Merkley, Whitehouse, Warren, Kaine Sound the Alarm Over Trump Administration’s Plan to End Affordable Student Loan Repayment Program

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Rhode Island’s U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Massachusetts’ U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today led their Senate colleagues to demand answers from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon about the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate affordable student loan repayment options for millions of Americans.

Their letter follows the Trump Administration’s Education Department (ED) reaching a proposed settlement with the State of Missouri to abandon the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and its affordable payments in response to a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general from multiple states. The SAVE Plan was created by President Biden in 2023 to help student loan borrowers nationwide by creating a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan—which links payments to a borrower’s income and family size. In 2025, Republicans also passed a ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal’ of a budget bill that requires the SAVE Plan and other IDR plans to be eliminated by July 2028, and this proposed settlement significantly speeds up the timeline.

“Pending court approval, the settlement would require ED to stop enrolling borrowers in SAVE, deny all pending SAVE applications from borrowers that may have been waiting years for a response, and move the more than 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE into other less affordable repayment plans,” the Senators wrote to Secretary McMahon.

“Unfortunately, ED’s proposed settlement provides little direction or transparency for borrowers who will be forced into new repayment plans through no fault of their own,” they continued. “Namely, the proposed settlement provides no information on what, if any, resources or guidance ED will provide to borrowers as they make these significant changes, or how much time borrowers will be provided to switch plans. The settlement also lacks clarity on the timeline for when these changes will be operationalized and when ED and other federal loan servicers will communicate these changes to borrowers. Troublingly, ED’s own public communications have conflicting information on the timeline in which borrowers can expect to receive information from the Department, ranging from ‘in the coming weeks’ to ‘in the coming months.’”

The Senators also highlighted the harmful changes coming to student loan repayments following the passage of Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill in 2025, “Without clear information or guidance, borrowers could be unknowingly placed in the standard repayment plan. Further, as a result of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act,’ ED is in the process of sunsetting ICR and PAYE while preparing to implement the Repayment Assistance Plan. These significant shifts in repayment options will only exacerbate confusion for borrowers, increasing the likelihood that borrowers will fall into the standard repayment option. This would result in significantly higher monthly payments for millions of borrowers. Many borrowers in SAVE would be unable to afford the high monthly payments in the standard plan, and as a result, these borrowers would likely fall into delinquency and default, which would have dire economic consequences for borrowers and their families.”

“To date, more than 5 million borrowers are in default and 5 million more are behind on their monthly payments. Ten million borrowers are on track to enter default on their student loans in 2026, more than in the years prior to the pandemic. As such, it is imperative the Department take every action possible to ensure the 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE are provided with the information and resources necessary to avoid delinquency or default in order to avoid an even bigger default crisis,” they emphasized.

Merkley has been a leading voice in Congress to ensure students have a much-needed path to student debt relief. He leads the SOAR Act with Kaine to better protect borrowers from unaffordable payments and runaway balances due to rapidly accruing interest, while offering a clearer path to debt relief after at least a decade of payments.

In addition to Merkley, Whitehouse, Warren, and Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Secretary McMahon,

We write to express our serious concerns with and ask questions about the proposed settlement reached in December 2025 with the state of Missouri to end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, a student loan repayment plan that has helped more than 8 million individuals across the country access affordable monthly payments. Specifically, we request additional information from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) regarding the proposed settlement’s requirement that the more than 7 million people who remain enrolled in SAVE switch to a different repayment plan. For the last several months, borrowers in SAVE have faced an onslaught of uncertainty and misinformation, and countless borrowers are likely to face significant hurdles in selecting and enrolling in a new repayment plan. As such, we urge the Department to provide borrowers in SAVE at least six months to apply to switch into new repayment plans before their next billing date.

First announced in July 2023 as the latest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, the SAVE Plan seeks to better protect borrowers from unaffordable payments and runaway balances due to rapidly accruing interest and offers a clearer path to debt relief. According to Protect Borrowers, of the more than 8 million borrowers who enrolled in the SAVE plan, 4.6 million individuals had their monthly payments lowered to $0 and nearly half a million borrowers would have been provided with immediate debt relief, had the plan been allowed to take full effect. Unfortunately, due to court challenges, the plan has been enjoined since the summer of 2024. Rather than uphold the SAVE Plan, this settlement eliminates the plan and all of its benefits, which in turn will significantly hinder the ability of low-income Americans to access higher education or afford basic needs.

Pending court approval, the settlement would require ED to stop enrolling borrowers in SAVE, deny all pending SAVE applications from borrowers that may have been waiting years for a response, and move the more than 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE into other less affordable repayment plans.

Unfortunately, ED’s proposed settlement provides little direction or transparency for borrowers who will be forced into new repayment plans through no fault of their own. Namely, the proposed settlement provides no information on what, if any, resources or guidance ED will provide to borrowers as they make these significant changes, or how much time borrowers will be provided to switch plans. The settlement also lacks clarity on the timeline for when these changes will be operationalized and when ED and other federal loan servicers will communicate these changes to borrowers. Troublingly, ED’s own public communications have conflicting information on the timeline in which borrowers can expect to receive information from the Department, ranging from “in the coming weeks” to “in the coming months.”

Without clear information or guidance, borrowers could be unknowingly placed in the standard repayment plan. Further, as a result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” ED is in the process of sunsetting ICR and PAYE while preparing to implement the Repayment Assistance Plan. These significant shifts in repayment options will only exacerbate confusion for borrowers, increasing the likelihood that borrowers will fall into the standard repayment option. This would result in significantly higher monthly payments for millions of borrowers. Many borrowers in SAVE would be unable to afford the high monthly payments in the standard plan, and as a result, these borrowers would likely fall into delinquency and default, which would have dire economic consequences for borrowers and their families.

Obliging borrowers to exit the SAVE Plan will also have particularly severe consequences for public service workers. Many government and nonprofit employees pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) deliberately enrolled in SAVE to ensure their payments remained affordable while completing the required 120 qualifying payments to access loan forgiveness. PSLF borrowers—including teachers, nurses, social workers, first responders, and other public servants—rely on income-driven repayment plans to maintain qualifying payment status without sacrificing their financial stability. While the time borrowers have been stuck in the SAVE forbearance has not counted towards PSLF credit, forcing these borrowers to transition out of SAVE with little guidance risks further lost time to debt relief and payment increases that could render continued public service untenable.

Finally, the settlement forces existing borrowers to leave their current plan, and switch into repayment plans with higher monthly payments much sooner than the July 2028 date required under the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with no clear rationale for the expedited timeline. This settlement now risks adding even further uncertainty within the student loan system and will exacerbate current application backlogs and delays across student loan servicers.

To date, more than 5 million borrowers are in default and 5 million more are behind on their monthly payments. Ten million borrowers are on track to enter default on their student loans in 2026, more than in the years prior to the pandemic. As such, it is imperative the Department take every action possible to ensure the 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE are provided with the information and resources necessary to avoid delinquency or default in order to avoid an even bigger default crisis.

As such, we request you provide answers to the following question by no later than February 6:

In addition to answering these questions, given the operational and logistical challenges raised by this settlement, we also request that the Department give borrowers at least six months to apply to switch into new repayment plans and hold borrowers harmless in the meantime by placing them in a processing forbearance that counts towards forgiveness, including PSLF. We also request the Department provide Congress with a comprehensive communications plan that details how the Department plans to work with servicers to provide updated, accurate information to SAVE borrowers as quickly as possible.

We believe these materials and steps are necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness for borrowers who are currently enrolled in SAVE.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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Senator Murkowski And Colleagues Lead on Legislation to Bolster Hydropower

Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has introduced two new measures to help unleash hydropower and marine energy’s full potential. The Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act, which was introduced with Senator Angus King (I-ME), provides common sense permitting reform for hydropower and marine energy projects by reducing administrative burdens on project developers and accelerating federal decision-making on licensing. The Water Power Research and Development Act, introduced with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), will reauthorize Department of Energy (DOE) programs that support marine energy and next-generation hydropower projects across the country.

“Hydropower is one of Alaska’s most abundant resources, providing clean, consistent, and affordable baseload power to communities across our state, but it remains underutilized and subject to unnecessary permitting delays,” Senator Murkowski said. “Operators shouldn’t have to wait months—or even years—for approval to perform routine maintenance or make minor, non-impactful changes. The targeted, practical reforms in my FLOWS Act better reflect how modern hydropower facilities operate and will help lower energy costs for Alaskan families. I’m also proud to lead on the reauthorization of the Water Power Research and Development Act, which will reauthorize the Water Power Technologies Office and ensure the Department of Energy focuses on marine energy across the country for another five years. This Office, which I championed in the Energy Act of 2020, has made seven awards to marine energy projects in Alaska over the last 15 years, helping to broaden our energy portfolio across the state.”

