Bill to Fund Key Interior and Environmental Programs in Maine Heads to President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured significant funding and legislative language for Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that passed the Senate today. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“This legislation will provide important investments in Maine’s public lands, national parks, and tribal programs. It will promote healthy and resilient communities by supporting critical infrastructure that would help to provide clean drinking water and mitigate increasing flood risks,” said Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Funding and legislative language advanced by Senator Collins includes:

Local Projects: Nearly $68 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine.

Spruce Budworm Treatment: $10 million for the U.S. Forest Service to provide assistance to states for an emerging spruce budworm outbreak approaching the northeastern border. Last year, Senator Collins secured $14 million to help combat the spread of spruce budworm in Maine forests in disaster relief legislation.

Carbon Neutrality of Biomass: Includes a provision that recognizes biomass as carbon neutral across federal agencies.

Brownfields Grants: $170 million for Brownfields remediation, including $25.7 million for the Brownfields Projects Grant, $98 million for Brownfields Infrastructure Assistance Grant, and $46.3 million for Brownfields Categorical Grant.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Program: $5.6 million for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program at the National Park Service, which includes an increase in funding for the York River Wild and Scenic River Program, bringing their total to $300,000.

Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF): $2.8 billion for the Clean Water SRF and the Drinking Water SRF.

Community Wood Energy Program: $15 million for the Community Wood Energy Program, a competitive grant program that supports the installation of wood energy systems and wood product manufacturing facilities.

Water System PFAS Support Funding: $117 million for EPA’s Public Water System Supervision categorical grant program, which provides PFAS cleanup assistance to state drinking water programs.

Staffing at National Wildlife Refuges: $522 million for the National Wildlife Refuge System and report language encouraging the Refuge system to fill vacant positions in Maine.

Rural Water Technical Assistance Grant Program: $30.7 million and the continuation of report language directing that funding be awarded competitively. This includes $26 million to provide technical assistance to small and rural public water systems under the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act.

Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC): $6 million for the NSRC. A collaboration among universities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, the NSRC sponsors research to sustain the health of northern forest ecosystems and communities, to develop new forest products, improve forest biodiversity management, and to establish a Digital Forestry Systems Research Consortium.

National Estuary Program (NEP): $40 million for the NEP. The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership and Piscataqua Region Estuaries are members of the NEP.

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program: $5.5 million for this program, which provides support to tribes, local governments, and qualifying nonprofits for fee purchase of forestlands to convert to community forests.

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Bill to Support Key Energy and Water Development Priorities in Maine Heads to President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured significant funding and legislative language to support energy, water, and economic development priorities for the State of Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that passed the Senate today. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“This legislation delivers meaningful support for communities across Maine by investing in the continued development of our forest products economy, maintaining vital waterways, and helping families reduce energy costs,” said Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work to better ensure that Maine’s priorities are clearly reflected in our legislation and that federal resources are used responsibly.”

Funding and legislative language advanced by Senator Collins includes:

Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC): The bill provides $42 million for the Northern Border Regional Commission, a $1 million increase above the FY25 enacted level. This funding includes $4 million to address the decline in forest-based economies and $1.5 million for the State Capacity Building Grant Program. In 2024 alone, Maine was awarded more than $14 million through NBRC programs to support economic development in rural communities.

Kennebec River Maintenance Dredging Plan: The legislation includes language directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Navy to provide appropriate resources for annual maintenance dredging of the Kennebec River to ensure the channel remains navigable for the safe passage of newly constructed Navy guided missile destroyers. This directive reinforces the 2019 memorandum of agreement between the Navy and the Army establishing responsibility for regular maintenance dredging and supports continued operations at Bath Iron Works.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): The bill provides $329 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program, an increase of $3 million above the FY25 enacted level. It also includes level funding of $30 million for the Weatherization Readiness Fund. These investments will help low-income households improve energy efficiency and lower heating costs.

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Bill to Support Maine’s Lobster Industry Heads to President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured significant funding and legislative language to support Maine’s lobster industry in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill that passed the Senate today. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“This funding will support Maine’s lobster industry by improving the incomplete and imprecise science and research upon which the federal government relies. The flawed data being used to inform regulations has created unnecessary, burdensome requirements for Maine lobstermen and women,” said Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to ensure this funding was included in the final funding bill.”

Funding and legislative language advanced by Senator Collins includes:

North Atlantic Right Whale: $30 million for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Right Whale related research and monitoring.

Language is also included directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with Canada to develop risk reduction measures that are comparable in effectiveness to U.S. measures.

National Sea Grant Program: $80 million for the National Sea Grant Program. Last year, the Department of Commerce announced that Maine Sea Grant was being defunded. At the urging of Senator Collins, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick directed NOAA to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant to ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts, and sustainable fisheries.

American Lobster Research: $2 million for Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank American lobster research through Maine Sea Grant.

$300,000 to support a cooperative research program to collect biological, fishery, and environmental data for American lobster and Jonah crab using modern technology on commercial fishing vessels.

Language is also included that directs this research to be carried out through a partnership of state agencies, academia, and industry with a focus on “stock resilience in the face of environmental changes” and “topics necessary to respond to newly implemented or future modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.”

Gray Zone: Report language directing NOAA to work with Canadian and state fisheries officials to develop a cooperative fisheries management plan in the Gray Zone.

In addition, Senator Collins secured more than $73 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine through the CJS Appropriations bill. Of these projects, $1 million is included to expand the American Lobster Settlement Index collector survey at the University of Maine.

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Congress Approves $6.2 Million for Maine High-Performance Computing Hub Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $6,200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the establishment of a Maine High-Performance Computing Hub in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill that passed the Senate today. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Investing in high-performance computing would strengthen Maine’s research capacity, support innovation-driven industries, and help grow good-paying jobs across our state,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will help to ensure that Maine remains competitive in the digital economy while expanding opportunities for our students, businesses, and communities. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding.”

“This investment in high-performance computing will serve as a cornerstone for Maine’s innovation-driven economy,” said Garvan Donegan of the Central Maine Growth Council. “It will empower entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders with the tools needed to accelerate product development, drive commercialization, and compete in data-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, it will deepen collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector, strengthening Maine’s knowledge economy and positioning the state as a hub for cutting-edge research and scalable innovation. We are deeply grateful to Senator Collins for advancing this critical infrastructure for long-term economic growth.”

This project, led by the Central Maine Growth Council, will provide access to advanced computing for Maine’s businesses, researchers, and educators, supporting innovation in a variety of fields such as precision medicine and sustainable food.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1.2 billion for hundreds of Maine projects in FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2026 (to date). As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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Congress Approves More Than $59 Million for Maine Drinking Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $59,063,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill that passed the Senate today. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Maintaining and upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to strengthening the economic and environmental health of communities throughout Maine,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will help to ensure Mainers continue to have access to clean, safe drinking water and functioning sewer systems while preserving Maine’s natural resources. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding.”

Funding secured by Senator Collins is as follows:

City of Biddeford for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: City of Biddeford

Project Location: Biddeford, ME

Amount Requested: $6,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Biddeford.

City of Brewer for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: City of Brewer

Project Location: Brewer, ME

Amount Requested: $1,576,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Brewer.

Canton Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Canton Water District

Project Location: Canton, ME

Amount Requested: $1,250,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Canton.

Caribou Utilities District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Caribou Utilities District

Project Location: Caribou, ME

Amount Requested: $3,288,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Caribou.

Clinton Water District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Clinton Water District

Project Location: Clinton, ME

Amount Requested: $3,250,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Clinton.

Town of Fort Kent for Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Fort Kent

Project Location: Fort Kent, ME

Amount Requested: $3,500,000

Project Purpose: To improve water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in Fort Kent.

City of Gardiner for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: City of Gardiner

Project Location: Gardiner, ME

Amount Requested: $1,422,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gardiner.

