WEST POINT GRADUATE CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HOSTS SERVICE ACADEMY APPRECIATION RECEPTION HONORING CLASS OF 2030 NOMINEES, HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVE CADETS AND MIDSHIPMEN, AND LOCAL VETERAN LEADERS

More than 100 attendees, including active cadets and midshipmen representing the Hudson Valley and local veteran leaders on Ryan’s Service Academy Selection Board, gathered to honor the 43 exceptional nominees to the Class of 2030

CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, NY– Last month, Congressman Pat Ryan, an Iraq War veteran and West Point graduate, hosted more than 100 Hudson Valley community members to celebrate Hudson Valley nominees to the United States Services Academies classes of 2030.

In addition to the 43 exceptional young people nominated to represent the Hudson Valley at the elite military institutions, Ryan was also joined by active cadets and midshipmen, the members of his Service Academy Selection Board – who helped select this year’s nominees – as well as local veteran leaders and elected officials.

“The young men and women we are gathered to celebrate represent the absolute best of what America can be – selfless Patriots who love this country so much they want to dedicate their lives to serving it. It is an incredible privilege to play a role in their paths to service,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Just over twenty years ago I received the call that I’d have the honor of attending West Point, right here in our own Hudson Valley where I was born and raised. It was there that I learned to live a life grounded in duty, honor, and service to our county – the very same values that guide my work today. I want to thank everyone – from the parents, to active cadets, to the esteemed members of my Service Academy Selection Board, to every veteran – for setting such great examples for the next generation. And to the Class of 2030, thank you for your service, for your dedication to the Hudson Valley, the country, and the values that make this nation great. I am rooting for each and every one of you.”

Congressman Ryan graduated from the United States military Academy at West Point in 2004 and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress. Ryan serves on the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the United States Service Academies.

Congressman Ryan’s Class of 2030 nominees to the United States Service Academies – U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), and U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – are named below:

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Hoben Barretto – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Charlene Conkey – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Molly Connolly – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Ila Enslen – Cornwall Central School District

Shannon Faint – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Xavier Hall – Enlarged City School District of Middletown

Kymora O’Farrell – Millbrook Central School District

Joseph Sanzone – Warwick Valley Central School District

Lila Sinacori – Washingtonville Central School District

Conor Smith – Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Hudson Stehle – Hyde Park Central School District

Anthony Tresch – Minisink Valley Central School District

Claire Wagner – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

Henry Wendell – Warwick Valley Central School District

Jack Yough – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Dylan Almestica – Valley Central School District

Lila-Maeve Brown-Theriot – Highland Central School District

Griggsby Cowart IV – Cornwall Central School District

Fernando Garcia – Northfield Mount Hermon School

Jack Gates – New Paltz Central School District

Adam Gazal – Wappingers Central School District

Maxwell Goldstein – Hyde Park Central School District

Tylan Haag – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Joseph Hurtado – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Isabelle Keller – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

Jack McCarthy – Wappingers Central School District

Jaime Ruiz – St Benedict's Prep

Ian Trozzi – Wallkill Central School District

Claire Wagner – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

Benjamin Zambrano – Don Bosco Preparatory High School

U.S. Air Force Academy

Lila-Maeve Brown-Theriot – Highland Central School District

Reinaldo Castro – Wappingers Central School District

Gavin Christophides – Valley Central School District

Rebecca Doty – Cornwall Central School District

Shannon Faint – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Maxwell Goldstein – Hyde Park Central School District

Samuel Goldstein – Hyde Park Central School District

William Hassler – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Daniela Horta – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Isabelle Keller – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

Chadwick Kistler – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Keegan McGoldrick – Florida Union Free School District

Aidan Sullivan – Florida Union Free School District

Ian Trozzi – Wallkill Central School District

Claire Wagner – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Giacomo Abbatte – Warwick Valley Central School District

Hoben Barretto – Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District

Rebecca Doty – Cornwall Central School District

Fernando Garcia – Northfield Mount Hermon School

Jack Gates – New Paltz Central School District

William Hassler – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Chadwick Kistler – Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Bryce Reilly – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School

Jaime Ruiz – St Benedict's Prep

Applicants to the United States Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval academies must first receive a nomination from a member of either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives or can receive service connected nominations if they are currently enlisted in the U.S. Military. The U.S. Air Force, Military, and Naval academies also accept nominations from the U.S. President and Vice President. The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Nominated applicants then must apply to and receive an appointment from the respective U.S. Service Academy itself.

U.S. Service Academies provide appointees with a four-year, tuition-free undergraduate education. Graduates are then commissioned as officers in their respective military branch and serve for a minimum five-year commitment.

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following baseline eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

Age: Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen

Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents

Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the 18th Congressional District of New York

Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

Interested constituents can find additional information on the nomination process on Congressman Ryan’s website or by contacting his district offices at (845) 443-2930.

###


Randall at Minnesota Shadow Hearing: “Using ICE Agents to Kill People in the Streets is Fascism”

MINNEAPOLIS–ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), joined Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) ranking member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and other House Democrats in Minnesota for a shadow hearing titled, “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota.” During the hearing, Rep. Randall questioned Mendota Heights Police Chief Kelly McCarthy on how local police training differs from ICE:

“New reporting shows that ICE used AI in determining which agents [needed more] training. And in instances where individuals wrote about how badly they wanted to be an ICE officer, they got less training. Chief McCarthy, I'd like to hear a little bit more about the training your police force employs. I'm sure it's better than what we were seeing ICE be given,” asked Rep. Randall.

Rep. Randall continued: Are local officers typically trained to record interactions with their cell phones while holding a gun at the same time in the other hand?

Mendota Heights Police Chief McCarthy replied, “Thank you for that question and no ma'am they are not.”

A video recording of Rep. Randall’s remarks is available HERE. Photos from the event are available HERE, and a transcript of Rep. Randall’s remarks is available HERE.

Rep. Randall also called attention to ICE treatment of Tribal members: “We all are hearing from Tribal members, including those in my district as well as Native people across Minnesota and across the country, that ICE is illegally detaining and targeting native people for the color of their skin. Tribal members are being detained as leverage to convince Tribal Nations to sign agreements with ICE for enforcement on their sovereign territory. And that's why I'm an original co-sponsor of the Articles of Impeachment against Secretary Noem.”

The shadow hearing featured two panels of witnesses, the first panel focused on hearing perspectives from local Minnesota government officials, including; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry.

The second witness panel featured local advocates and Minnesota residents who have personally experienced escalations of violence by ICE in their communities, including; Deepinder Mayell, Executive Director - ACLU Minnesota, Patty – a MN resident who was brutally detained by ICE agents, Mubashir – another MN resident who experienced ICE brutality, Emilia González Avalos – Executive Director, Unidos MN, Jaylani Hussein – Executive Director, Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), and Chief Kelly McCarthy – Mendota Heights Police Department.

A video of the entire hearing and press Q&A is available HERE.

Congresswoman Randall has repeatedly spoken out against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and the clear escalations of violence by ICE agents in Minneapolis and across the country. After the horrific killing of Renee Nicole Good last week, Rep. Randall released this statement and voted to subpoena all records and footage related to this incident. House Republicans ultimately voted down the measure.

Rep. Randall is a co-sponsor of Articles of Impeachment to remove Secretary Noem from office: “While impeachment faces long odds in a Republican-controlled House, I will not stand by while unlawful actions go unchecked. Accountability is not optional, and I hope my Republican colleagues can put party aside and join us in holding a Department of Homeland Security Secretary who is clearly unfit to serve accountable,” said Rep. Randall last week.

Since being elected to Congress, Rep. Randall has visited the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center six times. She was once illegally denied entry in August 2025. On January 8, 2026, DHS Secretary Noem issued a new policy that requires Members of Congress to provide seven days’ notice before completing oversight visits at ICE detention centers. The new policy was announced despite a prior court ruling that blocked a similar DHS attempt to restrict oversight visits.


