Senator Murray Slams Republicans for Sham HELP Committee Hearing to Discredit Medication Abortion: “We All Know This Hearing is Not About Safety—It’s About Banning Abortion Nationwide”

Murray presses Republican witness on efforts to weaponize environmental laws to ban mifepristone, anti-abortion group talking point that “people need to understand that they are likely drinking other people’s abortions”—Murray: “That is insane. That comment is insane.”

Senator Murray: “This hearing is not about the actual science or the facts—and it’s certainly not about what is best for women’s health. This hearing is really about the fact that Trump and his anti-abortion allies want to ban abortion nationwide and medication abortion is the most common method of abortion in the U.S.”

NYT THIS WEEK: F.D.A. Decisions on Abortion Pill Were Based on Science, New Analysis Finds

ICYMI: Murray Leads Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Demanding Answers from Trump Admin on New “Review” of Mifepristone Despite Decades of Evidence Proving its Safety & Efficacy

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s opening remarks***

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s Q&A with witnesses***

Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing deceptively entitled, “Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs,” Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP Committee, drove home the facts about mifepristone—an FDA-approved medication used in medication abortion—and slammed Republicans for their sham partisan effort to sow doubt about the established safety record of mifepristone as part of their crusade to rip away access to medication abortion and ban abortion nationwide.

Mifepristone has been approved by the FDA since 2000 and has been used safely by more than 7.5 million people in the U.S. since then. Mifepristone is one of the most rigorously studied medications; it has been proven safe and effective in more than one hundred rigorous studies over the past few decades. Medication abortion using mifepristone accounts for the vast majority—nearly two-thirds—of all abortions in the United States since the Dobbs decision. Mifepristone is approved in at least 100 countries and used widely around the world.

According to leading medical organizations and the FDA itself, serious complications from mifepristone are “extremely rare.” Additionally, FDA already imposes extremely burdensome restrictions on mifepristone that are unsupported given the drug’s safety profile—restrictions leading medical organizations have long advocated for the removal of. On October 30, 2025, a federal court ruled in Purcell v. Kennedy that the FDA’s explanation for the current restrictions on mifepristone is unsupported and illogical, that FDA ignored peer-reviewed research showing that mifepristone is extremely safe when regulated like other prescription drugs, and that the FDA’s restrictions significantly reduce patient access.

Two-thirds of U.S. adults oppose banning medication abortion. The overwhelming majority of Americans don’t want abortion legislated at all.

Witnesses at the hearing were: Attorney General of Louisiana Elizabeth Murrill; Dr. Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst, a member of the anti-abortion group AAPLOG; and Dr. Nisha Verma, a practicing OBGYN in Massachusetts and Georgia and a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health.

In opening comments, Senator Muray said:

“The fact of the matter is: medication abortion is safe and effective, and we have known that for a very long time. FDA had the data to prove this when they first approved mifepristone twenty-five years ago, and its safety was reaffirmed when FDA approved a generic version this last fall.

“We have a tremendous amount of data showing how safe this medication is. More than 160 high-quality studies have been conducted, and millions of women around the world use mifepristone safely every year with fewer complications than Viagra or penicillin.

“The fact of the matter is, mifepristone is one of the most studied medications we have. It’s also one of the most restricted, despite its impressive safety profile. In fact, in October, a federal court ruled that FDA’s current restrictions on mifepristone are illogical and unsupported by the evidence.

“The only reason mifepristone is regulated as heavily as it already is, is because of anti-abortion politics, not because of science. And now Republicans are holding this hearing to peddle debunked junk ‘studies’ by anti-abortion organizations which have no credibility and have been forcefully condemned by actual medical organizations, to justify reinstating more burdensome requirements and ultimately ripping medication abortion off the shelves entirely.

“We all know this hearing is not about the actual science or the facts—and it’s certainly not about what is best for women’s health. This hearing is really about the fact that Trump and his anti-abortion allies want to ban abortion nationwide and medication abortion is the most common method of abortion in the U.S.

“Republicans are furious that despite their extreme abortion bans some women are still finding ways to get the care that they need. And they want to put a stop to it—whatever it takes. Of course, the overwhelming majority of people in this country do not want medication abortion ripped away. And they do not want Republicans legislating their pregnancies. And I think most people are going to see right through the utter BS that is being staged here today.

“I also have to say: I am stunned—that Republicans found time to hold this sham hearing, when they have yet to have held any sort of hearing holding RFK Jr. to account for undermining access to safe and effective vaccines and letting deadly diseases like measles and whooping cough rip through our communities.

“Wasn’t he supposed to be here quarterly? Wasn’t he supposed to leave the vaccine schedule alone? And isn’t this Committee supposed to be conducting oversight? It seems we will have a hearing on literally, anything but that.”

[GOP LIES ABOUT COERCION]

Senator Murray began by asking, “One talking point that we’re hearing a lot from anti-choice extremists has to do with coercion—that current regulations allowing telemedicine prescribing and dispensing somehow ‘empower abusers,’ as opposed to empowering, say, the hundreds of thousands of women who seek out care that way every year.”

“Dr. Verma, which is the problem in this scenario: is it the availability of a safe and effective drug for abortion care, or is it people who abuse or coerce women?”

Dr. Verma replied in part, “We know that abortion care and telehealth care actually helps protect people having all of their options helps protect people. We’ve seen in the data that for people that are in abusive relationships, that are denied needed abortions, they’re more likely to stay in those abusive relationships and put themselves and their families and children at risk. What we need here is real solutions to support people in these relationships and people that are being coerced. Restricting care further is not a real solution—it is a distraction.”

Senator Murray continued, “I’m really tired of Republicans pretending they care about ‘protecting women’—when all they mean is taking away women’s ability to make decisions about their own bodies.”

“If they really cared about ‘protecting women’: they would care about the fact that this Administration refused to release the Epstein files without an Act of Congress, or they wouldn’t cut grants for crime victims’ services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, they’d actually care about the fact that this Administration has elevated people who shield alleged sex traffickers like Andrew Tate. And they certainly wouldn’t be trying to force rape victims to stay pregnant no matter what.”

[MIFEPRISTONE IN THE WATER]

Senator Murray continued her questioning by addressing the push by anti-abortion groups and Republicans in Congress to weaponize environmental laws to restrict medication abortion. In June, Senator Lankford (R-OK) led other Senate and House Republicans in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate the environmental risks of mifepristone, without any factual basis. In December, Students for Life of America—an influential anti-abortion group—launched a campaign to rally its supporters to flood Trump’s EPA to add mifepristone to a list of drinking water contaminants tracked by public utilities.

“Anti-abortion groups have shown time and again that they will try anything to rip away access to medication abortion, including, actually in recent years, pushing this absurd lie that mifepristone is somehow ‘poisoning our water supply,’” Senator Murray said. “They absurdly claim that when people self-manage abortions at home, they’re somehow contaminating the environment. This is crazy. The head of policy for the anti-abortion group Students for Life told Politico last year, ‘People need to understand that they are likely drinking other people’s abortions.’”

Senator Murray asked Dr. Wubbenhorst, “Do you agree that that’s the case?”

Dr. Wubbenhorst replied in part, “I don’t really feel qualified to speak on this issue, because I do think that there are other products that are disposed of in wastewater—miscarriages are, menstrual hygiene products are. I do think that it is highly problematic that a woman who received an abortion drug goes back and delivers her baby in the toilet, in her dorm room, shower, wherever it is.”

“That is insane,” Senator Murray replied. “That comment is insane. We all know that the push to use environmental laws to rip away mifepristone is not about the environment. The head of policy for Students for Life literally described it as, ‘using the devil’s own tools against them.’

“People need to understand that right now, anti-abortion groups are pushing invasive and dehumanizing laws to block women—in states where abortion is legal—from getting the care in the privacy of their own homes. Republicans need to stop this and I am just appalled that this is where they are going.”

Senator Murray leads the Democratic caucus on reproductive health care issues, and she has led the fight in Congress to protect and expand access to mifepristone. Senator Murray led the Congressional response to FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a lawsuit brought by Republican anti-abortion extremists trying to rip away access to mifepristone—Murray led multiple amicus briefs, organized her colleagues, and raised the alarm at every turn. In June 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on standing, but Murray made clear that “the nationwide threat to medication abortion has not gone away—far from it. If Donald Trump and his anti-abortion allies return to power, they will do everything they can to rip away access to mifepristone and ban abortion nationwide.” Senator Murray has grilled Trump’s FDA Commissioner, Marty Makary, on access to mifepristone at every opportunity she’s had—including at a HELP Committee hearing on his nomination in March, and an Appropriations Agriculture-FDA subcommittee hearing in May. In 2023, Senator Murray pressed national pharmacies including Costco to ensure access to mifepristone, and in August, when Costco announced it would no longer sell mifepristone at its stores, Murray spoke out to demand they reverse course. In November, Senator Murray led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary expressing alarm over the Trump administration’s plans to conduct “its own review of the evidence” on the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone. Murray’s letter laid into the recent junk science “report” on mifepristone put out by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC)—an avowedly anti-abortion think tank—that appears to be the basis for the Trump administration’s announced review of mifepristone. “By elevating the sham EPPC report as rationale for restricting access to mifepristone, HHS is blatantly undermining well-established science and weaponizing disinformation to fit the Trump administration’s clear agenda to cut off abortion access in any way possible,” Murray and the senators wrote.