Town of Gorham for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Gorham

Project Location: Gorham, ME

Amount Requested:$3,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gorham.

Loring Development Authority for Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Loring Development Authority

Project Location: Limestone, ME

Amount Requested: $1,740,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade water infrastructure in Loring Commerce Centre.

Lubec Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Lubec Water District

Project Location: Lubec, ME

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Lubec.

Town of Machias for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Machias

Project Location: Machias, ME

Amount Requested: $1,378,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Machias.

Monmouth Water Association for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Monmouth Water Association

Project Location: Monmouth, ME

Amount Requested: $3,555,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Monmouth.

Town of North Haven for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of North Haven

Project Location: North Haven, ME

Amount Requested: $4,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in North Haven.

Town of Old Orchard Beach for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Old Orchard Beach

Project Location: Old Orchard Beach, ME

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Old Orchard Beach.

Old Town Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Old Town Water District

Project Location: Old Town, ME

Amount Requested: $3,560,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Old Town.

Presque Isle Utilities District for Water Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Presque Isle Utilities District

Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Presque Isle.

Richmond Utilities District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Richmond Utilities District

Project Location: Richmond, ME

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Richmond.

South Berwick Sewer District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: South Berwick Sewer District

Project Location: South Berwick, ME

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in South Berwick.

Town of Southwest Harbor for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Southwest Harbor

Project Location: Southwest Harbor, ME

Amount Requested: $780,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Southwest Harbor.

Vassalboro Sanitary District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Vassalboro Sanitary District

Project Location: Vassalboro, ME

Amount Requested: $386,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Vassalboro.

Veazie Sewer District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Veazie Sewer District

Project Location: Veazie, ME

Amount Requested: $1,878,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Veazie.

Pleasant Point for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point

Project Location: Washington County, ME

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Washington County.

Wells Sanitary District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Wells Sanitary District

Project Location: Wells, ME

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Wells.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1.2 billion for hundreds of Maine projects in FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2026 (to date). As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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Senator Collins Announces Appointees to the Maine Farm Service Agency State Committee

BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) released their five official appointments to serve on the Maine USDA FSA state committee. Senator Collins advised the Administration during the nomination process as it selected candidates for the state committee.

Members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs. Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson.

“Maine’s Farm Service Agency plays a critical role in our agricultural economy by administering essential federal programs and ensuring Maine’s agricultural producers have access to the resources they need,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased to see this terrific group of community leaders bring their extensive experience, strong work ethic, and firsthand understanding of Maine agriculture to serve on the FSA state committee.”

The five individuals who have been appointed to serve on this committee for Maine are:

Dominic Lajoie, Chair (Van Buren) – Lajoie is a fourth-generation potato farmer producing 1,000 acres of potatoes and 1,200 acres of rotating crops. He previously served as the president of the National Potato Council, director of the Maine Potato Growers Co-Op, and president of the Maine Potato Board among other leadership positions.

Jacob Bragg (Sidney) – Bragg is a ninth-generation dairy farmer and owner/operator of a commercial organic dairy farm employing 20 people and farming about 1,000 acres. Bragg is active in mentoring youths in his community and is involved in the local aviation community in central Maine.

Courtney Hammond (Columbia Falls) – Hammond is farm manager and oversees wholesale and retail for wild blueberries, cranberries, and balsam fir products. He is a retired Maine Forest Ranger and was deployed nationally more than 50 times for wildfire and disaster responses, including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Irene, and Sandy. Previously Hammond served as the president of the Maine Farm Bureau. He currently is a board member of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America-US, chair of the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission’s Fresh Pack and Value-Added Committee, and a member of the Commission’s University of Maine Advisory Committee.

Jenny Maheu (Turner) – Maheu is a ninth-generation apple grower, producing apples, cranberries, blueberries, and maple syrup. She is raising the tenth generation on the farm as she works to preserve the farm’s extensive legacy.

Erica Peabody (Houlton) – Peabody is a partner in and manages potato production for the family farm, growing and selling to large processing companies. In 2024, her farm was asked to partner as an innovation hub grower for Maine to highlight regenerative agriculture practices. Peabody served on the Maine Potato Board and continues to serve on the Maine Potato Seed Board and Potato Market Improvement Fund technical committee.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees.

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Senator Collins Delivers Floor Remarks Following Passage of Bipartisan Three-Bill Funding Package

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of her remarks.

Click HERE for a full-resolution photo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor this evening following the vote on the final passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bills. Prior to her remarks, the Senate passed the three-bill package by a bipartisan vote of 82-15.

More information on the three-bill package is available HERE.

A transcript of Senator Collins’ remarks is as follows:

“Mr. President, just now the Senate has passed three more of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills by a strong bipartisan vote. These bills support state and local law enforcement, invest in vital scientific research, promote economic development, help protect our national security, and assist our coastal communities. This fiscally responsible package includes the Commerce, Justice, Science bill, the Energy and Water Development appropriations, and the Interior and Environment funding bill.

“This package is the result of a great deal of input from members on both sides of the aisle, and it represents months of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations. Last week, this three-bill package passed the House by an overwhelming vote of 397 to 28 and the Senate just followed suit with a very strong bipartisan vote.

“I want to thank and commend our subcommittee chairs and ranking members, as well as their staffs who labored over the holidays to finalize this package. Specifically, I want to thank Senators Murkowski and Merkley of the Interior subcommittee, Senators Moran and Van Hollen of the CJS subcommittee, and Senators Kennedy and Murray of the Energy and Water subcommittee. Senator Murray is also Vice Chair of the full committee, and I want to thank her for her partnership in getting these bills done. I want to thank the staff of the full committee. They have worked night and day, literally every night, every day, and I'm so grateful for their dedication and hard work.

“Mr. President, this legislation would actually reduce discretionary spending while better focusing funding on the key priorities that matter and affect the American people. Perhaps most important, it shows that we as a Congress can come together in a bipartisan way to carry out our Article One responsibilities and deliver true results for the people we are honored to represent.

“Enacting this legislation brings the total number of full-year, Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that will be signed into law to six. The first three bills, Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch were enacted in November. Now, Mr. President, we've got to continue to complete the job and make progress on the remainder of the appropriations bills. Yesterday, after extensive negotiations between the Senate and the House, the House passed the National Security, State Department and Related Programs bill as well as the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bills, again by a strong bipartisan vote of 341 to 79. I look forward to the Senate considering these bills, as well as the remaining four appropriations bills before the end of the month.

“Our goal, Mr. President, is to get all of these bills signed into law, no continuing resolutions that lock in previous priorities and don't reflect today's realities. No more disastrous government shutdowns that are totally unnecessary and so harmful. So again, I want to thank my colleagues for supporting final passage of this important package so that we can send it to the President for his signature.”

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Cornyn, Colleagues Bill to Mitigate Foreign Influence on U.S. Policymaking Passes Senate Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statements after their Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting certain former government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee:

“Foreign adversaries with ill intentions should not wield influence on American policymaking, nor should they exploit our own citizens to intercede on their behalf,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would root out attempts of malign foreign interference and ban high-level former U.S. government employees from lobbying for countries of concern like Russia and China.”

“Public trust in our democratic institutions is eroding. It’s vital we set higher standards against potential conflicts of interest for former government employees, particularly when it involves foreign adversaries that might be working to influence U.S. policy,” said Sen. Welch. “I’m “thankful for the support of my Judiciary Committee colleagues on our bipartisan legislation and look forward to bringing this bill to the Senate floor.”

“It isn’t right for senior government officials to turn their public service experience into a payout from malign foreign governments,” said Sen. Risch. “This bill will help prevent corruption at the highest levels of our government, protect our national security, and ensure that our public servants do not abuse their power for the good of America’s adversaries.”

“Corrupt foreign nations put their thumb on the scales of American policy through both secret and overt channels of influence. Senior U.S. government officials should not be allowed to sell their expertise and access to benefit America’s adversaries after they leave public service, and I’m pleased to partner with Senators Cornyn and Welch to clear this bipartisan measure through the Judiciary Committee,” said Sen. Whitehouse.