Congresswoman Luz Rivas Participates in Field Hearing in Minnesota to Hold ICE Accountable

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) participated in a field hearing in Minnesota with over two dozen of her House Democratic Caucus colleagues on the Trump Administration’s assault on the Minneapolis-St. Paul community in the wake of the murder of Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“I am joining my colleagues from across the country in Minneapolis-St. Paul to show solidarity with the community and to assess the situation on the ground,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “The stories I heard from community advocates and leaders show that Trump and ICE are making things worse for everyone in the area. This is a troubling pattern that we have seen too many times from ICE before, including in the San Fernando Valley, where ICE raids have targeted and torn apart families. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE need to be held accountable for the harm they are causing in communities across the country, and I will continue working with my colleagues to do just that.”

Background:

Congresswoman joined Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and over two dozen Members of the House Democratic Caucus for a shadow field hearing on the Trump Administration’s ICE assault in Minnesota.

This field hearing discussed Trump’s ICE unlawful and aggressive actions in Minneapolis, and featured witnesses who spoke to personal traumas and constitutional violations.

Congresswoman Rivas’ remarks can be found here.

On January 13, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas co-sponsored Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s (IL-02) Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. In addition, Congresswoman Rivas signed a letter led by Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03) to Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (OH-04) asking for a full and thorough investigation into Secretary Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions.

On January 9, 2026, Rep. Rivas co-signed a letter by Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Lyons demanding a full and transparent investigation on the shooting of Renee Nicole Good.

###


Congresswoman Ross Leads Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Support for Protesters Demanding a Free and Democratic Iran

Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross co-led a bipartisan group to introduce a resolution applauding the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran and opposing the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters.

The bipartisan measure is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Stephanie Bice (R-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

The resolution also urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran, which have been severed by the Iranian regime, and demands the regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence toward peaceful protesters.

“The Iranian people deserve international support for their protest for a free and democratic Iran,” said Rep. Ross. “They have shown extraordinary bravery, risking their lives to demand human rights, equality, and freedom from the oppression of the Islamic Republic. The people of Iran have the right to determine their future.”

“Right now, millions of people across Iran are bravely taking to the streets to demand freedom and an end to the barbaric regime,” said Rep. Ansari. “These protests are not just about economic opportunity, but about human rights and dignity. The Iranian people are demanding an end to the Islamic Republic. With a unified, bipartisan voice, I am leading Congress in condemning the regime’s brutality towards protesters and standing with the people of Iran in their fight for freedom and democracy.”

“The Iranian people have made clear that they will no longer live under the shadow of a despotic, malignant regime,” said Rep. Foxx. “They’re taking a stand for freedom, self-determination, and for a life not marred by oppression, coercion, and silence. To the Iranian people: the Congress of the United States stands alongside you in your pursuit of a better and brighter future.”

“The people of Iran are calling for the most basic promise of a free society—the right to speak openly, to gather without fear, and to choose their own future,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “When a regime answers those peaceful calls with prisons, bullets, and internet blackouts, the free world is called to choose. History will record our choices. This resolution places the United States and Congress on the side of those fighting for liberty, and against a regime that survives only by terror and repression. Peace is not by silence, but by standing strong for freedom.”

“The protestors in the streets of Iran have shown enormous courage in their stand against the brutal and repressive Islamic Republic regime,” said Rep. Himes. “I am proud to join my colleagues in support of the Iranian people and their fight for self-determination after years of censorship and tyranny.”

“After 47 years of living under an oppressive regime, the Iranian people are taking to the streets in mass, risking their lives for one thing: freedom,” said Rep. Bice. “This resolution honors their brave efforts and recognizes that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people. The people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination.”

“I am proud to join in leading this bipartisan resolution that affirms Congress’s support for the Iranian people,” said Rep. Schneider. “The good people of Iran have been oppressed by the theocratic regime for nearly fifty years, and the United States must stand firmly with them as they rise up to reject and remove the tyrannical, murderous government that has too long abused them.”

“The oppressive regime in Iran has been willing to summarily murder its own people in the streets and sow chaos around the world for far too long,” said Rep. Carey. “The protestors taking to the streets are displaying enormous courage in their efforts to free themselves from this tyrannical government and its evil ambitions. May God bless the Iranian people in their efforts to rid themselves of oppression and guide them in their quest for a better future.”

Text of resolution HERE and below.

RESOLUTION TEXT

Whereas for nearly five decades, the people of Iran have endured brutal repression under the Islamic Republic, a regime that denies basic human rights, silences dissidents, and responds to peaceful protest with violence;

Whereas once again, the people of Iran are courageously taking to the streets to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and freedom;

Whereas the Islamic Republic has responded to the ongoing protests with brutality by killing protestors, arresting thousands, and restricting internet access and telephone lines;

Whereas the people of Iran are in part protesting the Islamic regime’s economic mismanagement, corruption, internal suppression, and unjust executions;

Whereas access to free expression, open information, and uncensored communication are fundamental human rights;

Whereas the inspiring 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests demanded an end to the Islamic Republic and its violence, including against Iranian women and ethnic minorities;

Whereas the barbaric so-called Morality Police and other arms of state suppression have a lengthy history of repressing the Iranian people’s fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to assemble, the freedom of religion, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights;

Whereas the Islamic regime has engaged in systematic efforts to intimidate, harass, detain, and harm political dissidents, activists, and journalists both within Iran and beyond its borders;

Whereas the people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination and to be free from the brutality of the Islamic Republic;

Whereas on January 26, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 7, commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the Iranian people;

Resolved, That the House of Representatives:

Commends the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran;

Strongly condemns the brutality of the Islamic Republic which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters;

Demands that the Iranian regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence against peaceful protesters; release all political prisoners; and allow unhindered medical assistance to demonstrators wounded by the regime’s violent repression;

Recognizes the right of the Iranian people to freely determine, through free and fair elections, the nature of their political regime;

Urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran; and

Implores the Government of the United States to work in coordination with its allies to consider and implement concrete measures to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

###


Rep. Salazar Introduces Bill to Restore Democracy in Nicaragua

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Representative Chris Smith introduced H.R. 7055, the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2026. This bill will impose targeted sanctions against the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship and hold it accountable for its crimes against the Catholic Church, the clergy, and the people of Nicaragua.

Representative Salazar has been a consistent champion of Nicaraguans and a leading voice on the cause to liberate the Nicaraguan people from the grasp of the criminal Ortega-Murillo regime. She previously helped pass the RENACER ACT to hold the Ortega regime accountable for human rights violations and has taken important steps to support Nicaraguan exiles abroad through the Nicaraguan Political Prisoner Support Act. The Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2026 is an extension of her ongoing fight for freedom in the Western Hemisphere.

“Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo are ruthless dictators who have hijacked Nicaragua and terrorized their own people,” said Rep. María Elvira Salazar. “They jail political opponents, silence the Church, crush free speech, and destroy democracy, because they fear a free people. Their human rights abuses are undeniable and intolerable. That is why I am proud to co-lead the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act, to impose real consequences, stand with Nicaragua’s political prisoners and people of faith, and send a clear message: the United States will never legitimize tyranny in our hemisphere.”

“Our bill outlines serious economic penalties that can be leveraged to hold the corrupt Nicaraguan government to account and bring swift justice and relief to the people of Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan people—including people of faith, opposition party members and leaders, and other political prisoners—have suffered for far too long under the oppressive rule of the Ortega-Murillo regime,” said Representative Smith. “Their human rights abuses are undeniable and intolerable. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act, to impose real consequences, stand with Nicaragua’s political prisoners and people of faith, and send a clear message: the United States will never legitimize tyranny in our hemisphere.”

Background:

The Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2026 reauthorizes and amends the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act of 2018 and the Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021 by expanding the criteria for sanctions, strengthening economic penalties, prohibiting U.S. financial assistance to and investment in Nicaragua, and reinforcing the importance of human rights protections and free and fair elections in the country.