Throughout her career, Murray has beat back countless Republican attacks on reproductive care and other family planning services—and she is widely credited with successfully pushing the Bush administration’s FDA to follow the science and make Plan B available over the counter.

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Senator Murray Statement on Trump Axing Thousands of Grants to Treat and Prevent Addiction, Provide Mental Health Services

Overnight, Trump admin wiped out billions in mental health and substance use disorder grants awarded by SAMHSA to communities nationwide—including in Washington state

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision overnight to reportedly terminate as many as 2,800 grants totaling approximately $2 billion for communities across the country to combat substance use disorder and provide mental health services. The grants were awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“So much for Make America Healthy Again and saving Americans from addiction and suicide—last night, the Trump administration decided to rip $2 billion away from communities across the country to tackle the fentanyl crisis and get people mental health care. This administration’s claims about taking on the opioid crisis couldn’t be more hollow. You can’t cut off thousands of grants to tackle addiction and pardon a man convicted of mass-scale drug trafficking and pretend to be serious about dealing with this issue.

“This decision is going to mean real people in Washington state and every part of the country do not get the care and treatment they are counting on—and that could save their life. Republicans must join me in demanding these cuts be reversed.”

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Padilla, Schiff Introduce Bill to Protect First Amendment Rights, Safeguard Americans From Politically Motivated Harassment, Prosecutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06) to introduce the No Political Enemies (NOPE) Act, legislation to help protect individuals and organizations — including nonprofits, faith groups, media outlets, and educational institutions — from politically motivated harassment and prosecution by the federal government.

The NOPE Act would reaffirm the constitutionally protected right to free speech, establish an affirmative defense, and provide additional legal tools for those targeted in politically motivated prosecutions or civil enforcement actions. The bill would also create an accountability structure for any government agency or executive branch employee that uses federal funds to suppress protected speech by making them criminally liable for certain violations and allowing victims of political targeting to sue them in their personal capacity.

“The President and his Administration have shredded the fundamental principle that in America, we don’t punish our political opponents — we protect free speech,” said Senator Padilla. “History warns us that when leaders try to weaponize the government against members of Congress or entertainers like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert simply for questioning authority or voicing their disagreements, it’s a sign of weakness, not strength. The NOPE Act will make essential reforms to help protect the constitutionally protected right to free speech for all Americans.”

“President Trump — and the loyalists who carry out his orders — think they can weaponize the federal government to target people who speak out against the regime with total impunity,” said Senator Murphy. “They’re going after elected officials and public figures, but their real goal is to intimidate the millions of everyday Americans who oppose Trump’s political agenda into silence. Our bill gives those who are speaking truth to power the tools they need to defend themselves if the regime comes after them — and includes serious, enforceable legal consequences for the Trump loyalists who are carrying out his campaign of retribution. This bill shouldn’t be controversial. If Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on the basic idea that the president can’t use government employees and funds to go after his political enemies, then we are closer than ever to losing our democracy.”

“From targeting media companies to nonprofit organizations to universities, Donald Trump’s administration has been pushing to silence and intimidate the president’s critics. Now more than ever, we need to reaffirm our Constitutional rights and prohibit the president from weaponizing the federal government against people who disagree with his administration. With this bill, we’re fighting back to ensure we continue to protect the American people’s rights and freedoms,” said Senator Schiff.

“I went to war three times for this country to defend the rights of every American, including those who I may disagree with, because that is who we are as a country. The President is trying to use the full force of the federal government to suppress free speech rights. I won’t remain silent as the President and his administration go after their political opponents and stifle dissent,” said Representative Crow.

Less than a year into President Trump’s second term, the Administration has used the vast powers of the federal government to go after its perceived political enemies hundreds of times. After the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk in September, President Trump quickly exploited the tragic shooting as justification to threaten left-leaning individuals and organizations. Leading figures throughout the executive branch, from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Attorney General Pam Bondi all the way up to Vice President JD Vance, issued overt threats of executive branch retribution against perceived political opponents. Shortly thereafter, FTC Chair Brendan Carr deployed mob-style threats to jawbone ABC, and its local affiliates throughout the country, into taking Trump critic Jimmy Kimmel off the air.

Recently, the Trump Administration expanded and escalated their political targeting operation to the Department of Defense, opening a military investigation into retired Navy Captain and sitting U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) after he participated in a video that didn’t align with the Trump agenda.

In addition to Senators Padilla and Schiff, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.-06), and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.-10) also cosponsored the bill.

The No Political Enemies Act’s key provisions include:

Clear Statement of Congressional Policy: Enact a clear statutory declaration that no federal executive branch official may initiate or direct investigative, regulatory, or enforcement actions against Americans to suppress or burden constitutionally protected speech or association (i.e., “politically motivated” targeting).

Statutory Defense in Political Targeting Cases: Create an affirmative defense in criminal prosecutions or civil enforcement actions. If a defendant presents substantial evidence that protected speech or association was a motivating factor, the burden shifts to the government to prove that legitimate, non-protected grounds justified the action. As part of this inquiry, the court may grant expedited discovery into government motivations. This provides a tool for those wrongly targeted to get meaningful access to evidence, corrects the imbalance of proof, and allows courts to quickly dismiss abusive actions.

Narrow Statutory Bivens Remedy to Deter Targeted Political Retaliation: Establish a cause of action allowing individuals to sue federal officials for damages when their First Amendment rights are violated due to politically motivated targeting. The bill would immunize officials who demonstrate the target’s speech was not constitutionally protected, but end existing immunities for federal employees from lawsuits in their personal capacity.

Attorney Fee-shifting to Deter Meritless Politically Motivated Enforcement: Require the U.S. government to pay reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to individuals and organizations who prevail in criminal prosecutions or civil enforcement actions if they can demonstrate the government’s action was substantially motivated by a desire to suppress their constitutionally protected speech or association.

Prohibition on Use of Funds for Politically Motivated Targeting: Would prohibit the use of federal funds for any investigatory, regulatory, or enforcement action initiated or pursued to suppress protected speech. Violations would trigger the Anti-Deficiency Act, creating administrative and potential criminal liability, and allow private parties to seek to prevent the use of such funds.

The bill is endorsed by Protect Democracy, Americans Against Government Censorship, the Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, and MoveOn.

“President Trump is carrying out an unprecedented campaign of retribution against his political opponents–this is what autocrats do to cement their grip on power,” said Justin Vail, Counsel at Protect Democracy. “In a democracy, the president cannot use the vast powers of government to silence critics. The genius of the No Political Enemies Act is that it empowers everyday Americans with new tools to defend themselves against political targeting and hold government officials accountable for attacks on their free speech, regardless of who the president is.”

“The Trump administration is openly breaking the law and weaponizing the machinery of government to punish its critics and silence dissent. The No Political Enemies Act is a good step that gives important protections to Americans who speak out against the government, strengthening their rights to free speech and creating more accountability for politicians that abuse their power,” said Cole Leiter, Executive Director of Americans Against Government Censorship. “Over the last year, we have seen historic efforts to use the power of government to silence the president’s political opponents. No American should fear they will be the victim of a weaponized government, and legislative action should be a cause for bipartisan agreement and action.

“Abusing government power to attack political opponents should be a hard NOPE,” said Adav Noti, Executive Director at Campaign Legal Center. “As threats to the rule of law grow, Americans are increasingly at risk of retaliation and intimidation for speaking their mind. The right to criticize and challenge government actions is not just protected by the Constitution — it is a cornerstone of American life. The No Political Enemies Act is an essential step toward protecting that foundational principle. This important legislation will prohibit the government from targeting individuals and domestic groups for their protected speech and political activities, as well as give Americans new tools to defend their rights. CLC thanks the sponsors of this bill for their leadership and urges Congress to pass the NOPE Act without delay.”

As President Trump and his Administration launched repeated attacks against Americans’ First Amendment rights, Padilla joined a press conference to announce the NOPE Act last September. Shortly after CBS announced they were canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Padilla joined the show to call out the Trump Administration’s cruel, unpopular mass deportations.

