturday, Nov. 1. This is a 10 times bigger premium increase than in recent years.

“The tax credits that make the Affordable Care Act affordable for so many of our neighbors are going to expire at the end of this year,” said Congressman McGarvey. “So, unless Congress acts, health insurance rates are going to skyrocket for every single Kentuckian. Congress must act – because we can. We can make sure people can afford their health care. And we know that when we do this, everyone will be better off.”

“Extending these tax credits is one of the simplest and most effective ways that can provide stability for the American people and, frankly, there is no excuse for action not to be taken,” said Gov. Beshear. “Things like affordable health care and support for food, these are nonpartisan issues our families need and deserve. It’s time that folks in D.C. stop playing games and put our American families first.”

The Governor and Congressman were joined by Ann Pipes, a Louisville resident who shared that, if Congress doesn’t take action by Nov. 1, her current premium will rise by more than $900 per month.

“Thanks to the ACA tax credit, our current monthly premium is $350. Without that tax credit, our current monthly premium is $1,275. We do not currently have an extra $900 a month in our budget,” said Pipes. “It’s going to be the first time in my adult life, if this does not get solved, that I’ll be without insurance. It’s really stressful. I’m losing sleep over it. I think all day about what we’re going to do if we lose health insurance.”

Kentucky’s marketplace, kynect, covers small-business owners, older Americans not yet eligible for Medicare and rural Kentuckians who make more than Medicaid recipients but don’t have workplace-sponsored health insurance.

For a typical family of four making $130,000 in Kentucky, the cost of annual premiums alone would increase by more than $12,000, while a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 would pay nearly $24,000 more annually.

Gov. Beshear and Rep. McGarvey have called on President Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress to immediately extend ACA tax credits to mitigate drastic price hikes that would push affordable health care further out of reach for even more families in Kentucky, after Trump signed a bill into law just months ago that could kick more than 200,000 Kentuckians off Medicaid.

See the full press conference here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D1763366-63E6-4404-8FDD-B932A4691CB7,McConnell on Tariff Votes,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, released the following statement today on the Senate’s consideration of resolutions to terminate national emergency tariff authorities:

“I’m approaching this week’s votes on tariffs the same way I did earlier this year, and the same way I have my entire career.

“Protectionists in Washington insist that the past several months have vindicated the policy of indiscriminate trade war against both close allies and strategic adversaries. But Kentuckians are especially well-equipped to sort the bluster from the truth.

“New trade barriers imposed this year have made it harder to sustain the supply chains that let thousands of Kentuckians build cars and appliances in the Commonwealth. Retaliatory tariffs on American products have turned agricultural income upside down for many of Kentucky’s nearly 70,000 family farms. Bourbon has been caught in the crossfire from Day One. And consumers are paying higher prices across the board as the true costs of trade barriers fall inevitably on them.

“Protectionists eagerly celebrate the revenue from tariff duties. But they don’t talk nearly as much about how much of that revenue they’ll spend protecting American growers and producers from the avoidable harm of their policies.

“Tariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive. The economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule. And no cross-eyed reading of Reagan will reveal otherwise. This week, I will vote in favor of resolutions to end emergency tariff authorities.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7E05D80F-F772-4031-A238-001F561A6D74,"Congressman Rogers Calls for an End to the Federal Government Shutdown Ahead of the Holiday Season to Protect SNAP Benefits, Head Start, and Federal Paychecks",2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The federal government shutdown will impact key programs ahead of the holiday season on November 1, when funding is set to run out for food assistance, Head Start and federal paychecks. U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted to keep those programs running and the federal government open as part of the continuing resolution that was passed by the House on September 19. Senate Democrats have voted down the House plan at least 12 times, refusing to reopen the federal government.

“The answer to pay for SNAP, Head Start, military and other federal paychecks is simple – Washington Democrats need to end the government shutdown. The House passed a simple, clean bill to give us time to finalize our work for federal funding through 2026, including more time to work on healthcare for the American people. Instead, food aid for more than 40 million Americans is now at risk – and that is unacceptable,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “Senate Democrats need to put the American people above politics and reopen the federal government.”

The Senate needs 60 votes to pass the continuing resolution to reopen the federal government. With only 53 Republicans in the Senate, Democrat support is necessary to end the government shutdown.

All of Congressman Rogers’ offices remain open during the government shutdown, located in Ashland, Hazard, Prestonsburg, Somerset and Washington. Constituents in the 33 counties in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District can learn more about congressional services at halrogers.house.gov, follow him on social media or call 1-800-632-8588.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-calls-out-trump-admin-for-withholding-snap-urges-use-of-contingency-funds,"McGarvey Calls out Trump Admin for Withholding SNAP, Urges Use of Contingency Funds",2025-10-25,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined House Democratic lawmakers in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to urge the agency to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown.

With no resolution to a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1st, putting 42 million children and families at risk of experiencing hunger.

There is enough in the SNAP contingency reserve to cover nearly two-thirds of the amount needed for a full month of benefits. As such, the Members also advocate for the agency to use statutory transfer authority or any other legal means to supplement shortfalls the contingency reserve cannot cover.

“Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not,” wrote McGarvey and his Democratic colleagues. “Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month. A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country.”

“We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits. There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people.”

When Republicans passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they voted to eliminate $187 billion from the SNAP program and imposes undue barriers to farmers in the Ag industry. The reluctance of this Administration to step in and fund the program builds upon previous efforts at weakening SNAP and other federal nutrition assistance programs.

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=932CF123-30E5-414E-88B6-34F273B0FFBF,Barr Receives A+ Grade from NumbersUSA for Championing Border Security Priorities in Congress,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is one of the top seven members in the House pushing for stronger border security legislation. NumbersUSA gave Barr their top, A+ grade, which only seven House members received.

“I’ve been with President Trump every step of the way to secure our border,” said Congressman Barr. “From funding the wall, to leading the defense of his authority to build the wall in court, to voting for the largest surge in resources to DHS in history. I’ll keep working with President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan to make our border more secure than ever.”

“Andy Barr has a 100% A + rating on NumbersUSA’s grade card,” said Mike Hough, co-President of NumbersUSA. “This grade shows that Rep. Barr is a leader in Congress for border security and enforcing our nation’s laws. He is championing our priorities: limiting birthright citizenship, ending chain migration and the visa lottery, and stopping asylum abuse. We are fortunate to have great leaders like Andy working to enact tougher immigration laws in Congress.”

Just during this session of Congress, Congressman Barr voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $170B to secure the border. He also has introduced a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the children of illegal immigrants from obtaining birthright citizenship. Just last week, he and Senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill to crack down on liberal states giving illegal immigrants commercial driver’s licenses that have led to the deaths of some Americans in recent weeks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395775,"Massie Introduces Patent Reform Legislation Restoring  ""First to Invent"" Protection to Inventors",2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Thomas Massie,M001184,massie.house.gov,massie,https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release

Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov

Contact #: 202-225-3465

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie announces the introduction of patent reform legislation designed to restore to Americans a patent system ""as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it."" Massie's legislation, HR 5811, the Restoring America's Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 (RALIA), reverses several harmful changes to patent law that arose from Supreme Court rulings and the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Among the significant reforms contained in Massie's legislation is a return to the ""first to invent"" standard to ensure patent protection for America's inventors.

""RALIA restores a patent system as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it to Americans,"" said Congressman Massie. ""In Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to protect the discoveries of inventors. Specifically, they created a patent system to 'promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.' Regrettably, Congress's 2011 enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act has worked in concert with several Supreme Court decisions to erode this protection's strength and value.""

""As the Constitution intends, RALIA restores patent protection to inventors by awarding patents on a 'first to invent' basis rather than the more recently adopted 'first to file' standard,"" Congressman Massie continued. ""A return to a 'first to invent' patent protection system ensures that inventors and the investors who back them can be confident that their innovative work and ideas will be safeguarded. Patents should protect those who innovate, not those who win the race to the patent office.""

In addition to restoring patent protections to a ""first to invent"" standard, RALIA contains other important reforms to the patent system. Notably, RALIA affirms that a patent secures private property rights, allows inventors to once again obtain injunctions against intellectual property thieves, restores inventors' rights to defend their inventions in court by abolishing the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and ends the automatic publication of patent applications unless a patent is granted.

Among the groups supporting Congressman Massie's legislation are: American Association of Senior Citizens, American Business Defense Council, American Policy Center, Conservatives for Property Rights, Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, Less Government, Let Freedom Ring, Market Institute, Prosperity for US Foundation, 60 Plus Association, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, The Committee for Justice, Tradition Family Property Inc., U.S. Business & Industry Council, US Inventor, and Veterans Intellectual Property.

Randy Landreneau, President, US Inventor, offered the following statement of support for the Massie legislation:

""For two decades, misguided changes—driven by large corporations seeking dominance—have gutted the rights of American inventors and startups. The result: weakened innovation, rising monopolies, and China gaining ground in critical technologies. It’s time to fully restore inventors’ constitutional rights and unleash American innovation once again. RALIA does exactly that.""

RALIA's original cosponsors include Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).

Bill text for the Restoring America's Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 is available at this link.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D7B7D925-E2B6-4B95-AF84-9DBBB2EF4BD2,McConnell Statement on the Passing of Former Warren County Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Warren County Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Warren County Sheriff Jerry 'Peanuts' Gaines. Sheriff Gaines devoted nearly four decades to serving the public—making him the longest serving sheriff in Kentucky history. An accomplished leader, Sheriff Gaines served as President of the National Sheriffs’ Association and President of the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association. His work in founding the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys & Girls Ranch leaves an enduring legacy that should be celebrated. The impact Sheriff Gaines made on his community touched the lives of many, and I am grateful for his lifetime of service and dedication. Elaine and I are thinking of his family during this difficult time.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E140D446-FDCB-45B9-AFCA-2E5C87E7584F,Senate Confirms Chad Meredith of Kentucky for Federal Judgeship,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the Senate’s confirmation of Chad Meredith of Lexington to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky:

“Congratulations to my friend and fellow Kentuckian Chad Meredith on his confirmation to serve as a district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Chad’s impressive legal background in the private sector and devotion to serving the public make him an excellent addition to the federal bench. His thoughtfulness and commitment to our Constitution will serve him well as he carries out his new duties.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-demands-answers-on-billion-dollar-bailout-for-argentina,McGarvey Demands Answers on Billion Dollar Bailout for Argentina,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined a group of Democratic lawmakers to call on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to provide immediate answers regarding the Trump administration’s $20 billion bailout of Argentina.