“Hydropower is an integral piece of a successful ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, but is underutilized due to the existing burdensome permitting process,” said Senator King. “The FLOWS Act is a commonsense step to streamline the licensing and permitting of this crucial renewable energy source and can help create reliable, clean, and affordable energy for Maine people and Americans for years to come.”

“There’s no question more needs to be done to meet our country’s skyrocketing energy demand, and marine energy and advances in hydropower have a key role to play in that,” said Senator Wyden. “This bipartisan proposal will help the United States increase energy supply and meet the growing needs of communities across Oregon and the country.”

"The FLOWS Act is a commonsense, bipartisan fix that cuts red tape for routine, non-substantial work so hydropower operators can focus on what matters most: dam safety, reliability, and keeping power affordable,” said Malcolm Woolf, President & CEO, National Hydropower Association. “It also creates a necessary pathway for wave, tidal, and river-current technologies to get into the water faster and prove their value to America’s clean energy future. By modernizing outdated processes, this bill will help preserve today’s hydropower fleet while unlocking tomorrow’s innovation. NHA thanks Sens. Murkowski and King for introducing this legislation and urges swift passage in the Senate. NHA also applauds Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Wyden for their recent introduction of the Water Power Program reauthorization. After securing record funding for the Water Power Program through the FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill, a strong reauthorization of the Water Power Program at the Department of Energy will allow the water power industry to flourish with strong direction to the department in helping both the existing conventional hydropower fleet as well as leveraging department resources to research and deploy the next generation of marine energy technologies."

“Alaska Power Association appreciates Senator Murkowski’s sustained leadership in advancing the opportunities of Alaska’s immense waterpower resources,” said Crystal Enkvist, Alaska Power Association Executive Director. “Hydropower and emerging marine energy technologies play an essential role in supporting reliable, affordable, and resilient power for communities across our state. Continued federal focus on hydropower research, innovation, and collaboration will help stabilize the cost of power in Alaska, expand economic development opportunities, and support workforce development.”

"The American Public Power Association applauds Senators Murkowski and King for introducing the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act,” said Scott Corwin, President & CEO, American Public Power Association. “Requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval of non-substantial alterations and routine maintenance at hydropower projects does not make any sense. This bill frees project owners of those administrative burdens so that they can keep the power flowing. Hydropower is a cornerstone of our nation’s reliable electric system, and we thank Senators Murkowski and King for their work to ensure it stays that way.”

"CRES applauds the introduction of the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act, which takes a practical approach to modernizing the permitting process for water power projects,” said Heather Reams, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. “Hydropower, marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies are essential components of an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, and this bill represents a positive step toward a more efficient and predictable permitting process."

Background on FLOWS Act

Current federal permitting processes for hydropower and marine energy projects contain redundancies and inefficiencies that unnecessarily delay project work and increase costs. Under existing requirements, routine maintenance and in-kind replacements at hydropower facilities often require prior approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), resulting in months-long delays for activities that do not affect project operations, safety, or environmental performance.

In addition, federal permitting frameworks were developed primarily for large, traditional hydropower facilities and have not kept pace with advances in innovative marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies that generate electricity from tides, waves, and river currents. As a result, these low-impact technologies face regulatory hurdles that were never intended for their scale or design.

The FLOWS Act aims to chart the course for a reformed hydropower and marine energy permitting process through the following improvements:

Releases hydropower project developers from seeking FERC approval for non-substantial alterations or additions; routine maintenance, repair, or replacement; or seasonal or temporary adjustments in response to circumstances beyond the project’s control.

Allows FERC to issue short-term licenses of 10–20 years for micro hydrokinetic energy projects, defined as marine energy projects with under five megawatts of installed capacity.

Establishes a two-year statutory timeline for FERC to act on micro hydrokinetic energy project applications and requires the Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this timeline within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

Requires FERC to submit a report to Congress on the effects of licensed micro hydrokinetic projects on the environment, economy, and electricity reliability and affordability no later than five years after the bill’s enactment or after the first 50 licensed projects have been operational for one year.

The FLOWS Act builds on hydropower provisions Senator Murkowski advanced on a bipartisan basis during debate on the Energy Permitting Reform Act during the last Congress and reflects language developed through negotiations that included FERC.

Background on the Water Power Research and Development Act

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) was originally authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 on a five-year basis, and Senator Murkowski championed its last five-year reauthorization in her Energy Act of 2020. WPTO administers two programs—the Hydropower and Marine Energy Programs—which made seven awards to marine energy projects in Alaska from 2009–2024. The office’s authorization lapsed at the end of 2025.

This measure—in addition to reauthorizing WPTO—updates the office’s functions to advance integration with microgrids and data centers, increase focus on workforce development, and promote technological improvements for waterpower so that we can fully realize hydropower and marine energy’s tremendous promise to meet national energy demand.

Specifically, the Water Power Research and Development Act:

Reauthorizes DOE’s Hydropower and Marine Energy Programs.

Modernizes program purposes to include increasing efficiency of waterpower technologies and advancing U.S.-based manufacturing through collaboration with universities and industry to reduce costs, improve environmental performance, strengthen grid reliability, and support economic growth and workforce development.

Expands hydropower research priorities to address emerging challenges and opportunities, including cybersecurity for hydropower facilities; consultation with state, local, and Tribal entities to improve licensing; incorporation of hydrological impacts and grid modeling; mitigation of invasive species impacts; and support for workforce development programs.

Enhances marine energy research and deployment by advancing integration with microgrids, data centers, and offshore power systems; establishing domestic manufacturing capacity; supporting cross-cutting research; enabling cooperative defense-related R&D; strengthening critical infrastructure resilience; and directing research for Arctic marine operating conditions.

Updates National Marine Energy Centers by directing DOE to consider cold-water operating conditions when awarding grants and by explicitly adding workforce development as a core mission of the Centers.

Improves program administration and coordination by expanding interagency collaboration, modernizing workforce development activities, adjusting strategic planning timelines, and streamlining congressional reporting.

Increases authorized funding levels to $300 million annually for FY2026–2030, including $200 million for marine energy and $100 million for hydropower.

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Visit our website at http://murkowski.senate.gov


Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration to Unlock Individual Assistance for WA Flooding Victims

ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Senator Murray Commends Rescue Efforts and Response to Devastating Flooding Across WA, Vows to Continue Fighting for Support Needed to Rebuild & Recover

In December, Murray led entire WA delegation in requesting expedited Emergency Declaration to unlock federal Army Corps & Coast Guard assistance with debris removal and emergency protective measures—that request was approved

ICYMI THIS WEEK: Senator Murray Visits King County Emergency Operations Center, Hears Updates on Flood Recovery Efforts From Local Leaders & Emergency Management Officials

***LETTER HERE***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to unlock an estimated $21.3 million in federal FEMA resources for families whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged in the extreme flooding that hit Washington state in December. A Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance ensures that disaster survivors have access to a full range of authorized programs and services, including housing assistance, disaster case management, and crisis counseling. This is the first of two Major Disaster Declaration requests the Governor is expected to make in response to the December flooding; the second will be for funding to help repair Washington state’s damaged infrastructure.

From early to mid-December, severe storms and devastating flooding battered Washington state, threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock across the state. The flooding caused severe damage that wreaked havoc in communities across Washington state, and is among the most devastating natural disasters to ever hit the state. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, nearly 4,000 homes across 17 counties were affected by flooding, more than 11 percent of affected homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and thousands of homes will require significant repair or replacement.

“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s January 21, 2026 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through December 22. The individual assistance requested by Governor Ferguson is essential for the thousands of Washingtonians whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged,” Murray and the other members of the delegation wrote. “We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible.”

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

“This system of ‘atmospheric rivers’ has brought torrential rain, wind, and snow to much of the region, resulting in record-breaking flooding and power outages for thousands of residents. Hundreds of communities were immediately at risk, forcing hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians across the state to evacuate, including the entire city of Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. In the city of Pacific, a breached levee left hundreds of homes vulnerable to floodwater. This storm claimed the life of one Washingtonian and has damaged the homes and livelihoods of many more,” the Members continued.