Among its provisions, the Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2026 will compel the U.S. government to:

• Immediately cease any U.S. investment in the Nicaraguan economy;

• Oppose financial or technical assistance to the government of Nicaragua from members of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI);

• Trigger targeted sanctions on sectors of the Nicaraguan economy that generate revenue for the Ortega family following the arrest, prosecution, conviction, and/or sentencing of any individual under politically motivated charges; gross violations of political prisoners’ human rights; and support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine;

• Raise international concerns about the human rights and democracy crises in Nicaragua and support the religious and opposition leaders and groups silenced by the Ortega-Murillo regime;

• Provide funding and support for programs that promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Nicaragua, including programs that document human rights abuses committed by the Ortega regime since April 2018; and

• Seek a resolution to the political crisis in Nicaragua by calling for free and fair elections and the cessation of political violence in the country.


Rep. Andrea Salinas Delivers Remarks Calling Out Trump’s Abuses of Power and Obstruction of ICE Oversight

Image

Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) delivered remarks on the House Floor condemning President Trump for abusing his power, operating in secrecy, and failing to address the rising cost-of-living crisis facing working families.

Rep. Salinas criticized the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have led to the detention of individuals without due process, including U.S. citizens, and have spread fear throughout immigrant communities. She also condemned his efforts to obstruct congressional oversight of ICE and demanded he get back to fixing his un-affordability crisis.

A transcript of Salinas’ remarks is available below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call out President Trump for abusing his power, acting in secrecy, and threatening our safety, all while failing to address the rising costs in America.

Trump is deploying ICE to our neighborhoods to terrorize our immigrant communities. His operations rely on brutal tactic, avoiding de-escalation and due process against U.S. citizens.

Although the Administration claims it’s only targeting undocumented criminals who pose a threat, we know that is an outright lie.

At every turn, the Administration erodes any trust it had ever had with the public. That became even clearer when Secretary Noem signed an order barring Members of Congress from conducting oversight of ICE facilities without seven days’ notice.

I visited an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington. I did provide a seven-day notice—even though I was not legally required to do so—and yet I was still denied access to meet with my constituents due to so-called “scheduling issues.”

This is not transparency. This is an attempt to control access, suppress oversight, and manipulate the narrative.

Instead of terrorizing our communities, Trump needs to get back to the real work of solving the affordability crisis.

Thank you. I yield back.

###


Rep. Scholten Introduces Bill to Ensure Defense Spending Supports Small Businesses and Strengthens National Security

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced the Small Business Defense Contract Protection Act to ensure that Department of Defense (DoD) contracts intended for small businesses are actually reaching small defense contractors to strengthen both America’s national security and our small business economy.

“With growing global tensions and supply chains under pressure, we cannot afford to sideline small businesses that are ready to contribute,” said Rep. Scholten. “As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I have seen firsthand how small defense contractors rely on lower-dollar contracts to grow, hire workers, and build the experience needed to compete for larger projects. This bill will help level the playing field, support entrepreneurs, and strengthen our national security.”

Under federal law, most defense contracts valued at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold–currently $350,000–are supposed to be set aside for small business competition. These smaller contracts often serve as an entry point for entrepreneurs looking to break into the defense marketplace. However, recent reports from the Department of Defense show that more than a quarter of spending below this threshold has gone to businesses that do not qualify as small.

Rep. Scholten’s bill would require the Department of Defense to review how these contracts are being awarded and provide Congress with clear information on when and why small business set-aside rules are not being followed. This added transparency will allow Congress to conduct proper oversight to protect small businesses.

A small business from West Michigan testified before the House Small Business Committee in September 2025 on the importance of these contracts, describing them as essential for both emerging companies and established firms seeking stability and predictability. For newer companies, small defense contracts often represent their first step into the federal marketplace. For more established firms, they provide steady work that helps keep employees on payroll while they pursue larger, more complex contracts.

“Small businesses bring innovation, flexibility, and enthusiasm to federal agencies. Honoring the intent of the small business contracting programs–including awarding purchase orders under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to small contractors–encourages continued involvement from us. Federal agencies benefit from this larger pool of contractors,” said Sue Schweim Tellier, President and Owner of JetCo Federal, who testified before the House Small Business Committee.

A more diverse and competitive defense industrial base will help lower costs, increase resilience, and strengthen national security by expanding the pool of trusted suppliers. In 2025, the House unanimously passed this text sponsored by Rep. Scholten as an amendment. This bill builds on that momentum.

###


Congresswoman Simon’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to Reinstate Billions in Mental Health and Addiction Grants After Abrupt Cancellation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) issued the following statement after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reinstated nearly $2 billion in grants to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). On January 13th, 2026, SAMHSA abruptly terminated over 2,800 grants across the nation. In the California’s 12th Congressional District, at least 13 grants totaling over $13.8 million dollars had been terminated.

Following the SAMHSA grant cancellations, Congresswoman Simon joined a bipartisan effort with 100 House colleagues demanding clarity from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and calling for funding to be restored immediately.

Of the reinstatement Congresswoman Simon stated:

“After national outrage and pressure from families and Congress alike, I am pleased that Secretary Kennedy reversed his senseless decision and reinstated nearly $2 billion dollars in mental health and substance abuse treatment grants across the nation.

“These grants provide essential care including suicide prevention, HIV testing, education and prevention, youth mental health services, and the provision of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Inability to access care and uncertainty serves no one – and I will keep fighting to protect Congress’ power of the purse and access to health care for my constituents.”

You can read the full letter text here.

Congresswoman Simon has been a leader in health care access and public health. In October 2025, Congresswomen Simon, Kelly and Trahan demanded answers from the Department of Health and Human Services on the impact of the government shutdown on the development of and access to lifesaving, groundbreaking innovation. In September 2025, Congresswoman Simon called on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to resign as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

###


Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Reaffirm Support for Taiwan

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) released the following statement:

“As co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, we reaffirm the United States’ strong commitment to Taiwan, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

Taiwan is an important economic and security partner whose stability is vital to U.S. national security interests. Its cutting-edge semiconductor industry and proposed $165 billion investment into the United States are helping us build the secure supply chains necessary for everything from consumer electronics to stealth defense equipment. Taiwan is strategically located among a network of U.S. allies, partnersand waterways critical to U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific. Peace across the Taiwan Strait is in the national security interest of the U.S., and we will continue to stand by our key democratic partner touphold our shared values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.”

###


ICYMI: Congresswoman Haley Stevens Leads Fight to Protect Michigan Communities from PFAS Pollution

January 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens has been reaching Michiganders all across the state about her bipartisan legislation to close dangerous regulatory loopholes and strengthen federal oversight of PFAS air pollution, building on her ongoing effort to protect Michigan communities from toxic contamination.

Here's what Michiganders are hearing about the bill:

Michigan Advance: Michigan Democrats introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen protections against PFAS air pollution

By: Kyle Davidson

Four of Michigan’s Democratic representatives joined with Republicans from New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia on Tuesday in introducing a bill they say would close major regulatory gaps and strengthen government oversight on PFAS air pollution.

Michigan is one of the states most heavily impacted by PFAS pollution, with more than 300 confirmed contaminated sites and more areas where contamination is suspected.

“Michigan communities have lived with PFAS contamination for too long. The PROTECT Act closes dangerous loopholes in how these toxic chemicals are regulated, strengthens oversight of PFAS air pollution, and holds polluters accountable,” Stevens said in a statement.

“This is about protecting the public health and safety of every Michigander and delivering real results for Michigan families.”

Michigan News Source: Clearing the Air: New Bill Aims to Control PFAS Pollution

By: Eleanor Deggofau

A new bill being proposed by U.S. Michigan representatives aims to have gaseous PFAS chemicals recognized as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

Democrat Michigan representatives Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, and Hillary Scholten, along with other representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), introduced the bill, entitled the PROTECT Act, on Thursday.

In addition to adding PFAS to the list of hazardous substances, the PROTECT Act would set standards for how much PFAS could be in the air and regulate industries and facilities which release PFAS into the air.

WXMI: Legislation Targets PFAS Air Pollution

Michigan neighborhoods continue to face contamination issues, from PFAS “forever chemicals” to elevated lead levels in water.

Lawmakers are introducing a bill to address PFAS air pollution, filling a critical gap in environmental protections.

“This is to close some of the loopholes in the Environmental Protection Agency to actually detect PFAS in our air.”

“Yeah, it’s something that is impacting families and needs more research. And also, it just needs the federal government to detect and work alongside local officials.”