The members expressed concerns that the bailout is an inappropriate use of U.S. taxpayer funds to influence Argentina’s upcoming election in favor of President Trump’s political ally, Argentine President Javier Milei. They also highlighted the bailout’s detrimental impact on American farmers, particularly soybean producers, and a potential conflict of interest involving a close associate of the Trump administration who stands to financially benefit from the arrangement. Adding to the outrage, President Trump suggested yesterday that the U.S. government would purchase beef from Argentina, a direct betrayal of American ranchers.

“President Trump has explicitly conditioned the bailout on the electoral success in this month’s elections of President Milei’s party,” the members wrote. “The U.S. Treasury’s authorities to address international financial crises, which are meant for situations that present a genuine U.S. national interest, should not be used to influence elections abroad. In this regard, President Trump has not only conditioned the loan on President Milei’s electoral prospects, but he has also noted that the United States will not benefit from the bailout.”

The members continued, “Due to the Trump administration’s failed trade policy, China purchased almost no American soybeans from May to August of this year. As American farmers struggle, Brazil has set records in its soybean exports to China and Argentina is following suit after capitalizing on the Trump administration’s promise of a bailout. American farmers need relief. American farmers need restored market access.”

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=49501F3E-CF6F-4802-9C17-A2A9466E50E4,Congressman Rogers Invites Middle and High School Students to Participate in the Congressional App Challenge,2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The Congressional App Challenge is underway for students in middle and high school. U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) invites eligible students in southern and eastern Kentucky to participate in the nationwide coding challenge. The deadline to enter is October 30, 2025.

A winning mobile application will be chosen from each Congressional District. The winning student team will be invited to Washington, DC for a national reception during the 2026 #Houseofcode. The winning teams display their work in the U.S. Capitol Building, and the apps will be featured on house.gov and the official challenge website.

“Over the last few years, students from our region have developed innovative mobile apps for things like tourism in their hometowns, mental health resources, robotics, and much more. This challenge is an opportunity for our students to show off their coding skills alongside students from other states,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “Our students always perform with excellence when given new opportunities like this, and I’m excited to see the mobile apps that they have created this year.”

Last year, students from Barbourville Independent High School won the challenge for Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District, with their tourism app called “Downtown Barbourville.” They had the opportunity to show off their app in the Capitol Visitors Center for Members of Congress and visitors on Capitol Hill to see.

Students can enter their own individual app creation or enter as a team of up to four students. The app must demonstrate some degree of functionality to be competitive. Students must also submit a short demonstration video to explain the purpose of the app, the tools and coding used to create it, and showcase the functionality.

The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, encouraging students in middle and high school to learn to code, and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. More than 12,600 students from across the country participated in the challenge last year, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators.

For more information about participating in the competition visit halrogers.house.gov or click here.

Click here to register for the Congressional App Challenge.

Click here to read the rules for the Congressional App Challenge.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A9AD1689-8F84-4757-9C8E-B20F87270FD0,"Barr, Cotton, Tuberville, and Hagerty Move to Stop Illegals from Getting CDLs, Punish Non-Compliant States",2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— This week, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06), U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) will introduce the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025, legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). The legislation also holds states accountable that refuse to follow federal law and prevent these licenses from going to illegal immigrants. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday and will be introduced by Barr in the House of Representatives on Friday.

This legislation comes on the heels of an illegal immigrant operating an 18-wheeler killing three Americans while he illegally made a U-turn.

“By issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety,” said Congressman Barr. “Our bill restores accountability by strengthening President Trump’s authority to hold liberal states in check when they defy federal law and recklessly grant CDLs to illegal immigrants.”

“For everyone’s safety, you must be able to read and understand English road signs when operating a commercial vehicle. Our bill would require commercial drivers to pass the test given in English,” said Senator Cotton.

“If you drive a truck in the United States, you should be able to speak English fluently. This protects our law enforcement officers and the general public. This is not only about safety and efficiency – it’s just commonsense. Whether taking their kids to school, driving to work, or going to the grocery store, Americans shouldn’t feel in danger every time they get on the road,” said Senator Tuberville.

The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act would:

Require all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license (CDL), including non-domiciled CDLs, to be conducted only in English

Empower the Secretary of Transportation to suspend or revoke a state’s authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs if found non-compliant with federal standards

Require individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for one year before obtaining a CDL

Text of the bill can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcgarvey-joins-36-house-dems-in-urging-trump-to-end-tariff-fueled-economic-assault-on-soybean-farmers,McGarvey Joins 36 House Dems in Urging Trump to End Tariff-Fueled Economic Assault on Soybean Farmers,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. (October 16th, 2025) — Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined 36 House Democrats in a letter to President Donald Trump highlighting the significant negative economic impact of his tariffs on soybean farmers and urging the president to immediately terminate the harmful tariffs.

“Soybeans are the backbone of American agriculture, contributing over $31 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 crop year. In 2024, China purchased more than half of all U.S. soybean exports, amounting to $12.6 billion,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, in response to the tariffs you imposed earlier this year, China levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports and has halted all U.S. soybean purchases since May. As a result, American farmers are at risk of becoming collateral damage in your trade war.”

China, the United States’ largest soybean trading partner, has not purchased soybeans since May due to President Trump’s tariffs. China has instead chosen to buy soybeans from Brazil and Argentina. At the same time, President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced that the Administration would provide $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out Argentina, which further endangers the U.S. soybean industry by providing financial support to a leading American competitor.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E8B09FBE-455E-48D6-9558-F97B7B6E6538,Democrats Block Bipartisan Defense Priorities,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today following Democrats blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act:

“Two weeks ago, when Democrats chose to take the federal government hostage for partisan priorities, I warned that there would be nothing to gain from their shutdown. Today, our colleagues’ refusal even to begin considering the overwhelmingly bipartisan defense appropriations bill is a sobering reminder that there is, however, much to lose.

“Providing for the common defense is a solemn Constitutional obligation. It is gravely important every year — no less so in the face of the bipartisan consensus about the growing threats from increasingly aligned adversaries.

“Last week, the Senate passed a National Defense Authorization Act that raised the defense topline by more than $30 billion to meet these growing threats. However, without appropriated dollars, such an authorization only grows the gap between our rhetoric and our action.

“Our adversaries are not standing still. They are growing their military capacities and preparing for the changing realities of modern warfare. The longer we wait to make sizable investments in our own defense, the more difficult it will be to restore deterrence and achieve peace through strength.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A94ADEF3-10D4-47E4-ADC3-6356FAA78B64,"Barr Praises Trump and Hegseth for Paying Troops, Blasts Democrats for Schumer Shutdown",2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) appeared on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network to discuss the ongoing Schumer shutdown and trade negotiations with China. You can see the full interview by clicking here or the image above. Highlights from the interview are below:

On the government shutdown:

Barr: “My expectations, Republicans will once again act responsibly, and Democrats will act recklessly. The fact of the matter House Republicans did the job of the American people to fund the government. Every single Democrat except for one voted to shutdown the government two weeks ago. In the Senate, as you mentioned, they will have the eighth vote to keep the government open. Senate Republicans are doing the right thing for the American people for the American people voting to fund the government with no-strings-attached, no partisan riders just a simple Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating. Chuck Schumer will once again will lead his caucus to voting against the American people and against funding the government.”

On paying the troops:

Barr: “Thank goodness for President Trump and Secretary Hegseth that they found a way tomorrow to pay the troops. But it’s clear the Democrats are prioritizing reinstating waste fraud and abuse in Medicaid with taxpayer funding of 1.2 million illegals. This is insanity and the American people can see right through it.”

On China trade:

Barr: “I want to see supply chain resiliency, I want to see the United States not only continue to put the pressure on China and by the way this historic peace deal is more evidence of the success of the peace through strength strategy, taking out and obliterating Iran’s nuclear program, Beijing pays attention to that, and they are threatened. As a result, they are putting export controls on rare-earth. The fact of the matter is, it is true, China has a stranglehold on the supply chain on rare-earth. They are responsible for the mining over 70% of rare-earth critical minerals, 92% of the processing of the critical minerals. If you saw for example J.P. Morgan’s announcement yesterday of a major, $1.5 trillion investment in critical minerals, rare-earth among other national security sensitive industries, very helpful but ultimately what threatens China is the strength of President Trump who is not tolerating this and he will put one 100% tariffs on China if they continue to engage in this misbehavior.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/icymi-dr-rand-pauls-end-the-feds-big-bank-bailout-act-considered-in-the-senate/,ICYMI: Dr. Rand Paul’s End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailout Act Considered in the Senate,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 10th, 2025

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

ICYMI: Dr. Rand Paul’s End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailout Act Considered in the Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor ahead of consideration of his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailout Act.

This legislation targets the Federal Reserve’s twin types of interest payments that act as subsidies for big banks: Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) and the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreement (ONRRP). Together, these two subsidies have cost taxpayers more than half a trillion dollars in just the last five years.

The amendment failed (14-82).

Remarks as delivered:

“The Federal Reserve pays both foreign and domestic banks to simply park their money in Fed accounts. In other words, to not loan money at all. Over the past five years, the Fed’s big bank bailout amounts to over half a trillion dollars.

