url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-delauro-renew-bill-to-ban-unpredictable-scheduling-practices,"Warren, DeLauro Renew Bill to Ban Unpredictable Scheduling Practices",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, DeLauro Renew Bill to Ban Unpredictable Scheduling Practices Legislation would require many employers to provide work schedules two weeks in advance and compensate workers when their schedules change last minute Bill Text (PDF) | Bill One-Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Schedules That Work Act to address unpredictable scheduling practices that may deprive workers of income and require them to work unreasonable hours, like “clopening” shifts that leave little time to commute and rest between shifts. “Unpredictable scheduling makes it impossible for workers to arrange child care, juggle an education, or even pay the bills. We’re fighting to empower workers and help them regain control over their work schedules and build economic security for themselves and their families,” Senator Warren said. “We are in a cost of living crisis that forces too many Americans to live paycheck to paycheck,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Hardworking Americans deserve economic security and the peace of mind that the hours they work will provide enough to make ends meet so they can provide for themselves or their family. That is why I am proud to join Senator Warren in reintroducing the Schedules that Work Act, so workers are not subject to abusive scheduling practices that can lead to financial insecurity and instability. American workers deserve certainty about their schedules and incomes.” Workers experience many unreasonable scheduling practices, like last-minute shift cancellations, being placed “on-call” with no guarantee of work hours, scheduled for “split shifts” of non-consecutive hours, and even being sent home early without pay when demand is low. If they push back or request schedule changes, employers may retaliate. This month, Starbucks agreed to pay $38.9 million to settle claims it violated New York law by failing to provide regular schedules to employees, cutting workers' scheduled hours without their consent, and giving shifts to new hires first instead of to existing employees. A report by the Harvard Kennedy School found that unpredictable schedules lead to higher employee turnover, household economic insecurity, and reductions in workers’ health and wellbeing. It also found that Black and Hispanic women are disproportionately impacted by unpredictable schedules and were more likely to have a shift canceled without appropriate notice than white workers. The Schedules That Work Act curbs these harmful practices by giving workers a voice in their schedules and helping people meet their responsibilities at work and at home. The bill protects workers who ask for schedule changes from retaliation, and it requires employers to consider their requests. For workers in retail, food service, and cleaning occupations, it requires employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance. The legislation also provides compensation to these employees when their schedules change abruptly, or they are assigned to particularly difficult shifts, including split shifts and call-in shifts. The bill also expands these same protections to hospitality and warehouse workers, and establishes a right to rest between shifts – protecting workers from being forced to work a closing shift one night and the opening shift the next day – and compensating them adequately if they voluntarily do so. If passed, employers would also be required to compensate employees if schedules are not posted two weeks in advance, or if there are changes to the schedule within the two-week period. The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Richie Torres (D-NY-15), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY-04). The Schedules That Work Act is supported by: 9to5, A Better Balance, Action for Children, AFL-CIO, African American Health Alliance, All-Options, American Association of University Women, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, BreastfeedLA, Catch Fire Movement, CDF, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Popular Democracy, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Chicago Foundation for Women, Child Care Aware of America, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition for Social Justice, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition on Human Needs, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Economic Policy Institute, Equal Rights Advocates, Every Texan, Faith in Public Life, Family Values @ Work, Healthy Nourishment, Jobs With Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, MANA - A National Latina Organization, MomsRising, National Black Worker Center, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Network of Jewish Human, Service Agencies, North Carolina Justice Center, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Public Justice Center, ROC United, Service Employees International Union, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Start Early, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, TakeAction Minnesota, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United for Respect, We All Rise, Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest PA, Women Employed, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Women's Law Project, Women's Media Center, Workplace Fairness, YWCA of the University of Illinois, YWCA USA, ZERO TO THREE. “Unpredictable and inadequate work hours have long been a problem for part-time and hourly workers in low-paid jobs, which means they have been a problem for women, and especially for women of color,” said NWLC Vice President for Education and Workplace Justice Emily Martin. “But the harms posed by volatile work hours—and the uncertain paychecks they produce—have intensified during the pandemic, as workers face new risks to their health, inadequate access to paid leave and paid sick days, and additional caregiving challenges posed by school and child care closures and quarantines. Together, the Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights will help working people meet their responsibilities both on and off the job, bolster economic security for their families, and help close race and gender wage gaps.” “Through A Better Balance’s free and confidential legal helpline, we are constantly hearing from workers in industries like retail, food service, and other shift-based roles who have to miss out on hours and pay because their employers’ unpredictable scheduling practices make it impossible to plan around childcare, medical appointments, and other care-related needs. Many of these workers are also denied essential benefits like paid leave and healthcare due to their part-time status – even if they’re working full-time hours across multiple jobs,"" said A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar. ""The Schedules That Work Act and Part Time Workers Bill of Rights will together combat these unfair practices and support the health and financial security of these essential workers, advancing gender and racial equity nationwide. We thank Senator Warren for her leadership on this legislation and continued commitment to this country's working families.” Congresswoman DeLauro and Senator Warren have introduced the Schedules That Work Act every Congress since 2015. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-schakowsky-renew-fight-to-pass-part-time-worker-bill-of-rights-act,"Warren, Schakowsky, Renew Fight to Pass Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act",2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Schakowsky, Renew Fight to Pass Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), have reintroduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act to strengthen protections for part-time workers and allow them to better balance their work schedules with personal and family needs. The legislation will address one of the primary issues that hourly workers face - work schedules that do not provide as many hours as they need to support their families - and provide additional protections and benefits for part-time workers. “Every worker deserves a chance at providing for themselves and their families, but greedy giant corporations are using loopholes to exploit part-time workers instead,” said Senator Warren. “I’m fighting hard to pass the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights and ensure companies put their workers over profits.” “Part-time workers across the country deserve better. More than one in five American workers are part-time and they face volatile work hours, unstable incomes, and low wages. Earlier this week, I reintroduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act with my colleagues Representative DeLauro and Senator Warren to ensure equitable workplace treatment and conditions for part-time workers. This legislation requires employers to treat part-time and full-time employees impartially and gives part-time workers access to stable hours and medical leave. We must improve the quality of part-time work for millions of families across the country,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. Corporations often attempt to avoid providing workers benefits and higher wages by giving part-time workers fewer hours than they want and spreading work among many part-time employees rather than hiring full-time employees. This month, Starbucks agreed to pay $38.9 million to settle claims it violated New York law by failing to provide regular schedules to employees, cutting workers' scheduled hours without their consent, and giving shifts to new hires first instead of to existing employees. The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would: Require employers to offer available hours to current, available, qualified part-time employees before hiring new employees or subcontractors. The legislation requires employers with more than 15 workers to compensate existing employees if they hire new employees instead of assigning new work to available, qualified, existing employees. This provision is based on successful access to hours ordinances in cities across the country, including those in Chicago, Emeryville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Make more part-time employees eligible for family and medical leave. The legislation guarantees any employee who has worked for their employer for at least a year access to federal leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Allow part-time workers to participate in their employers’ pension plans. The legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to give part-time workers who have worked at least 500 hours for two consecutive years access to retirement plans if they are offered by their employers to full-time workers. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act is supported by: 9to5, A Better Balance, Action for Children, AFL-CIO, African American Health Alliance, All-Options, American Association of University Women, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, BreastfeedLA, Catch Fire Movement, CDF, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Popular Democracy, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Chicago Foundation for Women, Child Care Aware of America, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition for Social Justice, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition on Human Needs, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Economic Policy Institute, Equal Rights Advocates, Every Texan, Faith in Public Life, Family Values @ Work, Healthy Nourishment, Jobs With Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, MANA - A National Latina Organization, MomsRising, National Black Worker Center, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Network of Jewish Human, Service Agencies, North Carolina Justice Center, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Public Justice Center, ROC United, Service Employees International Union, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Start Early, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, TakeAction Minnesota, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United for Respect, We All Rise, Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest PA, Women Employed, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Women's Law Project, Women's Media Center, Workplace Fairness, YWCA of the University of Illinois, YWCA USA, ZERO TO THREE. The legislators also introduced the Schedules That Work Act, complementary legislation to help ensure that low-wage employees have more certainty about their work schedules and income. The Schedules That Work Act protects workers who ask for schedule changes from retaliation and requires employers to consider their requests. For retail, food service, and cleaning occupations, it requires employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance. The legislation also provides compensation to these employees when their schedules change abruptly or they are assigned to particularly difficult shifts, including split shifts and call-in shifts. A recent Berkely study found that unpredictable schedules - which often mean lack of access to enough working hours - are associated with financial insecurity, housing insecurity, high stress, poor health outcomes, and, for parents, less time spent with children, which, in turn, leads to worse outcomes for children. One study found that 65% of respondents with part-time jobs had dealt with ""at least one serious material hardship"" in the past year. Workers facing these challenges are disproportionately women and workers of color as exposure to schedule instability is 16% higher among workers of color compared to white workers. Laws to help workers access more work hours have already been passed as part of fair workweek laws across the country, including in Chicago, Emeryville, California; New York City; Philadelphia; San Francisco; San Jose; Seattle; and SeaTac, Washington. Senator Warren and Congresswoman Schakowsky first unveiled their plans to introduce the bill in December 2019. Senators Warren and Booker reintroduced the bill in the Senate in 2020. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-tax-filing-season-warren-king-15-senators-warn-of-tax-filing-chaos-after-trump-admin-attacks-on-irs,"Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS",2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS Broad coalition of lawmakers call 2026 tax filing season a “huge test for the IRS” September Inspector General report warned that IRS is woefully unprepared for upcoming filing season, largely due to Trump admin gutting IRS workforce Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) led 15 Senators in pressing Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent and IRS Chief of Taxpayer Services Ken Corbin, warning that the IRS may not be prepared for the upcoming tax filing season — and that failure could saddle American taxpayers with filing problems and refund delays. The following Senators also joined the letter: Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “Taxpayers deserve to have the information and assistance they need to file their taxes and receive their refunds in a timely manner. The Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on the IRS threaten its ability to serve the public and undercut its mission to provide taxpayers with top quality service and ensure that our tax laws are enforced with integrity and fairness,” wrote the lawmakers. A recent report from the independent Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) warned that the IRS is woefully unprepared for the 2026 filing season, in large part due to the Trump administration’s widespread and large-scale staffing reductions at the IRS. The report indicated that these staffing cuts will likely prevent the IRS from adequately addressing fraud, managing and processing tax returns, and providing assistance to taxpayers at Taxpayer Assistance Centers, “putting the 2026 filing season at risk.” Over the past year, the Trump administration has repeatedly attacked the IRS. Since January, the IRS has lost more than 25 percent of its workforce. The agency has also seen unprecedented turnover — with a whopping seven different individuals acting as Commissioner over the past year. In addition to preparing for the upcoming tax filing season, the IRS is also tasked with updating dozens of federal tax forms to align with changes made to the tax code by Donald Trump and Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill. “The 2026 tax filing season will present a huge test for the IRS,” wrote the lawmakers. The senators pressed for answers to a series of questions about the IRS’s preparation for the upcoming tax filing season and sought a briefing from the agency by January 12, 2026. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-slams-pentagons-failure-to-properly-implement-housing-reforms-for-service-members-and-families,Warren Slams Pentagon’s Failure to Properly Implement Housing Reforms for Service Members and Families,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Slams Pentagon’s Failure to Properly Implement Housing Reforms for Service Members and Families Warren finds shockingly low use of housing dispute process and complaint database, revealing that Pentagon may be failing to “properly inform service members of their housing rights” “DoD must do more to fully and effectively implement these reporting and oversight mechanisms to hold private housing companies accountable for substandard living conditions” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with concerns that the Department of Defense (DoD) is failing to properly implement a housing complaint database and the formal dispute resolution process for service members and families living in privatized housing on military bases around the country. “My review has found that few service members are using these tools, which may indicate that DoD is failing to effectuate the tools mandated by Congress to ensure military families are provided with safe and sanitary housing,” said Senator Warren. Following reporting that military families were subjected to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions, Senator Warren conducted her own investigation, finding that housing contractors systematically failed to provide acceptable housing for servicemembers while earning huge profits and facing little DoD oversight or accountability. In response to the findings of this investigation, Senator Warren secured bipartisan reforms in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to address concerns that service members and families were subjected to unsafe and unsanitary conditions with no recourse. These included the creation of a formal dispute resolution process for residents facing inadequate housing conditions and the creation of a public complaint database for residents to hold private military housing companies accountable for their failures. However, DoD did not implement the public complaint database until August 2024, nearly 4 years after the reforms passed Congress. New data released by Sen. Warren shows that in the last year, the database received only 40 complaints. Even that limited number of complaints showed residents continue to face unaddressed concerns from pests like mice. An Army tenant satisfaction survey of the dispute resolution process found that 70% of respondents were not aware of, or did not know how to access the dispute resolution process. Both numbers are shockingly low, considering there are about 700,000 service members and their family members living in privatized military housing. “There may be a failure by DoD to properly inform service members of their housing rights and the availability of this feedback system. It is impossible to believe that the sparse list of dispute resolution requests and feedback reports encompass an accurate picture of military families’ housing needs and conditions,” said Senator Warren. An FY 2025 Army survey found that many tenants had a negative experience living in private military housing. For example, at Fort Carson, 32.4% of residents were dissatisfied with their current home/unit, and 34.1% of residents were dissatisfied with the overall level of and quality of services; at Fort Gordon, 36% of residents were dissatisfied with their home/unit, and 20% of residents were dissatisfied with quality of services received. Data also shows that families in private military housing still face problems with mold and other housing problems that cause nosebleeds, hives, swelling, and rashes, and other health problems. “Families deserve a safe, clean home environment – free of health risks such as mold and pests…DoD must do more to improve and fully effectuate housing reforms mandated by Congress and promote the DHFS to provide accountability and better quality of life to service members and their families,” concluded Senator Warren. Senator Warren pressed Secretary Hegseth to explain, by January 5, 2026, why the department took four years to implement the housing database, whether it requires private military housing companies to inform residents of their tenant rights, how the department is holding private military housing companies accountable for housing concerns, and asked for the department’s plan to inform residents of the database and formal dispute resolution process. Senator Warren has long fought to address unacceptable conditions in military housing: On December 17, 2025, Senator Warren announced FY 26 NDAA wins that include improved housing conditions for American troops. On September 29, 2025, Senator Warren pressed Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers about the potential privatization of military barracks. On April 8, 2025, Senator Warren pressured Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Dale Marks, to commit to holding private military landlords accountable for housing violations. On February 4, 2025, Senators Warren and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) urged the Department of Defense to investigate whether landlords were utilizing RealPage’s software to artificially raise rents for military families. On December 12, 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act that would overhaul our privatized military housing system. On September 27, 2024, Senators Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the Restore Military Families’ Voice Act, which would prevent private military housing companies from forcing non-disclosure agreements on military families. On April 19, 2024, Senator Warren questioned Army Secretary Christine Wormuth over military housing availability and the impact of non-disclosure agreements between private military housing companies and military families. On May 1, 2019, Senator Warren released the findings of a 3-month investigation into the housing conditions of privatized military residences. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=92C3E8F5-4818-4A6A-A926-ED8AC68BDB0B,Whip Clark Pens Boston Globe Op-Ed: “Mike Johnson’s War on Women”,2025-12-20,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"MALDEN, MA — In case you missed it, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) published an op-ed in the Boston Globe calling out Mike Johnson’s misogyny and Republicans’ anti-woman, anti-family policies. You can read the entire op-ed HERE or below: Mike Johnson’s war on women Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is the House Democratic Whip. ""Amid all the political chaos in these final weeks of 2025, House Republicans have broken into another civil war. This one is personal — with Speaker Mike Johnson facing brutal accusations of misogyny from his own party members, even as he claims to be women’s “biggest champion.” ""'He sidelines us and doesn’t take us seriously,' Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said. ""Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina said, 'Women will never be taken seriously until leadership decides to take us seriously, and I’m no longer holding my breath.' ""They’re being generous. ""Johnson isn’t just a sexist boss. As a party leader and as a policymaker, he has systematically made life harder and more expensive for all women. ""This is someone who has never been shy about his thoughts on gender. ""He has, in public and on camera, blamed school shootings on no-fault divorce and 'radical feminism.' ""He has referred to abortion as 'a Holocaust.' ""Just a few weeks ago, he casually talked about the difference between the brains of men and women: 'Men and women are different in this way, is that men can compartmentalize things.' ""In the same interview, he praised Conference Chair Lisa McClain — the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House — as the colleague he trusts most to make him dinner. ""That low opinion of GOP women is plainly reflected in how he runs the House. ""Under Johnson’s speakership, there are more Republican committee chairs named Mike than women chairs combined. ""He raged against a bipartisan bill allowing members of Congress who are pregnant or recovering from childbirth to vote by proxy. But when asked about a male colleague’s domestic abuse allegations, he shrugged off the question and said: 'I’ve been a little busy.' ""This disdain for women is also shaping the actual policies that Johnson gavels through the House. ""This year alone, he has shepherded legislation closing down maternity wards, banning reproductive care for American servicewomen, and mandating creepy gender inspections for young girls who want to play sports. ""Even as he joined in on the White House’s new obsession with birth rates, he helped cut $1 trillion from Medicaid — a program that pays for 41 percent of births in America. ""He helped engineer an economy so catastrophic for regular families that at least 450,000 women have left the workforce. ""He looked at a country where moms’ child-care costs can outpace their rent, then wrote a budget that manages to make it even more expensive. ""He saw a third of single mothers going hungry, then enacted unprecedented cuts to federal food assistance. ""He supported a poll tax on married women — a bill requiring married women who took their spouse’s last name to get a $165 passport before they can vote. ""Yes, Mike Johnson has weird, retrograde views on women. But it’s so much worse. His leadership is a threat to the health and security that should be our daughters’ birthright."" # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-moulton-leads-democratic-veterans-and-ranking-members-national,Congressman Moulton Leads Democratic Veterans and the Ranking Members of the National Security Committees in Introducing Legislation to Prevent Unauthorized War with Venezuela,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) officially introduced the No Unauthorized War with Venezuela Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation prohibits the executive branch from spending any federal funds on the use of military inside Venezuela or against Venezuelan forces, including remote or intermittent strikes, unless Congress passes a specific Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). The legislation is led by every Democratic veteran in the House who served during the forever wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the Ranking Members of the House Armed Services, House Foreign Affairs, and House Intelligence committees. The cosponsors include: Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), Rep. Greg Meeks (NY-05), Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06), Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18), Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45), and Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-07). “The American people do not want to send their sons and daughters to fight another regime change war based on lies,” said Congressman Moulton. ""I came to Congress because I paid the price for the failure of Congress to prevent the war in Iraq and expose the Bush Administration's lies. If this war is truly in our interests, the Trump Administration must justify it and convince Congress. If they cannot do so, our troops and their families deserve leadership willing to stand up the president and say no—not on our watch.” The No Unauthorized War with Venezuela Act builds on longstanding concerns among lawmakers that military escalation must be debated and authorized by Congress—a principle rooted in Article I of the Constitution. With this coalition of cosponsors, the bill aims to ensure that decisions to employ force in foreign countries are deliberate, lawful, and reflective of the will and interests of the American people. Bill text can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-markey-trahan-statement-on-escalating-violence-between-cambodia-and-thailand,"Warren, Markey, Trahan Statement on Escalating Violence Between Cambodia and Thailand",2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Markey, Trahan Statement on Escalating Violence Between Cambodia and Thailand Washington, D.C. - Today, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the escalation of violence along the Cambodia-Thailand border: “We are deeply concerned by the escalation of violence along the Cambodia–Thailand border, which has resulted in the needless loss of life, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, and a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis. At a moment of political transition in Thailand, we urge all parties to refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions or place civilians at risk, and to avoid using this conflict for political gain. The protection of civilian life must be paramount. We call on both governments to immediately de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and support diplomatic and international efforts aimed at protecting civilians, strengthening regional security, and securing lasting peace. “The United States must support efforts to resolve this dispute through dialogue and existing diplomatic mechanisms, including engagement through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other regional partners. Leaders on all sides should prioritize stability, humanitarian protection, and a negotiated path forward that safeguards the lives of Cambodian and Thai people alike.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2DBB0AD4-FDD9-44CC-AA31-53599AA51D9E,Clark Calls Out Johnson: “Don’t Send Us Home Without a Vote”,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), and Members of the House Democratic Caucus to demand that Speaker Mike Johnson immediately schedule a vote to extend the ACA tax credits. Below is a transcript of her remarks: ""A reporter asked Speaker Johnson yesterday if he’s lost control of the House, because four Republicans have joined 214 Democrats to force a vote on health care. ""But here’s the truth. It’s not about Speaker Johnson. ""Yesterday was the American people reclaiming the People's House. And proclaiming that health care is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. ""Dr. King told us: 'Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman.' ""The first year of this administration has certainly been shocking and inhuman. ""At every turn, Trump and his loyalists in the House have chosen injustice. They have made the morally corrupt choice to take health care from people who work hard for a living to fund tax cuts for the very wealthiest. ""They were so eager to pass these permanent tax cuts for the billionaire class, they called us back from recess in July. All at the expense of the health and financial security of working families. ""That is how they have chosen to lead. ""The Republicans chose to shut down government. They chose to leave town rather than negotiate with us on a solution. They chose to ignore skyrocketing premiums. They chose to build a ballroom for their cronies rather than build a strong middle class. ""But thanks to the unity of this Caucus, the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, and the resolve of the American people, Democrats have secured a vote on extending the ACA tax credits. ""The only question that remains is when? And I humbly suggest, it should be today! ""Speaker Johnson, don’t send us home without a vote. Put this bill on the Floor. The American people are watching. And they deserve a vote."" To view the complete press conference, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6F2B5A30-F13F-4005-A2C8-EE9E105AE06B,Whip Clark Slams GOP Refusal To Lower Premiums for Working Families,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined MS NOW's The Weeknight to discuss Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to adjourn the House without a vote to extend the ACA tax credits. Below are excerpts from the conversation: On Republicans' Sham Health Care Plan: ""This bill sets health care for the American people even back further. ""It's a return to all the failed plans they had in the past. Where people pay a lot of money for very little coverage, and many things are just not included. ""When we saw similar plans in 2017, there was no maternity care coverage. There was no addiction services for people. Very limited mental health – the things that people need for their families. ""And what it really was saying is: 'We are going to ignore the entire health crisis that we've created. We are going to ignore the fact that premiums are skyrocketing for people $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 more a month. And we will just proceed with our plan, which is to take people's health care funding – whether it's Medicaid, the ACA subsidies, veterans' health benefits, Medicare, medical research – and use that money for the permanent tax cuts for the very wealthiest.' ""That's their plan. And it is just a disgrace and a huge disservice to families who need to be able to afford and access care."" On Democrats’ Discharge Petition to Extend ACA Tax Credits: ""We knew the right thing was a clean extension of these tax subsidies for three years. ""That gives people time to be able to afford and access care. ""It's this cliff effect that they set up that within a few days from now, the end of the month, these tax credits disappear overnight. They talk a lot about reforms, but they haven't implemented any. And they haven't come and tried to negotiate a solution. ""And so we stuck with what we knew was the right plan. ... ""We can't forget the three year was actually a bipartisan vote in the Senate. So we already knew that we had Republican senators, that we could build on that number if we can get it through the House in now what looks will be a vote in January because Speaker Johnson has sent us home without putting this before the House."" On the GOP’s Own Constituents Being Hurt by their Health Care Crisis: ""Some of the states that are most impacted by these tax credits expiring are red states. They're the states that never expanded Medicaid. ""They are our small business owners. Half of our family farmers are on the ACA and looking at an incredibly challenging economic environment. ""I have some very small farms in my district, but I am hearing from farmers across the country saying, 'Not only is it the tariffs that have totally disrupted my markets, but I'm also on the ACA. And I also have a rural hospital that is closing, or scheduled to close, because of the cuts to Medicaid that they've enacted.' ""How can you go home and talk to the people that I've been talking to across my district and across the country who tell you stories of their deep anxiety? On Republicans’ Billionaire First Agenda: “Health care is more than just a regular benefit. More than a bill that is quickly moving out of reach. ""It is about that fear that you're not going to be able to get a treatment your child needs. That a spouse who's recovered from cancer will no longer be able to have those routine preventative checkups they need to survive. That you may not be able to manage your chronic disease like diabetes. ""That is an issue that is just emotionally important to people. And the indifference which the American people are being treated when you say, 'You are not entitled to health care, and in fact, we are going to take it to fund tax cuts for extremely wealthy people.' ""Just watch this split screen of them going along as Donald Trump builds a ballroom and they refuse to help build the middle class. They refuse to say to working families, 'We see you. We understand what is happening with the cost of living, of housing, of groceries, of utility bills, and especially health care. And we're going to help.' ... ""We're saying, 'Just prevent this cliff coming at the end of December where, ironically, the tax cuts for the wealthiest become permanent on the same day.' And we haven't even begun to say, 'You have to put back money to Medicaid.' ""We need to overhaul our health care system. There are reforms and efficiencies and ways that we can help people access care when and where they need it. But none of that is being discussed. And it is this outright dismissal of the American people who are really struggling to make ends meet."" To view the complete conversation, click HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/18/democratic-health-leaders-demand-answers-on-trumps-shady-drug-deals/,Democratic Health Leaders Demand Answers on Trump’s Shady Drug Deals,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"After another Trump announcement that lacks transparency or any detail, Committee Leaders press major pharmaceutical companies on whether agreements actually lower prices for medications or just enrich Trump’s family WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) demanded transparency from major pharmaceutical companies on their announcements with the Trump Administration on the cost of certain medications, including anti-obesity medications. Democrats delivered on lower drug prices for the American people by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices, with those savings going into effect in January. These latest announcements from the Trump Administration are just that – announcements. The Administration has yet to provide any public information that the announcements will result in any real savings for consumers. In fact, economists have questioned whether consumers will see any meaningful benefits. The public deserves answers on this and a better understanding of what this means for their everyday costs. The letters, sent to AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer, request more information on the contours of the agreements, including the effects on Medicare, future pricing predictions, the parameters of the TrumpRx platform, along with any other benefits the companies are receiving from the Administration as a result of these agreements. “While President Trump has made misleading and false claims to the American public with rhetoric around lowering drug prices, in reality, actions taken by the Administration thus far have yielded little, and in some cases have raised prices for consumers,” the lawmakers wrote. “Skepticism and scrutiny are warranted as the Trump Administration has repeatedly made announcements that fail to meet their stated goals, and instead, only increase costs on the consumer, and yield benefits for the Trump family and Administration.” “Congress and the American people remain in the dark about the contours of [these] agreement[s] with the Trump Administration,” the lawmakers continued in their letters to the pharmaceutical companies. “Basic details about the agreement have yet to be confirmed by either [party], making it seem that both parties are attempting to shield themselves from oversight, accountability, and specifics that could inform consumers whether the agreement will save money.” The lawmakers gave the companies until January 5, 2026, to respond. The letter to AstraZeneca is HERE. The letter to Eli Lilly is HERE. The letter to Novo Nordisk is HERE. The letter to Pfizer is HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-warren-wyden-push-doj-ftc-to-closely-scrutinize-massive-compass-anywhere-real-estate-merger-raise-alarm-on-housing-costs,"Senators Warren, Wyden Push DOJ, FTC to Closely Scrutinize Massive Compass-Anywhere Real Estate Merger, Raise Alarm on Housing Costs",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Senators Warren, Wyden Push DOJ, FTC to Closely Scrutinize Massive Compass-Anywhere Real Estate Merger, Raise Alarm on Housing Costs As Americans face a housing affordability crisis, key Democratic Senators warn that merger could increase costs. “DOJ and FTC should thoroughly investigate whether this merger threatens competition and undermines transparency, and block it if it is not consistent with antitrust law.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Chairman Andrew Ferguson of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging them to closely scrutinize the proposed $1.6 billion merger between real estate brokerage giants Compass, Inc. (“Compass”) and Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. (“Anywhere”). ""The Compass-Anywhere merger threatens to stifle consumer choice and fair industry competition while entrenching existing antitrust and price manipulation concerns that have been at the center of mounting litigation. These risks demand close scrutiny under federal antitrust laws,” wrote the lawmakers. On September 22, 2025, Compass and Anywhere (the parent of real estate brands Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, Sotheby’s International Realty, and more) announced a merger agreement valued at roughly $1.6 billion. The combined firm would represent the largest agent network in the country, with approximately 340,000 real estate agents operating under Compass and Anywhere’s brands. “The combined reach of Compass and Anywhere gives them outsized influence over market practices at a time when the brokerage industry is rapidly consolidating,” wrote the lawmakers. “The proposed Compass-Anywhere merger could substantially increase market concentration, possibly in violation of federal antitrust laws, and in a way that DOJ and FTC merger guidelines recognize could lead to anticompetitive harm.” The Senators also highlighted housing discrimination concerns. Compass has driven an industry shift towards private listing practices, also known as pocket listings, that are not made available to every agent or consumer. Experts find that pocket listings may perpetuate housing discrimination prohibited under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and make potential discrimination harder to detect. These practices also hurt homeowners by limiting the pool of potential buyers and diminishing their earnings on home equity. “Allowing Compass and Anywhere to merge is likely to significantly expand the use of these private exclusives, posing both antitrust and civil rights concerns,” continued the lawmakers. “It is clear that a Compass-Anywhere merger, which comes on the coattails of the Rocket-Redfin merger announcement, will only perpetuate the industry’s race to the bottom and further consolidate market control that weakens consumers’ fair and open access to real estate listings.” Additionally, the merger could weaken smaller firms’ and new entrants’ ability to compete on equal footing, placing pressure on mom-and-pop agents and independent brokerages that play a vital role in serving local communities and offering lower-cost, consumer-friendly alternatives. “The Compass-Anywhere merger threatens to stifle consumer choice and fair industry competition while entrenching existing antitrust and price manipulation concerns that have been at the center of mounting litigation,” the senators concluded. “These risks demand close scrutiny under federal antitrust laws.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-dean-democrats-urge-commerce-department-watchdog-to-investigate-lutnick-familys-conflicts-of-interest-impact-on-ai-data-center-decisions,"Warren, Dean, Democrats Urge Commerce Department Watchdog to Investigate Lutnick Family’s Conflicts of Interest, Impact on AI Data Center Decisions",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Dean, Democrats Urge Commerce Department Watchdog to Investigate Lutnick Family’s Conflicts of Interest, Impact on AI Data Center Decisions Commerce Secretary Lutnick may be boosting AI data center projects that could enrich his immediate family “There is a substantial public interest in ensuring that Secretary Lutnick is not violating federal ethics law to propel data centers that will be profitable for his family while making life more expensive for working Americans.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) led members of Congress in pressing U.S. Department of Commerce Acting Inspector General Duane Townsend to open an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family’s apparent conflicts of interest involving artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. “Because the billionaire Lutnick family has significant financial investments in data centers—and the electricity needs of those data centers drive up utility bills for families across the country—there is a substantial public interest in ensuring that Secretary Lutnick is not violating federal ethics law to propel data centers that will be profitable for his family while making life more expensive for working Americans,” wrote the lawmakers. The following members also signed on: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). For decades, Secretary Lutnick owned and led the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald. After signing an ethics agreement requiring that he divest his stake in Cantor and months after his deadline for divesting, he transferred much of his stake to his adult sons. They now lead Cantor and have a controlling ownership stake in it, creating an extraordinary situation in which the office of the Commerce Secretary intersects significantly with the financial interests of the Secretary’s own family. Cantor is heavily invested in the AI data center industry, with “unprecedented data center expansion” reportedly helping fuel the company’s most profitable year on record. Recent reports reveal that, as head of the Commerce Department, Secretary Lutnick helped boost AI data centers in ways that may enrich his own family. In addition to public appearances promoting projects — including at least one his family’s company has worked on — Lutnick has also reportedly pressured foreign governments to invest in the U.S. data center industry, and money from those deals could flow to a Lutnick-linked firm. “While the rapid growth of data centers is proving to be lucrative for the Lutnick family, it is also making it harder for American families to pay their monthly utility bills,” wrote the lawmakers. Data centers are pushing energy costs up to record highs across the country, pulling American households into paying the price. When utility companies spend billions on new electricity infrastructure to support data centers, they may charge more to local households connected to the grid to offset that cost. In some communities, Americans’ bills have skyrocketed by more than 250 percent over just the past five years. “In short, we are concerned that Secretary Lutnick’s official actions to boost AI data centers could be influenced by his conflicts of interest — and that these actions come at the expense of everyday Americans who are forced to bear the higher energy costs of the data centers that are inflating the Lutnick family’s wealth,” wrote the lawmakers. Senator Warren, Representative Dean, and the other members pressed the Acting Inspector General to carefully review the ethics concerns surrounding Secretary Lutnick and his family, including whether Secretary Lutnick has violated his obligations as a public official. Senator Warren has long raised concerns about Secretary Lutnick’s apparent ethics issues: In August, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Brandon Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., about possible conflicts of interest and insider trading stemming from the bets that his firm is reportedly making on the legality of the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs. In March, Senator Warren and Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics demanding an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for potentially violating federal ethics laws. In January, ahead of his nomination hearing, Sen. Warren pressed Howard Lutnick on his serious financial conflicts and personal and professional ties to the scandal-ridden cryptocurrency Tether. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-nadler-blumenthal-push-for-investigation-of-transportation-sec-duffys-conflicts-as-former-airline-lobbyist-amid-passenger-protection-rule-rollbacks,"Warren, Nadler, Blumenthal Push For Investigation of Transportation Sec. Duffy's Conflicts As Former Airline Lobbyist Amid Passenger Protection Rule Rollbacks",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Nadler, Blumenthal Push For Investigation of Transportation Sec. Duffy's Conflicts As Former Airline Lobbyist Amid Passenger Protection Rule Rollbacks “We are very concerned that Secretary Duffy may have eliminated protections for American travelers (...) in part, as a result of conflicts of interest.” As many Americans struggle to afford travel, these changes will hit them right in the wallet Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) wrote to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) urging him to conduct an investigation into whether Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s conflicts of interest contributed to his department ending passenger protection rules, and whether he has favored the airline industry that he previously lobbied for. Instead of working to make air travel more affordable this holiday season, Secretary Duffy has: ended protections that would’ve required airlines to automatically send passengers cash refunds for certain expenses resulting from flight cancellations or delays of more than 3 hours caused by the airline; halted a rule that required airlines to refund travelers when they canceled flights and rebooked passengers with a different flight number; released new guidance informing airlines that they no longer have to compensate passengers for expenses incurred as a result of delays and cancellations caused by aircraft recalls; and more. “The impact of these changes will hit travelers right in the wallet: airlines will keep billions of extra dollars that otherwise would have gone toward reimbursing Americans who the industry has left stranded in airports across the country,” wrote the lawmakers. “These wins for airlines were delivered by a former industry lobbyist who now leads DOT, Secretary Duffy.” Before becoming Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Duffy worked at the lobbying firm BGR Government Affairs, working as an airline industry lobbyist in 2020, and consultant as recently as 2024. He formerly worked for the airline industry coalition Partnership for Open Skies, representing major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. He also has maintained a relationship with his former firm, previously serving as a member of BGR’s advisory board and a consultant for BGR clients, and even last week attending a sporting event in the suite of BGR’s managing director. The lawmakers laid out their concerns that Secretary Duffy may have ended protections for travelers not based on the good of flying Americans but, at least in part, as a result of conflicts of interest and potential bias related to his former client’s airline members. Given the lawmakers’ concerns about bias and conflicts of interest and whether they may have affected the DOT rulemaking process, lawmakers are asking the DOT’s OIG to evaluate the Secretary’s compliance with federal ethics laws and his involvement in regulatory matters that may affect his former clients. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/oversight/letters/warren-casar-warn-doj-fcc-of-potential-competition-cost-issues-involving-atandt-and-spacex-deals-with-echostar,"Warren, Casar Warn DOJ, FCC of Potential Competition, Cost Issues Involving AT&T and SpaceX Deals With EchoStar",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Casar Warn DOJ, FCC of Potential Competition, Cost Issues Involving AT&T and SpaceX Deals With EchoStar AT&T and SpaceX’s proposed acquisitions of Echostar spectrum raise antitrust concerns, may not meet federal telecommunications law requirements Deal threatens to raise cell phone costs and worsen service for consumers by further consolidating cellular market Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote to Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division head Abigail Slater and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, raising concerns about AT&T’s and SpaceX’s plans to acquire wireless spectrum licenses from telecommunications company EchoStar. The lawmakers urged the respective agencies to closely scrutinize the proposed deals and block them if they violate antitrust laws or do not serve “the public interest, convenience, and necessity,” as required by federal telecommunications law. “The AT&T deal – worth $23 billion – will effectively strengthen the market power of the three major wireless carriers in the U.S., and ‘close the books’ on the possibility of the emergence of an additional major competitor,” wrote the lawmakers. “The SpaceX deal – worth $17 billion – would help Musk expand SpaceX’s Starlink capacity and provide an opportunity for the company to gain ‘firepower’ in the satellite communications industry that competitors will struggle to compete with.” In August, AT&T announced a multi-billion-dollar deal to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar and provide wireless service for EchoStar’s Boost Mobile. The deal threatens to slash competition in the network carriers’ market by reducing the number of major network carriers in the U.S., entrenching the dominance of the big three carriers. In addition to raising prices, further concentration will likely worsen services: consumers pay on average two to three times more for their monthly phone bills in markets with only three network operators compared to markets with four network operators, and download speeds are half as fast in markets with three network operators compared to four. “AT&T’s acquisition of EchoStar’s spectrum will entrench the three main network providers’ dominance and limit choices for almost every home in the U.S., harming both consumers and competition within the wireless industry,” wrote the lawmakers. Just weeks after the AT&T-EchoStar deal was announced, EchoStar announced an additional sale of spectrum to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. SpaceX’s potential acquisition of these spectrum licenses raises fresh competition concerns within the satellite industry, as it could enable SpaceX to embed itself in the mobile carrier market while not directly challenging the dominant mobile carriers. The SpaceX-EchoStar deal also raises significant potential corruption concerns related to the influence of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in the Trump administration. In addition to his massive donations to the Trump campaign and his previous role as senior adviser and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration, Elon Musk also reportedly “built a public alliance” around his company’s policy goals with Chairman Carr in the year leading up to the 2024 presidential election. “The circumstances around the FCC investigation of EchoStar and the close relationship of Mr. Musk to the Trump Administration and to key Trump Administration officials make it particularly important that the FCC and DOJ engage in a robust, independent, and impartial review prior to approving any sale of EchoStar spectrum to SpaceX in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism or impropriety,” wrote the lawmakers. The possible anticompetitive effects of these proposed deals and the resulting consumer harms merit close scrutiny by the regulators. The DOJ has a responsibility to enforce federal antitrust laws and should challenge the deals if it finds they could substantially lessen competition in violation of the law. The FCC is required to review telecommunications transactions and approve only transactions that serve “the public interest, convenience, and necessity” — a standard these deals may not meet. The lawmakers encouraged the FCC to reject the proposed deals if AT&T and SpaceX are unable to prove that their respective deals would affirmatively benefit the public. Senator Warren raised similar concerns about a related telecommunications deal in the first Trump Administration. In 2020, T-Mobile merged with Sprint, decreasing the number of major cell carriers in the U.S. and greatly reducing competition. The merger, which needed the first Trump administration’s approval, also raised ethics concerns as T-Mobile executives aggressively courted President Trump. Senator Warren published an investigation revealing that T-Mobile spent nearly $200,000 at the President’s business prior to the approval of the merger, and Senator Warren opposed the merger over competition concerns. The Trump administration ultimately approved the deal, and consumers have paid the price: cell phone costs have increased since the merger, and the industry has consolidated even further. T-Mobile’s 2025 acquisition of UScellular prompted DOJ to warn that “we stand at a pivotal moment for the wireless industry” after “a decades-long trend toward consolidation-by-acquisition” with the industry dominated by an “oligopoly.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=57F36F10-21A2-4690-8883-E8748B26CED6,"Whip Clark on Extending ACA Tax Credits: “We Are Ready To Vote, Mr. Speaker.”",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, with 218 signatures on Democrats’ discharge petition, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) took to the House Floor to demand an immediate vote on legislation to stop the GOP’s premium hikes. Below is a transcript of her remarks: ""My question to the Republican Party is: What are you doing? What are you doing? Why won’t you use your immense power as the majority to help the American people? ""The bill before us does nothing for the 15 million Americans who are about to lose their health insurance. The 1 million children who are about to become uninsured. The hundreds of hospitals that are closing or are on the verge of closing. 24 million people who are staring down premiums they simply cannot afford. ""It does nothing to solve a crisis that the Republicans have inflicted on the American people. ""But, but, but! In typical fashion, here's what it does do. It does promote the GOP dream of a nationwide abortion ban. You found time for that. ""But today's the day to stop these tax credits from expiring. ""You called us back in July from recess to make sure that we voted on tax cuts — make them permanent for the very richest Americans. But now that we have a bipartisan discharge petition ready to vote on today, you can't find the time to do it? ""We are ready to vote, Mr. Speaker. ""You have the power to bring that to the Floor today. Let the will of the people be the will of the People's House. Let’s stop the premium hikes, extend the ACA tax credits, and get back to building a health care system that is worthy of the American people."" To watch the full speech, click HERE. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400282,"House Rejects McGovern’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution, Shamefully Surrendering More Power to the White House",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,James P. McGovern,M000312,mcgovern.house.gov,mcgovern,https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Today, House Republicans (and sadly, one spineless Democrat) shamefully rejected Congressman McGovern's War Powers Resolution, which would have directed President Trump to cease all hostilities within or against Venezuela. “I’m furious that cowardly lawmakers have once again surrendered Congress’ Constitutional responsibility on matters of war to a wannabe dictator in the White House,” said Ranking Member McGovern. “The Founders intentionally did not want any president to have unilateral power to start a war, much less one like Donald Trump, who campaigned on ending unnecessary foreign conflicts. He's now breaking that promise—and his weak, pathetic lackeys in Congress are letting him drag us into yet another endless war that no one except their billionaire buddies in Big Oil want.” McGovern's resolution was a forceful response to the president's recent threats to use military force against Venezuela—including airstrikes, American troops on the ground, and naval or air blockades. Under U.S. law, these actions are all considered hostilities. “The Constitution is clear: only Congress can declare war,” continued McGovern. “Congress must affirm its authority and say no to an illegal war in Venezuela, no to yet another foreign conflict over oil, and no to more endless wars—and President Trump must obey the law.” Notably, President Trump's illegal attempt at regime change in Venezuela coincides with an affordability crisis in America—a crisis which the president calls a ""con job,"" and for which he has proposed no real plan or solution. McGovern continued: “The American people have been clear: they don't want another Iraq, and they don't want to risk thousands of lives on another endless quagmire over oil. They want us to reform our rigged healthcare system, make housing more affordable, and lower costs. Rather than wasting trillions of dollars and thousands of lives on a war that the American people clearly oppose, Congress should spend its time and resources on fixing problems here at home. In a country with a trillionaire, it's shameful that thousands of Americans go hungry, struggle to afford groceries, and worry about whether they'll ever be able to buy a home. Those are the problems on which Congress ought to spend its time and resources.” As Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman McGovern also made clear that his opposition to war with Venezuela in no way excuses President Nicholas Maduro's horrendous human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. “Maduro is a thug and a tyrant, and I'm appalled by his government's countless human rights abuses. But America cannot afford to engage in another doomed-to-fail attempt at regime change. It's never worked before, and it won't work now. We don't waste our resources and threaten to derail global security by trying to overthrow Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, or Kim Jong Un. Maduro should be no different. We simply can't go to war with every dictator in the world,” concluded McGovern. Congressman McGovern has been a consistent critic of endless armed conflicts and executive overreach concerning military action not explicitly authorized by Congress. He voted against the war in Iraq, opposes illegal drone strikes—even when authorized by Democratic presidents—and has repeatedly introduced legislation to overturn the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.",1,2026-04-01T05:41:29Z,2026-04-01T05:42:36Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/17/neal-on-the-house-floor-the-republican-bill-was-put-together-with-bubblegum-and-elmers-glue/,Neal on the House Floor: “The Republican Bill Was Put Together with Bubblegum and Elmer’s Glue”,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) spoke on the House floor to slam the Republican health care bill, which does nothing to lower costs for families or protect the tens of millions who will see their premiums double and triple if the enhanced ACA credits are not extended. Opening Statement WATCH HERE “ The Republican bill was put together with bubble gum and Elmer’s glue last Friday night. This isn’t a plan. It sounds like their argument that 300 year olds are receiving Social Security benefits. Families are staring at massive premium hikes, and now, thanks to four Republicans, we can force a vote. “When you listen to the argument earlier from the gentleman from Texas, he said Republicans have never had a chance to vote on the Affordable Care Act. This morning, we want to give you a chance. Speaker Johnson could end this crisis and bring the bill up. Instead, they’re wasting time on this dusty bill that will increase the number of uninsured Americans, and that is a fact. “People don’t need health care that costs more and covers less. To stave off this crisis, this bipartisan discharge petition is a workable path forward. And over the course of the next few minutes, we intend to tell you why. “I reserve the balance of my time.” Closing Statement WATCH HERE “ Mr. Speaker, my constituent company, Merriam-Webster, declared this week that the word of the year is ‘slop.’ And is it appropriate today. This bill won’t lower costs. Without the ACA tax credits, costs are gonna skyrocket for the American people. That’s a bombshell report. “They’re undermining protections and forcing people into junk plans. The only path forward is Leader Jeffries’s discharge petition. Three year extension, clear and clean, bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, urge Speaker Johnson to bring this legislation up, and I yield back my time.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/17/neal-statement-on-jeffries-discharge-petition/,Neal Statement on Jeffries Discharge Petition,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – President Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. military operations... WATCH HERE by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – U.S. Rep. Richard Neal toured Holyoke High School to... By Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — With work on MBTA subway cars ready to ramp up... SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier Springfield U.S. Representative Richard Neal said Tuesday... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier There's been some confusion whether there are talks going on... (As prepared for delivery) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s been over a year of the Republican trifecta in...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/17/neal-statement-on-war-powers-resolution-votes/,Neal Statement on War Powers Resolution Votes,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after voting in favor of both H.Con.Res. 61 – Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere, and H.Con.Res. 64 – To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress. “The military actions we have witnessed from this administration over the course of the last several months fly directly in the face of Congress’s war powers under Article I of the Constitution. Congress was not briefed on military operations in the Caribbean for months, has not authorized any of these strikes, and has not been provided with a clear military objective. “The President’s dangerous expansion and abuse of presidential authority risks dragging us into another endless war, one that the American people do not want. That is precisely why our Founders entrusted Congress with the constitutional authority to decide matters of war, not the President. “The President has not sought an Authorization for Use of Military Force for these particular actions. As a coequal branch of government, it is incumbent upon Congress to rein in this overreach, assert its constitutional role, and reaffirm that decisions of war rest with the people’s representative, not unilateral executive action.” The bill text for H.Con.Res. 61 can be found here. The bill text for H.Con.Res. 64 can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3702,Trahan Demands Vote on Bipartisan Bill to Save Americans’ Health Care,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, criticized the Republican health care plan being considered on the House floor and called for an immediate vote on bipartisan legislation to prevent health care premiums from surging for 20 million Americans. “Nothing in this Republican health care plan will stop Americans’ health care premiums from skyrocketing,” Congresswoman Trahan said on the House floor. “When this bill fails to become law, and it will fail, 20 million Americans will see their premiums surge on January 1. Many will not even be able to afford hundreds or even thousands more each month, and they will lose their health coverage altogether.” CLICK HERE or the image below to view Trahan’s full remarks on the House floor. A transcript is embedded below. Despite repeated claims from House Republicans that their health care “plan” would lower costs and protect coverage, an independent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that H.R. 6703 would do little to prevent premium increases for 20 million Americans beginning in January, while causing an additional 100,000 people to lose their health coverage. This comes on top of the 15 million Americans projected to lose coverage as a result of Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which cut $1 billion from Medicaid, the single largest cut to Americans’ health care in history. Shortly before debate began, four House Republicans signed onto a Democratic led petition to force a vote on bipartisan legislation to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. The legislation would protect coverage for 20 million Americans, including 328,000 Massachusetts residents. Without extending the tax credits, many families will be priced out of coverage. According to the Massachusetts Health Connector, more than 10,000 people in the Commonwealth dropped their health plans during this year’s open enrollment after seeing projected premium increases without the tax credits. “This is a partisan exercise that does nothing to address the crisis before us. That’s why, moments ago, four Republicans signed onto the bipartisan legislation to end this crisis and protect Americans’ health care, giving it the signatures necessary to be considered on the House floor,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “The American people expect us to act with urgency, decisiveness, and transparency. Mr. Speaker, cancel this vote, call up the bipartisan bill to save Americans’ health care before you take another vacation.” ------------------------------------- Congresswoman Lori Trahan Remarks As Delivered House Floor Debate on H.R. 6703 December 17, 2025 Mr. Speaker, this vote is a waste of time. Nothing in this Republican health care plan will stop Americans’ health care premiums from skyrocketing. When this bill fails to become law, and it will fail, 20 million Americans will see their premiums surge on January 1. Many will not even be able to afford hundreds or even thousands more each month, and they will lose their health coverage altogether. This is a partisan exercise that does nothing to address the crisis before us. That’s why, moments ago, four Republicans signed onto the bipartisan legislation to end this crisis and protect Americans’ health care, giving it the signatures necessary to be considered on the House floor. The American people expect us to act with urgency, decisiveness, and transparency. Mr. Speaker, cancel this vote, call up the bipartisan bill to save Americans’ health care before you take another vacation. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3703,"Trahan, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics for Servicemembers",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced the Improving Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics for Warfighters Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of advanced diagnostic technologies to significantly improve how traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are identified and assessed among servicemembers during training and in combat environments. “Too many servicemembers are returning home with traumatic brain injuries that go undiagnosed or untreated because our diagnostic tools have not kept pace with the realities of modern warfare,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure our troops have access to faster, more accurate point of injury diagnostics so they can get the right care at the right time, protect their long term health, and maintain mission readiness.” “Our servicemembers face intense physical demands in both training and combat, and we owe them the best tools available to detect injuries early,” said Congressman Bacon. “Our bipartisan bill helps close critical gaps in TBI diagnostics at the point of injury, improving readiness and long-term outcomes. I’m pleased to join Congresswoman Trahan to advance better data and faster diagnosis, leading to better care for those who serve.” Since 2000, more than 500,000 servicemembers have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as a result of explosions, falls, and other incidents. Despite the scope of the problem, a recent U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) report found persistent gaps in the identification and treatment of TBI, suggesting the true number of servicemembers affected may be far higher. The Improving Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics for Warfighters Act would establish a pilot program within the Department of Defense to support the development and use of point of injury TBI diagnostic devices in operational settings. The program would: Evaluate and support the research, development, testing, and production of innovative TBI diagnostic devices, including helping transition promising technologies from prototyping to deployment. Assess whether covered diagnostic tools can accurately distinguish mild TBI from moderate or severe TBI and be effectively integrated with existing diagnostic methods. Examine how improved diagnostic technologies can enhance military readiness and reduce the long-term medical burden of TBI through more accurate and timely assessment of acute exposure. A copy of the bipartisan legislation introduced today can be accessed HERE. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-blumenthal-demand-bondi-recuse-from-warner-bros-deal-review-amid-apparent-conflicts-of-interest-trump-doj-cloud-of-corruption,"Warren, Blumenthal Demand Bondi Recuse from Warner Bros. Deal Review Amid Apparent Conflicts of Interest, Trump DOJ Cloud of Corruption",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Blumenthal Demand Bondi Recuse from Warner Bros. Deal Review Amid Apparent Conflicts of Interest, Trump DOJ Cloud of Corruption Attorney General Pam Bondi’s former lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, reportedly representing both Paramount and Netflix; advised Paramount on Skydance merger AG Bondi’s ethics agreement includes pledge not to participate “in any particular matter involving specific parties in which (she) knows Ballard Partners is a party or represents a party” until February 4 Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s review of any Warner Bros. merger due to potential conflicts of interest related to her former employer, lobbying firm Ballard Partners. A DOJ spokesperson has indicated that Bondi will lead the Trump administration’s review of the merger, alongside DOJ Antitrust head Gail Slater. Prior to her nomination for Attorney General, Bondi spent six years as a lobbyist at Ballard Partners, a favorite firm among companies with business before the Trump administration. Since Bondi’s nomination as Attorney General, Ballard has taken on both Netflix and Paramount as clients. Disclosures from as recently as October confirm that Ballard continues to lobby for both companies, and the lobby shop was reportedly involved in the Paramount-Skydance merger earlier this year. Now, as both Netflix and Paramount vie for Warner Bros., Bondi is set to have significant involvement in the Trump administration’s review of either deal. “In line with our anti-corruption oversight and legislative priorities, and given the cloud of corruption surrounding this merger and your former employer Ballard’s potential role in this merger, we ask that you recuse yourself from the review of this purchase,” wrote the lawmakers. Giant corporations appear to be using Ballard Partners as a tool to curry favor with the Trump administration. Reports have revealed that among the clients for whom Ballard reported lobbying DOJ this year, all but one signed with the firm since Trump’s election and Bondi’s nomination for attorney general, and that the company recently had its most lucrative quarter ever reported. Ballard is already enmeshed in the cloud of corruption surrounding the White House. Reports revealed that Ballard lobbyists were instrumental in connecting their corporate clients with fundraisers for President Donald Trump’s ballroom, and nearly half of the corporations known to be funding the ballroom—11 out of 26 publicly reported corporate donors—are Ballard’s clients. This is not the first time Ballard’s involvement has raised questions of improper influence in DOJ deal reviews. In July, AG Bondi’s DOJ dropped its challenge to the $570 million merger between American Express Global Business Travel and CWT Holdings after Amex GBT paid Ballard Partners to lobby the DOJ on antitrust matters. This followed the DOJ's decision to abruptly settle, just days before trial, its case to block HPE from acquiring Juniper Networks. A senior Trump administration official who was fired in the wake of this scandal raised alarm about “companies … hiring lawyers and influence peddlers to bolster their MAGA credentials and pervert traditional law enforcement” and warned that the DOJ is “now overwhelmed with lobbyists with little antitrust expertise going above the antitrust division leadership seeking special favors with warm hugs.” Federal regulations require government employees to maintain a basic public service obligation to avoid any actions that would so much as create the appearance of violating the law. Bondi signed an Ethics Agreement pledging not to participate “in any particular matter involving specific parties in which (she) knows Ballard Partners is a party or represents a party” for one year after confirmation, until February 4, 2026. But even after the February deadline, Bondi’s involvement in the Netflix-Paramount matter would raise the appearance of serious impropriety and threaten to violate her obligations as a public servant. “DOJ must guarantee that any review of a potential Warner Bros. transaction is decided based upon the law, not perverted by political favoritism and cronyism—particularly given the stakes of this case for consumers. Regardless of which of these two giant media conglomerates wins the bid for Warner Bros., a takeover will further consolidate the media market—risking higher prices and less variety for consumers,” wrote the lawmakers. The lawmakers’ call for Bondi’s recusal follows a long pattern of ethics concerns surrounding the potential Warner Bros. deal. Donald Trump recently confirmed he would be “involved” in the ongoing Warner Bros. bidding war and suggested CNN should be sold as part of any deal, raising the specter of the President leveraging a possible merger to censor a prominent news network that he has openly criticized. Paramount’s bid reportedly includes funding from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, including Saudi Arabia. Previously, Paramount donated $16 million to the Trump Presidential Library to settle a lawsuit by President Trump, and CEO David Ellison reportedly agreed to a secret “side deal” to run millions of dollars of Trump-friendly ads. The Ellison family reportedly has the ear of President Trump and has allegedly engaged in conversations with the White House. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has also reportedly worked to obtain President Trump’s approval, meeting with him at least twice. Senator Warren has long sounded the alarm on antitrust concerns and apparent political favoritism in the Trump administration’s handling of media mergers: On December 16, Senators Warren and Blumenthal raised national security concerns related to potential Middle Eastern funding of the Warner Bros. sale and pushed Treasury Secretary and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Scott Bessent to conduct a CFIUS review. On December 16, Senator Warren pushed the FCC and the DOJ to closely scrutinize Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna and to block the deal if they determine that it violates federal telecommunications or antitrust laws. On December 8, Sen. Warren called Paramount’s hostile bid a “five-alarm antitrust fire.” On December 5, Senator Warren responded to news of Netflix’s winning bid for Warner Bros., calling it an “anti-monopoly nightmare.” On November 21, while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Senator Warren called out Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison on his own network. On November 19, Senator Warren led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in writing to U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, warning that a potential Warner Bros. deal could be tainted by political favoritism and corruption. On August 1, Senator Warren released a statement in response to Paramount and Skydance’s responses to her letters to each of the companies, describing the responses as “dodgy” and calling for “a full, independent investigation” into whether the companies or their executives engaged in any criminal behavior connected to the approval of the companies’ multi-billion-dollar merger. On July 24, Sen. Warren responded to the Trump administration’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger, saying, “Bribery is illegal no matter who is president.” On February 20, Sen. Warren urged the DOJ to closely scrutinize the proposed Disney-Fubo deal and warned of increased costs for TV viewers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-deluzio-pressure-bessent-to-limit-stock-buybacks-by-defense-contractors,"Warren, Deluzio Pressure Bessent to Limit Stock Buybacks By Defense Contractors",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Deluzio Pressure Bessent to Limit Stock Buybacks By Defense Contractors “Americans deserve a defense industry that prioritizes innovation and competition to help the U.S. military protect Americans, rather than one focused on shoveling more money out the door for shareholders and executives.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) pressured Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to follow through on his public statements by pushing defense companies to limit stock buybacks and increase research and development spending. Earlier this fall, Secretary Bessent spoke at CNBC’s “Invest in America Forum” about his plans for American industrial policy amid China’s dominance over the production of technology and minerals, stating, “I do think our defense companies are woefully behind in terms of deliveries. So, we may have to -- as their biggest customer may have to prod them to do a little more research, do a little few [sic] stock buybacks.” “We agree with your views that defense companies should spend less on stock buybacks and I look forward to a potential partnership in working together with you and the Trump Administration on these issues,” wrote the lawmakers. In recent years, stock buybacks in the defense industry have increased while research and development expenditures have declined. Despite raking in billions of dollars in profit and cash flow from 2021 to 2024, the top four defense contractors, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman, spent a combined total of $89 billion on stock buybacks. “DoD pays an exorbitant amount of money to defense contractors each year. Contractors should be prioritizing investments in research, development, and their workforce to help strengthen America’s innovation,” continued the lawmakers. During the first Trump Administration, the Department of Defense (DoD) committed to prohibiting progress payments to contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic from going towards buybacks or dividends. The lawmakers note that this helped protect national security and prevented billions of taxpayer dollars from being used on stock buybacks. “Americans deserve a defense industry that prioritizes innovation and competition to help the U.S. military protect Americans, rather than one focused on shoveling more money out the door for shareholders and executives,” the lawmakers concluded. Senator Warren has fought to limit stock buybacks by giant companies that received taxpayer money: In June 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to defense contractors criticizing lobbying for tax breaks and asked for information on how funds would impact stock buybacks. In July 2024, Senator Warren urged Commerce to use its full statutory authority to prevent CHIPS funding from going to stock buybacks. In February 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Casten (D-Ill) sent a letter to the President and CEO of BAE Systems, the first CHIPS Act award recipient, expressing concerns over BAE Systems’ history of engaging in massive stock buyback schemes and urging BAE to refrain from engaging in stock buybacks for the duration of its CHIPS Act grant. In July 2023, Senator Warren and Representative Deluzio sent a letter to defense contractors on how retroactive tax breaks would impact their stock buyback plans. In February 2023, Senators Warren, Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Jayapal, and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to Michael Schmidt, Director of the CHIPS Program Office, calling on Commerce to use its full authority to prevent funds from CHIPS and Science Act from being used to directly or indirectly subsidize corporate stock buybacks. In October 2022, Senators Warren, Baldwin, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Representatives Casten, Bowman, Jayapal, and Foster sent a letter to Secretary Raimondo, urging the Commerce Department to strengthen and enforce critical protections against the abuse of funds provided CHIPS Act for stock buybacks and promising continued Congressional oversight over the Department’s implementation of its commitments. In September 2022, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Warren raised concerns about the need to protect CHIPS Act funds from being used by semiconductor companies to line the pockets of corporate executives instead of investing in strengthening supply chains, creating good union jobs, and bringing down prices for consumers. In June 2022, Senators Warren and Sanders and Representative Casten sent a letter to congressional conferees stressing the importance of strong guardrails to ensure that funding for the CHIPS Act is invested in workers and communities as intended, instead of enriching corporate executives. In May 2020, Senator Warren warned DoD about the profiteering risks of pandemic policies to benefit defense contractors. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-lujan-smith-press-trump-trade-representative-to-reveal-whether-giant-corporations-influenced-trade-priorities,"Warren, Luján, Smith Press Trump Trade Representative to Reveal Whether Giant Corporations Influenced Trade Priorities",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Luján, Smith Press Trump Trade Representative to Reveal Whether Giant Corporations Influenced Trade Priorities “USTR has engaged in unprecedented secrecy while negotiating trade deals—with the exception of sharing insider information with Wall Street and business executives.” Americans deserve to know what the Administration’s negotiating priorities are and how industry perspectives and pressure from big corporations will affect the Administration’s agenda.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) wrote to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer urging him to publish a complete written report outlining the administration’s objectives for U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) renegotiations. “The Trump Administration should not be hiding its goals and agenda for this renegotiation behind closed doors…Congress and the public should have the opportunity to review the Administration’s goals and understand which interests have influenced [your] approach,” wrote the senators. As Congress begins a statutorily required review of the USMCA, USTR is required to solicit input from stakeholders and the public through a comment period and public hearings, which it will use to develop its negotiating objectives. USTR is required to, by January 2, 2026, report these objectives to various Congressional committees. During NAFTA renegotiations that led to USMCA, the first Trump administration publicly posted its written negotiating objectives. For this review, though, recent reporting suggests USTR plans to conduct an oral, closed door ninety-minute “briefing” for members of the Senate Finance Committee, instead of publishing a written report. The senators pushed back, arguing this briefing does not provide a thorough report and that the public has a right to know what USTR plans to prioritize in this USMCA renegotiation. “This lack of transparency leaves Americans in the dark as to the Administration’s goals in the renegotiation process—and exactly which voices have shaped USTR’s thinking,” said the senators. In its public outreach, USTR received extensive input from labor groups on behalf of workers urging for reforms to more effectively address labor abuses under USMCA, and environmental groups advocated for stronger environmental protections and enforcement. But corporate lobbyists and industry-aligned groups also advocated for policies that advance their corporate interests—often at the expense of workers and consumers. Big tech-funded groups hoping to advance their “digital trade agenda” called on USTR to use trade deals to stop common sense regulations promoting competition or consumer protections. While big corporations advocated for policies that enabled them to avoid paying taxes in other countries. This input is in addition to the undisclosed number of behind-closed-door meetings that USTR has taken with corporate lobbyists. “In order to see whose interests USTR is prioritizing in its USMCA review, it must provide Congress and [the] public with a written report—enabling the public and Congress to advocate for policies that help Americans and, if necessary, fight back against corporate influence,” wrote the senators. “Americans deserve to know what the Administration’s negotiating priorities are and how industry perspectives and pressure from big corporations will affect the Administration’s agenda. We urge you to publish the report as soon as possible and allow for public comment,” the senators concluded. The coalition asked USTR Greer to, by December 30, 2025, commit to publicly posting the administration’s negotiating objectives and explain which stakeholders were involved in shaping them. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-sanders-to-labor-secretary-new-unemployment-benefits-pilot-program-may-lead-to-delayed-disrupted-benefits,"Warren, Sanders to Labor Secretary: New Unemployment Benefits Pilot Program May Lead to Delayed, Disrupted Benefits",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Sanders to Labor Secretary: New Unemployment Benefits Pilot Program May Lead to Delayed, Disrupted Benefits Senators warn Labor Department’s limited capacity could result in improperly denying Americans their benefits or exposing their personal data “Unemployment benefits are a vital income support for workers as they look for a new job…Mishandling these claims can mean delayed or disrupted payments to Americans who need—and deserve—the unemployment benefits they are entitled to.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote to Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Lori Chavez-DeRemer, with concerns about the Trump administration’s new pilot program to begin intaking state unemployment claims at the federal level. Recent reporting reveals that DOL plans to launch a new platform called “unemployment.gov” that would give the Trump administration a “more active role in processing unemployment claims.” This platform would reportedly intake initial unemployment claims for participating states, which includes verifying claimants’ identity and work authorization. DOL announced plans to test this platform with a select number of states by the end of 2025. However, the agency has not yet clarified how it will implement this pilot, who will have access to the data it collects, or how it would use this data. This launch comes just months after DOL proposed a rule requiring states to “hand over” their unemployment claims information. Since the start of the second Trump administration, DOL has cut about 20 percent of its workforce. About 75 percent of the agency’s staff was also furloughed due to Republicans’ government shutdown, raising questions about the department’s ability to roll out this pilot program by the end of the year. The agency also has not announced which states will participate and what criteria was used to determine this list of states. “DOL appears dangerously unprepared to handle unemployment claims intake, which could have severe financial impacts on claimants in their times of need…This raises concerns about DOL’s capacity to handle its basic statutory functions—let alone take on other responsibilities,” wrote the senators. If DOL mishandles claims intake as a result of its limited capacity, benefits may be delayed or disrupted to those filing for unemployment, leaving them at risk of food, medical, and housing insecurity. Poorly handling these claims also increases the risk of improper payments and benefit denials. The senators also raised concerns about the Trump administration’s record of mishandling personal data, like its’ storing sensitive Social Security data on vulnerable cloud servers and erroneously placing thousands of living Americans on the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. The pilot program would give DOL and the rest of the administration access to sensitive information that would ostensibly be fed into its national database of unemployment claims, which poses major privacy risks. “[T]his new pilot…amplifies our concerns that DOL will use this data as part of the Administration’s effort to combine all agencies’ data into a master database, which experts have warned that the Administration could abuse to crack down on political opposition—or simply sell to the highest bidder,” wrote the senators. “[R]ushing to launch a pilot program while your agency is struggling to keep up with its other duties—and with little to no guardrails for how you will treat the sensitive personal and financial data this pilot would collect—is not the way to modernize [unemployment insurance],” concluded the senators. The senators asked Secretary DeRemer to provide, by January 7, 2026, details on the new pilot program, including what states will participate, the cost of the pilot program, what data will be collected, how the agency plans to store and protect that data, and an explanation of why the department is moving forward with the pilot program when the department is at reduced capacity. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-secures-wins-on-service-member-safety-transparency-at-defense-department-in-fy-2026-defense-policy-bill,"Warren Secures Wins on Service Member Safety, Transparency at Defense Department in FY 2026 Defense Policy Bill",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Secures Wins on Service Member Safety, Transparency at Defense Department in FY 2026 Defense Policy Bill Executive Summary of Final FY26 NDAA (Website) Washington, D.C. — Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, announced she secured key wins, including on troop health and safety, transparency from Secretary Hegseth on major cuts at the Pentagon, boosting competition among defense contractors, improved housing conditions for American troops, and education. Senator Warren secured the following provisions in the FY26 NDAA: Service Member Health and Safety A provision providing an additional $3.5 million for blast overpressure analysis and mitigation beyond the Trump administration’s request; A provision requiring DoD to provide a Congressional briefing on the feasibility of conducting a study on the long-term effects of blast overpressure exposure in partnership with a non-profit academic medical center specializing in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and with experience working with Special Operators; and A provision requiring the Government Accountability Office to study DoD’s compliance with blast overpressure reforms passed in last year’s NDAA, as well as DoD’s efforts to use cognitive assessments to track brain health, to document service member exposure, and to address the potential link between exposure and risks of suicide. “We owe it to our service members to do everything we can to stop the devastating effects of blast overpressures. For years, I’ve led the charge on bipartisan reforms to keep our service members safe and will continue to fight to get them the care they deserve,” said Senator Warren. For over seven years, Senator Warren has led efforts to measure blast exposure and develop protocols that protect our military. She’s introduced bipartisan legislation to track service members’ exposure to and mitigate the effects of blast overpressure. She’s also hosted a hearing and a forum to highlight service members’ and veterans’ experiences with getting care for these injuries. In last year’s NDAA, Senator Warren secured historic reforms to improve access to care after exposure to blast overpressure and mitigate exposure risks. A provision requiring the Joint Safety Council to provide Congress the executive summaries of Safety Investigation Boards (SIBs) conducted for the past three years and any corrective actions that were taken. “The best way I can honor Jake’s legacy is by fighting for transparency and accountability from the Pentagon,” said Senator Warren. “I'll keep fighting to make sure the V-22's safety defects are addressed so no more military families lose their loved ones in preventable accidents.” Senator Warren has also highlighted the need for transparency around military accidents, the crash that killed Staff Sergeant Jacob Galliher– a young father from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A provision expanding the statutory authority for the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), as well as mandating oversight of critical programs. “Secretary Hegseth’s cuts to the independent weapons testing office put service members’ lives in danger and threatens our national security. We need strong oversight to ensure our weapons don’t unnecessarily risk lives and that these programs are not a waste of taxpayer funds,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren has long warned that Secretary Hegseth’s massive cuts to the weapons testing office would have devastating effects on service member safety. She also demanded accountability from the Secretary and asked the incoming Director of the office to commit to more transparency about weapons programs. Promoting Accountability A provision requiring DoD to notify Congress no later than five days after the removal of a Judge Advocate General (JAG), top legal officers for the military services, and provide a justification; A provision recognizing the importance of judge advocates providing independent and candid legal advice; A provision requiring the President to notify and provide a justification to Congress no later than five days after the removal or transfer of a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and A provision requiring DoD to submit regular reports to Congress on the number of noncitizens detained at DoD installations and the total cost that could be incurred by DoD for those detentions during the report’s time period. “The Trump administration’s politicization of the military undermines our national security and erodes trust in our armed forces. Our service members deserve better. These changes will help ensure transparency and rein in abuse from the Trump administration,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren, along with several of her SASC colleagues, sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth earlier this year raising concerns about how his firings of these top military lawyers would damage public trust and the apolitical foundation of the military legal system. In a March 2025 hearing, Senator Warren also highlighted, and a Trump defense nominee agreed with, the importance of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, whom American troops rely on for legal advice and Senator Lindsey Graham has praised as “the conscience of the military.” Increasing Competition Provisions from Senator Warren’s bipartisan Protecting AI and Cloud Competition Act, which requires DoD to produce a report on competition dynamics between AI and commercial cloud providers, the impacts of competition on overall innovation in AI, barriers to entry for small and new performers, and the impact of potential or perceived concentrations of market power or market share on competition; A provision that will help promote cost-effective acquisitions, reduce vendor-lock, and spur innovation by requiring the Secretary of Defense to ensure that major system interfaces are adequately designated and defined to achieve a modular open system approach (MOSA) and that contractors of a major system interface are delivering documentation necessary to enable third parties to integrate their modules and components; A study to investigate defense contractor price gouging by directing the Acquisition Innovation Research Center to assess whether the late submission of cost or pricing data, a practice called “sweeping” used by contractors to release themselves from liability while potentially hiding data that might give DoD a better price on a deal, is widespread and make recommendations to address it; A provision requiring the DoD Inspector General to review sole source cloud computing contracts awarded under the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability program, including justifications, approvals, and systemic challenges to competition; A provision that will help increase supply chain transparency and opportunities for competition by requiring DoD to brief Congress on its supply chain mapping strategy, including its progress on its implementation of the Supply Chain Risk Evaluation Environment (SCREEn) and its ability to use existing tools to determine countries of origin for materials and single points of failure; and A provision requiring the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (ASD IBP) to report to Congress on the steps it has taken to address shortfalls identified in a GAO report on risks from mergers and acquisitions. IBP must also report on how it will adequately monitor and mitigate the risks from mergers and acquisitions of major defense suppliers, including through ensuring it is adequately staffed. “As we modernize our military’s AI and cloud computing programs, we need to protect these programs from Silicon Valley monopolies. I fought hard to ensure we’re implementing strong guardrails that save money and protect our national security,” said Senator Warren. “This provision is going to ensure our military can access cutting-edge tools while keeping our markets strong and our information secure.” Senator Warren has urged the Defense Department to ensure its AI contracting processes will protect government data, save taxpayer funds, and promote competition. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to help rein in Big Tech companies and prevent them from cutting out competitors in the AI and cloud computing markets when it comes to defense contracting. Drug Supply Chains A provision requiring DoD to report on how shortages and supply challenges for drugs and medical countermeasures have affected military readiness and the ability for DoD to obtain the pharmaceuticals it needs for its personnel. “The DoD's overreliance on overseas manufacturers gives our adversaries the power to restrict our access to drugs we need to treat our men and women in uniform,” said Senator Warren. “Requiring the Pentagon to provide this crucial information is a step in the right direction that’ll help Congress develop the tools we need to protect Americans and strengthen our domestic pharmaceutical supply chain.” Senator Warren has long sounded the alarm on the danger of overly relying on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers, for both the military and civilians. She has led bipartisan oversight and urged the Defense Department to reform acquisition rules to give preference to American-made products. She has also filed legislation to end the country’s dependence on foreign countries for critical drugs and to study the effects of foreign investment on the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. Military Health Care A provision requiring DoD to provide a confidential briefing to the Armed Services Committee every six months on the differences in reimbursement rates or practices, direct and indirect remuneration fees or other price concessions, and clawbacks between pharmacies that are affiliates of TRICARE’s contracted Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) and pharmacies that are not affiliates of TRICARE’s contracted PBM. “One of the nation's biggest drug middlemen may be ripping off our military to boost its profits--and trying to hide this information from Congress. I’m glad my colleagues agree we need to investigate these abuses to prevent price-gouging at the expense of our servicemembers,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren has also called for auditing TRICARE’s pharmacy contractors and raised concerns about practices that may price gouge the military. Military leaders and experts have also testified before Congress on the need for more transparency to improve access and lower health care costs for the military. Military Housing A provision requiring DoD to provide a report and briefing to SASC on the extent to which privatized military housing companies are using algorithmic software, including RealPage, to set housing rents for service members paid through federal basic allowance for housing (BAH); A provision increasing the transparency of landlord financial practices by requiring privatized military housing companies to report their liability insurance coverage and the amounts of payments made to tenants to resolve dispute resolutions. “Military families deserve safe, affordable housing. Congress must investigate the potential use of rent-setting algorithms used to price gouge military families and the federal government,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren has led efforts to improve the conditions in privatized military housing and increase protections for military families. She has long led the effort to look into landlords’ use of algorithmic pricing tools like RealPage to illegally inflate rents on servicemembers. She has also introduced legislation to ban the use of NDAs by private military housing landlords and address unsafe housing conditions. At an April 2025 hearing, Senator Warren secured a commitment from a Trump defense nominee to hold military housing contractors accountable. Education A provision requiring DoD to issue a report on the status of a data match to ensure service members can automatically receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF); and A provision directing GAO to issue a report on challenges service members face in student loan repayment, including scams, repayment procedures, and servicer misconduct. “Service members put their lives on the line for this country, so there’s no excuse for our government to fall short of its promises to them. Helping service members afford quality education is how our country recruits and maintains a fighting force,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren has been a leading voice in fighting for strong education benefits for service members and families, fighting to restore benefits to veterans cheated by for-profit colleges, and pushing the Defense Department to release data on the Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS), a centralized database to track complaints against schools who participate in tuition assistance programs. At an April 2025 hearing, she pressed military leaders on the impact of the Defense Department’s shortcomings on education benefits. Supporting Massachusetts A provision authorizing $55 million for a fire station for Hanscom Air Force Base; A provision extending a $66 million authorization for a NC3 Acquisitions Management Facility at Hanscom Air Force Base; A provision authorizing $124 million for energy resilience and conservation investment program projects at Cape Cod Space Force Station; A provision authorizing $15 million above the Trump administration’s request for the Lincoln Laboratory Research Program; and A provision authorizing $31 million for dining facilities and Expeditionary MEDical Support (EMEDS) for Otis Air National Guard Base. “Massachusetts has long led the way in innovative research for national security. I fought hard to ensure our Commonwealth can continue to be a leader in cutting edge research, as well as securing funding for upgrading our bases and facilities,” said Senator Warren. Since joining the committee, Senator Warren has secured hundreds of millions in funding for family housing, safety upgrades, and other critical military construction at military bases in Massachusetts. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=85C5F0AC-ADF0-4602-8EE1-2E8FED7DE53E,Clark Urges GOP To Extend ACA Tax Credits: “Now Is the Time To Do It”,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Bloomberg's Balance of Power to discuss Republicans' continued refusal to reverse massive health premium hikes. Below are excerpts from the conversation: On Democrats' Discharge Petition Extending ACA Tax Credits: ""We are at 214, which means we only need four Republicans, and there are far more than four who are saying we should extend these tax credits. So we are saying to them: 'Now is the time to do it.' ""We have three days left of session before we recess for the holidays and just days before this tax credit expires. We don't know where they've been. They voted for the bill back in July that ended these tax credits and let them expire. And at the same time, they are making tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans permanent and not requiring that there be any offset in the budget for the trillions of dollars that that is going to cost. ""So now is the time, because we are hearing it across Massachusetts and across the country. People are hurting. They are not able to afford this dramatic doubling, tripling, even quadrupling of insurance premiums. This is a health care crisis the GOP has caused. ""We have the vehicle for them to fix it today."" On the Impact of GOP Premium Hikes: ""In Massachusetts, we know that 10,000 people have opted out of the ACA because they can't afford to stay on that insurance. ""These are small businesses. These are people who need to be able to take a child to a doctor, to ensure their spouse can continue their cancer treatments, to manage their diabetes. I cannot stress [enough] how anxious and worried people are — and this is layered on top of watching the cost of living continuing to rise. ""The Republicans are doing nothing to address this. In fact, the policies that they have greenlighted, like Donald Trump's tariff policies, the cuts to Medicaid, these cuts to the ACA tax credit, to veterans' health benefits, to food programs, all of this is putting even more economic pressure on American families. ""In this holiday season, come together. Do the right thing by the American people and help them keep and afford health insurance."" On a Potential Health Care Solution before December 31: ""I'm going to remain hopeful. ""We're very much watching the process that is going on, as we speak, in committee, where Republicans are putting forth their amendments on how to extend these tax credits. I hope that, if that is not successful for them — and certainly the indications from Republican leadership is it won't be — we'll see then the next logical choice for them is for four of them to come and join us so we can force a vote and do right by the American people who are counting on us."" On Chaos at the White House: ""What we are seeing and hearing from his own chief of staff, in an article that dropped today, is that the White House continues to be chaotic. It continues to be unlawful. The president continues to just respond to world events in a vile and disgusting way — as he did with the horrible murders we saw in L.A. ""And he's unhinged. ""So I certainly hope that somebody has gotten to him and said: 'The American people need you to keep your promise to lower costs and to make sure they have health care.' But we've seen no sign of that in nearly a year of this administration. ""And he has done everything in his power to make things harder and more expensive for American families."" On the Classified Briefing on U.S. Boat Strikes in the Caribbean: ""This briefing was both long overdue and highly disappointing. ""What we are asking from this administration is that they remember that Congress needs to be informed. They should be sharing their intelligence with us. Congress is the one that can declare war. ""This president needs to open up that line of communication and be honest and transparent. And the way to do that is to start by releasing the video of this second strike on the boat in the Caribbean that has been so controversial. ""The president said he would do it. And we saw Secretary Hegseth walk that back today. We thought we might be able to see that video in this classified briefing. And we were disappointed, to say the least, that they are not fulfilling that. ""This is about keeping our troops and the American people safe. And they cannot take Congress out of the equation."" On Congressional Action Addressing Trump’s Military Strikes: ""We are actually going to be voting on two War Powers Acts. Jim McGovern, which is directing the president not to proceed without Congress in Venezuela. And Gregory Meeks, who is going to be addressing in his War Powers Resolution the strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. ""So we will be taking up a vote, and we will have a strong yes vote from all of the Democrats."" To view the complete conversation, click HERE. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/statement-congressman-seth-moulton-key-ndaa-wins-fy26,Statement from Congressman Seth Moulton on Key NDAA Wins for FY26,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"December 16, 2025 SALEM, MA - Last week, Congressman Moulton voted to pass the bipartisan, bicameral Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill includes over 20 provisions championed by Congressman Moulton, including key provisions to provide robust oversight of the Defense Department, add guardrails to prevent the politicization of the military, overhaul the defense acquisition system to make it more efficient, and reinforce America’s commitment to our allies. “I will continue to use every legislative tool at my disposal to ensure the Department of Defense and the Trump Administration remains accountable to the American people, focused on its mission, and capable of defending the United States and its allies in an increasingly complex global landscape. The Defense Department must modernize, and this administration must answer to Congress on all of the major changes they are proposing. The NDAA is one of the opportunities the minority party in Congress has to constrain this administration’s abuses of power, and that is why I voted Yes.” The final bill includes the following wins championed by Congressman Moulton: Requires DoD to share the unredacted video and written orders for each strike against a drug boat in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Provides $400 million for Ukraine security assistance for both 2026 and 2027. This money will ensure continued US military support for Ukraine. Protects university research by ensuring that DoD cannot stiff universities by lowering the rates at which they will reimburse the fixed costs associated with conducting research paid for with DoD dollars. Prohibits the recognition of Russian sovereignty over captured Ukrainian territory—a legal requirement that will prevent the worst of Trump's proposed peace deals. Prohibits the US government from contracting with Chinese biotechnology companies known to work with the Chinese military, helping American biotech companies maintain their competitive advantage and preventing the transfer of US citizens' genomic information to the Chinese military. Oversight and accountability for firing military lawyers. The Secretary of Defense will be required to notify the Armed Services Committee and provide a written justification for removing any Judge Advocate General, making it harder to conduct politically-motivated removals within the military justice system. Also requires clear, written justification for the removal of members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Combatant Commanders. This helps prevent the politicization of the upper echelons of the military, which is a priority of Congressman Moulton’s. Resisted Republican attempts to rewrite the US’s national missile defense policy to emphasize defense— – a recipe for an arms race— – over deterrence. The final bill preserves the emphasis on nuclear deterrence. Ensured strong oversight of the Golden Dome program, requiring detailed annual reporting on planning, costs, testing, and timelines until the system reaches full maturity. This ensures Congress can hold the administration accountable for any major changes to homeland missile defense. Requires a strategy to strengthen multilateral deterrence in the Pacific, ensuring we continue to work with our allies despite Trump’s misguided America First agenda. Significantly improves the DoD’s legal ability to protect bases and other DoD facilities from drone incursions. Reallocated money from a failing, obsolete ship program to modernize the Marine Corps capabilities with additional drones. Ensured oversight of the DoD’s most expensive and most troubled weapons program in history, the F-35 fighter jet, requiring that Congress receive additional information on the most delayed aspects of the program. Congressman Moulton has kept consistent pressure on the prime contractor and the DoD to improve the program and deliver the capabilities they promised the American taxpayer. Improved the efficiency of DoD acquisition by giving program managers direct control over their teams to ensure they can hold their staff accountable for poor performance. Prohibited privately-owned space-based missile defense interceptors. In response to real proposals from SpaceX, the law limits billionaires like Elon Musk from owning space-based missile defense systems and selling them to the military as a subscription service.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/16/neal-statement-on-november-2025-jobs-report/,Neal Statement on November 2025 Jobs Report,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the overdue November 2025 jobs report: “Almost a year in control of every lever, and Republicans still have nothing to show for it. BLS said it themselves: since President Trump flexed his ‘Liberation Day’ back in April, the economy has been liberated from job growth as hiring barely moves. For nine months, manufacturing is down and inflation is up, with the unemployment rate at its highest in four years. Where we are right now is a result of a deliberate choice by Republicans and Donald Trump to exhaust every bit of their legislative might cutting taxes for billionaires and bludgeoning everyone else with higher costs and fewer choices. “Republicans found the muscle to greenlight all this pain but can’t figure out how to lower costs for people. Choosing now to duct tape worn ideas from the past while the clock blinks red isn’t a solution. The only path for families to get relief is if four Republicans do the right thing, sign onto Leader Jeffries’s discharge petition, and extend the enhanced ACA credits for three years. The financial stability and health of tens of millions of people is teetering right now. But for Republicans, there’s no pain for families too severe, no tax cut for the wealthy too big, and no line the President can cross that they won’t excuse— and the people know it.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/16/neal-underscores-importance-of-antisemitism-commission-following-sydney-attacks/,Neal Underscores Importance of Antisemitism Commission Following Sydney Attacks,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement underscoring the importance of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, as Jewish communities mark Hanukkah in the wake of the recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney. “As Jewish communities across the globe gather to mark Hanukkah, the recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney are a painful reminder that antisemitism remains a present and persistent threat, both abroad and here at home. During this sacred time, I hope that the light of the menorah serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope, resilience, and community endure. “I am grateful for the leadership of Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature in establishing the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism to confront this growing and deeply troubling problem. Antisemitism is a profound and enduring evil, which is why we cannot allow it to persist unchecked. It must be condemned in all its forms, and we must respond with unity and purpose to the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts and across the nation. “The Commission has done thorough and thoughtful work examining the scope and causes of antisemitism in our Commonwealth, putting forward meaningful recommendations that provide a clear roadmap for both government and private actors to take concrete action. I particularly call attention to the Commission’s strong emphasis on education, including about antisemitism itself and the lessons of the Holocaust, as a critical tool in these efforts. “I extend my sincere thanks to the Commission’s Chairs, Senator John Velis and Representative Cataldo, and to all of its members, who traveled across the state, listened to the concerns of residents, and worked diligently to produce what I believe to be a model for the nation. At a time when antisemitism is once again rearing its head in frightening ways, their work is not only timely, but essential.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warren-highlights-impact-of-education-departments-dismantling-on-students-calls-on-congress-to-act,"ICYMI: Warren Highlights Impact of Education Department’s Dismantling on Students, Calls on Congress to Act",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ICYMI: Warren Highlights Impact of Education Department’s Dismantling on Students, Calls on Congress to Act Warren: “No nation is a great nation if it shortchanges its children.” Video of Exchange (YouTube) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), in a forum held by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) titled “Dismantling Education: What the Trump Administration’s Illegal Attacks on Federal Programs Mean for Students, Families, and Educators,” highlighted the impacts of Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) on students and pushed for Congress to act. “The Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Education Department are an attack on public education and public schools,” said Senator Warren. “I’m fighting to ensure every kid, no matter their zip code or how much money their family makes, has a shot at a quality education.” Last month, Secretary McMahon announced plans to further dismantle ED by moving multiple responsibilities of the agency to four other federal departments—including by moving the administration of Title I funding, which provides $18 billion annually to K-12 schools, to the Department of Labor. Ms. Rachel Gittleman, Local 252 American Federation of Government Employees President, warned of “chaos and harm” if the transfer proceeds. She explained that earlier this year, Career and Technical Education programs were moved to the Department of Labor, leading to significant delays, turmoil for grantees, and uncertainty for students. Senator Warren also criticized the Trump administration’s attempt to fire nearly every person working in the special education office at the Department of Education. Mr. Chad Rummel, Executive Director of the Council for Exceptional Children, emphasized ongoing “imminent threats” to the Office of Special Education, warning that ED was planning to soon transfer this office as well. Ms. Denise Forte, President and CEO of The Education Trust, stressed that Congress must ensure that upcoming appropriations bills contain provisions blocking programs from being transferred out of ED. Ms. Forte's organization recently led a letter alongside over 80 education and civil rights groups urging Congress to “reclaim its authority and prevent this unprecedented and drastic transfer of authority.” Senator Warren concluded the hearing by encouraging “everybody who cares about this issue” to push for Congress to block the dismantling of ED through the appropriations process, stating, “No nation is a great nation if it shortchanges its children.” Senator Warren has led the fight to make our higher education system more affordable, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable for incompetence and malfeasance. She launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-warren-lawmakers-open-investigation-into-big-tech-data-centers-role-in-driving-up-families-utility-costs,"Senator Warren, Lawmakers Open Investigation into Big Tech Data Centers’ Role in Driving Up Families’ Utility Costs",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Senator Warren, Lawmakers Open Investigation into Big Tech Data Centers’ Role in Driving Up Families’ Utility Costs As AI and Big Tech firms, including Google, Amazon, and Meta, build energy-guzzling data centers and make opaque agreements with utility companies, consumers are left holding the bill for these trillion-dollar companies. Text of Letters (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) opened an investigation into the extent to which big tech data centers are driving up consumers’ electricity costs. The senators sent letters to Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, CoreWeave, Digital Realty, and Equinix. “We write in light of alarming reports that tech companies are passing on the costs of building and operating their data centers to ordinary Americans as AI data centers’ energy usage has caused residential electricity bills to skyrocket in nearby communities,” wrote the lawmakers. “Through these utility price increases, American families bankroll the electricity costs of trillion-dollar tech companies.” As American AI companies build new models, their AI data centers require more and more energy from the grid. A single data center uses enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes, and the U.S. Department of Energy projects that data centers could make up 12% of all U.S. power consumption by 2028. As a result, utility companies have spent billions of dollars updating the electrical grid to accommodate the data centers’ unprecedented energy demands, including building expensive new transmission lines and power plants. These infrastructure buildouts cost billions of dollars: the utility Indiana Michigan Power estimates that building new power plants to meet data center demand in the region will cost $17 billion over the next several years. These costs appear to be recouped by raising residential utility bills, meaning American consumers could end up subsidizing the energy demands of Big Tech. Since President Trump took office, household electric bills have gone up 13% nationally. “Recent increases to consumers’ utility bills are directly linked to the tech industry’s data center buildout,” wrote the lawmakers. “When utilities expand their grid infrastructure, they incorporate the cost of expansion into their utility rates, passing the extra costs onto their customers.” The contracts between data centers and utility companies are almost always confidential, leaving the public in the dark on why their electric bill keeps going up. That’s why the senators are pushing for answers from these companies and asking them what they intend to do to mitigate these cost concerns. “Tech companies have paid lip service in support of covering their data centers’ energy costs, but their actions have shown the opposite… And on top of failing to pay their fair share of their electricity rates, tech companies regularly hide as much information as possible from the communities in which their data centers will be built,” continued the lawmakers. “To protect consumers, data centers must pay a greater share of the costs upfront for future energy usage and updates to the electrical grid provided specifically to accommodate data centers’ energy needs.” The senators are pushing these companies for answers to their probe by no later than January 12, 2026.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-warren-lawmakers-push-fcc-doj-to-closely-scrutinize-nexstars-acquisition-of-tegna-which-would-create-broadcast-media-giant-reaching-80-of-us-tv-households,"Senator Warren, Lawmakers Push FCC, DOJ to Closely Scrutinize Nexstar's Acquisition of Tegna, Which Would Create Broadcast Media Giant Reaching 80% of US TV Households",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Senator Warren, Lawmakers Push FCC, DOJ to Closely Scrutinize Nexstar's Acquisition of Tegna, Which Would Create Broadcast Media Giant Reaching 80% of US TV Households Warn that deal could raise prices, cost jobs and weaken local TV stations The company’s proposed acquisition of Tegna is presumptively illegal because it would allow Nexstar to exceed national caps on station ownership Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Representatives Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), and Summer Lee (D-Pa.), wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr and Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging them to closely scrutinize Nexstar Media Group, Inc.’s (“Nexstar”) proposed acquisition of Tegna Inc. (“Tegna”) and to block this deal if they determine that it violates federal telecommunications or antitrust laws. The letter comes amid heightened attention to concerns about media consolidation, with lawmakers already sounding the alarm about large-scale media mergers, including the potential sale of Warner Bros. to Netflix or Paramount Skydance. “Regulatory approval of the conglomerate would likely raise prices for consumers, accelerate job losses, and weaken the independence and news coverage of local TV stations,” wrote the lawmakers. In August, Nexstar announced its intention to purchase competitor Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal. Nexstar is the largest owner of local broadcast television stations in the United States, controlling 201 stations and serving more than a third of local TV households nationally. Tegna owns 64 TV stations in 51 markets. A merger between Nexstar and Tegna would create a broadcast media giant reaching 80% of U.S. TV households. Currently, federal communications law prohibits an entity from owning TV stations that reach more than 39% of all U.S. TV households. If this deal is allowed, the new merged company would surpass that threshold. “The company’s proposed acquisition of Tegna is presumptively illegal because it would allow Nexstar to exceed national caps on station ownership, creating a media giant that would far outstrip its competitors,” wrote the lawmakers. “The FCC should abandon its attempt to circumvent Congress to change broadcast ownership rules, and should refrain from issuing a waiver to give Nexstar and Tegna permission to disregard the cap.” As a TV market industry expert explains, “ownership rules were designed to ensure local voices and limit concentration. Broadcasters were expected to serve their communities because the airwaves are publicly owned.” Already, the circumstances around regulatory approvals, potentially including this deal, have been politicized. One month after Nexstar announced its intention to acquire Tegna, FCC Chairman Carr said, with regard to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, that media companies “can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” He added, “[w]e can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Hours later, Nexstar preempted the distribution of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and only returned the show to the airwaves after public pressure. For this reason, the lawmakers are pushing for a government process that clearly and transparently enforces laws that protect consumers, free from political influence or backroom deals. Notably, the public is feeling the stakes of media mergers more acutely as this is happening at the same time as the Warner Bros. bidding war, which has garnered a tremendous amount of attention. “The industry’s attempt to boost profits for executives through consolidation ultimately comes at the expense of viewers across the country and independent, local TV journalism,” concluded the lawmakers. “We urge the FCC to carefully review the deal, including by holding public hearings, and block it if Nexstar cannot affirmatively prove that the deal will benefit the public, not just its shareholders.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-blumenthal-raise-national-security-concerns-related-to-potential-middle-eastern-funding-of-warner-bros-sale-push-bessent-to-conduct-foreign-investment-committee-review,"Warren, Blumenthal Raise National Security Concerns Related to Potential Middle Eastern Funding of Warner Bros. Sale; Push Bessent to Conduct Foreign Investment Committee Review",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Blumenthal Raise National Security Concerns Related to Potential Middle Eastern Funding of Warner Bros. Sale; Push Bessent to Conduct Foreign Investment Committee Review Paramount Skydance bid for Warner Bros. reportedly funded by Saudi, Qatari, Abu Dhabi government investment funds and could give foreign entities access to Americans’ sensitive personal data, influence over giant media conglomerate “The American public deserves assurances that CFIUS is playing its role in reviewing whether these investments could pose a risk to U.S. national security and how best to address such risks.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) pressed Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), following reports that, if Warner Bros. is sold to Paramount-Skydance, the deal could be funded by foreign government investors, raising potential national security risks. The lawmakers pressed Bessent to carefully examine whether the deal is subject to a CFIUS review, and if so, to conduct it in a comprehensive, thorough, and non-politicized manner. “The American public deserves assurances that CFIUS is playing its role in reviewing whether these investments could pose a risk to U.S. national security and how best to address such risks. The public also deserves assurances that any reviews are conducted in an unbiased fashion without regard to political favoritism by President Trump or any other Administration official,” wrote the lawmakers. Paramount-Skydance has mounted a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. and is locked in a battle with Netflix over which of these two will gain the upper hand for the company. Sens. Warren and Blumenthal, in their letter that was sent earlier this month, noted that, ""This deal—regardless of which of the three bidders wins—will likely raise significant antitrust concerns and require close scrutiny by the Department of Justice."" But they noted additional concerns because the Paramount-Skydance bid for Warner Bros. is reportedly backed in part by the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If such a sale were to go through, it could potentially provide foreign entities with access to the sensitive personal data of millions of Americans and significant influence over one of the nation’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates. CFIUS is responsible for mitigating national security risks of specific types of foreign investments in the United States and, in certain circumstances, blocking foreign acquisitions of American companies or technologies. The Warner Bros. bidding war is already clouded by corruption concerns. Paramount-Skydance, reportedly the preferred bidder of the Trump administration, has donated $16 million to the Trump Presidential Library and apparently agreed to a secret side deal to run Trump-friendly ads. “Last month, we wrote to the Department of Justice seeking assurances that, despite the appearance of corruption and favoritism, the Department would conduct a thorough, independent, and fact-based antitrust review of the merger, and would not be swayed by politics. We write to you with similar concerns about the role that CFIUS may play in reviewing any merger,” wrote the lawmakers. Senator Warren has consistently fought back against corrupt corporate media consolidation: On December 16, Senator Warren pushed FCC, DOJ to closely scrutinize Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna and to block this deal if they determine that it violates federal telecommunications or antitrust laws. On December 8, Senator Warren responded to news of Paramount-Skydance’s hostile bid for Warner Bros., calling it a “five-alarm antitrust fire.” On December 5, Senator Warren responded to news of Netflix’s winning bid for Warner Bros., calling it an “anti-monopoly nightmare.” On November 21, while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Senator Warren called out Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison on his own network. On November 19, Senators Warren, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) warned that a potential Warner Bros. deal could be tainted by political favoritism and corruption. On October 10, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) questioned Skydance’s refusal to address President Donald Trump’s reported secret side deal. On August 1, Senator Warren released a statement in response to Paramount’s and Skydance’s responses to her letters to each of the companies, describing the responses as “dodgy” and calling for “a full, independent investigation” into whether the companies or their executives engaged in any criminal behavior connected to the approval of the companies’ multi-billion-dollar merger. On July 24, Senator Warren responded to the Trump administration’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance megamerger, saying “bribery is illegal no matter who is president.” On July 23, Senator Warren published an op-ed in Variety: “Elizabeth Warren on Colbert 'Late Show' Cancellation: Is the Paramount Trump Payoff a Bribe?” On July 21, Senators Warren, Sanders (I-Vt.), and Wyden (D-Ore.) pressed David Ellison, CEO of Skydance, about reports of a secret deal between Skydance and President Trump—and how it may be related to Paramount’s recent multi-million-dollar settlement agreement with Trump. On July 17, Senators Warren and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with Representatives Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and lawmakers in Congress, unveiled the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act to close loopholes that allow presidential libraries to be used as tools for corruption and bribery. On July 15, Senator Warren released a new report exposing how companies, special interests, and foreign governments may be pledging donations to President Trump’s future Presidential Library as a corrupt tool to secure favorable outcomes from his administration. On July 2, Senator Warren called for an investigation into Paramount’s settlement with Trump. On May 19, Senators Warren, Sanders, and Wyden wrote to Shari Redstone, Chair of Paramount, with concerns regarding whether Paramount may be engaging in potentially illegal conduct involving the Trump Administration in exchange for approval of its megamerger with Skydance. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-garamendi-press-energy-secretary-on-mismanagement-and-taxpayer-waste-in-plutonium-pit-production-program,"Warren, Garamendi Press Energy Secretary on Mismanagement and Taxpayer Waste in Plutonium Pit Production Program",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Garamendi Press Energy Secretary on Mismanagement and Taxpayer Waste in Plutonium Pit Production Program Without transparency, accountability, and action around the pit program, the Department of Energy may be enabling the waste of billions of taxpayer dollars. “In rushing to production, NNSA has developed an excessively risky program structure, with management concerns around fundamental aspects such as the cost and schedule."" Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — In a new letter, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.), both members of their respective Armed Services Committees and of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, are urging Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright to review the scope of and the need for the nuclear weapon plutonium pit production program, and pause the program’s Savannah River site until the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established guardrails to prevent additional waste of taxpayer funds. In August, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a special study into NSSA’s leadership and management of the plutonium pit production mission. The lawmakers believe that, if properly conducted, the study will find that years of mismanagement have put billions of taxpayer dollars at risk with an unrealistic pit production schedule and goals. “The Trump administration is blindly spending tens of billions of dollars to produce plutonium pits for nuclear weapons without a real budget or plan,” said Senator Warren. “This program is already years behind schedule and over budget, and Congressman Garamendi and I are urging the Secretary of Energy to conduct a vigorous review to rein in years of waste and mismanagement.” “For years I have called for Congress to take action to fix the failing plutonium modernization effort. Congress has continued to pour billions of dollars into efforts to restart production with arbitrary targets,"" said Congressman Garamendi. ""This letter cuts to the core of the matter and asks necessary questions of NNSA, including about the questionable management and faulty assumptions underlying the program. I eagerly await their response, along with the results of the Department of Energy’s 120-day special investigation.” The lawmakers raise concerns about how, years into this program, it is still unclear what the pit production program’s schedule and full cost will be. The Government Accountability Office recommended NNSA create a master schedule to comply with its best practices, but the agency has yet to produce one. Additionally, the lawmakers call out the continued pursuit of the Savannah River pit production site as a big driver of the pit production program’s ballooning cost, even as the site’s benefits remain questionable. They argue that without a comprehensive plan and budget for this massive undertaking, the agency is setting itself up for failure. The lawmakers pressed for answers by January 9, 2025, about the DOE’s special study on the program, the budget and timeline of the program, and the necessity of new plutonium pits for the United States’ nuclear deterrence. Senator Warren has long worked to ensure the accountability of the United States nuclear arsenal: In March 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren slammed Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) reckless firings of federal employees, including at the NNSA, where workers who ensure the safety and security of the country’s nuclear stockpile were fired and had to be rehired. In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Elon Musk with recommendations that would cut at least $2 trillion in government waste, including cutting nearly $2 billion in NNSA yearly spending on plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site. In April 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed then-NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby at a Senate Armed Services hearing on how the NNSA had not provided a full cost estimate of the pit production program to Congress and on how the NNSA had admitted previously that its goal to produce 80 pits per year by 2030 would not be feasible. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-moulton-releases-2025-year-review-report-highlighting-major-wins,Congressman Moulton Releases 2025 Year-in-Review Report Highlighting Major Wins for the Sixth District,2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"SALEM, MA - Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) released his 2025 Year-in-Review Report, detailing a year of significant victories for North Shore communities, constituent services successes, and national leadership on veterans’ issues, government oversight, national security, and protecting our democracy. “As we do every year, my team and I have fought tirelessly to help those in need, deliver results to communities, and fight for the people of the Sixth District,” said Congressman Moulton. “I’m proud of what we accomplished in 2025 and look forward to building on this work in 2026 and beyond.” A National Leader in Constituent Services Congressman Moulton was awarded the Congressional Management Foundation’s Democracy Forward Award for Best Constituent Service in D.C., one of the highest honors in Congress for public service and accessibility. This year, Congressman Moulton’s office: Delivered $18.8 million in funding to Sixth District residents. Responded to 138,614 pieces of incoming correspondence from constituents, representing 32,697 unique residents of the district. Resolved 1,825 individual constituent cases. Delivering Federal Funding for the North Shore Congressman Moulton secured multiple major federal funding investments this year, including: $3.5 million FEMA award to Nahant to restore Short Beach dunes and protect the causeway. $2.16 million in FEMA AFG/SAFER grants for fire departments in the Sixth District. 15 Community Project Funding requests advancing through the Appropriations process that support local infrastructure, public safety, and economic development priorities. Fighting for MA-06 in Washington Congressman Moulton’s legislative leadership in 2025 included: Re-introduced key national security and public safety legislation, such as: The HEADs UP Act The End Domestic Terrorism Act The GI Bill Restoration Act The Support Our Troops Shipping Relief Act Passed the Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act. Pushed the reauthorization of the Young Fishermen’s Development Act—programs that support a generation of fishermen. and sustain our local fishing industry—to the floor for a final vote. 372 bills and resolutions cosponsored. Oversight & Accountability In response to ongoing abuses by Donald Trump and members of his Administration, Congressman Moulton has been a leading voice in pushing back against the Trump Administration and advocating for congressional oversight. Signed approximately 330 letters investigating abuses of power, calling for transparency, and advocating for funding MA-06 priorities. Joined 22 amicus briefs pushing back in federal court against unlawful actions taken by the Administration. Conducted a surprise oversight visit at Burlington ICE and engaged in subsequent oversight activity. Engaging with the Community Congressman Moulton remains deeply active at home across the North Shore, meeting with constituents, honoring community leaders, and giving back to the community. Highlights include: Presenting the 10th Annual Peter J. Gomes Service Award Hosting town halls in Boxford, Tewksbury, Peabody, and more Engaging with veterans, seniors, immigrants, local businesses, and fishing communities Congressman Moulton also hosted community-facing events including a Passport Fair in Salem, an SSA Listening Session in Wakefield, Immigration Office Hours in Lynn, and a Veterans Town Hall in Marblehead. Summaries of Congressman Moulton's achievements can be found here: Image Image",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/15/neal-reintroduces-automatic-ira-bill/,Neal Reintroduces Automatic IRA Bill,2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) reintroduced the Automatic IRA Act, which would expand retirement coverage for millions of workers. The legislation unlocks a key retirement savings vehicle for employees, gig workers, and other independent contractors nationwide. “Automatic IRAs are simple and effective, and they have proven to be a successful tool to unlock secure retirements for more workers,” Ranking Member Neal said. “Across the country, many state automatic IRAs are demonstrating that they work not only in increasing savings rates but also to help close racial, gender, and income savings gaps. It’s past time for us to expand this opportunity to all Americans, and with the Automatic IRA Act of 2025, we can once again show that meaningful retirement legislation is possible in the Ways and Means Committee and in this Congress.” Ranking Member Neal first introduced the Automatic IRA Act in the 109th Congress, and has remained steadfast in his commitment to securing the American people’s retirement savings. As of August 2025, one million workers have saved $2 billion in state automatic IRA programs, according to research from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The bill generally would require employers with more than 10 employees that do not sponsor a retirement plan to automatically enroll their employees in IRAs (automatic IRAs) or other automatic contribution plans like 401(k)s. Smaller employers would be eligible for a new auto IRA tax credit, making this requirement essentially costless to implement. A summary of the bill can be found HERE. Full text of the Automatic IRA Act of 2025 is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3700,"Trahan, Beyer, Obernolte, Padilla, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish a Federal Office of Fusion",2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus Co-Chairs Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) introduced bipartisan legislation to formally establish the Office of Fusion at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. “Fusion energy holds enormous promise to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power while strengthening America’s competitiveness and security,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Formally establishing an Office of Fusion at the Department of Energy will give this rapidly advancing field the focus and coordination it needs to move from breakthrough science to real-world deployment. With world-class fusion companies and researchers here in Massachusetts and across the country, this bipartisan legislation helps ensure the United States leads the way in bringing fusion from the lab to the grid.” With energy costs soaring across the nation, the office would advance fusion energy and accelerate research, development, demonstration, deployment, and market adoption of fusion technologies. In partnership with the private sector, this office would also advance near-term and long-term fusion energy science and technology to meet the growing energy, environmental, and economic demands of the United States. Last month, DOE released their reorganization plans which included an “Office of Fusion.” This bipartisan bill would complement these plans, codify the office, and urge DOE to move forward with their plans to ensure that the United States can continue leading the way on fusion energy and eventually reach commercialization. Fusion has been described as the “energy of the future” with the potential to harness the power of the sun to manufacture near limitless energy for American homes, technology, and the economy. It has the potential to be a nearly limitless and sustainable source of electricity that can help meet the demand of tomorrow. “Establishing an Office of Fusion at the Department of Energy is a critical step toward unlocking one of the most promising clean energy solutions,” said Congressman Beyer. “Fusion research and development is advancing toward commercialization, and we need a coordinated federal effort dedicated to getting fusion energy on the grid as quickly as possible. An established Office of Fusion would provide the focused leadership and technical expertise necessary, in coordination with the private sector, to accelerate decades of scientific progress, give the United States the momentum it needs to lead the world in fusion energy development and deployment, and finally supply fusion power to the grid.” “Fusion energy represents one of the most promising breakthroughs of our time, with the potential to deliver abundant, reliable, carbon-free power while strengthening America’s economic and national security,” said Congressman Obernolte. “By reestablishing the Office of Fusion at the Department of Energy, this bill accelerates commercialization through public-private partnerships, positions our workforce and supply chains to compete and win against adversaries like China, and ensures the United States remains the global leader in fusion technology. Congress must provide clear direction and a coordinated federal strategy to move fusion from the lab to the grid, and this legislation does exactly that.” “A clean energy future powered by fusion has the potential to bring nearly unlimited, dependable, and carbon-free electricity across our country, slashing energy costs for millions of Americans,” said Senator Padilla. “California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is leading the industry with repeatable fusion ignition breakthroughs, and Republicans and Democrats agree that now is the time to support further progress to cement the United States’ energy dominance and establish fusion’s market viability. Establishing the Office of Fusion is a bipartisan priority to support advancements in fusion technology to lower Americans’ electric bills and meet the evolving energy needs of our nation.” “As energy demand continues to skyrocket, the United States must implement innovative solutions quickly to maintain reliability and safeguard national security,” said Senator Cornyn. “By establishing the Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy, this legislation would accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge fusion energy as an abundant and reliable power source to help meet surging demand and bolster grid stability.” Last year, Congresswoman Trahan’s Fusion Energy Act was signed into law as part of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. The law streamlines the creation of clear federal regulations to support the development of commercial fusion facilities by codifying the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulatory authority over commercial fusion energy systems. “The restoration of the Office of Fusion, first by the Trump Administration, and now Congress, is the newest powerful signal that fusion is rapidly evolving from its scientific origins to a commercial endeavor that will power the global economy for generations,” said Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. “I applaud the sponsors of the bill for the vision and leadership in helping to ensure the Department of Energy’s fusion efforts are organized and, ultimately, funded around driving commercial deployment and scaling of fusion power.” “A dedicated office of fusion at the Department of Energy was a priority for the FIA from the beginning. We thank Senators Padilla and Cornyn for their leadership on the introduction of this bipartisan legislation and look forward to supporting its passage. This bill will codify the DOE’s plan to create an office of fusion. The prioritization of fusion through a dedicated office will advance the path to commercial deployment,” said Andrew Holland, CEO, Fusion Industry Association. Full text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-warren-murray-wyden-gillibrand-lead-democrats-in-new-bill-to-halt-medicares-new-ai-approvals-process,"ICYMI: Warren, Murray, Wyden, Gillibrand Lead Democrats in New Bill to Halt Medicare’s New AI Approvals Process",2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ICYMI: Warren, Murray, Wyden, Gillibrand Lead Democrats in New Bill to Halt Medicare’s New AI Approvals Process As Republicans double down on health care sabotage, Senators lead effort to protect Medicare benefits from an AI experiment Bill Text (PDF) Washington, D.C. - Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee; and their colleagues in introducing the Seniors Deserve SMARTER (Streamlined Medical Approvals for Timely, Efficient Recovery) Care Act, legislation that would prohibit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model. The Trump administration’s WISeR model will introduce prior authorization requirements into Traditional Medicare for the first time ever—allowing private companies to use artificial intelligence (AI) to decide whether to approve or deny certain medical procedures for patients on Traditional Medicare. The model will impose new burdensome requirements on health care providers, especially those working in small or low-resource settings, and create new roadblocks for patients—meaning that AI will get to decide what care patients receive, even after their doctors have recommended a particular procedure or medication. Most concerningly, the third-party AI companies involved in the program will be compensated based on a share of “averted expenditures”—rewarding companies based on the volume or cost of care they deny to seniors on Medicare. According to CMS, human clinicians will review any denials made by AI—but the Trump administration has failed to provide clear guidance to providers and the public about what this will look like, despite implementation being mere weeks away. The Trump administration has provided little detail on how patients will be notified, supported, or protected if prior authorization requests are denied. The Trump administration plans for the WISeR model to run as a pilot program for six years beginning January 1, 2026 in six selected states. The model is described as voluntary, but it is effectively mandatory for health care providers and their patients with Traditional Medicare in the six selected states: Washington, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. In addition to Senators Warren, Murray, Wyden, and Gillibrand, the Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). In November, U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) introduced companion legislation alongside Reps. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) in the House of Representatives. The Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act is endorsed by: Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA), Physicians for a National Health Program, the Center for Health and Democracy, Social Security Works, Just Care USA, Washington Community Action Network, Healthcare is a Human Right Coalition, Health Care for All – Washington, Social Security Works Washington, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, American Osteopathic Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, Mental Health Liaison Group, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4D5DEE6A-F488-47E0-B322-0FE5A12BE77C,Whip Clark Slams GOP’s Latest Attempt To Take Away Health Care,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"MALDEN, MA – Democratic Whip Katherine Clark issued the following statement in opposition to House Republicans’ proposal that hikes health care premiums for working families: ""After months of empty promises, House Republicans unveiled last-minute ‘health care’ legislation that hikes premiums, provides fewer options, and attacks reproductive freedom. ""Their plan has always been the same: repeal the Affordable Care Act and take health care away from millions of working families. This proposal is a waste of the American people's time and an insult to our constituents who are facing impossible financial decisions this holiday season. ""If this bill comes to the floor, I will be voting no. House Democrats remain committed to our fight against the GOP’s health care crisis. If any Republicans are serious about lowering costs, they should sign our discharge petition to extend the ACA tax credits for three years. We only need four to join us.” # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/12/neal-blasts-latest-republican-attempt-to-gut-health-care/,Neal Blasts Latest Republican Attempt to Gut Health Care,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – President Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. military operations... WATCH HERE by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – U.S. Rep. Richard Neal toured Holyoke High School to... By Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — With work on MBTA subway cars ready to ramp up... SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier Springfield U.S. Representative Richard Neal said Tuesday... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier There's been some confusion whether there are talks going on... (As prepared for delivery) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s been over a year of the Republican trifecta in...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3698,Trahan Announces Chelmsford High School Student as Winner of 2025 Congressional App Challenge,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced Reya Kannan, a Tyngsborough native and 11th grader at Chelmsford High School, as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District. Her app, “Yard2Yum,” offers a practical and innovative solution to food waste by connecting restaurants, farms, and composting facilities. “Every year, the Congressional App Challenge highlights the incredible creativity and talent of students across our district, and Reya’s work truly stands out,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “Yard2Yum is not only an impressive technological achievement, but also a thoughtful response to a real challenge facing communities across our region. Reya took an issue she saw up close, learned from local farmers and small businesses, and built a tool that supports sustainability and strengthens our local food system. I’m proud to recognize her as this year’s Congressional App Challenge winner.” “Creating Yard2Yum allowed me to build a viable solution for a problem I'm passionate about -food waste across many communities,” Reya said. “Through the Congressional App Challenge, I was able to turn my ideas into an actual app, combining coding and stem to create impact.” Yard2Yum is designed with two main interfaces: one for restaurants and one for farms. Restaurants can track the amount of food waste they donate, schedule pickups, and earn reward points based on pounds donated. These points can then be used to purchase locally sourced products from participating farms. On the other side of the platform, farms can access compost generated from restaurant food waste and sell their produce directly through the app. This creates a reliable channel for farms to connect with local restaurants and strengthen their businesses. Reya was inspired to create the app after working at her father’s restaurant, where she saw large amounts of food scraps thrown away each day and noticed the financial burden of costly disposal services. Her curiosity about the broader food system led her to speak with farms across New England. One Massachusetts farmer shared that rising compost prices were making it difficult to maintain production. Recognizing the opportunity to bridge these challenges, Reya developed Yard2Yum to convert discarded food into compost that supports farmers while reducing waste and creating a more sustainable local food cycle. About the Congressional App Challenge: Trahan invited Yumio Saneyoshi, the founder of the Penguin Coding School in Acton, and members of his team to judge this year’s competition. The Congressional App Challenge began in 2013, and since then, the challenge has inspired more than 40,000 students across all 50 states to program an app. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-auchincloss-comer-and-harshbarger-introduce-bipartisan-pharmacists-fight-back-act,"Reps. Auchincloss, Comer, and Harshbarger Introduce the Bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Jake Auchincloss,A000148,auchincloss.house.gov,auchincloss,https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Pharmacists Fight Back Act Cracks Down on Predatory Drug Pricing WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04), Diana Harshbarger (R, TN-01), and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R, KY-01) introduced the Pharmacists Fight Back Act to tackle the manipulative practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) – the middlemen of drug pricing. PBMs are directly responsible for driving up drug costs by thousands of dollars, gouging community pharmacists, and limiting patient choice in federal health care plans. This bipartisan legislation is the most comprehensive PBM reform in federal health plans introduced this Congress. Patients, community pharmacies, and taxpayers have been forced to shoulder the burden of rising drug prices at the hands of PBMs. The lack of PBM accountability has inflated drug costs for families at the pharmacy counter and driven the closures of independent and community-based pharmacies. On average, one independent pharmacy closes every day in the US. The Pharmacists Fight Back Act prohibits PBMs from engaging in predatory behaviors. The bill implements a transparent pharmacy reimbursement model using market-based pricing benchmarked to the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). It also removes the ability of PBMs to limit the network of pharmacies patients may choose to use and protects community pharmacists by prohibiting PBMs from steering patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies. It enforces stricter penalties and more stringent oversight of PBMs working with federal health plans. Please find both versions of the Pharmacists Fight Back Act under their respective jurisdictions under the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and the House Oversight Committee. Please find the full press conference here, including remarks from Reps. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), James Comer (KY-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12). “Americans want lower prices and a fair shot for small businesses. This bill delivers both. With support from the most progressive to the most conservative Members, Pharmacists Fight Back will lower prescription prices and put independent pharmacists on the level playing field they deserve,” said Rep. Auchincloss. “Rarely does a day go by without hearing from my constituents in Kentucky who are struggling under the weight of soaring prescription drug costs. The questions I hear time and again are: Why is this happening? And who is benefiting? My response is the same each time, it’s the PBMs—the pharmacy benefit managers—who sit in the middle of nearly every prescription transaction,” said Chairman Comer. “PBMs have abused their position as middlemen to line their own pockets by retaining rebates and fees, undermine our community pharmacists and pass along costs to patients at the pharmacy counter. Congress has a responsibility to act and that's why I am proud to support the bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act. This legislation takes meaningful steps to protect patients and our community pharmacists, ensuring they can access and provide affordable, life-saving medications to Americans without PBM interference. I look forward to working with Rep. Auchincloss, Rep. Harshbarger, and our local pharmacists to get this legislation to the President’s desk.” “Patients and community pharmacists are being hurt by a system that PBMs have distorted for years which drives up out-of-pocket costs and forces local pharmacies out of business,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “The Pharmacists Fight Back Act introduces the transparency and fairness needed to stop PBM abuses and protect patient choice. This bill is about putting patients over profits and restoring a system that works for everyone.” “PBMs, acting as government contractors in federal healthcare programs, are exploiting their position by under-reimbursing independent pharmacies. They are also steering patients towards and over-reimbursing PBM-affiliated pharmacies and denying patients the benefit of drug maker rebates at the pharmacy counter,” said Greg Reybold, Vice President of Healthcare Policy & General Counsel at the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. “These unfair PBM practices harm independent pharmacies, limit patient choice and access to care, and result in poorer medication adherence and health outcomes, all while increasing costs for patients and taxpayers. The Pharmacists Fight Back Act brings these unfair practices to a screeching halt and will restore transparent market-based pricing for patients and pharmacies. APCI proudly endorses the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, and we extend our gratitude to Representatives Auchincloss, Comer, and Harshbarger for their work in introducing this legislation.” “Big insurers have been gaming the system for years, using PBMs to boost their profits while patients, taxpayers, and local pharmacies pay the price,” said Rachel Madley, PhD, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. “The Pharmacists Fight Back Act will rein in profiteering by monopolistic insurers that own PBMs and pharmacies, and lower prescription drug costs for patients who depend on these medications to live.” “Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have long exploited a lack of transparency and accountability, driving up patients’ out-of-pocket costs for life-saving medicines,” said Dr. Robert Popovian, Pharm.D., MS, Pioneer Institute and Global Healthy Living Foundation. “For decades, these intermediaries, who do not contribute to patient care, have evaded federal oversight. The Global Healthy Living Foundation commends bipartisan efforts to rein in PBMs and ensure patients can access innovative medicines at fair, affordable costs.” While PBMs claim to create ""savings"" through manufacturer rebates and discounts, those “savings” rarely trickle down to the patient. The Pharmacists Fight Back Act will not only reduce beneficiaries out-of-pocket costs by passing rebates directly back to the patient, but will also ban plans from mandating higher priced brand name drugs over lower priced generics on formularies, foster transparency and promote fairness in the system by prohibiting PBMs from steering patients to their own pharmacies; not to mention the hefty fine PBMs will pay for each violation,” said Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR; Rheumatologist; Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs; Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BA77E6C8-70C7-46D4-90B6-D7498FC80886,Joint Leadership Statement on Motion to Table H.Res.939,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued the following statement: Donald Trump’s out-of-control behavior continues to put the health, safety and economic well-being of the American people at risk. At the same time, House Republicans have zero interest in holding this corrupt administration accountable. When Republicans gained full control of government this year, they promised to lower the cost of living on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’ve gone up. Life in America is more expensive and Republicans have not done a damn thing to address the affordability crisis. In fact, Donald Trump believes it’s a hoax. House Democrats remain laser-focused on fighting to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system and clean up corruption. Moving forward, Congress must reclaim its constitutional role as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch. Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust. The effort traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process, the collection and review of thousands of documents, an exacting scrutiny of the facts, the examination of dozens of key witnesses, Congressional hearings, sustained public organizing and the marshaling of the forces of democracy to build a broad national consensus. None of that serious work has been done, with the Republican majority focused solely on rubber stamping Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. Accordingly, we will be voting “present” on today’s motion to table the impeachment resolution as we continue our fight to make life more affordable for everyday Americans. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-calls-out-blatant-lie-secretary-noem-during-congressional-hearing,Moulton Calls Out Blatant Lie from Secretary Noem During Congressional Hearing,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's testimony during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, in which Secretary Noem falsely claimed that the Department of Homeland Security ""have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans"", Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) is publicly releasing the letter from Secretary Noem to Congressman Moulton which directly contradicts Secretary Noem's claim during her testimony today. The letter from Secretary Noem, dated September 2, 2025, reads, in part: ""Regarding your question on the number of veterans that have been removed since January 20, 2025, ICE has removed eight veterans."" Congressman Moulton has been an outspoken advocate for deported veterans. Congressman Moulton detailed his experience visiting the southern border, including a trip to Juarez, Mexico to meet deported U.S. veterans at a makeshift safe house that doubled as the home of one of the veterans. Footage of Secretary Noem's false claim during today's hearing with the House Homeland Security Committee can be found here. Secretary Noem's letter response to Congressman Moulton can be read here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3697,House Panel Approves Trahan Bill to Make Cost of College More Transparent,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan’s (MA-03) bipartisan legislation, the Student Financial Clarity Act, was approved by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The bill would help students seeking higher education understand the true cost of their degree program. “Too many students and families are forced to make life changing decisions about college without clear or consistent information about what their degree will actually cost,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Student Financial Clarity Act fixes that by giving every student a simple, reliable way to compare costs across schools and programs. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for advancing this bipartisan bill, and I look forward to getting it across the finish line so students can make informed decisions about their futures.” Since 2008, Congress has required institutions of higher education to provide Net Price Calculator tools on their websites as a part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. However, this tool has been implemented inconsistently, creating difficulty for students trying to access important information when making the most crucial decisions of their academic careers. The Student Financial Clarity Act addresses this issue by: Creating a Universal Net Price Calculator, which would allow students to answer a set of financial and academic questions to receive personalized cost estimates for institutions and programs of study. Providing a central location for students to compare costs at one or more schools and programs of study, specific to their financial situation. Expanding the College Scorecard to require additional information on program-level statistics, allowing students to compare student costs, outcomes, and financial aid at institutions and specific programs of study. Trahan introduced the bipartisan legislation earlier this week alongside Congressmen Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) and Bob Onder (R-MO-03). It builds on the work she has done throughout her time in Congress to help current and prospective college students succeed. In 2023, Trahan introduced theNet Price Calculator Improvement Act, which would ensure that prospective students have the full picture of what it will cost to attend a higher education institution. Following today’s passage of the Student Financial Clarity Act by the House Committee on Education and Workforce, the bill now moves to the House floor for consideration by the full House of Representatives. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3714,Trahan Calls Out Unserious Effort to Protect Kids Online,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) delivered an opening statement during a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup with the stated purpose of passing legislation to update protections for children and teens online. During her remarks, Trahan ripped the effort as failing “to meet the seriousness of what families are living through.” CLICK HERE or the image below to view Trahan’s full opening statement. A transcription is embedded at the end of this release. “Protecting our kids when they are online is one of the most urgent responsibilities we face. It’s a crisis for families in every corner of this country, and it demands urgent action from Congress,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “That’s why I’m so frustrated that today’s markup fails once again to meet the seriousness of what families are living through. Some may point to the number of bills on today’s agenda as evidence of progress, I’m not one of them and I urge my colleagues not to be fooled.” Many of the bills included in the markup today fail to address what Trahan described as the most glaring issues facing children and families online, including the monopolistic behavior of giant online corporations, the business model of Big Tech focused on harvesting and selling access to Americans’ private data, and the lack of independent enforcement to hold tech corporation executives accountable for their decisions that harm children. “When I look at this list of legislation, I don’t see a focus on platform design, I don’t see comprehensive privacy, and I don’t see market reform,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “But what I do see is a continuation of a status quo where Big Tech continues productizing its users, insulating itself from competition, and shifting the responsibility for protecting kids onto parents who are stretched thinner than ever.” In her remarks, Trahan called on both Republicans and Democrats to work together on a three-pronged strategy to address the most obvious issues kids and parents face when they are online: Competition: Update century-old antitrust laws to better target corporate monopolies, curtail vertical integration, and require interoperability and data portability. Comprehensive Privacy: Put an end to Big Tech’s predatory collection, deployment, and sale of Americans’ data. Independent Enforcement: Preserve and strengthen the independence of regulators like the Federal Trade Commission and allow researchers to inspect online platforms for violations of child protections. ---------------------------------------------- Congresswoman Lori Trahan Remarks as Delivered House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Markup December 11, 2025 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Protecting our kids when they are online is one of the most urgent responsibilities we face. It’s a crisis for families in every corner of this country, and it demands urgent action from Congress. That’s why I’m so frustrated that today’s markup fails once again to meet the seriousness of what families are living through. Some may point to the number of bills on today’s agenda as evidence of progress – I’m not one of them and I urge my colleagues not to be fooled. When I look at this list of legislation, I don’t see a focus on platform design, I don’t see comprehensive privacy, and I don’t see market reform. But what I do see is a continuation of a status quo where Big Tech continues productizing its users, insulating itself from competition, and shifting the responsibility for protecting kids onto parents who are stretched thinner than ever. And it would be bad enough if these bills simply failed to move us forward, but they actually take us back. They undermine the work that state legislators and state regulators are already doing to protect kids. Mr. Chairman, when you combine the weak standards with a wide, low federal ceiling, you get worst of all worlds legislation like the new version of KOSA. I’m proud to stand with parents, advocates, and our colleagues on this Committee who oppose this legislation. And because we’re here together with the very families this markup was supposed to serve in the audience, I want to offer a better path forward. It’s a tech policy agenda focused on real systemic reform, reform that targets the core practices, business models, and market dominance of Big Tech that perpetuate harm, especially to young people. First is antitrust reform. When giant corporate monopolies shut out competition, they shut out the innovation that serves the public interest. We need to break up monopolies – just as Republican Teddy Roosevelt did over a century ago. We need to curtail vertical integration, and we need to require interoperability and data portability. Our competition laws must be updated so that parents and consumers have real choices, and so that smaller companies have a fair chance to succeed. Second is comprehensive federal privacy and online safety standards that finally disrupt Big Tech’s predatory harvesting, deployment, and sale of Americans’ private data. State legislatures have repeatedly outpaced Congress in regulating digital platforms, a fact that should embarrass us all. And even when Congress does act, it’s often in ways that entrench the status quo rather than improve it, which is exactly what we are seeing today. Comprehensive privacy and online safety legislation are opportunities for bipartisan, commonsense progress. The third component is simple: independent and well-funded enforcement. Laws without enforcement are just words on paper, and parents across this country have seen enough empty letters from Congress. We need to preserve the independence of our regulators and fund them to do their jobs. That is the three-pronged strategy that I put forward to this committee, and I urge us to pursue it. I steadfastly remain ready to work in a bipartisan way to deliver the reforms that American families and consumers deserve. And I yield back my time. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-grills-senior-pentagon-attorneys-involvement-in-national-guard-deployment-dismissing-military-lawyers-concerns,"Warren Grills Senior Pentagon Attorney’s Involvement in National Guard Deployment, Dismissing Military Lawyers' Concerns",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Grills Senior Pentagon Attorney’s Involvement in National Guard Deployment, Dismissing Military Lawyers' Concerns Warren: “These deployments are not just legally questionable… they come at the cost of mounting billions of dollars and reports that it hurts troops' morale.” Video of Exchange (YouTube) Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Mr. Charles L. Young III, Principal Deputy General Counsel and pending nominee to be Army General Counsel, on the deployment of the National Guard and reports that senior Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers have been sidelined after raising legal concerns about military operations. Senator Warren also offered her condolences to the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and extended her thoughts to Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, victims of a tragic shooting while deployed in D.C. In the hearing, Senator Warren questioned Mr. Young about press reports alleging he was directly involved in sidelining a senior Army JAG attorney before his dismissal in February, telling a Lieutenant General to “stop meddling in state affairs” after he raised concern about the plan to use National Guard troops for immigration enforcement. When pressed on the report and whether that is the appropriate response, Mr. Young refused to answer directly and then denied the claims. Senator Warren highlighted the impact of the National Guard deployments across the country: “These deployments are not just legally questionable… they come at the cost of mounting billions of dollars and reports that it hurts troops' morale.” Earlier this week, Senator Warren released a new report detailing the Trump administration’s diversion of funds and resources from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement and its impact on readiness and morale. The report found that deployments to the border and American cities, detention facilities on military installations, and the use of military aircraft to deport and transport immigrants totaled over $2 billion. Mr. Young served as the acting DoD general counsel when the decision was made to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles. Senator Warren concluded the hearing by emphasizing the importance of JAGs being able to communicate their independent legal advice regarding military operations without fear of repercussions. Mr. Young assured Senator Warren that JAGs can voice their views freely, stating that “leadership is very attentive to their concerns when they're raised.” Transcript: Hearing to examine the Administration's deployment of the National Guard across the United States. Senate Armed Services Committee December 11, 2025 Senator Elizabeth Warren: I want to start by extending my condolences to the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who paid the ultimate sacrifice while deployed in DC, and my thoughts are with Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe as he continues to fight for his life. And I want to make it clear, nobody here is impugning the people who are on the streets. No one here is impugning the integrity of our National Guard. We're just asking about how they got put there by people in leadership positions. It's been six months since President Trump and Secretary Hegseth deployed the National Guard onto American streets. The investigation that I just released with several senators on this committee found that DoD has footed the bill for more than $2 billion in support of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Enforcement. That's money that was meant for military training facilities, crumbling military barracks, schools for military families, and instead, it was spent on deploying our National Guard to pick up trash in Washington, D.C., and deal with civilian protesters in other cities. So, I think we are right to ask the question about how this happened. Mr. Young, you are one of the senior attorneys at DoD. You were the acting DoD General Counsel when the decision was first made to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles. Now, if an attorney raises concerns about the legality of military operations, do you think the appropriate response is to tell them to “Shut up and get out of the way”? Mr. Charles L. Young III: I'm sorry, Senator, could you repeat that question? Senator Warren: If a JAG attorney raises concerns about the legality of a military operation, do you think the appropriate response is to tell them to shut up and get out of the way? Mr. Young: Senator, the law provides that military judge advocates are able to provide independent advice that's right to military commanders, to the Chief of Staff of the Army, and to the Secretary. Senator Warren: Right. And I'm asking you about the appropriate response. Do you think the appropriate response is to tell them to shut up and get out of the way? Mr. Young: Senator, I'm not aware of a response of that nature. Senator Warren: I'm asking you if you think that would be an appropriate response. It ought to be an easy yes or no question. Mr. Young: But by whom, Senator? Senator Warren: By you. Mr. Young: Senator, not that I’m aware of. Senator Warren: Mr. Young, there are disturbing reports that when the top uniformed attorney in the Army raised concerns about the legality of using National Guard soldiers and other DoD resources for immigration enforcement, you told him to “stop meddling in state affairs.” And then shortly after that, Secretary Hegseth fired the JAG officer with no explanation. Mr. Young, the report does not have a direct quote, but is it true that you said something along those lines? Mr. Young: Senator, the context of that is that the officer was wanting to comment on whether the state, in a state capacity, could provide personnel who were in a state status, not in a federal military status, not part of the Army, to help assist. And so we have many missions, Senator, that are occurring on the border right now. We have 3000, approximately, National Guard personnel. Senator Warren: So, your answer is to confirm that report, and that is what you said, is that right? Mr. Young: That is not what I said. Senator Warren: So, you're saying you didn't say that. Mr. Young: I did not say that. Senator Warren: Well, I'm glad you said you didn't say it, because this is not the only report of JAG being sidelined by this administration, and I'm glad you think it might be inappropriate for JAG to be sidelined. More recently, the senior JAG at SOUTHCOM was reportedly overruled when he objected that the boat strikes near Venezuela are extrajudicial killings. Look, these deployments are not just legally questionable. They come at an extreme cost, and they come at the cost of mounting billions of dollars, and at reports that it hurts troops' morale. In fact, the first Trump administration discontinued military support to DHS at the border and detention facilities, citing both the cost and the fact that our troops were demoralized by being put in that position. So, I think it's exactly right that we are raising these questions and whether or not JAG is receiving the appropriate opportunity to weigh in on illegal orders. If you say you didn't say it, then I trust what that means is you don't intend to say it, and you do not intend to sideline JAG when they raise questions about legality. Do I have that right, Mr. Young? Mr. Young: Senator, it's been my experience, having been a judge advocate in both the Air Force and in the Army with almost 30 years of judge advocate experience, that the judge advocates are able to quickly and clearly communicate their concerns to leadership and that leadership is very attentive to their concerns when they're raised and they have the ability to provide that advice. Senator Warren: Look, I don't have concerns about the judge advocates. I have concerns about leadership and whether or not they are being sidelined. And I take it that what you're saying is they should not be sidelined. It is important for our troops that they not be. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/10/neal-opening-statement-at-health-social-security-trade-and-tax-markup/,"Neal Opening Statement at Health, Social Security, Trade, and Tax Markup",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. After two months apart, it’s nice to see the whole Committee meet together again. There is certainly a lot of work in front of us to meet the needs of the American people, combat the Republican affordability crisis, keep their health care costs low, and deliver good jobs, higher wages, and better, easier lives. The American people have made it clear that the Republican agenda isn’t delivering for them. Month after month, the President’s trade war has driven prices through the roof, his policies are choking economic growth and hiring, and his disregard for the people’s health care has families scrambling as they look to fork over hundreds or thousands more, or forego coverage altogether. Republicans have enabled and rubberstamped this crisis all the way, showering the ultra-wealthy with cash as families squeeze from the pain of higher costs. And the President? He’s made it known he couldn’t care less. In fact, I haven’t heard a thing from the other side since the President lashed out at struggling Americans, deflecting their affordability fears as a ‘Democrat scam.’ This is the only Administration that has had to continuously create relief valves for their own policies. A $12 billion bailout for farmers buckling under the weight of a needless and illegal trade war? Has any Republican considered that this Committee, this Congress, should perhaps reassert its own Constitutional authority and mitigate the need for these bailouts with a vote to end the tariffs? These price hikes could be reversed with a single vote in this body! We’re just weeks away from Republicans allowing the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits to expire. Let’s be clear about the success of those credits: they put thousands of dollars back into people’s pockets and led to record enrollment in the marketplace. More Americans than ever are covered thanks to these Democrat investments that didn’t earn a single Republican vote. With the loss of these investments looming, I was hoping that with this markup today, we’d finally see the Republican plan to protect these cost saving measures. I hoped that maybe we’d finally consider the ever-evasive Republican plan on health care they’ve been promising for 15 years. That we’d get to see what Speaker Johnson has said over the last few weeks Republicans have been “working around the clock” on. Unfortunately, the wait continues. Republicans found a way to squeeze tax relief into today’s markup, but not to keep premiums down or help families struggling with rising costs. Not content with cutting taxes on guns as part of their Big, Ugly, Law, they’re now pushing a bill to ease taxes on tasers. Imagine if Republicans showed even a fraction of that urgency when it came to lowering costs for families. Instead, with millions about to lose their health care, with every American paying for the President’s tariffs this holiday season and beyond, Republicans are only offering to stall, distract, and run out the clock. They’ll move heaven and earth for tax cuts for the wealthy, but when it comes to governing for the American people, they come up empty every single time. The American people deserve better than that. With that, I yield back. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/10/neal-opening-statement-at-markup-of-h-r-6500-the-agoa-extension-act/,"Neal Opening Statement at Markup of H.R. 6500, the “AGOA Extension Act”",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. AGOA has been the cornerstone of America’s partnership with Africa for nearly twenty-five years. At a moment when the White House is actively undermining that relationship, while fueling chaos across the continent, leveling IEEPA tariffs on the world’s poorest countries, and trafficking in dangerous rhetoric that demeans African people, it is more important than ever that Congress show we remain committed to our allies. This isn’t the bill I would have written. We are not naïve to ongoing challenges around labor rights and human rights, and certainly, TAA should’ve been included. But the moment is too grave to let it pass us by. We cannot allow our economic and diplomatic ties with Africa to languish under the cruelty of this administration. They are extorting those with the least to give and that’s just not who we are. My commitment to expanding TAA and advancing policies that strengthen worker rights is iron clad, and we all know there’s a long way between the Committee and the floor. I plan to use that time working on the reauthorization of TAA for this Congress. When our workers thrive, our economies thrive, and it’s a disappointment, though not a surprise, that Republicans refuse to meet that moment. Our global competitiveness depends on investing in our allies and our workers—not abandoning them. Unfortunately, our Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member couldn’t be here today, but I want to enter her statement into the record. With that, I yield the balance of my time to Ranking Member Sewell.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/10/neal-statement-on-house-vote-on-ndaa-2/,Neal Statement on House Vote on NDAA,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after voting for the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. “As a member of Congress who is proud to have two military bases in my district, I am deeply committed to ensuring the NDAA reflects our nation’s values and security priorities. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026 delivers on a number of initiatives that will support our men and women in uniform, as well as our nation’s interests abroad. Provisions like a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel, expanded mental health services, and enhanced childcare programs are commonsense measures that will improve the lives of our servicemembers at Barnes and Westover. “This bill also delivers on our obligations to our allies, including the authorization of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative at $400 million in FY2026 and $400 million in FY2027, ensuring that U.S. Europe Command security cooperation activities are funded, and authorizing funding for the Baltic Security Initiative and Taiwan Security Initiative. At a time of great uncertainty, these investments reaffirm America’s commitment to global stability and demonstrate that we will stand with our partners in the face of authoritarian aggression. “Additionally, I am pleased that this bill repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq. As a result, the constitutional responsibility to declare war and authorize or limit the use of force will be returned to Congress, as our founders intended. This, coupled with new requirements that the Secretary of Defense provide Congress 60 days’ notice before making significant changes to any regional combatant command, ensures that meaningful oversight is fully restored.” A summary of the provisions in the FY26 NDAA can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-report-from-senator-warrens-office-reveals-trump-administration-siphoned-at-least-2-billion-from-military-budget-for-immigration-enforcement,New Report from Senator Warren’s Office Reveals Trump Administration Siphoned At Least $2 Billion from Military Budget for Immigration Enforcement,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"New Report from Senator Warren’s Office Reveals Trump Administration Siphoned At Least $2 Billion from Military Budget for Immigration Enforcement Pentagon’s requested budget for 2026 indicates the Defense Department plans to spend at least $5 billion more for southern border operations alone Warren: “It’s an insult to our service members that Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem are using the defense budget as a slush fund for political stunts. Stripping military resources to promote a wasteful political agenda doesn’t make our military stronger or Americans safer.” Cover Letter to the Pentagon (PDF) | Text of Report (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.) released a new report detailing the Trump administration’s diversion of funds and resources from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement, and its impact on readiness and morale. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) co-authored the report. Under a second Trump administration, the U.S. military has become heavily involved in immigration enforcement. Senator Warren’s new report, the first detailed review of the Pentagon’s spending on immigration, found that DoD has committed at least $2 billion to support immigration enforcement through mobilizing and deploying troops to American cities and the Southern border, deporting and transporting immigrants on military aircrafts, detaining individuals on U.S. military installations, and more. “It’s an insult to our service members that Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem are using the defense budget as a slush fund for political stunts. Stripping military resources to promote a wasteful political agenda doesn’t make our military stronger or Americans safer,” said Senator Warren. “Congress needs to step in and hold the Trump Administration accountable for mishandling billions of taxpayer dollars.” “When President Trump recklessly diverts our military to support immigration enforcement, our armed forces pay the price. As this report shows, these disruptions come at a significant cost, in both dollars and readiness,” said Representative Garamendi. Despite an unprecedented $170 billion budget allocated to DHS, it’s unclear how much DoD has received in reimbursement for any of its spending on immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, the military is funding these efforts in support of DHS with money allocated for other DoD projects including updates to barracks, maintenance hangers, and military construction projects in the Pacific. Concerningly, the Pentagon has requested an additional $5 billion for further immigration support in its budget request for 2026. “Diverting the military from its existing missions and thrusting it into immigration enforcement does not make Americans safer. This multi-billion-dollar political stunt is an overt waste of taxpayer resources and undermines national security, military readiness, and resources for our servicemembers,” said the members. The members’ report found that, in 2025, the Pentagon has committed: At least $1.3 billion for the deployment of troops and resources to the border; At least $258 million to support Trump’s orders to deploy troops to Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis, along with plans to reassign 600 Judge Advocates (JAGs) as immigration judges; At least $420.9 million for detaining immigrants at domestic military installations and overseas bases like Guantánamo and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti; and At least $40.3 million for military flights to deport and transport noncitizen detainees. The report raised concerns that, in addition to the cost of the DoD immigration efforts, it has resulted in “servicemembers…being pulled from their homes, families, and civilian jobs for indefinite periods of time to support legally questionable political stunts,” wrote the members. The deployments also unnecessarily put our servicemembers in harm's way: in November, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, was killed while her West Virginia National Guard unit was deployed to Washington, D.C, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was critically injured. The deployment of troops for immigration enforcement has also weakened the military’s ability to respond to emergencies. For example, the 101st Airborne Division — the U.S. Army’s only air assault division — deployed to the border instead of standing ready for national security missions. Additionally, leading into peak fire season, the California National Guard firefighting unit was “understaffed because roughly half its members (were) deployed to Los Angeles.” These deployments may also require units to miss key training exercises necessary to ensure combat readiness, as the Government Accountability Office found occurred during the first Trump administration. The diversion of DoD funds is having a devastating effect on the military’s ability to improve services for troops and their families. Among the projects impacted by the prioritization of border operations is a $1 billion renovation of military barracks. Secretary Hegseth also diverted funding from elementary schools at Fort Knox and a U.S. military installation in Germany, an ambulatory care center and dental clinic to service Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, a jet-training facility in Mississippi, and Marine barracks in Japan. During the first Trump administration, the DoD stopped deploying troops to the border after determining the deployments were hurting military readiness and morale. The border mission appeared to contribute to alcohol and drug abuse among service members, and may have even contributed to a number of tragic suicides among Texas National Guardsmen. The members raised concerns about similar issues arising again, particularly given the lack of clarity around how long deployments will last. The report also slammed the administration’s failure to adequately inform Congress and the public about the diversion of funds. “The Trump administration’s secrecy leaves many questions unanswered. The administration has failed to provide clarity on basic questions about DoD’s role in supporting DHS,” said the members. The coalition directed follow-up questions to Secretary Hegseth about the number of troops currently supporting immigration enforcement, how long military units will be supporting DHS, and whether DHS will reimburse the military. On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on deployment of the National Guard across the United States. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-wyden-sanders-gillibrand-press-social-security-head-on-plan-to-slash-field-office-visits,"Warren, Wyden, Sanders, Gillibrand Press Social Security Head on Plan to Slash Field Office Visits",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Wyden, Sanders, Gillibrand Press Social Security Head on Plan to Slash Field Office Visits Lawmakers raise alarm about whether Trump Administration is seeking to “quietly kill field offices,” implement backdoor benefits cuts “[Y]ou seem to have adopted a slash-first, think-later approach to ""modernizing"" SSA, and beneficiaries will pay the price.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee; Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, wrote to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano, pressing him on reports that the agency has a new goal of slashing field office visits by nearly 15 million annually. The agency has not provided details as to how it plans to achieve this goal. “We are concerned that these efforts are in fact part of a plan to ‘quietly kill[] field offices,’ implementing a back-door cut in benefits by making it harder for Americans to access the Social Security customer services they need,” wrote the senators. The Trump administration has relentlessly attacked Social Security. Under Commissioner Bisignano, the administration has implemented policy changes that make it harder for Americans to get their benefits, including by implementing burdensome in-person and bug-prone identification processes that force millions more beneficiaries to visit field offices each year — at the same time they are slashing SSA’s workforce by around 7,000 and closing regional offices. Instead of staffing up to meet these needs, SSA’s field office capacity has significantly declined. Beneficiaries are being forced to wait hours to get help — only to be told they will need to call to schedule an appointment. Recent reports now indicate that SSA plans to slash field office visits in half. The lawmakers raised concerns that this drastic plan will force beneficiaries to use SSA’s bug-prone website or push them into customer service phone tree “doom-loops” — which will almost certainly force some Americans to suffer from delays in benefits or miss them altogether. “Once again, you seem to have adopted a slash-first, think-later approach to ""modernizing"" SSA, and beneficiaries will pay the price,” wrote the senators. The senators requested critical details on the agency's plans to reduce the number of field office visits, which specific services SSA will deploy for online users and for individuals calling the National 1-800 number, whether beneficiaries will be able to get assistance in field offices without an appointment, the current average wait time to schedule a field office appointment, and more by January 6, 2026. Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room coordinates Democrats’ fight to defend Social Security, encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them, and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400281,McGovern Statement on International Human Rights Day,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,James P. McGovern,M000312,mcgovern.house.gov,mcgovern,https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Today, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Jim McGovern (D-MA), released the following statement marking International Human Rights Day: “On International Human Rights Day, we mark the 77th anniversary of the U.N. General Assembly’s proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the cornerstone of an international human rights system designed to prevent a repeat of the horrific crimes against humanity suffered during World War II. Its authors bridged differences of background and opinion to affirm that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ This universal principle is the foundation of human rights. But it is under threat, including from within our own government. “Congress has led on human rights through legislation and policy. Part of this legacy is the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which I am proud to co-chair. We have seen how people rely on international human rights law not as an abstraction, but as a tool to improve their lives. When foreign governments deflect criticism of their human rights records, we point to the shared standards set by the Universal Declaration and remind them of their obligations through their own commitments. China and Russia are among the governments threatening the international human rights system by twisting definitions to suit ideological ends and undermining multilateral institutions. Sadly, our own government is now following suit. “The Trump administration is attacking this principle of universality by asserting a hierarchy of rights defined by a far-right ideology hostile to LGBTQ persons, migrants, and marginalized communities. They are institutionalizing such bias by creating offices in the State Department for ‘western values,’ ‘natural rights’ and ‘remigration.’ This is offensive. “The Administration withdrew from the U.N. Human Rights Council, sanctioned officials of international courts, and slashed funding for human rights and pro-democracy programs. Make no mistake: these actions make Americans less safe. They reduce our capacity to respond to crises and mitigate risks to our national security. They diminish our moral credibility. America is best when we lead by example. But the increasing reports human rights violations by our own government—from attacks on freedom of expression to torture in detention centers to the extrajudicial killing of people on boats in the Caribbean—do the opposite. When we break the rules and shirk responsibility for the consequences, we set a terrible precedent and invite others do the same to Americans. Instead, we must seek the moral high ground. “As we confront these threats, it is worth remembering that as chair of the drafting committee, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt infused the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the very best of our country’s values. The principles laid out by the Declaration are part of our legacy—and they are worth defending. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3694,"Trahan Leads House, Senate Democrats Demanding Accountability for Army Sexual Misconduct Failures",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led 58 House and Senate Democrats demanding accountability for the Army’s failure to stop widespread sexual misconduct. More than 80 women have recently come forward in a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Major Blaine McGraw made sexual advances toward, directed lewd comments at, and secretly recorded patients during medical exams while working at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. McGraw did not face any disciplinary action until this October, when he was suspended from his position. In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the Army’s longstanding inaction despite multiple reports from servicewomen and military wives describing abuse at the hands of Dr. McGraw. The letter also outlines specific examples of the unconscionable abuses survivors faced during treatment, including the story of Jane Doe. “After reportedly being assaulted during a patient visit with Dr. McGraw, Jane Doe said she begged a desk attendant to make a report. Instead, she was told to ‘call or send an email.’ Jane Doe alleges she called the hospital seven different times but she was dismissed and hung up on each time. The purported lack of response and urgency to respond to these complaints would clearly violate reporting policy and the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program protocols,” the lawmakers wrote. In their letter, the House members and Senators also expressed broader concerns that the Army’s inaction represents a consistent failure to respond to sexual misconduct. “In the lawsuit, female servicemembers and patients noted that a recurring issue was the lack of adequate response from Army leadership. Reportedly, when victims and their loved ones tried to make complaints with Army leadership, they were ‘refused meetings at every level.’ If true, these women deserve better. The alleged dismissive response from the Army demonstrates an immense failure at every level to properly support survivors,” the lawmakers continued. The letter concluded with the Members and Senators demanding a full investigation, explanations on how complaints were handled, and stronger protections to ensure no woman faces this abuse again. “The allegations against Dr. McGraw are extremely serious, and the Army’s criminal investigation of this matter must continue unabated. That said, the separate concerns raised by survivors about members of the Army at many levels not timely acting on their complaints must be confronted immediately. Additionally, we request that DoD IG investigate to determine whether personnel within the Army properly followed procedures to timely report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement and whether other SAPR procedures and existing protections were followed or not,” the lawmakers concluded. Members and Senators expressed their outrage at the Army’s blatant failure: “The rise in physician sexual misconduct across the country has now permeated the U.S. military, leaving women servicemembers and the wives of servicemembers vulnerable,” said DWC member Lori Trahan (MA-03). “The allegations against Dr. McGraw are horrific, and the Army’s delayed response is unacceptable. These women deserve to know that when they report abuse, they will be protected, believed, and taken seriously. We’re demanding answers because accountability cannot wait and the safety of those who serve our nation and their families cannot be compromised.” “What happened at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center is a profound betrayal of the women who trust the military with their care. For years, Dr. Blaine McGraw preyed on patients while leadership ignored warnings and allowed the abuse to continue. Survivors also begged for help and were met with silence, skepticism, or dismissal. That is not just a moral failure but a procedural one. No woman serving our country should ever fear being violated by those responsible for her safety. Our letter demands accountability and the reforms needed to make sure this never happens again,” said DWC Servicewomen, Women Veterans and Military Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “Reports of the Army’s failure to respond to sexual misconduct allegations and the many pleas raised by military women are appalling. The allegations in this case point to a deeply troubling breakdown in accountability and oversight. Sexual misconduct must never be tolerated, regardless of rank or position. Military servicewomen are essential to our armed forces, and they deserve to be heard, protected, and taken seriously. I am proud to co-lead this letter to demand answers, prevent future misconduct, and bring accountability and transparency for survivors who have been ignored for far too long,” said DWC member Sylvia Garcia (TX-39). “No woman should feel unsafe receiving medical care, especially during sensitive and private health services. Yet, far too many survivors have come forward with their experiences of exploitation and alleged abuse by a doctor who reportedly violated not just the basic principles of medical care and human decency, but also the expected conduct of a U.S. Army officer and physician,” said Senator Mazie Hirono (HI). “The Department of Defense and U.S. Army must take accountability for its failure to rapidly respond to servicemembers and patient complaints. While nothing can reverse the harm reported by patients, a comprehensive investigation into this alleged misconduct, resulting in stronger protections for patients, is necessary to ensure that no one experiences abuse by our military health system again.” Read the full letter HERE. In addition to letter leads Lori Trahan, Mazie Hirono, Chrissy Houlahan, Jill Tokuda, Nanette Barragán, Veronica Escobar, and Sylvia Garcia, the letter was signed by Angela D. Alsobrooks, Joyce Beatty, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, André Carson, Judy Chu, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Robert Garcia, Kirsten Gillibrand, Adelita Grijalva, Val Hoyle, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Timothy Kennedy, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, Nellie Pou, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Jeanne Shaheen, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Rashida Tlaib, Norma Torres, Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Nikema Williams, Frederica Wilson, and Ron Wyden. In October, Trahan introduced the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act, legislation that establishes clear, nationwide standards to protect patients during sensitive medical examinations and procedures. The bill follows outreach from survivors of similar physician sexual misconduct, including recent allegations involving Massachusetts doctor Derrick Todd Oregon physician David Farley. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3696,"Trahan, Guthrie, Onder Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency for Students Seeking Higher Education",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), and Congressman Bob Onder (R-MO-03) introduced the bipartisan Student Financial Clarity Act to increase price transparency for American students as they navigate higher education opportunities. This legislation would create a Universal Net Price Calculator and bolster the College Scorecard to provide additional information about specific programs of study. “Families deserve clear, accessible information when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Student Financial Clarity Act builds on years of work to strengthen Net Price Calculators and expands those reforms through a modernized College Scorecard with transparency on costs, aid, and student outcomes broken down by institution and program. This bill delivers on the simple idea that every student should know what they are paying for and what they can expect in return. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to help students and parents navigate the path to higher education with confidence.” “Today, America’s young people face the daunting task of navigating an increasingly complex higher education landscape. As a result of the skyrocketing cost of education, Americans now owe nearly $1.8 trillion in student loans,” said Congressman Guthrie. “My Student Financial Clarity Act would allow students to easily access information about the costs and outcomes at institutions and individual programs so they can evaluate the program that is best suited for their academic interests and financial means. This bill will bring much-needed clarity for the American student.” “I am proud to join Congressman Guthrie in leading the Student Financial Clarity Act. With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, it is crucial that we help students thrive by creating transparency around institutions, programs, and costs. This is exactly what the Student Financial Clarity Act will accomplish. By creating an accurate Universal Net Price Calculator, this bill will empower students to compare universities and programs to help identify the best option not only for their educational future but also for their financial future,” said Congressman Bob Onder. Since 2008, Congress has required institutions of higher education to provide Net Price Calculator tools on their websites as a part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. However, this tool has been implemented inconsistently, resulting in students experiencing difficulty in accessing important information when making the most crucial decisions of their academic careers. If enacted, the Student Financial Clarity Act would: Create a Universal Net Price Calculator, which would allow students to answer a set of financial and academic questions to receive personalized cost estimates for institutions and programs of study. Provide a central location for students to compare costs at one or more schools and programs of study, specific to their financial situation. Expand the College Scorecard to require additional information on program-level statistics, allowing students to compare student costs, outcomes, and financial aid at institutions and specific programs of study. This legislation is expected to be marked up by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on December 11, 2025. Trahan has consistently worked to increase transparency for students and families considering higher education dating back to her time as a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor during her first term. Last Congress, she reintroduced her Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, which would ensure that prospective students have the full picture of what it will cost to attend a higher education institution. A copy of the legislation introduced yesterday can be accessed HERE. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-blumenthal-goodlander-file-amicus-brief-pushing-for-independent-examiner-in-genesis-nursing-home-bankruptcy-case,"Warren, Blumenthal, Goodlander File Amicus Brief Pushing for Independent Examiner in Genesis Nursing Home Bankruptcy Case",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"In November 2025, Senator Warren, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Welch, and Representative Goodlander urged the Acting Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to investigate whether Genesis is attempting to exploit the bankruptcy system at the expense of victims, workers, and other businesses. In October 2025, Senator Warren, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Welch, and Representative Goodlander launched an investigation into Genesis Healthcare’s apparent attempt to abuse the bankruptcy to get out of paying patient victims and their families. In May 2025, Senator Warren and Senator Markey wrote to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking accountability for Steward and Medical Properties Trust (MPT) executives who walked away with millions of dollars despite driving the hospital system into bankruptcy. In February 2025, Senator Warren questioned private equity executive Stephen Feinberg, President of Cerberus Capital Management and nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense, on his actions to enrich himself and his investors at the expense of Steward Health Care patients and workers. In November 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) sent a letter pushing the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission to hold the Rural Healthcare Group accountable for protecting Steward patients and doctors. In October 2024, Senator Warren led colleagues in reintroducing the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, empowering workers and protecting investors. This reintroduction comes after private equity firm Cerberus looted Steward Health Care, leaving hospitals, patients, and workers hanging out to dry. In September 2024, Senator Warren released a statement following Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre’s refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena. In September 2024, Senators Warren and Markey (D-Mass.), alongside Representatives Auchincloss and Lynch, sent a letter to RHG raising concerns over its proposed acquisition of Steward Health Care’s physician group, Stewardship Health. In September 2024, Senator Warren urged the IRS to crack down on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) squeezing the health care industry. In August 2024, Senators Warren and Markey requested information from private equity firm Apollo Global Management (Apollo) on the company’s role in Steward’s bankruptcy and urged Apollo to work in good faith to facilitate the sale of Steward’s Massachusetts hospitals. In July 2024, Senators Warren and Markey wrote to Medical Properties Trust and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, owners of Steward’s eight Massachusetts hospitals, urging them to offer lease concessions to keep the hospitals open and viable. In June 2024, Senators Warren and Markey introduced the Corporate Crimes Against Health Care Act of 2024 to root out corporate greed and private equity abuse in the health care system, specifically preventing what happened with Steward from happening again. In June 2024, Senator Warren wrote to the DOJ, FTC, and HHS calling out high health care costs due to vertically integrated insurers, private equity companies, and pharmaceutical companies that are driving health care consolidation. In June 2024, Senators Warren, Brown (D-Ohio), and Markey wrote to the Director of the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP), calling for USTP to move to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee to run the company in place of Steward’s current management and to monitor the hospitals’ bankruptcy proceedings to protect patients and local communities. In May 2024, Senator Warren sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, urging them to support communities and health care providers affected by the crisis caused by Steward’s financial mismanagement. In May 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Warren questioned Michael Topchik, M.A., executive director for the Chartis Center for Rural Health, on the impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) newly finalized minimum staffing rule on quality of care and called out private insurers in Medicare Advantage (MA) for their greedy—and often unlawful—payment practices that threaten to shut down rural hospitals nationwide, blocking seniors from getting the care they need. In April 2024, Senators Warren and Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to six private credit funds that are holders of Steward’s debt, asking them a series of questions about their loans and calling on them to offer loan modifications that could potentially help keep the hospitals afloat. In April 2024, Senators Warren and Markey called out Medical Properties Trust and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners for exploiting Steward Hospitals and urged them to help keep the hospitals open. In April 2024, Senators Warren, Markey, and the rest of the MA delegation urged the FTC and DOJ to closely scrutinize UnitedHealth Group’s proposed acquisition of Steward Health Care’s physician group, Stewardship Health. In April 2024, Senator Warren delivered remarks at a Senate hearing in Boston titled, “When Health Care Becomes Wealth Care: How Corporate Greed Puts Patient Care and Health Workers at Risk,” which centered on Steward Health Care’s Massachusetts hospitals. In April 2024, Senators Warren and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) called out private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management (Cerberus) for its role in creating Steward Health Care’s financial challenges, following Cerberus’s reply to the Massachusetts congressional delegation’s February 2024 probe. In March 2024, Senator Warren released a statement about Steward’s plan to sell its physician group, Stewardship Health, to UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Optum. In March 2024, Senators Warren and Markey sent a letter to Steward CEO and Chairman Dr. Ralph de la Torre, calling on him to testify at a congressional hearing in Boston. In March 2024, Senators Warren and Markey sent a letter to Dr. de la Torre, blasting him for years of financial mismanagement, private equity schemes, and executive profiteering that have led to Steward Health Care’s financial crisis. In February 2024, Senators Warren and Markey, along with all nine members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, sent a letter to Cerberus seeking answers from the private equity firm for its role in creating the current financial challenges at Steward hospitals. In February 2024, Senator Warren sent a letter to the DOJ, raising concerns about the abuse of the bankruptcy system by Corizon Health, Inc. In January 2024, Senator Warren released a statement about Steward’s financial situation and allegations of patient neglect at Steward facilities. In January 2024, Senator Warren led the Massachusetts congressional delegation in a letter to the CEO of Steward Health Care pressing the company to brief them on Steward’s financial position, the status of their Massachusetts facilities, and their plans to ensure the communities they serve are not abandoned. In October 2023, Senator Warren and other lawmakers sent a letter to Corizon Health, Inc.-affiliated companies Tehum Care Services, Inc. and YesCare Corporation (together, “Corizon”), expressing concern about poor-quality health services provided to incarcerated people in jails and prisons around the country. In May 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Senator Warren called out corporate owners of nursing homes, including private equity firms and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), for their failures to protect patient safety and use of complex legal arrangements to avoid regulatory scrutiny. In May 2022, Senator Warren and lawmakers sent a letter to private equity giant KKR for the grossly substandard care and unsafe living conditions in group homes it owned for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In February 2022, testifying before the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Warren called out private equity firms’ predatory practices of buying up distressed companies, stripping workers of benefits, fair pay, and safe working conditions, and reaping billions in profits. She noted that research shows that private equity ownership of nursing homes led to a 10% jump in short-term mortality rates. In August 2021, Senator Warren and lawmakers launched an investigation into private equity ownership of for-profit hospice companies and subsequent reductions in the quality of care. In March 2021, Senator Warren released Genesis’s response to her January 2021 letter and sent a letter to the company, revealing new information that the company CEO - who left the company in near bankruptcy in January 2021 - has been awarded $8 million in salary and bonuses since the start of the pandemic. Senator Warren raised new questions about why the company lavishly rewarded its CEO after more than 2,800 of its residents died of COVID-19 and despite the fact that he left the company in dire financial condition. In November 2019, Senators Warren and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) wrote to four private equity firms that invested in companies providing nursing home care and other long-term care services, citing reports that show private equity investment has played a role in the declining quality of care in nursing homes and requesting information about each firm's management of this sector.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-raskin-lead-call-for-investigation-of-defense-contractors-ties-to-trump-administration-officials,"Warren, Raskin Lead Call for Investigation of Defense Contractors’ Ties to Trump Administration Officials",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Raskin Lead Call for Investigation of Defense Contractors’ Ties to Trump Administration Officials “When Executive Branch officials determining immigration policy have a personal stake in their decision-making, they may be improperly influenced to enact policies that generate billions for their favored immigration contractors.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) led a new probe calling on the Inspectors General (IG) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) to investigate whether defense and immigration contractors are receiving lucrative contracts because of their ties to high-level Trump administration officials, including Tom Homan, the “Border Czar.” Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) joined in signing the letter. “When Executive Branch officials determining immigration policy have a personal stake in their decision-making, they may be improperly influenced to enact policies that generate billions for their favored immigration contractors,” said the lawmakers. Before the 2024 election, Homan, who previously ran a firm that helped contractors secure DHS contracts, allegedly accepted $50,000 in cash in exchange for helping certain companies win contracts. Since joining the Trump administration, Homan reportedly has participated in meetings with immigration contractors about contracts, potentially in violation of ethics rules. Some of the companies with ties to Homan have been short-listed to compete for lucrative contracts. Other senior officials, like Stephen Miller, President Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Advisor, have financial and professional ties to private contractors who have profited from the administration's immigration agenda, including ties through stock investments, past lobbying and employment backgrounds, and campaign contributions. For example, GEO Group, a former client of Mr. Homan, reported that it had entered new contracts worth over $130 million with ICE in 2025 alone. GEO also said it anticipated that increased detention “could generate between $500 million and $600 million” for the company each year, and increased deportation flights would generate $40 million to $50 million each year. The letter asks that the Inspectors General investigate whether this windfall was in part due to the company’s ties to the administration. One of GEO Group’s subsidiaries, BI Incorporated, will benefit from contracts to supply ankle monitors and other electronic surveillance devices. Mr. Homan has also called for expanding ICE’s detention capacity, an area GEO specializes in and therefore is likely to receive contracts for. Additionally, David Venturella, who until recently served as GEO’s Vice President, is now a top ICE official overseeing immigration detention centers like those run by GEO. Palantir, which offers data services for ICE to identify and target immigrants, and which has also secured contracts during this administration, is another example of these troubling connections. The company is a donor to the White House ballroom and its CEO donated to President Trump’s campaign. In addition, Mr. Miller holds between $100,000 and $250,000 worth of stock in Palantir and his senior policy advisor Kara Frederick owns between $50,000 and $100,000 in Palantir stock. The list of ties between Trump Administration officials and immigration contractors goes on. “These apparent conflicts of interest risk the further erosion of public confidence in DoD and DHS at a time when taxpayer dollars are being funneled toward ICE practices that are increasingly regarded as inhumane,” concluded the lawmakers. The coalition urged the IGs to open an investigation into the matter, including into whether Homan’s participation in the contracting process violates federal ethics laws, whether other Trump administration officials with financial or personal ties to contractors have helped them secure contracts, and whether any immigration-related contracts have bypassed the standard bidding process. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-introduces-noem-act-hold-ice-officers-accountable-constitutional,Moulton Introduces the NOEM Act to Hold ICE Officers Accountable for Constitutional Violations,2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Under current federal law, victims of constitutional violations can only sue state and local officials under 42 U.S.C. § 1983—the statute that underpins countless civil rights cases, including those involving police brutality. But § 1983 does not apply to federal officers. Instead, victims must rely on a judge-made doctrine known as Bivens. In recent years, the Supreme Court has nearly eliminated Bivens remedies, leaving victims with virtually no path to justice when federal officers violate their rights. The NOEM Act directly addresses this gap by amending 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to explicitly apply to individuals acting “under federal immigration enforcement authority.” This simple, targeted amendment ensures that ICE and other federal immigration enforcement officers can be held liable in the same way as any state or local law enforcement officer when they violate a person’s constitutional rights. The NOEM Act focuses solely on immigration-related federal officers, ensuring it does not duplicate prior legislation introduced to broadly extend Bivens across all federal agencies. Instead, it addresses the area where abuses are especially prevalent and where victims are most systematically denied remedies. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/08/neal-highlights-democratic-leadership-that-kept-businesses-open-and-americas-recovery-the-strongest-in-the-world/,Neal Highlights Democratic Leadership that Kept Businesses Open and America’s Recovery the Strongest in the World,2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Charlemont, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Jon Schaefer, CEO of Berkshire East Mountain Resort, to highlight how Democratic leadership has helped keep businesses open and protect local jobs during times of need. This visit comes after Berkshire East celebrated opening weekend for the 2025-2026 season — the forty-ninth season under the Schaefer family — and just five years after the ski resort faced extraordinary economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to economic programs established under the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, Berkshire East and their sister businesses were able to receive the financial support they needed to continue operating. “Today’s visit is an important reminder of what the federal government is capable of when we meet the moment with competence and a commitment to investing in the American worker,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “And it is also a reminder of what happens when that leadership disappears, resulting in workers facing higher costs, businesses facing greater uncertainty, and rural economies like Charlemont’s being left to grapple with the fallout of shortsighted policy decisions.” Berkshire East Mountain Resort and its sister businesses employ hundreds of year-round and seasonal workers whose income supports local restaurants, shops, schools, and municipal services. Without federal intervention during the height of the pandemic, the ripple effects of prolonged closures would have been devastating for the region. The relief Congress delivered under Democratic leadership allowed the Schaefers to retain staff and avoid permanent layoffs, providing economic stability for them and their employees, ultimately positioning them for a faster, stronger recovery. “Congressman Neal’s visit is an opportunity to highlight how federal programs intersect with real-world rural operations. For us at Berkshire East, Catamount Resort and Zoar, we received federal funds that helped maintain payroll during the pandemic period,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Berkshire East Mountain Resort. “In rural economies like ours in Western Massachusetts, every single job has a multiplier effect on families, schools and local businesses. Having our teams intact allowed us to not only maintain our infrastructure during unpredictable times, but also allowed for a faster and stronger recovery once restrictions were lifted. Maintaining a nonpartisan line, we truly appreciate any government program that helps working people stay working and supports rural businesses.” Among the critical economic programs established under Congressman Neal’s chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee, included in the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act and benefitted small businesses are: Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): $390 billion to nearly four million small businesses and nonprofits Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): $763 billion in forgiven loans to more than 968,000 businesses and nonprofits Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF): $28.5 billion to more than 100,000 businesses Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG): $14.6 billion in grants to more than 13,000 businesses and nonprofits State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF): $350 billion to state, territorial, local, and tribal governments, many of which provided grants to businesses and nonprofits in their district “With these programs now fully implemented across the country, we are calling attention to what these funds have meant for businesses and communities throughout the First District of Massachusetts,” continued Neal. “As workers and businesses grapple with the reckless and chaotic economic policies of the current administration, it’s important to call attention to stories like the one here at Berkshire East, reminding us of what thoughtful, responsible leadership can achieve. For families like the Schaefers, the pandemic represented some of the worst moments for their business. They were looking for a partner in the federal government, and that’s precisely what we delivered.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-on-paramount-skydance-hostile-bid-five-alarm-antitrust-fire,Warren on Paramount-Skydance Hostile Bid: “Five-Alarm Antitrust Fire”,2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren on Paramount-Skydance Hostile Bid: “Five-Alarm Antitrust Fire” Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the news that Paramount-Skydance launched a hostile bid for Warner Bros., U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: “A Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger would be a five-alarm antitrust fire and exactly what our anti-monopoly laws are written to prevent. Paramount Skydance’s new hostile bid is backed by a who's who of Trump buddies, from Jared Kushner’s private equity firm to the Ellison family to money flowing from the Middle East — raising serious questions about influence-peddling, political favoritism, and national security risks. The Department of Justice and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States must review any Warner Bros. deal based on the law and facts, not who sucked up the most to Donald Trump.” Senator Warren has long sounded the alarm on antitrust concerns and apparent political favoritism in the Trump administration’s handling of media mergers: On December 5, Senator Warren responded to news of Netflix’s winning bid for Warner Bros., calling it an “anti-monopoly nightmare.” On November 21, while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Senator Warren called out Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison on his own network. On November 19, Senator Warren led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in writing to U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, warning that a potential Warner Bros. deal could be tainted by political favoritism and corruption. On August 1, Senator Warren released a statement in response to Paramount and Skydance’s responses to her letters to each of the companies, describing the responses as “dodgy” and calling for “a full, independent investigation” into whether the companies or their executives engaged in any criminal behavior connected to the approval of the companies’ multi-billion-dollar merger. On July 24, Sen. Warren responded to the Trump administration’s approval of the Paramount Skydance merger, saying, “Bribery is illegal no matter who is president.” On February 20, Sen. Warren urged the DOJ to closely scrutinize the proposed Disney-Fubo deal and warned of increased costs for TV viewers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-schatz-senators-launch-investigation-into-trump-administrations-plans-for-gaza-aid,"Warren, Schatz, Senators Launch Investigation into Trump Administration’s Plans for Gaza Aid",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Schatz, Senators Launch Investigation into Trump Administration’s Plans for Gaza Aid Senators concerned that “aid distribution system that would be similar to the deadly sites run by the failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation… more than 1000 Palestinians were killed near these sites while seeking food.” “The public deserves a clear understanding of how US troops and diplomats will facilitate the rapid distribution of aid in Gaza and relieve Palestinians of an ongoing hunger crisis.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in launching an investigation into the role of the U.S. military in distributing humanitarian assistance to Gaza following the October ceasefire. On October 17th, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the opening of a Civil Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Israel as the “main coordination hub for Gaza assistance.” The center is operated by 200 US troops and diplomatic staff. Despite CENTCOM’s inexperience with addressing humanitarian crises of this scale, the CMCC has been touted as a focal point for NGOs, private sector actors, and international security forces to coordinate the delivery of aid. “While CENTCOM has extensive experience in stabilization and intelligence missions, we are concerned that the addition of this broad humanitarian mandate executed by military units with little experience in addressing the kind of humanitarian catastrophe facing Gaza, as well as the lack of Palestinian officials involved in the CMCC to help develop plans for the peaceful transition of Gaza, will have significant consequences to the CMCC’s success,” wrote the senators. Moreover, reports have emerged that CMCC officials are considering recreating an aid distribution system similar to the deadly model run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). GHF relied on heavily armed contractors to distribute aid at a limited number of sites, where more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed while seeking food. In prior ceasefires the UN operated more than 400 sites. The Senators called on officials at State and the Department of Defense (DoD) to reject this proposal, writing, “This is the wrong approach: hungry people should not be killed trying to feed their families. To ensure reliable food access in Gaza, the US should avoid building a handful of militarized aid distribution sites.” Since the October ceasefire, the Netanyahu government has blocked $50 million worth of assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, and hundreds of aid trucks with food have been barred from entry. Over the course of the conflict, reported restrictions have included blocking medical supplies like crutches and sleeping bags because they were green or “had zippers.” The Senators urged US officials to reject the Netanyahu government’s aid restrictions, writing, “(f)or the CMCC to succeed in coordinating aid delivery to Gaza, it is essential to eliminate Israel’s arbitrary restrictions on humanitarian assistance.” While Trump’s 20-point peace plan emphasizes the necessity of a pathway to Palestinian statehood, there is no reported involvement of Palestinian officials from a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) in the CMCC or other Palestinian technocrats who could offer key insights on future governance questions of Gaza, its transition away from Hamas’ militant governance, or how Palestinians in Gaza should be included in crafting a prosperous future for themselves. “The CMCC presents an opportunity to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire and transition to a durable, civilian government in Gaza,” the senators concluded. “But DOD and State Department officials should not replicate the harm of the GHF system and instead facilitate professional humanitarian actors to address the crisis.” Senator Warren has been a strong advocate for humanitarian assistance to Gaza: On November 24, 2025 Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Markey, and 98 members of Congress urged the Trump administration to work with both Israeli authorities and international partners to push toward rebuilding accessible hospitals and medical infrastructure in Gaza. On November 4, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Austin Dahmer, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, on her concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need to ensure Palestinians get desperately needed aid without interference. On October 9, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) wrote to the Department of State (State Department) requesting an explanation for the department’s failure to provide timely consular services to American citizens who were detained while on the Global Sumud Flotilla. On September 25, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intervene with the Netanyahu government to protect the safety of peaceful civilian members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has reportedly been facing multiple attacks. On September 3, 2025, Senator Warren, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) demanded clarity from the Department of State (State) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on its decision to award $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). On June 20, 2025, Senator Warren sent a new letter to the Secretary of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) raising her concerns about the Department of State’s reported plan to give $500 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). On May 22, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led 28 senators in introducing a resolution calling on the Trump Administration to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to bring an end to the blockade of food and lifesaving humanitarian aid to address the needs of civilians in Gaza. On May 9, 2025, Senator Warren and colleagues urged President Trump to take an active role in pressing for humanitarian aid and a return to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in order to ensure Israel’s security and end more than 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza. On May 6, 2025, Senators Warren, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called on U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro to launch a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into the federal government’s compliance with laws that require the U.S. to ensure recipients of U.S. assistance respect human rights and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. On April 23, 2024, Senator Warren released a statement on the passage of the national security supplemental package supporting life-saving humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and criticizing the provision of more aid for Israel without additional conditions and prohibition of funds to UNRWA. On March 22, 2024, Senator Warren and colleagues pressed the Biden administration to find that the Netanyahu Government’s assurances regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza do not meet the “credible and reliable” test required by National Security Memorandum (NSM)-20. On March 11, 2024, Senator Warren and colleagues urged the Biden administration to follow the law by halting arms shipments to Israel while humanitarian aid was prevented from entering the Gaza strip. On February 2, 2024, Senator Warren and colleagues pressured the Biden administration to encourage Israeli officials to take five specific steps to significantly increase urgently needed humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. On December 7, 2023, Senator Warren and lawmakers announced that they are working on an amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-senators-press-federal-student-loan-servicers-for-data-on-customer-service-and-performance,"Warren, Senators Press Federal Student Loan Servicers for Data on Customer Service and Performance",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Senators Press Federal Student Loan Servicers for Data on Customer Service and Performance Investigation follows months of policy whiplash from Trump Administration on student loan repayment “Borrowers pay the price for servicers’ neglect and incompetence.” Text of Letters (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in writing to the federal student loan servicers to ensure they are providing borrowers with the customer service they deserve in the wake of the Trump administration’s student loan policy whiplash. The senators sent letters to MOHELA, Nelnet, EdFinancial, Maximus, and CRI. Over the past year, statutory and regulatory policy changes led by the Trump Administration have caused significant financial damage to student loan borrowers, who now face higher loan payments, potential tax increases, the resumption of forced collections, and renewed interest accrual on loans previously in forbearance. As of April 2025, more than three in every ten student loan borrowers are in delinquency, the highest percentage ever recorded and a 50% increase from February. “Borrowers need quick and clear assistance from federal student loan servicers amidst the chaos and confusion, but servicers have a well-documented history of providing delayed or incorrect information to borrowers or otherwise failing to meet their responsibilities,” wrote the senators. Student loan servicers’ history of extensive customer service failures and egregious wait times has compounded the distress of borrowers in need. Administrative errors from student loan servicers have had significant consequences for borrowers, including delayed rent payments, loss of mortgage eligibility, postponed retirement contributions, and even a risk of homelessness. With the Department of Education decimated by layoffs and repeatedly obstructing Congressional oversight, the Senators asserted that Congress and the public deserve clarity on how student loan servicers are serving borrowers. The Trump administration’s plans to transfer loan portfolios from low- to high-performing servicers could also lead to extensive administrative errors, exacerbating financial distress. ""As loan repayment due dates and requirements have changed repeatedly for many borrowers under the Trump Administration, borrowers need clear and timely communication from federal student loan servicers,"" wrote the senators. “The quality of customer service assistance provided by loan servicers to borrowers is more critical than ever in the wake of the Trump Administration’s catastrophic cuts to ED and FSA."" The senators asked for data on the servicers’ customer service performance and staff, loan reallocations, and borrower communications by December 22, 2025. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-sheehy-blast-removal-of-right-to-repair-from-ndaa,"Warren, Sheehy Blast Removal of Right to Repair from NDAA",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Sheehy Blast Removal of Right to Repair from NDAA Washington, D.C. — In response to the release of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA) not including bipartisan language from Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Sheehy’s (R-Montana) bill to give the military the right to repair their own equipment, Senators Warren and Sheehy released the following statement: “For decades, the Pentagon has relied on a broken acquisition system that is routinely defended by career bureaucrats and corporate interests. Military right to repair reforms are supported by the Trump White House, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and our brave servicemembers. The only ones against this common-sense reform are those taking advantage of a broken status quo at the expense of our warfighters and taxpayers. “We support the Pentagon using the full extent of its existing authorities to insist on right to repair protections when it purchases equipment from contractors, and we will keep fighting for a common-sense, bipartisan law to address this unnecessary problem.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A2B2D1B6-427A-4177-BE47-D669BBCCE497,Whip Clark on Extending ACA Tax Credits: “We Are Running Against the Clock”,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"NEW YORK, NY – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN News Central to discuss Republicans’ continued refusal to prevent massive premiums hikes. Below are excerpts from the conversation: On the Administration’s Venezuela Boat Strikes: “We need to get the truth to the American people because we have two critical concerns. One is for the security of our troops. And one is for the security of the American people. I have talked to members of the Intelligence Committee, including our Ranking Member, Jim Himes. He has seen lots of these sort of videos over his career and service. He was very upset by what he saw. “We should take the president up on what he said, that he’s not against releasing this video. We need to know where we stand legally as a country. That is critical to keeping the American people safe. “What we have seen from Secretary Hegseth – from this administration – is an unprecedented withdrawal of information. They are not sharing orders that they have always shared with Congress. They are not sharing their targeting and intelligence. And this is not a partisan matter. This is a matter of national security. It is a matter of our standing. It is a matter of protecting our troops. We need to have a full investigation and be as public and transparent as possible.” On the Republican Health Care Crisis: “We saw the president, around Thanksgiving, put forward a plan that was completely upended by Speaker Mike Johnson. And he said very recently that the House has “no interest” in pursuing that. ... “If the Senate puts a vote up, we are going to do everything we can. We have been extending our hand of bipartisanship to the House [GOP] members since Donald Trump took office. “We know that health care is pivotal for the American people. They are seeing not only the draconian cuts that they made to Medicaid, to Medicare, to medical research in this country, but also these ACA tax credits that so many people depend on. ... “This is up to the Republicans, and I don't know how they are not going home and hearing the same stories we are hearing. Moms filled with anxiety that they will not be able to treat their child’s disease. Cancer survivors unable to continue those lifesaving check-ins that they need to make sure they remain cancer free. People afraid they’re not going to be able to manage their diabetes. “We have a health care crisis that the Republicans have created, and we are running against the clock.” On Gerrymandered Map in Texas: “Listen, this mid-decade gerrymandering is so bad for the American people. “You can see from the election results on November 4th in special elections that the American people understand that they have been betrayed, that Republicans ran and said: ‘We’re going to lower your cost of living. We’re going to help you find your footing in this economy.’ And they have done everything to make things harder and more expensive. ... “We are we are going to be meeting them in every single district. And what we are seeing, the results, it’s the reason the Republicans are trying to choose their voters instead of having voters choose them. They’re looking at the same polls we are. And when they are taking away people’s health care in order to fund tax cuts for the very wealthy, when they are doing a tariff policy that is driving up the cost of living, instead of finding ways to make more affordable housing, to lower the cost of groceries and utility bills, they are going to pay an electoral price for that. “We’re going to remain right where we are as House Democrats, putting people first, saying to the American people: ‘You deserve better. You deserve lower costs. You deserve a health care system that works for you. And, you deserve to get corruption out of government.’” To view the complete conversation, click HERE. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/12/05/neal-statement-on-latest-public-health-assault-by-trump-administration/,Neal Statement on Latest Public Health Assault by Trump Administration,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SPRINGFIELD, MA— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine advisory panel reversed a decades-long recommendation grounded in science that newborns should receive a first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth: “The Trump Administration’s quackery is tearing down our public health system and destroying American lives as quickly as possible. By fulfilling this long-sought goal of the anti-vax movement, RFK, Jr. and Donald Trump have solidified that in their Administration, conspiracy theories come before facts. “The birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is an important, successful, and safe part of our comprehensive public health program to prevent disease and death that has been built over decades of research. This decision will leave newborns unprotected during an early and critical window in their lives and will have fatal consequences that are avoidable. There is nothing about this that will make America healthier, and the Republican silence, their allowance of this pseudoscience to infect and spread across our public health systems, threatens the decades of work that made the United States the gold standard of scientific research and public health.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-on-netflix-warner-bros-proposed-deal-anti-monopoly-nightmare,Warren on Netflix-Warner Bros. Proposed Deal: “Anti-Monopoly Nightmare”,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren on Netflix-Warner Bros. Proposed Deal: “Anti-Monopoly Nightmare” Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the news that Netflix will buy Warner Bros. after a weeks-long bidding war, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: “This deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare. A Netflix-Warner Bros. would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market — threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk. “Under Donald Trump, the antitrust review process has also become a cesspool of political favoritism and corruption. The Justice Department must enforce our nation’s anti-monopoly laws fairly and transparently — not use the Warner Bros. deal review to invite influence-peddling and bribery.” Senator Warren has long sounded the alarm on antitrust concerns and apparent political favoritism in the Trump administration’s handling of media mergers: On November 21, while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Senator Warrencalled out Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison on his own network. On November 19, Senator Warren led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in writing to U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, warning that a potential Warner Bros. deal could be tainted by political favoritism and corruption. On August 1, Senator Warren released a statement in response to Paramount’s and Skydance’s responses to her letters to each of the companies, describing the responses as “dodgy” and calling for “a full, independent investigation” into whether the companies or their executives engaged in any criminal behavior connected to the approval of the companies’ multi-billion-dollar merger. On July 24, Sen. Warren responded to the Trump administration’s approval of the Paramount Skydance merger, saying: “bribery is illegal no matter who is president.” On February 20, Sen. Warren urged the DOJ to closely scrutinize the proposed Disney-Fubo deal and warned of increased costs for TV viewers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F5BF8CAE-19FB-4A39-97AC-874564A893D0,Whip Clark on Trump’s Affordability Crisis: “He Betrayed What He Said He Would Do.”,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Katherine M. Clark,C001101,katherineclark.house.gov,clark,https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"NEW YORK, NY – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined MS NOW's All In with Chris Hayes to discuss the affordability crisis and Republicans’ betrayal of working families. Below are excerpts from the conversation: On the Affordability Crisis: ""I think the American people understand what they're feeling and that every time [Trump] says that cost of living, affordability, however he wants to put it, is a ‘hoax,’ it is not what their lived experience is telling them. ""He betrayed what he said he would do. 'I'm going to lower costs on Day One,' that was his promise. And ever since then, whether it's through tariffs, taking away health care in order to have tax cuts for very, very wealthy Americans, he has pushed prices higher and more out of reach. ""The American people are telling us loudly and clearly: 'We can't afford the quality of life.' And that's what Democrats are fighting for in the House. And this is what the challenge is going to be for [Republicans] as they go into the midterms in 2026."" On Republican Health Care Cuts: ""What we're seeing here is a corrupt bargain to take away money from Medicaid, from Medicare. To take away the tax credits from the Affordable Care Act that people depend on to curtail, and in some cases, end medical research in this country. All to rig our tax code more in favor of the very wealthy? ""We have seen nothing. There has been no work done to address this by the House [Republicans]. … ""And then you compound that with what we've seen from the impact of tariffs on, certainly on large business, but our small business communities, as I travel my district and the country, are just, they are so anxious about how they're going to move forward."" On Mike Johnson’s Betrayal of Women: ""Does this really surprise anybody? That Mike Johnson isn't a big champion of women? Whether in his own party and certainly not of American women. And we've seen that from positions, things he's stated and from the policies and the impact they're having. ""If we look at women in this country — not only reproductive freedom — but in one-third of all counties in this country, there is no doctor to have a baby with. And in states like Georgia, states that have abortion bans, it is even higher. It is about 50% of their counties. And as I travel to rural parts, it is insane. ""So what are we saying to women in America? We have this crisis in health care for women and maternal care that wasn't doing so well before the Trump administration and the House Republicans rolled into town with their cuts. We're also seeing that women-dominated professions like nurses and teachers and social workers and physical therapists — they're no longer considered professionals. And we're going to cap what you can loan to pursue that degree. ""I mean, we get it as women. We hear Mike Johnson quite clearly."" To view the complete conversation, click HERE. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/statement-congressman-moulton-regarding-inspector-general-report-secretary-pete,Statement from Congressman Moulton Regarding Inspector General Report on Secretary Pete Hegseth,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) issued the following statement regarding the release of the Department of Defense's inspector general report regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth violating security protocols and endangering U.S. troops by sharing sensitive operational information on the unclassified messaging app, Signal. ""Secretary Hegseth claimed 'total exoneration’ yesterday, but that is not what the Inspector General found. In fact, the Inspector General found that, 'The Secretary’s actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.' ""The report is clear that Secretary Hegseth violated two DoD policies that govern the protection of sensitive information and the preservation of federal records. Those policies exist for one reason, to keep Americans safe. His refusal to take responsibility at any stage of this investigation shows a complete lack of accountability that should be unacceptable for anyone in uniform, let alone the Secretary of Defense. “In his written statement to the IG, Secretary Hegseth claimed he used 'non-specific general details' that he believed were 'not classified or that [he] could safely declassify', but the IG found that what he sent closely matched the classified email, and that there is no written evidence that any declassification occurred. ""Any rank-and-file member of our military who behaved this carelessly would face severe consequences, and the standard for the Secretary of Defense should be even higher. Secretary Hegseth came into this job as the most unserious and unqualified Secretary of Defense in the history of our nation and has lived up to that reputation with flying colors since then. He should be fired.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-welch-amo-warren-lead-bicameral-bill-to-update-and-expand-social-security-survivor-benefits-provide-financial-relief-to-families,"ICYMI: Welch, Amo, Warren Lead Bicameral Bill to Update and Expand Social Security Survivor Benefits, Provide Financial Relief to Families",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ICYMI: Welch, Amo, Warren Lead Bicameral Bill to Update and Expand Social Security Survivor Benefits, Provide Financial Relief to Families Warren: “Democrats are fighting hard to expand benefits and provide relief so families can stay afloat.” Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room is coordinated effort to fight back against Trump admin Social Security attacks Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) introduced the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act, bicameral legislation to increase the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) lump-sum death benefit, which covers costs associated with cremation or burials for surviving family members, to account for inflation. This legislation would increase survivors’ death benefit—currently amounting to just $255—for the first time in 70 years. Beginning in 2026, beneficiaries’ survivors would receive $2,900. “Donald Trump’s chaotic tariffs and skyrocketing costs are already squeezing American families—losing a loved one shouldn’t be the reason they go broke,” said Senator Warren. “Democrats are fighting hard to expand benefits and provide relief so families can stay afloat.” “Funeral costs should be the last thing on the minds of grieving families when they lose a loved one. But because benefits designed to help folks afford funeral expenses haven’t kept pace with inflation, the cost of burying a loved one has become top of mind for many mourning families,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense bill, inspired by the experiences of Vermonters, will update Social Security death benefits to help alleviate financial burdens for families following the loss of a loved one.” “Families experiencing a loss should not have to struggle to afford a funeral for their loved one,” said Rep. Amo. “I’m proud to introduce the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act with Senator Peter Welch to raise the amount a family can receive to help cover end of life costs for the first time in 70 years and index the benefit to inflation going forward. I will keep fighting in Washington to lower costs for Rhode Islanders, including at the most difficult moments.” The legislation would index the SSA death benefit to the Consumer Price Index to ensure this benefit is aligned with other Social Security benefits, akin to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act was inspired and shaped by a letter Senator Welch received from a Vermont constituent concerned about how the outdated benefit would create financial burdens for their surviving family members. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are cosponsors of the legislation. “This bill will modernize an important feature of Social Security to give families real financial relief and dignity as they grieve a loved one,” said Senator Whitehouse. “I’m glad to join my good friend Congressman Amo on legislation that further strengthens Social Security for the future.” “Our legislation eases the burden of funeral expenses for American families by adjusting Social Security benefits associated with burials and cremation to account for rising costs. Families grieving a loved one should receive increased Social Security benefits to alleviate the crushing financial burden and stress of burial expenses,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Despite Social Security’s lump-sum death benefit remaining stagnant at $255 for over 70 years, the costs of funerals have increased ten-fold, costing thousands of dollars for grieving families,” said Senator Booker. “No one should have to worry about increasing funeral expenses, especially after losing a loved one. This legislation would make long-overdue updates to our Social Security system to ensure survivor benefits reflect the financial and emotional challenges families face during the loss of a family member.” “A death in the family is already one of life’s hardest moments. The Social Security death benefit exists to ease stress for survivors making final arrangements for loved ones, but this benefit hasn’t been updated in decades. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act increases benefits to reflect costs and lowers the burden for families in grief,” said Senator Markey. The Social Security Administration provides a lump-sum death benefit to survivors of a beneficiary to help families offset funeral costs. The lump sum payment, which is provided to surviving spouses, dependent children under 18, or children with disabilities, was capped at $255 in 1954. In the 1950s, a full memorial and cremation service cost around $700. In Vermont, the average cost for a funeral with a viewing and cremation is $7,023. Nationwide, the median cost of a funeral with a viewing is $8,300, while the average cost for a funeral with cremation is $6,280. Despite this increase in cost, the SSA’s lump-sum death benefit has remained stagnant at $255. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act is endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans; American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Justice in Aging; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR); Social Security Works; Strengthen Social Security Coalition; and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). “It’s been 70 years since Social Security’s lump-sum death benefit, currently $255, was last increased. This bill raises the benefit to $2,900 and indexes it to inflation, to better reflect the cost associated with burying a loved one,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans. “Grieving families deserve more meaningful assistance at a difficult and painful moment in their lives.” “AFGE is proud to support Senator Welch’s Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act. This long-overdue legislation would raise the Social Security death benefit to help keep family members from being impoverished by basic funeral expenses for a loved one. It is the least we can do as we continue to pursue the modernization of Social Security – the greatest anti-poverty program the country has ever known,” said Everett B. Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE). “Working families are being squeezed by rising costs on every front, and if tragedy strikes, this financial strain can become overwhelming. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act will bring meaningful relief to families when they need it most, finally adjusting these benefits for inflation for the first time in more than 70 years. AFSCME members know how easily a family can slip into poverty after losing a loved one, and they see every day how critical this lifeline can be. We thank Sens. Welch, Sanders and Warren for easing the financial burden on families so they can move forward with dignity,” said Lee Saunders, President, AFSCME. “The death of a spouse or parent brings profound economic pain for families that only adds to the stress of grieving. The Social Security lump-sum survivor benefit was created to help but remains meager and has completely failed to keep up with the cost of living. Sen. Welch’s Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act would finally increase the lump-sum death benefit from $255 to $2,900 and index it to inflation. It’s a compassionate move that would make a huge difference for people grappling with loss—and it’s simply the right thing to do. We fully support it and urge Congress to pass it,” said Randi Weingarten, President, AFT. “Among the lesser known and utilized benefits provided under the Social Security Act is a lump-sum amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary which was intended to help the surviving family pay for a beneficiary’s funeral expenses. The last time the amount was adjusted was seventy years ago, when funerals only cost about $700. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act would adjust the death benefit to account for inflation, providing some relief to families facing financial and emotional burdens following the death of a loved one. Increasing the level would also provide an incentive for more families to claim the benefit, thus advancing the President’s goal of increased accuracy in timely and accurate reporting of the death of Social Security beneficiaries,” said Max Richtmann, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “For decades, the Social Security lump-sum death benefit has remained virtually unchanged, failing to reflect the realities families face when a loved one passes away. By updating and indexing this payment to inflation, Senator Welch’s legislation ensures that Social Security continues to provide meaningful, timely support to surviving spouses and families at one of the most difficult moments in their lives. NOSSCR appreciates Senator Welch’s leadership in modernizing this vital but long-overlooked aspect of the Social Security program,” said Betsy Rosecan, Government Relations Director, NOSSCR. “When families lose a loved one, the last thing they should have to worry about is how they will pay for the funeral. Social Security includes a lump-sum death benefit, which should help to cover those costs. However, the value of that benefit has greatly deteriorated. Shockingly, the last time it was increased was almost three-quarters of a century ago. Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses the Social Security Benefits Equity Act, which restores this important component of Social Security so that it once again provides peace of mind during life’s most difficult moments. The American people owe Senator Welch an enormous debt of gratitude for this important legislation,” Nancy J. Altman, President, Social Security Works. “This bill is important for widows who are worried about outliving their savings and ending up without resources at the end of their lives,” said Cindy Hounsel, President, Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). In October 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in introducing the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act. With America’s seniors facing quickly rising costs in Trump’s economy, her bill will provide rapid relief by expanding Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits by $200 per month for six months. The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would provide critical relief to Americans living on a fixed income by providing a $200 per month emergency increase to Social Security checks until July 2026 and supporting all Title II Social Security beneficiaries, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries, veteran disability compensation, and veteran pension benefit annuitants. Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders, encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them, and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-beyer-lawmakers-warn-treasury-against-delivering-retroactive-tax-break-to-billionaire-corporations,"Warren, Beyer, Lawmakers Warn Treasury Against Delivering Retroactive Tax Break to Billionaire Corporations",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Beyer, Lawmakers Warn Treasury Against Delivering Retroactive Tax Break to Billionaire Corporations Billionaire corporations have engaged in lobbying blitz with Treasury to obtain retroactive R&E carveout from Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax “We urge Treasury not to further rig the tax code in favor of billionaire corporations.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, along with U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, led Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Representatives Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) in questioning Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Kenneth Kies on how Treasury will respond to lobbyists’ push to create a loophole in the corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) for billionaire corporations taking massive retroactive research and experimentation (R&E) tax deductions. “Corporate lobbyists are shamelessly trying to create yet another loophole and undermine this law so that profitable billionaire corporations pay little to no taxes,” wrote the lawmakers. This lobbying push follows a series of regulatory changes and industry-friendly loopholes the Trump administration has implemented to chip away at CAMT, which sets a minimum 15 percent tax rate on the book income of billionaire corporations. These changes, combined with other recent policy changes at Treasury that favor the ultra-wealthy, are set to result in hundreds of billions of dollars in lost tax revenue, according to independent estimates. Corporations are demanding this additional loophole because of how CAMT interacts with the retroactive R&E expensing tax break in Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill. Retroactive R&E expensing allows corporations to immediately deduct the full costs of R&E expenses they incurred years ago — because it is retroactive, it cannot incentivize any economic activity. This tax break is estimated to hand corporations $67 billion in 2026 and would be an even larger windfall in the absence of CAMT. If billionaire corporations could subtract these accelerated deductions from CAMT’s measure of income, their tax liability could fall far below 15% — and, in some cases, to zero. Even the conservative American Enterprise Institute opposes the creation of such a loophole, stating that “it would be contrary to Congressional intent and would have no economic benefit” and that it would “not encourage additional investment in R&D [research & development].” “This policy would clearly undermine the purpose of CAMT: to ensure that no billionaire corporation pays a lower tax rate than 15% on the income it reports to shareholders, known as book income,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge Treasury not to further rig the tax code in favor of billionaire corporations by creating a CAMT carveout for retroactive R&E expensing.” The lawmakers requested answers on the Treasury’s response to corporate demands for a carveout in CAMT for retroactive R&E expensing by December 17, 2025. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-calls-for-hegseths-resignation-following-pentagon-ig-signal-report-findings,Warren Calls for Hegseth’s Resignation Following Pentagon IG Signal Report Findings,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Calls for Hegseth’s Resignation Following Pentagon IG Signal Report Findings “How many more times does Secretary Hegseth have to put our military in danger before Republicans say enough is enough?” Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the news that a Pentagon watchdog concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked exposing sensitive information that could have endangered U.S. troops when he relayed information about a planned military strike in Yemen using Signal, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: “The watchdog investigation makes clear that Secretary Pete Hegseth put American service members in danger by sharing classified war plans in an unsecure group chat. Secretary Hegseth was reckless with our nation's security, jeopardizing American lives and demonstrating he’s unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. To be blunt, Hegseth is a walking national security threat. “How many more times does Secretary Hegseth have to put our military in danger before Republicans say enough is enough? Secretary Hegseth should resign or be fired immediately.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-min-lawmakers-questions-giant-corporations-on-trump-ballroom-donations-influence-peddling-with-trump-administration-for-favors,"Warren, Min, Lawmakers Question Giant Corporations On Trump Ballroom Donations, Influence-Peddling with Trump Administration For Favors",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Min, Lawmakers Question Giant Corporations On Trump Ballroom Donations, Influence-Peddling with Trump Administration For Favors Donations from Amazon, Apple, Meta, Nvidia, others with pending antitrust business in front of Trump admin raise bribery concerns “If your donation was made with the intent to influence government decision-making, it could run afoul of federal bribery law.” Text of Letters (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Dave Min (D-Calif.) led their colleagues in questioning seven giant corporations on their reported donations to President Trump’s White House ballroom and whether there were any quid-pro-quo arrangements connected to them. The corporations — Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Comcast, and Union Pacific Railroad — all have antitrust business pending in front of the Trump administration, raising concerns about influence-peddling and bribery. “These interests create the potential for a quid-pro-quo exchange of a contribution to the ballroom for regulatory or other favors from the federal government. That risk appears particularly acute amid allegations of this Administration’s politicized decision-making in antitrust cases, not based on law and the interest of the public but based on political favors,” wrote the lawmakers. “If your donation was made with the intent to influence government decision-making, it could run afoul of federal bribery law.” The following lawmakers joined Warren and Min in sending the letters: U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), and Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.). Each of these seven corporate ballroom donors stands to benefit from favorable treatment from the federal government related to merger reviews or enforcement actions. Comcast could seek the Trump administration’s approval of a potential merger if it were to win its bidding war for Warner Bros. Union Pacific Railroad would benefit from the administration’s approval of its pending merger with Norfolk Southern, which would enable it to control roughly 40% of U.S. freight rail traffic. Meta would benefit from the FTC choosing not to appeal a recent federal district court antitrust ruling favorable to the company. Recent reports revealed that businesses have admitted donations to Trump’s ballroom fund were a good way to ""curry favor with the administration.” Last month, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon acknowledged the influence-peddling concerns related to ballroom donations, stating that JPMorgan has not donated because of the “risks we bear by doing anything that looks like . . . buying favors.” In October, Senator Warren questioned the National Park Service Comptroller and the Trust for the National Mall CEO on how their organizations have seemingly become a vehicle for politicized fundraising, influence-peddling, and donor access to President Trump in his effort to pay for and build the $300 million ballroom. Last month, Senator Warren and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) introduced the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act to root out apparent bribery and corruption involving President Trump’s ballroom, the first piece of legislation addressing the ballroom that would impose donation restrictions. The senators pressed the companies for answers about the discussions surrounding their donations, the amount contributed, whether they expect to claim their donation as a charitable deduction, and more by December 16, 2025. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-murray-baldwin-sanders-schumer-colleagues-slam-mcmahons-latest-illegal-efforts-to-dismantle-the-department-of-education,"Warren, Murray, Baldwin, Sanders, Schumer, Colleagues Slam McMahon’s Latest Illegal Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Murray, Baldwin, Sanders, Schumer, Colleagues Slam McMahon’s Latest Illegal Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education “Your brazen attempt to dismantle the Department by transferring to other federal agencies complex and foundational responsibilities that Congress specifically charged to the Department [w]ill undermine public education.” “We urge you to immediately reverse course and to focus your time and attention on actions that actually help states, school districts and educational institutions improve educational outcomes and support for students.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.); and their colleagues in a letter slamming Secretary Linda McMahon following the recent announcement that the Department of Education has signed interagency agreements (IAAs) to illegally outsource core functions that students and their families rely on. The senators are demanding Secretary McMahon reverse these latest steps to dismantle the Department of Education. “Let’s be very clear: You are choosing to create even more bureaucracy that states, school districts, and educational institutions across America will have to expend time and resources navigating at the expense of students and families,” wrote the senators. In the letter, the Senators make clear that, as McMahon has previously acknowledged, dismantling the Department would require an act of Congress, which has not been proposed—or even seriously pursued—by the administration. Appropriations law prohibits the transfer of funds to another federal agency unless expressly authorized in appropriations law. The senators detail how the myriad departmental responsibilities McMahon is now seeking to spin off to other agencies that lack the expertise, capacity, and legal mandate to successfully administer key programs will risk support, funding, and oversight that our laws provide to students and families across America. They note, in particular, that there have been negative consequences for states, schools, colleges, and students as these IAAs roll out. The first IAA inked earlier this year between the Department and DOL on career and technical education and adult education has been plagued with serious challenges. “We once again demand that you reverse these detrimental plans and refocus your efforts on supporting state and local efforts by properly implementing federal laws intended to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all students, especially those who count on the Department doing its job most,” concluded the senators. In addition to Senators Warren, Murray, Baldwin, Sanders, and Schumer, the letter was signed by Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Me.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). Senator Warren has led the fight to make our higher education system more affordable, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable for incompetence and malfeasance. She launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400278,"McGovern, Colleagues Introduce Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,James P. McGovern,M000312,mcgovern.house.gov,mcgovern,https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act. This legislation would require Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program to cover specialized formulas, vitamins, individual amino acids, and other medically necessary foods prescribed by a physician for patients with specific gastrointestinal and inherited metabolic disorders. The legislation ensures state and federal protection for existing coverage. Joining Senator McGovern in introducing this legislation are Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). “Access to health care is a human right—no one should have to worry about whether they'll be able to access the medically necessary food they need to live,” said Congressman McGovern. “I’m disgusted by the stories I hear from many of my constituents who are struggling to get medically necessary food for their child or family member because predatory insurance companies are refusing to cover prescribed foods and formulas just to pad their bottom line. Our bill breaks down barriers to care and ensures that Americans with inherited metabolic diseases or gastrointestinal conditions get the nutrition they need.” For full text of the legislation, click here. Background: Medically necessary nutrition must be specially formulated and processed as opposed to naturally occurring food for the partial or exclusive feeding of an individual by means of oral intake or enteral feeding by tube. Additionally, this food must only be used for an individual receiving active and ongoing medical supervision. Nearly 40 states require coverage of medically necessary nutrition, but coverage is highly variable from state to state. Approximately 2,000 infants every year are diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder through the newborn screening program. When these conditions are left untreated in both children and adults, food can become toxic, or the body can fail to absorb necessary nutrients. Risks in pediatric populations are particularly profound and include inadequate growth, abnormal development, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disorders. These individuals must turn to medically necessary nutrition, such as highly specialized formulas, both as a treatment for their condition and as sustenance. These conditions cannot be solely managed by avoiding certain foods. Specialized medically necessary nutrition prescribed by a health care provider is standard-of-care treatment for these patients and is essential to healthy development. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400279,"McGovern, Markey Reintroduce Legislation to Halt Dangerous Global Nuclear Arms Race",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,James P. McGovern,M000312,mcgovern.house.gov,mcgovern,https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), along with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and John Garamendi (D-CA) reintroduced the bicameral Hastening Arms Limitation Talks (HALT) Act, legislation outlining a vision for a twenty-first century freeze on the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons. The reintroduction of the HALT Act comes at a time of reckless nuclear policy from the Trump administration, with President Trump threatening to resume nuclear testing and the last U.S.-Russian arms reduction treaty—New START—on the verge of extinction. “The world is still moving in the wrong direction when it comes to nuclear disarmament and arms control. If we want to avoid catastrophe, the United States must take the lead in pushing for a global freeze on nuclear testing, production, and deployment,” said Congressman McGovern. “Every dollar poured into nuclear weapons pushes humanity closer to the brink and strengthens the hand of evil in the world. Senator Markey and I are calling for a renewed, 21st-century nuclear freeze movement—one that slows this dangerous arms race, upholds our treaty obligations, redirects resources toward improving people’s lives, and ultimately eliminates these weapons before they eliminate us.” Specifically, the HALT Act would make it U.S. policy to seek negotiated steps to reduce the number and salience of nuclear weapons, including: An agreement on a verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of all nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles; An agreement by the U.S. and Russia on a follow-on New START agreement to reduce nuclear arsenals and cover new kinds of strategic weapons; U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); and Prohibition of funds to prepare for or to conduct U.S. explosive nuclear-weapon testing in fiscal year 2026 or any future year.",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-joins-original-cosponsor-veteran-education-empowerment-act,Moulton Joins as an Original Cosponsor of the Veteran Education Empowerment Act,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) joined as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Veteran Education Empowerment Act, legislation that would authorize federal funding to support Student Veteran Success Centers at colleges and universities across the country. “As a former Marine and someone who’s witnessed firsthand the courage it takes to serve our country, I’m committed to making sure our veterans have every tool they need to build a successful life after service,” said Congressman Moulton. “Transitioning from military life to school or work isn’t easy—and I believe student‑veterans deserve real support, community, and respect while they chart a new path forward.” The Veteran Education Empowerment Act would improve outcomes for student-veterans by: Reauthorizing the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program through FY2033, ensuring long-term funding for student-veteran support services at colleges and universities nationwide. Helping schools create and expand Student Veteran Success Centers, which offer tailored academic advising, mental health counseling, career planning, and peer mentoring—all designed specifically for veterans transitioning to campus life. Addressing the unique challenges veterans face, including service-related disabilities, PTSD, and long gaps in formal education, which can contribute to higher dropout rates and reduced job opportunities. Building on the program’s proven success—with nearly $50 million already awarded to more than 100 institutions across the country—including $4 million to eight schools in Florida alone. Reaffirming America’s commitment to those who’ve served by investing in their education, their futures, and their ability to thrive in civilian life. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3692,Trahan Statement on Failed Attempt to Pass SCORE Act,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and former Division I volleyball player, issued the following statement after House Republicans postponed a scheduled vote on the SCORE Act, legislation that would entrench the dominance of the NCAA and wealthiest conferences by stripping rights away from college athletes, undermining women’s and Olympic sports, and exacerbate the looming financial crisis facing smaller schools and HBCUs: “The SCORE Act was pulled from consideration because it simply didn’t have the votes, a clear sign that Members on both sides saw it for what it was: a gift to the NCAA and Power Two conferences at the expense of athletes.” “This bill would have imposed new restrictions on athletes while doing nothing to address the real instability in college athletics. It ignored the coaching carousel, the erosion of women’s and Olympic sports, and the mounting financial deficits putting small and mid-sized programs and HBCUs at risk. Calling this a solution to the challenges facing college sports was always a stretch, and pulling it from the floor only confirms how unbalanced it was.” “It’s time for Republicans to return to the negotiating table. Dozens of Democrats who support a bipartisan path forward outlined in my College Athletics Reform Act stand ready to work in good faith on durable reforms that strengthen athletes’ rights, support all schools, and secure the future of college sports.” ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-lawler-lawmakers-renew-fight-to-honor-wwii-cadet-nurses,"Warren, Lawler, Lawmakers Renew Fight to Honor WWII Cadet Nurses",2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, Lawler, Lawmakers Renew Fight to Honor WWII Cadet Nurses Bill would recognize the nearly 120,000 women who served as Nurse Cadets during WWII, never received honorary veteran status for their service Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) Washington, DC – United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Angus King (I-Maine), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), reintroduced the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, a bill honoring women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status. The bill would recognize former Cadet Nurses' service to the country and provide them with honorary veterans status, honorable discharges, a service medal, a burial plaque or grave marker, and other commendations. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) also joined in co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate. During WWII, a severe shortage of trained nurses threatened the United States’ ability to meet domestic and military medical needs. As a result, Congress established the Cadet Nurse Corps, an integrated, uniformed service of the Public Health Administration, in 1943 to provide women with expedited nursing education in exchange for ""essential military or civilian nursing for the duration of the war."" In 1944, the Federal Security Agency identified ""national recognition for rendering a vital war service"" as a privilege of service in the Corps. In total, nearly 120,000 women completed the Corps' rigorous training and served in military hospitals, VA hospitals, Marine hospitals, private hospitals, public health agencies, and public hospitals until the program ended in 1948. One of those women, Cadet Nurse Elizabeth ""Betty"" Beecher, trained to become a Cadet Nurse in Boston, Massachusetts, and then served as a nurse at a Staten Island, N.Y., marine hospital near the end of WWII. ""We prevented a total collapse of the health care system,"" she said. ""Had we not stepped up and volunteered and enlisted in the Corps, I'm afraid the country would have been demoralized and our boys would have come home to a sick country."" “It’s about time we recognize these women for their service to our country during World War II,” said Senator Warren. “They stepped up to prevent our nation’s health care system from collapsing and were crucial to our wartime efforts — that is the definition of patriotism.” “The brave women of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, including Montanan Laura Koch-Natvig, served our nation selflessly during World War II,” said Senator Daines. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to give the Cadet Nurse Corps the honor and recognition they deserve, so the legacy of these brave women will be forever remembered.” “The cadet nurses of World War II are unsung heroes whose bravery and selfless service helped the United States and our Allies win the war,” said Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees. “As our nation struggled to meet medical staffing levels and take care of its soldiers, young women across the country stepped up to help make a difference and save lives. It is a privilege to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, which will give long overdue recognition to these remarkable women of the Greatest Generation and further cement their important role in defending freedom and democracy.” “The women of the Cadet Nurse Corps kept our hospitals going at a moment when our country desperately needed them. Without their service, the outcome of the war, and the world we live in today, would be very different,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “Throughout World War II, Cadet Nurses helped sustain the strength and resolve of our nation. They supported a medical system under extraordinary strain and cared for our troops with deep patriotism and devotion. Their contributions have gone understated for generations. Recognizing them with veteran status finally honors their sacrifice and secures their rightful place as heroes in America’s story,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Cadet nurses help the United States and our Allies win World War II,” said Congressman Deluzio. “They made enormous sacrifices and bravely put themselves in harm’s way in their efforts to save lives. I am proud to join with my colleagues to reintroduce the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023 to grant these nurses honorary veteran status and other benefits that these cadet nurses earned through their service.” The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act would: Provide Cadet Nurses with honorary veteran status, with an honorable discharge from service where merited and; Permit the Secretary of Defense to provide honorably discharged Cadet Nurses with a service medal, a burial plaque or grave marker, and other commendations to honor their service. The bill was included in the House version of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. While the legislation would provide the appropriate military honors, it would not provide still-living Cadet Nurses with Veterans Affairs pensions, healthcare benefits, or other privileges afforded to former active-duty service members, such as burial benefits in Arlington Cemetery. “The Military Women's Memorial strongly supports this vital legislation to finally honor the more than 124,000 members of the Cadet Nurse Corps, whose service was indispensable to the success of the World War II effort. Replacing nurses who had joined the military, they served on the home front in military and civilian hospitals across the nation, eventually providing 80% of the nursing care in the U.S. These women personify the commitment and sacrifice of women in service, stepping up to fill a critical nursing shortage. Like their military brothers and sisters, their pledge to serve 'for the duration of the war, plus six months' is a sacred commitment that deserves the highest recognition, and we urge Congress to pass this long-overdue tribute to their legacy,"" said Phyllis Wilson, President of the Military Women’s Memorial. “AACN applauds the introduction of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act,"" said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “We look forward to working with Congress to honor the members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps who embodied the bravery of the ‘greatest generation' and who nobly served our country during World War II.” “The Cadet Nurses answered the call of duty during a time of great need,” said American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “By addressing a critical shortage of nurses during World War II, the Cadet Nurse Corp ensured that Americans maintained access to health care throughout the yearslong conflict. ANA is proud to support this bill, which honors and recognizes the extraordinary contributions that the women of the United States Cadet Corps made to their country. The bill is endorsed by the Military Women’s Memorial, the American Nurses Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-ma-delegation-sound-alarm-on-trump-cuts-to-grants-that-provide-funding-for-massachusetts-anti-poverty-programs,"Warren, MA Delegation Sound Alarm on Trump Cuts to Grants that Provide Funding for Massachusetts Anti-Poverty Programs",2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren, MA Delegation Sound Alarm on Trump Cuts to Grants that Provide Funding for Massachusetts Anti-Poverty Programs Grant provided a total of $804 million for crucial services low-income families rely on in FY2025 and has bipartisan support in Congress, reflecting the importance of the services it provides. Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation in pressing Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raising their concerns about the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), a critical source of funding for anti-poverty programs nationwide. The letter was signed by U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), and Bill Keating (D-Mass.). Community action agencies provide crucial services to low-income families across the country, including home energy assistance, child care and early education assistance, food assistance, and help filing taxes. One critical funding source for these agencies is the CSBG, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Community Services (OCS). Nationwide, the CSBG provided a total of $804 million for these programs in FY 2025. CSBG has bipartisan support in Congress, reflecting the importance of the services it provides. “Eliminating [Community Service Block Grant] funding—either directly or by gutting the team responsible for administering it—would have devastating effects on [community action agencies] that low-income families across the country rely on,” wrote the lawmakers. Despite the critical work that CSBG enables, the Trump Administration has attacked the program. After asking Congress to eliminate CSBG funds entirely, the administration sought to hollow out the CSBG program by firing most of the OCS staff, leaving community action agencies reliant on CSBG funds unsure as to how and if they would receive their funds. Community action agencies have not been told who—if anyone—is continuing to work on CSBG or other programs that the OCS administers, like the Low-Income Energy Assistance program. The programs distribute millions of dollars in benefits to American families and communities and cannot be effectively managed by a skeletal staff. President Trump’s government shutdown revealed how the loss of federal funding would impact community action agencies’ programs. Many community action agencies quickly drained the funding they received from other sources, like state governments, and were forced to minimize operations. A permanent loss of federal funding would shutter these programs entirely, leaving some of the country’s most vulnerable without resources and services they need to get by. The lawmakers asked Secretary Kennedy to answer their questions by December 17, 2025, including how many staff are currently working at OCS and to provide a list of staff members who were fired from OCS, before or during the government shutdown, along with the reasoning for each firing; if there will be additional RIFs at OCS; how OCS plans to distribute CSBG funds; and whether the Administration plans to impose further cuts in CSBG funds. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-publishes-new-independent-analysis-revealing-republican-bonus-depreciation-tax-break-as-giant-handout-boosting-wealthiest-corporations,Warren Publishes New Independent Analysis Revealing Republican “Bonus Depreciation” Tax Break as Giant Handout Boosting Wealthiest Corporations,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Publishes New Independent Analysis Revealing Republican “Bonus Depreciation” Tax Break as Giant Handout Boosting Wealthiest Corporations Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill permanently extended this corporate tax break Over 80% of bonus depreciation claimed by corporations from 2018 to 2022 went to those making over $1 billion annually Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) shared new data in response to Sen. Warren’s September letter JCT Response (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, published new data from the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) — a nonpartisan Congressional committee dedicated to analyzing tax legislation — revealing Republicans’ recent “bonus depreciation” tax break as a giant handout to wealthy corporations. The new data came in response to a letter Sen. Warren sent in September seeking information about the Big, Beautiful Bill’s permanent extension of 100% bonus depreciation, which allows corporations to write off the entire cost of purchasing many types of equipment, buildings, vehicles and other assets immediately, instead of over many years. 100% bonus depreciation had previously been in effect from 2018 to 2022 due to the first Trump Administration’s 2017 tax legislation. “Thanks to Donald Trump and Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill, giant corporations will win big while American families see their costs skyrocket. Next year, the federal government will spend over five times more on these tax handouts for billionaire corporations than it spends each year on child care,” said Senator Warren. ""Time and time again, Donald Trump and Republicans have made clear that they stand with billionaires and billionaire corporations — not American families."" Key conclusions from the new JCT data include: 100% bonus depreciation is disproportionately used by giant corporations. Over 80% of the 100% bonus depreciation claimed by corporations from 2018-2022 went to companies with over $1 billion in yearly income. 99% of bonus depreciation benefits went to corporations making over $1 million annually. 100% bonus depreciation was an enormous corporate giveaway in the past and is projected to continue being an enormous corporate giveaway in the future. Corporations deducted a total of $2.7 trillion through the tax break when it was in place from 2018 to 2022. JCT now projects that corporations will use 100% bonus depreciation to deduct an additional $172 billion in 2025 and an additional $178 billion in 2026. Big Pharma, Big Tech, Big Oil, and Wall Street will win big from 100% bonus depreciation. From 2018 to 2022, the finance and insurance industry deducted $206 billion through 100% bonus depreciation. In 2022 alone, the pharmaceutical industry deducted $10 billion, the oil & gas industry deducted $30 billion, and tech companies deducted $152 billion. 100% bonus depreciation enables thousands of big corporations to avoid taxes by bringing their income to zero — or even making it negative. In 2022, 81,000 corporations reported zero or negative taxable income due to their use of 100% bonus depreciation. JCT estimates that if the 2018-2022 trend in the use of 100% bonus depreciation continues, about 59% of corporations will report zero or negative taxable income this year — in part, due to 100% bonus depreciation. OBBBA will allow for billions of dollars in retroactive bonus depreciation tax breaks this year. In 2025, the government will spend $16 billion on bonus depreciation tax handouts for purchases that companies made before the passage of OBBBA — more than the entire federal government spends each year on child care. Since these tax breaks are retroactive, they cannot incentivize any economic activity and are economically unjustifiable. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400277,"McGovern, Massie, Castro Introduce Bipartisan War Powers Resolution to Block Trump Administration’s Escalating Hostilities Toward Venezuela",2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,James P. McGovern,M000312,mcgovern.house.gov,mcgovern,https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, have introduced a War Powers Resolution to block the Trump administration from engaging in hostilities within or against Venezuela absent congressional authorization. The introduction of the resolution follows President Trump’s recent social media declaration that the airspace “above and surrounding Venezuela” should be treated as “closed in its entirety.” Administration officials hve not publicly detailed any formal policy or legal basis for such a step, which many legal experts say could be interpreted as a hostile act under international law. The sponsors of the resolution say this escalation—including the significant augmentation of U.S. armed forces assets, personnel, and operations in proximity to Venezuela and statements from U.S. officials regarding planning for ground strikes within Venezuela—shows why Congress must urgently reassert its constitutional role. “Donald Trump claimed he would put America first—instead he’s trying to drag us into an illegal war in Venezuela,” said Rep.McGovern. “Whatever this is about, it has nothing to do with stopping drugs. Trump just pardoned the former President of Honduras who was convicted of sending cocaine to the U.S. And last year he pardoned a guy who brought fentanyl in from China via the dark web. To me, this appears to be all about creating a pretext for regime change. And I believe Congress has a duty to step in and assert our constitutional authority. No more illegal boat strikes, and no unauthorized war in Venezuela.” “The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn’t attacked the United States,” said Rep. Massie. “Congress has the sole power to declare war against Venezuela. Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.” “President Trump has undermined our alliances in the Western Hemisphere, openly interfered in elections, conducted illegal strikes on boats in the Caribbean, and threatened foreign military intervention. He has put our country at the brink of a war with Venezuela without a debate or vote in the Congress,” said Rep. Castro. “This resolution will ensure that every member of the House is on the record about sending service members to a war that Americans do not want.” The Trump administration has not requested authorization for use of military force against Venezuela, and still has not provided a credible justification for the unauthorized military strikes it has carried out on vessels in the region, actions that have resulted in the extrajudicial killing of dozens of people. Nor has the administration shown why these boats could not have been interdicted and investigated, or why the individuals on board could not have been brought to justice rather than targeted and killed without due process. Introduced pursuant to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the measure is privileged and should receive consideration in the House.McGovern, Massie and Castro stressed that their goal is to force a debate and a vote before any further escalation. Additional cosponsors include Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). A full text of the resolution can be found here. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/auchincloss-maloy-introduce-bipartisan-bill-on-section-230-liability-shield,"Auchincloss, Maloy introduce bipartisan bill carving out bots & deepfakes from social media platforms' Section 230 liability shield",2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Jake Auchincloss,A000148,auchincloss.house.gov,auchincloss,https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) and Celeste Maloy (R, UT-02) introduced the Deepfake Liability Act to tackle the steep rise of deepfake pornography without the consent of the deepfake’s subject. 98% of online deepfake imagery is deepfake pornography–99% of which targets women. This has led to a rise of widely available ‘nudification apps’ used to create convincing deepfakes of female teenagers. Section 230’s liability shield for online platforms removes their incentive to ensure users’ safety or address harmful content on their platforms. The Deepfake Liability Act conditions the applicability of Section 230’s liability shield on a platform implementing a duty of care: a set of basic steps that requires companies to be responsive to complaints about cyberstalking and abusive deepfakes. It also amends the definition of “information content provider” in Section 230 to clarify that AI-generated content is not covered by Section 230 protections. This legislation implements the notice and removal provisions of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed and became law this Congress. The bill also requires that this duty of care include the implementation of: A process to prevent, to the extent practicable, cyberstalking and abusive deepfakes. A clear and accessible process to report instances of these harms, as well as a process for investigating them. A process to remove information that the provider knows or has reason to know constitutes one of these harms. Data logging requirements to ensure victims’ access to data for legal proceedings. A process for the removal or blocking of content determined to be unlawful by a court. “AI shouldn’t have special privileges & immunities that journalists don’t get,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. “Using bots or deepfakes to violate or stalk another person is reprehensible, and it needs to be a CEO-level problem for the trillion-dollar social media corporations that platform it. Congress needs to get ahead of this growing problem, instead of being left in the dust like we were with social media.” “Abusive deepfakes and cyberstalking are harming people across the country, and victims deserve real help. Our bill creates a straightforward duty of care and a reliable process to remove harmful content when victims ask for help,” said Congresswoman Celeste Maloy. “Companies that take this seriously will keep their protections under the law. Those that do nothing will be held accountable.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-auchincloss-introduces-the-education-not-endless-scrolling-act-to-impose-a-digital-ad-tax-on-big-tech-to-fund-trades-education-and-promote-one-on-one-tutoring,Congressman Auchincloss introduces the Education Not Endless Scrolling Act to impose a digital ad tax on Big Tech to fund trades education and promote one-on-one tutoring,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Jake Auchincloss,A000148,auchincloss.house.gov,auchincloss,https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) introduced the Education Not Endless Scrolling Act, which would impose a 50% excise tax on digital advertising revenue above $2.5 billion, taxing the trillion-dollar social media corporations and directing those funds to one-on-one tutoring, vocational-technical schools, and local journalism. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D, NH-02) is an original co-sponsor of this bill. The United States faces an information crisis. Big Tech has eroded our political discourse and civil society by platforming click-bait and slop. These merchants and miners of digital dopamine use bits of software — social media, online gambling, and other apps — to manipulate humans’ reward systems and create addictive behavior. Two of the greatest casualties have been the attention spans of American children and local journalism. According to Northwestern University’s Local News Initiative, 40% of all local U.S. newspapers have vanished, leaving 50 million Americans with little or no access to credible local reporting. When Big Tech usurps local journalism in pursuit of increased digital ad revenue, communities become less resilient, less informed, and ultimately less democratic. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of digital dopamine than any other demographic. They are also a lucrative audience. Harvard researchers reported that youth ages 0–17 generated nearly $11 billion in 2022 ad revenue across six major social media platforms, with three platforms deriving 30–40% of their ad revenue from young users. This legislation seeks to reinvest that revenue into high-dosage one-to-one tutoring and building vocational-technical schools that would have in-real-life benefits to students across the United States. To address these challenges, the Education Not Endless Scrolling Act directs and divides the tax revenue it generates from Big Tech among the following three funds: A Local Journalism Preservation Trust Fund to offset the budgetary impact of tax credits for hiring local journalists or for small businesses to advertise in local news outlets. A One-on-One Tutoring Trust Fund. A Career and Technical Education Support Trust Fund. “The future must be built, not bought. Americans have a choice: allow tech titans to exploit our economy and epistemology, or tax their trillions to invest in jobs and journalism,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-auchincloss-houchin-introduce-bipartisan-parents-over-platforms-act,"Reps. Auchincloss, Houchin introduce Bipartisan Parents Over Platforms Act to equip parents with age assurance tools that app stores and developers must respect",2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Jake Auchincloss,A000148,auchincloss.house.gov,auchincloss,https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) and Erin Houchin (R, IN-9) introduced the Parents Over Platforms Act to force app stores & developers to protect minors downloading apps on their phones. This legislation puts parents in the driver’s seat for their children’s online experience by creating an age-assurance framework that ensures their children can only download age-appropriate apps through app stores. The Parents Over Platforms Act would: Require app stores to provide users’ age ranges so that app developers can create age-appropriate experiences for children online. Compel app stores to provide parents with a central toolkit to manage their child's online activities. Impose penalties on developers who misuse users’ age information. Prohibit the use of children’s data for targeted advertising. “The most powerful architects of the content youth see online are Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and the Chinese Communist Party. They treat our children like products. Parents need strong, simple tools to take back control in this overly online age,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. “Kids can bypass age limits online far too easily, and parents are left with no real way to step in — I lived that when my own daughter was 13,"" said Congresswoman Erin Houchin. ""The Parents Over Platforms Act finally closes that loophole by making app stores and developers share responsibility for age assurance, giving parents one place to manage controls, and ensuring apps provide safer, age-appropriate experiences. This bill puts parents back in charge and keeps kids safer online.