If passed, the bill would require the EPA to classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, identify major sources, set enforceable limits, and strengthen cleanup responsibilities.

WILX: Bipartisan Bill on PFAS Air Pollution

PFAS contaminates air and water and accumulates in people’s bodies, with hundreds of confirmed sites across Michigan.

“I think with the proper resources and the proper identification tools, we can work to keep Michiganders safe and make sure that our air is clean and fresh for all to breathe.”

The bill is cosponsored by Michigan Representatives Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, and Hilary Scholten.

WJR: All Talk with Kevin Dietz

Michigan faces widespread PFAS contamination in water, soil, and food, and Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ bipartisan PROTECT Act aims to close detection loopholes, strengthen EPA authority, and protect both air and water.

“I'm introducing bipartisan legislation to close loopholes to help us better detect pollutants. Believe it or not, PFAS also does get into our air and Michigan, we all know we want the fresh water that's our pride and joy, and we want the clean air, and I'm trying to empower the Environmental Protection Agency to close those loopholes and to better detect and I'm thrilled that my legislation is bipartisan.”

The legislation prioritizes communities with the highest exposure, including the Aisle Boat River area and parts of Oakland County, focusing on both cleanup and prevention.

The PROTECT Act also strengthens accountability for polluters, providing enforcement tools, ensuring contamination is addressed before it reaches residents, and empowering the EPA to prevent future PFAS exposure.

WPBN: Bipartisan Push to Toughen PFAS Cleanup Laws

A bipartisan effort in Congress is pushing tougher PFAS prevention and mitigation laws, with Michigan among the hardest-hit states.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the PROTECT Act to close major loopholes in federal oversight of PFAS “forever chemicals.”

“Here in Michigan, we obviously know the story very well. I’ve been pleased to act in the past to address PFAS in our water, but we also need to make sure that it’s not getting into our air, which has been overlooked. And there are loopholes that now need to get closed.”

The bill would require the EPA to classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, identify offenders, set enforceable limits, and strengthen cleanup requirements.

###


Rep. Haley Stevens Honors Service and Leadership with 17 Service Academy Nominations from Oakland County, Michigan

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced that she has nominated 17 Michigan students for placement at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

“One of my most meaningful duties as a Member of Congress is nominating students from Michigan’s 11th District to our nation’s prestigious service academies,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11). “To serve in our military is the most honorable deed any American can perform, and I am so grateful to be able to assist these inspiring students in their pursuit of service. I am rooting for them throughout the rest of their application processes, and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.”

Students seeking an appointment to a service academy must first obtain a nomination from a nominating source – most commonly through their Members of Congress. Now that these students have been nominated, they must await acceptance of admission by the academy to which they have applied.

Students interested in learning about the service academy process, including how to earn a nomination from Congresswoman Stevens, may visit our website here.

The nominees, along with their hometowns and high school or university, are listed below:

United States Air Force Academy

Colin Bibbs – Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak

Gage Pouget – Hazel Park High School, Hazel Park

Charles Shane – Home school, Waterford

Jack Sobotka – Troy High School, Troy

United States Military Academy

Nash Albertie – Seaholm High School, Birmingham

Eugene Kim – International Academy Okma, Troy

Nika Ladosenszky – St. Mary's Prep, West Bloomfield

Tristan Oatman – St. Mary's Prep, West Bloomfield

Jeanne Park – Troy High School, Troy

Rebecca Turner – Seaholm High School, Birmingham

Jake Yono – St. Mary’s Prep, Bloomfield Hills

United States Naval Academy

Hugh Aaron – Detroit Country Day, Bloomfield Hills

Morgan Black – Berkley High School, Berkley

Levi Citron – International Academy Okma, Huntington Woods

Colin Duffany - Lakeland High School, White Lake

Conor Field – Roeper High School/Wayne State University, Bloomfield Hills

Nika Ladosenszky – St. Mary's Prep, West Bloomfield

Tristan Oatman – St. Mary's Prep, West Bloomfield

Gage Pouget – Hazel Park High School, Hazel Park

Charles Shane – Home school, Waterford

Giavanna Tanguay – St. Mary's Prep, West Bloomfield

Jake Yono – St. Mary’s Prep, Bloomfield Hills

###


In Science Committee Hearing, Ranking Democrat Haley Stevens Stands Up for Research and Michigan Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In opening remarks at a House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee hearing this week, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, pressed the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to prioritize Michigan manufacturing and stop the Trump Administration’s reckless cuts to federal research.

Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI)

Subcommittee on Research and Technology

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

“Advancing America’s AI Action Plan” | January 14, 2026

A transcription of Ranking Member Stevens’ remarks is below:

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, for holding today's hearing, and of course, thank you to Director Kratsios for joining us today as well. OSTP has always held a very special place in my heart, and is an agency or a division of the White House that we are grateful to have a connection to on this committee. And it is also very important that our thoughtful discussion today will be around implementing the administration's AI plan while protecting American workers.

We all know that you can't talk about AI innovation and American competitiveness without talking about Michigan manufacturing, and you can't talk about the future of manufacturing without talking about the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST. NIST is the “little agency that could” and is at the forefront of our efforts in artificial intelligence, quantum, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 that many of us in this room helped write and pass, NIST is bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America to develop the next generation of AI chips right here at home. NIST’s semiconductor work is also critical to the administration's AI plan, and we don't want to see the agency being undermined, something that has long been supported by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Just to shine a light here, and this is the work of our committee, this is what we do, we have authorizing ability, and it's important to just shine a light: The budget for the Fiscal Year 26, it slashed NIST funding by $325 million, and we're eliminating 500 jobs from the agency's lab program. We know, so many of us, how sacred this work is and how important it is, even when you just have just a handful of researchers working on these matters. The cuts hinder NIST’s AI-related efforts; they're going to weaken cyber security and privacy standards, something I have legislation on, and limit advanced manufacturing, physical infrastructure, and resilience innovation.

And given the shared goal of supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing—our next generation, this is something we see alive and well in Michigan, continuing to grow through our supply chain, the design of not only products, but also our factory floors using AI applications—I'm really alarmed that the administration is trying to eliminate NIST’s manufacturing extension program. They repeatedly tried to do that last year. The MEP program is designed to support, well, not just Michigan, but all of the nation's small and mid-sized manufacturers, to see them adopt advanced technology and compete on the global stage. And so in 2024 alone, just the MEP center in Michigan created or saved 5,000 jobs. Yet, like every other MEP center, it was on the chopping block.

What makes even less sense is that the administration's constant attacks on domestic chip manufacturing and the CHIPS and Science Act, which we should be all singing loud and proudly, the uncertainty that the manufacturers are facing, despite clear congressional desire to bring chip manufacturing back to America has been really frustrating. I was surprised to learn that we're seeing the arbitrarily-cancelled, semiconductor-focused Manufacturing USA Institute in December that happened, and that's stalling a lot of progress.

I could go on, but we're losing talent and institutional knowledge. We're shrinking, and frankly, we're destroying our research capacity and undermining global competitiveness, all while we're supposed to be touting how we can lead on AI. So I'm going to do everything I can in this subcommittee, Mr. Chair, for accountability, to stand up for science, the science that Michiganders and our manufacturers rely on every day, so we can continue to innovate and build. And I just want to thank every NIST public servant, the people in this room, and the people in the department. And with that, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll yield back.

###


Rep. Sykes Launches Valentines for Vets Program

Rep. Sykes invites students to create valentines for local veterans

AKRON, OH — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the launch of the Valentines for Vets Program. All K-12 students in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District are encouraged to create valentine cards for local veterans.

“Veterans have bravely served our nation, and it is through our actions that we can truly honor their service and sacrifices. This Valentine’s Day, share some love with our veteran neighbors by participating in Valentines for Vets," said Rep. Sykes.

Those who wish to participate should create valentine cards for local veterans, and drop them off at, or mail them to, Rep. Sykes’ Akron Office, 121 S. Main St., Suite 107, Akron, Ohio 44308 by February 11, 2026. The cards will then be distributed to local veterans service organizations, where they will be shared with veterans. Those who are interested in participating can learn more at sykes.house.gov/valentines-for-vets.