This bailout causes the Fed to operate at a loss, which means that the Fed cannot remit profits to the taxpayer as it normally does. According to the economist Judy Shelton, if these payments stopped, banks would buy treasury securities and would bring interest rates down.

Some people say that this program is a floor to interest rates. My amendment ends these subsidies. Let’s end the Fed’s big bank bailout. Let’s lower interest rates. Please vote for my amendment.”

Watch the remarks HERE.

Read the bill HERE.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B5376B14-8D63-4706-9300-36EB576190EA,Barr Calls for Trump to Receive Nobel Peace Prize,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Barr will also introduce legislation directing the State Department to establish the “Trump Peace Prize,” an honor given to peacemakers. The bill would designate President Trump as the first awardee.

Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to the Norwegian Nobel Committee urging them to bestow the Nobel Peace Prize on President Donald Trump following the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

“While countless efforts by American and international leaders over decades have failed to achieve lasting progress, this agreement reflects the President’s tireless commitment to restoring stability and safeguarding lives in one of the world’s most volatile regions,” Barr’s letter read in-part. “In addition to this monumental agreement, President Trump also brokered the Abraham Accords in his first term, another transformational Middle East peace agreement between Israel and multiple Arab countries.

“Over the last nine months of his second term, President Trump has successfully negotiated peace agreements in four different continents. His diplomacy has saved lives, stabilized regions, and rekindled the belief that peace through strength and dialogue is still possible. I therefore urge you to bestow upon President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his tireless pursuit of peace and his transformative impact on the world stage,” Barr’s letter concluded.

Barr’s full letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee is attached.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A6C99506-7147-4EF3-90AA-67A373F4E563,McConnell Statement on the Passing of Retired Judge Walt Maguire,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of retired judge Walt Maguire:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, Walt Maguire. Walt and I attended law school together at the University of Kentucky, and his impressive judicial career spanning 29 years is a testament to his public service. His devotion to others was evident by his extensive involvement in the community—teaching classes at UK and Somerset Community College, as well as serving on several state judicial councils. Walt’s friendship meant a lot to me, and I always enjoyed seeing him when I was in Somerset. Elaine and I are thinking of his family and friends during this difficult time.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-offers-amendment-to-2026-ndaa-to-end-the-feds-big-bank-bailouts/,Dr. Rand Paul Offers Amendment to 2026 NDAA to End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailouts,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 9th, 2025

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

Dr. Rand Paul Offers Amendment to 2026 NDAA to End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailouts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced he is offering his bipartisan bill, the End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailout Act (S.2113), as an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to end the Federal Reserve’s authority to pay banks interest on reserves. This policy has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars while punishing Main Street and rewarding Wall Street.

“Our country is over $37 trillion in debt, yet the Fed has paid hundreds of billions to banks to keep money idle. While it runs losses and no longer sends profits back to taxpayers, it keeps funneling cash to banks for doing nothing” said Dr. Paul. “We want to end the Federal Reserve’s twin types of interest payments that act as subsidies for big banks: Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) and the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreement (ONRRP). Together, these two subsidies have cost taxpayers more than half a trillion dollars in just the last five years.”

Until 2008, the Federal Reserve paid no interest to banks on reserve balances. That changed after the financial crisis, when Congress authorized the payments as a tool to control the money supply.

The payments averaged $5 billion annually from 2008 to 2016. But with the Fed’s rate now above 4 percent, these payments have ballooned at nearly $200 billion in three years, costing taxpayers tens of billions of dollars each year. Meanwhile, the Fed itself operates at a loss.

“At a time of persistent and self-imposed worsening losses at the Fed, the manipulators of the American economy continue to pay banks to do nothing but have their funds sit in a safe,” said Dr. Paul.

This amendment is up for consideration by the Senate later today.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395769,Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Federally Funded Propaganda,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Thomas Massie,M001184,massie.house.gov,massie,https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release

Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov

Contact #: 202-225-3465

Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 5704, the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, to protect American audiences from the domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda by the State Department, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and their component networks.

""The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, legislation that ended a prohibition on the federal government exposing American audiences to its propaganda,"" said Rep. Thomas Massie. ""I voted against that NDAA, and I offered an amendment to the 2026 NDAA to reinstate the original prohibition, but Speaker Johnson blocked a vote. The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act needs to be repealed. Taxpayer-funded fake news should not be used by the federal government to wage influence campaigns against the American people.""

The Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013:

Repeals the 2013 Smith-Mundt Modernization Act to restore the longstanding firewall prohibiting federal domestic propaganda.

Stops the domestic dissemination of propaganda by the State Department, United States Agency for Global Media, and their component networks.

Creates a secure mechanism for oversight by allowing Members of Congress and accredited media to review propaganda materials sent overseas, without enabling those materials to be exploited against the American people.

Prevents clandestine online influence operations by prohibiting the State Department and USAGM from creating covert social media accounts, websites, or podcasts to target Americans.

Requires archiving of propaganda materials at the National Archives with 20 years of delayed public access and added disclaimers identifying both the U.S. government as the source of the materials and also the foreign audience for which the materials were intended.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) is an original cosponsor and co-lead of the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013.

The text of the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 is available at this link.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/chairman-rand-paul-introduces-the-safeguarding-personal-information-act-of-2025/,Chairman Rand Paul Introduces the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 8th, 2025

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

Chairman Rand Paul Introduces the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has introduced the Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025, legislation to repeal the federal mandate requiring every state to share citizens’ personal data and redesign driver’s licenses to meet federal standards.

“REAL ID is effectively creating a national ID card with no limit on the personal information being shared between all 50 states, the District of Columbia, possessions, and territories,” said Chairman Rand Paul. My bill repeals this dangerous mandate and restores the privacy, due process, and First Amendment rights stripped away in 2005. The government should not have a dossier on every American. You should never have to ‘show your papers’ to travel freely within your own country or enter a building your tax dollars paid for.”

REAL ID forces the states to adopt uniform federal standards for driver’s licenses and IDs, embedding machine-readable technology that makes it easier for the government to track U.S. citizens’. To obtain one, Americans must surrender layers of personal documentation, including proof of identity, a Social Security number, proof of residency, proof of lawful presence, and in some cases, proof of name change. After gathering these documents, citizens often wait weeks for DMV appointments or stand in hours-long lines, paying additional fees in many states simply to upgrade their licenses.

These documents are then stored and can be shared across state databases.

Only IDs that comply with these federal rules are accepted for “official purposes,” such as boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, or accessing other federally controlled spaces. In practice, the REAL ID Act functions as a domestic passport that conditions basic rights—like travel and petitioning your government—on government approval.

The Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 repeals the de facto national identification mandate in full, restoring the right of every American to move freely, speak freely, and live without government intrusion.

Read the bill here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-highlights-the-economic-benefits-of-right-to-work-policies-at-help-committee-hearing/,Dr. Rand Paul Highlights the Economic Benefits of Right-to-Work Policies at HELP Committee Hearing,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 8th, 2025

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

Dr. Rand Paul Highlights the Economic Benefits of Right-to-Work Policies at HELP Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, participated in a hearing titled “Labor Law Reform Part I: Diagnosing the Issues, Exploring Current Proposals.” As the Committee continues its review of proposed federal labor reforms, Dr. Paul underscored the importance of protecting worker freedoms, limiting bureaucratic interference, and preserving the right to liberty of contract.

“In February 2025, Dr. Paul reintroduced the National Right to Work Act. The bill does not add to existing federal law but deletes existing forced-unionism provisions and restores worker choice.”

During today’s hearing, Dr. Paul entered into the record statements from 29 industry associations opposed to the Faster Labor Contracts Act and 45 business organizations opposed to the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, reflecting broad concern that these proposals would weaken flexibility for both workers and employers.

Dr. Paul questioned witness Rachel Greszler, a labor economist, on how right-to-work policies affect states’ economic performance, wages, and job creation. Greszler affirmed that right-to-work states have seen roughly twice the employment growth and triple the population growth compared to non–right-to-work states over the past 50 years, citing their ability to attract businesses seeking fair and predictable labor laws.

“Over the past 50 years, right-to-work states have seen double the job growth and triple the population growth,” Greszlersaid. “That’s because businesses are confident, they can operate without a union taking control over their operations, and workers can choose how they want to participate.”

Dr. Paul also noted that the right to liberty of contract is a fundamental principle of a free economy.

“Some have argued, such as Hayek — The Road to Serfdom came up earlier — that the right to liberty of contract really is a basic, fundamental right upon which the economy is based,” Dr. Paul said. “The right to have certainty and to have honesty, and to have the courts uphold contracts without an arbitrary nature. To look at contracts from a dispassionate point of view. Getting involved in the middle of contracts shouldn’t be done lightly, and we need to consider the ramifications of what that does to the economy at large.”

Dr. Paul explained that the National Right to Work law simply removes certain aspects of federal law rather than creating new ones.

“The way the National Labor Relations Act was written says that you can’t discriminate against workers,” Dr. Paul continued. “And then they had to put an exemption in there — except for you can discriminate against non-union workers, basically. And so that exemption is what is removed by national right to work.”

He then asked Greszler what would happen economically if national right-to-work were enacted.

“I think that it would improve the economy,” Greszler responded. “We’d see what’s happened in the states that are right to work. But more importantly, it just preserves that fundamental right of every worker to be able to choose whether or not they are forced to pay a private entity as a condition of their employment. And that’s just a fundamental protection that they should have.”

Watch the full hearing here.

Watch Dr. Paul’s full exchange here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2D75C1C8-4D34-4119-80B5-E0B5BFD3B260,McConnell On 10/7 Anniversary: “Israel has sacrificed greatly in the pursuit of peace”,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"“In the two years since terrorists invaded Israel to rape, murder, and kidnap innocents, Hamas has chosen every day to compound needless suffering. Israeli hostages and Gazan civilians, alike, have died as a direct result of the cowardly tactics of Iran’s allies and proxies.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today on the two-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel:

“In the two years since terrorists invaded Israel to rape, murder, and kidnap innocents, Hamas has chosen every day to compound needless suffering. Israeli hostages and Gazan civilians, alike, have died as a direct result of the cowardly tactics of Iran’s allies and proxies.