“From the Olympic Peninsula to Central Washington, communities across the state experienced devastating losses. An initial assessment found that catastrophic flooding and devastating winds affected nearly 4,000 homes across 17 counties. More than eleven percent of affected homes were destroyed or severely damaged and thousands of residences will require significant repair or replacement,” Murray and the delegation concluded. “While the state was able to provide some assistance for residents whose homes were severely impacted, it requires additional federal support to meet the need across the state.”

If FEMA approves Individual Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, the next step for residents is to apply directly with FEMA. Governor Ferguson’s request currently includes Chelan, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties, as well as 15 federally recognized Tribal nations.

Back in December, Senator Murray led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating storms and severe flooding hitting Washington state—that request was approved.

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President,

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s January 21, 2026 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through December 22. The individual assistance requested by Governor Ferguson is essential for the thousands of Washingtonians whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible.

This system of “atmospheric rivers” has brought torrential rain, wind, and snow to much of the region, resulting in record-breaking flooding and power outages for thousands of residents. Hundreds of communities were immediately at risk, forcing hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians across the state to evacuate, including the entire city of Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. In the city of Pacific, a breached levee left hundreds of homes vulnerable to floodwater. This storm claimed the life of one Washingtonian and has damaged the homes and livelihoods of many more.

From the Olympic Peninsula to Central Washington, communities across the state experienced devastating losses. An initial assessment found that catastrophic flooding and devastating winds affected nearly 4,000 homes across 17 counties. More than eleven percent of affected homes were destroyed or severely damaged and thousands of residences will require significant repair or replacement. While the state was able to provide some assistance for residents whose homes were severely impacted, it requires additional federal support to meet the need across the state.

We reiterate our full support for the January 21, 2026 request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. We appreciate you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

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Senator Murray Sounds Alarm Over Trump’s EEOC Eliminating Anti-Harassment Guidance, Abandoning Robust Enforcement of Workplace Sexual Harassment

Senator Murray forcefully opposed Andrea Lucas’s nomination and Trump’s illegal firings of Commissioners Burrows & Samuels; In July hearing, Murray grilled Andrea Lucas on EEOC’s shocking dismissal of discrimination cases under her tenure—MORE HERE

Murray, former HELP Chair, released a major report on workplace harassment and secured confirmation of pro-worker Commissioners at EEOC; Murray leads comprehensive legislation to prevent workplace harassment

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas’s move to rescind the EEOC’s Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace.

The comprehensive anti-harassment guidance, issued in April 2024, was the EEOC’s first update on harassment since 1999. The 2024 guidance made much-needed and long-overdue updates to better reflect Congress’s intent, including addressing online harassment, and responding to the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County recognizing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender orientation and sexual discrimination. Senator Murray applauded the updated guidance when it was issued under the Biden administration.

“This is a senseless betrayal from an administration doing everything it can to make working people’s lives harder at every turn. While this move doesn’t change the underlying law, this administration is turning back the clock decades by abandoning robust enforcement of sexual harassment in the workplace—this hurts everyone and helps no one. Andrea Lucas is openly waging war on the independence and basic mission of the EEOC—and this move will leave the Commission enforcing guidance from a time when gay marriage was illegal and most people didn’t have internet at home.

“Whether it’s protecting sexual predators in the Epstein files, promoting alleged abusers to the highest offices in government, or getting rid of basic standards to protect workers against harassment, this administration has proven time again and again that they couldn’t care less about workers, women, or victims of abuse. Under Trump, the EEOC is taking the side of abusers over working people just trying to do their jobs. We can’t let this get swept under the rug.”

Andrea Lucas has served as a member of the EEOC since she was first nominated by President Trump in 2020 and was appointed as Chair in November after being confirmed to a second term on the Commission in July (Senator Murray forcefully opposed her confirmation.) Earlier this year, Ms. Lucas served as Acting Chair after President Trump illegally fired EEOC Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels at the beginning of his term. Under Ms. Lucas, the EEOC has retreated from longstanding civil rights enforcement work, attacked law firms over their diversity efforts, and targeted the rights of trans workers in particular. At a HELP Committee hearing in July on Andrea Lucas’s nomination, Senator Murray grilled Ms. Lucas on EEOC’s shocking and indiscriminate dismissal of discrimination cases involving people who are nonbinary.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Labor Committee from 2015-2022 and a champion of gender equality her entire career, Senator Murray has long been a leader when it comes to fighting workplace harassment. In 2018, Senator Murray spearheaded a historic report on how workplace harassment is impacting workers in industries across the country. She pressed the Secretaries of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services under the Trump administration on what they were doing to prevent harassment at their workplaces and pressed trade associations representing industries with some of the highest rates of sexual harassment to be more transparent and accountable. Murray was also a lead advocate for the confirmation of Kalpana Kotagal and Jocelyn Samuels as EEOC Commissioners, delivering a pro-worker majority on the EEOC for the Biden administration. When President Trump illegally fired EEOC Commissioners Jocelyn Samuels and Charlotte Burrows at the beginning of his term, Senator Murray forcefully condemned the move, led Senators in a letter demanding their immediate reinstatement, and continued to press the issue publicly at every opportunity.

Senator Murray also leads the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act, comprehensive legislation to prevent workplace harassment, strengthen and expand key protections for workers, and support workers in seeking accountability and justice.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott Joins Fox Business to Call for Immediate Passage of His More Affordable Care Act to Make Health Care Great Again

‘Expanding Choices, Increasing Transparency, and Empowering Families to Take Control of Their Health Care’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott joined Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria this morning to discuss his More Affordable Care Act. Senator Scott’s bill is the long-term fix to the crisis called Obamacare. As President Trump has called on Congress to make health care more affordable for families, the More Affordable Care Act is ready to deliver on these calls ASAP. The bill will drive down costs, increase transparency and competition in the system, and give families the opportunity to shop across state lines. The More Affordable Care Act also delivers on the president’s call to direct any federal support dollars straight to families, not insurance companies, through new HSA-style Trump Health Freedom Accounts that empower families to choose the plan that best fits their unique needs.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Mike Lee and Cynthia Lummis and is led by Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger in the House of Representatives.

See more from Senator Scott during his interview with Fox Business HERE or below:

Senator Scott outlines his More Affordable Care Act with Chairman Pfluger in the Washington Examiner HERE. Read his op-ed in Fox News HERE.

The More Affordable Care Act:

Establishes Trump Health Freedom Accounts, HSA-style accounts that ensure federal dollars to support families are delivered to them directly, not funneled to insurance companies;

These funds can be applied to premiums and will be Hyde-compliant by restricting use on abortion health plans or abortion services;

Offers more options for plans that will create market-driven incentives to drive down costs;

Allows Americans to shop across state lines with the creation of a state waiver program within the Affordable Care Act, further expanding competition within the health insurance market and the availability of health insurance plans within existing ACA exchanges.

Any health insurance plan that is approved by a waiver from the state’s insurance commissioner shall be sold on an easily accessible exchange, whether that’s the federal exchange of healthcare.gov, a state’s exchange, or a state-managed, commercially run exchange.

Enhances President Trump’s Executive Order to increase transparency in health care and provide patients with the price and quality of a good or service in advance. Families will have up-front pricing on what things will cost them – a health care menu – so they can make informed decisions and plan for their needs.

Maintains protections for pre-existing conditions; and

Enhances the Small Business Tax Credit to encourage employer-sponsored coverage and increase accessibility.

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SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $1.5 MILLION FOR ONEIDA COUNTY TO IMPROVE CITY OF ROME’S WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN PREPARATION FOR CHOBANI’S NEW FACILITY

With Chobani Investing $1.2 Billion In Oneida County – The Largest Natural Food Making Investment In American History – To Create 1,000+ Good-Paying, Local Jobs, Schumer Delivers Major Federal Investment For Wastewater System Upgrades Needed To Support Historic Dairy Processing Plant

Senator Explains New $$$ Will Enhance The Reliability, Resilience, And Efficiency Of Local Infrastructure, Unlock New Growth In The City of Rome And Oneida County & Support Upstate NY Dairy Farmers

Schumer: Fed $$ Flowing For Water Infrastructure In Oneida County

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced he has secured $1,500,000 in federal funding for Oneida County to make key wastewater infrastructure upgrades in the City of Rome needed to support Chobani’s new diary processing plant and strengthen the city’s wastewater system.