Rep. Sykes Announces Nearly $87,000 for Stark State Commercial Driver’s License Training Program

NORTH CANTON, OH – Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $86,688 to Stark State College of Technology for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training.

“This funding is a significant investment in our workforce and local economy. By expanding access to CDL training, we’re helping more residents gain in-demand skills so they can pursue jobs that are essential to our community in high-demand fields,” said Rep. Sykes.

This grant will cover the cost for 12 students to enroll in Stark State’s CDL program. In order to obtain a CDL, an applicant must pass both skills and knowledge testing geared to higher standards of knowledge, experience, and skills. Additionally, CDL holders are held to a higher standard when operating any type of motor vehicle on public roads. Serious traffic violations committed by a CDL holder can affect their ability to maintain their CDL certification.


Congresswoman Tenney Opens Applications for 2026 Military Service Academy Nominations

Oswego, NY – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office is now accepting applications for 2026 United States Military Service Academy nominations. Students from New York’s 24th Congressional District interested in attending one of these distinguished academies are invited to apply for a Congressional nomination through Tenney’s office.

As a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Tenney has the honor of nominating a select number of candidates to four of the five United States service academies. Appointment to a service academy provides a world-class education and carries a minimum five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the following service academies:

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

If you, or a student you know, are interested in applying for a nomination to one of the United States Military Service Academies, please visit our website here to find application instructions, required forms, and additional details. All application materials must be received by Thursday, October 1, 2026.

“As the mother of a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, I understand the commitment, discipline, and sense of purpose required to attend a service academy,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am always encouraged by the exceptional young men and women across NY-24 who step forward to pursue this path of service. These academies offer an extraordinary education while preparing future leaders for our Armed Forces, and it’s a privilege to support students who are willing to serve our nation with integrity, dedication, and courage.”

For more information, contact Congresswoman Tenney’s Oswego District Office at (315) 236-7088 or visit our website here.

###


Congressman Tim Moore Introduces the No Bounties on Badges Act to Crack Down on Threats Against Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recently, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) introduced H.R. 7114, the No Bounties on Badges Act, which would authorize federal rewards for information leading to the arrest, conviction, or prevention of individuals who offer bounties to harm or kill law enforcement officers.

“As law enforcement officers across services are increasingly targeted by radicals, Congress has to do something to stand up for them,” said Congressman Moore.“I’m disgusted by the dangerous rhetoric likening police officers to Nazis — and now some are going even further, literally putting a price tag on their lives. That’s why I introduced the No Bounties on Badges Act in the House to send a clear message that if you put a bounty on our officers, we’ll put a bounty on you.”

Specifically, this legislation expands existing federal reward authority to explicitly cover attempts to intimidate or target police through paid incentives.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Original cosponsors include Mike Ezell (MS-04), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Rick Crawford (AR-01), and John Rutherford (FL-05). This legislation is also endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and the NYPD Sergeants’ Benevolent Association.

This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and cosponsored by Senators Tedd Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Key Background:

· Congressman Tim Moore has been a staunch advocate for policies that support the safety of law enforcement officers. Last year, Congress passed H.R.2240, Moore’s Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, with a strong bipartisan vote. Read more here.

· According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, in 2025 alone, 347 officers were shot in the line of duty, and 45 of them tragically lost their lives. There were 67 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, which resulted in 90 officers shot, 22 of whom were killed. (Source)


Trahan, Valadao Lead Reintroduction of Bipartisan Bill to Save Essential Health Systems

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, and Congressman David Valadao (R-CA-22) reintroduced the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, bipartisan legislation to formally recognize “essential health systems” in federal law and unlock new pathways for federal funding and support for safety net hospitals that care for large numbers of uninsured and low-income patients.

“The hospitals that care for our most vulnerable neighbors are doing more with less every single day,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “By reintroducing the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, we’re reaffirming our commitment to ensuring these hospitals are better positioned to receive the resources they need to keep their doors open and their communities healthy. This bill gives Congress a smarter, fairer way to direct support to the health systems that serve as lifelines in cities and towns across the country.”

“Central Valley hospitals play a vital role in caring for our communities, but they can’t do that without the resources they need,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act helps better identify rural and underserved hospitals that require critical investments, making it easier to direct federal resources where they’re needed most. Ensuring Central Valley families have access to affordable, quality healthcare is my top priority, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance commonsense solutions to meet that goal.”

Essential health systems are foundational to local health care infrastructure, particularly in communities where access to care depends on hospitals that shoulder a disproportionate share of Medicaid, low-income Medicare, and uninsured patients. Despite providing, on average, five times more uncompensated care than other hospitals, these facilities remain chronically underfunded and face ongoing challenges maintaining services and meeting community needs.

To better support these hospitals, the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act would establish a new “essential health systems” designation in federal law. This designation would allow policymakers to more effectively target federal funding, health equity initiatives, and public health resources to nonprofit hospitals that serve historically under-resourced communities.

Hospitals would qualify as “essential health systems” by meeting one of the following criteria for at least two out the past three years:

The hospital’s patients are at least 35% low-income, based on Medicaid use and low-income Medicare patients.

The hospital provides at least 0.05% of all unpaid hospital care in the entire country, making it one of the hospitals delivering the most uncompensated care nationwide.

The hospital is in the top 16% of providers in their state that serve low-income and/or unpaid care.

Under this definition, 17 hospitals in Massachusetts would qualify as essential health systems and become eligible for additional federal support, including Lowell General Hospital, Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

“We applaud Congresswoman Trahan’s leadership in advancing a federal ‘essential hospital’ designation to recognize hospitals that anchor our health care safety net,” said Amy Hoey, RN, President of Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital. “Safety net hospitals operate on razor-thin margins while serving our most vulnerable neighbors, including patients that are low-income and uninsured, and sustaining critical community programs. This designation rightly acknowledges their indispensable role in public health.”

“As a regional community health system and a vital safety-net provider in the Merrimack Valley, we strongly support the proposed legislation to establish an Essential Health Systems designation,” said Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital President & CEO Diana L. Richardson. “By recognizing essential providers through this legislation, Congress can ensure that Essential Health Systems like Merrimack Health remain open, resilient, and able to meet growing patient needs now and in the future. We are grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for leading this important effort in our region and the nation.

“UMass Memorial Health is proud to serve all patients across Central Massachusetts, regardless of their insurance status, income level, or ability to pay. As an Essential MassHealth Hospital, our dedicated caregivers work every day to address systemic barriers to care and provide the high-quality health services our communities deserve,” said UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson. “Creating a federal essential health systems designation would help protect access to care for our communities’ most vulnerable residents and ensure that systems like UMass Memorial Health have the resources to continue providing life-saving services long into the future.”

###


Congressman Valadao Reintroduces Bill to Support Hospitals in Underserved Communities

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) to reintroduce the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act. This bipartisan bill would create an “essential health system” designation in federal law to make it easier for hospitals in underserved communities to receive funding, grants, and support from the federal government.

“Central Valley hospitals play a vital role in caring for our communities, but they can’t do that without the resources they need,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act helps better identify rural and underserved hospitals that require critical investments, making it easier to direct federal resources where they’re needed most. Ensuring Central Valley families have access to affordable, quality healthcare is my top priority, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance commonsense solutions to meet that goal.”

“The hospitals that care for our most vulnerable neighbors are doing more with less every single day,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “By reintroducing the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, we’re reaffirming our commitment to ensuring these hospitals are better positioned to receive the resources they need to keep their doors open and their communities healthy. This bill gives Congress a smarter, fairer way to direct support to the health systems that serve as lifelines in cities and towns across the country.”

Background:

Essential community hospitals are critical components of a city, town, or region’s healthcare network, often serving higher numbers of Medicaid, low-income Medicare, and uninsured patients. To open additional pathways for funding, the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act would carve out a new designation, “essential health systems,” in federal law and requires a report on each hospital’s percentile ranking on Disproportionate Patient Percentage (DPP) and Uncompensated Care Payment Factor (UCPF). This change could then be used by lawmakers to better target funding, health equity initiatives, and public health resources to support these nonprofit facilities that serve traditionally vulnerable populations.

