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://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405840,"Griffith Announces $529,133 ARC Grant for Wise County",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Wise County, Virginia, a $529,133 grant. This funding will support a water line replacement project along Ramsey Road and U.S. Route 58.

In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“This ARC grant for more than $529,000 helps Wise County modernize local water line infrastructure to better serve residents with potable water.”

BACKGROUND

According to ARC, this project will replace and realign 1,700 linear feet of water line. The existing line has developed repeated leaks and is difficult as well as costly to access.

As part of the project, new abandonment caps and gate valves will be installed.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405841,Chairman Griffith Bill Featured in Energy & Commerce Committee Package to Combat Health Care Fraud,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"Today, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce unveiled a package of policies that help combat fraudulent activities and protect public health programs that serve vital health care resources to patients. One of these policies, H.R. 10621 – the Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act, is sponsored by U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. Chairman Griffith’s bill targets Medicaid fraud by incentivizing States to take steps, such as implementing program integrity tools, that investigate fraud and protect federal health care programs. The incentive provided by Chairman Griffith’s bill allows States to receive an increased portion of the federal dollars saved when States identify fraud. This saved money can then be used to support numerous State programs like those in Virginia.

Commenting on this package and his bill, Chairman Griffith issued the following statement:

“For too long, Medicaid fraud has cost American taxpayers and Medicaid beneficiaries. As a leader on this issue, I believe a tangible step is my bill to enhance incentives to States to ferret out fraud in Medicaid and receive an increased portion of the money saved when they find fraud.

“Through this kind of action, we can improve fraud identification efforts and prevent foreign criminal actors from stealing valuable benefits that belong to patients.”

BACKGROUND

Earlier this year, Chairman Griffith helped launch and expand Energy and Commerce Committee investigations targeting nationwide Medicaid fraud.

Chairman Griffith is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act, to create new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits. Particularly important to recent events in our region, the bill also provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own.

In 2024, as then-Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith chaired a hearing on improper payments at CMS with a focus on fraud, waste and abuse.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-reports-suicide-attempts-sea-subramanyam-and-walkinshaw-seek-independent,"After Reports of Suicide Attempts at Sea, Subramanyam and Walkinshaw Seek Independent Review of Military Mental Health Care",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, and Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, are pressing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether service members have sufficient access to mental health care during deployments.

In their letter, the lawmakers point to concerning conditions aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford during its 326-day deployment. A fire spread from a laundry room to sleeping quarters, displacing approximately 600 sailors. Some had to sleep on floors and tables. The carrier also experienced plumbing and sewage problems.

The letter also raises concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment. The Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy has said eight sailors across ships in the strike group attempted suicide and several sailors attempted to jump overboard the USS Lincoln. The lawmakers cite reports of inadequate food and supplies and say it remains unclear what mental health resources service members can access while deployed and if they are sufficient to address their urgent needs.

“Extended deployments place enormous strain on servicemembers and their families,” the lawmakers write. “At a minimum, they deserve safe and adequate places to sleep, access to basic necessities, and living conditions that protect their physical and mental health.”

Walkinshaw and Subramanyam ask GAO to examine mental health screenings before, during, and after deployment; access to treatment at sea; how the Navy responds when symptoms escalate; and the obstacles it faces in delivering care.

“When those deployments are compounded by inadequate living conditions, Congress has a responsibility to understand the impact on morale, mental health, readiness, and retention, and ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) is doing everything possible to support the service members we ask to serve,” the lawmakers write.

Read the full letter here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=851,"After Reports of Suicide Attempts at Sea, Walkinshaw and Subramanyam Seek Independent Review of Military Mental Health Care",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, are pressing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether service members have sufficient access to mental health care during deployments.

In their letter, the lawmakers point to concerning conditions aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford during its 326-day deployment. A fire spread from a laundry room to sleeping quarters, displacing approximately 600 sailors. Some had to sleep on floors and tables. The carrier also experienced plumbing and sewage problems.

The letter also raises concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment. The Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy has said eight sailors across ships in the strike group attempted suicide and several sailors attempted to jump overboard the USS Lincoln. The lawmakers cite reports of inadequate food and supplies and say it remains unclear what mental health resources service members can access while deployed and if they are sufficient to address their urgent needs.

“Extended deployments place enormous strain on servicemembers and their families,” the lawmakers write. “At a minimum, they deserve safe and adequate places to sleep, access to basic necessities, and living conditions that protect their physical and mental health.”

Walkinshaw and Subramanyam ask GAO to examine mental health screenings before, during, and after deployment; access to treatment at sea; how the Navy responds when symptoms escalate; and the obstacles it faces in delivering care.

“When those deployments are compounded by inadequate living conditions, Congress has a responsibility to understand the impact on morale, mental health, readiness, and retention, and ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) is doing everything possible to support the service members we ask to serve,” the lawmakers write.

Read the full letter here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=852,Walkinshaw Calls for Investigation into Trump's DHS-Funded Political Ads,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), the only Democrat who sits on both the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform Committees, called for an investigation into President Trump's use of Department of Homeland Security funds to bankroll his political TV ads.

“Trump is using your tax dollars at the Department of Homeland Security to pay for his own political TV ads.

Republicans handed DHS historic levels of funding. Now it turns out Trump is spending it on himself.

These aren't PSAs. One is nearly identical to a Trump 2024 campaign ad. And they're illegal. Federal law bans spending taxpayer money on political ads and propaganda.

His approval is at rock bottom, so he's buying airtime while families are drowning in gas and grocery prices.

We need a full investigation, with everyone who signed off on this answering under oath.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-senate-passage-of-his-bipartisan-legislation-to-make-food-supply-chain-safer,Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of His Bipartisan Legislation to Make Food Supply Chain Safer,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the Senate passage of the Making America’s Food Safer Act, bipartisan legislation he led alongside HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to improve the safety of the U.S. food supply chain. The HELP Committee advanced this legislation in July.

“No one should be in a grocery store aisle having to wonder whether the food in their cart is going to make them ill. Protecting Americans from contaminated food, faulty products, and other dangerous items is one of the most basic regulatory responsibilities the government has,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation will make the food supply chain more efficient, improve coordination between the federal government and state and local entities about food safety—all the more important in the context of recent outbreaks of foodborne illness—and help keep dangerous products off U.S. shelves. I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting this common-sense, bipartisan legislation.”

Specifically, the Making America’s Food Safer Act would:

Expand the third-party certificate program to allow both foreign and domestic entities involved in the food supply chain to be audited by accredited third-party auditors. Previously, only foreign entities were eligible for third-party auditing. This broadening of eligibility will relieve administrative burden on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and improve efficiency while preserving safety.

Provide the FDA with the authority to share food safety information with state and local regulatory agencies. Previously, the FDA was barred from sharing certain data, including surveillance data on foodborne illness outbreaks, laboratory fundings, facility inspection records, recall information, and consumer complaints, due to proprietary restrictions. Historically, coordination between the FDA and state/local regulators have helped protect public health, including in 2024 when data sharing between the FDA and North Carolina state health authorities led to the successful recall of lead-contaminated applesauce nationwide.

Expand the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to order the destruction of any FDA-regulated product that presents a significant public health risk, such as contaminated foods and illegal vaping/e-cigarette products. The FDA already has this authority for items like medical devices and prescription drugs. By expanding HHS’ authority to destroy dangerous items, this legislation would help close a loophole known as “port shopping”—i.e., subsequent attempts to bring dangerous goods into the U.S. after they have already been rejected through another port.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-criticizes-trump-vance-administrations-rollback-of-protections-for-survivors-of-assault-on-campus-and-lgbtq-students,Kaine Criticizes Trump-Vance Administration’s Rollback Of Protections For Survivors Of Assault On Campus And LGBTQ+ Students,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and former civil rights attorney, issued the following statement regarding the Education Department’s final rule reinstating Title IX regulations from President Donald Trump’s first term:

“Today’s Title IX final rule guts discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and will reimpose rules from the first Trump Administration that made it even harder for survivors of campus sexual assault to obtain justice,” said Kaine. “America’s future depends on the quality and safety of our schools. The Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and weaken protections for students are dangerous steps in the wrong direction.”

Since Trump took office for his second term, Kaine has been at the forefront of opposing the Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). In July 2026, Kaine successfully secured committee passage of his legislation to prevent the Administration from scattering ED’s programs to other agencies ill-equipped to handle them. Kaine has also advocated for legislation to combat campus sexual assault. Kaine has previously led introductions of the Survivor Outreach and Support on (S.O.S.) Campus Act and the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors (SUCCESS) Act, legislation to help support student survivors of sexual assault and other violence.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-lankford-introduce-jimmy-lai-internet-freedom-act-to-counter-chinas-internet-censorship-in-hong-kong,"Kaine, Lankford Introduce Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act to Counter China’s Internet Censorship in Hong Kong",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act to assist the people of Hong Kong in circumventing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) censorship and maintain access to a free and open internet.

The bill is named in honor of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and publisher who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court after being convicted under Beijing’s National Security Law. The legislation responds to the CCP’s continued erosion of Hong Kong’s freedoms and expanding efforts to restrict access to information online. The bill notes that Beijing has used its National Security Law to suppress freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press, while granting authorities expanded power to censor online content and obtain user information.

“China’s restrictions on internet in Hong Kong are a blatant attempt to crack down on dissent, stifle freedom of expression, and censor the free flow of information to the people of Hong Kong,” said Kaine. “The United States must stand up for freedom and the rights of all people. This legislation would improve the State Department and other agencies’ ability to strengthen access to internet and keep China from censoring information. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.”

The senators’ bill would establish a Hong Kong Internet Freedom Program within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and a corresponding program at the Open Technology Fund. The programs would coordinate with an interagency working group to develop a strategy for strengthening internet resiliency and online access in Hong Kong.

The Jimmy Lai Internet Freedom Act would:

Establish a Hong Kong Internet Freedom Program at the Department of State and Open Technology Fund.

Support technologies that allow Hongkongers to circumvent internet blocking, filtering, and censorship.

Support virtual private networks and other firewall circumvention tools.

Provide digital security and resiliency support to pro-democracy activists and civil society organizations.

Require a strategic planning report outlining the federal government’s efforts to expand internet freedom and circumvention technology in Hong Kong.