“By contrast, Israel’s military and security services have worked tirelessly to stamp out the ring of fire that had long menaced the Jewish state and destabilized the region. They have worked to destroy Hamas’ military capacity, decapitate Hizballah, degrade Iran’s network for exporting terror, and bring home hostages abducted on the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.

“Israel has sacrificed greatly in the pursuit of peace, taking great pains to avoid innocent suffering in a battle against an enemy for whom innocent suffering is the goal. Hamas could have ended this war at any time by simply releasing the hostages.

“Israel’s resolve and bold tactics created the conditions for a potential resolution to this conflict and for restored deterrence against Iran. President Trump has been right to provide Israel the time, space, and support to achieve its war aims, and his decision to authorize U.S. strikes against Iran made good use of this hard-won opportunity.

“If, indeed, Hamas is prepared to release its remaining hostages, the return of innocent Israelis and Americans to their homes and families would end a two-year vigil of heartache. I will look forward eagerly to their return, and I commend the bravery of the Israel Defense Forces, the resolve of Israel’s leaders, and President Trump’s persistent efforts to make it possible.

“Two years on from October 7th, the rest of the framework - brokered with U.S. support - would provide an opportunity for Palestinians to turn a page on a dark chapter of terrorism and tyranny and chart a new course without Hamas.

However, even with full implementation of the framework, there is cause for vigilance. After all, ceasefire was the nominal state of affairs when Hamas terrorists carried out their savage attacks two years ago. Success will require that Palestinian leaders answer for the corruption, hatred, and incitement that made October 7th possible and engage in true and enduring political and economic reforms.

“For our part, America and the West must continue to apply meaningful pressure on Iran to change its behavior and prevent it from reconstituting the web of terror that has threatened Israel and U.S. interests in the region. As the past two years have made painfully clear, America’s support for Israel must not be swayed by the creep of terrorist propaganda and base anti-Semitism into public opinion. The enduring strength and prosperity of the Jewish state is in America’s interest, as is peace in its region.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A558D402-5DD9-4AD4-A477-6360CA7F66F1,McConnell: Fort Campbell and Fort Knox Schools Allowed to Resume Extracurricular Activities,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today following the Department of Defense decision to allow athletics and extracurricular activities to resume at DoDEA schools, including those at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox:

“This decision provides welcome relief to the Fort Campbell and Fort Knox schools and their students, student-athletes, parents, and everyone who supports their school programs. I want to thank the Secretary of Defense for creating an exception to allow athletics and extracurricular activities at DoDEA schools to continue. Our servicemembers and their children shouldn’t pay the price for Washington’s failure to fund the government. I’m so grateful they’ll now be able to suit up and get back in the game.

“While this is good news, it doesn’t address the real issue. Democrats need to end the shutdown. As I have warned every time Congress faced this threat: no one wins in a shutdown. Shutting down the government is harmful to the country, and it never produces positive outcomes – on policy or politics. And what happened at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox is just one example of the impact it’s having on our constituents.”

NOTE: Senator McConnell sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last Friday regarding the issue.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=FF873583-A664-4B8A-976A-304A7A7B1A37,"McConnell: Delivering “Trump Buildup” Will Require Serious, Full-Year Defense Appropriations",2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following floor remarks today regarding the path forward for Pentagon appropriations once Democrats end their gov’t shutdown, the National Defense Strategy, and Republican support for U.S. military aid to Ukraine:

“Mr. President, my position on government shutdowns is well-known. There’s absolutely nothing to gain in taking basic government functions hostage for eleventh-hour partisan demands. And I hope our Democratic colleagues will re-learn that lesson in short order… Because the American people have plenty to lose from freezing important functions of the federal government.

“Here in the Senate, Democrats’ shutdown is taking time we ought to be spending on important outstanding business, beginning with our obligation to provide for the common defense. In particular, our work to deliver full-year defense appropriations is not finished. So I’d like to talk briefly about what must come next after interim government funding is extended. And what’s at stake for our national security.

“The U.S. military is not immune from the disruptive short-term consequences of a government shutdown. But the long-term consequences of going without robust, full-year defense appropriations are far graver. I offered this warning in the spring, when – for the first time – Washington told America’s men and women in uniform to conduct today’s operations and prepare for tomorrow’s threats using yesterday’s dollars. We put the national defense on a full-year continuing resolution and forced the military services to function for another year on the anemic defense budget signed into law by President Biden for FY 2024.

“A full-year CR is the enemy of readiness, modernization, and efficiency. The armed services want to make their budgets simpler, more efficient, and more flexible by consolidating budget lines. But they can’t do it under a full-year CR. Punting new appropriations directly contradicts the Pentagon’s stated goal of building a resilient, surge-ready munitions enterprise. The prohibitions on new program starts under a CR effectively put high-priority Service modernization efforts on ice.

“The Administration says it wants “flexible and efficient” investments. Well, Mr. President, there is nothing flexible, efficient, resilient, or lethal about running the national defense enterprise on a full-year CR. Nor will a CR send the consistent signal industry and investors need to pour private capital into the long overdue expansion of our defense industrial base. If you want to increase our nation’s capacity to produce munitions more quickly and in larger volumes, full-year CRs might just be the worst way to go about it.

“I don’t mean to sound overly alarmed. God willing, the House-passed short-term funding extension will give Congress enough time to deliver full-year appropriations and release our military from the constraints of the Biden FY24 budget. But I want our colleagues to understand what’s at stake this fall. The President has set some ambitious, important, and overdue priorities for America’s national security… and none of them come cheap:

“Golden Dome for America… An American shipbuilding renaissance… Sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft… The long-overdue modernization of our nuclear force… Reconciliation isn’t enough to support these major efforts. And neither is a perpetual freeze at the Biden FY24 level.

“Reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and re-establishing deterrence – these are priorities we hear about all the time from the President’s advisors. I certainly have no problem with rowing in that direction. I’m all for high standards of physical fitness. But pushups alone aren’t going to stop Chinese hypersonic missiles. The next major conflict will likely be a test of lethality at very long distances.

“That’s why I’ve spent years urging successive administrations to rebuild our global power projection and long-range fires. It’s why I criticized the Biden Administration for talking about China as “the pacing threat” but turning in defense budget requests that didn’t even keep pace with inflation.

“This Administration cannot afford to make the same mistake.

“So, this week, I was encouraged to hear Secretary Hegseth proclaim a “Trump buildup” in the mold of the Reagan buildup that helped end the Cold War. For the record, my fellow defense appropriators and I have been ready to deliver such a build-up since Day One. And our bipartisan bill speaks for itself, putting money where our mouth is.

“But here’s the rub: we can only make it happen if the Administration moves from words to action. And an important step in that process is the National Defense Strategy. Historically, the NDS is what Administrations use to define threats, identify objectives, and propose coherent plans for aligning resources to meet them.

“But this time around, the stakes are higher. A short-sighted NDS that doesn’t align with the President’s vision of American greatness and peace through strength could wind up as the pretext to extend Biden-era constraints on our military indefinitely. Unfortunately, early reports suggest that this risk may be real… and that the NDS may turn out eerily similar to the rhetoric of Obama-era officials who viewed their remit as managing America’s decline amid a transition to a multipolar world.

“If the NDS ignores the importance of maintaining American primacy, fails to account for the global nature of competition with China, or discounts the value of supporting and integrating allies and partners, it would risk further sabotaging the President’s efforts to restore peace through strength.

“So I’ll be interested to read how the Department is applying the lessons and dividends of security cooperation with allies and partners to looming challenges… How it plans to address critical munitions shortages even as its FY26 request and reconciliation investment fails to maximize existing production capacity… And how it accounts for the increasing likelihood of simultaneous conflict in multiple theaters.

“If the Administration means what it says about restoring deterrence, it would recognize how plans to reduce security cooperation with frontline NATO allies invite more brazen Russian incursions into the alliance’s territory and airspace. It would recognize how China is watching closely for signs of weakening American commitments to European allies, to Ukraine, or to AUKUS partners.

“Of course, responsible senior officials who understood the dividends of security cooperation would not have tried an end-run around the President to freeze assistance to Ukraine. They certainly would have appreciated that cutting off intelligence sharing to the world’s foremost experts in drone warfare might make it harder for the U.S. military to achieve “drone dominance”. On that count, I was encouraged earlier this week that the President himself green-lit an expansion of the intelligence cooperation that members of his Administration had wanted to end.

“Mr. President, as our colleagues will recall, the President observed last month that Ukraine can win. And unlike some of his advisors, the American people are indicating in clear majorities that they think we ought to help! By one recent poll, more than six in ten Americans support sending more arms and military supplies to help Ukraine win. That includes a clear majority of Republicans!

“And the recent voting history of the House of Representatives indicates that this poll isn’t a fluke: Last month, House Republicans voted overwhelmingly to reject an amendment to the NDAA that would’ve barred further assistance to Ukraine. No less than 72% of House Republicans – including leadership – said continuing to arm Ukraine’s defense was a good idea.

“Ultimately, the President knows that money talks. He understands that valuable things are also expensive. What’s true in property development is also true in military procurement. There’s no way around it:

“Take Golden Dome for example. Building anything close to a continental missile defense shield will, by reasonable estimates, cost several times more than was allocated this year in one-off reconciliation spending… every year… for decades to come. If the Pentagon isn’t even planning to max out its budget request for procuring critical munitions in the short term, why on earth should our adversaries take any talk of long-term missile defense seriously?