“With Chobani’s historic diary processing plant on the way, it’s never been clearer that all roads lead to Rome, but the local wastewater system still needs major upgrades to prepare for millions of gallons of new discharge that will need to be treated every single day. That is why I am proud to announce that $1.5 million in federal funding I secured will soon flow to Oneida County for new wastewater infrastructure in the City of Rome to support Chobani’s growth in the Mohawk Valley and the 1,000+ good-paying local jobs it will create,” said US Senator Charles E. Schumer. “This federal investment is vital to supporting new economic development here in the Mohawk Valley, supporting good-paying local jobs, and helping our Upstate dairy industry grow. I will never stop fighting to improve critical infrastructure in the City of Rome, Oneida County, and all across the Mohawk Valley, so we can welcome more investments like Chobani and create more good-paying jobs from our factories to our farms and beyond.”

Schumer explained that this project is important to Mohawk Valley residents, Upstate New York dairy farmers, and communities all across New York State because it will support Chobani’s planned 2 million square-foot expansion, creating more than 1,000 new good-paying jobs. Last year, Schumer celebrated Chobani’s decision to invest $1.2 billion to construct a state-of-the-art dairy processing plant at the Griffiss Triangle Site in the City of Rome, the largest investment in natural food making in American history.

More specifically, this funding will support wastewater infrastructure upgrades needed to provide sufficient wastewater capacity for both the construction of Chobani’s plant and future demands on the local wastewater system. Currently, the City of Rome Wastewater Treatment Facility treats an average of 6 million gallons of discharge daily and has the capacity to treat up to 12 million gallons per day. Approximately 20 times each year, the Rome Wastewater Treatment facility exceeds its 12 million gallon per day capacity due to intense rainfall and snowmelt. With Chobani expected to increase average daily discharge by about 3 million gallons to 9 million gallons per day, wastewater infrastructure upgrades are a key part of preparing the Rome wastewater system to handle increased daily demand and maintain normal wastewater operations during peaks in demand.

The wastewater infrastructure upgrades funded by this award will not only set the stage for Chobani’s expansion, but they will also improve the reliability, resilience, and efficiency of the City of Rome’s wastewater system and unlock future economic development opportunities for Oneida County and the City of Rome.

“This federal investment is another critical step forward in bringing Chobani’s transformational project at Griffiss to fruition," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. "Oneida County made a substantial, long-term investment to ensure our site was shovel-ready and has worked hand-in-hand with Chobani at every stage of development to prepare the infrastructure necessary to support a project of this scale. I want to thank Senator Schumer for securing this funding, which goes a long way toward furthering our shared efforts to strengthen wastewater capacity, support this historic expansion in Rome, and position Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley for sustained economic growth.”

“For more than two decades, New York has been home to Chobani, and we’re proud to deepen that commitment in Rome,” said Nishant Roy, Chief Impact Officer at Chobani. “Senator Schumer has been an advocate for Chobani from the start — from our humble beginnings in an abandoned yogurt plant in Chenango County to the largest-ever investment in natural foods here in the Mohawk Valley. This federal funding is an investment in the infrastructure and shared responsibility that allow communities, farmers, and businesses to grow together and shape a resilient future for Upstate New York."

“I want to thank Senator Schumer for his continued support of the City of Rome and for securing this critical federal investment that moves the Chobani project at Griffiss another major step forward,” said Rome Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan. “This is a transformational, once-in-a-generation project for Rome and the entire Mohawk Valley, and ensuring our wastewater infrastructure can support a development of this magnitude is essential to its success. We are working closely with Chobani and Oneida County to bring this historic investment to completion—one that will create thousands of construction and permanent jobs, strengthen our local economy, and position Rome as a hub for future growth. This funding is not just an infrastructure upgrade; it is a key piece of making sure this project delivers lasting economic benefits for our city and region.”

The federal funding comes from the FY2026 Interior spending bill which passed the Senate last week after passing in the House of Representatives the week prior and is now on its way to be signed into law.

Chobani, which is America’s No. 1-selling Greek yogurt brand and the second largest overall yogurt manufacturer, calls New York State home. Currently, Chobani employs over 1300 people at its Chenango County and New York City offices, and purchases 95% of its dairy from New York farmers for its products made in New York State.

Schumer has long supported the Greek yogurt industry in Upstate New York, previously ensuring that it was included in the USDA’s school lunch program with Chobani and the broader Greek yogurt industry in mind. Schumer explained that Greek yogurt is a highly nutritious product that has become a popular and healthy food staple for millions of Americans, including students across the country who take part in the USDA Child Nutrition programs. Schumer said that starting in the fall of 2015, after his push, the USDA added Greek yogurt to its list of items available in the National School Lunch Program. Schumer has additionally called on the USDA to update its protein crediting system to ensure that Greek yogurt is given credit for the protein it contributes and is continuing his advocacy to ensure that the crediting system will ultimately reflect the nutritional quality of Greek yogurt, making it a cost-competitive option for schools to purchase.

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Shaheen Nominates Granite State Students for United States Service Academies

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, is announcing the nominations of 46 New Hampshire students for acceptance to the United States Service Academies. The nominees will now be considered by the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for appointment to the Class of 2031.

“These exemplary Granite State students have worked to achieve academic excellence and have demonstrated their commitment to the service of our nation through their desire to attend one of the United States Service Academies,” said Senator Shaheen. “I am excited to see what these young men and women accomplish in their paths ahead and have no doubt that they will make New Hampshire proud.”

The full list of students nominated by Senator Shaheen is below. More information on the nomination process for interested applicants can be found here.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA):

Samuel Kellner, Hollis, The Derryfield School

Addison Knoetig, Goffstown, Goffstown High School

Mason Roets, Rollinsford, Portsmouth Christian Academy

U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA):

Brandon Adamson, Londonderry, Norwich University

John Alade, Manchester, Trinity High School

Kevin Benard, Pembroke, Pembroke Academy

Jack Calderwood, Intervale, Georgia Military College

Jacob Daley, Nashua, Bishop Guertin High School

Dominic Fazzio, East Hampstead, Pinkerton Academy

Nathan Ferreira, Pembroke, Concord Christian Academy

Kipling Hedquist, Hopkinton, Hopkinton High School

Ashlie Klawes, Allenstown, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Giana Leonardi, Dover, Dover High School

Cooper Mack, Holderness, Plymouth Regional High School

Gavin Niemela, Dublin, Contoocook Valley Regional High School

Victor Pham, Tilton, U.S. Airforce Academy Preparatory School

Maximilian Williams, Concord, Holy Family Academy

U.S. Military Academy (USMA):

Justin Baldridge, Salem, Salem High School

Talia Batherwich, Londonderry, Londonderry High School

William Bellerose, Chichester, Concord High School

Caidyn Carter, Northfield, Winnisquam Regional High School

Liam Conway, Alton, Prospect Mountain High School

Ryan Cowher, Keene, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Troy Hayes, Windham, St. George’s School

Jacob Levesque, Jaffrey, Conant Middle- High School

David Littlefield, Goffstown, Norwich University

Leah Lynskey, Durham, Oyster River High School

Liam Mahoney, Hampton, St. John’s Preparatory School

Kyle Paolino, Rindge, Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Wade Plaskiewicz, Surry, Keene High School

Samuel Sanders, Hillsboro, Hanover High School

James Sisco, Goffstown, Goffstown High School

Jack Williams, Stratham, Exeter High School

U.S. Naval Academy (USNA):

Andrew Allen, East Kingston, Exeter High School

Anna Boyer, Ashland, University of Montana

Hayden Brunell, Meredith, Inter-Lakes High School

Liam Canty, Exeter, Phillips Exeter Academy

Carson Fischer, Merrimack, Nashua Community College

Eamon Griffin, Amherst, U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School

William Hart, Rye, Portsmouth High School

Addison Knoetig, Goffstown, Goffstown High School

Colin Magnuszewski, Brookline, University of New Hampshire

Sophia Malloy, Portsmouth, St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Kelly Moriarty, Rye, Great Bay Community College

Reilly O’Brien, Salem, Penn State University

Annita Parmelee, Exeter, St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Mason Roets, Rollinsford, Portsmouth Christian Academy

Christian Salaun, Greenland, Phillips Exeter Academy

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Shaheen Highlights Bipartisan Snowpack Legislation at Cranmore Mountain, Continues “Affordability Action Tour” with Roundtable on Rural Health Care Amid Republican-Led Funding Cuts

(Berlin, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited Cranmore Mountain in North Conway to discuss her bipartisan legislation to bring snowpack monitoring to the Northeast to benefit New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy, before travelling to Berlin to lead a rural health care roundtable discussion as part of her ongoing “Affordability Action Tour.” Photos from today’s events can be found HERE.

Shaheen began the day at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, where she toured the resort’s new lodge, learned about recent upgrades and highlighted her bipartisan legislation to support snowpack monitoring throughout the Northeast, which will help Granite State businesses and communities that depend on the outdoor recreation economy.

