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://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-introduces-legislation-to-support-veterans-right-to-build-their-own-homes,Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Legislation to Support Veterans’ Right to Build Their Own Homes,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced the Veterans Owner-Builders’ Rights Act to expand VA home loans and provide rural veterans with the ability to use a VA home loan to build their own homes. This bill would establish a five-year pilot program under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make direct housing loans to veterans in rural areas for the construction of new homes.

As the U.S. continues to face a shortage of starter homes, giving veterans the flexibility to build a home creates a new path to home ownership. In rural communities especially, housing demand frequently outpaces construction. Many veterans already have the skills and knowledge to build a home, but without benefits that give them the freedom to use those skills, they don’t have an opportunity to build. This means veterans are forced into a narrow band of options for how to use VA home loans. As a result, only about 30% of veterans use VA home loans. Owner-builder opportunities, like the ones this bill creates, simultaneously build wealth for veterans and their families, while adding to the overall housing supply.

Specifically, this legislation would:

Create a new direct home loan program at VA for rural veterans who want to build their own homes, utilizing the framework and eligibility requirements of an existing VA direct home loan program;

Provide blueprints with American wood sourcing and manufacturing requirements to stimulate domestic timber economies;

Streamline the permitting application process by requiring permit furnishment within 45 days of submission and covering all associated fees;

Provide technical assistance for veterans through the VA or a contracted third party related to the skills necessary to construct or repair a home, as well as for the permit application process; and

Safeguard against home-flippers by requiring the veteran to live in the home for at least two years, or otherwise accelerate repayment of their loan.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez meets with the Raymond American Legion to discuss Veterans housing options.

“Building our own home was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. While many vets have the relevant skills, they functionally can’t use their VA home loans and leverage their skills to build a home. In fact, only 30% of vets use their VA home loans at all.” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “My bill creates a pilot program for rural vets to use provided blueprints and expedited permitting to start building wealth and community-while increasing the housing supply for all of us.”

“Stable, reliable housing directly contributes to the health and well-being of our veterans. Unfortunately, high construction costs and interest rates keep many from investing in their future as homeowners.” Said Rep. Westerman, “By working directly with the VA to expand construction loan access and investing in the domestic building materials we have in our own backyard, this bill initiates an innovative pilot program that lowers housing costs and provides more access for our veterans in addition to supporting rural America and bolstering our domestic wood supply chain. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my colleague from Washington to deliver real, bipartisan solutions that address the needs of our veteran community.”

“At HEVIN, we work directly with veterans and their families, and we know how important safe, stable housing is to building long-term stability. For veterans living in rural communities, the path to homeownership can come with additional barriers and fewer options. This bipartisan legislation creates another practical pathway by giving eligible veterans the opportunity to use a VA loan to build a home, while also providing the technical assistance and permitting support they may need along the way. We believe removing barriers to homeownership and giving veterans more opportunities to build a stable future for themselves and their families is an important investment in those who have served our country.” – HEVIN, Helping Every Veteran in Need, Longview, WA

Currently, eligible veterans can get a VA-backed Home Loan to access the funds they need to buy, build, or improve a home. Yet in practice, the program remains underutilized for owner-builders. The Veterans Owner-Builders Rights Act creates a pilot program to prescriptively bypass these barriers and allow veterans the flexibility to build their own homes and start on a pathway to durable wealth.

In developing this legislation, the Congresswoman discovered there is not consistent process for Members to introduce legislation with images included in the bill text, such as blueprints or maps. As a result, the Congresswoman fought to include language in the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act and recently sent a letter to House leadership requesting clarification of best practices for adding images to bill text.

In addition to the Veterans Owner-Builders Rights Act, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has worked from day one to ensure veterans have access to services and housing, especially in rural communities. This Congress, she passed the Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act, aimed at expanding access to disability exams to veterans living in rural areas, and introduced the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act to expand eligibility for rural veterans to get transportation to VA health facilities.

She also included report language in the FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to permit the use of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for the purchase of land on which an RV, manufactured, or mobile home could be permanently sited as a primary residence, as well as report language to encourage the development of Safe Parking programs that provide allow veterans to park at VA facilities overnight to make it easier for them to access medical services.

This Veterans Owner-Builders Rights Act is supported by HEVIN and is budget neutral.

####",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schriers-bill-bolster-clean-affordable-hydropower-energy-and,"Congresswoman Schrier’s Bill to Bolster Clean, Affordable Hydropower Energy and Enhance River Health Signed Into Law",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) announced that her Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act was signed into law. The bipartisan legislation supports Washington’s clean, affordable hydropower and the healthy management of rivers by enhancing efficiency and transparency for parties involved in the hydropower dam licensing process. Congresswoman Schrier introduced this legislation alongside Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01).

“I am thrilled to announce that my bipartisan Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act was signed into law,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “This law will bring transparency and clarity to the licensing process, better informing our communities and dam operators on license status and providing Congress with tools to further streamline the licensing process. I look forward to continuing this work to reduce energy costs, manage river resources, and cut red tape.""

The legislation is supported by the National Hydropower Association, American Whitewater, and American Rivers.

""I am proud to see the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act signed into law. This is an important piece of legislation that will effectively cut federal red tape around hydropower relicensing applications. With nearly 600 water storage dams across Idaho, we must focus on efficient licensing processes to keep our dams running and support clean energy growth,"" said Congressman Fulcher.

“Hydropower provides 30 million Americans clean, reliable power; it's the shock absorber of the grid, delivering 24/7 power when other resources can't. It also provides other public benefits like flood control, irrigation, and recreation. The Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act shines an important light on our broken permitting process. I commend Representatives Schrier and Fulcher and Senators Cortez Masto and Daines for leading the charge,” said National Hydropower Association President and CEO Malcom Woolf.

“We thank Representatives Schrier and Fulcher for their leadership in advancing greater transparency in the hydropower licensing process,"" said Kelly Catlett, Senior Advisor at American Rivers Action Fund. ""Greater transparency into the status of licensing proceedings can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency and bring greater clarity and accountability to the process. A more efficient licensing process can help move projects toward resolution while creating better opportunities to protect and restore healthy rivers.”

BACKGROUND: Hydropower dams must relicense their dams with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in order to continue operating a facility every 30 to 50 years. On average, relicensing a hydropower facility takes between seven and ten years to complete. According to a recent DOE report, FERC relicensing activity is expected to more than double in the coming decade, threatening resource adequacy. In addition, applicants seeking licenses for new hydropower dams are the most sensitive to licensing costs and delays. Existing projects have existing revenue streams to finance relicensing costs, but new project costs are covered by the project developer.

This new law will streamline and enhance the efficiency of this process by requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provide an annual report to Congress on the status of each hydropower dam license or relicense application. This will increase transparency for project stakeholders and give Congress a tool to improve the FERC process.

You can watch Congresswoman Schrier’s full remarks on the legislation HERE.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-prohibit-firearms-at-polling-places-nationwide-protecting-voters_election-workers,"Cantwell & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prohibit Firearms at Polling Places Nationwide, Protecting Voters & Election Workers",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prohibit Firearms at Polling Places Nationwide, Protecting Voters & Election Workers

In early 2026, 32% percent of local election workers experienced threats or harassment; 52% concerned for staff safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined her colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at polling places.

“It is deeply troubling that now more than half of local elections officials worry about the safety of their colleagues, and a third have experienced threats or abuse. The officials and volunteers who run our free and fair elections deserve to be and feel safe at work – and voters need to be able to visit their elections office without worrying about their safety,” Sen. Cantwell said.

The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help further ensure that every voter has the right to cast their ballot and every election worker can conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation. It would strengthen existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections.

In Washington state, firearms are already prohibited at ballot counting centers, voting centers, student engagement hubs, and county elections and voter registration offices, as well as any facility being temporarily used for those reasons.

The right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, but rising threats of political violence against voters and election workers threaten election security. As of April 2026, 32% of local election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Armed groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were involved in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol have threatened to patrol polling places in recent elections. While intimidation is illegal under existing law, this new legislation is important to provide a clearer standard and further ensure safety at election offices and polling locations.

Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would:

Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation;

Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace; and

Recognize an exemption for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties and establish that this exemption does not apply to National Guard.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). In addition to Sen. Cantwell, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The House version of the bill was introduced by U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D, PA-17).

The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is endorsed by organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice, Defend the Vote Action Fund, and the Fair Elections Center.

“Congress must pass the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act. We are grateful to Representative Deluzio, Senator Padilla, and other members of Congress for their work to keep our elections safe for everyone involved in the process. This legislation would bolster federal protections that empower voters, election officials, and election workers to seek legal recourse if they are intimidated. The bill would help protect our democracy by keeping intimidation and violence out of voting,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, Senior Director of the voting rights program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

“Our ability to hold elected leaders accountable to the people depends on ensuring every voter can access the ballot free from intimidation or harassment, and that election workers can run those elections without interference. Defend The Vote Action Fund applauds Rep. Deluzio for his leadership on this critical bill that protects voters' rights to cast their ballots free from interference, while ensuring that poll workers and election officials can safely oversee and administer our elections,” said Defend the Vote Action Fund Executive Director Brian Lemek.

“To fully realize our civil rights, we need stronger protections against intimidation to make sure that election officials can do their jobs without fear, and that no American is stopped from exercising their right to vote. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is one way we can defend our voting rights in the face of those who want to take power away from the people,” said Fair Elections Center's President and CEO, Rebekah Caruthers.

Sen. Cantwell remains a stalwart defender of our free and fair elections:

On Sep. 8, Sen. Cantwell joined 260 of her colleagues – including all Senate Democrats and current and former members of the House of Representatives – in filing a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief with the Supreme Court in a case challenging the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) attempt to impose new requirements that would have interfered with vote-by-mail in Washington state and nationwide. On Sep. 15, the Supreme Court agreed with the lawmakers’ position and refused to reverse a lower-court ruling that blocked the USPS from implementing the onerous new requirements. In denying the stay, the Supreme Court let stand a preliminary injunction issued by a federal district court in two related cases – one brought by Washington along with other states – against the USPS rule for the upcoming election. In a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling, Sen. Cantwell highlighted that the district court had found “on one side, that immediate implementation of the Final Rule issued less than seventy days before the November 2026 election threatens disenfranchisement of millions of United States citizens who seek to vote by mail and, on the other side, that the record includes no evidence relating to fraudulent mail voting to support the rushed implementation of the Final Rule” and granted the preliminary injunction.”

On Sep. 2, Sen. Cantwell held a press conference in Seattle to warn Washington voters about Administration efforts to undermine their right to vote. That same day Sen. Cantwell and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs released a snapshot report showing that late-postmark rejection rates have more than doubled in 19 counties compared to the 2024 primaries – with rural counties worst affected -- following a new Trump Administration policy that can delay postmarking of mail-in ballots by several days.

On August 5, she sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits systematic voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts.

On July 29, she wrote to Blanche, Mullin, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding to know whether the Trump administration plans to illegally deploy armed federal law enforcement officers at polling sites during the November 2026 elections.

On July 28, Sen. Cantwell sharply criticized the Trump administration’s request that the Supreme Court allow him to seize control of state-run elections and implement an anti-vote-by-mail executive order. Lower courts have repeatedly rejected the president’s arguments and stated that his executive order is unconstitutional.

On July 2, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to the Postmaster General about the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed illegal rule to implement President Trump’s March 31 executive order to interfere with vote-by-mail. Sen. Cantwell’s letter specifically noted the recent decisions of multiple federal courts that found Trump’s executive order unconstitutional and enjoined the USPS from implementing the proposed rule – including in separate cases brought by the State of Washington with other states and the NAACP – and demanded the USPS comply with those court orders.

On June 29, she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee against an effort to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day, even if they’ve been postmarked in time. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington.

On June 24, Sen. Cantwell co-sponsored the Right To Vote Act, legislation to create the first-ever affirmative federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.

On June 24, she also denounced President Trump’s announcement that he would not sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act – an overwhelmingly popular, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate earlier in the week and would have increased housing supply and brought down housing costs – until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. That legislation, which Trump has repeatedly demanded, would eliminate vote-by-mail and impose onerous new restrictions on voting and registering to vote. It would disenfranchise millions of Americans in the name of a voter fraud “crisis” that, even by the standards of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, straightforwardly does not exist. President Trump again demanded Congress pass the restrictive bill following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee. Despite President Trump’s refusal to sign the bipartisan housing bill, it became law on July 11, since he failed to act on the bill within the time period prescribed by the Constitution after Congress sent him the legislation.

On June 23, she joined the entire Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to the USPS demanding the USPS abandon attempts to restrict voting by mail called for by President Trump in an illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On June 23, she also delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling out the Trump Administration’s war on mail-in voting as the latest frontier in a long history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States.

On June 17, she joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues for a spotlight forum highlighting President Trump’s illegal overreach into our free and fair elections.

On June 8, she joined 23 of her Senate colleagues in demanding answers over the Trump Administration’s decision to remove the most recent version of the Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual from DOJ’s website without explanation.

On April 29, she was tapped by Minority Leader Schumer to join a task force of senators defending our elections from interference.

On April 23, she joined colleagues in introducing the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to protect the right to vote by mail and block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On April 22, she sent a letter to the USPS warning the agency against complying with the executive order, which would undermine mail-in voting.

On April 1, after the executive order on mail-in voting was announced, she issued a statement in opposition.

On March 18, she convened a group of current and former elected officials and representatives of nonpartisan voter advocacy groups for a virtual press conference on defending voter access. Video of that entire virtual press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE.

On March 15, she issued a snapshot report showing that the SAVE America Act – the voter suppression bill President Trump has continued to demand Congress pass – would cost Washington state taxpayers more than $35 million this year alone.

On Feb. 20, she convened local leaders in Seattle for a press conference urging Washingtonians to fight back against these proposed new burdens to voting.

On Feb. 19, she gathered in Vancouver with the Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and local chapter heads of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP for a press conference on how this bill would disenfranchise voters.

Also on Feb. 19, she released a snapshot report showing who in Washington would face undue hurdles to voting if the SAVE America Act were signed into law. The report shows that certain populations – including people who live in rural areas, women who changed their name after marriage, and people who recently moved – would face additional, cumbersome burdens to prove their citizenship.

On Feb. 5, she appeared on MSNOW’s Morning Joe to push back against the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to interfere in state-run elections and collect private data on American voters. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s appearance is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

On Jan. 29, Sen. Cantwell joined Senate colleagues in a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushing DOJ to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump Administration their voter rolls, which include voters’ personally identifiable information.

On Jan. 15, she joined Senate colleagues in a letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner raising concerns with recent developments affecting postmark practices. Right before the holiday season, USPS changed its postmark practices, which the Senators warned could have significant impacts on voters nationwide and in Washington state – including rural voters, military and overseas voters, and many others who rely on rely on the mail to safely and securely cast their ballot.

On Jan. 9, she joined 13 Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief before the Supreme Court in the case Watson v. Republican National Committee.

Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-celebrates-new-amtrak-trains-for-the-pacific-northwest,Cantwell Celebrates New Amtrak Trains for the Pacific Northwest,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Celebrates New Amtrak Trains for the Pacific Northwest

Cantwell championed a record-high Amtrak investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is funding new Airo trains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, celebrated the debut of new Airo trainsets on the Amtrak Cascades ahead of the first passenger service on September 30.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps paying dividends,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The state-of-the-art Airo trainsets replace much older cars, making travel on Amtrak’s Cascades route more convenient, accessible, and reliable for riders across the Pacific Northwest. The Airos also have nearly twice as many seats, helping to meet growing demand on this routinely sold-out route.”

Sen. Cantwell led passage of the largest bipartisan investment in passenger rail in history, including $22 billion for Amtrak, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, Pacific Northwest customers will be the first in the nation to experience Amtrak’s newest trains.

Amtrak’s Airo trains produce 90% less particulate emissions than their predecessors. Redesigned interiors will offer improved accessibility and comfort in state-of-the art train interiors.

In October 2024, Sen. Cantwell announced that Amtrak would invest nearly $300 million in major upgrades to Seattle’s King Street Station rail yard. The upgraded railyard supported the introduction of the new Airo trains and operates without the use of fossil fuels for heating.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-call-for-memorial-at-arlington-national-cemetery-to-honor-wa-servicemember-killed-in-operation-epic-fury,"Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury

Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and Mike Carey (R-OH-15) in introducing bicameral legislation, the Zeus 95 Memorial Act, to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) honoring the six Zeus 95 servicemembers who perished on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 during an Operation Epic Fury mission.

Maj. John A. Klinner, (33, Auburn, AL); Capt. Ariana G. Savino, (31, Covington, WA); and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, (34, Bardstown, KY), were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Capt. Seth R. Koval, (38, Mooresville, IN); Capt. Curtis J. Angst, (30, Wilmington, OH); and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, (28, of Columbus, OH) were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio.

“Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country. I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice,” said Sen. Murray. “Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial. We have a commitment to honor our servicemembers not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind—making sure the federal government is there for our military families will continue to be a top priority for me. To the families, friends, and fellow Airmen who loved the Zeus 95 crew, you have my most sincere condolences.”

“Curtis Angst, Tyler Simmons, and Seth Koval are true American heroes who gave their lives in service to our great Nation and the cause of freedom,” said Sen. Moreno. “My colleagues and I are humbled to join together in establishing a permanent memorial so that their enduring legacy, their unmatched courage, and the selfless sacrifice they made during Operation Epic Fury will stand as a shining beacon of American valor.”

“I remain heartbroken that the crew of Zeus 95, including Captain Savino of Covington, died last spring in flight operations over Iraq. I will continue my efforts to honor their bravery and sacrifice, and am profoundly grateful that these crewmembers chose a life of service to our nation,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Captain Savino’s passion, leadership, and bravery will be forever remembered by the people of Washington state and all Americans. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of Captain Savino and the entire Zeus 95 crew. I send my deepest condolences to them, and pray for the safety and health of all of our servicemembers.”

Under federal law, monuments that do not contain or mark interred remains generally may not be placed on ANC grounds unless they meet certain statutory requirements. Among other criteria, the monument must commemorate the service of an individual or group of Armed Forces members or a particular military event, and it may not be placed until 25 years after the event being commemorated.

A Zeus 95 monument would not currently meet the 25-year requirement, so the lawmakers are pushing to honor the families’ wishes by seeking to waive the 25-year waiting period and allow for a monument at ANC.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-her-vote-directing-trump-to-end-his-war-in-iran,Cantwell Statement on Her Vote Directing Trump to End His War in Iran,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Statement on Her Vote Directing Trump to End His War in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 49-50 against a concurrent resolution directing President Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran, after nearly seven months of war. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) voted for the resolution and gave the following statement:

“The costs of President Trump’s unnecessary war with Iran continue to mount, and the American people want it to end. We have lost valuable lives, and the conflict is compounding the burden of high gas and grocery prices at home.”

Last week, Sen. Cantwell joined 45 Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding a full accounting of the costs of the war with Iran. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the senators criticized the Department of Defense for withholding information from Congress and the American public, even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to rise. This week, partial information provided to Congress showed that the war cost at least $43.6 billion by September 3 – three weeks ago – as the Trump Administration has requested $67 billion more for the war. Moreover, as the senators’ letter notes, the war has also cost American consumers an extra $100 billion just in higher gas and diesel costs, and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets, among others.

On June 23, she issued a statement after voting for a War Powers Resolution measure to end the war. Congress passed the resolution – rejecting President Trump’s war with Iran – in a bipartisan vote.

On June 18, she issued a statement on President Trump’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran, saying, “The President’s war with Iran was a mistake. The MOU is the price the President must pay to get us out of this unauthorized war before it further damages our economy and costs more lives.”

On March 15, she issued a statement after six U.S. service members – including Captain Ariana G. Savino from Covington, Washington – died when their KC-135 aircraft crashed in Iraq during an Operation Epic Fury mission. Today, Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) joined Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and Mike Carey (R-OH-15) in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Zeus 95 Memorial Act, to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honoring the six crewmates who perished in the crash.

On March 11, Sen. Cantwell and 45 Senate Democrats sent a letter to Sec. Hegseth pressing the Department of Defense to provide answers to the American people about the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran, and civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible.

On March 2, she cosponsored a resolution led by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to direct the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. A subsequent vote to advance that measure failed on a 47-53 vote.

On March 1, she issued a statement in response to the news that three U.S. service members had been killed and five others injured in the conflict: “My heart goes out to the families of the servicemembers killed and injured. Our troops valiantly put their lives on the line for the nation, every one of them a hero. The Trump Administration must come before Congress.”

On February 28, soon after the Trump Administration ordered strikes on Iran, Sen. Cantwell issued a statement criticizing the Administration and demanding that it seek congressional approval, as the Constitution requires.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell/randall-bill-to-restore-lower-elwha-klallam-tribal-lands-unanimously-passes-senate-heads-to-president-for-signature,"Cantwell/Randall Bill to Restore Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Lands Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to President for Signature",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell/Randall Bill to Restore Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Lands Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to President for Signature

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act is one of the last steps of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam removal project & will help restore fisheries; Bill now heads to President’s desk to become law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), former chair and longest-serving member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06), who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, to transfer federal land back to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe after decades of work to restore the Elwha River. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, having previously passed the House, now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.

“Today, Congress took a historic step to strengthen salmon and habitat recovery and help fulfill a decades-old vision to restore the Elwha River and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s connection to lands that have sustained them since time immemorial. I’m thrilled we got this bill across the finish line and look forward to the President signing it into law,” Sen. Cantwell said.

""Today, we took an important step in upholding our treaty obligations by passing legislation to transfer land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. As a freshman member of Congress who represents — alongside their elected Tribal leaders — over 15,000 Tribal members, this significance is not lost on me,” said Rep. Randall. “Now signed into law, this bill will help ensure we meet our trust responsibilities to restore Tribal lands.”

“It is a great honor to be trusted to steward these lands again, it continues to be a great part of our healing from the dam removal projects. We continue to see slow but persistent growth in our river and the return of the salmon. This has been a long process, and we appreciate the Federal partners for all the hard work in making this a priority. A special thanks to Councilwoman Frances Charles (Former Chairwoman of 22 years) for her years of persistence to see this land come back to the tribe!” said Melissa A. Gilman, Tribal Chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

“The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act is very significant to the Elwha Klallam people. The return of these lands is an important final action to the dam removal project that rewilded the Elwha River and made possible the recovery of the salmon populations,” said Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Council Member and former Chair Frances Charles. “The return of these sacred and culturally significant lands to the Tribe’s stewardship protects the federal investment in the restoration of the river and upholds the federal government’s treaty and trust obligations to the Tribe. The Tribe is grateful to Senator Cantwell and Representative Randall for their efforts to keep this legislation moving toward the return of the lands to the Tribe.”

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act represents another important step in the decades-long effort to restore the Elwha River and address the impacts of the dams on the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Congress authorized the historic removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams in 1992 to restore the river and its once-abundant salmon runs. While both dams were successfully removed by 2014, restoration of the Elwha watershed has continued.

The legislation builds on that work by returning more than 1,082 acres of federal project lands to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Placing these lands into trust will allow the Tribe to continue its stewardship of the Elwha River, protect cultural and natural resources, and support the long-term recovery of salmon and other native fish.

Specifically, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act would:

Transfer three parcels of land totaling 1,082 acres to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to be held in trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

The land is just outside the boundaries of the Olympic National Park and includes 1,061 acres originally acquired by the National Park Service to demolish two dams along the Elwha River.

The two remaining parcels were acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior to construct a pipeline to transfer surface water to the Tribe’s new fish hatchery – the House of Salmon.

Boost habitat restoration efforts led by the Lower Elwha Tribe and federal agencies, aiding in the recovery of all five species of Pacific salmon and other native fish, including Chinook, coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon, along with steelhead and bull trout.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-protect-college-sports-act-77-22,Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22

Landmark bill enshrines into federal law rights and health and safety protections for college athletes, protects athletes from predatory agents, & secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; Legislation moves to House for consideration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, celebrated the overwhelming, bipartisan Senate vote to pass the Protect College Sports Act.

""There are several things in this bill that are really important to enshrine into federal law at this time. First and foremost, the federal right to NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness],"" Sen. Cantwell said in a speech on the Senate floor ahead of the vote.

""But compensation on revenue sharing is probably the most important thing we could possibly enshrine in federal law today. This is [Congress] saying, for the first time, that an athlete gets a percentage of the media rights, the ticket sales, and the sponsorship.""

She continued: ""We also believe in a health and safety standard in federal law, one that protects the athletes beyond the way the law works today and gives them the right to sue and hold these people accountable for any kind of health and safety violations [...] And then medical coverage for five years post eligibility, and capping agents’ [fees] at 5%.""

""We need to stop stealing money out of college [and] university institutions for education, for tuition, for professors, and putting it into an arms race on sports,"" Sen. Cantwell said. ""It is putting a pin in the problems to stabilize the loss of women’s and Olympic [sports] and to create the opportunity to discuss the larger structure moving forward. That is why I think we have so much support.""

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

The final vote was 77-22. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. The next scheduled House legislative session begins Monday, November 9.

Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to reform college sports. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026, which she introduced alongside Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes’ rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship and health and safety protections in federal law, reining in predatory agents, expanding revenue for all schools, and preserving and protecting the future of women’s and Olympic sports.

On September 15, Sen. Cantwell’s office released a snapshot report detailing how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying financial pressures on colleges and universities. That report can be read in full HERE.

On September 14, Sen. Cantwell joined current college athletes, coaches, and senators from both parties for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act. That press conference, which also included Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, can be watched in full HERE.

The Protect College Sports Act’s new guaranteed protections for student athletes include:

Granting student athletes a new federal right to earn compensation for their NIL and replacing the patchwork of state laws with a strong national law.

Capping agent fees at 5% to clamp down on predatory agents.

Guaranteeing scholarships for ten years after eligibility, so athletes can complete their degrees, and ensuring student athletes cannot lose their scholarship because of injury or a bad game.

Requiring Division I schools to cover out-of-pocket medical costs for athletic injuries or illness for current student athletes and five years post-eligibility.

Preventing women’s and Olympic sports from being cut by requiring schools to maintain a minimum number of sports.

Giving athletes a private right of action to enforce provisions of the bill, including their NIL rights, agent protections, health and safety standards, scholarship protections, and medical coverage requirements.

For more details, see a summary of the bill HERE.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-leads-wa-delegation-in-supporting-governors-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-individual-assistance-for-devastating-wildfires-in-washington-state/,Murray Leads WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane

ICYMI: Senator Murray Vows to Get Spokane and WA Federal Resources for Wildfire Response and Recovery

***LETTER HERE***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to help families recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31.

For the first time, on August 1, the National Weather Service upgraded a Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead. The Spokane Complex Fires forced 67,000 people to evacuate, burned nearly 10,000 acres, with damages predicted to exceed $1 billion.

This was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock. In Okanogan County, the Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, and Sinlahekin fires burned over 350,000 acres total.

“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible,” Senator Murray and other members of the delegation wrote. “A record-setting drought and an unusually small snowpack contributed to numerous large and fast-moving wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Benton, Spokane, Stevens, and Okanogan Counties, as well as on the Spokane Indian Reservation. These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry.”

Joining Senator Murray in the letter to President Trump were Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).

The lawmakers continued, “Local, state, and federal resources responded quickly to the wildfires. Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces and the National Guard, deployed to Washington state to assist local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. While their heroic efforts helped to contain these devastating fires, federal assistance is required to support communities as they begin to rebuild. The fires destroyed over 2,500 structures, including entire neighborhoods, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Ultimately, over 650 primary residences were destroyed by these fast-moving wildfires, leaving hundreds of Washingtonians displaced.”

“Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster, as well as for your prompt approval of the state’s Emergency Declaration request submitted on August 2nd, which allowed for critical federal assistance that supported fire suppression, emergency shelter operations, and other vital needs. We reiterate our full support for the September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance,” Senator Murray and the delegation concluded.

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible. A record-setting drought and an unusually small snowpack contributed to numerous large and fast-moving wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Benton, Spokane, Stevens, and Okanogan Counties, as well as on the Spokane Indian Reservation. These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry.

Local, state, and federal resources responded quickly to the wildfires. Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces and the National Guard, deployed to Washington state to assist local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. While their heroic efforts helped to contain these devastating fires, federal assistance is required to support communities as they begin to rebuild. The fires destroyed over 2,500 structures, including entire neighborhoods, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Ultimately, over 650 primary residences were destroyed by these fast-moving wildfires, leaving hundreds of Washingtonians displaced.

Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster, as well as for your prompt approval of the state’s Emergency Declaration request submitted on August 2nd, which allowed for critical federal assistance that supported fire suppression, emergency shelter operations, and other vital needs. We reiterate our full support for the September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. We appreciate you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/26/ranking-member-jayapal-statement-on-trumps-pocket-rescissions/,Ranking Member Jayapal Statement on Trump’s Pocket Rescissions,2026-09-26,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, released the following statement regarding Trump’s pocket rescissions, targeted primarily at immigration services.

“Congress has the power of the purse, the constitutional authority to appropriate funding. Trump’s pocket rescissions are illegal and further proof that he has no regard for the Constitution of the United States.

“This illegal rescission is a continuation of Trump’s cruel mass deportation and anti-DEI efforts that whitewash American history and make certain communities targets of hate. He has illegally refused to carry out Congress’s authorizations for critical essential services for immigrants, including assistance for unaccompanied children, legal services for people working to obtain citizenship, and assistance in integration efforts, as well as essential education programs that help us ensure equity and inclusion of all our communities. Meanwhile, even as he cuts these essential programs for working people across our country, he has continued to enrich himself and his family to the tune of billions of dollars — all while driving up gas prices and grocery prices, slashing healthcare and mocking the idea that life under Trump is completely unaffordable.

“Congress must reclaim our constitutional authorities from this out-of-control administration. I will do everything in my power to prevent these illegal recissions and stand up for Congress’s sole Article 1 powers to appropriate funds.”

###",1,2026-09-27T10:23:37Z,2026-09-27T10:25:08Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/25/reps-jayapal-larsen-and-sen-markey-announce-legislation-to-expand-workforce-opportunities-for-communities-impacted-by-substance-use/,"Reps. Jayapal, Larsen and Sen. Markey Announce Legislation to Expand Workforce Opportunities for Communities Impacted by Substance Use",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (September 25, 2026) – In recognition of National Recovery Month, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced the reintroduction of the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act, legislation that would strengthen and expand grants for community partnerships that promote employment opportunities for workers in recovery and support communities affected by widespread substance use. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) lead the legislation in the House of Representatives.

“Addiction and substance use are deeply tied to economic instability and the shortage of behavioral health professionals,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “Our bill takes these issues head on by investing in local organizations that help those affected by substance use gain employment and empower more people to pursue the behavioral health field. By promoting economic stability and increasing the number of healthcare specialists, we can get to the root of the substance abuse crisis and help communities across the country.”

“For National Recovery Month, we celebrate those working to achieve and maintain recovery from addiction, and everyone who helped them along the way. Especially as families struggle to get ahead, it’s more important than ever that we help people in recovery overcome barriers to employment,” said Senator Markey. “This legislation will strengthen community partnerships that connect people with good jobs, peer support, and mentorship, supporting lasting recovery and helping communities heal.”

“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities in Northwest Washington,” said Rep. Larsen. “This legislation would break down barriers to employment for people in recovery and fund local organizations to address the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage. I will keep working to get this bill over the finish line and to regain momentum in the fight against the opioid crisis.”

“Substance use disorder has become a far too common barrier to employment,” said Cole Angley, Massachusetts Workforce Association’s Executive Director. “The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act filed by Sen. Markey builds upon a successful model and puts the necessary tools in the hands of workforce development professionals to help address these barriers with impacted job-seekers across Massachusetts and the nation.”

The legislation would reauthorize, strengthen, and expand a pilot grant program first authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and later extended through the 2018 SUPPORT Act. The pilot grants have funded community partnerships that promote employment for individuals affected by substance use and those interested in professions that address the impacts of substance use across the country. The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act would authorize $187.5 million to continue this lifesaving and community-strengthening work.

The legislation was first introduced by Senator Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Larsen in July 2024.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4271,Larsen Reintroduces Bill to Expand Workforce Opportunities for Communities Facing Substance Use Disorders,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) reintroduced the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act to promote employment opportunities for workers in recovery and provide support to communities impacted by widespread substance use.

“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities in Northwest Washington,” said Rep. Larsen. “This legislation would break down barriers to employment for people in recovery and fund local organizations to address the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage. I will keep working to get this bill over the finish line and to regain momentum in the fight against the opioid crisis.”

“For National Recovery Month, we celebrate those working to achieve and maintain recovery from addiction, and everyone who helped them along the way. Especially as families struggle to get ahead, it’s more important than ever that we help people in recovery overcome barriers to employment,” said Senator Markey. “This legislation will strengthen community partnerships that connect people with good jobs, peer support, and mentorship, supporting lasting recovery and helping communities heal.”

“Addiction and substance use are deeply tied to economic instability and the shortage of behavioral health professionals,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Our bill takes these issues head on by investing in local organizations that help those affected by substance use gain employment and empower more people to pursue the behavioral health field. By promoting economic stability and increasing the number of healthcare specialists, we can get to the root of the substance abuse crisis and help communities across the country.”

The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act would reauthorize and expand a pilot grant program first authorized in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and later extended by the 2018 SUPPORT Act. The bill would authorize a total of $187.5 million over six years to continue this lifesaving and community-strengthening work and award grants to state and local workforce development boards to partner with treatment providers, employers, education providers, Tribal organizations, legal services organizations, or other designated community-based organizations to support individuals impacted by substance use. These partnerships would leverage grant funding to implement innovative approaches to support workers and to provide wraparound services to its participants.

The full text of the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act is available here.

A one-pager on the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act is available here.

Larsen Focused on Combating Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis

Larsen continues to focus on supporting local efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and save lives. In 2024, he published a districtwide opioid report outlining a four-pillar framework to combat the crisis. In addition to the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act, Larsen leads three bills aimed at combating the opioid epidemic:

In May 2026, Larsen reintroduced the bipartisan End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act to establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country.

In June 2025, Larsen reintroduced the bipartisan Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act to give Tribal courts and law enforcement more tools and resources to combat the opioid epidemic.

Larsen also leads the Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act to expand access to lifesaving, community-based harm reduction initiatives and services and enhance the federal response to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-introduces-bipartisan-bill-improve-life-saving-newborn,Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Life-Saving Newborn Health Screenings,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"September 25, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Surge to Save Newborns Act alongside Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23). This legislation would provide states with federal resources to implement newborn screening for conditions included on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), ensuring more newborns benefit from early detection and timely care.

“As a pediatrician, I’ve taken care of patients whose conditions were discovered early on their newborn screen. Because we had the resources to screen for these diseases, we were able to help babies right away and save lives. However, states often lack the resources to screen for each condition listed on the recommended panel, which puts our children at risk,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure that newborns in Washington state and across the country are screened for all of these treatable conditions at birth.”

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening helps identify certain serious health conditions shortly after birth so that affected children can receive appropriate follow-up care. The federal government maintains a Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), which identifies conditions recommended for inclusion in state newborn screening programs. However, adding a condition to the federal recommended panel does not necessarily mean that every state immediately implements screening for that condition.

The Surge to Save Newborns Act would provide states with dedicated federal resources to help implement newborn screening for conditions included on the RUSP. However, it can still be a challenge for children to access primary care. This legislation would address this issue by bolstering the pediatric vaccine delivery system and supporting primary care physicians who participate in the program.

The Surge to Save Newborns Act would:

Help states move recommended newborn screening conditions from federal recommendation to implementation.

Provide dedicated resources to address state implementation needs while preserving state responsibility for operating newborn screening programs.

Create annual visibility into which recommended conditions each state has and has not yet implemented.

Pair federal funding with accountability by requiring HHS to assess grant effectiveness and report back to Congress.

“One of our most sacred duties as a society is to protect our newborn babies,” said Congressman Langworthy. “We already have the technological advancements to detect serious conditions—now we must do everything in our power to ensure that every single newborn has access to them. Adding a condition to the federal recommended panel is a good first step, but we need to make sure that states have the resources to put the screenings into practice. This bill will literally save lives and help get these precious babies into treatment before it’s too late. We have to get this done.”

The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of rare-disease patient advocacy organizations, family foundations and children’s health organizations representing families affected by conditions that can be detected through newborn screening, including the Children’s Hospital Association, ALD Alliance, ALD Connect, Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Advocacy Association, Association for Creatine Deficiencies, Believing for Bryleigh Foundation, Conner's Crusade, CTX Alliance, Cure ALD, HCU Network America, Hunter’s Hope Foundation, Judson's Legacy, Katelynn’s Butterfly Kisses, Krabbe Connect, Little Hercules Foundation, MLD Foundation, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Project Alive, the RARE Foundation, Remember The Girls, The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, United Leukodystrophy Foundation, United MSD Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders , and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

###

Issues:CongressHealth",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-baldwin-lead-colleagues-in-demanding-vought-abandon-any-and-all-plans-to-exert-political-control-over-nih-funding/,"Murray, Baldwin Lead Colleagues in Demanding Vought Abandon Any and All Plans to Exert Political Control Over NIH Funding",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Lawmakers emphasize need for Republicans to join Democrats and support new guardrails in law to protect the integrity of NIH’s grantmaking process following long line of politically motivated attacks on NIH

ICYMI: Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research

ICYMI: Murray on Trump Admin Scrapping Plans for Executive Order to Empower Russ Vought to Kill NIH Research

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, led 29 of their colleagues in demanding White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought halt any plan to exert political control over the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) grant-making process. The Trump administration considering an executive order to establish an external committee of unqualified political appointees empowered to veto any awards selected by NIH and panels of scientific experts is just the latest example and highlights the need for Congress to intervene.

In their letter, the lawmakers underscore that the executive order is just the latest way OMB has sought to undermine NIH and the scientific peer review process that is the foundation of biomedical advancements and innovation. Backtracking on a new executive order or not, the Trump administration has shown time and again it wants to use NIH funding to pursue political agendas and vendettas, at the expense of life-saving research, treatments, and cures for millions of Americans.

“Decisions about which National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants to fund should be guided only by science, and what research is most likely to advance new treatments and cures, or the next breakthrough to save or improve a patient’s life. The Trump administration considering, at the highest level, an Executive Order to exert unprecedented political control over NIH’s grant-making by establishing a commission empowered to veto NIH research awards represents just its latest attack on biomedical research,” the lawmakers write. “Injecting political interference into the NIH grantmaking process will irreparably harm America’s biomedical research enterprise, override scientific expertise, and potentially set back lifesaving medical breakthroughs by decades.”

The lawmakers note that reports that the Trump administration has paused plans for an executive order to scrutinize NIH grants are little relief given the president’s long string of attacks on the agency: “That such an Executive Order was considered at all makes clear that despite Congress acting to temporarily block OMB’s proposed rule, this administration intends to continue to pursue efforts to undermine NIH and its grantmaking process. If not by Executive Order or a new government-wide rule, the Trump administration will simply pursue alternative administrative means that put politics over science and undermine the biomedical research enterprise we have built in this country over more than a century that is the envy of the world.”

The senators explained that given the administration’s attacks, it’s critical Congress take additional steps to put guardrails in place—something Senate Democrats have been pushing to do over the last 18 months: “Congress must step in to establish guardrails to protect American biomedical science. We urge our Republican colleagues to work with us on legislation to do much more to protect NIH from the Trump administration, which has proven over and over again to be dead set on picking political fights at the expense of advancing lifesaving treatments and cures for millions of Americans.”

The lawmakers conclude: “We write to call on you to abandon any plan to exert political control over NIH’s grant-making decisions — whether that’s through your proposed rule, a new Executive Order, or any other means—that would empower political appointees to deny funding for grant applications that have already been deemed meritorious by the NIH peer-review and Advisory Council process. Patients and families are already paying an enormous price because of this administration’s nonstop attacks on the NIH—the last thing they need is for their hopes for new treatments and cures to be pushed farther out of view because you want to put politics ahead of saving lives.”

In addition to Senators Murray and Baldwin, the letter was also signed by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Angus King Jr. (I-ME), Jeffrey Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Director Vought:

Decisions about which National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants to fund should be guided only by science, and what research is most likely to advance new treatments and cures, or the next breakthrough to save or improve a patient’s life. The Trump administration considering, at the highest level, an Executive Order to exert unprecedented political control over NIH’s grant-making by establishing a commission empowered to veto NIH research awards represents just its latest attack on biomedical research. If established, such an entity would radically alter a nearly 140-year-old evaluation system built upon a rigorous peer-review process where subject matter experts assess applications based on scientific merit. Injecting political interference into the NIH grantmaking process will irreparably harm America’s biomedical research enterprise, override scientific expertise, and potentially set back lifesaving medical breakthroughs by decades.