Kaine and Lankford first introduced the Safeguarding Internet Freedom in Hong Kong Act after Beijing imposed its National Security Law on Hong Kong. That legislation sought to develop and deploy firewall circumvention technology to help Hongkongers access information and communicate freely.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-welch-shaheen-urge-trump-admin-to-stop-meddling-in-brazils-elections-recognize-certified-outcome-and-support-brazils-democracy,"Kaine, Welch, Shaheen Urge Trump Admin to Stop Meddling in Brazil’s Elections, Recognize Certified Outcome and Support Brazil’s Democracy",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations (SFRC) Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, along with Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), sent a letter raising concerns that the Trump Administration is using diplomatic, economic, and political pressure to deliberately weaken Brazil’s democratic institutions ahead of its October 4, 2026, presidential election.

In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators outline how the Trump Administration’s actions undermine confidence in Brazil’s electoral process ahead of its upcoming election and inflict further damage on the United States’ relationship with a strategic ally and trading partner. The Senators also highlight how the Administration’s actions reflect a broader and deeply troubling pattern of interference in recent electoral processes across Latin America, as seen during Argentina’s midterm elections and the presidential elections in Honduras and Colombia.

The senators detailed how, over the course of President Trump’s second term, U.S. officials have engaged in a campaign of interference and destabilization in Brazil.

“This effort first escalated sharply during the summer of 2025, with the administration deploying tariffs and targeted sanctions to attempt to shape the Brazilian Supreme Court’s verdict in the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro on charges of attempting to foment a military coup to stay in power. Despite some subsequent measures of de-escalation in the months that followed, including direct and cordial talks between Presidents Trump and Lula, the campaign directed at Brazil’s authorities resumed with the appointment of Darren Beattie as a senior advisor on Brazil issues in the State Department. Beattie, a noted far-right extremist and white supremacist, came into this post with a record of public statements signaling an overt ideological commitment to undermining Brazil’s democratic institutions and advancing the interests of the Brazilian far-right,"" said the senators.

“More recently, the administration again targeted Brazilian imports with steep tariffs following a Section 301 investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative. The investigation was reportedly initiated at President Trump’s direction at the same moment that he publicly criticized Brazilian court actions against former President Bolsonaro and U.S. social media companies. The administration’s most recent actions point toward an effort to interfere with, and potentially undermine, Brazil's general election in October. Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro’s recent Oval Office meeting with President Trump, undertaken while attempting to mitigate a domestic political scandal, underscored the administration's willingness to insert itself in the election,"" continued the senators.

“Immediately following the announcement of the election results in 2022, the United States moved swiftly—in coordination with allies and partners—to recognize President Lula’s victory, helping to deny legitimacy to efforts to contest or reverse the outcome. Following the January 8, 2023, attacks on Brazil’s democratic institutions, the United States stood firmly with Brazil’s newly elected government and played a key role in rallying support across the region for Brazil’s efforts to defend its hard-won 1988 constitution and the democratic institutions it established,"" the senators stressed.

Given the administration’s actions, the senators requested answers to the following questions:

How does the Department coordinate its democracy and human rights objectives with regional partners in the Western Hemisphere, particularly regarding technical assistance or monitoring of electoral and judicial processes?

Will the administration commit to recognizing the certified outcome of Brazil's 2026 democratic elections and to supporting normal diplomatic relations with whichever candidate is freely and fairly chosen by the Brazilian people?

The senators' full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-500000-in-federal-funding-to-improve-water-infrastructure-in-wise-county,"Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $500,000 In Federal Funding to Improve Water Infrastructure in Wise County",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $529,133 in federal funding to help replace and improve a waterline in Wise County, ensuring residents have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water.

“Every Virginian deserves dependable access to clean, safe drinking water,” said the senators. “We’re proud to help deliver these federal dollars to replace aging infrastructure in Wise County, improve reliable water service for residents, and support the community’s long-term growth.”

The funding will support the Ramsey Road Waterline Replacement Project, which will replace and realign the waterline along Ramsey Road and U.S. Route 58. The existing line was installed before the construction of U.S. Route 58 and later buried under deep infill, making it difficult and costly to access for repairs. As the line has aged, repeated leaks have created potential public health risks, increased maintenance costs, and threatened reliable water service. The project will install a new, properly sited waterline with direct maintenance access, as well as new abandonment caps and gate valves. The upgrades will help prevent service disruptions, reduce maintenance costs, and support long-term community and economic growth throughout Wise County.

The funding was awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a federal-state partnership that Warner and Kaine have helped fund to support economic development and community growth across the Appalachian region.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve clean water access and infrastructure across the Commonwealth. In 2026, the senators announced more than $3 million in federal funding for wastewater treatment facility upgrades in Campbell County. In 2025, they announced more than $26 million in federal funding for Lee County’s wastewater system expansion and $700,000 to extend Wise County’s public wastewater service. In 2023, they announced close to $62.4 million in funding for water infrastructure upgrades across Virginia, with more than $47 million made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which the senators helped pass.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cdfi-caucus-co-chairs-warner-and-crapo-applaud-release-of-congressionally-appropriated-fy25-cdfi-funds/,CDFI Caucus Co-Chairs Warner and Crapo Applaud Release of Congressionally Appropriated FY25 CDFI Funds,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), co-chairs of the Senate Community Development Finance Caucus, issued the following statement:

“We welcome Treasury taking another step to get these long-delayed FY25 CDFI Fund dollars out the door before they expire at the end of the month. These funds matter to families, small businesses, and communities across the country, especially at a time when Americans are already feeling squeezed by the cost of groceries, gas, housing, and other everyday expenses.

“It should not take months of bipartisan pressure from Congress and advocates across the country to release funding at the eleventh hour that Congress already approved. We also remain deeply concerned by repeated efforts to weaken the CDFI Fund and its ability to do its job. We urge Treasury to make sure these dollars are deployed quickly, transparently, and fairly in accordance with the intent of Congress.”

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-warner-calls-for-data-center-guardrails-on-water-energy-and-transparency/,"On Senate Floor, Warner Calls for Data Center Guardrails on Water, Energy, and Transparency",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO IS AVAILABLE HERE

WASHINGTON – On the floor of the United States Senate today, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) called on Congress to enact meaningful protections for communities facing the rapid expansion of data centers, arguing that legislation must include enforceable requirements on energy costs, water usage, transparency, and community impacts.

The Senate is expected to vote tomorrow on the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would direct states to consider adopting a standard under which certain large data centers would pay for the infrastructure costs associated with their development. States would have two years to consider the standard and would not be required to adopt it.

Warner argued that the proposal does not go far enough and urged his colleagues to instead consider his Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act, which would establish mandatory transparency requirements for large data centers and condition valuable federal tax benefits on developers meeting standards related to energy, water, environmental performance, and community impacts.

In his speech today, Sen. Warner explained that the Ratepayer Protection Act “could be a starting point, but here’s what the bill does. It says that states can consider adopting a federal standard that would hold data centers responsible for rising electricity bills, and then they get two years to consider that. Candidly, they could do that today. We’ve already taken some action in Virginia. And what happens if nobody takes up that offer? Anything happen to these data centers? Does anything happen to those communities? Well, nothing.”

Warner continued, “I think we need real legislation on this. We need legislation that actually has some boundaries. This should not be optional. We have seen communities hit by skyrocketing electrical costs. We’ve seen communities where a lot of their water usage has gone up dramatically. We’ve seen these data centers sometimes literally intrude right into neighborhoods.”

Warner’s Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act would require greater public disclosure of data centers’ energy and water consumption, backup power systems, environmental impacts, and other information. It would also condition access to accelerated depreciation tax benefits on developers meeting standards related to energy, water, building efficiency, setbacks, and community transparency.

“We need to make sure we’ve got accurate information about power usage, water usage, setbacks, backup power, get rid of non-disclosure agreements,” said Sen. Warner. “My legislation would require, not invite, but require that information to come forward and put a penalty in place.”

Warner also emphasized that the legislation would use existing federal tax incentives to encourage better behavior from developers rather than simply relying on voluntary commitments.

“If you’re going to do all that and not meet those standards, then you shouldn’t get bonus depreciation,” Sen. Warner said. “We have given these hyperscalers, we’ve given these data center builders, enormous tax benefits and bonus depreciation, where they can write off the cost of these very expensive centers, all in the first year. I don’t want to take that away. I’m not raising anybody’s taxes. But I’m saying, you shouldn’t get all the benefits up front if you don’t provide to the community some guarantees about water, power, setbacks, community involvement.”

“Unless we put some consequences, I think we are going to completely miss the boat,” he continued.

Warner contrasted that approach with the legislation before the Senate, rejecting the argument that Congress should accept a limited measure now and address the remaining issues later.

“I know people will say, and my colleagues may say, well, why don’t you take half a loaf?” said Warner. “But the underlying bill isn’t half a loaf. It’s the promise of maybe one slice of that bread two years down from now.”

Sen. Warner said, “I hope that I can encourage my colleagues to join me in passing the Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act, one that I’ve already socialized with industry, one that would put some mandatory requirements, but also put some real teeth in this very important issue.”

Sen. Warner’s full remarks are below:

I’ve spent the last couple of years trying to learn as much as I can about artificial intelligence and its upside and still long AI in terms of innovational bring. I think there are some real challenges.

I have to acknowledge I did witness something this afternoon something that was a little bit surreal. The president had brought together some leaders of the AI Industry and in a closed, quiet room, I guess they reached some level of moral agreement, whatever that means, that they’re going to try to make sure things are safe. As a matter of fact, they even went so far as to say all of the president’s critique about concerns about AI being a hoax or about data centers not being a problem are suddenly being solved because the president has renamed AI, SI, superintelligence. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry to think that the greatest innovation in my lifetime — and I was in the tech business before I came to politics — that it’ll be bigger than my old industry, wireless, or bigger than cloud computing. And with all the up sides, there are down sides and it’s suddenly going to be solved by a name change of but that’s the status of our political debate.

Earlier today I came down with two of my democratic colleagues and said as we get all of these warnings from industry, form business that use AI tools, from national security, wouldn’t it be a good idea to put in some basic safety precautions in place. We stripped away all of the other provisions and just have a safety board here. I know the presiding officer has had an interest in this topic. I’ve yet to talk to a member that doesn’t think some level of safety with this enormous innovation is appropriate. Well, that’s not going to take place before we finish before the elections.

So I’m back again this afternoon to talk about another piece of the AI debate that certainly needs congressional action. And that is the whole question about how we build out and ensure consumers don’t get stuck with the buildout of data centers. This is something I know a little bit about. Virginia is the capital of data centers in our country, and there is enormous concern from neighbors, from communities, many of the kind of the worst examples of data centers were built 15 or 20 years, but the industry has moved forward. I give credit there. But the angst about data centers, I think is also reflective of the angst about AI is not going away, no matter what the president wants to say. I’d urge him to travel anywhere across Virginia, for that matter, anywhere across Kansas or Texas or anywhere else where these data centers are being proposed because communities actually want to have a say in what happens in their backyard, what happens with their utility rates, what happens with their water usage, what happens with local communities signing nondisclosure agreements, so the community doesn’t even know what they’re getting until after the deal is cooked.