Background:

The Clear Path Act would seek to mitigate foreign malign influence in our political system by:


Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Increase Penalties for Using Vehicles as Weapons Against ICE Agents, Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), James Lankford (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Steve Daines (R-MT) today introduced the ICE Protection Act, which would increase penalties for offenders who assault or resist law enforcement while using a deadly or dangerous weapon, or injuring an officer in the course of an assault, and add mandatory minimum sentences for offenders who use a vehicle to attack law enforcement:

“The Radical Left has taken up a senseless crusade against our brave men and women in law enforcement, and Democrats’ inflammatory rhetoric has fueled an alarming rise in violence that not only endangers our communities but also harms the very people sworn to keep them safe,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would increase penalties for any offender who violently assaults a law enforcement officer, including by using a car or truck as a weapon, and sends a clear message that attacks on those who protect and serve will not be tolerated.”

“Law enforcement officers put themselves at risk every day to protect our communities, and they deserve to go home safely at the end of every shift. The surge in violence against ICE agents is unacceptable, and Congress has a duty to respond. If you assault an officer with a weapon or try to run them down with a car, you will face justice,” said Sen. Lankford.

“These immigration and customs enforcement officers are red-blooded American patriots doing a tough job to keep our nation safe. Our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day so we can make it home to our families. They should be supported, not attacked,” said Sen. Mullin. “Those who harm our ICE agents will face the full force and wrath of the American justice system with these increase in penalties. Back the blue.”

“ICE and our other law enforcement officers courageously put their life on the line each time they put on the uniform,” said Sen. Hagerty. “They must be protected from emerging threats as they work to keep our communities safe. The mandatory minimums in this legislation will deter the concerning increase in the use of vehicles to injure our law enforcement officers, so I’m pleased to support it.”

“Federal law enforcement is under attack, and there is no greater example than the recent attacks on ICE agents by radical left-wing open border activists. If you try to attack federal law enforcement, let it be known that the punishment will be swift,” said Sen. Graham. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in pushing to increase the penalties for these types of brazen attacks.”

“I am proud to join Senator Cornyn as he leads efforts to protect ICE agents and law enforcement who have faced an alarming surge in violent attacks while carrying out their duties,” said Sen. Lummis. “This bill sends a strong message that we are firmly committed to protecting those who serve on the front lines by holding accountable bad actors who would do them harm.”

“Law enforcement officers should be respected, not vilified. I’m glad to work with Senator Cornyn to protect our brave ICE agents, who put their lives on the line to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law,” said Sen. Daines.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced an “unprecedented increase” of 3,200% in vehicular attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers over the past year. This surge in vehicular attacks and violence against law enforcement is a result of increasingly inflammatory rhetoric from the Left. From outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz calling ICE law enforcement the “modern-day Gestapo,” to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying ICE should “get the f**k out of Minneapolis,” to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker outlandishly accusing the United States of “essentially” becoming Nazi Germany, this type of rhetoric and dehumanization against law enforcement must end. Sen. Cornyn’s legislation ensures anyone who uses a vehicle or deadly weapon to severely injure the lives of those who have vowed to protect our communities will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Sen. Cornyn’s ICE Protection Act would:

Double the statutory maximum sentence under current law for assaulting, resisting, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement while using a deadly or dangerous weapon, or injuring an officer during an assault (20 year to 40 years);

And add mandatory minimum sentences for using a vehicle as a deadly or dangerous weapon based on the severity of the injury: five years if the assault results in bodily injury, seven years if it results in substantial bodily injury, and ten years if it results in serious bodily injury.

The ICE Protection Act is endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).


Cornyn, Kim, Wicker, Padilla Lead Bill to Drive Innovation and Partnerships between NASA and Space Industry

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced legislation to drive space innovation in America through fostering collaboration between NASA and the commercial space industry. By creating the Public Private Talent Exchange Program (PPTE) within NASA, the bipartisan NASA Talent Exchange Program Act would create partnership opportunities that can further grow expertise across government.

Read the full text of the NASA Talent Exchange Program Act here.

“As America continues to make advances in space exploration and technology, it’s important for our astronauts and researchers to be able to collaborate with the private sector to bolster our competitive edge,” said Senator Cornyn. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to create a talent exchange program, which would help improve knowledge transfer and skill development for NASA’s missions.”

“The era of looking to the stars to see the future has only just begun, and by continuing to drive American innovation we help make a bright future possible for our country. This initiative is an important tool to make sure we are unlocking the full potential of talent across government and the space industry who are leading the way with groundbreaking technologies and securing America’s place as the space leader globally,” said Senator Kim.

“Public-private partnerships are crucial for innovation and economic development. Allowing leaders from NASA and top companies to participate in a fellowship will improve modernization and ensure the United States’ space program remains the best in the world. We are engaged in a 21st century space race. Congress must provide resources to ensure the United States’ success,” said Senator Wicker.

“Collaboration between NASA and our growing aerospace industry is crucial to advance America’s space leadership and groundbreaking innovations,” said Senator Padilla.“As budget cuts and mass layoffs at NASA centers in California and across the country jeopardize scientific research, our bipartisan bill will strengthen our global competitiveness and improve cooperation with space science experts by establishing a public-private talent exchange program.”

Background:

The PPTE would be a professional development program focused on giving NASA and industry professionals an opportunity to gain exposure and experience in a variety of subject and skill areas. Specifically, it would assign NASA employees into industry posts, as well as place industry professionals into positions at NASA. The exchanges would last between three months to two years with options to extend for an additional year. The PPTE is modeled after a similar initiative that the Department of Defense has operated since 2018 and that has allowed the Department of Defense to forge partnerships with private sector companies and swap business practices for the betterment of both parties.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353

January 15, 2026

Cotton Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Migrant Fraud Schemes

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to crack down on migrants convicted of fraud schemes. The Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act will increase the mandatory minimum sentence for any migrant convicted of fraud.

“Migrants who steal Arkansas taxpayer dollars by committing fraud shouldn’t be let off with just a slap on the wrist. My bill will ensure these criminals face harsher consequences,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act would:

Impose mandatory minimums for noncitizens convicted of fraud.

Provide for automatic and expedited deportation for any noncitizens convicted of fraud.

Expand denaturalization grounds to include welfare fraud post-citizenship.

Create a federal “Fraud Recovery Task Force” to pursue civil suits, with interest on clawed-back funds and interstate cooperation for state-to-state and international schemes.

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Senate Passes Package of Three Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bills

Cuts Billions in Unnecessary, Wasteful Funding

***Click here to download audio.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 82 to 15, the United States Senate passed three bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bills, cutting more than $10 billion in spending and funding the Departments of the Interior, Energy Commerce and Justice. The minibus, which previously passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 397 to 28, invests in America’s energy dominance, combats violent crime, and supports critical water and infrastructure projects in North Dakota. The bill delivers on the Trump administration’s priorities, strengthens national security, puts taxpayers first, and keeps promises made to North Dakota and the American people.

“This is a major victory for getting back to regular order in the United States Senate,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). “This bill prioritizes the safety of our nation, our highest priority, boosts economic growth, it maintains our competitive edge by prioritizing things that really matter to us in North Dakota. Things like space exploration, domestic energy production, sound land management policies, and of course, critical infrastructure. It was a vote that was really important because it helps avert the shutdown potential on January 30th and it reduces discretionary spending and waste. Congress has the Constitutional power of the purse, and we have an obligation to get our work done on behalf of the American people.”

Energy and Water Development

The energy and water development provision accelerates the advancement of commercially viable technologies for the recovery of rare earth elements and critical minerals from North Dakota sources like lignite and supports the study of carbon dioxide in enhancing oil and natural gas production in shale formations. The bill reduces wasteful spending on intermittent technologies like wind and solar.