Reports that the Trump administration is backtracking on such an Executive Order is of little relief. This scheme comes on the heels of the Office of Management Budget’s (OMB) proposal to rewrite rules governing the administration of federal grants government-wide, which centers on the same aims—to put politics over scientific rigor. These efforts violate longstanding practice and interpretation of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) statutory duties and are clearly counter to what Congress intended when funding NIH. That such an Executive Order was considered at all makes clear that despite Congress acting to temporarily block OMB’s proposed rule, this administration intends to continue to pursue efforts to undermine NIH and its grantmaking process. If not by Executive Order or a new government-wide rule, the Trump administration will simply pursue alternative administrative means that put politics over science and undermine the biomedical research enterprise we have built in this country over more than a century that is the envy of the world. The Trump administration will continue to have political appointees review Notices of Funding Opportunities and grant applications. It will continue to terminate scientifically meritorious grants for political reasons. And it will sideline expert peer review and empower political appointees to decide what research to fund or to not fund. Congress must step in to establish guardrails to protect American biomedical science. We urge our Republican colleagues to work with us on legislation to do much more to protect NIH from the Trump administration, which has proven over and over again to be dead set on picking political fights at the expense of advancing lifesaving treatments and cures for millions of Americans.

As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH supports research across virtually every area of human health. NIH research has led to countless groundbreaking discoveries, including mapping the human genome, isolating the AIDS virus, and the development of new drugs and treatments for cystic fibrosis, childhood leukemia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and rare diseases, among so many others. The NIH peer-review system is the backbone of each one of those discoveries. It is a process established to ensure that taxpayer-funded research is evaluated according to scientific standards and to insulate funding decisions from political considerations. NIH funding has, for example, supported basic scientific research on lizard venom and sea snails that you or another political appointee without any scientific expertise may well have vetoed as a waste of taxpayer resources, but that very research led to the development of GLP-1 medications and non-addictive opioid alternatives. NIH’s scientific and peer review process that you are actively working to tear down is the foundation on which the United States stands as the world leader in biomedical innovation. OMB and unqualified political appointees have no business being involved in individual grant funding decisions and determining which specific cancer or Alzheimer’s disease research grants get funded.

Putting political decree above scientific peer review will mean research proposals are rejected not because of deficiencies in scientific quality, methodology, or relevance to statutory NIH missions, but because the subject matter, populations studied, institutions involved, or anticipated policy implications of the research do not align with the President’s political agenda. Breast cancer patients should not be denied hope of a new lifesaving treatment because you and the President think women’s health research is “woke”. Each year, NIH awards more than 50,000 grants and reviews tens of thousands more, each containing dozens of pages of dense scientific material. Whether through Executive Order, a new OMB rule, or other means, this administration seeks the ability to cut funding for specific research institutions it doesn’t like, or to cut funding for specific research projects because it doesn’t like how they sound. This would mean overruling decisions made by panels of scientific experts that have already determined which research is meritorious of federal funding and is our nation’s best bet at advancing new treatments and cures. Congress appropriated more than $48 billion to NIH in fiscal year 2026 for biomedical research pursuant to statute and congressionally directed programs, to be awarded according to a multi-step peer review process mandated by law. Congress does not delegate, or in any way intend to delegate, authority to the White House or your office to determine which individual scientific proposals may receive federal support. It similarly does not intend for unqualified political appointees to override the scientific peer review process in determining which specific grants to fund. But that is exactly what this administration continues to pursue.

These efforts are just the latest in a series of actions elevating politics and undermining science in biomedical research. Under your leadership, OMB has focused its efforts on destroying NIH and, with it, the nation’s biomedical research enterprise. To date, the Trump administration has terminated or disrupted 5,780 NIH grants worth an estimated $15 billion. Today, 1,231 of those grants still have not been restored. In fiscal year 2025, the agency issued 6,478 fewer awards compared to the year before – fewer than any year since 2018. The overall success rate for grant applicants fell to 17 percent, marking a 30-year low. The Trump administration has delayed NIH notices of funding opportunities and grant awards by months, setting back research and clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease, cancer research, opioid addiction, rare diseases, and others by a year or more. These disruptions are causing young scientists and researchers to abandon their careers altogether or leave to pursue them in other countries. Meanwhile, uncertainties about federal funding have led to a 15 percent decline in doctoral admissions at major research universities in the United States. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Trump administration plans to transfer up to $1.9 billion per year from NIH to the Department of Defense. Taken together, the Trump administration’s actions have systematically weakened the biomedical workforce and upended the very system designed to select the most scientifically promising research that delivers hope for millions of American patients and families who are praying for new treatments and cures.

We write to call on you to abandon any plan to exert political control over NIH’s grant-making decisions — whether that’s through your proposed rule, a new Executive Order, or any other means—that would empower political appointees to deny funding for grant applications that have already been deemed meritorious by the NIH peer-review and Advisory Council process. Patients and families are already paying an enormous price because of this administration’s nonstop attacks on the NIH—the last thing they need is for their hopes for new treatments and cures to be pushed farther out of view because you want to put politics ahead of saving lives.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-slams-trump-for-illegal-impoundment/,Murray Slams Trump for Illegal Impoundment,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s illegal attempt to do an end run around Congress with a “pocket rescission.” While the president has called out over $800 million in federal funding that he intends to impound, Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats have identified additional funding that the Trump administration is on track to either illegally impound or spend in defiance of Congress. That includes additional funding for critical health research, funds to combat the international illicit narcotics trade, and more.

“This is theft from the American people, plain and simple. These are funds Congress has delivered on a bipartisan basis and should be helping people—not cut off by a president more focused on building a ballroom than investing in families. Every Republican who voted for these bills should be furious because Vought is saying their votes don’t count.

“In negotiations over the recently enacted CR, Democrats fought to include language to prevent the Trump administration from once again usurping Congress’ power—but for the second time in a year, Republicans refused to take common sense action and prevent this from happening. While Trump spends tax dollars on ads promoting himself, Congress needs to reassert its powers to help people, and it’s past time Republicans join us in that fight. Russ Vought’s message to Congress is that your votes don’t count, and your laws are optional. It is now time for my Republican colleagues who said they would never let this happen to stand up and join us to stop this, and remind this administration this is not how this works.”

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/25/reps-jayapal-tlaib-pressley-and-sens-markey-merkley-reintroduce-legislation-to-halt-government-use-of-facial-recognition-and-other-biometric-technology/,"Reps. Jayapal, Tlaib, Pressley and Sens. Markey, Merkley Reintroduce Legislation to Halt Government Use of Facial Recognition and Other Biometric Technology",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (September 25, 2026) – Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced the reintroduction of the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, legislation to prohibit the government from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies.

The legislation responds to the federal government’s growing use of biometric recognition technology, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mobile facial recognition app, which has been used to target immigrants and intimidate communities across the country. Research shows that nearly half of U.S. adults’ faces are already stored in facial recognition databases, and that Black, Brown, and Asian individuals are up to 100 times more likely to be misidentified by a facial recognition algorithm than white men.

“We have to stop the constant, nonconsensual state of surveillance that we live in, and that starts with placing a moratorium on our government’s use of facial recognition technology,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “Black and Brown people are more likely to be misidentified and wrongfully put in jail because of this unregulated technology, and our government has used it to unjustly target protestors and immigrants. Putting the brakes on this technology is necessary to protect civil rights and ensure public safety.”

“Facial recognition technology is racist, misidentifying Black, Brown, and Asian residents and pinning them as suspects in crimes they did not commit,” said Representative Tlaib. “When such flawed and biased technology is used to invade our privacy, we are all less safe. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill that will ban facial recognition technology and protect all our civil liberties.”

“Facial recognition and other biometric technologies in the hands of government agencies have become tools of authoritarianism. Agencies such as ICE and CBP are using this technology to track, target, intimidate and surveil communities across the country,”said Senator Markey. “Black and Brown communities — already subject to the most aggressive policing and immigration enforcement — are disproportionately affected and more likely to be wrongly flagged, detained, or targeted by a faulty facial recognition match. We must stop the Trump administration’s growing web of surveillance technology, and that starts with a moratorium on dangerous, discriminatory biometric recognition.”

“Every American who values their right to privacy, stands against discrimination, and believes people are innocent until proven guilty should be concerned about facial recognition technology fueling a national surveillance state,” said Senator Merkley. “Enacting a federal moratorium on this technology is critical to ensuring we can rein in inappropriate surveillance and protect our communities’ fundamental right to privacy.”

The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would:

Place a prohibition on the use of facial recognition technology by federal entities, which can only be lifted with an act of Congress;

Place a prohibition on the use of other biometric technologies, including voice recognition, gate recognition, and recognition of other immutable physical characteristics, by federal entities, which can only be lifted with an act of Congress;

Condition federal grant funding to state and local entities, including law enforcement, on those entities enacting their own moratoria on the use of facial recognition and biometric technology;

Prohibit the use of federal dollars for biometric surveillance systems;

Prohibit the use of information collected via biometric technology in violation of the Act in any judicial proceedings;

Provide a private right of action for individuals whose biometric data is used in violation of the Act and allow for enforcement by state Attorneys General; and

Allow states and localities to enact their own laws regarding the use of facial recognition and biometric technologies.

“Face surveillance is one of the most intrusive surveillance technologies. It’s past time for the federal government to end its use. Face surveillance in the hands of the government is a fundamentally harmful technology, even under strict regulations or if the technology was 100% accurate. We thank the authors of this bill for their leadership in ending the federal government’s use of this dangerous and invasive technology,” said India McKinney, Director of Federal Affairs at Electronic Frontier Foundation.

“We can no longer afford to ignore the very real harms of AI surveillance technologies, including facial recognition. We have seen how ICE and other federal agencies utilize facial recognition to abuse immigrants, Black and Brown communities, and people participating in protests and other First Amendment protected actions. There is no more excuse for inaction or justification for allowing the continued use of this surveillance technology – the time to pass this legislation is now,” said Caitlin Seeley George (she/her), Campaigns and Managing Director at Fight for the Future.

“Facial recognition poses a significant threat to our privacy and our democracy. The technology has been shown to be biased, inaccurate, and disproportionally harmful to people of color. Even 100% accurate facial recognition poses considerable threats to our privacy and civil liberties. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act takes the right approach on this urgent issue, effectively banning its current use and ensuring Congress will give careful consideration to if and how the technology can be used in the future. EPIC is proud to support it,” said Jeramie D. Scott, Director of Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)’s Surveillance Oversight Program.

“The rapid adoption of powerful surveillance tech by our federal government benefits companies that amass billions in profits through contracts with law enforcement agencies, at the expense of our civil rights. This bill by Senator Markey couldn’t be more timely. Not only does this bill disrupt the money flow for surveillance profiteers; it prevents the use of one of the most invasive forms of surveillance and grants users a private right of action, urgently needed as we still lack federal data privacy protections and a prohibition on law enforcement purchases of sensitive data. We’ve seen how dangerous these tools can be and how easily bad actors can weaponize them against any person or community. Without proper guardrails or consideration for how our privacy will be protected, surveillance tech becomes a tool of oppression, not safety. We are proud to endorse this bill and appreciate Senator Markey’s continued leadership in this area,” said Amanda Beckham, Government Relations Director at Free Press.

“Right now, just walking down the street could allow you to be detected by AI-powered cameras and put into a database. Sen. Markey’s Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act is a critically needed safeguard against a surveillance apocalypse where the government and unaccountable corporations can collect and store your face and voice,” said Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress.“Facial recognition technology threatens the privacy and security of all Americans. Every member of Congress who cares about invasive surveillance must support this bill.”

“We should all be free to move freely in our communities — drive to work, walk our neighborhoods, travel to see family — without constant monitoring. ICE officers and other federal agents are out in our neighborhoods targeting Black and Brown people because of the color of our skin and scanning our faces without consent to fuel a cruel mass deportation machine. They’re using the very same facial recognition technologies that regularly misidentify people of color, leading to unjust arrests and detainment. Senator Markey’s Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would put a stop to this racist invasion of privacy,” said Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Vice President of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.

The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and in the House of Representatives by Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09).

This legislation is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Fight for the Future, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Color of Change, Access Now, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Free Press, Demand Progress, and UnidosUS.",1,2026-09-27T10:23:37Z,2026-09-27T10:25:08Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/gluesenkamp-perez-announces-2026-bigleaf-maple-big-leaf-contest,Gluesenkamp Perez Announces 2026 Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Contest ,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced her fourth annual Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Contest to encourage residents of Washington’s Third District to get out in the woods and find the biggest Bigleaf Maple leaf they can.

Last year’s winner, James Owen, shows off his 21in leaf found in east Lewis County

Previous winners have included Maynard M. with an 18.5in leaf found in Curtis in 2024, and Dirk and Dixie H. who found a 23.5in leaf in Randle in 2023. Last year brought in an impressive 21in leaf, found by James Owen from Raintree Nursery.

“This competition started when I found out the largest maple leaf on record in the congressional library was tiny and from Kentucky. And I was like ‘We can’t have that. There are bigger leaves than that in the woods by my house.’ We’re so lucky here in Southwest Washington to have some of the most beautiful trees in the country–and this competition is about bringing that pride of place to the U.S. Capitol,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “So go, get out in the woods, enjoy a fall day with your family, find some really big honking leaves and just have fun! I promise you’ll learn so much about the woods we’re so lucky to share.”

Bigleaf Maple trees are found all over the Pacific Northwest, and the showcase spurs folks to get outside, enjoy our woods, and learn about the challenges facing the Bigleaf Maple.

The biggest leaf will be displayed for visitors to see in the Congresswoman’s office and showcased online.

Constituents can learn how to enter here, and they should submit an image of their leaf by October 23rd, while preserving the original.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/24/jayapal-introduces-the-students-not-profits-act/,Jayapal Introduces the Students Not Profits Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SEATTLE, W.A. – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Students Not Profits Act to protect students and taxpayers from corporations and private-equity firms abusing our federal student aid system.

“Higher education is inaccessible to Americans in every corner of this country as astronomical student loan debt weighs on millions. Congress must act to protect students from the exploitative practices of for-profit corporate universities that prey on vulnerable students,” said Rep. Jayapal.“The Students Not Profits Act is a major step toward putting an end to the exploitative habits of these institutions that prey on disadvantaged students working to earn their degree.”

Research has shown that the for-profit higher education industry continues to fail students. On average, students attending for-profit programs earn no more than if they had not attended college at all, while incurring costs at four times the rate of a public college. For-profit colleges account for only about 13 percent of enrollment but nearly 50 percent of all loan defaults, as well as the vast majority of college closures from 2014-2019.

To protect students from this harmful, predatory sector, the Students Not Profits Act would:

Ensure taxpayer dollars are going towards providing quality, affordable education for students, not into the coffers of private companies by ending taxpayer subsidies to for-profit colleges;

Establish a transparent process for approving the conversion of a for-profit school to a nonprofit school, including requiring institutions to certify that:

The institution is a nonprofit, and maintains 501(c)(3) status with the IRS;

Assets and services acquired from previous owners of the institution were not acquired for more than their fair value, demonstrated by a third-party appraisal, independent financing of the acquisition or full and open competition in the acquisition process;

No member of the board or person with the power to appoint board members receives any economic benefit from the institution; and

None of the core functions of the institution are controlled by a for-profit entity.

The Students Not Profits Act is sponsored by Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13).

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, The Century Foundation, Debt Collective, and Protect Borrowers.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/24/jayapal-statement-on-senate-blocking-war-powers-resolution/,Jayapal Statement on Senate Blocking War Powers Resolution,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 49-50 to block her War Powers Resolution, which passed the House of Representatives in July by a bipartisan vote of 214-208.

“The Senate’s failure to pass my War Powers Resolution is a slap in the face to the millions of American people who want this war to end. The Senate had the opportunity to send a clear message to this administration that they would not stand for another day of his war of choice. Instead, a majority of Senate Republicans acted as a cult party and stood by Trump’s unpopular and devastating war.

“In the House, we will continue to pass these resolutions and demand an end to the war. It is time to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/24/jayapal-warren-lawmakers-announce-reintroduction-of-comprehensive-stop-wall-street-looting-act/,"Jayapal, Warren, Lawmakers Announce Reintroduction of Comprehensive Stop Wall Street Looting Act",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Text of bill can be found here.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), , Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), reintroduced the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, and by empowering workers and protecting investors.

The legislation would make private equity firms responsible for the debts of the companies they control, while cracking down on practices that allow private equity firms to load companies with debt, extract profits from them, and walk away scot-free when those companies fail. The bill would also strengthen protections for workers and consumers, require private equity firms to disclose more information about the management and advisory fees they charge, and place guardrails on firms that receive taxpayer funds. Finally, it would limit the role of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in health care and eliminate certain tax benefits for REIT investors.

This re-introduction follows the landmark bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act’s becoming law this summer – the first-ever legislation to rein in private equity. The law stops private equity and other corporate landlords from buying up single-family homes.

“Too many companies that people love and depend on, including nursing homes and grocery stores, have fallen victim to private equity,” said Representative Jayapal. “Wall Street private equity firms claim to improve efficiency, but often they rip apart brands, wrack up debt, and abandon workers, communities, and investors. We have to stop this multitrillion-dollar industry from getting away with this, and our bill does that by making private equity firms responsible for the outcomes of their takeovers and protecting workers from corporate greed. We must stop Wall Street looting and put people over profits.”

“Far too often, private equity firms will buy these companies, load them up with debt, and then lay off a ton of workers – all to produce huge returns for their super-wealthy investors,” Representative Landsman said. “Our bill will hold these firms accountable so we can protect jobs and businesses for hardworking Americans.”

“It’s long past time for billionaires and big corporations to stop gambling with hardworking Americans’ and their communities’ assets in service of corporate greed,” said Representative Pocan. “In Wisconsin, we’ve seen what happens when private equity firms like Sun Capital raid companies for their wealth and leave workers and communities to pick up the pieces. When Sun Capital took over Shopko – a Wisconsin-based retail chain that had stood strong for more than 50 years – they drained it dry, buried it in debt, pushed it into bankruptcy, and abandoned roughly 14,000 workers. This bill will finally hold these predatory firms accountable and protect workers from being plundered by corporate greed.”

“This year, Congress proved with our bipartisan housing law that we can stop private equity from rolling through industry after industry, jacking up prices and leaving businesses and workers in the dust,” said Senator Warren. “TheStop Wall Street Looting Act takes a stand against private equity’s legal looting and puts power back in the hands of workers and consumers.”

“In places like Janesville, Waukesha, and Green Bay, we have seen out-of-state investors buy Wisconsin businesses, raid them, and then shutter their doors—leaving Wisconsin workers and communities to suffer,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our legislation takes on private equity and Wall Street’s greed and better protects our Wisconsin workers from these predatory practices.”

“More and more, private equity is taking over various aspects of American life, bringing its harmful playbook to essential industries—including housing, health care, child care, and local newspapers,” said Senator Merkley. “Corporations need to be responsible when private equity prioritizes shareholders’ profits at the expense of service, quality, and good-paying jobs.”

“Private equity companies often come into communities promising to revitalize businesses or turn around struggling hospitals. But we routinely see them extract maximum value for themselves at the expense of workers and ordinary people, ” said Senator Smith. “This legislation will hold private equity companies accountable and put an end some of their most egregious practices.”

Since 2020, private equity fund assets have grown exponentially, reaching over $9 trillion in 2025 compared to $4.5 trillion in 2020. Private equity funds have purchased companies in nearly every sector of the economy — from nursing homes, to newspapers, to grocery stores — laying off hundreds of thousands of workers and ruining thousands of companies in the process.

The private equity industry claims to invest in companies while also earning high returns for investors by using their management expertise to make the companies’ operations more efficient, and then selling the companies at a profit. In reality, private equity funds often load mountains of debt on the companies they buy, strip them of their assets, and extract exorbitant fees and dividends, guaranteeing payouts for themselves regardless of how the investment performs. When their debt-ridden investments go belly-up, private equity funds walk away with no responsibility for the mess they create, leaving workers in the lurch and forcing communities to clean up their mess.

The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will:

Require Private Investment Funds to Have Skin in the Game. Private equity firms, the firm’s general partners, and their insiders will all be on the hook for the liabilities of companies under their control—including debt, legal judgments, and pension-related obligations—to better align the incentives of private equity firms and the companies they own. Liability would not extend to the fund’s limited partners, ensuring that only those that control portfolio firms are on the hook. In order to encourage more responsible use of debt, the bill ends the tax subsidy for excessive leverage and closes the carried interest loophole.

End Looting of Portfolio Companies. To give portfolio companies a shot at success, the bill limits how much money private equity firms can extract from companies and closes the loophole that private equity firms have used to hide certain assets from bankruptcy courts. Every transaction since Steward Health Care was bought by private equity would be subject to review as part of Steward’s bankruptcy to determine whether it can be clawed back as a fraudulent transfer.

Protect Workers, Customers and Communities. This proposal prevents private equity firms from walking away when a company fails and protects workers and communities by:

Prioritizing workers’ pay in the bankruptcy process and amending the laws to increase the priority claims for unpaid earnings and other benefits from $10,000 to $20,000 per worker.

Creating incentives for job retention so that workers can benefit from a company’s second chance.

Ending the immunity of private equity firms from legal liability when their portfolio companies break the law, including the WARN Act. When workers at a plant are shortchanged or residents at a nursing home are hurt because private equity firms force portfolio companies to cut corners, the firm should be liable.

Expanding protections for striking workers by clarifying unfair labor practices and the employer duty to bargain.

Empower Investors by Increasing Transparency. Private equity managers will be required to disclose fees, returns, and other information about their funds and the corporate loans they make so that investors can monitor their investments. This would have required Cerberus to disclose the terms of its investments in Steward Health Care, which Cerberus continues to withhold from Congress.

Put Guardrails Around Accessing Public Funds. Firms receiving any funds from a federal or state agency must publicly disclose how the funds are used and will be prohibited from acquiring any company or making a distribution to investors for two years after receipt.

Drive REITS out of Health Care. Prohibits payments from federal health programs to entities that sell assets or use assets for a loan collateral made to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) d; repeals a rule in the Tax Code that allows taxable REIT subsidiaries to exert influence on the operations of health care entities; and removes the 20 percent pass-through deduction, passed in the 2017 Trump tax cuts, for all REIT investors. Ralph de la Torre executed a sale-leaseback transaction of the Steward properties in exchange for a $1.25B payout from a REIT; this would have banned the hospitals from continuing to receive federal dollars upon executing the property sale—thus likely preventing the sale.

The bill is supported by ACRE-BCG, AFL-CIO, Americans for Financial Reform, American Center for Economic and Policy Research, Communication Workers of America, Demand Progress, Economic Liberties Project, American Federation of Teachers, Center for Popular Democracy, Community Catalyst, Community Change Action, Economic Policy Institute, Future of Music, Indivisible, National Nurses United, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Open Markets Institute, People’s Action Institute, Players Alliance HQ, Private Equity Stakeholder Project, Public Citizen, SEIU, Strong For All Coalition, Student Borrower Protection Center, Take on Wall Street, UNITE HERE, and United for Respect.

“The Stop Wall Street Looting Act would put workers and their communities first — above private equity companies that make it a sport to buy and sell companies, raise prices and sell off what remains for parts. We deserve better and holding Wall Street accountable is a critical step toward correcting its unchecked power over our lives, homes and jobs,” said Saqib Bhatti, Executive Director of the Action Center on Race & the Economy and the Bargaining for the Common Good Network (ACRE-BCG)

“Private equity has gotten away with a heads-I-win, tails-you-lose business model for far too long. They take control of businesses, bury them in debt, strip out assets, fees, and dividends, and walk away richer, while workers lose their jobs, consumers pay more, and communities lose essential businesses and services. Families are already struggling to afford basic needs—the last thing they need is more of the economy organized around Wall Street extraction,” saidOscar Valdés Viera, Americans for Financial Reform Senior Policy Analyst. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act would break this business model and make private equity firms answer for the risks they create and the damage they leave behind. That accountability is especially urgent as the Trump administration moves to include private equity in workers’ 401(k) retirement accounts. Workers should not be forced to risk their jobs, their communities, and now their retirement savings to subsidize Wall Street’s destructive business model.”

“Here at Economic Liberties we’ve documented what happens when private equity takes over the institutions people depend on. Hospitals are gutted, physician practices are squeezed for fees and forced to cut corners and patients wait longer for worse care. The firms engineering this destruction have been legally insulated from the consequences. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act ends this arrangement,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “If you control a company, you’re responsible for what it does. That principle is essential to breaking up Big Medicine, but really to protecting workers and communities in every sector private equity has strip-mined.”

“This is exactly the type of leadership that our legislators need to exhibit right now! We all must stand up to Wall Street and private equity’s attack on our economy and democracy,” said DaMareo Cooper, Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy. “It is the role and responsibility of those who have taken the oath of office to stand up against predatory corporations and protect the life and liberty of workers and consumers.”

“When entities prioritize revenue over the health and economic well-being of the communities they serve, healthcare rapidly becomes out of reach; both geographically when healthcare facilities in neighborhoods close, and economically when people get squeezed for every cent,” said Shaina Goodman, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Community Catalyst. “We are grateful to the bloc of legislators sponsoring the Stop Wall Street Looting Act to start addressing the pernicious effects private equity control of healthcare facilities is having on communities nationwide.”

“The private equity lobby claims to ‘build better businesses’ and deliver strong returns for workers’ retirements. Don’t believe it. The private equity model isn’t about efficiency gains — it’s about exploiting tax loopholes and regulatory gaps, saddling businesses with debt, and stripping their assets,” said Economic Policy Institute President Heidi Shierholz. “It’s a ‘heads I win, tails you lose’ bet, and workers, suppliers and communities are left holding the wreckage when it fails. And the risks are growing as private equity expands and these high-cost, risky, opaque investments get pushed onto 401(k) savers. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act is essential legislation to address a looming threat to workers’ retirements and to our economy.”

“Musicians have seen extractive private equity creep into every corner of our industry, propping up predatory ticket resale business models, gobbling up recordings and publishing rights, squeezing the life out of local radio, print and web journalism, and asset stripping crucial businesses like instrument retailers and gear manufacturers all the way into bankruptcy. Congress can put an end to this extraction, so executives bear responsibility rather than shifting the harm onto workers and music fans,” said Executive Director of the Future of Music Coalition, Kevin Erickson.

“We are facing a crisis in this country of companies being starved by their private fund owners of the capital they need to protect the safety and wellbeing of their workers and customers,” said Audrey Stienon, Industrial Policy Program Manager at Open Markets Institute. “It is imperative that those with the ultimate power to influence companies’ actions also be held accountable for the impacts of those actions on American people and communities.”

“The gaming industry isn’t dying, it’s being drained for all it’s worth. Private equity buys studios with no intention of making a good product. To private equity firms, these companies are just another way to squeeze money out of other people’s work while hanging workers and consumers out to dry,” said Chris Nunn, Member Leader, Players Alliance HQ. We just watched this with the EA buyout. This cannot become the new norm. Games should belong to the people who make them and the gamers who play them, not private equity. This is why we gamers support the Stop Wall Street Looting Act.”

“The Stop Wall Street Looting Act’s reintroduction comes at a critical time in our nation’s history. As most of the country struggles with affordability, private equity firms continue to extract wealth from our families and communities,” said Chris Noble, Policy Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “Wall Street’s never-ending pursuit of profits and lack of accountability has not only bankrupted companies, it has also harmed our democracy. By passing SWSLA, Congress can establish the type of oversight of private markets that befits a democratic society.”

“We all pay the price when private equity’s predatory practices go unchecked in our communities. Companies prioritizing profits over people have decimated nursing homes, closed the doors to community hospitals and other facilities and made it harder for healthcare workers to advocate for their patients through unions,” said SEIU Executive Vice President Leslie Frane. Working people are fed up, and we’re putting that anger to work to unrig a system that has allowed private equity to put profits ahead of working families and our communities. That is why SEIU members are urging Congress to pass the Stop Wall Street Looting Act so we can hold private equity accountable.”

“On one side of our country, families are being crushed by the rising cost of food, healthcare, utilities, and everyday needs. Hundreds of thousands have been laid off,” said Charles Khan, Deputy Director of the Strong Economy For All Coalition. On the other side, ruthless and greedy Wall Street billionaires and their private equity firms are looting large and small businesses to get rich while everyone else pays the true costs. It’s time for our government to stand up for workers and our families against the billionaires. We need the Stop Wall Street Looting Act ASAP.”

“The Stop Wall Street Looting Act removes the ability of private equity funds to extract cash from companies they acquire via sale-leaseback deals, dividend recapitalizations, and monitoring fees,” said Eileen Appelbaum, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. “These legal but unscrupulous practices enrich PE firms and their investors. But they undermine the financial stability of the companies they acquire g, squeeze their workers, and reduce the quality of their products and services, hurting employees, customers, and communities.”

“Private equity roll-ups are a proven source of anticompetitive behavior throughout the American economy,” said Carter Dougherty, Senior Fellow for Antimonopoly and Finance at Demand Progress. “This predatory strategy results in less competition and choice — and higher costs — for consumers and the economy as a whole.”

“Consumer Voice strongly supports the Stop Wall Street Looting Act. Too often, private equity firms have bought nursing homes, sold off the buildings, loaded the operators with debt, and taken fees and dividends while residents lived with too few staff and worse care. When the facility fails, the residents and workers pay for it, and the investors walk away. This bill would make the funds that control these facilities answerable for what happens in them. Residents deserve owners with a real stake in their care,” said the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-senators-murray-and-cantwell-introduce-bill-honor,"Congresswoman Schrier, Senators Murray and Cantwell Introduce Bill to Honor Captain Ariana Savino, Zeus 95 Crew",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Zeus 95 Memorial Act alongside Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), and Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15). The bill honors the crew of Zeus 95, who died on March 12, 2026, while supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran, including Captain Ariana Savino of Covington, Washington.

The bill honors six servicemembers: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, AL; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, WA; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, KY; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, IN; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, OH; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, OH.

The Zeus 95 Memorial Act would establish a monument in or near Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the fallen crewmembers.

“I remain heartbroken that the crew of Zeus 95, including Captain Savino of Covington, died last spring in flight operations over Iraq. I will continue my efforts to honor their bravery and sacrifice, and am profoundly grateful that these crewmembers chose a life of service to our nation,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Captain Savino’s passion, leadership, and bravery will be forever remembered by the people of Washington state and all Americans. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of Captain Savino and the entire Zeus 95 crew. I send my deepest condolences to them, and pray for the safety and health of all of our servicemembers.”

“Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country. I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice,” said Senator Murray. “Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial. We have a commitment to honor our servicemembers not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind—making sure the federal government is there for our military families will continue to be a top priority for me. To the families, friends, and fellow Airmen who loved the Zeus 95 crew, you have my most sincere condolences.”

“Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten,” said Senator Cantwell.

Captain Ariana Savino, 31, was a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Central Washington University. Captain Savino earned her active-duty commission in 2017 and was promoted to captain in 2021. She served at bases in Georgia and Mississippi, logging over 300 combat flight hours.

Captain Savino sought to inspire others, particularly women and young people pursuing aviation careers, and is remembered as a passionate captain, advocate, and community member.

The bill is also cosponsored by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05).

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-push-trump-to-negotiate-ai-guardrails-with-xi-jinping,Cantwell & Colleagues Push Trump To Negotiate AI Guardrails With Xi Jinping,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell & Colleagues Push Trump To Negotiate AI Guardrails With Xi Jinping

Senators’ letter calls for global cooperation on AI development to preserve public safety and human control; Cantwell-led bill established the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee; Last year, Cantwell halted an effort to impose a 10-year moratorium on states establishing AI regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined 16 of her 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.

“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,” the senators wrote.

They continued: “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.”

“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 lawmakers concluded.

The letter can be read in full HERE.

As Commerce Committee Chair in 2024, Sen. Cantwell assembled and advanced a bipartisan package of bills designed to build that federal infrastructure and establish an AI safety and security framework before the most dangerous AI threats would appear. These bills included the Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act, the TEST AI Act, the Validation and Evaluation for Trustworthy (VET) Artificial Intelligence Act, the CREATE AI Act and the Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2024. Taken together, these bills would have built out a robust Standards, Testing, and Evaluation ecosystem capable of mitigating to help mitigate the most dangerous uses of AI, including harmful AI swarms and AI-enabled cyberattacks. Senate Republicans blocked this bipartisan solution from ever coming up for a vote by the full Senate.

In August 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted a Future of AI Forum in Seattle with a panel of AI experts.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-cantwell-moreno-schrier-call-for-memorial-at-arlington-national-cemetery-to-honor-fallen-zeus-95-servicemembers/,"Murray, Cantwell, Moreno, Schrier, Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor Fallen Zeus 95 Servicemembers",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA 08), Joyce Beatty (D-OH 03), and Mike Carey (R-OH 15), introduced bicameral legislation, the Zeus 95 Memorial Act, to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) honoring the six Zeus 95 servicemembers who perished on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 during an Operation Epic Fury mission.

Maj. John A. Klinner, (33, Auburn, AL); Capt. Ariana G. Savino, (31, Covington, WA); and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, (34, Bardstown, KY), were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Capt. Seth R. Koval, (38, Mooresville, IN); Capt. Curtis J. Angst, (30, Wilmington, OH); and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, (28, of Columbus, OH) were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio.

In the House, the bill is also cosponsored by Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA 01), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA 05), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA 10).

“Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country. I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice,” said Senator Murray. “Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial. We have a commitment to honor our servicemembers not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind—making sure the federal government is there for our military families will continue to be a top priority for me. To the families, friends, and fellow Airmen who loved the Zeus 95 crew, you have my most sincere condolences.”

“Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten,” said Senator Cantwell.

“Curtis Angst, Tyler Simmons, and Seth Koval are true American heroes who gave their lives in service to our great Nation and the cause of freedom,” said Senator Moreno. “My colleagues and I are humbled to join together in establishing a permanent memorial so that their enduring legacy, their unmatched courage, and the selfless sacrifice they made during Operation Epic Fury will stand as a shining beacon of American valor.”

“I remain heartbroken that the crew of Zeus 95, including Captain Savino of Covington, died last spring in flight operations over Iraq. I will continue my efforts to honor their bravery and sacrifice, and am profoundly grateful that these crewmembers chose a life of service to our nation,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Captain Savino’s passion, leadership, and bravery will be forever remembered by the people of Washington state and all Americans. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of Captain Savino and the entire Zeus 95 crew. I send my deepest condolences to them, and pray for the safety and health of all of our servicemembers.”

Under federal law, monuments that do not contain or mark interred remains generally may not be placed on ANC grounds unless they meet certain statutory requirements. Among other criteria, the monument must commemorate the service of an individual or group of Armed Forces members or a particular military event, and it may not be placed until 25 years after the event being commemorated.

A Zeus 95 monument would not currently meet the 25-year requirement, so the lawmakers are pushing to honor the families’ wishes by seeking to waive the 25-year waiting period and allow for a monument at ANC.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-presses-fda-nominee-heidi-overton-on-her-anti-abortion-extremism-and-fdas-failures-to-keep-food-safe/,Murray Presses FDA Nominee Heidi Overton on Her Anti-Abortion Extremism and FDA’s Failures to Keep Food Safe,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Overton refuses to say whether mifepristone is safe and effective; Overton refuses to say that IUDs and contraception are NOT abortion

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning***

Washington, D.C. — Today—at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Heidi Overton to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, grilled Overton on the FDA approval of mifepristone and the safety of medication abortion, the mass foodborne illness outbreaks over the summer, and extreme claims that birth control is abortion.

[MEDICATION ABORTION]

Senator Murray began by questioning whether Overton agreed that mifepristone was safe and effective, something decades of research has consistently affirmed.

MURRAY: Dr. Overton, do you do agree with the FDA approval of mifepristone, which means the agency deems it safe and effective?

OVERTON: Thank you for the question. I look forward to getting to meet with you next week and talk in more detail. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA, as having met its safety and efficacy standards.

MURRAY: I know what the FDA has done. I asked if you agree with the FDA, that it is safe and effective?

OVERTON: Senator, as the nominee for the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, my job would be to abide by the statutory standards set out for safety and efficacy. And when a product is before the agency and has met those standards, I would agree with the statutory standards of safety and efficacy.

MURRAY: So, you do believe it’s safe?

OVERTON: I know that it has met the safety and efficacy standard according to the FDA review.

MURRAY: Well, despite what FDA says, and what decades of science says, you actually published an article three years ago that incorrectly described medication abortion as “dangerous to women.” The fact that you would blatantly contradict decades of high-quality scientific evidence, and millions of patients use it, is alarming to me. So, that’s why I asked you that question.

You have stated in an article that you believe it is dangerous. So, I asked you, do you believe it is safe today and you are not answering the question.

OVERTON: Senator, thank you for the opportunity to discuss this directly. I have always been driven by data and information and use the clinical training and the research training that I have in everything that I have written. Specific to that publication in 2023 was a time after a change was made at the FDA in how that medication was accessed. And I think it’s very important for the FDA in its post-market review, like with every medication, especially those medications that have a risk evaluation mitigation strategy—

MURRAY: I hear you changing your answer now saying you don’t think it is safe. The FDA agreed that this was safe and effective 26 years ago. Where I come from, I really believe that our FDA needs people who will put science first. The FDA has said this is safe and we need somebody in FDA who is going to be there to make sure that this is done by—is science based. So that’s where I come from. Let me change really quickly, I’m almost out of time.

[FOODBORNE ILLNESS OUTBREAKS]

Senator Murray then asked about the massive foodborne illness outbreaks from this past summer, that led Americans to no longer trust what foods were safe to eat or not—asking Overton simple questions about the human foods program at FDA.

MURRAY: As you know, this summer Americans have had to deal with lettuce that causes explosive diarrhea. There’s been an outbreak recalling millions of eggs; frozen blueberries were contaminated with E.coli; multiple recalls of infant formula—and the list goes on.

What happened this summer just it cannot happen again. And coincidentally, this all happened after Trump and DOGE pushed out and fired more than 4,600 people at the FDA—and now the agency I hear is trying to scramble to rehire at least 3,500 people. That is a nearly 17 percent reduction in just a year and a half for a workforce whose job it is to keep our food and our medicines safe.

Can you tell us how many people currently work at the Human Foods Program at FDA right now?

OVERTON: Senator, thank you for the question. Having not been at the agency right now, I don’t know the exact staffing numbers of that center. I know there are about 16,000 employees currently. And I know that the FDA, as publicly reported, is hiring to have the best people in the best positions to be able to deliver on the core mission. Food safety is one of those. There are a lot of things that we can do and work together on.

MURRAY: Let me just tell you because this is really important. The office has approximately 1,700 employees which is still 13% fewer than they had at the start of 2025. So, that is deeply disturbing. I want you to be aware of that and I want you to focus on that.

And I wanted to ask you are you currently aware of which part of the FDA’s Human Foods Program monitors those kind of outbreaks and foodborne illness? Do you know what it’s called?

OVERTON: Within the center of Human Foods? Food Safety and Inspection center I believe.

MURRAY: Well I’ll tell you, it’s the Coordinated Outbreak Risk and Evaluation Network—it’s called the CORE Network. I think it’s really important that you focus on that and know that. And make sure that it is fully staffed. It is absolutely, incredibly important to people’s safety and I think everyone right now is very concerned about what has been happening and I see a direct correlation to the reduction of staff that has been there.

[LIES ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL]

Senator Murray concluded by asking about the Trump administration’s lies about birth control being abortion.

MURRAY: Finally, and I just have a minute, a few seconds left. Last year, the Trump administration falsely labeled birth control as “abortion.”

Do you agree that, say, an IUD is an “abortifacient”?

OVERTON: Senator, if I have the privilege of being confirmed, first off, I commit to working with you on the food safety pillars that are critically important. We did ask in the congressional justification for more foreign facility user fees to be able to have more of those inspections to specifically address the problems we were raised this summer.

MURRAY: I appreciate that, but I wanted to know if you agree that an IUD is an “abortifacient”?

OVERTON: Senator, thank you for the question. If I’m confirmed as FDA Commissioner, I’ll be briefed on all their prior decisions, and I will make determinations according to the standards of safety and efficacy.

MURRAY: Well, I don’t think you answered the question. Look, I think it is outrageous and should be deeply alarming to all Americans right now that the prospect of an FDA commissioner who doesn’t know that birth control is not an abortion is deeply concerning to me.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-murray-hirono-cortez-masto-reintroduce-bill-to-expand-coverage-of-birth-control-in-america-and-sound-the-alarm-on-trumps-relentless-attacks-on-contraception-family-planning/,"Senators Murray, Hirono, Cortez Masto, Reintroduce Bill to Expand Coverage of Birth Control in America and Sound the Alarm on Trump’s Relentless Attacks on Contraception & Family Planning",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray: “Trump administration officials literally asserted birth control caused abortion, and wanted to set it on fire—seriously!”

ICYMI: Murray Leads Colleagues in Calling on RFK Jr. to Reinstate 50+ Recently Cancelled Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks and the full press conference***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a press conference with Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) on the reintroduction of their bicameral Affordability is Access Act. Senator Murray was also joined by Dr. Serina Floyd, Chief Medical Officer for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Daria Neal, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Audrey Ann Ross, Senior Manager of Communications and Policy at AccessMatters, and Dana Singiser, Co-Founder of Contraceptive Access Initiative. The legislation is also led by Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA-06), and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) in the House of Representatives.