I guess tomorrow the Senate will turn to focus on the so-called Ratepayer Protection Act, which is supposed to answer all of these concerns about cost, about community.

The challenge is, and it could be a starting point, but here’s what the bill does. It says that states can consider adopting a federal standard that would hold data centers responsible for rising electricity bills, and then they get two years to consider that. Candidly, they could do that today. We’ve already taken some action in Virginia. And what happens if nobody takes up that offer? Anything happen to these data centers? Does anything happen to those communities? Well, nothing.

I think we need real legislation on this. We need legislation that actually has some boundaries. This should not be optional. We have seen communities hit by skyrocketing electrical costs. We’ve seen communities where a lot of their water usage has gone up dramatically, and they’re concerned, concerned about the water table. We’ve seen these data centers sometimes literally intrude right into neighborhoods.

I’ve heard the pushback from communities all across our Commonwealth. Matter of fact, even the community that’s got the most, that has received the most economic benefits, they recently, Loudoun County, they recently put a pause. Now, I don’t think we can pause. I don’t think we can put the genie back in the bottle, but I would urge the Senate not to take this flim flam do nothing bill, but actually take a look at my Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act, which I didn’t dream up in the last couple of days, but put forward much earlier this summer on an issue that I’ve been working on for a couple of years. What we can’t rely on is simply the goodwill of these hyperscalers and these companies. Some are well intentioned, some are not.

We need to make sure we’ve got accurate information about power usage, water usage, setbacks, backup power, get rid of non-disclosure agreements. My legislation would require, not invite, but require that information to come forward and put a penalty in place, at a relatively small amount, if they don’t submit that. But the real bite, and what’s going to really change this behavior and, frankly, earn back some of the community’s trust if there’s a tool. Frankly, I have had ongoing discussions with most of the hyperscalers who are building out these data centers, who, frankly, think my piece of legislation makes some sense.

The second half of my legislation would say, if you don’t meet LEED Gold or LEED Platinum standards, which are already established. If you don’t show how you’re bringing your own power. You don’t have criteria on water usage, that’s gotten better because more of these data centers have circulatory systems. If you don’t have setbacks from neighborhoods. If you use non-disclosure agreements. What it would say is, well, if you’re going to do all that and not meet those standards, then you shouldn’t get bonus depreciation. I’m not going to raise anybody’s taxes. But we have given these hyperscalers, we’ve given these data center builders, enormous tax benefits and bonus depreciation, where they can write off the cost of these very expensive centers, all in the first year. I don’t want to take that away. I’m not raising anybody’s taxes. But I’m saying, you shouldn’t get all the benefits up front if you don’t provide to the community some guarantees about water, power, setbacks, community involvement. If a community then wants to go or a hyperscaler wants to come in and say, we’ll help provide. I think, in Louisiana, some additional benefits for your schools have at it. You’ve got to set a federal baseline, so the communities don’t feel that they’re getting snookered. And the ability to make sure we don’t give away these tax benefits without that minimum guarantee I think, has a lot of benefit. And just today, we learned that Microsoft saved about $12 billion in taxes on using accelerated depreciation or bonus depreciation. Meta saved about 16 billion, 15.9 billion, from using bonus depreciation. And I’ve reached out to these companies. They understand the game has changed. They have to be more engaged. And I think many of the hyperscalers would meet these new standards.

But unless we put some consequences I think we are going to completely miss the boat.

It’s kind of like saying, even though the AI companies themselves are saying, ‘gosh, we’re really worried about safety,’ none of the responsible ones realize they can simply say, ‘just trust us.’ The idea that these largest companies in the world, and I know the CEOs of most of them, I think there are many of them are good people, but the idea, after we’ve all experienced some of the ups and downs of social media, we’re going to turn the same power over to this same group of CEOs and say, ‘we’re going to trust you to figure this all out on your own, without any public input.’ I keep thinking back, would I ever climb on an airplane that hadn’t had a safety inspection? But that’s what we’re thinking about on overall AI safety and these models being released.

But at least tomorrow, if the Senate takes up this Ratepayer Protection Act, I’m not sure what I’m going to do on the vote tomorrow, but I would say that the Ratepayer Protection Act is a fig leaf. And I know people will say, and my colleagues may say, well, why don’t you take half a loaf? You know, I’m pretty involved in every bipartisan action. You know, take half a loaf and we keep working on it. But the underlying bill isn’t half a loaf. It’s the promise of maybe one slice of that bread two years down from now.

The anger in my state and in every state across the country on this issue is not going to wait two years to have some kind of no penalty, but optional review where, frankly, the pitchforks are out already.

I hope that I can encourage my colleagues to join me in passing the Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act, one that I’ve already socialized with industry, one that would put some mandatory requirements, but also put some real teeth in this very important issue.

But, these issues are not going to disappear and simply punting or saying to industry, ‘trust us,’ and I come from the tech industry, is not going to satisfy the concerns of the American people.

The sooner we get to work on serious business, the sooner we can make sure that we benefit from all of this AI innovation that I do think lies in wait, because if we have a mistake, or if we have a challenge and something happens, all of this innovation could go away because the American people are already enormously suspect about AI. They are already enormously concerned at a 90-10 ratio about data centers.

It is time for us to act and not simply punt.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-warner-discusses-urgent-need-to-pass-ai-security-legislation/,"On Senate Floor, Warner Discusses Urgent Need to Pass AI Security Legislation",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO IS AVAILABLE HERE

WASHINGTON – On the floor of the United States Senate today, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), joined by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), asked for unanimous consent to pass the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026, legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems.

In his speech today, Sen. Warner detailed the importance of legislating on artificial intelligence now and how we need to “get AI right, that it’s safe and it’s fair. That America leads in AI innovation.”

“The whole world has recognized that we’ve got to do something. When AI companies come out one after another say we’ve got to elevate safety ,” said Sen. Warner.

“We should not miss the moment to put a safety protocol in place now. If we leave and we have an incident, AI is already suspect by most Americans, we could actually see the stop of innovation if an AI tool took over a hospital, or a water system,” he continued.

When explaining the legislation, Sen. Warner said, “Our request is really simple. It’s been as pared down as possible. Before these models are released, there should be pretesting to make sure, secondly, the sandboxes where they do the testing have appropriate cyber protocols. That even before you start testing, there’s at least basic safety policy. God forbid we have an incident; we’ve got to have an incident reporting mechanism. No more, no less.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) objected, blocking the bill from Senate passage.

Sen. Warner’s full remarks are below:

I think most of us in this chamber realize that we are literally living through one of the most consequential technology moments in our lifetime.

That’s why I’m here with several of my colleagues, Senator Schatz from Hawaii and Senator Kim from New Jersey, to say that we can’t, frankly, have regular business at this moment.

You know, before I got into politics, I was in the technology field. I was lucky enough to be in on the ground floor of the wireless industry and then became a venture capitalist and was involved with iterations around the internet and cloud computing.

But I can say without reservation that as big as wireless was, as big as the internet is, as big as cloud computing, they will pale in comparison to the innovation that will come about through artificial intelligence.

In many ways, the reason I chose to ask the people of Virginia to hire me one last time was, because having spent an enormous amount of time on this subject, I am enormously concerned we get AI right. That it’s safe. That it’s fair. That America leads in AI innovation.

And over the last year and a half or so, two years, I’ve spoken on this subject repeatedly. I laid out my ideas on how we ought to have a comprehensive approach. I’ve got legislation on data centers, that, if they don’t meet federal minimum standards, would impose their inability to get a bonus tax depreciation. I’ve got plans in terms of how we ought to be dealing with child safety. If you think social media messed up your kids, wait until your teenager daughter or son thinks they’ve got an affinity or relationship with a chatbot. China has already prohibited that. We’re seeing increasingly the use of AI agents. Who bears the liability? I’ve got some ideas there. National security. When Mythos came out from Anthropic, our head of NSA and Cyber Command said this tool will change warfare as much as drones. Finally, I continue to be enormously concerned that while AI may create jobs long term, in the short run, in the next two to five years, I think it will have an enormous disruption in our workforce. I would make a wager with anyone that I hope I would lose, that we could see up to 30% of recent college grad unemployment as companies try to integrate the productive gains from AI. They’re simply not going to hire as many folks going forward.

I remain an AI optimist. I am not an AI doomer. But we are at a moment in time, particularly over the last few weeks, where I think the whole world has recognized we’ve got to do something. When AI companies, one after another, come out and say, “we’ve got to elevate safety and put that first and foremost.” When OpenAI yesterday said they’re slowing their model on Astra. When Anthropic has said they’re trying to build in more safety protocols, I think that’s good.

But, are we really going to trust the industry to self-police on something that goes beyond what is happening? We’ve already seen not tens but thousands of examples where these models go beyond what humans want them to do. The most famous being the OpenAI-Hugging example where 3,000 bots jumped the sandbox fence, attacked another company, then came back and attacked OpenAI. Literally during that period they communicated with each other, hid their intent from human beings, would sacrifice some of the bots for the greater cause. And we’re doing nothing. That was July. In August, they had 10,000 bots collaborate.

We three, and there are a lot of senators on both sides of the aisle who I think are enormously concerned, we said we’ll all have time to debate all of our pet rocks, and say, we’ve all got great ideas here. But we should not miss the moment to put a safety protocol in place now. If Congress goes out, God forbid we have an incident, AI is already suspect by most Americans, we could see the stop of innovation if an AI tool took over a hospital or water system.

I’m not an AI doomer, but the ability to have these AI agents take over, shut down part of the financial system, is real. We should heed the call from the experts. I think you’ll also see shortly the finance world has said we need mandatory controls. I think you’ll see other large businesses say that as well. We need to make sure whatever safety board we put in place doesn’t ensconce the already largest frontier labs.

Our request is really simple. It’s been as pared down as possible. Before these models are released, there should be pretesting to make sure, secondly, the sandbox where they do the testing has appropriate cyber protocols. That before you start testing there’s at least a basic safety policy. These companies welcome this. God forbid, we’ve got an incident, we’ve got to have an incident reporting mechanism. No more, no less. We would house this at NIST. The safety board would have to include where the expertise is, the frontier models. I think it would be good to have an international validator, somebody like the British, where they’ve got an AI safety institute, where we can guarantee to the rest of the world that our models are safe.