A hospital qualifies as an essential health system if it meets the following standards:

It's a hospital that participates in Medicare’s primary hospital payment program.

It's operated by a government entity or is a private, non-profit hospital.

It meets at least one of the following criteria:

Serves a high number of low-income patients: At least 35 percent of the hospital’s patients are low-income, based on Medicaid coverage and Medicare patients with limited incomes.

Provides a significant amount of unpaid care: The hospital delivers at least 0.05 percent of all unpaid hospital care nationwide, placing it among the hospitals that shoulder the greatest burden of uncompensated care in the country.

Ranks among the state’s leading safety-net hospitals: The hospital is in the top 16 percent in its state for serving vulnerable patients and providing unpaid care. This ensures hospitals in rural areas or states with smaller Medicaid populations are not excluded.

Hospitals have maintained the above criteria in two out of the last three years.

Hospitals retain eligibility for five years after designation.

Under this definition, five hospitals in CA-22 would qualify as essential health systems and become eligible for additional federal support, including Kern Medical Center, Adventist Health Hanford, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Sierra View Medical Center, and Adventist Health Delano.

Read the full bill here.

###


Vindman Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Dangerous Fentanyl Traffickers

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and James Moylan (R-Guam) introduced the Transnational Fentanyl Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the United States’ intelligence posture against the transnational criminal organizations responsible for flooding American communities with deadly fentanyl.

“As a former prosecutor, I know we have to take on fentanyl as both a serious public health crisis and a national security threat. The cartels behind this epidemic operate like sophisticated, transnational enterprises and law enforcement need the right tools to disrupt them, dismantle them, and save lives,” said Vindman. “This bipartisan bill will finally crack down on these illegal cartels by giving lawmakers the information they need to help law enforcement respond with seriousness, coordination, and urgency.”

“Fentanyl is a poison that knows no borders, and for a community like Guam — a critical hub in the Indo-Pacific — the threat of transnational cartels reaching our shores is not a distant concern; it is a daily reality for our families and our first responders,” said Moylan. “This measure proactively protects our communities by stopping the flow of these drugs before they ever touch our docks. I thank Congressman Vindman for his leadership and for ensuring that the safety of our territories is part of this national fight.”

The bill would require the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to submit a classified intelligence assessment to Congress on the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — the two most powerful drug trafficking organizations operating in the Western Hemisphere.

The assessment would examine cartel leadership and organizational structure, cross-border trafficking routes, methods for sourcing and importing precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, key chemical suppliers and brokers, tactics used to market counterfeit pills to U.S. consumers, efforts to undermine U.S. and Mexican counternarcotics operations, and estimated annual revenues disaggregated by drug type.

The Transnational Fentanyl Prevention Act builds on earlier bipartisan efforts to treat cartel-driven fentanyl trafficking as a core national security challenge. The assessment must be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Appropriations, and Armed Services.

BACKGROUND

The fentanyl epidemic has touched nearly every American community, claiming tens of thousands of lives each year and devastating families across the country. The Transnational Fentanyl Prevention Act is aimed at strengthening Congress’s ability to confront the cartels fueling this crisis and protect communities from further harm.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG control the vast majority of fentanyl trafficked into the United States. Together, the two organizations generate tens of billions of dollars annually and have expanded beyond narcotics trafficking into human smuggling, weapons trafficking, and money laundering.

###


Rep. Weber Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner

League City, TX - Today, Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) announced Aarush Sinha, a student at Clear Creek High School, as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Texas’ 14th Congressional District. Aarush earned first place for his app, Vision Warrior, a web-based application designed to assist individuals with visual impairments through accessible, real-world technology.

Vision Warrior combines text-to-speech technology with color detection to help users better interact with their surroundings. The app can analyze text from PDFs, Word documents, text files, and images, read that content aloud, and identify colors within both text and images. It also features a webcam function that allows users to point their camera at an object and hear both the detected color and any readable text in real time.

“The talent we see from students here in Southeast Texas continues to impress me year after year,” said Rep. Weber. “Aarush identified a real need and used his technical skills to build something that can genuinely improve people’s lives. That’s exactly what the Congressional App Challenge is all about, and he should be incredibly proud of this achievement.”

This year’s competition was highly competitive, with students across TX-14 submitting innovative and thoughtful applications. Congressman Weber congratulated all participants for their creativity, technical skill, and willingness to take on real-world challenges through technology.

Established by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The program allows students to compete within their congressional district by creating and showcasing original software applications for mobile, tablet, or computer platforms.

“The Congressional App Challenge continues to showcase the innovation and potential of students right here in Southeast Texas and around the nation,” Weber added. “I look forward to seeing what these young developers accomplish next.”


Baldwin Demands Accountability from Trump Administration After Chaotic Opioid and Mental Health Funding Cuts and Reversal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, held a virtual press conference demanding answers and accountability from the Trump Administration for abruptly canceling, then reinstating, $2 billion in funding for thousands of programs that support mental health and addiction treatment and prevention. To date, the Trump Administration has not provided an explanation or taken ownership for the chaotic events.

During the press conference, Senator Baldwin was joined by Wisconsinites who received grant termination letters from the Trump Administration’s U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on Tuesday. Immediately after Senator Baldwin learned of Wisconsinites receiving termination letters for programs that support mental health and addiction treatment and prevention, she called on the Trump Administration to immediately reverse the decision and reinstate federal grants across Wisconsin. On Thursday, the Administration announced it had reversed course and reinstated the grants but has provided no explanation.

Watch Senator Baldwin’s press conference here.

###


Baldwin Votes to Pass Bipartisan Funding Package to Support Clean Drinking Water, Public Safety, and Economic Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted to send a bipartisan funding package to the President’s desk that included nearly $40 million in direct support for Wisconsin communities and projects that impact the state. The package to fund the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, and Environment invests in public safety, supports Wisconsin businesses and workers, and delivers clean drinking water to more communities. The bill also rejects deep cuts proposed by the Trump Administration and puts up critical guardrails to ensure Donald Trump follows the law and delivers Congressionally-directed funding to programs and services Wisconsinites rely on.

“Last year, we saw President Trump illegally cancel or withhold billions in funding for programs that Wisconsin families, businesses, and students rely on. I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to stop the Trump Administration from taking resources from Wisconsin communities and ensure the President follows the law. This bill makes key investments to ensure people are safe in our communities and cops are supported, families have clean water and a safe environment to live in, and our local businesses can keep creating good-paying jobs,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m also proud to once again work with countless Wisconsin communities in every corner of the state to deliver direct federal support for projects that address their specific needs, from replacing aging water infrastructure, to investing in emergency services, to supporting victims of crime and abuse.”

The funding package included direct support Senator Baldwin helped secure for 16 Wisconsin projects to help more communities get clean water, support victims of crime, and invest in emergency services and law enforcement. The following projects were funded:

Statewide

USACE Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP): $18,000,000 for implementation of NESP.

USACE Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study: $3,000,000 to improve Great Lakes coastline resilience as well as provide tools for federal agencies, states and local governments to support informed decision-making along the Great Lakes shorelines.

Children’s Hospital and Health System, Inc.: $730,000 to support the Children’s Child Advocacy Center network.

Disability Rights Wisconsin: $564,000 to provide legal services to low-income survivors of crime with disabilities.

Northeastern Wisconsin

Village of Brandon: $406,000 for replacing a water main, two sewer lines, and several fire hydrants and manholes.

Town of Calumet: $420,000 for design and construction of an agricultural runoff treatment system.

Fond du Lac County: $1,300,000 to acquire sheriff's office mobile command post.

Forest County Potawatomi Community: $2,000,000 for septic system improvements for the Tribe.

City of Oshkosh: $3,200,000 for installing a phosphorous treatment system to reduce the load in the Fox River and Lake Winnebago.

Northern Wisconsin

Ashland County: $3,155,000 to upgrade legacy radio infrastructure to provide reliable communication between agencies and allow for interoperability with outside agencies.

Bell Sanitary District: $1,100,000 for the construction of a wastewater treatment facility to address phosphorous.