The Affordability is Access Act would require insurers to fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs, once it’s FDA-approved. The legislation also includes a new provision to require health insurance to cover every FDA-approved contraceptive drug or drug-led combination product without cost sharing unless the health plan also covers a therapeutically equivalent generic without cost sharing—this would significantly eliminate barriers that some patients face in accessing contraceptives prescribed by their provider.

This reintroduction comes as the Trump administration continues their senseless attacks on reproductive care, family planning, and contraception. Throughout the press conference, speakers discussed the administration’s moves to cancel teen pregnancy prevention grants, their attempts to decimate Title X, and their attacks on contraception—including the State Department’s extremist decision to falsely label birth control products as abortifacients.

“When it comes to birth control, the challenge we face isn’t just to stop Trump from setting up new barriers. We have to tear down the barriers that have been standing for far too long—like cost,” said Senator Murray. “We have to put forward our own vision for the future—not just reject Trump’s far-right dystopia. That’s why we are re-introducing the Affordability is Access Act. This bill would require insurance to fully cover safe, over-the-counter birth control for patients. And this year we made a big update: our bill will also make sure all other FDA-approved forms of contraception are covered for patients. No fees. No hurdles. No out-of-pocket costs. This is especially important because, as of March 2024, there is an over-the counter birth control pill that women can buy at pharmacies and grocery stores. Trump has made his vision painfully clear, he wants to take women’s rights away, he wants to set birth control on fire. Well, this bill is our vision as Democrats. We want to protect women’s rights. And we want to protect your birth control.”

“As the Trump regime continues to attack reproductive freedom, fighting for contraception access has never been more important,” said Senator Hirono. “FDA approval of over-the-counter birth control is a major step forward, but approval alone does not guarantee access. By requiring insurance companies to cover over-the-counter contraception at no cost and without a prescription, this legislation will help to ensure women nationwide have the power to control their bodies and their lives.”

“Congress must pass the Affordability is Access Act to expand Americans’ reproductive freedoms even as this Administration tries to shrink them,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Birth control has helped thousands of Nevadans and millions of Americans live healthy lives. It’s past time we made sure every woman who wants it has an affordable over-the-counter option they can buy.”

“While Trump and his Republican co-conspirators attack our bodily autonomy and make life less affordable, we’re fighting hard to protect reproductive freedom, lower costs, and ensure contraceptives are affordable nationwide,” said Rep. Pressley. “Our bill would make over-the-counter birth control accessible to all who need it, without the burden of prescriptions or out-of-pocket costs. Reproductive justice means protecting and expanding reproductive healthcare, and I’m proud to partner with Senators Murray, Cortez Masto, and Hirono, alongside Reps. Bera and Ocasio-Cortez, and our colleagues to make that a reality for all.”

“I am proud to reintroduce the Affordability is Access Act alongside Representative Ayanna Pressley and Senator Patty Murray, which will make birth control widely accessible and affordable without a prescription,” said Rep Ocasio-Cortez. “As this administration continues to attack bodily autonomy, we will continue to fight to ensure that people everywhere have access to reproductive care.”

“Birth control is essential healthcare that everyone, no matter their insurance or income, should be able to get when they need it,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This act is a crucial first step in removing cost barriers and expanding access to contraception. As anti-reproductive health lawmakers continue to do everything in their power to restrict access to care, we’re grateful to Sen. Murray for reintroducing this bill.”

“Contraception is a fundamental part of reproductive health care and autonomy— it gives people the power to shape their own futures,” said Daria Neal, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Everyone who needs contraception should be able to access and afford it. Yet the Trump Administration has repeatedly put that access at risk, from subverting the federal family planning program and ending teen pregnancy prevention grants, to letting millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contraceptives go to waste overseas. We’re grateful to Senator Murray and her colleagues for standing up for reproductive rights and supporting this critically important legislation.”

“With the sudden termination of AccessMatters’ teen pregnancy prevention initiative, over 2,500 adolescents in Philadelphia immediately lost access to everything this program provided over the last three years – including evidence-based education programming, parent workshops, connections to local healthcare providers, assistance setting up medical appointments and accessing contraceptives, and leadership opportunities for the Youth Advisory Board,” said Audrey Ann Ross, Senior Manager of Communications and Policy at AccessMatters. “This loss of access coupled with the shifts in Title X program priorities further underscore the need for policies that support access to contraceptives and sexual and reproductive health care and information. We urge Congress to pass policies like the Affordability in Access Act and to also demand that HHS immediately restore this funding so that adolescents nationwide can continue benefitting from these programs.”

Under the Affordable Care Act, all private health insurance plans are required to fully cover — without copays or out-of-pocket costs — prescribed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, granted, or cleared methods of contraception. The Affordability is Access Act would change this to apply to over-the-counter birth control that women can get without a prescription. The Affordability is Access Act would also maintain the FDA’s sole authority to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs and make them available over the counter without a prescription, and ensure retailers provide contraception without a prescription. The legislation states that any retailer that stocks contraception that the FDA has approved, granted, or cleared without a prescription may not interfere with a consumer’s access to or purchase of such contraception.

The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senators Murray (D-WA), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Hirono (D-HI), Baldwin (D-WI), Bennet (D-CO), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Cantwell (D-WA), Duckworth (D-IL), Fetterman (D-PA), Gallego (D-AZ), Gillibrand (D-NY), Hassan (D-NH), Heinrich (D-NM), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kaine (D-VA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Padilla (D-CA), Reed (D-RI), Rosen (D-NV), Sanders (D-VT), Schatz (D-HI), Schiff (D-CA), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Van Hollen (D-MD), Warner (D-VA), Warren (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR).

The bill is endorsed by: Contraceptive Access Initiative (CAI), National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Upstream USA, Reproductive Health Access Project, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Partnership for Women & Families, Healthy Teen Network, Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, Reproductive Freedom for All, Power to Decide, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The Center for Biological Diversity, National Council of Jewish Women, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Advocates for Youth, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, AIDS United, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Network of Abortion Funds, Center for Reproductive Rights, National Organization for Women (NOW), Religious Community for Reproductive Choice, The Guttmacher Institute, Population Connection Action Fund, American College of Nurse Mid-Wives, and Ibis Reproductive Health.

Senator Murray is a longtime leader in the fight to protect and expand access to reproductive health care and abortion rights, and she has led Congressional efforts to fight back after the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Murray has introduced more than a dozen pieces of legislation to protect reproductive rights from further attacks, protect providers, and help ensure women get the care they need; Murray has led efforts to push for passage of these bills on the Senate floor multiple times over the last four years.

Over the course of her career, Senator Murray has always fought to ensure widespread access to affordable birth control. In the aftermath of the Dobbs leak, Senator Murray introduced and sought unanimous consent to pass the Right to Contraception Act to protect every American’s right to use contraception—Republicans blocked the bill. Senator Murray pushed to ensure birth control was covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), led the fight against the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling, and has persistently pressed the administration to enforce the ACA’s coverage for contraceptive services since then. Senator Murray has long held that FDA must make its decisions based on sound science and public health needs, not politics—and she is widely credited with leading the fight to make Plan B available over the counter.

Read the full text of the Affordability is Access Act HERE.

A transcript of Senator Murray’s remarks as delivered are below:

“Two years ago—the Biden Administration set forward a proposed rule to strengthen requirements that insurance cover birth control. Not even one year later—Trump administration officials literally asserted birth control caused abortion, and wanted to set it on fire—seriously!

“I mean it does not get clearer than that. While Democrats have always fought to expand access to birth control, the Trump Administration has put up barrier after barrier. Make no mistake—Trump has given far right radicals the green light to go after birth control in just about any way they can think of.

“Their record is plain as day. Trump took the Title X family planning program—and is twisting it into pretzels trying to redirect funds away from organizations that help people get birth control. He took the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program canceled grants, and is now trying to distort the very purpose of that program too.

“And the attacks on reproductive rights don’t stop at family planning and contraception. At the FDA Trump fired his own Commissioner for not moving fast enough to throw out the science and rip medication abortion away from patients.

“At the EPA Trump has them checking drinking water for traces of medication abortion.

“And don’t forget the birth control example I led with, at Trump’s State Department they are spending thousands of dollars each month to withhold contraceptives meant for foreign aid and they incorrectly claimed that these birth control supplies cause ‘abortion.’

“And yet some Republicans still have the gall to act like they have no idea why we say birth control is under attack! Just like how they had no idea abortion was under attack—right up until they ripped it away.

“Let’s please not pretend that the administration which is weaponizing environmental laws to attack medication abortion and has falsely labeled contraception as abortion is not coming for birth control.

“Well Democrats are not standing by. We have been fighting back against each and every one of these attacks on birth control.

“But more than fighting back—we are going to keep pushing forward.

“Because when it comes to birth control, the challenge we face isn’t just to stop Trump from setting up new barriers—we have to tear down the barriers that have been standing in the way for far too long, like the cost. We have to put forward our own vision for the future—not just reject Trump’s far-right dystopia.

“That’s why we are re-introducing the Affordability is Access Act. This bill would require insurance to fully cover safe, over-the-counter birth control for patients.

“And this year we made a big update: our bill will also make sure all other FDA-approved forms of contraception are covered for patients. No fees. No hurdles. No out-of-pocket costs.

“This is especially important because, as of March 2024, there is an over-the-counter birth control pill that women can buy at pharmacies and grocery stores!

“Trump has made his vision painfully clear: He wants to take away women’s rights. He wants to set birth control on fire.

“Well this bill is our vision as Democrats: We want to protect women’s rights and we want to protect your birth control.”

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4269,Larsen Fights for Guardrails on Data Centers,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined 110 House Democrats in a letter to tech industry leaders last Friday demanding that all data center construction follow strict guardrails to protect consumers from electricity and water price hikes.

“Data center projects and the energy systems and infrastructure that support them must be built and operated responsibly with a commitment to high-quality construction, good jobs, strong environmental stewardship, and strong partnerships with the communities they serve,” wrote the Members.

The lawmakers stated that they would oppose new data center construction projects that failed to incorporate strong labor standards, negotiate community benefits agreements with local leaders, and mitigate impacts on local air quality, drinking water and utilities costs for residents.

“At a time when the nation's power grid, roads, bridges, schools, and other public infrastructure require significant investment, data center development must strengthen rather than strain, these systems,” the Members continued. “Developers must also invest responsibly in grid infrastructure, including new generation and grid upgrades, to protect ratepayers from bearing the costs of data center projects' energy needs.”

The full text of the letter to tech industry leaders can be read here.

Larsen Holds Data Centers Accountable

Last week, Rep. Larsen voted for legislation to protect families from higher electricity bills because of data centers in their communities (the Ratepayers Protection Act). Rep. Larsen also cosponsors the Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act to roll back tax breaks for large AI data centers in Republicans’ Big Ugly Law.

Rep. Larsen supports tough, upfront restrictions on data centers:

No high electric bills for local families and small businesses;

No federal tax breaks;

No construction without community approval and union labor;

Data centers must pay their fair share to connect to and use the grid; and

Data centers must use closed loop water systems.

A one-pager on Rep. Larsen’s work to hold data centers accountable can be found here.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-on-trump-admin-scrapping-plans-for-executive-order-to-empower-russ-vought-to-kill-nih-research/,Murray on Trump Admin Scrapping Plans for Executive Order to Empower Russ Vought to Kill NIH Research,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"ICYMI: Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on news breaking today that plans to issue an executive order to establish an external review committee empowered to veto National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards are being scrapped.

“It shouldn’t take public outcry to prevent President Trump and Russ Vought from laying waste to the NIH and defunding lifesaving research because they think it’s ‘woke’ or want to extort a university. This president is on a mission to shred patients and families’ hopes for new treatments and cures.

“While this specific scheme may now be on ice, make no mistake: President Trump and Russ Vought are already playing politics with lifesaving NIH funding and will continue to do so, with or without a new Executive Order. What’s sorely needed are more protections in law to actually put an end to that—to stop funding and staffing cuts, prevent political appointees from meddling in decisions about lifesaving research, and ensure grantmaking is guided only by what gives us the best chance at the next medical breakthrough. I’ve been pushing to do much more in our spending laws, but we need Republicans to finally agree to put real checks on President Trump and Russ Vought.”

Senator Murray has raised alarms and fought back against this administration’s nonstop efforts to politicize, cut, and defund all manner of lifesaving medical research—including by pushing for new guardrails in the HHS spending law. She and her Democratic colleagues in Congress also successfully fought to secure language in the recently enacted continuing resolution (CR) to block the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to politicize every aspect of the federal grantmaking process.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/09/22/baumgartner-announces-2-23-million-grant-to-spokane-county-to-support-fairchild-air-force-base-transportation-access/,Baumgartner Announces $2.23 Million Grant to Spokane County to Support Fairchild Air Force Base Transportation Access,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,WA,Michael Baumgartner,B001322,baumgartner.house.gov,baumgartner,https://baumgartner.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"September 21, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) announced that the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has approved a federal grant for $2,236,500 to Spokane County to undertake a $3,195,000 project for the reconstruction of Thorpe Road. This directly supports Fairchild Air Force Base by constructing better transportation access.

“This is a major win for the operational resilience of Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB), the beating heart of the Spokane community,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “This is a crucial investment in national security that will enhance timely response and grant Air Force personnel easier access to one of the most strategic military installations in the US Air Forces’s inventory – Fairchild Air Force Base – home to the largest US air refueling wing in the world.”

Currently, Fairchild relies on a single access gate to manage the flow of personnel, goods, and vehicles. This bottleneck not only creates significant congestion and delay, but undermines core principles of military readiness, emergency responsiveness, and base security. This project will reconstruct and modernize Thorpe Road to fully enable the operation of a secondary access gate. The resulting benefits are substantial: improving response times during recalls and emergencies, enhancing quality of life for service members and families, reducing base-related congestion, and strengthening disaster resiliency.

“I also want to recognize the incredible work of Commissioner Al French and Spokane County Director of Public Works Kyle Twohig in securing this funding,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “They saw the need for this project and worked to get it across the finish line. This is exactly the kind of partnership we need between local leaders and the federal government to strengthen Fairchild, improve access for our service members, and make our community more resilient.”

Getting through the main gate at Fairchild can be a challenge, even outside of rush hour. The current gate is only two travel lanes wide, creating unnecessary congestion and delays. By comparison, installations on the west side of the state, including McChord Field and Fort Lewis, have entry points that are four lanes wide or more. Building the Thorpe Road access and secondary gate to accommodate greater traffic capacity will significantly improve the speed and ease of entry while reducing congestion at the main gate.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/09/22/baumgartner-bill-holds-foreign-officials-accountable-for-discriminating-against-washington-state-businesses/,Baumgartner Bill Holds Foreign Officials Accountable for Discriminating Against Washington State Businesses,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,WA,Michael Baumgartner,B001322,baumgartner.house.gov,baumgartner,https://baumgartner.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"September 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner’s (WA-05) No Racketeers on Our Shores Act (H.R. 9834) was approved by the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 15 to 8. This clears the bill to be considered by the full House of Representatives.

“American companies should not be unfairly targeted or subjected to discriminatory treatment by foreign governments, and that is especially important for companies from Washington state like Coupang, Microsoft and Amazon,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “The No Racketeers on Our Shores Act gives our diplomats another targeted tool to hold foreign officials accountable without immediately escalating to the use of tariffs to address trade disputes.”

The legislation responds to a growing pattern uncovered by the House Judiciary Committee: foreign governments using coercive powers to target successful Washington state companies while protecting their favored domestic competitors:

Background:

Microsoft is one of the companies singled out under Europe’s Digital Markets Act. Its Windows operating system and its LinkedIn service have been designated as one of seven “gate keepers,” placing them under special EU mandates backed by fines up to 10 percent of the company’s worldwide revenues–20 percent for repeat violations. Six of the seven companies initially targeted by the EU for this discriminatory treatment were US firms;

Coupang, a Washington state headquartered company, is facing a whole of government assault by the South Korean government. South Korean agencies launched 40 investigations after a data breach that culminated in a $410 million fine, harming American investors and the U.S. business that sell goods through Coupang to the South Korean market.

What the bill does:",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-daines-lead-wa-mt-and-ak-lawmakers-in-letter-to-rfk-jr-defending-top-nw-organ-donation-group,"Cantwell, Daines Lead WA, MT, & AK Lawmakers in Letter to RFK Jr. Defending Top NW Organ Donation Group",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell, Daines Lead WA, MT, & AK Lawmakers in Letter to RFK Jr. Defending Top NW Organ Donation Group

LifeCenter Northwest, the primary organ procurement organization in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, threatened with decertification due to CMS criteria that disadvantages geographically large and sparsely populated service areas; “Decertification would create unnecessary risk for our region - jeopardizing timely access to organ transplants and undermining support for donor families”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 17 House and Senate members from western states in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz expressing support for recertification of the regional organ donation group, LifeCenter Northwest – as well as concern that the HHS and CMS criteria used to evaluate the organization’s performance may undervalue organizations that serve large, rural areas.

Organ procurement organizations, or OPOs, are responsible for helping recover organs from deceased donors and getting those organs to patients who need transplants. Under the framework established by CMS in 2020, OPOs are assessed on two measures: How many potential donors become actual donors, and how many organs from those donors are ultimately transplanted. But in January, the Trump administration proposed major oversight and accountability changes that will determine whether OPOs may continue operating during the 2026 recertification cycle. If these changes are finalized, it is estimated that approximately 75% of OPOs could be at risk of decertification.

“LifeCenter Northwest plays a vital role in sustaining organ donation and transplantation across a uniquely large and complex donation service area. We are deeply concerned that their decertification would create unnecessary risk for our region – jeopardizing timely access to organ transplants and undermining support for donor families,” the lawmakers wrote.

In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that LifeCenter Northwest serves an unusually large and difficult-to-reach region, where long distances, few transplant centers, remote communities, and transportation challenges make its work especially difficult. The letter also argues that CMS’s current evaluation system may not fully account for the unique challenges of the region and that replacing LifeCenter Northwest could disrupt lifesaving services.

“The organization serves more than 10 million people across approximately 808,000 square miles and coordinates donation services for more than 200 hospitals. Despite serving this expansive region and large population, there are only five transplant centers in the entire service area, all located in Washington state,” the lawmakers continued. “We support performance evaluation frameworks grounded in sound, evidence-based measures. However, we are concerned that CMS’s current OPO evaluation methodology does not adequately account for the unique circumstances and operational challenges inherent in serving a large, rural, geographically dispersed service area, like our region.”

When considering LifeCenter Northwest’s performance, the lawmakers asked HHS and CMS to:

Consider the regional and operational circumstances beyond LifeCenter Northwest’s control, including the availability and proximity of transplant centers, variation in acceptance practices for medically complex organs, transportation and logistical challenges, and the unique demands of serving remote and geographically dispersed communities.

Refrain from automatic decertification based solely on the current outcome-only, single-year tiering methodology.

Provide LifeCenter Northwest with a clear pathway to demonstrate sustained, measurable improvement over time before taking any certification action that would disrupt the donation service area.

The letter was led by Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Daines. They were joined by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and U.S. Representatives Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Troy Downing (R, MT-02), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Ryan Zinke (R, MT-01), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03).",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/on-senate-floor-murray-ticks-through-trumps-most-wildly-out-of-touch-economic-quotes/,"On Senate Floor, Murray Ticks Through Trumps Most Wildly Out-of-Touch Economic Quotes",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray: “It is everything. It is health care costs—which Trump has sent higher. It is child care—which is out of control. It is goods across the board—which are up due to Trump’s insane trade wars. It is gas—which Trump launched to new heights with his Iran war. Trump just does not get it. He has no idea what Americans are going through.”

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full speech***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor slamming Trump for the many wildly out-of-touch statements he’s made about the economy and working families. In addition to ticking through ten of Trump’s most out-of-touch takes, she discussed how Trump and Republicans’ policies are making gas, groceries, health care, and child care more expensive for working families while pouring trillions into illegal wars.

Senator Murray focused her discussion on Trump quotes below:

“I love the inflation.”

“’Groceries,’ it’s a very simple word. ‘Groceries.’ Like almost—you know, who uses the word?”

“Affordability is a hoax…”

“I don’t think that a beautiful baby girl needs…to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls…”

“I always say tariffs is the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary.”

“I found health care sort of like not of tremendous interest…”

“We can’t take care of day care. We’re a big country. We have 50 states. We have all these other people. We’re fighting wars. We can’t take care of day care.”

“I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes.”

“Wars can be fought ‘forever’…”

Reporter: “I wonder what grade would you give your economy?” Trump: “A plus. A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, plus.”

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“As President Trump himself has admitted: ‘I’m not so careful with what I say.’ And: ‘Americans’ financial situation? I don’t think about anybody.’

“No kidding—we noticed!

“And when it comes to the economy, President Trump’s statements could not be more divorced from reality—let alone the experience of everyday Americans. Yes—in a shock to no one, the billionaire who gets advice from a trillionaire is way out of touch today with everyday people.

“Trump said last year he never even knew the word affordability until recently. He said that ‘tariffs’—the taxes that he raised on working families—is his favorite word. Trump said we can’t afford child care. He said no one cares about affordable housing. He said health care is not of tremendous interest.

“Or—get a load of this—Trump said he loves inflation. And that $4 for a gallon of gas is ‘Okay.’ And then when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.

“Well, that may be true for his buddies—the billionaires and oil robber barons—but it sure isn’t true for working families!

“Of course, I know it is hard to keep track of all of Trump’s whack-a-doodle claims about the economy—especially with the constant stream of new nonsense spewing out of this President’s brain.

“So today, I want to take a trip down memory lane and discuss what I consider Trump’s craziest quotes about the economy and working families.

[INFLATION]

“It’s no secret Americans are fed up with inflation—at least all Americans except for one.

“President Trump has said: ‘I love it, the numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation.’

“Do my Republican colleagues agree? Do they love inflation? Because I will say, they have not lifted a finger to help us stop the Trump policies driving inflation through the roof.

“Republicans have not helped rein in Trump’s absurd trade wars. Republicans have not stood up against Trump’s war with Iran. They have not helped reject Trump cuts to programs that lower energy costs. They did not stop the MAGA health care hike that caused insurance premiums to skyrocket.

“I know Trump is out of touch with everyday Americans when he says he loves inflation. I know it because I hear directly from people back in Washington state about this all the time.

“But what about Republicans here in Congress? They may not be as blunt about it as Trump, but their actions—or rather, their inaction to lower prices—speaks pretty darn loudly.

[GROCERY COSTS]

“Now, if you are not a billionaire like Trump, you are probably very familiar with groceries, and the fact that costs have been going up, up, and up.

“If you are Trump, well then: you are saying things like: ‘It’s a very simple word, ‘groceries,’ like, almost, you know, who uses the word?’ That’s a quote. Or: ‘It’s such an old-fashioned term but a beautiful term: groceries… It sort of says a bag with different things in it.’ That is a quote.

“For most of us, the grocery trip is a weekly errand—it’s everyday life. But the way Trump talks about groceries—he may as well be from another planet.

“It’s very clear Trump has no idea what it’s like to clip coupons for discounts on milk and bread. He doesn’t know what it’s like to compare cereal boxes to see what size has the best value, or check the clearance aisle in hopes of finding a deal. And I would bet my bottom dollar he’s never in his life bought the generic brand to save a few bucks. He probably doesn’t even know they exist!

“Now, groceries may seem old-fashioned to Trump, but for everyone else—whether or not we can afford groceries is the difference between being able to put a healthy dinner on the table, scraping by on the cheapest junk, or just going hungry.

[AFFORDABILITY]

“Now, if you were wondering why President Trump doesn’t seem to care at all about rising prices—well, it may just be that a billionaire like Trump literally doesn’t understand the idea of struggling to pay for something. The word ‘affordability’ is practically a new concept for him. He doesn’t believe in it! He thinks it was made up!

“In his own words: ‘First time I heard it, was a word, you know, made up by the Democrats: affordability.’

“He said, ‘Affordability is a Democrat scam.’

“‘They made up a phony word that they used. They said, ‘affordability.’

“And he said, ‘Look, affordability is a hoax.’

“A scam, a hoax, a phony, made up word—that is what Trump thinks affordability is.

“But for families across the country, affordability is a very real problem—one that they are having to deal with every day, and one that is being made worse by this President’s own policies.

[FAMILIES STRETCHING BUDGETS]

“In case anybody thinks Trump doesn’t have any solutions on affordability, don’t forget this little pearl of wisdom from Trump: ‘I don’t think that a beautiful baby girl needs to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls… They don’t need to have 250 pencils. They can have five.’

“Seriously? I talk to moms and dads all the time who are struggling to get by. Families are already stretching their budgets and pinching their pennies. People are not struggling because they are blowing their savings on dolls. The problem is not their pencil budget. Good lord!

“It is everything. It is health care costs—which Trump has sent higher. It is child care—which is out of control. It is goods across the board—which are up due to Trump’s insane trade wars. It is gas—which Trump launched to new heights with his Iran war.

“Trump just does not get it. He has no idea what Americans are going through.

[TARIFFS]

“Trump has already told us that he views ‘groceries’ as an old-fashioned word. He has already said he thinks the word ‘affordability’ is made up. But what has he said about ‘tariffs?’ You almost have to hear it to believe it.

“Trump has said: ‘I always say tariffs is the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary.’

“Now, as a reminder—since Republicans keep trying to put their heads in the sand on this—tariffs are taxes. A Republican president is saying his favorite thing is a tax increase!

“Reagan must be spinning in his grave.

“And not only are tariffs taxes—they are taxes that hurt working families especially hard. We have seen that time after time.

“Trump’s tariffs have rocketed grocery prices through the roof. Trump’s tariffs have made baby items—strollers, car seats, toys more expensive. Trump’s tariffs have put a strain on back-to-school shopping. They’ve squeezed our local coffee shops.

“And Trump’s favorite word is crushing small businesses too! I’ve talked to local restaurants, and sporting goods stores, and farmers, and a lot more, they are all facing serious hardship because of Trump’s tariffs. They are losing customers for produce that they ship abroad. They are having to raise prices in their stores. They are having to pay employees less, let people go, or even just shut their doors entirely.

“All because Trump chose to pursue some of the biggest tax hikes in American history, while Republicans cheered him on.

[HEALTH CARE]

“Let’s not forget, Trump is also totally out of touch on health care. As Trump put it: ‘I’ve found health care sort of like…not of tremendous interest.”

“That explains why he has done absolutely nothing to lower health care costs. And worse than that—Trump and Republicans passed the largest cuts to health care in our nation’s history, and then stood by and cheered as patients faced some of the largest health care price hikes in history.

“In their Big Ugly Bill, Republicans gutted Medicaid, with changes that are—right now—kicking families off their health care coverage.

“And while Trump and Republicans are plenty interested in tax cuts for billionaires, while they will bend over backwards to help keep the private jets fueled—they didn’t lift a finger to save families from exploding [health] insurance premiums.

“They stood by as tax credits for working families expired, and people saw their monthly premiums double, triple, or even worse. We know millions of people lost their coverage because of Trump and Republicans.

“And don’t forget—Trump put tariffs on pharmaceuticals, of all things!

“Now maybe a billionaire like Trump doesn’t find health care interesting because Trump has never had to. He’s never had to ration his prescription and hope it would be okay, he’s never had to delay a needed check-up until the next paycheck. He’s never debated whether to go get urgent care or not because he was worried about the bill, or wondered how on earth he could afford a lifesaving cancer treatment.

“But that is the reality millions of patients face every day, and they deserve leaders in Washington who are interested in the challenges they face, and focused on solutions so that everyone can get the care they need without worrying about the cost.

[CHILD CARE]

“Now, M. President, I of course have to talk about child care. I got into politics fighting for child care, and it’s something I push hard on every day.

“So I was floored when I heard Trump say: ‘The United States can’t take care of day care. That has to be up to a state. We can’t take care of day care. It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all these individual things.’

“Talk about out of touch—this is exactly backwards. We have a child care crisis in this country. It is holding our country back!

“A billionaire like Trump may not understand—but working parents are the backbone of our economy. And if mom and dad can’t find child care, then mom and dad can’t go to work.

“That is a big problem—for parents who are trying to make ends meet, and small businesses who are trying to find workers.

“Trump says we can’t afford child care? The truth is—we cannot afford to ignore child care.

[HOUSING]

“One of the most outrageous things Trump has said about the economy was something he actually said behind closed doors. According to Punchbowl News, earlier this year, Trump told Republican leaders: ‘No one gives a ‘BLEEP’ about housing.’

“How ridiculous. We have an enormous housing shortage in this country—especially when it comes to affordable housing.

“The rising costs from Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war have made it harder for people to make rent. And because Trump has done so much damage to the economy—federal interest rates are on the rise, meaning mortgage rates are going higher and higher, and millions of families are watching as Trump pulls the rug out from under them—putting their dream of owning a home farther and farther out of reach.

“But Trump doesn’t care. And worse than that—Trump sees high housing costs as a good thing. He literally said: ‘I don’t wanna drive housing prices down, I wanna drive housing prices up.’

“Spoken like a true slum-lord.

[TRUMP’S WAR]

“And let’s not forget that while Trump doesn’t know words like ‘affordability’ and ‘groceries,’ while he loves ‘inflation’ and ‘tariffs,’ and while he doesn’t care about health care, or housing, and doesn’t think we need money for child care, there is one issue Trump is ready to throw trillions of dollars at—war.

“He started a pointless war with Iran—with no plan, and no concern for how it would explode gas prices. Even now, he is saying $4 gas is okay.

“He doubled down recently, saying: ‘You have a higher gas—it’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done. Remember that. It’s a little more. Frankly, even if it was a lot more.’

“Meanwhile, he has put forward a completely war-bloated budget calling for $1.5 trillion for war spending. That’s trillion, with T—we are talking twelve zeroes here.

“And I know what you’re thinking—it’s the same thing most Americans are thinking—we cannot afford another ‘forever’ war. We have investments right here we need to be making—child care, health care, energy, roads, housing, and more.

“But Trump—who once promised ‘no more forever wars’—has actually done a complete one-eighty. Not only did he launch a new war—he wrote online about his belief that ‘wars can be fought forever and very successfully.’

“So to recap: Trump thinks wars can be fought forever, but we can’t afford child care at all. He wants to spend trillions on bombs and weapons, but doesn’t care about housing and health care.

“It simply does not get more wrong or out of touch than that.

[TRUMP OUT-OF-TOUCH WITH AMERICANS]

“There are so many insane things Trump has said about the economy. But a lot of it comes down to one basic fact: he is in complete denial. Maybe it’s because he has let AI videos melt his brain. Maybe it is because he is hopelessly an out-of-touch billionaire. Maybe it’s just because he is exactly what he has always been—a liar.

“They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. When it comes to the economy, Trump cannot even do that.

“Despite the painful inflation, despite the sluggish job growth, despite the red flashing lights—like rising bond rates, and slowing GDP growth, and plummeting consumer confidence—despite all of that: when Trump was asked to give himself a grade on the economy, he gave himself an: ‘A plus… A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, plus.’ That was a quote.

“A Plus? That’s more like: BS.

“Maybe the high prices and chaos are working great for corrupt billionaires like Trump. After all, he has made more stock trades as President than all of congress combined, he’s raking in billions through crypto scams, and his family is cashing in through highly conflicted foreign business deals.

“However, Trump’s rigged economy is not working for working families.

“But here’s the thing—we live in a democracy. And at the end of the day, Trump’s final grade on the economy won’t come from himself. The American people—the ones who are paying the prices of Trump’s tariffs, the ones who are paying the price of his war with Iran, the moms and dads who are struggling to find child care, the patients struggling to afford health care, the families struggling to pay rent—they are the ones who will pass final judgement later on this year on Trump’s economy.

“I have no doubt that in the meantime Trump will continue making out of touch statements and bizarre AI videos.

“But here’s a reminder to all of my colleagues who are afraid to stand up to this President: even if Trump has lost touch with reality, he is still going to have to face all of that this fall.”

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/trump-admin-set-to-impound-or-redirect-billions-of-dollars-in-foreign-policy-investments-congress-made/,Trump Admin Set to Impound or Redirect Billions of Dollars in Foreign Policy Investments Congress Made,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray, Schatz respond as President Trump and Secretary Rubio refuse to follow the law and deploy resources Congress provided to combat international fentanyl and narcotics trafficking, counter Russia, protect against global health threats, and more

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s refusal to spend foreign assistance investments Congress made as intended as the end of the fiscal year quickly approaches on September 30.

“Cracking down on fentanyl trafficking, countering Putin, protecting Americans from global health threats—these are priorities just about everyone supports. But instead of spending funding Congress provided to support these common-sense objectives, the Trump administration is on track to permanently impound nearly a billion dollars and to commit billions more to pay for its brazen dismantlement of USAID instead of following the law that Congress passed and using those funds to save lives and advance bipartisan U.S. foreign policy objectives.

“Far from cutting wasteful spending, the Trump administration has created more of it. This administration is now using funding Congress provided for countering health threats and autocrats alike to cover legal bills Trump and DOGE incurred from illegally razing USAID to the ground and cutting off lifesaving work in the blink of an eye.

“Congress passed a law to invest in saving lives, protecting the American people, and advancing our interests abroad; it did not hand Trump a checkbook to spend on whatever he pleases while blocking funding for everything else. The Trump administration needs to rework its plans and spend these resources as Congress intended, and we need Republicans in Congress to finally join us in insisting that happens.”

When Congress provides federal funding, it specifies how long that funding is available to be expended. Most foreign assistance funding is available to be spent down for two fiscal years, and as the end of the fiscal year nears on September 30, the Trump administration plans to:

Raid $2.5 billion provided in fiscal year 2025 for global health programs ($1.3 billion) and development assistance ($1.2 billion) to pay for “USAID closeout costs.” While provided for USAID, these funds remain available through FY26 for the State Department to spend down on the same priorities that Congress provided them for: to advance U.S. interests, combat global health threats, and save lives. In fact, the State Department has already tapped some of the funds to belatedly invest in the Ebola response after it previously cancelled related global health work. But instead of expending the remainder of the $2.5 billion in funding, the Trump administration is raiding these funds and obligating them to cover costs incurred when dismantling USAID—despite the fact that other balances already exist that could cover these costs.

Permanently impound $725 million provided in fiscal year 2025 to: combat the international illicit narcotics trade, human trafficking, and other international crimes ($115 million); counter Russia with U.S. assistance in Europe and Eurasia ($310 million); and invest in secure supply chains and American competitiveness through economic growth programs ($300 million). These investments were provided by Congress to spend through September 30, 2026, but President Trump has, at Russ Vought’s urging, illegally refused to spend them.

Senators Murray and Schatz have been pushing the administration to get every appropriated dollar out as Congress intended. In June, Senator Murray called out the administration’s withholding of these funds, and Senator Schatz pressed Secretary Rubio on the matter.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4460,"New K-12 Education Package Would Better Support Students, Families, Teachers",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan K. DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,delbene,https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) cosponsored the introduction of the Transforming Education for the Future Act, a comprehensive legislative package authored by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to modernize and strengthen K-12 education to help our kids have a brighter future.

The American education system has experienced significant turbulence during the past decade, including the Trump administration’s mismanagement and dismantling of the Department of Education, learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased use of technology and social media, the rise of generative AI, increased teacher burnout, and the reduction of federal support for public schools. The Transforming Education for the Future Act will help address these critical issues and more.

“We have a fundamental responsibility to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education,” said DelBene. “From funding rollbacks to learning setbacks, our public schools are facing tighter budgets and increased challenges. This bill contains several meaningful reforms to strengthen public education, including restoring and increasing funding, expanding school meal programs, and implementing universal preschool. I thank Rep. Bonamici for her leadership in modernizing public education and making a difference in the lives of our students and teachers.”

“For decades, public schools have been asked to do more with less. Add to that the fact that we have seen many new and complicated challenges over the past ten years,” said Bonamici. “Circumstances have changed, but the American system of public education has not yet adapted. We need a public education system that meets the moment for today’s students and tomorrow’s. We need an education system that prepares students not to pass a test, but to think critically and build a future. We need to support the educators who make that possible. And we need to remove those barriers that stand between children and opportunity. The Transforming Education for the Future Act is a blueprint for doing just that.”

The Transforming Education for the Future Act will:

Provide a Well-Rounded Education for All Students

Make school breakfasts and lunches free for all children, provide summer meals and summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), and streamline and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Establish free, universal preschool for all three- and four-year-old children.

Expand access to career and technical education, arts, civics, humanities, and more.

Reduce state and federal reliance on standardized test scores and expand the use of multiple high-quality measures to capture a more accurate picture of student achievement.

Repeal the federal school voucher program.

Restore funding and staff to the Department of Education.

Support Educators

Strengthen the educator pipeline through historic investments in educator pay, improved working conditions, and ample resources for educators and staff.

Fund high-quality education research and promote transformational, evidence-based practices for student success and well-being.

Address Socioeconomic Barriers to Learning

Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) so children with disabilities get the free and appropriate public education and services they need.

Triple funding for Title I to better serve students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the schools that educate them.

Address discrimination and bias in K-12 schools, uphold civil rights, and address racial segregation.

This legislation is endorsed by: American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Psychological Association (APA), Glisten, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Principals Association, National PTA, and the School Social Work Association of America.

A summary of the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-bilirakis-degette-announce-rep-schriers-appointment-co-chair,"Reps Bilirakis, DeGette Announce Rep. Schrier’s Appointment to Co-Chair the Congressional Diabetes Caucus",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) – Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus – announced that Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), the first pediatrician elected to Congress, will serve as the new Democratic Co-Chair of the Caucus in the 120th Congress. Representative Schrier will join Co-Chair Bilirakis in leading the 246-member Diabetes Caucus, one of the largest and most influential bipartisan member organizations in Congress.

“As a doctor with Type 1 diabetes, it is a priority of mine in Congress to help patients with diabetes manage their condition and afford their medications,” said Rep. Schrier. “I am extremely excited to co-chair the Congressional Diabetes Caucus alongside Congressman Bilirakis. Congresswoman DeGette has championed the Diabetes Caucus for over twenty years, and I am honored to continue her work to bolster diabetes research, lower costs for patients, and ensure quality care for all Americans.”

“I am proud to announce my friend, Rep. Kim Schrier, as the incoming Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus,” said Rep. DeGette. “Diabetes impacts millions of Americans across every district in this country, crossing all political lines. Those who live with diabetes in this nation need strong advocates on their behalf in the years to come. Rep. Schrier brings her expertise as a pediatrician and as someone with direct personal experience with diabetes to her work every day. She is a tough, practical legislator and will drive bipartisan work to expand access to life-saving treatments, bring down insulin costs, and fund the biomedical research that will ultimately lead to a cure.”

“Diana is a dear friend and one of the fiercest advocates I have ever had the privilege of working alongside,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “For years, we have put politics aside and worked together toward a shared goal: improving the lives of Americans living with diabetes and, ultimately, finding a cure. Her leadership, tenacity and compassion have helped drive tremendous progress in diabetes research, treatment and prevention. I am deeply grateful for her friendship and partnership, and for the lasting legacy she has built through her leadership of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. I am also pleased that Dr. Kim Schrier will join me in leading the Caucus in the 120th Congress, should voters place their continued trust in us to serve. As a pediatrician who also lives with Type 1 diabetes, she brings firsthand experience to the issues facing patients and families. I look forward to continuing the Caucus’s bipartisan work to improve diabetes care, lower costs, advance lifesaving research and pursue our ultimate goal of finding a cure.”

“The American Diabetes Association is thrilled that Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D., will be the next co-chair of the Diabetes Caucus,” saidAmerican Diabetes Association Chief Advocacy Officer Lisa Murdock. “Congresswoman Schrier has demonstrated her leadership on behalf of those with diabetes, including commitment to ensuring access to medicines and technology. Her experience living with diabetes and as a pediatrician enable her to have valuable insight into the needs of the diabetes community and the policies necessary to support them. We look forward to working in partnership with Congresswoman Schrier as she takes on this new role. As we welcome Congresswoman Schrier, we want to express our gratitude to Congresswoman Diana DeGette for her leadership of the Diabetes Caucus who has tirelessly advocated for legislation to improve diabetes research, education, and treatment, as well as contributed to efforts that resulted in growing the Diabetes Caucus into the largest caucus in Congress. Her many years of service to those living with diabetes cannot be overstated.”

“The Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) and Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) are thrilled that Congresswoman Kim Schrier is becoming a House Co-Chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus,” saidGeorge Huntley, CEO of the Diabetes Leadership Council & Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. “This is a natural extension of the critical work she is doing on behalf of the diabetes community, including introducing the bipartisan INSULIN Act to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Congresswoman Schrier in her new role. We also want to thank Congresswoman Diana DeGette for her many years of service leading the Caucus and for all that she has done for people with diabetes.”