“Thirty years ago, winters in New Hampshire looked different than they do today. The Northeast Snow Survey will help us understand snowpack, floods and water supply levels in the region,” said Senator Shaheen. “This benefits our communities, businesses like Cranmore and the others in outdoor industries that rely heavily on snowpack data for safety, planning and tourism to help power the local economy. That’s why I’m committed to working toward expansion and further investment in this critical research and data monitoring.”

Shaheen’s bipartisan Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act, introduced alongside Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), seeks to establish a network of snow and weather monitoring stations across the Northeast to track mountain snow accumulation and precipitation rates. The bill would expand the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s existing Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting program that currently exists only in the West to the Northeast. Such a system is necessary to understand how changing climate conditions may impact flood potential and water supplies, as well as businesses that rely on snowfall. After securing an initial $1 million for the survey in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, Shaheen ensured continued funding in the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that was signed into law.

Then, in Berlin, Shaheen continued her “Affordability Action Tour” with a roundtable at Androscoggin Valley Hospital with leaders from community health organizations, such as North Country Health including, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, Coos County Family Health Service and Bi-State Primary Care. The discussion focused on addressing challenges to rural health care and increasing access for those in New Hampshire’s rural communities.

“Republican-led health care cuts, combined with the expiration of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, make it harder for rural communities to access affordable care at a time when many Granite Staters are already struggling with the rising cost of everyday essentials,” said Senator Shaheen. “With families across the state seeing spiking premiums and shrinking health care coverage, I wanted to hear from local health care leaders about these challenges – Congress should help ease the financial burden felt by too many New Hampshire families, not make it more difficult.”

As a result of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Betrayal,” over 46,000 Granite Staters are expected to lose health care coverage, with millions more across the state and nationwide already facing increased costs following the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. As the author of bicameral legislation to permanently extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, Shaheen spearheads efforts to expand health care access and combat rising premiums. Earlier this year, Shaheen took to the U.S. Senate floor to call for unanimous consent to pass a three-year extension of the credits and continues to work on bipartisan health care negotiations.

Androscoggin Valley Hospital is the latest stop in Shaheen’s “Affordability Action Tour,” which launched in August to hear from Granite Staters about what needs to be done to tackle the affordability crisis.

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Klobuchar, Smith Call on ICE to Allow Access to Legal Counsel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are calling on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to follow federal law and the Constitution by allowing people in detention to have access to legal counsel. Reports indicate that some of those detained, including at least one U.S. citizen, are being denied their constitutional right to access an attorney.

“As you know the right to due process and the right to counsel are foundational constitutional guarantees enshrined in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. ICE and all other federal law enforcement agencies are required to honor these constitutional rights, regardless of a person’s immigration status,” the Senators wrote. “It is critical that ICE have policies and practices in place that ensure agents are complying with the Constitution, federal law, and ICE’s own regulations, including access to counsel.”

The full text of the letter is below and can be found here.

Dear Acting Director Lyons:

We write to express our serious concerns regarding reports that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has denied access to counsel to people detained at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. This includes reports that federal law enforcement personnel denied access to an attorney who represents a U.S. citizen and Iraq War veteran who was being detained at the facility.

In response to attorney demands to see their clients, one ICE agent reportedly said: “[i]f we let you see your clients, we would have to let all the attorneys see their clients, and imagine the chaos.”

As you know the right to due process and the right to counsel are foundational constitutional guarantees enshrined in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. ICE and all other federal law enforcement agencies are required to honor these constitutional rights, regardless of a person’s immigration status.

In addition to the protections in the Constitution, people in immigration proceedings are further provided a right to counsel by federal law (8 U.S.C. §1362). In fact, the Department of Homeland Security has conceded in court: “all individuals – regardless of immigration status – share in the rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendments (sic) to the Constitution, including the right to have access to a lawyer” and it is “unlawful to prevent people from having access to lawyers who can help them in immigration court.”

It is critical that ICE have policies and practices in place that ensure agents are complying with the Constitution, federal law, and ICE’s own regulations, including access to counsel. Attorneys must not face unreasonable barriers to meeting with their clients, including standard and fulsome visitation hours and private means of communication.

Please inform our offices immediately regarding the steps you are taking to ensure that your agents are aware of their constitutional obligations and acting in a manner that guarantees full access to counsel to people in ICE custody.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce $1.4 Million to Improve Road Safety in Harford, Talbot, Prince George’s Counties, Baltimore City

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Glenn Ivey, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) announced $1,442,360 in federal funding to improve road safety in Harford, Talbot, and Prince George’s Counties and the City of Baltimore.

“We can save lives and prevent injuries by making smart changes that improve road safety. That’s why Federal Team Maryland fought to pass the infrastructure modernization bill, and why we worked to deliver these investments to our local communities. This federal funding will help our local partners better understand where car crashes are happening and take steps to prevent them,” said the lawmakers.

The lawmakers announced the following grants:

$642,360 to the National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems at the University of Maryland-Baltimore to establish a Health Impact Collaborative, analyze traffic safety and public health data, and develop a public health evaluation framework to inform Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s Safety Action Plan

$560,000 to Harford County to conduct engineering analyses and develop safety recommendations on high-crash intersections, sight-distance restrictions, and sidewalk connectivity to inform the Harford County Strategic Highway Safety Plan

$400,000 to the University of Maryland, College Park to conduct a micromobility safety study that gathers community input and video-based behavior data, analyze roadway safety and risks, and deliver findings to inform the Safety Action Plans of the City of College Park and Prince George's County

$240,000 to Talbot County to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan, analyze crash data, and produce a prioritized list of evidence-based countermeasures to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries

The federal funding is provided by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, which helps communities develop and implement safety action plans to better ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on roadways. The SS4A program was established and funded at $5 billion over five years by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation Federal Team Maryland worked to pass to support infrastructure initiatives in Maryland and across the country.


Warnock Calls for Trump Admin to Release $1 Billion for Georgia Internet Expansion

Senator Reverend Warnock led four members of Georgia’s congressional delegation in calling on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to release nearly $1 billion in already-approved federal funding to support increased broadband access and internet-dependent services in Georgia

The funding is part of the $1.3 billion announced by Senator Warnock in June 2023 to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across Georgia thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Georgia plans to use the funding to upgrade emergency services, improve telehealth resources, expand the use of precision agriculture, increase cell coverage, and establish device access and education programs

Senator Warnock and lawmakers: “Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays denying their communities 21st century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia”

ICYMI from AccessWDUN: Sen. Warnock urges Trump Administration to release internet infrastructure funding

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is calling on the Trump Administration to release nearly $1 billion in already-approved federal funding to expand broadband access, cell service, and emergency services in Georgia. Senator Warnock is joined in the effort by four members of Georgia’s congressional delegation. The letter is supported with information from the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA).

“We write to express our deep concern with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) lack of clarity with respect to $1 billion in funding currently being withheld from Georgia. It is the State’s intention to use these funds for critical safety and connectivity improvements that align with both federal and state priorities. Therefore, we urge you to refocus on closing the digital divide in Georgia and release these funds immediately,” Senator Warnock and the lawmakers said.

The funding is part of the $1.3 billion announced by Senator Warnock in June 2023 to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across Georgia thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In December 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced over $300 million of that federal funding coming to Georgia to close the state’s digital divide; funding is distributed to various local contractors by the GTA to build out the state’s broadband network. The remaining $1 billion for Georgia is part of a $42 billion nationwide investment designed to connect all Americans to high-speed, reliable internet. Per law, in addition to funding traditional broadband infrastructure, leftover funding can be used to help local communities utilize enhanced internet access for workforce development, telehealth, cybersecurity, and digital literacy.

The lawmakers continued in their letter: “GTA aims to use leftover BEAD funding to upgrade 911 connectivity service; improve telehealth resources for seniors, veterans, and children in rural areas; expand the use of precision agriculture technologies to increase farm yields; establish device access and education programs to increase economic output; and much more.”

Following Senator Warnock’s leadership, the effort to release the federal funding to Georgia was co-signed by Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), and David Scott (D-GA-13). The lawmakers closed the letter by noting how Georgians are tired of politics and delays getting in the way of securing this key funding to expand internet access.

“Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays denying their communities 21st century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia. We urge NTIA to release all non-deployment funds immediately.”