Let’s not get involved, this is not a partisan issue. I think the Chairman of the Commerce Committee is coming down. We’ve worked with him. We look forward to working with him further.

Let’s put a statement in place that we in the United States Senate recognize the enormous upside of AI, but there is also a downside.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-cassidy-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-pbm-reimbursement-data-protect-patients-from-out-of-pocket-costs/,"Warner, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve PBM Reimbursement Data, Protect Patients From Out-of-Pocket Costs",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Finance Committee, and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced the Ensuring Accurate Payments to Specialty Pharmacies Act, bipartisan legislation to include specialty and mail-order pharmacies in federal drug acquisition cost surveys, improving the accuracy of prescription drug reimbursement data and rates, and bringing down costs for patients.

“Specialty and mail-order pharmacies provide critical medications to patients across Virginia, and they should be reimbursed fairly and accurately for the care they provide,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce legislation that will give the Department of Health and Human Services a more accurate picture of what pharmacies actually pay for prescription drugs, help ensure reimbursement rates reflect those costs, and protect patients from out-of-pocket expenses.”

“Although I’m a doctor, you don’t have to be a doctor to see patients aren’t able to afford the prescription drugs they need,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This legislation ensures that Medicaid and Medicare pay a fair and accurate price for specialty drugs so patients can access the best care at the lowest cost.”

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are third-party intermediaries that manage prescription drug benefits and pharmacy networks on behalf of health plans, including Medicare Part D plans and some state Medicaid programs. Among other responsibilities, PBMs help determine which medications are covered by health insurance plans, how much patients pay for prescriptions, and how pharmacies are reimbursed.

Under current law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires retail community pharmacies to participate in surveys used to determine the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), which measures how much pharmacies pay to acquire prescription drugs. Medicaid programs and their PBMs use this data to help establish appropriate pharmacy reimbursement rates.

The Ensuring Accurate Payments to Specialty Pharmacies Act would expand participation in these surveys to include specialty and mail-order pharmacies, providing more thorough data on drug acquisition costs and helping ensure PBM reimbursement rates cover the complete cost of prescription drugs.

“The Virginia Pharmacy Association supports the Ensuring Accurate Payments to Specialty Pharmacies Act because accurate drug acquisition cost data is essential to establishing fair and sustainable pharmacy reimbursement. Expanding participation in the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey to include specialty and mail-order pharmacies will strengthen the integrity of reimbursement benchmarks and help ensure pharmacies are reimbursed based on more complete and representative data. We appreciate Senator Warner’s continued leadership on policies that promote transparency and strengthen patient access to pharmacy services,” said Jamie Fisher, Executive Director, Virginia Pharmacy Association.

Read the full bill here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-colleagues-sponsor-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-a-federal-film-tax-credit/,"Warner, Colleagues Sponsor Bipartisan Bill to Establish a Federal Film Tax Credit",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON— U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and a coalition of bipartisan lawmakers sponsored the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, legislation to create a federal film tax incentive.

“Film and television production supports good-paying jobs and small businesses across Virginia and across the country. This bill will help keep more productions — and the jobs they create — here at home, while giving Virginia’s talented artists and production workers more opportunities to succeed. I’m proud to support this effort,” said Sen. Warner.

The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act would:

Spur American jobs and economic development by providing a 20% federal, labor-based tax credit to U.S. film and television productions with minimum spend of $1 million and where at least 75% of the principal photography days occur within the U.S.;

Offer 5% bonus credit allowances, increasing the base credit up to a maximum of 30%, for productions in rural opportunity zones and areas impacted by disasters, independent productions, multi-state producers in 10+ states, and producers who show a measurable onshoring of productions;

Make the credit available to traditional post-production and visual effects activities when at least 75% of the respective post-production and visual effects production takes place in the U.S.; and

Support the investments of states currently offering incentives by allowing the federal incentive to supplement state credits.

In addition to Sen. Warner, the legislation is sponsored by Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives is sponsored by Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01), Linda Sanchez (D-CA- 38), Brian Jack (R-GA-03), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Vince Fong (R-CA-20), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5).

This bill is endorsed bytheAmerican Federation of Musicians, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), CreativeFuture, Coalition for American Production (CAP), Directors Guild of America (DGA), FilmUSA, Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Motion Picture Association (MPA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Teamsters, Television Academy, U.S. Film and Television Production Coalition, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW).

Sen. Warner is a strong supporter of the performing arts industry. In 2025, the senator introduced the Performing Artists Tax Parity Act, legislation to provide much-needed tax relief to working artists. Sen. Warner also sponsored the CREATE Act, legislation to allow entertainers, singers, and songwriters to write off production expenses by extending Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 181 for five years. The senator also sent a letter to Leaders Thune and Schumer in 2025 urging them to consider legislation to extend Section 181 before it expired.

Read the full bill here.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-500000-in-federal-funding-to-improve-water-infrastructure-in-wise-county/,"Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $500,000 in Federal Funding to Improve Water Infrastructure in Wise County",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $529,133 in federal funding to help replace and improve a waterline in Wise County, ensuring residents have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water.

“Every Virginian deserves dependable access to clean, safe drinking water,” said the senators. “We’re proud to help deliver these federal dollars to replace aging infrastructure in Wise County, improve reliable water service for residents, and support the community’s long-term growth.”

The funding will support the Ramsey Road Waterline Replacement Project, which will replace and realign the waterline along Ramsey Road and U.S. Route 58. The existing line was installed before the construction of U.S. Route 58 and later buried under deep infill, making it difficult and costly to access for repairs. As the line has aged, repeated leaks have created potential public health risks, increased maintenance costs, and threatened reliable water service. The project will install a new, properly sited waterline with direct maintenance access, as well as new abandonment caps and gate valves. The upgrades will help prevent service disruptions, reduce maintenance costs, and support long-term community and economic growth throughout Wise County.

The funding was awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a federal-state partnership that Warner and Kaine have helped fund to support economic development and community growth across the Appalachian region.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve clean water access and infrastructure across the Commonwealth. In 2026, the senators announced more than $3 million in federal funding for wastewater treatment facility upgrades in Campbell County. In 2025, they announced more than $26 million in federal funding for Lee County’s wastewater system expansion and $700,000 to extend Wise County’s public wastewater service. In 2023, they announced close to $62.4 million in funding for water infrastructure upgrades across Virginia, with more than $47 million made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators helped pass.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-president-trumps-executive-order-to-rebrand-artificial-intelligence/,Warner Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to Rebrand ‘Artificial Intelligence’,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“The companies building the most powerful AI systems are warning us that the technology is advancing faster than our safeguards. The president’s response? To rename it and tell the companies developing it to regulate themselves. But changing what we call artificial intelligence does nothing to address the very real risks that come with increasingly powerful AI systems.

“I believe deeply in the promise of AI and in America’s ability to lead the world in this technology. But leadership also means making sure these systems are safe, secure, and remain under human control. That is why I’ve introduced legislation to require rigorous testing and evaluation of the most advanced AI systems, strengthen cybersecurity and incident reporting, and establish clear rules of the road before the most powerful models are deployed.

“There is bipartisan interest in Congress in getting this right. The technology is moving incredibly fast, and the risks are no longer theoretical. The question is whether Washington is going to act before something goes seriously wrong — or wait until afterward to ask why we didn’t.”

Warner has introduced the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026, legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. This legislation comes as leading AI companies and cybersecurity researchers have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the rapidly advancing capabilities of frontier AI systems. The legislation would establish a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Department of Commerce, bringing together representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of the Treasury, along with independent technical experts, to evaluate emerging AI risks and establish technical safety and security standards. Developers of frontier AI models would also be required to provide the Board access to their models at least 45 days before public release. The AI Safety Board would develop enforceable standards for evaluating frontier models and securing testing environments, including safeguards and monitoring procedures for models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities without direct human prompting. Developers would be legally required to comply with applicable standards, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, per day.

Earlier today, Warner joined Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), original co-sponsors of the bill, on the Senate floor to request unanimous consent to pass the legislation, but the request was blocked by a Republican objection.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2696,Cline Celebrates FCC Decision to Not Approve Verizon’s Changes to Copper-Based Landline Service,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Ben Cline,C001118,cline.house.gov,cline,https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"FINCASTLE, VA – On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it did not grant Verizon’s initial application to discontinue copper-based landline services across much of Virginia. Congressman Cline previously sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr demanding answers about the changes and urging the Chairman to review the application.

“I applaud the FCC for their decision to pause any changes to Virginia’s copper-based landline service, following my letter to Chairman Carr,” said Rep. Cline. “The Sixth District is home to many mountainous and rural communities where reliable communication is essential. Ending copper-based landline service before dependable alternatives are widely available could leave families without a reliable way to contact emergency services or stay connected with loved ones, particularly in areas with limited cellular coverage and frequent weather-related outages. I share the concerns of my constituents about the potential impact on public safety and basic connectivity. I will continue to monitor and work with the FCC to ensure that any future changes by Verizon do not leave families without reliable service.”",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/28/mcclellan-launches-2026-veteran-of-the-year-program/,McClellan Launches 2026 Veteran of the Year Program,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the launch of her 2026 Veteran of the Year Program to recognize, honor and appreciate veterans living in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District for their service.

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

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

Last year, Congresswoman McClellan recognized U.S. Air Force Colonel William Butler, who dedicated over 30 years of service to saving lives, advancing medical research and educating his community. In 2024, she recognized Lt. Col. Curt Powell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two combat deployments before volunteering as a mentor for local veterans. In 2023, she honored Chief Warrant Officer Four Charles H. Talley, Jr., who dedicated 34 years of his life to the U.S. Army before continuing to support aspiring young professionals and active-duty servicemembers in Virginia’s Fourth.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405839,"Griffith Announces $191,331 HHS Grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc.",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Biotherapeutics, Inc., based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $191,331 grant. The funding supports research into therapies for psoriasis. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects millions of Americans.

“This grant for more than $191,000 helps Biotherapeutics, Inc. study a first-in-class treatment for psoriasis.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

Last week, Congressman Griffith announced a separate $500,000 HHS grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/28/vindman-joins-virginia-west-virginia-delegations-in-introducing-bill-to-protect-historic-battlefields-in-shenandoah/,"Vindman Joins Virginia, West Virginia Delegations in Introducing Bill to Protect Historic Battlefields in Shenandoah",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined every member of the bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegations from Virginia and West Virginia in supporting the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation (VALOR) Act.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-wittman-earns-a-for-representing-va-01-a-for-bipartisan-leadership,"Congressman Wittman Earns A+ for Representing VA-01, A for Bipartisan Leadership",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert J. Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,wittman,https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) highlighted two recent recognitions of his work in Congress: an “A+” District-Based Grade and District Excellence Award from the Institute for Legislative Analysis and an “A” Bridge Grade recognizing his bipartisan and collaborative work.