A one-pager on the bill is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Padilla Statement on Republicans Blocking Effort to Rein in Trump’s Unlawful Military Action in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan war powers resolution to end U.S. military involvement within or against Venezuela that has not been explicitly authorized by Congress:

“The Senate Republican majority just walked away from their constitutional duty and chose to rubberstamp Trump’s ‘act now, plan later’ military intervention in Venezuela. They are blindly endorsing the actions of a president who cannot articulate a clear mission or long-term strategy in the region, putting American troops in harm’s way and gambling with billions of taxpayer dollars.

“Trump campaigned on ending endless wars, not starting new ones. He lied to Congress and the American people, cozying up to Big Oil while hiding behind claims of combating drug trafficking just after pardoning another head of state found guilty of helping smuggle 400 tons of cocaine into our country.

“If Senate Republicans were truly ‘America First,’ they would stand up for the Constitution they swore to defend and reclaim Congress’ authority instead of once again surrendering it to an out-of-control president.”

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Reed Rips Trump for Eliminating Nearly $2B in Grants to Treat and Prevent Addiction, Provide Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON, DC – In a shocking blow to public health and a major setback for families struggling with a loved one’s addiction recovery or mental health treatment, the Trump Administration unilaterally terminated nearly $2 billion in federal health services grants administered by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The shocking move will disrupt treatment for people and prevent nonprofits from delivering much needed aid to people experiencing addiction, homelessness, and mental illness.

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:

“This is a cruel, careless, and counter-productive move that threatens critical services for vulnerable people experiencing mental illness, substance use, and homelessness as well as overdose prevention. Instead of helping people recover and get back on their feet, the Trump Administration is pushing thousands of people into the streets and denying them the care they need.

“This short-sighted decision won’t make America healthier or safer, it will instead put more stress on local law enforcement and add a heavier financial burden to local communities. It also underscores how unserious the Trump Administration is about drugs. They blow up a few drug boats in Venezuela while allowing fentanyl to pour into communities and then President Trump pardons prominent drug traffickers. Donald Trump talks about the number of drug overdose deaths, but then he turns around and cuts off funding for people in treatment.

“This will have a major impact on all fifty states and I will work on a bipartisan basis to fix it. My office is actively gathering information from impacted local non-profits, schools, and health providers to better understand the scope of the Trump Administration’s cancellations. Defunded programs should contact my office and I will continue doing everything I can to support them and hold the Trump Administration accountable.”


Ricketts, Coons Lead Bipartisan Bill to Boost Bio-Manufacturing and Expand Markets for Nebraska Ag

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Renewable Chemicals Act. The bipartisan legislation would provide a targeted, short-term tax credit for qualifying renewable chemicals or an investment tax credit for renewable chemical production facilities. Renewable chemicals are produced from biomass such as corn and soybeans. This would incentivize the development of additional markets for Nebraska farmers. It would create Nebraska jobs in the chemical industry.

“Nebraska is the global leader in value-added agriculture,” said Senator Ricketts. “This bill opens new markets for Nebraska ag. It will bring more ag-driven manufacturing to Nebraska. Bio-based products are common sense. They’re a win for consumers, the environment, and our farmers and ranchers. We aren’t just growing food in Nebraska. We are growing the raw materials for America’s future.”

“Delaware has always been a leader in innovation, especially in chemistry,” said Senator Coons. “I’m excited to introduce this bipartisan bill that will support innovators as they make chemical manufacturing better for people and the planet while helping our state’s economy thrive.”

Key Provisions of the Renewable Chemicals Act:

Production Tax Credit: A tax credit equal to 15% of the sales price per pound of renewable chemicals produced from biomass.

Investment Tax Credit: A 30% tax credit for investments in new renewable chemical production facilities.

Biobased Standards: Eligible chemicals must be at least 95% biobased content and utilize the USDA Certified Biobased Product label.

“AFCC and its member companies thank Senators Coons and Ricketts for sponsoring the bipartisan bill for renewable chemicals, bioplastics, biopolymers and biomaterials which mitigate emissions, create jobs, promotes innovation, strengthens biomanufacturing, and shortens processing steps compared to incumbent technologies,” said Rina Singh, PhD., Executive Vice President of Public Policy at the Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition. “If enacted, the new tax credit for the production of renewable chemicals will allow for a credit up to 15% of the sales price of each pound of renewable chemical or the producer has the option of taking a 30% investment tax credit. This new tax credit will encourage industrial biotechnology companies to make investments and deploy domestic feedstocks.”

“The Renewable Chemicals Act could possibly contribute to our OrganiqPP® resins, produced from corn-based ethanol, to be more competitive in end markets such as automotive, construction and consumer products. Citroniq’s Nebraska ethanol-to-polypropylene project provides local farmers a new higher-valued demand for corn, replacing declining gasoline demand for ethanol,” said Mel Badheka, President & Co-Founder of Citroniq Chemicals.

“This bipartisan legislation strengthens U.S. manufacturing by supporting domestic renewable chemical production, driving innovation in sustainable chemistry, and bolstering quality jobs nationwide,” said Leticia Goncalves Lourenco, President of Health & Biosciences at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. “By encouraging investment in advanced biobased technologies and reducing reliance on fossil-based resources, the Renewable Chemicals Act of 2025 fosters collaboration across the bioeconomy and catalyzes advanced manufacturing at home. At IFF, we look forward to continuing our work with customers, policymakers, and communities to accelerate bio-based innovation for the future.”


Ricketts Highlights Successes of President Trump’s First Year Back in Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Looking ahead to January 20, 2026, today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted the many successes of President Trump’s first year of his second term, underscoring that America is getting back on track.

“Four years of Biden brought us open borders, record inflation, and emboldened adversaries,” said Senator Ricketts. “After a year, President Trump and Senate Republicans are getting America back on track. We’re making our streets safer. We’re putting more money in your pocket. We’re restoring peace through strength. I am working with President Trump to deliver for Nebraskans.

Watch the video here.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “Four years of Biden brought us open borders, record inflation, and emboldened adversaries.

“After a year, President Trump and Senate Republicans are getting America back on track — Let’s recap 2025.

“We’re making our streets safer.

“We’re putting money back in your pocket.

“And, we’re restoring peace through strength.

“I am working with President Trump to deliver for Nebraskans.

“When he began his second term, President Trump promised our safety would be restored.

“We have kept that promise.

“I’ve been to the border four times under both Presidents Biden and Trump.

“Under President Biden, there were 10.5 million law enforcement encounters with people trying to enter into our country illegally.

“Today, under President Trump, the border is now secure.

“Average daily encounters are down 95%.

“For seven consecutive months, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into our country.

“The difference at the border is night and day.

“President Biden said he needed new laws to secure the border.

“Turns out, all we needed was a new President.

“Senate Republicans are working with President Trump to make sure our law enforcement officers are supported.

“We passed the Laken Riley Act, the strongest immigration enforcement legislation in decades.

“It includes Sarah’s Law, named for the young graduate of Bellevue University who was killed by an illegal alien drunk driver in 2016.

“We passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, which provides harsher sentences for fentanyl traffickers.

“We invested $170 billion in border infrastructure, technology, and personnel.

“This will allow completion of the border wall system and expand detention capacity.

“The investment provides Border Patrol agents with cutting-edge surveillance tools and drones.

“We funded the hiring of 16,000 new immigration and customs agents.

“The Border Patrol academy is now full with the most trainees they’ve ever had.

“The Senate also voted to confirm Lesley Woods, President Trump’s nominee to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska.

“She has been hard at work prosecuting crimes in Nebraska.

“In August, U.S. Attorney Woods announced the arrest of five individuals for sex and human trafficking, visa fraud, and money laundering.

“These individuals trafficked minors and are present in the country illegally.

“Last month, U.S. Attorney Woods indicted 54 defendants for a massive fraud scheme funding the violent terrorist cartel Tren de Aragua.

“Throughout 2025, U.S. Attorney Woods also announced arrests of hitmen and leaders of the violent MS-13 cartel.

“We’re making Nebraska streets safer.

“After a year of President Trump, more money is going into Nebraskans’ pockets.

“With the Working Families Tax Cuts, we’re renewing opportunity and lowering Nebraskans’ taxes.

“Without this historic legislation, Nebraskans would’ve seen a tax increase of $2,400.

“Instead, federal taxes were cut by an average of $3,750.

“CBS News reports that average tax refunds will increase by $1,000 and that withholding from paychecks will decrease.

“According to the Treasury Department, average take-home pay will increase by $7,500.

“In 2026, hard-working Nebraskans will see more money in their pockets.

“In the Working Families Tax Cuts, we secured provisions for no tax on tips and no tax on overtime.

“It will be easier and more affordable to create jobs.

“Businesses are incentivized to invest in childcare for their workers.