Senator Warnock is a champion for strengthening broadband access for Georgians across the state. In December 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced over $300 million of that federal funding coming to Georgia to close the state’s digital divide. In 2024, Senator Warnock visited the Georgia-based optical fiber manufacturer OFS Fitel with former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo after helping to ensure next generation fiber will continue to be made in Georgia. He also led an effort urging the FCC to expand the E-Rate program, which would allow schools and libraries to provide Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators. Additionally, in 2022 the Senator hosted former FCC Chair Rosenworcel in Jackson County. Senator Warnock has also worked with Senator Luján to urge the FCC to prevent digital discrimination by facilitating equal access to broadband internet through its rulemaking process. In June 2023, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced $1.3 billion in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. In May 2025, the Senators demanded the Trump Administration release funding for states under the BEAD program.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Assistant Secretary Roth,

We write to express our deep concern with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) lack of clarity with respect to $1 billion in funding currently being withheld from Georgia. It is the State’s intention to use these funds for critical safety and connectivity improvements that align with both federal and state priorities. Therefore, we urge you to refocus on closing the digital divide in Georgia and release these funds immediately.

On June 6, 2025, NTIA issued its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, which required the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) to remove its fiber preference and rerun its initial grant round. This restructure ultimately reduced the cost of infrastructure subawards but further delayed the deployment of broadband service promised to Georgians over four years ago. We were glad to see NTIA approve Georgia’s updated final proposal on November 18, 2025, and we hope that this represents the final administrative hurdle before delivering new broadband connections across Georgia and providing our communities with the tools and infrastructure they need to be competitive in the 21st century.

Unfortunately, NTIA’s policy notice also paused nearly $1 billion in authorized funding for critical safety and connectivity improvements designed to complement the deployment of new broadband connections in Georgia. In accordance with the BEAD program, GTA conducted outreach with local governments, community organizations, industry and workforce organizations, and other stakeholders to identify the highest “non-deployment” broadband needs in Georgia. Informed by these efforts, GTA aims to use leftover BEAD funding to upgrade 911 connectivity service; improve telehealth resources for seniors, veterans, and children in rural areas; expand the use of precision agriculture technologies to increase farm yields; establish device access and education programs to increase economic output; and much more. However, the June 2025 policy notice explicitly withheld pre-approved funding for these projects, and your comments on October 28, 2025 cast further doubt on whether Georgia will ever receive this essential funding that Congress has authorized and appropriated. As a result, Georgians continue to live without critical technology upgrades that help save lives and spur economic growth.

Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays that deny their communities 21st-century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia. We urge NTIA to release all non-deployment funds immediately.

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Warren, Merkley, Whitehouse, Kaine Sound Alarm Over Trump Administration’s Plan to End Affordable Student Loan Repayment Program

More than 7 million people are enrolled in SAVE plan

“It is imperative the Department take every action possible to ensure the 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE are provided with the information and resources necessary to avoid delinquency or default in order to avoid an even bigger default crisis. ”

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) led their Senate colleagues in demanding answers from Trump Education Secretary Linda McMahon about the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate affordable student loan repayment options for millions of Americans.

In addition to Warren, Merkley, Whitehouse, and Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Their letter follows the Trump Administration’s Education Department (ED) reaching a proposed settlement with the State of Missouri to abandon the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and its affordable payments in response to a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general from multiple states. The SAVE Plan was created by President Biden in 2023 to help student loan borrowers nationwide by creating a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan—which links payments to a borrower’s income and family size. In 2025, Republicans also passed a budget bill that requires the SAVE Plan and other IDR plans to be eliminated by July 2028, and this proposed settlement significantly speeds up the timeline.

“Pending court approval, the settlement would require ED to stop enrolling borrowers in SAVE, deny all pending SAVE applications from borrowers that may have been waiting years for a response, and move the more than 7 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE into other less affordable repayment plans,” wrote the senators to Secretary McMahon.

“Unfortunately, ED’s proposed settlement provides little direction or transparency for borrowers who will be forced into new repayment plans through no fault of their own,” continued the senators. “Namely, the proposed settlement provides no information on what, if any, resources or guidance ED will provide to borrowers as they make these significant changes, or how much time borrowers will be provided to switch plans. The settlement also lacks clarity on the timeline for when these changes will be operationalized and when ED and other federal loan servicers will communicate these changes to borrowers. Troublingly, ED’s own public communications have conflicting information on the timeline in which borrowers can expect to receive information from the Department, ranging from ‘in the coming weeks’ to “in the coming months.’”

The Senators also highlighted the harmful changes coming to student loan repayment following the passage of Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill in 2025: “Without clear information or guidance, borrowers could be unknowingly placed in the standard repayment plan. Further, as a result of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act,’ ED is in the process of sunsetting ICR and PAYE while preparing to implement the Repayment Assistance Plan. These significant shifts in repayment options will only exacerbate confusion for borrowers, increasing the likelihood that borrowers will fall into the standard repayment option. This would result in significantly higher monthly payments for millions of borrowers. Many borrowers in SAVE would be unable to afford the high monthly payments in the standard plan, and as a result, these borrowers would likely fall into delinquency and default, which would have dire economic consequences for borrowers and their families.”

The senators are demanding details on the proposed elimination of the SAVE plan by February 6, 2026.

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Warren, Senators Secure New Commitments from Big Tech on Electricity Costs, But Companies Dodge Accountability for Hiking Families’ Utility Bills

Text of Responses (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — After U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) opened an investigation into the extent to which Big Tech data centers are driving up consumers’ electricity costs, the senators today released the responses to their initial inquiry. The senators secured a number of new commitments from the companies about paying their “fair share” of electricity costs, however, the Big Tech firms failed to ensure that they will stop families from paying higher utility bills because of the costs associated with data centers.

“These commitments do not explain how Big Tech companies – not American consumers – will bear the full cost of data centers. Google knows there’s a difference between paying its electricity bill and fully covering the significant infrastructure upgrade costs associated with these data centers,” said Senator Warren. “If these companies are serious about paying their fair share, at a minimum they’d be more transparent about their data centers’ operations instead of forcing local communities to sign NDAs.”

“Big Tech’s lackluster responses to our inquiry do nothing to assure families that energy-guzzling data centers will stop causing their utility bills to skyrocket. We’ll keep up the pressure on Big Tech and work to hold companies accountable for the excessive electricity costs that they’re imposing on consumers. It’s time for Big Tech to put their money where their mouth is and pay their fair share,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“Because of this investigation and our efforts to seek transparency, Big Tech companies are finally beginning to acknowledge that their data centers are saddling consumers with higher electricity costs and straining our power grid – but they still refuse to take full responsibility for these problems they are creating. Without action from Congress, they will continue to evade accountability – which is why I’ve introduced legislation to require data centers to cover the costs of the energy they need instead of pushing them off to everyone else,” said Senator Van Hollen.

Google made new commitments to pay for partial costs of their data centers. For example, Google wrote: “We are committed to paying for all the electricity we use and contributing to other costs associated with growth.” They added: “Google is helping address current challenges by paying for provision of our peak electrical demands and for 100 percent of the electricity we use to power our data centers while investing in new energy sources to help lower costs for others.”

However, these commitments to pay their electricity bills fail to address many of the costs that data centers impose on consumers. For example, the expensive infrastructure upgrades necessary to connect data centers to the grid are paid for by all energy users, including residents. The companies offered little detail as to how they will ensure they are indeed covering their full share of these infrastructure costs, with some failing to address the issue entirely.

Additionally, several companies, including Microsoft, Coreweave, and Equinix, announced they would support separate rate classes for data centers. This is a reversal from prior industry positions, such as Google’s December 2024 statement that a data center-specific rate class would be “discriminatory.” It’s notable, however, that this commitment alone will not guarantee that data centers pay their fair share. For example, if a Big Tech company were to abandon its data center, a separate rate class—absent other guardrails—would not protect residents from paying higher utility costs.

The companies also refused to provide the information needed to hold them accountable for the high costs they are imposing on Americans. They did not answer the senators’ questions about their contracts with utility companies, including the actual rates that the data centers pay. This information is crucial to understanding how costs are passed down to everyday Americans.

Given these responses and the ongoing gaps in information about Big Tech firms’ contributions to high utility costs, the senators plan to continue this Senate investigation and their push for data centers to pay their fair share.

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Welch Announces Opposition to Funding ICE in Upcoming Government Appropriations Bill

BURLINGTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced his opposition to any government funding package that provides additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

“Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has turned the mission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upside down, away from immigration enforcement and into an aggressive paramilitary force that terrorizes our communities, interferes with local policing, and makes our communities less safe. She has abused her authority—I will not support a funding bill that gives her a blank check to fund ICE’s inhumane tactics and excessive force.