The bill provides $10.4 billion to the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and fully funds USACE Operation and Management (O&M) activities across all North Dakota locations.

The legislation also includes several provisions Cramer wrote which were included in WRDA of 2024 and 2020. It includes $14.1 million in Environmental Infrastructure (EI) funding. North Dakota is eligible for EI funding through the 594 Program, which Cramer reauthorized in WRDA 2024. The program assists public entities in the state to design and construct water and wastewater infrastructure.

The bill implements the fee retention structure authorized by Cramer’s bipartisan LAKES Act, enacted in WRDA 2024. It directs up to 80% of recreation fees to the USACE sites at which they are collected for operations and maintenance. This marks the first time the authority is being implemented through the appropriations process and covers an estimated $67 million in recreation fees for 2026.

It secures $14 million for the Coastal Ocean Data System program, which funds the research and development of the benefits of subsurface drainage for flood mitigation and coastal erosion. The study was authorized by Cramer in the WRDA of 2020.

The bill also provides advance payment authority to the USACE for the Fargo–Moorhead Flood Risk Management Project, allowing the early transfer of unutilized federal funds to the Metro Flood Diversion Authority prior to project completion

The bill includes $1.7 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation and fully funds the Dickinson, Garrison Diversion, and Heart Butte Units of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program in North Dakota. An additional $75 million for rural water is included which can support tribal and non-tribal rural water projects across North Dakota. The Energy and Water Development provisions provide $50 million for the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project, which is designed to deliver a bulk water supply to meet municipal and rural water needs of people in the central and eastern parts of the state.

It invests in reliable, affordable baseload energy by allocating $1.785 billion for DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, including $269 million for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and $8.4 billion for DOE Office of Science, including $35 million for the EPSCoR Program. The DOE Fossil Energy Office will receive $720 million: $10 million for gas post-combustion capture, $10 million for coal and gas pre-combustion capture, $25 million to support all applications of carbon capture technologies, $75 million for Point Source Capture, at least $19 million for enhanced oil recovery, and $25 million for regional carbon sequestration partnerships.

The bill encourages the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to evaluate interconnection queue prioritization proposals from transmission providers to expedite adding dispatchable power resources onto the grid.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

The FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act cuts wasteful funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 4%. It provides $2.8 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds and maintains funding for EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Technical Assistance Program at $30.7 million. This program provides critical technical assistance to help small and rural communities operate and maintain public wastewater treatment utilities and comply with federal Clean Water Act standards.

The bill fully funds Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments to support the costs associated with maintaining vital community services. PILT payments are made for tax-exempt federal lands administered by Department of Interior bureaus. North Dakota received nearly $2.1 million in PILT for FY25. It also continues the prohibition of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of sage grouse.

The legislation fully funds agencies to prepare for and respond to wildland fires and continues funding for the U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Fire Assistance for states and volunteers.

It delivers $8.1 billion to the Indian Health Service, which includes funding for staffing new facilities and health care delivery services. Contract support costs (CSC) and tribal lease payments are fully funded and advanced appropriations are maintained.

Further, it authorizes $3.9 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This funding supports important public safety and justice services, community and economic development, and probate programs. CSC and tribal lease payments are fully funded.

Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS)

The FY26 CJS Appropriations Act funds federal, state, and local law enforcement. Specifically, it secures $3.9 billion for the U.S. Marshals Service to detain violent fugitives and illegal immigrants, $2.6 billion to the Drug Enforcement Administration to dismantle Mexican cartels, and $2.6 billion to the U.S. Attorneys’ offices to indict, prosecute, and incarcerate violent criminals. The bill includes provisions funding the Crime Victims Fund, the Community Oriented Policing Services Office, and the Violence Against Women Act.

It maintains $44 million in funding for the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program. North Dakota participates in the RISS program through the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, which allows North Dakota law enforcement to access intelligence databases, analytical and research staff, and investigative equipment to help solve crime. This has long been a priority for Cramer, who has worked closely with North Dakota law enforcement, the Bureau, and the state crime lab to strengthen public safety and keep communities safe. While the program is congressionally funded each year, RISS is locally managed.

It includes $466 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support community-based economic revitalization projects. As Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, Cramer helped reauthorize the EDA in 2024. The reauthorization emphasized investments in hard infrastructure and included specific reforms to better meet the needs of rural communities across North Dakota.

The Commerce, Justice, and Science section preserves key policy riders, including the U.S. Department of Justice Hyde provision, the Tiahrt Amendment, prohibitions on export controls relating to firearms, and the prohibition relating to the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.

The bill provides resources necessary to support realigning the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from Washington, D.C. to the field, strengthening the Bureau’s capacity to investigate violent crime, gangs, narcotics, trafficking, and terrorism. The minibus awards $10.6 billion to the FBI to detect, investigate, and prosecute crimes against the U.S. and $15 million for necessary expenses related to construction or acquisition of facilities.

It includes $24.4 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to fund the Artemis Program of Record, the International Space Station, and the commercial low earth orbit destinations program. The bill provides nearly $9 billion for the National Science Foundation to maintain U.S. leadership in scientific research and discovery, $6.2 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund the National Weather Service and maintain weather satellites, and $1.85 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to maintain U.S. dominance in quantum information science and artificial intelligence.

The CJS Appropriations Act allocates $3.1 billion to the Office of Justice Programs, which supports police and sheriff departments such as Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act programs, and DNA and forensics-related activities.

The bill provides $235 million for the Bureau of Industry and Security to enforce export controls on the most sensitive U.S. technologies and to conduct Section 232 investigations with respect to national security threats.


Crapo Announces 2026 Military Academy Nominations

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo today announced the nomination of 40 young Idahoans to the nation’s military academies. The U.S. service academies will review the students’ applications and make final decisions on admittance.

“It is a privilege to nominate young Idahoans with an admirable willingness to serve their country to pursue higher education at one of our nation’s premier military academies,” said Crapo. “These esteemed students have so much to be proud of, and I look forward to watching their success as our nation’s future military leaders.”

Crapo's 2026 Academy Nominations are below:

U.S. Military Academy – West Point, New York

Owen Brown, Eagle

Skye Brown, Boise

James Campbell, Meridian

Stephen Crow, Boise

Tobi Davis, Star

Rebecca Gabriele, Eagle

Lucy Hansen, Eagle

Quay King, Meridian

Kimberly Li, Boise

Keith McDaniel, Idaho Falls

Reina Montecchi, Sagle

Timothy Strand, Meridian

Noah Williams, Twin Falls

Amelia Woolley, Ammon

Alexandra Zuloeta, Meridian

U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland

Owen Brown, Eagle

Skye Brown, Boise

Abigayle Combie, New Plymouth

Ryan Drappo, Hayden

Ariana Emkey, Mountain Home

Sydney Finney, Post Falls

Jaden Galloway, Blackfoot

Christian Garcia, Star

Henry Hester, Emmett

Kazimir Hogan, Ketchum

Aubree McCarthy, Eagle

Reina Montecchi, Sagle

Anna Petzinger, Eagle

Liam Stewart, Middleton

Noah Williams, Twin Falls

U.S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Dylan Bowen, Hayden

Ayden Boyd, Eagle

Robert Carlson, Meridian

Declan Crockett, Orofino

Nola Deepchandani, Hayden

Carter Ditlove, Eagle

Wyatt Edwards, Cascade

Parker Huber, Jerome

Courtney Klotthor, Nampa

Jonathan Martin, Meridian

Gannon Miller, Boise

Anthony Nauman, Star

Boston Rutz, Idaho Falls

Kyla White, Hayden

Amelia Woolley, Ammon

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point, New York

Ryan Drappo, Hayden

Kyla White, Hayden

Each year, U.S. Senators and Representatives nominate students to four of the service academies. The academies then select from the students nominated. To qualify for a nomination, each student applied, submitted references and met certain scholastic requirements under a deadline. A nomination does not guarantee acceptance. Those wishing to apply for future nominations should contact Juli Smith in Crapo's North Idaho Office in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 664-5490.