“Rep. Kim Schrier's leadership, clinical perspective and personal experience will be a tremendous asset to the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. The Endocrine Society is grateful to Rep. Diana DeGette for her tireless efforts to elevate diabetes as a national priority and improve care for people living with the disease,” said Endocrine Society President Nanette Santoro, MD, E. Stewart Taylor Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. “Diabetes affects tens of millions of Americans and places an enormous burden on individuals, families, and our healthcare system. As an organization dedicated to improving hormone health, the Endocrine Society prioritizes diabetes prevention, treatment and research, and we look forward to partnering with Reps. Schrier and Bilirakis to advance policies that help people living with diabetes.”

“It has been an honor to work with Congresswoman DeGette,” saidBreakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr. “Her legacy for the T1D community is unparalleled. From the Special Diabetes Program to the 21st Century Cures Act, stem cell research, and the INSULIN Act, her vision and determination have saved lives, transformed care, and significantly advanced the pursuit of cures. She has truly been a steadfast champion for everyone affected by T1D, and even now in her final months in Congress, she is working tirelessly to accomplish as much as possible for the community she has served for so long. She is an inspiration, and we will deeply miss her and her powerful voice in Congress. Congresswoman Schrier is a worthy successor who has her own legacy as a leader for the T1D community on Capitol Hill. As a pediatrician and the only sitting member of Congress living with type 1 diabetes herself, she understands the stakes and the day-to-day realities of managing this disease. She knows firsthand the needs of the community. We are grateful to her for taking on this new role and responsibility and look forward to working alongside her and her fellow caucus members to accelerate cures and improve the lives of all those affected by T1D.”

BACKGROUND: The mission of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus is to educate members of Congress and their staff about diabetes and support legislative activities that improve diabetes research, education and treatment. The Diabetes Caucus, under the leadership of Reps DeGette and Bilirakis, has been the driving force behind some of the most significant advancements in diabetes care, prevention, and research in modern history, including:

Historic Funding Increases for Dedicated Programs: Led the successful, multi-year push to increase funding for the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes (SDP) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) from $30 million a year to $200 million a year.

Significant Investments in National Research: Championed the expansion of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) budget, increasing its appropriations from under $1 billion to over $2.3 billion to accelerate the search for a cure.

Expanded Access to Lifesaving Technology: Successfully pushed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve coverage and access for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), revolutionizing daily care for seniors with diabetes.

Groundbreaking Prevention Initiatives: Led the effort to establish the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and successfully put the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program into statute, focusing federal efforts on stopping the disease before it starts.

Tackling the Root Causes of High Insulin Costs: Spearheaded some of the earliest Congressional investigations into how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) drive up the cost of insulin. These early efforts laid the crucial groundwork for major PBM reforms and advanced policies to make it easier to bring lower-cost biosimilar insulins to the market.

As the Caucus enters this new chapter, its leadership will remain committed to passing legislation that improves the lives of the over 40 million Americans living with diabetes and over 115 million living with prediabetes. For more information on the Congressional Diabetes Caucus and its ongoing initiatives, please visit diabetescaucus-degette.house.gov.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-hails-final-approval-of-25m-federal-grant-for-new-lummi-island-ferry-and-dock-upgrades,Cantwell Hails Final Approval of $25M Federal Grant for New Lummi Island Ferry and Dock Upgrades,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Hails Final Approval of $25M Federal Grant for New Lummi Island Ferry and Dock Upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Whatcom County and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced they have finalized a $25 million federal grant that will allow Whatcom County to replace the 64-year-old Lummi Island ferry with a state-of-the-art vessel and rebuild the aging ferry terminal.

The grant came from DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which was championed by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee.

“This federal investment will allow construction to begin to replace a 64-year-old ferry used by over 175,000 passengers each year as the only link between Lummi Island and mainland Whatcom County,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Now and for decades to come, residents will have a reliable way to get to the mainland for vital services like jobs, groceries, education, and health care.”

Sen. Cantwell visited Lummi Island and rode the existing ferry when the grant was first announced back in summer of 2022. Photos of her visit are available HERE, b-roll of Sen. Cantwell stepping off the Lummi Island Ferry is available HERE, and a transcript of her remarks is available HERE.

Lummi Island is a rural community, with the ferry producing the only connection between the island and the mainland of Whatcom County. The Lummi Island Ferry is located on Lummi Nation land.

The Lummi Island Ferry is one of the state’s oldest vessels and is well past the end of its useful life. The RAISE grant for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Project will help replace the ferry with a battery-hybrid vessel that would reduce emissions and increase ridership capacity to meet future growth.

This funding comes following a letter of support written by Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray to then-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in March 2022.

RAISE grants, which were originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants, can be used for a wide variety of infrastructure projects with local or regional impact. As then-chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology Committee, Sen. Cantwell worked to authorize the RAISE grant program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided the program with $7.5 billion over five years, a 50 percent increase in funding.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-demand-answers-on-trump-admins-rapid-sweeping-changes-to-nuclear-safety-measures-putting-workers-and-the-public-at-risk/,"Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Admin’s Rapid & Sweeping Changes to Nuclear Safety Measures, Putting Workers and the Public at Risk",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Ho K. Nieh about the broad changes being made at the NRC to regulations, security, organizational structure, and more, which could threaten worker safety at nuclear facilities and impair independent oversight. The NRC has been quickly making these changes and rehauling the organization without providing time for public input or transparency.

NRC, a statutorily independent agency, has been undertaking wholesale revision of its regulations, guidance, oversight processes, and organizational structure pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14300, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” that President Trump signed on May 23, 2025. These sweeping changes encompass 47 regulations, 27 rulemakings, and 71 guidance documents.

“The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is undertaking wholesale revision of its regulations, guidance, oversight processes, and organizational structure,” write Murray and Kaptur. “We support efforts to ensure that the NRC’s regulatory framework is efficient, risk-informed, and capable of supporting the safe and secure deployment of nuclear energy. However, the breadth of the changes currently underway raises significant questions about whether the NRC has adequately evaluated the cumulative effects of these reforms on nuclear safety, security, independent oversight, and public confidence.”

Murray and Kaptur express deep concern for NRC plans to remove “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) radiation safety requirements, endangering workers’ safety: “We are particularly concerned about the proposed revisions to the NRC’s radiation protection framework. The NRC proposes to remove regulatory requirements implementing the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ (ALARA) principle and replace them with a determinate, graded approach to dose management based on defined thresholds. The proposal would also establish a new planned occupational dose limit extension permitting multi-year averaging of doses, revise monitoring and reporting requirements, and allow licensees in certain circumstances to request higher public dose limits for controlled areas and restricted situations.”

“The scale of this regulatory revision effort also warrants greater transparency regarding its costs, benefits, and resource implications. Given the scope of these changes, Congress needs to understand the analytical basis for the NRC’s determination that the proposed reforms will improve efficiency without compromising safety, security, or regulatory effectiveness. In particular, the NRC should be able to identify the specific requirements being eliminated or modified, explain the basis for each change, and demonstrate how the revised framework will continue to provide adequate protection,” Murray and Kaptur continue.

Murray and Kaptur conclude by demanding more information about the NRC’s extensive changes to its regulations, guidance, oversight process, security programs, and organizational structure, and by urging caution and sorely needed transparency: “We therefore urge the NRC to proceed with appropriate caution and transparency as it implements these sweeping changes. Congress has a responsibility to understand how and why the Nation’s nuclear safety regulator is changing its regulatory framework, and to ensure that those changes do not inadvertently weaken the protections that are required to maintain the safety of the U.S. nuclear fleet.”

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Chairman Nieh:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the “NRC” or “Agency”) is undertaking wholesale revision of its regulations, guidance, oversight processes, and organizational structure pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14300, encompassing 47 regulations, 27 rulemakings, and 71 guidance documents. The NRC has also updated and “rebaselined” its Reactor Oversight Process and security programs, completed a reorganization, and is proceeding with broader efforts to reform the Agency’s culture. We support efforts to ensure that the NRC’s regulatory framework is efficient, risk-informed, and capable of supporting the safe and secure deployment of nuclear energy. However, the breadth of the changes currently underway raises significant questions about whether the NRC has adequately evaluated the cumulative effects of these reforms on nuclear safety, security, independent oversight, and public confidence.

On July 15, 2026, the NRC published a proposed rule revising its radiation protection framework (91 Fed. Reg. 43456). We are particularly concerned about the proposed revisions to the NRC’s radiation protection framework. The NRC proposes to remove regulatory requirements implementing the “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) principle and replace them with a determinate, graded approach to dose management based on defined thresholds. The proposal would also establish a new planned occupational dose limit extension permitting multi-year averaging of doses, revise monitoring and reporting requirements, and allow licensees in certain circumstances to request higher public dose limits for controlled areas and restricted situations.

The scale of this regulatory revision effort also warrants greater transparency regarding its costs, benefits, and resource implications. Given the scope of these changes, Congress needs to understand the analytical basis for the NRC’s determination that the proposed reforms will improve efficiency without compromising safety, security, or regulatory effectiveness. In particular, the NRC should be able to identify the specific requirements being eliminated or modified, explain the basis for each change, and demonstrate how the revised framework will continue to provide adequate protection.

Accordingly, please provide the following information within 15 days of the date of this letter:

A complete list of all NRC regulations, guidance documents, oversight processes, security programs, and other regulatory requirements that have been or are expected to be modified, eliminated, consolidated, or otherwise affected as part of the NRC’s implementation of E.O. 14300.

For each regulation, guidance document, or other requirement that has been materially modified or eliminated, the NRC’s justification for the change, including the statutory, regulatory, technical, scientific, or operational basis relied upon.

A complete description of the process used to identify, develop, review, and approve the 27 E.O. 14300 rulemakings to date, including the roles of the NRC’s leadership, program offices, and the Office of the General Counsel; the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards; and other independent or advisory bodies.

For each of the rulemakings, the staff hours and full-time equivalents expended to date and projected through completion, by office, and the associated dollar cost by fiscal year.

For those costs, an identification of what portion is recovered as a service fee under 10 C.F.R. Part 170, what portion is recovered through annual fees under 10 C.F.R. Part 171, and what portion is excluded from fee recovery under 42 U.S.C. 2215, together with the resulting effect on annual fees assessed to materials and medical licensees.

All non-concurrences filed under the NRC’s Non-Concurrence Process and all differing professional opinions submitted under the Differing Professional Opinions Program relating to any rulemaking, guidance revision, oversight process change, or reorganization undertaken pursuant to E.O. 14300 to date, together with the management responses to each; all letters from the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards addressing those actions and the staff’s responses; and, for each action the NRC has voted on, the vote sheets and any additional views of individual Commissioners.

For each completed or proposed rulemaking, the analyses conducted to determine whether the changes could affect nuclear safety, radiation protection, physical security, emergency preparedness, environmental protection, or the NRC’s ability to conduct effective oversight.

A description of the criteria the NRC is using to determine that revised or eliminated requirements will provide protection equivalent to or greater than the requirements they replace.

With respect to the proposed radiation protection framework, a detailed explanation of the scientific and technical basis for replacing ALARA requirements with determinate dose thresholds, including the analyses used to evaluate the potential effects on workers and members of the public.

With respect to the proposed changes to occupational dose limits and monitoring requirements, an explanation of the basis for allowing multi-year averaging of occupational doses and establishing a reporting threshold tied to a five-year assessment.

A description of the NRC’s engagement with radiation workers and the organizations representing them on the proposed changes to occupational dose limits and monitoring requirements, including the dates, participants, and subject of any such engagement; any analysis of the effects of the proposed planned occupational dose limit extension on the health of the affected workforce, including any evaluation of collective dose; and occupational exposure data for the past 10 years sufficient to establish a baseline against which the effects of the revised framework can be measured.

With respect to the proposed changes to public dose limits, identify the circumstances under which a licensee could receive authorization for a higher dose limit, the maximum limits contemplated, and the controls and review criteria that would apply to such requests.

All regulatory analyses, cost-benefit analyses, safety evaluations, scientific assessments, risk assessments, technical reports, legal analyses, decision memoranda, and other documents used to support the changes being undertaken pursuant to E.O. 14300.

A description of the NRC’s process for identifying and monitoring unintended consequences resulting from the regulatory changes, including deterioration in safety performance, reduced regulatory visibility, increased radiation exposure, or other adverse outcomes.

The specific, outcome-oriented goals and performance measures the NRC will use to evaluate the implementation of E.O. 14300, including baseline data against which changes in safety performance, occupational exposure, public exposure, inspection findings, enforcement actions, licensing timelines, and other relevant outcomes will be measured.

A description of the circumstances or performance thresholds that would cause the NRC to reconsider, modify, or restore a requirement that has been eliminated or substantially revised pursuant to E.O. 14300.

An identification of any licensing review, inspection, or oversight activity that has been deferred, narrowed, or reprioritized to absorb this workload, by office and fiscal year, and the fiscal year 2026 appropriation and the fiscal year 2027 President’s Budget Request amounts that supports implementation of E.O. 14300.

The NRC plays a unique and important role in protecting the American public from the risks associated with nuclear technology. We recognize the importance of maintaining a regulatory framework that is efficient, predictable, risk-informed, and capable of supporting the continued operation of the existing nuclear fleet and the deployment of new nuclear technologies. The NRC’s own materials identify these objectives as central to its implementation of E.O. 14300.

We therefore urge the NRC to proceed with appropriate caution and transparency as it implements these sweeping changes. Congress has a responsibility to understand how and why the Nation’s nuclear safety regulator is changing its regulatory framework, and to ensure that those changes do not inadvertently weaken the protections that are required to maintain the safety of the U.S. nuclear fleet.

We look forward to your response within 15 days.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-trumps-latest-plan-to-politicize-lifesaving-nih-research/,Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s latest reported plans to issue an executive order to establish an external review committee empowered to veto any awards selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to receive funding.

“Whether lifesaving medical research gets funded or not should be determined by experts at the NIH—not a panel of lackeys chosen by Donald Trump and Russ Vought. Under this scheme, a single political appointee could kill a cancer study or an Alzheimer’s trial with no scientific reason at all.

“Only one question should decide which research gets funded: is this good science that could save lives? Trump wants to answer a different question: does this help me settle a score? NIH funding doesn’t belong to Donald Trump—it belongs to the patients and families waiting on the next medical breakthrough.

“President Trump will stop at nothing to defund medical research that fundamentally changes the lives of patients and families across the country, and Republicans need to join us to put a stop to any effort by this administration to politicize what groundbreaking new treatments and cures we decide as a country to invest in—whether that’s an OMB rule or a new executive order.

“Breast cancer patients shouldn’t be denied hope of a new lifesaving treatment because Russ Vought thinks women’s health research is woke. Researchers at UW, Fred Hutch, and labs across Washington state and the country are working on cures that families are counting on; I’m going to fight this corrupt heist every step of the way.”

Senator Murray has raised alarms and fought back against this administration’s nonstop efforts to politicize, cut, and defund all manner of lifesaving medical research. She and her Democratic colleagues in Congress also successfully fought to secure language in the recently enacted continuing resolution (CR) to block the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to politicize every aspect of the federal grantmaking process.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://randall.house.gov/media/press-releases/randall-merkley-lead-bicameral-resolution-honor-americas-lgbtq-veterans-and,"Randall, Merkley Lead Bicameral Resolution to Honor America’s LGBTQ+ Veterans and Servicemembers",2026-09-20,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Emily Randall,R000621,randall.house.gov,randall,https://randall.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day.

National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day falls on the anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in 2011 and recognizes the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans who have served our nation. It is estimated that more than 100,000 servicemembers were discharged from the Armed Forces on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity between World War II and 2011.

“Service members and Veterans who’ve proudly served our country deserve respect and care no matter who they are or who they love. But this Administration continues to push out trans and queer service members using discriminatory policies that don’t make our military more prepared or our nation more secure. Unacceptable,” said Rep. Randall. “Today, on the 15-year anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ – the long-standing policy that kept LGBTQ+ service members in the closet – we honor all LGBTQ+ Americans who have bravely served our country. Today we recommit to fighting for every veteran to receive the dignity, support, and benefits they’ve earned.”

“America’s servicemembers and veterans come from all walks of life, but they all share a common commitment to serve our nation,” said Sen. Merkley. “These heroes put on their uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they are, deny who they love, or punish them simply for living openly. For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve, and we should honor their service and acknowledge the discrimination they endured.”

The resolution calls for greater awareness of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, including discriminatory military policies, unjust discharges, and bans on transgender military service and health care. It also urges the federal government to support LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans and ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their service.

The Trump Administration continues to pursue policies restricting transgender Americans’ ability to serve openly in the military. The ban on transgender military service and additional restrictions on gender-affirming care continue to be litigated in federal court, with the Trump Administration asking the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on transgender troops, threatening the careers of thousands of servicemembers who serve in critical national security roles.

Randall and Merkley have led the charge in Congress to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against our servicemembers. Previously, Merkley wrote the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump’s hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender servicemembers, have no force or effect, and that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders.

In addition to Randall and Merkley, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08).

This resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, Advocates for Transgender Equality, Out in National Security, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Black Veterans Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and SPARTA Pride.

“For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have felt called to service in the U.S. Armed Forces, even as they were prevented from serving openly until recent years. The dire predictions – lately resurrected by anti-equality figures – that claimed that recognizing LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans would somehow harm military readiness or effectiveness, have been conclusively and forever debunked. At a time when transgender servicemembers are seeing their service cut short for no good reason, it’s good to remember we all owe a debt of gratitude to our LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, and we thank Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall for this resolution to honor them,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Government Affairs.

“LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve this country for generations, often at extraordinary cost to themselves, their families, and their futures,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America. “They put on the uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they were, deny who they loved, or punish them simply for living openly. LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day is our declaration that our service will not be erased and our sacrifices will not be forgotten. We honor those who served, we reckon with what has been done to them in the name of national defense, and we demand a country worthy of the people who have always been willing to defend it.”

“Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is proud to endorse the National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day Resolution. LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans have defended our nation with courage and distinction in every generation, often while confronting discrimination and barriers simply because of who they are. Even when our nation did not always afford them the dignity or recognition they deserved, they continued to serve and sacrifice. Their service, sacrifice, and stories are an essential part of American military history. We also recognize the families who have supported them and the importance of ensuring servicemembers, veterans, and their families have access to the care they need, including gender-affirming care. This resolution provides an important opportunity to recognize their contributions, acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory policies, and honor and preserve their legacy for generations to come. MMAA is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community in honoring their service, sacrifice, and enduring contributions to our nation,” said Hale Allegretti, Modern Military Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. (ret.).

“LGBTQ+ Americans have served our country from the founding of the Republic, including during decades when their government asked for their service while denying them equal treatment. National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day honors that service and sacrifice, recognizes the costs of exclusion, and affirms that everyone who raises their hand to serve deserves dignity, respect, and the benefits they have earned. We are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representative Randall for recognizing the generations of LGBTQ+ Americans who have worn the uniform,” said Lucas F. Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security.

“At a time of immense national security challenges, tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people are answering the call and proudly serving our nation through military service,” said Brian Dittmeier, Director of LGBTQI+ Equality at the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Their selfless service is undermined by the ongoing attacks by the Trump administration, which is forcing trans people out of military careers and ripping away the benefits they’ve earned through their service. LGBTQIA+ service members and veterans have had to overcome a long legacy of discrimination and exclusion in the military, but despite these challenges, they have continued to excel and rise through the ranks. Now, more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who are willing to stand with our service members and veterans as the administration senselessly undermines our military’s recruitment and readiness. This resolution, led by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall, is an important step in ensuring that anyone can put themselves forth to serve this country, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-21T10:25:24Z,2026-09-21T10:26:54Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-celebrated-by-southwest-washington-ukrainian-community-upon-returning-home,Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Celebrated by Southwest Washington Ukrainian Community Upon Returning Home,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"VANCOUVER, WA — Upon her return to PDX International Airport late in the evening on a school night, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez was welcomed by a large crowd of local Ukrainian American families to celebrate her recent vote to pass additional harsh sanctions targeting Russia’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine and to thank her for being one of only two Democrats to vote to ensure this sanctions package reached the House floor.

On Tuesday, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez cast the deciding vote on the motion that brought the Russia sanctions package to the House floor. In recent months, Russia has targeted Ukrainian population centers with relentless waves of drone attacks. This sanction package targets Russia’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine by penalizing the biggest buyers of Russian oil.

On Wednesday, the sanctions bill passed in the House 262-159, with 58 Democrats supporting. The legislation previously passed the United States Senate on a bipartisan basis 86-11 on August 7, 2026, including support of both U.S. Senators from Washington, and the President is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

Video of her arrival can be watched HERE.

Members of the Southwest Washington Ukrainian community thank Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez for her vote of support.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez is greeted by Mikhail Pavenko, a volunteer Chaplain serving alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez hands out sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, gifted to her by the delegation.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is greeted by Ihor Levkiv, President of the Ukrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez greets local constituents of Ukrainian heritage.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez is welcomed by constituents thanking her for her support of the Ukrainian community.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez discusses support for Ukraine with a constituent at PDX.

A folder with the above images for download can be found HERE.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez is a proud supporter of Ukraine’s fight to stop Russia’s invasion and has worked continuously to aid Ukrainian refugees displaced by the conflict. In 2024, she introduced the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act and voted to pass HR 813, allocating over $60 billion in funding for Ukrainian defense. More recently in the FY27 Defense Appropriations markup, she spoke in support of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a provision to strengthen domestic manufacturing capability to support Ukrainian defense.

Additionally, Rep Gluesenkamp Perez supports Ukrainians living in Southwest Washington through her casework operation, helping constituents facing issues with federal agencies. To get in touch or learn about how her office can help with federal agencies, please visit her casework page or Ukrainian Language casework page.

####",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/18/jayapal-wilson-booker-introduce-legislation-to-combat-high-rate-of-heart-disease-in-south-asian-americans/,"Jayapal, Wilson, Booker Introduce Legislation to Combat High Rate of Heart Disease in South Asian Americans",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Joe Wilson (SC-02) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) are reintroducing the bipartisan South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, landmark legislation to both raise awareness about the alarming rate of heart disease for South Asians across the United States and put resources and strategies toward reversing this deadly trend for all communities.

“As the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, I’m fully committed to increasing understanding of heart disease and the unique risk factors in the South Asian community while ensuring that all those living with it get the resources, treatment, and support they need,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for over a century, and it is even more dire in the South Asian community. The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act is essential legislation that ensures that we have the research, resources, and treatments to prevent heart disease cases and deaths in the South Asian community and beyond.”

“Heart disease disproportionately affects certain populations such as the South Asian community, and this bill will expand research and education to benefit those communities. I am grateful that this bipartisan bill passed the House in multiple previous Congresses, and I look forward to its final passage into law,” said Rep. Joe Wilson.

“Heart disease is taking South Asian Americans from their families at rates the medical community still doesn’t fully understand,” said Senator Booker. ” This bill puts real research dollars behind the risk factors hiding in plain sight, so doctors can catch what they’ve been missing. Every community deserves to have its heart health taken seriously, not treated as an afterthought.”

Studies show that South Asians in the United States – people who immigrated from or whose families immigrated from countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal – are experiencing a dramatic rise in heart disease and face four times the risk of heart disease compared to the general population. Despite making up 25 percent of the world’s population, South Asians account for a disproportionate 60 percent of the world’s heart disease cases and over 50 percent of the world’s cardiovascular deaths. Almost two-thirds of middle-aged South Asian Americans are at intermediate or high risk for heart failure within the next 10 years, and because research agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) do not disaggregate medical data for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, it is nearly impossible to examine data on South Asian Americans.

Heart disease is widely prevalent in the United States, but is not well understood. One person in America dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease, and costs associated with heart disease in the United States — including indirect costs — exceed $500 billion annually and is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2035.

The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act would authorize the HHS Secretary to make grants available to states to promote awareness of the increasing prevalence of heart disease in South Asian communities. These grants can be used to:

Develop culturally appropriate materials on topics such as nutrition education, optimal diet plans, and programs for regular exercise.

Support heart health promotion activities of community organizations that work with or serve communities disproportionately affected by heart disease.

Support conferences or workshops on research practices, methodology, and design to include more members of communities disproportionately affected by heart disease in scientific studies.

The legislation also directs the HHS Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the grant activities and any data gathered related to heart disease in disproportionately impacted communities and authorizes funding for these programs through 2028.

“South Asian Americans have faced a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease for far too long, while gaps in data, research, and culturally responsive prevention continue to limit our ability to address it. The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act is an important commitment to changing that by investing in the evidence and community-based public health efforts needed to prevent disease and improve outcomes. SAPHA has supported this legislation for years, and we urge lawmakers to support the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act and its efforts to expand culturally appropriate heart health education and prevention, strengthen community-based outreach, and improve research on cardiovascular disease in South Asian communities,” said Samira Khan, MPH, CHES President, South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA)

The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act is sponsored by representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Adam Smith (WA-09), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Heart Association, the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), El Camino Health, Indian American Impact, MASALA Study, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, the South Asian Health Initiative (SAHELI) and the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA).",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-schrier-led-patients-first-act-and-five-other-healthcare-bills-featured,ICYMI: Schrier-Led Patients First Act and Five Other Healthcare Bills Featured During Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) joined her colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for a health subcommittee hearing titled “Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity.” During the hearing, Congresswoman Schrier advocated for six of her bills – including her bipartisan Patients First Act that aims to establish comprehensive Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) reform.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Schrier said: “It’s time for Congress to right the ship and to enact long-term reform to physician payment. We can’t pass another short term fix, and leave everyone on edge until the end of the year like we’ve done for so many years. Without Patients First, physician practices will continue to close or be bought out by large hospital systems, private equity, or insurance companies, and that just raises the cost of care for everyone.”

“And without support for primary care, we can expect to see fewer and fewer medical students pursue that path. I urge this committee to move this legislation to straight markup. We need to pass the Patients First Act immediately,"" Schrier continued.

More information on Schrier’s six bills that were featured in today’s hearing can be found below:

H.R. 9693, The Patients First Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03))

H.R. 8163, The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) and Brad Schneider (IL-10))

H.R. 4331, The Access to Claims Data Act(Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13))

H.R. 9908, The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Erin Houchin (IN-09))

H.R. 1254, The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act (Led by Reps. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Young Kim (CA-40), and Dan Meuser (PA-09))

H.R. 7905, The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Diana DeGette (CO-01))

Watch Congresswoman Schrier’ remarks HERE.

Watch the full hearing HERE.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-schatz-shaheen-reed-warner-coons-statement-on-deadly-iranian-wedding-strike/,"Murray, Schatz, Shaheen, Reed, Warner, Coons Statement on Deadly Iranian Wedding Strike",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"“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://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4461,"DelBene, LaHood Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage Prepared Meal Donations",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan K. DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,delbene,https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene and Darin LaHood (IL-16) introduced the bipartisan Meals for Communities Tax Credit Act. This legislation would encourage restaurants and retail food establishments to donate prepared meals to charitable organizations serving communities across the country by creating new tax incentives for donations.

Currently, businesses and individuals can receive tax deductions for bulk food donations. However, no deduction or credit exists for prepared meals donated to nonprofit organizations that takes into consideration the added costs of food preparation.

The Meals for Communities Tax Credit Act establishes a new nonrefundable credit for eligible businesses that donate prepared meals to charitable organizations. Specifically, the bill would:

Provide a 50% tax credit for the fair market value of qualified prepared meal donations, with a maximum credit of $7 per meal, adjusted to inflation;

Cap the credit at $50,000 per year;

Include guardrails to prevent businesses from double dipping by claiming both the prepared meal credit and the existing charitable deduction for any food donation; and

Retain the same health and food safety standards for kitchens and donated meals as already required for commercial restaurant service.

“Millions of families across the country are struggling to reliably put food on the table because of rising grocery bills and a more expensive economy. Our food pantries and local nonprofits are stretched thin and cannot meet the demand in their communities. Meanwhile, restaurants are also contending with higher overhead costs and fewer customers,” said DelBene. “This legislation helps address both problems by providing restaurants with incentives to donate prepared meals directly to nonprofits serving hungry families. It will support restaurants, their workers, and families who don’t have enough to eat.”

“Restaurants and food retailers in Illinois and throughout the country have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their communities by donating prepared meals to organizations that can put them directly into the hands of people in need,” said LaHood. “The Meals for Communities Tax Credit Act provides a commonsense incentive for businesses to be charitable and turn surplus prepared food into meals for families and individuals who need them. By encouraging these donations, we can help strengthen our communities and make sure good food reaches the people who need it most.”

""Restaurants are more than places where people eat – they are a vital part of our community infrastructure, with the kitchens, talent, and local relationships to help address food insecurity at scale,” said Matt Jozwiak, Founder and CEO of Rethink Food. “The Meals for Communities Tax Credit creates a practical way to unlock that capacity, helping local restaurants stay strong while providing nutritious, chef-prepared meals to neighbors who need them. We’re grateful to Representatives LaHood and DelBene for recognizing that supporting small businesses and strengthening food access can, and should, go hand in hand.”

Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) also joined the legislation as an original cosponsor.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/17/jayapal-hosts-hearing-on-big-tech-and-surveillance-ai/,Jayapal Hosts Hearing on Big Tech and Surveillance AI,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"The full hearing can be watched HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, hosted a hearing on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy as Big Tech monopolists aim to take over the industry and find new ways to profit off the surveillance of Americans. Surveillance AI is rapidly becoming more dangerous, with whistleblowers sounding the alarm that it could pose a serious threat to human life. Yet the powerful companies building AI are being left to write their own rules.

This hearing examined the harms of surveillance AI and Members heard testimony from Dr. Jason Sattizahn, a former Meta employee and whistleblower; Leila Turner-Scott, a mother whose son died after following so-called safety guidance from ChatGPT; Amba Kak, the Co-Executive Director of the AI Now Institute and former Senior Advisor on AI at the Federal Trade Commission and; and Eliza Pan, the co-founder of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice.

“This hearing could not be more timely. After months of communities speaking out and organizing across the country against data centers and threats of artificial intelligence, now top researchers and even CEOs from those AI companies are also beginning to speak out about their own concerns that artificial intelligence is advancing so rapidly and recklessly that even they believe it could lead to the extinction of humanity. These companies do not exist in a vacuum. They come from a world in which Big Tech corporations and large AI companies backed by those same corporations wield enormous power over the entire AI stack, whether it is the advanced chips, cloud computing, or the models themselves. This has created a closed loop of a few interdependent giants. Before we let this industry lock in its current shape for good, we need real structural solutions to break this oligopoly control and surveillance regime. That’s why I will soon be releasing a bill that would establish a national federal charter for AI companies, just like we do with banks. These companies would need a charter to operate, and the charter would be conditioned on structural reforms to ensure that the American people’s interest comes first,” said Jayapal.

“AI surveillance is already inescapable in the technology we use everyday. Grandiose doomsday claims about AI only benefit Meta and other tech companies, because it distracts from this fact and attempts to convince Americans that AI capabilities are beyond their understanding. This is not true. Unfortunately, it is up to all of us to understand how these companies have already siphoned our data without our true consent and push back. We would be foolish to even consider allowing tech companies to regulate themselves, and we should not assume that they will approach policy conversations in good faith. Profit margins drive these companies’ decisions around AI and the use of your data. Period,” said Dr. Jason Sattizahn.

“Since Sam’s death, I’ve learned that one of the most dangerous ways that OpenAI kept him engaged is from the way it programmed ChatGPT’s short and long-term memory. These features are on by default and let the chatbot save the data Sam gave it to create a profile of him. OpenAI collected and stored information about every aspect of my child’s life, drawing him further in by ‘remembering’ personal things about him. Sam thought he was being safe. He thought he was ‘researching’ substances with this invention that, in his mind, had all of the information on the internet to generate accurate outputs and help keep him safe. But the goal of ChatGPT was not to keep Sam safe; It was only to keep him using the product. Just hours before Sam died, ChatGPT had advised him that it was safe to mix Kratom and Xanax. It is not. This technology is unsafe and our elected officials have a responsibility to use their power to hold AI companies accountable and keep this from happening to anyone else’s child,” said Leila Turner-Scott.

“At the FTC. I saw firsthand what it meant to go up against power in the tech industry after a decade of consolidation on the backs of unregulated commercial surveillance and a permissive competition regime. We do need new rules, and we don’t have to invent them from scratch. We have a long history of governing banks, utilities, critical infrastructure, with tools like structural separation, nondiscrimination, and supervision. In all of these, we have leverage over market interests, and the ability to gate access to the market on the condition that the public interest is protected,” said Amba Kak, Co-Executive Director of the AI Now Institute and former Senior Advisor on AI at the Federal Trade Commission.

“The Amazon tech and corporate employees I represent want Congress and the public to know that if we don’t act now to rein them in, Amazon and its execs will build a world in which all working people are surveilled, pushed out of high quality jobs, and terrified to step out of line. There’s a lot of focus on frontier labs, but we need to realize Amazon is the one spending over $200 billion dollars just this year alone to force data centers into communities, and its own employees are sounding the alarm bells,” said Eliza Pan, co-founder of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice.

Each of the witnesses’ full opening statements can be found here:

Dr. Jason Sattizahn

Leila Turner-Scott

Amba Kak

Eliza Pan

Jayapal was joined by Monopoly Busters co-chair, Representative Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03).",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-resolution-honoring-gold-star-families,Newhouse Introduces Resolution Honoring Gold Star Families,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Press Release

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2026

Contact: Max Willens, (202) 738-7716

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives designating the week of September 20-26, 2026, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week.

“Gold Star Families are living reminders that there is a price for the freedom we enjoy every day. The families of these brave men and women have suffered and paid the ultimate price so that others will not.” said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse added, “To honor those lost and those still here, we dedicate Gold Star Remembrance week. My colleagues and I send our gratitude to the thousands of families who keep the memories of their loved ones alive through sharing stories and continue to honor the bravery of those who lost their lives in service to our great Nation.”

A Gold Star Family is a family who has lost an immediate family member while serving on active duty in the armed services of the United States.

Rep. Newhouse was joined by 52 of his colleagues in introducing the resolution to honor these families across the country. Original cosponsors include:

Reps. Tim Moore (NC-14), Wesley Hunt (TX- 38), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Michael Lawler (NY-17), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Michael Simpson (ID-02), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Andy Barr (KY-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Rick Larsen (WA-02), David P. Joyce (OH-14),Tim Walberg (MI-05), Tom Barrett (MI-07), Tracey Mann (KS-01), John W. Rose (TN-06), Zachary Nunn (IA-03), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Young Kim (CA-40), David G. Valadao (CA-22), Robert J. Wittman (VA-01), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Mike Carey (OH-15), Matt Van Epps (TN-07), Cory Mills (FL-07), Clay Fuller (GA-14), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), John J. McGuire III (VA-05), August Pfluger (TX-11), Michael A. Rulli (OH-06), Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Mark B. Messmer (IN-08), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Stephanie I. Bice (OK-05), Neal P. Dunn (FL-02), Brian J. Mast (FL-21), Robert P. Bresnahan Jr. (PA-08), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Mark Alford (MO-04), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Michael Guest (MS-03), Addison P. McDowell (NC-06), Mike Kelly (PA-16), and Randy Feenstra (IA-04).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-hails-historic-opportunity-to-codify-athletes-rights-in-protect-college-sports-act,Cantwell Hails Historic Opportunity to Codify Athletes’ Rights in Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Hails Historic Opportunity to Codify Athletes’ Rights in Protect College Sports Act

“We can recognize [these rights], enshrine them today, and make sure that these athletes are protected forever.”; Protect College Sports Act creates historic federal rights and protections for student athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; aims to rein in runaway spending on athletics that’s harming colleges & students; Today, the Senate advanced the bill 77-22, picking up 4 votes -- 3 Democrats and 1 Republican

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, urged her colleagues to support her bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, a historic opportunity to enshrine athletes’ rights to name, image, and likeness (NIL) revenue – as well as important health and safety protections – into federal law.

“We can recognize [these rights], enshrine them today, and make sure that these athletes are protected forever, including the rights to not have their contracts screwed with, their rights to not have their school override them, the rights to have any amount of money that some business wants to pay them, as long as it is for a valid business purpose,” said Sen. Cantwell said in a speech on the Senate floor.

Sen. Cantwell also outlined the importance of stabilizing college sports. “I want these rules put in place because sports is about any given Saturday,” she said. “It is not about whether you have a billionaire in your backyard. It is about whether you can coach and recruit and develop and maintain and have academic performance and have fairness … and have everybody compete and keep the ecosystem in place. But that fairness does not exist today without this bill.”

Sen. Cantwell noted that the runaway spending on athletics threatens opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports. “I am not going to have women's and Olympic sports undermined by this system. In fact, there is a poll that shows that 87% of the public ... agree, women's and Olympic sports need to be preserved,” she said. “We are not going to let runaway boosters who basically want no rules and runaway agents who want to prey on high school kids decide what's going to happen here.”

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has written in support of the bill.

Student Athlete Advisory Committee Chairs from Divisions I, II, and III, representing the 500,000 student-athletes in the college sports ecosystem, have sent letters of support in favor of passing the Protect College Sports Act.

Team USA Athletes’ Commission sent a letter of support signed by over a hundred athletes.

19 student-athlete commissions from conferences and individual schools have sent letters supporting the passage of the Protect College Sports Act.

Sen. Cantwell spoke ahead of a procedural vote. The Senate advanced the bill 77-22, moving it closer to final passage.

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to reform college sports and ensure tomorrow’s athletes have the same opportunities as today’s competitors. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026, which she introduced alongside Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes’ rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship and healthcare protections in law, reining in predatory agents, expanding revenue for all schools, and preserving and protecting the future of women’s and Olympic sports. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 74-24 to begin debate on the bill.

On Tuesday, Sen. Cantwell’s office also released a snapshot report detailing how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying financial pressures on colleges and universities. That report can be read in full HERE.

Monday, Sen. Cantwell joined current college athletes, coaches, and senators from both parties for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act. That press conference, which also included Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, can be watched in full HERE.

The Protect College Sports Act’s new guaranteed protections for student athletes include:",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-answers-from-hegseth-on-cost-of-iran-war,Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War

Pentagon greatly underestimates cost of Iran war to taxpayers & families, senators write in letter to SecDef Hegseth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined 45 of her colleagues in the Democratic Senate caucus in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth 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.

“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.”

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 Abraham 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. The aircraft carrier – which the Navy recently indicated is likely coming to Bremerton – was at sea for 286 days, a modern record, and concerns were raised by the crew and their families.

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.

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 so-called 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.”",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4462,"DelBene’s Bill to Strengthen Taxpayer Rights Passes House, Heads to Senate",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan K. DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,delbene,https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s (WA-01) Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act (TAPA). This bipartisan legislation, led with Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), authorizes the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) to file amicus briefs in federal tax cases on issues that may broadly affect taxpayer rights. The NTA is currently barred from submitting amicus briefs in federal tax litigation, even in major precedent-setting cases.

“American taxpayers deserve to have an independent voice represent them in court, especially in cases that could impact them and their tax bill. This bipartisan bill will allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to weigh in on behalf of millions of Americans in these vital cases,” said DelBene. “I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their efforts to get this through the Ways and Means Committee and now the House so we can better advocate for taxpayers.”

“American taxpayers deserve someone in their corner when their rights are at stake in federal court,” said Steube. “The National Taxpayer Advocate already fights for taxpayers across the country, but current law does not authorize the Advocate to weigh in on court cases that could impact millions of Americans. My bill closes that gap and makes sure the taxpayer’s voice is heard. I’m pleased to see the House pass TAPA, and I urge the Senate to get it to President Trump’s desk.”

The bill does not authorize the NTA to represent individual taxpayers, but ensures the Advocate’s systemic expertise can inform judicial proceedings.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-statement-missed-votes,Congressman Smith Statement on Missed Votes,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 16, 2026) – Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement""

""Over the past few weeks, I have been dealing with some medical issues and was scheduled to have a procedure. Unfortunately, this procedure was postponed, causing me to miss several votes in the House over the past few days in session.

""My top priority is representing my constituents back in Washington. To do so, I also need to take care of my health and recovery to best serve those in the Ninth District. Thank you for your support and I look forward to getting back to work.""",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/09/16/baumgartner-applauds-passage-of-the-am-radio-for-every-vehicle-act-of-2025/,Baumgartner Applauds Passage of The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,WA,Michael Baumgartner,B001322,baumgartner.house.gov,baumgartner,https://baumgartner.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"September 15, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) celebrates passage of The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill would require that AM broadcast stations be accessible in all passenger motor vehicles imported into, shipped within, or manufactured and sold within the United States. “AM radio remains a critical tool for keeping Americans informed, especially when severe weather, wildfires, or other emergencies disrupt our normal communications,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 will help ensure drivers can continue to access the important source of emergency information wherever they are.”