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/watch-seth-moulton-conducts-oversight-tour-burlington-ice-facility-speaks,"WATCH: Seth Moulton Conducts Oversight Tour of Burlington ICE Facility, Speaks with Advocates and Media Afterwards",2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"BURLINGTON, MA — This morning, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) conducted an official oversight visit of the ICE field office located in Burlington, Massachusetts. Congressman Moulton toured the facility and spoke with ICE personnel afterwards. After concluding his visit, Congressman Moulton spoke to advocates and media outside of the facility to detail his observations and discuss future action to hold ICE accountable. Watch the press conference here. Key findings from Congressman Moulton’s tour include: This facility is not meant for detention When people are detained here, they lose access to certain rights they would get at a true detention facility For example, attorneys are not allowed to visit clients that are detained in Burlington People sleep on concrete floors and benches—there are no cots or mats—with only an aluminum survival blanket. The toilets are open with no privacy or ventilation The cells and cell area are cleaned by a janitor only once each day Notably, ICE confirmed what we’ve been hearing from attorneys, clients, and family members—they are moving individuals out of Burlington more quickly now compared to in June 2025. That comes with its own challenges, including that these individuals are being moved to facilities further away, with less access to immigration lawyers to represent them. Congressman Moulton will be pursuing policy to require humane conditions for detainees inside ICE field offices like the one in Burlington. He will also continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the facility moving forward. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3689,Trahan to Introduce College Athletics Reform Act,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and former Division I volleyball player, will introduce the College Athletics Reform Act (CARA), landmark legislation designed to stabilize college sports, protect athletes’ rights, and create a sustainable system for all schools and sports. Introduction of CARA comes as the House of Representatives is set to vote this week on the flawed SCORE Act, which will roll back the rights of college athletes and hand massive giveaways to the NCAA and powerful conferences. “Despite years of intense lobbying from the most powerful institutions in college athletics, Congress is increasingly divided on how to address the challenges threatening the industry. Too many proposals pushed by entrenched power brokers focus on regaining control at the expense of the athletes who drive college sports, rather than on creating a sustainable system, particularly for women’s and Olympic sports and smaller schools,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The College Athletics Reform Act recognizes that divide. It offers a clear, bipartisan path forward to tackle the toughest questions facing college sports and to build a stronger system for every athlete, every team, and every school.” CARA enshrines athletes’ NIL rights into federal law, implements guardrails to protect against predatory agents, expands opportunities for women’s and Olympic sports as well as smaller schools, including HBCUs, and sets college athletics on a path to an enduring governance model that centers athletes. Specifically, the bill: Delivers for College Athletes: Establishes federal standards for name, image, and likeness rights and codifies rules for agents with both governmental and private enforcement. The bill also closes the international athlete loophole, ensuring all athletes can exercise the same NIL rights as their teammates. Charts a Better Path Forward: Creates a bipartisan Commission to Stabilize College Sports with a two-year timeline to develop recommendations for an enduring governance model. The Commission will also review the state of Title IX and explore how to deploy new revenues generated through amendments to the Sports Broadcasting Act to expand opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports and support athletic programs at smaller schools. Its structure reflects input from current and former athletes, both chambers of Congress, multiple committees, conferences, schools, and experts in athletics, civil rights, labor, and Title IX. Increases Revenue for All Schools: Amends the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 to allow schools to pool media rights, strengthening revenue for all stakeholders, particularly non-Power Two schools and HBCUs, and ensuring resources for women’s and Olympic programs. Protects Opportunities for Women: Enhances Title IX reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability, including revenue sharing, roster spots, expenditures, and travel.",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3690,House Passes Trahan Bill to Advance Rare Disease Treatments for Kids,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, secured unanimous House passage of the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, her bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a critical program that drives development of new treatments for children with rare pediatric diseases. The bill cleared the full House of Representatives after unanimously passing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in September. “Every child confronting a rare disease deserves access to the most effective therapies available,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act will ensure continued access to the treatments that families depend on today and strengthen the pathway for new breakthroughs that will define tomorrow’s standard of care. By supporting continued innovation, reducing barriers for researchers, and giving parents confidence that lifesaving options will remain within reach, this legislation represents meaningful progress for families across the country.” Children make up as much as half of patients living with rare diseases, yet treatment options designed specifically for pediatric needs remain limited. Many are still receiving therapies initially developed for adults, often resulting in long-term complications even after the underlying disease is treated. The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act addresses this by extending the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) cost-neutral priority review voucher (PRV) program which incentivizes the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases by awarding vouchers that speed up FDA review for future products. Since its creation in 2011, the PRV program has helped drive progress by issuing 53 vouchers for therapies targeting 39 different rare pediatric diseases. Following passage today, the bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Since joining the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2021, Trahan has spearheaded multiple bipartisan initiatives to improve pediatric health care. Last year, she secured House passage of her bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, which helps families of children with complex medical conditions access out-of-state care. She also authored the bipartisan Bolstering Research and Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, aimed at strengthening research and treatment development for pediatric brain tumors, and the bipartisan Youth Poisoning Protection Act, which passed the House and would ban the consumer sale of lethal concentrations of sodium nitrite. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:12Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-warren-cassidy-bill-to-simplify-tax-error-notices-signed-into-law,"Bipartisan Warren, Cassidy Bill to Simplify Tax Error Notices Signed Into Law",2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan Warren, Cassidy Bill to Simplify Tax Error Notices Signed Into Law Washington, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help (IRS MATH) Act, bipartisan legislation championed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in the Senate, was signed into law by the President. “It’s common sense that the IRS should tell Americans where they made mistakes on their taxes,” said Senator Warren. “I fought hard to fix the law and simplify the tax filing process. Now, Americans will have more money in their pockets, without needing to spend a fortune on lawyers or hours to decipher confusing tax notices."" The IRS MATH Act ensures that when taxpayers make simple math or clerical errors on their taxes, the IRS sends them clear notices indicating where they made an error and laying out a 60-day appeal window. Specifically, the bill: Directs the IRS to improve notices of math or clerical errors, requiring that notices: Identify the line item the IRS is changing; Explain the reason for the change, and Clearly list the taxpayer’s required response date. Requires that the IRS notify the taxpayer of abatement determinations. Requires the Treasury Secretary to provide additional procedures for requesting an abatement of a math or clerical error adjustment, including by telephone or in person. Creates a pilot program coordinated by the IRS and National Taxpayer Advocate to determine the benefit of sending math or clerical error notices by certified or registered mail. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by voice vote in March. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) led the bill on the House side. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-calls-for-secretary-mcmahon-to-resign-in-usa-today-op-ed,Warren Calls For Secretary McMahon to Resign in USA Today Op-Ed,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Calls For Secretary McMahon to Resign in USA Today Op-Ed “Linda McMahon has no business leading the Department of Education. She should resign.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) published an op-ed in USA Today calling for Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to resign following the recent news that President Trump and Secretary McMahon plan to further dismantle the Department of Education (ED). Senator Warren has led the fight to make the higher education system more affordable, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable for incompetence and malfeasance. She launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education. Last week, Senator Warren pushed for an expanded investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle ED and whether its recent decision to transfer many of ED’s responsibilities to four other agencies violates federal law. Read the full op-ed here and below. USA Today: Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Education Secretary Linda McMahon should resign December 1, 2025 Shortly after she was sworn in, I invited Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to my office. I looked her dead in the eye and asked, “Now, I just want to be clear, do you think you can shut down the Department of Education?” She looked straight back at me and said, “No, I don’t have the legal authority to do that.” But here we are. It’s official: Donald Trump and Secretary McMahon are dismantling the Department of Education one piece at a time. This is, in Secretary McMahon’s words, the department’s “final mission.” The assault on the department has come in several directions. On Nov. 18, Secretary McMahon announced that she was transferring major functions of the department to four other federal agencies. This means that programs are being moved into other agencies that have no relevant expertise to be managed by people who know nothing about the issues. NO PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION WILL REMAIN UNTOUCHED Here’s just one example of how this will work: Under this new arrangement, the Department of Labor will be in charge of supporting K-12 literacy, American history and civics, and Title I funding. Drink that in: Labor Department employees will decide which reading readiness programs to support for kindergartners. In fact, no part of public education will remain untouched by this move. Title I provides the biggest federal fund for K-12 schools and is used to help pay for good teachers and new textbooks all across America. School administrators are concerned that these changes may result in bigger class sizes, fewer afterschool and tutoring programs, and not enough workbooks for our kids because federal funding isn’t coming through. There’s more: Secretary McMahon has been trying to slash the section of the Department of Education that assists students with disabilities and their families. If she’s successful, this could sharply limit access to speech therapy, individual aides and special equipment that are all essential for these children to participate fully in a classroom education. Secretary McMahon has also fired half the staff at the Department of Education. For the 6 million students taking out loans for college each year and the 43 million wrestling with their outstanding loans, cuts at the Department of Education's student loan division will hit hard. The secretary of Education seems determined to sideline the cop on the beat to stop the scammers who prey on these students. Both families and schools will suffer. Because of the changes the secretary has made, schools will no longer be able to turn to the Department of Education when they face problems. Instead, they will now have to navigate four federal agencies and new staff and systems. TRUMP AND MCMAHON WANT TO DESTROY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FROM WITHIN Agencies that have no experience will be in charge, risking mistakes, confusion and delays in funding. For all the Trump administration’s talk about government efficiency, this is the opposite. This is no accident. While Donald Trump and Secretary McMahon claim to care about efficiency, the real goal has been clear all along: They want to destroy the Department of Education from within. They want to make the department so dysfunctional that people will want to get rid of it. Because here’s the thing: If they can create a system so complicated that it doesn’t work and if they hollow out the Department of Education just enough, there will be nothing left to abolish. This isn’t a fight over a national curriculum or putting education back into the hands of states. Federal law already guarantees that states – not the federal government – will decide what gets taught. Instead, this assault on public education is exactly that – an effort to undermine public schools all across America. I was a special education teacher. I know how much families rely on the Department of Education to ensure that their kids get the resources they need. To me, what’s at stake in this fight is more than the future of a federal agency. It’s about whether our country is truly committed to the idea of public education: the idea that anyone, no matter where they are born or how much money their parents have, can get a first-class education. Public education is a foundational block in our democracy, both for informed citizens and to give everyone a chance to build lifelong skills. And that’s what the Trump administration is trying to dismantle by closing down the Department of Education, an agency dedicated to building opportunities for kids all across the country. Public service is exactly that – serving the public. When a secretary of Education is actively dismantling our public education system, it’s time to reconsider her role in government. When the secretary is working to make class sizes bigger, take away aides for kids with special needs, leave college students at the mercy of financial predators, and make the whole department nonfunctional, it’s time for new leadership. Linda McMahon has no business leading the Department of Education. She should resign. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/statement-congressman-moulton-passing-state-rep-ann-margaret-ferrante,Statement from Congressman Moulton on the Passing of State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante,2025-11-27,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"SALEM, MA - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) has issued the following statement regarding the passing of Massachusetts State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante. ""I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Ann-Margaret Ferrante. She was a dear friend, an accomplished legislator, and a champion for the people of Cape Ann. Ann-Margaret led with compassion, integrity, and a profound belief in the dignity of every person she represented. Born into a fishing family, she worked tirelessly to ensure our fishermen kept their rightful place in our local economy and community. My thoughts are with her loved ones, her colleagues, and the entire Cape Ann community that she fought for so fiercely. We all have lost a remarkable public servant, and I have lost a dear friend.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/11/25/neal-on-lower-drug-prices-for-medicare/,Neal on Lower Drug Prices for Medicare,2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – President Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. military operations... WATCH HERE by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – U.S. Rep. Richard Neal toured Holyoke High School to... By Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — With work on MBTA subway cars ready to ramp up... SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier Springfield U.S. Representative Richard Neal said Tuesday... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier There's been some confusion whether there are talks going on... (As prepared for delivery) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s been over a year of the Republican trifecta in...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://neal.house.gov/2025/11/24/house-democratic-health-leaders-blast-the-trump-administrations-latest-scheme-to-gut-health-care/,House Democratic Health Leaders Blast the Trump Administration’s Latest Scheme to Gut Health Care,2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Richard E. Neal,N000015,neal.house.gov,neal,https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – President Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. military operations... WATCH HERE by: Nick Antonakas, 22 News HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – U.S. Rep. Richard Neal toured Holyoke High School to... By Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — With work on MBTA subway cars ready to ramp up... SPRINGFIELD, MA—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier Springfield U.S. Representative Richard Neal said Tuesday... LISTEN HERE New England Public Media | By Adam Frenier There's been some confusion whether there are talks going on... (As prepared for delivery) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s been over a year of the Republican trifecta in...",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3686,"Trahan, Lowell Leaders Announce $7.1 Million Federal Investment for New LRTA Buses",2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Lowell leaders announced $7,158,564 in federal funding awarded to the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) to support the purchase of six additional low emission buses. The new investment builds on the progress made last year when Trahansecured $6,859,296 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for LRTA to purchase seven state-of-the-art hybrid-electric buses, six of which have already been delivered and are in service. “There’s been no shortage of political divisiveness and chaos in Washington lately, but my focus remains where it’s always been – on delivering for the hardworking families I represent,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “That means fighting for investments that make daily life more affordable and more efficient for folks across Greater Lowell. These new buses will help reduce costs for riders, improve reliability, and make it easier for families to get where they need to go. This is the kind of practical progress people deserve, and I’m proud to help bring it home."" “This investment in Lowell's transit system is an investment in our residents. Reliable, cleaner, and more efficient buses help connect our neighborhoods, support our workforce, and make it easier for families to get where they need to go. I'm grateful to our regional and federal partners for helping us continue to build a transit system that reflects the needs and values of our community,” said Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke. “This award highlights what can be accomplished through strong partnerships. The City of Lowell, the LRTA, and our federal delegation have worked closely to advance sustainable transportation options for our region, and this latest funding will move that vision forward. We're proud to collaborate with the LRTA as they continue modernizing their fleet and improving service for the riders who depend on it every day,” said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “This federal grant award recognizes the successful and continuing collaboration between the LRTA, its legislative leaders, and community partners to provide safe, reliable and energy efficient public transportation to the Greater Lowell region. I am proud to say that the 2025 funding, coupled with a prior award to purchase new hybrid-electric buses, solidifies the LRTA’s bus-fleet modernization mission,” said LRTA Administrator Dave Bradley. “This could not be achieved without the dedicated advocacy of U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.” The investment announced today was secured through the Federal Transit Administration’s Law’s Low- or No-Emission Bus Grant Program, which was established after Trahan voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In addition to the seven buses acquired by LRTA last year, the federal program has helped other transit authorities upgrade their fleets, including the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. A separate Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program known as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Bus Rebate Program has also supported fleet upgrades forLawrence Public Schools,Fitchburg Public Schools, and the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. This funding is the latest secured by Trahan over the past year to support projects in Lowell and across the region. In August, the Rourke Bridge Replacement Projectofficially broke ground, made possible thanks to $251 million Trahan secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. Following the Trump Administration’s decision in May to revoke funding for the Lowell Folk Festival and Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Trahanled the charge to restore the funding, which was successful for the festival foundation. Last December, shesecured $37,617 for the Lowell Police Department to retain vital support staff. In October 2024, Trahancelebrated $1.5 million in federal funds to support Community Teamwork’s YouthBuild program, which provides educational and vocational training to at-risk youth to help prepare them for careers. ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:11Z https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3691,"Reps. Trahan, McGovern, Clark, Moulton, Pressley, Senators Markey, Warren, Governor Healey Announce Over $100 Million In Federal Funding for Massachusetts Transit Authorities",2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Lori Trahan,T000482,trahan.house.gov,trahan,https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Governor Maura Healey, and members of the Massachusetts’ congressional delegation announced that Massachusetts is receiving $105.78 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Low- or No-Emission Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these competitive programs provide funding for transit agencies to reduce emissions and expand and improve public transit service by purchasing buses that use low- or no-emission propulsion technologies; constructing or upgrading bus-related facilities; and/or further developing the public transit workforce. “There’s been no shortage of political divisiveness and chaos in Washington lately, but my focus remains where it’s always been – on delivering for the hardworking families I represent,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “That means fighting for investments that make daily life more affordable and more efficient for folks across our entire district. With these federal investments, our families, workers, and students will have access to new LRTA and MEVA buses that will help reduce costs for riders, improve reliability, and make it easier for families to get where they need to go.” “With these awards, communities from the Berkshires to Boston will be able to modernize their bus fleets and keep their infrastructure in a state of good repair so people can affordably and reliably get to work, school, medical appointments, and recreational opportunities,” said Senator Markey. “I’m grateful to Governor Healey and her administration, Senator Warren, our federal congressional delegation, and our RTAs and local partners for their work to make this funding a reality. We’re on the road to better and more reliable bus service.” “Low and no emission buses deliver smoother rides, lower costs and healthier air,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These funds will help transit authorities across the state purchase new buses and deliver the service that the people of Massachusetts deserve. I’m grateful for the team at MassDOT, the MBTA and our RTAs, as well as for Senators Warren and Markey and our Congressional delegation for their strong leadership to secure this funding.” “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made it a priority to pursue every dollar available and I’m proud of our collective teams across our Regional Transit Authorities and the MBTA for their collaboration and hard work to secure this $105.7 million in competitive grants that will enable us to modernize our bus fleets and facilities,” said Interim Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng. “I thank FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro for this award and with the support of our federal partners, Senator Warren, Senator Markey and the Congressional delegation, these investments will enhance service, safety and accessibility for all delivering cleaner new efficient buses that make it easier for people to choose transit and leave their car behind.” “Reliable, affordable public transit is a lifeline for families in Central and Western Massachusetts,” said Congressman James P. McGovern. “This federal investment will help our regional transit authorities replace aging buses, cut harmful emissions, and keep riders safe and moving. It means better service for workers, students, and seniors who depend on public transportation every single day. I’m grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Governor Healey, and all our partners who worked to secure these funds. Together, we’re delivering real improvements that strengthen our communities and support a cleaner, more sustainable future for our commonwealth.” “Massachusetts is leading the way toward the healthier, more affordable future that working families deserve. This transformative investment in clean buses is the latest win in Democrats' fight for faster, easier, and more sustainable commutes. I'm proud to be working alongside Governor Healey and our state leaders to strengthen the Commonwealth's public transit, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to work,” said House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “Massachusetts is leading the nation in building a cleaner and more reliable public transit system, and this investment will lead to more reliable service, lower emissions, and a transit system that connects more people to jobs, schools, and opportunity. I’ll continue to work to bring more federal resources to Massachusetts to deliver real progress for riders across Massachusetts,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “Transit justice is an economic, climate, and racial justice issue, and our policies and budgets must reflect that. These meaningful federal investments will help make our transportation infrastructure more safe and sustainable while connecting folks in the Massachusetts 7th and beyond to essential resources like jobs, schools, healthcare, and the grocery store,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I’ll keep pushing to invest in public transit as the public good that it is.” The awards to Massachusetts during this round of funding include: FY25-26 Low- or No-Emission Program Lowell Regional Transit Authority: $7,158,564 To purchase new hybrid buses to replace older buses that have reached their useful life Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority: $7,194,360 To purchase new buses that will augment its fleet and improve service Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: $5,381,341 To purchase new hybrid buses to replace older buses that have reached their useful life Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority: $78,566,512 To buy new hybrid buses to replace older buses that have reached their useful life FY25 Buses & Bus Facilities Program Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: $3,000,000 To rehabilitate its operations and maintenance facility Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: $4,475,955 To rehabilitate its Northampton bus garage ###",1,2026-04-06T14:24:52Z,2026-04-06T15:56:11Z https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-pushes-for-expansion-of-investigation-into-trumps-dismantling-of-education-department,Warren Pushes for Expansion of Investigation into Trump’s Dismantling of Education Department,2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Democrat,Senate,MA,Elizabeth Warren,W000817,www.warren.senate.gov,warren,https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Warren Pushes for Expansion of Investigation into Trump’s Dismantling of Education Department “The dismantling of ED—including ED’s recent move to transfer a range of statutory duties to other agencies—threatens devastating consequences for students, borrowers, and families. I request the ED OIG expand its investigation…” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to the Department of Education’s (ED) Inspector General, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pushed for an expanded investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle ED and whether its recent decision to transfer many of ED’s responsibilities to four other agencies violates federal law. In April 2025, at Senator Warren’s request, the ED Inspector General (IG) opened an investigation into whether the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the department undermined its legal obligations to students and families across the country. Since then, Senator Warren has conducted her own investigation, sending eight oversight letters, in addition to having a face-to-face meeting with Education Secretary Linda McMahon in June—during which the Secretary admitted she needs Congressional approval to dismantle the department. “[The department’s responses] largely failed to provide complete and transparent answers… [and] raised further questions about the extent to which Secretary McMahon has damaged the Department’s ability to carry out its basic functions,” said Senator Warren. Senator Warren asked the IG to investigate the following topics given McMahon’s efforts to dismantle ED: When the department would restore the Income-Driven Repayment counter, as Secretary McMahon committed to do, which shows student loan borrowers their progress toward debt relief; How the department would hold federal loan servicers like MOHELA accountable if they provide insufficient customer service to borrowers, including by penalizing servicers if they fail to meet their contractual obligations; The department’s plan to ensure that “Aidan,” the generative AI chatbot that ED created to provide assistance with student aid, does not mislead families and borrowers or compromise their privacy; A timeline for clearing the 1.1 million application backlog for Income-Driven Repayment plans, and how ED decided to mass-deny hundreds of thousands of applications in this backlog on a contrived technicality; Whether ED has neglected its responsibility to take enforcement actions against predatory or fraudulent schools and ensure low-quality or fraudulent for-profit programs do not receive public funding, especially given the administration’s decision to fire ED workers tasked with ensuring that federal funds are not used fraudulently; Whether ED is sufficiently protecting students who have encountered illegal discrimination, especially given the department’s unprecedented rapid dismissal of civil rights complaints and mass firings of Office for Civil Rights staff; and How the department determined who to fire when nearly half of ED’s employees were laid off in March; Whether ED’s recent agreements to transfer critical responsibilities to four other agencies are illegal. “The dismantling of ED—including ED’s recent move to transfer a range of statutory duties to other agencies—threatens devastating consequences for students, borrowers, and families,” concluded Senator Warren. Senator Warren urged the IG to expand its investigation and provide an update on the status of the ongoing investigation to “shed light on the impact of the dismantling of ED on students and families in Massachusetts and beyond.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-jake-auchincloss-introduces-aca-copay-cost-and-affordability-for-patients-cap-act,Congressman Jake Auchincloss Introduces ACA Copay Cost and Affordability for Patients (CAP) Act,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Jake Auchincloss,A000148,auchincloss.house.gov,auchincloss,https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) introduced the ACA Copay Cost and Affordability for Patients (CAP) Act to limit annual prescription drug cost-sharing for patients enrolled in health insurance plans through the ACA Marketplaces. Millions of Americans with ACA Marketplace coverage struggle to afford necessary medications, often facing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs before reaching their plan’s maximum limit. A 2025 analysis by No Patient Left Behind found that health exchange plans have increased patients’ prescription drug costs by an average of 36 percent since 2021. The same analysis estimated that 5.6% of enrollees had annual pharmacy out-of-pocket costs greater than $2,000, significantly higher than the $560.75 average in 2023. The ACA Copay CAP Act would allow health plans to retain the majority of their plan benefit design flexibilities, while patients and taxpayers receive greater value from their premium subsidies and improved access to lifesaving medications. The ACA Copay CAP Act would: Establish new out-of-pocket caps for prescription drugs: Starting in 2027, self-only coverage on the ACA would include a $2,000 cap per year for prescription drugs. Starting in 2027, family coverage on the ACA would include a $4,000 cap per year for prescription drugs. Increase the annual cap as premiums increase each year: Starting in 2028, the cap amount would increase each year based on the premium adjustment percentage set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Annual increases would be rounded down to the nearest $50 increment. “Insurance doesn’t work if the co-pays and deductibles are unaffordable,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. “When people pay premiums to insurance companies, they should be able to trust that the insurer will cover them when a doctor prescribes a drug they need. My bill is a step towards repairing that trust.” “While Republicans fail to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for working families, Congressman Auchincloss is working to reduce the cost of health care in the ACA,” said Darbin Wofford, Deputy Director of Health Care at Third Way. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors now pay no more than $2,000 a year in out-of-pocket drug costs. Third Way applauds Congressman Auchincloss's introduction of the ACA Copay Costs and Affordability for Patients (CAP) Act to extend that same protection to people in the ACA Marketplaces.” “This bill will provide life-saving financial relief to millions of families. As prescription drug prices in the United States continue to spiral out of control, forcing families to choose between the medication they need and putting food on the table, Big Insurance’s pharmacy benefit manager subsidiaries are profiting handsomely,” said Wendell Potter, President of the Center for Health and Democracy and Founder of the Lower Out-of-Pockets NOW Coalition. “Over the past decade, the seven largest publicly traded health insurers have reported more than $500 billion in profits, including $146 billion spent on stock buybacks—profits extracted in part from unaffordable cost-sharing requirements that patients face at the pharmacy counter., Health care should be about patients, not profits. Which is why Congress should advance this vital legislation without delay.” “Though ACA enrollment is up nearly 80% since 2021, too many health plans offer ‘coverage’ in name only. Prescription drugs comprise just 10 cents of every dollar spent on health care. Yet from 2021 to 2023, insurers increased pharmacy copay costs for the average enrollee by 36%, and 5.6% of people had more than $2,000 in annual drug costs,” said Peter Rubin, Executive Director of No Patient Left Behind. Patients and taxpayers expect premiums to pay for actual treatments. It is time to improve health plan quality. Thanks to Rep. Auchincloss and the ACA Copay CAP Act, we’re one step closer to real truth in insurance by requiring health plans and their vertically integrated PBMs to provide meaningful consumer protections from unaffordable out-of-pocket drug costs.” Supporting Organizations: No Patient Left Behind, Third Way, Center for Health and Democracy, Grady Legal, PA, California Physicians Alliance, A Healthier WE, Health Action New Mexico, Triage Cancer, Courage California, Hemophilia Federation of America, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, Arnall Golden Gregory LLC, Small Business Majority, Boomer Esiason Foundation, Doctors for America, Society of General Internal Medicine, Progressive Coders Network, and Patients Rising.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://lynch.house.gov/2025/11/rep-lynch-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-affordable-housing-supply,Rep. Lynch Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Affordable Housing Supply,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Stephen F. Lynch,L000562,lynch.house.gov,lynch,https://lynch.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) and Rep. Lisa McClain (MI-09), members of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced the Modular Housing Production Act, bipartisan legislation to facilitate the financing and construction of affordable housing nationwide. In particular, the bill would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to review all construction lending programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and promptly address barriers that currently limit construction financing for modular homes—highly-affordable single and multi-family dwellings that are built in sections and then assembled on a permanent site in accordance with state and local building codes. “Amid a national housing crisis that includes a severe shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes and single-family home prices that exceed the median household income five times over, the Modular Housing Production Act will better ensure that homeownership is attainable for America’s working families,” said Rep. Lynch. “With new innovations in technology and materials, today’s modular housing presents a great opportunity to expand the availability of housing. As the Urban Institute and other nonprofit partners have reported to our Committee, the use of modular housing significantly reduces construction costs and building time and must be a key component of our national efforts to maximize home affordability for low and moderate-income families and first-time home buyers,” added Rep. Lynch. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleague Rep. McClain, and I am grateful to Ranking Member Maxine Waters and Chairman French Hill of the Financial Services Committee for their continued leadership in support of housing affordability.” “Washington’s outdated rules have made it too hard for families to buy a safe, affordable home. This bill cuts the pointless red tape and drives costs down for hardworking families. This is a commonsense fix that delivers more options and a fair shot at the American Dream,” Rep. McClain said. The Modular Housing Production Act would specifically: Require the Secretary of HUD to review FHA construction financing programs to identify administrative, programmatic, and regulatory barriers limiting the construction of modular homes; Require the Secretary of HUD, within one year of enactment, to issue a public report containing recommendations to facilitate modular home financing and construction; Require the Secretary of HUD, in consultation with affordable housing stakeholders, to issue an agency rule to examine financing disbursement reforms to facilitate modular home construction; and Authorize the Secretary of HUD to award a grant to examine the development of a standardized commercial code to streamline modular home construction.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-moulton-announces-oversight-visit-burlington-ice-facility-invites,Congressman Moulton Announces Oversight Visit to Burlington ICE Facility; Invites Senators Warren & Markey to Join Him in Holding ICE Accountable,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) tonight announced that he will be conducting an official oversight visit to the Burlington ICE facility on December 1, citing ongoing concerns about transparency and detainee treatment. Congressman Moulton is also extending an invitation to Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to join him on the visit, offering an opportunity for the Massachusetts Senate delegation to join Congressman Moulton in his district to demand answers from ICE together. “When it comes to ICE, elected officials should work together to demand transparency and accountability from the Trump Administration, and to ensure that the law is being followed and detainees are being treated humanely,” said Congressman Moulton. “I’m inviting Senators Warren and Markey to join me on December 1 so that we can stand united in getting the facts, supporting our communities, and ensuring that this facility is operating responsibly, humanely, and within the law. We have seen the excessive use of force and inhumane treatment by ICE personnel in Massachusetts and around the country, and want to ensure that it does not happen moving forward. The December 1 visit will include a walkthrough of the facility and a meeting with ICE personnel to discuss prioritization for removal, agent conduct, and conditions inside the holding facility.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-introduces-support-our-troops-shipping-relief-act-2025,Moulton Introduces Support Our Troops Shipping Relief Act of 2025,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MA,Seth Moulton,M001196,moulton.house.gov,moulton,https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced new legislation to ensure that nonprofits can continue sending care packages to U.S. troops deployed overseas without being burdened by complex new customs and postal rules. The bill, called the Support Our Troops Shipping Relief Act of 2025, was prompted by concerns raised by Operation Troop Support, a Danvers-based nonprofit that has sent hundreds of thousands of holiday and humanitarian care packages to service members across the globe. New shipping regulations from the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Customs, intended to align with international trade standards, are making it harder and more expensive for nonprofits to deliver these packages. The Support Our Troops Shipping Relief Act of 2025 would create a targeted exemption for nonprofit troop-support organizations from certain customs and postal reporting requirements. This bill cuts through red tape by simplifying the paperwork that organizations need to fill out to send packages overseas. It also requires USPS and Customs and Border Patrol to create one clear, standardized process for delivering care packages overseas. It will make it easier, not harder, for organizations like Operation Troop Support to get those packages into the hands of the troops who deserve them. “As a Marine veteran, I remember how much it meant to get a care package, especially during the holidays,” said Congressman Moulton. “These meaningful gestures show that someone back home is still thinking about you. That message means a lot to our service members.” “Now, however, volunteers are being forced to fill out complex trade forms just to send toothpaste and snacks to a young soldier overseas. That’s ridiculous. “My bill cuts through the red tape and gives military support groups the breathing room they need to keep doing what they do best. Our troops need to be reminded that they’re supported and cared for, especially when they’re deployed thousands of miles away.” The head of Operation Troop Support, Dick Moody was delighted by the Congressman's initiative. “We have shared this news with others outside the district who do similar work with the soldiers, and they are thrilled that OTS has taken the lead in trying to end this obstacle,” said Moody. “Representative Moulton should be commended for leading the charge to make the American soldier feel like their homeland cares for them."" Bill text can be found here ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z