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CURTIS, BLUNT ROCHESTER INTRODUCE BILL TO SPUR HOUSING CONSTRUCTION NEAR TRANSPORTATION HUBS

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), members of the U.S. Senate committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, introduced the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (HUBS) Act. The bill cuts red tape to unlock transit-oriented development (TOD) projects that boost local economies and housing supply. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Laura Friedman (D-CA).

The Build HUBS Act makes several changes aimed at improving the usability of important infrastructure loan programs. These programs allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Transportation to collaborate and prioritize projects that promote transit-oriented development.

“Utah is growing quickly, and that growth must be paired with smart, coordinated transportation planning and more attainable housing,” said Senator Curtis. “The Build HUBS Act helps us maximize transportation investments, makes better use of public land, and empowers local leaders to use existing infrastructure programs more effectively to build housing where it matters and makes sense.”

“Taking on our housing affordability crisis means using all the tools at our disposal,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “Investing in transit-oriented development will have a positive impact on housing affordability, local economies, and quality of life. It’s not enough to make communities more affordable, we must also work to make communities more livable – that’s what the Build HUBS Act does. I am proud to be part of a bipartisan and bicameral coalition leading this bill, and I look forward to working with all our colleagues to advance our legislation.”

“Too many communities are ready to build near transit but are blocked from securing the investments they need by unnecessary red tape,” said Representative Friedman. “The Build HUBS Act breaks out the scissors and gives local governments the flexibility and tools to build more housing near jobs, services, and public transportation. It’s a commonsense, bipartisan step to address our housing shortage and create more connected, sustainable communities.”

“The Build HUBS Act is one of many bipartisan bills I’m proud to support to help tackle the housing affordability crisis. By making it easier for communities to build more housing near transit and align housing and transportation investments, we can move projects forward more efficiently. This bicameral, bipartisan effort expands workforce housing, strengthens local economies, and helps families live closer to where they work,”said Representative Lawler.

The Build HUBS Act:

Extends TIFIA and RRIF for 5 years and clarifies the definition of “transit-oriented development.”

Implements a delegated lending model to retain federal oversight while adopting private sector efficiency and expertise.

Speeds up processing timelines for project review and funding.

Provides relief on certain requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, including for office-to-residential conversions and infill development.

Encourages these existing loan programs to prioritize projects that promote attainable housing.

TOD is a development strategy that creates dense, walkable, mixed-use development near public transportation. TOD increases land use efficiency, spurs neighborhood revitalization, and provides access to attainable housing, jobs, and services. The Transportation Infrastructure and Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) programs were amended to include TOD projects, recognizing the direct link between housing and transportation. However, TIFIA and RRIF have not yet realized their full potential for TOD projects due to unforeseen gaps in their authorizations. The Build HUBS Act remedies that.

A one pager on the bill is available here. A section-by-section summary is available here. Full text is available here.

What they are saying:

“Utah has asked neighborhoods and cities to plan for growth around our transit stations, which are key areas to drive attainable housing, less congestion, and better access to jobs and education,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “The lack of infrastructure to support housing is slowing us down, and these updates to the TIFIA and RIFF programs will add flexibility and accelerate construction.”

“WFRC appreciates Senator Curtis’s leadership in tackling some of Utah’s most pressing challenges—transportation mobility, housing attainability, and air quality—through the introduction of the Building HUBS Act,” said Andrew Gruber, Executive Director of Wasatch Front Regional Council. “By making targeted adjustments to the RRIF and TIFIA programs, this legislation better aligns these federal financing tools to accommodate transit-oriented development (TOD). Utah is a leader in TOD with comprehensive station area plans developed around all rail and BRT stations, and this legislation would provide resources for Utah to further implement these plans. Coordinating our land use, economic development, housing, and transportation infrastructure is essential to preparing Utah for continued growth while preserving a high quality of life for the communities we serve.”

“UTA strongly supports Senator Curtis’ Build HUBS Act because it provides important new tools to help finance transit-oriented development (TOD), which is essential to Utah’s future growth and housing needs,” said Carlton Christensen, Chair of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Board of Trustees. “TOD allows us to better connect housing, jobs, and services around transit, making public transportation more accessible and convenient for hard-working Utahns. We are grateful for Senator Curtis’ leadership in introducing this important bill and his continued support for smart public transit investments that strengthen our communities.”

“For too long, it has been too hard to build affordable homes in the locations where people want to live and work, especially near transit,” said Alecia Hill, Chair of LOCUS. “By reforming the RRIF and TIFIA programs, we believe the Build HUBS Act will unlock additional financing and cut red tape to deliver more in-demand housing in well-connected neighborhoods, ensuring more people and businesses can share in the benefits of transit-connected communities.”

“The bipartisan Build HUBS Act by Sen. Blunt Rochester and Sen. Curtis expands local government tools to meet both our housing and transportation needs quickly and affordably,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “The National League of Cities is committed to supporting federal legislation like the Build HUBS Act that enhances local connectivity and economic capacity across the country through expanded federal-local partnership for national results.”

“NAA applauds Senators Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Curtis (R-Utah), as well as Representatives Friedman (D-Calif.-30) and Lawler (R-N.Y.-17), for introducing the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services Act (Build HUBS Act), which cuts years of unnecessary federal red tape that delays multifamily housing, lowering costs and accelerating the construction,” said Bob Pinnegar, President and CEO of the National Apartment Association. “By reducing red tape in development, this bill increases housing supply, helps ease the affordability crisis, and delivers more apartments faster where communities need them most. We look forward to working with the sponsors to help address the critical lack of housing supply at all price points in the U.S.”

“The National Multifamily Housing Council commends Senators Blunt Rochester and Curtis and Representatives Friedman and Lawler for introducing the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services Act (Build HUBS Act) to update the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) programs to ensure that housing providers can access critical funding sources to spur the development of much-needed housing across the country,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, President of the National Multifamily Housing Council. “These critical modifications could facilitate the production of more than 100,000 new rental units. The TIFIA and RRIF programs play an important role in financing transportation projects; however, until now it has been impossible for housing providers to access and use them for transit-oriented development. As Congress considers the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization, we look forward to working on legislation that makes it easier for housing providers to utilize DOT funds provided by the TIFIA and RRIF programs.”

“The Build HUBS Act is an important step to address the nation’s housing crisis,” said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, President and CEO of The Real Estate Roundtable. “By expanding the Department of Transportation’s low-interest TIFIA/RRIF loan programs to finance housing in transit-oriented development projects this bill will increase the supply of housing in America, and bring more affordable housing options to communities across the country. We look forward to working with Congress to enact this legislation.”

“The housing shortage has made high-opportunity communities unaffordable for far too many people,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “The Build HUBS Act strengthens federal investment by making TIFIA and RRIF work better for housing near transit, where access to jobs and services already exists. By modernizing and aligning these programs with housing production, the bill helps unlock new housing supply in the transit-served places people want to live and work.”

“The Build HUBS Act empowers regions and MPOs to create vibrant, connected communities where housing, jobs, and transit work together,” said Erich Zimmermann, Executive Director of the National Association of Regional Councils. “By reforming federal financing tools for transit-oriented development, this legislation helps local leaders provide attainable housing and improve quality of life in their regions.”

“I want to thank Senators Blunt Rochester and Curtis and Representatives Friedman and Lawler for their leadership on this important reform,” said Sarah Brundage, President & CEO, National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders. “The Build HUBS Act makes critical improvements to existing federal loan programs, including by creating opportunities for more public-private partnerships, that would result in significantly more affordable housing near transit at no additional cost to the federal government.”