Western Wisconsin

Crawford County Sheriff: $744,000 to acquire and update emergency services radio infrastructure.

Town of Richmond: $144,000 for improving their wastewater system, including relining ponds and installing flow meters.

Central Wisconsin

City of Nekoosa: $1,630,000 for replacing the broken watermain and replacing lead service lines.

Village of Vesper: $1,100,000 for upgrading the raw water service, as well as fixing the well and watermain.

Southeastern Wisconsin

Sojourner Family Peace Center: $469,000 to support partnership with local law enforcement to provide support to survivors of domestic violence.

Senator Baldwin also successfully worked to include funding for programs that directly impact Wisconsin communities, from weather forecasting, conservation efforts, and infrastructure improvements, to programs that connect more Wisconsinites to good paying jobs, support Wisconsin’s small businesses, and invest in up-and-coming industries like biotech.

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Economic Development Administration, Regional Tech Hubs: The bill includes $41 million for the Regional Tech Hub program, enough for 2 additional implementation grants. As a member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Baldwin helped write and create the Tech Hub program in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and successfully advocated to bring a Tech Hub to Wisconsin.

National Weather Service: The bill requires the National Weather Service to hire, rehire, or retain staff in order to meet its mission in response to cuts in 2025 that jeopardized critical forecasting that Wisconsin farmers, businesses, and communities rely on.

Minority Business Development Agency: After the Trump Administration shuttered Wisconsin’s newly established Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, this legislation provides $50 million in funds for the MBDA program. Senator Baldwin worked with Republicans to include the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 as an amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), making the MBDA permanent and increasing its funding authorization and reach.

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership: After the Trump Administration withheld and delayed congressionally-approved funds to Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program’s Centers, this bipartisan bill funds the MEP program at $175 million, level with FY25 funding.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Observing Systems: The bill provides $47.5 million for Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Observations, including the Great Lakes Observing Systems which works with the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences to operate monitoring buoys.

Crime Victims Fund: The bill makes $1.95 billion available for the Crime Victims Fund to support direct assistance and programs to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.

Energy, Water Development, and Related Agencies

Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR): The bill includes $52 million for the implementation of the UMRR program.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wisconsin Projects: The bill includes $26.7 million in funding for over 20 Army Corps of Engineers projects in Wisconsin, including the Algoma Harbor, Ashland Harbor, Bayfield Harbor, Cornucopia Harbor, Duluth-Superior Harbor, Eau Galle River Lake, Fox River, Green Bay Harbor, Kenosha Harbor, Kewaunee Harbor, La Pointe Harbor, Manitowoc Harbor, Menominee Harbor, Milwaukee Harbor, Oconto Harbor, Port Washington Harbor, Port Wing Harbor, Saxon Harbor, Sheboygan Harbor, Sturgeon Bay Harbor and Lake Michigan Ship Canal, Surveillance of Northern Boundary Waters, and Two Rivers Harbor.

Interior, Environment and Related Agencies

Ice Age Scenic Trail: The bill includes Senator Baldwin’s language noting the newly designated national scenic trails as units of the National Park System, including the Ice Age and North Country Scenic Trails, directing the service to ensure the trails receive commensurate access to National Parks System resources. The final bill includes a $248,000 increase from previous years’ funding to $11.248 million.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI): The bill increases funding by $1 million over Fiscal Year 2025 for $367 million. Senator Baldwin leads the legislation to re-authorize GLRI. The GLRI is the most significant investment to restore and protect our Great Lakes.

United States Geological Survey: the bill maintains funding for vital Midwest programming, including Cooperative Research Units in Madison and Stevens Point for wildlife and fisheries, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center in La Crosse, rejecting the Trump Administration’s efforts to zero out ecosystems research funding.

###


Senator Banks Urges U.K. to Halt Proposed Chinese Diplomatic Complex in London Over National Security Risks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to British Chargé d’Affaires James Roscoe raising serious concerns about the Chinese government’s planned “super-embassy” in London and the national security risks it poses to both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Read the full letter here or see full text below.

Dear Chargé d’Affaires Roscoe:

I write to express grave concerns with the Chinese government’s planned “super-embassy” at the Royal Mint Court in London. The 5.5-acre complex would be the largest Chinese diplomatic outpost in Europe and a hub for Chinese intelligence collection, transnational repression, and malign influence. As a key Five Eyes ally, the U.K. has a responsibility to safeguard its sovereignty and critical infrastructure from foreign adversary penetration. Should the planned Royal Mint Court site move forward, I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences for the special relationship.

As has been widely reported, the Royal Mint Court site is located in close proximity to sensitive fiber-optic cables that underpin London’s internet and financial system. New details uncovered just this week by The Daily Telegraph indicate that underground construction at the Royal Mint Court could take place less than two meters away from these critical cables, effectively inviting the Chinese government to make itself at home surveilling U.K. networks. Given that these cables not only connect to the London Internet Exchange, but ultimately back to the United States, China’s ability to tap into or monitor information flows carried by these cables is of critical interest to the alliance.

Equally as concerning is the scale of the proposed Chinese presence at the Royal Mint Court site. With more than 200 residences, room for hundreds of embassy staff, and a “cultural exchange” building, this location could supersize China’s diplomatic presence in the U.K. This expanded presence would not be used for benign purposes. The Chinese Communist Party has proven through a long pattern of behavior that it will take advantage of a larger footprint to expand malign influence activities, recruit sources, surveil dissidents, and conduct transnational repression on U.K. soil.

The Chinese Communist Party’s targeting of U.K. residents in connection to its violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is illustrative. As CCP-controlled Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties worth up to one million Hong Kong dollars against U.K. residents, agents of the Chinese government have grown increasingly brazen in their extraterritorial application of CCP repression. In 2024, the U.K. charged three individuals under its National Security Act with assisting Hong Kong authorities and forcibly entering a home in Britain. One of the individuals charged, Chung Biu Yuen, worked for the Hong Kong government at its Economic and Trade Office in the U.K. If the expansive Royal Mint Court location is approved,

and with it comes an influx of employees at the Chinese Embassy, we can only expect more coercion of the more than 140,000 Hong Kongers who have trusted in the supposed safety of the United Kingdom since 2021.

While it is understandable that both the United Kingdom and China each seek to move their respective diplomatic missions into new facilities in the coming years, the location and scale of the Royal Mint Court site pose an acute threat to the United Kingdom and its Five Eyes allies. Moreover, rewarding the CCP with an embassy of this scale and prestige after its consistent and pervasive interference in U.K. affairs would only serve to further embolden CCP aggression in the U.K. and beyond. I urge His Majesty’s Government to reject the Royal Mint Court site and instead find an alternative, less threatening location for the PRC mission.

###


Bennet, Hickenlooper Honor Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s Legacy

Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced a resolution to honor Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former U.S. Senator for Colorado, who passed away on December 30, 2025. Last night, the Senate unanimously passed the resolution.

“Ben Nighthorse Campbell was a trailblazer — not just for Colorado but for the entire country,” said Bennet. “Over his two decades in Congress, he was a tireless advocate for working families and children, brought Native American issues to the forefront of American politics, and was instrumental in protecting Colorado’s public lands. He was never afraid to stand up to his own party — and even change parties — when he believed it was right for Colorado. He showed me and every elected official in our state what it truly meant to serve your community. I am proud to see his life and accomplishments honored through the unanimous passage of our resolution, and thank my colleagues for coming together to recognize his achievements.”

“Ben Nighthorse Campbell from the Northern Cheyenne tribe served 6 years in the House and 12 years as a U.S. Senator. He was a master jeweler with a reputation far beyond the boundaries of Colorado. He was always generous with his time and wisdom. I will not forget his acts of kindness. He will be sorely missed,” said Hickenlooper. “This resolution honors his legacy of service to Colorado, his achievements, and the tremendous human being he was.”

Nighthorse Campbell served three terms in the House of Representatives before serving two terms in the Senate.

The text of the resolution is available HERE.