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 Background:

AM radio remains an important part of the nation’s emergency alert system, providing a way for communities to receive critical information during emergencies and disasters;

The legislation directs the DOT to establish rules in consultation with FEMA and the FCC to ensure AM radio is accessible to drivers;

For vehicles sold before the new requirement takes effect, manufacturers would have to clearly disclose if the vehicle does not include AM radio access and could not charge an additional fee for AM access during that period;

Requires the Government Accountability Office to study how AM radio and other technologies can deliver emergency alerts to people in vehicles.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4454,Ways & Means Republicans Continue Covering Up Harms of Trump’s Medicare AI Experiment,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan K. DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,delbene,https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) forced a vote on an amendment during a Ways & Means Committee markup that would require the Trump administration to release yet-unseen information about the WISeR program. The program pays private companies to use AI to delay and deny care to seniors in Washington and five other states.

Since the program began in January, patients have been left in severe pain and unable to access the care prescribed by their doctors. In June, DelBene announced that Virtix, the company administering WISeR in Washington, was ordered to submit a corrective action plan for delays in reviewing claims after a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) audit of its performance. Neither document has been released to Congress or the public.

The amendment would force CMS to release any audits or corrective action plans for WISeR-participating companies within 3 months. It would also direct the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to analyze the impacts of Medicare Advantage plans’ red tape on patients and providers. Ways & Means Republicans rejected the amendment by an 18-19 vote.

“It’s clear why the administration is doing everything they can to conceal these documents. The more that Americans learn about WISeR, the more outraged they get at the Trump administration for jeopardizing their care and trying to privatize Medicare,” said DelBene.

This effort was informed by a bombshell report released by the Electronic Frontier Foundation that revealed widespread delays and denials of care, operational chaos, and reports of patient harm. The report contains nearly 1,000 pages of documentation, including contracts with participating companies, internal reports, and health care providers’ complaints about the program, that were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and lawsuit. It also sheds light on the CMS’ plan to expand WISeR to cancer treatments and other types of care.

DelBene introduced legislation last November to repeal WISeR and has led multiple other legislative efforts to stop the program.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-votes-to-support-ukrainian-defense-and-sanction-russia,Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Votes to Support Ukrainian Defense and Sanction Russia,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez reaffirmed her commitment to the Ukrainian community in Southwest Washington by voting for a comprehensive package of sanctions targeting Russia and anyone who facilitates sanctions evasion. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is a critical effort to cripple funding for Russia’s War in Ukraine by penalizing countries that buy Russian oil. The bill was voted on in the Senate earlier this year, where it passed 86-11. The bill went on to pass in the House 262-159.

This package includes a number of sanctions, specifically it would:

Imposes blocking and entry (visa) sanctions on specified Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin and senior political and military leaders, oligarchs who haven’t opposed the war or continue to benefit from ties with the Russian government, executives/controlling owners of major Russian energy projects, foreign companies supporting Russia’s defense industrial base or military, and persons engaged in corruption, money laundering, or sanctions evasion for the Russian government.

Imposes sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels and supporting entities used to transport Russian oil and other goods while concealing ownership or transactions to circumvent sanctions.

Imposes sanctions on the Central Bank of Russia, Sberbank, VTB Bank, Gazprombank, and other covered Russian financial institutions. Foreign financial institutions engaging in significant transactions with sanctioned Russian institutions shall also be sanctioned.

Imposes sanctions on entities in which the Russian government holds a controlling/majority interest or that are otherwise government-affiliated, and restricts U.S. financial institutions from processing specified transactions involving the Russian government, government-owned entities, or Russian officials.

Restricts certain Russian securities from U.S. exchanges; prohibits new U.S. investment in Russia and its energy sector and transfer of U.S.-produced energy or energy products; prohibits purchases of Russian sovereign debt; authorizes restrictions on certain services to Russia; and sanctions certain financial-messaging providers used to circumvent sanctions.

Directs implementation of existing restrictions on Russian uranium imports under 42 U.S.C. §2297h-10a(d), including covered uranium associated with Rosatom or its subsidiaries or successors, and requires sanctions against specified officials and shareholders.

Extends the deadline of the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act from 2026 to 2031.

In addition to steep sanctions the bill would introduce aggressive secondary measures, including up to 500% duties on Russian goods and up to 100% duties on third-party countries that purchase Russian oil/gas or facilitate sanctions evasion.

“I’m proud to represent one of the largest Ukrainian communities in America–people who have lost fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in the fight to defeat fascism.,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “I urge the President to move quickly to implement these critical sanctions to ensure that Putin and his people know there is a steep price for their continued disregard for the sanctity of life.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has continuously worked to support Ukraine in its fight to end the Russian invasion and to support Ukrainian refugees displaced by the conflict. In 2024, she voted to pass HR 813, allocating over $60 billion in funding for Ukrainian defense. More recently in the FY27 Defense Appropriations markup, she spoke in support of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a provision to strengthen domestic manufacturing capability to support Ukrainian defense. Additionally, Rep Gluesenkamp Perez supports Ukrainians living in Southwest Washington through her casework channels, helping constituents facing issues with federal agencies. To get in touch or learn about how her office can help with federal agencies, please visit her casework page or Ukrainian Language casework page.

####",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4261,Larsen’s Water Resources Bill Passes House,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02)’s Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026) passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 415 to 9. The bipartisan, biennial bill protects Northwest Washington’s environment, supports Columbia River Treaty negotiations and authorizes critical investments in Northwest Washington ports, inland waterways, flood management systems and other water resources infrastructure.

“Today’s House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 is great news for ports, harbors and inland waterways in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” said Rep. Larsen, who is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “From expanding funding opportunities to restore ecosystems on Spencer Island to authorizing a study to mitigate Nooksack River flooding, WRDA 2026 continues bipartisan efforts to improve water resources infrastructure, create good-paying jobs and protect communities from natural disasters. I look forward to working with the Senate to pass a final WRDA 2026 into law.”

Since 2014, Congress has enacted a water resources development bill every two years to help improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, aquatic ecosystems and other aspects of water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2024 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and included many of Rep. Larsen’s local priorities, including funding environmental infrastructure assistance to Western Washington state communities and expanding the Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) to make it easier for the Army Corps of Engineers to partner with Northwest Tribes on projects.

Washington State Wins in WRDA 2026

WRDA 2026 invests in Washington state priorities, including restoring the Puget Sound, addressing Nooksack River flooding and ensuring that critical Corps projects across the state can continue.

Wins for Washington in WRDA 2026 include:

Nooksack River Flooding: Authorizes a new feasibility study for flood risk reduction in the Nooksack River, which Whatcom County can use for long-term planning to address flooding concerns. Rep. Larsen has been working with local leaders to develop a plan to address Nooksack River flooding. Earlier this year, he advocated for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds to help communities recover from December 2025’s devastating floods, and he has championed FEMA flood mitigation grant funding so that local communities can prepare for future floods.

Disaster Debris Removal: Reforms how the Corps writes emergency debris removal contracts after floods to minimize harmful impacts to property and wildlife, and directs the Secretary of the Corps to ensure protection of healthy vegetation, important habitats, and vulnerable wildlife when setting standard contract terms. This provision will protect local ecosystems while cleaning flood debris in the Skagit River and other local rivers from December 2025’s floods.

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters (PSAW): Increases the per project funding cap to $20 million, ensuring projects like Spencer Island restoration in Snohomish County continue to move forward. In 2018, Rep. Larsen successfully included an amendment in WRDA 2018 to increase the per project cap for PSAW to $10 million.

Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP): Allows the Corps to cost-share the relocation of related infrastructure for PNSERP projects at Lilliwaup Estuary, Tahuya Estuary, Snow Creek and Salmon Creek and Nooksack Estuary. Rep. Larsen previously worked to authorize $451 million for PSNERP in WRDA 2016. The Puget Sound is the largest estuary by water volume in the United States. Rep. Larsen's bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Estuary Program through 2031 and protect estuaries around the country passed the House last December.

Columbia River Treaty: Extends temporary authority for the United States to pay for pre-planned storage of water in Canada while United States and Canada continue to negotiate a new Columbia River Treaty. The United States’ current authority expires in 2027. The hydropower that the Columbia River Treaty provides benefits towns and cities across Northwest Washington, and Rep. Larsen has advocated for the Columbia River Treaty’s renewal for over a decade. Rep. Larsen supports efforts to negotiate a modern Columbia River treaty that manages flood risks and ensures a reliable clean energy supply, and he is working with local stakeholders to gather input ahead of negotiations.

Preventing Invasive Aquatic Species: Clarifies that indirect costs incurred by non-federal partners remain eligible for credit or reimbursement under the Corps’ Watercraft Inspection authority, which funds state efforts to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Invasive golden, quagga and zebra mussels continue to expand their footprint in the Pacific Northwest. Early detection monitoring, watercraft inspection and decontamination and eradication efforts are critical to preventing further spread.

Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance: Clarifies that the cost of constructing a dredged material disposal facility for operation and maintenance of the Lower Willamette and Lower Columbia River is a federal responsibility that can be drawn from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). These facilities are necessary for dredging operations to maintain the Columbia River waterway, which moves over $31 billion in cargo annually and supports 40,000 local jobs.

Lower Columbia River Turning Basin: Authorizes the Chief’s Report for Lower Columbia Turning Basin improvements. Traffic has continued to grow in the Lower Columbia River, with an increase in larger vessels that need room to safely turn and park. These improvements will allow for the better positioning of vessels, increase opportunities to use nearby tug service and improve efficient movement of vessels transporting goods.

HMTF Allocations for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports: Removes discretion for the Administration to ensure it fully utilizes a provision in WRDA 2020 requiring specific funding allocations from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to donor and energy transfer ports. The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are donor ports.

Office of Technical Assistance and Community Outreach: Creates an Office of Technical Assistance and Community Outreach within the Corps to help communities that may have difficulty navigating the Corps’ planning and construction processes. This office will serve as a one-stop-shop for directing communities to existing programs that assist with affordability concerns, address unique needs, and provide support for any stage of a Corps project.

Corps Study Process: Requires the Corps and the non-federal sponsor to establish an agreed-to timeframe (with milestones) for studies, and to allow the non-federal sponsor to request time extensions based on project complexity and sponsor’s goals.

For the legislative text of WRDA 2026, click here.

For a summary of WRDA 2026, click here.

###

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September 8, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4263,Larsen Votes to Protect Families from Data Centers Raising Costs,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass the Ratepayers Protection Act 417 to 3.

“I voted for the Ratepayers Protection Act to protect families from higher electric bills,” said Rep. Larsen. “This legislation is only a start, and there is a lot more work to do. I support tough, upfront restrictions on large data centers: no high electric bills for local families and small businesses, no federal tax breaks, and no construction without community approval and union labor. Data centers must pay their fair share to connect to and use the grid, and they should be required to use closed loop water systems. I support the ability of local jurisdictions to enact temporary moratoriums to give themselves time to decide how they want to manage large data centers.”

The Ratepayer Protection Act requires state regulators to consider directing data centers to pay the full cost of connection to the grid, protecting ratepayers from footing the bill for data centers’ power consumption. In 2024, the Department of Energy projected that the percentage of U.S. electricity demand from data centers could grow from 4.4 percent in 2023 to 12 percent by 2028.

Rep. Larsen also cosponsors the Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act to roll back tax breaks for large AI data centers in Republicans’ Big Ugly Law.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4264,Larsen Votes No on More Trump Tariff Powers,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“I support Ukraine. I always have, and I always will. But this sanctions bill isn’t necessary.

“President Trump already has authority to impose sanctions on the Russian officials and companies that are fueling the brutal war in Ukraine. And yet he has chosen to sanction only two Russian officials with that authority.

“Congress has already allocated $400 million for assistance to Ukraine. Instead of using these existing powers and dollars, the Trump Pentagon has refused to release that money to help the Ukraine military.

“President Trump is going easy on Putin and blaming Ukraine for surging diesel prices. This sanctions bill doesn’t do anything to help Ukraine that this President can’t already do.”

The House of Representatives today voted to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act by a vote of 262 to 159.

Rep. Larsen is a strong advocate for a free and independent Ukraine. In June, he helped pass the Ukraine Support Act, which would impose tough sanctions on Russia and provide additional security assistance to Ukraine. Rep. Larsen is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), an organization made up of delegates from all 32 NATO member countries with a mission to engage in dialogue over transatlantic security issues.

Rep. Larsen is also a leader in opposing the Trump administration’s tariffs and a member of the New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariffs Task Force. In February, the House passed with bipartisan support a resolution that Larsen co-led to terminate President Trump’s abuse of “emergency” authorities to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports from Canada.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/at-help-hearing-murray-grills-trump-nominees-on-ai-denying-seniors-health-care-abortion-bans-killing-women/,"At HELP Hearing, Murray Grills Trump Nominees on AI Denying Seniors’ Health Care & Abortion Bans Killing Women",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning***

Washington, D.C. — Today—at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing to consider Trump’s latest slate of nominees for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, grilled Trump’s nominees on the harmful WISeR model that is denying seniors doctor recommended care and on how Republican abortion bans are putting women with ectopic pregnancies at life threatening risk.

[AI DENYING SENIORS’ CRITICAL HEALTH CARE]

Senator Murray began by questioning Chris Klomp, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of HHS, on the WISeR model—which uses artificial intelligence to deny seniors’ health care—and the private companies doing the prior authorization assessments profiting from the denials.

MURRAY: Mr. Klomp, I’ll start with you and I want to start with the WISeR model, that as you know is a program CMS is using to implement AI prior authorization in Traditional Medicare in several states, including in my home state of Washington.

Do the contractors in the model—who are the private companies conducting the prior authorization assessments—make more money if they deny care? Just yes or no?

KLOMP: My understanding is no.

MURRAY: Well, the answer actually is yes. We already know these companies are paid based on the number of claims they deny.

And we also know that the CMS Office of the Actuary literally said in a memo, “model participants will have an incentive to deny as many claims as possible.” And what do you know? In the first three months of this year, the Washington state contractor denied more requests than they approved.

So, Mr. Klomp, you’ve said prior authorization was one of the first things you wanted to focus on at HHS, saying it needs to be fixed so it’s “invisible to the patient.”

KLOMP: Yes ma’am.

MURRAY: I’m telling you, it is not invisible for the seniors in my state who’ve had to wait weeks in pain as their doctors battled with these contractors for approval. In fact, I just met with a large number of hospitals, rural hospitals in particular, from my state, and they said it has not gotten better.

So, will you commit today to revoking the WISeR model and allowing our Medicare beneficiaries in Washington state to receive the timely care that they need?

KLOMP: Senator, I’d like to, I want to comment on a couple of those points. First, you know that you and I very strongly agree about prior authorization being used appropriately and it has in fact largely not been used appropriately in this country. And that undermines trust between providers and patients. In fact, one of my family members who’s here today recently went through a six-week prior authorization stall that was incredibly frustrating at a time of great uncertainty. That is the very thing that must be eliminated. At the same time, it is an appropriate utilization management tool if it is used precisely, and surgically, and appropriately. You asked me earlier if they were paid based on the volume. My understanding—and it is not my center that was responsible for developing the WISeR model, so I’m happy to bring more experts in, but—

MURRAY: Okay, but they do deny care. They’re paid to deny care.

KLOMP: My understanding is when they deny care, and if they do so inappropriately, there are significant financial penalties and that CMMI is carefully watching their performance and has the ability to terminate. My understanding as well is that they will be producing a report or a report card, something shortly that will show an accounting by vendor in these trial markets—

MURRAY: Who is the “they”?

KLOMP: CMMI—to drive an accountability. You have my very strong commitment that if this program is not working, if it is not improving patient care, and prior authorization has an important point here, it’s not just about cost control. It is about making sure, and WISeR is targeting elected procedures, that patients get the right care.

MURRAY: Well, let me just say, I only have a few minutes here. I already know CMS is planning to expand this to oncology. I am going to do everything I can to stop this. It is really hurting patients.

KLOMP: You and I are on common ground on this topic Senator Murray. It must be done appropriately, or it should not expand. And you have my commitment, that that will not change. I believe you have my cell phone as well. I’m happy to stay closely engaged with you on this.

MURRAY: Thank you.

[REPUBLICANS’ ABORTION BANS KILLING WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY]

Senator Murray then questioned Nicole Saphier, nominee to be Surgeon General of the Public Health Services, about her commitment to help women get abortion care who are in life threatening situations and advocate against abortion bans that are rolling out across the country.

MURRAY: Dr. Saphier, I wanted to turn to you, in July of 2022, you claimed on Fox News that Democrats were spreading false information about what would happen to women experiencing ectopic pregnancies under abortion bans. You said, “I will be the first person, if any of the states stand up and say there will no longer be access to treatment, you will hear me. I will start advocating against that because that would be wrong.”

Well, I have news for you: that is what is happening. CDC data shows that the number of women who died after an ectopic pregnancy has doubled in recent years, with women dying at even higher rates in states that have banned abortion.

So, it’s clear, that these Republican abortion bans are killing women.

So, will you stick to your word? Will you advocate against abortion bans that are harming women?

SAPHIER: Thank you, Senator, for this question. Obviously as a woman, it is very personal to us. I have been in media for a very long time. It is my understanding that the FDA is currently undergoing a review on the safety of mifepristone, as there were some safeguards—

MURRAY: I’m not asking you about that. I’m asking you about ectopic pregnancies. I’ll just tell you the facts. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality among wealthy nations, and these bans are killing women, permanently damaging their fertility, and traumatizing them. It just seems to me that this was never about protecting women, it was about controlling them. And I’m happy to share the data with you.

SAPHIER: I appreciate that, Senator. And I always welcome reading more data. I think the maternal mortality rate in the United States is something that we should be judged upon and if confirmed I desperately want to do work with other people at HHS to see what we can to ensure the lives of our mothers, because they deserve better than we are giving them right now.

MURRAY: For the record, from 2020 to 2025, [almost] 200 women experiencing ectopic pregnancies died, that is compared with 100 in the previous six years. So, this is something we all have to—I expect you to speak out about it.

SAPHIER: I diagnose ectopic pregnancies and I understand the severity and importance of them.

MURRAY: Okay, and I expect you to speak out too if you’re confirmed. Thank you.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-baldwin-sound-alarm-on-trump-admins-plans-to-siphon-away-likely-impound-healthcare-research-funds/,"Murray, Baldwin Sound Alarm on Trump Admin’s Plans to Siphon Away & Likely Impound Healthcare Research Funds",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Lawmakers demand immediate information about plans to award tens of millions in AHRQ funding set to expire September 30, after HHS informed them it plans to transfer some funding to other agencies

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, demanded Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. release information about HHS’ plans to spend down tens of millions of dollars in funding Congress approved for lifesaving and cost-cutting healthcare research at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)—all of which is set to expire come September 30 if it is not awarded.

President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have worked to systematically dismantle AHRQ since taking office and are on track to impound—or transfer away to other agencies—a significant portion of the agency’s budget for the current fiscal year. This comes after AHRQ terminated approximately 150 grants totaling $94 million earlier this year and impounded $80 million in fiscal year 2025 funding after failing to award grants last year.

“It is increasingly clear that once again, your Department intends to ignore the law and—through a combination of gross negligence and intentional sabotage—will refuse to spend millions of taxpayer dollars that should be funding research to lower costs in the health care system and protect patients’ safety,” write Murray and Baldwin.

“Research funded by AHRQ grants has saved tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs, but once again, instead of getting these funds provided by Congress out the door as is required by law, this administration is on track to impound these resources and kill lifesaving research,” they continue.

In the letter, Senators Murray and Baldwin state that HHS recently informed them that it plans to award just 90 grants this year—hundreds fewer than in prior years—and is seeking to transfer funding specifically appropriated for AHRQ to other agencies. “AHRQ leadership informed the Committee of its ‘plans’ to spend $100 million on inter-agency agreements (IAAs), which would enable the Department to siphon dollars away from AHRQ to support other initiatives, instead of funding the health care quality and delivery research that Congress specifically set aside resources for. But to date, AHRQ has provided very limited information on how this funding would actually be spent—let alone how it could be spent effectively between now and September 30th.”

The lawmakers also make clear that beyond seeking to steer AHRQ funding elsewhere without regard for the law, it is apparent the Trump administration may well simply illegally impound funding set aside for this lifesaving research: “Even more alarming is the fact that AHRQ has provided exactly no information on how the remaining $65 million provided to it will be spent, again raising the likelihood that funding provided by Congress will simply be wasted.”

Murray and Baldwin ask HHS to furnish copies of all inter-agency agreements AHRQ has entered into and more information about exactly how Secretary Kennedy intends to get this funding out the door to support cost-cutting and lifesaving research.

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

For months, we have directly raised our concerns about the unacceptable and intentional chaos at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) with you, with Director Roger Klein, and most recently with Deputy Secretary Nominee Chris Klomp. As health care costs continue to rise and patient safety concerns persist, your Department has chosen to dismantle the very agency whose mission is to solve these problems.

It is increasingly clear that once again, your Department intends to ignore the law and—through a combination of gross negligence and intentional sabotage—will refuse to spend millions of taxpayer dollars that should be funding research to lower costs in the health care system and protect patients’ safety.

Research funded by AHRQ grants has saved tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs, but once again, instead of getting these funds provided by Congress out the door as is required by law, this administration is on track to impound these resources and kill lifesaving research.

At Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, AHRQ research helped reduce the percentage of preventable blood clots after surgery. A critical access hospital in New Mexico used AHRQ research to greatly reduce the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections by more than 90 percent. The Dayton, Ohio VA used AHRQ research to help veterans manage high-risk diabetes more effectively. AHRQ’s work is evidence-based first and foremost—it saves lives and money. Sabotaging this agency is a direct attack on both the patients and providers who rely on AHRQ to make our health care system work better.

In fiscal year 2025, under your leadership, AHRQ allowed over $80 million in federal funding provided by Congress to be wasted. Instead of awarding grants to promote patient safety, support families with children in the hospital, improve autism screening and diagnosis, and provide support for those suffering from chronic pain, the Trump administration intentionally withheld federal funding that Congress provided on a bipartisan basis, disrupting 200 different research programs across nearly 30 states. Over the past year, you have also managed to push out 80 percent of all AHRQ staff, including the majority of those who had previously vetted grants and worked directly with researchers. From 2020-2024, AHRQ awarded an average of 127 new grants and 306 continuation grants. In 2025, AHRQ awarded only one new grant and 206 continuation awards.

Your Department recently informed us that it intends to award only 90 grants this year. That is unacceptable.

In July, AHRQ terminated over 150 grants via a generic form letter. These grants included research that was clearly focused on addressing the agency’s stated priorities, such as patient safety, the use of digital tools to improve health, artificial intelligence, and training future health services researchers. AHRQ discontinued research in Wisconsin testing the use of artificial intelligence to improve the experience of hospitalized children and their families, research that the agency had highlighted in a webinar in May. AHRQ also discontinued the health services research training program at the University of Washington. For reasons we cannot comprehend, these two grants, among many others, were cited as “inconsistent with agency priorities.”

It is now abundantly clear that AHRQ terminated those grants, that were clearly consistent with AHRQ’s mission and stated priorities, with no plan on how it would otherwise spend its funding for this year.

On September 4th, AHRQ leadership informed the Committee of its “plans” to spend $100 million on inter-agency agreements (IAAs), which would enable the Department to siphon dollars away from AHRQ to support other initiatives, instead of funding the health care quality and delivery research that Congress specifically set aside resources for. But to date, AHRQ has provided very limited information on how this funding would actually be spent—let alone how it could be spent effectively between now and September 30th. AHRQ supposedly plans to spend $30 million to support the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and help schools develop strategies for improving school meals. We have received no further information on these plans. So far, it appears the only thing the agency has done is issue a press release, and with 15 days left in the fiscal year there aren’t any actual funding opportunities available for schools and school districts to apply for these resources. This continues an alarming pattern by which this administration is seeking to use IAAs to siphon funding away from one agency to fund the administration’s priorities at another, without regard for the law and what Congress provided funding for in the first place.

Similarly, while Congress set-aside $5 million to accelerate evidence-based research and care delivery models into routine clinical practice so that women can get the menopause care they need, all AHRQ has shared is that the funding will be spent on working with two other agencies on “quality improvement activities” addressing menopause. Yet no actual funding opportunities are available for that work. Even more alarming is the fact that AHRQ has provided exactly no information on how the remaining $65 million provided to it will be spent, again raising the likelihood that funding provided by Congress will simply be wasted.

Congress appropriated funding for AHRQ to improve the health of Americans, and to make health care safer, better, and more affordable. Using accounting gimmicks and supposed IAAs as cover for either intentional sabotage or complete incompetence is inexcusable. It is unfortunately only one of many examples of how this administration is willfully choosing to make Americans less healthy and less safe—and raising costs while it’s at it.

Within 24 hours, we expect to receive written copies of all IAAs that AHRQ has entered into with other federal agencies, a detailed description of all supported activities, and a list of all grantees that will be supported by such funding in accordance with Public Law 119-75 before the end of the fiscal year.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-demand-energy-department-restore-eliminated-safety-rules-justify-rewrite-of-dozens-of-critical-safety-and-accountability-measures/,"Murray, Kaptur Demand Energy Department Restore Eliminated Safety Rules, Justify Rewrite of Dozens of Critical Safety and Accountability Measures",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright calling out the dozens of changes being made to operating directives at the Department of Energy (DOE), which is jeopardizing the safety of work being done at DOE labs, plants, and sites, reduces transparency and Federal oversight, and risks wasting taxpayer dollars. DOE made these sweeping changes without meaningful engagement with workers, labor unions, and other stakeholders.

Murray and Kaptur are demanding DOE immediately restore three of the cancelled orders and justify the other forty-six changes. Those orders required DOE to track safety incidents and worker injuries across its labs and sites, and let workers formally challenge technical decisions they believed put safety at risk.

“We are deeply concerned that the scope and pace of these simultaneous changes will weaken critical safety protections, reduce independent Federal oversight, impair public visibility into departmental operations, and transfer significant responsibility from Federal officials to contractors without adequate safeguards in place,” write Murray and Kaptur. “In short, we are worried the rollback of these changes could jeopardize the safety of work being conducted across the DOE enterprise and waste taxpayer dollars.”

Murray and Kaptur further detail the importance of independent oversight, quality assurance, nuclear facility safety reporting, and worker training—and call out the Trump administration for claiming to support “performance-based accountability” and strong safety and security standards, while also eliminating reporting requirements and rewriting regulations that do just that.

Murray and Kaptur continue by responding to DOE’s decision to flat out cancel several orders, “Department-wide reporting requirements…provide Congress, regulators, and the public with standardized information necessary to identify trends and evaluate safety performance across the National Laboratories, plants, and sites…Congress also cannot effectively conduct oversight if the Department no longer collects consistent information about what is occurring across the enterprise. A reduction in reporting burden that results in the loss of accessible information about safety incidents or worker injuries is not simply an administrative change—it is a clear reduction in transparency that places safety at risk.”

“Furthermore, eliminating these standardized safety and health databases at the very moment the Department executes the sweeping deregulatory initiatives of Project Velocity creates a dangerous diagnostic blind spot, making it impossible to empirically measure whether these systemic rollbacks are actively causing an increase in accidents, toxic exposures, or operational failures across the complex,” the lawmakers continue.

Murray and Kaptur are also requesting detailed answers on operational and safety risks of “Project Velocity” and the process used to determine the changes being made while emphasizing: “The Department cannot execute such sweeping systemic changes across multibillion-dollar facilities without providing the empirical baselines, safety analyses, and governance frameworks that justify them.”

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Secretary Wright:

We write regarding the Department of Energy’s (the Department or DOE) ongoing efforts to modify operating directives for the Department’s National Laboratories, plants, and sites, an effort you have branded “Project Velocity.” On August 13, 2026, DOE announced it updated operating directives, which included revisions to 46 DOE Directives and cancellation of four DOE Directives. We are deeply concerned that the scope and pace of these simultaneous changes will weaken critical safety protections, reduce independent Federal oversight, impair public visibility into departmental operations, and transfer significant responsibility from Federal officials to contractors without adequate safeguards in place. In short, we are worried the rollback of these changes could jeopardize the safety of work being conducted across the DOE enterprise and waste taxpayer dollars.

We are particularly concerned about these changes given the Department’s longstanding challenges overseeing its contractors and managing major projects and programs. At our request, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently examined the Department’s earlier effort to streamline project management at the National Laboratories and nuclear security sites (which is just one of the 50 DOE directives that have been revised or cancelled to date through Project Velocity). GAO found that the Department had not established specific goals or performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of implementing the Secretary’s directed revisions. This is concerning given that GAO also concluded that the proposed streamlining could result in less reliable project cost estimates and late identification of cost and schedule overruns—wasting time and taxpayer resources. Without reliable performance metrics and goals, cost increases and schedule slips as a result of the efforts to streamline may be harder to detect and mitigate.

You are now championing sweeping revisions to Departmental directives with Project Velocity, but GAO’s recent findings are cause for real concern about how these changes will be implemented and evaluated over time. The Department claims the current initiative is a shift from “prescriptive procedural compliance” toward “performance-based accountability” and that modernization will maintain strong safety and security standards. Yet the Department is simultaneously revising or eliminating important requirements governing independent oversight, project management, quality assurance, conduct of operations, nuclear facility safety, worker training and qualification, occurrence reporting, environmental and occupational safety reporting, and the ability of Federal and contractor employees to formally challenge technical safety decisions. The Department must demonstrate—not merely assert—that these changes will preserve effective Federal oversight and safety mechanisms.

We are particularly concerned by the Department’s decision to wholesale cancel several DOE orders including DOE Order 231.1B, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting; DOE Order 232.2A, Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information; and DOE Order 442.2, Differing Professional Opinions for Technical Issues Involving Environmental, Safety, and Health Technical Concerns.

Department-wide reporting requirements (such as those in Order 231.1B and Order 232.2A) provide Congress, regulators, and the public with standardized information necessary to identify trends and evaluate safety performance across the National Laboratories, plants, and sites. Fragmenting these reporting requirements or replacing them with locally determined processes risks making it significantly more difficult to identify recurring problems, compare performance across sites, and recognize emerging Department-wide safety concerns. Congress also cannot effectively conduct oversight if the Department no longer collects consistent information about what is occurring across the enterprise. A reduction in reporting burden that results in the loss of accessible information about safety incidents or worker injuries is not simply an administrative change—it is a clear reduction in transparency that places safety at risk. Furthermore, eliminating these standardized safety and health databases at the very moment the Department executes the sweeping deregulatory initiatives of Project Velocity creates a dangerous diagnostic blind spot, making it impossible to empirically measure whether these systemic rollbacks are actively causing an increase in accidents, toxic exposures, or operational failures across the complex.

The Department’s cancellation of DOE Order 442.2, Differing Professional Opinions for Technical Issues Involving Environmental, Safety, and Health Technical Concerns similarly guts a critical safety process. The formal Differing Professional Opinion process provided a structured mechanism for such disagreements to receive independent technical consideration outside the ordinary management chain. Eliminating that process raises serious questions about whether workers and safety professionals will continue to have an effective mechanism to challenge decisions they believe could jeopardize worker safety or public safety. Other Departmental dispute-resolution or scientific-integrity processes cannot simply be presumed to provide adequate substitutes for a process specifically designed to address technical environmental, safety, and health disagreements.

Accordingly, we request that the Department immediately reinstate DOE Order 231.1B, DOE Order 232.2A, and DOE Order 442.2.

We also have significant concerns regarding the 46 DOE Directives the Department has chosen to revise governing high-consequence operations, worker safety, project management, and Federal oversight. The Department cannot execute such sweeping systemic changes across multibillion-dollar facilities without providing the empirical baselines, safety analyses, and governance frameworks that justify them.

To evaluate the cumulative operational and safety risks of Project Velocity, please provide the following information within 30 days of the date of this letter:

A complete list of every requirement modified, eliminated, consolidated, transferred, or otherwise affected by the operational modernization effort, including a redline comparison of each revised directive against its predecessor.

For each eliminated or materially modified requirement, the Department’s justification for the change, including the statutory, regulatory, technical, scientific, or operational basis relied upon.

A complete description of the process used to develop and approve the 46 directive revisions and four cancellations.

An explanation of the role of Department officials and offices, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), the Office of Environment, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS), and the Office of Enterprise Assessments in reviewing and approving the changes, including the criteria used to determine that each revision or cancellation would not adversely affect nuclear safety, worker safety, security, environmental protection, project performance, or Federal oversight.

An explanation of the role of, or consultations undertaken with, National Laboratories, management and operating (M&O) contractors, subject matter experts, worker representatives, labor unions, safety organizations, and other entities, in reviewing and approving the changes, including the criteria used to determine that each revision or cancellation would not adversely affect nuclear safety, worker safety, security, environmental protection, project performance, or Federal oversight.

For DOE Order 231.1B and DOE Order 232.2A, a crosswalk identifying which reporting requirements, thresholds, and other data within these Orders have been incorporated into other directives, and which have been eliminated or delegated to local contractor discretion.

For DOE Order 231.1B and DOE Order 232.2A, an explanation of how the Department will conduct complex-wide trend analysis, benchmarking, and early warning detection across National Laboratories and sites without standardized enterprise databases.

For DOE Order 231.1B and DOE Order 232.2A, the specific contractual and legal mechanisms DOE line management will use to enforce timely incident reporting and data submission in the absence of these orders.

A description of any changes to Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS), Computerized Accident Incident Reporting System (CAIRS), Radiation Exposure Monitoring System (REMS), or other safety and occurrence reporting systems resulting directly or indirectly from Project Velocity, including any changes in reporting thresholds, categories, timeframes, required data elements, public accessibility, or governmental review.

For DOE Order 442.2, an explanation of what process now permits a Federal or contractor employee to formally challenge an environmental, safety, health, engineering, maintenance, or operational technical decision; how that process ensures independence from the management officials whose decision is being challenged; and what protections exist against retaliation.

A detailed crosswalk identifying which provisions of DOE Order 442.2, if any, the Department believes have been preserved elsewhere, including the authority and process for independent technical review and final disposition of differing professional opinions.

For each revised directive affecting nuclear safety, worker safety, quality assurance, conduct of operations, training and qualification, readiness, maintenance, emergency management, or independent oversight, an assessment of the safety functions or controls removed or modified and the basis for the Department’s determination that the revised requirements provide equivalent or greater protection.

A list of all Contractor Requirements Documents or other requirements that have been eliminated, reduced, or replaced as part of Project Velocity, together with an explanation of how the Department plans to verify contractor performance in the absence of those requirements.

A description of every new or expanded authority provided to M&O contractors or National Laboratory directors under the revised directives, including any authority previously exercised by Federal officials, and the circumstances under which DOE may revoke or reassume that authority.

For DOE Order 413.3C, a list of all projects for which critical decision or other project management authority has been, or is expected to be, delegated to M&O contractor personnel, including total project cost, current project status, responsible contractor, and the Federal reviews and approvals that will no longer occur as a result of that delegation.

For DOE Order 414.1F, an explanation of the basis for reducing the deemed-approved period for Quality Assurance Programs from 90 days to 30 days; the number of Quality Assurance Programs that DOE historically has taken more than 30 days to review; and what safeguards will prevent a deficient program from becoming effective solely because DOE failed to complete its review within the required period.

A description of how the Office of Enterprise Assessments, the DNFSB, and other independent Federal oversight organizations will maintain their ability to conduct independent assessments when warranted, including whether any revised directive limits such reviews because a contractor or another Departmental office or program has previously assessed the same activity.

The specific, outcome-oriented goals and performance measures that will be used to evaluate Project Velocity department-wide, including baseline data against which changes in cost, schedule, safety performance, worker injuries, project performance, and other outcomes will be measured.

A description of how the Department will identify unintended consequences of the changes, including deterioration in safety performance or loss of visibility into contractor operations, and the thresholds or criteria that would cause the Department to restore a requirement or otherwise modify a revised directive.

All analyses, risk assessments, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, safety reviews, legal reviews, crosswalks, decision memoranda, and other documents used to support the 46 directive revisions and four cancellations.

We recognize the importance of ensuring that the Department’s requirements are efficient, current, and appropriately tailored to risk. We share those goals. However, efficiency cannot come at the expense of independent oversight, reliable information, technical rigor, and the worker protections necessary to safely operate the Department’s unique facilities and effectively and responsibly steward billions of taxpayer dollars.

The Department’s reliance on contractors makes strong Federal oversight more—not less—important. The Department should proceed cautiously before removing systems developed over decades to ensure that Federal officials, Congress, and the workforce can identify problems before they become accidents, project failures, or significant taxpayer liabilities.

We look forward to your response within 30 days.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/on-senate-floor-murray-calls-on-republicans-to-end-trumps-trade-war-republicans-ignore-rising-costs-block-bill-to-end-tariffs/,"On Senate Floor, Murray Calls on Republicans to End Trump’s Trade War—Republicans Ignore Rising Costs & Block Bill to End Tariffs",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray: “We have a bill today that could actually save families thousands of dollars. All we need is for Republicans to join us, stand up to Trump, and pass this bill that will end Trump’s deranged trade wars.”

ICYMI: Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson”

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full speech***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor urging Republicans to pass her End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would end Trump’s global tariffs and 50% tariffs on Canada, and stop him from waging his unilateral trade war.

Following Murray’s speech, Senate Republicans blocked a request by Democrats to pass the bill through unanimous consent, despite Trump’s tariffs costing the average family nearly $2,000.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“In the face of the skyrocketing prices Trump has caused with his own policies, he has been trying to sell voters a new empty promise about $5,000 checks that everyone knows are never coming.

“But we have a bill today that could actually save families thousands of dollars. All we need is for Republicans to join us, stand up to Trump, and pass this bill that will end Trump’s deranged trade wars. It is quite literally a bill to cut taxes—so Republicans should be all for it.

“And it will save families big time. After all, we know Trump’s tariffs cost the average family nearly $2,000 last year. Two thousand dollars! Think about that. That is money families should have in their pockets. It could help with months of groceries, or cover rent. It could help fund home or car repairs in a pinch. It could be a family vacation.

“But instead—that money got burned up by Trump’s trade war.

“Now, I hear from folks back in Washington state about this about every time I’m home. They have not been shy about saying just how damaging Trump’s trade war has been. Business owners cannot build a long-term plan around a trade policy and tariff rates that change every time the President stays up too late posting online. Families cannot budget for their groceries, when prices keep rising higher every week, or when Trump is outright banning things like milk from Canada.

“Trump’s recent escalation with Canada is especially absurd. This is our ally! This is our neighbor! It is Canada for god’s sake.

“Why is Trump forcing higher costs on our families, just to stick it to Canadians? How is that worth it?

“Congress needs to put a stop to this and leave this money where it belongs—with our hard working families. So today, we are going to try and pass a bill that will revoke Trump’s latest Canada tariffs and end his ability to continue these trade wars.

“Today we are forcing the question: Do Republicans really think they need to let Trump jack up prices on their constituents just because he is mad at Canada? Do Republicans really think the average family is happy paying $2,000 in new taxes because Trump’s ego is hurt?

“Is Trump’s ego really that important to Republicans?

“Well, we are about to find out.

“And you better believe families are watching this debate today, just as they have been watching prices go up all year long, and they are keeping close track of who is putting Trump first, and who is putting our families first.”

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/16/jayapal-statement-on-vote-for-ratepayer-protection-act/,Jayapal Statement on Vote for Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement after voting for the Ratepayer Protection Act.

“I voted for this bill because there is nothing objectionable in it, and at least it makes slight headway in proposing regulatory standards for data centers to operate and not push costs onto consumers. But I want to be clear: this bill has no teeth to it—it does not require states to do anything. It is merely a suggested standard that states are not required to adopt. It does absolutely nothing to address the very real concerns that voters have around AI, data centers, and the safety and accessibility of their water and air. And importantly, it does nothing to actually hold AI companies responsible for the havoc that they are wreaking on communities across the country.

“Let’s remember that Donald Trump continues to call the threats of AI a ‘hoax’ and that this Administration — right now — has laws that could be enforced against the AI companies to hold them accountable for the threats they have unleashed in surveillance, scraping knowledge, and creating models that could very seriously cause the extinction of the human race, in the words of their own researchers and CEOs.

“We need real solutions to rising costs of energy, like the Energy Bills Relief Act, rather than backroom deals that help to shield big polluters and data centers while doing very little to address the affordability crisis that people are facing. I intend to continue doing that work.”",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/09/15/bipartisan-northwest-endangered-salmon-predation-prevention-act-clears-key-committee-hurdle/,Bipartisan Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act Clears Key Committee Hurdle,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,House,WA,Michael Baumgartner,B001322,baumgartner.house.gov,baumgartner,https://baumgartner.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"September 15, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner’s (WA-05) bipartisan Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026 was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee by a voice vote. This clears the bill to be considered by the full House of Representatives.

“I am pleased the House Natural Resources Committee voted in a bipartisan manner to advance my bill,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “This bill, born in collaboration with many of the tribes in Washington that have federally recognized treaty fishing rights, is an important step in the right direction to protect salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to continued bipartisanship as we work to get it signed into law before the end of this Congress.”

“Recovering Northwest salmon requires granting tribal and local managers the authority to address pinniped predation as they know best,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “H.R. 9621 provides greater flexibility to manage pinnipeds in the Columbia River, its tributaries and Washington waters. These local experts understand the ecosystem and need the right tools to support threatened and endangered salmon recovery. I commend Rep. Baumgartner for advancing a science-based solution that empowers regional partners and delivers meaningful results for native fish populations.”

Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026:",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-statement-on-9-15-rule-vote,Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Statement on 9/15 Rule Vote,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"I’m proud to represent one of the largest Ukrainian communities in America-people who have lost fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in the fight to defeat fascism.

I’ll always stand with my community’s values, and I am grateful for the 86 senators who voted to send this bill to the house. My vote today gets us one step closer to enacting these sanctions into law and I look forward to voting tomorrow to cut off the flow of Russian oil money fueling this war.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/15/meng-jayapal-and-south-asian-members-of-congress-denounce-racist-post-targeting-ut-austin-students/,"Meng, Jayapal, and South Asian Members of Congress Denounce Racist Post Targeting UT Austin Students",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Grace Meng (NY-06), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ami Bera (CA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) issued a joint statement condemning a racist post by Texas Republican Bo French that included a photo of South Asian students celebrating at a University of Texas football game:

“We are outraged by the blatantly xenophobic social media post made by Bo French, Republican candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, attacking students celebrating at the University of Texas football game. These were young students in a moment of joy and celebration.

“This is a part of a broader rise of attacks made towards the South Asian American community. In fact, 71 percent of all anti-Asian threats of violence between August 2024 and December 2025 were directed at South Asians, making them the most targeted Asian regional subgroup in online spaces associated with targeted violence. Hateful and racist attacks like this have no place online, or in our communities. We must continue to speak out against this sort of rhetoric, and we must demand better of candidates and elected officials. No one’s Americanness should be judged based on the color of their skin.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4258,Larsen Statement on Joint U.S.-Canada Oil Spill Response Exercise,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement:

“On September 2, my staff observed a joint exercise between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard designed to simulate response efforts and coordination between our two countries in the event of an oil spill in shared waters.

“This type of collaboration across the border between the U.S. and Canada is even more critical because of Canada’s plans to ship more oil in the Salish Sea with the proposed new Alberta to B.C. pipeline.

“I have concerns about the potential impacts of this proposed pipeline, including on tanker traffic in the Salish Sea, and I am glad that my staff could observe the exercise to ensure that there are relationships and procedures in place that benefit both countries in the event of a disastrous spill.

“I will continue to work with federal agencies to ensure their oil spill prevention and response plans account for increased tanker traffic, identify federal actions to reduce the risk of a spill and engage my Canadian Government counterparts on the concerns people I represent have about the pipeline.”

On September 2, the U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard participated in a joint exercise designed to coordinate oil and hazardous spill responses in shared Pacific waters such as the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait, Georgia Straits and Boundary Bay. These exercises occur every other year under the Canada-United States Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan.

On July 2, the Government of Alberta announced a proposed new oil pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Ocean that would transport 1 million barrels per day to an export terminal at Roberts Banks in British Columbia located just north of the Canada-U.S. border. The new pipeline is anticipated to significantly increase tanker traffic in Haro Strait and Boundary Bay in the Salish Sea, and with it the risks for catastrophic oil spills impacting sensitive marine environments.

Larsen Insists Coast Guard Act to Protect Salish Sea

After hearing concerns from people who live in his district about this proposed pipeline, Rep. Larsen has been closely tracking developments on plans for pipeline construction and pressing the Coast Guard on its plans to update its prevention planning through the Canada-United States Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan. In late July, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a roundtable with officials from the Coast Guard on maritime safety. A video clip of Rep. Larsen asking Coast Guard officials about their awareness of the new Canadian pipeline and how it would implicate existing oil spill prevention plans can be found here, and the recording of the entire roundtable can be found here.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4259,Larsen Applauds $4.2 Million for Local Salmon Passage Restoration,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative (Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community) for restoring fish passage to support Similk Estuary Chinook salmon.

“This is great news for fish!” said Rep. Larsen. “This funding will give the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community the resources they need to improve fish passage and foster salmon recovery. I will keep working closely with local leaders and Tribes to bring home federal dollars to protect salmon habitats and Northwest Washington’s environment.”

NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program provides technical assistance and funding to partners implementing habitat restoration projects in coastal communities around the country. These projects recover and sustain fisheries in the United States by ensuring that fish have access to high-quality habitats. NOAA selected only 16 projects out of 350 proposals for this round of funding under the program.

“These funds from NOAA Fisheries provide much needed support for the Similk estuary habitat restoration project,” said Fred Cayou, Board Chair of the Skagit River System Cooperative. “This high priority project benefits SRSC member Tribes and local communities by helping to recover Chinook salmon populations while also reducing flood risks.”

The Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group from Washington state also received $7.2 million from NOAA to restore floodplain habitat for Chinook and steelhead in the Mid-Columbia River.

Larsen Continues to Champion Northwest Washington’s Environment

Rep. Larsen is a strong advocate for protecting Northwest Washington’s environment. He leads annual efforts to fund Washington’s Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs). Last year, he joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in leading members of the state’s Congressional delegation in a letter urging the Department of Interior to reverse its decision to eliminate funding for RFEGs, a blow to widely supported salmon recovery and habitat restoration efforts and longstanding Tribal partnerships. Larsen also leads bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program through Fiscal Year 2031 and protect the Puget Sound (the ESTUARIES Act).

Larsen champions annual efforts to support the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), a critical source of investment for salmon habitat restoration in the Pacific Northwest. His bill to expand federal protections for marine mammals, including Southern Resident Killer Whales in Puget Sound, was included in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. In June, Rep. Larsen’s bill to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission for seven years so the Commission can continue its work to restore the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region passed the House of Representatives.

As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen fought for $1 billion in funding for salmon culvert projects in his Build America 250 Act, a bipartisan, $580 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill. The legislation passed out of committee this May.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-the-supreme-courts-ruling-that-blocks-us-postal-service-from-interfering-with-vote-by-mail,Cantwell Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling That Blocks U.S. Postal Service From Interfering With Vote-by-Mail,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling That Blocks U.S. Postal Service From Interfering With Vote-by-Mail

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to reverse a lower-court ruling that blocked the Postal Service from implementing requirements that would have interfered with vote-by-mail in Washington state and nationwide:

“This close to the election we need stability, not disenfranchisement and confusion. I’m glad a majority of the Supreme Court Justices rejected Trump’s mail-in ballot scheme that would have created chaos and denied many Americans the right to vote. I still encourage Washingtonians to stay vigilant, vote early, and use drop boxes when possible to avoid delays in the postal system.”

On September 8, Sen. Cantwell joined 260 of her colleagues – including all Senate Democrats and current and former members of the House of Representatives – in filing a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the case. Together, the lawmakers argued, “As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers. Amici have a particular interest in defending the institutional role of the Legislative Branch under Article I of the Constitution and in vindicating the long-settled principle that the Constitution commits ultimate regulatory authority over federal elections to Congress. The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.”

The lawmakers argued, “The district court correctly concluded that Appellees are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that USPS lacked authority to issue the Final Rule, that the Final Rule unconstitutionally imposes mail-ballot requirements on the States, and that the Final Rule unconstitutionally bars non-compliant State and local election officials from using the USPS to mail ballots at all.” Accordingly, Sen. Cantwell and her colleagues urged the Court, “Because the Order and Final Rule claim power that the Constitution has assigned to the States and Congress and that Congress has otherwise withheld from the Executive Branch, the district court correctly enjoined the Final Rule’s mandatory implementation, and this Court should deny Applicants’ request.” Today, the Supreme Court agreed.

In denying the stay, the Supreme Court let stand a preliminary injunction issued by a federal district court in two related cases – one brought by Washington along with other states – against the USPS rule for the upcoming election. In that ruling, the district court found “on one side, that immediate implementation of the Final Rule issued less than seventy days before the November 2026 election threatens disenfranchisement of millions of United States citizens who seek to vote by mail and, on the other side, that the record includes no evidence relating to fraudulent mail voting to support the rushed implementation of the Final Rule” and granted the preliminary injunction.

Earlier this month, Sen. Cantwell held a press conference in Seattle to warn Washington voters about Administration efforts to undermine their right to vote. That same day Sen. Cantwell and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs released a snapshot report showing that late-postmark rejection rates have more than doubled in 19 counties compared to the 2024 primaries – with rural counties worst affected -- following a new Trump Administration policy that can delay postmarking of mail-in ballots by several days.

Sen. Cantwell remains a stalwart defender against overreach of the Trump administration into our elections:

On August 5, she sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits systematic voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. The quiet period began on August 5, more than a month ago.

On July 29, she wrote to Blanche, Mullin, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding to know whether the Trump administration plans to illegally deploy armed federal law enforcement officers at polling sites during the November 2026 elections.

On July 28, Sen. Cantwell sharply criticized the Trump administration’s request that the Supreme Court allow him to seize control of state-run elections and implement an anti-vote-by-mail executive order. Lower courts have repeatedly rejected the president’s arguments and stated that his executive order is unconstitutional.

On July 2, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to the Postmaster General about the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed illegal rule to implement President Trump’s March 31 executive order to interfere with vote-by-mail. Sen. Cantwell’s letter specifically noted the recent decisions of multiple federal courts that found Trump’s executive order unconstitutional and enjoined the USPS from implementing the proposed rule – including in separate cases brought by the State of Washington with other states and the NAACP – and demanded the USPS comply with those court orders.

On June 29, she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee against an effort to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day, even if they’ve been postmarked in time. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington.

On June 24, Sen. Cantwell co-sponsored the Right To Vote Act, legislation to create the first-ever affirmative federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.

On June 24, she also denounced President Trump’s announcement that he would not sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act – an overwhelmingly popular, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate earlier in the week and would have increased housing supply and brought down housing costs – until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. That legislation, which Trump has repeatedly demanded, would eliminate vote-by-mail and impose onerous new restrictions on voting and registering to vote. It would disenfranchise millions of Americans in the name of a voter fraud “crisis” that, even by the standards of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, straightforwardly does not exist. President Trump again demanded Congress pass the restrictive bill following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee. Despite President Trump’s refusal to sign the bipartisan housing bill, it became law on July 11, since he failed to act on the bill within the time period prescribed by the Constitution after Congress sent him the legislation.

On June 23, she joined the entire Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to the USPS demanding the USPS abandon attempts to restrict voting by mail called for by President Trump in an illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On June 23, she also delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling out the Trump Administration’s war on mail-in voting as the latest frontier in a long history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States.

On June 17, she joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues for a spotlight forum highlighting President Trump’s illegal overreach into our free and fair elections.

On June 8, she joined 23 of her Senate colleagues in demanding answers over the Trump Administration’s decision to remove the most recent version of the Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual from DOJ’s website without explanation.

On April 29, she was tapped by Minority Leader Schumer to join a task force of senators defending our elections from interference.

On April 23, she joined colleagues in introducing the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to protect the right to vote by mail and block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On April 22, she sent a letter to the USPS warning the agency against complying with the executive order, which would undermine mail-in voting.

On April 1, after the executive order on mail-in voting was announced, she issued a statement in opposition.

On March 18, she convened a group of current and former elected officials and representatives of nonpartisan voter advocacy groups for a virtual press conference on defending voter access. Video of that entire virtual press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE.

On March 15, she issued a snapshot report showing that the SAVE America Act – the voter suppression bill President Trump has continued to demand Congress pass – would cost Washington state taxpayers more than $35 million this year alone.

On Feb. 20, she convened local leaders in Seattle for a press conference urging Washingtonians to fight back against these proposed new burdens to voting.

On Feb. 19, she gathered in Vancouver with the Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and local chapter heads of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP for a press conference on how this bill would disenfranchise voters.

Also on Feb. 19, she released a snapshot report showing who in Washington would face undue hurdles to voting if the SAVE America Act were signed into law. The report shows that certain populations – including people who live in rural areas, women who changed their name after marriage, and people who recently moved – would face additional, cumbersome burdens to prove their citizenship.

On Feb. 5, she appeared on MSNOW’s Morning Joe to push back against the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to interfere in state-run elections and collect private data on American voters. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s appearance is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

On Jan. 29, Sen. Cantwell joined Senate colleagues in a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushing DOJ to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump Administration their voter rolls, which include voters’ personally identifiable information. DOJ has sued 24 states – including Washington state – and the District of Columbia demanding the personal information of their voters.

On Jan. 15, she joined Senate colleagues in a letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner raising concerns with recent developments affecting postmark practices. Right before the holiday season, USPS changed its postmark practices, which the Senators warned could have significant impacts on voters nationwide and in Washington state – including rural voters, military and overseas voters, and many others who rely on rely on the mail to safely and securely cast their ballot. The new snapshot report Sen. Cantwell and Sec. Hobbs released today shows the actual impact on voters in Washington state so far.

On Jan. 9, she joined 13 Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief before the Supreme Court in the case Watson v. Republican National Committee. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington that permit mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to be counted when they are received within a certain number of days after Election Day.

Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/runaway-athletics-spending-threatens-the-financial-health-of-americas-colleges-cantwell-snapshot-report-shows,"Runaway Athletics Spending Threatens the Financial Health of America’s Colleges, Cantwell Snapshot Report Shows",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Runaway Athletics Spending Threatens the Financial Health of America’s Colleges, Cantwell Snapshot Report Shows

94% of Division I programs are in the red, spending more than they generate; schools faced approx. 300% higher costs for recruiting, equipment, and coaching since 2005; Universities and state governments are footing the bill, boosting spending by $520 million across 53 Power Four athletic programs alone in 2025 vs. 2015; Senate voting today on advancing Cantwell’s bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, which would stabilize college sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, released a new snapshot report on how runaway athletics spending is harming the financial health and broader missions of U.S. colleges and universities – and hitting students with record-high fees.

“This report demonstrates how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying the broader financial pressures on colleges and universities,” said Sen. Cantwell. “We're seeing universities transfer general fund money to cover athletic department deficits, dip into endowments to sustain their general funds, and beg state legislatures for even more sports dollars. We must rein in runaway athletics spending or face the consequences of a brain drain that threatens our global leadership in science and technology.”

The report contains a new analysis of the increase in government and institutional support to our leading public universities. According to this analysis, leading universities now contribute a half-billion dollars more towards athletics each year than they did ten years ago. Contributions from general funds to support athletics among Power Four schools have nearly tripled from 2015-2024, increasing from $445 million to $1.2 billion.

Other findings outlined in the report:

94 percent of all Division I athletics programs now spend more than they generate in athletics revenue.

Only 14 of 53 publicly reported Power 4 athletic departments generated enough revenue to cover expenses in 2024–25.

The percentage of annual operating budgets being funded by endowments reached an all-time high of 15.2% in FY 2025, a significant increase from 10.9% in FY23.

In the 2023–24 academic year, 87 percent of non-power-conference colleges required all students to pay mandatory fees to fund athletics, along with 48 percent of power-conference colleges. At James Madison University – a public university in Virginia – 74 percent of the athletics budget came from mandatory student fees, which cost students $3,011 per year.

Within the past two years, legislatures in Connecticut, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida have earmarked state tax dollars, raised taxes, or created significant tax breaks to benefit college athletics.

Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to reform college sports and ensure tomorrow’s athletes have the same opportunities as today’s competitors, without sacrificing the educational and research endeavors of these institutions that are the lifeblood of our economic competitiveness.

In September 2025, she released a new analysis of college sports TV revenues showing how skyrocketing media rights payments have exacerbated a massive financial gap between traditional power conferences, especially the new Power 2 – the SEC and Big Ten – and everyone else.

Yesterday, she joined Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, and current college athletes, coaches and senators rom both parties to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes’ rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship and healthcare protections in law, reining in predatory agents, expanding revenue for all schools and preserving and protecting the future of women’s and Olympic sports.

In June, at a landmark hearing on the bill, the Commerce Committee heard powerful testimony on the worsening crisis facing college athletics, including the future of women's and Olympic sports, athletes’ rights, and the financial sustainability of the entire collegiate sports system.

In December of last year, she introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE Act) with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) so that college athletes earning NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money can protect more of it for their post-playing lives.

In October, Sen. Cantwell joined former college and professional athletes and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in warning that the SCORE Act would roll-back hard fought NIL rights and health protections, leave athletes vulnerable to unscrupulous agents, short-change women’s and Olympic sports, and shut the door on collective bargaining rights.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-votes-74-24-to-advance-cantwells-bipartisan-protect-college-sports-act,Senate Votes 74-24 To Advance Cantwell’s Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Senate Votes 74-24 To Advance Cantwell’s Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act

The Protect College Sports Act creates federal rights and protections for student athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; Today, Cantwell’s office published a snapshot report detailing how runaway spending on athletics is harming colleges & students

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted 74-24 to invoke cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill authored and introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the committee chair.

Following today’s vote, the bill now awaits additional votes in the Senate. If passed by the Senate, the legislation would then be considered by the House of Representatives.

In a speech on the Senate floor before the vote, Sen. Cantwell said: ""This bill brings order to [college sports]. It helps women and Olympic sports, and it sets up a commission to look at the real future, which I think should include collective bargaining [...] Let's bring some sanity. Recognize that athletes do deserve revenue sharing, and that this bill will put that into law for the first time.""

Video of her speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

Today, Sen. Cantwell’s office also released a snapshot report detailing how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying financial pressures on colleges and universities. That report can be read in full HERE.

Yesterday, Sen. Cantwell joined current college athletes, coaches, and senators from both parties for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act. That press conference, which also included Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, can be watched in full HERE.

The Protect College Sports Act:

PROTECTS ATHLETES:

First-ever NIL Right

Grants student athletes a new federal right to earn compensation for their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and replaces the patchwork of state laws with a strong national NIL right.

Adopts the revenue share cap negotiated between plaintiff student-athletes and the NCAA and Power 5 conferences in the Grant House vs. NCAA settlement, but also allows tens of millions of additional dollars to flow directly from schools to student-athletes through a new $22.5 million retention fund (up to $27.5 million if schools pay athletes in non-revenue sports).

The revenue share cap can be increased or otherwise modified by agreement of the parties, and the provisions of the bill relating to the revenue share cap and retention fund are solely for the duration of the negotiated House settlement, unless Congress votes to retain them.

New Contract & Agent Rules with Real Teeth to Protect Athletes From Exploitation

NIL contracts must include key terms and cannot bind athletes beyond their eligibility for intercollegiate athletics.

Requires agents to register with a state and certify to the NCAA that they are registered before they can represent a student athlete.

Caps agent fees at 5 percent.

Prohibits an agent from misleading a student-athlete about the existence or value of NIL deals to entice the athlete to enroll or transfer.

These protections can be enforced by athletes through a private right of action or by the FTC or state attorneys general.

Academic & Scholarship Guarantee

Guarantees scholarships for ten years after eligibility, so athletes can complete their degrees.

Ensures student athletes cannot lose their scholarship because of injury or a bad game.

Prevents athletic staff from pressuring student-athletes regarding their choice of course or major.

Student Athletes’ Health and Safety Protections While in School

Requires Division I schools to cover out-of-pocket medical costs for athletic injuries or illness for current student-athletes, including covering the cost of a second opinion and providing an end-of-eligibility medical examination.

Mandates safety standards for heat exertion, brain injury, sickle cell trait, and asthma; overseen by health and safety officers independent of the athletic department.

Prevents coaches or non-medical athletic personnel from second-guessing the decisions of medical personnel about a student’s ability to play.

Requires schools to prevent, assess, and remediate abuse of athletes, hazing, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment.

Healthcare Protections When the Season is Over

For Division I schools, mandates they cover out-of-pocket costs for sports-related injuries or illness for 5 years post-eligibility.

Creates a medical trust fund of at least $60 up to $100 million/year to help schools with demonstrated financial need provide post-eligibility medical coverage and to help athletes with the cost of significant, long-term conditions, like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), incurred from playing a sport. Pooled media rights revenue from the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (SBA) covered entity may be used for this fund.

Equal Treatment in Tournaments

Requires the NCAA and conferences to maintain comparable standards across men’s and women’s teams for medical care, lodging, meals, rest, transportation, publicity and promotion, and athletic facilities at championship events or tournaments.

Strong Enforcement When Athletes’ Rights Are Violated

Gives athletes a private right of action to enforce provisions of the bill, including their NIL rights, agent protections, health and safety standards, scholarship protections and medical coverage requirements.

Athletes cannot be forced to give up their right to join a class action with more than seven named plaintiffs or enter arbitration if they seek to enforce their rights.

Protections for Women’s and Olympic Sports

Prevents women’s and Olympic sports from being cut by requiring schools to maintain a minimum number of sports and requiring schools making $80 million or more in athletic department revenue to maintain, at minimum, the same total roster spots and grant-in-aid for non-revenue sports as in 2024-2025. Establishes a waiver process including exemptions for extraordinary circumstances. For mid-sized schools with athletic department revenue between $50 and $80 million, they are subject to the same roster spot and grant-in-aid requirements for non-revenue sports as large schools; however, they have a more lenient exemption process.

Makes clear that nothing in the bill overrides, modifies, or amends the applicability of Title IX. Also provides whistleblower protections for reporting Title IX violations or participating in a Title IX challenge.

Protects para-athletes’ walk-on eligibility so all student-athletes can participate in college sports.

Requires schools that pool their media rights to promote and distribute the media rights for women’s and Olympic sports.

Athlete Ombudsman

Creates an Office of Athlete Ombudsman at the NCAA to provide independent guidance and advice to student athletes, help them resolve disputes with schools and conferences and refer them to available resources.

Whistleblower Protections

Provides whistleblower protection to individuals who report violations of the bill’s provisions or participate in legal challenges brought or about to be brought under the Act.

Student Athletes Get a Seat at the Table

Requires at least one-third of athletic association governing boards or other committees with rulemaking authority to be comprised of current or recent former student athletes.

Creates a Student Athlete Retention Council within the Commission on the Future of College Athletics to provide recommendations on the future of the retention fund.

Expands Representation and Opportunities

Requires two members of the Commission on the Future of College Athletics to be representatives from HBCUs and two members of the Commission to be representatives from a mid-sized conference.

Eligibility

Provides athletes with five years of eligibility with exceptions, including for serious injury or medical condition.

Transfer

Allows athletes to transfer once without having to sit out a year. Athletes may transfer again without sitting out a year to pursue a graduate degree, if their sport is cut, if their head coach leaves, or if they are sexually assaulted or harassed.

Prohibits Mid-Season Coaching Transitions

Prevents football coaches and key football staff from leaving mid-season to coach or otherwise effectively take over another FBS program during the same competitive season, including through recruiting, roster management, NIL activity, or game-planning functions.

EXPANDS REVENUE TO BENEFIT SCHOOLS, ATHLETES, FANS

More Revenue for Every Participating School

Schools join a voluntary collective to pool and jointly negotiate their media rights, just like the NFL, NBA, and NHL. The bill amends the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 to extend this antitrust protection to college sports.

Less Pressure on Endowments and Student Fees

New pooled revenue under this bill gives schools more financial stability without raiding academics or charging students more.

Voluntary Participation, Existing Contracts Preserved

No school or conference is forced to join. Existing media rights contracts are not abrogated.

Protections for Women’s and Olympic Sports

Schools must use pooled media revenue to maintain the same number of grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for non-revenue generating sports as provided in the 2024-25 academic year. Stops major programs from cutting non-revenue sports to fund football and basketball arms races.

Local Outlet Option for Football and Basketball

Requires every football and basketball game be made available on a non-exclusive basis to at least one free TV local outlet in the home market of each participating school.

Media Rights Utilization for Non-Revenue Sports

Requires distributors to reconvey media rights back to schools if those rights are not used, so non-revenue sports like volleyball, soccer, and track can grow through targeted distribution rather than sitting on a shelf.

A Move Back to Regionalism

Protects traditional rivalries on football schedules to ensure fans still get to see their favorite teams play each other.

Prohibits Mid-season Coaching Transitions

Prevents football coaches and key football staff from leaving mid-season to coach or otherwise effectively take over another FBS program during the same competitive season, including through recruiting, roster management, NIL activity, or game-planning functions.

Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to reform college sports and ensure tomorrow’s athletes have the same opportunities as today’s competitors. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes’ rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship and healthcare protections in law, reining in predatory agents, expanding revenue for all schools, and preserving and protecting the future of women’s and Olympic sports.

In June, at a landmark hearing on the bill, the Commerce Committee heard powerful testimony on the worsening crisis facing college athletics, including the future of women's and Olympic sports, athletes’ rights, and the financial sustainability of the entire collegiate sports system.

In December of last year, she introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE Act) with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) so that college athletes earning NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money can protect more of it for their post-playing lives. In October, Sen. Cantwell joined former college and professional athletes and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in warning that the SCORE Act would roll-back hard fought NIL rights and health protections, leave athletes vulnerable to unscrupulous agents, short-change women’s and Olympic sports, and shut the door on collective bargaining rights.

Last September, Sen. Cantwell, joined by co-sponsors Sens. Booker and Blumenthal, introduced the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement (SAFE) Act to codify athletes’ rights and protections in law, expand revenue for all schools, support women’s and Olympic sports, and bring much-needed stability to the college sports system.

Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-colleagues-introduce-privileged-resolution-seeking-answers-on-west-bank-violence/,"Murray, Colleagues, Introduce Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"The Senators’ resolution – introduced Monday night – would require a report on increasing violence in the West Bank, including deaths of American citizens

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and 19 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a 502B privileged resolution requiring the Department of State to report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans in the West Bank. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years – and more detained – and none have received accountability or justice from either the Israeli or United States governments. The Senators’ resolution would require the Department of State to provide information and assessments related to investigations of the killing of United States citizens by violent Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically related to the detention of Palestinian children.

They were joined in introducing the resolution by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

“The increasing violence in the West Bank is horrifying and unacceptable. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank since 2022 and their families deserve clarity and accountability. Two constituents from Washington state have been killed by Israeli forces with no answers and no justice—that can’t go unanswered. Additionally, the reports of detained Palestinian children are absolutely heartbreaking—those families deserve answers too. It is crystal clear there needs to be an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank at the very least. That is exactly why I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues and introducing this resolution. What the world is seeing happen in the West Bank is unacceptable and only getting worse—this administration must hold the extremist Netanyahu government accountable for its outright endorsement of illegal settler violence,” said Senator Murray.

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

Text of the resolution is available HERE.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-rallies-with-bipartisan-members-of-congress-advocates-parents-against-trumps-attacks-on-head-start/,"Senator Murray Rallies with Bipartisan Members of Congress, Advocates, Parents Against Trump’s Attacks on Head Start",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray: “Trump wants to turn Head Start into a Dead End.”

ICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Calls on Teachers and Parents to Protect the Program

ICYMI: Senators Murray, Luján, and Advocates Sound the Alarm on Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Vow to Save Head Start

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress, child care advocates, and parents, to sound the alarm on the damaging new proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that if finalized could gut Head Start by shredding basic standards that keep kids safe and advances their education. The proposed rule removes most of Head Start’s 133 pages of requirements for class sizes, discipline, medical screenings, home visits, hours of service, staff qualifications, and more.

In her remarks, Senator Murray highlighted how vital Head Start is for families in Washington state and across the country, and how important it is to preserve the strong, consistent standards and comprehensive services that Head Start provides for communities. In her remarks, she also called on families to make their voices heard and participate in the ongoing public comment period.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“Last month, President Trump, the billionaire who thinks we cannot afford child care but who does thinks we can always find money for war and billionaire tax cuts, well as you know, he launched his latest attack on working families: it is a proposal that will rip the heart out of our Head Start program, by shredding over a hundred and thirty pages of rules that help our kids stay safe and make sure they do get a quality education.

“No one is falling for Trump’s spin here, no one. Are you? No!

In just about every way you can think of—this rule would tear Head Start down.

“Now, Trump wants to tear down guardrails that keep kids safe; like requiring background checks on the people we trust with our kids, or banning corporal punishment, or requiring bus monitors so bus drivers can actually focus on traffic without wondering what’s happening to all of the toddlers that are behind him or her.

“Now, Trump also wants to tear down the standards that ensure quality; duration requirements so programs are actually open when parents need them, curriculum requirements so kids aren’t just left watching brain rot television, and requirements for play areas, and food prep spaces, and bathrooms.

“And Trump wants to tear down safety nets that keep our kids from falling through the cracks—you know like screenings that are often the first time a kid has their hearing, vision, and teeth checked, trainings on how to recognize and help victims of child abuse, and rules that protect our kids with disabilities from harmful practices.

“But, of course, when it comes to the one thing he should be tearing down—which is barriers for families—he’s putting up new ones!

“His rule will end up kicking homeless kids out of Head Start—the proposal even admits to that! His rule will push out families that might not speak English as their first language. And his rule will ultimately shut down Head Start centers as it whittles down threadbare budgets even more and burns out our caregivers who are already overworked and underpaid by pushing them to watch more kids than they can handle.

“The bottom line for this proposal is pretty simple, Trump wants to turn Head Start into a Dead End. Well not if I have anything to say about it—and not if parents have anything to say about it.

“And I will tell you right now, there is a comment period—parents are already raising their voices. You can go and read their stories about how Head Start health care screenings helped their child get a hearing aid or glasses, or what a relief it was to know their kids were safe, and cared for, and how they could not have afforded early education without Head Start. Now, I just checked this morning, and there are already over 12,000 comments on this proposed rule.

“But I know there are a lot more parents with stories that need to share them. I know there are moms and dads out there watching right now, wondering what they can do and what’s going to happen to this program and what they can do to help save it.

“Here is what you can do, go to regulations.gov right now and leave a comment, make your voice heard.

“And here’s what is going to happen, we are going to fight tooth and nail to stop each and every one of Trump’s horrible attacks on Head Start.”

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-on-new-report-finding-trump-wasted-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars-to-force-out-essential-federal-workers-most-expensive-way-imaginable-to-make-government-worse/,Murray on New Report Finding Trump Wasted Billions in Taxpayer Dollars to Force Out Essential Federal Workers: “Most expensive way imaginable to make government worse.”,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today finding the Trump administration spent $9.5 billion paying federal workers not to work as part of its sweeping campaign to reduce the federal workforce. In many cases, after pushing out federal workers and paying them not to work, the Trump administration proceeded to rehire for their roles, and those new hires have been less qualified than the staff they replaced.

“After promising to cut waste, Trump instead set billions upon billions in taxpayer dollars on fire to quite literally pay people not to do jobs they loved—from researching cancer cures to taking care of our National Parks, and so much else.

“Trump spent billions to push out experienced and badly needed experts across government—this was the most expensive way imaginable to make government worse.

“Seniors, veterans, and families will wait longer for the help they count on for years to come, all thanks to Trump’s reckless mass firing campaign, which was endorsed by Republicans in Congress who cheered these cuts and refused to join Democrats to put a stop to it.”

Vice Chair Murray and Senate Democrats have fought to put a stop to President Trump’s sweeping efforts to fire all manner of essential federal workers, including in negotiations over annual spending bills. But Republicans have rejected Democrats’ efforts to put a permanent stop to mass firings and workforce reductions through spending measures and voted against a number of amendments Democrats proposed to protect staffing levels in critical areas.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/15/jayapal-raskin-fletcher-liccardo-durbin-blumenthal-padilla-whitehouse-introduce-cra-resolution-of-disapproval-regarding-regulation-that-changes-how-international-students-journalists-main/,"JAYAPAL, RASKIN, FLETCHER, LICCARDO, DURBIN, BLUMENTHAL, PADILLA, WHITEHOUSE INTRODUCE CRA RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL REGARDING REGULATION THAT CHANGES HOW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & JOURNALISTS MAINTAIN IMMIGRATION STATUS",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), and Sam Liccardo (CA-16) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval regarding a regulation, entitled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media,” which changes how international students and journalists maintain their immigration status.

For more than 40 years, F-1 visa students, J-1 visa exchange visitors, and I visa international journalists have been permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as they engage in the activity that qualifies them for the visa, a practice known as “duration of status.” However, on July 17, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that eliminates duration of status and requires recipients of F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visas to enter the U.S. for a fixed admission period capped at a maximum of four years; similarly, recipients of I visas would be admitted for the length of their project in the U.S. or a maximum of 240 days. The rule also includes significant limitations on transfers and changes of educational objectives for student visa recipients. Educational institutions, labor unions, and medical associations have raised serious concerns about this rule’s impacts on the nation’s ability to attract the best and brightest students to U.S. universities and to retain doctors in American communities that desperately need them. The rule is scheduled to go into effect on September 15.

“International students make our institutions of higher learning better for all students and create pipelines to ensure the best and brightest lend their talents to strengthen our economy and American innovation. We should be welcoming students, not wrapping the processes to obtain visas in layers of red tape. This has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with Trump and Stephen Miller’s plan to prevent all forms of legal immigration. I first came to this country on a student visa and understand deeply just how important these visas are,” said Jayapal.

“America has always benefited from attracting brilliant students, researchers, doctors and journalists from around the world. The Trump Administration wants to obstruct that path with bureaucratic hurdles and quicksand designed to make legal immigration harder. This senseless rule will drive away talented people who come here to study, practice medicine, do research and contribute to our communities. It harms the American economy and American innovation and makes all of us worse off,” said Raskin.

“Our international students, researchers, and journalists in our community and across our country make important contributions to our schools, our communities, and our economy,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Placing fixed time limits on their studies ignores how long some study programs actually take and adds red tape to an immigration system that is already overwhelmed. Visiting students should have a stable, welcoming environment to further their education and contribute to our communities—not obstacles that undermine their ability to do so. That is why I am glad to introduce legislation with Congressman Raskin, Congresswoman Jayapal, and Congressman Liccardo to repeal this rule and to help ensure the success of our universities and communities.”

“America wins when we can continue to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to drive American competitiveness, particularly in STEM fields. Eliminating the Duration of Status framework will push talented students and researchers toward our competitors, undermining our ability to win the global battle for talent, essential to our innovation economy,” said Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16).

“This proposed rule is just another part of the Donald Trump-Stephen Miller mass deportation agenda. They want to make the immigration process so difficult, so cumbersome, and so onerous that legal immigrants decide to leave the U.S. or never come here at all—which will result in the loss of talented, bright individuals who make America better,” Durbin said. “Our nation is already confronting a serious health workforce shortage. Now is not the time to make it even more difficult for health care professionals to care for our most vulnerable communities. I appreciate my Democratic colleagues in joining me on this important measure and encourage members on both sides of the aisle to support it.”

“International students deserve fair opportunities to receive an education in the United States. Students, exchange visitors, and foreign members of the media should never have to live in fear of the Administration’s unprecedented attacks on legal immigration,” said Padilla. “Diversity is our country’s strength, and international students and exchange visitors support American innovation, job growth, higher education, and global competitiveness. We have a responsibility to protect these visa holders, including international students who contribute to the culture of American universities and eventually to our nation’s economy.”

“Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education help power the Ocean State’s economic competitiveness. International students and medical residents drive innovation, contribute to cutting-edge research, and spend big not only on tuition, but also at local restaurants and businesses. This Trump administration rule punishes international students, young doctors, and foreign journalists as well as local small businesses and universities as part of their extreme anti-immigration agenda,” said Whitehouse.

Bill text is available here.

This regulation will have adverse impacts on foreign students, international medical school graduates (residents), and foreign members of the media. The federal government last implemented a fixed period of admission for these visa categories in the 1970s, and the changes resulted in significant backlogs. This new regulation will likely yield the same result, as the most recent available data shows the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing backlog at 12 million cases. Universities have predicted significant hardships for PhD students, who can often take as long as seven years to complete their programs. In addition, universities have expressed concerns that the strict regulation will prevent graduate students from changing their educational objective and prevent undergraduate students, including athletes, from transferring to another university in their first year of education or changing their majors. Medical associations have similarly raised concerns about the impacts of the rule on medical residents.

This rule is the most recent in a series of attempts by the Trump Administration to stop legal immigration to the United States. Last year, Senator Durbin led a group of 35 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration to reconsider the decision to revoke student visas without adequate notice. In April, Durbin led Judiciary Democrats in requesting the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct an independent investigation after the Trump Administration summarily halted most immigrant benefits processing for immigration applicants from 39 countries, stopped visa processing for immigrant visa applicants from 75 countries, and ended most refugee and asylum processing. In a separate letter to GAO, Durbin and his colleagues also requested GAO investigate the Trump Administration’s attempts to “re-review” immigration benefits granted to all individuals from 39 countries who were approved under the Biden Administration—including those who have since become U.S. citizens.

The CRA resolution of disapproval is endorsed by: AAMC – Association of American Medical Colleges; AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management; Alliance for International Exchange; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; American College of Radiology; American Council on Education; American Gastroenterological Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association; American Osteopathic Association; American Psychiatric Association; American Society of Nephrology; American Society of Neuroradiology; Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment; Association of American Universities; Association of Independent California Colleges & Universities; Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU); Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; Cornell University; Council of Graduate Schools; Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities; Global Detroit; Illinois State University; Illinois Tech; International Educators of Illinois; Miles for Migraine; NAFSA: Association of International Educators; National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU); Northern Illinois University, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration; Shorelight, LLC; Third Way; UC Berkeley; UCLA; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of California System; University of California-San Diego; University of California, Davis; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, San Francisco; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Illinois System; and U.S. For Success Coalition.

Durbin has introduced bipartisan legislation to make long-needed reforms to our legal immigration system, including the Keep STEM Talent Act, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, and the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/gluesenkamp-perez-announces-mobile-office-hours-in-thurston-and-lewis-counties,Gluesenkamp Perez Announces Mobile Office Hours in Thurston and Lewis Counties,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"TENINO AND RANDLE, WA – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced her office will be holding mobile office hours in Thurston and Lewis Counties. Residents of Washington’s Third District will be able to walk in to get assistance with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and State Department.

The Congresswoman’s team will be available on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Tenino City Hall Meeting Room 149 Hodgden St S, Tenino, WA 98589 and on Wednesday September 23rd, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Timberland Library Meeting Room 10111 US-12, Randle, WA 98377.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has held thirty mobile office hours in every county in Washington’s Third District where she doesn’t have an office, as a part of her commitment to ensure every community can access her services.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has already recovered more than $16.2 million for over 3,800 constituents owed to them by federal agencies.

“My bipartisan team is working each day to directly assist folks across Southwest Washington with federal agencies – whether it’s recovering Social Security checks, tax refunds, or veterans benefits you’re owed,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our services shouldn’t be any less accessible because of where you live – so I’ve made it my priority to bring mobile office hours to every county across Southwest Washington. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to stop by, and I’ll keep working to ensure we can reach more of our rural communities.”

Constituents looking to receive updates about future office hours in their communities can follow Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez on Facebook, X, Instagram, or Threads or subscribe to her newsletter.

Those not able to make it can always reach out online, by phone at (360) 695-6292, or in person at the Congresswoman’s Vancouver or Kelso offices.

Examples of how Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has assisted constituents across Southwest Washington can be found here.

####",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-gonzagas-mark-few-current-college-athletes-and-other-coaches-speaking-in-support-of-protect-college-sports-act,"Cantwell Joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Current College Athletes & Other Coaches Speaking in Support of Protect College Sports Act",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Current College Athletes & Other Coaches Speaking in Support of Protect College Sports Act

CANTWELL: “I'm asking my colleagues to join us in fixing what's wrong with college sports today.”; FEW: ""We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress.”; Cantwell’s bipartisan Protect College Sports Act ensures federal rights and protections for athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; vote on legislation expected this week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, current college athletes, other coaches, and senators from both parties to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act.

""[The Protect College Sports Act] is a first-time federal statute on the rights of students to earn NIL and revenue sharing. So, a historic recognition of both of those rights,"" said Sen. Cantwell.

""This is [also] about reining in the bad practices that are happening in college sports today, the runaway costs that are sending people to the state legislature, asking for bailouts from taxpayers to pay for sports ... because of the runaway arms race in sports spending,"" she added. ""I'm asking my colleagues to join us in fixing what's wrong with college sports today.""

""We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress,"" said Coach Few. ""This bill might not be perfect, but it's far and far away the best thing we got out there right now.""

""I'm so proud of both Senator Cantwell working with her over all these years, but just teaming with Senator Cruz,"" he added, ""it really, really gives you a great feeling and great encouragement of just how Washington does really work for all of us.""

Speakers at today’s press conference included current college athletes, current college coaches and bill cosponsors from both parties.

COLLEGE ATHLETES

Diego Diaz, Fairleigh Dickinson University Men’s Volleyball

Sophia Stylianos, University of Michigan Women’s Rowing

Kedrick Green, Howard University Football

Sydney Wilson, Saint Mary’s College Women’s Tennis

Ella Brooks, Clemson University Track & Field

COLLEGE COACHES

John Calipari, Head Coach, University of Arkansas Men’s Basketball

Mark Few, Head Coach, Gonzaga University Men’s Basketball

Craig Bohl, former Head Coach, North Dakota State University / University of Wyoming Football

Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, University of Houston Men’s Basketball (and former Washington State University head coach)

Craig Robinson, Executive Director, National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and former Head Coach, Brown University / Oregon State University Men’s Basketball

SENATORS

Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Commerce Committee chair Ted Crux (R-TX)

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO)

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)

Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to reform college sports and ensure tomorrow’s athletes have the same opportunities as today’s competitors. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes’ rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship and healthcare protections in law, reining in predatory agents, expanding revenue for all schools and preserving and protecting the future of women’s and Olympic sports.