Together, the recognitions reflect Wittman’s approach to representing Virginia’s First District: knowing the communities he serves, standing up for their priorities, and working across the aisle when necessary to deliver results.

“Representing Virginia’s First District has never been about checking a partisan box—it is about listening to the people I represent and getting things done for them,” said Rep. Wittman. “I’m honored to receive both of these recognitions because they reflect two principles I have always tried to bring to this job: staying grounded in the priorities of our district and being willing to work with anyone who is serious about solving problems.”

The Institute for Legislative Analysis presented Wittman with its District Excellence Award after he earned an “A+” under its District-Based Grading system, which evaluates a Member’s voting record in the context of the congressional district he or she represents.

The organization specifically cited Wittman’s work to strengthen military readiness, protect taxpayers, and stand up for service members and families across Virginia’s First District.

Wittman also earned an “A” rating from Bridge Grades, which evaluates Members of Congress on collaborative governance, bipartisan legislative work, coalition-building, and rhetoric.

“Whether we are strengthening our military, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, improving health care, modernizing infrastructure, supporting our veterans, or lowering costs for families, my focus is on results,” Wittman continued.

“Experience matters. Leadership matters. But ultimately, what matters most is what you do with them. I will continue putting Virginia’s First District first and working to deliver for the people who sent me to Washington.""

Background:

The Institute for Legislative Analysis’ District-Based Grading system compares congressional voting records with an estimate of the political and ideological makeup of each Member’s district. Wittman received an A+ and the organization’s District Excellence Award.

Bridge Grades evaluates Members based on legislative collaboration and public rhetoric, including cross-partisan bill sponsorship and coalition-building. Wittman received an A for the 119th Congress.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-colleagues-demand-dhs-halt-efforts-to-undermine-2026-midterm-elections,"Kaine, Colleagues Demand DHS Halt Efforts to Undermine 2026 Midterm Elections",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined 33 of his Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin halt the Department’s efforts to extend federal control over and undermine public trust in the 2026 midterm elections. The senators wrote to request information substantiating Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants and release the full grant funding to states, and urged DHS to end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower.

“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote.

In their letter, the Senators raised concerns about Mullin’s unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states and criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the Administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data. The Senators also objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded Fiscal Year 2025 funding and are threatening Fiscal Year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Mullin is putting Americans' safety at risk as political leverage.

The senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find noncitizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement.

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

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

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

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands.

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

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

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

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

Now, a federal whistleblower has alleged that, at the direction of DHS and USCIS leadership, the component’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate staff may have violated laws and DHS policies in furtherance of a new “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with “supplemental magic,” USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation. If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-subramanyam-rutherford-announce-bipartisan-legislation-support-first,"Reps. Subramanyam, Rutherford Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Support First Responder Behavioral Health",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Representative John Rutherford (FL-05) announced the First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act, bipartisan legislation to expand access to behavioral health resources for first responders.

Research shows that first responders face elevated suicide risks. Across the country, there is a lack of behavioral health care providers and resources available. The First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act takes an innovative approach to address this.

“First responders put their lives on the line for our safety. Their quality of life should never be in jeopardy. We should not be losing them to mental health struggles when there are evidence-based solutions like clinicians and peer-to-peer counseling that could improve their well-being. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation delivers for our first responders and provides them with the necessary support they deserve,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

“As a former sheriff and law enforcement officer, I know how important it is for the men and women who keep our communities safe to have someone they can turn to that understands the unique demands of the job,” said Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05). “By strengthening partnerships between first responder agencies and local public health departments, this legislation will help bring trusted behavioral health professionals directly into the workplace, expand peer-to-peer support programs, and strengthen the workforce serving our first responders.”

""Counties run 911 centers, emergency medical services and public health departments, and our first responders and 911 telecommunicators answer the call in our residents' worst moments,"" said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “This bill would give county health agencies the federal support to place mental health clinicians within emergency agencies and reach under-resourced communities. We thank Representatives Subramanyam and Rutherford for introducing this bipartisan legislation and urge Congress to act swiftly.""

“Behavioral health is a top priority for our Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System members,” said Systemwide Fire Chief James S. Williams, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue. “We are committed to strengthening our awareness, resources, and support so that every member of our Fire and Rescue community feels valued, heard, and cared for. I truly value the support of lawmakers, like Congressman Subramanyam, who bring much needed attention to the health and wellness of first responders and the need for expanded behavioral health resources.”

The legislation:

Expands access to grants to support the recruitment and field placement of behavioral health care providers to serve in first responder agencies, helping build a pipeline into the profession.

Creates a pilot grant program to partner local, county, regional, and state governments with first responder agencies to embed clinicians with first responder agencies, establish peer-to-peer programs, and assist in training peer-to-peer behavioral health care providers.

Rep. Subramanyam, along with Reps. Rutherford and Alford, previously introduced the Peer Support for Our First Responders Act to establish an interagency working group to review ways to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for first responders.

The First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act is also supported by The Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-and-kaine-applaud-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house,Subramanyam and Kaine Applaud Bill Designating George C. Marshall House As National Park Service Affiliated Area Becoming Law,2026-09-27,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) bill designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as a National Park Service (NPS) affiliated area was signed into law.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405837,"Griffith Announces $160,000 FEMA Grant for Helene Relief",2026-09-26,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a Hurricane Helene-related grant to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The funding breakdown of the grant is as follows:

$160,000 to the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission for All Hazards Mitigation Plan Update

In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Two years into recovery from Hurricane Helene, local authorities continue to investigate disaster vulnerabilities in our infrastructure.

“This FEMA grant for $160,000 helps the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission assess regional hazard mitigation strategies, tools and resources.”

BACKGROUND

The LENOWISCO Planning District Commission serves Ninth District localities, including the Counties of Lee, Scott, Wise as well as the City of Norton.

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

In January 2025, Rep. Griffith announced $46.67 million in Helene relief to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith announced nearly $6 million in Helene relief in a separate grant for Washington County water line repairs.

In January 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $4.2 million in Helene relief for a Wytheville wastewater treatment system.

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $8.6 million in Helene relief for water line repair.

In April 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.7 million in Helene relief for bridge repair.

In June 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $2.8 million in Helene relief for road repair.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $9.3 million in Helene relief for waterline repair and $1.2 million in bridge repairs.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith celebrated more than $7.3 million in federal funding for Helene relief projects in Southwest Virginia.

Additionally, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.2 million in Helene relief for recovery projects in Tazewell County.

In August 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.4 million in Helene relief for Washington County Service Authority management costs.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/09/25/kiggans-wittman-call-on-usda-to-provide-federal-assistance-for-virginia-oyster-growers-in-light-of-recent-algal-bloom/,"Kiggans, Wittman Call on USDA to Provide Federal Assistance for Virginia Oyster Growers in Light of Recent Algal Bloom",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Jennifer A. Kiggans,K000399,kiggans.house.gov,kiggans,https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding significant oyster mortality in the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Virginia. The losses have coincided with recent algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels affecting oyster populations throughout the region. Reports from growers in Coastal Virginia have signaled significant mortality, leading to the loss of not only market-sized and grow-out oysters, but seed oysters as well. These are detrimental losses to this year’s harvest and could impact next year’s harvest if action isn’t taken.

The letter requests that the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) assess the losses suffered by the Commonwealth’s commercial oyster growers and determine whether the impact of these blooms qualify for Secretarial natural disaster designation.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “Our hardworking oyster producers and harvesters are critical to the Commonwealth’s economy. As the representative of a coastal district and member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I have a responsibility to ensure our producers have the resources they need when unforeseen circumstances threaten their livelihoods. These conditions could potentially impact harvests for years to come, which is why I’m urging the USDA to assess whether the damage qualifies for federal assistance and help Virginia’s oyster growers recover.”

If USDA issues a Secretarial natural disaster designation, eligible oyster producers in designated primary and contiguous counties may apply for FSA Emergency Farm Loans to help recover from qualifying disaster-related losses. FSA evaluates each application individually based on the producer’s losses, available security, repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.

Here is our draft quote: “Virginia’s oyster growers are facing significant losses that could impact harvests and livelihoods for years to come,” said Rep. Wittman. “Rep. Kiggans and I are urging the USDA to act quickly to assess these losses and ensure affected growers have access to disaster assistance. Our watermen and aquaculture producers are vital to Virginia’s coastal economy, and I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to recover.”

Read their letter here.

If you’re an oyster producer experiencing serious production loss due to the algal bloom, the Office of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans encourages you to reach out to the Accomack County FSA Office at 757-787-0918.

Background:

Virginia is a national leader in shellfish aquaculture, ranking first nationally in production of hard clams and Eastern oysters, according to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Virginia shellfish aquaculture generated approximately $81 million in direct farm sales in 2024, up 52% from 2018.

On September 22, 2026, VIMS researchers reported that the recent harmful algal bloom expanded from the mainstem Chesapeake Bay into waters along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with bloom activity documented in Nassawadox, Hungars, and Cherrystone creeks. Researchers continue to monitor the bloom, associated low dissolved oxygen conditions, and impacts on shellfish and other marine life.

In their letter, Reps. Kiggans and Wittman ask USDA to work with VIMS, Virginia Tech, state and federal agencies, and other scientific partners to determine the scope and cause of the mortality and identify affected counties that may qualify for disaster designation and assistance.

Harmful algal blooms are a recurring issue in the Chesapeake Bay. VIMS first conclusively identified Alexandrium monilatum in the Bay in 2007, and blooms have occurred nearly annually since, typically during the late summer months. The species produces goniodomin A, a toxin associated with harmful effects on oysters, oyster larvae, fish, and other marine life.

Previous blooms have raised similar concerns within Virginia’s shellfish industry. In 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and VIMS documented an unusually extensive Alexandrium bloom across the lower Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, accompanied by reports of oyster, fish, and crab mortality, although researchers did not establish a direct causal relationship at the time.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405834,"Griffith Announces $592,397 HHS Grant to Edward Via VCOM",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $592,397 grant. The funding supports research into back pain injury mechanisms to address chronic pain behaviors. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Since 2003, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine has been a leader in research efforts to improve health care in Virginia.