“Families will save money with the $2,200 child tax credit.

“The dependent care deduction went up from $5,000 to $7,500.

“The Paid Family Medical Leave tax credit was made permanent and enhanced, encouraging businesses to offer this benefit to workers.

“I made a promise to Nebraskans that the death tax exemption would be made permanent.

“We delivered on that promise.

“Over 80% of Nebraska farms are family owned.

“Now, they can stay that way.

“Also, 88% of seniors will pay no federal income tax on their social security.

“This is something we did in Nebraska while I was governor for state income taxes.

“President Biden had an appeasement first policy.

“His policies emboldened our adversaries.

“President Trump is demonstrating peace through strength to deter our adversaries.

“With support from Congress, President Trump is rebuilding our military.

“Military recruiting is breaking records as the Trump administration restores the warfighting spirit.

“Together, we are ensuring our military remains the most powerful and advanced fighting force in the world.

“That includes major investment in Offutt Air Force Base.

“We provided funding for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system, which will be based partially in Nebraska.

“This will help the airmen based at Offutt to execute their mission of nuclear deterrence.

“That deters our adversaries and keeps Nebraskans safe.

“Joe Biden pursued a catastrophic open border.

“Biden’s policies led to 40-year-high inflation.

“He distracted our military from its warfighting mission.

“In 2025, these policies were reversed.

“President Trump and I will continue delivering for Nebraskans.

“That means safer streets, more money in your pocket, and peace through strength.”


Sen. Johnson Subpoenas AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen for Records Identifying Targets of the Arctic Frost Investigation

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, subpoenaed AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen for records identifying the targets of Jack Smith’s partisan investigation into President Trump, also known as “Arctic Frost.” Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Chairman Johnson on the cover letter to these companies.

These subpoenas will ensure that the companies will provide full and complete responses to the chairmen’s ongoing requests for information relating to Jack Smith’s efforts to acquire phone records from law abiding U.S. citizens, including Members of Congress.

“Over the last year, Chairman Grassley and I identified hundreds of individuals and entities that Jack Smith swept into his massive partisan dragnet, including Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA and elected officials. In response to these subpoenas, I expect the telecom companies to identify even more people Jack Smith ruthlessly targeted as he weaponized the federal justice system against law-abiding patriots,” Chairman Johnson stated.

The subpoenas follow the chairmen’s extensive oversight of the Biden administration’s efforts to cripple President Trump and his allies. Last year, Chairmen Johnson and Grassley revealed that the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) subpoenaed phone records belonging to at least 13 Members of Congress. Through whistleblower disclosures, the chairmen released records showing that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of “Arctic Frost.”

The subpoenas issued on Jan. 13, 2026 are below:

AT&T

Verizon

Lumen

Read more about the chairman’s subpoenas in Just The News.

Learn more about Sen. Johnson’s Arctic Frost oversight:

November 12, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Call for Full Release of Jack Smith Subpoenas

October 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose “Arctic Frost” Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans

October 14, 2025: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith

October 10, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress

May 5, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Request Biden White House and NARA Records on Politically-Motivated Investigations into President Trump

April 9, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation

March 14, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation

January 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case

###


Schatz Announces Nominees for U.S. Military Service Academies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced the names of 71 students he nominated to attend the nation’s military service academies.

“These students represent the very best of Hawai‘i, and it’s an honor to nominate them to our nation’s military service academies,” said Senator Schatz. “I commend them for their commitment to serving our country and wish them the very best.”

The United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Naval Academy are highly selective post-secondary institutions. The academies will evaluate the nominees and determine which will be given Offers of Appointment for the Class of 2030. Upon graduation these students become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces.

Senator Schatz nominated the following individuals:

U.S. Air Force Academy

Kasyn Amazaki, Honolulu, ‘Iolani School

Teague Baerman, Kailua, Kalaheo High School and Randolf-Macon Academy

Luke Barner, Honolulu, Radford High School

Rosalisha Barrett, Holualoa, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy

Jacob Blaze Cabuhat, ‘Aiea, Punahou School

Julian Cortez, Kihei, Seabury Hall

Hayden Edgmon, Wahiawa, Leilehua High School

Kodai Eskin, Honolulu, Punahou School

Shota Eskin, Honolulu, Punahou School

John Ganske, Honolulu, Moanalua High School and New Mexico Military Institute

Ryder Goto, Honolulu, Kalani High School

Lia Hamamura, Honolulu, Kaiser High School

Timothy Iha, Pearl City, Pearl City High School

Isamu Kahai, Wailuku, Baldwin High School

Aidan Kam, Honolulu, Punahou School

William Kayes, Makawao, Seabury Hall

Kailee Lambert, Kane‘ohe, Kalaheo High School

Inwoo Lim, Daegu, Daegu Middle High School

Akaecia Mateo, Honolulu, Moanalua High School and New Mexico Military Institute

Stanley Ray Oka, Kailua-Kona, Clovis West High School

Liam Pangilinan, Honolulu, Moanalua High School

Katalina Perry, Wailuku, Kihei Charter School and USAFA Preparatory School

Tuan Pettaway, Waipahu, Mililani High School and USAFA Preparatory School

Johanna Roggenkamp, Hilo, Leipzig International School and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Christopher Tang, ‘Ewa Beach, Campbell High School and USAFA Preparatory School

Nakoa Tutop, Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama

Derrick Ung, ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea High School

Joseph Yeates, La‘ie, Kahuku High & Intermediate School

Andrew Yu, Kahuku, Kahuku High & Intermediate School

U.S. Military Academy

Reggie Adams, Lana‘i City, Lana‘i High & Elementary School and New Mexico Military Institute

Ian Barbour, Honolulu, The Barbour Homeschool Academy and University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

Jacob Blaze Cabuhat, ‘Aiea, Punahou School

Tristen Cole, Honolulu, Moanalua High School

Anthony Dang, Honolulu, University Laboratory School

Casey Jones, Honolulu, Hawai‘i Baptist Academy

Matthew Lamborn, Wahiawa, Mililani High School

Joseph Lapinad, Kane‘ohe, Punahou School

Brycen Lew, Honolulu, Punahou School

Liam Martin, Honolulu, Punahou School

Jazmine Mayo, Waipahu, ‘Aiea High School

Malia McCoy, Honolulu, Punahou School

Juneau Stickley, Papa‘ikou, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School

Luke VanAntwerp, Wahiawa, Mililani High School

Andrew Yu, Kahuku, Kahuku High & Intermediate School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Kendall Aragon, Honolulu, Moanalua High School

Gavin Buelow, Honolulu, Punahou School

Elizabeth Gillaspie, Honolulu, Maryknoll High School

Darren Kim, ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea High School

Kailee Lambert, Kane‘ohe, Kalaheo High School

Clarence Loomis, Kailua, Kalaheo High School

Akaecia Mateo, Honolulu, Moanalua High School and New Mexico Military Institute

Elvis Miller, Kane‘ohe, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama

Parker Reppun, Honolulu, Punahou School

Cru Spalding, Ha‘iku, Kamehameha Schools Maui

U.S. Naval Academy

Jade Baltazar, Hilo, Waiakea High School

Luke Barner, Honolulu, Radford High School

Tyler Beissel, Kailua, Sacred Hearts Academy

Samuel Bennett, Honolulu, Punahou School

Juliet Caston, ‘Ewa Beach, Campbell High School

Katelyn Deiner, Kapolei, Moanalua High School

Kodai Eskin, Honolulu, Punahou School

Shota Eskin, Honolulu, Punahou School

Aiden Espiritu , Wai‘anae, Wai‘anae High School

Adam Ettlich, Honolulu, Soli Deo Gloria Academy

Elizabeth Gillaspie, Honolulu, Maryknoll High School

Vanessa He, Honolulu, Hawai‘i Baptist Academy

Akahai Hudgens, Kailua, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

Malakai Keawe-Correa, Hilo, Hilo High School

Noah Langford, Kailua-Kona, Konawaena High School

Brandon Lin, Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i High School

Clarence Loomis, Kailua, Kalaheo High School

Liam Martin, Honolulu, Punahou School

Malia McCoy, Honolulu, Punahou School

Charlotte Nakagawa, Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama

Talis Noya, Kailua, Kalaheo High School

Caleb Parsons, Honolulu, Moanalua High School

Carl Pearson, Pearl Harbor, Old Redford Academy Preparatory High School and USNA Preparatory School

Noah Richard, Lahaina, Maui Preparatory Academy

Alicya Robson, ‘Ewa Beach, Campbell High School and USNA Preparatory School

Marisol Salas-Selem, Kapolei, Kapolei High School

Ezekiel Schulz, Honolulu, Radford High School

Juneau Stickley, Papa‘ikou, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School

Christopherjay Tenorio, ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea High School

Jia Qi Zhan, Honolulu, Roosevelt High School and USNA Preparatory School

###


Schatz: Trump Is Intentionally Raising The Price Of Electricity

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor about how President Donald Trump’s ban on clean energy is creating a shortage of electricity and driving up Americans’ utility bills. Schatz spoke after Senate Republicans blocked a resolution to affirm that climate change is not a hoax.