In June, at a landmark hearing on the bill, the Commerce Committee heard powerful testimony on the worsening crisis facing college athletics, including the future of women's and Olympic sports, athletes’ rights, and the financial sustainability of the entire collegiate sports system.

In December of last year, she introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE Act) with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) so that college athletes earning NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money can protect more of it for their post-playing lives. In October, Sen. Cantwell joined former college and professional athletes and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in warning that the SCORE Act would roll-back hard fought NIL rights and health protections, leave athletes vulnerable to unscrupulous agents, short-change women’s and Olympic sports, and shut the door on collective bargaining rights.

Last September, Sen. Cantwell, joined by co-sponsors Sens. Booker and Blumenthal, introduced the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement (SAFE) Act to codify athletes’ rights and protections in law, expand revenue for all schools, support women’s and Olympic sports and bring much-needed stability to the college sports system.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-trump-plan-to-eliminate-epa-limits-on-power-plant-pollution,Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Trump administration officials announced a plan to remove the existing pollution caps placed on power plants in the United States, changing a longtime policy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and threatening to increase the level of greenhouse gases pumped into our atmosphere.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, made the following statement:

“Rolling back carbon pollution limits from power plants is a step in the wrong direction. Rather than abandoning public health standards and the fight against climate change, the way to keep electricity prices down is to invest in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies.”

In the United States, the power sector is already the second-largest producer of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, behind only the transportation sector.

According to data recently released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), July 2026 was the hottest on record for the contiguous U.S., with an average temperature of 76.9*F – a full 3.3*F hotter than the 20th century average, and the hottest in 132 years of record keeping. Climate change is already costing American consumers, with one study published earlier this year finding U.S. households paying an average of $400 to $900 more per year because of climate change, and more than $1,300 in some parts of the country.

Sen. Cantwell has been a strong advocate of polices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors and industries. As then-chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, she secured $297 million for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Low-Emissions Aviation Technology Grant Program, now known as the Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, which was enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act. She also partnered with her Senate colleagues to introduce the Sustainable Skies Act in 2019, a version of which was also incorporated in the Inflation Reduction Act to provide a tax credit to increase the supply of sustainable aviation fuel.

In 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report requested by Sen. Cantwell and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) on the economic impacts of climate change to the federal government. The report identified six key sectors of great financial risk to the federal government due to the projected impacts of climate change: crop insurance, coastal disaster relief, health care expenditures, wildland fire suppression, flood insurance, and sea level rise. The GAO warned that changes in the first four sectors would cost the federal government an estimated $18 billion annually by midcentury and nearly $69 billion annually by late century.

In 2023, Sen. Cantwell joined Sen. Collins in introducing the bipartisan Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage Technologies (CREST) Act, which would direct the Departments of Energy and Interior to establish new research programs and evaluate the feasibility of carbon removal and storage pathways, quantify the net impact of carbon removal solutions, and establish an innovative pilot reverse auction purchasing program to accelerate carbon removal market commercialization. The CREST Act followed the Cantwell-Collins CLEAR Act, introduced in 2009, which would set up a mechanism for selling carbon shares to fuel producers and would return most of the resulting revenue in checks to every American.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-patty-murray-statement-on-pete-serranos-nomination-for-u-s-attorney-in-the-western-district-of-washington/,Senator Patty Murray Statement on Pete Serrano’s Nomination for U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — In response to Pete Serrano’s nomination for U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has issued the following statement.

“Pete Serrano is not qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney and his extreme right-wing views are completely out of touch with the priorities of Washington state. His record hasn’t changed—he tried to rewrite the history of the violent January 6th insurrection and sides with anti-abortion extremists.

“Let’s be clear about what a sham this is: after federal judges declined to appoint Serrano in Eastern Washington, this administration invented a workaround to install him anyway. Now they want to permanently install Serrano in the Western District. When the federal judges in the Western District appointed a highly qualified prosecutor unanimously—this President fired him within an hour for no cause.

“The people of Washington state deserve a serious U.S. Attorney who will follow the law, not a political loyalist who thinks the law is whatever the President says it is. I will be using every tool I have to block this nomination.”

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/lopez-island-food-center-breaks-ground-with-1m-cantwell-supported-federal-investment,Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment

The 6,000-square-foot facility will help local farmers connect directly with food-insecure families & workers, & provide needed infrastructure; Cantwell & Larsen helped secure a $1 million federal grant for the project

EDMONDS, WA – Yesterday, leaders in the San Juan Islands celebrated the groundbreaking of the Lopez Food Center, a 6,000-square-foot facility that once completed will house a food share, job training, storage space and farm stands for local farmers, a commercial kitchen, and more.

The project was funded in part by a $1 million federal grant secured by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) through an FY2026 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request.

“Too many families on Lopez Island struggle with food insecurity while San Juan County farms need access to markets, employees, and infrastructure which are all harder to find on the islands than on the mainland. This 6,000-square-foot community space will connect families in need, local farmers, and community organizations and create new opportunities for workers and businesses,"" Sen. Cantwell said. ""The Lopez Food Center is exactly the kind of grassroots solution we should be investing in, and that’s why Congressman Larsen and I worked to secure $1 million in federal funds toward this groundbreaking.""

The project will construct a multi-use building in the ""main square"" of the island focused on two issues: fighting high levels of food insecurity, which impacts approximately 40% of Lopez Island residents, and increasing economic development opportunities for island farms and restauranters.

Once completed, the center will provide a safe and accessible home for the Lopez Food Share, a food share that currently serves 1,123 low-income adults and children each month. The new space will double the number of people who can be served and allow the food share to create a hot meal program and expand its prepared food offerings.

The center will also provide a space for business development and job training to help tackle the labor shortage that limits the growth of the local food economy in San Juan County, an issue compounded by a shortage of affordable housing. The Lopez Food Center will also provide business incubation spaces for local entrepreneurs, pop-up restaurants, and a commercial kitchen.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murrays-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/,Senator Murray’s Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11.

“Today, on the twenty fifth anniversary of September 11th , we remember the innocent lives that were taken from us, and we pause to honor the bravery and selflessness of every single person who stepped up in the face of unthinkable tragedy. We will never forget the loved ones we lost, the courage of our first responders and servicemembers—nor will we forget how our country came together with an outpouring of unity in the aftermath to grieve and heal together. On that terrible day, there were countless individual acts of courage, kindness, and solidarity and unlikely heroes stepped up from all walks of life. These Americans exemplify the very best of our country and a quarter century later, they continue to inspire us. I hope all of us can remember that there will always be more that unites us as Americans than divides us, despite what some would tell us.”

In 2022, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Murray helped pass the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act unanimously in the United States Senate which would expand Post-9/11 combat veterans’, including those suffering from conditions caused by toxic exposures, access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care.

Senator Murray also helped pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act) as a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In 2019, Senator Murray voted to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund for the next 73 years, which provides financial support to help pay the health care bills for first responders and survivors of the attack on 9/11.

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-testifies-on-her-bills-to-clean-up-congress,Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Testifies on Her Bills to Clean Up Congress,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Marie Gluesenkamp Perez,G000600,gluesenkampperez.house.gov,gluesenkampperez,https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Last week, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez attended a hearing held by the House Committee on Rules to advocate for changes to House rules for next Congress. She urged the committee to enact a number of reforms within the U.S. House of Representatives. Among these reforms were an effort to create cognitive standards for members of the House, to form a Select Committee to explore Electoral Reform options, allow for remote committee testimonies, and to expand the code of conduct to ban Members of Congress from sleeping with House staff.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez testifies in front of the Rules Committee

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez opened her testimony asking committee members to consider the adoption of her BRIDGE to Congress Resolution to allow remote witness testimony at Congressional hearings. The Congresswoman noted that for too long everyday people and people who live far from the Capitol face significant burdens in coming to DC to speak in front of their representatives. This provision hopes to bring local issues into committee spotlights and reduce the influence of lobbyists and paid policy professionals.

“For a constituent in Southwest Washington, testifying in person can mean taking time off work, finding child or elder care, and paying for a plane ticket and hotel in Washington, D.C. Most working families I know simply can’t afford that,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “The result is a witness pool that lacks geographic, economic, and lived-experience diversity. Instead of hearing directly from a fisherman in Pacific County or a shop teacher in Skamania County, Congress gets a feedback-loop from people paid to discuss policy. That leads to bad policy and erodes public trust.”

The Congresswoman continued her testimony by urging the adoption of her resolution establishing a bipartisan Select Committee on Electoral Reform. Throughout her time in congress, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has pursued options for making Congress a more representative body to the average American. The Electoral Reform Select Committee Act was the first piece of legislation she introduced in the 119th Congress. If formed, the bipartisan Select Committee would investigate options such as multi-member districts with proportional representation, expanding the House, and independent redistricting commissions to improve the responsibility members of Congress have to their constituents.

“Regardless of party or ideology, more and more Americans feel that our democracy isn’t working for them. Americans feel unrepresented and are losing faith in a government that they view as unreflective of their communities and values.” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “As Members of Congress, we need to take a step back, reexamine how we got here, and work toward what we can do to fix it.”

Video of the Congresswoman’s remarks can be found here:

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez continued her testimony by reminding the committee that accountability and trust in Congress demands they take action on the instances of sexual misconduct that have plagued this Congress.

“This is about trust, accountability, and not giving powerful people a free pass to continue perpetuating a culture of sexual assault and misconduct. Americans deserve to know that their elected officials are held to high standards–and that their representatives are hellbent on making this institution work better for the American people,” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “As members, we are here to work – not date. The next rules package should include a code of conduct that prohibits Members of Congress from having sexual relationships with House staff, no matter where that staffer works—whether in another Member’s personal office, a committee, or a caucus.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez ended her testimony by once again raising her mental acuity standards provision to her colleagues in the House. She has made repeated efforts to urge the Office of Congressional Conduct to create a standard of conduct as it relates to members suffering from significant and irreversible cognitive decline. Recently she offered this provision in the Appropriations Committee as an amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. The amendment failed overwhelmingly, with Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez casting the only yes vote on the entire committee.

“Americans elect Members of Congress to be their voice in Washington, and that responsibility comes with a clear standard of conduct. Clause 1 of Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House requires Members to ‘behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.’” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “When a Member is no longer able to fulfill the responsibilities of the office because of a significant and irreversible cognitive impairment, and unelected staff are effectively running the office on that Member’s behalf, we have to establish a process to evaluate and address it.”

####",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-the-eve-of-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-9/11-terrorist-attacks,Cantwell Statement on the Eve of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Statement on the Eve of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement:

“Our hearts are mourning for all those lost on September 11, 2001. We remember the victims as well as the heroism of first responders, the service members who continue to protect us, and the incredible unity we felt as a nation in the aftermath of the attacks.

“On that terrible day, America came under attack. The world rallied around us. This anniversary is a call to rededicate ourselves to these shared values that have always defined us as a nation.",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/icymi-senator-murray-visits-pnnl-in-sequim-vows-to-protect-federal-funding-for-national-labs/,"ICYMI: Senator Murray Visits PNNL in Sequim, Vows to Protect Federal Funding for National Labs",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***PHOTOS HERE***

Sequim, WA – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) Sequim campus, which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national lab complex. The Sequim campus is focused on marine-based research that helps the nation achieve energy innovation and maintain robust, secure coasts. PNNL’s testbed in Sequim Bay is an ideal testing location for a variety of technologies—from new energy systems to AI-enabled maritime technologies—that link Sequim Bay through an energetic tidal channel to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Puget Sound.

Senator Murray toured PNNL’s new Bench to Bay Deployment and Applied Sciences Laboratory. This lab allows scientists to engineer lab equipment and deploy it directly into marine environments, a unique capability in the national lab complex. Senator Murray secured $21.3 million in FY24 through DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) to directly support the construction of this new facility.

“Trump has launched an all-out attack on science and research in this country—and I’m doing everything I can to stop it,” said Senator Murray. “PNNL does critical work to study marine environments, develop new renewable energy technology, and keep Washington state and the country safe from threats by securing our coasts. This is exactly why investing in research matters. I will continue to push back against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to research at our national labs.”

PNNL is one of the national lab complex’s top labs for research funding through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). NNSA’s nuclear nonproliferation work and EERE programs have both been targeted for elimination or draconian cuts by both the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress. Thanks to Senator Murray’s leadership on the Energy and Water Development (EWD) Appropriations Subcommittee, she has successfully fought to protect significant funding for PNNL.

For FY26, Senator Murray secured $3.1 billion for EERE, $2.212 billion above Trump’s budget request. While President Trump has worked to eliminate renewable energy research funding, Senator Murray has fought hard to preserve the EERE programs that directly support PNNL-Sequim’s research, including securing $60 million for Marine National Laboratoriesand $24 million for the Powering the Blue Economy Initiative, both under DOE’s WPTO.

In the FY26 funding bills, Senator Murray also secured $25.40 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Within NNSA, the bill includes $2.415 billion for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN), $130.89 million above the FY26 budget request. Republicans cut DNN by $185 million in their FY25 CR, and Trump requested an even lower funding level for the account for FY27. DNN programs provide 30% of PNNL’s funding from the Department, so Senator Murray prioritized protecting this funding in the FY26 funding bill she negotiated as much as possible to avoid significant layoffs at the lab.

Senator Murray is continuing to work to protect these programs and their funding in the FY27 appropriations bills.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-murray-coons-shaheen-klobuchar-slotkin-statement-on-president-trumps-trade-war-with-canada/,"Senators Murray, Coons, Shaheen, Klobuchar, Slotkin Statement on President Trump’s Trade War with Canada",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s continued imposition of new tariffs on Canada:

“The states we represent rely on Canada as a key trading partner and our primary export market. We have deep ties with our neighbors to the north, and we share one of the world’s most enduring defense partnerships. We have built two powerful nations over many decades by working together, growing our economies together, and securing our homelands together. Our countries have achieved great things by working closely together, and we still can.

“Instead of working with our neighbors, President Trump is doubling down on a pointless trade war. His tariffs will squeeze our states’ small businesses and farmers harder and drive costs up for working families. They will raise the cost of the lumber, plywood, and construction equipment we need to build new housing. They will hurt our workers and businesses who manufacture autos, aircraft, and machinery. They will drive up the prices consumers pay for everyday basics like milk, clothing, and paper products.

“President Trump’s tariffs have already cost American families as much as $5,000 in some states, and his senseless trade war with Canada will only grow that number. While American families and businesses suffer from President Trump’s trade wars, partners around the world, including Canada, are increasingly looking to diversify away from the United States and deepen trade ties with other countries including China. Congressional Republicans need to stand up to the president and do their part to give families and businesses on both sides of the border relief from this insanity.”

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4257,Larsen Pushes Back Against Trump’s Voter Suppression Efforts,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“President Trump’s U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail-in voting rule is an effort to suppress the right to vote. There is no evidence that mail-in ballots result in widespread voter fraud in our elections, no matter what the President claims.

“For instance, during a recount of ballots mailed in Whatcom County for last month’s primary, election workers confirmed that 100% of the ballots were counted accurately. Local election officials know how to administer free and fair elections.

“I am challenging Trump’s voter suppression efforts. I will keep supporting all efforts to defend Washington’s secure vote-by-mail system and protect the right of every eligible citizen to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.”

Yesterday, Rep. Larsen joined 260 of his House and Senate colleagues in sending an amicus brief to the Supreme Court arguing against the legality of Trump’s USPS mail-in voting rule. The court case challenges a USPS rule issued because of President Trump’s executive order this past March that imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail.

Rep. Larsen is a co-founder of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus.

To read the full amicus brief, click here.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-responds-to-22-2-rate-increase-for-washingtons-2027-exchange-health-insurance-market/,Senator Murray Responds to 22.2% Rate Increase for Washington’s 2027 Exchange Health Insurance Market,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington’s Office of Insurance Commissioner Says Republicans Refusing to Extend ACA Tax Credits is Key Driver of New Premium Hike

ICYMI: New Report Shows Health Care Premiums Doubled for Over 200,000 Washingtonians Thanks to Trump and Republicans’ Health Care Cuts

Washington, D.C. — Today—nearly a year after Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits—the Office of the Insurance Commissioner of Washington State announced that a 22.2% average rate increase was approved for insurance providers who will sell individual health plans on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange in 2027.

In response, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement.

“This massive rate increase is a direct result of the health care crisis that Republicans have created by prioritizing billionaires over American families. Costs are skyrocketing while patients are losing health coverage—and it didn’t have to be this way. We know exactly how we got here: last year, Republicans passed the single largest cut to health care in our country’s history, and they blocked every Democratic effort to extend the ACA tax credits,” said Senator Murray. “Trump and Republicans would rather give trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and endlessly fund Trump’s war with Iran than help families afford their doctor appointments and prescriptions. Republicans chose to put billionaires and foreign wars ahead of health care for the American people—but the people can have the last word using their voice and their vote.”

In August, a new report was released detailing how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—which cut over $1 trillion from health care to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires—has caused 50,545 Washingtonians to lose their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage they relied on to receive health care. Republicans also refused to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which caused premiums to double for 226,813 people across Washington state and which the Washington State Insurance Commissioner cites as a primary reason driving the rate increase for 2027. For 2026, rates for plans on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange increased by 21%, which had direct impacts on families. This year, a family of four in Washington state who makes $130,000 a year saw their average annual premium rise by $12,392—costing them a total of $23,442.

Hospitals and clinics in Washington state are facing a $160 million loss in funding, a 5.6% spike in uncompensated care, and are expected to lose between $31 billion and $51 billion over the next decade due to Republicans’ health care cuts. So far 37 hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes in Washington state are at-risk, have announced cuts to services, are closing, or have closed, including:

AT-RISK: Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Coulee Medical Center, Dayton General Hospital, Forks Community Hospital, Klickitat Valley Health, Lake Chelan Hospital – Labor & Delivery Ward, Mason General Hospital, Mid-Valley Hospital, Odessa Memorial Hospital, Othello Community Hospital, Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington & North Idaho health centers, Prosser Memorial Health, Samaritan Hospital, Summit Pacific Medical Center, Three Rivers Hospital, Toppenish Community Hospital

CUTS ANNOUNCED: East Adams Rural Healthcare – Ritzville Hospital, Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, PeaceHealth, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Providence Swedish, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

CLOSED: DominiCare (St. Joseph’s Hospital), Legacy Salmon Creek Pain Clinic, Legacy-GoHealth – Camas, Legacy-GoHealth – Cascade Park, Legacy-GoHealth – Salmon Creek, Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic (Providence Medical Park), Overlake Medical Center – Lake Hills urgent care clinic, Planned Parenthood – Port Angeles Health Center, Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic, St. Michael Medical Center Pediatric Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic, Swedish Weight Loss Outpatient Clinic, The Spokane Allergy & Asthma Clinic, ZoomCare Super Bellevue – Emergency Care

ABOUT GOP REFUSAL TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS:

Senator Murray forced the issue of the ACA tax credits at every opportunity before Republicans ultimately refused to take any action, speaking out nonstop about the urgent need to save health care and calling on Republicans to come to the negotiating table to work out a bipartisan deal to extend the ACA tax credits. She took to the Senate floor in November 2025 with her Democratic colleagues to call for a clean one-year extension of the ACA tax credits, and held numerous virtual press conferences with Washingtonians, as well as residents of neighboring states Idaho and Montana, about the exploding health care premiums that Americans would see due to the expiration of the tax credits. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray led legislation supported by the Democratic caucus that would have addressed the health care crisis during the government shutdown last fall. Senator Murray has also cosponsored multiple pieces of legislation over the past year—the Health Care Affordability Act and the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act—that would make the ACA tax credits permanent.

As then-chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Murray played a critical role in passing the ACA enhanced premium tax credits into law in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extending them in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

ABOUT TRUMP’S MEDICAID CUTS:

Nationwide, the Republican health care cuts represent a more than $400 billion hit to America’s hospitals—with one estimate finding that over 170 rural hospitals will likely be forced to close or scale back their services, which will force more Americans to travel further for maternity care and emergency room visits, and face longer wait times. Washington state is one of the states most at-risk, with 22 hospitals at-risk of closing or reducing services. An estimated 477,000 health workers will lose their jobs as a result of the Republican cuts to Medicaid. Senator Murray has consistently advocated for rural health care access across the state, hosting numerous events to emphasize the importance of investment into rural communities.

Hospitals in Washington state could lose at least $662 million in Medicaid revenue every year under OBBBA—forcing hospitals to lay off staff, cut services, or close their doors entirely. Overall, Washington state is expected to lose between $31 billion and $51 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade. In 2024, Washington had an uninsured rate of 4.8 percent—the lowest in the country—but the Republican bill is expected to balloon that number into the double digits.

In Washington state, nearly 2 million people—roughly 1 in 5—are enrolled in Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. Washington’s 4th Congressional District has the highest Medicaid enrollment in Washington state, with nearly 300,000 people—38 percent of all residents—reliant on Apple Health, including 70 percent of all children in the state.

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4255,Everett’s Maritime Institute Recognized as Leader in Maritime Workforce Education,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that the Maritime Institute in Everett was one of sixteen maritime workforce centers designated as a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education in 2026.

“The maritime economy is alive and well in Washington state,” said U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees MARAD. “The Maritime Institute’s national recognition as a MARAD Center of Excellence is proof positive of that. I will keep working to support the Maritime Institute and expand the local maritime economy and the jobs that come with it in the Pacific Northwest.”

A MARAD CoE designation recognizes that a Center is making a notable contribution to the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of the maritime sector and workforce in the United States. The 48 CoEs across the U.S. are organizations identified as key to building the maritime workforce and providing the necessary infrastructure for the United States to mobilize the required workforce in times of national need. They may be eligible for up to $30 million in federal funding specifically allocated to CoEs in 2027.

“Maritime Institute is incredibly proud to be designated as a Center of Excellence by the U.S. Maritime Administration,” said Dave Abrams, CEO of the Maritime Institute. “This designation honors the dedication of our team to provide the highest quality training to mariners in the State of Washington and across the U.S. Our mission is to train people to build, repair, and operate vessels safely; we hope that this designation will eventually provide funding for additional resources to support that mission and our continued expansion in Everett, while helping to grow Washington’s maritime workforce.”

""It’s an honor to hear our partners at Maritime Institute have been recognized as a Center of Excellence by MARAD,” said Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett CEO/Executive Director. “This is a testament to the important work they are doing here at the Port of Everett to train up our region’s next generation of maritime workers and create direct pipelines to good paying maritime jobs. We are particularly proud of our joint efforts to expand this critical workforce training for adults to now include options for high school seniors with the launch of the first ever maritime high school program for Snohomish County.”

Two other organizations in Washington state received CoE designations this year: Washington State Ferries in Seattle and Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4256,Larsen Joins 167 Lawmakers Demanding the Trump Administration Halt its Roadless Rule Rollback,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined a bipartisan coalition of 167 Members of Congress last Friday in urging the Trump administration to abandon its proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, a longstanding and successful conservation guardrail protecting 44 million acres of iconic landscapes and National Forest System lands. The letter underscores the Rule’s broad, bipartisan support, as well as its critical role in safeguarding clean drinking water, wildlife habitats, carbon storage, and outdoor recreation economies across 37 states.

“Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states. These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities,” wrote the Members. “The enduring support for the Roadless Rule is rooted in its clear and measurable benefits. Over the past 25 years, the rule has helped protect watersheds, biodiversity, and ecosystem integrity by limiting road construction and large-scale logging in undeveloped areas.”

In the letter, the lawmakers criticize their lack of meaningful public engagement, calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the comment period, hold in-person public meetings, and conduct full Tribal consultation. The lawmakers also demanded the Trump administration halt its rescission effort and instead focus on successful implementation of this bedrock policy.

The full text of the letter can be read here and below.

Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz,

As Members of Congress representing a broad range of communities, stakeholders, and outdoor interests, we write in strong support of the U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule (“Roadless Rule”) and in firm opposition to the Department of Agriculture’s proposal for rescission. We urge the Department to halt this effort and instead focus on effective implementation of this longstanding and successful policy.

Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states. These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities. Iconic landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and the George Washington National Forest in Virginia exemplify the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these lands.

The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the most robust public processes in federal rulemaking history. The Forest Service received 1.6 million public comments - approximately 95 percent in support - and held over 600 public meetings nationwide. In contrast, the current rescission effort has lacked meaningful public engagement. The Department provided just 21 days for public comment on the Notice of Intent in 2025 and has yet to hold any public meetings. Despite these limitations, more than 600,000 comments were submitted, with over 99 percent opposing rescission. This overwhelming and bipartisan public support underscores the continued popularity and importance of the Roadless Rule. Unsurprisingly, at just 30 days, the ongoing comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and proposed rule is equally insufficient, and we encourage the USFS to extend the comment period to 120 days for a fair and transparent process.

Given the extraordinary public interest in the Roadless Rule and the significant consequences that its repeal would have for communities across the country, the Forest Service should also conduct a robust series of in-person public meetings before finalizing any rescission. Additionally, Tribes are entitled to the opportunity to engage in robust consultation, as the repeal of the Rule will have dramatic consequences on their way of life. When the Roadless Rule was originally developed, the aforementioned 600 public meetings ensured that affected communities, Tribes, local governments, industry, recreation interests, and conservation organizations had the opportunity to engage directly with the agency. The proposal to repeal the Rule warrants the same level of public engagement. Public meetings should be held in regions where National Forest System roadless areas are most affected, providing local communities with a meaningful opportunity to ask questions, provide testimony, and ensure the administrative record reflects the perspectives of those who will experience the greatest impacts. A transparent, accessible, and geographically representative public engagement process is essential to maintaining public confidence in the rulemaking process and ensuring the agency fully considers the consequences of such a consequential policy change.

The enduring support for the Roadless Rule is rooted in its clear and measurable benefits. Over the past 25 years, the rule has helped protect watersheds, biodiversity, and ecosystem integrity by limiting road construction and large-scale logging in undeveloped areas. Forest Service data show that watersheds within roadless areas are far more likely to be in “properly functioning” condition compared to those outside of them, which are more often classified as “at risk” or “impaired.”

These healthy ecosystems support a wide array of wildlife. Roadless areas provide habitat for hundreds of species listed or proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act, including grizzly bears, lynx, and other sensitive species, and disproportionately support species of conservation concern. In addition, these areas play a vital role in climate resilience and carbon storage. For example, the Tongass National Forest alone stores over 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon and sequesters millions more annually.

Claims that the Roadless Rule impedes wildfire management are not supported by the evidence. The rule explicitly allows for wildfire prevention, suppression, and hazardous fuels reduction. In fact, nearly 2 million acres of roadless areas have undergone fuel treatments in recent years. Forest Service data also show that roadless areas account for a significant share of fuel treatment activities relative to their forest coverage. Research further indicates that wildfire risk is comparable inside and outside of roadless areas and that roads are not necessary to maintain forest health.

Moreover, scientific studies demonstrate that wildfire ignitions occur far more frequently in roaded areas due to human activity. By limiting road construction, the Roadless Rule helps reduce ignition risks from sources such as vehicles, campfires, and other human causes.

Finally, the economic benefits of the Roadless Rule are substantial. By avoiding the construction and maintenance of new roads, the rule saves taxpayers billions of dollars. The Forest Service already faces a road maintenance backlog of nearly $6 billion across its existing system. Expanding road networks into remote and often economically unviable areas would only increase these costs. At the same time, protected roadless areas support recreation, tourism, and outdoor economies, while safeguarding clean water and subsistence resources that communities rely on. When it comes to outdoor recreation, roadless areas encompass more than 25,000 miles of trails, 8,500 climbing routes, 1,000 miles of whitewater, and more than 10,000 miles of mountain biking trails across the country, all of which support a $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy. Additionally, hunters and anglers across the nation access these public lands where backcountry provides ample fishing and hunting. The Roadless Rule protects drinking water in 354 municipal watersheds, saving downstream communities millions of dollars in water filtration costs.

After 25 years of successful implementation, the conclusion is clear: the Roadless Rule is effective, widely supported, and essential to responsible forest management. Rescinding it would undermine decades of progress and impose unnecessary environmental and fiscal costs.

We respectfully urge the Department to end its unjustified rescission of the Roadless Rule.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-seattle-senator-murray-spotlights-bills-to-combat-child-labor-wage-theft-and-strengthen-workers-rights-in-the-face-of-trumps-anti-worker-agenda/,"In Seattle, Senator Murray Spotlights Bills to Combat Child Labor, Wage Theft, and Strengthen Workers Rights in the Face of Trump’s Anti-Worker Agenda",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator Murray secured $2 million for MLK Labor’s Union Hiring Hall

ICYMI: Murray Introduces Legislation to Protect Kids as Child Labor Violations Surge and Trump Undermines Enforcement

ICYMI: Murray Reintroduces Bicameral Legislation to Combat Wage Theft, Strengthen Workers’ Rights

***PHOTOS OF EVENT HERE***

Seattle, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), held a roundtablewith labor leaders from across King County to discuss the dangers of Trump’s anti-worker agenda and why it is more important than ever for Congress to focus on a pro-worker agenda. This Congress Murray has introduced a host of labor bills to crack down on child labor violations, wage theft by giant corporations, and to strengthen workers’ rights overall.

“We’re living through a moment in time where AI companies are pretty much all forecasting major disruption—major job loss. Well, I can’t think of a time when a union contract and strong labor laws would matter more! We can’t let a handful of companies redefine the economy on their own terms—this is a moment in history where we have to make sure workers have their say in the future of work,” said Senator Murray. “This administration doesn’t care what happens to working people as long as the ultra-rich can get richer. We need to consider what a healthy economy really means—it’s not just the stock market, it’s whether regular people can afford their groceries, a home, retirement—a good life. That’s what I’m fighting for.”

Senator Murray also met with workers who found jobs through MLK Labor’s Union Hiring Hall, a centralized website to find and apply for good-paying union jobs in King County—which Senator Murray secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for in FY23. Last year, MLK Labor was unable to receive the CDS funds due to the Trump administration slow walking the award, but Senator Murray stepped in and was able to restore the funding. Since the Union Hiring Hall was launched, it has helped thousands of people secure jobs with good benefits and union protections.

Joining Senator Murray for the roundtable were: Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor; Dustin Lambro, President of MLK Labor and Political and Organizing Director at UFCW 3000; Rigoberto Valdez, Jr., Executive Director of the People’s Organizing Center; Shaunie Wheeler, Deputy Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor; Corina Yballa, Political Director at MLK Labor; Samantha Grad, Political Director at Teamsters 117; Jennifer Bacon, President of IATSE Local 15; Clementine Trujillo, Hiring Hall Manager at IATSE Local 15; Zenia Javalera, President of SEIU 6 Property Services NW; Greg Ramirez, Deputy Director of SEIU 6 Property Services NW; Pia Rivera-Jones Deputy Executive Director of the People’s Organizing Center; Nick Peter’s, Director of Digital Strategy & Messaging at MLK Labor.

“When we launched our first union job board during the COVID-19 shutdowns, the platform was massively influential for local union employers at a time that the workforce was unprecedentedly sparse. Now that our economy has shifted, UnionHiringHall.org is serving as a game-changing avenue for workers across the Greater Seattle Area that are looking for high-road union careers,” said Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor.

Senator Murray also detailed how she is fighting back against Trump’s anti-worker agenda and recently introduced a series of legislation that will strengthen workers’ rights and the economy.

In June, Senator Murray reintroduced her Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act which strengthens our ability to combat child labor by cracking down on employers who violate child labor laws with stronger penalties and allows children who have been seriously injured to sue their employers. The bill also expands child labor provisions to hold suppliers and subcontractors throughout the supply chain responsible.

Senator Murray also reintroduced her Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act, comprehensive legislation that puts hard-earned wages back in workers’ pockets and cracks down on employers who unfairly withhold wages from their employees. The proposed legislation would give workers the right to receive full compensation for the work they perform and receive regular paystubs and final paychecks in a timely manner.

Senator Murray also reintroduced her Restoring Justice for Workers Act, legislation to end forced arbitration clauses, protect workers’ ability to pursue work-related claims in court, and allow workers to band together to vindicate their rights.

Murray is also an original author of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, comprehensive legislation to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray also pushed back against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to funding for workforce training programs and labor enforcement. In FY26 Senator Murray protected investments in key federal workforce training programs that she first authorized when she passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014 and has funded every year since. She also rejected Trump and House Republicans’ proposal to eliminate the Women’s Bureau and protected $23 million in funding for the agency and included new language requiring that amount to be spent by the Bureau. In FY26 Senator Murray also secured $191 million for the Employee Benefits Security Administration for retirement security legislation and strengthened requirements to ensure private health plans comply with mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements. And she secured $260 million for the Wage and Hour Division to work to combat exploitative child labor and prevent wage theft and worker misclassification.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/its-not-1950-senator-murray-on-trumps-outrageous-and-backwards-move-to-siphon-child-care-funding-away-from-single-parents-and-working-families/,“It’s not 1950”: Senator Murray on Trump’s Outrageous and Backwards Move to Siphon Child Care Funding Away from Single Parents and Working Families,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s reported plans to tap funding provided by Congress to help working families afford child care through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and establish the first federal subsidy to incentivize parents to leave the workforce and raise their own kids. The plan would siphon funding away from an already-underfunded program specifically designed to help working families afford child care as the Trump administration seeks to promote “traditional family values.”

“It’s not the 1950s in America—our government shouldn’t punish people for being single parents or choosing not to marry. There are hundreds of thousands of families stuck on waiting lists who are eligible for very limited federal child care subsidies—you don’t get to skip the line because you have a marriage certificate. I will not allow this President to tell single moms that their kids matter less. This is an illegal and backwards move to deny single parents and unmarried couples federal funding they should be entitled to.”

“There are hundreds of thousands of working families who qualify for federal child care assistance on waiting lists—I’m ready to pass a bill that delivers enough funding so that every working family in America can afford child care. Instead, Trump is taking money away from those families and pushing for an obscene half trillion increase for his so-called Department of War. Nobody cares what JD Vance thinks constitutes a ‘real’ family—single parents and parents who aren’t married pay taxes, too. Raiding an underfunded program solely to score culture war points is not pro-family—it’s a wasteful grift that I will fight every step of the way.”

Senator Murray has led the fight in Congress to make affordable child care a reality for every working family in America. She is the author of the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to address the child care crisis, and she has used her seat on the Appropriations Committee to deliver significant increases to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Over the last 10 years, she has helped more than triple funding for the program. Earlier this year, she announced the launch of a new Child Care for America Working Group alongside Senator Warren, and she has been leading the fight against President Trump’s attempts to weaken the federal child care program. In July, she forced a Senate vote on her Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval of the Trump administration’s May 2026 rule to remove regulations for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-tours-harborview-in-seattle-sounds-alarm-on-republican-health-care-cuts-raising-costs-for-patients-straining-hospitals-across-wa-and-nationwide/,"Senator Murray Tours Harborview in Seattle, Sounds Alarm on Republican Health Care Cuts Raising Costs for Patients, Straining Hospitals Across WA and Nationwide",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Seattle, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), toured Harborview Medical Center and discussed the new challenges health care providers are facing over a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cuts in history in their Big Ugly Bill. Senator Murray also held a roundtable discussion and heard from providers and Medicaid patients about the impact of the Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and their failure to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits—causing massive premium hikes for families in Washington state and rising uncompensated care for hospitals and clinics.

The Republican reconciliation bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA over the next 10 years and will make health care more expensive and harder to access. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health insurance for roughly 15 million Americans nationwide.

“Harborview is the only Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. When the worst happens anywhere in this region—this is where people come. That safety net runs on Medicaid. And whether or not people realize it: Republicans in Congress have cut almost $1 trillion out of it to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,” said Senator Murray. “Over 50,000 people in our state have already lost their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage—and Washington hospitals and clinics stand to lose between $31 and $51 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade. 37 hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes across Washington state are at risk, cutting services, or have already closed. Uncompensated care is up 5.6 percent, and Harborview absorbs more of that than anyone. I will fight to repeal Trump’s Medicaid cuts and make health care the priority it should be in Congress. This is not settled—it is a fight, and I intend to win it.”

“As the agency responsible for administering Apple Health (Medicaid), we are doing everything we can to keep eligible Washingtonians covered as we implement the new federal requirements. When people lose coverage, the impact extends beyond families and individuals. It puts pressure on hospitals like Harborview who will continue to provide lifesaving care, even when a patient can’t pay for it.” said Ryan Moran, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority. “Protecting Apple Health coverage helps protect the health care system we all rely on.”

ABOUT TRUMP’S MEDICAID CUTS:

Nationwide, the Republican health care cuts represent a more than $400 billion hit to America’s hospitals—with one estimate finding that over 170 rural hospitals will likely be forced to close or scale back their services, which will force more Americans to travel further for maternity care and emergency room visits, and face longer wait times. Washington

ABOUT GOP REFUSAL TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS:

Senator Murray forced the issue of the ACA tax credits at every opportunity before Republicans ultimately refused to take any action, speaking out nonstop about the urgent need to save health care and calling on Republicans to come to the negotiating table to work out a bipartisan deal to extend the ACA tax credits. She took to the Senate floor in November 2025 with her Democratic colleagues to call for a clean one-year extension of the ACA tax credits, and held numerous virtual press conferences with Washingtonians, as well as residents of neighboring states Idaho and Montana, about the exploding health care premiums that Americans would see due to the expiration of the tax credits. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray led legislation supported by the Democratic caucus that would have addressed the health care crisis during the government shutdown last fall. Senator Murray has also cosponsored multiple pieces of legislation over the past year—the Health Care Affordability Act and the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act—that would make the ACA tax credits permanent.

As then-chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Murray played a critical role in passing the ACA enhanced premium tax credits into law in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extending them in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/09/04/jayapal-demands-answers-on-reports-ice-is-weakening-safety-standards-at-private-for-profit-detention-centers/,"Jayapal Demands Answers on Reports ICE is Weakening Safety Standards at Private, For-Profit Detention Centers",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,jayapal,https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as reporting indicates that ICE is weakening detention safety standards, even as 56 people have died in these facilities under ICE’s watch. Loosening standards will allow for-profit, private prison operators to continue cutting corners on food, medical care, and safety. ICE Acting Director David Venturella is the former Vice President of GEO Group, the largest of these private, for-profit prison corporations. Reporting suggests that these private contractors were consulted in the adoption of these new standards.

“Detention standards are meant to guide the entities operating immigration detention centers – they should not be written by them. And yet, it appears that that is precisely what occurred here,” wrote the Members. “At a time when there are numerous documented cases of abuse and neglect within the immigration detention system, when deaths of detained people, including at least one homicide, have more than doubled from previous years, and when the oversight mechanisms within the system have been gutted, we should not be lowering detention standards, especially not to pad the bottom line of companies getting rich off of taxpayer funds and human suffering.”

Since the start of the second Trump administration, over 400,000 people have been arrested and sent to immigration detention facilities. From these facilities, there have been reports of inadequate medical care, spoiled food, overcrowded cells, and physical beatings. Guards beat one teenager so badly that he had to be hospitalized. Pregnant women have miscarried inside detention centers because of the appalling conditions, with some reporting receiving no medical care after miscarrying.

Lowering already failing standards will make these facilities less safe and increase profits for the contractors running these facilities, including GEO Group and CoreCivic. These private, for-profit prison corporations have already benefited significantly from the expansion of immigration detention, with both GEO Group and CoreCivic reporting an additional $2 billion in profits in 2025.

Jayapal is demanding information regarding the new standards and what they entail, as well as any communications between DHS officials and officials at GEO Group or CoreCivic.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

The letter was also signed by Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-16), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL) (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Henry “Hank” Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert J. Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/icymi-senator-murray-meets-seadoc-researchers-and-orca-tracking-dog-eba-in-bellingham/,"ICYMI: Senator Murray Meets SeaDoc Researchers and Orca Tracking Dog, Eba, in Bellingham",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"***PHOTOS HERE***

Bellingham, WA – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with SeaDoc Society scientists to learn more about their research on Southern Resident Killer Whales. Senator Murray secured $850,000 in FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for SeaDoc to continue their work and support the recovery of endangered orcas. The SeaDoc Society was founded in 2000 to conduct and sponsor scientific research in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. SeaDoc also uses an orca tracking dog named Eba, who stands on the bow of the boat and can detect an orca’s fecal sample by smell up to a mile away. Fecal tracking and collection are crucial to the research team’s mission of understanding and protecting orcas. When Eba successfully tracks down an orca, she gets to play with her rope toy as a reward.

“Orcas are not just whales, they are foundational to the identity and culture of the Pacific Northwest,” said Senator Murray. “SeaDoc is doing incredible work to study orcas and develop new systems to share data across research institutions and government agencies so we can all do our part to protect this amazing species. So many endangered species, like orcas, are the heartbeat of our native cultures and coastal economies—and I will keep doing all I can to save our orcas, our salmon, and everything that makes the Pacific Northwest so special.”