“NAHB commends Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and John Curtis (R-Utah), as well as Reps. Friedman (D-Calif.-30) and Lawler (R-N.Y.-17), for introducing the Build HUBS Act, bipartisan legislation that retools key Department of Transportation loan programs so they can be used for workforce housing,” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “Connecting housing and transportation options are fundamental for thriving communities. Offering improved, low-cost financing tools will add more funding options for builders to increase housing supply near transit routes.”

The Build HUBS Act is endorsed by Smart Growth America, American Planning Association, Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Center for Community Progress, Enterprise Community Partners, Inclusive Abundance Action, LOCUS, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Apartment Association, National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, National Association of Regional Councils, National League of Cities, National Leased Housing Association, the National Association of REALTORS, National Multifamily Housing Coalition, National NeighborWorks Association, The Real Estate Roundtable, and Up for Growth Action.


CURTIS PRESSES EXPERTS ON ALGORITHMS, CALLS FOR TECH INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABILITY

Click here or the image above to watch Senator Curtis question the witnesses

In a rapid series of questions, Curtis asked witnesses to confirm whether social media algorithms are designed to be addictive, whether companies track unhealthy usage patterns like compulsive refreshing and late-night use, and whether profit-driven business models outweigh user well-being. The witnesses unanimously agreed on all counts.

Witnesses also testified that internal company research documenting these harms exists and is increasingly becoming public through ongoing litigation, including a major case in California. Senator Curtis compared the moment to historic tobacco hearings, where executives denied harms despite clear internal evidence.

While much of the hearing focused on children, Senator Curtis deliberately expanded the conversation to adults, asking experts whether the documented mental health impacts extend beyond youth. Witnesses confirmed that depression rates have doubled among young adults and that studies show reduced social media use leads to improved mental health outcomes in adults, including lower depression and higher happiness.


Daines Applauds Montana Wins in Senate Funding Bill

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of a Senate funding bill that includes a number of Daines priorities for Montana.

“Today the Senate voted to fund the federal government in a fiscally responsible way. Our funding bill included critical Montana priorities like conservation, tribal public safety, wildfire prevention, manufacturing, and rural water projects, and I’m thrilled to see it pass the Senate,” said Daines.

Daines funding wins in the minibus include:

$3 billion for the National Park Service

$4 billion for tribal public safety and justice

Over $6 billion for wildfire management

Funding for rural airstrips maintenance

Funding for Montana rural water projects

The bill also includes Daines’ provision removing anti-2A regulations on lead ammo, which he introduced in February 2025- read more HERE.

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In the News: Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Sen. Daines touts expanded fire-fighting, national park funding

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about the Senate’s latest funding bill, which provides support for Montana’s rural communities and public lands.

Sen. Daines touts expanded fire-fighting, national park funding amid $5B minibus cuts

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Dan Astin

January 15th, 2026

Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is touting $2.9 billion more for wildfire suppression and otherwise sustaining Montana-specific federal funding for national parks, public lands and Native American services…

…“These are the funding bills that keep the lights on in the federal government,” Daines said in an interview with the Chronicle, adding any failure to pass the minibus, one-fourth of the 12 annual appropriation bills, could result in a government shutdown. “This is all work that has to be done on or before Jan. 30.”

…Daines highlighted other financial support, including $3.27 billion for national park preservation, staffing and overall management, and $49 million for the North American Wetland Conservation Fund, which protects and restores wetland habitats for migratory birds. The bill also allocates $1 million for rural airstrips…

“This is all about our public lands and being better stewards,” Daines said. “As we’re seeing record levels of visitation in our national parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier, we want to make sure we’ve got the dollars there to keep operations running smoothly.”

…Daines also referenced maintaining tribal safety funding for police services, detention facilities and probation programs.

Read the full story in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle HERE.

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Senator Daines, Ranking Member Shaheen Statement after Meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Denmark and Greenland

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Chairman of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after their meeting with the Foreign Minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and the Foreign Minister of Greenland, Vivian Motzfeldt.

“We were pleased to welcome Foreign Ministers Rasmussen and Motzfeldt to the United States Senate today. We discussed the shared security interests of the United States, Greenland, and Denmark. Given the many threats around the globe, today’s meeting highlights the need for all NATO countries to work together to protect the alliance, especially in the Arctic.”

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Duckworth, Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Disaster Response and Recovery Plans in Prisons

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today reintroduced legislation that would ensure prison disaster plans protect the health, safety and rights of incarcerated individuals during emergencies. The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act would require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to submit annual damage reports after disasters, require the National Institute of Correction (NIC) to hold field hearings on how to better incorporate considerations for incarcerated individuals in its emergency plans and expand its membership by authorizing four new members: a formerly incarcerated person, emergency coordinator, public health expert and a BOP labor union representative.

“Incarcerated individuals rely on staff to provide necessities and decide whether to evacuate to a safer location—leaving them particularly vulnerable,” said Senator Duckworth. “This legislation would help ensure the prioritization of the health and safety of incarcerated individuals during emergencies by better assessing damages sustained from these disasters, taking corrective actions to resolve preparedness gaps and seeking input from professionals, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals.”

“Emergency planning for our correctional facilities has often been inadequate, putting the lives of incarcerated individuals and correctional staff at risk,” said Senator Booker. “The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act would improve emergency planning, incorporate expert guidance, and ultimately protect the lives and dignity of everyone in federal prisons during a major disaster.”

U.S. Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA-36) has introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incarcerated individuals are particularly vulnerable during major disasters, as they rely on staff to provide basic necessities and decide whether to evacuate to a safer location. Unfortunately, reports of health and safety violations within the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and State prisons highlight that correctional facilities are not fully prepared to provide safe conditions for all incarcerated individuals.

The full text of the bill can be found on Senator Duckworth’s website.

The bill is supported by JustLeadershipUSA.

“We want to thank Sens. Duckworth and Booker and Rep. Lieu for bringing the Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act before Congress once again. This legislation is literally a matter of life or death for people who are incarcerated. While other places of congregate living—such as nursing homes, college dormitories, hospitals, and hotels—are all required by law to have emergency plans in place for occupancy, the Bureau of Prisons has only taken a portion of the steps needed to ensure procedures, and the infrastructure to properly implement them, are codified in policy,” said DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA. “This is a shocking and inhumane reality that can and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is urgent that Congress take immediate measures and pass legislation to begin taking the necessary steps to put policies and procedures in place to protect not only the valuable lives of people behind bars but also the correctional staff who work inside those facilities. Even in this challenging political climate, we sincerely hope this common sense legislation can receive the bipartisan support it deserves.”

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Duckworth Discusses Solutions to Address the National Housing Crisis at CAP Housing Summit

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the Center for American Progress (CAP), U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) for a policy summit where they discussed common-sense solutions to address our nation’s housing shortage and lower housing costs for middle-class families. As the cost of housing continues to consistently increase more than the rate of wages, Duckworth underscored the urgent need to address issues preventing homes from being built and ensuring the homes we do build meet the needs of Veterans, the disability community and all Americans. Video of Duckworth’s panel remarks and Q&A responses can be found on CAP’s YouTube, and photos of the summit can be found on Senator Duckworth’s website.

“It’s past time we bring the American Dream of home ownership back within reach of middle-class Americans,” said Duckworth. “In our country, the average age of first-time homebuyers is at a record high, and half of all renters are spending nearly a third of their income on rent—that’s not sustainable. The cost of housing is at crisis levels in America, and Congress needs to treat it that way. As the Trump Administration continues to prioritize the needs of billionaires, my focus is on advancing solutions that will help speed up housing production, help build homes that everyday Americans can actually afford and ensure these homes meet their unique needs.”

In her remarks, Duckworth explained how her personal experience living off SNAP benefits and nearly becoming homeless during her childhood has influenced her work to combat homelessness and housing affordability issues throughout her career. Among other topics, Duckworth also discussed removing barriers to building more affordable homes, the potential for prefabricated housing development, her work on Veterans’ housing and homelessness issues and her ongoing efforts in Congress to address our nation’s housing crisis.