“Donald Trump is the first president to intentionally raise the price of something that we all need. We have a shortage of electrons, and Donald Trump is making it worse,” said Senator Schatz. “When there are shortages, people have to petition the king for mercy, and that's what's going on right now. If you are close to him, if you can get dinner with him at Mar-A-Lago, you can get relief. There's enough money in the system for lots of people to get wealthy. But there's not enough money for a regular person living in Kaimuki in Honolulu – paying already three or four times the average electricity rate – paying more and more and more. There is a national policy, driven by the president of the United States, to create a shortage of electrons because he's decided that climate action is against his interests.”

Senator Schatz continued, “Even if you don't care at all about the climate, you should still love solar energy. Why? Because nobody should be enthused about paying more for electricity, and this national solar ban is making everybody pay more. Clean is cheap and cheap is clean.”

A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here.

This is how times have changed. [Democrats] have changed what we're talking about because energy systems change, prices change, needs change, the load changes. But hearing the Senator from Kansas, it could have been 1998 or 2008 or 2018. It's the same talking points, and it's literally not true anymore.

There was a time where you could actually credibly say, ‘Look, I understand there's a planetary emergency, but coal's so cheap. People are struggling. We’ve got to balance the planetary emergency with the need for people to be able to cool and heat their homes and keep the lights on and all the rest of it.’ All of that is out the window. Why? Because clean is cheap, and cheap is clean.

Clean energy is now the cheapest kind of electricity that we can get on the grid, in any kind of reasonable timeframe. There was a time where it was coal. That's definitely more expensive now. There was a time where it was gas, but the cost of gas keeps going up and up and up – for a couple of reasons. Because we're exporting a lot of our gas, but also because the turbines needed to convert natural gas into electrons, there's a huge backlog of them. And so we've got an industrial renaissance happening in certain states, and we've got all this AI data center load coming up, and we've got your normal American economy stuff happening. There are not enough electrons on the grid. What happens when there's not enough of something? The people selling that thing raise the price. And that is exactly what's happening.

That is not a rhetorical flourish. Like they have overnight prices. They have people whose job it is to find how we're going to meet everybody's needs, so when you flick that switch, everything just works. There are technicians, in front of probably three or four screens, figuring out, ‘Okay, I'm going to buy this, I'm going to buy this. This is the overnight price. This is the backup.’ And what has changed over the last couple of years is that solar energy is it.

Even if you don't care at all about the climate, you should still love solar energy. Why? Because nobody should be enthused about paying more for electricity. And what Donald Trump has done is very unique in American history. It is normal for a president of the United States to try to alleviate economic pain for the citizens of the United States. And this is certainly the first president that I've experienced in the United States Senate, but honestly, the first president that I've even been aware of, who is intentionally raising the price of something that we all need. And it's Secretary Burgum’s order, and it's the way Secretary Wright is behaving, and it's the way Lee Zeldin is behaving, and it's the way people in the White House are behaving. They want to create a shortage of electricity.

Why? First, they have ideology against solar and wind. Trump has a particular idea about wind and golf courses and birds or whatever. But they viewed, 10 years ago, solar as a kind of ideological project. As a nice-to-have, United Nations, utopian view of the world. Well, listen, solar is the most pragmatic thing we can put on the grid. Solar is really the only thing that's ready quickly. Why? Because nuclear energy has tremendous potential but is at least an eight-to-twelve-year timeframe. So we're talking about the 2030s. Geothermal also has tremendous potential, but they have not worked out all of the technical issues. And again, that's really a 2030 to 2040 play.

In the short run, we have a shortage. And Donald Trump is making it worse. Now why would you make it worse? Well, when there are shortages of something, the people selling the thing get to charge more. And they are charging more. Again, I care deeply about this planetary crisis. It's actually the main reason I'm in the United States Senate. I care deeply about this. But even if you don't, nobody wants to pay more than necessary on their electricity bills. And this national solar ban is making everybody pay more.

One in four Americans struggle to pay their electricity bills. One in four Americans. So what's Trump doing about it? Well, it is definitely worse than nothing. The criticism about Biden during the inflation crisis was that he wasn't doing enough about inflation. But this is a different criticism. This is deliberate policy choices to drive up the cost of something that everybody needs. And by the way, that's also true for food and health insurance and electricity. All the stuff you need, he's creating a shortage of.

Why? Because when there are shortages, people have to petition the king for mercy. And that's what's going on right now. If you are close to him, if you can get dinner with him at Mar-A-Lago, you can get relief. There's enough money in the system for lots of people to get wealthy. But there's not enough money for a regular person living in Kaimuki in Honolulu – paying already three to four times the average electricity rate – paying more and more and more. Because there is a national policy driven by the president of the United States to create a shortage of electrons. Because he's decided that climate action is against his interests.

And I think if we were going to move forward on permitting reform, but if we're going to move forward more generally on the question of affordability, we have to say: shortages are bad for prices. When there's not enough of something, people charge too much. And right now, we need as many electrons on the grid as we can possibly get, which means we need interstate transmission. And we need to not just permit new projects, but at a minimum, to let the projects that have been almost totally built to be plugged in to the grid.

And so this is not a climate speech. This is a people-can't-afford-their-electricity-bills speech. And I just hope that some of my Republican colleagues understand they've got to abandon their old talking points because it doesn't apply anymore. Cheap is clean, and clean is cheap.

###


On Senate Floor, Shaheen Calls for ACA Tax Credits to be Restored, Urges Bipartisan Efforts to Continue to Prevent Millions from Losing Health Care Coverage

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), author of bicameral legislation to permanently extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, today took to the U.S. Senate floor to join Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in calling for unanimous consent to pass a three-year extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits as millions of Americans face soaring premiums. Click HERE to watch Shaheen’s remarks in full.

Key quotes from Senator Shaheen:

"If we're serious about protecting both the physical and financial health of Americans, we must restore the enhanced premium tax credits that expired on December 31st. Congress has not fulfilled its duty to protect Americans from rising health care costs. And at a time when so many Americans are worried about the cost of living, inaction is causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket for millions of Americans.”

“More than 22 million Americans have already been affected by the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported earlier this week that more than 1.4 million people, including tens of thousands in New Hampshire, have already lost their health care coverage because of the unaffordable cost increases of health care premiums without the enhanced premium tax credits. And unfortunately, that's just the beginning.”

“I know many of our Republican colleagues agree that we need to restore the enhanced premium tax credits [...] They know that Americans want Congress to act to bring down costs. And what Leader Schumer asked for today is straightforward: That the Senate allow an immediate extension of the enhanced premium tax credits to move forward without delay.”

“I'm hopeful that the bipartisan efforts that have been ongoing to try and find a compromise to address some of the reforms [...] but also to ensure that we can both lower the cost of health care and make sure we don't have millions of families who lose their health insurance. I'm hopeful that that bipartisan effort can continue, that we can reach a compromise and that we can do what's in the best interest of the people of this country."

Full remarks as delivered:

Thank you, Mr. President.

I come to the floor today to join Leader Schumer and others in requesting that this body address the health care disaster that's facing millions of American families. It's a disaster, sadly, that we've seen coming for more than a year. And if we're serious about protecting both the physical and financial health of Americans, we must restore the enhanced premium tax credits that expired on December 31st.

Congress has not fulfilled its duty to protect Americans from rising health care costs. And at a time when so many Americans are worried about the cost of living, inaction is causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket for millions of Americans.

More than 22 million Americans have already been affected by the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported earlier this week that more than 1.4 million people, including tens of thousands in New Hampshire, have already lost their health care coverage because of the unaffordable cost increases of health care premiums without the enhanced premium tax credits.

And unfortunately, that's just the beginning.

Insurers have told us that higher prices and more losses are coming as families realize they can't continue to pay their monthly premiums. The Urban Institute has predicted that almost 5 million people could lose their health care coverage. And families are also being forced to reduce the quality of their coverage, and they're facing higher out-of-pocket costs.

Back in October, one of my constituents from New Boston, New Hampshire, Darla, contacted me with serious concerns about whether she and her husband would be able to afford health care coverage without the enhanced premium tax credits. And this is what is so disturbing: Last month, she reported that her family's monthly premium would go from $100 a month to $1,200 a month. So, more than $15,000 a year. She and her husband can't afford that kind of an increase. They're in their 50s, so they can't afford to go without health care coverage.