A large population of Southern Resident Killer Whales once thrived in the Salish Sea, but a sharp decline in Chinook salmon, their primary food source, along with rising toxin levels and disruptive vessel noise, has pushed them to the brink of extinction. Their population has fallen nearly 20 percent since the late 1990s. Many established tracking and research techniques for orcas are highly invasive, but Eba, a scent-detection dog, can detect the scent of fecal matter from a great distance, allowing the research team to work non-invasively and stay away from the whales so as not to trigger a stress response. Whale scat alone can reveal hormone levels, toxin exposure, and other valuable data. The team also operates drones that capture samples from plumes of breath released through the orcas’ blowholes; these drones have a perfect flight record and follow federal guidelines designed to avoid disturbing the whales.

Senator Murray is a strong advocate for protecting endangered species, including our orcas. In FY26, Senator Murray secured critical funding for salmon recovery efforts, including $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed elimination of this critical funding. She also secured $70.75 million for salmon fisheries science and management activities and $75.75 million for protected resources science and management related to Pacific salmon. The funding also includes $27.6 million for the operation and maintenance of Mitchell Act hatcheries and maintains direction for NOAA to continue its genetic stock identification work. Despite Trump’s FY27 budget proposal eliminating all funding for PCSRF, Senator Murray continues to fight to ensure the program is funded at the highest level possible in the FY27 bill.

###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-introduces-bipartisan-bill-bolster-988-mental-health-crisis,Congressman Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Bolster 988 Mental Health Crisis Response,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) introduced the 988 Crisis Response Act, bipartisan legislation to fund professional mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs) dispatched by 9-8-8 Lifeline operators and establish Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers and resources. Congressman Smith is joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and David Valadao (CA-22) as part of the larger 988 Implementation Act.

“When someone has a mental health crisis, they deserve timely, comprehensive treatment — not just a trip to an overcrowded emergency room,” said Congressman Smith. ""I've witnessed the important work of our mobile crisis response teams and broader behavioral health workforce in King County, and I appreciate their dedication to providing critical care to our community's most vulnerable. This bill will provide the reliable funding needed to strengthen these teams and help expand this model of care nationwide. Everyone deserves the right help, in the right setting, at the right time. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this effort.”

BACKGROUND: The 988 Crisis Response Act provides sustainable funding streams for mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs) and other elements of the crisis care continuum. This includes Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers, MCRTs, and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, in line with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) recommendation that insurers cover all three pillars of the crisis care continuum. The bill also provides grant funding to build MCRT capacity.

Specifically, this bill:

Authorizes $100 million for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership program for communities to create or enhance existing mobile crisis response teams, composed of licensed counselors, clinical social workers, physicians, paramedics, crisis workers, and/or peers. Teams must respond to people in crisis and provide immediate stabilization and referral to behavioral health services and supports.

Makes permanent the 85% federal matching assistance percentage (FMAP) for mobile crisis response teams and expands the FMAP to crisis call centers and crisis stabilizing and receiving facilities, ensuring unambiguous Medicaid financing for all three pillars of the crisis care continuum.

The bill text is available [here]. A fact sheet on the legislation is available [here].

“As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. Mobile crisis response teams, with licensed counselors, physicians, crisis workers, and paramedics, dispatched by 988 save lives, deescalate dangerous situations, and keep us all safe. We need to make sure these teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.”

“A mental health crisis does not wait for business hours, and a family asking for help should never be left wondering whether anyone will come,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “For years, I have worked with families, first responders, providers, and advocates who understand that the right intervention at the right moment can change the course of a life. The 988 Lifeline gave Americans a number to call; now we must make certain there is a strong system of care ready to answer that call. Our bipartisan 988 Crisis Response Act will help communities put trained professionals on the ground, strengthen crisis stabilization services, and ensure that when someone reaches out in their most vulnerable hour, help is not merely promised—it arrives.”

“Across the Central Valley, mobile crisis response teams work alongside law enforcement to respond to individuals in crisis, deescalate difficult situations, and connect people with vital mental health services,” said Congressman Valadao. “I know how deeply personal and impactful this work is for our community, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the 988 Crisis Response Act. This bipartisan bill will strengthen federal support for mobile crisis response teams and the broader crisis care continuum, helping ensure these critical services remain available to those who need them most.”

If you or a loved one needs help, call or text 988.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4449,New Documentary Highlights Need for Reauthorized Federal Landslide Prevention Programs to Save Lives,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan K. DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,delbene,https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"A new WCNC documentary, “Lost Ground: The Hidden Danger Beneath Us,” chronicles the aftermath of deadly landslides that have devastated communities across the country. It also highlights the need to close the gaps in science and mapping to better understand and prepare for landslide hazards to protect at-risk communities across the country.

On March 22, 2014, a massive landslide near Oso, Washington killed 43 people, destroyed 42 homes, and severely damaged public infrastructure and private property. The documentary features stories from Oso, Hurricane Helene, and other landslides.

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) speaks in the documentary about the importance of Congress reauthorizing federal landslide preparedness programs that expired in 2024.

In 2021, the National Landslide Preparedness Act, authored by DelBene, was passed into law and created the first-of-its-kind federal landslide program.

“The legislation to reauthorize has passed in the Senate. We’re working to get that through the House, so the program will be reauthorized and can continue going forward,” said DelBene. “We’ve had strong bipartisan support. Communities across the country are vulnerable. This is about all of us coming together and making sure we're doing everything possible to prevent a national tragedy.”

DelBene is featured in the following portions of the documentary:

From 35:38: DelBene discusses the Oso landslide and her legislation to improve landslide preparedness

From 40:04: DelBene discusses the importance of mapping landslides and reauthorizing the National Landslides Hazards Reduction Program

From 47:41: DelBene discusses the need for proactive policies and how communities can stay alert",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-introduces-bipartisan-bill-bolster-988-mental-health,Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Bolster 988 Mental Health Crisis Response,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the 988 Crisis Response Act, bipartisan legislation to fund professional mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs) dispatched by 9-8-8 Lifeline operators and establish Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers and resources. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Adam Smith (WA-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and David Valadao (CA-22) as part of the larger 988 Implementation Act.

“As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. Mobile crisis response teams, with licensed counselors, physicians, crisis workers, and paramedics, dispatched by 988 save lives, deescalate dangerous situations, and keep us all safe. We need to make sure these teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.”

BACKGROUND: The 988 Crisis Response Act provides sustainable funding streams for mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs) and other elements of the crisis care continuum. This includes Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers, MCRTs, and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, in line with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) recommendation that insurers cover all three pillars of the crisis care continuum. The bill also provides grant funding to build MCRT capacity.

Specifically, this bill:

Authorizes $100 million for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership program for communities to create or enhance existing mobile crisis response teams, composed of licensed counselors, clinical social workers, physicians, paramedics, crisis workers, and/or peers. Teams must respond to people in crisis and provide immediate stabilization and referral to behavioral health services and supports.

Makes permanent the 85% federal matching assistance percentage (FMAP) for mobile crisis response teams and expands the FMAP to crisis call centers and crisis stabilizing and receiving facilities, ensuring unambiguous Medicaid financing for all three pillars of the crisis care continuum.

“When someone has a mental health crisis, they deserve timely, comprehensive treatment — not just a trip to an overcrowded emergency room,” said Congressman Smith. ""I've witnessed the important work of our mobile crisis response teams and broader behavioral health workforce in King County, and I appreciate their dedication to providing critical care to our community's most vulnerable. This bill will provide the reliable funding needed to strengthen these teams and help expand this model of care nationwide. Everyone deserves the right help, in the right setting, at the right time. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this effort.”

“A mental health crisis does not wait for business hours, and a family asking for help should never be left wondering whether anyone will come,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “For years, I have worked with families, first responders, providers, and advocates who understand that the right intervention at the right moment can change the course of a life. The 988 Lifeline gave Americans a number to call; now we must make certain there is a strong system of care ready to answer that call. Our bipartisan 988 Crisis Response Act will help communities put trained professionals on the ground, strengthen crisis stabilization services, and ensure that when someone reaches out in their most vulnerable hour, help is not merely promised—it arrives.”

“Across the Central Valley, mobile crisis response teams work alongside law enforcement to respond to individuals in crisis, deescalate difficult situations, and connect people with vital mental health services,” said Congressman Valadao. “I know how deeply personal and impactful this work is for our community, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the 988 Crisis Response Act. This bipartisan bill will strengthen federal support for mobile crisis response teams and the broader crisis care continuum, helping ensure these critical services remain available to those who need them most.”

If you or a loved one needs help, call or text 988.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-introduces-bipartisan-bill-cap-cost-insulin-35-all,Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Cap Cost of Insulin at $35 for all Americans,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the bipartisan INSULIN Act to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35, or 25% of the list price per month, for all Americans with diabetes. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Reps. Diana Degette (CO-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Angie Craig (MN-02).

“As a doctor with Type 1 diabetes who depends on insulin, I understand the immediate need to bring down the cost of insulin – especially at a time when so many Americans are already struggling with high costs,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I am proud to introduce this groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that will cap the price of insulin for all Americans and make a meaningful difference in the lives and the health of everyone in our districts.”

Background: Currently, insulin costs are capped at $35 per month for people on Medicare, and nearly 30 states have separate price caps for state-regulated and private plans. The INSULIN Act would limit out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes by ensuring that group and individual market health plans waive any deductible and limit cost-sharing to no more than $35 or 25% of list price per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form.

The bipartisan bill would also:

Require a study report on uninsured Americans who use insulin, including where they live, why they’re uninsured, and demographic and income data.

Create a new expedited FDA approval pathway to get biosimilar insulin to market more quickly.

Establish an insulin resource center and hotline to connect uninsured diabetes patients with diabetes resources and programs.

“Insulin insecurity is not a partisan issue. It’s a life-or-death issue,” said Rep. DeGette. “I have fought for years to lower the price of insulin for the over 40 million Americans living with diabetes. I have met with too many Coloradans who have shared their painful experience of rationing their insulin so they could afford groceries. No one in America should be forced to choose between their life-saving medication or feeding their families.”

""As a doctor, I have spent my career fighting for patients, and I've watched too many of them ration a hundred-year-old medicine because the price tag made it impossible to afford. That's not right, and it never should have taken this long to fix. I'm proud to lead this effort in the House, and I won't stop until every American with diabetes can afford the insulin that keeps them alive,"" said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.

“Diabetes stole the lives of 100,000 Americans last year. Tens of millions of Americans are living with diabetes, and for many, insulin is a matter of life and death,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “No American should have to choose between paying the bills and getting the insulin they need, or risk their life rationing the doses they have left. This legislation isn’t just a Band-Aid on the problem. It delivers immediate relief for patients and reforms that will increase competition and drive down prices over the long term. Lowering the cost of insulin puts money back where it belongs: in the pockets of working families who need every dollar they earn. Middlemen and big corporations shouldn’t be making extra cash off the backs of working people who rely on insulin to survive.”

This bill has broad support among diabetes advocates.

“The American Diabetes Association (ADA) appreciates and applauds the House’s bipartisan introduction of the INSULIN Act, which would limit out-of-pocket insulin costs for patients at $35 a month,” said Lisa Murdock, Chief Advocacy Officer of ADA. “A recent survey, commissioned by ADA, showed that 40% of insulin users currently pay $150 each month, and there is widespread bipartisan support across the U.S. for making insulin affordable. The INSULIN Act would ensure no one has to choose between paying for insulin and other necessities. This bill puts people first and is a commonsense way to lower health care costs for Americans depending on insulin to live.”

“For the millions of Americans who rely on insulin every day, no one should have to choose between paying for their medication and meeting other basic needs,” said Dr. Robert Lash, Chief Medical Officer with the Endocrine Society. “The Endocrine Society applauds Representatives DeGette, Schrier, Miller-Meeks, Bresnahan, and Craig for introducing the INSULIN Act, which would help make insulin more affordable for people with private insurance while connecting uninsured patients to resources that can help them access this lifesaving medication. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all people who need insulin can obtain it and stay healthy.”

“The Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) and Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) applaud and thank Representatives DeGette, Miller-Meeks, Schrier, and Bresnahan for introducing the INSULIN Act of 2026,” said George Huntley, CEO. “This legislation will greatly improve access to affordable insulins for people living with diabetes, and it is time that the $35 monthly insulin co-pay cap apply to everyone as it does to Medicare beneficiaries today. We look forward to working to get this legislation across the finish line before the end of the 119th Congress.”

“For the more than 1.5 million Americans with type one diabetes (T1D), insulin access is life-or-death,” said Lynn Starr, Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer. “By capping out-of-pocket cost at $35, the INSULIN Act ensures that people have dependable, affordable access to the insulin they require to live. We applaud Representatives DeGette, Miller-Meeks, Schrier, Bresnahan, and Craig for introducing the House INSULIN Act and urge their colleagues to stand with them on the side of all those living with T1D. While there is still more work to be done, we are hopeful that, together with the Senate, we will finally have the access to affordable insulin the entire T1D community deserves and depends on.”",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-leads-bicameral-letter-urging-trump-administration-not-to-axe-protections-for-americas-remaining-wild-public-forests,Cantwell Leads Bicameral Letter Urging Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Leads Bicameral Letter Urging Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests

Popular Roadless Rule conservation measure protects 44 million acres of pristine U.S. Forest Service lands from destructive and expensive roadbuilding, logging, and supports outdoor recreation economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, led 39 Senators and dozens of House members in a letter calling on the Trump Administration to end its efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has shielded approximately 44 million acres of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging.

“Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states,” wrote the Senators. “These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities. Iconic landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and the George Washington National Forest in Virginia exemplify the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these lands.”

The letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz goes on to note the habitat protection, wildfire mitigation, and economic benefits of the Roadless Rule.

The Roadless Rule enjoys strong public support, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority of 2.5 million comments submitted on the Roadless Forest Protection Rule since it has been enacted — more than 95%— were in support of protecting roadless areas. A March 2019 poll by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that three out of four respondents said they supported keeping roadless forest protections, while only 16% opposed it. That level of support changed little between respondents living in rural or non-rural areas and across party affiliation and political views.

For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has prevailed over numerous court challenges and administrative and legislative attacks. The first Trump administration weakened the rule, and in October 2020 the administration removed roadless protections for over 9 million acres of pristine forest lands in the Tongass National Forest, threatening old-growth forest and southeast Alaska’s robust tourism and fishing economies. Under the Biden administration, the protections in the Tongass were restored, but they were then removed again by the second Trump administration.

In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a notice in the Federal Register indicating that the Trump Administration intends to start an environmental review process to rescind the rule. The notice started the clock on a three-week public comment period which ended on Sept. 19. Since that comment period ended, USDA has been updating its proposal and developing its accompanying draft environmental impact statement (EIS).

In April, the Trump administration enacted a sweeping rollback of environmental protections across nearly 60% of U.S. national forests, including about 26 million acres of previously protected Roadless areas. This policy shift was formalized through an emergency directive by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, following a presidential executive order aimed at expediting logging projects by streamlining permitting, removing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, and exempting affected forests from administrative objection processes that previously allowed for challenges by environmental groups, tribes, and local government.

Then, on August 18, the Trump Administration released its proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement, a significant step toward repealing the 2001 Roadless Rule. Yet the administration has allowed only 30 days for public comment, an inadequate timeframe for communities, Tribes, conservation organizations, and others to fully assess and respond to a proposal with potentially sweeping consequences for our national forests. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has protected over 58 million acres of National Forest System lands from new road construction and some of the most damaging forms of logging. The current proposed rollback threatens 44 million acres, the federal Roadless areas in every state except Colorado and Idaho that have enacted state specific Roadless area protections. These protections are particularly important in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest remaining temperate rainforest, where intact forestlands provide essential wildlife habitat, help communities adapt to a changing climate, and support local economies.

The Forest Service’s August notice provides information about how members of the public may submit comments on the proposal in writing during the short 30-day comment period, which ends Monday, September 21. According to the notice, comments may be provided electronically (the preferred method) through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov, by identifying docket number FS-2025-0001 or RIN 0596-AD66 and following the instructions for sending comments. Alternatively, hardcopy letters sent by mail must be submitted to the Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination, 201 14th Street SW, Mailstop 1108, Washington, DC 20250-1124.

The contrast between the original rulemaking and today’s rushed repeal effort is stark: the 2001 rule was shaped by more than 600 public meetings and an extensive public comment process, while the current administration has held no comparable public meetings to hear directly from the communities that could be affected. In the absence of meaningful federal engagement, communities in Oregon, Montana, North Carolina, and other states have been left to organize their own opportunities for public input. Americans who rely on these lands for clean water, recreation, wildlife, and their livelihoods deserve a genuine opportunity to participate in decisions that will shape the future of our national forests.

Congress should ensure these protections do not disappear with a change in administration. Last year, Sen. Cantwell, along with Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Representatives Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06) and Yassamin Ansari (D, AZ-03), introduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 3930/S. 2042) to permanently codify the Roadless Rule.

By codifying the rule into law—including in the Tongass—the Roadless Area Conservation Act would uphold recreational access to public lands, preserve the habitats of 1,600 at-risk species, reduce the risk of wildfires, aid in the fight against climate change by preserving vast carbon sinks, and safeguard watersheds that provide clean drinking water for more than 60 million Americans in 39 states and more than 350 communities across the United States. The legislation would maintain the flexibility engrained in the Roadless Rule which allows for continued forest management and the construction of roads as needed to address fires, floods, or other catastrophic events, and other circumstances like the need to build new road connections between remote communities.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 would:

Protect, in perpetuity, 58.5 million acres of roadless national forest in 39 states;

Ensure the more than 240 million people living within 100 miles of a national forest or national grassland retain access to opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing;

Safeguard watersheds in national forests and roadless areas that provide clean drinking water for over 60 million Americans;

Save taxpayers millions of dollars by limiting costly new road building, allow the Forest Service to focus on maintaining its existing 371,581-mile network of National Forest System roads, and reduce its multi-billion dollar backlog of deferred maintenance on its existing road system;

Maintain exemptions for hydropower development, public safety, and firefighting needs; and

Uphold the 9th and 10th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals decisions, as well as a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in support of the Roadless Rule.

The full text of the letter is below and HERE.

Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz,

As Members of Congress representing a broad range of communities, stakeholders, and outdoor interests, we write in strong support of the U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule (“Roadless Rule”) and in firm opposition to the Department of Agriculture’s proposal for rescission. We urge the Department to halt this effort and instead focus on effective implementation of this longstanding and successful policy.

Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states. These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities. Iconic landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and the George Washington National Forest in Virginia exemplify the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these lands.

The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the most robust public processes in federal rulemaking history. The Forest Service received 1.6 million public comments - approximately 95 percent in support - and held over 600 public meetings nationwide. In contrast, the current rescission effort has lacked meaningful public engagement. The Department provided just 21 days for public comment on the Notice of Intent in 2025 and has yet to hold any public meetings. Despite these limitations, more than 600,000 comments were submitted, with over 99 percent opposing rescission. This overwhelming and bipartisan public support underscores the continued popularity and importance of the Roadless Rule. Unsurprisingly, at just 30 days, the ongoing comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and proposed rule is equally insufficient, and we encourage the USFS to extend the comment period to 120 days for a fair and transparent process.

Given the extraordinary public interest in the Roadless Rule and the significant consequences that its repeal would have for communities across the country, the Forest Service should also conduct a robust series of in-person public meetings before finalizing any rescission. Additionally, Tribes are entitled to the opportunity to engage in robust consultation, as the repeal of the Rule will have dramatic consequences on their way of life. When the Roadless Rule was originally developed, the aforementioned 600 public meetings ensured that affected communities, Tribes, local governments, industry, recreation interests, and conservation organizations had the opportunity to engage directly with the agency. The proposal to repeal the Rule warrants the same level of public engagement. Public meetings should be held in regions where National Forest System roadless areas are most affected, providing local communities with a meaningful opportunity to ask questions, provide testimony, and ensure the administrative record reflects the perspectives of those who will experience the greatest impacts. A transparent, accessible, and geographically representative public engagement process is essential to maintaining public confidence in the rulemaking process and ensuring the agency fully considers the consequences of such a consequential policy change.

The enduring support for the Roadless Rule is rooted in its clear and measurable benefits. Over the past 25 years, the rule has helped protect watersheds, biodiversity, and ecosystem integrity by limiting road construction and large-scale logging in undeveloped areas. Forest Service data show that watersheds within roadless areas are far more likely to be in “properly functioning” condition compared to those outside of them, which are more often classified as “at risk” or “impaired.”1

These healthy ecosystems support a wide array of wildlife. Roadless areas provide habitat for hundreds of species listed or proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act, including grizzly bears, lynx, and other sensitive species, and disproportionately support species of conservation concern. In addition, these areas play a vital role in climate resilience and carbon storage. For example, the Tongass National Forest alone stores over 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon and sequesters millions more annually.

Claims that the Roadless Rule impedes wildfire management are not supported by the evidence. The rule explicitly allows for wildfire prevention, suppression, and hazardous fuels reduction. In fact, nearly 2 million acres of roadless areas have undergone fuel treatments in recent years.2 Forest Service data also show that roadless areas account for a significant share of fuel treatment activities relative to their forest coverage. Research further indicates that wildfire risk is comparable inside and outside of roadless areas and that roads are not necessary to maintain forest health.

Moreover, scientific studies demonstrate that wildfire ignitions occur far more frequently in roaded areas due to human activity.3 By limiting road construction, the Roadless Rule helps reduce ignition risks from sources such as vehicles, campfires, and other human causes.

Finally, the economic benefits of the Roadless Rule are substantial. By avoiding the construction and maintenance of new roads, the rule saves taxpayers billions of dollars. The Forest Service already faces a road maintenance backlog of nearly $6 billion across its existing system.4 Expanding road networks into remote and often economically unviable areas would only increase these costs. At the same time, protected roadless areas support recreation, tourism, and outdoor economies, while safeguarding clean water and subsistence resources that communities rely on. When it comes to outdoor recreation, roadless areas encompass more than 25,000 miles of trails, 8,500 climbing routes, 1,000 miles of whitewater, and more than 10,000 miles of mountain biking trails across the country, all of which support a $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy. Additionally, hunters and anglers across the nation access these public lands where backcountry provides ample fishing and hunting. The Roadless Rule protects drinking water in 354 municipal watersheds, saving downstream communities millions of dollars in water filtration costs.5

After 25 years of successful implementation, the conclusion is clear: the Roadless Rule is effective, widely supported, and essential to responsible forest management. Rescinding it would undermine decades of progress and impose unnecessary environmental and fiscal costs.

1 https://www.wilderness.org/sites/default/files/media/file/Report-WatershedHealthinWildernessEtc_2012.pdf

2 https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2025/09/17/ex-forest-service-chiefs-warn-against-logging-ban-repeal-00569334

3 Aplet G. et al. “Three-decade record of contiguous-U.S. national forest wildfires indicates increased density of ignitions near roads.” Fire Ecology; Balch J.K. et al., “Human-started wildfires expand the fire niche across the United States.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (2017) 11(114): 2946–2951.

4 https://www.taxpayer.net/energy-natural-resources/comments-on-noi-to-repeal-the-roadless-rule/

5 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/01/12/01-726/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation

We respectfully urge the Department to end its unjustified rescission of the Roadless Rule.

Sincerely,",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-after-attending-unveiling-of-mariners-tribute-to-2001-statue,Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue

SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) attended a ceremony at T-Mobile Park for the opening of Legacy Plaza, which includes a Tribute to 2001 Statue commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11th. The statue depicts Mariners players Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore raising an American flag after the team’s win and clinch of their division on Sept. 19, 2001, eight days after the terrorist attacks.

Sen. Cantwell released this statement:

”In the wake of the horrific 9/11 attacks, with our region still in shock, Mike Cameron, Mark McLemore and the 2001 Mariners created an iconic moment of healing and unity. The statue unveiled today depicts their unforgettable flag raising, honors the victims of 9/11, and will remind generations of baseball fans of the pervading sense of community that Americans felt in the aftermath of the attacks.”",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-pentagon-efforts-to-rob-nih-funding-for-its-own-use/,Senator Murray on Pentagon Efforts to Rob NIH Funding for Its Own Use,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Defense (DOD) inking an inter-agency agreement (IAA) with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which enables DOD to siphon billions of dollars away from NIH to support DOD initiatives instead of funding lifesaving medical research that Congress specifically set aside resources for.

“As if cancelling lifesaving medical research and clinical trials and firing cancer researchers en masse were not bad enough, the Trump administration is now trying to rob NIH of billions of dollars that Congress provided for medical research so that it can pad the Pentagon’s budget.

“This outrageous agreement must be terminated immediately, and we need Republicans in Congress to join us in using their power to ensure that happens. We cannot allow this administration to shred patients’ hopes of new, lifesaving cures and treatments so that President Trump and Secretary Hegseth can secretively fund their own priorities in defiance of Congress.”

The new agreement, which was not proactively shared with Congress, establishes a framework for DOD to potentially tap billions of dollars in funding that Congress provided specifically for NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in order to fund DOD initiatives instead. The arrangement could mean that a substantial portion of NIAID’s overall budget is not spent on NIAID programs, but Pentagon priorities, which should be considered through the deliberative annual appropriations process.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cast-but-never-counted-cantwell-and-secretary-of-state-hobbs-say-trumps-usps-suppressing-wa-mail-in-voting-by-postmarking-or-delivering-ballots-after-election-day,"“Cast, But Never Counted”: Cantwell & Secretary of State Hobbs Say Trump’s USPS Suppressing WA Mail-In Voting by Postmarking or Delivering Ballots After Election Day",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,cantwell,https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"“Cast, But Never Counted”: Cantwell & Secretary of State Hobbs Say Trump’s USPS Suppressing WA Mail-In Voting by Postmarking or Delivering Ballots After Election Day

New snapshot report shows rejected primary ballot rates more than doubled in 19 WA counties compared to 2024, and more than quadrupled in 2 counties; Cantwell: “Washingtonians need to know: The Post Office is taking your ballot as a piece of mail but not stamping it that day.”; Cantwell calls on Homeland Security Committee to bring in USPS leadership for questioning

SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs held a press conference in Seattle, together with Seattle King County NAACP President Hayward Evans and League of Women Voters Snohomish County President Brenda Mann Harrison, to warn Washington voters about Administration efforts to undermine their right to vote.

Sen. Cantwell and Secretary Hobbs released a new snapshot report showing that late-postmark rejection rates have more than doubled in 19 counties compared to the 2024 primaries – with rural counties worst affected -- following a new Trump Administration policy that can delay postmarking of mail-in ballots by several days.

According to the University of Washington’s April 2026 Vote-By-Mail Research Report Series, more than one-third of voters in the State of Washington returned their ballots through the mail and 95% of general election ballots arrived by Election Day between 2020 and 2024. Nationwide nearly 47 mail ballots were safely and securely cast and counted in the 2024 general election, rather than voting in person at a polling place. That included nearly 4 million Washingtonians.

“I’m calling on my colleagues in the United States Senate to do their oversight job and hold hearings as to why the President of the United States and the Postal Service is disenfranchising voters across the United States with policies that are leaving them with a ballot that was cast, but never counted,” Sen. Cantwell said. “That’s what Washingtonians need to know: The Post Office is taking your ballot as a piece of mail but not stamping it that day.”

“Please drop your ballot in a ballot box provided by the local county, if possible,” she continued. “If you can’t do that, and you’re in a rural community, mail your ballot as soon as you get it. Now, I find a little bit of irony here that the president may be disenfranchising his most stable voters in rural communities by taking the vote away. That is why my colleagues in the United States Senate, if they were going to do their constitutional oversight role instead of trying to promote the SAVE [America] Act, would be holding a hearing of the Homeland Security [and Governmental Affairs] Committee and bringing the U.S. Postal Service in.”

“The U.S. Postal Service is trying to do everything they can to ruin vote by mail in the State of Washington,” Secretary Hobbs said. “We are all used to putting our ballot in the mailbox, knowing that if you put it in there before 8 p.m. on election day, it would be counted. But instead, this postmaster general -- in coordination with the administration -- changes the rule on postmarks so that it’s done at the central processing facility. So what does that mean? That could mean days that your ballot is delayed.”

Video of the press conference is HERE; photos are HERE; and a transcript is HERE. Images of charts displayed at the press conference are available HERE.

In December, the United States Postal Service finalized a rule that requires ballots to be postmarked at new regional processing and distribution centers, rather than at a community’s local post office. To compound the delay, under new policy, if your post office is over 50 miles from a distribution center, your mail will be transported to the distribution center only once a day, instead of twice. Depending on where the ballot is mailed from, that transfer can take days or even more than a week – meaning that voters who mail in their ballots on Election Day, or even several days earlier, run the risk of having their votes rejected for being “late.”

The result is significant voter disenfranchisement, especially in rural areas. The top five worst increases in ballot rejection rates between the 2024 and 2026 elections took place in:

Impacts have also been felt by Washington voters earlier this year. During the February 2026 special election, Snohomish County conducted a test of their mail service to assess the delivery times in their area. As part of the test, election staff deposited generic return ballot envelopes in USPS blue collection boxes at various points leading up to the election. They found that of the ballots mailed the morning of Election Day, less than half were postmarked in time to be counted.

Sen. Cantwell and Secretary Hobbs have together been ringing the alarm on the Trump Administration’s dangerous new policies – in February, Sen. Cantwell invited Secretary Hobbs to Washington, D.C., as her guest to President Trump’s State of the Union address to draw attention to the administration’s election interference.

Sen. Cantwell remains a stalwart defender against overreach of the Trump administration into our elections:

On August 5, she sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits systematic voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts.

On July 29, she wrote to Blanche, Mullin, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding to know whether the Trump administration plans to illegally deploy armed federal law enforcement officers at polling sites during the November 2026 elections.

On July 28, Sen. Cantwell sharply criticized the Trump administration’s request that the Supreme Court allow him to seize control of state-run elections and implement an anti-vote-by-mail executive order. Lower courts have repeatedly rejected the president’s arguments and stated that his executive order is unconstitutional.

On July 2, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to the Postmaster General about the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed illegal rule to implement President Trump’s March 31 executive order to interfere with vote-by-mail. Sen. Cantwell’s letter specifically noted the recent decisions of multiple federal courts that found Trump’s executive order unconstitutional and enjoined the USPS from implementing the proposed rule – including in separate cases brought by the State of Washington with other states and the NAACP – and demanded the USPS comply with those court orders.

On June 29, she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee against an effort to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day, even if they’ve been postmarked in time. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington.

On June 24, Sen. Cantwell co-sponsored the Right To Vote Act, legislation to create the first-ever affirmative federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.

On June 24, she also denounced President Trump’s announcement that he would not sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act – an overwhelmingly popular, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate earlier in the week and would have increased housing supply and brought down housing costs – until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. That legislation, which Trump has repeatedly demanded, would eliminate vote-by-mail and impose onerous new restrictions on voting and registering to vote. It would disenfranchise millions of Americans in the name of a voter fraud “crisis” that, even by the standards of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, straightforwardly does not exist. President Trump again demanded Congress pass the restrictive bill following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee. Despite President Trump’s refusal to sign the bipartisan housing bill, it became law on July 11, since he failed to act on the bill within the time period prescribed by the Constitution after Congress sent him the legislation.

On June 23, she joined the entire Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to the USPS demanding the USPS abandon attempts to restrict voting by mail called for by President Trump in an illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On June 23, she also delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling out the Trump Administration’s war on mail-in voting as the latest frontier in a long history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States.

On June 17, she joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues for a spotlight forum highlighting President Trump’s illegal overreach into our free and fair elections.

On June 8, she joined 23 of her Senate colleagues in demanding answers over the Trump Administration’s decision to remove the most recent version of the Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual from DOJ’s website without explanation.

On April 29, she was tapped by Minority Leader Schumer to join a task force of senators defending our elections from interference.

On April 23, she joined colleagues in introducing the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to protect the right to vote by mail and block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On April 22, she sent a letter to the USPS warning the agency against complying with the executive order, which would undermine mail-in voting.

On April 1, after the executive order on mail-in voting was announced, she issued a statement in opposition.

On March 18, she convened a group of current and former elected officials and representatives of nonpartisan voter advocacy groups for a virtual press conference on defending voter access. Video of that entire virtual press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE.

On March 15, she issued a snapshot report showing that the SAVE America Act – the voter suppression bill President Trump has continued to demand Congress pass – would cost Washington state taxpayers more than $35 million this year alone.

On Feb. 20, she convened local leaders in Seattle for a press conference urging Washingtonians to fight back against these proposed new burdens to voting.

On Feb. 19, she gathered in Vancouver with the Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and local chapter heads of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP for a press conference on how this bill would disenfranchise voters.

Also on Feb. 19, she released a snapshot report showing who in Washington would face undue hurdles to voting if the SAVE America Act were signed into law. The report shows that certain populations – including people who live in rural areas, women who changed their name after marriage, and people who recently moved – would face additional, cumbersome burdens to prove their citizenship.

On Feb. 5, she appeared on MSNOW’s Morning Joe to push back against the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to interfere in state-run elections and collect private data on American voters. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s appearance is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

On Jan. 29, Sen. Cantwell joined Senate colleagues in a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushing DOJ to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump Administration their voter rolls, which include voters’ personally identifiable information. DOJ has sued 24 states – including Washington state – and the District of Columbia demanding the personal information of their voters.

On Jan. 15, she joined Senate colleagues in a letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner raising concerns with recent developments affecting postmark practices. Right before the holiday season, USPS changed its postmark practices, which the Senators warned could have significant impacts on voters nationwide and in Washington state – including rural voters, military and overseas voters, and many others who rely on rely on the mail to safely and securely cast their ballot. The new snapshot report Sen. Cantwell and Sec. Hobbs released today shows the actual impact on voters in Washington state so far.

On Jan. 9, she joined 13 Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief before the Supreme Court in the case Watson v. Republican National Committee. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington that permit mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to be counted when they are received within a certain number of days after Election Day.

Previous Article",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-bellingham-senator-murray-hears-how-trumps-trade-war-with-canada-and-war-in-iran-are-driving-up-costs-for-the-maritime-industry-murray-pushes-bill-to-end-trade-war-with-canada-continues/,"In Bellingham, Senator Murray Hears How Trump’s Trade War with Canada and War in Iran Are Driving Up Costs for the Maritime Industry; Murray Pushes Bill to End Trade War with Canada, Continues to Press for Votes to End War with Iran",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,murray,https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Murray: “More fish—fewer tariffs and fewer wars.”

ICYMI: Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson”

Murray has been a longstanding champion of the maritime industry, consistently securing key federal funding increases under tough fiscal conditions; Murray also recently established the first-ever seafood liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Thanks to Trump’s war with Iran, national average diesel has climbed past $5 a gallon—up nearly $2 from a year ago—and fuel can account for as much as 40 percent of the operating costs of a fishing trip

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Bellingham, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a maritime roundtable discussion in Bellingham with the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, commercial fishermen, shellfish growers, maritime workforce leaders, and the Port of Bellingham to hear directly about how President Trump’s chaotic trade war, his war in Iran, and his deep cuts to federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service are raising costs and threatening jobs across Washington state’s working waterfronts.

“Our maritime industry and our ports power the economy in Washington state—our fish and shellfish travel far on their own, but our fishermen and our ports are the reason they’re famous worldwide,” said Senator Murray. “And this administration’s reckless and unpredictable tariffs have been nothing short of a disaster for them—driving up costs and making it impossible for any small business to plan. Let’s just acknowledge how Trump’s decision to pursue an all-out trade war with Canada—Washington state’s biggest trading partner and our country’s closest ally—is beyond stupid and counterproductive, fraying partnerships north of the border that have spanned lifetimes. Trump’s war in Iran has made fuel far more expensive for fleets already running on razor-thin margins. And that’s to say nothing of pushing federal workers out en masse and making severe cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service—clearly, Trump does not understand that our fishermen rely on a top-notch National Weather Service to do their work.”

“The most urgent thing we can do to bring costs down in a big way is put an end to this trade war and to the actual war against Iran—and Congress can do both,” continued Senator Murray. “How about instead of funding bombs in the Middle East we invest in our fisheries and habitat recovery here at home? Let me sum it up: more fish—fewer tariffs and fewer wars.”

Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs in the state tied to international commerce—and no community feels that more directly than Whatcom County, which sits at the Canadian border. In just one year, Trump’s tariff tax has cost the average family nearly $2,000, with hardworking Americans bearing 96% of the cost of the hundreds of billions of dollars in new tariffs. Still, Trump has been undeterred by the chaos and pain his trade war has wrought and continues to double down on the global stage.

Yesterday, Murray announced the End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would revoke and refund Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs and repeal the archaic authorities he has used to continue his trade war. This legislation would apply to Trump’s newest global tariffs of 12.5% and 50% tariffs on Canada.

At the same time, Trump’s war in Iran and the resulting disruption at the Strait of Hormuz have sent fuel costs soaring for Washington state’s fishing fleets and maritime businesses. National average diesel has climbed past $5 a gallon—up nearly $2 from a year ago—and fuel can account for as much as 40 percent of the operating costs of a fishing trip, pushing captains up and down the coast to cut days at sea or tie up their boats altogether.

Joining Senator Murray at the roundtable discussion were: Dan Tucker, Executive Director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County; Sierra Oliver, Program Director of the NW Maritime Apprenticeship Program with the Working Waterfront Foundation; Steve Seymour, Owner and CEO of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company; Ron Wille, President and COO of All American Marine; Jamie Wurtz, commercial fisherman and owner of Wurtz Fisheries; and Mike Hogan, Public Affairs Administrator at the Port of Bellingham.

“Senator Murray is a tremendous champion for Washington’s working waterfronts,” said Port of Bellingham Public Affairs Administrator Mike Hogan. “Over the past two years, Senator Murray has helped secure over $40 million in federal grants to rebuild Whatcom County’s maritime infrastructure and create new family-wage jobs.”

“Maritime sectors worldwide are underway with the largest shift in technology since the switch from sail to steam,” said Dan Tucker, Executive Director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. “Whatcom County and Washington state need steady regulation and policy, protection for American shipbuilding and crews through the Jones Act, federal investment in business and workforce development, and careful consideration of our international partners in order to provide career-track, retirement-potential opportunities to the next generation that will build tomorrow’s blue economy.”

“First the price of fish is of greatest concern, if the markets are not buying wild sustainable caught fish at a healthy price our business is unsustainable and crew and captains alike cannot make a living,” said Jamie Wurtz, commercial fisherman and owner of Wurtz Fisheries. “Fuel costs have the second biggest impact on small fishing operations. These can normally be the largest expense of any fishing season with this last year’s price of agricultural- off road diesel fuel increasing 22%. For example, last year in WA state fuel rose from $3.59 a gallon to $5.00 a gallon and in Alaska it was even higher, going from $4.68 a gallon to $6.10. That translates to being the largest expense in our operation after the cost of financing a boat. This increase impacts our ability to be profitable. All fishermen need to see some stability in the markets for the price of seafood as well as the price of fuel.”

“Whatcom County businesses are ready to grow, but need investment in industrial waterfront infrastructure, clearer and more predictable environmental regulations, and faster, more accessible workforce-training incentives. These changes would unlock business expansion, create good-paying jobs, and expand workforce development opportunities. Limited infrastructure restricts our ability to create the volume of work and training opportunities needed to bring more women and other underrepresented workers into the marine trades,” said Patrick Schjelderup, co-owner and CEO of Top to Bottom Marine, Inc.

Senator Murray has consistently gone to bat for Washington state’s fishermen and maritime workforce in the federal funding bills she helps to write as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, securing important funding increases for programs at NOAA that support aquaculture and fisheries. Murray also secured funding to create and establish the first-ever seafood industry liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. President Trump’s FY27 budget request proposes serious cuts that would hit the people in Whatcom County’s maritime community directly—including completely eliminating funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Murray has made clear she plans to rip up President Trump’s budget and write a new one.

Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war from the very start and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade, while calling on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war and take back Congress’s constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Senator Murray has held events in every corner of Washington state to hear directly from constituents, businesses, and workers about how Trump’s tariffs are harming them—including in Tacoma, Yakima, Vancouver, Seattle, Skagit County, and Blaine, just across the border from Canada. Last fall, she held a roundtable with small business owners in Vancouver and slammed Trump for the cost of his tariffs. Last December, she responded to a Joint Economic Committee report showing Trump’s tariffs on Canada have caused a steep decline in Canadian tourism that is harming border communities in Washington state. She also grilled U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing over how the trade war with Canada is hurting Washington state businesses and consumers. Murray has been outspoken in her opposition to Trump’s pointless and counterproductive hostilities toward Canada at every step.

Senator Murray has also repeatedly voted to end President Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran, including voting for war powers resolutions to terminate hostilities absent a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force from Congress, and has demanded answers from the administration on behalf of Washington state constituents who do not want to be dragged into another forever war.

###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z