“This grant for nearly $600,000 helps the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine research chronic pain.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405835,Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 9.25.26,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"Two years ago, Southwest Virginia communities faced some of the most adverse weather conditions in recent memory.

Hurricane Helene damaged homes, businesses, infrastructure, farms, among other properties and items. Hundreds of thousands of people in Virginia’s Ninth District were affected by other losses, including a loss of cellular telephone service in much of the District.

Preparing for danger, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin took decisive steps.

The Wednesday before the storm hit, Youngkin called. He advised me that Virginia’s Ninth District would be severely impacted by the incoming storm.

During this time, Youngkin and his team were consulting with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg about the imminent threat.

To help the region prepare for the impending crisis, Youngkin declared a State of Emergency. This action mobilized emergency response resources into our region. Youngkin did so to coordinate agency communications and prepare our communities for the worst, including deploying statewide assets like swift water rescue teams and additional State police.

The deployment of statewide swift water rescue teams included the Bristol, Virginia, Swift Water Rescue Team, the only such team based in Virginia’s Ninth District at that time.

Youngkin prepared the region so well that Virginia delivered assistance to Tennessee as well.

Unicoi County Hospital, operated by Ballad Health, was completely flooded during the disaster. More than 50 people were stranded and stuck on the roof of the hospital.

With the help of rescue helicopter crews from Abingdon and the Virginia State Police, those on the hospital roof were saved.

Surviving the storm, however, was just the first test.

In the aftermath, I traveled to the impacted areas with Youngkin and surveyed the damages.

From our borders with North Carolina and Tennessee to our borders with West Virginia, we saw homes lifted off foundations, infrastructure decimated and storm debris throughout the region.

Accordingly, Youngkin submitted a request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration. I pushed for federal authorities to approve his request and helped secure federal approval.

In addition to Youngkin’s Declaration request, I voted for a government funding package that included Helene relief.

Money and federal relief resources from this package continue to flow into Ninth District communities. These funds have been used to support various projects, including extensive repairs in Damascus and wastewater treatment system repairs in Wytheville.

Thanks to Youngkin’s actions, lives were saved and relief resources are available.

More work is underway in Congress to promote life-saving measures in times of emergency.

The impact of Hurricane Helene left many without access to power, cell phone signal and public communications systems. Friends, neighbors and loved ones could not get in touch with local authorities, missed critical alerts and faced persistent danger.

When surveying damages in our region with Josh Hess, my then-district director, we planned to meet in Independence. However, Josh failed to show up. Due to the mobile signal outage, I could not contact Josh to learn that his vehicle had gone into a sinkhole.

While I later learned that Josh and his car were okay, it illustrated the distressing situations many endured from the lack of communications support.

In Asheville, North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene hit hardest, communities struggled with this reality.

How could they contact people to make sure they were okay?

Fortunately, a local AM radio station came to the rescue.

CBS News detailed how WWNC host Mart Starling and producer Tank Spencer served as a lifeline for North Carolina residents. The station received scores of messages from residents who could deliver news and updates during the damaging storms.

Faced with a natural disaster, AM radio provided life-saving communications access.

This story is a testament to the power, value and reliability of AM radio technologies, particularly for those who live in or drive through rural areas.

AM radio is a trusted and reliable technology than can serve folks in real-time with real emergencies.

Accordingly, I supported a bill requiring AM radio technology for new cars.

As a co-sponsor of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, I voted in favor of the bill during a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup. Following the hearing, I pushed for House leadership to consider a vote on the bill.

In September, the House overwhelmingly passed the measure. I believe that the Senate should follow suit to support a life-saving technology that helps those in rural areas.

As your federal representative, I will continue to advocate for Ninth District access to natural disaster relief, community recovery resources and mitigation measures.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405836,"Griffith Announces $500,000 HHS Grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc.",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Biotherapeutics, Inc., based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $500,000 grant. The funding supports research into therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“This summer, hero pilot Captain Sully Sullenberger became one of the latest figures to come forward about their Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As more figures speak out, federal efforts will support the development of new treatments.

“This grant for $500,000 helps Biotherapeutics, Inc. develop new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405838,"Griffith Announces $173,600 FEMA Grant to West Piedmont Planning District Commission",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a Hurricane Helene-related grant to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The funding breakdown of the grant is as follows:

$173,600 to the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for All Hazards Mitigation Plan Update

In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Local authorities continue to investigate disaster vulnerabilities in our infrastructure.

“This FEMA grant for more than $173,000 helps the West Piedmont Planning District Commission assess regional hazard mitigation strategies, tools and resources.”

BACKGROUND

The West Piedmont Planning District Commission serves Ninth District localities, including the Counties of Franklin, Henry, Patrick as well as the City of Martinsville.

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

Although the West Piedmont Planning District did not suffer as severe damages as some parts of Virginia, it is important for the area to be ready for the next big storm.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/25/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-help-fund-childcare-for-first-responders/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Childcare for First Responders,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) today introduced the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act, legislation that would help states fund childcare services for the minor children of firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics during shift work and non-traditional hours.

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“East Potomac Park is not Donald Trump’s personal playground. It is a treasured public park that people across our region use every single day. Today, we saw golfers on the course, cyclists and runners on the roads, and families enjoying this incredible space. We also saw the Administration’s destruction firsthand, including trees that have already been cut down, some of them historic cherry trees. And all of this is happening behind closed doors. The Administration is tearing apart a public park while refusing to tell the public what it is doing, what it has already done, or what it plans to do next. That is an outrageous mismanagement of our public land and a complete disregard for the American people whom this park belongs to.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/09/24/kiggans-hosts-va-secretary-doug-collins-for-veterans-roundtable-in-virginia-beach/,Kiggans Hosts VA Secretary Doug Collins for Veterans Roundtable in Virginia Beach,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Jennifer A. Kiggans,K000399,kiggans.house.gov,kiggans,https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/,scraper,"VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to Virginia Beach last week for a visit focused on supporting Coastal Virginia’s veterans and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Congresswoman Kiggans and Secretary Collins started the visit with a stop at Be Free Craft Café, a veteran-owned small business founded by retired Navy SEAL Christopher Fettes. Fettes served with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) before opening the artisan ice-cream shop in Virginia Beach.

Following the visit, Secretary Collins and Congresswoman Kiggans traveled to the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center for a roundtable with local veterans and community stakeholders. The discussion provided participants with an opportunity to speak directly with VA leadership about the care, benefits, and services veterans rely on and ways the Department can continue improving access to quality, timely care.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “As a Navy veteran, I know how important it is that the VA listens directly to the men and women it serves. I was proud to welcome Secretary Collins to Virginia Beach to hear firsthand from our local veterans about their experiences and the issues that matter most to them. I’m grateful to Secretary Collins for taking the time to visit Hampton Roads, and I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure every veteran receives the quality care, benefits, and services they have earned through their service to our nation.”

Congresswoman Kiggans is a Navy veteran, the wife of a Navy veteran, and the mother of a future Navy veteran. Kiggans also serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and chairs the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Since coming to Congress, she has worked to improve veterans’ healthcare, strengthen accountability at the VA, and ensure veterans receive the benefits and services they have earned.

Background:

In May 2026, Rep. Kiggans voted for H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, which included $450.29 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read her press release here.

In May 2026, Rep. Kiggans’ bill, the Veteran Infection Prevention (VIP) Act passed out of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee following a markup. This bill would require all Sterile Processing Technicians (SPTs) to receive certification from an accredited institution in cleaning medical equipment to work at a VA Medical Center. Read her press release here.

In July 2025, Rep. Kiggans helped secure nearly $80 million for the construction of a new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Hampton Roads. The project represented a major federal investment to expand access to healthcare, counseling, and benefits for the region’s more than 76,000 veterans. Read her press release here.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/24/mcclellan-joins-bipartisan-shenandoah-valor-act-to-expand-shenandoah-valley-battlefields-national-historic-district-into-west-virginia/,McClellan Joins Bipartisan Shenandoah VALOR Act to Expand Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District into West Virginia,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) to introduce the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act, or Shenandoah (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge Country in Virginia. Every member of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations is an original cosponsor of this legislation. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which also has the full bipartisan support of both states’ senators.

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

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

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

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

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

Shenandoah VALOR Act Supporters:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405829,Griffith Statement on Action to Protect SNAP Benefits,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"In response to fraudulent schemes in federal public health programs, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) will support a House effort to crack down on fraud in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Congressman Griffith is co-sponsor of anti-fraud legislation, H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act, to create new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits. Particularly important to recent events in our region, the bill also provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own.

Recently, Lynchburg, Virginia, officials notified residents that more than $60,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. The stolen benefits cannot be currently replaced, leaving SNAP participants without their fully allotted funds and putting them at risk of going hungry.

Following his action to co-sponsor the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

“SNAP benefits belong to the needy and vulnerable, not thieves. However, no system is currently in place to reimburse victims of SNAP theft, creating more financial and health hardship for SNAP recipients.

“I am proud to be a Virginia advocate for the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act. This bill will protect SNAP recipients, punish bad guys and serve Virginia’s hungry.”

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405831,"Griffith Announces $1,977,991 Grant to Ferrum College",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Ferrum College, based in Ferrum, Virginia, a $1,977,991 grant. The funding comes through the Department’s Strengthening Institutions Program to help higher education institutions serve low-income students. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Ferrum College is an educational institution supporting Ninth District communities.

“This grant for nearly $2 million helps Ferrum College serve the educational needs of its students.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, the Strengthening Institutions Program provides funds to improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405832,"Griffith Announces $1,233,412 Grant to Wytheville Community College",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Wytheville Community College, based in Wytheville, Virginia, a $1,233,412 grant. The funding comes through the Department’s Strengthening Institutions Program to help higher education institutions serve low-income students. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Community colleges provide essential educational opportunities for Ninth District communities.

“This grant for more than $1.2 million helps Wytheville Community College serve the educational needs of its students.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, the Strengthening Institutions Program provides funds to improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405833,"Griffith Announces $96,000 HHS Grant to Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Inc.",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Inc., based in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, a $96,000 grant. The funding supports the purchase of medical equipment for the Bristol, Virginia, PACE Center. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“This year, the new Bristol PACE Center opened to provide care for senior citizens.

“This grant for nearly $100,000 helps the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens tend to the health care challenges faced by senior citizens in the region.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=842,"Walkinshaw, McClellan Lead Virginia Democratic Delegation to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Rescind the Roadless Rule",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan led 6 Members of the Virginia delegation — including U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) — in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

President Trump,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Telecommunications Cybersecurity and Resilience Act would:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Health CARE Act would:

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

Make permanent enhanced ACA premium tax credits.