If we fail to act, we have failed Darla's family and millions of other Americans.

And the crisis was avoidable. We knew that this would happen if the enhanced premium tax credits expired.

One year ago, on January 9th, I introduced the Health Care Affordability Act, which would have made the enhanced premium tax credits permanent. There are 44 Democratic co-sponsors on my bill, and last week we saw the House passed an extension with strong bipartisan support, and I applaud all those members of the House who supported that three-year extension and who worked hard to make it bipartisan.

Now, I know many of our Republican colleagues agree that we need to restore the enhanced premium tax credits so that people like Darla and her family can afford health care coverage. They know that Americans want Congress to act to bring down costs. And what Leader Schumer asked for today is straightforward: That the Senate allow an immediate extension of the enhanced premium tax credits to move forward without delay.

Now, I'm not surprised at the objection because we saw what the vote was back in December on extending the premium tax credits in this body. And I'm hopeful that the bipartisan efforts that have been ongoing to try and find a compromise to address some of the reforms that Senator Crapo referenced, but also to ensure that we can both lower the cost of health care and make sure we don't have millions of families who lose their health insurance.

I'm hopeful that that bipartisan effort can continue, that we can reach a compromise, and that we can do what's in the best interest of the people of this country and the millions of Americans who are faced with losing their health insurance coverage.

Thank you. I yield the floor.

###


WATCH: Slotkin Statement on Inquiry From U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro

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Thune: Republicans Plow Ahead on Confirming the President’s Nominees

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, 2025 was a year of hard legislative work in the United States Senate.

“We passed once-in-a-generation legislation, the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, which is currently putting more money in hardworking Americans’ pockets.

“But we didn’t just make the headlines legislatively.

“In addition to a packed legislative schedule, we considered and confirmed 417 civilian presidential nominations – more than were confirmed in the first year of President Trump’s first term, or President Biden’s.

“And while 417 would be an impressive number all on its own, it’s particularly remarkable given the historic level of obstruction the president’s nominees faced.

“I said historic.

“And I mean historic.

“When you look at this term, President Trump remains the only president on record – the only president on record, in American history – not to have had a single nominee confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote.

“Compare that to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who each had 98 percent of their civilian nominees confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote in the first term of their presidencies.

“98 percent.

“George W. Bush and Barack Obama each had 90 percent.

“And while Democrats substantially eroded this tradition of bipartisanship during President Trump’s first term, both President Trump in his first term and President Biden each had more than half of their nominees confirmed by voice vote.

“So you can see, Mr. President, what I mean by historic obstruction.

“Democrats, of course, attempted to justify themselves by claiming, in the words of the Democrat leader, that ‘historically bad nominees deserve a historic level of scrutiny.’

“The only problem with that argument, of course, Mr. President, is that a lot of these supposedly ‘historically bad’ nominees received Democrat votes.

“So either Democrats were supporting historically bad nominees, or this wasn’t about historically bad nominees at all.

“Which, of course, it wasn’t.

“The real reason Democrats were dragging out nominations for assistant administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement was nothing more than petty politics.

“Because as we see with Venezuela and as we’ve seen with presidential nominations, Democrats are incapable of fairness or nuance when it comes to President Trump.

“They can’t deal with the fact that he was elected president, and so they reflexively oppose anything he does or says – even when it’s something they might otherwise support.

“The virulent partisanship Democrats have injected into our politics is deeply regrettable.

“But Republicans, of course, have not let it stop us from achieving things for the American people – whether that’s passing the Working Families Tax Cuts, or confirming 417 presidential nominees in the face of historic Democrat obstruction.

“And we are right back at it this year, confirming four nominees in the first week of 2026.

“Mr. President, the American people elected President Trump.

“And Republicans remain committed to ensuring that he has his team in place so that he can do the work the American people elected him to do.”


Thune on Democrats’ War Powers Hypocrisy

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, today we expect to vote on a resolution to direct the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela – even though the U.S. is not currently engaged in hostilities in or against Venezuela.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“We have no troops on the ground in Venezuela.

“We’re not currently conducting military operations there.

“But Democrats are taking up this bill because their anti-Trump hysteria knows no bounds.

“Here are the facts, Mr. President.

“Nicolás Maduro is a narco-terrorist who helped lead the so-called Cartel of the Suns.

“He advanced large-scale drug trafficking.

“Armed an illegitimate militia.

“Solicited arms for a terrorist organization.

“Presided over unfree and unfair elections.

“Targeted political opponents and oversaw the killing of thousands, as a UN report outlined.

“To name just a few, just some of his crimes, Mr. President.

“The United States did not recognize him as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

“Neither did the European Union.

“And he was a fugitive of the United States justice system.

“Back during the first Trump administration, Democrats were calling for the ouster of Maduro and for U.S. assistance in Venezuela and were criticizing the president for not going far enough in opposing the Maduro regime.

“President Biden raised the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro to $25 million.

“But then President Trump directs an isolated special forces raid in support of a valid warrant to capture Maduro so that he can be tried for drug crimes, and Democrats are falling all over themselves to criticize the seizure and arrest of this international criminal.

“Talk about Trump Derangement Syndrome.

“It’s funny; I don’t remember Democrats trying to tie the president’s hands when Democrat presidents took far more extensive military action that involved thousands of troops or airstrikes over weeks and months in Libya, Bosnia, Serbia, and Haiti.

“Most recently, in 2024, they locked arms and voted to turn a blind eye toward a months-long deployment of troops for President Biden’s disastrous floating aid pier to Gaza, even while Biden’s own Defense Department called it an active war zone and the pier was fired upon twice.

“They said those troops were not engaged in hostilities and therefore not subject to the War Powers Resolution.

“And yet today they are claiming the opposite for a couple hundred troops who were in Venezuela for a matter of mere hours – and who have already returned to their bases in the United States or on U.S. navy ships in international waters.

“But with President Trump, Democrats are incapable of deciding on the merits.

“They reflexively oppose anything he does or says.

“Even when it contradicts – or is in tension with – their own prior opinions.

“Whatever the outcome of this process, Mr. President, I trust that the Trump administration will continue to work to combat the terrible scourge of illegal drugs and to keep our nation and our communities safe.”


Tuberville Joins Bill To Protect Federal Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined the Halo Act, which would help protect federal law enforcement from violence and harassment when conducting official duties. The legislation establishes a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders to ensure their safety and allow them to do their jobs without interference or distraction.

“Patriotic Americans are thankful for the work of federal law enforcement and what they are doing to clean up our streets,” Sen. Tuberville said. “‘America Last’ radicals are targeting federal agents because they’re enforcing our laws, and I will continue to support our law enforcement until every single illegal has been deported. If you’re going to interfere with law enforcement’s ability to do their jobs in any way, don’t be surprised if you are arrested and thrown in jail.”

MORE:

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Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

###


Warner, Kaine & Democratic Colleagues Join Effort Challenging Attempts to Suppress Mail-In Voting

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a former civil rights lawyer, (both D-VA), joined their Senate Democratic colleagues in filing an amicus brief in the case of Watson v. Republican National Committee, a landmark mail-in voting case that will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court later this year. The Supreme Court’s decision in the case could determine whether vote-by-mail in Virginia will be thrown into chaos.

In 2024, the Republican National Committee (RNC) challenged a Mississippi law that allows ballots postmarked by election day to be received up to five days after election day, arguing that this law violates federal law setting the timing of elections. If the Fifth Circuit’s ruling is affirmed by the Supreme Court, vote-by-mail in more than a dozen states – including Virginia – will be thrown into disarray as huge numbers of voters, particularly rural, military, and overseas voters, could be disenfranchised.

“Many states, including Virginia, have adopted sensible policies to allow mail-in ballots to be counted so long as they are postmarked no later than Election Day,” the senators wrote. “The Fifth Circuit’s ruling undermines the viability of these laws and threatens the disenfranchisement of voters, especially those living abroad or in rural areas.”

The amicus brief filing comes days after the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to suppress mail-in voting. Closures and consolidation of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) facilities, as well as a recent rule change by the USPS, will result in mail being postmarked less frequently on the day it is received. As a result, mail-in ballots received by the USPS near or on election day could receive a delayed postmark and be invalidated.

The amicus brief was led by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). Warner and Kaine were joined by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in filing the amicus brief.

The full text of the amicus brief is available here.


Warner & Kaine Introduce Legislation to Rename Loudoun County Post Office after Hero Firefighter Trevor Brown

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced legislation today to rename a Sterling, Va. post office as the “Firefighter Trevor Brown Post Office Building.” This legislation honors the service of Firefighter Trevor Brown – a husband, father of three, and youth soccer and baseball coach who lost his life in the line of duty on February 16, 2024, while investigating reports of a gas leak that resulted in a catastrophic explosion as firefighters began their investigation.