“Likewise, why should they take American air power seriously if we’re only willing to develop sixth-generation stealth fighters for the Air Force but not for the Navy? What good are multi-billion-dollar aircraft carriers if we’re not prepared to equip them with aircraft that can survive modern warfare?

“At home and abroad, I’m concerned that too many of the President’s advisors are unwilling to acknowledge the gap between his stated priorities and what they’re prepared to invest to achieve them. If you ask me, the name on the front door at the Pentagon matters a great deal less than whether the services inside are equipped and prepared to deter and win wars. And we’re facing real, glaring gaps in critical capabilities.

“The ink was barely dry on the One Big Beautiful Bill when senior Pentagon leaders began to report to my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee that they still faced significant funding shortfalls. Given the high pace of operations in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere, it’s safe to assume these costs are continuing to rise.

“Mr. President, there’s a lot going on around this building. But soon, I hope our colleagues will have an opportunity to go on the record in favor of investing in peace through strength. We’ll have a chance to put our money where our mouth is on re-establishing deterrence and rebuilding the force required to back it up. Our investments in the common defense are a signal of our national resolve.

“When the American people spoke last November, I don’t think they meant for their leaders to mail in a third year of anemic Biden-era toplines. I don’t think the President assembled his policy and budget advisors with a mind to punt in the face of looming threats.

“When he hired civilian Pentagon leaders to restore deterrence, I think he meant more than just threatening adversaries with a catchy line on camera… I think he meant building the force that threatens them with its very existence!

“So if the Administration wants a Trump buildup, then let’s build one. And, once Democrats’ shutdown is over, let’s start with serious, increased, full-year investments in the national defense.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A64AB9FA-B2B9-413B-A754-25CD5F5ED64F,Barr Announces over $20M Federal Grant to Kentucky Education Development Corporation,2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Lexington, Kentucky— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced a major, $3,230,400 federal grant (this amount will be per year for 7 years) to the Kentucky Education Development Corporation (KEDC). This grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP Elevate grant, a seven-year federal initiative designed to expand postsecondary access and success for underserved students in rural, high-poverty communities.

Through the Elevate project, KEDC and its partners will serve students across 27 schools in 12 districts, providing critical support to strengthen academic performance, high school graduation, and college-going outcomes.

“For 60 years, KEDC has helped shape future generations of Kentuckians,” said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), who wrote a letter of support for the grant application. “This federal award will strengthen their work by expanding mentorship, guidance, and resources for students in need across our Commonwealth. I especially want to thank CEO Nancy Hutchinson and her entire team for their dedication to putting the GEAR UP grant to work for Kentucky students, including those in Bourbon and Nicholas Counties right here in the Sixth District.”

“We are thrilled to receive the GEAR UP Elevate Grant, which will empower students across 12 districts and 22 schools over the next seven years — providing academic support, fostering college readiness and awareness, engaging families, intervening early, and bolstering professional development. This initiative will transform lives and strengthen our educational communities,” said Nancy Hutchinson, CEO of KEDC.

More about the project goals, ELEVATE services, and participating counties in Kentucky is below:

Project Goals:

Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education

Boost high school graduation and college enrollment rates

Expand student and family knowledge of college options, preparation, and financial aid

ELEVATE Services:

Academic support and college readiness programs

College awareness and preparation experiences

Financial literacy education

Parent and family engagement opportunities

Early intervention and student support services

Professional development for educators",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2C482D0C-59B1-4DC6-A03C-D8DD3819653E,Rep. Andy Barr: Why I’m Introducing Legislation to End Government Shutdowns,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Every year, hardworking American families sit around their kitchen tables and make sure their bills are paid. They don’t get to “shut down” their household if they miss a deadline. They make adjustments, tighten their belts, and do what’s necessary to keep the lights on and food on the table. Congress should be held to the same standard.

Unfortunately, Washington has developed a dangerous habit of letting partisanship produce government shutdown after government shutdown. In this recent episode of the government shutdown saga, House Republicans did our job; we passed a plan endorsed by President Trump to keep the government open and funded. But because of Senate Democrats and Chuck Schumer, we are staring down the possibility of another disastrous government shutdown later this month.

These shutdowns delay paychecks for more than 800,000 Americans, including military members. Government shutdowns keep our TSA employees and air traffic controllers working without certainty and create chaos for families who rely on basic government services. Goldman Sachs estimates that each week of a shutdown can reduce the quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by approximately 0.2 percentage points. A 2019 report in the U.S. Senate showed that shutdowns in 2013, 2018, and 2019 cost taxpayers $4B. Government shutdowns undermine confidence in our institutions, rattle our economy, and send the wrong message to our adversaries abroad.

It's time to put an end to this once and for all. That is why I’ve introduced the End Government Shutdowns Act. Under my bill, if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations on time, an automatic continuing resolution takes effect. This means federal agencies remain funded at 99 percent of the prior year’s funding level for 30 days. If Congress still cannot agree on a new budget, funding is reduced by an additional 1 percent every 30 days until a budget is passed.

So not only will we ensure that we keep paychecks flowing to the families of hardworking military and law enforcement families, but we also will put pressure on Congress to strike a new deal.

Critics of shutdowns often point to the staggering costs they impose. During the 2018–2019 shutdown caused by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats—the longest in our nation’s history—federal employees missed paychecks, small businesses waiting on federal permits were left in limbo, and there were billions of dollars in estimated lost economic output. Beyond the numbers, the damage to morale and trust was immeasurable. It is unconscionable to ever again ask a young soldier deployed overseas or a Border Patrol agent on duty to secure finances for their families through costly short-term loans or borrowing money to cover expenses because politicians can’t do their jobs.

Some will say Congress shouldn’t need an automatic mechanism to do its job. I agree. In a perfect world, the threat to American families’ livelihoods alone would lead to timely budgets. But history has shown otherwise. My legislation is not about giving one side an advantage, it is about protecting Americans from harm and restoring accountability to the process.

The stakes are too high to continue lurching from crisis to crisis. Our men and women in uniform should never be pawns in political fights. Our families shouldn’t wonder whether they will receive their next paycheck to keep the lights on and food on the table. Americans shouldn’t wonder if the airport security line will be staffed. Our veterans, seniors, and taxpayers deserve predictability, not uncertainty.

The End Government Shutdowns Act is about responsibility—responsibility to the people we serve, to the men and women who defend us, and to the principles of good governance. It keeps the lights on in Washington, but more importantly, it keeps faith with the American people.

It’s time we put an end to government shutdowns for good.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) represents Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District in the House of Representatives.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D8AFB43C-F9FE-42E8-92E3-361263ECDFAE,"Congressman Andy Barr Announces $130,000 FEMA Grant for Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department",2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Stamping Ground, KY— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced a major, $130,000 federal grant for the Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department (SGVFD). Secured through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the funding will enable SGVFD to replace outdated gear with new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). Congressman Barr wrote a letter of support for this grant application.

This equipment will significantly enhance the department’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies in Stamping Ground and throughout Scott County. The new equipment will allow SGVFD to meet critical public safety needs, improve response times, and better protect both residents and volunteer personnel during fires and other emergencies.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Barr. “Securing this grant ensures that the Stamping Ground Volunteer Fire Department has the modern tools and equipment they need to respond quickly and safely when emergencies strike. I’m proud to support their lifesaving mission and will continue working with local applicants to ensure our first responders have the resources they deserve. I also want to thank Chief Bob Hendricks of SGVFD for his leadership and dedication in advocating for his department and the community.”

“Firefighters know that Congressman Andy Barr has our back,” said Chief Hendricks. “We greatly appreciate his support and leadership helping bring this grant to our department. We will use this grant to keep our community safe.”

Congressman Barr remains committed to ensuring small and rural fire departments receive vital AFG funding, recognizing that local volunteer departments form the backbone of public safety, especially within Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6F4FA2FD-FE12-4ED0-B2E9-43F0BFF350D1,Congressman Rogers Calls on Washington Democrats to Put the American People First,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution on September 19, 2025 to keep the federal government open with a simple seven-week extension, giving Congress more time to finalize federal funding for fiscal year 2026. Senate Democrats voted down the bill, demanding nearly $1.5 trillion in reckless spending and free healthcare for illegal immigrants. Without a stopgap funding bill, the federal government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

“The House did its part to keep the government open. I voted for the extension, first and foremost, on behalf of our military servicemembers who will not be paid until the shutdown ends. Political games have no place when it comes to taking care of our American heroes,” said Congressman Rogers. “Washington Democrats voted for the same short-term extension 13 times during the Biden Administration, but now they want to trade it for free healthcare for illegal aliens and nearly $1.5 trillion in reckless spending. Their vote to shut down the government is absurd. The American people deserve better.”

Congressman Rogers added a Government Shutdown Guide on his website to help constituents understand the facts about what will be impacted by the shutdown, and mandatory benefits that will continue despite the gap in discretionary funding. Click here to see Congressman Rogers’ Government Shutdown Guide.

Washington Democrats’ counterproposal includes:

$1.5 trillion spending increase

Free healthcare for illegal immigrants

$50 billion cut in rural healthcare investments

Billions in funding for DEI and climate projects in foreign countries

Click here to read the Continuing Resolution passed by the House on September 19, 2025.

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-statement-on-looming-republican-government-shutdown,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Statement on Looming Republican Government Shutdown,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey released the following statement as Congress approaches tonight’s midnight deadline to extend government funding:

“Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate, and they’re making it clear they would rather shut the entire government down than pass a budget that actually gives families a fair shake.

“I’m here in Washington to pass a budget that addresses rising costs like health insurance, but House Republicans are nowhere to be found. They need to get back to Washington to work with us on lowering costs and opening the government back up.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/chairman-paul-brings-to-light-bidens-quiet-skies-weaponization-releases-damning-documents-into-the-record/,"Chairman Paul Brings to Light Biden’s Quiet Skies Weaponization, Releases Damning Documents into the Record",2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 30, 2025

Contact: HSGACPress_Paul@hsgac.senate.gov, (202) 224-4163

Chairman Paul Brings to Light Biden’s Quiet Skies Weaponization, Releases Damning Documents into the Record

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing to examine the Biden administration’s abuse of the TSA’s Quiet Skies Program and entered newly obtained documents into the record.