Implement a low-cost public health insurance option.

Expand the Medicare drug price negotiation program.

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

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

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

Improve Medicare by including hearing aid coverage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bill would also:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405830,Griffith Op-Ed: Predictable energy policy can help secure America’s future,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, penned a new op-ed that highlights the impacts of permitting reform on America’s energy future. Policies that support permitting reform, Griffith argues, will unleash American energy dominance, generate economic growth and modernize the electric grid.

You can read Congressman Griffith’s op-ed piece in the Washington Times here and below.

Predictable energy policy can help secure America’s future

An unstable electric grid stands in the way of America’s energy future.

The growing list of early power plant retirements, which outpaces new power supply to the electric grid, threatens a disruption of reliable power.

The Trump administration is doing what it can to help some plants remain open and serve American communities, but these temporary actions can only brace our creaking electric grid for so long.

Further, plant shutdowns make us more vulnerable to the rising power demands coming our way. Rapid electrification, increased manufacturing and the rise of new technologies such as artificial intelligence will require a new fleet of power sources to support the United States.

To make our power generation more reliable, we must make federal policy more predictable. By reforming the outdated, slow, and arbitrary federal permitting process, America can unleash new sources of power.

This new fleet will be powered by promising technologies, including nuclear. Advances in nuclear energy, especially small modular reactors (SMRs), offer a game-changing source of reliable, carbon-free power. Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, understanding this reality, promoted the lofty goal of making Virginia the first state in the nation to build and run a commercial SMR. Thanks to Youngkin’s leadership, the Virgina Innovative Nuclear Hub, which consists of energy partners, research institutions and the state government, can collaborate on nuclear projects.

Such projects are contingent on obtaining a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This federal agency oversees and approves all nuclear power construction, including the buildout of microreactors and SMRs. With how critical these technologies are for America’s energy leadership, the NRC has received greater attention from lawmakers over the past few years and has led to bipartisan reforms.

Accordingly, Congressional action recently focused on my bill, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act. My bill will help reform an outdated procedural requirement at the NRC, making it less costly for applicants and NRC staff to navigate the nuclear licensing process. Given the overwhelming support my legislation received in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, it is clear the positive excitement about nuclear energy is growing. Congress recognizes we must continue to improve the permitting process for all energy forms, including nuclear.

While advanced nuclear reactors remain in a nascent state, our energy maturity is tied to more familiar baseload energy sources: natural gas and coal.

Natural gas and coal remain an indispensable part of America’s energy mix, providing dispatchable power that stabilizes the grid when renewable output fluctuates. Congress is considering reforms to strengthen federal coordination on natural gas pipeline reviews so projects can move forward without years of delay but assuring that landowners are protected and pipeline routing makes sense. These reforms would reduce energy costs for families and ensure a dependable supply for the country for decades.

America is also home to beautiful, clean coal technologies. Thanks to innovations and technological progress, coal plants can continue to serve our electric grid while cutting back on emissions.

Baseload power is a critical piece to the equation, but leading in energy requires tapping into all available energy sources.

American leadership in clean power deployment — solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and battery storage — is worth federal policy focus. Small hydro, and pumped storage projects in particular, are an overlooked energy source for the country. Regardless of the type of power, the permitting delays that affect clean energy infrastructure must be addressed.

Faster licensing of energy projects could unlock billions in private investment, generate economic growth, particularly in rural areas, and help modernize our electric grid.

Should we fail, American communities will fall behind.

Through action on permitting reform, we can make our energy future bright, visible and prosperous.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-introduces-bipartisan-stop-spam-calls-act,Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Bipartisan Stop Spam Calls Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) introduced the Stop Spam Calls Act to crack down on spam calls and texts by empowering the FCC to better protect consumers. The bill requires each telemarketer wanting to send robocalls or robotexts to a consumer to directly get their explicit, written consent. Under current law, businesses can ask consumers to consent to telemarketing calls from them and thousands of their marketing partners with a single check box.

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

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

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

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

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

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

View the full bill here.

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

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

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

You can read the full text of the letter below.

—

Secretary Collins,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear President Trump,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-wittman-earns-100-on-aea-energy-scorecard,Congressman Wittman Earns 100% on AEA Energy Scorecard,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert J. Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,wittman,https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today highlighted his 100% score on the American Energy Alliance’s (AEA) Energy Scorecard for the 119th Congress, earning recognition as an AEA “Energy Champion.” The scorecard evaluates congressional voting and cosponsorship decisions on legislation affecting energy policy.

“Affordable, reliable energy is essential to America’s economic strength, national security, and quality of life, and I am proud to be recognized as an Energy Champion,” said Rep. Wittman. “Energy costs affect nearly every part of a family’s budget and every product a business makes or transports. America is blessed with abundant energy resources, and we should be responsibly putting those resources to work here at home to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, strengthen our economy, and reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries.

“I will continue advancing an all-of-the-above energy strategy that expands American energy production, strengthens our electric grid, advances nuclear innovation, secures our critical-mineral supply chains, and ensures families and businesses have access to the affordable, reliable power they need.”

Congressman Wittman has worked to advance these priorities, including cosponsoring the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House this month, and seeks to protect families and small businesses from electricity costs associated with growing data center demand. He has also supported the development of advanced nuclear energy, including provisions establishing a small modular reactor pilot program at military installations, and has led bipartisan legislation to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains and map America’s mineral resources.

Background:

The American Energy Alliance’s Energy Scorecard evaluates congressional voting and cosponsorship decisions on legislation affecting energy policy. According to AEA, the scorecard is intended to inform constituents about lawmakers’ records on energy-related issues.

AEA’s 2026 House Energy Scorecard includes 19 votes from the 119th Congress. Members of the House who earned a 100% score were designated by AEA as “American Energy Champions.” Congressman Wittman earned a 100% score and was named an Energy Champion for the 119th Congress.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-to-force-votes-demanding-answers-regarding-trump-vance-administrations-horrifying-expansive-costly-third-country-deportation-network,"Kaine To Force Votes Demanding Answers Regarding Trump-Vance Administration’s Horrifying, Expansive, Costly Third-Country Deportation Network",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, announced the filing of fifteen additional privileged resolutions to require the Trump-Vance Administration to produce assessments of the human rights situation in Belize, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Moldova, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, and Uganda following reports that the Trump-Vance Administration deported immigrants who are not from those countries to those places. The legislation comes amid new reporting alleging the Administration has pledged at least $410 million to build a vast network of dozens of countries for third-country deportations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Administrator Oz:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eligible high school students can submit their applications now until 11:59 PM on October 2nd, 2026. The Council will be held from October through May.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405828,"Griffith Announces $161,508 HHS Grant to Mount Rogers Community Services Board",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the Mount Rogers Community Services Board, based in Wytheville, Virginia, a $161,508 grant. The funding supports local mental health services. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Mount Rogers Community Services leads a mental health awareness training program.

“This HHS grant for more than $161,000 helps Mount Rogers Community Services strengthen local community access to mental health services.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, the Mount Rogers Community Services Board serves the City of Galax well as Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth and Wythe Counties.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith announced a $1 million HHS grant to the Board.

Mount Rogers Community Services operates multiple centers in the region.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/22/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-combat-mail-theft-and-check-fraud/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Combat Mail Theft and Check Fraud,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act, legislation that would strengthen the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s capacity to investigate postal employee misconduct, mail theft, check fraud, and related financial crimes.

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

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

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

The Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act would:

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-vote-against-advancing-college-sports-legislation,Kaine Statement on Vote Against Advancing College Sports Legislation,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,kaine,https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement after voting against advancing college sports legislation that insufficiently protects student athletes:

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

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

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

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

“Dangerously rushing a system that holds Americans’ lives in its hands is not a good use case for artificial intelligence. I call on the FAA to immediately suspend its operation, at the very least until it is clearly established beyond doubt via air traffic controller feedback and independently verified stress testing that the technology is safe.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2695,Cline Demands Answers From FCC About Changes To Copper-Based Landline Service,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Ben Cline,C001118,cline.house.gov,cline,https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"FINCASTLE, VA – Following Verizon’s notification of intent to discontinue copper-based landline services across much of Virginia, Congressman Cline (VA-06) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging him to review the decision.

“Much of Virginia’s Sixth District is mountainous, and discontinuing copper-based landlines prematurely can leave families without a reliable way to reach emergency services or loved ones,” said Rep. Cline. “With large portions of our community in areas without cellular service, alternative options not yet being available to many constituents, and extended weather-related outages being common, my constituents are rightfully concerned about how this decision will affect public safety and basic connectivity. I share the concerns of those who have reached out to my office. That’s why I am urging Chairman Carr and the FCC to carefully review the discontinuance of copper wire and ensure reliable connectivity for all of Virginia’s Sixth.”

Read the full letter here.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/21/vindman-applauds-over-680000-in-federal-funding-to-strengthen-head-start-programs-in-caroline-orange-and-fredericksburg/,"Vindman Applauds Over $680,000 in Federal Funding to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Caroline, Orange, and Fredericksburg",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Virginia Families Pay for Back-to-School Essentials

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

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

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

Vindman Votes to Protect Ratepayers From Data Center Grid Upgrade Costs

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

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

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

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

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

Vindman Votes to Hold Trump Accountable

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

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

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

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

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

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers

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

Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador

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

Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid

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

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

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

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

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

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

Workforce training and industry-recognized certifications;

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

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

Threat-hunting and cyber incident response capabilities;

Support for critical infrastructure and operational technology; and

Cybersecurity cooperation with international allies and partners.

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

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

Read the bill text here.

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

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

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

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote:

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

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

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

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

The full letter is available here.

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

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

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

Full text of the bill is available here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full text of the letter is available here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Background:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full letter is available here and below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

throughout the federal government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American people.

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

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

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405827,Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 9.18.26,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in the United States demand continued federal diligence.

Reportedly America suffers from the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the developed world. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80% of our pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Because of my concerns about this problem, I am working with federal partners to find solutions.

One of these partners, Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America (HMHBA), which was founded in 2026 by Cara Osborne and Olivia Walton, put a meeting together of a select group of 15 officials.

Besides me, some of the others in the group included Second Lady Usha Vance, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan and former White House official Kellyanne Conway.

Second Lady Vance shared with us her experiences regarding her most recent pregnancy, birth and care following the birth.

One of the things she suggested was that we look at the combined medical assessments for both children and mothers.