The Senator recently helped introduce legislation to protect Veterans and low-income families from housing discrimination. Last Congress, she also helped introduce legislation to address unsafe conditions in privatized military housing and legislation to address the housing affordability and accessibility crisis for people with disabilities.

As a Member of Congress, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Duckworth has long been a leading advocate in addressing Veteran homelessness and improving Veteran and servicemember housing options across the country.

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Duckworth, Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Passenger Rail Crewmembers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act to enhance public safety by ensuring passenger rail crew members are provided the legal protections that have been afforded to flight crew members and attendants for decades. Specifically, just as it is a federal crime to interfere with flight crews, the bipartisan Duckworth-Hoeven bill would prohibit interfering with intercity and passenger rail crew members by establishing a uniform criminal prohibition against assaulting or intimidating engineers, conductors, onboard personnel, employees performing safety-sensitive functions and other personnel responsible for operations, functions or customer service at a rail station.

“No one in America should experience what my constituent Michael Case endured when he was shot and critically injured simply for performing his job as an Amtrak conductor,” said Senator Duckworth. “Congress rightfully recognized decades ago that flight crew members deserved uniform legal protections against assault and intimidation, and it’s past time we grant our passenger rail crew members with the same legal protections that apply to flight crews.”

“Anyone who assaults a crew member or interferes with travel, whether by rail or in the air, should be held to the same standard,” said Senator Hoeven. “This bipartisan legislation will provide the same protections for rail crews that currently exist for airline crew to ensure that’s the case. In addition to crewmember safety, this effort will also better ensure the safety of those traveling by rail.”

The full text of the bill can be found on Senator Duckworth’s website.

A broad range of passenger rail stakeholders endorsed the bipartisan Duckworth-Hoeven Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act: SMART Union, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (TWU), Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU), the American Association of Railroads (AAR) and UNITE HERE.

“There’s no justification for abusing, threatening or assaulting onboard service workers just doing their job,” said John Feltz, Transport Workers Union Railroad Division Director. “No one should have to worry as they head to work that they might wind up in the emergency room or worse. This bill rightly extends federal protection to this vital workforce and should be adopted without delay.”

“Our members have long sought the same protections afforded airline personnel: that assaulting or intimidating a crew member should and must be a federal offense," said Greg Kocialski, TCU National Secretary Treasurer and 30-year Amtrak employee. "We’re confident this legislation will force people to think twice before assaulting passenger rail employees. On behalf of over 10,000 customer-facing passenger rail employees, we are proud to endorse the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act (PRCPA) and we thank Senators Duckworth and Hoeven for supporting the safety and dignity of our members.”

“No worker should ever go to work wondering if today is the day that someone might try to hurt them," said Jared Cassity, SMART Transportation Division National Safety and Legislative Director. "Yet, just like in the airline industry, rail workers face that unfortunate reality every single day, which is why our members, the onboard conductors and assistant conductors, have long fought for parity with airline crew protections. Today, thanks to Senators Hoeven and Duckworth, we take a giant step forward to achieving that goal with the introduction of the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, which makes it a federal offense to interfere with the duties of onboard train crews and station personnel.”

"As America's largest transportation labor federation, we applaud Senators Duckworth and Hoeven for authoring legislation to help keep passenger and commuter rail workers safe on the job," said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. "Passenger and commuter rail trains routinely move through multiple jurisdictions, and these workers deserve the same protections from assaults afforded to flight crew."

Duckworth was originally inspired to author and introduce this bipartisan bill in 2018 after her constituent, Mr. Michael Case, was critically injured in a shooting while performing his duties as an Amtrak conductor.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST), Duckworth has long advocated that every American should receive the dignity and respect they deserve while traveling. Duckworth authored the ASAP Act provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provide $1.75 billion over a five year period to help build ramps, install elevators and make other improvements to help ensure our nation’s transit systems are actually, finally usable for those with disabilities.

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Duckworth Pushes to Slash ICE Funding and Block GOP Cuts to Lead Removal Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), author of the historic bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Law, today sought to block $125 million in Republican cuts to lead service line replacement projects by redirecting a portion of Trump’s exorbitant $2 billion U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) slush fund that the agency has shown time and again it does not deserve and cannot be trusted with.

“ICE isn’t making our communities safer, but protecting our children from lead poisoning actually would—so it should be common sense to redirect taxpayer dollars away from Trump’s reckless, dangerous agents and toward getting the lead out of our water,” said Duckworth. “It’s deeply disappointing that Senate Republicans would rather enable Trump’s lawless agents to terrorize our communities than help ensure our children have clean drinking water.”

In addition to preserving $125 million in funding for lead service line replacement projects, Duckworth’s amendment would have also redirected taxpayer money from the ICE slush fund to block $285 million in cuts to projects that reduce methane in our environment and over $350 million in cuts to projects that address pollution from abandoned coal mines.

Along with Duckworth, this amendment is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Duckworth worked to help pass the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included her Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA)—the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history that includes $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, is helping rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems, with many of the provisions to help low-income communities designed specifically for communities like Chicago, Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis.

As co-chair and co-founder of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, Duckworth has also long pushed to strengthen and defend environmental justice efforts across the country. Last year, she pushed back against the Trump Administration’s multitude of misguided decisions that are making Americans sicker—including Trump efforts to limit the government’s ability to protect public health from climate change, cancel nearly one billion dollars in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) environmental justice grants, shut down all of EPA’s environmental justice offices and slash over 30 EPA regulations that have helped protect our nation’s public health and the environment for decades as well as eliminate all environmental justice efforts at the U.S. Department of Justice and more.

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Durbin, Britt Urge CDC To Study Rise Of Youth Sports Betting

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to further study the alarming rise in sports gambling among America’s youth and the potential adverse effects on teens and young adults.

“We write to urge the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study how America’s youth are being impacted by the rapid rise of sports gambling across America,” wrote the Senators.

The Senators continued their letter, “Since the legalization of sports gambling in the United States, there has been limited research examining the extent to which minors are accessing sports betting platforms – whether through illegal access of legitimate platforms or through illegitimate offshore operations. However, the few existing studies are deeply troubling.”

The Senators go on to request that the CDC include questions about children’s gambling activity, particularly sports betting, as the agency develops its Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), which is a survey that monitors a broad range of health-related behaviors among students as it relates to their mental health and substance use.

“As you know, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is conducted every two years to measure the frequency and scope of priority health-risk behaviors in American children…We ask that the CDC develop and incorporate questions about gambling by children, and in particular sports gambling, to give policymakers and families a better understanding of how, and to what extent, sports gambling is harming our children,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators concluded their letter by urging the CDC to provide any data or research the agency collects about children’s gambling activity to better understand the impact.

“We ask that you provide Congress with what questions, if any, the CDC plans to introduce in the YRBSS related to gambling, and specifically sports gambling, to help us better understand the scope of this problem, as well as an estimate of the resources needed to add such topics to the YRBSS. Further, please provide Congress with any research or information you may find about the harmful impact of sports gambling on American children, and what steps the CDC is or may be taking to address this rising problem,” the Senators concluded their letter.

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) joined Senators Britt and Durbin in sending the letter.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

In December 2024, Durbin chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “America’s High-Stakes Bet on Legalized Sports Gambling,” which examined the growth of sports betting since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Murphy v. NCAA struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. During the hearing, Durbin spoke with NCAA President Charlie Barker about curbing sports gambling, including “prop bets,” which have led to increased athlete harassment.

An estimated 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, and the risk of problem gambling has risen by 30 percent since 2018. Globally, 17.9 percent of youth under 18 have gambled in the past 12 months while North America has the highest estimated prevalence of adolescent gambling at 33.7 percent. Additionally, more than two thirds of adult gamblers have reported that exposure to gambling during adolescence was a key contributing factor to their current gambling.