“Trevor Brown was a heroic firefighter who spent his career running towards danger in an effort to save lives and protect members of his own community. It is an honor to introduce this legislation to rename a Sterling, Va. post office in his honor and in remembrance of his courage, bravery, and service through the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company,” said the senators.

This bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and the Virginia congressional delegation. The United States Postal Service (USPS) facility is located at 46164 Westlake Drive in Sterling, Virginia.

Full text of this legislation is available here.

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for downloadhere*


Chairman Wicker Delivers Speech on the Ukraine Peace Proces

“Putin should not achieve through negotiation what he has not managed to achieve on the battlefield,” Chairman Wicker asserts

Watch Video Here

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered a speech on the Ukraine peace process from the floor of the U.S. Senate. In his remarks, the Chairman outlined the key principles negotiations should center around, and commended President Trump for building consensus with our allies.

Read the Chairman’s speech as delivered below.

Mr. President, we live in a dangerous time. There are a number of flashpoints all around the globe. In this hemisphere, in Europe, and the Indo-pacific. But I want to remind my colleagues today that, still, the most dangerous thing going on around the world today is Vladimir Putin’s war against freedom and the West in Ukraine. And I would point out that for the past year, Vladimir Putin has mocked the Ukraine peace process by steadily escalating his attacks on his neighboring country. He’s recently launched the biggest air attack the conflict has ever seen and shown repeatedly that he is not interested in peace talks. He gives lip service to peace talks, but his acts show that he’s not interested.

Now, by contrast, in the last few weeks, the United States, Ukraine, and our European friends have come together on a common negotiating position centered on several key principles.

Here are the key points:

Ukraine should not be forced to give up the sovereign territory it deserves and it currently controls.

Also, Putin should not achieve through negotiation what he has not managed to achieve on the battlefield – and there have been great disappointments to Putin on the battlefield.

In addition, the United States should play a role in Ukraine’s security guarantees on a permanent basis. The Senate should ratify these security guarantees if they’re ever agreed to.

In the meantime, Mr. President, the Ukrainian people should be assisted in continuing to fight for their freedom.

I commend President Trump, President Zelensky, and European leaders for continuing to come together to reach a consensus. As we seek to end this brutal, unprovoked war, I urge everyone in Washington, in Kyiv, in the great capitals of Europe to remain united and to remember who we are dealing with in the form and person of Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin is unrepentant. He is ever, and will always be, the KGB agent. He is a dictator with decades of bloodshed on his hands. He is the biggest thief in the history of the world, a war criminal who should be behind bars at this moment, Mr. President. And of course, Putin is a liar. When Vladimir Putin smiles to American negotiators, he acts as our friend, and he acts as if we believe he’s our friend. We have no reason to smile back at Vladimir Putin or trust him with anything but caution and contempt.

After four years, Putin knows a Russian victory is not inevitable. More and more, the American people see this and know this. A November poll found that 70 percent of Americans do not trust Putin to honor any peace agreement with Ukraine. He is cut from the same cloth as terrorists all over the world and terrorists down through history.

In Putin’s attacks on civilians for example, we see parallels with the Hamas terrorists who rampaged through Israeli neighborhoods on October 7th. The terrorists are Putin’s friends.

And don’t forget this, and sometimes it’s not publicized as it ought to be, Putin has abducted over 20,000 Ukrainian children and subjected many to brainwashing schemes. In those horrors, we see the likes of Xi Jinping and his Uyghur re-education camps.

Putin routinely locks dissidents in jail—just like his kindred spirits in other censorship regimes. This tyrant who wants to be treated as a peer in the world’s great halls of democracy should be known by the company he keeps. When the brutal Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled, thankfully, where did Bashar al-Assad run? He ran for safe haven to Moscow. That’s where he went to be under the protection of Vladimir Putin who seeks to make us believe that he is an honest negotiator.

Nicolas Maduro was wisely counseled to flee Venezuela. If he had run, where would he have run, Mr. President? He would have run to Moscow. For decades, Russia has been a friend to the murderous Cuban regime. And now, as the Supreme Leader in Iran considers his options, where might he go for refuge? The only place he could go is Moscow. So that’s the company Vladimir Putin keeps in the current day.

But Putin even echoes the likes of Adolf Hitler. Putin routinely talks about—quote—“liberating” the Russian-speaking Ukrainians living in the Donbas, and other areas of Ukraine. This is the same vile, absurd pretext that Adolf Hitler used when he invaded the German-speaking regions of neighboring countries including Poland. That’s who Vladimir Putin is.

Regrettably, the people of Russia are led brutally by Putin, this world-historical villain. Ukrainians will continue fighting against his unprovoked attacks, but not because they hate peace. The Ukrainians continue to fight because their alternative is the extinction of their country. The West needs to stand with them. We need to stand with Ukraine.

And we must keep assisting our friends. We need to send a clear message that Putin cannot wait us out. In December, I'm grateful to say to my colleagues, that Congress overwhelmingly passed and President Donald Trump enthusiastically signed the National Defense Authorization Act. That law extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and our commitment to sharing intelligence with Ukraine. Good for the President, and good for our friends in the House and Senate.

Our allies across the Atlantic are taking the lead now, as my colleague from Kentucky just pointed out, in financing security assistance for Ukraine. NATO allies are buying equipment from us in the United States and giving it to Ukraine. I certainly applaud that, as all Americans should


Wyden Introduces Bill to Ban Presidents From Naming Federal Buildings After Themselves

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is joining legislation that would ban sitting presidents from putting their names on federal buildings while in office.

The bill follows December’s announcement that the State Department is renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace after Donald Trump. Two weeks later, Trump’s appointees to the board of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts voted to add his name to the website and the front of the building. Both decisions violated existing federal laws.

“Donald Trump is more focused on putting his name on buildings than he is on helping families in Oregon and across the country afford food, housing, or health care,” Wyden said. “This legislation will help ensure that presidents can’t abuse the Oval Office or taxpayer dollars with shameless vanity projects while depriving families of the help they need.”

The Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego (SERVE) Act would:

Prohibit the naming or renaming of any federal building, land, or other asset in the name of a sitting president;

Prohibit the use of federal funds to do so; and

Ensure this applies retroactively to the Kennedy Center and Institute of Peace by returning any federal assets named for the current sitting president to the name given under United States Code.

The SERVE Act was introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Angela Alsobrooks D-Md. In addition to Wyden, this bill was cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker D-N.J., Adam Schiff D-Calif., and Chuck Schumer D-N.Y.


Wyden Introduces Legislation to Ensure Aid to Gaza, Accountability for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Government Officials Worldwide Who Enable Human Rights Violations

Legislation Makes Clear America Condemns Abuses by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Top Officials; Calls for Complying with Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; Bill Applies to Any Government and Senior Military Official Complicit in Blocking Humanitarian Aid

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Accountability for Withholding Aid and Relief Essentials (AWARE) Act today, to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government - and any other government around the world - accountable for any actions that block humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and others in need.

Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israel has blocked at least 37 aid groups - including Doctors Without Borders - from entering Gaza to provide aid and imposed new restrictions on humanitarian groups.

“The United States must send a clear message to Benjamin Netanyahu and any other leader who would deny food, medicine, and shelter to vulnerable people: If you are complicit in denying humanitarian assistance to Palestinians or others in need, you will face personal consequences,” Wyden said.

“As Jews, we have a duty to moral leadership. Netanyahu has failed this duty by all counts and his policies have led to the horrific situation in Gaza. My bill seeks to prevent governments from restricting aid anywhere in the world going forward, and to hold senior government and military officials accountable with tough sanctions if they withhold humanitarian assistance in the future,” Wyden continued. “As a lifelong champion for Israel’s security, I believe the actions of the Netanyahu government have made Jews less safe and contributed to horrific suffering in Gaza. Withholding aid demands accountability.”

The AWARE Act would provide for U.S. diplomatic sanctions on government officials in Israel or other nations if the U.S. government determines they are responsible for restricting, undermining, or obstructing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza or elsewhere around the world. Sanctioned individuals would be blocked from obtaining visas to enter the United States and could face financial penalties, including having their U.S. assets frozen or U.S. property transactions blocked.

The legislation is endorsed by the Friends Committee on National Legislation, New Jewish Narrative and J Street.

“It is welcome news that Senator Wyden and his colleagues have taken this important and bold step toward accountability,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation. “The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is not an accident. It is the result of deliberate and unacceptable restrictions on life-saving aid and humanitarian access by the Israeli government, including recent steps to de-register dozens of international NGOs, such as AFSC, Mercy Corps, and Doctors Without Borders. The AWARE Act makes clear that no official should be allowed to obstruct food, medicine, and humanitarian relief with impunity. By authorizing targeted sanctions, this bill provides a concrete tool to change behavior and save lives.”