She advocated that these visits should not be weeks after birth, but closer to when the mother and child are released from the hospital. Doing so would help identify any problems that might be developing related to either the child’s health or potential emotional issues of the mother. Telehealth can help facilitate health care provider access for the mother and child.

I recall one former client of mine who struggled with exhaustion and postpartum depression as a result of caring for newborn twins. Her condition became so severe that she had to be committed to a hospital for 48 hours to ensure her safety and well-being.

Childbirth can cause great potential for stress, exhaustion and postpartum depression, among other issues.

Second Lady Vance advocated for better monitoring of the health for moms and babies in the weeks after birth.

Dr. Oz discussed the recent rollout of the new CMS ACCESS Model. Under this program, his agency is supporting the extension of care beyond the clinic and harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth to reach more families.

I believe telehealth and telemedicine, now coupled with technological advances, including wearables (Oura rings and Apple watches, etc.) with AI-analyzed data, will make a huge difference in the future.

These wearables can help moms track their health, spot trouble early and connect with providers before things get urgent. She can check her vitals, get advice from a nurse over video and know she’s got a team watching out for her, even if the nearest clinic is miles away.

During the same week of the HMHBA event, I held a hearing as the Health Subcommittee Chairman to consider various policies. One of the bills discussed during the hearing was the Rural Obstetric Readiness Act by Democratic Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

The Rural Obstetric Readiness Act seeks to create a new health care reality where we train more rural health providers and doctors to handle obstetric care.

The National Rural Health Association notes that more than 67% of rural counties lack hospital-based obstetrical services, with a majority of these counties lacking an obstetric clinician. That is more than double the rate of urban localities.

Accordingly, more than two million American women live in what experts call “maternity care deserts.”

The spirit of Congresswoman Kelly’s bill is to tackle maternal care deserts, which make pregnancy-related complications more dangerous for mothers and infants.

Earlier this year, I voted for the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Act, which are now law. These bills help federal agencies coordinate mortality prevention activities and promote prenatal care.

Virginia state policy is treading on a path of maternal health success as well.

In 2025, a new state law took effect to allow licensed certified midwives and nurse practitioners to access pediatric privileges where they can serve on 24-hour on-call duty for nursery care when physicians are unavailable.

Having a midwife assist in areas where there are maternal care deserts will help enhance the rural health care workforce.

Taken together, these and other policy ideas can produce dividends for maternal care.

By strengthening access to maternal health resources, mothers will be in a better position to give care to their children and live healthy lives.

I will continue to work for policies that nurture an environment supporting mothers, improving maternal care and fighting to eliminate maternity care deserts.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=835,"Walkinshaw, McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the Trump Administration to protect people who have fled repression in China and could face persecution or torture if they are sent back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/wittman-secretary-collins-host-veterans-roundtable,"Wittman, Secretary Collins Host Veterans Roundtable",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert J. Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,wittman,https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted a roundtable with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. Congressman Wittman and Secretary Collins were joined by local leaders, Puller Clinic attorneys and students, and veterans to talk about the ways in which the veterans benefits process could be enhanced.

“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Collins to Virginia’s First District,” said Rep. Wittman. “During the conversation, we discussed ways to improve the veterans benefits process. We must work to reduce the claim processing backlog, lower wait times at clinics, and expand community care. Our veterans deserve the best, and I am committed to providing for them and their families in every way possible.”

H.R. 552 – Veterans Collaboration Act: Requires the VA to implement a pilot program with veterans service organizations and law schools to increase the availability of legal services to veterans.

H.R. 553 – Be Ready to Assist Veterans in Extremis (BRAVE) Act: Requires the VA to establish a patient outreach system so that VA beneficiaries have access to mental health care services in response to traumatic or stressful events.

H.R. 554 – Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act: Ensures that specialty health care programs administered by the VA are maintained as centers of excellence, ensuring timely access to care for complex medical conditions.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-whistleblower-disclosure-warner-kaine-demand-investigation-into-dhs-data-misconduct-in-virginia-nationwide/,"Following Whistleblower Disclosure, Warner, Kaine Demand Investigation Into DHS Data Misconduct in Virginia, Nationwide",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,VA,Mark R. Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,warner,https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), joined by 16 other Senate Democrats, today demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately open an independent investigation into the wrongdoings detailed in a recent whistleblower’s disclosure. The disclosure alleges that DHS is directing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) officers to impersonate voters in Virginia and across the country in violation of state laws to access online voter data as a part of its “Unlawful Voter Initiative,” an effort aimed at manufacturing evidence for President Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Inspector General Cuffari:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The crypto industry has been weaponized to corrupt our presidency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 16, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Beyer, Meeks, Neal Statement On Russia Sanctions Legislation

September 11, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

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

September 4, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Beyer Leads Special Orders Highlighting Urgent Need to Restore USAID

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/09/17/kiggans-statement-on-new-federal-approach-to-improving-chesapeake-bay-water-quality/,Kiggans’ Statement on New Federal Approach to Improving Chesapeake Bay Water Quality,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Jennifer A. Kiggans,K000399,kiggans.house.gov,kiggans,https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) released the following statement after President Trump signed an Executive Order regarding “Providing meaningful water quality improvements through collaboration and oversight of federal support,” which repeals Obama-era EO 13508 and directs six federal agencies, including the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to take practical and effective action to support water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the representative of a coastal district, I understand the importance of protecting the environmental assets that define our communities, including the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Yesterday’s Executive Order eliminates outdated, vague regulations that have allowed local officials to hinder economic development. Virginians need to know that with commonsense, responsible reforms, they don’t have to choose between environmental stewardship and economic prosperity. While I appreciate the administration shifting its focus to measurable solutions that build on decade-long cleanup efforts, I will be closely monitoring the next steps and working with EPA Administrator Zeldin to ensure any action taken is done with the economic and recreational opportunities the Bay provides and the complex Bay ecosystem in mind.”

“The Chesapeake Bay is a natural treasure and environmental lifeline for families, visitors, and native species to the Commonwealth of Virginia and Maryland, and it must be preserved for future generations,” Kiggans continued. “I look forward to continuing work with the Environmental Protection Agency, our state and local partners, and communities to direct resources where they can have the greatest impact, advance our nation’s economic goals while safeguarding the natural resources that are so important to Coastal Virginia,” she concluded.

Read the Executive Order here.

Background:

In September 2026, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act passed the House of Representatives. The bill reauthorizes key programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO) to advance the restoration of the Bay and support local businesses, schools and coastal resilience. The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act was co-lead by Congresswoman Kiggans, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-02). Read about the bill here.

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act passed the House with Congresswoman Kiggan’s support reauthorizing the national network of Water Resources Research Institutes (WRRIs) in each state that work to address state and regional water challenges. Read the press release here.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports significant economic, recreational, environmental, and commercial activity throughout the watershed.

In 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 13508, Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration, establishing a federal framework for coordinating Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts across federal agencies and watershed jurisdictions. The September 16, 2026 Executive Order revokes EO 13508 and establishes a new federal approach focused on measurable water-quality improvements and direct, on-the-ground projects.

The new Executive Order does not repeal the Clean Water Act, Chesapeake Bay TMDL, or State and local water-quality requirements. Rather, it changes federal executive-branch policy and directs agencies to prioritize resources toward projects that can demonstrate reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution.

As of 2025 the Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions had collectively achieved 100% of their sediment-reduction goal, 90% of their phosphorus-reduction goal, and 57% of their nitrogen-reduction goal. The Administration cites this progress as part of its rationale for replacing the 2009 framework.

The Bay has also experienced recent ecological improvements. In 2026, researchers projected the Bay’s annual dead zone would be approximately 31% below the long-term average and among the smallest since monitoring began in 1985.

The order also addresses stormwater management fees, which some State and local governments use to finance stormwater infrastructure and pollution-control requirements. The new order directs EPA to assess their financial impact and encourage States and localities to repeal or rescind resident-funded stormwater fees.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405826,Griffith Announces NCA Grant to SWVA Veterans Cemetery,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,H. Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,morgangriffith,https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia a grant of up to $243,467. The funding supports expansion of the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Honoring our veterans is part of the cultural heritage of Virginia’s Ninth District.

“The Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery does a magnificent job at honoring our revered veteran communities.

“This NCA grant for as much as $243,467 should help the Cemetery construct new features, including nearly 500 gravesites and irrigation. Also, the funds will allow the addition of a U.S. Space Force service branch emblem.

“I am proud that the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, by virtue of the good work it does, has put itself in a position to contend for these funds.”

BACKGROUND

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery serves more than 108,000 veterans and their eligible family members in the region.

The installation of survey grid monuments will take place at an existing turfed area. The Space Force service branch emblem will be located at the existing assembly area.

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Justice for Ukrainian Children Act would:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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

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

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

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

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/wittman-receives-2026-franchise-champion-award,Wittman Receives 2026 Franchise Champion Award,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert J. Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,wittman,https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) received the 2026 Champion of Franchise Award from the International Franchise Association. This award recognizes Members of Congress for exceptional work in supporting America’s franchises and businesses.

“I am honored to be recognized as a ‘Champion of Franchise,'” said Rep. Wittman. “Franchises and small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They create jobs, strengthen local economies, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurial minded Americans. In Congress, I will continue working to cut burdensome regulations and support Main Street businesses so that business owners have the resources they need to grow and succeed.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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

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

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

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

What the FISA AI Reporting Act does:

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

Requires the report to include:

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

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

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

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

Allows the report to include a classified annex.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The senators are requesting that the Department of Defense provide:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Secretary Hegseth:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The American people elected us to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars. The information we are requesting is the bare minimum required for us to carry out that responsibility. We look forward to receiving your response.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2694,Cline Votes For Legislation to Protect Local Ratepayers from Costs of Data Centers,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,VA,Ben Cline,C001118,cline.house.gov,cline,https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, of which Congressman Cline is a cosponsor. This bill would require state utility regulators to consider adopting rules that make data centers pay the full cost of energy infrastructure upgrades needed to meet the immense energy demand of data centers, thereby protecting ratepayers from rising costs.

“Working families, small businesses, and farmers should not have to shoulder the cost of the increasingly massive demand from data centers on our power grid,” said Rep. Cline. “Data centers disrupt our rural way of life, and I support local governments that are taking action to prevent these behemoths from moving into our rural communities. The Ratepayer Protection Act will hold data centers accountable for the cost of new energy infrastructure. Taxpayers’ hard-earned money should go to supporting local families and investing in small businesses, not supporting data centers and big tech companies.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z