“Under Secretary Noem, ICE agents are armed, masked, and given license to do whatever they want. People are being injured and killed—including Renee Nicole Good, who should be alive today. Families are being torn apart. Untrained officers are pulling people over based on the color of their skin. ICE has used children, as young as a 5-year-old, as bait to arrest their parents. Americans’ constitutional rights are being trampled. There is no accountability—for ICE or for Secretary Noem.

“ICE needs to be reformed and reined in. Congress must conduct oversight of the $75 billion in funding Republicans already gave ICE in their so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ Secretary Noem has spent this money recklessly and unwisely—yet she wants even more money to inflict anxiety and pain on American communities. I will not vote to give DHS any more federal funds until Secretary Noem and ICE are held accountable.”

A vote on the funding package in the Senate is expected next week. Senator Welch also voted against Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, which provided ICE with more than $75 billion in additional funding. He cosponsored the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act, which would require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions.

Senator Welch called for Secretary Noem to resign in July.

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Welch, Cruz Lead Bipartisan ‘SAT Act’ to Help Rural Communities Access High-Speed Internet

Bipartisan legislation provides regulatory predictability to the satellite industry, boosts broadband access, and ensures American space leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, alongside U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Senate Commerce Committee Chairman, this week reintroduced the bipartisan Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining (SAT) Act, legislation to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities by cutting red tape that threatens investments in America’s commercial satellite industry. The Senators’ legislation aims to streamline the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) application process to ensure America remains competitive by incentivizing commercial satellite operators to base operations in the United States.

“Unlocking the full potential of America’s satellite industry is a major part of connecting more rural communities to high-speed internet. That’s why it’s crucial to reduce red tape that hinders the development of new satellite technology,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join Chair Cruz on this bipartisan legislation to help more rural communities from Vermont to Texas access high-speed internet.”

“We have more rocket launches and satellite deployments today than ever before. However, innovative companies that seek to expand broadband access to Americans are facing a regulatory process that is outdated, leading to massive delays in the deployment of new satellite technologies. I am pleased to be joined by Sen. Welch in reintroducing this important legislation that establishes a clear, standardized FCC review process that prevents unnecessary delays, keeps commercial satellite operators under the U.S. flag, and accelerates broadband deployment to unserved communities. America must lead the way on satellite deployment in space,” said Senator Cruz.

The SAT Act would address unreasonable regulatory delays due to the increase in the quantity of space and earth station applications submitted to the FCC by establishing clear, one-year deadlines for the FCC to process licensing applications. The legislation also standardizes “market access” for foreign satellite systems operating in the United States by capping licenses at 15 years, aligning them with the 15-year approval term applied to U.S. companies.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, Senator Welch has led the fight to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet, including urging the Trump Administration to support broadband buildout in rural America.

Find a list of the SAT Act’s supporting organizations here.

Read and download the full text of the SAT Act of 2026.

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Welch Discusses Rural Development Priorities at NEK Day at the Statehouse

MONTPELIER, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined state and local leaders at Vermont’s annual “NEK Day at the Statehouse” in Montpelier. The Senator met with community members and discussed his work in the U.S. Senate to support and invest in rural America and working families.

“There’s no place better than the Northeast Kingdom to showcase the strength and opportunities in rural life. Folks in rural Vermont just know how to figure it out. The role we have in government is not about handouts, it’s about creating a level playing field for rural communities. That means affordable and accessible health care. That means state-of-the-art broadband. That means opportunities for small businesses and farms to grow and thrive. What’s happening in the NEK is really special, and the federal government’s absolute responsibility is to make sure the infrastructure to succeed is strong in rural America,” said Senator Welch.

View photos from the event below and on the Senator’s website:

Senator Welch has championed legislation to end the trade war, support rural development, and strengthen farms. He is the cosponsor of several bipartisan bills and resolutions to block the Trump Administration’s tariffs on Canada, as well as the global tariffs. Senator Welch has led legislation to ensure farmers have the right to repair their farm equipment, improve crop insurance, and support beginning farmers and ranchers. The Senator is also the sponsor of bipartisan bills to support rural hospitals and build out rural broadband. Last week, his bipartisan bill to support dairy farmers and kids by allowing whole milk in schools was signed into law.

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Welch Joins New Bill to Ensure Americans Aren't Footing the Bill for Big Data Centers

Legislation would require corporations—not the American people—to pay for data centers’ expansion; take measures to protect grid reliability

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, recently joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in introducing the Power for the People Act, legislation to rein in the rising electricity costs Americans are facing by addressing the huge amounts of energy required by data centers.

Amid the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), corporations and big technology companies’ build out of data centers has exploded in the past decade and is projected to continue to rapidly increase. As more and more data centers aim to connect to the power grid, consumers are footing the bill for the infrastructure required to bring them online. Because data centers use so much power, they are also increasing energy demand which is further driving up electricity prices and placing a heavy burden on our electric grid—raising the risk of reliability issues such as blackouts.

“The data centers behind the AI boom are consuming more energy than ever before—that demand is only expected to grow. At the same time, energy prices are spiking across the country, saddling working families with higher utility bills and threatening the reliability of the grid. Data centers must be held accountable for the costs of their connection,” said Senator Welch. “We cannot force everyday Americans to subsidize profits of the multi-billion dollar AI industry.”

“Americans are already struggling to make ends meet – they shouldn’t have to foot the bill for big corporations’ massive expansion of data centers. But right now, the richest corporations on the planet are constructing new data centers at working families’ expense – driving up monthly electricity bills for consumers. The principle behind this legislation is simple: the huge corporations building and running data centers should cover the costs of the energy they need – not push those costs onto the backs of consumers,” said Senator Van Hollen.

Joining Senators Welch and Van Hollen as cosponsors of this legislation are Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).

Data centers are huge energy consumers. In 2024, the average size of a proposed data center in the US was 300 megawatts, which is as much energy as it takes to power around 240,000 homes. There are currently over 3,700 data centers in the U.S. with new facilities being proposed every day. Although they are not the only factor causing electricity prices to rise, it is clear that new data center energy demand is having a significant and growing impact on Americans’ utility bills.

The enormous energy needs of data centers push costs for consumers higher in two ways: 1) they increase overall electricity demand, outpacing available electricity supply – resulting in higher utility bills across the grid and windfall profits for power generators; and 2) they require expansions of the electric grid and the cost of these infrastructure upgrades are passed onto all electricity customers – not just the new data centers. As a result of the rapid influx of data center energy demand, combined with power supply constraints, electric grids across the country are being pushed dangerously close to their limits, which increases the risk of blackouts.

The Power for the People Act would hold data center operators accountable for their role in driving up energy prices through reforms that would prevent consumers from subsidizing data center development through their utility bills. The legislation would also ensure that data centers connecting to the grid do not overwhelm it, preventing grid reliability issues that result in power outages, and ensuring that all of this work is done with strong labor standards in place, creating good-paying jobs.

Specifically, the Power for the People Act:

Ensures data centers are paying for the energy costs they cause by:

Directing states to evaluate the need for new rate classes specifically for data centers to more effectively assign costs caused by that customer class, while providing technical support to states to support this process.

Directing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a rule to ensure data centers are paying for the local transmission upgrades that would not be needed if the new data center did not exist – increasing accountability in local transmission projects which often lack oversight.

Creates a system to manage data center interconnection to the grid that would protect affordability and grid reliability by incentivizing data centers to:

Offset their impact on the electric grid by bringing their own new and additional power generation and battery storage systems to the grid, as well as by agreeing to certain flexibility requirements.

Mitigate pollution by using clean energy resources.

Create good paying jobs with strong labor standards by paying locally prevailing wage, and using registered apprenticeship programs.

Provides resources to improve data center load forecasting, including weeding out duplicative or speculative requests, as accurate data center energy demand projections are key to ensuring proper investment in the grid and preventing overly inflated energy bills.

The Power for the People Act is supported by the Consumer Federation of America; Delaware Division of the Public Advocate; Illinois Citizens Utility Board; Maryland People’s Counsel; National Consumer Law Center; National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel; Oregon Citizens Utility Board; Public Citizen; and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, Senator Welch has led the fight to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet, including urging the Trump Administration to support broadband buildout in rural America.

Read and download the full text of the Power for the People Act.

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Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $2.1 Million Grant for Postsecondary Manufacturing Education at Central Oregon Community College

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that $2,187,923 in federal funding is coming to Central Oregon Community College to boost its manufacturing postsecondary education program, expanding the pipeline of skilled workers to meet the needs of local employers while supporting long-term regional economic growth.