“Humanitarian aid should never be used as a weapon of war. Nor should the suffering of a people be exploited for diplomatic leverage,” said Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of New Jewish Narrative. “Unfortunately, the current Israeli government has a demonstrable record of doing just that. Gazans continue to suffer to this day. By introducing this bill, Senator Wyden is reasserting American values, and backing them up with real consequences.”

“Our Jewish values compel us to stand up against the continued oppressive restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza, which exacerbate the destruction inflicted on civilians by two years of war,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “At a time when humanitarian groups are facing increasing obstacles to providing help on the ground, those who intentionally restrict access to humanitarian assistance must face real consequences.

“J Street applauds Senator Wyden’s moral leadership on the AWARE Act and hopes it sends a clear message: those who impede the flow of humanitarian aid will be held accountable. We call upon all officials in the Israeli government to ensure that civilians in Gaza can access all necessary aid unimpeded. We must alleviate suffering and support a sustainable ceasefire.”

“Refugees International stands on the front lines of humanity—shining a light on crises, defending the dignity of displaced people, and advancing practical solutions that save lives. As such, we support Senator Wyden’s AWARE Act, which seeks to hold accountable those who obstruct humanitarian aid and to ensure lifesaving assistance reaches civilians in Gaza and other crises." said Refugees International. "Israel’s restrictions and documented obstruction of aid into Gaza have had devastating humanitarian consequences, underscoring the urgent need for meaningful accountability. Refugees International endorses the introduction of this legislation and urges Congress to treat it as a blueprint for strengthening humanitarian access and modernizing protections for refugees and civilians caught in conflict.”

The full bill text is here.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

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Young Statement on Procedural Vote Related to Venezuela War Powers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding today’s procedural vote in the Senate on the Venezuela War Powers Resolution:

“I support President Trump’s decision to bring Nicolás Maduro to justice, but I am deeply skeptical about sending American troops to stabilize Venezuela. I strongly believe any commitment of U.S. forces in Venezuela must be subject to debate and authorization in Congress.

“After numerous conversations with senior national security officials, I have received assurances that there are no American troops in Venezuela. I’ve also received a commitment that if President Trump were to determine American forces are needed in major military operations in Venezuela, the Administration will come to Congress in advance to ask for an authorization of force.

“For over a decade, under multiple presidents, I’ve pushed for Congress to fulfill its role defined in the Constitution on matters involving American boots on the ground. Since U.S. involvement in Venezuela began last year, I’ve pushed for briefings and congressional engagement. On that note, I am pleased that Secretary Rubio has agreed to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to provide an update on Venezuela immediately after the recess.

“Regardless of who serves as president or which party controls the White House, Congress must get back to carefully fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.”


Rep. Young Kim Votes for Funding to Strengthen National Security, Protect Taxpayers, and Deliver for California’s 40th District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Young Kim (CA-40) voted in favor of a Fiscal Year 2026 minibus appropriations package funding Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) programs and National Security and Department of State operations. This legislation will strengthen U.S. national security, rein in wasteful spending, and advance key local priorities for California’s 40th District.

“I’m proud to help advance this responsible minibus funding package that strengthens our national security and moves Congress closer to completing full-year government funding through regular order,” said Rep. Kim. “This legislation counters adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, stands with our allies, and refocuses Washington’s attentions on core priorities that keep Americans safe and deliver real results for hardworking families across the United States.”

The minibus appropriations package includes key priorities to:

Strengthen National Security and Counter Adversaries:

The package fully funds the Countering PRC Influence Fund, invests $1.8 billion in Indo-Pacific security, provides robust support for U.S. partners like Israel and Taiwan, and funds President Trump’s America First Global Health Strategy.

Protect Taxpayers and Fight Fraud:

Funding shifts IRS resources away from abusive audits toward customer service, bolsters enforcement against financial scams and robocalls, and ensures federal agencies have the tools to crack down on fraud and foreign malign influence.

Combat Fentanyl and Transnational Crime:

The package invests in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program to stop the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into the United States, prioritizing public safety and border security.

Deliver a Win for North Tustin Families:

At Rep. Kim’s urging, the minibus directs the U.S. Postal Service to review overlapping ZIP codes that cause inaccurate city designations and tax confusion. USPS must report back to Congress within 120 days on solutions—including options to establish a single, unique ZIP code for communities like North Tustin—advancing Rep. Kim’s long-standing effort to deliver clarity and fairness for local families.

The FY26 minibus represents continued progress toward completing full-year appropriations responsibly and delivering for southern California communities.


Rep. Adams Introduces Impeachment Articles Against DHS Sec. Kristi Noem

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) joined 70 House Democrats in introducing Articles of Impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing.

North Carolina has been directly impacted by Sec. Noem’s abuse of power. The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) operation in Charlotte late last year terrorized the community, leading to U.S. citizens being assaulted and arrested. Sec. Noem’s unconstitutional withholding of Congressionally appropriated FEMA funds has resulted in the delay of billions of dollars of Hurricane Helene recovery to North Carolina, severely impacting recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.


Congressman Al Green Honors Dr. King by Addressing His Quote, “The Ultimate Measure of a Man"

(Washington, D.C.) — On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor to honor Dr. King by addressing his quote, “The Ultimate Measure of a Man.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Congressman Al Green's Comments on Fed Independence

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Striking the Right Balance Sheet."

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green's remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Allen's Legislation Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings from Risky ESG Factors Passes House

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2988, the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act, by a vote of 213-205. H.R. 2988 was introduced by Representative Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, earlier this year.

This legislation aims to codify that those managing other individuals’ retirement savings under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) must prioritize maximizing returns for a secure retirement, rather than prioritizing political or social impacts through the use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors that may be considered risky.

"Passage of the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act delivers a significant win for retirees and families across the country. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Americans’ hard-earned savings were put at risk for the sole purpose of appeasing left-wing environmentalists through risky ESG funds. Those days are over. H.R. 2988 ensures that retirement plan sponsors make investment decisions exclusively based on economic factors and financial returns – protecting the retirement security of those saving for a brighter future. I am grateful to Chairman Walberg, Speaker Johnson, and all of my colleagues for their support, and am hopeful the Senate will move swiftly in sending this bill to President Trump’s desk," said Congressman Rick Allen.

"The Biden-Harris administration’s misguided ESG policies allowed fiduciaries to play politics and steer retirees’ savings into left-wing investments for political and social purposes. Congress responded with bipartisan, bicameral disapproval, yet President Biden vetoed that effort and chose ideology over retirees. This legislation reaffirms a simple principle we should all agree on—fiduciaries must act in the best financial interests of workers and retirees. I’m proud to support Rep. Rick Allen’s bill and urge the Senate to advance this measured, responsible approach to protect retirement security," said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg.

"In their haste to satisfy the radical progressive wing of their party, the Biden Administration encouraged fiduciaries to sacrifice the retirement security of millions of Americans instead of maximizing financial returns. Despite the high-risk, low yield nature of these investments, Democrats decided that progressive orthodoxy was more important than securing the future of American retirees. Rep. Allen’s Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act would end this practice and ensure that fiduciaries and financial institutions are not encouraged or allowed to jeopardize the American people’s hard-earned savings," said Speaker Mike Johnson.

"It’s common sense: Retirement plan managers should be solely focused on delivering maximum returns for the men and women who rely on them, not advancing a radical political agenda. I’m grateful to Rep. Allen for bringing this legislation to protect Americans’ retirement funds by ensuring retirement plan managers base investment decisions on economic factors, not ESG considerations, and am pleased to see it pass the House," said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

"House Republicans believe your retirement fund should be used for your retirement, not as a political statement from woke Wall Street," said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain. "Workers and seniors earn every dollar they save. That money should be invested to grow their future retirement income, not to bankroll radical agendas."

BACKGROUND: In 2022, President Biden’s Department of Labor finalized a flawed rule that allowed financial advisors to invest Americans’ retirement savings into risky, climate-related ESG funds. Despite bipartisan and bicameral disapproval in the form of a Congressional Review Act resolution that passed both the House and Senate, President Biden doubled down on this rulemaking by vetoing the resolution. In the 118th Congress, the House of Representatives also passed similar legislation championed by Congressman Allen, but the bill died in the Democrat-controlled Senate. The Education and Workforce Committee advanced H.R. 2988 on June 25, 2025, setting the stage for today's passage by the full House.

Watch Congressman Allen's remarks on the House floor HERE.

A fact sheet on H.R. 2988 can be found HERE.