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Durbin Condemns Dark Money In Politics On Anniversary Of Citizens United Supreme Court Decision

Durbin: “Citizens United was mindless. To say that a business has the same rights as an individual under the Constitution is mindless.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his Senate Democratic colleagues in marking the sixteenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, which opened the floodgates for dark money in our politics.

Durbin began by reflecting on the campaign finance landscape during his first Congressional run in 1982.

“In 1982, I decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time… I had a chance. And '82 was a big year for Democrats. I still remember my fear. Would I raise enough money to be a viable candidate? Nobody knew for sure. The average cost for a Congressional campaign in 1982 was $215,000. I raised and spent, as did my opponent, $800,000 each. We set records. Today, would you start off and wage a campaign for $800,000? You would say, ‘well, that's just for the announcement, right? You're going to need a few more dollars if you're serious about being a candidate.’ The number has grown dramatically and is now in the millions for candidates for the House and the Senate,” said Durbin.

“Under the current system that's described by my colleagues on the floor, there is so much entrenched money that they virtually control the agenda and scare the living hell out of average individuals who don't have a fortune to spend. And that's the reality of what we face,” continued Durbin.

Durbin then elaborated on how money in politics has real-world consequences, highlighting how unlimited corporate and billionaire spending on issues like cryptocurrency has warped priorities in Washington.

“We now have currently a debate going on on the floor about cryptocurrency. Remember what happened in the last campaign about cryptocurrency? The industry decided that they would pick out one or two Democrats and make a point that they were on the wrong position when it came to cryptocurrency. So, they spent $40 million to defeat one of our colleagues here in the Senate. And they succeeded,” explained Durbin.

Durbin then admonished the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United and underscored the need to restore accountability and transparency so democracy answers to voters—not special interests.

“Citizens United was mindless. To say that a business has the same rights as an individual under the Constitution is a mindless conclusion… I think ethical reform that's meaningful requires a scandal that's earth-shattering. I'm not sure what's left by way of scandal. What’s going on with corruption in this business has become almost routine. I'm sorry to say that… because so many on both sides of the aisle are good, honest people who are public servants trying to do their best. But this Citizens United decision and where we are in politics today has changed this business so much that I'm not sure we can reclaim the idealism that we aspire to be public servants in this institution,” said Durbin.

“There's a lot of work to be done. I may not be around for some of it, but I will remember that the $800,000 when I first ran was a record. Now it's rather routine,” concluded Durbin.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

Durbin has long supported overturning Citizens United and passing campaign finance reform legislation. Last year, he joined the reintroduction of the Democracy for All Amendment, which would overturn Citizens United and far-reaching decisions around campaign finance that wrongfully equated money with free speech and unfairly determined that big, wealthy corporations have the same First Amendment rights as people.

Additionally, Durbin was a strong supporter of the For the People Act—a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would end special interest corruption of our politics and make government work for the people. The landmark legislation passed the House of Representatives in 2021 when it was under a Democratic majority, but failed to receive the 60 votes necessary in the Senate in June 2021 due to Republican opposition.

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Durbin Condemns Trump Admin’s Whitewashing Of January 6 In Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Meeting

Durbin again called on DHS Secretary Noem to testify in front of the Committee and urged Chairman Grassley to consider a subpoena if she refuses to appear

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting condemning the Trump Administration’s whitewashing of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Durbin also again called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to testify in front of the Committee and urged Chairman Grassley to consider issuing a subpoena if she refuses to appear. Durbin noted that he will make a motion at the next Committee executive business meeting to issue a subpoena to Secretary Noem if she continues to stonewall the Committee’s request.

Key Quotes:

“Last week was the fifth anniversary of January 6th… You know what Mitch McConnell, the then-Republican [Senate] Leader, said immediately after that event? ‘There’s no question—none—that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.’”

“But Senate Republicans failed to hold Trump accountable when they had the chance. He was acquitted and immediately began plotting a return to power, aided and abetted by many Republican Senators.”

“During his campaign, President Trump promised ‘retribution.’ He has made good on his promise. Throughout his second term, Donald Trump has used the justice system as a shield for his cronies and a sword to attack his opponents.”

“On his first day back in office… President Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon of nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters, including more than 600 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.”

“Next, Trump’s political appointees led an unprecedented purge of dozens of career prosecutors and FBI agents who simply did their jobs of investigating and prosecuting this attack on the U.S. Capitol.”

“Today, we have a new recruit to the January 6th dream team; Darin Smith, nominated to be U.S. Attorney for Wyoming, is before the Committee. This is a special nominee. You [Senate Republicans] would have never considered voting for this man if he were nominated by a Democratic president.”

“Mr. Smith has zero experience, civil or criminal experience, in court. But he was on the Capitol grounds on January 6. Mr. Smith of Wyoming has made the reprehensible claim that hundreds of Capitol Police officers who risked their lives for us that day were guilty of ‘massive incompetence.’”

“Last week, on the riot’s five-year anniversary, the White House published a revisionist history of January 6. Like the Soviet Union, they are trying to rewrite history and write out of history the reality of January 6. And like Darin Smith, the White House blames the Capitol Police for the violence. How shameful.”

“We have all seen the videos. Will even one Republican Senator condemn these despicable lies?”

“When Donald Trump isn’t whitewashing January 6th, he is targeting communities that didn’t vote for him, like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. Instead of deporting ‘the worst of the worst,’ as promised, the Trump Administration is rounding up tens of thousands of immigrants, or people who look like immigrants, with no criminal history.”

“You would think at some point in time this Committee would have Secretary Noem before us. She has received more money than anyone in the history of the Department, billions of dollars. She has authorized the creation of tens of hundreds of new ICE agents to attack these communities. There might be a few questions in the Judiciary Committee. She had no time in the last calendar year to appear here.”

“I understand her complaint is if she comes, she could only come for an abbreviated period of time—limited questions. She doesn’t have enough time to bother with this Committee. That is an insult to every single one of us, Republicans and Democrats. She has the time and needs to be held accountable for what is happening with that agency… It is time for Secretary Noem to come, or to step down from this position.”

“If she doesn’t agree to a specific date for a full interrogation with 10-minute rounds, I believe she should be subpoenaed and I will make that motion in this Committee the next time we meet.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available herefor TV Stations.

Durbin then spoke against the nomination of Darin Smith, nominated to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming. Mr. Smith has no criminal or federal court experience; nor has he ever tried a case to verdict, judgment, or final decision. Mr. Smith could not list one significant litigated matter on his Questionnaire submitted to the Committee.

“What if we had a nominee for U.S. Attorney representing the Department of Justice in a state who had no criminal experience in court, no civil experience in court, and on his questionnaire when he was asked to point to one major piece of litigation he was involved with left it blank because he’s never been involved in one? How could a person like this be taken seriously to be the U.S. Attorney in the State of Wyoming? And yet, Darin Smith is just that person.”

“And look what he said about January 6. Who did he blame? He blamed the Capitol Police officers. He said they were ‘massively incompetent.’ He baselessly claimed the rioters were entrapped by the government. And Mr. Smith has maintained his radical and dangerous stance that Vice President Pence should not have certified the results of the 2020 election.”

“He also falsely claimed that the FBI agents who interviewed him regarding his presence in the Capitol were sent by former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and ‘her goons’ after he demanded that she be censured by the Wyoming Republican Party. Doesn’t this resume just get juicier?”

“This man is going to be a U.S. Attorney if he receives a positive vote from this Committee and on the floor. He is now in an interim capacity. You and I both know any Democratic nominee with such a resume would never be considered seriously for any job in the Justice Department.”

“This man is going to have the power of a U.S. Attorney in a state and has no criminal experience, no civil experience, never been in a courtroom, and can’t identify one piece of litigation that was important to his career. Honest to God, is this Committee going to approve this nominee?”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the nomination of Mr. Smith is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the nomination of Mr. Smith is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the nomination of Mr. Smith is available herefor TV Stations.

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