###


Bennet Leads Colleagues on Legislation to Block Taxpayer Reimbursements for Corporate Oil Investments in Venezuela

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, led his colleagues to introduce the No Taxpayer Funds for Corporate Investment in Venezuelan Oil Act, which would prohibit the Trump administration from providing taxpayer reimbursements for oil companies investing in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector. Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va), Senator Adam Schiff (D-Ca), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt) also co-sponsored the legislation.

“President Trump seized Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro without Congressional authority or even notification, and the next day, touted the investment opportunities created by this incursion. Now, he says the U.S. government should reimburse oil giants’ costs to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry, which could reach at least $100 billion,” said Bennet. “This would be an outrageous misuse of taxpayer dollars, especially given the lack of oil industry interest in investing in Venezuela. The American people did not vote to subsidize this reckless misadventure.”

“Americans should not be on the hook to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry or further subsidize investments by Big Oil companies,” said Reed. “President Trump needs to come clean about his plans for Venezuela and tell the American people why he is sending oil revenue to offshore bank accounts in Qatar.”

“President Trump was too cheap to pay for critical tax credits that millions of Americans rely on to afford their health care, but he’s open to spending billions of taxpayer dollars to rebuild Venezuela. How is that ‘America First’?,” said Kaine. “I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation to prevent the waste of Americans’ money on private investments in Venezuela’s oil industry, and in calling on the President to focus on the real issues—the cost of health care, housing, food, and more.”

“This president campaigned on America first. And while we have these crises over health care, rising costs of groceries, rising costs of housing, the American people on both sides of the aisle want the President focused on what he promised to do: address the cost of living – not engage in more endless warfare over oil,” said Schiff.

“The American people did not ask for our troops to be put in harm’s way in Venezuela to seize foreign oil – and they certainly don’t support a new taxpayer giveaway to help multibillion dollar oil companies get their hands on it to boost their own profits,” said Van Hollen. “We must pass this bill to stop Trump from giving away Americans’ tax dollars for corporate handouts in Venezuela.”

“President Trump is focused on enriching oil companies while Americans struggle to afford groceries, housing, and health care,” said Hickenlooper. “We refuse to allow taxpayers to foot the bill for U.S. oil companies’ start-up costs.”

“President Trump’s unconstitutional actions in the Caribbean have apparently always been about one thing: seizing control of Venezuela’s oil. There’s absolutely nothing in it for hardworking Americans,” said Welch. “Congress holds the power of the purse–this President cannot be allowed to waste taxpayer dollars on a handout to the oil industry.”

Specifically, the legislation would:

Block reimbursements for capital expenditures, including leasing rights, infrastructure improvements, land purchases, building construction;

Cover companies and subsidiaries based in the U.S., as well as international parent firms incorporated abroad;

Prohibit reimbursements directly from both the Treasury and potential offshore accounts accessible or controlled by U.S. government officials.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

###


Bennet, Marshall, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Agricultural Innovation

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) reintroduced the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act, legislation to foster cutting-edge innovative agricultural research and development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Strengthening American leadership in agricultural research and driving real breakthroughs requires sustained investment,” said Bennet. “As Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers face persistent drought, higher costs, extreme weather, and increased global competition, the ACE Agriculture Act focuses those investments on practical tools that help producers adapt to a changing climate and agricultural landscape.”

“Kansas farmers face new challenges every day — from extreme weather and biological threats to supply chain disruptions and foreign adversaries. That’s why cutting-edge research is more important than ever. Reauthorizing AgARDA will help USDA fund breakthrough innovation that puts our farmers and food supply first and keeps America the world’s agricultural leader,” said Marshall.

From high fertilizer prices to extreme weather and poor soil health, American family farmers and ranchers face major challenges today. Yet, the development of novel agricultural technologies and approaches to help solve these issues has not kept pace. While these technologies have the potential to yield game-changing benefits for agriculture and food, private capital often considers them too financially risky for investment, and the USDA instead prioritizes lower-risk research projects to reliably, yet incrementally, deliver results.

The 2018 Farm Bill established the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA) at USDA to fill this gap and invest in high-risk, high-reward research and development in agriculture and food. Modeled after the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) programs, AgARDA spurs innovation through the development of breakthrough technologies and practices to address water conservation, soil health, disease and pest management, and extreme weather variability. The research and solutions advanced from AgARDA will help our farmers and ranchers meet the challenges of a changing agricultural landscape, increase production to address a growing global population, and help U.S. agricultural products compete in global markets.

Specifically, this bill would:

Double the authorization of the existing program from $50 million to $100 million to ensure access to more transformative agricultural innovation projects across multiple states.

Expand the existing program’s scope to:

· Address animal and plant pathogens and pests, which could help farmers increase production capacity and competitiveness.

· Include opportunities for projects that could help farmers and ranchers use less water; enhance soil health; and mitigate, reduce, and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms and ranches.

AgARDA funds projects to help address challenges such as:

Pathogens and pests: Improve early detection of emerging pathogens and pests and coordinate vaccine development for known pathogens, such as African Swine Fever.

Drought: Catalyze technological breakthroughs and practices to monitor, analyze, and distribute data on soil moisture in fields to help farmers and ranchers better manage their resources.

Soil health: Boost soil health and reduce GHG emissions from farm operations.

Extreme weather: Develop crops to become genetically resistant to drought, heat, and high speed winds.

Increasing production demand: Cut food waste, optimize food production on less land, and increase the nutrient content of food.

The ACE Agriculture Act is endorsed by: the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance; University of California, Santa Cruz; Iowa State University; ClearPathAction; Breakthrough Institute; Bipartisan Policy Center Action; American Society of Agronomy; Crop Science Society of America; Soil Science Society of America; Colorado Farm Bureau; and Colorado State University.

“We are grateful that AgARDA will provide a much-needed funding impetus for innovative sustainability research. Senator Bennet understands that bold investment is needed to drive increased sustainability across our agricultural landscapes, and we are proud to support this expansion in funding. CFB believes our established land grant universities, like CSU and the work spearheaded by Dr. Stackhouse-Lawson, can present a powerful return on investment for AgARDA funds. By prioritizing cutting-edge greenhouse gas emission reduction measures and other climate research, we can strive to uncover individualized and practical solutions that farmers and ranchers can actually implement,” said James Henderson, Colorado Farm Bureau Vice President.

“We appreciate Senator Bennet’s steadfast commitment to advancing research and innovation that address the complex and critical challenges facing our agriculture industry. AGARDA funding would go a long way to ensuring that solutions developed by our researchers are rapidly translated into practical applications for farmers and ranchers in Colorado and across the nation,” said Dr. Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research, Colorado State University.

“By reauthorizing AgARDA, the ACE Ag Act reaffirms the powerful role the federal government can play in de-risking innovative agricultural technologies. AgARDA is uniquely designed to strategically fund advanced research with large potential benefits, but that is too early-stage or technically risky for private sector investment alone. This type of high-risk, high-reward research will complement existing federal research initiatives, strengthen U.S. agricultural productivity, and ensure American producers remain globally competitive,” said Emily Bass, Director of Federal Policy for Food & Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute.

“Sustained investments in innovation will keep American agricultural producers competitive and resilient amid a changing global marketplace and evolving consumer preferences. BPC Action applauds Sens. Bennet (D-CO) and Marshall (R-KS) and Reps. Panetta (D-CA) and Feenstra (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership on the ACE Agriculture Act, which will help producers adapt to these developments,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action).

“The U.S. must regain and maintain leadership in agricultural innovation by developing and deploying cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practices. Reps. Feenstra (R-IA) and Panetta’s (D-CA) and Sens. Marshall (R-KS) and Bennet’s (D-CO) ACE Agriculture Act supports American innovation, ensuring American farmers and ranchers have the most up-to-date tools and technologies needed to increase profitability, participate in bioproduct markets, protect from pests and disease, and promote soil health, all while reducing emissions,” said ClearPath Action CEO, Jeremy Harrell.

“AGARDA represents a bold step toward securing the future of American agriculture. By accelerating innovation and resilience in crop and soil systems, AGARDA would empower researchers to meet the agricultural challenges of tomorrow with solutions rooted in science and innovation,” said Jim Cudahy, CEO of American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.

###