The hearing followed an investigation Chairman Paul launched in 2024 and a report released yesterday detailing his findings, which revealed how the Quiet Skies Program and related watch lists were weaponized into political surveillance tools used against veterans, sitting lawmakers, political opponents, and even the family of a Federal Air Marshal.

The Committee heard testimony from Mark Crowder, a Senior Federal Air Marshal with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and whistleblower whose wife was placed on a watch list in a case of mistaken identity; the Honorable Tristan Leavitt, President of Empower Oversight; Matt Taibbi, Editor of Racket News; Jim Harper, Senior Nonresident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

“I commend Secretary Noem for ending Quiet Skies, but our work is not done. We must make sure that this program does not come back under another name. Every official who directed or approved surveillance of Americans for protected speech must be removed from office. Full transparency must become the rule rather than requiring a year of investigation,” said Chairman Paul. “The result will be a process that respects the Constitution, ends real life shadow bans against Americans and gives all of us the assurance that our government is focused on protecting us, not on chasing political ghosts.”

“The Quiet Skies Program has been used for nearly two decades to target and surveil everyday Americans, violating our constitutional rights and civil liberties, targeting political opponents, and costing taxpayers approximately $200 million per year, all while failing to stop a single terrorist,” said DNI Gabbard. “ODNI has worked closely with DHS and Sen. Paul to expose the truth behind this program, putting an end to weaponization against Americans.”

“It is clear that the Quiet Skies program was used as a political rolodex of the Biden Administration—weaponized against its political foes and exploited to benefit their well-heeled friends. I am calling for a Congressional investigation to unearth further corruption at the expense of the American people and the undermining of US national security,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “TSA’s critical aviation and security vetting functions will be maintained, and the Trump Administration will return TSA to its true mission of being laser-focused on the safety and security of the traveling public. This includes restoring the integrity, privacy, and equal application of the law for all Americans.”

View the Chairman’s opening statement here.

Opening remarks as delivered below:

In mid-2024, as she grew increasingly critical of the Biden administration and increasingly involved with the Trump campaign, Tulsi Gabbard noticed changes as she went to the airport, she had more screening federal agents with dogs showing up for her flights. Other federal agents followed her on the plane and reported back on her activity.

When I learned of this, I launched an investigation into the TSA’s Quiet Skies Program and the Biden administration’s weaponization of watch list against everyday Americans

Under public scrutiny, the Biden administration removed now Director of National Intelligence Gabbard from the program, but they spent the remainder of their time in office stonewalling any investigation.

Thankfully, that era is over. President Trump, himself a victim of government weaponization, set out to reverse the previous administration’s targeting of the very citizens it has sworn to protect.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has taken decisive action to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles resisting transparency. We are finally getting answers, and now we know exactly why the previous administration fought so hard to keep us in the dark.

Director Gabbard was surveilled on at least five domestic flights by Federal Air Marshals under Quiet Skies. Internal records for her targeting show her congressional portrait and that she was a former congresswoman from Hawaii.

So, there was no doubt they knew who they were monitoring.

Multiple concerns were raised internally, and one air marshal asked a colleague, why the heck is she a Quiet Skies suspect? If this can happen to a combat veteran, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, and now Director of National Intelligence, it can happen to anyone. And it did.

Today, for the first time, you will hear directly from a Federal Air Marshal whose wife was labeled a domestic terrorist simply for engaging in protected First Amendment activity. Records show the FBI labeled her as a domestic terrorist for unlawful entry into the Capitol on January 6th.

But she didn’t enter the Capitol. She came for a public, support of the President, and they knew it. Her phone location data did not put her inside the Capitol. Facial recognition did not identify her inside. She had no criminal record and no history of extremist views.

What they did know is that this Catholic schoolteacher from Texas supported President Trump and went to Washington to attend his rally at the Ellipse. That was not enough for the government. That was not enough to label her a suspected domestic terrorist for two years.

Her family was surveilled when they flew. This was not an isolated case. It happened to hundreds of Americans. It happened because the TSA used First Amendment protected activity as a predicate for watch listing Americans. That’s unconstitutional, of course. First Amendment activity cannot be the sole basis for watch listing someone, but sole basis is an important caveat and it’s an opening the TSA exploited.

Today we will release internal TSA records that reveal how the agency authorized First Amendment activity to be used to justify the surveillance of Americans with no evidence and no recourse.

Using broad and vague authorities, TSA deemed hundreds of Americans as threats to national security simply for holding opposing political views. The federal government used its investigative authorities, anonymous tips and university research institutions to build a flimsy case to put them on the watch list.

They didn’t just coincidentally watch list hundreds of people who attended the same Trump rally. They did it intentionally and obscured the process to create plausible deniability. For example, documents obtained in my investigation reveal that TSA relied on data collected by the George Washington University Project on Extremism.

Consider this first, DHS funds the Project on Extremism. An external partner not bound by the same laws and regulations as federal agencies. Then, the Project on Extremism identifies supposed domestic threats by meticulously tracking January 6th defendants. DHS then uses the Project on Extremism reporting as evidence, sometimes the only evidence for putting someone on a watch list.

But the abuses weren’t limited to January 6th. The TSA also viewed skeptics of COVID mandates as threats.

Simply removing a mask on an aircraft got 12 Americans watch listed. Records also show three current members of Congress, all Republicans, were included in the companion Silent Partner Program either as a sitting member or while seeking elected office.

A cursory review would have revealed them to be either a member of Congress or decorated active or former US Military members. And in fact, they were surveilled, likely for activities that were official duties during their time in the military or in Congress.

All of this was wrong, and I’m glad that these abuses are beginning to be exposed.

I commend Secretary Noem for ending Quiet Skies, but our work is not done. We must make sure that this program does not come back under another name.

Every official who directed or approved surveillance of Americans for protected speech must be removed from office.

Full transparency must become the rule rather than requiring a year of investigation. The result will be a process that respects the Constitution, ends real life shadow bans against Americans, and gives all of us the assurance that our government is focused on protecting us, not on chasing political ghosts.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://www.paul.senate.gov/flash-report-bidens-tsa-targeted-veterans-lawmakers-and-air-marshals-wife/,"Flash Report: Biden’s TSA Targeted Veterans, Lawmakers, and Air Marshal’s Wife",2025-09-29,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 29th, 2025

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee opened an investigation into TSA’s Quiet Skies program in 2024 after reports it was weaponized against Americans. Today, Dr. Paul released a flash report of his findings, exposing how TSA’s Quiet Skies program, and related watch lists, were twisted into political surveillance tools under the Biden administration.

The release comes ahead of tomorrow’s hearing, Examining the Weaponization of the Quiet Skies Program, scheduled for 10:00 AM. A Whistleblower, a Federal Air Marshal first mentioned in Senator Paul’s recent op-ed in The American Conservative, will testify before the Committee.

The report reveals Tulsi Gabbard, a combat veteran and former congresswoman, now serving as Director of National Intelligence, was surveilled on at least five flights in 2024.This surveillance began only one day after she publicly criticized Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Three Republican lawmakers were matched to TSA’s Silent Partner and/or Quiet Skies Rules right after engaging in some kind of political activity, including opposing the Biden administration. At least two dozen Americans were placed on watch lists for protesting mask mandates or removing a mask on an aircraft. Following January 6, 2021, TSA issued a directive authorizing the watch listing of individuals based solely on suspected travel to Washington, D.C., without any specific evidence of unlawful conduct.

The most shocking revelation is that the wife of a Federal Air Marshal was branded a domestic terrorist and subjected to invasive monitoring, even though no evidence ever linked her to unlawful activity on January 6, 2021. She was placed in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database and, for two years, followed on domestic flights by Federal Air Marshals, who reported her movements and interactions, sometimes on a minute-by-minute basis. Her name was finally cleared only after the FBI closed its case due to mistaken identity.

“Quiet Skies was an unconstitutional dystopian nightmare masquerading as a security tool costing the American taxpayers $200 million a year. And what did we get for it? According to DHS, the Quiet Skies program failed to stop a single terrorist attack since it was created. Instead, taxpayers are footing the bill for a surveillance program that turned its watchful eye inward—targeting Americans who had committed no crimes, violated no laws, and in many cases were government officials themselves,” said Dr. Paul.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://comer.house.gov/2025/9/comer-leads-bipartisan-effort-urging-speaker-johnson-to-strike-anti-hemp-provisions-from-fy26-ag-appropriations-bill,Comer Leads Bipartisan Effort Urging Speaker Johnson to Strike Anti-Hemp Provisions from FY26 Ag Appropriations Bill,2025-09-26,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) led a bipartisan effort opposing the inclusion of anti-hemp language in Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256—bills comprising the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Congressman Comer and 27 of his fellow lawmakers warn that adopting this harmful language—including a sweeping redefinition of legal hemp—would jeopardize the long-term future of the U.S. hemp industry, and they urge House leadership to stand up for American hemp farmers by removing the language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations package.

“We write to express our strong opposition to Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill). Under the 2018 Farm Bill language, the hemp industry supports 320,000 American jobs, generates $28.4 billion in regulated market activity, and produces some $1.5 billion in state tax revenue.1 If the language contained in the FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to American farmers supplying the regulated hemp industry and small businesses, and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country. Additionally, there are serious procedural concerns with how the language ended up in these bills. This language has not been considered in a markup or hearing by any relevant authorizing committee and there was no public forum for members to express concerns with this language and preferred alternative legislation more appropriate for the relevant authorizing committees,” wrote the lawmakers.