“Access to postsecondary education is essential to building the skilled workforce that Central Oregon’s manufacturing and business communities rely on to grow and compete. By investing in community colleges and expanding workforce training, we can create more affordable pathways to good-paying jobs and a better future for folks across Central Oregon,” said Merkley.

“In my town halls last week in Central Oregon and throughout the state this week, I’ve heard from Oregonians all over our state how people need more good-paying jobs and Oregon businesses need a trained workforce,” said Wyden. “I’m gratified this grant will be an avenue leading to success for students and for the local business community in Central Oregon.”

“These funds will enable us to expand hands-on training at the Redmond Campus in our Manufacturing Technology program, which includes fields like welding, fabrication and CNC machining – all of which are critical to the future of manufacturing in Central Oregon. By developing short-term, industry-aligned certificates, Central Oregon Community College will increase the number of skilled workers ready to meet local employer needs, while offering students affordable pathways into high-wage, in-demand careers. This targeted, workforce-driven investment strengthens our community and supports long-term regional growth,” said Dr. Greg Pereira, President of Central Oregon Community College.

The federal funds were awarded to Central Oregon Community College from the U.S. Department of Education’s Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Projects Program to support Central Oregon Community College with hiring faculty and staff, purchasing equipment and technology, strengthening employer partnerships, and improving data systems for Pell Grant eligibility and student outcome tracking. The FIPSE Special Projects Program funds grants to support innovative projects concerning one or more areas of national need that have been identified by the Education Secretary, including supporting capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs.

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Rep. Young Kim Votes to Bolster U.S. Defense, Revitalize Health and Workforce, Secure America’s Borders, and Modernize U.S. Transportation Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Young Kim (CA-40) voted to advance the three-bill minibus appropriations package and standalone Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026 to strengthen U.S. military superiority and national security, revitalize America’s health and workforce, modernize U.S. transportation infrastructure, and secure America’s borders.

With the passage of these bills, Congress will fully fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2026. This provides certainty for service members, first responders, small businesses, and families who rely on stable and predictable government operations.

“This final set of funding bills we passed today strengthens our national security, invests in a healthier and more skilled workforce, modernizes critical infrastructure, and improves public safety,” said Rep. Kim. “By passing these last set of minibus appropriation bills, Congress is finally getting back to the regular order of business and can move away from wasteful stopgap measures. That’s how our government is supposed to work—delivering the certainty, stability, and fiscal accountability that Americans count on.”

The three-bill minibus appropriations package and Homeland Security appropriations bill includes key priorities to:

Bolster U.S. Military Superiority and National Security:

Invests $839.2B to strengthen U.S. military capabilities, enhance counternarcotics and national security efforts—including preparations for the upcoming World Cup and Olympics—and provide robust support for key allies like Taiwan and Israel.

Revitalize America’s Health & Workforce:

Redirects tax dollars away from federal bureaucracy and ideological programs, putting it to work on medical research, rural healthcare, and workforce training that deliver real results for American families.

Securing America’s Borders

Funds $64 billion to defend the nation against the threat posed by terrorists, criminals, and foreign adversaries.

Modernize U.S. Transportation Infrastructure:

Modernizes $102.9 billion package modernizes U.S. infrastructure, strengthens transportation safety, cuts wasteful spending, and invests in national security and American industry.

The final minibus package also includes Community Project Funding priorities requested by Rep. Kim for California’s 40th District, including:

I-5 Improvement Project (I-405 to SR-55) – $1,700,000

State Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project – $3,000,000

Savi Ranch Parkway Road Improvement Project – $3,000,000

State Route 55 Improvement Project – $3,000,000

Mission Viejo Fire Station #9 Renovation – $1,000,000

Fire Station 3 Improvement Project – $1,000,000

Santiago Canyon College Career Training Infrastructure Expansion Project – $1,000,000

Oso Creek Trail Accessibility Improvement Project – $500,000

Chino Hills Fire Risk Reduction Project – $1,628,000


Zinke Secures Over $27 Million for Western Montana Roads, Bridges, and Infrastructure Projects in the Final FY26 Appropriations Package

Washington, D.C. - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that he secured over $27 million in infrastructure funding for Montana in H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. The package includes the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education appropriations bills. As a member of House Appropriations Committee and of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development subcommittee, Congressman Zinke played a large part in crafting this package.

With House passage of this legislation package as well as of H.R. 7147 Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026 today, all 12 FY26 appropriations bills have now passed the House of Representatives. Five bills have passed the Senate, while three have already been signed into law, marking significant progress toward completing the federal funding process through regular order. This would be only the fourth time Congress has passed all 12 appropriations bills through regular order since the current budget rules took effect in 1977, and the first time since 1997.

“I’ve worked with county commissioners and local leaders for years on these projects, and now we’re finally securing the support they deserve,” said Zinke. “This bill funds vital projects that Washington often overlooks but are essential to the people who live there. Seely Lake’s wastewater treatment plant, replacement of the Noxon Bridge, road improvements in Ravalli County, and guardrail installations along the North Fork are prime examples of what Congress should be spending money on. These are good, community driven, shovel ready projects, that come from the ground up, not from bureaucrats who’ve never been to the west. I urge the Senate to act quickly and pass this bill, fully funding the government for fiscal year 2026.”

Zinke’s Community Project Funding Requests:

$10,000,000 for the Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant

$10,000,000 for the Sanders County Noxon Bridge Replacement, Phase I

$2,500,000 for the Ravalli County Wastewater Treatment Plant

$454,000 for the Rural Airport Reconstruction and Emergency Services Expansion

$1,150,000 for the Repaving Marten Creek Road

$1,000,000 for the Flathead County North Fork Road Guardrails

$1,000,000 for the Groff Lane Bridge Replacement

$1,000,000 for the Old Corvallis Road Repair

Additional Montana Wins:

Recommends the Department of Transportation to prioritize low-population rural airports and report on counties eligible for the Essential Air Service program.

Focuses bridge replacement and rehabilitation resources on counties with fewer than 20,000 residents.

Requires FAA reporting on addressing staffing shortages at federal contract air traffic control towers.

Recommends expanding eligibility for rural highway infrastructure grants in counties with fewer than 50,000 people.

Advances modernization planning for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy campus.

Ensures transparency and stakeholder engagement for UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight rulemaking.

Blocks a federal commercial motor vehicle speed limiter mandate.

Prohibits the use of funding to require driver-facing cameras in federal apprenticeship programs.

Funding for Project-Based Rental Assistance

Creates Housing Choice Voucher Pilot Program focused on a localized approach in the Rocky Mountain West, targeting markets with low rental availability.

Report language to allow positive rent payment data to be used for building and improving credit history in affordable housing.

Homeland Security:

Topline funding

$64.4 billion total discretionary allocation

Highlights

FEMA (including Disaster Relief Fund): $32 billion

Customs and Border Protection & ICE: $28.0 billion

U.S. Coast Guard: $13.9 billion

Ends funding for programs that incentivized illegal immigration and refocuses DHS on enforcement.

Strengthens border security, interior enforcement, and counter-drug operations to combat fentanyl and transnational crime.

Expands Coast Guard maritime security and Indo-Pacific presence to protect U.S. waters and trade routes.

Fully funds FEMA disaster relief and firefighter grant programs to support state and local response efforts.

Defense:

Topline funding

$839.2 billion total discretionary allocation

Highlights

Invests in next-generation aircraft, missile defense, nuclear deterrence, space capabilities, and munitions production to deter China and emerging threats.

Delivers a 3.8 percent pay raise for all servicemembers and improves quality of life for military families.

Cuts more than $1.7 billion through efficiencies and management reforms while driving innovation and competition.

Strengthens counter-drug operations, border security support, and National Guard programs.

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education:

Topline funding

$221 billion total discretionary allocation

Highlights

Reduces bureaucracy and safeguards taxpayer dollars through targeted savings.

Strengthens rural health care, primary care access, and efforts to combat fentanyl and illicit drugs.

Protects the right to life by prohibiting taxpayer funding for abortion on demand.

Enhances Social Security customer service and program integrity.

Cuts funding for regulatory agencies that burden American job creators, including the NLRB and OSHA.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development:

Topline funding

$102.9 billion total discretionary allocation

Highlights

Modernizes air traffic control, hires 2,500 air traffic controllers, and improves aviation safety.

Redirects funding to core transportation priorities that support jobs and economic growth.

Cuts $5.7 billion in waste while preserving safety and essential services.

Fully funds rental assistance for vulnerable Americans, including seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The bipartisan package now heads to the Senate for a vote.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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