Instead of pursuing this damaging appropriations language, the lawmakers detail a bipartisan path forward for Congress and outline a responsible and workable legislative regulatory framework. The American hemp industry stands united behind a framework that restricts hemp product sales to adults 21 and older, standardizes packaging and labeling to protect consumers and eliminate “look-alike” products, and mandates independent third-party lab testing for consumable hemp products.

“Legislation to this effect has already been introduced in the Senate and the House Energy and Commerce Committee is actively discussing draft language along these same lines. By arbitrarily changing the definition of legal hemp rather than responsibly regulating the market, Congress is effectively turning out the lights on America’s legal hemp farmers and undermining the work being done by our colleagues in the authorizing committees and in states that have created regulatory frameworks for hemp products. For these reasons, we strongly urge leadership to remove this language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations bill. We will continue to stand up for American hemp farmers and small businesses and oppose efforts to include this language in any bill,” concluded the lawmakers.

Read the letter here.

Background:

Congressman Comer has been a steadfast advocate and champion of the hemp industry since his tenure as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture began in 2011. Since joining Congress, he has consistently worked to support and grow the industry’s opportunities, including his key role on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which expanded the definition of hemp, has enabled the industry to flourish and created vital opportunities for farmers—especially in Kentucky. Congressman Comer remains committed to advancing bipartisan solutions alongside fellow lawmakers and industry partners to oppose any efforts that would hinder the hemp industry or create further uncertainty and economic hardship for farmers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=58E90BEC-C1C3-450F-B38A-679AB8628764,McConnell Helps Secure Federal Grant to Support Substance Abuse Recovery and Job Training in Appalachian Kentucky,2025-09-26,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the Fletcher Group will receive more than $9.2 million in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for its Connect Appalachia project.

The competitive federal grant is part of the ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) program. The Fletcher Group, and partners including the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, will use the funding to implement a comprehensive economic development, workforce development, and substance abuse recovery program across six Appalachian states—including all Kentucky counties served by the ARC.

“I appreciate the Fletcher Group’s hard work in helping Appalachian counties, including those in Kentucky, and I was pleased to contact the Trump Administration on their behalf to help secure this federal funding,” said Senator McConnell. “The Fletcher Group is doing great work to address the impacts of the substance abuse and opioid epidemic. This federal funding will allow them to build workforce pipelines between employers and treatment and recovery providers, helping individuals in recovery find and maintain meaningful employment.”

""I want to thank Senator McConnell for his continued support of projects like this that help Kentuckians maintain recovery and obtain meaningful employment, and we look forward to partnering with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation to achieve these goals in communities throughout Appalachia Kentucky. While progress has been made to reduce the number of overdose deaths in Kentucky and across the nation, there is still more work to do to reverse the tragic impact of substance use. That is why this project is so important as we will work to help transform lives,” said Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Fletcher Group, Ernie Fletcher.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FFF79C88-AD0D-418D-A319-C1780AF9ED99,"Reps. Barr and Peters Introduce Bill to Slash Permitting Times, Lower Energy Costs, and Prevent Blackouts",2025-09-25,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Scott Peters (D-CA) will reintroduce the Streamlining Powerlines Essential to Electric Demand (SPEED) and Reliability Act, a bill to significantly hasten the siting and permitting of critically needed electric transmission lines. Faster approvals will let us build the electrical lines that carry energy from where it is generated to where it is needed sooner. This will lead to lower costs for consumers and prevent blackouts.

“AI data centers and advanced manufacturing are at the core of America’s economic future, but they can’t run without reliable, affordable power. The SPEED and Reliability Act cuts red tape and builds the transmission lines we need to lower costs and ensures we stay ahead of China in the race for AI,” said Rep. Barr.

“We cannot wait a decade plus for individual transmission lines to be approved if we don’t want to fall behind China and our adversaries,” said Rep. Peters. “This bill will lower costs for consumers, improve reliability, and help secure America’s energy independence.”

Under the current National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) program, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are supposed to work together to designate broad corridors for transmission development, with the goal of streamlining siting and permitting for high-impact transmission lines in the national interest.

However, the process has yet to result in a single transmission project due to widespread opposition to this corridor-based approach. The SPEED and Reliability Act reforms this program by removing the ability of the Secretary of Energy to designate corridors, centralizes environmental reviews at the bipartisan and independent FERC, and includes additional guardrails to protect customers, benefit local communities, and respect state authority.

The SPEED and Reliability Act reforms the existing backstop siting authority for interstate electric transmission lines by removing the redundant, top-down role of the DOE. In particular, the SPEED and Reliability Act:

Removes the Secretary of Energy’s authority to designate broad NIETCs;

Allows FERC to issue a construction permit for individual national interest transmission lines that reduce grid congestion, improve reliability, and provide a clear set of economic and reliability benefits to customers;

Includes guardrails that protects consumers, benefit local communities, and respects state authorities by:

Allocating costs only to customers that benefit, using a minimum specified list of electric reliability criteria, along with specified economic benefits

Preserves current law by ensuring that states have at least one year to respond to applications before applicants can seek approval from FERC

Prioritizes use of existing rights-of-way and advanced conductors to lower impacts and costs;

Mandates that FERC engage with states, tribes, and private property owners throughout the process

Benefits: The bill would improve grid reliability, reduce costs for Americans, and boost economic development and national security.

Improved Reliability: Increasing power flows between regions can help keep the lights on during extreme weather events.

In 2023, transmission congestion – the U.S. energy grid’s inability to send power from where it’s abundant to where it’s needed – cost U.S. ratepayers $11.5 billion.

During Winter Storm Uri, customers in the Great Plains and the Gulf Coast each could have saved in excess of $100 million with each additional gigawatt of transmission interconnection.

Reduced Costs: Just as an interstate highway can displace the need for disproportionate spending on local roads, high-impact transmission lines can save ratepayers billions of dollars every year by replacing less efficient, smaller projects and connecting customers to the cheapest power sources.

Nearly 60 utility companies are set to increase electricity rates this year by more than $38 billion, affecting more than 57 million Americans.

On average, electricity costs are 5.5% higher today than they were a year ago. Residential rates are also projected for a huge increase: up to 18% in the next few years.

Economic Development: Power demand is growing as manufacturing returns to the U.S. and key, strategic industries like artificial intelligence and microchip manufacturing continue to boom. More high-impact transmission lines will help support this economic development across the country, especially in rural communities.

Smarter investments in transmission can save residential consumers up to $14 billion per year after accounting for the costs. For every $1 invested in transmission lines, consumers receive between $3.80 to $4.70 in benefits.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EADAB41B-2E05-4633-97EA-9CD3401C19A9,Congressman Rogers Honors Bill Estep with Congressional Tribute,2025-09-24,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold ""Hal"" Rogers (KY-05) recently presented longtime Kentucky journalist Bill Estep with a tribute in the Congressional Record to commemorate his retirement this summer from the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Congressman Rogers credited Estep with writing a key investigative journalism series called ""Prescription for Pain,"" exposing the deadly opioid epidemic in Eastern Kentucky that led him to launch Operation UNITE to help curb the region's crisis and save lives. He also applauded Estep's work in covering news related to the coal industry and the important grassroots efforts led by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), a bipartisan initiative cofounded by Rogers, to help revitalize the economy in historic coal-producing counties.

The Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism also announced Estep as the recipient of the 2025 Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism, which will be presented to him during an event on November 13.

Congressman Rogers entered the following extension of remarks into the Congressional Record in honor of Bill Estep:

""Mister Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Kentucky journalist Bill Estep, who is retiring from the Lexington Herald Leader after 40 years of dedicated news and investigative reporting in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

""As a resident of Somerset, Kentucky, Bill is one of my constituents, giving him personal insight into the generational challenges that we have faced in Kentucky’s Appalachian region. He has written about our coal mines, our education system, historic flooding and tornado disasters, while also holding elected leaders accountable in the courtroom of public opinion, and never failing to keep facts at the core of his journalistic integrity. With the uprising of 'yellow journalism' in the form of social media’s sensational opinions and unchecked rumors, 24-hours a day, Bill has remained consistent in his news coverage, keeping his pen steady, balanced, fair and accurate.

""Over the last four decades, Bill and I have sat down together to talk about every issue that impacts the people of southern and eastern Kentucky. We built a trusted relationship with the understanding that we both had an important job to do, requiring tough questions and, at times, tough answers. In 2003, Bill embarked on an investigative series called “Prescription for Pain” that would prove to have a monumental impact on my public service. The series exposed a rapidly growing opioid epidemic more than 20 years ago that was spreading like wildfire throughout our small communities, taking the lives of high school beauty queens and local leaders alike, while revealing local corruption and criminal drug trafficking in the depths of our mountain communities. His collective work inspired me to not only respond, but to take action. In the following weeks, I called together a group of leaders from across our region to launch a non-profit organization called Operation UNITE – Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education – the nation’s first multi-pronged approach to help save lives and curb the drug crisis. In 2012, Operation UNITE took its mission to the national stage by establishing the National Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, which has grown into the largest convention of its kind with more than 3,000 annual attendees and highlighted by keynote speakers from federal agencies across the country, including four U.S. Presidents. Bill’s reporting inspired a life-saving movement in Eastern Kentucky that is now impacting collaborative efforts nationwide – a feat worthy of a Pulitzer Prize and more.

""In 2013, when the downturn of the coal industry was exacerbated by the Obama Administration’s war on coal, we lost more than 12,000 coal mining jobs in Eastern Kentucky alone. Once again, turning to action rather than words, former Governor Steve Beshear and I co-founded a bipartisan initiative called SOAR – Shaping Our Appalachian Region – to reimagine the future of southern and eastern Kentucky. Since inception, SOAR has focused on expanding access to high performance broadband, more diversified industrial development, workforce training, innovative tourism projects, expanded health care opportunities and much more. With the formation of SOAR, Bill Estep showed up once again with his iconic yellow notepad and a recorder to get the story right. From day one, he made sure there was an entire section in the Herald Leader featuring the work of SOAR, and he has remained committed to following our progress, our goals and our challenges.

""Throughout his career, it has been clear when Bill used his opinion in an effective way, advocating for a larger spread in the urban Lexington-based statewide newspaper to help feature stories in Eastern Kentucky that the rest of the state should care about. I imagine that he didn’t win every battle with his editors over the years, but I know that Bill believed in the value of southern and eastern Kentucky for the rest of the Commonwealth. He was bold to ask tough questions, patient enough to listen to the response, and determined to conduct necessary research before writing a story. Upcoming and current reporters should take notes from Bill, and proceed with unbiased questions, an open mind, and a relentless dedication to facts over opinions and click-bait.

""Our rural Appalachian region has largely remained in the shadows of Kentucky’s bigger cities, playing the national media’s role of the impoverished, forgotten people who need a savior. Thanks to courageous journalists like Bill, we have had the opportunity to fight the stereotypes and tell the real story taking place in Eastern Kentucky, where resilient and innovative people are stepping up to shape a brighter future for the next generation through aerospace, medical science, engineering and much more. As Bill begins a new chapter of retirement to focus on his family’s story and new traveling adventures, I hope it is filled with great pride in the work he has accomplished and the light of hope that he has helped shine on Eastern Kentucky.""

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.

Congressman Rogers Presented Bill Estep with a Congressional Record

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=99B1AA96-9C0B-46BF-A69B-121F9E1BD644,McConnell on Support For Ukraine: Administration Must Turn Words Into Action,2025-09-24,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, issued the following statement:

“I welcome President Trump’s acknowledgement that Ukraine can defeat Russia’s brutal aggression. For years, President Biden’s dithering and hesitant efforts to help Ukraine defend itself only prolonged this conflict. This year, senior members of President Trump’s Administration have consistently recommended he take the same disastrous approach to this awful war. Meanwhile, reality has been unmistakable: passivity in the face of aggression will not stop Putin. Self-imposed constraints will only delay the peace the President rightly seeks.

“The President has identified Russia as the aggressor, and clear majorities of Americans, including Republicans, support continued military assistance to Ukraine; his Administration should act accordingly. If senior Department of Defense officials continue to blame NATO allies for provoking Russia, freeze or limit security assistance to Ukraine, or oppose further investments in security cooperation with Ukraine and vulnerable NATO allies, in defiance of the support expressed overwhelmingly by House Republicans last week, they are undermining President Trump’s efforts to end the war. The Commander-in-Chief should not tolerate such freelance policymaking that weakens his leverage and undercuts investments in peace through strength.

“The world is watching to see if President Trump’s Administration translates his rhetoric into action.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=FDC6D0C8-40DF-41D5-8E60-F13CE2912057,McConnell Statement on Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey,2025-09-24,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding the passing of Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my longtime friend and Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey. John was a dedicated public servant who made an indelible impact on our community and for 27 years as Sheriff he worked tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe. His recognition as the 2025 Sheriff of the Year was a testament to his unwavering commitment to law enforcement and the respect he earned from all who knew him. Elaine and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Jefferson County Sheriff's Department during this time.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A8C2B569-8771-46C9-B7D8-0AC47E45FF89,"Barr Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Supporting State Bans on Biological Men Participating in Girls’ Sports",2025-09-22,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is again leading the charge to ban biological men from invading girls’ sports. Barr joined a slew of members of Congress and U.S. Senators who wrote an Amicus Brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold state bans on biological men participating in girls’ sports in the upcoming State of West Virginia v. B.P.J and Little v. Hecox case.

The brief argues that when Congress enacted Title IX in 1972, it defined “sex” in biological terms—not as “gender identity”—and that only Congress, not the courts, has the authority to change that definition. You can read the full brief here.

“The text of Title IX uses ‘sex’ to mean biology—not gender identity,” the Amicus Brief reads in part. “Because Title IX was enacted under the Spending Clause, its requirements must be clear and unambiguous, and those provisions say nothing about gender identity. Congress should be given the option and ability to consider the policy implications of importing gender identity into the text of Title IX.”

“We must fight in Court, in Congress, and in every community to ensure President Trump’s Executive Order protecting our girls is preserved,” said Congressman Barr. “Men do not belong in women’s sports and I will continue to work alongside President Trump, my colleagues in Congress, and activists like Riley Gaines to protect female athletes and their private spaces.”

“West Virginia passed a law making it clear that men shouldn’t play in women’s sports. This is just common sense – men and women are biologically different. Men cannot become women and they certainly shouldn’t be forced to compete together. We have a duty to protect our children and ensure that no more girls are injured by transgender athletes pretending to be women. I’m proud to lead this bicameral amicus brief with Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in defense of protecting women’s sports at the Supreme Court,” said Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02), who led the Amicus Brief.

Barr also authored and introduced the Defend Girls’ Athletics Act, legislation that is endorsed by women’s sports and conservative activist Riley Gaines, to cut off federal funds to any school that refuses to implement President Donald Trump’s national ban on biological men participating in girls’ sports.

Biological males are depriving female athletes of their athletic achievements. According to the United Nation’s 2024 study titled “Violence against women and girls in sports,” biological males have won 890 medals in 29 different women’s sports. The study also estimated that over 600 female athletes have lost accolades because of male athletes participating in their sport.

Even worse than stealing glory from our female athletes, some girls have suffered permanent injury because of competing against biological males in sports. One of these athletes is Payton McNabb, who suffered partial paralysis during a high school volleyball match in 2022 due to an injury caused by a biological boy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9604B75B-7BA5-4A6A-AFA5-0DC943F629C5,Congressman Rogers Votes for House Resolution to Honor Charlie Kirk,2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives stood firmly against political violence by passing a House Resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk. U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers voted in support of the resolution on Friday and attended a vigil in Kirk’s honor earlier this week on Capitol Hill.

“Charlie Kirk launched widespread thought-provoking peaceful debate, inspiring the next generation to be educated about civics and engaged in their right to vote, and their freedom of religion. His incredible life was shamefully cut short, but it is my hope that his voice will continue to live through those he inspired to speak boldly about their beliefs,” said Congressman Rogers. “I applaud my House colleagues for passing this resolution to condemn all forms of political violence; however, it should have been unanimous.”

The measure passed, with 58 House Democrats voting against the resolution.

The House Resolution states the following:

Whereas Charles ‘‘Charlie’’ James Kirk, born October 14, 1993, was a courageous American patriot, whose life was tragically and unjustly cut short in an act of political violence on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University;

Whereas Charlie Kirk was a devoted Christian, who boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion;

Whereas Charlie Kirk was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife, Erika Kirk, and a loving father to their daughter and son, exemplifying the virtues of faith, fidelity, and fatherhood;

Whereas Charlie Kirk was a fierce defender of the American founding and its timeless principles of life, liberty, limited government, and individual responsibility;

Whereas Charlie Kirk, at 18 years old, founded Turning Point USA in 2012, a student movement with the mission to ‘‘identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government’’;

Whereas Charlie Kirk became one of the most prominent voices in America, engaging in respectful, civil discourse across college campuses, media platforms, and national forums, always seeking to elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic;

Whereas Charlie Kirk personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak freely, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans;

Whereas Charlie Kirk’s commitment to civil discussion and debate stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum, and he worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction;

Whereas the assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only a heinous act of violence, but a sobering reminder of the growing threat posed by political extremism and hatred in our society;

Whereas such acts of politically motivated violence are antithetical to the principles of a free republic, in which differences of opinion are to be debated—not silenced—with civility, reason, and mutual respect;

Whereas the rise in targeted violence against individuals for their political beliefs undermines the very fabric of our constitutional democracy and chills the free exchange of ideas essential to a healthy civic society;

Whereas leaders at every level—government, education, media, and beyond—must stand united in unequivocal condemnation of political violence, regardless of their ideology;

Whereas the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk must not be allowed to deepen the divides in our Nation, but instead serve as a turning point to recommit ourselves to better angels, and to the timeless American principles of liberty governed by truth and the virtues of peaceful dialogue; and

Whereas Charlie Kirk would not have us respond to his death with despair, but rather with renewed purpose—to speak truth with courage, to stand firm in faith, to seek unity while standing firm in principle, and to serve as living reminders of the values he championed: faith, family, and freedom:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Charles ‘‘Charlie’’ James Kirk, and all forms of political violence;

(2) commends and honors the dedicated law enforcement and emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urges the administration of swift justice to the suspect;

(3) extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Charlie Kirk’s family, including his wife, Erika, and their two young children, and prays for comfort, peace, and healing in this time of unspeakable loss;

(4) honors the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty; and

(5) calls upon all Americans—regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed—to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.

####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A6795042-BA47-4E38-8964-8DA57F178996,Congressman Rogers Votes to Extend Federal Funding to Avoid Government Shutdown,2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (September 19, 2025) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, voted for the Continuing Resolution and Extensions Act of 2026 on Friday to keep the federal government running past the end of the fiscal year on September 30, with a clean, short-term funding bill through November 21, 2025.

The House Appropriations Committee finalized and passed all 12 federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, including three which have already been passed in the House. The House is now working with the Senate through a bipartisan conference committee to advance federal funding for 2026 over the next seven weeks.

“Despite Democrats’ efforts to pile on deal-breakers, like an additional $1.4 trillion in spending and reinstituting free health care for illegal immigrants, this extension is clean and simple,” said Congressman Rogers. “We have worked diligently to sort through every single funding bill, hosting dozens of hearings, and addressing hundreds of amendments and requests for every sector of government spending through our work on the House Appropriations Committee. As we finalize our work with the Senate, this continuing resolution keeps the government running for the American people.”

The continuing resolution keeps all federal funding in place at current levels to ensure no critical federal programs are cut short on September 30.

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z